Articles in Category: Windows
How Windows 10 Changed Setting Default Programs
Windows 10 changed how to modify default programs, forcing you to make the choice explicitly.
Why Is the Same File in Two or More Places on My Machine?
What appears to be multiple copies of the same file may be something else: one file simply appearing in more than one place.
Are Updates Free?
It’s important to develop a sense of what to expect so you recognize legitimate update messages.
Can I Install Windows 7 on a Machine that Comes with Windows 10?
If you can find a license for Windows 7, and if you can find old drivers for new hardware, it’s possible that it may work okay.
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.
How Do I Know What Updates to Install?
Unless you have a specific reason not to, the best approach to taking updates is to take them all. I’ll review why, and how to protect yourself in case something goes wrong.
Is Windows 10 Still Free in 2022? Where to Get It and How To Install It
Officially Windows 10 is no longer free, but there remains at least one unofficial scenario that may allow you to upgrade for free.
What is “Print To File” Used For?
Print to file is an option on many older print dialogs that sends printer output to a file rather than the printer. It’s of extremely limited use these days, if it’s even available at all.
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?
Ever notice the same file can show up as different sizes depending on where you look? It’s not a mistake—it’s how disks and online services handle storage. I’ll explain why your files can look bigger or smaller, what “clusters” have to do with it, and why it’s nothing to worry about.
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?
Is your once-speedy computer crawling? From hidden malware to too many background apps, there are plenty of reasons your PC might feel sluggish. I’ll walk you through the most common causes and what you can do to get things running smoothly again.
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.
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.
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.
