Microsoft offers a batch of extra tools and utilities for anyone to add to their Windows computers. These “Power Toys” come bundled together as a single free download, and you can get them here or from the Microsoft Store. Some of these tools are basic while others are for advanced users, so breeze through the … Read more
A small number of people are encountering this message on their Windows 11 computers right now, following some overnight Windows Updates: And for those who discover this, it’s about as fun as having a dead battery in your car or no dial tone when you pick up the phone. The computer is stuck like Chuck … Read more
For those of you still using Windows 8 computers, you’ll soon meet with legitimate popup messages, as shown below: This is not a scam, and Microsoft is telling you the truth. Windows 8 reaches the end of its lifecycle on 1/10/2023. But Don’t Panic! Here are more details to help you navigate what’s next. You … Read more
March 2025 update: no@thankyou.com may no longer work, but there is a newly discovered method for bypassing the Microsoft account requirement on a new Windows setup. If you don’t want to cooperate with giving over your Microsoft account credentials, here are the steps & details (which I have just tested and confirmed!) to log in … Read more
Many people continue to use vintage computers, running operating systems that are past their end-of-support date. While I recommend that these users upgrade to something modern and more secure, I understand when they stick with their classic machines. I don’t judge. But if those computers are going to hit the internet, they do need antivirus. … Read more
note to readers: this is a reboot/rewrite of the Windows 10 S Mode post from last year Windows 11 comes in various editions: Home, Pro, Education, Enterprise and S mode. And that last one gives many people pause. Just what is S mode? What does the S stand for? Simple, Secure, Strict, Stunted? Microsoft is … Read more
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is part of every Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer. Whether you use Microsoft Defender or another antivirus, please know that you can use the Microsoft software to run a deep scan on your computer. This will not conflict with your current security software, and can be useful if you feel you … Read more
Many PC users are content to use the free antivirus that’s built-in to Microsoft Windows: Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Some still call it Windows Defender, but in any case, you can get to it by clicking on the white or blue shield that lives near your system clock. But some users are finding that they cannot … Read more
There are right ways and wrong ways to get your free Windows 11 upgrade. Of course, the cybercriminals are waiting to guide you into the wrong ways. Lately, fake upgrade websites are showing up in web searches when people go looking for a way to install Windows 11. And these frauds look very similar to … Read more
As more and more folks upgrade to new PCs, I hear the same comment over and over: “Where’s the Start button‽ How do I get to all my… Oh. Huh, there it is.” Indenting the Start button by a few inches is rather alien to long-time Windows users. But we can move it back to … Read more