pc maintenance

Microsoft’s October deadline for Windows 10 support has arrived like a ringing bell for an industry that—by several measures—wasn’t ready: large numbers of consumer and corporate endpoints still run Windows 10, many organisations face compatibility and budget constraints, and the safety net...

Windows shipping with System Restore (System Protection) turned off by default is one of those small, baffling defaults that quietly raises the stakes when things go wrong — but it’s also an easy fix that can save hours of troubleshooting and a reinstall. The built‑in System Restore feature...

Windows users tired of hunting down every background process, trimming settings, and wrestling with sluggish search bars are being reminded that there are safer, more sustainable alternatives to installing unofficial “light” Windows builds — and a practical six-step playbook can deliver most of...

Many Windows 10 users are familiar with the convenience of a rapid boot process, but far fewer understand the mechanism—fast startup—that makes this possible. Debuting with Windows 8 as "Fast Boot," fast startup remains integral in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, promising to help users shave...

If you’re frustrated by Windows Update Error 0x80070643, you’re not alone. This error has become an all-too-common headache for Windows users, cropping up just when you’re hoping to keep your PC secure and up to date. While the error seems cryptic, there are several clear causes and equally...

Closing out your day on Windows doesn’t need to be a slow, tiresome process, especially when your screen is crowded with windows from a dozen different applications. For both power users and casual Windows enthusiasts, knowing how to efficiently close all open apps—with minimal effort and...

Reinstalling applications after a Windows 11 reset can be a time-consuming and error-prone task. Ninite offers a streamlined solution to this challenge, enabling users to install multiple applications simultaneously with minimal effort. What is Ninite? Ninite is a free, automated software...

As Microsoft prepares to sunset support for Windows 10, millions of users with older PCs face an uncertain digital future. The official narrative is simple: if your device doesn’t meet the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11—namely, the need for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and newer...

As the end of support for Windows 10 approaches on October 14, 2025, users are faced with critical decisions regarding their operating systems. This milestone signifies the cessation of free software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes from Microsoft. Consequently, it's imperative...

A clean installation of Windows 11 offers users the opportunity for a fresh start, free from the sluggishness that can accumulate over time due to bloatware, corrupted files, and legacy settings. But with every reset comes the risk of overlooking critical configuration steps—some of which, if...

For many Windows users, running into mysteriously disabled features or puzzling restrictions is an all-too-common headache. Whether the culprit is an overzealous system administrator, a previous system tweak, or the unintended side effects of a third-party program, the end result is the same...

Windows 11, in the eyes of many power users and everyday PC owners alike, has struggled to escape a reputation for sluggish performance and excessive background processes. Microsoft’s latest operating system brings visual polish, tighter cloud integration, and expanded security, yet it also...

For decades, the notion that reinstalling Windows will magically restore lost PC performance has loomed large in the minds of tech enthusiasts, office workers, and gamers alike. The ritual became almost second nature during the Windows XP era, when registry bloat, dubious driver remnants, and...

As the sun gradually sets on Windows 10, millions of devices worldwide face an uncertain future. Microsoft’s official cutoff for Windows 10 support arrives at the end of 2025, leaving users with a stark choice: pay extra for extended security updates, take a gamble running unsupported and...

Microsoft's planned end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, is sparking both concern and debate across the PC landscape, and with good reason. More than just a version number, this deadline signifies a deep transformation in the Windows ecosystem: tens of millions of PCs—many still...

Every Windows user knows the sting of an unexpected crash, failed update, or driver disaster—one minute your device is humming along, the next it’s gripped by instability. For years, System Restore has been a crucial lifeline for getting things back on track, letting users roll back their...

With the latest update to Windows 11, a significant adjustment has arrived for a core recovery feature: System Restore now comes with a strict 60-day retention policy for restore points. This change, debuting with update KB5060842 on devices running Windows 11 version 24H2, signals a subtle yet...

When Microsoft announced the hardware requirements for Windows 11, the move sparked immediate backlash among PC enthusiasts, especially those with hardware just a few years old that was still functioning flawlessly for everyday use and even gaming. One particularly contentious point was...

As millions of Windows 11 users increasingly depend on their PCs for work, creativity, and gaming, Microsoft’s behind-the-scenes decisions about driver management can have a far-reaching impact. The latest policy shift—the decision to stop pushing older, so-called legacy drivers through Windows...

In a perplexing turn of events for PC users and enthusiasts, Windows 11 version 24H2 updates continue to fail on systems equipped with Western Digital’s widely lauded SN770 NVMe solid-state drives, despite the fact that a corrective firmware update has been available for over eight months. While...