Windows guides
How to Check Your Windows 11 Version, Build, and Support Status
Learn how to check your Windows 11 version and build number, then confirm whether your release is still supported by Microsoft.
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Windows guides
74 articles
Windows guides
How to Create, Use, and Delete Passkeys in Windows 11
Windows 11 can store passkeys and use Windows Hello for passwordless sign-in. Learn how to create, use, manage, and remove them.
Windows guides
How to Improve Windows 11 Battery Life with Energy Saver and Energy Recommendations
Extend laptop battery life in Windows 11 using Energy Saver, Energy Recommendations, power mode, display settings, and refresh-rate controls.
Windows guides
How to Use Focus Sessions in Windows 11 for Productivity
Use Focus in Windows 11 to reduce distractions, start timed focus sessions, and connect the Clock app with Spotify and Microsoft To Do.
Windows guides
How to Activate Windows 11 Without Entering a Product Key
Learn when Windows 11 can activate through a digital license without asking you to type a 25-character product key, and when a new license is still required.
Windows guides
How to Check if Your PC Is Compatible with Windows 11
Check Windows 11 compatibility with Microsoft PC Health Check and verify the key requirements, including TPM 2.0, UEFI, Secure Boot capability, RAM, storage, and CPU support.
Windows guides
How to Change the Desktop Background in Windows 10 and 11
Change your Windows desktop background to a picture, solid color, slideshow, or supported Windows Spotlight background, and adjust how images fit the screen.
Windows guides
How to Schedule Windows Update Restarts in Windows 10
Use Active Hours, restart scheduling, and pause controls in Windows 10 to reduce interruptions from Windows Update. Includes current end-of-support guidance.
Windows guides
How to Roll Back a Driver in Windows 10 or 11
Roll back a recently updated Windows driver through Device Manager, and learn what to do when the Roll Back Driver button is unavailable.
Windows guides
How to Batch Rename Files in Windows with PowerRename and PowerShell
Use Microsoft PowerToys PowerRename or PowerShell to preview and apply advanced bulk file-renaming rules in Windows 10 and 11.
Windows guides
Can You Install Windows 11 Without TPM 2.0? What Microsoft Supports
Understand the Windows 11 TPM 2.0 requirement, what an unsupported installation means, and what to check before attempting any hardware-requirement workaround.
Windows guides
How to Allow Apps Through Windows Firewall
Allow a trusted app through Windows Firewall in Windows 10 or 11, understand private and public network profiles, and avoid opening unnecessary ports.
Windows guides
How to Disable Background Apps in Windows 10
Control which supported Windows 10 apps can run in the background, reduce unnecessary activity, and understand which desktop apps are not affected by the Background apps privacy setting.
Windows guides
How to Run Linux on Windows with WSL
Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 10 or 11, choose a Linux distribution, update WSL, and access Windows files from Linux.
Windows guides
How to Dual Boot Windows and Linux on the Same PC
Prepare a Windows PC for a Windows-and-Linux dual boot, protect your data, handle BitLocker correctly, and use the Linux installer’s supported alongside-Windows option when available.
Windows guides
How to Create a Guest-Style Account on Windows 11
Create a separate standard local account in Windows 11 for temporary users without enabling the built-in Guest account, which Microsoft recommends leaving disabled.
Windows guides
How to Rename Multiple Files at Once in Windows Using File Explorer
Quickly rename a group of files in Windows 10 or 11 with File Explorer, plus learn when Microsoft PowerRename is a better choice.
Windows guides
How to Disable Startup Apps in Windows 11 for Faster Boot
Use Windows 11 Settings or Task Manager to stop nonessential apps from launching when you sign in and identify high-impact startup items.
Windows guides
How to Activate Windows 10 or Windows 11
Check Windows activation status and activate Windows 10 or 11 with a digital license or valid product key. Includes current Windows 10 support context.
Windows guides
How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11: Startup Folders and Autoruns
Find startup programs that do not appear in the normal Windows 11 Startup list by checking Startup folders and, for advanced troubleshooting, Microsoft Sysinternals Autoruns.