windows privacy

When it comes to getting the most from Windows without draining your bank account, the software landscape can seem a bit daunting. Premium programs promise powerful features but often introduce ongoing subscription costs, upselling nags, or heavy system resource use. For many everyday users and...

Paul Thurrott’s name has become synonymous with authoritative Windows coverage. With a three-decade career that traces the operating system’s evolution from Windows 3.1 to the cloud-connected present, Thurrott’s current explorations continue on Thurrott.com—a haven for in-depth Windows...

For years, the world of Windows maintenance has been haunted by a particular promise: “Speed up your PC with just one click!” From flashy advertisements on download sites to bundled installers, PC cleaning apps have occupied a curious crossroads in the modern Windows experience. Though they...

Microsoft’s relentless pursuit to reimagine the everyday PC experience for millions of users has entered a bold new phase with the rollout of Recall and enhanced AI-powered search for Copilot Plus PCs. These major AI-driven features, which headline the April 2025 non-security preview update for...

April 25, 2025 might sound like an ordinary day, but for the brave souls running Windows 11 version 24H2, it’s that special time again: the non-security preview update (KB5055627, to be precise) has landed. As always, this is not just a digital sprucing up—it’s a software makeover, complete with...

If you came here looking for a seemingly magical Windows 11 Pro “All-In-One” download, promising freedom from Microsoft accounts and sprinkled with the mysterious label “Yify,” allow me to save you several gigabytes and a visit from your company’s compliance officer: that page is more absent...

Coming hot off the silicon presses, the latest Windows 11 Copilot+ update arrives like a much-hyped blockbuster sequel, loaded with more new features than your average infomercial pitch. Microsoft has whipped up a brave new world of “on-device AI-powered experiences,” as the company’s marketers...

It’s finally happening: Windows Recall, Microsoft’s most controversial AI tool since, well... Clippy, has strutted onto the Copilot+ PC stage after a year-long intermission layered in drama, hot takes, and a not-so-little detour through the privacy minefield. Yes, the digital paparazzi of...

Windows location service is one of those features that spend most of their time quietly humming in the background—mapping points, ensuring your Cortana answers don’t include recommendations for Korean barbecue 3,000 miles away, and helping you find your laptop when it develops a case of...

In the grand tradition of fixing what Microsoft only slightly broke, making Windows better remains a never-ending community quest, a source of editorial gold, and, depending on your temperament, either a labor of love or a lifelong emotional trauma. Why Windows Still Needs Saving... Again Let’s...

Fresh out of Microsoft's secret digital bakery, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 has been spotted prowling the Beta Channel, much to the delight of fans and daredevil testers everywhere. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Windows 11’s progress—and let’s face it, if you’re reading this...

Windows 11, the latest flagship OS from Microsoft, is sleek, pretty, highly configurable—and, like just about everything in modern computing, just a tad too curious about where you are. The operating system’s interest in your whereabouts isn’t unique (hello, iPhones and Androids!), but maybe you...

The days of setting up a new Windows PC in blissful offline solitude, choosing a username like “PC_Master” and a password you’ll forget within the hour, are nearing their end. Microsoft, that digital behemoth of Redmond, has long courted its users with the siren call of seamless cloud...

If you’ve reached the familiar blue setup screen of Windows 11 and found yourself frantically clicking "Offline account" only to discover the option has vanished into the digital ether, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things. The road to a local account on a fresh Windows 11...

Windows 11 users, ever get the nagging feeling your computer just gave birth to something peculiar after a monthly update? That sense of “what the heck is this empty folder doing here, and is it watching me sleep?” Welcome to the saga of the mysterious 'inetpub' folder—cropping up like a digital...

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, Windows users are no strangers to unexpected developments. The latest twist comes in the form of a mysterious folder named "inetpub" that has appeared on many systems following a recent Windows update. This unexpected addition has sparked...

In recent times, the installation of Windows 11 has become a considerable focus for both end-users and technology enthusiasts. While Windows 11 brings a plethora of new features and a refined interface, the initial setup can often feel cumbersome due to the requirement of logging in with a...

Temporary email addresses might sound like something straight out of a spy movie, but in today’s increasingly digital world, they serve as a practical cloak of invisibility for your primary email account. With Windows users constantly interfacing with online services—be it for signing up for...

In a move that signals further evolution (and a bit of pruning) of Windows 11, Microsoft has announced the deprecation of its Location History feature. While 2023 and 2024 brought sweeping changes for Windows, 2025 is already marking its territory with a series of updates, and this one’s bound...

In an era where digital privacy feels more like a luxury than a standard, navigating through the settings of your operating system can seem an overwhelming task. Thankfully, Microsoft's recent support article titled "Get Help with Windows Privacy" tackles this head-on, providing users of Windows...