Windows - Geek Rewind

How to Enable or Disable open Widgets board on hover in Windows 11

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This article describes steps one can take to turn on or off open Widgets board on hover in Windows 11.

Widgets are feeds of content such as news, weather, stocks and traffic that are automatically updated with live information your widgets board.

In Windows, Widget board opens automatically as you hover over the weather icon on the Taskbar.

Starting with build 25211, Microsoft is a new setting to control the behavior of the Widgets, so users don’t have to accidentally open the Widget board simply by hovering over the weather icon on the Taskbar.

If you find yourself accidentally opening the widgets board in Widows 11, the steps below will show you how to disable it or re-enable when you want it back.

How to Turn On or Off Always Show Scrollbars in Windows 11

This article describes steps one can take to enable or disable a feature to always show scrollbars in Windows 11.

Scrollbars in Windows will show on the Start menu, Settings app, and other applications only after you hover over the window with your mouse and intend to scroll.

The scrollbar will disappear when you leave the window and reappear when you want to scroll again. This feature is part of Fluent Design Microsoft is incorporating in Windows, which defines elements that adapt to the environment and actions.

If you want to the scrollbars to always be available and not disappearing on you, then use the steps below to do that.

How to Enable or Disable Ctrl+Alt+Delete Secure Sign-in with Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to enable or disable requiring users to press CTRL+ALT+DEL on the sign-in screen before they can sign into Windows 11.

The lock screen is the screen or curtain you see when you turn on your computer before the sign in screen. It is also displayed once your computer is locked after you stepped away or press the Windows key + L.

For added security, you can set up Windows to require users to press CTRL+ALT+DEL key on the logon screen before logging on.

Requiring CTRL+ALT+DELETE before users sign in ensures that users are communicating through a trusted path when entering their passwords.

Below is how to enable or disable requiring users to press CTRL+ALT+DEL keys on the sign-in screen before signing into Windows 11.

How to Add or Remove Power Button on Sign-in Screen in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to add or remove the power button on the sign-in screen in Windows 11.

The power button on the sign-in screen allows users to put the computer to sleep, hibernate, shut down or restart without having to log on to Windows.

By default, the power button is available on the sign-in screen when you install Windows. An administrator can choose to remove the power button from the sign-in screen using Windows policies.

If you disable this setting, the Shut Down option is removed from the screen.

Below is how to add or remove the power button on the sign-in screen in Windows 11.

How to Enable or Disable Camera in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to enable or disable camera in Windows 11.

When your Windows device has a camera, you will be able to make Teams video calls, record videos and take pictures.

Depending on the camera’s capabilities and version of Windows 11, some or all the following controls may be available to you, including rotation, background effects, auto framing and more.

By default, Windows will identify and install all related drivers that make the camera work. If additional drivers are needed, you will be prompted to install them.

If you have administrator access, you can disable and enable cameras for everyone who uses the device you’re using.

Below is how to enable or disable camera in Windows 11.

How to Turn On or Off Password Store in Unsafe Apps Warning Windows 11

This post describes steps you can take to enable or disable Enhanced Phishing Protection to warn users if they store their password in Notepad or Microsoft 365 Office Apps in Windows 11.

Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect your account passwords against phishing and unsafe usage on sites and apps.

This protection is built into Windows, and it works with Microsoft Defender Endpoint to provide protection on your device and in the cloud. Protection such as Controlled folder access, Real-time protection, Tamper protection and Ransomware protection are included with Microsoft Security.

When you enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen with enhanced protection, Windows will warn users if they store their passwords in Notepad, Word, or any Microsoft 365 Office app, and recommends they delete their password from the file.

Below is how to turn on or off passwords store in unsafe apps warning with SmartScreen Phishing protection in Windows 11.

How to Turn On or Off Password Reuse Warning in Windows 11

This post describes steps you can take to enable or disable Enhanced Phishing Protection to warn users if they reuse passwords used to sign into Windows 11.

Enhanced Phishing Protection in Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect your account passwords against phishing and unsafe usage on sites and apps.

When you enable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen with enhanced protection, Windows will warn users if they reuse their Microsoft account password on sites and apps and prompt them to change their password.

This also works with any Chromium browser, including Edge. If users type their password into a site deemed malicious by Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, Enhanced Phishing Protection will alert them.

Below is how to turn on or off password reuse warning with SmartScreen Phishing protection in Windows 11.

How to Show or Hide Snap Layouts when you drag window to top Screen in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to enable or disable a new feature that shows a snap layouts when you drag a window to the top of your screen in Windows 11.

Snap is a feature in Windows that allows users to launch a flyout with possible layouts to reorient their windows on the screen by hovering their mouse over the top edge of your app windows, on the maximize button.

The latest version of Windows 11 introduces additional Snap feature which reveals a Snap layout menu when you drag a window to the top of your screen. This new feature may help you organize your windows on the screen but may be annoying for some.

If you don’t like to show snap layouts when dragging a window to the top your screen in Windows 11, the steps below show you how to do that.

How to Automatically Lock Computer after Inactivity in Windows 11

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This post describes steps one can take to enable or disable automatically locking their computer after inactivity limit in Windows 11

By default, Windows will automatically lock your computer when you are away to prevent other people from using your desktop and accessing your files.

When your computer is locked, it will show the lock screen by default. The lock screen is the screen or curtain you see when you turn on your computer before the sign in screen. It is also displayed once your computer is locked after you stepped away or press the Windows key + L.

The Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit security policy setting allows you to specify a number in seconds of user inactivity, and if exceeded, Windows automatically locks the computer.

Below is how to change this policy so that your computer does not automatically lock or set an inactivity limit before locking.

How to Change Lock Screen Off Display Timeout in Windows 11

This post describes steps you can take to change the Console Lock Display Off Timeout in Windows 11.

While your screen is locked, Console Lock Display Off Timeout is the number of minutes Windows will wait before timing out and automatically turning off the display when no activities are detected.

By default, Console Lock Display Off Timeout settings is set to 1 minute with all power plans.

Below is how to change the Console Lock Display Off Timeout settings in Windows 11.

How to Create Live Kernel Dump File in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to create live kernel dump file in Windows 11.

Windows kernel live dump allows you to gather data to trouble shoot an abnormal situation while the computer continue operate. It captures consistent snapshot of kernel memory and saves it to a dump file for further research.

Kernel live dump reduces downtime when compared to a bug check for “non-fatal” but high-impact failures and hangs. It is also used when it is possible to recover the OS to a known good state.

For example, a hardware reset of a subsystem, such as video/display, USB3 or Wi-Fi can allow those systems to return to a known good state, with minimal user impact.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25197, one can now create live kernel dumps from the Task Manager with few clicks.

How to Turn On or Off Apps Communication with Unpaired Devices in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to enable or disable apps communicating with unpaired devices in Windows 11.

Windows 11 allows you to minimize connections from apps and Microsoft services or configure privacy settings so that communication is not enabled by default.

One such apps communication feature you may want to limit is connection between devices that aren’t paired to your PC, such as an Xbox One and other which want to share and sync info.

You can enable or disable apps communication with unpaired devices in Windows via Windows Settings app, Group Policy Editor and Windows Registry.

Below is how to turn on or off Communicate with unpaired devices in Windows 11.