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Articles and tutorials about dealing with system settings, fixing bugs, and adjusting how your computer or devices works. This collection of articles includes guides for all major platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, and more.

tutorial How to edit the list of allowed apps in Windows Defender Firewall (and block others)

How to edit the list of allowed apps in Windows Defender Firewall (and block others)

In Windows 10, the old Windows Firewall has been rebranded by Microsoft to Windows Defender Firewall. It is a security feature built into the operating system that helps block unauthorized access to your computer, while permitting authorized communications. This tool can filter both inbound and outbound traffic or set rules and exceptions, depending on the type of network to which you're connected. In this
tutorial How to manage BitLocker on a USB memory stick or flash drive

How to manage BitLocker on a USB memory stick or flash drive

If you've taken the time to protect your data using BitLocker To Go, you might want to understand the options you have for managing your encrypted USB memory stick or flash drive. Basic usage includes nothing more than entering your password, but you need to know more for special circumstances. Perhaps you want to change the password, add a smart card as a second
tutorial How to customize the Android Quick Settings menu

How to customize the Android Quick Settings menu

As implied by their name, the Android Quick Settings provide fast access to different features on your smartphone or tablet. Instead of wasting time digging through settings and menus, you can use the switches in the Quick Settings menu to toggle features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the Flashlight on your Android device. And there are so many Android Quick Settings available that you rarely
tutorial How to configure System Restore in Windows 10

How to configure System Restore in Windows 10

While having the ability to restore your system from a restore point is one of Windows' most useful features, it may be that some people will want to turn it off for all or some of their partitions. Others may wish to change how much space is used for System Restore and assign more or less. To help you out, this guide shows you
tutorial What is System Restore and 4 ways to use it

What is System Restore and 4 ways to use it

System Restore is one of those Windows apps that can be categorized as being an "oldie but goldie." If something suddenly stops working as it should or if your Windows 10 PC breaks down without notice, you'll want to know about System Restore and how to use it. This system recovery tool can be a lifesaver and a fast one at that, as it
tutorial How to remove BitLocker To Go from a USB drive

How to remove BitLocker To Go from a USB drive

BitLocker To Go is useful when you want to protect the data on your removable drives (USB memory sticks, external hard disks, etc.). Though it can be helpful, it may not appeal to all users, because it asks you for a password each time you want to use the encrypted drive. If you have encrypted a flash drive, an external hard disk, or another
tutorial 3 ways to create a restore point in Windows 10

3 ways to create a restore point in Windows 10

When your Windows 10 machine breaks and refuses to work, System Restore is one of those lifesaving tools that makes you thankful they exist. That's because you can use it to repair your PC if you've created a system restore point before it started to misbehave. Did you create a system restore point? If you didn't, would you like to learn how to create
tutorial How to encrypt a system partition with BitLocker in Windows 10

How to encrypt a system partition with BitLocker in Windows 10

BitLocker Drive Encryption is one of the most used encryption solutions for Windows. It's a security tool found in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions that helps protect your data from unauthorized access. It does that by allowing you to encrypt system partitions, as well as other partitions you may have on your drives. In this tutorial, we're going to guide you through the
tutorial 2 ways to enable System Restore in Windows 10

2 ways to enable System Restore in Windows 10

System Restore is an old feature that has been present in Windows operating systems for a long time. However, it's still useful today on modern Windows 10 operating systems. It's one of those tools that can save you a lot of time and headaches when your PC crashes, or if something on it no longer wants to work, and you can't even boot properly.
tutorial Get access to a BitLocker-encrypted USB drive when you forget its password

Get access to a BitLocker-encrypted USB drive when you forget its password

You've encrypted your flash drive using BitLocker To Go, and now your data is safe from prying eyes. To anyone without your password, your files are garbled beyond comprehension. Unfortunately, if you lose your BitLocker password, your data stays just as indecipherable to you as it is to others. Luckily, if you saved the recovery key during the initial BitLocker configuration, you should have
tutorial 3 ways to access BitLocker in Windows

3 ways to access BitLocker in Windows

BitLocker is one of the most straightforward tools that you can use on Windows computers to encrypt and protect your files and folders from unauthorized access. It's available in Windows 10 (Pro and Enterprise editions), as well as Windows 7 (Enterprise and Ultimate editions), but finding it can be daunting if you've never used it before. That's why we thought it would be a
tutorial How to unlock a BitLocker USB drive or external hard drive

How to unlock a BitLocker USB drive or external hard drive

Protecting the data on your external hard drive or USB memory stick with BitLocker To Go is a smart move to ensure that your files are not available to anyone who gets their hands on your drive. While it does take a while for BitLocker To Go to encrypt the data, after the initial setup, you should have no trouble using the encrypted drive.
article What is a screensaver and should you use one?

What is a screensaver and should you use one?

Have you heard about screensavers? Do you know what they are and what their purpose is? Why do we call them screensavers after all? Do they save our screens? We have done a bit of research and found out that, although popular more than a decade ago, due to changes in monitor technology, the term screen saver has become a misnomer in recent years.
tutorial Get ransomware protection with Windows 10's Controlled folder access

Get ransomware protection with Windows 10's Controlled folder access

Ransomware is one of the most dangerous forms of malware. It takes control of your files and folders and forces you to pay large amounts of money to get them back. And even then, you cannot be sure that you can get your data back. Microsoft noticed how dangerous these attacks are for their users, and decided to take measures: in Windows 10, the
tutorial How to check the BIOS version from Windows (8 ways)

How to check the BIOS version from Windows (8 ways)

Do you need to know the exact version of the firmware (BIOS or UEFI) installed on your computer's motherboard? Traditionally, this means that you have to restart your computer, manually enter the BIOS and check the version information displayed there. It is one way of doing it, but it's not the fastest, nor the easiest. Without further ado, here's how to find your BIOS
tutorial How to uninstall drivers from Windows, in 5 steps

How to uninstall drivers from Windows, in 5 steps

Drivers are critical because you cannot fully use your computers and devices without them. However, some drivers can be too old and incompatible with your version of Windows or new and insufficiently tested. To get rid of errors, crashes, and Blue Screens of Death, you may need to delete the drivers that are causing problems. Here's how to uninstall drivers from Windows completely:
tutorial How to create and use a picture password in Windows 10

How to create and use a picture password in Windows 10

Windows 10 aims to be the most secure operating system ever created. One of the ways it does that is by letting you use a Microsoft account to authenticate to your computer or device. Unfortunately, passwords for such accounts tend to be long and hard to remember. That's why Windows 10 also offers other means of authentication, including using a PIN code, a fingerprint,
tutorial How to make a Windows Defender Offline scan

How to make a Windows Defender Offline scan

There are times when your computers and devices may be infected by malware that is difficult to remove with traditional antivirus. On other occasions, the malware blocks the installation of any antivirus, and you cannot remove it manually. In such delicate situations, you need to boot an antivirus in a safe recovery environment, to have it running before the operating system is loaded. This
tutorial Protect your PC with Windows Security alongside a third-party antivirus

Protect your PC with Windows Security alongside a third-party antivirus

In general, we recommend installing security suites on Windows 10 PCs, from the likes of Bitdefender, ESET, or F-Secure. They usually provide more features and better antivirus protection than the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus found in Windows Security. The thing is that, when you install a third-party Windows antivirus, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus gets disabled. This happens because simultaneously running two antiviruses is a
tutorial The Windows 10 Timeline and how to make the most of it

The Windows 10 Timeline and how to make the most of it

The Windows 10 Timeline is meant to improve your workflow by allowing you to quickly resume tasks previously started on your Microsoft account. The days of searching for those files you edited last week are over, because the Windows Timeline remembers them for you and lets you access them with one click or tap. And you can do that on any device, as long