Windows 11’s emoji picker has a new habit of breaking at the worst possible moment, and nothing is more annoying than watching the search box vanish for no reason. The good news is that the fix is fast, hidden, and works even when the UI looks completely broken.

If you’re like me, you admittedly abuse using emojis for various reasons, so when I’ve brought up the emoji picker in Windows 11 in the last few days, only to see the search box gone, well, it made my life a bit more difficult.

I figured maybe this is just a quirk with my PC until a colleague of mine, Nick Sutrich of Android Central, brought it up in Slack, wondering if anyone else had seen this, and that’s when I would have dropped in some 👀 if only I could search for it.

Turns out, rebooting your PC often fixes it, but who has time for that during a weekday?

Luckily, there’s an easy way to fix this until Microsoft figures out what is causing it in the first place (note: I’m on Beta for Insiders, which is hilarious, as I was 99.99% sure I signed up for Preview Release months ago, so that’s another thing for me to figure out as I just learned that writing this article).

Anyway, enough banter.

How to get back ‘search’ for Windows 11’s emoji picker

This will take you all of 30 seconds, and a brief moment of your taskbar dissapearing. Don't worry, it'll be OK.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Find Windows Explorer in the list.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.

Doing this forces the UI elements to reload properly.

This worked for Nick and me, so it should work for you, so good luck!

Until Microsoft ships a proper fix, this quick workaround is the easiest way to get emoji search working again. It’s not elegant, but it gets the job done and saves you from wrestling with a feature that should never disappear in the first place.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

After nearly a decade of service, Windows 10 is reaching its end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for the operating system. While you can continue using your PC for another year through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program or upgrade to Windows 11 to stay protected, you might also decide to retire the device altogether if you have a new computer.

If that's the case, you shouldn't simply recycle, trade in, or give away the system without first properly cleaning it. Unless you securely erase the drive, your personal files, passwords, and other sensitive data could still be recovered.

➡️ See all of our Windows 10 End of Life coverage

For older systems running Windows 10, the "Reset this PC" feature in the "Recovery" settings provides the easiest way to wipe out your data before decommissioning.

Although there are many other advanced tools for erasing drives beyond recovery, the built-in reset feature is accessible to everyone and simple to use. And for those who want complete peace of mind, physically destroying the hard drive (such as removing it or rendering it unreadable) is still the most foolproof way to keep your data safe.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to completely erase your Windows 10 computer before decommissioning it.

This process makes it harder, but not impossible, to recover your files. However, it's better than decommissioning the device without clearing the data. Microsoft notes that this feature is targeted at consumers, but it doesn't meet industry data erasure standards.

Important: Since this process will delete everything on the computer, it's recommended that you back up any files you wish to keep.

Reset your Windows 10 PC to protect your privacy before the end of life

To wipe out your computer running Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Click the Get started button under the "Reset this PC" section.

5. Click the Remove everything option.

6. Choose the Local reinstall option.

• Quick note: Only choose the "Cloud download" if the local image fails to reset the system.

7. Click the Change settings option.

8. Turn on the "Delete files from all drives" toggle switch to securely erase all the drives on the computer.

8. Click the Confirm button.
9. Click the "Show me the list of drives that will be affected" option to see drives that will be erased during the reset process.

8. Click the Back button.
9. Click the Next button.
10. Click the Reset button.

If you're preparing to decommission the computer, there's nothing else you need to do after the system completes the process. The reset process is considered complete once the setup requires you to complete the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE).

FAQs about resetting a Windows 10 device

These are common questions regarding resetting Windows 10 to its default settings.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

To fix a second monitor not being detected on Windows 10 or 11, first check its physical cable connections, including AC power, and its input sources, such as HDMI or DisplayPort. If this doesn’t work, use Windows Settings to manually detect displays or add wireless monitors, if you have them. Otherwise, address software issues by updating, reinstalling, or rolling back graphics drivers via Device Manager or tools from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, connecting a second display allows you to expand your desktop and work with multiple apps, as well as play games, on your laptop or desktop computer.

Although setting up an external monitor is usually straightforward, the operating system may sometimes fail to detect older displays or second monitors due to driver or hardware-related issues. However, if your device has a problem, you can use several troubleshooting steps, including checking the connection and installing the correct drivers, to fix the issue quickly.

In this how-to guide, I'll further explain these ways to troubleshoot and fix issues that block the system from automatically detecting the second monitor. This set of instructions is focused on Windows 10, but you can also refer to them if you're dealing with the same issues on Windows 11. I have also added a section with more specific steps for the newer version of the operating system.

These instructions have been updated on September 17, 2025, to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process in the operating system, as well as adding an FAQ.

How to fix external monitor connection issues from hardware troubleshooting

When your desktop or laptop does not detect the second external display, it could be a software problem, but it might also be an issue with the physical connection or the monitor itself.

If the monitor does not show up in the settings, use these steps before messing around with the configuration settings on Windows:

• Confirm the monitor is receiving power – Confirm that the display is securely connected to a working power outlet and that the power cable is not damaged.
• Verify the monitor is turned on – Use the physical power button on the monitor to check if it’s powered on. Look for any LED indicators.
• Restart your computer – A simple reboot can refresh the hardware connections and resolve minor glitches.
• Check the input source on the monitor – Use the monitor’s built-in menu to ensure it’s set to the correct input port (for example, HDMI or DisplayPort).
• Inspect the signal cable connection – Check that the cable connecting the monitor to the graphics card is securely plugged in at both ends.
• Reconnect the signal cable – Disconnect the video cable from both the monitor and the computer, wait for 60 seconds, then reconnect it firmly.
• Swap the video cable – Use a different cable to rule out a faulty or incompatible one. Even small issues, such as bent pins or poor shielding, can screw up the signal.
• Check cable specifications – Ensure you’re using a cable that meets the monitor’s requirements. For example, DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0/2.1 may be necessary for high resolutions or refresh rates. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for compatibility guidelines.
• Try different video ports – If your monitor and graphics card support multiple input and output ports, test each one to rule out port-specific issues.
• Connect the monitor to another computer – This will help determine if the issue lies with the display itself.
• Test a different monitor – Connect a known working monitor to your computer to check if the problem is related to your system’s graphics card or drivers.
• Disconnect all peripheral devices – Unplug printers, cameras, USB drives, and other accessories to eliminate potential conflicts.
• Surface devices using a docking station – Bypass the dock and connect the monitor directly to the device. This helps identify whether the dock is the cause of the problem.
• Update your monitor’s firmware – Although rare, outdated firmware can cause compatibility or performance issues. Check your manufacturer’s website for firmware updates and installation instructions.

If the basic troubleshooting steps outlined above do not fix the problem with the second monitor, it could be a software-related issue, which you may be able to fix with the steps below.

In the event that the problem is the monitor or you are in the market for a new one, check our best 4K monitor roundup that you should consider getting.

How to fix external monitor connection issues from Settings

After determining that there isn't a physical problem with the connection, monitor, or computer, you can use the Settings app to force the system to detect the second monitor.

Force second display detection

To detect a second monitor manually on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Display.
4. Click the Detect button to connect to the external monitor under the "Multiple displays" section.

5. (Optional) Click the Detect button in the bottom-right corner, under the "Rearrange your displays" section (if applicable).

• Quick note: If you have only one monitor, the option won't be present since it's only available when connecting multiple displays.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 should detect the external monitor connected to the computer.

Connect wireless external display

To connect a wireless display on Windows 10 as a secondary screen on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Devices.
3. Click on Bluetooth & other devices.
4. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch (if applicable).
5. Click the "Add Bluetooth or other device" button.

6. Select the "Wireless display or dock" option.

7. Confirm the wireless display is on and discoverable (refer to device documentation).
8. Select the display (wireless monitor, TV, or PC with Miracast support) from the list.
9. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

After you complete the steps, the wireless display will be detected as a new external display.

How to fix external monitor connection issues from latest graphics drivers

A buggy, outdated, or corrupted graphics driver can cause problems that prevent the operating system from automatically detecting a second monitor. The easiest method to fix this issue is to update, reinstall, or downgrade the driver.

Update graphics driver

To update the graphics card driver through Windows Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the "View optional updates" option.

• Quick tip: If the option is not available, Windows Update does not have a newer driver available.

5. Select the Driver updates setting.
6. Check the graphics driver to update on Windows 10.

7. Click the "Download and install" button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will install the graphics driver, fixing the external monitor's detection problem.

If Windows Update does not have a newer driver version, check the manufacturer's support website to download and install a more recent version (if available).

Reinstall graphics driver

To reinstall a corrupted video driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Double-click to expand the Display adapters branch.
4. Right-click the adapter and select the Uninstall device option.

5. Clear the "Delete the driver software from this device" option (if applicable).
6. Click the Uninstall button.

7. Restart the computer.
8. Open Device Manager again.

• Quick note: The system should detect the monitor again automatically. If it's not the case, you can scan for changes manually to reinstall the display.

8. Right-click the computer name and select the "Scan for hardware changes" option.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will automatically reinstall the driver. However, it's good to follow the above steps to ensure the driver is installed correctly.

Rollback graphics driver

If the computer was recently updated or the graphics driver was manually upgraded, and the system cannot detect the second monitor, rolling back to the previous driver version may resolve the issue.

To remove and reinstall an older version of a graphics driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Double-click to expand the Display adapters branch.
4. Right-click the graphics adapter and select the Properties option.

5. Click the Driver tab.
6. Click the Roll Back Driver button.

1. Quick tip: You cannot use this rollback process if the option is unavailable. However, you may still be able to use an older version from the device manufacturer's support website, if available.

7. Select an option to answer the question.
8. Click the Yes button.
9. Restart the device.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 should start rendering content on the external monitor.

Update graphics driver with manufacturer control panel

The operating system can automatically install drivers for most graphics adapters, but the drivers available through Windows Update are usually not the most recent. If you need to install the latest driver, companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel offer tools to quickly update to the newest version, which may help fix external display problems.

Check out these links to download the drivers, depending on your manufacturer:

• Intel Driver & Support Assistant
• NVIDIA GeForce Experience
• AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition

If you want to use the manufacturer's control panel application, the installation is simple. You only need to download and double-click the installer using the links above. Then, follow the on-screen directions to complete the setup and check for updates.

Alternatively, you can download the drivers directly from the manufacturer's support website using their recommended instructions. You can use the links below to find the drivers:

• Intel
• NVIDIA
• AMD

Check manufacturer and driver version

To check the graphics card vendor and driver version on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for System Information and click the top result to open the app.
3. Double-click to expand the Components branch on the left pane.
4. Select the Display category.
5. Confirm the Adapter Type and Driver Version information to determine the driver's card model and current version.

Once you've completed the steps, use the links above to find, download, and install the correct driver.

Finally, manufacturers (such as Dell, HP, Razer, Acer, and Microsoft) usually change the original drivers to optimize their computers. As a result, if you have a branded computer (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, computer), you should always consider using the graphics driver available from the device manufacturer before trying those from the graphics card manufacturer to avoid problems.

How to fix external monitor connection issues on Windows 11

Although these instructions also apply to Windows 11, some steps are slightly different because the newer version features an updated interface.

Force external monitor detection

To detect an external monitor manually on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Display page on the right side.

4. Click the Multiple displays setting.
5. Click the Detect button.

Once you complete the steps, the system should detect the external display.

Connect wireless external display

To connect a wireless display as a secondary screen, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.
3. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch (if applicable).
4. Click the Add device button.

5. Select the "Wireless display or dock" option.

6. Confirm the wireless display is turned on and discoverable (refer to device documentation).
7. Select the display (wireless monitor, TV, or PC with Miracast support) from the list.
8. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

After you complete the steps, the display will be detected as a new external display on the computer.

Update graphics driver

To update the graphics driver, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the Advanced options page on the right side.

4. Click the Optional updates option under the "Additional options" section.

5. Select the newer graphics driver to install on Windows 11.
6. Click the "Download & install" button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will download and install the available update for the graphics driver, fixing the external monitor's detection problem.

FAQs

These are common questions when dealing with a multi-monitor setup on Windows 10.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool built into Windows 10 that allows network administrators to prepare, modify, and repair system images, including Windows Recovery Environment, Windows Setup, and Windows PE (WinPE). However, you can also use the tool with the local recovery image to fix most system problems.

When you try to fix a specific error, figure out why the computer stopped booting correctly, or resolve performance problems, the System File Checker (SFC) is one of the best tools to replace missing or corrupted system files using the recovery image. The only caveat with this approach is that if one or more system files in the local image are damaged, the SFC command won't work. In this scenario, you can use the "install.wim" image file with DISM to repair the image and then use the SFC tool to fix the setup without reinstalling the operating system.

In this how-to guide, I will show you how, in 2025 and beyond, the DISM and SFC are the best tools for restoring a computer from a broken to a healthy working state without reinstallation.

Warning: The commands outlined in this guide are non-destructive, but since you will be making system changes, it is still recommended to create a temporary full backup before proceeding.

How to use DISM to repair image of Windows 10

The DISM command tool includes multiple features to repair a system image, including "CheckHealth," "ScanHealth," and "RestoreHealth," and you want to use them in that order. Also, depending on the issue, you can use the "RestoreHealth" option to fix the locally available image using different source files.

DISM command with CheckHealth option

The "CheckHealth" option with the DISM determines any corruptions inside the local Windows 10 image. However, this option does not perform any sort of repair.

To check the image of Windows 10 for issues with DISM, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Once you complete the steps, the DISM tool will run and verify any data corruption that may require fixing inside the local image.

DISM command with ScanHealth option

The "ScanHealth" option performs a more advanced scan to find out whether the image has any issues.

To check image problems with the "ScanHealth" option, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to perform an advanced DISM scan and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

After completing the steps, the scan may take some time to check whether the image needs fixing.

DISM command with RestoreHealth option

If the system image has problems, the "RestoreHealth" option scans and repairs common issues automatically.

To repair Windows 10 local image problems with DISM, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to repair the image and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Quick note: It's normal if the command appears stuck. After a few moments, the process will be completed successfully.

Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will connect to the "Windows Update" servers to download and replace damaged files (if applicable).

Fix problems with DISM using install.wim image

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management commands typically don't cause issues. However, if the tool finds problems replacing the damaged files or the computer doesn't have an internet connection, you can use another image using the "Source" option. Usually, you can use an "install.wim" or "install.esd" file from another device, install media, or ISO file. You only need to ensure the files match the version, edition, and language of the version you are trying to fix.

Download Windows 10 ISO file

If you need another file source, use the Media Creation Tool to download a fresh copy of Windows 10.

To download the ISO file of Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website.
2. Click the Download Now button.
3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool_xxxx.exe file to launch the setup.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
5. Select the "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" option.

6. Click the Next button.
7. Click the Next button again.

8. Select the ISO file option.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Select the destination to store the Windows 10 ISO file.
11. Click the Save button.
12. Click the link to open the file location on File Explorer.

13. Click the Finish button.
14. Double-click the Windows.iso file to mount the image.
15. Confirm the drive letter for the mount point of the ISO file under the "This PC" section.

After you complete the steps, continue with the DISM tool using the "Source" option to repair the image locally stored on the computer.

Fix Windows 10 recovery image

To run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool with an alternate source (install.wim) image, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to repair the image and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:E:\Sources\install.wim

In the command, replace "E" with the mount point drive letter on File Explorer.

4. (Optional) Type the following command to limit the use of Windows Update and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:G\Sources\install.wim /LimitAccess
5. (Optional) Type the following variant of the previous command to accomplish the same task and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:G:\Sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess

In the command, change "G:\Sources," for the path to the "install.wim" file.

Once you complete the steps, the command will scan and repair the problems using the "install.wim" file you specified as the alternative source.

Fix problems with DISM using ESD image

In case you have an encrypted "install.esd" image, it's possible to use that image to repair the damaged system files on Windows 10.

To use DISM with an "install.esd" image file as the source to repair Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to repair the image with an "install.esd" file and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd

In the command, change "C:\ESD\Windows\sources" with the path to the location of the ".esd" file (if different).

4. (Optional) Type the following command to limit the use of Windows Update and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd /LimitAccess
5. (Optional) Type the following variant of the previous command to accomplish the same task and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:esd:C:\ESD\Windows\sources\install.esd:1 /LimitAccess
6. (Optional) Type the following command to use an install.esd file located in another drive and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:E:\Sources\install.esd

In the command, replace "E:\Sources" with the path to the location of the "install.esd" file.

After you complete the steps, the tool will repair the damaged files using the files included in the "install.esd" image.

Troubleshooting common errors

If the RestoreHealth command fails, depending on the error, you can try these fixes:

• Error 0x800f081f: The source files could not be found – You can resolve this error by running the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:D:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess command.
• Error 87: The parameter is incorrect – Check the command for typos and re-try it. Commands are case-insensitive, but spaces must be exact.
• DISM stuck at 20%, 40%, or 80% – Restart the computer and try again. It can also help run the chkdsk C: /f /r /x command to check for disk errors. However, before taking any actions, consider that sometimes, if the command appears stuck, it could also mean the tool is busy repairing the system.
• Error 0x800f0906: DISM fails to download files – This error indicates that the tool is having issues downloading files from Windows Update. In this case, ensure your internet connection is stable. Try using a local Windows installation source using the above steps.

You can also examine the command-line tool log file located at C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log to find clues to determine the exact problem.

If you're unable to get this DISM command working and the current setup has problems, you may want to consider resetting the computer to the factory default with the Reset this PC feature or by performing a clean installation of Windows 10.

How to run SFC to repair problems on Windows 10

The above steps are meant to repair issues with the system image, not the problems with the installation of Windows 10. After restoring the image to a healthy state, you can use the System File Checker command tool to repair the current setup of Windows 10.

To use the SFC command tool to repair system problems, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to repair the installation and press Enter: SFC /scannow

• Quick tip: If errors are found, you may want to run the command around three times to ensure that everything was fixed correctly.

Once you complete the steps, the System File Checker tool will repair the system files using the local image files, and the log files will be saved on "%windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log" and "%windir%\Logs\DISM\dism.log," which you can view to get more details about the process.

You can use these instructions to learn more ways to use the SFC tool to fix problems on Windows 10.

FAQs

These are common questions when using DISM on Windows 10.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 10, checking your computer's hardware and system specifications can be useful for many tasks. Whether you're verifying compatibility for an app, preparing to upgrade to a new Windows version, troubleshooting issues, or considering a hardware upgrade, knowing your specs gives you the insights you need.

For instance, if the system slows down or crashes, identifying the processor, memory, graphics, and storage configuration can help you determine the root cause.

Windows 10 provides multiple ways to view detailed system specifications, including CPU, RAM, motherboard, graphics card, BIOS or UEFI firmware, device model, driver versions, update history, and Windows version. You can access this information through built-in tools such as Settings, System Information, and the Command Prompt. However, available details may vary slightly depending on the method you choose.

In this how-to guide, I'll walk you through the steps to check your device's complete hardware and software specifications.

How to find computer hardware specs from Settings

The "About" page includes the basic system specifications, such as processor, memory, and Windows installation details.

To check the computer tech specs with the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on About.
4. Check the processor, system memory (RAM), architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), and pen and touch support under the Device specifications section.

5. Check the software specifications under the Windows specifications section.

• Edition — Shows whether this is a Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Home installation.
• Version — Reveals the Windows release currently on the computer, and the version changes every year after a feature update.
• Installed on — States the date when the last feature update was installed.
• OS build — Indicates the build number of the release. The first five numbers represent the version, and anything after the period represents the latest quality update.

Once you complete the steps, you will understand the computer's basic technical specifications.

While on the "About" page, you can also click the "Copy" button under each section to copy and share the specifications with others, save them for future reference, or for inventory purposes.

Microsoft has also updated the "About" page, which now provides the key hardware specifications at the top of the page using cards. These specifications include the amount of memory and its type, processor details, graphics card information, and storage capacity.

How to find computer specs from System Information

The System Information app on Windows 10 is one of the best options to view a complete overview of the computer's technical specifications.

To view all the hardware specs of the computer, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for msinfo32 and click the top result to open the System Information app.
3. Select the System Summary category from the left navigation pane.

4. Confirm the computer specs on the right side, including system model and type, processor brand and model, UEFI (or legacy BIOS) version and other details, system memory capacity, motherboard brand and model, and virtualization support.
5. (Optional) Expand the Components branch.
6. Click on Display to view the graphics card technical information.

After completing the steps, you will have a detailed overview of the laptop or desktop's specs.

In addition, at the bottom of the page, you will find a search box to find the information you need quickly. The only caveat is that you must be precise with the queries to obtain the desired information.

Create hardware specs report

System Information also offers an option to create a report that includes hardware and software specifications, which you can save for future reference, use for inventory, or share with technical support.

To create a report with the system specifications on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for msinfo32 and click the top result to open the System Information app.
3. Select the specifications to export from the left navigation pane.

• Quick tip: Selecting System Summary will export everything. However, if you only need to export the graphics card details, you only need to select the Display item.

4. Click on the File menu.
5. Click the Export option.

6. Select the folder to export the file.
7. Confirm a descriptive name for the report — for example, "Windows 10 Hardware Specifications".
8. Click the Save button.
9. Open File Explorer.
10. Open the folder containing the exported information.
11. Right-click the text file and select the open option to view the exported system information.

After you complete the steps, the specifications will export into a text file, which you can then open with any text editor.

How to find computer specs from DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Windows 10 also includes the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag), which provides detailed information about the system’s DirectX components, sound, and video capabilities. While primarily designed for troubleshooting graphics and audio issues, this tool also provides a quick way to view key hardware specifications, similar to those found in the "About" section of Settings. It displays details such as system manufacturer, model, processor, memory, graphics card, and DirectX version.

To check your Windows 10 computer specs using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for dxdiag and click the top result to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
3. Click on the System tab.
4. Check the computer's technical specifications, including processor, memory, BIOS or UEFI version, system model and manufacturer, Windows 10 version and edition, etc., under the "System information" section.

5. Click the Display tab.
6. Check the graphics card specifications, including name and manufacturer, graphics memory, and display details, under the "Device" section.

7. (Optional) Click the "Save All Information" button.

8. Select the folder destination.
9. Confirm a descriptive name for the report. For example, "Windows 10 Hardware Specifications."
10. Click the Save button.
11. Open File Explorer.
12. Open the folder containing the exported information.
13. Right-click the text file and select the open option to view the exported information.

Once you complete the steps, you can open the text file to review the computer hardware and software details.

How to find computer specs from PowerShell

You can also use PowerShell to find out the technical specifications of your computer.

To use PowerShell to check the computer tech specs on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to determine the computer specs and press Enter: Get-ComputerInfo

4. (Optional) Type the following command to view only the details of a specific component and press Enter: Get-ComputerInfo -Property "PROPERTY-NAME"

In the command, change PROPERTIES-NAME for the details you want to review. This example shows everything regarding the BIOS information: Get-ComputerInfo -Property "bios*"

• Quick note: The asterisk (*) in the command is a wildcard to match every property that starts with BIOS.

After you complete the steps, PowerShell will display a full list of Windows 10 and hardware information, or the specific property you requested in the command.

How to find computer specs from Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can use Command Prompt to check your computer’s specifications on Windows 10. By running the systeminfo command, you can access comprehensive details about the system's hardware and software, often revealing more information than the graphical tools. This includes data such as the system model, processor, memory, BIOS version, Windows installation date, hotfixes, and other relevant information.

To view your computer specs with Command Prompt on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to find the device specs and press Enter: systeminfo

• Quick tip: Use the systeminfo /? command to see the available options using this tool in Command Prompt.

After running the command, the output will display detailed hardware and software information, including Windows 10 version, system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), installed memory (RAM), network configuration, and whether the device uses BIOS or UEFI. If needed, you can also save the output from Command Prompt or PowerShell to a text file for future reference or troubleshooting.

If you can confirm the technical specifications meet the requirements, it's now time to upgrade to Windows 11, as Microsoft is scheduled to end support of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

After this day, the company will no longer provide any updates or support. As a result, it's important to prepare in advance.

If your computer doesn't meet the requirements, you can sign up for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to continue receiving important updates and maintain the device's security until October 13, 2026.

FAQs

These are common questions about technical specifications on Windows 10.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

TL;DR: How to reset Windows to factory settings

• Open Settings > System > Recovery (for Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Recovery (for Windows 10) and click Reset PC/this PC.
• Choose Keep my files (to preserve data) or Remove everything (clearing all files).
• Pick Cloud download or Local reinstall to use a downloadable or on-disk Windows image.
• Confirm your selections and click Reset to reinstall Windows with factory defaults.

On Windows 11, if you have had the same setup for a long time or you're experiencing issues like slow performance, battery drain, system crashes, or stubborn malware, the "Reset this PC" feature offers a quick way to fix most problems. This recovery feature allows you to reinstall Windows 11 using a clean system image, either by keeping your files or removing everything to start fresh.

You can choose to restore the system to its factory settings while retaining your personal files and settings, or wipe everything to resolve persistent issues. The feature also gives you the flexibility to use a clean operating system image instead of a manufacturer’s recovery image, helping you avoid preinstalled bloatware and custom configurations.

In this how-to guide, I will walk you through three methods to reset Windows 11 to its factory settings, keeping your files or erasing everything.

How to factory reset Windows 11 preserving files

To reset a Windows 11 laptop or desktop to its factory default settings without losing your files, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Recovery page on the right side.

4. Click the Reset PC button for the "Reset this PC" feature under the "Recovery options" section.

5. Click the "Keep my files" option.

6. Select the reset method:

• Cloud download: Gets a fresh copy of the installation files from the Microsoft servers and reinstalls Windows 11. However, this option won't restore the tools, apps, custom drivers, and configuration that may have come with the original image provided by the manufacturer.
• Local reinstall: Uses the files locally available to reset the computer. This process will restore the factory drivers, settings, and tools if this is a branded device (such as Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.).

7. Review the apps to reinstall after the reset to factory settings.
8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Reset button.

Once you complete the steps, the laptop or desktop computer will reset to the factory settings, preserving your files.

After factory reset

After the reset, it's a good idea to check for updates to ensure the setup does not miss any security patches or drivers. Also, you may need to reinstall any of your previous applications as necessary.

Check for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the "Check for updates" button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download the latest patches and driver updates (if available).

Check for missing drivers

To check for missing drivers after completing the reset of Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Confirm that there's no branch called "Other devices," which usually lists devices without drivers.

If you have one or more devices missing, check the computer manufacturer's support website to download and install the latest drivers available.

The last thing left to do is reinstall any previously installed app on your computer (if applicable).

How to factory reset Windows 11 using remove everything option

To use the reset feature removing everything on a computer that you use for working at home or gaming, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Recovery page on the right side.

4. Click the Reset PC button for the "Reset this PC" feature under the "Recovery options" section.

5. Click the Remove everything option.

6. Select the Cloud download or Local reinstall, depending on how you want to reset the system.

7. (Optional) Click the Change settings option.

8. Turn on the "Data erasure toggle" switch.

• Quick note: Only use this option to prepare the computer to get rid of it. Otherwise, the default reset settings are recommended if you are trying to refresh the installation.

8. Turn on the Data drives toggle switch to erase the Windows 11 installation drive and any other storage drive connected to your computer (if applicable).
9. Click the Confirm button.

11. Review the apps to reinstall after the reset to factory settings.
12. Click the Next button.
13. Click the Reset button.

After you complete the steps, the process will erase the drives, depending on your configuration, and install a clean copy of the operating system.

After factory reset

If you plan to sell or get rid of the computer, you don't need to do anything else. However, if you plan to start over with the computer, there are some extra steps, including checking for updates and missing drivers, and reinstalling your apps and restoring your files from backup.

Checking for updates

To install updates for Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the "Check for updates" button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available).

Check for missing drivers

To check for missing drivers after the "Reset this PC," use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Confirm that there's no branch called "Other devices," which usually lists devices without drivers.

If you have components without drivers, check the computer manufacturer support website to download and install the latest drivers available.

Restore files from backup

If you have a backup of your files, now is the time to restore them. The recovery process will be different depending on the file backup method.

For instance, if you use OneDrive, the files may already be syncing on your device. However, if not, you may need to reconfigure the app one more time.

If you backed up your files manually to an external drive, connect the portable drive and use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left pane.
3. Double-click the storage with the file backup under the "Devices and drives" section.

4. Select the files and folders.
5. Click the Copy button.

6. Open the destination folder.
7. Click the Paste button from the command bar.

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the steps to restore additional files. If you are missing one or more apps, now is the time to install them.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

How to factory reset Windows 10 using keep my files option

Although Windows 10 is a reliable operating system, you can encounter many problems over time. You may have issues with starting up or shutting down, excessive memory usage, performance running apps, and battery draining quickly, among many other issues, and when any of this happens, resetting to factory settings will come in handy.

If you experience persistent performance issues, Windows 10 has various recovery options to reset the system to the factory settings keeping or removing your files to resolve common problems and improve performance. You even have the option to download and use the original Windows image instead of the custom manufacturer recovery image that may contain bloatware and settings you don't need.

This guide will walk you through how to reset your computer to its factory settings without your files or erasing everything on Windows 10.

To reset Windows 10 to the factory default settings without losing your files, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the Get started button.

5. Click the "Keep my files" option.

6. Choose the Windows 10 reset option:

• Cloud download: Download a fresh copy of the installation from the cloud and reinstall Windows 11. However, this option will not restore the tools, apps, and configuration that came with the original image provided by the manufacturer.
• Local reinstall: Uses the files already available to reset the computer. If this is a branded device (such as Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.), this process will restore the factory drivers, settings, and tools.

7. Click the Next button.
8. Check the apps you'll need to reinstall after resetting factory settings.
9. Click the Reset button.

Once you complete the steps, the device will reset to the factory settings preserving your files during the process.

After factory reset steps

After the reset completes, you'll still need to check for updates to ensure that Windows 10 isn't missing any security, patches, or drivers, and you'll need to reinstall some apps.

Check for updates

To install updates for Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Check for updates option.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available).

Check for drivers

To check for missing drivers after reset, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the tool.
3. Confirm that there's no branch called "Other devices," which usually lists any missing device driver.

If you have one or more devices with missing drivers, you can use these instructions to update the components.

The last thing left is to reinstall any previously installed app on your computer (if applicable).

How to factory reset Windows 10 using remove everything option

To use the reset feature to remove everything on a computer, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the Get started button.

5. Click the Remove everything option.

6. Choose the Windows 10 reset option:

• Cloud download: Download a fresh copy of the installation from the cloud and reinstall Windows 11. However, this option will not restore the tools, apps, and configuration that came with the original image provided by the manufacturer.
• Local reinstall: Uses the files already available to reset the computer. If this is a branded device (such as Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, etc.), this process will restore the factory drivers, settings, and tools.

6. (Optional) Click the Change settings option.

7. (Optional) Turn on the "Delete files from all drives" toggle switch if you have multiple drives and you only want to erase the installation storage.

9. Click the Confirm button.
10. (Optional) Click the "Show me the list of drives that will be affected" option to see drives that will be erased during the reset process.

11. Click the Back button.
12. Click the Next button.
13. Click the Reset button.

After you complete the steps, the wizard will wipe out the system drives, depending on your selection, and it'll reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 10, restoring the factory settings.

After factory reset steps

If you're preparing to make some extra money selling your computer, there's nothing else you need to do. However, if you're refreshing the device to start over with a clean installation, you'll still need to check for updates, make sure none of the drivers are missing, reinstall apps, and restore your files from a previous backup.

Checking for updates

To install updates for Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Check for updates option.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update will download and install any missing updates and drivers (if available).

Check for drivers

To check for missing drivers, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the tool.
3. Confirm that there's no branch called "Other devices," which usually lists missing device drivers.

If you have one or more devices with missing drivers, you can use these instructions to update the components.

Restore personal files

Lastly, you want to restore your files from the backup. The process will depend on your chosen method to create the file backup.

If you're using OneDrive to back up your files, the files may already be syncing in the background. However, if they're not, you may need to reconfigure the app again.

If you created a copy of your files on an external drive, connect the drive to your computer, and use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left pane.
3. Under the "Devices and drives" section, double-click the storage with the file backup.
4. Select the files and folders.
5. Click the Copy to button from the "Home" tab.

6. Select the destination folder.

• Quick tip: You can select the Choose location option to choose another folder.

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the steps to restore additional files.

Finally, make sure to reinstall any app that was previously available on your computer (if applicable).

This guide focuses on using the built-in reset tools, but you can also perform a clean installation of Windows 10 to reset your computer to the factory default settings.

FAQs

These are common questions about using the reset feature on Windows 11.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 or Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, the computer will lock the system automatically after a period of inactivity to minimize the chances of someone else trying to access your device when you're not near your desk. However, if you're in a secure environment or privacy isn't much of a concern, you can customize the system settings to prevent your computer from locking up automatically.

The settings you have to change will depend on the features you have configured on your computer and how you want to prevent the computer from locking automatically.

For example, if you want the system to stop requiring a password when you have been away, you must change the Sign-in options. However, if you're using Dynamic Lock, you may want to turn off the feature to stop Windows from locking your computer every time you step away.

If you're using the legacy Screen Saver, you must customize the resume settings for that feature.

In the case that the device locks automatically too quickly, you can change the screen, sleep timeouts, and the presence sense settings (if applicable).

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to prevent the computer from locking automatically on Windows 11.

How to stop Windows 11 from locking automatically

To control how the operating system locks your computer automatically, you have a number of options. Here's how.

Adjust sign-in requirements

To stop the operating system from requiring a password when you have been away, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click the Sign-in options page on the right side.

4. Select the Never option for the "If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?" option under the "Additional settings" section.

Once you complete the steps, the system won't lock automatically, and on resume, you won't need a password to sign in.

This feature is influenced by Windows Hello, meaning that if you have the fingerprint or face recognition sign-in feature turned on, you won't be able to change this setting.

When turning off this feature, you don't have to change the Power or Presence Sense settings, since resuming from sleep or turning off the screen won't lock your computer.

Disable Dynamic Lock

This option will only help if you have the feature configured on your computer.

To disable Dynamic Lock to prevent your device from locking automatically, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click the Sign-in options page on the right side.

4. Click on the Dynamic lock setting under the "Additional settings" section and clear the "Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away" option.

After you complete the steps, when stepping away, Windows 11 should stop locking automatically.

Disable Screen Saver

To disable Screen Saver to stop the computer from locking up automatically, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Lock screen page on the right side.

4. Click on the Screen Saver setting under the "Related settings" section.

5. Clear the "On resume, display logon screen" option.

6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you exit the screen saver, Windows 11 should go directly to the desktop instead of the sign-in screen.

Change power settings

The power settings won't prevent the computer from locking automatically, but will delay it.

To change the power settings on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery (or Power) options page on the right side.

4. Click the "Screen and sleep timeouts" (or "Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts") setting.
5. Under the "Plugged in" setting, set the "Turn my screen off after" and "Make my device sleep after" settings to Never or a specific period.
6. Under the "On battery" setting, set the "Turn my screen off after" and "Make my device sleep after" settings to Never or a specific period.

After you complete the steps, your computer will stay unlocked according to your computer.

Change Presence Sense settings

Changing the Presence Sense settings won't stop the computer from locking automatically, but adjusting them can delay it. (These settings will only apply to compatible devices.)

To change the Presence Sense settings on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy & security.
3. Click the Presence Sensing page on the right side.

4. (Option 1) Turn off the "Presence Sensing access" toggle switch to turn off the feature altogether.

5. (Option 2) Click the "Presence Sensing settings" option under "Related settings."
6. Set the "Consider me gone when I'm this far away" option to 4 feet.
7. Set the "Then, turn off my screen after this amount of time" option to 2 minutes.
8. (Optional) Turn off the toggle switch to "Turn off my screen when I leave."

Once you complete the steps, the feature will prevent the devices from turning off the screen and locking the device if you have the "If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?" option enabled.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

If you use an Android phone, you can now wirelessly access your device's storage directly from File Explorer on Windows 11, with no cables required.

Traditionally, transferring files from your phone to your computer meant jumping through hoops, such as emailing files to yourself, using apps like WhatsApp, uploading to cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google One, or physically connecting your phone via USB as a mass storage device.

While those methods still work, Windows 11 now offers a more seamless solution. Thanks to the Phone Link integration, you can browse and manage your Android phone's files straight from File Explorer. The process is wireless, meaning there's no need to plug in your device. Just connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

It's important to note that wireless transfers come with some limitations. Because of bandwidth constraints, this feature is best suited for browsing files or transferring a small number of documents, photos, or videos, not large file batches or media-heavy folders.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to browse your phone storage from your computer without USB cables on Windows 11.

How to connect the Android storage to Windows 11

If you want to access the storage on your phone wirelessly from Windows 11, you will have to set up the connection using the Settings app, Phone Link, Link to Windows mobile app, and File Explorer.

Connect Android to Windows 11

To connect your Android phone to your Windows 11 computer, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.
3. Click the Mobile devices page on the right side.

4. Turn on the "Allow this PC to access your mobile devices" toggle switch.
5. Click the Manage devices button.

• Quick tip: You may need to download the required components if this is the first time you're setting up the feature.

6. Click the Add device button.

7. Open your phone and scan the QR code.

8. Confirm the PC verification code on your phone.

• Quick note: This action will open the Google Play Store to install the Link to Windows app, which you will have to use the same Microsoft account that you use on Windows 11 to connect the phone to your computer. If the app is already installed, continue with the on-screen directions to sign in and connect.

9. Click the Continue button.
10. Turn on the toggle switch to enable the connection with your phone.
11. Turn on the "Show mobile device in File Explorer" toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, you should now be able to access your Android storage from File Explorer.

Browse Android storage

To access your phone storage from File Explorer, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on your Android phone icon from the left navigation pane.
3. Browse your phone's internal storage.

4. (Optional) Click the phone icon on the top-left side.
5. Confirm your phone's storage usage and capacity.
6. Click the Refresh button to reconnect to the storage.

• Quick tip: You may want to use this option if files don't sync from your computer to your phone.

7. Click the trash can icon to access your phone recycle bin.

• Quick note: File Explorer will show files that have been deleted for 30 days, but consider that Android usually clears these files after five days.

While on the storage view for your Android phone, you will notice different shortcuts to access some of the known folders, including Cameras, Documents, Downloads, Images, Music, and Videos.

If you need to access other folders, you will have to open the "Internal storage" folder, and from this location, you will have access to every folder available without root access, such as DCIM, Alarms, Notifications, Android, and others.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, File History is a legacy feature that can automatically create a backup of your files at specific intervals throughout the day to protect your data from accidental editing, deletion, or damage.

When you configure File History on your computer, by default, the feature automatically backs up files located in the profile folders, such as Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, Desktop, Contacts, Favorites, and OneDrive (as long as the files are available offline).

Also, File History requires a separate storage location for your backups, meaning you must connect an external hard drive with enough storage to your computer to set up the feature.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to set up and recover files using File History on Windows 11.

How to backup and restore files using File History

Once you connect the external storage, you can proceed with the setup process. Here's how.

File History setup

To set up File History, connect a USB hard drive and use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search Control Panel and select the top result to open the app.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click on File History.

5. (Option 1) Click the Turn on button to enable the feature with the default drive selection.

6. (Option 2) Click the Select drive option from the left pane.

7. Choose another drive to store the backups.

8. Click the OK button.
9. (Optional) Click the Advanced settings option from the left pane.

10. Choose how often File History saves copies of your files.
11. Choose how long to keep saved copies of your files.

12. Click the Save changes button.
13. (Optional) Click the Exclude Folders option from the left pane.

14. Click the Add button.

15. Choose the folders to exclude from File History.
16. Click the Select Folder button.
17. Click the Save changes button.

After you complete the steps, the feature will start backing up your files at the intervals you defined.

Since File History only backs up files in specific locations, if you have files and folders stored in other places that you want to back up, you need to add them to one of the "Libraries" manually. You can do this by right-clicking on the folder, selecting "Show more options," then "Include in library," and choosing an existing library or creating a new one.

File History restoration

To restore documents, pictures, videos, and other file types using File History, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search Control Panel and select the top result to open the app.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click on File History.

5. Click the "Restore personal files" option from the left pane.

6. Click the left and right buttons at the bottom to navigate the File History timeline.
7. Choose the files you want to recover.
8. Click the Restore button.

Once you complete the steps, the file will be restored to the same or an alternative location, depending on your restoration option.

Alternatively, you can also right-click a folder and choose the "Properties" option, and then from the "Previous Versions" tab, you can select the version of the file you want to restore.

File History storage cleanup

If you notice that the drive is filling up quickly, you can delete previous versions of the backup. Also, you can change the retention setting to a shorter schedule to minimize the impact of storage usage.

To free up space used by File History, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search Control Panel and select the top result to open the app.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click on File History.

5. Click the Advanced settings option from the left pane.

6. Change the backup frequency to fewer times a day, depending on your current configuration.
7. Change the backup retention to, for example, six months instead of forever.

8. Click the "Clean up versions" option.
9. Choose the files to delete according to their age.

• Quick tip: The action can take a long time, depending on your selection.

10. Click the Clean up button.

After you complete the steps, File History will reduce the storage usage in the backup drive.

Although File Explorer can help you protect your files, it's not recommended as a primary backup solution since you cannot restore all your files in a new installation of the operating system on the same or a different computer.

Nowadays, Microsoft leans towards OneDrive for cloud-based backups, but File History remains a functional tool for local backups of your files.

As part of your backup strategy, regularly create a full system backup in case you need to recover from a critical failure.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

When you're on the go (whether at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel), connecting your Windows 11 laptop to a public Wi-Fi network may be necessary. However, these networks can expose your device and personal data to various security risks, especially when handling sensitive information.

Public Wi-Fi networks are accessible to anyone, making it challenging to ensure that malicious actors are not present on the same network. These individuals can exploit vulnerabilities to intercept your data, distribute malware, or gain unauthorized access to your device.

If you want to safeguard your Windows 11 device while using a public Wi-Fi, it's crucial to implement specific security measures, including, but not limited to, enabling random MAC address, switching to a public network profile, changing to a custom DNS service, as well as using a VPN connection or accessing the internet through a mobile hotspot.

In this how-to guide, I'll share five tips to keep your device and data as safe as possible by configuring specific features on Windows 11.

How to make a secure connection to a public Wi-Fi on Windows 11

These five tips will help you add extra layers of security when connecting to the public wireless network.

1. Enable random MAC address

Random MAC address, or hardware address, randomization is primarily designed to enhance your privacy on Wi-Fi networks.

When you enable this feature, you will be changing your device's unique identifier each time it connects (or daily), making it much harder for networks and others to track your activity and location.

You can only use this feature on network adapters that support this capability. Also, some networks may require the use of a fixed MAC address. As a result, if you're having issues connecting to a particular network, you may have this feature disabled.

To enable the random MAC address feature on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click the Wi-Fi page.

4. Turn on the "Random hardware addresses" toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, the hardware address will change every time you connect to a wireless network, depending on your configuration.

2. Switch to the Public network profile

On Windows 11, changing the network profile type allows you to tell your computer how to behave when connected to a specific network. It essentially defines the level of trust and discoverability for that specific network connection.

The operating system categorizes networks into three main profiles: Private, Public, and Domain.

While the "Private" and "Domain" profiles offer the recommended settings for networks you trust, you usually want to switch to "Public" as it provides stricter security settings to protect your device from potential threats from public places, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, airports, or hotels.

To change the network profile to Public on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click the Wi-Fi page.

4. Select the network you want to modify.

5. Choose the Public network option.

After you complete the steps, the "Public network" profile will apply to the system, making your device hidden from other devices. Windows 11 will turn off network discovery and block the automatic setup of network devices and services, and the firewall will apply stricter rules to block incoming connections.

3. Configure custom DNS settings

Changing the DNS settings on Windows 11 when connecting to public Wi-Fi can enhance your browsing experience by improving speed, security, and access to content.

Usually, when you connect to the public access point, the location or service provider will provide the DNS services automatically. However, these servers may not always provide the optimal speed for DNS resolution, and every DNS query will pass through their servers, degrading speed and security.

By configuring your device to use alternative DNS servers, such as Google's (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1), or Cisco OpenDNS (208.67.222.222), you can potentially bypass this configuration for a faster and more secure browsing experience.​

However, public networks often use DNS-based filtering to block certain websites. If this is the case, using a custom configuration may not always work, and you will have to accept their network settings to access the internet.

To use a custom DNS configuration to connect to the public wireless network, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & internet.
3. Click the Wi-Fi page.

4. Click on the "Manage known networks" setting.

5. Click the Add network button.

6. Confirm the wireless name in the "Network name" setting.
7. Choose the security type (such as WPA2-Personal AES) in the "Security type" setting.

• Quick tip: If you can't complete this configuration, it's best to connect to the access point and then open the network properties for that connection and change the DNS settings from the "Manage known networks" page.

8. Confirm the connection password.
9. (Optional) Clear the Connect automatically option.

10. Click the Save button.
11. Click on the newly added network.
12. Click the Edit button for the "DNS server assignment" setting.

13. Select the Manual option from the drop-down menu.
14. Turn on the IPv4 toggle switch.
15. Confirm the primary DNS address in the "Preferred DNS" setting. For example, to use Cloudflare, Google Public DNS, or Cisco OpenDNS, use these settings:

• Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1
• Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8
• OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222

16. (Optional) Select the encryption option in the "On (automatic template)" setting.
17. (Optional) Turn on the "Fallback to plaintext" toggle switch.

• Quick note: DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a network protocol that encrypts DNS queries using the standard Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) protocol to protect DNS queries, resulting in better security and privacy while browsing the web. You will only be able to enable this feature if you have specified a DNS address that supports encryption.

18. Confirm the secondary DNS address in the "Alternate DNS" setting. You can use one of the secondary addresses:

• Cloudflare: 1.0.0.1
• Google Public DNS: 8.8.4.4
• OpenDNS: 208.67.220.220

19. (Optional) Select the encryption option in the "Alternative DNS encryption" setting.
20. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will use the custom addresses for DNS queries, making the internet experience a little more private.

4. Connect to the internet via VPN

On Windows 11, another way to improve security on a public wireless network is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection.

A VPN creates an encrypted "tunnel" for your internet traffic, meaning that all the data you send and receive is scrambled, making it unreadable to anyone snooping on the public Wi-Fi network.

If you don't use encryption, sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, and personal messages, can be easily intercepted.

Usually, you can connect to a VPN in at least two ways. You can connect to your organization's VPN, which is typically designed for remote work. You can also use online paid VPN services, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. You can also find free alternatives, such as the free VPN service offered by the Opera browser.

To configure a VPN connection, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & internet.
3. Click the VPN page.

4. Click the Add VPN button.

5. Select the Windows (built-in) option using the "VPN provider" setting.
6. In the "Connection name" setting, enter a name to identify the connection — for example, you can use a service name like IPVanish, Private Internet Access, etc.
7. In the "Server name or address" setting, enter the address of the VPN server — for example, vpnserver.com or 134.123.123.24.
8. Use the "VPN type" drop-down menu and select the Automatic option or the protocol required to connect to the particular VPN server.
9. Select the authentication method using the "Type of sign-in info" drop-down menu.
10. Confirm the username and password if you select the "Username and password" option.

11. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, you must connect to the public wireless network and the VPN server to make your internet browser private.

You can always connect to the VPN from Settings > Network & internet > VPN and click the "Connect" button to make the connection.

Alternatively, click the network icon in the Taskbar, click the VPN button, select the connection, and click the "Connect" button.

If you want to use a free VPN service, you can download and launch the Opera installer and continue with the easy on-screen directions.

After the installation, launch the browser, click the "VPN" button, click the power button, and start browsing with a little more privacy.

5. Set up a mobile hotspot instead

If you want the best internet privacy while away from home, you should consider using a mobile hotspot.

A mobile hotspot is a feature that allows you to share your internet connection with other computers and phones without installing additional software or taking any extra steps.

Windows 11 comes with a hotspot functionality, but in this case, you want to use the feature available through your iPhone or Android phone.

Usually, mobile carriers will give you some data allowance to use the hotspot feature, but in some plans, you may have to pay for this feature. As a result, it's best to check with your mobile carrier before using the feature.

In the example, I'll highlight the process of setting up a mobile hotspot using Android and making a connection using your Windows 11 computer:

1. Open your Android phone.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Tap on Network & internet.

4. Tap on Hotspot & tethering.
5. Tap on the Wi-Fi hotspot setting.
6. (Optional) Tap on the Hotspot name setting.
7. Confirm the name of the wireless access point.
8. Tap on OK.
9. Tap the Hotspot password setting.
10. Confirm a password for the access point.
11. Tap on OK.
12. Turn on the "Use Wi-Fi hotspot" toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, you can connect to the hotspot from the Quick Settings flyout, just as you normally connect to a Wi-Fi network.

You can do this by clicking the network icon in the System Tray (or using the "Windows key + A" keyboard shortcut), clicking the button next to the wireless icon, selecting the hotspot network, clicking the "Connect" button, confirming the password, and clicking the "Next" button.

Alongside these tips, it's always important to download and install the latest system updates, use a strong password for your accounts, and, whenever possible, avoid working with sensitive information on a public network.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, when you download a document or another type of file, by default, it's stored in the "Downloads" folder located in the home folder for that specific account. However, you can always change the default location of the folder to another path or a different drive.

Although it usually makes sense to download files in the default location,

over time, this can take up a lot of space, potentially affecting system performance, especially on devices with limited capacity. Redirecting downloads to another drive can help manage storage more effectively. ​

It can also help with file organization if you're setting up secondary (internal or external) storage on the computer.

Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 allows you to change the default location of the "Downloads" folder to use another path or a totally different drive.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the easy steps to change the default location to download files on Windows 11.

How to change the Downloads folder location on Windows 11

To redirect the downloads to another location on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Type the following path variable in the address bar and press Enter: %HOMEPATH%
3. Right-click the Downloads folder and choose the Properties option.

4. Click the Location tab.
5. Click the Move button.

6. Select the new destination path on the same drive or a different one.
7. Click the New folder option.
8. Confirm the "Downloads" name for the folder.
9. Select the newly created folder in the new location.
10. Click the Select Folder button.

1. Click the Apply button.
2. Click the Yes button to relocate the files to the folder location.

• Quick note: If you choose the "No" option, the files will stay in the current location. Usually, the "Yes" option is the safest.

10. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the default location will be relocated to the new path or storage. As a result of these changes, apps like your web browser will download files in the new location by default.

If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same steps mentioned above, but this time, you will have to access the "Downloads" folder properties from the new location.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, you can display labels for apps in the Taskbar, and in this guide, I'll walk you through how to enable this configuration quickly and easily.

In earlier versions of the operating system, having labels next to Taskbar icons made it simple to identify open apps and documents at a glance. However, with the initial release of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a modern Taskbar design that removed several legacy features, including the ability to ungroup icons and show labels.

Thankfully, starting with the release of Windows 11 version 23H2, the company has listened to user feedback and brought back this functionality. You can now ungroup icons and show labels on the Taskbar once again, restoring a feature that enhances usability and gives you better control.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain the steps to enable or disable labels for apps in the Taskbar for Windows 11.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. Before proceeding, it's recommended that you make a full backup of your PC.

How to show app labels in the Taskbar from Settings

To show labels for apps in the Taskbar, use these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Taskbar page.

4. Click the Taskbar behaviors setting.
5. (Option 1) Select the "Never" option to show app labels for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting.

6. (Option 2) Select the "When the taskbar is full" option to show app labels but hide them when the Taskbar no longer has space for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting.
7. (Option 3) Select the "Always" (default) option to hide app labels for the "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels" setting.

Once you complete the steps, the Taskbar will show labels for apps running in the system according to your configuration.

How to show app labels in the Taskbar from Registry

To control the option to show labels for apps in the Taskbar through the Registry, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. Right-click the TaskbarGlomLevel DWORD and click the Modify option.
5. (Option 1) Set the value to 2 to always show labels.

6. (Option 2) Set the value to 1 to show labels but hide when there's no space in the Taskbar.
7. (Option 3) Set the value to 0 to always hide labels (default behavior).

After you complete the steps, the Taskbar will show text labels for apps according to your configuration.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, at one point or another, you may have to share a file with sensitive content with someone else. While it might be daunting for many people as the file may land in the wrong hands, there are some precautions you can take to send confidential files more securely from your computer.

Although many could argue that the best way to share confidential information is to personally hand over the files to the other person, there are a few things you can do to complete this task in a more secure manner. For example, you can make sure that the files have the least amount of metadata, use encryption so only the person with the decryption key can access the contents, and use a secure medium to transmit the file.

In this how-to guide, I'll highlight some tips to share confidential information more securely on Windows 11.

How to share sensitive files on Windows 11

If you have to send sensitive information through the internet, first prepare the file and then use one or multiple secure mediums to transmit the content.

Prepare files for secure transmission

It doesn't matter the platform. When you create a document with an application, it'll be saved with various pieces of metadata information, including the author's name, modified date, computer name, and others that will depend on the file type.

If you want to keep this information private, you have to remove the metadata manually using these instructions.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Open the location with the file to share.
3. Right-click the file and choose the Properties option.

• Quick tip: You can also select the file and use the "Alt + Enter" keyboard shortcut to open the "Properties" page.

4. Click the Details tab.
5. Click the "Remove Properties and Personal Information" option.

6. Choose the "Create a Copy With All Possible Properties Removed" option.
7. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you will end up with a copy of the file with the least amount of information as part of the metadata.

Encrypt the file before sending

If you plan to transmit a file over the internet, you can use encryption to scramble the contents to make it virtually impossible for anyone to read it or even open the file.

Although Windows 11 comes with encryption capabilities, it's only available for the device, not for individual files that you may share with other people.

As a result, the best approach is to use a third-party tool. You may find many different tools to perform this task, but 7-Zip is free, open-source, and works well.

Install 7-Zip

If you don't have the tool installed on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt (or Terminal), right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to install the 7-Zip app and press Enter: winget install --id 7zip.7zip

After you complete the steps, the tool will be installed on your computer.

Option 1: Encrypt file

To encrypt files to protect your information with 7-Zip, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for 7-Zip File Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the location of the file to share.
4. Click the Add button.

5. Confirm (and re-enter) the encryption password under the "Encryption" section.
6. Click the OK button.

7. (Optional) Select the newly encrypted file and click the Add button.
8. Confirm (and re-enter) the encryption password under the "Encryption" section.
9. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you can send the file over the internet, knowing it's more secure using encryption, and only the person with the decryption password will be able to access it.

The only caveat using this approach is that anyone with the 7-Zip tool will be able to browse the container, revealing the file name and type, but they won't be able to open it without the decryption password.

You can prevent this by re-encrypting the container that has already been encrypted, which I mentioned in steps 6 through 10.

It's important to note that the recipient will also need to install the 7-Zip tool to have the ability to decrypt the contents using the password.

If you choose this approach, it's best to send the encrypted file through email or another medium and then send the decryption password using different methods, such as through phone text or call.

Option 2: Encrypt and split the file

Alternatively, you can use 7-Zip to encrypt and split the file into multiple pieces and send each piece separately to add an extra layer of security.

To encrypt and split a file, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for 7-Zip File Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the location of the file to share.
4. Click the Add button.

5. Confirm (and re-enter) the encryption password under the "Encryption" section.
6. Click the OK button.
7. (Optional) Select the newly encrypted file and click the Add button.
8. Confirm (and re-enter) the encryption password under the "Encryption" section.
9. Confirm the size in megabytes to split the file using the "Split to volumes, bytes" setting.

• Quick tip: If the file's original size was 20MB, you could specify "10MB" to split the file into two pieces.

10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you will end up with two parts of the original file using the ".7z.001" and ".7z.002" file extensions.

The next step is to send each chunk separately to the other person. However, if you want to add another layer of security, it's recommended to send each piece using a different email account or file transfer service.

In addition, it's best to send the decryption password through another medium, such as phone text or call.

Once the recipient obtains all the pieces of the file, they will have to install the 7-Zip tool and use the corresponding password to decrypt and view the contents of the file.

It's important to note that the files may seem as if they are not associated with an application, but they will be recognized by the 7-Zip tool. You only need to open the tool, browse to the file location, select one of the files, and then click the "Extract" button.

Secure file share

The last step is to choose an online platform to perform a secure transmission of the file. For this particular task, you can find different options, from using your email account to many online services, such as Proton, Send Anywhere, Opera My Flow feature, OneDrive, and many others.

Send file through email

If you want to use your email account, you may want to consider using your Outlook account, since if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also use the email encryption feature to add yet another layer of security to send the file to the recipient.

To use Outlook to send securely send a file, use these steps:

1. Open the Outlook app.
2. Click the New option to create a new email.
3. Click the Insert tab.
4. Click the Attach file option and select the "Browse this computer" option.

5. Select the file and click the Open button.
6. Click the Options tab.
7. Click the Encrypt option and choose the Encrypt feature.

8. Complete the email message.
9. Click the Send button.

Once you complete the steps, the message will be sent using encryption, and the recipient will be able to download the attachment without encryption, but the experience will be different depending on the app and service they are using.

If the recipient uses the app or web version of Outlook, they can download the file in the same way you do when you're not using encryption.

On the other hand, if the recipient uses a third-party app, they will receive an email with instructions to access the files in the encrypted message. However, they will have to use their Microsoft account, or they can also use their Google or Yahoo Mail account to gain access to the contents of the message.

Finally, if the encrypted message was sent to another service, they will receive a temporary passcode to open the message and download the file.

Send file through OneDrive

You can also use OneDrive. When using this approach, you will be able to set the permissions to specify who will have access to the encrypted file, and you can stop the share at any time.

To use OneDrive to share a file with other people, use these steps:

1. Open OneDrive in File Explorer.
2. Open the folder with the encrypted file to share.
3. Right-click the file, select OneDrive, and choose the Share option.

4. Confirm the email address of the person to share the file.
5. Click the "Anyone with the link can edit" option.

6. Select the "Specific people" option.
7. Click the permissions menu and choose the Can view option.

8. Click the Apply button.
9. Click the Send button.

After you complete the steps, the recipient will be able to download the file.

In this guide, I'm highlighting one approach on how to increase the likelihood of your information from getting compromised during the sharing process. However, there are many other ways to complete this task.

How would you send a file with sensitive information over the internet? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, following the April 2025 security update KB5055523 and the update KB5055518 for Windows 10, users have reported a new and unexpected "inetpub" folder empty in the root of the "C" drive, even on systems where Internet Information Services (IIS) is not installed. ​However, Microsoft says that it's not a bug, and you should leave it alone.

What's the inetpub folder?

The "inetpub" folder is part of the Internet Information Services (IIS), which is usually used to host websites and web applications.

When you enable IIS on Windows 11, the folder is created in the root of the system drive to serve as the web application's default root directory.

Inside the "inetpub" folder, you will typically find other folders like the wwwroot, temp, logs, history, and custerr that also contain other subfolders and files.

Why was the folder created?

Microsoft has confirmed that the creation of the "inetpub" folder is intentional and linked to a security update addressing a vulnerability with the Windows Process Activation Elevation service, identified as CVE-2025-21204.

As part of the fix, the company added the inetpub folder to make your computer safer.

Should you delete it?

Despite the folder being empty and unnecessary for users not using IIS, Microsoft advises against deleting it to ensure the security of the system.

However, it's important to note that removing the folder from the root of the system drive shouldn't affect the functionality of the operating system.

What if you've already deleted it?

If you've already deleted the "inetpub" folder, there's no need to be concerned.

However, you can easily recreate it by opening Start, searching, and opening the "Turn Windows features on or off" settings, checking the "Internet Information Services" option, and clicking the "OK" button. Restart the computer to enable IIS as necessary.

Finally, you have to turn off the feature. You can do this by clearing the "Internet Information Services" option from the "Turn Windows features on or off" settings, clicking the "OK" button, and restarting the device (if applicable).

Once you complete these steps, the "inetpub" folder should appear one more time in the "C" drive.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

When you install a fresh copy of Windows 11, the system comes preconfigured with a range of default settings that Microsoft believes are suitable for most users.

However, many of these defaults are designed to promote the company’s own products and services (such as Microsoft 365, PC Game Pass, and Microsoft Edge) rather than optimize the experience for all users.

Beyond these promotional features, Windows 11 also enables and disables various system settings by default, which sometimes may not align with what’s best for performance, security, or productivity.

For instance, System Protection, a feature that allows you to undo unwanted system changes, is disabled by default for all drives, even though it used to be enabled for the main drive in earlier versions. Similarly, automatic Registry backups, a critical recovery safeguard, are no longer created by default.

File Explorer also continues to hide file extensions for known file types, which can make it harder to identify potentially harmful files or manage advanced file tasks.

Although new features like the "Sudo" command and "End Task" from the taskbar are now part of Windows 11, they remain disabled by default and reserved primarily for developers.

In this how-to guide, I'll highlight seven features that should be turned on by default on every installation of Windows 11.

Windows 11 features that should be enabled by default

These seven features should be enabled on Windows 11 by default.

System Protection

On Windows 11, System Protection is a recovery feature designed to help safeguard your computer's system files, apps, Registry, and system settings. It works by creating and managing restore points, which are essentially snapshots of your current setup at a specific point in time.

This feature has saved my installation more than once, but to reduce the footprint of the setup, Microsoft decided to turn it off by default. However, you usually won't remember to turn it on until it's too late, and for this reason, I wish the company would ship the feature enabled by default on every installation.

To check and enable the System Protection feature on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and click the top result to open the System Properties page.
3. Select the main "System" drive under the "Protection Settings" section.
4. Click the Configure button.

5. Select the "Turn on system protection" option.

6. (Optional) Use the "Max Usage" slider and select how much space the system should reserve to store restore points.
7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the system should create a restore point automatically during specific events, such as installing an update, driver, or app or applying changes to the Registry.

However, it's still recommended to create a restore point manually before making significant system changes.

You can also follow these instructions to set up, create, and recover your computer with System Protection.

Sudo command

Sudo (superuser do) is a tool that allows you to run commands with elevated rights without having to run the command-line console as an administrator.

If it sounds familiar, it's because it works similarly to the sudo command available in Unix-based operating systems, such as Linux and macOS. It's important to note that I said "similarly" because this version of the command is limited to the version available on the other platforms.

Although Windows 11 allows you to manage this feature from the Settings app, Microsoft should turn on the sudo command on every installation to make it easier to run commands without having to elevate the console.

To check and enable the Sudo command on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the For developers page on the right side.

4. Turn on the Enable sudo toggle switch.
5. Click the sudo setting to reveal the available option.

6. Select the sudo behavior with the "Configure how sudo runs applications" setting:

• Inline: The command runs in the same window, identical to Linux and macOS.
• With input disabled: The command runs in a new window but doesn't accept additional inputs.
• In a new window: The command triggers a new, elevated window.

After you complete the steps, you will be able to run elevated commands without launching the command console as an administrator.

You can follow this Windows 11 guide for more details on how to get the most out of the Sudo command.

End Task option

On Windows 11, when you are done using an app, you usually click the "Close" button, but when it becomes unresponsive, clicking the "X" button may not work.

If the app freezes, you typically open Task Manager, select the application and forcibly terminate the app. However, the operating system includes an "End Task" option to quickly terminate an unresponsive application without having to open Task Manager, but it's disabled by default because Microsoft thought this out as a tool for developers.

If you want to have quick access to the End Task feature, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the For developers page on the right side.

4. Turn on the End Task toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, you can right-click an app in the Taskbar, and the context menu will include the "End Task" option to terminate the application.

Automatic Registry backup

In previous versions of the operating system, the system automatically created a backup of the Registry every time the computer started up correctly in the "REgBack" folder. However, on Windows 10 (version 1803), Microsoft removed this functionality to reduce the footprint of the setup.

Although not many users knew about this behavior, it was a great feature to recover the system after a buggy update or making system changes that prevented the operating system from booting correctly.

It's important to note that you can still enable this feature, but it requires modifying the Registry and creating a custom task with the Task Scheduler.

To enable Registry backups on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.
3. Browse the following path: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager
4. Right-click the Configuration Manager key, select New, and click the "DWORD (32-bit) Value" option.

5. Confirm the key EnablePeriodicBackup name and press Enter.
6. Right-click the newly created DWORD and choose the Modify option.
7. Set the value to 1.

8. Click the OK button.
9. Open Start.
10. Search for Task Scheduler and click the top result to open the console.
11. Browse the following path: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Registry
12. Right-click the Registry key and choose the "Create Basic Task" option.

13. Confirm a name for the task.
14. Click the Next button.
15. Choose the Daily option for the "Trigger" setting.
16. Click the Next button.
17. Configure the schedule of the task.

18. Click the Next button.
19. Select the "Start a program" for the "Action" setting.
20. Click the Next button.
21. Type the schtasks command in the "Program/script" setting.
22. Type the /run /i /tn "\Microsoft\Windows\Registry\RegIdleBackup" command in the "Add argument" setting.

23. Click the Next button.
24. Check the "Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish" option.

25. Click the Finish button.
26. Click the "Change User or Group" button.

27. Click the Advanced button.
28. Click the Find Now button.
29. Select the SYSTEM group.
30. Click the OK button.
31. Click the OK button again.
32. Check the "Run with highest privileges" option.
33. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the system will create a backup of the Registry when you schedule the task.

File Explorer with file extensions

File Explorer, by default, lists files in folders and subfolders but without extensions (such as ".txt," ".docx," etc.), but the default configuration on every installation should be set to show extensions.

Although hiding extensions for known file types can make the experience look cleaner and help to reduce the chances of accidentally changing the extension, you may also find some benefits in showing extensions by default.

For example, always showing extensions for known files can help to identify files more quickly, and it makes it easier to rename a file and change its extension, such as changing a file from a ".txt" to ".bat" or ".ps1" to create a script.

To show file extensions on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on View.
3. Select the Show menu and choose the "File name extensions" option.

Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will show extensions after the file name.

Hibernate in Power menu

On Windows 11, Hibernate is a feature that saves the contents of the current session loaded in memory onto the main drive. This allows you to shut down the computer and resume the same session the next time you power on the device.

This feature usually comes in handy to save energy on your desktop computer or laptop. Also, if your laptop is running low on battery, you can use the Hibernate option to shut down the device while preserving the current session until you find an outlet to connect it.

Regardless of the reason, the system should be able to detect and enable the feature and display the option in the "Power" menu automatically on supported hardware.

To enable Hibernate on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to confirm the hibernation status and press Enter: powercfg /availablesleepstates

4. Confirm whether Hibernate appears disabled.
5. Type the following command to enable the Windows 11 Hibernate feature and press Enter: powercfg /hibernate on

6. Open Start.
7. Search for Control Panel and click the top result to open the app.
8. Click on Hardware and Sound.

9. Click on Power Options.

10. Click the "Choose what closing the lid does" option from the left pane.

• Quick tip: If you're using a desktop computer, you can select the "Choose what the power button does" option to get to the settings.

12. Click the "Change settings that are currently unavailable" option to modify the Shutdown settings.

13. Check the Hibernate option.

14. Click the Save changes button.

Once you complete the steps, hibernation will be enabled on your computer, and the "Hibernate" option will appear in the Power menu.

Taskbar with left alignment

Starting with Windows 11, Microsoft introduced an updated version of the desktop experience that includes a new design for the Taskbar and Start menu, but now, by default, the Taskbar icons and Start menu have a center alignment.

Although you still have the option to change the alignment to the left side, the operating system should have kept the left alignment with the option to change to the center, as most people are used to are already used to legacy alignment.

If you're still new to Windows 11, you can use these instructions to change the Taskbar alignment on your computer:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Taskbar page on the right side.

4. Click the Taskbar behaviors settings.
5. Select the Left option for the "Taskbar alignment" setting.

After you complete the steps, the Taskbar icon and Start menu will align to the left, like in previous versions.

It's important to note that this guide includes suggestions of features that should come back enabled by default, and then there are others that were turned on by default, but they should.

What other feature should Microsoft consider to enable by default on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, if your laptop's battery is draining quickly, the issue could be an application sucking all the energy and not a problem with the battery itself.

If you're not sure, you have multiple ways to check the apps that use the most energy, which could cause the battery to drain quickly. You can complete these troubleshooting steps through the Settings app and Task Manager.

In this how-to guide, I will explain what you have to do to detect the apps using the most energy to improve battery life on Windows 11. In addition, I'll outline several tips to resolve battery drainage issues on your computer.

How to determine app draining battery on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you have at least two ways to check which apps are wasting the most battery, including using the Settings app and Task Manager.

Check battery usage history from Settings

To determine the apps using the most battery on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the Battery usage setting.
5. Set the time period to "Last 24 hours" or "Last 7 days."
6. Select a portion from the graph to see the apps using battery from a more specific period.

7. Choose the Overall usage from the "Sort by" menu.
8. Confirm the app that is draining the most battery.

Once you complete the steps, you will have an understanding of the apps draining the most battery.

Check battery usage history from Task Manager

To identify the apps draining your laptop's battery on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click on Processes.
4. Right-click one of the column headers and choose the "Power usage" and "Power usage trend" options.

5. Confirm the app drains the most battery.

After you complete the steps, the Task Manager will give you an insight into the apps consuming the most energy.

If you use this method, it's worth understanding the difference between the "Power usage" and "Power usage trend" details.

The "Power usage" column provides a snapshot of a process's current, real-time power consumption. On the other hand, the "Power usage trend" column offers a view of a process's historical or average power consumption over time.

A process might show "high" power usage at a particular moment due to a temporary spike in activity. However, its "power usage trend" might be "low" if it generally consumes minimal power.

In contrast, a process with a "moderate" power usage reading might have a "high" power usage trend, indicating that it consistently consumes a noticeable amount of power.

How to improve battery life on Windows 11

If you want to extend the battery life of your laptop running Windows 11, you can follow my previous guide with more than 20 tips to improve energy usage. However, there are five things you can do, including uninstalling apps that are draining the battery, enabling Energy Saver mode, changing the current Power Mode, restricting background processes, and following the suggestions available through the Energy Recommendations feature.

Change Power Mode

To enable Energy Saver on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the Power Mode setting.
5. Choose the "Best Power Efficiency" option for the "On battery" setting.

Once you complete the steps, the system will optimize the power usage to battery life rather than performance.

Enable Energy Saver

To enable Energy Saver on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the Energy Saver setting.
5. (Option 1) Turn on the "Always use energy saver" toggle switch.

6. (Option 2) Change the battery level to turn the feature on automatically to a higher level.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will disable various features to improve battery life, such as background-specific syncing, processes, and features like system effects that are known to consume more energy.

In addition, the brightness of the display will lower, and the system will favor battery life over performance.

Energy Recommendations

To apply Windows 11 suggestions to preserve battery life, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the Energy Recommendations setting.

5. (Option 1) Click the Apply button for the energy recommendations you want to use.

6. (Option 2) Click the Apply all button to use every recommendation.

Once you complete the steps, the system will apply the recommendations to improve the battery life on your computer.

Restrict background permissions

If the processes of an app are causing battery drainage issues, you can restrict the background permissions:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Power & battery page.

4. Click the Battery usage setting.
5. Set the time period to "Last 24 hours" or "Last 7 days."
6. Select a portion from the graph to see the apps using battery from a more specific period.

7. Choose the Overall usage from the "Sort by" menu.
8. Select the app you want to control.
9. Click the menu (three dots) button and choose the "Manage background activity" option.

• Quick note: This option isn't available for every application.

10. Select the Never option under the "Background app permissions" setting.

After you complete the steps, the apps you configured with the "Never" option will run in the background anymore.

Uninstall app

If a particular app is causing significant battery usage, you can uninstall it with these instructions:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click the Installed apps page.

4. Select the app you want to uninstall.
5. Click the menu (three dots) button and choose the Uninstall option.

6. Continue with the on-directions to complete the process.

Once you complete the steps, the system will uninstall the app, thus preventing it from wasting system resources.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, Microsoft is making it more difficult to bypass the internet and Microsoft account requirements during setup, effectively preventing users from creating a local account. In my opinion, this is a mistake.

This change is rolling out with Windows 11 build 26120.3653 and build 26200.5516, where Microsoft has removed the "BypassNRO.cmd" script, a workaround that previously allowed users to skip these requirements.

According to Microsoft, the decision aims to enhance security and improve the user experience. However, as expected, users quickly began to show their frustrations over the change.

Before diving into the reasons behind this pushback, let's start by saying that it's not a secret that Microsoft strongly prefers users to set up their PCs with a Microsoft account. This approach not only integrates seamlessly with the company’s online services and apps but also translates into significant money opportunities.

A Microsoft account enables key features like file and setting synchronization across devices, parental controls, and device tracking if lost or stolen. Additionally, since Windows 11 24H2, the system now automatically enables device encryption during installation, storing the recovery key in the linked Microsoft account.

Despite these benefits, Microsoft should keep the option to create a local account, especially during setup. There are several important reasons why restricting this choice is a step in the wrong direction.

Enhanced privacy

The first reason is privacy. A local account works independently of Microsoft's cloud services, ensuring that personal data remains locally on your computer.

This approach minimizes data sharing with external servers, addressing concerns about data collection and user tracking. However, the company also collects telemetry data regardless of the account type configured on the device.

Easy setup

When using a local account, you don't have to be connected to the internet to complete the initial configuration, and the number of steps is significantly reduced.

Currently, on Windows 11 Home and Pro, you must have the computer connected to the internet. Otherwise, it's impossible to complete the initial setup without using workarounds, which means you'll have to go to another physical location and use a Microsoft account to complete the setup.

Simple management

For systems that do not require synchronization across multiple devices, a local account offers a straightforward setup without additional configurations associated with online accounts.

Unrestricted account access

A local account works without an internet connection, allowing users to access the system and perform tasks without being online. This is particularly beneficial in environments with limited or no internet connectivity.

It's important to note that accessing a computer configured with a Microsoft account is possible, but only using a PIN. If the device isn't connected to the network, you won't be able to sign in using your password.

Better profile configuration

By default, the system uses the first five letters of your email address from your Microsoft account to create your profile folder, which might help to randomize the name to avoid conflicts when creating multiple accounts, but the end result is a folder name that doesn't make much sense.

On my main computer, I usually create a local account during the setup since it allows me to create a more meaningful folder name, and then I link the account with my Microsoft account.

And I'm not the only one. Our own Zac Bowden also happens to have a similar opinion.

Better Remote Desktop

Finally, another reason Microsoft should never remove the option to create a local account is to avoid Remote Desktop connection problems.

Currently, if you use a Microsoft account and want to establish a remote connection, you will be able to connect, but you won't be able to sign in. In this case, you would have to turn off the Windows Hello option, then sign out and sign back into your account with your password, and only then will you be able to authenticate using the Remote Desktop.

If you have a local account, you can establish a Remote Desktop connection without issues using your password.

Users should have the choice to decide

I believe Microsoft should restore the option to set up the operating system in the Out-of-box Experience without workarounds and let people decide, since this tactic seems rather manipulative.

It's important to note that the option to create a local account is still available from the desktop experience. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if this account type goes away in future releases of the operating system, at least for the Home edition.

You can always get around the Microsoft account requirement during the initial setup without using different workarounds by setting up your device with a Microsoft account and then creating a local account from the Settings app, switching to the new account, and deleting the profile with the Microsoft account.

Alternatively, you can perform a clean installation with a custom USB flash drive to bypass the online account and other requirements. Or in the Out-of-box Experience, you can use the "Shift + F10" keyboard shortcut to open Command Prompt and then run the start ms-cxh:localonly command to bring up the legacy account manager to create a local account, skipping most of the extra steps.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft forcing users to use a Microsoft account to set up the operating system? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, you can use the "Open-Shell-Menu" utility to bring back the classic Start menu. I'm not a fan of using third-party tools to tweak the behavior of the operating system, but this app caught my eye because it doesn't seem to add much overhead to the navigation experience, and best of all, it's free to use.

Open-Shell-Menu is a utility designed to bring some of the classic features to various versions of the operating system, including Windows 11. However, the most interesting feature is the ability to change the default Start menu design to the one that was available on Windows 7.

In addition, you can choose from other menu designs, change skins, and control various settings. Furthermore, the utility allows you to change the Start button for a more classic look, but I don't think many people would like the available design since it doesn't match the Windows 11 style.

In this how-to guide, I'll help you get started with the Open-Shell-Menu to bring a more classic Start menu design to Windows 11.

Warning: Although this utility works as advertised, it's still a third-party application designed to modify the operating system's behavior. As such, use it at your own risk. Also, the web browser may complain about downloading the installer with a warning, but it should be OK.

How to replace the Windows 11 Start menu with a classic design

Before you can change the Start menu design, you have to install the Open-Shell-Menu utility and then configure the settings.

Install Open-Shell-Menu

To install the utility on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to install the Open-Shell app and press Enter: winget install --id Open-Shell.Open-Shell-Menu

Once you complete the steps, you can proceed to configure the experience. However, the default experience of the classic menu should already be enabled.

Set up Open-Shell-Menu

To enable the classic version of the Start menu on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Open-Shell Menu Settings and click the top result to open the utility.
3. Check the "Show all settings" option.
4. Click the "Start Menu Style" tab.
5. Select one of the available designs:

• Classic style: This design is like the menu on Windows 95 and 98.
• Classic with two columns: This design combines some aspects of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 designs, but uses a flat style somewhat similar to Windows 10.
• Windows 7 style (recommended): This design is the best option to use with this utility.

5. (Optional) Check the "Replace Start button" option.
6. Choose the button design.

• Quick tip: You can even choose a custom icon using an image.

7. Click the Skin tab.
8. Select the Windows Aero option from the "Skin" setting.

9. Click the Controls tab.
10. Select the "Open-Shell Menu" option under the "Windows Key opens" setting.

11. Click the OK button.

The "Windows Aero" is the best option because it'll blend better with the desktop experience. In addition, I suggest changing the color mode on Settings > Personalization > Colors to "Custom" for the "Choose your mode" setting and then selecting "Dark" for "Choose your default Windows mode" and "Light" for "Choose your default app mode" to match the menu color with the Taskbar and rest of the desktop.

For the most part, these are the only settings you have to get started, configuring the classic Start menu. However, the utility offers countless options to tweak the experience.

The only other customization I would suggest is the "Customize Start Menu" tab that allows you to change or hide the items that appear in the right pane.

This utility also enables the classic bar for File Explorer with options for Cut, Paste, Delete, etc., if you don't want to see this menu, you can right-click the bar and toggle the "Classic Explorer Bar" option.

Is the current Start menu design good enough, or do you plan to replace it with this or another utility? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, you can create an answer (or autounattend.xml) file to install the operating system without going through every step during the setup and Out-of-box Experience (OOBE), and in this guide, I'll show you how.

When you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 11, you typically have to complete the Windows Setup process, which takes care of the installation settings, including language preferences, product key, and partition layout. Also, after the installation, you have to complete the Out-of-box Experience to configure settings like keyboard layout, account, and privacy settings.

Although this process is relatively straightforward, you still have to spend time managing the installation and answering questions. If you want to automate the process, you can create an answer file with instructions to complete every on-screen prompt, which you can integrate onto a bootable media. Then, during the setup, the system can automatically read the answers to install Windows 11.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain the steps to create an answer file to install Windows 11 on your computer.

Create an answer file for an unattended install of Windows 11

Creating an answer file to do an unattended installation of Windows 11 isn't complicated. You have to install the DISMTools app, use the easy-to-use wizard to create the unattended file, and finally, integrate the ".xml" file into the Windows 11 bootable media.

It's important to note that you can use different tools to complete this process, but I have found that using the DISMTools offers the simplest experience for creating this file. However, it's a third party, non-Microsoft tool. As such, use it at your own risk.

Install DISMTools

To install DISMTools on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to install the tool (preview) and press Enter: winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Preview

Once you complete the steps, you can use the tool's wizard to create an answer file to do an unattended installation of Windows 11 without tedious steps.

Create answer file

To create an unattended file to install the operating system, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for DISMTools and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Next, Next, and Finish buttons to process the initial setup.
4. Click on Tools and choose the "Unattended answer file creator" option.

5. Click the Yes button to download the .NET 9 Runtime (if applicable).

6. Click the Next button to start the wizard.
7. Select the "Configure these settings now" option.
8. Choose the system language, locale, keyboard layout, and location.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Choose the "x64" option for processor architecture, since that's the only supported architecture for Windows 11.
11. (Optional) Check the "Bypass System Requirements" option in the "Windows 11 settings" to create a file to install the operating system on unsupported hardware.
12. (Optional) Check the "Bypass Network Connection" option in the "Windows 11 settings" to create a local account during the setup.
13. Check the "Let Windows set a random computer name" option because if you're using the same file on different devices, you will avoid conflicts with the same computer name.

14. Click the Next button.
15. Choose the "Set a time zone manually" option.
16. Select your current time zone.

17. Click the Next button.
18. Clear the "I want to configure these settings during the installation" option to manually configure the EFI and Recovery Partition.
19. Choose the "Configure settings for disk 0" option and use the default configuration.

• Quick note: The default configuration will create a 300MB EFI partition using GPT and a 1GB Recovery Partition.

20. Click the Next button.
21. Choose the "Use a generic product key option to skip this" option.
22. Select the product key for the edition of Windows 11.

• Quick note: If you're installing the operating system on a device that previously had Windows 10 or 11, the installation will reactivate automatically. Otherwise, you will have to activate the system after the installation.

23. Click the Next button.
24. Clear the "I want to configure these settings during installation" option.
25. Confirm the local account name and password.

• Quick tip: You can always check the "Ask for a Microsoft account interactively" option to configure a Microsoft account during setup. However, to make the experience totally automated, it's best to create a local account and then link it to a Microsoft account after the installation.

26. Choose the Administrators option from the "Account group" setting.
27. Click the Next button.
28. Select the "Passwords should never expire" option.

24. Click the Next button.
25. Check the Disable policy option.

26. Click the Next button.
27. Select the "No, I plan on using the target installation on a real system" option.

• Quick note: If you choose the Yes option, you can select the option to support VMware, VirtualBox, etc.

31. Click the Next button.
32. Clear the "I want to configure the settings installation" option.
33. (Option 1) Select the "Configure settings for wireless network now" option.
34. Confirm the wireless network settings, including SSID and password.
35. (Option 2) Select the "Skip configuration" option if the device will connect using the Ethernet connection.

36. Click the Next button.
37. Clear the "I want to configure the settings installation" option.
38. Select the Disable telemetry option.

39. Click the Next button.
40. Click the Next button again to skip the script configuration.
41. Click the Next button one more time to skip the configuration of additional components.
42. Click the Next button one last time.
43. Save the unattended file on your computer as autounattend.xml.
44. Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, you will end up with an answer that you have to integrate into the Windows 11 installation media to perform an unattended setup.

Integrate file to Windows 11

To integrate the answer to Windows 11 installation media, use these steps:

1. Open the Windows 11 download page.
2. Click the "Download now" button to save the file on the device under the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section.

3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
5. (Optional) Clear the "Use the recommended options for this PC" option.

6. Select the correct language and edition of Windows 11.
7. Click the Next button.
8. Select the "USB flash drive" option.

1. Click the Next button.
2. Select the removable storage from the list.

• Quick tip: If the device is not on the list, click the "Refresh drive list" option to make it available.

11. Click the Next button.
12. Click the Finish button.
13. Open File Explorer.
14. Open the autounattend.xml file location.
15. Right-click the file and select the Copy option.

16. Open the Windows 11 USB location from File Explorer.
17. Right-click the Paste to copy the autounattend.xml to the installation media.

Once you complete the steps, you can now use the USB bootable media to perform an unattended installation of the operating system.

It's important to note that you may come across two names for the XML file, including "autounattend.xml" and "unattend.xml."

The "autounattend.xml" file is usually the name of the answer file that you would integrate inside the Windows 11 USB flash drive within the root directory.

On the other hand, the "unattend.xml" file is used to automate deployments. Also, it's usually placed inside the "C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend" folder.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

In celebration of Microsoft's 50th anniversary in 2025, it's an appropriate moment to look at the evolution of one of its most iconic features.

Of course, I'm referring to the Start menu for Windows. The menu was originally introduced in 1995, and it has undergone significant transformations, adapting to user needs and advances in technology.

The company has worked on many different menus over the decades. However, the Start menu available on Windows 10 is arguably (by far) the best approach as it combines modern ideas with a hint of classic elements and the best selection of customization options.

Thirty years is a long time for any feature to be around, so let's look at how the Start menu has evolved over the years.

Windows 95: The birth of the Start menu

On August 24, 1995, Microsoft introduced the Start menu as a central hub for accessing programs, documents, and system settings with the launch of Windows 95.

This innovation replaced the "Program Manager," offering a more intuitive and organized user experience.

In contrast, the "Program Manager" was technically something we can refer to today as a folder containing a list of items with sub-containers to access the different programs with no real organization.

An interesting fact is that the Taskbar (and Start button) also arrived alongside the Start menu with the release of Windows 95.

The menu was simple, with a pop-up in a cascading format, providing access to programs, documents, and system settings. Also, it had a left-hand sidebar that contained the "Windows 95" text.

The "Programs" folder provided a hierarchical list of installed applications, making it easy to launch programs.

The "Documents" folder displayed a list of recently opened files, allowing for quick access to frequently used documents.

The "Settings" folder provided access to the Control Panel, which allows users to configure their system. This menu also provided quick access to the Printers and Taskbar settings.

The Taskbar settings also included a few customization options for the Start menu, but the settings were limited.

The "Find" option enabled users to search for files and folders on their computer. However, the search didn't occur in the Start menu. Instead, the option would open the "Find" app on Windows 95.

The "Run" command allowed users to directly execute programs or open files by typing their names (just like we do today).

The "Shutdown" option provided a convenient way to turn off the computer.

Windows 98: Refinement and expansion

Although the Start menu for Windows 98 didn't look significantly different from the original design, the menu incorporated a new "Log off" option for the new multi-user functionality.

In addition, Microsoft added an option to access the "Windows Update" service through Internet Explorer to scan and download the available system updates.

Furthermore, the Start menu added a "Favorites" submenu to complement Internet Explorer's presence in the operating system.

Windows Me: Minor adjustments

Microsoft launched the Windows Millennium Edition (ME) in 2000, but the design of the Start menu didn't receive any significant changes.

The menu was identical to the version in Windows 98; the only difference was the branding on the side that indicated the name of the operating system.

This was the last time we had seen this version of this menu.

It's important to note that the classic version of the menu was an option until Windows Vista.

Windows XP: A new era

Windows XP was launched in 2001, and it unveiled a redesigned Start menu with a two-column layout. The left column featured pinned and recently used apps, while the right provided access to user-specific folders ("My Documents," "My Pictures," "My Computer," and "Control Panel") and system functionalities.

This design aimed to streamline navigation and enhance productivity.

A prominent user account picture was displayed at the top of the left column, adding a touch of personalization.

The left column dynamically displayed frequently used programs, making it easier to access commonly used apps. However, users could also pin apps to this section for quick access.

The "All Programs" menu, accessible from the left column, provided a hierarchical list of all installed apps.

The shutdown option was conveniently located at the bottom of the right column, making it easy to turn off or restart the computer.

On Windows XP, Microsoft introduced the "Luna" visual style, which gave the Start menu a more modern and polished look with rounded corners and vibrant colors.

However, the operating system also allowed users to revert to the "classic" Start menu style for those who wanted a more traditional experience.

Windows Vista: Enhanced search and organization

In 2007, Microsoft launched Windows Vista, a version of the operating system that also included a new Start menu version with search integration, allowing users to locate files and programs quickly without having to jump to another experience.

However, the interface and elements of the new menu were pretty much identical to the design of Windows XP.

The menu featured a two-column layout. The left column featured pinned and recently used apps, while the right provided access to user-specific folders and system settings.

In this release, the user account menu was located at the top-right corner, and elements like "My Documents" and "My Computer" dropped the "My" suffixed. So, the items became "Documents," "Computer," etc.

Windows 7: Just tweaks

In 2009, Windows 7 was released with an updated version of the Start menu that was identical to the one available in Vista. However, it added "Jump Lists," offering quick access to recent documents and tasks directly from the Start menu.

Also, the power options removed the "Lock" item and added it to the "Shut down" menu. Furthermore, on Windows 7, you were able to change the power button action, something that wasn't available on Vista.

Finally, in this version of the operating system, Microsoft also removed the ability to switch to the classic Start menu.

Windows 8 and 8.1: A bold departure

Things changed drastically in 2012 when the company released Windows 8. This version ditched the Start menu for a Start screen that covered the entire desktop and removed the Start button.

This shift aimed to create a unified experience across touch and mouse-keyboard devices but received mixed feedback.

This is one of the biggest mistakes Microsoft made for the operating system.

This full-screen approach was a core element of Microsoft's vision for a touch-centric operating system.

The Start screen was dominated by "Live Tiles," which represented applications and websites. These tiles could display dynamic, real-time information like weather updates, news headlines, and social media feeds.

Also, tiles came in various sizes, allowing users to customize the layout and prioritize information.

In addition, the Start screen introduced the "Metro" (later "Modern") design language, which is characterized by clean (flat interfaces), bold typography, and a focus on content rather than visual chrome.

One of the many problems was that the Start screen was heavily optimized for touch input, with large, easily tappable tiles. This design philosophy aimed to provide a consistent and intuitive experience across touch-enabled devices.

However, this change was a significant source of user frustration, particularly for those using desktop computers with a mouse and keyboard.

Since this version of the operating system didn't include a Start button either, Microsoft added the Charms bar, a sidebar that appeared with a swipe from the right side of the screen or by moving the mouse to the upper or lower right-hand corners of the screen. This bar contained common functions like search, settings, and share.

In a way, the Windows 8 Start screen represented a radical shift in the user interface, prioritizing touch interaction and live information. While it aimed to modernize the experience, it faced significant criticism for its departure from familiar desktop elements.

Then, in 2013, Windows 8.1 was launched; this time around, the company didn't bring back the Start menu. However, the Start button was reintroduced, linking users back to the Start Screen.

Windows 10: Merging legacy and modern design

Windows 10, launched in 2015, brought back the Start menu, combining the classic menu with modern Live Tiles in a customizable two-pane design, similar to the menus for Windows 7 and Vista.

This hybrid approach was aimed at desktop and touch users, balancing familiarity with innovation with a traditional left-hand column and a tile-based right-hand section.

The left column featured an alphabetical list of all installed apps, making it easy to find programs.

The left rail included access to the profile settings and quick access to folders (such as Documents, Pictures, File Explorer, and Settings). In this section, you can also find the power options (Shutdown, Restart, Sleep).

The right column displayed Live Tiles, allowing users to pin frequently used apps and receive dynamic updates.

Using the context menu in the Start menu, it was possible to resize, rearrange, and group Live Tiles. You were also able to turn tiles on or off, giving you control over the information displayed.

Windows 10 addressed the widespread criticism of Windows 8 by bringing back the familiar Start menu, and the hybrid design provided a balance between traditional navigation and modern tile-based access.

Furthermore, this version offered (perhaps) the most control over the appearance and functionality of the Start menu I've ever seen on Windows. You even had an option to show a full-screen version of the Start menu.

It's important to note that on Windows 10, Microsoft began to decouple search from the Start menu. Although you can start a search from the menu, in this version of the operating system, Windows Search has its own entry in the Taskbar and home interface. This also continues to be true on Windows 11.

On Windows 7 and Vista, the search occurred within the Start menu experience.

Windows 11: A centered and simplified design

In 2021, Microsoft launched Windows 11, which also introduced a centered Taskbar and a revamped Start menu that brought a significant visual overhaul to the menu, and it's safe to say they've generated a range of reactions.

One of the most noticeable changes was the centered Start button and Taskbar items, giving Windows 11 a more modern and streamlined look.

Some have argued about this placement, as it deviates from the traditional left-aligned Start button. As a result, changing the alignment to the left is one of the first configurations that users usually apply to a new setup.

The Start menu itself features a simplified layout, with pinned apps at the top and a "Recommended" section below, displaying recently opened files and applications.

Also, Live Tiles have been replaced with more traditional static icons, and this menu emphasizes rounded corners and a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic.

You can also pin as many apps as you want by creating scrollable pages in the menu, and you can even organize apps in groups. However, many users who were accustomed to the Windows 10 Start menu have expressed frustration with the lack of customization.

A common criticism is the limited customization options compared to previous versions. For example, you can't resize the menu, remove the "Recommended" section, and it's no longer possible to show Live Tiles.

Another aspect of the Start menu is that Microsoft has been using it to push even more advertisements. Although the company has been known to promote apps from partners, you only used to notice this in new installations. However, on Windows 11, the "Recommended" section is also used to promote apps from the Microsoft Store dynamically.

Also, in the user menu, the company uses this area to promote its cloud services by luring users into backing up their files to OneDrive and Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

One thing you will notice about this menu is that it has a horizontal design, while the previous menus had a vertical design.

Although the Start menu for Windows 11 lacks customization options, you will continue to find familiar elements, such as the box to access Windows Search, the profile menu, power options, the ability to show folders, and the "All" menu to access all your installed apps.

Over the past three decades, Microsoft's Start Menu has continually been trying to adapt, reflecting the company's commitment to evolving with user needs and advances in technology. However, the company did not always get it right.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

If you have a computer running Windows 11, the day will come when you may have to upgrade the hard drive because it's running out of space or reaching the end of its lifespan (usually three to five years). The recommended option would be to replace the drive and perform a clean installation, but if you must keep the same installation, you can move the current setup to the new drive.

Regardless of the reason, you can complete this process using the built-in Backup and Restore feature available on Windows 11.

The process is straightforward. First, you need to create a system image backup, and then you would make a USB bootable media to access the recovery environment. Finally, you would replace the hard drive and restore the system image to the computer, and in the final step, you would reconfigure the system partitions as necessary.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to move your current Windows 11 setup to a new drive.

How to create a system image on Windows 11

To create a full backup of the entire installation of Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Control Panel and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click the "Backup and Restore" setting.

5. Click the "Create a system image" option from the bottom-left corner.

6. Select the "On a hard disk" option.

7. Use the "On a hard disk" drop-down menu and select the Windows 11 full backup destination.
8. Click the Next button.
9. (Optional) Select any additional drives to include in the backup.
10. Click the Next button.

11. Click the Start backup button.

12. Click the No button.

• Quick note: You'll also receive a prompt to create a system repair disc, but you can skip it since you can use a USB installation media to access the recovery settings.

13. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the tool will create a backup of the entire installation, including programs, settings, and apps.

You can now proceed with the steps to create a USB flash drive with the installation files for the operating system.

How to create USB recoverable media on Windows 11

To create a USB bootable media to access the recovery environment on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open the Windows 11 download page.
2. Click the Download now button to save the file on the device under the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section.

3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
5. (Optional) Clear the "Use the recommended options for this PC" option.

6. Select the correct language and edition of Windows 11.
7. Click the Next button.
8. Select the "USB flash drive" option.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Select the removable storage from the list.

• Quick tip: If the device is not on the list, click the "Refresh drive list" option to make it available.

11. Click the Next button.
12. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the tool will erase and create a recovery media that you can use to restore the system image backup on the new drive.

How to replace the drive on your Windows 11 computer

At this point, you can open your computer case or laptop to replace the hard drive. The steps to perform this task will be different on every computer. As a result, it's strongly recommended that you check with your computer manufacturer for specific instructions to complete this task.

Usually, the process goes like this:

1. Power down the computer and unplug any cables.
2. Remove the cover of the laptop or desktop computer.
3. Carefully find the hard drive, which, depending on the device, could be a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid-State Drive (SSD), or NVM Express (NVMe).
4. Confirm how the drive is attached.

• Quick note: If it's an HDD or SSD, it will have power and data cables. If it's an NVMe drive, it'll be screwed directly into the motherboard inside of a M.2 slot.

5. Disconnect any data and power cables (if applicable).
6. Remove the screws or make use of the latch to free the drive from the motherboard.
7. Remove the old hard drive.
8. Install the new hard drive.
9. Remember to reconnect any cables as necessary.
10. Close the computer case or laptop.

Once you complete the steps, the new drive replacements will be installed on your computer, but it'll be empty, without an operating system.

You can now proceed with the steps to restore the previous installation in the new drive.

How to transfer Windows 11 installation to a new drive

To restore your previous installation from a system image backup, use these steps:

1. Start the computer.
2. On the USB bootable drive startup prompt, press any key to continue.

• Quick tip: If the computer does not start in the Windows Setup wizard, you will need to access the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) to change the boot order settings. However, since these steps are different per manufacturer and device model, it is recommended to check your manufacturer support website for more specific details.

3. On the "Windows Setup" page, click the Next button.

3. Click the Next button again.

4. Select the "Repair my PC" option.

5. Click the Next button.
6. Select the WinRE language (if applicable).

7. Click on Troubleshoot.

8. Click the "System Image Recovery" option.

9. Click on the Windows 11 operating system option.

10. Select the "Use the latest available system image" option to transfer the most

11. Click the Next button.
12. Click the Next button again.

13. Click the Finish button.

13. Click the Yes button to confirm the deletion of the new drive.
14. Click the OK button to confirm that BitLocker has been disabled on the new drive (if applicable).
15. Click the Restart now button.

After you complete the steps, the tool will restore the old installation of Windows 11 on the new hard drive.

After the computer restarts, the system will require you to create a new PIN for your account to sign in to your account. At this point, you only need to follow the on-screen directions.

If you were using BitLocker, encryption would continue to be enabled, but you would have to restart the device one more time to resume the feature.

How to reconfigure partition after recovery on Windows 11

Although you can use the built-in backup tool to move the Windows 11 installation to a new drive, this process will restore the same partition layout as the old drive.

As a result, if you're using a bigger hard drive, the storage will have some leftover unallocated space.

The problem is that the recovery partition is configured by design at the end of the partition with the operating system, making it impossible to extend the partition to use the unallocated space.

In this case, you have two options. You can use another partition with the remaining steps to store files and specific applications. Or, you will have to delete the recovery partition, expand the installation drive to use the unallocated space, and recreate the recovery partition.

Create a data partition

To create a partition with the remaining space, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Storage page on the right side.

4. Click on Advanced storage settings under the "Storage management" section.
5. Click the "Disks & volumes" setting.

6. Select the drive to create a new volume.
7. Select the Unallocated space, click the Create volume button, and choose the "Create Simple Volume" option.

8. Confirm a drive label in the "Label" field.
9. Select the drive letter with the "Drive letter" drop-down menu.

10. Select the NTFS option with the "File System" drop-down menu.
11. Click the Format button.

Once you complete the steps, you will end up with a new drive to store files.

Expand the setup partition

If you want to increase the installation drive's size with the unallocated space, you'll have to delete the recovery partition, expand the Windows 11 setup drive, and recreate the recovery partition at the end of the drive.

This can be a tedious process for many users. As a result, the best approach would be to create a new partition to store data using the unallocated space and then transfer your files to the new partition.

If you want to proceed with these instructions, it's recommened to create a full backup of your computer before proceeding.

Also, you will have to disable BitLocker before proceeding from Settings > System > Privacy & security and turning off the "Device Encryption" toggle switch.

To extend the setup partition on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to disable the Windows Recovery Environment and move the "winre.wim" file from the "Recovery Partition" to the "Recovery" folder inside the current Windows 11 installation and press Enter: reagentc /disable
4. Type the following command to run the DiskPart tool and press Enter: diskpart
5. Type the following command to show the available disk and press Enter: list disk
6. Type the following command to select the system drive and press Enter: select disk 0
7. Type the following command to view the partitions on the drive and press Enter: list partition
8. Type the following command to select the current partition for recovery and press Enter: select partition X

In the command, replace "X" with the correct number for the Recovery Partition on your installation.

9. Type the following command to delete the recovery partition and press Enter: delete partition override

10. Open Start.
11. Search for Disk Management and click the top result to open the app.
12. Right-click the (C:) drive and choose the "Extend volume" option.

13. Click the Next button.
14. Subtract "1024" MB (1GB) for the total amount of space to extend the main partition.

• Quick note: The 1GB of unallocated space will be used for the new Recovery Partition.

15. Click the Next button.
16. Click the Finish button.
17. In Command Prompt, type the following command to create a new partition for the recovery environment and press Enter: create partition primary
18. Type the following command to format the partition with the NTFS file system and press Enter: format fs=ntfs quick
19. Type the following command to set the new partition as the Recovery Partition and press Enter: set id=de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac override
20. Type the following command to set the attribute to prevent users from deleting this partition and press Enter: gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
21. Type the following command to exit from the DiskPart tool and press Enter: exit

22. Type the following command to enable the Windows Recovery Partition and to copy the "winre.wim" from the "Recovery" folder to the "Recovery Partition" and press Enter: reagentc /enable
23. Type the following command to check the state of the Windows Recovery Environment and press Enter: reagentc /info

Once you complete the steps, the new Recovery Partition will be created at the end of the drive, and the output of the last step should show that WinRE is enabled.

Finally, remember to re-enable BitLocker from Settings > System > Privacy & security and turn on the "Device Encryption" toggle switch.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11 (and 10), DISMTools is a free, non-Microsoft open-source graphical user interface (GUI) designed to enhance and simplify the use of Microsoft's Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM).

The DISM tool is primarily available as a command-line utility for servicing and preparing Windows images, but its complexity can be a barrier for many users. DISMTools tries to overcome this complexity friction by providing an accessible front-end that streamlines the management of Windows Imaging (WIM) files and related tasks.

In addition, the developer aims to provide an alternative to other solutions that may lack functionality or reserve certain features for paid customers.

DISMTools key features

DISMTools introduces a project-based approach, allowing you to manage mounted images, create unattended answer files, convert images, and more, which improves organization and workflow when working with the DISM command-line tool.

You can also work with the image locally available on your computer (online) or another location (offline), giving you an easy way to manage any installation of the operating system.

This tool also uses the DISM API and DISM executable to improve performance while scanning an image, and this approach allows you to use any version of a Windows image from 7 through 10 and 11.

In addition, the tool shines in the more intuitive interface and rich information when serving an image compared to using the command-line option.

You can easily get image information and add and remove app packages, features, drivers, and more.

It's even possible to generate and print image information for future reference.

Furthermore, you can perform operations like image conversion from ".esd" to ".wim," you can create a custom Windows 11 ISO file, and it even offers a wizard to create unattended answer files, which you can use to install the operating system hands-free.

How to install DISMTools

To install DISMTools on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
3. (Option 1) Type the following command to install the tool (preview) and press Enter: winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Preview

1. (Option 2) Type the following command to install the tool (stable) and press Enter: winget install CodingWondersSoftware.DISMTools.Stable

Once you complete the steps, the tool will be available like any other app from the Start menu.

How to get started with DISMTools

The DISMTools allows you to perform many different operations, but these are the basics:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for DISMTools and click the top result to open the utility.
3. Click the Next button.
4. Choose the tool preferences, such as color, language, font, etc.

5. (Optional) Select the location to save the logs and choose the level of errors and warning messages.
6. Click the Next button.

7. Continue with the on-screen directions.

After you complete the steps, you will find different options for starting to work with DISMTools. For example, you can create a new or resume working on an existing project.

Working with projects

You can also go directly to manage an online or offline image. The "Manage online installation" opens the Windows image locally available on the current installation.

If you choose the "Manage offline installation" option, you will have the option to select one of the available images.

To start with a new project, click the "New project" option, choose the name and a location to store the project, and click the "OK" button.

Inside the project, click the "Mount image" button. On the page, choose the install.wim (or install.esd) image using the "Source" setting. You also have to specify the destination mount directory in the "Destination" setting.

In addition, in the "Options" section, you need to select the edition of the operating system that you want to customize by specifying the index number (if applicable).

If you're mounting an ISO file, you may want to check the "Mount with read only permissions" option. Otherwise, you may not be able to mount the image.

Finally, click the "OK" button to mount the image.

On the main project page, you have different tools to perform a number of operations, including adding and removing packages, features, apps, drivers, and more.

It's important to note that making changes to the locally available image doesn't make changes to the current installation. You're only modifying the operating system image. Any modifications will be applied when the image is deployed to the system. Therefore, changes made to the offline image do not affect your current installation.

Available tools

In addition to working on projects, the DISMTools includes a number of tools to perform different actions, such as converting an image using the ESD format to WIM.

The install.ESD (Electronic Software Download) is a highly compressed and encrypted version of the install.WIM (Windows Imaging Format) file. As a result, directly opening and manipulating an install.ESD file is not possible. However, the DISMTools provides a functionality to convert the install.ESD format to install.WIM enables users to modify the Windows image.

One of the tools (I personally find interesting) is the option to create an unattended file. The "unattended file" (typically named autounattend.xml) allows for automating the Windows 11 setup process. This eliminates the need for user interaction during installation, making it ideal for large-scale deployments or users who want a streamlined installation experience.

The only caveat is that the creation of the file can be a tedious process. However, the DISMTools includes an easy-to-follow wizard to create the autounattend.xml file.

Other things

DISMTools, though still under development, offers a comprehensive graphical interface for interacting with the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool. It enables you to manage both online and offline Windows images, making it easier to complete tasks such as adding or removing features, packages, and drivers. However, as of its current version, DISMTools does not seem to support the 'RestoreHealth' functionality, which is used to repair the operating system image (a capability available through specific DISM command-line operations).

This tool is designed primarily for network administrators and developers who require efficient management of images. Regardless, its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to a broader audience, allowing anyone interested to utilize its features.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 10, you can use the "Find My Device" feature to determine the location of your laptop or desktop computer if lost or stolen.

Find My Device works by using the Location feature on Windows 10 to determine the computer's (approximate) location and then save that information in the cloud inside your Microsoft account.

The idea is that if your device gets lost or stolen, you can access the last known location through your Microsoft account to help you find it. Sometimes, this feature is enabled by default, but you can always check to enable it manually. If, for privacy concerns, you don't want to use it, the operating system offers an option to turn it off.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain the steps to configure the Find My Device feature on Windows 10. (You can use these instructions to set up the same feature on Windows 11.)

How to enable Find My Device on Windows 10

To turn on the Find My Device feature, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click the Find My Device page.

• Quick note: You must have the location turned on for the feature to work. You can always check on Settings > Location and turn on the location services.

4. Click the Change button.
5. Turn on the "Save my device's location periodically" toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, the feature will turn on, and the system will periodically save the device location in your Microsoft account.

How to check device last known location using Find My Device

To find your device location, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & security.
3. Click the Find My Device page.
4. Click the "Take more action for a lost device on your account page" option.

• Quick tip: You can always access your Microsoft account online directly on any computer or mobile device by following this Microsoft link.

5. Sign in with your Microsoft account (if applicable).
6. Click the "Find my device" option under the computer you want to locate.

7. Confirm the last known location of the device.
8. (Optional) Click the Find button to determine the current location.

• Quick note: This feature will only work if the computer is connected to the internet.

9. (Optional) Click the Lock button to lock the computer remotely to prevent others from accessing the device while it's not in your possession.

After you complete the steps, you should be able to determine the approximate location of the device.

How to disable Find My Device on Windows 10

To turn off the Find My Device feature, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & security.
3. Click the Find My Device page.
4. Click the Change button.
5. Turn off the "Save my device's location periodically" toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will turn off the feature, and the system will no longer save the location of the device in the cloud.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

If you're building a new workstation or gaming PC or acquired a device that doesn't have an operating system, you will have to install Windows 11 manually.

Although if you have never done it before, it may feel daunting, it's actually a straightforward process, considering that if the drive is empty, you don't have to worry about creating a backup.

The Windows 11 setup on a new computer is a three-step process. First, you have to create a flash drive with the installation files. Second, you have to proceed with the installation, and third, you have to complete the post-installation process by downloading updates, making sure that drivers are installed correctly, and installing apps.

Before proceeding with these instructions, you'll need a new computer without an operating system, a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of storage, and another device to download the files and create the bootable media.

Also, since this is a new device, you will need a Windows 11 (or 10) product key to activate the installation.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain the process of installing Windows 11 on your new computer.

How to create a USB bootable media for Windows 11

Although you can find many different tools to create a bootable USB flash drive, in this case, using the Media Creation Tool is the best option. In part, it's because you'll be installing the operating system on new hardware and the empty hard drive, which means you don't have to worry about compatibility issues or deleting data by accident.

To create an installation media with the Media Creation Tool, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of space and use these steps:

1. Open the Windows 11 download page.
2. Click the Download now button to save the file on the device under the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section.

3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
5. (Optional) Clear the "Use the recommended options for this PC" option.

6. Select the correct language and edition of Windows 11.
7. Click the Next button.
8. Select the "USB flash drive" option.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Select the removable storage from the list.

• Quick tip: If the device is not on the list, click the "Refresh drive list" option to make it available.

11. Click the Next button.
12. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, the tool will download the necessary files to create the bootable media, which you can use to install the operating system.

How to change the BIOS settings to startup Windows 11 setup from USB

Before you can proceed with the Windows 11 Setup, you will have to make sure your new computer can start from the USB flash drive by checking the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings.

Since every computer is different, you'll have to check your device manufacturer for more specific steps. However, you should be able to access the UEFI settings with these steps:

1. Power on the computer.
2. Upon starting, press Esc, Delete, F1, or any one of the function keys shown on the screen.
3. Open the page with the boot option.
4. Change the boot order to start from the USB flash drive.

Alternatively, nowadays, devices may also offer an option to open a boot menu that allows you to choose the device to start the computer. If your system supports this option, you can use it to launch the Windows 11 Setup without making changes to the firmware.

How to install Windows 11 on a new computer

To install Windows 11 on your new computer, use these steps:

1. Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB installer.
2. Press any key to continue.
3. Select the installation language and format.

4. Click the Next button.
5. Select the keyboard settings.

6. Click the Next button.
7. Choose the "Install Windows 11" option.
8. Check the "I agree everything will be deleted inclusing files, apps, and settings" option.

8. Click the Next button.
9. Confirm the Windows 11 product key.

• Quick note: You can always use the "I don't have a product key" option, but after the installation, you will have to activate it manually.

11. Select the Windows 11 edition (if applicable).

12. Click the Next button.
13. Click the Accept button
14. Select the hard drive to install the operating system.

15. Click the Next button.
16. Click the Install button.

17. Choose your region setting after the installation.

18. Click the Yes button.
19. Select your keyboard layout setting.

20. Click the Yes button.
21. Click the Skip button (as needed).
22. Connect to your wireless network.

• Quick note: If the computer has a wired connection, the setup will connect to the network and skip to the next page automatically.

23. Confirm a name for the computer.

24. Click the Next button to restart the computer and apply the changes.
25. Select the "Set up for personal use" option for Windows 11 Pro.

• Quick note: This option is not available for the "Home" edition of the operating system.

26. Click the Next button.
27. Click the Sign in button.

28. Confirm your Microsoft account to create an account.

29. Click the Next button.
30. Confirm your account password.
31. Click the Next button.
32. Click the Create PIN button.

33. Create your Windows Hello PIN to access the account.
34. Click the OK button.

35. Choose your privacy settings according to your preferences.
36. Click the Next button.
37. Click the Next button again.
38. Click the Accept button.

39. Click the More options setting.

40. Click the "Set up as a new PC" option.

41. Click the "Set up as a new PC" option one more time.
42. (Optional) Choose how you will be using your device to allow the system to tailor tools, tips, and advertisements, or click the Skip option.

• Quick note: The "Let's customize your experience" page allows you to tell the operating system how you plan to use the device to receive personalized suggestions for tools and services.

43. (Optional) Click the Skip option to proceed without connecting your phone. (You can configure this at a later time.)
44. (Optional) Click the Skip option to skip the OneDrive promotion.
45. Click the "Not now" button if you plan to use a browser other than Microsoft Edge.

47. Click the Next button to skip the Microsoft 365 promotion.

After you complete the steps, you will be able to install Windows 11 on your new computer.

How to complete the setup of Windows 11 after installation

After installing the operating system, you want to make sure you perform at least three actions, including checking for system updates, downloading missing updates for drivers, and installing your applications.

Check for system updates

To download and install system updates, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. (Optional) Turn on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle switch.
4. Click the "Check for updates" button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will download and install any updates available from the Microsoft servers.

Check for driver updates

To download applicable driver updates, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the Advanced options setting.

4. Click the Optional updates setting.

5. Select the available drivers.
6. Click the "Download & install" button.

On this page, the system will include the driver updates available through the Windows Update services. However, it's also recommended that the Device Manager be checked to make sure that any other driver is missing.

Install apps

At this point, you can install your applications. It's recommended that you download and install apps from the Microsoft Store because it's a trusted source and because it makes it easier to manage updates.

However, it's understandable that you may need to download apps from different sources depending on the program.

You can also install apps from Command Prompt using the Windows Package Manager (winget) tool.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11 (and 10), MSConfig (also known as System Configuration) is a built-in tool designed to help you troubleshoot and manage the operating system's startup process.

It allows you to turn on and off programs, device drivers, and services that run at startup and modify boot parameters, including the ability to access the Safe Mode. This utility is particularly useful for diagnosing performance issues and software conflicts in the operating system.

System Configuration isn't new. It's been available since Windows 98, and even though it has evolved over the years, the overall experience hasn't changed significantly. However, some newer features have been added, and others have been removed, such as the ability to control apps at startup.

In this how-to guide, I'll explain the steps to get started with the System Configuration tool on Windows 11. However, these instructions will also apply to Windows 10.

How to access the msconfig on Windows 11

To open the System Configuration utility, you have at least two options:

From the Run dialog:

To open msconfig from Run, use these steps:

1. Use the "Windows + R" keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter (or click the OK button).

From the Start menu:

To open msconfig from the Start menu, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. (Option 1) Search for msconfig and click the top result to open the app.
3. (Option 2) Search for System Configuration and click the top result to open the app.

How to navigate the msconfig on Windows 11

Upon launching the System Configuration app, you'll encounter several tabs, each serving a specific function.

General tab

In the "General" tab, it's possible to change startup behavior.

• Normal Startup (default): This is the default mode where all startup programs and services are loaded.
• Diagnostic Startup: This mode starts the operating system with only essential services and drivers, helping to identify conflicts or issues.
• Selective Startup: This lets you choose which programs and services to load at startup. You can turn off non-essential items to speed up boot times and resolve conflicts.

It's worth noting that the "Selective Startup" option has three settings, as described below.

Load System Services:

• Checked: This option loads all essential system services required for the operating system to function correctly.
• Unchecked: Disables most built-in services. Although this option can significantly speed up startup, it may cause instability or prevent some programs from working correctly. Only uncheck this if you know what you're doing.

Load Startup items:

• Checked: This option loads programs set to launch automatically during sign-in. This includes apps you've installed, as well as some system utilities.
• Unchecked: Prevents all startup programs from running. This can speed up boot times but means you'll have to manually launch any applications you need.

The "Use original boot configuration" option tells the operating system to ignore any changes you've made to your startup configuration in System Configuration and instead use the original boot settings that were present when the system was first installed.

If you check this option, the "Selective Startup" option will be grayed out, and the "Normal startup" option will be checked automatically.

Boot tab

The "Boot" tab allows you to manage boot options such as Safe Boot, boot logging, and setting default operating systems in multi-boot setups.

At the top of the screen, you will find the list of operating systems installed on your computer. Usually, you'll only find one setup, but the other setups will also be listed here if you're a dual-boot system.

If you have multiple versions of Windows installed on the computer, you can also use a specific setup and click the "Set as default" button to install the default that will start automatically after the timeout time.

Furthermore, you can select and delete an entry. However, you would only use this option if, after removing the dual-boot system, you find out that the boot menu hasn't reflected the changes.

Safe boot: This option lets you start the computer in Safe Mode, a diagnostic mode that uses minimal drivers and services. It's useful for troubleshooting problems. You can choose from different options:

• Minimal: Safe Mode experience with the standard graphical user interface.
• Alternate shell: Safe Mode with a command prompt instead of the graphical experience.
• Active Directory repair: Safe Mode with Active Directory services for repairing network connectivity issues with Active Directory.
• Network: Safe Mode with network support and graphical interface.

As part of the boot option, you can also choose:

• No GUI boot: Disables the startup splash screen during startup, showing a black screen instead.
• Boot log: Creates a log file (Ntbtlog.txt) that records the startup process, which can help identify driver issues. The file will be available inside the "Windows" folder on the "C:" drive.
• Base video: Forces the system to use the basic video driver, which is helpful if you have display problems.
• OS boot information: Displays driver loading details on the screen during startup, which is useful for debugging.

The "Timeout" option determines how long the boot menu is displayed if you have a dual-boot system. You can adjust the time in seconds before the default operating system automatically starts during the startup process.

Finally, you can also check the "Make all boot settings permanent" option. If you select this option, the boot settings will be locked in.

For example, if you don't check this option, you can easily switch between different startup modes (Normal, Diagnostic, Selective) in the General tab.

If you check the option, you'll lose the ability to easily switch back to the "Normal Startup" option. Even if you want to choose the "Normal Startup" option again, the system ignores you because you have essentially forgotten about this option.

The settings within each mode are always saved. The difference is whether you can easily choose a different mode.

The "Advanced options" page allows you to tweak some low-level settings for the boot process, which are generally for specific troubleshooting or testing scenarios.

It's important to note that modifying these settings can affect the computer startup process and might even cause instability issues.

Number of processors

This option lets you limit the number of processor cores that the system uses during startup.

Although Windows 11 will still recognize all cores inside the processor, it'll only use the number of cores you specified for the initial boot phase.

This option is primarily used for debugging and testing, and you should generally leave it unchecked to allow the operating system to use all available cores.

Maximum memory

This option restricts the amount of memory that the operating system uses during startup.

Similar to the processor option, this is mainly for testing or simulating low-memory conditions. Unless you have a specific reason to limit memory during boot, it's best to leave this unchecked.

PCI lock

This option prevents the operating system from reallocating input/output (I/O) and interrupt request (IRQ) resources on the PCI bus during startup.

This is a very technical setting that's rarely needed, usually only in cases where you have hardware conflicts or compatibility issues with older hardware components.

Debug

This option activates kernel-mode debugging, which developers primarily use to troubleshoot driver issues.

It's not something you'd typically need for regular use.

Services tab

The "Services" tab provides an interface to manage the various background services that run in the operating system.

List of services

This section displays a list of all the services available on your computer. The list will show the service name, manufacturer details, current state (running or stopped), and whether it's enabled at startup.

In this section, each service has a checkbox next to it. If it's checked, the service is enabled and will start automatically during boot. If it's unchecked, the service is disabled and won't start automatically.

The "Hide all Microsoft services" option hides all the services essential to running the operating system.

It's a convenient option because it allows you to focus on third-party services (those installed by programs you've added), which are more likely to be safe to disable if you're trying to streamline startup or troubleshoot problems on your computer.

In addition, this tab includes buttons to turn all services on or off, which can also come in handy to troubleshoot different problems.

For example, if you want to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot software conflicts, you would check the "Hide all Microsoft services" option and click the "Disable all" button. Also, from the Task Manager's Startup tab, you would disable all the applications configured to run at startup.

The Services tab provides a way to manage background services, but you should use it cautiously. Always research unfamiliar services before deactivating any of them, and remember that many services are essential for Windows 11 to work correctly.

Tools tab

The "Tools" tab offers quick access to various system utilities and diagnostic tools. It's essentially a convenient launcher for these programs, saving you the extra steps to navigate the Start menu or search for them while inside the System Configuration app.

From this tab, you can launch:

• About Windows.
• Change UAC Settings.
• Security and Maintenance.
• Windows Troubleshooting.
• Computer Management.
• System Information.
• Event Viewer.
• Programs.
• System Properties.
• Internet Options.
• Internet Protocol Configuration.
• Performance Monitor.
• Resource Monitor.
• Task Manager.
• Command Prompt.
• Registry Editor.
• Remove Assistance.
• System Restore.

The Tools tab is primarily a shortcut to existing system utilities, but it's rarely used since you can access these from the Start menu, Settings app, or Windows Tools.

System Configuration also includes the "Startup" tab, but the settings have been relocated to the Task Manager.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11 (and 10), you can limit the amount of storage each person configured on the computer can use with the Disk Quotas, and in this guide, I'll outline the steps to complete this configuration.

Disk Quotas is a feature that has been available for a long time, and it allows you to limit the drive space a user can use. You will typically find this feature useful to prevent other users from filling up the hard drive with their files or to ensure that a specific user has only the space they need for their work.

It's important to note that this feature has been primarily designed for network administrators to control the storage on devices configured for multiple users, but anyone can use it. Also, this feature is only available for drives formatted using the NTFS file system.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to configure the Disk Quotas feature on your computer. Although I'm focusing on Windows 11 users, these instructions apply to those still running Windows 10.

How to set up Disk Quotas for all users on Windows 11

To configure Disk Quotas to limit storage usage for all users, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left side.
3. Right-click the main drive and choose the Properties option.

4. Click the Quota tab.
5. Click the "Show Quota Settings" button.

6. Check the "Enable quota management" option.
7. (Optional) Check the "Deny disk space to users exceeding quota" limit option.
8. Select the "Limit disk space to" option, confirm the storage allowance for all users, and specify the storage unit.
9. (Optional) Confirm the storage amount in the "Set warning level to" setting to trigger a warning when users are getting closer to their limit.

• Quick note: You want to put this setting lower than the total amount.

10. Click the Apply button.
11. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the settings will be applied, and everyone configured on the computer will have the same limited storage capacity.

Disable Disk Quotas for all users

To undo the changes to disable Disk Quotas, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left side.
3. Right-click the main drive and choose the Properties option.

4. Click the Quota tab.
5. Click the "Show Quota Settings" button.

6. Clear the "Enable quota management" option.

7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the feature will be disabled, and everyone will have full access to the total amount of storage.

How to set up Disk Quotas for a specific user on Windows 11

To configure Disk Quotas for a specific user, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left side.
3. Right-click the main drive and choose the Properties option.

4. Click the Quota tab.
5. Click the "Show Quota Settings" button.

6. Check the "Enable quota management" option.
7. (Optional) Check the "Deny disk space to users exceeding quota" limit option.
8. Click the Quota Entries button.

9. Open the Quota menu and choose the "New Quota Entry" option.

10. Click the OK button.
11. Click the OK button again.
12. Select the "Limit disk space to" option, confirm the storage allowance for all users, and specify the storage unit.
13. (Optional) Confirm the storage amount in the "Set warning level to" setting to trigger a warning when users are getting closer to their limit.

14. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the storage limit will be applied to the specified user. You may have to repeat the steps to limit the storage usage for other users configured on the device.

Disable Disk Quotas for a specific user

To disable Disk Quotas for one user, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left side.
3. Right-click the main drive and choose the Properties option.

4. Click the Quota tab.
5. Click the Quota Entries button.

6. Right-click the user and select the Properties option.
7. Choose the "Do not limit disk usage" option.

8. Click the Apply button.
9. Click the OK button.
10. (Optional) Repeat steps 4 through 7 to disable the feature for other users.
11. Close the Quota Entries app.
12. (Optional) Clear the "Enable quota management" option to disable the feature as necessary.
13. Click the Apply button.
14. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the user will no longer have limitations when storing files on your computer.

How to check storage usage for users using Disk Quotas

To check the storage usage for everyone configured on the computer, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC from the left side.
3. Right-click the main drive and choose the Properties option.

4. Confirm the storage usage next to the user name.

5. Confirm the storage usage next to the user name.

On the application, you can determine the amount of storage being used and the current limits.

The process of using Disk Quotas is straightforward, but if the feature is missing, check the drive is formatted with the NTFS file system. If you use FAT32 or exFAT option, the feature won't be available.

You can check this from File Explorer > This PC, right-click the drive, choose the "Properties" option, and confirm the file system.

Also, this feature can only be configured per drive, meaning you must configure Disk Quotas on each drive.

If you're having trouble using this feature, you can always open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Application, check the errors related to disk quotas and research online to find a solution. Restarting the computer usually fixes most issues.

Finally, only administrator users can manage this feature.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, searching for files can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're looking for a specific document, an image buried in folders, or a file hidden deep within your system, File Explorer's search feature can be a powerful tool. That's, of course, if you know how to use it efficiently.

Although you can type a search query in the search box, File Explorer includes some functionalities to make search faster and more accurate with advanced search filters, boolean operators, wildcards, indexing settings, and hidden features.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the different options you can use to find files effortlessly on File Explorer for Windows 11.

How to search more efficiently on File Explorer

File Explorer provides many options for a more precise search to find that specific document, video, or image.

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E), browse to the location where you want to perform a search, and use these instructions:

Search with filters and operators

File Explorer supports advanced search filters that let you narrow down your results.

Basic filters

While in the search box, you can use these basic filters:

• kind: – Searches for files based on their general type or category.
• ext: –Searches for files based on their file extension.
• date: – Searches for files based on their modification date.
• size: – Searches for files based on their size.

Kind filter examples:

• kind:document – Finds all document files (Word docs, PDFs, text files, etc.)
• kind:image – Finds all image files (JPGs, PNGs, GIFs, etc.)
• kind:video – Finds all video files (MP4s, AVIs, MKVs, etc.)
• kind:music – Finds all music files (MP3s, WAVs, FLACs, etc.)
• kind:folder – Finds only folders.

You can combine "kind:" with other filters for more specific searches. For example, kind:image ext:.png will find only PNG image files.

Ext filter examples:

• ext:.pdf – Finds all PDF files.
• ext:.docx – Finds all Microsoft Word documents.
• ext:.jpg – Finds all JPEG image files.

When using this filter, remember to include the dot (.) before the extension. Also, you can use multiple ext: filters to search for files with different extensions. For example, ext:.jpg OR ext:.png will find all JPEG and PNG image files.

Date filter examples:

• date:today – Finds files modified today.
• date:yesterday – Finds files modified yesterday.
• date:last week – Finds files modified in the last week.
• date:last month – Finds files modified in the last month.
• date:2024-03-15 – Finds files modified on March 15, 2024.
• date:>=2025-01-01 AND date:<=2025-02-01 – Finds files modified between January 1 and February 1, 2025.

You can use relative dates (today, yesterday, last week) or specific dates (YYYY-MM-DD format), and you can use comparison operators (>=, <=, >, <) to specify date ranges.

Size filter examples:

• size:>100MB – Finds files larger than 100MB.
• size:<10MB – Finds files smaller than 10MB.
• size:10MB..100MB – Finds files between 10MB and 100MB in size.
• size:tiny – Finds files smaller than 16KB.
• size:small – Finds files between 16KB and 1MB.
• size:medium – Finds files between 1MB and 128MB.
• size:large – Finds files between 128MB and 1GB.
• size:huge – Finds files between 1GB and 4GB.
• size:gigantic – Finds files larger than 4GB.

You can also use comparison operators (>=, <=, >, <) to specify size ranges, and you can use abbreviations like KB, MB, and GB for kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.

The real power of these filters comes from combining them. For example:

• kind:document ext:.pdf date:last week – Finds PDF documents modified in the last week.
• kind:image size:>5MB – Finds images larger than 5MB.
• kind:video ext:.mp4 date:2025-01-01..2025-01-31 – Finds MP4 videos modified in January 2025.

Boolean operators

File Explorer also supports boolean operators, simple words (AND, OR, NOT) used as conjunctions to combine or exclude keywords in a search, producing more refined and relevant results. For example:

• AND – report AND budget (files containing both words).
• OR – report OR budget (files containing either word).
• NOT – report NOT budget (files with "report" but not "budget").

It's important to note that these operators are case-sensitive. For instance, if you want to find a document that includes the words BitLocker and Encryption, the search query should be BitLocker AND Encryption.

This function can show results by matching the query with information in the title and contents of the file.

Also, you can combine boolean operators for more complex searches. Use parentheses to group terms and control the order of operations. For example: (report OR presentation) AND 2025.

Wildcards for partial matches

Wildcards are special characters you can use in File Explorer searches to find files or folders when you're unsure of the exact name.

• asterisk (*) – report* (finds "report1", "report_final", etc.).
• question mark (?) – f?le (finds "file" and "f1le").

The asterisk is the most versatile wildcard. It represents any sequence of characters, whether one character, multiple characters, or none at all. For example.:

• *.txt finds all files ending in ".txt" (like document.txt, notes.txt, etc.).
• report* finds all files starting with "report" (like report2025.pdf, report_summary.docx, etc.).
• *photo* finds all files containing "photo" anywhere in the name (like my_photos.jpg, summer_photos.png, etc.).

This wildcard represents any single character. For example:

• file?.txt finds files like file1.txt, file2.txt, but not file12.txt.
• report_202?.docx finds files like report_2025.docx, report_2024.docx, etc.

As an extra tip, you can use both * and ? in the same search term for more complex searches.

Also, if you want to search for a specific phrase with a wildcard character, write the entire phrase in quotes. For example, "report*2025" will find files that start with "report" and end with "2025" but won't include files with just "report2025" in them.

Finally, if you know the file extension, include it in your search to narrow down the results. For example, *.jpg will find all JPEG image files.

Search by file properties

Instead of just searching for file names, you can also use specific properties inside the metadata.

Of course, this only works if the file includes the metadata you want. For example:

• author:John – Finds files created by "John."
• tag:important – Finds files tagged as "important."
• title:project – Searches for documents with "project" in the title.

For context, metadata is like a secret layer of information hidden within your files. It's essentially "data about data," details that describe and provide context for the file's actual content. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes information that helps you understand, organize, and manage your files more effectively.

Usually, when working on a file, the operating system and application can include information like created and modified dates, author, computer name, and a few other details. However, it's up to you to include additional information, such as title, subject, tags, rating, categories, etc.

You can also edit the metadata information by right-clicking the file, choosing the "Properties" option, and going to the "Details" tab.

Search with advanced query syntax

On File Explorer, you can also use some other more advanced syntaxes to refine your search experience. For example:

• datemodified:last week – Finds files changed in the past week.
• content:Windows – Finds documents that contain the word "Windows."
• foldername:Projects – Searches inside a folder named "Projects."

Search with File Explorer options

If filters and operators are a bit complex, you can use the "Search options" available on File Explorer. The menu offers most of the same filters and operators shown above, but you don't have to remember any syntax, as you can simply choose the type of search you want to perform.

For example, while in File Explorer, open the location you want to search the document, image, audio, video, or folder.

In the search box, type the search query using keywords, such as "Windows 11," and press "Enter."

Quick tip: You can always use the "Ctrl + F" keyboard shortcut to bring the focus to the File Explorer search bar.

On the search result page, File Explorer will surface the available search options in the command bar.

Click the "Search options" menu and choose the filter or operator to refine your search. For instance:

• All subfolders – Performs a search in the current location and subfolders.
• Current folder – Performs a search in the current location but doesn't search inside the subfolders.

Some of the available filters include:

• Date modified – Shows files changed in the time period you specified, such as "Today," "Yesterday," "This week," and all the way to "Last year."
• Kind – Filters the result by the specified type, some of which include "Note," "Music," "Picture," "Program," "Folder," "Game," etc.
• Size – Shows results based on the size you specified. For example, "Empty (0 KB)," "Tiny (0 - 16KB)," "Small (16KB - 1 MB)," "Medium (1 - 128 MB)," "Large (128 MB - 1 GB)," "Huge (1 - 4 GB)," and "Gigantic (>4 GB)."

When selecting any of these filters, you will also notice the search query will update with the syntax as if you typed the full query manually, which can help you memorize the search term for another time.

In addition, the "Search options" menu allows you to change some aspects of the search behavior. For example, if you select the "System files" option, the feature will also search and include results from the operating system installation files.

When you check the "Zipped (compressed) folders" option, the File Explorer will look inside zip files to find your search terms.

Finally, if you select the "File contents" option, the feature will look inside of files to find the search terms.

Save query for frequent searches

If you usually perform the same search query frequently, instead of repeating the action, you can save the search to make it easily accessible from the "Quick access" section.

To save a search on File Explorer, perform a search, click the "See more" button, and from the menu, choose the "Pin to Quick access" option.

Once you complete the steps, the search query will be bookmarked in the system and appear in the "Quick access" section from the left navigation page and on the "Home" page.

Enabled enhanced Indexing

On Windows 11, by default, the system will only search for files and folders in the known folders, such as Documents, Pictures, and Music folders. However, if you want to find content from any location on the computer, you have to enable the "Enhanced" option.

The Enhanced search option will increase the size of the indexing database and consume more system resources, but it'll allow you to search everything on your computer.

To enable the Enhanced search option on Windows 11, you can open Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows and select the "Enhanced" option in the "Find my files" setting.

Search with AI (Copilot+ PCs)

Microsoft is also working to bring AI functionalities to the Windows Search experience alongside the existing search feature with the addition of the Semantic Indexing feature.

Semantic Indexing uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) with an on-device Phi Silica AI model to understand the meaning of the search term. In other words, using this new system, you can search for files, settings, and other content using natural language and not necessarily keywords present in the file.

For instance, you can search for "mountain bike" to bring up pictures you may have taken while cycling. However, the keywords are not present in the file's context or metadata. Instead, the Semantic Indexing system understands the contents inside the photos.

This feature is still in preview, and since it requires an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), it'll only be available for Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft is testing the feature in the File Explorer, Start menu, and Settings app.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Microsoft Edge has a new feature known as "Scareware Blocker" that helps you block (primarily) tech support online scams. In this guide, I'll help you understand and enable the feature on Windows 11.

What is Scareware Blocker on Edge?

Scareware Blocker is a security feature that uses a local AI model to analyze the contents on the screen (in this case, the web browser) to detect signs of scams in real-time.

Scareware scams have been around for many years, and they have been increasing significantly each year. Usually, the malicious individual builds up a web page with a large popup that is impossible to close and tries to persuade you to believe that your computer has been infected with malware and that you must contact the fake technical support phone number to recover your system.

A big part of the scam is to use design elements to make it seem like the message is coming from the operating system, using a similar window and button design.

As part of the security system built into the operating system and the browser, Microsoft implements the Defender SmartScreen, a similar technology that helps protect users from phishing, malware, and other online threats. It works by checking the reputation of files and websites and then taking action based on that reputation.

However, the new Scareware Blocker feature adds an extra layer of protection, using AI to detect more accurately when a web page is trying to scam you.

It's important to note that this feature is currently in preview with the latest release of the browser in the stable channel.

In this how-to guide, I will outline the easy steps to enable the new Scareware Blocker on Microsoft Edge. The instructions focus on Windows 11, but I have also found the option to enable the feature on Windows 10.

How to enable Scareware Blocker on Microsoft Edge

To enable the AI-powered Scareware Blocker on your browser, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the "Settings and more" button from the top-right.
3. Click the Settings option.
4. Click on "Privacy, search, and services" from the left pane.
5. Turn on the Scareware blocker toggle switch under the "Security" section.

6. Turn on "Microsoft Defender SmartScreen" toggle switch (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the security feature will turn on, and you can continue browsing the web as always.

As you browse the web, the Defender SmartScreen feature will continue to provide real-time protection for untrusted websites. When a site is detected as malicious, the cloud-based database for SmartScreen will be updated, and the information will spread across devices around the world.

Now, the Scareware blocker feature is an extra layer of security that will intervene in those instances when you're exposed to a scam, and the SmartScreen hasn't been updated with that particular attack.

In these cases, the feature will use the machine learning model on the computer to analyze the full-screen page with trained samples to determine if the page is suspicious.

If a scam is detected, the browser will notify you with a warning and put you in control.

If you know the page is not malicious, you can always continue and load the website.

If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same steps outlined above, but in step 5, turn off the Scareware blocker toggle switch.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus provides real-time protection for malware (such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other types of attacks), but the security feature also offers an option to scan files (and folders) manually, and in this guide, I'll outline the different ways to complete this task.

While the anti-malware is constantly monitoring your system to detect and remove unwanted malicious code and hacker attacks automatically, sometimes, you may still want to check a specific file or folder manually to ensure they're free of viruses or anything harmful to your computer.

If you must manually scan different types of content, Microsoft Defender includes at least four different methods, including File Explorer, Windows Security, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline four ways to manually scan files for malware on Windows 11.

How to scan files manually with Microsoft Defender from File Explorer

To do a manual scan for a specific file or folder with the Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Browse to the location containing the files and folder you want to scan.
3. Select one or multiple items.
4. Press and hold the Shift key, right-click the selection, and choose the "Scan with Microsoft Defender" option.

• Quick tip: You can always right-click the selection and click "Show more options."

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Security app will open on the "Virus & threat protection" page to view the scan result and additional information (if applicable).

How to scan files manually with Microsoft Defender from Windows Security

To scan files manually through Windows Security, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows Security and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click on Virus & threat protection.
4. Click the Scan options setting.

5. Select the Custom scan option.

6. Click the Scan now button.
7. Select the folder location with the files to scan.
8. Click the Select Folder button.

After you complete the steps, the antivirus will scan the selected folder since you cannot choose a specific file.

How to scan files manually with Microsoft Defender from Command Prompt

To scan a specific file manually through Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to access the Platform folder and press Enter: cd c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform
4. Type the following command to identify the latest version of the antivirus command tool and press Enter: dir
5. Type the following command to access the folder with the latest version and press Enter: cd 4.18.24090.11-0

In the command, replace "4.18.24090.11-0" with the latest version of the folder available on your device.

6. Type the following command to scan a specific folder and press Enter: mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File "C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER"

In the command, replace "C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER" with the path to the folder you want to scan. For example, this command scans all the contents in the "files" folder: mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File "C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads\files"

• Quick note: You only need to use quotation marks if the path contains a space.

7. Type the following command to scan a specific file and press Enter: mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File "C:\PATH\TO\FILE.TXT"

In the command, replace "C:\PATH\TO\FILE.TXT" with the path to the file you want to scan. For example, this command scans the file named "image.jpg" inside the "files" folder: mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File "C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads\files\image.jpg"

Once you complete the steps, Microsoft Defender will scan and output the result of the scan. The files are not infected if you receive the "found no threats" message.

How to scan files manually with Microsoft Defender from PowerShell

To scan files manually from PowerShell, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to scan a folder using Microsoft Defender Antivirus scan and press Enter: Start-MpScan -ScanType CustomScan -ScanPath "C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER"

In the command, make sure to replace "C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER" with the folder location you want to scan. For example, this command scans the "files" folder: Start-MpScan -ScanType CustomScan -ScanPath "C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads\files"

4. Type the following command to scan a file manually with Microsoft Defender and press Enter: Start-MpScan -ScanType CustomScan -ScanPath C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER\FILE.TXT

In the command, make sure to replace "C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER\FILE.TXT" with the path to the file you want to scan. For example, this command scans the file called "image-1.jpg" for threats: Start-MpScan -ScanType CustomScan -ScanPath "C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads\files\image.jpg"

After you complete the steps, the antivirus will only scan the file you specified.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, managing Group Policy settings allows you to customize and control some of the most advanced aspects of your operating system, from security configurations to user permissions. However, there may come a time when you need to reset these settings to their default state to resolve misconfigurations, troubleshoot system issues, or start fresh, and in this guide, I will show you the different ways to complete this configuration.

Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 offers a few different ways to reset the Local Group Policy settings, ensuring that all policies revert to their original clean slate, including through the Group Policy Editor, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline three ways to reset the Group Policy settings on Windows 11.

How to reset all Group Policy settings from Local Group Policy Editor

The easiest way to reset the policy settings is to set them to the "Not configured" state. You'll need to perform this task for the "Administrative Templates" in the "Computer Configuration" and "User Configuration" sections.

Reset Computer Configuration settings

To reset the Computer Configuration policies, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor console.
3. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings
4. Click the State column header to sort settings and view the ones that are Enabled and Disabled.

5. Double-click one of the policies you previously modified.
6. Select the Not configured option.

7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 to reset any remaining policies.

Reset User Configuration settings

To reset the User Configuration settings, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy console.
3. Navigate to the following path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > All Settings
4. Click the State column header to sort settings and view the ones that are

5. Double-click one of the policies you previously modified.
6. Select the Not configured option.

7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, repeat the steps 5, 6, 7, and 8 to reset any remaining policies as necessary.

How to reset all Group Policy settings from Command Prompt

If the device has many modified settings, you can quickly reset all the Group Policy Objects to their defaults with Command Prompt.

To reset the Group Policy settings with a command line, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to reset all the Group Policy settings and press Enter: RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" && RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
4. Type the following command to update the changes in the Local Group Policy console and press Enter: gpupdate /force

5. Restart the computer.

Once you complete the steps, the command will delete the folders that store the Group Policy settings, and the system will reapply their default values.

How to reset all Group Policy settings from PowerShell

Alternatively, you can quickly reset the Group Policy Objects with PowerShell.

To reset the Group Policy settings with PowerShell, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to reset all the Group Policy settings and press Enter: Remove-Item -Path "$env:windir\System32\GroupPolicy", "$env:windir\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" -Recurse -Force
4. Type the following command to update the changes in the Local Group Policy console and press Enter: gpupdate /force

5. Restart the computer.

After you complete the steps, the policies will reset to their default settings.

It's important to note that the "GroupPolicy" and "GroupPolicyUsers" folders should be recreated once you apply new system changes.

These instructions will reset the settings from the Local Group Policy Editor. Only your network administrator can control these settings if the computer is joined to an Active Directory network. Also, this guide is not meant to reset the objects under the "Windows Security" (Local Security Policy) section since their location is different.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, Microsoft Edge Game Assist is an in-game browser overlay designed to enhance your gaming experience by integrating a mini version of the Microsoft Edge browser directly into your gameplay through the Game Bar.

This widget detects the game you're playing and suggests relevant tips and guides. Since it uses Microsoft Edge technology, it functions as a regular browser, allowing you to access guides and videos about your current game without leaving the gameplay.

Although this feature is now available in the stable version of the browser, it's still under development, and it requires Microsoft Edge version 132, and you have to make the browser the default on your computer.

In this how-to guide, I will explain the steps to set up and get started with the Game Assist feature from Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.

How to configure Game Assist on Windows 11

To access the Edge Game Assist feature on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the "Settings and more" button from the top right.
3. Choose the Settings option.
4. Click on About Microsoft Edge.

• Quick note: The browser will automatically check for updates and install any new available version. You'll have to click the "Restart" button and then re-open the browser settings.

5. Click on Appearance.
6. Click the Install widget button for the Game Assist setting.

• Quick note: You can click the "Open" button or continue with the steps below.

Once you complete the steps, you can proceed to access the experience during gameplay.

Other configurations

The company also says that the preview of this feature requires Microsoft Edge as the default browser, but while configuring this feature, it wasn't necessary. However, you can always change your current default browser settings from Settings > Apps > Default apps, choose Microsoft Edge, and click the "Set default" button.

How to use Game Assist on Windows 11

To get started with Game Assist on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Launch your PC game.
2. Open the Game Bar with the "Windows key + G" keyboard shortcut.

• Quick tip: You can also find the Game Bar in the Start menu.

3. Click the Game Assist button from the toolbar.

• Quick note: The Game Assist feature should appear automatically. However, if this is not the case, you'll need to use the button in the toolbar.

The experience is a complete mini version of Microsoft Edge that stays on top of the game. The company has designed Game Assist to detect the game you're playing and offers contextual assistance, such as tips and walkthroughs, tailored to your in-game situation. (This feature is only available for supported games.)

However, you can consult guides, watch videos, or interact with web content relevant to your current game, all while keeping your gameplay uninterrupted.

In the overlay widget, you can create new tabs, access the different available extensions (such as Spotify, Twitch, Discord, etc.), and you can also pin the browser with the button in the top-right to have access to it even when Game Bar is closed.

Furthermore, you can also resize the widget using the mouse, and when clicking the full-screen option on a video player the Game Assist widget will resize automatically.

Initial supported games

Initially, Game Assist offers support for a selection of games, including:

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
• Marvel Rivals
• Metaphor: ReFantazio
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. II: Heart of Chornobyl
• Baldur's Gate 3
• Diablo IV
• Fortnite
• Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga
• League of Legends
• Minecraft
• Overwatch 2
• Roblox
• Valorant

Microsoft plans to expand this list over time. Also, upcoming updates from the company promise support for keyboard shortcuts, right-click context menu, change for the picture-in-picture mode, and a lot more.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, you can choose the location to save screenshots automatically, and in this guide, I will explain how to complete this configuration.

Although there are many different ways to take screenshots, the most common methods include using the "Print" key, the "Windows key + Print" keyboard shortcut, or the "Windows key + Shift + S" shortcut, and the one thing these options have in common is that they always save the capture automatically in the "Screenshots" folders.

Usually, the Screenshots folder lives in the "Pictures" folder. However, you can always change this location to another folder or another drive, depending on how you want to organize your files.

In this how-to guide, I will explain the easy ways to choose a different location to store screenshots on Windows 11.

Change screenshot folder location on Windows 11

To change the default folder location to store screenshots on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Open the new folder location to store the screenshots.
3. Click on New and select the Folder option.

4. Confirm the "Screenshots" name and press Enter.
5. Open the default "Screenshots" folder path in the Pictures folder: C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\Pictures

In the command, update the path with your account folder name.

6. Right-click on the Screenshots folder and select the "Properties" option.
7. Click on the "Location" tab.
8. Click the "Move..." button.

9. Choose your desired new location for the Screenshots folder.
10. Click "Select Folder" to confirm.

11. Click the Apply button.
12. Click the Yes button.

13. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you take a screenshot, the system will save it by default in the new location.

More resources

Find in-depth guides, troubleshooting tips, and the latest updates on Windows 11 and 10 here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

On Windows 11, you'll find a new Sticky Notes, which is essentially a redesigned version integrated within the OneNote app.

Although the core features remain the same as in the legacy version, there are a few changes. The most noticeable is that the app is integrated into OneNote rather than a standalone program. Microsoft has also introduced a more modern and visually appealing design that offers organizational improvements. Finally, the new version supports automatic source linking and allows screenshots.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to start using the Sticky Notes app on Windows 11.

How to get started with Sticky Notes on Windows 11

If you want to get familiar with Sticky Notes, you must know the steps to get and manage it.

Install Sticky Notes

Sticky Notes is now part of the OneNote app, meaning you must have the app before accessing your notes.

If you don't use the Microsoft 365 apps, and you don't have OneNote already installed on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open the OneNote page in the Microsoft Store.

2. Click the "View in Store" button.
3. Click the Install (or Get) button.

Once you complete the steps, you can start using OneNote and Sticky Notes.

Access Sticky Notes

To access the Sticky Notes app, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for OneNote and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Sign in button from the top-right side (if applicable).
4. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
5. Click the Sticky Notes buttons from the top-right side.

• Quick note: You only have to go through the process of opening the app from OneNote the first time, and then it'll be available from the Start menu and Taskbar.

6. Right-click the Sticky Notes app in the Taskbar and choose the "Pin to Taskbar" option.

After you complete the steps, you can start managing your notes through the desktop experience.

Alternatively, you can also access Sticky Notes from the Outlook app or the web version of the same app. You can also use OneNote on the web or mobile.

For example, in the Outlook app or web, you can access your notes from your Outlook.com account inside the "Notes" section.

Create and delete Sticky Notes

To create, edit, and delete notes, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Sticky Notes and click the top result to open the app or click the app from the Taskbar.
3. Click the Note button.

4. Compose your note with the information you want.
5. You can access writing features such as bold, italic, underline, bullet points, etc., using the toolbar at the bottom.

1. (Optional) Click the "Pop out the note" button from the top-right to detach the note and add it to the desktop.

1. Click the three-dots menu button from the top-right.
2. (Option 1) Choose a color for the Sticky Note.
3. (Option 2) Choose the Copy Note option to copy the contents of the note to the clipboard, but only to create a new note.
4. (Option 3) Choose the Delete option to erase the note.

Once you complete the steps, you will have a basic understanding of how to manage notes with this application.

If the note is detached from the main interface, you can click on its edge to bring up the toolbar. The left menu button opens the Sticky Notes list, while the "Pin" button enables the always-on-top feature, which keeps the note above other applications when multitasking and switching between apps.

Take screenshots with Sticky Notes

To take screenshots with Sticky Notes, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Sticky Notes and click the top result to open the app or click the app from the Taskbar.
3. Click the Screenshot button to create a capture of the active application and save it into a note automatically.