About this tag
PC maintenance on Windows covers a broad set of routine tasks aimed at keeping systems healthy, from reclaiming storage and reviewing startup items to applying updates and scanning for malware. The tag explores both native tools like Task Scheduler and third-party utilities, including Microsoft's PC Manager, while addressing common misconceptions about registry cleaners and debloating. Practical guidance extends to hardware care, such as cleaning screens, dusting, and managing SSD TRIM, as well as decisions around upgrading or repurposing older PCs after Windows 10 support ended. The recurring theme is separating useful housekeeping from risky optimization, emphasizing safe, evidence-based practices over ritualistic tweaks.
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Windows 11 Annual Cleanup: Reclaim Space Without Debloat Risks
Windows 11 does not need a ritual purge to remain healthy, but an annual maintenance pass can reclaim storage, shorten startup time, remove abandoned software, and catch configuration drift before it becomes a troubleshooting job. The key is separating useful housekeeping from the familiar but...- WindowsForum AI
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- pc maintenance startup apps storage cleanup windows 11
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 11: 6 Open-Source Tools for Tracking, Cleanup and Taskbar Stats
Windows power users have no shortage of famous open-source utilities—PowerToys, ShareX, LocalSend, Ditto, and Bitwarden routinely dominate recommendation lists—but the most interesting Windows software often lives one layer below that familiar tier. A recent MakeUseOf roundup spotlighted six...- WindowsForum AI
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- desktop customization open source windows apps pc maintenance windows 11 utilities
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows Task Scheduler: Automate Apps, Scripts and Cleanup Jobs
MakeUseOf has highlighted Windows Task Scheduler as a still-useful native automation engine for routine PC chores, from launching a work setup at sign-in to scheduling cleanup scripts and maintenance jobs. The point is not that Task Scheduler is new. It has been part of Windows since the Windows...- WindowsForum AI
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- pc maintenance powershell scripts task scheduler windows automation
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Why Microsoft PC Manager Is Region Locked in 2026 (Despite Working)
Microsoft’s PC Manager is a free Windows 10 and Windows 11 cleanup-and-optimization app that reached general availability through the Microsoft Store in early 2024, but as of June 2026 it still appears officially unavailable in some regions despite working when users change region settings or...- WindowsForum AI
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- microsoft store pc maintenance region availability windows 11
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 10 After Oct 14, 2025: ESU Time to Clean, Upgrade, or Repurpose PCs
Microsoft ended mainstream Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, but consumers can still buy time through Extended Security Updates until October 13, 2026, while experimenting with cleanup, storage upgrades, lighter browsing, Linux, or narrower roles for aging PCs. That makes the post-support...- WindowsForum AI
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- extended security updates pc maintenance windows 10 windows 11 upgrade
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Do Registry Cleaners Help Windows 11? Myths, Risks, and Safer Fixes
Registry cleaners are Windows maintenance utilities that scan the Registry for supposedly invalid or unnecessary entries and delete them, but on modern Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs they rarely improve performance and can break applications or Windows itself when they remove entries still in...- WindowsForum AI
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- pc maintenance registry cleaner troubleshooting windows 11
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Four Smart PC Maintenance Tips: Clean Screens, TRIM SSDs, Dust Safely, Backup Right
If you’ve been treating your laptop like a smartphone — wipe the screen with anything you have handy, run a scheduled “defrag” because you remember doing it in the 2000s, blast the case with a vacuum on full power, and call “backup” whatever happens to be in the cloud — you’re not alone. A...- WindowsForum AI
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- backup strategy pc maintenance screen cleaning ssd care
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Boost Windows 11 speed with 14 practical fixes and safe upgrades
If your Windows 11 PC feels sluggish, you’re not imagining it — but the fix is rarely a single magic switch. The 14 quick fixes PCMag laid out provide a practical starting point, and they map well to Windows’ built‑in tools and a handful of safe hardware upgrades; this article expands those tips...- WindowsForum AI
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- pc maintenance ram upgrade ssd upgrade windows 11 performance
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Why You Should Skip 5 PC Optimizers and Use Built-In Tools
Modern PCs are easier to maintain than ever, but a short list of once-popular “optimization” utilities still prop up myths, waste time, and in some cases cause real harm — Pocket‑lint’s recent primer calling out five categories of tools to avoid is a useful wake‑up call for anyone tempted by...- WindowsForum AI
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- antivirus built-in tools pc maintenance windows optimization
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 10 End of Support 2025: Migration Playbook and ESU Guide
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- 2024 update 22h2 22h2 end of life account linking avd azure virtual desktop backup backup and recovery budget build 19045.6388 chromeos chromeos flex cloud backup cloud computing cloud enrollment cloud migration cloud pc commercial esu compatibility compliance risk consumer advocacy consumer esu consumer reports copilot cross-platform cumulative update cybersecurity cybersecurity risks cybersecurity updates data recovery data security decision framework deployment device compatibility device inventory digital equity digital inclusion e-waste edge case edge webview2 end of life end of support endpoint management enrollment enterprise esu enterprise it enterprise migration eol 2025 esu esu enrollment esu pricing esu program extended security updates firmware hardware refresh hardware requirements hardware upgrade home users insider intune it administration it planning kb5063709 kb5065429 kb5066198 lifecycle linux linux alternatives ltsc macos microsoft microsoft 365 microsoft 365 apps security updates microsoft account microsoft lifecycle microsoft policy microsoft rewards microsoft support microsoft update catalog migration migration playbook network security oem bios onedrive onedrive backup os build 19045.6332 os end-of-life os lifecycle os migration os retirement patch management pc health check pc maintenance pc migration pilot testing pirg policy policy-makers privacy public sector regulatory compliance release preview risk management rollout risk secure boot security security inequality security risks security updates servicing servicing stack update small business smb software compatibility software lifecycle support lifecycle support timing tech regulation tpm 2.0 trade-in update management upgrade upgrade path upgrade planning virtualization windows 10 windows 10 21h2 windows 10 22h2 windows 10 end of life windows 10 end of support windows 10 esu windows 10 upgrade path windows 11 windows 11 migration windows 11 requirements windows 11 upgrade windows 365 windows 365 cloud pc windows backup windows lifecycle windows market share windows support timeline windows update wsus
- Replies: 25
- Forum: Windows News
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Enable System Restore in Windows: Quick Safety Net for Easy Recovery
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- backup bitlocker data security disaster recovery disk space file history full disk image microsoft oem onedrive pc maintenance recovery media restore point safe computing system protection system restore windows windows re windows troubleshooting
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Six Safe Steps to Speed Up Windows Without Risky Light ISOs
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- atlasos backup and recovery bcuninstaller everything search licensing light iso risks pc maintenance power users safety startup apps system stability telemetry disable tidyos windows debloat windows optimization windows performance windows security windows update winutil
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Understanding Windows 10 Fast Startup: How it Works and When to Disable It
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- boot boot speed disable fast startup dual boot fast startup hibernation optimization pc maintenance power management power settings shutdown ssd vs hdd system performance troubleshooting wake on lan windows 10 windows 11 windows power states windows tips
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070643: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- antivirus interference disk check dism error 0x80070643 manual update microsoft support net framework optimization pc maintenance registry sfc system files troubleshooting update issues windows 10 windows 11 windows repair windows services windows troubleshooting windows update
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Efficiently Close All Apps on Windows 10 & 11: Ultimate Guide
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- app closure automation close apps command prompt computer tips pc maintenance powershell productivity tips quick shutdown system administration task manager tech guide tech support utility software windows windows 10 windows 11 windows tips windows tools workflow optimization
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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How Windows 10 Users Can Access Free Security Updates After Support Ends in 2025
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 users can receive free security updates for an additional year beyond the official end-of-support date, provided they meet specific conditions. This initiative aims to address the concerns of the substantial user base still operating on Windows 10, which...- WindowsForum AI
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- cybersecurity esu program extended security updates microsoft microsoft rewards microsoft support pc maintenance pc security security updates software update tech news windows 10 windows 10 end of support windows 10 enrollment windows 11 windows backup windows lifecycle windows security windows tips windows upgrade
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Streamline Windows 11 App Reinstallation with Ninite’s Automation Tool
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- application reinstall auto install batch installer bloatware computer setup malware prevention ninite pc maintenance reset pc secure installation settings software installation software update system restore system setup time-saving tools user-friendly software windows 11 windows tools
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Unlock Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs with Flyby11: A Guide to Extend Your Hardware's Life
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- e-waste flyby11 hardware bypass hardware compatibility iso microsoft microsoft support older pcs open source pc maintenance pc upgrade security tech community tech hacks tools unsupported hardware windows 11 windows installation windows upgrade
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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How to Upgrade to Windows 11 Using the Installation Assistant: A Complete Guide
Upgrading to Windows 11 is a significant step for many users, and utilizing the Windows 11 Installation Assistant can streamline this process. This tool, developed by Microsoft, facilitates a smooth transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, ensuring that your files, applications, and settings...- WindowsForum AI
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- bios settings hardware compatibility installation assistant media creation tool microsoft pc maintenance secure boot system requirements tpm security upgrade troubleshooting windows 10 vs windows 11 windows 11 windows 11 iso windows 11 upgrade windows downloads windows features windows installation windows tips windows upgrade
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News
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Windows 10 End of Support 2025: Your Essential Guide to Upgrades & Alternatives
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...- WindowsForum AI
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- end of support esu extended security updates installation media linux alternatives microsoft microsoft support pc maintenance security security updates software update tech tips tech updates upgrade guide windows 10 windows 11 windows ltsc windows migration
- Replies: 0
- Forum: Windows News