Latest Windows How-To Stories
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How-To
How to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10
Don’t like Windows 11? You can go back to Windows 10. Here’s how.
Tip
Finally upgrading an older PC to Windows 10 or 11? Don't skip this time-saving step
A little preparation can nip activation problems in the bud when upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1 to a newer version.
How-To
Windows 11 quietly adds subscription info to Settings
All Windows 11 users, and not just those who subscribe to Microsoft's beta programs, should see this new account subscriptions feature within the Windows 11 Settings menu. Here's how to use it and what to expect.
How-To
How to install Windows 11's new Android apps on your PC
Microsoft is expected to allow all Windows 11 PCs to install Android apps from the Amazon Appstore later this month. Here's how to do it.
How-To
How to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 11
Need to troubleshoot your Windows 11 PC? Safe Mode to the rescue! Here's how to get into it
How-To
How to tell which version of Windows you have
Knowing your version and edition of Windows is useful, especially if you’re about to upgrade. Here are several fast ways to get the info.
How-To
How to stop Microsoft Teams from automatically loading on your PC
If you're tired of Microsoft Teams automatically launching when you boot or restart your PC, there's an easy way to fix the problem without uninstalling the app. The Teams-based Chat app can be disabled, too.
How-To
How to uninstall programs in Windows 11
Need to clear out some cruft? Here's how to uninstall programs in Windows 11.
How-To
How to find your Wi-Fi password in Windows 11
Don't get locked out of your wireless network. Here's how to find your Wi-Fi password in Windows 11
How-To
How to encrypt files in Windows
Whether you use Windows Pro's built-in Bitlocker or the free Veracrypt utility, encrypting a file, folder, or drive is an easy way to keep your sensitive documents secure.
How-To
How to turn on (and use) Bluetooth in Windows 10
Bluetooth makes connecting wireless devices easy. Here's how to activate it in Windows 10, and to make the operating system see your Bluetooth devices
How-To
How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro using an OEM code
Windows 10 Pro includes extra security features compared to Windows 10 Home, and you’ll need it installed before you upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.
How-To
Windows 10 Display Settings superguide: How to adjust every feature
Find those Windows Display settings a bit confusing? This tutorial explains every single adjustment, drop-down, and toggle in the Display control panel.
How-To
Clippy is back to troll your friends in Microsoft Teams
If you want to make your coworkers' lives miserable, use a Clippy sticker on Microsoft Teams. Here's how to do it.
How-To
How to charge your Surface laptop to 100%: Solving the smart charging mystery
Microsoft's latest Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio include smart charging, a feature that protects the battery by keeping it from being fully charged. Here's how to turn that off so you can fully charge your laptop.
How-To
How to switch out of Windows 11 S Mode
Windows 11 Home in S Mode may ship by default on PCs like the Surface Go 3, preventing you from installing "unverified" apps that aren't in the Windows Store. Here's how to upgrade from Windows 11 S to Windows 11 Home.
How-To
How to turn on Auto HDR in Windows 11
Windows 11's Auto HDR tech lets you experience eye-popping visuals even in games that don't natively support HDR. Here's how to turn it on.
How-To
How to remove the Widgets button from Windows 11
With just a few clicks, you can get rid of the Widgets button (or Search, or the Task View virtual desktops) from Windows 11.
Updated
How to speed up your laptop with Windows 11’s power mode
Windows has an easy way to increase your PC's performance. In Windows 11, it's called the Power Mode. We'll show you how to find Power Mode in Windows 11.
How-To
How to move Windows 11’s Start menu to the left corner
If you don't like the new, centered look of Windows 11's Start menu and Taskbar icons, here's how to move them back to their familiar left-hand corner.
How-To
How to protect yourself from the new Microsoft Office hack
A step-by-step guide to make sure Office's Protected View is keeping you safe from the latest attack.
How-To
11 ways to open Command Prompt in Windows
If you want to execute a task from the command line in Windows, you first have to open Command Prompt. Here are 11 ways to do that.
Updated
How to get the Windows 11 beta
Microsoft has released the first official beta of Windows 11. Here's how to get it, either via Windows Update or a downloadable ISO file.
How-To
How to install fonts in Windows 10
Windows 10 comes preloaded with a number of different font types, and you can also find a ton more (both free and paid) online. Installing these fonts on your Windows 10 PC is pretty simple. Here’s how.
How-To
How to pause Windows 10 updates
A tutorial on how to pause Windows 10 automatic updates for a limited time.
How-To
How to unzip files in Windows 10
ZIP files hold several compressed files inside, reducing how much space they take on your hard drive. They need to be unzipped to use the files, though. Here's how to do it.
How-To
Speed up Windows 10 for free: Tips for a faster PC
Give your Windows PC a free performance boost with these 9 tips.
How-To
Windows 11 Start menu: How to make it look like Windows 10
By creating a new registry entry and adjusting the Windows 11 taskbar settings, you can get the Windows 10 Start menu in Windows 11 and shift the taskbar icons to give you a Windows 10-like experience.
How-To
How to turn off News And Interests in Windows 10’s taskbar
Windows 10's News and Interests taskbar tool is a handy feature for people who want to quickly glance at the weather and news headlines. If that's not you, here's how to turn it off.
How-To
How to record your screen in Windows 10
If you need to record your screen, try the Xbox Game Bar built right into Windows 10. Here's how.
How-To
How to enable HDR in Windows 10
Windows 10 supports HDR monitors, but you have to manually turn the feature on to get those luscious visuals. Here's how to do it.
Updated
How to add Linux apps to Windows in just one easy step
We'll show you how to set up Linux apps on your Windows PC in just seconds, as well as how to download, run, and pin new Linux apps alongside the Windows apps you already run.
Tip
How to get the Windows 10 May 2021 Update right now
Microsoft's big Windows 10 May 2021 Update is starting to roll out, but you have to look for it. We'll show you how.
How-To
Windows 10’s Clipboard History is the best little tool you’re not using
Windows 10's Clipboard History tool lets you store multiple items at a time for copying and pasting. While there's no shortage of third-party clipboard managers for Windows—many of which cost money—Microsoft's own option might be all you need.
How-To
Which CPU do I have and how fast is it? How to check
Do you know which CPU is running inside your PC? The answer could inform what software you run, and when to upgrade.
How-To
Turn Google Photos into Windows backgrounds with this awesome app
This Google Photos trick turns your photo albums into desktop backgrounds.
How-To
How to disable start up programs in Windows 10 to make boot times faster
These simple tips will help speed up your PC's boot times using built-in Windows 10 tools.
How-To
Lock down your Windows PC with a dedicated local administrator account
How to assign administrator privileges to a local user account in Windows 10 for added security.
How-To
Microsoft’s ‘Find My Device’ is the PC management tool you didn’t know you needed
Microsoft's Find Your Device is so much more than just a way to locate a lost PC. Here are seven ways in which you can and should be using it.
How-To
How to make Windows 10 more tolerable with these six simple tricks
How to change your Windows 10 cursor size, expand the Windows 10 Start menu, and change the size of everything in your Windows 10 layout. Plus three more visual tweaks.
Hassle-Free PC
How to change your computer name in Windows 10
Don't like the randomly generated name Windows 10 gives your computer after a clean install? Here's how to change it to something more memorable.
How-To
Find gorgeous PC background images every day with Bing Wallpaper
The free Bing Wallpaper app lets you refresh your PC's background image every day with a new image curated by Microsoft.
How-To
How to use Microsoft Rewards to get Xbox Game Pass for PC (and more!) for free
Our Microsoft Rewards tutorial shows you how to use Microsoft Rewards to earn Amazon gift cards, Xbox games, and more , all for browsing the web and playing games.
Updated
How to take a screenshot in Windows 10
Taking screenshots in Windows 10 is easy if you know the right keyboard shortcuts.
How-To
How to get rid of old files and clean up your PC with Windows’ Storage settings
The combination of Windows 10's Storage settings, Storage Sense, and free third-party apps like WinDirStat can quickly clear out enough extra space to store the latest games and videos.How-To
How to manage Windows 10 updates to prevent them from ruining your life
While you shouldn't block Windows 10 updates, you can manage them in Settings. Buying Windows 10 Pro, may be the best solution, though.
Updated
How to use Windows’ Your Phone app to connect your phone to your PC
We'll walk you through how to use Windows 10's Your Phone app, from basic setup to its ability to show texts and notifications, remotely interact with your Android phone's screen, and even place calls.Tip
Tip: You can still upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free
Windows 7 went end-of-life today, but you can still take advantage of Microsoft's offer of a free Windows 10 upgrade, even though it officially ended years ago.
How-To
Windows 7 is dead: How to stay as safe as possible after the security updates stop
Windows 7 is officially end of life, meaning it will no longer receive security updates. If you're going to keep using it, here's how to stay as safe as possible.
Updated