UP

Windows

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

tutorial How to make a bootable USB drive with Windows, Ubuntu or FreeDOS

How to make a bootable USB drive with Windows, Ubuntu or FreeDOS

Recently, we needed to install Windows and Ubuntu on several computers. For the ones that needed Windows 10, we could have used the Media Creation Tool offered by Microsoft. However, for non-Microsoft operating systems, that doesn't work. We wanted a tool that was able to create a bootable USB memory stick with Windows, but also with Linux or other operating systems such as FreeDOS.
tutorial 3 ways to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks in Windows 10

3 ways to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks in Windows 10

Hidden WiFi networks do not broadcast their names, so they are not visible in the list of wireless networks that Windows 10 displays. However, that does not mean that you cannot connect to a hidden WiFi: you can, but you have to know its name, password and other security information. Here are three different ways to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks, on laptops, tablets
tutorial Send files from an Android smartphone to Windows 10, with Bluetooth

Send files from an Android smartphone to Windows 10, with Bluetooth

Although Wi-Fi networks and cloud storage are common these days, you might still find yourself in a situation in which you cannot use either to send files from an Android smartphone to a Windows 10 laptop or tablet. What can you do if you do not have any USB cables either? The answer is to send files from your Android smartphone to your Windows
tutorial Set the Windows 10 update schedule, and when it restarts the PC

Set the Windows 10 update schedule, and when it restarts the PC

  Windows 10 Home users do not have much control over what updates are pushed to their PCs by Microsoft. However, users can choose when to reboot their computers or devices to install the pending operating system updates. In the newer versions of Windows 10, there is a small yet helpful feature named Active hours, that controls when Windows 10 reboots and updates itself
tutorial 4 ways to uninstall Windows Media Player from Windows

4 ways to uninstall Windows Media Player from Windows

Windows Media Player has been around in Windows for ages, and it still is a capable player for all kinds of media files: music, pictures, and movies. However, you might be a fan of another media player such as VLC or Movies & TV. In that case, you might want to get rid of Windows Media Player, and save some storage space. Unfortunately, Windows
tutorial How to rip a CD with Windows Media Player, in Windows

How to rip a CD with Windows Media Player, in Windows

While dusting my home, I stumbled upon my audio CD collection with albums from awesome bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, and The Beatles. I got hit by nostalgia, and I decided that I wanted to rip some CDs and listen to excellent music, in a high-quality audio format. For those of you who do not know, ripping a CD means copying the songs from
tutorial 3 ways to uninstall Windows 10 updates

3 ways to uninstall Windows 10 updates

It is usually a good idea to install all the Windows 10 updates that are available for your computers and devices. However, from time to time, some updates might cause problems or crashes. Those are the times when you probably want to uninstall those Windows 10 updates. How do you do that? How do you "delete a Windows 10 update" that was already downloaded
tutorial How do I turn on HDR on my Windows 10 computer?

How do I turn on HDR on my Windows 10 computer?

HDR means High Dynamic Range, and it is a technology that offers a richer, more colorful viewing experience on your screen. With HDR you see more detail both in the shadows and highlights of a scene. Due to HDR, you get a brighter, more vibrant, and more detailed picture compared to a standard display. HDR is excellent for immersive video experiences, including movies and
review ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 review: Tall and mighty!

ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 review: Tall and mighty!

When you hear the words "Mini PC" you never think of a beast that is 14.4 inches tall and weighing 12.78 pounds, without the power charger. ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 is not small, and it is not light either. Everything about it is imposing and powerful, from the processor inside the system to the cooling system, and its design. If you are looking
tutorial How to use Snip & Sketch to take screenshots in Windows 10

How to use Snip & Sketch to take screenshots in Windows 10

Snip & Sketch is a Windows 10 screenshot tool that Microsoft has introduced with the October 2018 Update. In the future, it is going to replace the Snipping Tool, but so far both apps continue to exist in Windows 10 until Snip & Sketch reaches feature-parity with the Snipping Tools or it outperforms it. Here is how to open Snip & Sketch, the keyboard
tutorial How to reset your Windows Firewall settings (4 methods)

How to reset your Windows Firewall settings (4 methods)

After using the Windows Firewall for a long time, it might stop working as it should. Especially if you have modified its more advanced settings, or you have introduced many changes. It becomes difficult to pinpoint the root problem for your network connectivity issues. One thing that works is to restore the Windows Firewall to its default settings so that it deletes all the
tutorial Test your HDD or SSD and check its health status

Test your HDD or SSD and check its health status

We recently had the misfortune to find out that a computer owner's worst nightmare is a failing hard disk drive. It is not because you need to buy a new one, but because you face the risk of losing some or even all of the data you stored on that hard drive. Moving on from the initial apocalyptic perspective, as the life expectancy of
tutorial How do I enable dark mode on YouTube?

How do I enable dark mode on YouTube?

If you use YouTube on your Android device, iPhone, iPad, Windows PC or Mac, there is a way to reduce the battery consumption and protect your eyes from the intense white light of your screen. YouTube has introduced a dark mode for its app on all these platforms in the form of a Dark Theme, which looks good, and we like using. Here is
tutorial 8 ways to start the Skype app in Windows 10

8 ways to start the Skype app in Windows 10

Skype is one of the pioneers of making video and voice calls over the internet, and it has become popular over the years while enjoying its share of controversies too. When you use a Windows 10 PC or device, Skype is built-in, installed, and ready to make your calls and chats. Also, there are many ways to open this app, including methods you might
review ASUS XG-C100C review: Great yhen you need more than 1 Gbps!

ASUS XG-C100C review: Great yhen you need more than 1 Gbps!

Our team enjoys using 1 Gbps internet connections. For most people in the world, that is fast. However, 10 Gigabit internet connections and devices are starting to show up. Yes, they are mostly for business users, but internet service providers are going to create 10G plans for consumers too. If you were to have such an internet connection, you could download any game from
tutorial What is the Hosts file in Windows? How to edit etc/hosts?

What is the Hosts file in Windows? How to edit etc/hosts?

The Hosts file, a.k.a etc/hosts has been around since 1984. Every operating system has one, including Windows. You may have encountered the term etc/hosts without knowing what it means, and why it is used. If you are a web developer, you surely know what this file is, and you want to find it quickly. In this guide, we explain what the Hosts file is,
tutorial Block apps and games from accessing the internet, with Windows Defender Firewall

Block apps and games from accessing the internet, with Windows Defender Firewall

Most apps and games you install in Windows have, by default, unrestricted access to the internet. However, you can control their internet access through the Windows Firewall. With it, you can block access to the internet for specific apps and games, on all types of network connections, or on specific types of network connections. Here is how to use the firewall built into Windows,