system restore

  1. From Windows to Ubuntu: 4 Missing Desktop Conveniences

    The moment you switch a daily driver from Windows to Ubuntu, certain expectations—system-level conveniences you didn’t notice until they vanished—quickly become obvious. A recent first‑person piece catalogued four Windows conveniences the author missed after moving to Ubuntu: a one‑click system...
  2. 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...
  3. Fixing Your PC Did Not Start Correctly with WinRE: A Step‑By‑Step Guide

    The Automatic Repair screen that reads “Your PC did not start correctly” is not a dramatic flourish — it’s Windows telling you that the boot process failed one of its early checks and the system has moved you into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) so you can try to fix it. The advice from...
  4. Create and Use System Restore Points in Windows 10/11

    Create and Use System Restore Points in Windows 10/11 Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes Introduction System Restore is a built‑in Windows feature that helps you roll back system files, installed programs, registry settings, and drivers to a previous point in time if something goes...
  5. Windows 10 Need to migrate MBR Win10Pro C drive HDD contents or my Macrium Reflect backups of it to new on-the-motherboard NVMe SSD device set to UEFI GPT

    I'm up a gumtree without a paddle. I have been running around in circles for a week trying to get this solved. I had migrated my old HDD with Windows 10 Pro on it over to a new machine, and a new SATA SSD drive. I used Macrium Reflect to image the drive over. This was an MBR booted system...
  6. Windows Disk Cleanup Guide: Safe, Step-by-Step Space Reclaim

    The moment your Windows PC starts whispering “Low disk space,” it isn’t always because you’ve hoarded videos or forgotten to empty the Recycle Bin—sometimes the culprits are ordinary system and application folders that quietly balloon over time. A recent practical roundup identified the usual...
  7. Create and Use a Bootable Windows 10/11 Recovery USB to Repair Startup

    Create and Use a Bootable Windows 10/11 Recovery USB to Repair Startup Difficulty: Intermediate | Time Required: 20-30 minutes Introduction A bootable Windows recovery USB gives you the tools to fix startup problems, run offline repair utilities, restore system images, and — if needed —...
  8. Windows Security Not Opening? Step-by-Step Defender Repair Guide

    Windows Security failing to open is a deceptively common problem that can leave a PC exposed and users unnerved — yet in almost every case the root causes and remedies are resolvable without a full reinstall. Symptoms range from a completely unresponsive Windows Security app to a blank or...
  9. August 2025 Windows 11 Patch Tuesday: Prep, Recover, and Patch Safely

    Windows 11’s monthly updates are essential, but they can also break critical functionality without warning — the August 2025 Patch Tuesday cycle proved that once again, and the fallout shows why every Windows user and IT team needs a tested recovery plan before applying patches. Background /...
  10. Audit and Lock Down App Permissions & Privacy Settings in Windows 10/11

    Audit and Lock Down App Permissions & Privacy Settings in Windows 10/11 Difficulty: Intermediate | Time Required: 15 minutes Introduction Apps asking for access to your camera, microphone, location, files, and other data can be convenient — but they’re also a privacy and security risk if left...
  11. Windows Error 0x8000FFFF: Catastrophic Failure and How to Fix

    Error 0x8000FFFF — the dreaded “Catastrophic failure” — is rarely fatal, but it’s a disruptive Windows error that often appears after an update, during a System Restore, or when a core servicing operation fails; it generally signals corrupted system files, a damaged component store, driver...
  12. Reduce Windows 10/11 Boot Time: Disable Startup Apps, Enable Fast Startup & Optimize SSD

    Reduce Windows 10/11 Boot Time: Disable Startup Apps, Enable Fast Startup & Optimize SSD Difficulty: Intermediate | Time Required: 20-30 minutes A long boot time can be caused by too many startup apps, suboptimal power settings, or an SSD that isn’t configured for peak performance. In this guide...
  13. Windows 11 Troubleshooters Guide: Quick Fixes and Advanced Playbooks

    Windows 11 packs a surprisingly capable set of built‑in troubleshooters that can automatically diagnose and repair many everyday PC problems—from flaky Wi‑Fi and silent speakers to frozen updates and stubborn printers. This guide distills what matters: where to find these tools, how to run them...
  14. Cut Windows 11 Telemetry with O&O ShutUp10++, Spybot Anti-Beacon, and VPN

    Windows 11 ships with a lot of conveniences—but also with telemetry and cloud‑connected features that quietly phone home by default, and three third‑party tools (O&O ShutUp10++, Spybot Anti‑Beacon, and a VPN) are frequently recommended as a practical toolkit to seriously limit that data flow...
  15. The Impact and Legacy of Windows XP: A Landmark in Personal Computing

    The release of Windows XP in 2001 marked a seismic shift in the evolution of personal computing, bridging the awkward past of flaky home operating systems with the robust, business-grade technology that would become ubiquitous across both living rooms and office parks around the world...
  16. How to Delete Individual Windows System Restore Points Safely and Effectively

    Windows users are often surprised by how quickly system restore points can accumulate, sometimes consuming valuable disk space without clear visibility or direct control from the standard graphical interface. By default, Windows manages these restore points silently, retaining only the latest...
  17. How to Fix 'A Driver Can't Load on This Device' Error in Windows

    Encountering the "A driver can't load on this device" error in Windows can be perplexing, especially when it disrupts the functionality of your hardware. This issue often arises due to Windows Security features, particularly the Memory Integrity setting, which is designed to protect your system...
  18. How to Fix a Black or Blank Screen on Windows: Troubleshooting Guide

    A black or blank screen on a Windows device can be among the most frustrating technical issues faced by both novice and advanced users. When confronted with an unresponsive display, tasks grind to a halt, data accessibility becomes uncertain, and troubleshooting efforts are often hindered by the...
  19. How to Fix Black Screen Issues on Windows: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

    Experiencing a black or blank screen on your Windows device can be both frustrating and disruptive. This issue can stem from various factors, including hardware malfunctions, driver conflicts, or software glitches. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you diagnose and resolve black screen...
  20. CrapFixer Windows 11 Debloat Tool: The Ultimate Guide to Customizing & Optimizing

    For millions of users around the world, Windows 11 represents a paradox: sleek, modern, and powerful on the one hand, yet often encumbered by unwanted apps, intrusive ads, and increasing integration of data collection features. Into this landscape steps CrapFixer, a free utility that has rapidly...