Windows (96)

How-to guides for Windows 10 and 11 computers.


How to fix Windows 10 & 11 search not showing apps or files

Windows search bar not working? Fix it in Windows 10 and 11 with search resets, indexer repairs, PowerShell, and more.

How to resize an image in Windows 11 (Photos & Paint)

Resize an image in Windows 11 using the built-in Photos app or Paint. No extra software needed. Set pixel dimensions and keep the aspect ratio. Here's how.

How to turn off the sound when changing volume in Windows 11

Turn off the volume beep in Windows 11 with 3 methods. The scroll-wheel trick works instantly with no settings changes.

How to disable the power button in Windows 10 and 11

Set your PC power button to "Do Nothing" in Windows 10 or 11. Two quick methods, no restart needed.

How to automatically hide the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11

Automatically hide the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11 to free up screen space. Also covers the fix when it gets stuck and won't hide.

How to block adult content websites on Windows 11 (easy way)

Block adult content websites on Windows 11 by changing two DNS settings. No extra software or parental controls needed.

How to auto-delete temporary files in Windows 10 and 11

Use Windows Storage Sense to automatically clear temporary files, empty the Recycle Bin, and free up space in the background. Set it up in two minutes.

How to make the Windows 11 taskbar completely transparent

Make the Windows 11 taskbar completely transparent with TranslucentTB, or use the built-in Transparency effects toggle for a lighter look.

How to rename multiple files at once in Windows 11

Rename multiple files at once in Windows 11 with a built-in shortcut. No extra software needed.

How to fix “VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found” in Windows 11

Fix the “VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found” error by installing or repairing the Visual C++ Redistributable. Free, official, about two minutes.

How to go frame by frame in VLC Media Player

Step through a video frame by frame in VLC Media Player. Use the E key or the on-screen button.

How to change an internet shortcut icon in Windows 11

Change the icon of any internet shortcut in Windows 11. Pick from built-in Windows icons or use your own .ico file.

How to stop taskbar icons from flashing in Windows 11

Stop taskbar icons from flashing in Windows 11. Turn off the blinking with one toggle in Settings, no registry edits needed.

How to copy text from an image on Windows 11

Copy text from images on Windows 11 with two built-in shortcuts. No extra apps needed.

How to show or hide the Recycle Bin on Windows 11

Show or hide the Recycle Bin icon on Windows 11 in a few clicks. The fix is a checkbox in Desktop icon settings.

How to fill out & sign a PDF document for free on Windows 11

Fill out and sign PDFs in Windows 11 with the built-in Edge tools or the free PDFgear app. No printing, scanning, or Adobe subscription needed.

How to stop Windows 11 from turning off your screen

Stop Windows 11 from turning off your screen. Set the display timeout to Never in Settings. Takes a few clicks.

How to password protect a PDF offline (free, no Adobe)

Lock a PDF offline with 3 free tools. No Adobe, no account, no file upload.

How to extract audio from a video on Windows 11 (free)

Extract audio from a video on Windows 11 using the built-in Clipchamp app. No extra software needed.

How to open CMD in a folder as administrator on Windows 11

Open Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell in a folder as administrator on Windows 11. Two quick settings make it work every time you right-click.

How to burn videos to a DVD on Windows 10 and 11

Burn MP4, MKV, or AVI files to a DVD that plays in any player. Two free Windows burning programs, no adware or watermarks.

How to hide files and folders in Windows 10 and 11

Hide files and folders in Windows 10 and 11 using File Explorer, Command Prompt, or audio steganography. Includes steps to unhide.

How to fix Windows 10 and 11 Start menu button not working

Fix a Windows Start menu button that won't open. Covers Task Manager restarts, DISM, SFC, a driver update, and a PowerShell fix for Windows 10 and 11.

How to fix missing or blank taskbar icons in Windows 10 & 11

Fix missing, blank, or white-box taskbar icons in Windows 10 and 11. Seven fixes, starting with a 30-second restart.

Remove the PowerShell update message in Windows Terminal

Remove the "Install the latest PowerShell" message in Windows Terminal. No download or registry edits needed.

How to keep laptop running with lid closed in Windows 10 & 11

Keep your laptop running with the lid closed. Change one Power Options setting to use an external monitor, play music, or download files on Windows 10 and 11.

How to change folder picture or thumbnail in Windows 10 & 11

Change a folder's thumbnail or icon in Windows 10 and 11. Step-by-step methods, including the folder.jpg shortcut.

How to repair or reset the Settings app in Windows 10 and 11

Repair or reset the Settings app in Windows 10 or 11 with App settings, PowerShell, or SFC. Four methods, step by step.

How to show seconds in the Windows 11 clock (taskbar)

Want to display seconds in your Windows 11 taskbar clock? Learn how to enable seconds using the quick Settings toggle or Registry Editor step by step.

Notepad++ tips and tutorials

Enhance your productivity in Notepad++ with these helpful tips, tricks, and step-by-step tutorials.

How to open ZIP, RAR, or 7Z files on Windows 11 (No Software)

Learn how to quickly open and extract ZIP, RAR, and 7Z archive files natively on Windows 11 without installing extra programs like WinRAR, WinZip, or 7-Zip.

How to customize the Windows 11 taskbar (step-by-step guides)

Learn how to customize the Windows 11 taskbar with these step-by-step guides. Move the taskbar to the left, automatically hide it, remove widgets, and more.

How to burn a CD or DVD in Windows 10 & 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to burn a CD or DVD on Windows 10 and 11 using built-in tools. No software download required.

How to reset audio settings in Windows 10 & 11 (to default)

Sound not working or audio glitching in Windows 10 or 11? Learn how to reset volume levels, sound devices, and Windows audio services back to default.

How to automatically open a website on startup in Windows 11

Want your favorite site to launch the moment your PC boots up? Learn how to automatically open any website on startup in Windows 11 with this step-by-step guide.

Find bookmark file locations: Chrome, Edge, Brave & Firefox

Where are your bookmarks stored? Find the bookmark file locations for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox in Windows File Explorer. Includes the Firefox SQLite path!

How to Zip, RAR, and password protect files in Windows 11

Learn how to make a ZIP file, create a RAR file, and password-protect your data in Windows 11. Compress files easily using built-in tools or free software.

How to delete temporary files in Windows 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to delete temporary files in Windows 11.

How to open a JSON file on Windows 10 and 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to open a JSON file on Windows 10 and 11.

How to turn off File Explorer grouping by date in Windows 11

Learn how to turn off File Explorer grouping by date in Windows 11. Disable the annoying grouped folder layout for a single folder or all folders permanently.

How to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to enable DNS over HTTPS in Windows 11. DNS over HTTPS improves privacy and security by encrypting your DNS requests.

Fix: The file is too large for the destination file system

Trying to copy a file to a USB flash drive but get the following error message: 'The file is too large for the destination file system'? Here's a solution.

How to change a username on Windows 10 & 11 without account

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to change your username on Windows 10 and 11 without a Microsoft account. The steps work for local user accounts.

How to remove 'Cast to Device' from the Windows context menu

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to remove 'Cast to Device' from the context menu in Windows 10 or 11 File Explorer.

How to create a desktop shortcut to open multiple web pages

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create a single desktop shortcut to open multiple web pages on Windows 10 and 11.

How to make your web browser open on startup (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Brave, or another web browser open on startup on Windows 10 and 11.

Force Chrome, Edge & Brave to open full screen or maximized

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Brave always open in full screen or maximized on Windows 10 and 11.

How to make your web browser always open in private mode

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Brave always open in private browsing mode on Windows 10 and 11.

How to locate the Screenshots folder in Windows 11 (and fix it)

Can't find your screenshots folder in Windows 11, or has Windows stopped saving your captures? Here is how to locate it instantly and fix a missing folder.

AOMEI Backupper cannot find the system partition (solution)

This step-by-step guide shows how to fix the "The program did not find the system partition" error in AOMEI Backupper on Windows 10 and 11.

How to resize multiple photos at once in Windows 10 and 11

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to resize multiple photos at once in Windows 10 or 11, with or without extra software.

How to change where screenshots are saved in Windows 10 & 11

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to change where screenshots are saved in Windows 10 and 11.

How to make File Explorer open to 'This PC' in Windows 11

Tired of File Explorer opening to the Home screen? Here is the step-by-step fix to force Windows 11 to open directly to 'This PC' every time.

How to fix 'The Audio Service is not running' in Windows 10

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to fix the 'The Audio Service is not running' problem in Windows 10.

Fix: Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device on Windows

Do you have a problem ejecting a USB in Windows 10 or 11? Do you get the 'This device is currently in use' message? Here are 9 solutions to solve this problem.

VirtualBox top menu missing? Here's how to get it back!

Is the VirtualBox top menu missing? This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to get it back.

How to use ALT codes on a laptop without Num Lock & number pad

Learn how to use ALT codes on a Windows 10 or 11 laptop without a number pad or Num Lock key. Follow this quick step-by-step guide to type special symbols.

How to turn on Num Lock on a laptop with Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to turn on Num Lock on a laptop with Windows 10 or 11 when your laptop doesn't have a Num Lock key.

How to clear cache in Windows 10 (step by step)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to clear the cache in Windows 10.

How to convert a JPG or PNG image to PDF in Windows 10 or 11

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to convert a JPG or PNG image to PDF in Windows 10 or 11.

How to really defer updates in Windows 10 and 11 (step by step)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to defer updates in Windows 10 and 11 Home and Pro.

How to disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to disable the touchpad when a mouse is connected on a laptop with Windows 10 and 11.

How to fix 'VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder'

Here's a solution for when the VLC media player shows the following error: 'VLC could not open the mpga audio encoder' when converting a video.

How to rip an Audio CD in Windows 10 and 11 (4 ways)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to rip (copy) music from an audio CD to your Windows 10 or 11 PC.

How to fix Windows 10 stuck on boot screen in VirtualBox

This step-by-step tutorial will show you what to do when Windows 10 is stuck on the boot screen in VirtualBox.

Fix desktop icons missing or disappeared in Windows 10 & 11

Did your desktop icons suddenly disappear or turn into blank white boxes in Windows 10 or 11? Learn how to restore missing or fix blank desktop icons.

How to screen record on Windows laptop or PC (no downloads)

Need to record your computer screen? Learn how to screen record on a Windows PC or laptop instantly using free built-in tools. No software downloads required.

How to block a program from accessing the internet

Learn how to block a program from accessing the internet in Windows 10 and 11 using Windows Firewall (wf.msc) or a PowerShell command.

How to pin a folder to the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to pin a folder to the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11.

How to add a user to the Hyper-V administrators group

This step-by-step guide will show you how to add a user to the Hyper-V administrators group on Windows 10 and 11.

How to merge subtitles with video permanently (6 easy ways)

Learn how to permanently burn subtitles into MP4, MKV, or AVI videos using 6 free methods, including VLC and HandBrake. Hardcode your SRT files easily.

How to copy a DVD to your computer in Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to copy a DVD to your computer in Windows 10 and 11. The steps on this page also work for copy-protected DVDs.

How to pin a batch file to Windows 10 or 11 taskbar or start menu

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to pin a batch (.bat) file to the taskbar or start menu in Windows 10 and 11.

How to block a website in Windows 10 and 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to block a website in Windows 10 and 11 by adding a few lines to the Windows hosts file using Notepad.

How to copy a DVD to another DVD with only one drive (2 ways)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to copy a DVD to another blank DVD on a Windows 10 or 11 PC with only one drive.

How to make BitLocker use AES 256-bit encryption

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make BitLocker use AES 256-bit encryption instead of AES 128-bit encryption on Windows 10 and 11.

How to merge multiple images into one PDF file in Windows 10 & 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to merge multiple JPEG, PNG or GIF images into one PDF file in Windows 10 and 11 without using extra software.

How to erase a rewritable CD or DVD in Windows 10

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to erase a rewritable CD or DVD in Windows 10 without using any third party software.

Fix: 'This folder is empty' on a USB drive on Windows 10 & 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you what to do when you see 'This folder is empty' when opening a USB flash drive or external hard drive on Windows 10 or 11.

Fix: 'SFC unable to fix corrupt files' in Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to fix the 'sfc scannow found corrupt files unable to fix some of them' problem in Windows 10 and 11.

Fix: Thumbnails not showing in Windows 10 or 11 File Explorer

Thumbnails for pictures or videos not showing in Windows 10 or 11 File Explorer? Here are 9 ways to restore your thumbnail previews and clear the cache.

How to delete the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 and 11

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to delete the Windows.old folder in Windows 10 and 11 without using third-party software.

USB flash drive showing less space than actual? Here's a fix!

Is your USB flash drive showing less space than its actual disk space? This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to fix this problem on Windows 10 and 11.

Fix: 'Invalid Uninstall Control File' on Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to fix the 'Invalid Uninstall Control File' problem on Windows 10 and 11.

Fix: VirtualBox only showing 32-bit and no 64-bit versions

Is VirtualBox only showing 32-bit and no 64-bit versions of operating systems as options while creating a new virtual machine? Here's how to fix this problem.

How to convert SRT subtitles to SUB and IDX subtitles

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to convert SRT subtitles to SUB and IDX subtitles in Windows 10 and 11.

How to convert video to audio in Windows 10 and 11

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to convert video to audio in Windows 10 and 11 using VLC media player.

How to copy a CD to another CD with only one drive (2 ways)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to copy a CD to another blank CD on a Windows 10 or 11 PC with only one drive.

How to create a website shortcut on the desktop of your PC

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create a website shortcut on your computer's desktop in Windows 10 and 11.

How to create an ISO image file from a Windows 10 or 11 DVD

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to create an ISO image file from a Windows 10 or 11 DVD.

How to fix connection problems with Google Chrome

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to fix connection problems with Google Chrome in Windows 10 or 11.

How to play VIDEO_TS on Windows 10 and 11 (step by step)

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to play VIDEO_TS folders and files on Windows 10 and 11 for free without converting them.

How to remove a password from a PDF file using your browser

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to remove a password from a PDF file using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Brave.

How to remove hardcoded subtitles from MKV video files

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to remove hardcoded subtitles from MKV video files without cropping and converting.

How to remove sound from a video (step by step)

These step-by-step tutorials will show you how to permanently remove sound from a video using VLC media player, Shotcut, HandBrake, Clipchamp, or Filmora.

PC connected to TV via HDMI but no sound? (easy fix)

Plugging your PC into your TV with HDMI but getting no audio? I’ll show you how to force Windows 11 to route sound through your HDMI connection.