Hot Windows Tips Posts
How To: Use Windows 10's Task Manager (Everything You Need to Know)
Task Manager got revamped quite a bit in modern versions of Windows. First introduced in Windows NT 4.0, it's become pretty popular among more advanced users. In Windows 10, Task Manager is not just a task manager anymore, it's also a system monitor, startup manager, history viewer, user controller, and the list goes on.
How To: Extend Battery Power on Your Windows 10 Laptop or Surface
Historically, battery life has not been a strong suit for machines running Windows. Poor decisions by hardware manufacturers combined with the resource-hogging behavior of Windows are to blame. However, Microsoft is trying to resolve this issue, once again, with the release of Windows 10.
How To: Customize the Windows 10 Lock Screen
Modern versions of Windows have revamped the lock screen to make it a lot more useful. If you're coming from Windows 7 and older versions of the OS, this lock screen is both new and useful (though you can turn it off if you just don't want it).
How To: 9 Apps That Every Windows 10 User Should Have
Windows 10 marks a new era for Microsoft with the return of the Start menu, the demise of Internet Explorer, and the introduction of the remodeled Windows Store.
How To: The Best New Hotkeys & Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10
These days, operating systems are becoming more and more touch-oriented, or at the very least, heavily mouse-driven. Nonetheless, while novice users will find it easier to tap and click their way around, power users know that keyboard shortcuts are still the fastest way to get things done.
How To: Prevent Windows 10 from Auto-Updating
In a bit of a strange decision, Microsoft has made it to where some users don't have a choice in the matter of applying failed automatic updates. When a Windows or driver update comes your way and fails to apply for any reason, your computer will continue to attempt applying the broken update at seemingly random intervals. The Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 10 will allow you to delay or stop updates altogether when something like this happens, but the Home edition has no such setting.
How To: Get Your Computer Ready for the Windows 10 Update
The day has finally come, and after quite a bit of hype and buildup, Windows 10 is now officially available. The update itself is on a staged rollout, which means it will be slowly becoming available to users over the coming weeks and months, so don't panic if you haven't already received an update notification. Besides, you have until July 29th, 2016 to download your free copy of Windows 10 if you're eligible, so there's plenty of time to get your ducks in a row.
How To: The Ultimate Guide to Using Cortana Voice Commands in Windows 10
Cortana, Microsoft's voice-activated personal assistant, originally launch on Windows Phone, but is now built directly into Windows 10 complete with "Hey Cortana" voice search (take that, Apple). It can help you locate files, set up reminders, control music.
How To: 10 Things You Need to Know About Microsoft's Edge Browser in Windows 10
There are a bunch of new and interesting features packed inside of Windows 10, but one of the most exciting ones is the Microsoft Edge web browser, the long-awaited replacement of Internet Explorer.
How To: Get Rid of the Search Bar & Task View Button in the Taskbar on Windows 10
More than likely, the first thing you noticed after booting up Windows 10 initially was a handful of new items in the taskbar across the bottom of your screen. Windows 8 users were probably glad to see the Start menu button back from the dead, but just to the right of that Windows logo are a pair of brand new entries.
How To: Create Multiple Desktops in Windows 10
Linux and Mac users have long enjoyed the use of multiple virtual desktops to free up clutter on their home screen and keep individual workflow environments separated, but Windows users have always been stuck with one solitary desktop.
How To: Change App Title Bar Colors in Windows 10
As the Insider Preview builds of Windows 10 progressed, certain features were removed as new ones joined the fray. Some came back, while others disappeared, seemingly for good. One feature that seems to have been removed are the colored title bars on app windows.
How To: Use the Cortana Voice Assistant in Windows 10
Microsoft's new voice-enabled virtual assistant, Cortana, is a lot like a blend of Siri's personality and Google Now's predictive capabilities—but the best part is it's baked right into the taskbar in Windows 10.
How To: Use & Customize the New Start Menu in Windows 10
The desktop Start menu is finally back! After receiving a lot of negative user feedback, Microsoft ditched the touchscreen-first approach of Windows 8 and went with a more traditional setup for mouse-and-keyboard users in Windows 10.
How To: How Anyone (Even Pirates) Can Get Windows 10 for Free—Legally
Windows 10 is due to be released on July 29th, and the majority of existing Windows users should be eligible to upgrade to the newer version for free.
How To: Recover Forgotten Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows
I spend a lot of time helping friends and family with their tech problems, like clearing a browser's cache, scanning a Windows computer for malware, and speeding up a Mac. However, the issue I deal with most frequently revolves around forgotten network passwords.
How To: Creep Out Your Workmates on Halloween: Windows Edition
Want to get even this Halloween? Want to scare somebody with nothing but a few lines of code? Here's how it can be done...
News: What's New in Windows 10 (Plus, How You Can Install It Right Now)
At a closed-door presentation on September 30th, 2014, Microsoft unveiled the latest iteration of its industry-leading operating system. Dubbed Windows 10 (seems as if Redmond isn't too fond of the "9" moniker), this new version brings along with it many UI optimizations and under-the-hood tweaks. With a particular focus on optimizing the interface for traditional mouse and keyboard computers, one of the most noticeable changes is the return of the Start Menu. While touch-optimized devices wi...
ASUS Transformer Book: The Tablet That Wants to Be Your Next Windows Laptop
We've had the pleasure of test driving the ASUS Transformer Book T100T for the last couple of weeks, and for a $400 Windows 8 machine, it's impressive to say the least.
News: Pushbullet for Windows Updated to Include Easy File Sharing with Other Devices
If you own an Android device and a Windows computer, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn't have Pushbullet installed. With the Android app and a companion Chrome plugin, you can easily send files between all of your supported devices, and there's even a notification mirroring function so that you never miss an important update.
How To: Hack Windows XP into Giving You 5 More Years of Free Support
Windows XP will always have a special place in my heart—it's the operating system I grew up on. It guided me through the glory days of AIM, Napster, and MySpace, but now it's dead. The OS that had been supported by Microsoft for twelve years officially lost its support on April 8th, 2014. Just like that, Microsoft has killed the beast, but for those of you who stubbornly refuse to cooperate, you can resurrect the dead. If you have Windows XP, this little known hack will get you further suppor...
How To: Speed Up & Fix Your Family's Windows Computer During the Holidays
It's officially the holiday season, which means everyone will soon be traveling home to spend time with loved ones. And anyone who has any knowledge whatsoever of computers knows what else that means—family members left and right asking you to fix their various technical woes.
How To: Get Windows 8.1 Today for Free
Microsoft released a preview version of Windows 8.1 today, notably adding an updated Start screen, the ability to run several Windows 8 apps side by side in a number of configurations, fully integrated search, better HiDPI support for multiple monitors, and for those who miss it, options to bring back the Start button or boot straight to the desktop.
How To: Scan Removable Drives for Malware with Windows 8's Built-In Antivirus Scanner
Windows has its own built-in antivirus program called Windows Defender, which kinda sounds like a sweet arcade game, but it actually does a pretty good job of protecting your Windows PC from spyware and malware.
How To: Create a System Image Backup of Your Entire Windows 8 PC
There is nothing worse than losing valuable information or programs on your computer. And if you've ever accidentally deleted a file or document, you know how agonizing that entire process can be.
How To: Capture Unauthorized Users Trying to Bypass Your Windows 8 Lock Screen
Who wouldn't want to know if someone was trying to log onto their personal computer without their permission? Be it your annoying co-worker or your girlfriend, there are many cases where people may try to gain access to your desktop or laptop.
How To: Get Your Windows 8 PC to Automatically Wake from Sleep Whenever You Want
I rarely ever turn my desktop off. For starters, it takes a few minutes to boot up, which I hate, and secondly, putting the computer to sleep is perfectly adequate. You really only need to completely shut down your computer every once in a while.
How To: Bored with Your Surface Pro? BlueStacks Lets You Run Any Android App on Windows 8
Now that the Surface Pro is out, you can game your heart out and get down with some serious Minecrafting. You're not just limited to downloading apps in the Windows Store anymore, like with the Surface RT. You can install a lot of Windows-compatible programs on the Surface Pro, but still, with this being a mobile device, it'd be nice to have some more mobile-feeling apps. And thanks to BlueStacks, you can. BlueStacks has helped people without Androids and iPhones get popular apps on their dev...
How To: "Should I Remove It?" Helps You Rid Your Windows PC of Bloatware and Unwanted Programs
A lot of computers come with a ton of pre-installed software from the manufacturer, some of which you need and some of which you could most certainly live without. And over time, you may have downloaded and installed a bunch of programs and apps that you probably can't even remember. Now, you could go ahead and uninstall everything that you don't think you need, but then you run the risk of removing something that could really mess up the system. When I open up my Programs folder, I feel like...
SWEAT: A Better Way to Edit and Replace Your Text in Windows 8
Editing and formatting large amounts of text can be a hassle. From finding and replacing words to creating uniform spacing, text editing can be a real drag. But with this Windows application, you can take your text edit skills to the next level.
How To: Run a Full Version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on Your Windows PC
Being able to run mobile apps on a computer is nothing new. Maybe you don't have a mobile device, or maybe you just like seeing the apps on a larger screen. Whatever the reason, with programs like Bluestacks, you can use your laptop to Instagram, play Angry Birds, and run countless other apps made for smartphones.
How To: Play SNES Games on the Windows Surface RT and Windows 8 with This Free Emulator
In a huge win for Windows 8 and Surface owners everywhere, a free SNES emulator appeared in the Windows Store last month called Snes8x—and it's awesome.
How To: 7 Great Music Apps for Windows 8
Everyone listens to music. I've got over 3,000 songs in my iTunes library, but am always looking for more, and I'm sure you are too. You can never have enough tunes to rock out to, right? If you're using Windows 8 like I currently am, these are some of the best apps in the Windows Store right now that will help you find new jams for your collection.
How To: The 7 Best Discovery and Wonder Apps for Your Windows 8 Device
There is never a dull moment when it comes to the internet. You can find practically anything you want, whenever you want it. To make that process even smoother and more direct, companies have created a bunch of apps designed to help you find what you're looking for, or enlighten you on a subject you may not have even thought of yourself.
How To: Remove Facebook Ads from Internet Explorer 10 on Your Microsoft Surface
I think most people can agree that advertisements are just annoying. There is only one day out of the entire year when commercials and advertisements are actually welcomed, and that's the Super Bowl. But, since it can't be the Super Bowl every day (if only), those ads that float around on your Microsoft Surface's screen are just obnoxious. Luckily, there is a way to get rid of them, on Facebook at least. Facebook is one of the most visited sites in the world, so having the ability to hide ads...
How To: The 5 Best Social Networking Windows 8 Apps (for Free)
Many social networks have become a part of our daily routine. Checking Facebook or sending out a Tweet are things millions of people do every single day. So, one would think that having a great app offering for Windows 8 would be a no-brainer. But, and this is a huge but, there are still no official Twitter or Facebook apps for Windows 8.
How To: Get the Windows 8 Desktop and Start Screen (Or Taskbar and Start Screen) on the Same Display
I've been using Windows 8 for a few months now, and it's definitely not as terrible as some people say, but it definitely isn't as revolutionary as the big wigs at Microsoft had hoped for.
How To: How You Could Remove Ads from Windows 8 Apps (And Even Unlock Paid Apps for Free)
The beauty of free apps is that, well, they're free. But as we all know, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Sometimes these "free" applications are only feature-limited mini versions, or they're so littered with ads that opting to pay for it is the only way to actually enjoy it.
How To: Build Your Own Apps for Windows 8 from Practically Any Touchscreen Device
TouchDevelop is a browser-based programming tool that allows anyone to build your own Windows 8 apps directly from any touchscreen device, including iPad, iPhone, Windows Phone, Android, PC and Macs. Once the script is created and the app proves to work, it can be placed in the Windows Store for free or purchase.
How To: Pin Your Favorite Websites to the Windows 8 Start Screen for Faster Browsing
Speed—not only is it a great movie, it's something we need from our computers; launching, downloading, uploading, etc. Fast speeds is one of the most important things for any computer process. But that's not all. We also want to get to our favorite sites faster, and in Windows 8, it's as easy as creating a shortcut on your Start screen.