Latest Windows How-To Stories
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Get more Edge extensions by installing beta versions
New Edge extensions are slow to come to the Windows Store, but you don't have to wait. Try this trick to get beta extensions in Edge today.
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How to stop failing Windows Updates from bothering you
Microsoft's show or hide updates troubleshooter is a handy tool for those times when you need to say "no" to Windows 10's mandatory updates.Answer Line
What to do when you hate Windows 10
Not everyone is pleased with Windows 10. If that's you, here are your options.Hassle-Free PC
How to use your Android, iOS, or Windows 10 smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot
When you really need to access the internet from a PC, your phone can save the day.Hassle-Free PC
How to turn off Windows Defender’s enhanced notifications in Windows 10
Windows Defender in the Anniversary Update loves to tell you what it's doing. Here's how to stop that.Answer Line
Importing bookmarks and favorites to Edge is easier with the Anniversary Update
Microsoft's new Anniversary Update simplified the way you import favorites from other major browsers to Edge. Here's how easy it is now.
Answer Line
You can remove Cortana from Windows 10, but it’s tricky
Just turning off Cortana is easy. Removing her completely is hard. We'll show you how to delve cautiously into the Windows registry.How-To
How to repair Windows’ master boot record and fix your bricked PC
Whether Windows' MBR was corrupted or erased by ransomware or a less nefarious means, it can be fixed. Here's how.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Windows 10’s Battery Saver mode
Battery Saver in Windows 10 is a handy feature for anyone who prefers to keep their power cords at home.Tip
Windows 10’s Quick Assist lets you fix Dad’s computer from your desk
If you have Windows 10's Anniversary Update, there's a handy little tool for performing remote tech support that's baked right into your computer. It's the new Quick Assist feature.
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How to rearrange the quick-actions tiles in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Microsoft's quick actions tiles are a convenient way to get at key system settings. Here's how to organize them to your liking in the Anniversary Update.Answer Line
What Microsoft won’t tell you about your Windows 10 recovery drive size
You'd think it wouldn't be too hard to know how much storage space you need to create a Windows 10 recovery drive. But we asked Microsoft, and the answer will surprise you.Answer Line
Microsoft Edge’s bookmarks bar is called the Favorites bar, and here’s how to enable it
Microsoft’s new Edge browser has bookmarks, but they're called Favorites. Here's how to enable them.Hassle-Free PC
How to adjust your AutoPlay settings in Windows 10
Control how AutoPlay responds to various removable media in Windows, so you can enjoy the feature's convenience while minimizing the risk to your PC's security.Hassle-Free PC
How Windows 10’s Anniversary Update takes the wait out of future updates
Windows 10's Anniversary Update adds a new setting that makes it easier for your PC to finish an update without making you log in. Say goodbye to the 'We're just getting things ready' screen.
Answer Line
Why it matters whether your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit
There's a difference between 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems, and it involves your PC, too.How-To
How to enable Windows 10’s dark theme in the Anniversary Update
The dark theme is ready to trick out your Windows 10 PC. Here's how to enable it.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Windows 10’s Active Hours to prevent surprise update installs
Want to make extra sure Windows 10 won't install updates when you need your PC the most? Active Hours can help.How-To
How to install Microsoft Edge browser extensions
With the Anniversary Update Microsoft Edge can finally use browser extensions. Here's how to install them.
Updated
A beginner’s guide to BitLocker, Windows’ built-in encryption tool
Here's how to set up BitLocker, the encryption tool Microsoft built right into many versions of Windows.Updated
How to find your Windows or Office product key
Locate your Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office product keys with this simple guide.Answer Line
You can safely use Windows 7 until 2020, but I won’t be answering your questions
Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 in January of 2020, but I'm turning over Answer Line to Josh Norem today.Updated
How to clean your Windows registry and speed up your PC
A cluttered registry can slow Windows to a crawl, but cleaning it effectively isn't easy. We put several registry cleaners to the test and offer tips to help you get your registry down to size and improve your PC's performance.How-To
How to use Microsoft Edge, Windows 10’s new browser
Windows 10 introduced a new Web browser, Microsoft Edge. We'll show you its new features, from Cortana to Web Notes, and how to use them effectively. (Now updated with Anniversary Update features!)Answer Line
Removing Windows 10’s default apps isn’t easy, but CCleaner can help
Microsoft makes it hard to remove its built-in apps in Windows 10, even if you really don't want them. CCleaner gives you a way, though, and we'll show it to you here.Hassle-Free PC
How to set up photo reminders in Cortana in Windows 10
The Anniversary Update is chock-full of little tweaks that will make your experience just that much better, like photo reminders in Cortana.Hassle-Free PC
How to remove your email address from Windows 10’s login screen
The Anniversary Update adds a nice little feature that makes it easy to hide your email address on Windows 10's sign-in screen.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Cortana-friendly Sticky Notes in Windows 10 to keep track of tasks
Sticky Notes and Cortana merge in the Anniversary Update for a stylus-free way to set reminders.Answer Line
How to run a DOS program in Windows 10
There are some old DOS applications that you just can't afford to lose (or games you still like), and Windows 10 lets you keep them. Here's how.How-To
7 things I learned once I built my first PC
There's always a first time for building a PC, and the guides can only go so far when it gets to specific details for each part. Read on for seven things I wished I'd known before I started.Hassle-Free PC
How to ban the sites you hate from Cortana’s top headlines
Like Cortana but hate that it always surfaces news from a certain site? Now you can dump that site thanks to a new Cortana feature.
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3 alternatives if you don’t want to enter a password on your Windows machine
You boot your PC; you enter your password. You come back from a break; you enter your password. You open your laptop; you enter your password. Let's make this easier.
How-To
Windows 10 reinstallation tip: How to reset your PC and keep your files
Sometimes Windows needs a fresh start—maybe a program’s gone awry or a file’s been corrupted. Luckily, Windows 10 has an option where you can reinstall Windows and wipe your programs, but it keeps your files intact.How-To
Windows 10 reinstallation tip: How to reset your PC and remove everything
There are several reasons why you might want to reset Windows 10 and remove everything. Fortunately, Windows 10 lets you start over with a few clicks.
Updated
How to reinstall Windows like a pro
It's super-easy to reinstall Windows 10 or 8, and not much more difficult to reinstall Windows 7. Use these tips to get the most out of a reinstall.How-To
How to enable Android notifications on the Windows 10 preview
The feature is a work in progress, but it offers a hint at how your PC might integrate more deeply with an Android phone.Answer Line
When to choose a password, when to choose a PIN
You understand that you need to protect your PC, phone, and online accounts. But do you always have to use a long and complex password?Hassle-Free PC
How to use Cortana and Lenovo’s ReachIt to find files strewn across your digital life
Lenovo's Reachit integrates with Cortana to search your local hard drive and various online accounts.Hassle-Free PC
How to add a Hibernate option to the Windows 10 Start menu
Windows 10 doesn't include Hibernate in the shut-down options by default, but it's easy enough to add it.Hassle-Free PC
Explore Cortana’s skill set: 4 useful but lesser-known tricks
Cortana isn't all about calendar appointments, reminders, and jokes. Microsoft's digital assistant is capable of all sorts of tricks.Answer Line
How to get Windows 7’s Start menu in Windows 10
Classic Shell let's you replace Windows 10's Start menu with that of Windows 7, or even Windows XP.Hassle-Free PC
How to copy links from Windows Store apps to your clipboard
A little app called Share Via Clipboard takes the frustration out of copying links or other content from Windows Store apps.How-To
How to go back to Windows 7 or 8 after an unwanted Windows 10 upgrade
Microsoft's pushing Windows 10 onto Windows 7 and 8 PCs even if you didn't consent to it. Here's how to get your computer back to normal.Answer Line
How to manage Windows 10’s People app
Windows 10 comes with a contacts app, but it's not entirely clear what you can do with itHassle-Free PC
Why you should use the OneDrive app in Windows 10
The OneDrive Windows Store app for Windows 10 makes viewing offloaded files easier.How-To
How to uninstall QuickTime for Windows
Apple stopped supporting QuickTime for Windows, but left a couple of major security flaws unpatched. The company recommends you uninstall it, and now would be a good time. Here's how.Answer Line
You can dual-boot Windows 7 with Windows 10, but there’s a catch
You can dual-boot old and new operating systems, but if you upgraded to Windows 10, your old Windows 7 is gone. Here's how to start over.Answer Line
Your PC has malware! Here’s how to remove it
Malware is designed to stay put. You should be able to get rid of the malicious code with these steps.Answer Line
Windows 10’s hidden hard drive partitions: How to find them, how to remove them
Your Windows PC came with one or two partitions you're not supposed to touch, and upgrading to a new Windows version just creates more. You might be able to get back a little storage space, if you tread carefully.Hassle-Free PC