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Tutorials, how-to guides, and blog posts about using Windows. How to use laptops, tablets, PCs, and other gadgets with Windows.

tutorial How to create dummy files in Windows

How to create dummy files in Windows

While many everyday users might not immediately see the need to create random dummy files of a specific size, tech enthusiasts, software developers, and power users understand how valuable these files can sometimes be. Dummy files are useful for testing purposes, such as identifying bad sectors on a hard drive, measuring network speed, or ensuring that files are securely erased beyond recovery. Whatever your
tutorial How to allow or stop apps from accessing the microphone in Windows

How to allow or stop apps from accessing the microphone in Windows

Are you using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer and want to manage which apps can access your microphone? If that’s the case, this tutorial is for you. I’ll guide you through accessing your computer’s microphone privacy settings and show you how to allow or block apps from using your mic. Whether you want to ensure certain apps aren’t listening in or need
article What's new in Windows 11 version 24H2 (2024 Update)?

What's new in Windows 11 version 24H2 (2024 Update)?

The latest version of Windows 11, called the 2024 Update or version 24H2, introduces several new features and improvements, including HDR background support, Energy Saver, Sudo for Windows, Rust integration in the Windows kernel, and support for Wi-Fi 7. Microsoft announced that Windows 11 version 24H2 started rolling out to Copilot+ PCs on June 18th, 2024. For other devices, general availability is expected on
tutorial How to use and configure the Narrator, Windows’ screen reader

How to use and configure the Narrator, Windows’ screen reader

The Narrator is a built-in screen reader in Windows 10 and Windows 11, designed to read text on your computer out loud, making it easier for people with visual impairments to interact with their PC. With the Narrator, users can hear on-screen text and control their computer with voice commands and keyboard shortcuts. This guide will walk you through the setup, navigation, and customization
tutorial How to set the default microphone in Windows 11

How to set the default microphone in Windows 11

When you plug in a new microphone on Windows 11, it usually becomes the default one. But if you frequently switch between different sound devices, you might notice that your usual mic for Skype or Discord stops working, or the settings don’t get restored properly. In this guide, I’ll show you a couple of simple ways to check and set the default microphone in
tutorial How to enable or turn off the Narrator in Windows

How to enable or turn off the Narrator in Windows

The Narrator in Windows is a built-in screen reader that reads out text and elements on your screen. It’s a tool that can help visually-impaired people interact with their computers. The Narrator can be activated or deactivated easily, using either a simple keyboard shortcut or a switch inside the Settings app. You can even turn it on while on the sign-in screen if you
tutorial How to read ebooks with the free Kindle app for PC

How to read ebooks with the free Kindle app for PC

If you enjoy reading on your Windows PC but don’t have a Kindle device, you’re in luck! Amazon offers a free Kindle app for PC that allows you to access over a million books from the Kindle Store, including bestsellers and new releases. With the Kindle reader for PC, you can read your favorite ebooks, as well as bookmark pages, highlight text, and add
review AMD Ryzen 9 9900X review: A powerful choice for creators and gamers

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X review: A powerful choice for creators and gamers

Building a high-performance computer isn’t easy, and it also tends to be an expensive task. You need to consider not only how the processor you’re about to choose handles the specific tasks you want it to run but also its acquisition price, cost of ownership, energy efficiency, and cooling requirements. AMD’s Ryzen 9 9900X aims to please many people looking to build a high-end
tutorial Enhance your video conferencing experience with Windows Studio Effects

Enhance your video conferencing experience with Windows Studio Effects

Windows 11 version 24H2 introduces a new feature that harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform your video and audio quality, making you look and sound your best in every online interaction. From improved portrait lighting to eye contact correction that makes you look engaged with your audience, Windows Studio Effects aims to improve remote communication in a way that wasn’t possible
review ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi review: Fancy a white-themed build?

ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi review: Fancy a white-themed build?

If you already have or plan to get a modern AMD Ryzen processor from the 9000, 8000, or 7000 series, you might be wondering which motherboard to choose. If you’re a gamer looking for gaming hardware, you might have stumbled upon the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi, a high-end motherboard packed with features like PCI Express 5.0 x16 for the fastest graphic cards
tutorial How to open and use the Quick Settings panel in Windows 11

How to open and use the Quick Settings panel in Windows 11

The Quick Settings in Windows 11 allow you to change the status or modify frequently used settings without digging through menus or memorizing keyboard shortcuts. For instance, you can use the Windows 11 Quick Settings panel to adjust the volume of your speakers or the brightness of your laptop's screen, switch Wi-Fi networks, activate Night light, or turn off Airplane mode. If you’re using
news File History and 26 other features were removed from Windows 11 on ARM

File History and 26 other features were removed from Windows 11 on ARM

While working on a book project, I made a surprising discovery: Windows 11 on ARM processors is missing several key features present in its x64 counterpart despite both versions running the latest 24H2 update. This revelation comes from a detailed comparison I’ve made between two ASUS laptops: one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and another powered by an AMD Ryzen AI. My investigation uncovered
tutorial 11 ways to open Windows Security

11 ways to open Windows Security

Windows Security, formerly known as Microsoft Defender, is the go-to app for those who want to know more about security in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This app is part of Microsoft's operating system, and this is where you can find out what your antivirus has been doing, what your firewall has to say, and whether other security features are turned on and working
tutorial How to enable or turn off Airplane mode in Windows

How to enable or turn off Airplane mode in Windows

If you’re a frequent flier, you know how important it is to stay connected and productive, or simply entertained, while you’re on the go. Just like smartphones, Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer a feature called Airplane mode. This mode allows you to safely use your laptop or tablet during flights by temporarily disabling all wireless communications, like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are restricted
tutorial How to display the Control Panel in classic or category view style

How to display the Control Panel in classic or category view style

The Control Panel has long been one of the most frequently used features in Windows. It remains an essential tool even in Windows 10 and Windows 11, although its significance dwindles with each major Windows update. While the Control Panel has seen several usability improvements over time, some users still prefer the classic view that was standard in older versions like Windows XP. If
review Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5-7200 32GB review: Memory for gaming PCs!

Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5-7200 32GB review: Memory for gaming PCs!

When building a high-performance computer, memory speed is one of the most important aspects you should consider. Especially when dealing with the latest generations of processors such as AMD’s brand new Ryzen 9000 models or Intel 14th Gen Core processors. DDR5 memory is experiencing an uptick in adoption, and if you want to unlock the full potential of your processor, you must also find
tutorial OneDrive’s Recycle Bin: How to empty or recover deleted files

OneDrive’s Recycle Bin: How to empty or recover deleted files

Did you know that OneDrive has a Recycle Bin folder, just like Windows 10 or Windows 11? That folder stores the files deleted from any of your OneDrive synchronized devices for 30 days after you removed them. You can then use the Recycle Bin to “undelete” your files and recover them when required. You can also use it to permanently erase the files you’ve
review AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review: Affordable performance and efficiency

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review: Affordable performance and efficiency

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is designed with budget-conscious users in mind, promising a lot. Targeted at those who want good performance while gaming, at a reasonable price, the Ryzen 5 9600X aims to offer reliable processing power while maintaining low power consumption. In this review, I’ll share this processor’s technical specifications and I’ll also show you what benchmarks have to say about it.
tutorial How to show CMD, PowerShell & Control Panel in the Windows 10 WinX menu

How to show CMD, PowerShell & Control Panel in the Windows 10 WinX menu

If you’re using a Windows 10 computer, you might have noticed that the Control Panel and Command Prompt are no longer available in the WinX menu - the menu that appears when you right-click the Start button. Over time, Microsoft has replaced these classic shortcuts with those for the Settings app and PowerShell. While these new tools are powerful and more in line with