Articles tagged: Windows 10

Windows 11

Should I Update to Windows 11?

Windows 11 is out to much fanfare, hype, and confusion. Unless you have specific reasons, you don’t need to upgrade yet, but there’s also no reason to avoid it.

The End is Near!

The World Won’t End!

I reflect on the realization that Windows XP’s end-of-support date came and went and nothing happened, and the implications of that for Windows 10’s end of support.

Startup Repair

Using Startup Repair in Windows 10 and 11

Startup repair is a useful tool built into Windows setup media and recovery disks. I’ll walk through how to use it and what to do if it fails.

Merging Partitions

Can I Make C: Bigger by Taking Space From D:?

Changing the layout of the hard disk make the C: partition bigger requires a few steps and occasionally special tools.

UAC Setting

How Do I Turn Off UAC (User Account Control) in Windows?

User Access Control, or UAC, prompts you each time an application requires administrative access. Annoyance or feature?

Turn off hibernate

Tip of the Day: Turn Off Hibernate and Free Up Some Disk Space

Download Windows

Where Can I Download Windows 11? Or 10? Or 8?

You can download Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 from legitimate sources. If you have a legal retail product key, this can be your replacement media.

Windows 11 with a large "UNDO" key over it.

How Do I Go Back to Windows 10 From Windows 11?

Yes, you can still go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11. It just may not be easy.

OOBE initial screen.

Set Up Windows Again With the Windows Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)

Use the Windows 10 and 11 Out-of-Box Experience to reset a variety of items associated with initial computer setup.

Change what ... does

Tip of the Day: Control Your Laptop Buttons

A photorealistic image of a balance scale. On one side of the scale is the Microsoft logo, symbolizing a Microsoft account. On the other side is a local user icon, representing a local account. The scale is evenly balanced, depicting the equilibrium and choice between using both types of accounts in a Windows environment. The background is neutral to emphasize the scale and the symbols.

What Does Signing in to My Microsoft Account Really Mean in Windows?

Let’s sort out some of the differences between logging in using your Microsoft account and logging in using a local account.

Windows 10

How Long Will Windows 10 Be Supported?

Estimates for how long Windows 10 will be supported have changed. The original expectations were unrealistic at best.

File Explorer Views

Tip of the Day: File Explorer Views

Laptop with a speedometer on screen

10 Ways to Make Windows 10 and 11 Faster

Computers slow down for many reasons. I’ll review some of the steps you can take to speed yours up again.

Backup

How to Back Up Windows

Using free and included tools, here’s how to back up Windows and all your data in eight easy steps.

Make a Backup!

Why Do You Prefer Macrium Reflect Over Windows’s Own Image Backup Program?

Macrium Reflect is clearer and more fully featured than Windows’ built-in backup. It’s easier to understand and ultimately, I trust it more.

Desktop computer with a Stop sign on the screen.

Requires Elevation — What Does That Mean and What Do I Do?

Windows may tell you that a program requires elevation in order to run. We’ll look at what that means and the steps you can take in response.

Thumb Drive Inserted.

How Do I Boot From a USB Thumb Drive?

UEFI has made booting from something other than the hard drive more complex. I’ll review why, and what steps to take.

Balancing Disk and RAM.

How Do I Adjust Virtual Memory Settings?

Available virtual memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you’re constantly running low, you should look at what you’re running.

Turn on fast startup checkbox

Should I Turn Windows Fast Startup On or Off?

Fast Startup optimizes boot-time speed, but is an occasional suspect in boot-time problems. Turn Fast Startup off to get clues.

Windows 10 RIP

Is Windows 10 Going Away?

Windows 10 is and is not going away. It depends on your perspective.

CHKDSK needing to be run on reboot.

Where Do I Find CHKDSK Results After a Reboot?

CHKDSK must sometimes be run at boot time. I’ll show you where to find those CHKDSK results.

Visual Effects

Controlling Windows Visual Effects

Windows has long had settings to control certain aspects of the user interface. I’ll guide you to a couple of them and explain what the most common settings do.

Gray Text

Coping with Gray Text

Gray text is a problem for many people. Unfortunately, there’s no simple solution, though there are some (very) ugly ones.

Forget your Wi-Fi password?

How to Recover a Wi-Fi Password in Windows 10 and 11

If you forget your Wi-Fi password Windows may be able to remind you what it is.

Windows 10 RIP

What Happens at Windows 10 End of Support?

The end of support for Windows 10 means Microsoft will no longer issue security updates. Here’s how to continue using it safely.

So. Many. Hotspots.

Why Does My Laptop Keep Connecting to the Wrong Wi-Fi Network?

Windows tries to be helpful by remembering the Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to in the past. Sometimes, though, you want it to forget.

Windows Pro or Windows Home?

What’s the Difference Between Windows Home and Pro Editions?

I prefer Windows Professional editions. Here’s what I consider the important differences between Windows Home and Pro.

Change Drive Letter

How to Reassign Drive Letters in Windows

Drive letters like C:, D: and so on are assigned by Windows to reference your hard disks. They are not all cast in stone; most drive letters can be changed.

Sign-in screen.

How Do I Get Rid of a Screensaver Password?

On returning from a screensaver, Windows can ask for a password. That’s a security measure that can be turned off… but be sure you should first.

Welcome to Windows 11 - No!

How Do I Downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10?

Give Windows 11 a shot, but know that you can go back to Windows 10 if you need to.

Get Adobe Reader

Tip of the Day: Install Acrobat Reader

Scan

How Do I Run a Full Scan Using Windows Defender?

A full scan scans things a more common “quick scan” bypasses. Here’s how to run one using Windows Security.

Start!

What Windows Startup Programs Do I Need?

Windows startup is a complex process further complicated by the number of programs that add themselves to the list. Paring it down takes work.

Windows 11

Windows 11 is Not Supported on My Newer PC — What Can I Do?

If Windows 11 is not supported on your computer, there are several options. The best option is to wait.

Move, Copy, Make a Shortcut

Tip of the Day: Move, Copy, or Create Shortcut

The Sysinternals Web Page.

Installing SysInternals Tools

Microsoft has made these free tools easier to get and keep automatically updated.

SFC - The System File Checker

SFC: the System File Checker – How to Run It and Why

The System File Checker is a little-known, simple-to-run command-line program. It validates that Window’s operating files are undamaged.

Save As Location

Tip of the Day: Where Does Save Save?

Windows File Explorer

Tip of the Day: View the Full Path in Windows File Explorer

Windows 10 with a solid color desktop

Tip of the Day: a Solid-color Desktop

Playback Devices

Tip of the Day: Change the Output Audio Device

Jump List

Tip of the Day: Use Jump Lists

Hide the TaskBar

Tip of the Day: Hide the Taskbar

Problem Steps Recorder Recording

Tip of the Day: Problem Steps Recorder

Sendto Notepad

Tip of the Day: SendTo Notepad

Windows 11

Did Microsoft Lie?

The release of Windows 11 proved the statement that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows to be wrong. But was it a lie?

Please Wait

How I Fixed a Failed Windows 10 Update

Windows Update generally works. Here’s the successful approach I took when it didn’t.

Hotspot List in CMD

Tip of the Day: View Remembered Wireless Networks in Command Prompt

Windows 10 DVD

How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Media

The best way to prepare for needing an installation disc is to create one before you need it. I’ll review some approaches.