Articles tagged: Windows 11

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.

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.

File History in Windows 11.

Enable File History in Windows 11

File History can be a useful component of a larger backup strategy. I’ll show you how to set it up.

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.

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.

Failing the Windows 11 compatibility check.

Install Windows 11 Without a TPM 2.0 or on Older CPUs

Blocked from upgrading to Windows 11 by the TPM 2 or CPU requirements? There may be a way.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TPM

What Is a TPM? And Why Do I Need One?

Windows 11 hardware requirements brought the TPM, or Trusted Platform Module, into the spotlight. I’ll touch on what it is, why your machine might not appear to have one, and what to do if it doesn’t.

Windows 11

Windows 11 First Impressions

I installed Windows 11, and share some of my impressions.

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?

Download Windows

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

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