Windows

Speed up a slow PC, fix Wi-Fi, set up monitors, take screenshots, and get the most out of Windows 11.

104 guides in this category.

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How-To Guides

• How to Add a Network Printer on Windows (No Admin Required) — Connect to a shared network printer on Windows 11 or Windows 10 without needing admin rights or IT help.
• How to Back Up Files and Folders on Windows — Protect your data from loss or ransomware. Back up files and folders in Windows using OneDrive cloud backup and built-in File History tools.
• How to Change the Display Language and Region on Windows — Set the Windows display language, fix the date and number formats that come from Regional format, and change the Microsoft 365 language separately.
• How to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper and Lock Screen in Windows — Personalize your desktop background and lock screen image in Windows 11 and 10. Learn how to change display settings without admin rights.
• How to Check Your Computer's Specs (RAM, CPU, and Storage) on Windows — Learn how to find out how much RAM, storage space, and what processor your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer has.
• How to Clear a Stuck Print Queue on Windows — Fix print jobs stuck in the queue that won't cancel or print. Clear the Windows print spooler without admin rights.
• How to Compress and Extract ZIP Files in Windows 11 — Compress files into a ZIP archive or extract compressed folders in Windows 11 using built-in tools. No extra software required.
• How to Connect to a Remote Desktop (RDP) on Windows — Access your work computer from home using Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDP). Set up and secure your remote access step-by-step.
• How to Connect to Your Work Desktop Remotely — Leave a file on your office desktop? Learn how to use Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) to access your work PC from home.
• How to Customize Notification Settings in Windows — Manage app notifications in Windows to minimize distractions. Configure focus settings, banner alerts, and priority sounds.
• How to Customize Quick Settings on Windows 11 — Personalize the Windows 11 Quick Settings panel. Add, remove, and rearrange tiles like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Night Light.
• How to Do a Monthly Laptop Maintenance Check — A 15-minute monthly routine that keeps a work laptop fast and secure — updates, disk space, sync, backup, extensions, sign-ins, dust, and startup apps.
• How to Enable and Use Split Screen on Windows — Learn how to use Windows Snap Assist to easily split your screen and view two, three, or four windows side-by-side for better multitasking.
• How to Find Your Computer Name and IP Address — Locate your Computer Name and IP address in Windows 11 or 10. Find the network details the IT Helpdesk needs to support you.
• How to Find Your MAC Address (Windows and Mac) — Find the MAC address (Physical Address) of your computer's Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to provide to IT for network access.
• How to Fix a Black Screen on Windows (No Display at Startup) — Learn how to troubleshoot and fix a black screen or blank display when starting your Windows computer, including waking the display and checking cables.
• How to Fix a Disappearing Mouse Pointer — Your mouse pointer vanished. Press Ctrl to locate it, re-enable a disabled trackpad, restart the graphics driver, and check for an off-screen second monitor.
• How to Fix a Docking Station Not Detecting Your External Monitor — Fix 'No Signal' or black screen issues when your laptop dock won't detect an external monitor on Windows 11.
• How to Fix a Frozen or Unresponsive Windows Taskbar — Fix a Windows 11 or Windows 10 taskbar that won't click, has disappeared, or is completely frozen.
• How to Fix a Headset Microphone Not Working on Windows — Fix your headset mic when it's not detected or not picking up sound on Windows 11.
• How to Fix a Laptop Draining Battery While Asleep — Your laptop loses charge overnight because Modern Standby keeps it partly awake. Find what is waking it and switch to hibernate for overnight and travel.
• How to Fix a Laptop That Won't Turn On or Wake Up — Fix a laptop that won't turn on, shows a black screen, or won't wake from sleep with these simple hardware troubleshooting steps.
• How to Fix a Laptop Touchpad Not Working on Windows — Fix a laptop touchpad that stops responding, moves erratically, or won't click on Windows 11 or 10.
• How to Fix a Printer That Shows "Offline" but is Connected — Learn how to fix an issue where your Windows computer says the printer is offline, even though it is turned on and connected.
• How to Fix a Slow Startup on Windows 11 — Fix a Windows 11 PC that takes too long to boot with these user-level steps — no admin tools required.
• How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Freezing on Windows — Troubleshooting steps to resolve issues where Adobe Acrobat or Reader freezes or becomes unresponsive.
• How to Fix an External Drive Not Showing Up on Windows — Your external drive is missing from File Explorer. Check Disk Management, assign a drive letter, rule out a Mac-formatted disk, and test the cable and power.
• How to Fix an Overheating Laptop on Windows — Learn how to stop your Windows laptop from overheating by checking for blocked vents, adjusting power settings, and closing heavy background apps.
• How to Fix Blue Screens Caused by Audio Drivers (Intel SST) — A specific guide to fixing random Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes caused by the Intel Smart Sound Technology driver on Windows.
• How to Fix Blurry Text on High-Resolution Monitors — Fix blurry apps, fuzzy text, and sizing issues when connecting a laptop to an external 4K monitor.
• How to Fix Common Printer Issues (No Admin Required) — The most common printer problems you can fix yourself without administrator rights - including stuck print jobs, wrong default printer, and offline status...
• How to Fix Copy and Paste Not Working on Windows — Learn how to troubleshoot and fix copy and paste (Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V) when it stops working on your Windows computer.
• How to Fix "DNS Server Isn't Responding" on Windows — Fix the "DNS server isn't responding" error when your computer connects to Wi-Fi but can't load any websites.
• How to Fix "File Path Too Long" Errors on Windows — Fix the Windows 260-character path limit when files will not copy, rename, or sync — including the OneDrive and SharePoint path limits behind it.
• How to Fix "Low Disk Space" or "Disk Full" Errors on Windows — Fix "Low Disk Space" warnings, red drive bars, and file save errors on Windows — covers triage, cleanup, OneDrive offloading, and prevention.
• How to Fix "No Internet Access" After Connecting to VPN — Fix the issue where your internet stops working or public websites won't load as soon as you connect to your company VPN.
• How to Fix "No Internet, Secured" Wi-Fi Error on Windows 11 — Fix the "No Internet, Secured" Wi-Fi error on Windows 11 when connected but can't browse — covering DNS, IP refresh, drivers, and network resets.
• How to Fix "Page Fault in Non-Paged Area" (BSOD Basics) — A plain-English guide to understanding and fixing the 'Page Fault in Non-Paged Area' Blue Screen of Death on Windows.
• How to Fix Screen Flickering or Flashing on Windows — Learn how to diagnose and fix a flickering or flashing screen on Windows by testing the Task Manager to determine if it's a software or hardware issue.
• How to Fix Slow Performance on Windows 11 — Step-by-step diagnostic and fix guide for a slow Windows 11 PC — covers Task Manager, startup apps, disk cleanup, thermal throttling, and more.
• How to Fix the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows — Learn how to troubleshoot and fix a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows, including identifying error codes and removing recent updates.
• How to Fix the Windows 11 File Explorer Crashing on Startup — Learn how to stop the Windows File Explorer from instantly closing or crashing every time you try to open your documents or downloads folder.
• How to Fix "This app can't run on your PC" on Windows — Fix the "This app can't run on your PC" error in Windows 11 and Windows 10 when trying to install or open older software.
• How to Fix "This Site Can't Be Reached" Browser Errors — Fix "This site can't be reached" (ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED) browser errors on Windows 11 and web browsers using quick DNS and network resets.
• How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Issues on Windows 11 — This article helps resolve common Wi-Fi problems, such as dropping connections, No Internet" errors, or the Wi-Fi option disappearing entirely.
• How to Fix Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting on Windows — Learn how to troubleshoot and fix a Windows computer that keeps dropping its Wi-Fi connection randomly or when waking from sleep.
• How to Fix Windows Key Shortcuts Not Working — Fix the Windows key when shortcuts stop working — check the keyboard's Win Lock, restart File Explorer, clear a stuck modifier, and find hotkey conflicts.
• How to Fix Windows Sign-In Errors — PIN, Password, and Windows Hello Issues — Fix Windows sign-in failures including PIN errors, TPM malfunctions, Windows Hello problems, and password rejection after updates.
• How to Fix Wired Ethernet Not Working on Windows — Fix issues where your laptop or desktop won't connect to the internet through a wired Ethernet cable or docking station.
• How to Fix "You Need Permission to Perform This Action" — Fix "You need permission to perform this action" on Windows — the open file, read-only, network share, and other-user causes, without admin rights.
• How to Fix Your Computer Clock Showing the Wrong Time — A wrong clock breaks sign-in, authenticator codes, and secure websites. Fix the time and time zone in Windows, force a sync, and clear the fallout.
• How to Fix Your Keyboard Typing the Wrong Characters — Your keyboard swapped the at sign and quote marks because the input layout changed. Identify the active layout, switch back, and stop it recurring.
• How to Force Quit an App on Windows (Task Manager) — Learn how to use the Task Manager to force close an unresponsive or frozen application on Windows when the normal close button doesn't work.
• How to Free Up Disk Space in Windows 11 — Reclaim storage space in Windows 11. Clean temporary files and use OneDrive Files On-Demand to free up disk space without admin rights.
• How to Install Fonts on Windows Without Admin Rights — Install a font to your own profile with no admin prompt, find where per-user fonts live, and get a company brand font deployed to everyone who needs it.
• How to Link Your Phone to Windows (Phone Link) — Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) connects your Android or iOS device to your Windows PC, letting you view phone notifications, send and receive text...
• How to Lock Your Computer Quickly on Windows — Protect your device when stepping away. Learn keyboard shortcuts and settings to lock your Windows computer instantly.
• How to Manage Default Printers and Print Settings on Windows — Learn how to change your default printer, set up double-sided printing, adjust print quality, and stop Windows from changing your default printer on its own.
• How to Manage Startup Apps in Windows 11 — Speed up your computer's boot time. Learn how to disable unnecessary startup applications in Windows 11 settings or Task Manager.
• How to Map a Network Drive and Access Shared Folders on Windows — Connect to shared network folders and map them as drive letters in File Explorer. Troubleshoot common access issues on Windows.
• How to Maximize Laptop Battery Life on Windows — Extend your laptop's battery life on Windows. Adjust power settings, screen brightness, and background activity to work longer unplugged.
• How to Organize Your Digital Workspace (Zero Clutter) — Drowning in files? Learn how to clean up your desktop, organize your bookmarks, and establish a digital filing system.
• How to Pin Apps to the Taskbar and Customize the Start Menu — Customize your Windows workspace. Pin frequently used applications to the taskbar and organize tiles in the Start menu.
• How to Rearrange and Customize Taskbar Icons in Windows — Customize the Windows taskbar. Rearrange app icons, configure system tray indicators, and adjust taskbar behaviors to suit your workflow.
• How to Recover Deleted Files — Recover deleted files on Windows, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Learn how to check local and cloud recycle bins to restore your data.
• How to Rename Multiple Files at Once on Windows — Rename a batch of files with F2 in File Explorer, run search and replace with PowerToys PowerRename, and keep OneDrive from flooding with sync jobs.
• How to Scan a QR Code on Your Phone or Computer — Learn how to quickly scan a QR code using the built-in camera on your iPhone, Android, or Windows computer without downloading extra apps.
• How to Screen Record on Windows (Built-In Tools) — Learn how to record your screen on Windows using the built-in Snipping Tool. No third-party downloads required.
• How to Set Up a Docking Station with Your Laptop — Step-by-step guide to connecting a USB-C or Thunderbolt docking station to your work laptop on Windows 11.
• How to Set Up a Productive Home Office on a Budget — Set up a comfortable, productive home office with the right equipment, ergonomics, and network setup — without overspending.
• How to Set Up a Shared Desk Without Messing Up Your Settings — A guide to hot-desking: how to connect your laptop to a shared desk setup without ruining your screen resolution or losing your default printer.
• How to Set Up a Wireless Headset with Your Work Laptop — Connect a Bluetooth or USB dongle wireless headset to your Windows 11 laptop for calls and meetings.
• How to Set Up Multiple Monitors on Windows — Adding a second (or third) monitor expands your workspace and boosts productivity.
• How to Speed Up a Slow Computer in 5 Minutes — Quick Triage Guide — Five quick checks to speed up a slow Windows PC in under 5 minutes — Task Manager, browser tabs, startup apps, disk space, and restart.
• How to Stop Apps From Opening on Startup — Speed up your computer by stopping apps like Microsoft Teams and Spotify from launching automatically when you turn on your PC or Mac.
• How to Switch Between Audio Devices on Windows — Quickly switch between headset, speakers, and laptop audio on Windows 11 using Quick Settings.
• How to Take Screenshots on Windows — Windows has several built-in methods for capturing screenshots - from quick keyboard shortcuts to the full Snipping Tool app.
• How to Temporarily Uninstall a Windows Update Causing Issues — Learn how to roll back a recent Windows update if it caused your computer to crash, broke your printer, or slowed down your system.
• How to Transfer Files and Settings to a New Work Computer — Move your files, browser bookmarks, app settings, and desktop layout from your old work computer to a new one.
• How to Troubleshoot a Slow or Dropping VPN Connection — Fix a work VPN that keeps disconnecting, freezing, or running incredibly slow. Steps to stabilize your connection.
• How to Troubleshoot Apps That Won't Open or Keep Crashing on Windows — This article provides a step-by-step guide to diagnose and fix applications that fail to open, freeze on launch, or crash unexpectedly on Windows.
• How to Troubleshoot Audio and Sound Issues on Windows — This article provides step-by-step methods to diagnose and fix audio problems on Windows - including no sound, low volume, wrong output device, crackling...
• How to Troubleshoot Bluetooth Device Issues (No Admin Required) — Fix common Bluetooth problems - including devices that will not pair, audio that cuts out, and Bluetooth that appears missing - using steps that do not...
• How to Troubleshoot External Monitor Issues (No Admin Required) — Fixing common external monitor problems - including no signal, flickering, wrong resolution, and display arrangement issues - using steps that do not...
• How to Troubleshoot Slow Internet or Network Performance (User-Level Steps) — User-level diagnostic and fix steps for slow internet or network performance on your Windows 11 PC.
• How to Troubleshoot USB Device Issues on Windows — This article provides step-by-step methods to diagnose and fix USB devices that are not recognized, stop working, or disconnect intermittently on Windows ...
• How to Troubleshoot VPN Connection Issues (User-Level Steps) — The most common VPN connection problems you can troubleshoot yourself
• How to Turn On Num Lock at Startup on Windows — Get the number pad working at the Windows sign-in screen by setting Num Lock in BIOS, in the registry, or with Fn on a laptop keyboard.
• How to Uninstall Programs on Windows — Learn how to correctly remove software, clear up disk space, and fix broken uninstalls on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
• How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 — Check whether your PC qualifies for Windows 11, upgrade through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant, and roll back within 10 days if needed.
• How to Use Clipboard History on Windows — Clipboard History lets you view and paste from a list of recently copied items instead of being limited to the last thing you copied.
• How to Use File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11 — File Explorer in Windows 11 supports tabbed browsing - similar to browser tabs.
• How to Use Focus Assist on Windows — Focus Assist (called Do Not Disturb on Windows 11) silences notifications so you can concentrate without interruptions.
• How to Use Microsoft Copilot in Windows — Learn how to use the free Microsoft Copilot assistant built into Windows 11 to search, summarize, generate text, adjust settings, and get answers fast.
• How to Use Quick Access and Pin Folders in File Explorer — Use the Quick Access section in File Explorer to pin frequently used folders, manage recent files, and customize your navigation pane - so you can reach...
• How to Use Snap Layouts on Windows 11 — Snap Layouts let you quickly arrange open windows into predefined screen zones - side by side, in quadrants, or in asymmetric splits.
• How to Use Sticky Notes on Windows — Sticky Notes is a built-in Windows app that lets you create quick, colorful notes right on your desktop.
• How to Use the Built-In Calculator Modes in Windows — The Windows Calculator app includes several modes beyond basic arithmetic
• How to Use Virtual Desktops on Windows — Virtual desktops let you organize your work into separate desktops - for example, one for email and chat and another for focused project work.
• How to Use Windows Search to Find Files, Apps, and Settings — Use Windows Search to quickly find files, applications, system settings, and email messages.

Explainers

• Understanding Computer Storage — What's Using Your Space and How to Free It — Find out what's filling up your computer's storage and learn safe, step-by-step methods to free space without deleting anything important.
• Understanding USB-C vs. Thunderbolt: What Your Ports Actually Do — A plain-English guide to USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5 ports on your work laptop.
• Understanding Windows 11 24H2: Common Bugs and Fixes — A summary of the most common issues users face after updating to Windows 11 version 24H2, along with known fixes and workarounds.
• Understanding Windows 11 25H2 — What Changed and What to Check — What the Windows 11 25H2 feature update changes, how to check which version you are on, why IT decides when you get it, and what to verify afterwards.