Latest Windows How-To Stories
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How-To
How to upgrade from pirated Windows to legitimate Windows 10
Pirated Windows copies abound, and instead of fighting it, Microsoft is inviting pirates to come clean. Here's how to get a legitimate copy of Windows 10 now, and more on the one-click upgrade Microsoft plans for the near future.Answer Line
When a deleted Windows file won’t go away: 3 ways to move or erase it
Moving or erasing a file should be easy. But sometimes Windows just won't let go.How-To
How to disable Windows 10’s window animations to speed up responsiveness
Are Windows 10's animations killing your PC's performance? Here's how to turn them off.Answer Line
You can change drive letters, but know the risk of doing so
You can easily change drive D: into drive F:. But if Windows expects a file to be on drive D:, this is going to cause a problem.Hassle-Free PC
How to add tabs to File Explorer in Windows
The Clover 3 extension adds tabs to File Explorer in Windows to make file management easier.Hassle-Free PC
3 simple cures for lingering Skype headaches
Love Skype, but hate what it's become? Here are three tweaks that will help make it better.Hassle-Free PC
How to save specific Windows File Explorer searches for fast future queries
This tip will save you from constantly repeating your searches time and again.Answer Line
How to port bookmarks and favorites to Edge
Windows 10 has a whole new browser. But transferring your bookmarks (also called favorites) to the new Edge can be tricky.
How-To
How to make Cortana search with Google instead of Bing in Windows 10
Windows 10's Cortana uses Bing for web searches by default with no official option to change it, but there are ways to get Cortana to embrace Google.Answer Line
When your Windows registry gets cluttered, here’s what’s worth doing about it
Your Windows registry may look like a big mess, especially if you install and uninstall a lot of software. But before you clean it, here's something else to consider.Hassle-Free PC
Don’t want a standing desk? Use Workrave as a break timer to remember to move around
Don't want a standing desk, but worried about the evils of sitting all day? Time yourself to make sure you take regular breaks.
How-To
How to enable Windows 10’s ‘Hey Cortana’ voice commands
Loving Cortana, but can't figure out to get the voice activation feature running? Here's our guide.Answer Line
How to delete the windows.old folder clogging up your drive
It's a huge folder that appears on your SSD or hard drive after your Windows 10 upgrade, You can remove it, but do so carefully.How-To
How to set different wallpapers for multiple monitors in Windows 10
Assigning different wallpapers for each monitor was so easy in Windows 8. That's not the case with Windows 10.Hassle-Free PC
How to quickly jump to often-used Windows app subsections in Windows 10’s Start menu
Always jumping into Windows Update or another part of the Settings app in Windows 10? This trick makes getting there easier.
Answer Line
How to turn off Windows 10’s keylogger (yes, it still has one)
Microsoft can track your keystrokes, your speech, and more. Here are the settings to turn it all off.Hassle-Free PC
How to customize Windows File Explorer’s details view
You spend a lot of time diving into the file system on a PC. Getting File Explorer organized just the way you like it is quick, easy, and worth it.
How-To
How to track your favorite sports teams with Cortana in Windows 10
Want to know how badly the Jets are doing for this upcoming NFL season? Let Cortana deliver the bad news.
Hassle-Free PC
20 must-know keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10
Want to know how to launch Cortana or open the Action Center without taking your hands off the keyboard? This list will show you how.How-To
How to stop Windows 10’s annoying Microsoft Office ads
Rather than upgrading to Office to stop Windows 10 from bleating about it all the time, take these steps instead.
How-To
How to cure Windows 10’s worst headaches
These tips and tricks can help you overcome Windows 10's niggling hassles.How-To
How to change Windows 10’s default apps
Not feeling the love for Windows 10's default apps for music playback, web browsing, and so on? You can change them without breaking a sweat.Tip
Why you can’t find your product key after upgrading to Windows 10
Looking for a product key in Windows 10? Forget it. They're a thing of the past, almost.How-To
How to disable Bing web results in Windows 10’s search
Windows 10 has the annoying habit of favoring Bing web search results over local file searches. Here's how to stop it.Hassle-Free PC
How to customize the left side of the Windows 10 Start menu
Hate those "Most used" and "Recently added" sections of the Windows 10 Start menu? Here's how to get rid of them and add items that are actually useful.How-To
How to boot into Windows 10’s Tablet Mode every time you start your PC
Whether you're rocking a small Windows tablet or just plain love Live Tiles, here's how to configure Windows 10 to automatically boot into Tablet Mode.How-To
How to customize Windows 10’s Action Center
Here's how to tweak exactly which notifications and quick access settings appear in Windows 10's new Action Center.How-To
How to disable Windows 10 File Explorer’s new Quick Access view
The Windows 10 File Explorer's new Quick Access view can be handy indeed, but here's how to disable it and bring back the This PC view if you're so inclined.How-To
How to customize Windows 10’s Start Menu
Windows 10 comes with a new Start menu, complete with a new bag of tricks. We'll show you how to master it.
Hassle-Free PC
3 Windows 10 tweaks to maximize your taskbar
Here's how to customize all the things in Windows 10's taskbar.Updated
How to install Windows 10 on your PC
We'll walk you what you'll need to do to upgrade to Windows 10.
Hassle-Free PC
Can’t find a Windows 10 feature? Ask Cortana for help
Microsoft has rearranged the furniture in Windows 10. To find what you need, turn to the operating system's digital personal assistant.How-To
How to stop Windows 10 from using your PC’s bandwidth to update strangers’ systems
By default, Windows 10 turns your PC into a server for distributing updates to other machines. Here's how to make it stop.How-To
Windows 10: How to skip the line and claim your free upgrade right now
You may be waiting for your free upgrade even if you reserved your free Windows 10 upgrade months ago. Here's how to get it now if you're impatient.How-To
How to turn on System Restore in Windows 10 to protect against bad updates
Worried about a bad update borking your Windows 10 system? Turn on System Restore so you can roll back to a pre-update state.How-To
How to uninstall programs and apps in Windows 10
You can still use the Control Panel, but there are also options to uninstall from the Start menu and the Settings app.How-To
How to maximize your first 30 minutes with Windows 10
So you finally have Windows 10 on your PC. What do you do with it? Join our guided tour.How-To
5 must-know Windows 10 tips and tricks
Dive right into some of Windows 10's coolest new features with these tips for the Start menu, Cortana, virtual desktops and more.How-To
Set Windows 10’s Wi-Fi connections as metered to download forced updates at your own pace
Want to avoid Windows updates downloaded to your PC automatically? Setting your connection as metered can help avoid that.How-To
How to schedule when Windows 10 updates restart your PC
You can't choose which updates to download in Windows 10, but you do have a say about when they're installed. Here's how to schedule Windows 10 updates.Hassle-Free PC
3 tips for a hassle-free Windows 10 upgrade
Even if you aren't part of the first wave that's getting Windows on July 29, your upgrade shouldn't be far behind. Here are a few things you can do to get ready.How-To
Meet Cortana: The ultimate guide to Windows 10’s helpful digital assistant
Windows 10's Cortana digital assistant is pretty darn easy to use, but she becomes even more powerful with some tinkering.How-To
How to disable Windows 10’s Wi-Fi Sense password sharing
Wi-Fi Sense in Windows 10 takes the headache out of managing Wi-Fi networks, but some people have security and privacy concerns. Here's how to disable it.How-To
How to use Windows 10’s Task View and virtual desktops
Task View and virtual desktops are two powerful new Windows 10 features. Here's how to use them.Answer Line
How to lock and unlock your USB ports
External flash and hard drives can be used to deliver malware or steal sensitive files. Here's how to control who can use them.Answer Line
Upgrading to Windows 10: One good reason to wait
Windows 10 is a major and exciting upgrade that some people will download right away. Anyone with older hardware or software should do a little research first, though.Answer Line
Windows Sticky Notes isn’t made for backup, but these alternatives are
Windows' Sticky Notes program may seem like a convenient tool for jotting down reminders and miscellaneous stuff, but it's really a disaster waiting to happen.
Answer Line
When Windows refuses to eject mass storage: 5 ways to safely remove a USB drive
The whole point of external USB-connected storage is that you can easily unplug it, but Windows's Eject Mass Storage option balks sometimes. Resist the urge to yank out the drive and try one of these solutions instead.Answer Line