Latest Windows How-To Stories
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How to disable ads for apps in Windows 11's Start menu
Windows 11 occasionally displays ads in the Start menu — and you can turn them off pretty easily.
How-To
How to easily restore Windows 11 from the cloud, with your data
You can restore Windows 11 directly from the cloud, without installation media and without external drives.
How-To
How to turn off annoying Windows notifications for individual apps
Windows notifications can get really annoying, especially if they're constantly popping up. We'll show you how to switch off these notifications on an individual basis.
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How to stop Microsoft Teams from automatically launching at startup
Tired of Microsoft Teams launching on its own when you start up your PC? Here's how to disable autostart for Teams.
How-To
Want to safely use Windows 10 after Microsoft ends support? Meet 0Patch
With 0Patch, you can provide Windows 10 with updates beyond October 2025. We show you how it works.
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Microsoft offers tips for long startup times on Windows PCs
In a new support page, Microsoft provides guidance on speeding up the Windows startup process.
How-To
How to prevent Windows Defender from ruining your gaming performance
This simple fix can boost your PC's performance in games.
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How to use Windows 11's camera app to take photos and videos
Whether on a notebook, smartphone, or PC: The camera app in Windows 11 takes photos easily — without any drivers.
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Super God Mode for Windows grants easy control over 1,200 settings
This free third-party tool makes it easy to tweak pretty much any Windows setting with a few clicks.
Tip
It's scary when your webcam turns on and you don't know why
I was a bit freaked out when I saw that my webcam was on and watching me, and I didn't know why. Here's how I solved that mystery…I think.
How-To
How to sign PDF documents without printing them out
Need to sign an e-mailed PDF document? Going through the motions of printing, signing, and scanning the document is tedious. Fortunately, there's a faster way to go about this process.
Tip
Eradicate Windows 11's annoying Microsoft ads with this free tool
Microsoft includes a lot of self-promotion in Windows 11. If you want to stop this, you can use a free tool. This is how it works.
How-To
Is your PC slowing down? Here's how to find the problem
If your Windows PC is slowing down or even crashing, we recommend getting to the root of the problem with these diagnostic tools.
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How to record audio files with Windows 11
The audio recorder was introduced in Windows 11 as a replacement for the previous Voice Recorder program. It enables audio recordings via integrated microphones or headsets.
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Unlock the potential of Windows File Explorer with this free app
The free files app beautifies and improves Windows File Explorer in every way.
How-To
The 7 deadliest Windows sins: Don't break your PC!
If you avoid a few mistakes in Windows, your system can run smoothly and efficiently for a long time. We show you what you should NOT do in Windows.
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How to take smarter screenshots in Windows 11
Need to take a screenshot in Windows 11? We'll guide you every step of the way.
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Do I need Windows and software licenses for a virtual machine?
What you need to know about license keys for running Windows and commercial software in virtual machines.
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How to update all your Windows PC's apps with a single click
It can be tedious to keep your software up to date under Windows. It's a lot easier with this free third-party package manager tool.
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22 awesome free apps already installed on your Windows PC
Microsoft has developed many powerful free applications for Windows 11.
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14 tips to protect your privacy on Windows 11
With the right settings enabled, you can make your Windows 11 experience more secure.
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Windows gets Linux's sudo superpower: Here's how to turn it on
Learn what the powerful sudo command is, how it works, and how to enable it in Windows 11.
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18 tweaks that give Windows 11 a personalized feel
Not happy with the look of Windows 11? Here are tips to make your computer look better and feel better.
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How to use Windows Pro’s BitLocker device encryption on any PC
BitLocker is officially only available for Windows 10/11 Pro. However, the tool is actually also included in the Home versions, just hidden.
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How to change what Windows does when you plug in a flash drive
When you connect a USB stick to your computer, the "AutoPlay" notification appears by default. This is annoying, but there is a simple solution.
How-To
20 smart tweaks that make Windows 11 more productive
Here's how to get more out of your Start Menu, Taskbar, Widgets — and many others.
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7 nifty Windows File Explorer tips to keep under your belt
You use File Explorer all the time, but have you mastered it? Here's how to take full advantage of it.
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Can't update Windows due to error code 0x80070643? Here's what to do
Here's what to do if this bug is preventing you from installing these important security updates for Windows.
How-To
This Windows feature eliminates the need for a USB flash drive
Still using the old-fashioned sneakernet to get files from one computer to another? Or uploading to the cloud to then download it again? There’s an easier way.
How-To
7 ways Windows collects your data (and how to opt out)
Microsoft tracks certain types of data on Windows 11 users. You can opt out of most of it.
Tip
This clever tip alerts you when apps are added to Startup in Windows 11
Did you know Windows 11 can immediately inform you when an app is added to the auto-start list?
How-To
How to turn off Recall on Copilot+ PCs: Stop Windows from recording everything
The new Windows Recall function records everything that happens on your PC and takes a screenshot of your screen every five seconds. This allows you to switch off Recall permanently and protect your privacy.
News
This Windows 11 trick brings back Windows 10's file explorer
A Reddit user discovered this trick by chance, which opens the Windows 10 File Explorer in Windows 11.
How-To
Why you should reset your Windows PC every year
Windows PCs should not only be reset in emergencies. Here's why an annual reinstallation of Windows offers many advantages.
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How to change the color of the Windows taskbar
Looking to customize the look of the Windows taskbar? We'll guide you every step of the way.
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How to compare current and older file versions in Microsoft Word
If you repeatedly revise a Word document and save it as a separate file, it is difficult to keep track of the changes. We will show you how to display the changed passages.
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Windows is full of mysterious processes and files. What's behind them?
Windows is full of files whose purpose is baffling to you. Some of these files take up an enormous amount of space. But only a few can be deleted safely. We can help.
How-To
13 important Windows settings to change immediately
Immediately after installing Windows 11, there are various settings that you should adjust to operate the operating system more securely and effectively.
How-To
Save money! How to use your smartphone as a Windows 11 PC webcam
Windows 11 now allows the wireless connection of Android smartphones for use as a webcam. We'll show you how to do this and what you should look out for.
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How to reset Microsoft Edge's browser settings
Sometimes problems occur with the Edge browser, such as annoying cookie settings or blocked downloads. We'll show you how to solve these quickly.
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How to turn off Windows 11's new Start Menu ads
Microsoft is starting to display annoying ads in the Windows 11 start menu. How to switch them off immediately.
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Midnight Commander revives the spirit of Norton's long-dead file manager
Although Norton Commander, once the standard tool among file managers, is long gone, Midnight Commander offers a suitable replacement.
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Outlook: How to set up breaks between your meetings
By default, Outlook assumes that appointments in the calendar follow each other directly if you enter them one after the other. We will show you how Outlook automatically schedules breaks between consecutive appointments.
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How to open the Windows Terminal with the command prompt
With the Terminal, Windows has a common interface for Powershell, Command Prompt, and Azure Cloud Shell. This allows you to start the terminal directly with the command prompt.
How-To
Copilot Pro: What can Microsoft 365's premium AI do?
With Copilot Pro, private users can now also utilize the artificial intelligence of Chat-GPT in Microsoft Office. The chat tool is powerful, but there is still a lack of integration and usability.
How-To
7 settings every PC gamer should tweak immediately
In this article, we show you how you can optimize your PC's gaming performance using Windows and UEFI settings — and introduce you to useful software that every gamer should have.
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Should I disconnect my PC from the internet when I have a virus?
It is often recommended to disconnect the internet connection in the event of a virus attack. But is it really sensible or even necessary to disconnect the computer from the internet?
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Windows 11 power tip: How to use the old task manager
You're using the new Windows 11 Task Manager, but you like the old Task Manager better? No problem: With this trick, you can start the old task manager immediately.
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How to fight the new Windows Outlook app and keep Mail…for now
Microsoft is trying to kidnap Mail users and put them into the new Outlook app! Here's how to fight back and resist.
How-To