How-To Geek - PC Optimization

The Five Best PC Upgrades to Improve Performance

Ian Paul — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:00:20 GMT

Upgrading a PC? Your choices range from installing more RAM to custom building a case designed for a DIY liquid cooling system. Which upgrades are the best depends on your PC. What specs does it have right now? Are you gaming, editing 4K videos, or just browsing the web?

What Is UEFI, and How Is It Different from BIOS?

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:30:20 GMT

Way back in 2017, Intel announced plans to completely replace BIOS with UEFI on all their chipsets, and the industry quickly followed suit. The classic BIOS is now firmly a relic of the past. But what is UEFI, and how is it different from the BIOS we're all familiar with?

How to Update Audio Drivers on Windows

Mahesh Makvana — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:30:21 GMT

You can fix your various sound issues and possibly get general audio enhancements by updating your audio drivers. You can do this using Device Manager, Windows Update, and your audio card maker's website. We'll show you how to do this on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.

Are Mini PCs Worth It?

Bemfica de Oliva — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:00:21 GMT

Mini PCs can be more practical (and usually cost less) than regular-sized desktops. Here are a few things to know before making the final call if you're considering buying a small computer.

How to Customize the Taskbar in Windows 10

Walter Glenn — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:31:24 GMT

The Windows 10 taskbar works much like previous Windows versions, offering shortcuts and icons for every running app. Windows 10 offers all kinds of ways to customize the taskbar to your liking, and we're here to guide you through what you can do.

How to Exit Safe Mode on Windows 10

Marshall Gunnell — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:31:22 GMT

Booting Windows 10 in safe mode is a good idea if you can't start Windows 10 normally, and you need to do some troubleshooting. Here's how to get out of safe mode when you're finished and want to use your PC normally.

How to Flush DNS on Windows 10

Nick Lewis — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:30:25 GMT

A problem with your PC's DNS cache can result in trouble connecting to the internet. If you've tried the usual tricks like clearing your browser cache and cookies, flushing Windows 10's DNS may fix your problem.

How to Download a Windows 10 ISO Without the Media Creation Tool

Brady Gavin — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:30:24 GMT

Microsoft makes Windows 10 ISO images available to everyone through its download website, but if you're already using a Windows machine, it forces you to download the Media Creation Tool first. Here's how to download Windows ISOs without the creation tool.

How to Hide the Taskbar on Windows 11

Benj Edwards — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:31:20 GMT

In Windows 11, the taskbar takes up a small portion of the screen. Luckily, it's easy to reclaim that space by configuring the taskbar to hide itself automatically. Here's how.

How to Open the Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 10

Walter Glenn — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:31:23 GMT

Much of the time, opening the Command Prompt as a regular user is all you need. Sometimes, though, you'll need to open the Command Prompt as an administrator so that you can run commands that require administrative privileges. Here are three quick ways you can open the Command Prompt with admin privileges on Windows 10.

How to Install Windows 11 on an Unsupported PC

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:00:22 GMT

Windows 11 has strict system requirements, but there are ways around them. For example, it requires at least an 8th-generation Intel, AMD Zen 2, or Qualcomm 7 or 8 Series CPU — but you can install Windows 11 on PCs with older CPUs.

How to Access the Windows 10 Startup Folder

Joe Fedewa — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 16:30:23 GMT

Windows 10 moved the "Startup" folder out of the spotlight, but it can still be found if you know where to look. It contains apps that run when you sign in to your computer.

How to Check Your CPU Temperature on Windows 11

Mahesh Makvana — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:30:22 GMT

Think your PC's CPU gets too hot, but not sure exactly what temperature it reaches? Using a built-in method and a few free third-party apps, you can quickly and easily find out the processor temp of your Windows 11 PC. Here's how.

How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 11

Shubham Kumar — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 14:00:22 GMT

There are a few things you can do to improve your computer's overall performance. One of these is to disable unnecessary applications running in the background. That way, important apps have all the CPU resources they need. Here are five ways to disable background apps on Windows.

How to Restart a Windows 11 PC

Benj Edwards — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:31:22 GMT

At some point, you'll need to restart your Windows 11 PC to troubleshoot an issue, install an update, complete an installation, or otherwise. While you'll often see a "restart" option when updating, here are several other ways to restart your PC manually.

How to Monitor Your Computer's GPU Temperature

Nick Lewis — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 16:30:23 GMT

High temperatures reduce the performance of your GPU and may even cause your system to shut down. There are numerous ways to monitor your GPU's temperature — find out more about some different options here.

How to Open Windows PowerShell as an Admin in Windows 10

Marshall Gunnell — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:31:23 GMT

Almost everything you need to do in Windows PowerShell you can do in a normal window. However, you'll occasionally have to open PowerShell as an admin to run certain commands that require you to have elevated privileges. Here's how.

How to Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows 10 and 11

Mahesh Makvana — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:31:23 GMT

Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with an advanced setting, called Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling, which can boost gaming and video performance using your PC's GPU. We'll show you how to enable the feature and thereby potentially get a performance increase.

How to Rotate Your PC's Screen (or Fix a Sideways Screen)

Chris Hoffman — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 16:30:11 GMT

Windows can rotate your screen without any extra software. This is especially useful if you have a desktop monitor that rotates. Many PCs have hotkeys that can rotate your screen, too, and these are easy to press accidentally.

How to Mount an ISO image in Windows 7, 8, and 10

Lowell Heddings — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 15:11:11 GMT

Windows finally offers a built-in way to mount ISO disc image files on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows 8. If you're using Windows 7, you'll need a third-party tool.

How to Disable Bing in the Windows 10 Start Menu

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:01:23 GMT

Windows 10, by default, sends everything you search for in the Start Menu to their servers to give you results from Bing search --- so you better make sure that you don't type anything private into your own PC's Start Menu. Or, you could just disable the Bing integration in the Start Menu.

How to Access Your Linux (WSL) Files in Windows 10

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:30:22 GMT

Windows 10's May 2019 Update introduced an easy, safe, and officially supported way to access and work with your Linux files from within File Explorer and other applications. Here's how to get at your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) files.

How to Make Your Windows 11 PC Never Go To Sleep

Benj Edwards — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:01:29 GMT

By default, most Windows 11 PCs will go into sleep mode after a certain period of time to conserve power. If you'd like to always keep your Windows 11 PC awake, you can make changes in Settings or try one of Microsoft's PowerToys. Here's how.

What's the Best Antivirus for Windows 10 and 11? (Is Microsoft Defender Good Enough?)

Lowell Heddings — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:30:26 GMT

Windows 10 and Windows 11 won't hassle you to install an antivirus like Windows 7 did. Windows now includes a built-in free antivirus called Microsoft Defender. But is it really the best for protecting your PC — or even just good enough?

How to Block App Installation on Windows PCs

Mustafa Ashour — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:00:27 GMT

Do you want to stop people from installing new apps on your Windows PC? You're not alone. Luckily, there are several ways you can do this on Windows 11, Windows 10, or older versions. Let's see how.

How to Wipe a Drive on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:30:25 GMT

Windows has built-in tools that will let you write zeros to a drive, securely erasing its contents. This ensures deleted files on the drive can't be recovered. Whether you want to wipe an internal drive or an external USB drive, here's how to do it.

6 Important Elements for Gaming Setups (That Aren’t Your PC)

Bemfica de Oliva — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 11:01:24 GMT

Unlike other types of entertainment, gaming requires a "good enough" device to be enjoyed. However, power isn't the only thing that matters: peripherals, furniture, and even lighting may be the difference between having fun and having a headache.

What Is the Service Host Process (svchost.exe) and Why Are So Many Running?

Walter Glenn — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 15:30:34 GMT

If you've ever browsed through Task Manager, you may have wondered why there are so many Service Host processes running. You can't kill them, and you sure didn't start them. So, what are they?

How to Format USB Drives Larger Than 32GB With FAT32 on Windows

Walter Glenn — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:30:34 GMT

For whatever reason, the option to format USB drives larger than 32GB with the FAT32 file system isn't present in the regular Windows format tool. Here's how to get around that.

6 Computer Noises You Should Never Ignore

Sydney Butler — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:00:35 GMT

In the past, computers made all sorts of mechanical and electronic noises as a normal part of how they worked, but there are some noises a modern computer should never make. If you hear any one of these, pay attention!

How to Boot Into Safe Mode on Windows 11

Benj Edwards — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

If you're having trouble starting your Windows 11 PC, it might help to reboot into safe mode, which temporarily disables drivers and features to make your PC more stable. Here's how to do it.

LPCAMM Laptop Memory Could Revolutionize Laptop and Handheld PC RAM

Sydney Butler — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:01:37 GMT

The drive towards slimmer, more potent laptops often comes at the expense of upgradability, especially concerning RAM. However, Samsung's Low Profile Compression Attached Memory Module (LPCAMM) could rewrite this script, heralding a future where ultrabooks and handheld PCs are upgradable.

Windows Task Manager: The Complete Guide

Chris Hoffman — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 15:01:35 GMT

The Windows Task Manager is a powerful tool packed with useful information, from your system's overall resource usage to detailed statistics about each process. This guide explains every feature and technical term in the Task Manager.

Where to Download Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 ISOs Legally

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:01:34 GMT

You can reinstall Windows from scratch using the product key that came with your PC, but you'll have to find installation media yourself. Microsoft offers free ISO files for downloading; you just have to know where to look.

Do I Need a New Motherboard? 7 Things to Consider

Bemfica de Oliva — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:00:32 GMT

Desktop computers have upgradability as one of their major selling points. When something breaks or becomes outdated, you can just swap it for a newer part and everything runs smooth again.

How to Remap Any Key or Shortcut on Windows 10

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:31:53 GMT

Would you like to use a different keyboard key to perform a certain task in Windows 10? Thanks to PowerToys, it's easy to remap any key to another key or even a shortcut combination on your keyboard. Here's how to set it up.

How to Uninstall an Application on Windows 11

Benj Edwards — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:00:35 GMT

If you don't need an app anymore on Windows 11, it might be time to uninstall the program to save disk space (or de-clutter your Start menu). There are several ways to remove apps on Windows 11---we'll show you the three easiest ways to do it.

How to Install a DEB File in Linux

Abubakar Mohammed — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 12:30:33 GMT

So, you finally installed Linux and when downloading your favorite app you got a file with the ".deb" extension. Now what? In this article, let's look at the two ways you can easily install apps using DEB files on Linux.

How to Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Chris Hoffman — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 16:00:34 GMT

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both have built-in features that can turn your laptop (or desktop) into a wireless hotspot, allowing other devices to connect to it and share your internet connection. Here's how the whole thing works.

How to Make Windows Show File Extensions

Chris Hoffman — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

Windows doesn't show file extensions by default, but you can change a single setting and make Windows always show you each file's full file extension. This works in File Explorer on Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as Windows Explorer on Windows 7 and Windows 8.

How to Add a Program to Startup in Windows 10 or 11

Lowell Heddings — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 15:30:32 GMT

Some Windows apps configure themselves to automatically start whenever Windows boots. But you can make any app, file, or folder start with Windows by adding it to the Windows "Startup" folder.

How to Fix Windows and Linux Showing Different Times When Dual Booting

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:31:33 GMT

Your computer stores the time in a hardware clock on its motherboard. The clock keeps track of time, even when the computer is off. By default, Windows assumes the time is stored in local time, while Linux assumes the time is stored in UTC time and applies an offset. This leads to one of your operating systems showing the wrong time in a dual boot situation.

How to Disable Your Integrated Graphics on Windows 11

Aman Kumar — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 14:16:33 GMT

Do graphics-intensive applications on your computer keep crashing? This usually happens when the app uses the integrated graphics card instead of the dedicated one. To prevent this from happening, you need to disable your integrated graphics card. Read along to learn how to do it.

6 Ways to Rename Files and Folders in Windows 10

Brady Gavin — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:00:33 GMT

You can rename files on Windows 10 in many ways. If you're still right-clicking and selecting "Rename" every time you want to change a file's name, we've got some tips to make it faster.

What is OCuLink? (And Why You Might Want It)

Sydney Butler — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:00:33 GMT

New ports and connectors are constantly arriving. While some remain obscure, others become mainstream, even essential for certain setups. Enter OCuLink, a standard that's been skulking around mostly in server rooms for years but is now breaking into consumer spaces.

How to Fix Sound Problems in Windows 10

Kevin Parrish — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:30:34 GMT

You launch a PC game or stream a movie, but you don't hear any sound. On the surface, there's no apparent reason for the lack of audio. Unfortunately, sound issues can be tricky. Here are some things you can try to fix your issue.

How to Fix a Kmode Exception Not Handled Error in Windows

Russ Ware — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

Seeing a BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) when starting or using Windows is never fun. Fortunately, not all BSODs are a disaster. Many, including the Kmode Exception Not Handled error, are easy to fix.

How to Find Your Lost Windows or Office Product Keys

Lowell Heddings — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

If you're planning on doing a reinstall of Windows but can't find your product key, you're in luck because it's stored in the Windows Registry. It's just not easy to find, and it's impossible to read without some help. Luckily, we're here to help.

How to Check Your Computer Uptime on Windows 11 and 10

Mahesh Makvana — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:00:34 GMT

Your computer’s uptime tells you how long it has been since you turned on your computer. If you need this information for troubleshooting or something else, it’s easy to find your uptime on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems. We’ll show you both graphical and command-line methods to do that. Let’s get started.

How to Restart Windows' Explorer.exe (Along With the Taskbar and Start Menu)

Walter Glenn — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 14:30:33 GMT

If your taskbar, system tray, or Start menu acts up, you might be tempted to restart your PC. Instead, you can usually just restart Windows Explorer. Windows makes it pretty easy whether you're using Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

How to Update Drivers on Windows 11

Benj Edwards — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 13:30:32 GMT

If the hardware devices in your Windows 11 PC — such as USB controllers, video cards, printers, or other peripherals — need new or updated drivers, it's usually easy to install them. We'll show you how.

How to Force the Windows 11 Update and Upgrade Immediately

Chris Hoffman — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:30:34 GMT

Microsoft is has been offering Windows 11 to users for a while now. Here are a few ways to get the upgrade going immediately.

How to Clear Your Cache on Windows 11

Mahesh Makvana — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:30:33 GMT

To improve your PC's performance and to keep it decluttered, you should regularly clear various caches on your PC. We'll show you how to do that in Windows 11.

How to Get a "My Computer" Icon on the Desktop in Windows 10

Lowell Heddings — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:30:33 GMT

The My Computer icon was a fixture on Windows desktops for decades, but it was removed and renamed with the introduction of Windows 10. Now properly called "This PC," the icon must be added back manually. Here's how to get the This PC icon on your desktop.

How to Delete Temporary Files on Windows 10

Marshall Gunnell — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:30:31 GMT

Windows temp files, as the name implies, are temporary files created by certain programs when in use on your Windows 10 device. These files can quickly add up and consume valuable storage space, so you may want to delete them.

Critical Process Died Error on Windows 11: How to Fix It

Mahesh Makvana — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 12:01:30 GMT

If you’ve run into a “Critical Process Died” BSOD error on your Windows 11 PC, and it just won't turn on, some frustration is understandable. There are many reasons this error occurs, and in most cases, it’s easy to fix the issue and get your PC to turn on normally.

How to Move a Lost, Off-Screen Window Back to Your Desktop

Lowell Heddings — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 13:00:30 GMT

If you've ever had a window somehow get moved off your screen, you know it can be frustrating not being able to drag it back. We've got a couple of ways you can move these rogue windows back to your desktop, though.

What Is XMP, and Why Does It Matter for RAM?

Sydney Butler — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:00:29 GMT

When shopping for RAM, you might come across the term "XMP" and wonder what it's all about. Is it some secret sauce that makes your computer faster, or is it just marketing jargon? It's actually much simpler than it sounds.

Should You Use Cloud Download or Local Reinstall on Windows?

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:30:28 GMT

When resetting your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, you'll be asked whether you want to do a "Cloud Download" or "Local Reinstall." These options work a little differently, and each has its upsides and downsides. Here's the difference between the two.

How to Zip or Unzip Files From the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:01:28 GMT

ZIP files are a universal archive commonly used on Windows, macOS, and even Linux systems. You can create a zip archive or unzip files from one with some common Linux terminal commands.

How to Defragment Your Hard Drive on Windows 10

Benj Edwards — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 13:30:26 GMT

Over time, a hard drive can begin to operate with less efficiency due to fragmentation in the file system. To speed up your drive, you can defragment and optimize it in Windows 10 using a built-in tool. Here's how.

How to Check Your Computer's Specifications

Mahesh Makvana — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:30:30 GMT

Using just the built-in tools on Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can check your PC's specs, like the processor type, RAM, graphics card model, storage type (SSD or HDD), network adapter model, and more. We'll show you two quick ways to find that information on your machine.

How to Check Which GPU Is Installed on Linux

Dave McKay — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:30 GMT

Need to identify the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in a Linux computer? Here's how you can identify the graphics card from the command line and in GNOME.

How to Use Microsoft's "Windows File Recovery" on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Chris Hoffman — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:30:29 GMT

Ever accidentally deleted a file and then realized you needed it? Or had a drive experience some kind of corruption? Microsoft's Windows File Recovery tool may be able to bring back your lost files — here's how to use it.

How to See What CPU Is In Your PC (and How Fast It Is)

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:30:28 GMT

Every computer contains at least one processor, also known as a CPU or central processing unit. Your computer's CPU is probably made by Intel or AMD. Here's how to see what CPU you have and how fast it is.

How to Repair Corrupted Windows System Files with the SFC and DISM Commands

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:30:25 GMT

The System File Checker tool built into Windows can scan your Windows system files for corruption or any other changes. If a file has been modified, it will automatically replace that file with the correct version. Here's how to use it.

How to Change Mouse Sensitivity on Windows 10 or 11

Nick Lewis — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 14:31:30 GMT

Bad sensitivity settings can be frustrating — you'll feel like you're constantly fighting your computer. Luckily, here are a few quick ways to change your mouse settings on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 to get it just right.

How to Find the Best Wi-Fi Channel for Your Router on Any Operating System

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:30:31 GMT

If you live in an apartment complex, or anywhere else with a lot of wireless networks, you've probably noticed more than just the passive-aggressive network IDs that your neighbors use — you've probably had problems with your wireless connections dropping out, or just not being as fast as you'd like. This often has to do with the Wi-Fi channels in your area.

How to Edit Your Hosts File on Windows, Mac, or Linux

Nick Lewis — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 16:00:29 GMT

Occasionally you may need to edit the hosts file on your machine. Your host file might have been edited maliciously in an attack, or as a prank. Alternatively, you may just want to control access to certain websites or control network traffic.

What Is the WMI Provider Host (WmiPrvSE.exe), and Why Is It Using So Much CPU?

Chris Hoffman — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:30:28 GMT

The WMI Provider Host process is an important part of Windows, and often runs in the background. It allows other applications on your computer to request information about your system. This process shouldn't normally use many system resources, but it may use a lot of CPU if another process on your system is behaving badly.

How to See Which Group Policies Are Applied to Your PC and User Account

Walter Glenn — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:30:30 GMT

We have shown you a lot of tips and tricks over the years that involve modifying Local Group Policy. If you would ever like to see all the Group Policy settings in effect on your PC, here’s how to do it.

How to Change the Default PDF Reader in Windows 10

Rahul Saigal — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:30:29 GMT

Microsoft Edge is not only the default web browser in Windows 10 but also the default PDF reader. This is definitely a good thing as we can finally view PDF files without having to install third-party apps, but it’s more of a basic PDF reader.

How to Boot Into Safe Mode on Windows 10 the Easy Way

Walter Glenn — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:30:28 GMT

One of the most common steps when troubleshooting a PC is to boot into Safe Mode. For a long time this has been achieved by pressing the F8 key, this all changes with Windows 10 and its Automatic Repair mode. But what if we want Safe Mode?

What Is Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) and Why Is It Running?

Walter Glenn — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:31:28 GMT

You opened the Task Manager and found something called "Desktop Window Manager." Is it malware? Is it supposed to be there? If it is supposed to be there, what exactly does it do? Here's everything you need to know.

What is the System32 Directory? (and Why You Shouldn't Delete It)

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:30:27 GMT

The C:\Windows\System32 directory is a critical part of the Windows operating system where important system files are stored. Some pranksters online may tell you to delete it, but you shouldn't — and we'll show exactly what happens if you try.

How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows

Lori Kaufman — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:00:33 GMT

The more software you install on your computer, the longer it may seem to take to start up Windows. Many programs add themselves to the list of programs started when you boot your computer, and that list can get long. Here's how you can disable startup programs in Windows.

How to Uninstall a Program on Windows 10 from Command Prompt

Marshall Gunnell — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:31:27 GMT

If you're using Windows 10 and need to free up some disk space, you can uninstall apps you no longer use straight from the Command Prompt. Here's how it's done.

How to Turn On and Use Bluetooth on Windows 10

Brady Gavin — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT

These days, most mobile devices come with Bluetooth. If you've got a reasonable modern Windows 10 laptop, it's got Bluetooth. If you have a desktop PC, it might or might not have Bluetooth built-in, but you can always add it if you want. Assuming you have access to Bluetooth on your system, here's how to turn it on and get it set up so you can use your speakers, mice, keyboards, headsets, trackers, or whatever other devices you might have.

How to Fix a DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 10

Mako Young — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:30:27 GMT

Dealing with blue screen errors is never fun, but it's worse when you have no idea what's caused it in the first place. One particular head-scratcher is the DPC Watchdog Violation, which can be caused for a number of reasons.

How to Fix the 0xc000007b Error on Windows

Mahesh Makvana — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:30:26 GMT

It can be very frustrating to try to launch an app or game and get a message like "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b). Click OK to close the application." Fortunately, it's not impossible to fix a 0xc000007b error code. Here's how.

How to Change the Default Shell to Bash on macOS

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 15:31:27 GMT

Apple is now using Zsh as the default shell on macOS. We love Zsh, but the trusty old Bash shell is still included with macOS, and you can quickly switch back to Bash if you prefer. Zsh became the default in macOS Catalina, and has remained the default in subsequent releases.

How to Enter the BIOS on Windows 10

Nick Lewis — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 13:30:26 GMT

The BIOS, or UEFI, is a powerful tool for configuring your PC's hardware such as your RAM, CPU, motherboard, and more. It also has options that can increase the security of your PC. Here are a few different ways to access the BIOS.

You Don't Have to Leave Windows: 8 Ways to Start Using Linux

Jordan Gloor — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 11:00:27 GMT

Getting started with Linux for the first time can be intimidating. But the freedom afforded by Linux includes the freedom to use it how and when you want. I'll walk you through several different ways you can take advantage of Linux's capabilities, involving more or less commitment and technical know-how on your part.

How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Windows 10 the Easy Way

Chris Hoffman — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 15:30:27 GMT

Windows 10 still lets you create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and even websites. Desktop icons may a little out of fashion, but they're still useful as part of a nicely organized desktop.

What's the Difference Between GPT and MBR When Partitioning a Drive?

Chris Hoffman — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 13:30:27 GMT

Set up a new disk on Windows 10 or Windows 11, and you'll be asked whether you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table). Today we're explaining the difference between GPT and MBR and helping you choose the right one for your PC or Mac.

How to Use CHKDSK to Fix Hard Drive Problems on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Walter Glenn — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 13:30:27 GMT

Any time you have hard drive errors — or even strange behavior you might not at first associate with a hard drive — Check Disk can be a lifesaver. Here's how to use the Chkdsk tool that comes with Windows 10, Windows 11, and other versions of Windows

How to Enter the BIOS on Your Windows 11 PC

Mahesh Makvana — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT

Accessing the BIOS on your Windows 11 PC can help you solve a variety of problems or allow you to adjust low-level settings. There are multiple ways you can enter BIOS, and we'll show you how to use all of them.

How to Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 14:30:28 GMT

If you've upgraded your PC to Windows 11 and want to go back to Windows 10, there are several ways to do it. Here's what you need to know about switching from Windows 11 to stable old Windows 10.

FAT32 vs. exFAT vs. NTFS: What's the Difference?

Chris Hoffman — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:30:26 GMT

Whether you're formatting an internal drive, external drive, USB flash drive, or SD card, Windows gives you the choice of using three different file systems: NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. The Format dialog in Windows doesn't explain the difference, so we will.

How to Fix Your USB Drive Not Showing Up on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:00:27 GMT

USB drives should automatically appear in File Explorer when you connect them to your computer. Follow these troubleshooting steps if your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC doesn't show a connected drive.

The Best External GPU Enclosures in 2023

Goran Damnjanovic — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:00:28 GMT

An external GPU enclosure allows you to connect a dedicated, desktop-class GPU to your laptop or any other slot-less PC, enabling you to use the PC for deep learning, video editing, gaming, or any other workload that requires a powerful GPU.

How to Check Your BIOS Version and Update it

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:31:30 GMT

You probably shouldn't update your BIOS, but sometimes you need to. Here's how to check what BIOS version your computer is using and flash that new BIOS version onto your motherboard as quickly and safely as possible.

How to Change the Default System Font on Windows 10

Mahesh Makvana — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:01:29 GMT

Windows 10's default system font, Segoe UI, looks pretty nice. However, if you have something better to replace it with, you can change the default system font on your Windows 10 PC. We'll show you how to do this.

How to See Who's Connected to Your Wi-Fi Network

Chris Hoffman — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 12:30:27 GMT

Do you know who's connected to your router's Wi-Fi network? Take a look at the list of devices connected to your Wi-Fi network from your router or computer to find out.

How to Enable the Ultimate Performance Power Plan in Windows 10

Brady Gavin — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:58:19 GMT

Microsoft's "Ultimate Performance" power scheme — introduced in 2018 — is built upon the High-Performance power scheme but tries to eke out every little bit of performance possible. Here's how to enable it.

How to Find Your Windows PC's Serial Number

Chris Hoffman — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:30:28 GMT

Windows doesn't display your PC's serial number anywhere in its interface, and neither do popular system information tools. But you can often find a PC's serial number with a simple command, a peek in your BIOS, or on the hardware itself.

How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key Using the Command Prompt

Marshall Gunnell — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:00:26 GMT

If you're looking for your Windows 10 product key, you can find it by entering a quick command in the Command Prompt. Here's how — plus a neat little trick for finding the product key using a Windows Registry method.

How to Change Directories in Command Prompt on Windows 10

Marshall Gunnell — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 16:00:25 GMT

One of the first things you'll need to learn as you become more familiar with Command Prompt on Windows 10 is how to change directories in the operating system's file system. There are a few ways you can do this, so we'll walk you through them.

How to Clear Your PC's Cache in Windows 10

Marshall Gunnell — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 13:30:25 GMT

As with clearing the cache in your browser, clearing the cache in Windows is a good start for troubleshooting system issues, improving system performance, and freeing up disk space. Here's how to clear your cache in Windows 10.

You Don't Need a Product Key to Install and Use Windows 10

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:30:26 GMT

Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. It'll keep working for the foreseeable future, with only a few small cosmetic restrictions. And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it.