system customization

  1. Linux Luxuries Windows Users Should See: Live Boot, Snapshots, Customization

    Linux quietly offers a set of desktop comforts that many longtime Windows users have never experienced — from lightweight, kernel-integrated drivers to live-boot trial sessions and near-instant, space-efficient system snapshots — and once you see them in action, it’s easy to understand why they...
  2. Windows 11 Dark Mode: Fix White Flash in Explorer with Windhawk

    Windows 11’s dark mode is supposed to be easy on the eyes — yet for years many users have been greeted with a jarring white flash every time File Explorer opens a new window or tab, turning a momentary UX glitch into a recurring irritation and, for a minority, a genuine health hazard. That flash...
  3. Windows 11 Insider Builds Welcome Crosshair Mouse Pointer for Low Vision Accessibility

    A subtle but significant transformation has arrived for Windows 11 insiders: after over a year of limbo, Microsoft is reintroducing the highly anticipated crosshair mouse pointer for users with low vision. This full-screen crosshair, designed to dramatically improve mouse tracking and...
  4. Hi!

    Using since 1986 3.1 onwards and Linux etc, etc. Built them, multi-boot them, server and NAS'd them, fixed them, broke them, smashed them, cursed Microsoft. But.....................................never given up, still learning. Looking forward to getting answers.
  5. Bring Windows 7’s Classic Look and Feel to Windows 11 with These Easy Tweaks

    For millions of PC users around the world, Windows 7 remains the defining high point of Microsoft’s operating system journey. The nostalgia isn’t just sentimental—Windows 7 was widely praised for its clean glassy looks, intuitive layout, and snappy performance. But Windows 11, while packed with...
  6. Windows 11 Bug Reintroduces Iconic Vista Startup Sound, Nostalgia Flows

    Few Windows bugs have ever inspired a sense of wistful nostalgia. Most trigger annoyance at best, sometimes genuine panic, and, on occasion, a flurry of panicked forum posts. Yet, in a peculiar twist of fate, a select group of Windows 11 users recently encountered a bug that caused their...
  7. D

    I like learn about this picture

    I love "learn about this picture" with each windows update my icon disappears!!! Via a we web search I downloaded a file and did a registry edit. Most recent Windows Update installed and no icon again. Is there a way to protect the icon and spotlight feature from being removed from my pc...
  8. Flyoobe: Unlock Windows 11 on Older Devices with Enhanced Customization Features

    As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life, many users with older hardware face challenges upgrading to Windows 11 due to stringent system requirements. Flyby11, a tool developed to bypass these restrictions, has recently been rebranded as Flyoobe, introducing new features aimed at enhancing the...
  9. Unlock Windows Power: Essential Hidden Settings for Privacy, Performance & Productivity

    Hidden beneath the familiar tiles and menus of Windows lies a world of powerful features and privacy tweaks, many of which remain undiscovered by the average user. While most adjust nothing beyond the desktop wallpaper or display resolution, savvy enthusiasts know that real improvements to...
  10. Upgrading to Windows 11: Essential Tips, Surprises, and How to Prepare

    Switching to a new operating system always brings with it a mix of excitement and anxiety, but the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 can feel particularly jarring for both casual users and power users alike. With Microsoft touting Windows 11 as the future of the Windows ecosystem and...
  11. Top 9 Essential Windows 11 Features and Customizations Users Still Want

    While Windows 11 is undoubtedly a modern, visually refreshed operating system with substantial improvements over its predecessors, many enthusiasts and everyday users alike remain vocal about a suite of crucial features and customizations they believe are missing or in need of refinement. After...
  12. Top 10 Hidden Windows Utilities to Boost Performance & Troubleshooting

    Windows operating systems are equipped with a plethora of built-in utilities that often go unnoticed by the average user. These tools can significantly enhance productivity, streamline system management, and provide advanced functionalities without the need for third-party software. Here, we...
  13. Windows 11 Tray Clock Simplification Failed: Lessons in UI Change Resistance

    In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows 11, Microsoft’s bold attempts at streamlining the user interface have always sparked passionate reactions, and none more so than their experiment with a simplified System Tray layout on the Taskbar. Last year, enthusiasts witnessed Microsoft trial a new...
  14. Why Windows Users Can't Uninstall Phone Link (Your Phone) & What You Can Do

    For many Windows 10 users, the persistent presence of certain built-in applications such as Phone Link—previously branded as Your Phone—has sparked persistent curiosity and sometimes frustration. Windows has evolved to include an ecosystem of services designed to integrate devices and platforms...
  15. Windows 11 25H2: How Microsoft Is Giving Users Control Over Bloatware

    The perennial frustration of bloatware—unwanted preinstalled applications—has haunted users across many versions of Windows, and Windows 11 is no exception. However, significant changes appear poised to arrive with the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update, which introduces long-awaited functionality...
  16. How to Switch from Microsoft Online Account to Local Account on Windows 10 & 11

    For many Windows users, Microsoft’s increasing insistence on online accounts has felt like a creeping intrusion, especially with the latest iterations of Windows 10 and Windows 11 Home editions. What once was a straightforward setup with a local user has now become, for most people, an...
  17. Windows 11 25H2: Seamless Removal of Default Microsoft Apps for a Cleaner Experience

    For years, Windows users have found themselves on a familiar carousel: a fresh install of the operating system, followed by a meticulous round of uninstalling apps that Microsoft bundles by default. Some applications, like the Snipping Tool or Notepad, have become essential utilities for...
  18. Windows 11 25H2 Update Brings Official Bloatware Removal via Group Policy

    Microsoft's forthcoming Windows 11 25H2 update introduces a significant enhancement: the ability to uninstall pre-installed Microsoft Store applications directly through the Group Policy Editor. This development addresses longstanding user concerns about "bloatware"—default applications that...
  19. Windows 11 25H2 Update Introduces Easy Bloatware Removal Feature

    Windows 11 has long been criticized for including numerous pre-installed applications—often referred to as "bloatware"—that many users find unnecessary. Traditionally, removing these apps required time-consuming methods such as using PowerShell commands or third-party tools. However, with the...
  20. Windows 11 Insider Builds Hint at AI-Driven Dynamic Wallpapers Future

    The buried references within recent Windows 11 Insider Preview builds hint at an ambitious new frontier for Microsoft’s flagship operating system: AI-powered dynamic wallpapers. Veteran observers of Windows development, always scouring test releases for the seeds of future features, have...