Articles in Category: Windows
How Do I Fix the Master Boot Record (MBR)?
The MBR is one facet of a successful boot. Windows Startup Repair is a tool that addresses all of them.
Is There a Limit to What a Single Folder or Directory Can Hold?
Hard disks continue to increase in size, as does what we’re storing on them. There are size limits, but not limits most people need to worry about.
How to Determine What’s Installed on Your Machine
Programs can be installed in many ways and many places. There’s no single authoritative list of what’s installed, but we can get close.
How Do I Reformat and Reinstall Windows?
To reformat and reinstall is considered the “nuclear option” when it comes to dealing with Windows problems (or just cleaning up).
How To Reduce System Restore Disk Space Usage
System Restore is allocated a certain amount of space on your hard disk. If that’s excessive, you can use less space, but at the cost of fewer restore points.
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.
Is There a Real Alternative to Windows?
Only Windows is Windows. There are alternatives, but whether they’re right for you depends on you.
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.
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.
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.
Why Disabling Remote Access Doesn’t, and What to Do Instead
Turning off remote access in Windows might feel safe, but it doesn’t block the kind of access scammers use. I’ll show you why those settings aren’t enough, how remote scams really work, and what simple habits will actually keep your computer secure.
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.
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.
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?
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do “Fix All Your Windows Problems” Utilities Work?
‘Fix All Your Windows Problems’ is a claim made by many products and utilities, and it’s best viewed with skepticism. We’ll look at how to evaluate some of those claims.
Why Do Windows Updates Mess Up My Computer?
We hear of Windows Update messing up computers. I’ll look through one scenario and offer some advice and a reminder: it’s not your fault.
Why Do Things Disappear from the Clipboard When I Close a Program?
Sometimes the clipboard behaves mysteriously. Let’s look at why.
Where’s the Recycle Bin on My USB Drive?
Relying on a Recycle Bin can be a costly mistake, particularly when USB and other removable drives may or may not even have one.
How Do I Clean Up After Windows Update?
What Windows Update leaves behind isn’t trash at all, but rather files with a specific purpose.
Why Does My Microsoft Word Document Display Differently on Different Computers?
Microsoft Word documents display differently on different systems because of differences between the systems. Getting Microsoft Word documents to display identically typically means processing them into something else.
Fixing Windows 7 Boot Problems
Your Windows 7 Setup disc can help you repair many types of boot problems.
Why Did Deleting a Desktop Icon Delete the Program?
The Windows desktop was intended to hold shortcuts to files located elsewhere, but it’s not limited to that.
What’s the Difference Between Hibernate and Sleep?
Hibernate and sleep are two optimizations to the boot/reboot process that can speed things up.
Why Does My Screen Go Black When My System is Out of RAM?
If your monitor suddenly goes black due to being out of RAM, it’s likely your computer has crashed.
Why is Windows 10 Telling Me “There Is a Problem with Your Microsoft Account”?
So-called “problems” with your Microsoft account may refer to Windows, or to other applications on your system.
How Do I Get the Windows 10 Creators Update 1709 to Install?
Every Windows 10 update should just work. Unfortunately, for some, they just don’t.
How Do I Disable Windows Updates in Windows 10 Home?
Windows 10 Home edition gives you little control of Windows Update. I do have a fairly large hammer you can use.
The First Dozen Changes to My Newly Reinstalled Windows 10
A peek into my priorities as I install apps and make changes after a Windows 10 reset.
What’s This New “People” Icon in My Taskbar?
A new icon has appeared on the Windows 10 taskbar. I’ll review what it is and how to make it go away.
