Articles in Category: Windows
Why I Don’t Like System Restore
System Restore doesn’t restore your system and has proven itself too unreliable to count on.
Why is Windows Complaining About Unsupported Hardware?
Unsupported hardware because the CPU is too new? It’s a scenario some users of older Windows versions can experience. There are a couple of solutions.
Why is the Same File a Different Size in Different Places?
Because of the way file systems organize and track your data on disk, size may be displayed differently in one place than in another.
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.
Is There a Real Alternative to Windows?
Only Windows is Windows. There are alternatives, but whether they’re right for you depends on you.
How to Create a Windows 10 Recovery Drive
A Windows 10 Recovery Drive can be used to restore Windows backups to your machine and more. I’ll show you how to create one.
How To Reinstall Windows Without an Installation Disc
The best way to prepare for needing an installation disc is to create one before you need it. I’ll review some approaches.
What’s the Difference Between a Sandbox and a Virtual Machine?
Sandboxes and virtual machines share some characteristics, but they are fundamentally different technologies. I’ll look at both from a high level.
Why is Windows 10 Using More and More RAM?
Software programs, like people, tend to get larger over time. I’ll look at how that happens and a few things you can do to compensate.
Where Can I Download Windows?
You can download Windows versions 7, 8.1, and 10 from legitimate sources. If you have a legal retail product key, this could be your replacement media.
How Do I Fix Windows Update?
Windows Update can get confused or stuck. I’ll review ways to fix Windows Update, including what I refer to as the “nuclear option”.
How Do I Find Out What Program Is Using All My CPU?
Occasionally, one program uses all of your computer’s processing resources. Using Task Manager, it’s easy to figure out which program that is.
How to Repair a Computer that Only Blue Screens
Blue screens on startup can be difficult to diagnose and recover from. If your machine only blue screens on start up, there are a number of things to try.
How To Keep Using Windows 7 Safely After Support Ends
Yes, it’ll be possible to keep using Windows 7 after it’s no longer supported. However, doing so safely will depend on you.
Why Is My Machine Slowing Down?
A PC running Windows can slow down for many reasons. Viruses, spyware, updated software, disk fragmentation, and more can lead to performance drops.
Open-Shell: Regain Your Start Menu in Windows and Much More
The single biggest complaint about Windows 8 and 10 is the tiled Start menu. Don’t like it? There’s an app for that.
What is the System Idle Process and Why Is It Using Most of the CPU?
Can a computer really do nothing? Yes and no. When it’s doing nothing it has to do something, and that something is the System Idle Process, waiting for something to do.
Disabling Remote Access Doesn’t Disable All Remote Access
You can disable Remote Access in Windows, but don’t be fooled: that doesn’t disable all types of remote access.
What’s the Difference Between Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance?
Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance are related yet different technologies included in Windows to allow remote access. I’ll review the differences.
Where’s My Disk Space Going?
It’s not uncommon to run out of disk space. A free utility can show where your disk space is going so you can determine what steps to take.
Should I Install the Latest Windows 10 Update?
My take on the latest Windows update and your options therein.
Should I Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Instead of Windows 10?
As Windows 8.1 is “between” Windows 7 and Windows 10, it’s tempting to think it’s a less jarring change. It’s not.
What Can I Disable in Task Manager’s Startup List?
Task Manager shows many of the items that run automatically when you start your machine. What you need and what you don’t depends on many factors.
How Do I Reset Windows 10?
“Reset your PC” is an option within Windows to return Windows itself to its initial state. I’ll walk through the steps.
Why Haven’t I Received the Latest Windows 10 Update?
The latest major update to Windows 10 has an issue that’s preventing wider rollout. I’ll review what it is, and what to do.
Will Windows 7 Keep Working After Support Ends?
The end of support for Windows 7 means Microsoft will no longer issue security updates. Here’s how to continue using it safely.
CHKDSK: What Is It and How Do I Run It?
CHKDSK, short for Check Disk, is a utility that checks the integrity of the files and file structure of your hard disk. I’ll walk you through it.
How Do I Change My Default Web Browser in Windows 10?
Changing the default browser used to be simple — and then along came malware. It’s still easy to change the default browser; it’s just different.
How Can I Boost My Laptop’s Performance?
There are a host of items that contribute to your computer’s (lack of) performance. I’ll review some of my top issues.
How Long Does Windows 7 Have Before It’s Phased Out?
The end is coming for Windows 7. But what does that really mean?
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.
How Do I Clean Up After Windows Update Breaks Other Applications?
Software rot can result in odd behavior, including a Windows update causing other software to fail. Here’s one approach to try to get things working again.
Why Do System Cleanup Utilities Report So Many Errors on a Supposedly Clean System?
System and registry cleaners often report wildly differing results. The reason? Sales tactics, and no clear consensus of what it means to be clean.
How Can I Make the Text on My Screen Larger?
There are several ways to adjust the size of text and items on your screen. I’ll discuss a commonly-used wrong way as well as the right way.
How Do I Move the Taskbar Back to the Bottom?
Occasionally, the Windows taskbar can end up on either side (or even the top of) your screen. I’ll show you how to move the taskbar bar back to the bottom.
How Do I Decompress All the Files that Windows Compressed for Me?
Windows includes the tools needed to uncompress files that you (or prior versions of Windows) might have compressed using Windows File Compression.
What Is Pagefile.sys? Can I Delete It?
Pagefile.sys is the “paging file”, or system file, that contains Windows’ virtual memory. You can remove it — if you understand the ramifications.
Can I Copy Windows 10 System Files to Another Drive?
Copying, moving, and licensing Windows 10 isn’t nearly as simple as we might like.
Coping with Windows 10
Windows Update seems less than reliable. How can you prepare for what may or may not happen without tearing your hair out?
Do All These Software Updates Take Up More and More Disk Space?
Staying up to date is an important part of staying safe. Sometimes that means disk space is slowly used for more and more updates — and sometimes not.
How Do I Figure Out My Windows Edition?
The “edition” of Windows you’re running — Home, Pro, or others — defines some of the features made available. It’s not difficult to find out which edition you have.
How Do I Fix Jagged Fonts in Windows 10?
A simple setting I’d assume to be on by default, wasn’t. As a result, the text on my screen looked … ugly.
Using OneDrive for Nearly Continuous Backup
OneDrive can be used for many things, but one of the most valuable is ongoing online backup.
What’s a Screen Shot and How Do I Make One?
A picture is worth a thousand words, and a screenshot – an image of your computer screen, saved as a picture – can eliminate a lot of frustration when trying to describe to someone what you’re seeing on your computer.
Critical: Back Up Before the 1809 Windows 10 Update!
The October 2018 Windows 10 Update is apparently deleting some people’s files. Here’s how to prepare and protect yourself.
Is it Safe to Delete This File?
Looking for large files when running out of disk space makes sense. I’ll look at the steps to determine whether a file, such as a .dat file, may be important.
How Do I Upgrade Windows from 32-bit to 64-bit?
If you have a 64-bit capable machine, you may want to upgrade from 32-bit Windows to 64. Unfortunately, the upgrade, while quite possible, isn’t easy.
Can I Tell If Something’s Been Pasted Instead of Typed?
In theory, pasting text is the same as typing it. Except when it’s not.
How Do I Remove My Personal Data from My Computer Running Windows 10?
It’s almost impossible to remove all personal information from a Windows installation, short of one extreme option.