third-party tools

With the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft has taken a firmer stance on system integrity, especially toward third-party customization utilities that modify core visual or behavioral aspects of the operating system. One such casualty of Microsoft's increasing lockdown has been ExplorerPatcher—a...

From its release, Windows 11 has been both praised and critiqued for reimagining the classic Windows experience, but one thing most users can agree on is the sheer omnipresence of the taskbar. Always lingering, always visible, the taskbar is the backbone of navigation for countless daily...

Every seasoned Windows user remembers the thrill—and efficiency—of first discovering the power of keyboard shortcuts. Among these, Alt-Tab stands tall, a classic quick-switcher that’s saved countless clicks and boosted multitasking for decades. Yet, as familiar as this shortcut may seem...

For more than three decades, the Start Menu has anchored the Windows desktop, offering users a familiar gateway to apps, files, and essential controls. Yet, Microsoft’s cyclical compulsion to reinvent this iconic feature has become a running joke—and a recurring pain point—in the Windows...

For many Windows users, the Start menu has always been more than just an application launcher—it’s a central hub embodying years of muscle memory and deeply personal workflows. Whenever Microsoft tinkers with this iconic feature, reactions run the gamut from cautious curiosity to impassioned...

For many Windows power users, customization stands as one of the last frontiers where personal taste and productivity intersect. While Windows 11 brings a bevy of enhancements in performance, design language, and security, its approach to customization has left significant portions of its user...

Windows 11’s pursuit of performance gains has always been a central talking point since its initial release, with Microsoft promising smoother operation, increased productivity, and a host of incremental refinements. Yet, as recent updates roll out, many users and power testers continue to voice...

Searching for files on Windows 11 can be a real test of patience, especially for power users accustomed to blazing-fast responses and advanced customization. While Windows Search comes built into the operating system and offers decent integration across apps and settings, many users report that...

Determining whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11 is a pressing question for many users, especially as the new operating system comes with stricter requirements than its predecessors. Attempting to upgrade without confirming compatibility can result in errors, frustration, and...

For millions of users, the arrival of Windows 11 felt less like a futuristic leap and more like a frustrating detour. While Microsoft touts its newest operating system as a modern evolution—complete with rounded corners, new taskbar behavior, and a centered Start menu—the truth is that many...

Winhance, a utility designed to enhance and customize Windows 10 and 11 experiences, has recently undergone a significant transformation. Originally developed as a PowerShell-based graphical user interface (GUI) script, Winhance has been rewritten in C#, marking a pivotal shift in its...

Windows 11, lauded for its modern interface and user-centric enhancements, remains frustrating for many when it comes to one essential maintenance task: uninstalling stubborn or corrupted software. The challenge of force uninstalling troublesome programs is all too common—whether you encounter...

For many Windows 11 users, the Start menu remains a contentious design element—some appreciate its minimalist, touch-friendly layout, while others yearn for the rich customizability and classic feel of earlier Windows iterations. Since its debut, the Windows 11 Start menu has notably divided...

Windhawk, a prominent Windows customization tool, has recently expanded its capabilities to support ARM64 devices, marking a significant milestone in its development. This enhancement allows users of ARM-based systems, such as the Surface Pro X, to personalize their Windows experience more...

Windows Server 2025 has officially landed, marking one of the most significant leaps in server technology since the introduction of hybrid cloud integration and modern virtualization. Microsoft, with this latest release, appears keenly focused on balancing the fine line between innovation and...

File Explorer gets the basics of file management right, but in a world where efficiency and customization dictate our digital workflows, the base experience often leaves power users and even enthusiastic novices wanting more. The good news? File Explorer can become an ultra-productive powerhouse...

In the ever-capricious world of SQL Server management, where every version number is both a badge and a potential migraine, Devart has dropped its latest update like a tactical nuke: dbForge Tools for SQL Server 7.1 is here, bringing support for SQL Server 2025, the SSMS 21 Preview, and the...

There’s a moment in every gamer’s or creator’s life where the cold certainty of a hardware bug trumps the thrill of eye-watering benchmark numbers. Nvidia’s RTX 5000 series launch was supposed to herald the age of unapologetic graphical excess, propelling polygon counts and AI-assisted wonders...

If you’ve ever spent a groggy Monday morning squinting at your Windows 11 Start Menu, wondering why it’s showing you three PowerPoint decks, two random apps you never installed, and “Tips” you never wanted, you are not alone. The Start Menu, iconic as it may be, has become—for many users—a...

Customizing Your Taskbar on Windows 10 and Windows 11 Customizing the taskbar is a simple yet powerful way to inject personality and boost productivity on your Windows PC. Whether you’re a Windows 10 veteran who loves the flexibility of moving the taskbar to your preferred side of the screen, or...