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...
desktop ux
flameshot
gnome
gsconnect
kde connect
linux recovery
linux usability
ocr
one-click reset
open source
phone integration
screenshots
system reset
systemrestore
tesseract
timeshift
ubuntu
windows 10 end of support
windows migration
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...
backups
bitlocker
data protection
disaster recovery
disk space
file history
full disk image
microsoft
oem
onedrive
pc maintenance
recovery media
recovery options
restore points
safe computing
system protection
systemrestore
windows
windows troubleshooting
windowsre
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...
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...
advanced startup
backup and recovery
data backup
disk space management
driver installation
group policy
manual restore point
recovery environment
restore points
rstrui
safe mode
system protection
systemrestoresystemrestore wizard
troubleshooting
volume shadow copy
vssadmin
windows 10
windows 11
windows updates
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...
backup strategy
boot loader
boot repair
browser credentials
cloning vs restore
data loss prevention
data recovery
disk imaging
gpt partition
hdd migration
macrium reflect
mbr boot
roaming folder
ssd failure
systemrestore
tech support
uefi bios
windows 10 home
windows 10 pro
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...
app leftovers
browser cache
chrome
disk cleanup
dism
downloads
edge
firefox
maintenance plan
recycle bin
revo uninstaller
safe cleanup
shadow copies
space management
storage sense
systemrestore
temp files
windows
windows update
windows.old
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 —...
bcdboot
bios
bootrec
chkdsk
diskpart
efi partition
gpt
installation media
mbr
media creation tool
recovery drive
recovery usb
reinstall windows
sfc
startup repair
systemrestore
uefi
windows 10
windows 11
winre
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...
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 /...
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...
advertising id
app permissions
background apps
controlled folder access
data collection
diagnostics and feedback
file system privacy
group policy
microsoft account privacy
per app permissions
privacy audit
privacy settings
registry tweaks
security hardening
systemrestore
telemetry
windows 10
windows 11
windows privacy
windows security
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...
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...
ahci
bios uefi
defragment and optimize drives
fast startup
msconfig
nvme
registry changes
ssd optimization
startup apps
systemrestore
task manager
trim
windows 10
windows 11
windows boot time
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...
audio
dism
event viewer
get help
internet
network
network adapter
playbooks
printer
reliability monitor
settings
sfc
system file integrity
systemrestore
troubleshooters
troubleshooting
update
windows 11
windows update
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...
backup plan
diagnostic data
dns leaks
edge dns over https
hosts file
layered defense
o&o shutup10++
privacy
privacy best practices
privacy tools
split tunneling
spybot anti-beacon
store telemetry
systemrestore
telemetry
vpn
windows 11
windows update
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...
bliss wallpaper
computer security
desktop customization
digital culture
hardware compatibility
microsoft
operating systems
pc history
security updates
software piracy
systemrestoresystem stability
tech legacy
user interface
windows evolution
windows nt
windows themes
windows xp
xp development
xp features
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...
backup and recovery
ccleaner
command line
disk space management
guide
privacy
restore points
shadow copies
storage optimization
system cleanup
system maintenance
system optimization
systemrestore
tech support
third-party software
vssadmin
windows
windows tips
windows tools
windows utilities
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...
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...
bios uefi
black screen
blank screen
computer repair
display connectivity
display issues
display settings
driver update
external devices
fast startup
firmware update
graphics card
graphics drivers
hardware problems
malware removal
monitor troubleshooting
overheating
pc repair
preventive tips
safe mode
software conflicts
system maintenance
systemrestore
tech support
technical support
troubleshooting
windows
windows recovery
windows support
windows tips
windows update
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...
black screen
display fix
display problems
driver rollback
driver update
fast startup
graphics driver
hardware connections
malware scan
monitor troubleshooting
safe mode
systemrestore
tech support
tech tips
windows
windows error
windows recovery
windows reinstall
windows troubleshooting
windows update
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...
advertising removal
debloat
free software
it administration
microsoft
open source
os customization
performance boost
policy editor
privacy
privacy tools
system optimization
systemrestoresystem tweaks
tech tools
telemetry control
user control
utility software
windows 11
windows customization