# Geek Rewind — Full Content Index for AI Systems # https://geekrewind.com/llms-full.txt # Generated: 2026-10-22 14:48 UTC # Posts indexed: 200 ## Site Overview - **Name:** Geek Rewind - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com - **Focus:** Windows and PC tutorials, how-to guides, software walkthroughs - **Audience:** Windows users, IT professionals, PC enthusiasts - **Language:** English - **AI permissions:** indexing=allowed, training=allowed, retrieval=allowed --- ### Add a Clock for Another Time Zone in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/add-a-clock-for-another-time-zone-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-22 - **Word count:** 1550 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To add a clock for another time zone in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, click Additional clocks, select Show this clock, and choose a time zone. You can add up to two extra clocks. Both appear when you hover over the taskbar clock. No administrator rights are needed, and your PC's own time zone stays unchanged. **Content excerpt:** Want to see the time in another city on your taskbar? Windows 11 can show up to two extra clocks next to your local time. To add one, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, click Additional clocks, select Show this clock, and pick the time zone. Windows 11 supports up to two additional clocks beyond your local clock. Both appear when you hover over or click the taskbar clock. This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and none of these steps needs administrator privileges. What an Additional Time Zone Clock Does in Windows 11 An additional clock displays the current time for a time zone you choose, with a label you write. The extra clock follows that zone's daylight saving rules by itself, so you never change it twice a year. It does not change your PC's real time zone, and it does not affect file timestamps, calendar events or app behavior. This feature suits remote teams, family abroad, and anyone who schedules calls across regions. The extra clocks sit inside the same clock flyout (the small panel that opens from the taskbar), so they take no screen space until you need them. Before You Start Additional clocks calculate their time from your PC's own clock and time zone. If your local time is wrong, every extra clock is wrong by the same amount. Check the main clock first. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time. Confirm that Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically are on, or that the zone you set manually is correct. If the time drifts, see how to sync your clock with an internet time server in Windows 11 before continuing. An internet time server is a service that sends your PC the correct time. Add an Additional Time Zone Clock Through Settings Use these steps to put a second city next to your local time on the taskbar clock. Follow the numbered steps below to add the clock. The second clock is optional, and you can add it after the first. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. Click Time & language in the left pane. The right side shows the date and time options. Click Date & time. The path is Settings > Time & language > Date & time. You see your current time zone and the automatic time switches. Scroll and expand Show time and date in System tray. A small window titled Date and Time opens on the Additional Clocks tab. If the link is missing, use the method in the next section. Select the Show this clock check box for the first clock. The other options on that half of the tab, which were greyed out, become active. Open the Select time zone drop-down list and choose a zone. Zones are listed by offset from UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, the world reference time), for example (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada). Type a… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can show up to two extra clocks next to your local time. - To add one, open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, click Additional clocks, select Show this clock, and pick the time zone. - Windows 11 supports up to two additional clocks beyond your local clock. - This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and none of these steps needs administrator privileges. - What an Additional Time Zone Clock Does in Windows 11 An additional clock displays the current time for a time zone you choose, with a label you write. --- ### Change Where Game Captures Are Saved in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-where-game-captures-are-saved-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-22 - **Word count:** 1805 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Game captures in Windows 11 save to C:\Users\USERNAME\Videos\Captures by default. To change them, move your Videos folder: open File Explorer, right-click Videos, select Properties, choose the Location tab, select Move, pick a new folder such as D:\Videos, then select Apply. Xbox Game Bar then saves new clips there. **Content excerpt:** Game captures in Windows 11 save to the Captures folder inside your Videos folder by default, at C:\Users\USERNAME\Videos\Captures. To change that, move your Videos folder from its Location tab in File Explorer. Xbox Game Bar (the overlay you open with Windows + G to record clips and take screenshots) then saves new clips to the new place. This guide uses that method first because it needs no extra software and works on Windows 11 Home and Pro. A second method covers people who want to move only the game clips, not every video on the PC. Neither method needs administrator rights. Where Windows 11 saves game captures by default Game Bar, the Windows + Alt + R recording shortcut, and the Windows + Alt + PrtScn screenshot shortcut all save to the same folder. That folder is Captures, inside Videos, in your user profile. Screenshots and recordings share it, so one change covers both. Windows treats Videos as a known folder (a folder Windows finds by its purpose, not by a fixed path). That is why the Location tab can redirect it, and why Captures follows along as a subfolder. Where Are My Documents Saved in Windows 11 explains the same idea for the Documents folder. Check your current capture location before you change anything. The first steps in the list below show it in Settings. Before you change the capture folder Before you change the capture folder, note that moving Videos is a real move, not a shortcut. Every file in the Videos folder goes to the new location, not only game clips. Moving it back is possible (see the undo section), but it copies everything a second time, so choose the destination carefully. Free space: The destination drive needs room for everything currently in Videos plus your future clips. Clips from long sessions grow quickly. Drive type: Use an internal drive or a partition (a separate section of a drive that has its own letter). An external USB drive works only while it is plugged in. If it is missing when you record, Game Bar may fail to save the clip. Close Game Bar and games: Windows cannot move files that are open. Quit any game and close the Game Bar overlay first. OneDrive: If OneDrive backs up your Videos folder, the path starts with OneDrive instead of C:\Users. See the troubleshooting section before you continue. Change where game captures are saved These steps change where game captures are saved in Windows 11 by moving the Videos folder, which contains the Captures folder. Replace D:\Videos in the examples with the drive and folder you want. Press Windows + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Gaming in the left menu. The Gaming page lists Xbox Game Bar, Captures and Game Mode. Select Captures. The path is Settings > Gaming > Captures. Note the path under Capture location. It normally ends with Videos\Captures. Close Settings. Quit any game and close the Game Bar… **Key facts:** - Game captures in Windows 11 save to the Captures folder inside your Videos folder by default, at C:\Users\USERNAME\Videos\Captures. - This guide uses that method first because it needs no extra software and works on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - A second method covers people who want to move only the game clips, not every video on the PC. - Where Windows 11 saves game captures by default Game Bar, the Windows + Alt + R recording shortcut, and the Windows + Alt + PrtScn screenshot shortcut all save to the same folder. - Where Are My Documents Saved in Windows 11 explains the same idea for the Documents folder. --- ### What Breaks When You Turn Off Copilot in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-breaks-when-you-turn-off-copilot-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-22 - **Word count:** 1713 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Turning off Copilot in Windows 11 removes the Copilot chat app, its taskbar icon, the Windows key + C shortcut and the Copilot key's default action, along with voice, Copilot Vision and Copilot Actions. Search, the Start menu, Settings, Windows Update and Microsoft Edge keep working. Copilot-branded features inside Notepad and Edge keep their own switches. **Content excerpt:** What breaks when you turn off Copilot in Windows 11 is mostly Copilot itself: the chat assistant, its taskbar button, and the shortcut or Copilot key that opens it. Search, the Start menu, Settings, Windows Update and Microsoft Edge keep working, and AI features with their own switches are unaffected. Copilot is not a core Windows component on current builds of Windows 11. It is an app you get from the Microsoft Store, plus a few entry points that launch it. This post lists what stops working, what stays, and how to remove Copilot with the fewest side effects. The steps use the Settings app and need no extra software. Removing Copilot from your own account does not normally need administrator rights, but a work or school PC may block it. What "Turning Off Copilot" Means on Windows 11 The word Copilot covers several separate things, and each has its own switch. Knowing which one you are turning off tells you what you will lose. The Copilot app. This is the chat assistant. On current Windows 11 builds it runs as a regular app in its own window, not as the sidebar that appeared in the first 2023 preview. Entry points. These are the Copilot icon on the taskbar, the Windows key + C shortcut (press the Windows key and C together) and the Copilot key on some keyboards. All three launch the app. Copilot features inside other apps. Notepad, Paint and Microsoft Edge each have AI features that carry the Copilot name, but they have their own settings. The guide How to Enable or Disable Windows Copilot in Windows 11 covers the switch itself. This post covers the consequences. What Stops Working When You Turn Off Copilot The losses fall into four groups. Which ones you see depends on whether you hide the icon, remove the app or block it by policy. The Copilot App and Chat If you uninstall the app, the chat assistant is gone. You can no longer ask it questions, summarize text, generate images or continue earlier conversations from Windows. Your Microsoft account is not affected, and you can still use Copilot in a web browser if you choose. If you only unpin the icon, the app stays installed and still opens from the Start menu or the keyboard shortcut. That is a cosmetic change, not a true turn-off. The Taskbar Button, Windows + C and the Copilot Key The taskbar icon disappears when you unpin or uninstall it. Windows + C stops launching Copilot once the app is removed. The Copilot key is a dedicated key that appears on some newer laptops. With the app removed, it has nothing to launch. Recent Windows 11 builds let you change what the key does, so you can point it at Search instead. Option 2 below shows how to point the key at Search. On builds that include Ask Copilot on the taskbar, that entry point has its own toggle. The post How to Turn On or… **Key facts:** - What breaks when you turn off Copilot in Windows 11 is mostly Copilot itself: the chat assistant, its taskbar button, and the shortcut or Copilot key that opens it. - Search, the Start menu, Settings, Windows Update and Microsoft Edge keep working, and AI features with their own switches are unaffected. - Copilot is not a core Windows component on current builds of Windows 11. - The steps use the Settings app and need no extra software. - What "Turning Off Copilot" Means on Windows 11 The word Copilot covers several separate things, and each has its own switch. --- ### Locate My Pictures Folder on My Computer in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/locate-my-pictures-folder-on-my-computer-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-22 - **Word count:** 1889 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** The "my pictures file" on Windows 11 is the Pictures folder, which sits at C:\Users\USERNAME\Pictures for your account. The quickest way to open it is to press Windows + E and click Pictures in the left-hand list of File Explorer. Older versions of Windows called it My Pictures, and some programs still use that name. **Content excerpt:** Your photos live in the Pictures folder on a Windows 11 PC. It sits at C:\Users\USERNAME\Pictures. The quickest way to open it is to press Windows + E and click Pictures in the left-hand list of File Explorer (the built-in app for browsing files and folders). Older versions of Windows called this folder My Pictures. Windows 11 shows it as plain Pictures, though some programs and older documents still use the old name. This guide covers the main route, four other ways in, how to check the folder's full path, and what to do when your photos are not where you expect. None of it needs administrator rights, apart from one case noted below. Where the Pictures Folder Lives in Windows 11 Every Windows account gets its own set of personal folders inside C:\Users. The Pictures folder belongs to your account, so the path includes your account name. For an account called USERNAME, it is C:\Users\USERNAME\Pictures. Windows also keeps a Public Pictures folder at C:\Users\Public\Pictures. Anyone who uses the PC can open it. Your own Pictures folder stays tied to your account. The Pictures folder usually holds a few subfolders that Windows and its apps create as needed: Camera Roll holds photos and videos taken with the Camera app. Saved Pictures holds images that some apps save by default. Screenshots holds screenshots captured with Windows + Print Screen. Windows creates it the first time you take one this way. You may not see all three. A subfolder appears only after an app has used it. Open the Pictures Folder in File Explorer These steps open your Pictures folder from the desktop and show you how to browse what is inside. Opening a folder does not change any files, so these steps are safe to follow. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer. A File Explorer window opens. You can also click the yellow folder icon on the taskbar. Find Pictures in the navigation pane. The navigation pane is the list down the left side of the window. Look below Home, Gallery (on newer builds), Desktop, Downloads, and Documents. A small pin icon sits beside it. Click Pictures. The main pane shows the contents of the folder, and the address bar at the top shows the folder name. Open a subfolder such as Camera Roll by double-clicking it. The pictures inside appear as thumbnails. Click the back arrow in the top-left corner to return to Pictures. Click View on the toolbar and choose Large icons. Thumbnails grow, so you can recognize photos without opening each one. Double-click any picture to open it. Windows opens it in your default photo app, which is usually the Photos app. If the file names show no endings such as.jpg or.png, turn on file extensions. The post on how to open File Folder Options in Windows 11 shows where that setting is. If Pictures Is Missing From the Navigation Pane Someone may have removed the folder from the sidebar, or a reset of your user… **Key facts:** - Your photos live in the Pictures folder on a Windows 11 PC. - Older versions of Windows called this folder My Pictures. - Windows 11 shows it as plain Pictures, though some programs and older documents still use the old name. - Where the Pictures Folder Lives in Windows 11 Every Windows account gets its own set of personal folders inside C:\Users. - Open the Pictures Folder in File Explorer These steps open your Pictures folder from the desktop and show you how to browse what is inside. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to import pictures from an sd card to Windows 11 and not to cloud? A: Insert the SD card, or plug in your card reader. Open File Explorer, click the card under This PC, select your photos, and copy them into Pictures. Copying does not upload anything by itself. Windows 11 may also offer Import in the Photos app, which copies files from the card to a folder you choose. - Q: How to add music to the music folder Windows 11? A: Your Music folder is at C:\Users\USERNAME\Music. Open File Explorer, click Music in the left pane, and drag in your song files or album folders. You can also copy files from a USB drive and paste them there. The Media Player app finds new tracks in this folder automatically. - Q: The Windows 11 ‘expand folder’ doesn’t work. is there a registry fix or group edit fix? A: Check the File Explorer setting first: open Folder Options from the File Explorer menu, go to the View tab, and tick Expand to open folder under Navigation pane. Group Policy Editor has no setting for this, so skip that fix. If the option stays off, back up the Registry Editor first, then set NavPaneExpandToCurrentFolder to 1 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. --- ### Show Your Music Library on This PC in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/show-your-music-library-on-this-pc-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1459 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To show your Music library on this PC in Windows 11, open File Explorer, select See more (the three dots), choose Options, open the View tab, and tick Show libraries under Navigation pane. Then select Libraries in the left pane and double-click Music. The library lists files from your C:\Users\USERNAME\Music folder and the shared Public Music folder. **Content excerpt:** The Music library in File Explorer is hidden by default in Windows 11. Here is how to show it. Open File Explorer, select See more (the three dots), choose Options, and turn on Show libraries on the View tab. A Libraries entry then appears in the left pane with Music inside it. A library is a virtual folder that gathers files from several real folders into one view. The Music library starts with your personal Music folder ( C:\Users\USERNAME\Music) and the shared Public Music folder. This post also covers the Music folder in the Folders group on This PC, adding more folders to the library, and what to do when an entry is missing. None of these steps need administrator rights, and none need a restart. Music Folder, Music Library and Media Player Library: What Is the Difference? Windows uses "music" for three separate things, and mixing them up is the usual reason a library looks empty. The Music folder is a real folder in your user profile. It is the default place for downloaded music and music copied from CDs. It shows under Folders on This PC. The post on finding the Music folder in Windows 11 covers its location in more detail. The Music library is the virtual folder described above. It can include folders from other drives, so music stored outside your profile still appears in one place. The Media Player library is a separate list kept by the Media Player app. It has its own locations. Changing one does not change the other. This post shows you the first two in File Explorer. The last section points you to the Media Player steps. Show the Music Library in File Explorer These steps show the Libraries entry in the File Explorer navigation pane (the left-hand list of locations), so you can open the Music library. The setting applies to your account only, and it covers every File Explorer window. Open File Explorer. Press Windows + E, or select the folder icon on the taskbar. Select See more. It is the three dots at the right end of the command bar at the top of the window. A menu opens. Choose Options. The Folder Options dialog opens. Select the View tab. A list called Advanced settings appears. Scroll to the Navigation pane group. It sits near the bottom of the list and contains several checkboxes. Tick Show libraries. The box shows a check mark when it is on. Select Apply, then select OK. The dialog closes. A Libraries entry now appears in the left pane of File Explorer. Select Libraries in the left pane. The right pane lists Camera Roll, Documents, Music, Pictures, Saved Pictures and Videos. Double-click Music. The Music library opens and lists the files from every folder it includes. If the Libraries entry does not appear after you select OK, close File Explorer and open it again. If it still does not appear, go to the troubleshooting section below. What You Should See An empty… **Key facts:** - The Music library in File Explorer is hidden by default in Windows 11. - None of these steps need administrator rights, and none need a restart. - The post on finding the Music folder in Windows 11 covers its location in more detail. - The last section points you to the Media Player steps. - Show the Music Library in File Explorer These steps show the Libraries entry in the File Explorer navigation pane (the left-hand list of locations), so you can open the Music library. --- ### Remove Your Password from Sign-In with Windows Hello - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/remove-your-password-from-sign-in-with-windows-hello/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1858 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To remove your password from sign-in with Windows Hello, open Settings, select Accounts, then Sign-in options, and turn on "For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts" under Additional settings. The switch needs a Windows Hello PIN, face or fingerprint already set up, and it changes only the sign-in screen on that PC. **Content excerpt:** Removing your password from sign-in with Windows Hello means the Windows 11 sign-in screen stops offering your password and accepts only a PIN, face scan or fingerprint. The quickest way is one switch in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options that limits your Microsoft account to Windows Hello sign-in on that PC. Windows Hello is the Windows feature that signs you in with a PIN, facial recognition or fingerprint instead of typing your account password. The switch works only for a Microsoft account, and it needs at least one Hello method already set up. The rest of this article covers the Hello setup, what changes afterward and how to reverse the switch. What removing the password from sign-in actually does The setting hides the password option on the sign-in screen and lock screen of that one PC. It does not delete your Microsoft account password. The password stays on your account, and you still use it on other devices, in a web browser and when you recover the account. This is different from skipping sign-in altogether. With the steps below, you still prove who you are every time. You do it with a PIN, face or fingerprint. A PIN is tied to the single device it was created on, so a stolen PIN is far less useful to an attacker than a stolen account password. For a deeper look at that trade-off, read Should You Use Windows 11 Pin Sign-in or a Traditional Password. Before you start Check these four things first. Most of the "I can't find the option" problems come from one of them. You sign in with a Microsoft account. The switch does not apply to a local account (an account that exists only on this PC, with no Microsoft login). Windows Hello is set up. You need a PIN at minimum. Face and fingerprint also work, but only if your PC has a compatible camera or fingerprint reader. You know your Microsoft account password. You still need it to recover the account or sign in elsewhere. The PC is personal, not managed by an organization. A work or school policy can lock this setting. The steps work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The wording in this post matches current Windows 11 releases. If your Settings pages look different, update Windows first. Set up a Windows Hello sign-in method first If you already sign in with a PIN, face or fingerprint, skip to the next section. If you do not, set one up before you touch the switch. Turning the switch on before you set up a Windows Hello sign-in method is the fastest way to confuse yourself, and Windows may refuse to apply it. The PIN is the safest choice because every Windows 11 PC supports it. Follow Set Up a Windows Hello PIN In Windows 11 if you need a walkthrough. If your PC has a fingerprint reader, How to Allow Windows Hello Secure Sign-in to Windows 11 Using a Fingerprint covers… **Key facts:** - Removing your password from sign-in with Windows Hello means the Windows 11 sign-in screen stops offering your password and accepts only a PIN, face scan or fingerprint. - The quickest way is one switch in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options that limits your Microsoft account to Windows Hello sign-in on that PC. - The switch works only for a Microsoft account, and it needs at least one Hello method already set up. - With the steps below, you still prove who you are every time. - For a deeper look at that trade-off, read Should You Use Windows 11 Pin Sign-in or a Traditional Password. --- ### Set the Default Playback Device in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/set-the-default-playback-device-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1890 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To set the default playback device in Windows 11, press Windows + I, select System, then Sound, and choose your speakers or headphones under Output. The selected device, marked by a filled circle, becomes the default for system sounds and most app audio straight away. **Content excerpt:** To set the default playback device in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Sound and choose your speakers or headphones under Output. The default playback device is the speaker, headphone set, monitor or other audio hardware that Windows uses for sound unless you tell an app otherwise. The same choice is available from the taskbar volume menu and from the classic Sound control panel ( mmsys.cpl). None of these methods needs administrator rights. This post covers all three, plus what to do when a device is missing, greyed out, or keeps switching back. What the default playback device controls A playback device is any piece of hardware that plays sound. Windows 11 lists built-in speakers, wired and Bluetooth headphones, USB headsets, HDMI or DisplayPort monitors, and virtual devices, which are software-only outputs such as those created by audio software. Windows sends system sounds, music, video and most app audio to whichever one is the default. Windows also tracks a default communications device. Calling apps such as Teams or Zoom can use it. Most people leave both set to the same hardware, but the classic Sound control panel lets you split them. That is covered later in this post. Changing the default does not affect your microphone. Input devices are listed separately under Input in the same Settings page. Set the default playback device in Settings These steps set the default playback device from the Settings app, which is the route Microsoft expects most people to use. Connect or pair the device first so it appears in the list. Press Windows + I. This opens Settings. Select System in the left pane. The System pages open on the right. Select Sound. The page lists your output and input devices. Find the Output section. On current builds it is titled Choose where to play sound and lists every active playback device. Select the device you want. A radio button (a small circle) fills in next to it, and Windows switches to it right away. Play a video or music clip. The sound should now come from the device you chose. If sound still plays from the old device, check whether the app has its own output setting. The section on per-app output below explains how. Windows 11 has changed this page between releases. On the original 21H2 release, the Output section shows a single drop-down labelled Choose your output device instead of a list. Select the drop-down and pick the device. The result is the same. Set it as the default for audio, communications, or both On recent builds of Windows 11, selecting a device name in the Output list opens its properties page. That page includes a Set as default sound device option. Its drop-down lets you use the device for general audio, for calls, for both, or for neither. The exact wording of these choices can differ between builds, so read the options on your screen before you pick one. If you do not see this option, use the… **Key facts:** - To set the default playback device in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Sound and choose your speakers or headphones under Output. - Windows 11 lists built-in speakers, wired and Bluetooth headphones, USB headsets, HDMI or DisplayPort monitors, and virtual devices, which are software-only outputs such as those created by audio software. - Input devices are listed separately under Input in the same Settings page. - Set the default playback device in Settings These steps set the default playback device from the Settings app, which is the route Microsoft expects most people to use. - On the original 21H2 release, the Output section shows a single drop-down labelled Choose your output device instead of a list. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Windows Ready Print In Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-windows-ready-print-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-05-24 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 654 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn Windows Ready Print on or off in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, and flip the switch for Default install printers using Windows Ready Print under Printer preferences. On installs new printers using the modern IPP method. Off allows older installation methods. The change takes effect immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** You'll find the Windows Ready Print switch in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, under Printer preferences. Turn Default install printers using Windows Ready Print on or off there. Windows Ready Print makes your PC use IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) when it sets up a printer, which makes installation more reliable. Starting in May 2026, Microsoft relies on this protocol by default to phase out older printer drivers. With the setting on, Windows installs new printers the modern way whenever it can. With it off, your computer can fall back on older installation methods, depending on what the printer needs. If you have an older printer that only installs with its legacy driver, turning the setting off is the first thing to try. For everything else, leaving it on is the better choice. These steps turn Windows Ready Print on or off in Windows 11: Open Settings. The quickest way is to press Windows key + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens with the list of categories on the left. Click Bluetooth & devices. It's in the list on the left side of the Settings window, and its page opens on the right. Click Printers & scanners. It's on the right side of the window. You should now see your installed printers and, further down, a section called Printer preferences. Scroll down to Printer preferences. If you have many printers listed, you may need to scroll a little to reach it. Find Default install printers using Windows Ready Print. It sits under Printer preferences and has a switch next to it. Set the switch to On to enable Windows Ready Print. Windows will then install new printers using the modern IPP method whenever possible. Set the switch to Off instead to disable it. This allows the older installation methods. Do this step only if you want to turn the feature off, not after step 6. Close the Settings window. The change applies as soon as you flip the switch. I haven't seen a restart requested for it. If you don't see the option, your copy of Windows 11 probably doesn't have it yet. Run Windows Update, install any pending updates, and check again. On a work PC, your organization may also manage printer settings, so the switch may not behave as you expect. To undo your change, go back to the same page and flip the switch the other way. The setting only affects how new printers are installed, so you can change it whenever a new printer needs a different method. Image:Microsoft Summary Managing the Windows Ready Print setting in Windows 11 takes only a few moments inside the Settings app. Choosing between the Ready Print IPP method and the traditional alternatives lets administrators control how new hardware integrates with the workstation. If a new printer won't install cleanly with one choice, switch to the other and try adding it again. How to enable Windows Ready print? Open Settings and press Windows key +… **Key facts:** - You'll find the Windows Ready Print switch in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, under Printer preferences. - Starting in May 2026, Microsoft relies on this protocol by default to phase out older printer drivers. - With it off, your computer can fall back on older installation methods, depending on what the printer needs. - These steps turn Windows Ready Print on or off in Windows 11: Open Settings. - The Settings window opens with the list of categories on the left. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to enable Windows Ready print? A: Open Settings and press Windows key + I. Go to Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Find "Default install printers using Windows Ready Print" and toggle the switch on. This lets Windows use the modern IPP method for new printer installations. - Q: What is Windows Ready print? A: Windows Ready Print is a setting that makes your PC install printers using IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), a modern, more reliable method. Starting May 2026, Microsoft uses this by default instead of older printer driver installation methods. - Q: Why won't Windows 11 let me print? A: Check that your printer is connected and powered on. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and look for your printer in the list. If it's missing, select "Add device" to install it. Restart your printer and PC if it still won't appear. - Q: How do I switch back to the old print dialog in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Toggle off "Default install printers using Windows Ready Print." This lets Windows use traditional printer installation methods instead of the newer IPP approach. **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find the Windows Ready Print switch: If you can't find this switch, your copy of Windows may not have it yet, or your organization may hide it. Try these in order: 1. Open Settings, go to Windows Update, and select Check for updates. Install anything pending, then restart if asked. 2. Go back to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and scroll all the way… --- ### How to Install CAB Files in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-install-cab-files-in-windows-11-step-by-step-guide/ - **Published:** 2026-02-15 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1308 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Command Prompt as Administrator, then run the command dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:\full\path\to\file.cab", replacing the path with your CAB file's location. Press Enter and wait for completion, then restart your PC if prompted. **Content excerpt:** CAB files on Windows 11 usually contain system updates or hardware drivers. Installing one takes a few minutes with the built-in command-line tools. Which method you pick depends on what the file contains, and the sections below cover each one. What Is a CAB File? A CAB (cabinet) file is a compressed archive that holds one or more system files. Microsoft and device manufacturers use this format for update packages and drivers because it keeps downloads small. You will usually run into one when you download an update by hand, for example from the Microsoft Update Catalog, or when a manufacturer ships a driver as a single package. Bundling many files into one archive also saves storage space and keeps related files together. Before you install anything, check two things: The package must match your system. A package built for a different Windows version or processor type (x64 or ARM64) will fail to install. You need an administrator account. Both command-line methods fail with an access error without elevated rights. How to Install a CAB File in Windows 11 There are three ways to install these packages. Use Command Prompt or PowerShell for update packages. Use File Explorer when you only need a driver from inside the file. Whichever you choose, restart the PC afterward if Windows asks you to. Some updates only finish installing after a reboot. 1. Using Command Prompt You can install CAB files in Windows 11 from Command Prompt by running a built-in deployment tool with administrator rights. This is the fastest way to apply system updates and patches. It needs no extra software, just one text command. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (this means running it with special permissions). If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes. The window title should now start with "Administrator". Find the full path of your CAB file. A quick way is to select the file in File Explorer and press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy its path. Type the command below, but replace FULL_PATH_TO_CAB_FILE with the full location of your CAB file. For example, if your CAB file is in Downloads, it might look like this: C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\file.cab. If the path contains spaces, put it in quotation marks. Press Enter and wait. Large updates can take several minutes, and a progress indicator may appear in the window. dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"FULL_PATH_TO_CAB_FILE" Example: dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:\Users\Richard\Downloads\Windows10.0-KB5018851-x64.cab" When the operation finishes, the console window shows a confirmation message. If it reports an error instead, the usual causes are a typing mistake in the path, a window that is not running as administrator, or a package that does not match your version of Windows. Restart the PC if the message says a restart is required. To undo an installed update, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Not every package appears in that list. 2. Using Windows PowerShell Windows PowerShell lets you install CAB files in Windows 11 with a package management command run with administrative privileges. This… **Key facts:** - CAB files on Windows 11 usually contain system updates or hardware drivers. - Which method you pick depends on what the file contains, and the sections below cover each one. - A package built for a different Windows version or processor type (x64 or ARM64) will fail to install. - Both command-line methods fail with an access error without elevated rights. - How to Install a CAB File in Windows 11 There are three ways to install these packages. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to install cab file Windows 11? A: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run dism /online /add-package /packagepath:, followed by the full path to the .cab file. This works for Windows update packages. Driver packages need a different method: extract the files first, then install the driver from its .inf file through Device Manager. - Q: How to install cabinet file win11? A: A cabinet file is the same as a CAB file. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as administrator. Run dism /online /add-package /packagepath: with the full file path, then wait for the message that the operation completed successfully. Driver packages need to be extracted and installed through Device Manager instead. - Q: How to install driver cab file? A: Extract the CAB file to a folder. Right-click it and choose Extract All, or run expand from Command Prompt. Then open Device Manager, right-click the device, choose Update driver, select Browse my computer for drivers, and point to the folder. Windows installs the driver from the .inf file inside. - Q: How to install .cab driver? A: Extract the .cab file to its own folder by right-clicking it and choosing Extract All. Open Device Manager and right-click the device you want to fix. Choose Update driver, then Browse my computer for drivers, and select the extracted folder. Windows finds the .inf file and installs the driver. - Q: How to install cab? A: It depends on what the file contains. For update packages, open an administrator Command Prompt and run dism /online /add-package /packagepath: with the file path. For driver packages, extract the files and install the .inf file through Device Manager. Either way, the package must match your Windows version and processor type. - Q: How to run cab file Windows 11? A: Double-clicking a CAB file opens it in File Explorer so you can see its contents. It does not run an installer. To install an update CAB, use dism /online /add-package in an administrator Command Prompt. To pull out its files, right-click the file and choose Extract All. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Text and Image Generation for Apps in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-text-and-image-generation-for-apps-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-04-01 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1283 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Privacy & security > Text and image generation, then toggle the switch On or Off. The change takes effect immediately. To control it for your account only, use the "Let apps use Text and image generation" option on the same page. **Content excerpt:** Text and image generation for apps is a Windows 11 setting that lets installed programs use AI features built into the operating system and run on your PC hardware to create content. Managing it lets you decide which desktop apps can run these on-device AI tasks. Turning the switch off stops apps from using your local AI tools. It does not affect cloud-based services you open in a web browser, because those don't go through this setting. Option One: Turn Text and Image Generation On or Off for Everyone in Settings You can turn text and image generation on or off for every user account on the PC at once from the Settings app. This is a system-wide control. It needs administrator rights, and it changes how these AI features work for everyone who signs in to this PC. It's the right choice on a shared computer where you want to control access completely. Open Settings by pressing Win+I. The Settings window should open. Click Privacy & security on the left side. Then click Text and image generation on the right side under "App permissions". The text and image generation page should open. Set the text and image generation switch to On (this is the default) or Off. The switch should change right away. You don't need to restart. Close Settings when you're done. Option Two: Turn Text and Image Generation On or Off for Everyone Using Registry ⚠️ Note: Administrator privileges are required for this option. If you sign in with a standard account, the system-wide switch may be greyed out or Windows may ask for an administrator password. To undo the change later, return to the same page and flip the switch back. If you prefer the command line, open the Windows Terminal app and run the commands below. Run the command that matches the state you want. Turn On Text and Image Generation for Everyone This is the default setting. reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\systemAIModels" /v Value /t REG_SZ /d Allow /f Turn Off Text and Image Generation for Everyone reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\systemAIModels" /v Value /t REG_SZ /d Deny /f Option Three: Turn On or Off Let Apps Use Text and Image Generation for Your Account in Settings Open Settings by pressing Win+I. The Settings window should open. Click Privacy & security on the left side. Then click Text and image generation on the right side under "App permissions". The text and image generation page should open. You can stop or allow all installed programs from using text and image generation for your own user account only. This setting acts as a master switch for your profile. It doesn't change how other people's accounts behave on the same computer. Turning it off blocks every program at once from creating content with the built-in AI tools. You don't need administrator rights for this one, because it only affects your own account. Set Let apps use Text and image generation to On (this is the default) or Off. Turning off "Let… **Key facts:** - Text and image generation for apps is a Windows 11 setting that lets installed programs use AI features built into the operating system and run on your PC hardware to create content. - Option One: Turn Text and Image Generation On or Off for Everyone in Settings You can turn text and image generation on or off for every user account on the PC at once from the Settings app. - Option Two: Turn Text and Image Generation On or Off for Everyone Using Registry ⚠️ Note: Administrator privileges are required for this option. - Option Four: Turn On or Off Let Apps Use Text and Image Generation for Your Account Using Registry To do the same thing from the command line, open the Windows Terminal app and run the command below. - To reverse it, set the switch back to On in Settings > Privacy & security > Text and image generation. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to pin apps to Windows 11 taskbar efficiently? A: Open Start, type the app's name, then right-click it in the results and choose Pin to taskbar. For an app that is already open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar. To remove it later, right-click the icon and choose Unpin from taskbar. - Q: How to enable mobile hotspot in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Network & internet, then click Mobile hotspot. Turn on the Share my Internet connection with other devices switch. To change the network name or password, select Edit, enter new details, and click Save. Connect other devices using the name and password shown on that page. - Q: How to disable automatic updates in Windows 11? A: Windows 11 doesn't have a permanent off switch for Windows Update, but you can pause it. Open Settings, click Windows Update, then select Pause updates. Choose an end date up to five weeks away. Turning off updates for good leaves your PC open to security flaws, so pausing is the safer choice. --- ### How to Hide Users on Windows 11 Sign-in Screen - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-show-or-hide-users-on-the-sign-in-screen-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2023-08-02 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1452 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Edit the Windows Registry by navigating to WinlogonSpecialAccountsUserList and creating a DWORD value for the username, setting its data to 0. This hides the user from the sign-in screen without deleting data. **Content excerpt:** Hiding a user account on the Windows 11 sign-in screen removes that profile's name from the list shown at startup. The account is not deleted and keeps working. This method uses the Registry Editor (a built-in app that holds deep system settings) to keep local user profiles off the startup list. It works well for built-in local accounts such as the main Administrator account. It applies only to local logins. It cannot hide standard Microsoft accounts linked to an email address. Why Hide Users on Windows 11? Hiding user accounts stops other people from seeing who uses your computer when they reach the sign-in screen. That keeps your login names private and makes casual snooping harder. The hidden account keeps working normally. Nobody else can tell it exists when they turn on your PC. Hiding usernames adds a layer of security by obscuring the list of accounts on your system. Someone who walks up to the machine no longer sees valid account names, so they have less to work with if they try to guess a password. This is not a replacement for strong passwords. It only removes the names from view. Anyone who already knows the username can still try to sign in with it. A hidden account stays fully functional. It just no longer appears on the sign-in screen. To use it, you must type the username manually into the sign-in box. That means you need to remember the exact username before you hide it. Before You Begin: Safety First Editing the Windows Registry is powerful, and a mistake can cause system problems. Before you start, create a System Restore point. If something goes wrong, you can roll the system back to a working state. Click Start, type Create a restore point, and open the result. The System Properties window opens on the System Protection tab. Select your system drive in the list. If protection shows as Off, click Configure, choose Turn on system protection, and click OK. Click Create, type a name such as "Before hiding users", and click Create again. Windows shows a message when the restore point is finished. As an extra safety net, you can also export the registry key you are about to change from Registry Editor using File > Export. Method 1: Using the Registry Editor (Advanced) Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced Windows system settings) lets you hide specific user accounts by creating an exclusion list in the registry. This method works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. You need to be signed in with an administrator account. Follow each step closely. A wrong key name or a misspelled username will simply have no effect, but changes in the wrong place can cause system problems. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. If User Account Control asks for permission, click Yes. The Registry Editor window opens. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon You can expand the folders in the left pane, or paste the path into the address bar… **Key facts:** - Hiding a user account on the Windows 11 sign-in screen removes that profile's name from the list shown at startup. - This method uses the Registry Editor (a built-in app that holds deep system settings) to keep local user profiles off the startup list. - Before You Begin: Safety First Editing the Windows Registry is powerful, and a mistake can cause system problems. - As an extra safety net, you can also export the registry key you are about to change from Registry Editor using File > Export. - Method 1: Using the Registry Editor (Advanced) Registry Editor (a tool for changing advanced Windows system settings) lets you hide specific user accounts by creating an exclusion list in the registry. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to hide user account from login screen? A: Open Registry Editor as an administrator and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList. Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named after the account, then set its value to 0. The account stays active but disappears from the sign-in screen after you restart. Only local accounts qualify. - Q: How to hide user in Windows 11? A: To hide a user in Windows 11, you edit the Registry Editor, which holds deep system settings. Find SpecialAccounts\UserList under Winlogon, add a DWORD value with the username, and set it to 0. Only local accounts can be hidden this way. Microsoft accounts linked to an email address still appear on the sign-in screen. - Q: How do I get a users account to not show on a sign in page? A: Open the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList. Add a DWORD value named for the account and set its data to 0. The account keeps working, but its name no longer appears on the sign-in page after you restart. Only local accounts qualify. - Q: How to remove user from login screen Windows 11? A: To remove a user from the Windows 11 login screen, hide it in the Registry Editor. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList, create a DWORD with the username, and set it to 0. Restart the PC. The account is not deleted and still works. - Q: How to disable other user accounts on logon screen in Windows 11? A: To disable other user accounts on the logon screen, you hide them, not disable them. Open Registry Editor and add a DWORD value for each account under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList, set to 0. Hidden accounts still work through the Other user option on the sign-in screen. Only local accounts qualify. - Q: How to make an best user in win 11 and hide it all fea? A: To hide a user account in Windows 11, you need Registry Editor, a built-in tool for deep system settings. Back up the registry first, because a wrong edit can affect startup. Add a DWORD value named after the account under SpecialAccounts\UserList and set it to 0. Only local accounts can be hidden, and the account still works. **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find the Winlogon key: Winlogon is several folders deep, not a top-level key. Check each level in the left pane: 1. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then SOFTWARE, then Microsoft. 2. Expand Windows NT, then CurrentVersion. 3. Look for Winlogon in the list of keys under CurrentVersion. If the address bar isn't visible, expand the folders one at a time. Don't create Winlogon yourself. It should already… --- ### How to Set Up a Passkey for Microsoft Account on Android - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-add-a-passkey-on-your-android-phone-for-your-microsoft-account/ - **Published:** 2024-05-10 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1129 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Sign in to your Microsoft account, go to Advanced Security Options, and select "Add a new way to sign in or verify." Choose "Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key," select your Android phone, and follow the on-screen prompts to save and create your passkey. **Content excerpt:** A passkey for a Microsoft account on Android replaces your password with a sign-in that uses your phone's fingerprint reader, face scanner, or screen lock. The passkey is a cryptographic code stored on your phone, so there is no password for a hacker to steal or trick you into typing. You can set one up on Android 9 or newer in a few minutes, using Google Password Manager or your device settings. Before you start, make sure your phone has a screen lock (PIN, pattern, or password) and ideally a fingerprint or face unlock enrolled. The passkey depends on that lock to confirm it's you. Latest Update A Microsoft account passkey on Android currently works only for personal accounts, not work or school accounts. If you sign in with a work or school address, you may not see the passkey option at all. In that case, your organization's administrator controls which sign-in methods are allowed. Passkeys are digital credentials tied to your phone. They use biometrics such as a fingerprint instead of a password, so they can't be captured by a fake phishing website. A passkey is tied to your physical device. It relies on biometrics or your screen lock rather than a string of characters sent over the internet. A phishing site has nothing to intercept, and you have nothing to remember or reuse. Once it's set up, a passkey gives you access to Microsoft services such as Microsoft 365 and Copilot on your mobile hardware. At a Microsoft sign-in screen, select Sign-in options. You'll see choices such as face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key. Pick one to start the passkey sign-in. Set up a passkey for your Microsoft account on your Android phone Android uses built-in hardware security to protect your credentials. It routes them through Google Password Manager or the Microsoft Authenticator app, depending on where you choose to save the passkey. The steps below use Google Password Manager. The private part of the passkey stays on your phone. Microsoft only keeps the matching public part, which is useless to an attacker on its own. Latest Update Grab your phone and follow these steps to get configured. Sign in to your personal Microsoft account and open the Advanced Security Options page. Click Add a new way to sign in or verify. A list of available sign-in and verification methods should appear. If Microsoft asks you to verify your identity first, complete that prompt and then continue. Select Face, fingerprint, PIN, or security key. Choose your Android phone from the options shown. Click Next. If you don't see your phone or the passkey option, check that you're signed in with a personal account and that your phone's screen lock is set up. When prompted, select Save another way. Choose Google Password Manager to store the passkey. This tells Android to save the passkey in your Google account's password manager rather than somewhere else. Make sure you're signed in to a Google account on the phone. Click Use once… **Key facts:** - You can set one up on Android 9 or newer in a few minutes, using Google Password Manager or your device settings. - In that case, your organization's administrator controls which sign-in methods are allowed. - Once it's set up, a passkey gives you access to Microsoft services such as Microsoft 365 and Copilot on your mobile hardware. - Latest Update Grab your phone and follow these steps to get configured. - A list of available sign-in and verification methods should appear. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to create a Microsoft passkey on Android? A: Open your Microsoft account security page in a browser on your Android phone and sign in. Tap Advanced security options, choose Passkeys, and select Create a passkey. Pick Google Password Manager or your device option when asked, then confirm with your fingerprint, face, or screen lock. This works only for personal Microsoft accounts. - Q: Hwo do I use the passkey stored in my phone to log in on Microsoft? A: On the Microsoft sign-in page, enter your email address and choose the passkey option. Your phone will ask for your fingerprint, face, or screen lock. Confirm it, and you are signed in without typing a password. - Q: How to change Microsoft password manager to Google password manager on Android.? A: Microsoft does not move a passkey from one password manager to another. Instead, create a new passkey and choose Google Password Manager when Android asks where to save it. Then remove the old passkey from the Passkeys list in your Microsoft account security settings. - Q: How do I get Microsoft keys for phone? A: You don't download a Microsoft passkey. You create it on your phone from your Microsoft account security settings. Open Advanced security options, choose Passkeys, and create one. It is saved to the password manager you chose, and you confirm it with your screen lock. - Q: Account key on phone? A: An account key on your phone is a passkey. It is a secure code saved on your Android device that proves it's you when you sign in, so no password is needed. It is unlocked with your fingerprint, face, or screen lock. You set one up in your Microsoft account security settings. - Q: How to scannerize microsft passkey with Android? A: You don't need a separate scan to use a Microsoft passkey on Android. Pick the passkey on the sign-in page, then approve the prompt on your phone with your fingerprint, face, or screen lock. Your phone checks that it's you, and Microsoft receives the confirmation. No password is typed. - Q: Why do some screenshots say "Windows" in a guide about Android passkeys? A: Some screenshots may have been taken on a Windows computer, so they can show Windows wording instead of Android. Microsoft's account pages look much the same on every device. On your phone, the prompts should come from Android or Google Password Manager, such as a fingerprint, face, or screen lock prompt. The written steps describe the Android process, so follow… --- ### Stop Windows from Automatically Finishing Device Setup After Updates - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/stop-windows-from-automatically-finishing-device-setup-after-updates/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1738 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To stop Windows 11 from signing you in automatically after an update restart, open Settings, select Accounts, then Sign-in options. Under Additional settings, turn off "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up after an update or restart." The PC then waits at the sign-in screen. Repeat this for each account on the PC. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can sign you in on its own after an update restarts your PC. This post shows how to turn that off in Settings, so the PC stops signing in for you and waits at the sign-in screen. The setting is named Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up after an update or restart. It lives at Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. It applies to the account you are signed in with, so repeat the steps for each account that should stop using it. Turning it off takes less than a minute and needs no restart. The sections below explain what the setting does, how to switch it off, and what to check if the option is missing or greyed out. What Windows does when this setting is on After a Windows update, the PC restarts one or more times to finish installing. With the setting on, Windows uses your sign-in details to sign you in automatically during that restart. It finishes the setup work that needs a signed-in user. Then it locks the screen, so nobody can use the session without your password, PIN or other sign-in method. Usually you return to a lock screen with your apps already open, not to a half-finished update. Windows calls the underlying feature Automatic Restart Sign-On (ARSO). The name shows up in Microsoft documentation, not on screen. This setting is separate from the full-screen "Let's finish setting up your device" prompt that asks you to confirm things like Microsoft account backup. If that screen is what bothers you, read how to disable "Let's finish setting up your device" in Windows 11 instead. Why you might want to turn it off The main reason is security. While the PC is signing you in during the restart, your session is briefly active without you sitting at the keyboard. The screen locks again afterwards, but some people, especially those with shared or portable PCs, prefer that no sign-in happens until they type their credentials. Other reasons are practical. Some people want the PC to go straight to the sign-in screen after an update, so they know exactly when it has finished. Others find that apps reopen on their own after an update and prefer to open them by hand. Turning the setting off has a cost. After an update restart, the PC waits at the sign-in screen until you enter your credentials, and the finishing work happens after you sign in. Expect a slightly longer wait the first time you use the PC after each update. Before you start Check three things first, because they decide whether you see the option at all. Windows version. The steps below are for Windows 11. The wording differs slightly between Windows 11 builds (the numbered versions of the system). Some builds say "...finish setting up after an update or restart" and Windows 10 adds the words "my device". Account type. The toggle appears for the account you are signed in to. It does not… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can sign you in on its own after an update restarts your PC. - This post shows how to turn that off in Settings, so the PC stops signing in for you and waits at the sign-in screen. - It applies to the account you are signed in with, so repeat the steps for each account that should stop using it. - Then it locks the screen, so nobody can use the session without your password, PIN or other sign-in method. - If that screen is what bothers you, read how to disable "Let's finish setting up your device" in Windows 11 instead. --- ### Use CGI Scripts with Apache on Ubuntu 26.04 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/use-cgi-scripts-with-apache-on-ubuntu-26-04/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1088 - **Category:** Ubuntu Linux - **Tags:** Ubuntu Linux **Quick answer:** To run a CGI script on Apache in Ubuntu 26.04, install Apache2 with sudo apt install -y apache2, enable the cgid module with sudo a2enmod cgid, and restart Apache with sudo systemctl restart apache2. Then save an executable script in /usr/lib/cgi-bin and open http://localhost/cgi-bin/test.cgi in a browser. **Content excerpt:** CGI scripts are programs that Apache runs to build a web page when someone asks for it. To set one up on Ubuntu 26.04, install Apache2, turn on the cgid module, add an executable script to /usr/lib/cgi-bin, and restart Apache. This guide covers Linux commands. Use it in an Ubuntu 26.04 virtual machine, on a server you reach over SSH, or in a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Ubuntu window on your Windows PC. Before you start Every command below runs in an Ubuntu terminal, not in PowerShell or Command Prompt. Commands that start with sudo need an account with administrator (sudo) rights, and Ubuntu asks for your password the first time. If you use WSL, systemd (the service manager that starts Apache) must be running in your Ubuntu instance for the systemctl commands to work. If they fail, use a virtual machine instead. Install Apache2 Skip this section if Apache2 is already installed and serving its default page. Install the package Open your Ubuntu terminal. Update the package list. This requires administrator rights. sudo apt update Install Apache2. This requires administrator rights. sudo apt install -y apache2 Check that the service is running. systemctl status apache2 You should see active (running) in green. Press q to leave the status screen. Enable the CGI module Ubuntu's Apache uses the event MPM (the part of Apache that handles connections in threads). With that setup, CGI needs cgid, a version of the CGI module built for threaded Apache. Turn it on as shown below. Turn on cgid and restart Apache Enable the module. This requires administrator rights. sudo a2enmod cgid Ubuntu prints a message saying the module is enabled, or already enabled. Restart Apache so it loads the module. This requires administrator rights. sudo systemctl restart apache2 Ubuntu's default setup already maps the /cgi-bin/ URL to the folder /usr/lib/cgi-bin. Once cgid is on, that folder works with no extra configuration. You can write your first script there. Create and test a CGI script Read this before you add the first script: a CGI script runs with the web server's permissions, so keep test scripts out of any folder that faces the internet. A CGI script must print an HTTP header first, then a blank line, then the page content. If the header is missing, Apache returns a 500 error. Write a test script Create a new file in the CGI folder. This requires administrator rights. sudo nano /usr/lib/cgi-bin/test.cgi Type or paste this script: #!/bin/bash echo "Content-Type: text/html" echo "" echo "" echo "

CGI is working

" echo "

Server time: $(date)

" echo "" Press Ctrl + O, then Enter to save. Press Ctrl + X to close nano. Make the script executable Apache can only run a file that has the execute permission. Give the script that permission so Apache can run it. Set the permissions. This requires administrator rights. sudo chmod 755 /usr/lib/cgi-bin/test.cgi Open a browser on the same machine, or on your Windows PC if you use WSL, and go to: http://localhost/cgi-bin/test.cgi… **Key facts:** - To set one up on Ubuntu 26.04, install Apache2, turn on the cgid module, add an executable script to /usr/lib/cgi-bin, and restart Apache. - Use it in an Ubuntu 26.04 virtual machine, on a server you reach over SSH, or in a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Ubuntu window on your Windows PC. - Install Apache2 Skip this section if Apache2 is already installed and serving its default page. - sudo apt install -y apache2 Check that the service is running. - systemctl status apache2 You should see active (running) in green. --- ### How to Change from a Microsoft Account to a Local Account in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-from-a-microsoft-account-to-a-local-account-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1364 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and click Sign in with a local account instead. Enter your Microsoft account password to confirm, then create a username and password for your local account. Your files remain on your PC, but syncing and automatic OneDrive sign-in stop working. **Content excerpt:** Switching from a Microsoft account to a local account in Windows 11 lets you use your PC offline with just a username and password instead of a cloud-connected Microsoft login. A Microsoft account syncs your settings to online servers. A local account keeps its sign-in details only on your computer. Privacy concerns and the desire to stop Windows from tracking your activity drive many people to make this switch. You can finish the whole change in the Settings app in under 5 minutes. You do not lose your files and you do not reinstall Windows. The steps work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Why Change to a Local Account? Switching to a Windows 11 local account stops Microsoft from tracking your app use and settings across the cloud. Your sign-in lives on your machine instead of a web server, and you do not need to enter an email address every time you turn on your computer. This setup gives you more privacy and works without an internet connection. More privacy: Your settings and files are not linked to your Microsoft account online. No syncing: Your settings won't automatically copy to other devices. Simpler login: You use a username and password specific to your computer. Know what you give up before you start. Some things depend on a Microsoft account: Settings sync, such as themes and saved Wi-Fi networks, stops working across your devices. Microsoft Store, Xbox and some Microsoft 365 apps will ask you to sign in again when you use them. You can sign in to individual apps without converting the whole Windows account back. OneDrive stops signing in automatically. Files already in your OneDrive folder stay on the PC, but check that they are fully downloaded before you rely on them offline. If your PC uses device encryption, the recovery key is often saved to your Microsoft account. Check that you have a copy of it somewhere safe before you switch. Also, make sure you are signed in as the account you want to convert. You can only change the account you are currently using. How to Change to a Local Account Step 1: Open Settings Press Windows key + I on your keyboard. You can also click the Start button and then the gear icon for Settings. Check that the Settings window opens. If you used the Start menu and don't see a gear icon, type "Settings" in the Start search box and press Enter. Step 2: Go to Your Account Settings In the Settings window, select Accounts from the left sidebar. Click Your info. In some builds it sits near the top of the Accounts page, under your name and email address. Look at the page that opens. Your name and Microsoft email address should show at the top. That confirms you are on a Microsoft account. windows 11 your info tile in settings Step 3: Start the Switch Find the link on the Your info page. It is under Account settings, and… **Key facts:** - Switching from a Microsoft account to a local account in Windows 11 lets you use your PC offline with just a username and password instead of a cloud-connected Microsoft login. - A Microsoft account syncs your settings to online servers. - You can finish the whole change in the Settings app in under 5 minutes. - The steps work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Switching to a Windows 11 local account stops Microsoft from tracking your app use and settings across the cloud. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to switch to local account Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info. Click Sign in with a local account instead, enter your current Microsoft account password, then create a username and password for the local account. Select Next, then Sign out and finish. Your files stay on the PC. - Q: How to change Microsoft account in Windows 11? A: Sign out of the current Microsoft account, then sign in with the other one. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and click Sign out. On the sign-in screen, choose the other account, or select Other user to type its email address and password. Each account keeps its own files. - Q: How to revert to local account? A: Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account, then follow the prompts. Windows switches the sign-in to that account, and your files stay on the PC. - Q: How to switch from Microsoft account to local? A: Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and click Sign in with a local account instead. Enter your Microsoft password, create a local username and password, then select Next and Sign out and finish. Your files stay on the PC. - Q: How to remove the local account name? A: To remove a local account name, you have to delete that account. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Other users, choose the account, and click Remove. Back up its files first, because deleting the account erases its data. You need an administrator account to do this. - Q: How to change account in Windows 11? A: Switch accounts from the Start menu. Select your profile picture at the top, then choose the account you want. To sign out fully, select the same picture and click Sign out. Save your work first, because signing out closes open apps. - Q: Why is the 'Sign in with a local account instead' link missing from my Windows 11 account settings? A: Windows only shows that link when it detects a Microsoft account on the PC. If you already use a local account, check Settings > Accounts > Your info, where it should say Local account under your name. If your PC is managed by a work or school account, look under Settings > Accounts > Access work or school and ask… **Extra help under the steps:** - If there is no 'Sign in with a local account instead' link: If the link isn't there, Windows is probably not offering the switch for one of three reasons. 1. You already use a local account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. If it shows Local account under your name, you're done. 2. A work or school account manages this PC. Check Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.… - If the address at the top is a Gmail address: This is normal. A Microsoft account can use any email address as its sign-in, including Gmail, so the address at the top of the page may be a Gmail address and still be a Microsoft account. To check: 1. Compare the address with the one your son types on the Windows sign-in screen. If they match, he is on a… --- ### What Breaks When You Turn Off Snap Assist in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-breaks-when-you-turn-off-snap-assist-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1654 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Turning off Snap Assist removes only the thumbnail picker that suggests a window for the empty half of the screen after you snap one. Edge snapping, corner snapping, Windows + Arrow shortcuts, snap layouts and snap groups all keep working. To change it, open Settings, select System, then Multitasking, and switch off "When I snap a window, suggest what I can snap next to it. **Content excerpt:** What breaks when you turn off Snap Assist in Windows 11 is one thing: the thumbnail picker that suggests which open window to place beside a snapped one. Snapping to screen edges and snap layouts keep working, unless you also turn off the main Snap windows switch. Each setting changes something different, so this post shows what each one affects before you choose. It then shows how to turn Snap Assist off and back on in Settings. The change needs no administrator rights and no restart. What Snap Assist Does in Windows 11 Snap Assist is the suggestion step that follows a snap. You snap one window to half the screen, and Windows fills the empty half with thumbnails of your other open windows. Click a thumbnail and that window snaps into the space. Snap Assist is one part of a larger feature called snapping, which Windows 11 groups under a single Snap windows switch in Settings. The label for the Snap Assist option on current Windows 11 builds is When I snap a window, suggest what I can snap next to it. Labels can differ slightly on older builds. Snap Assist vs. Snap windows vs. snap layouts These three names get mixed up, and the difference decides what breaks. Snap windows is the master switch. It controls all snapping behavior. Snap Assist is the thumbnail suggestion after you snap one window. Snap layouts is the grid of layout choices that appears when you hover over a window's maximize button or press Windows + Z. Turning off Snap Assist leaves the other two in place. Turning off the master switch affects everything under it. What Breaks When You Turn Off Snap Assist Only Only the suggestion step goes away. Everything else about snapping behaves as before. The practical effect is a few extra clicks whenever you build a side-by-side layout. What stops working The thumbnail picker after a snap. You drag a window to the left edge, and the right half stays empty. Nothing offers your other windows. Guided filling of snap layouts. When you pick a layout from the maximize-button pop-up, Windows normally offers thumbnails for each remaining zone. With Snap Assist off, you place each remaining window yourself. Keyboard snapping with suggestions, using Windows + Left Arrow or Windows + Right Arrow. After a Windows + Left Arrow or Windows + Right Arrow snap, the thumbnail list that lets you choose a partner window with the arrow keys and Enter no longer appears. If you snap two or three windows a day, you will barely notice. If you build four-window layouts all day, the extra clicking adds up. What keeps working Dragging a window to the left or right edge of the screen still snaps it to half the screen. Dragging a window to a corner still snaps it to a quarter of the screen. Windows + Arrow shortcuts still snap windows. Snap layouts on the maximize button still appear, as long as that option stays on. Snap… **Key facts:** - What breaks when you turn off Snap Assist in Windows 11 is one thing: the thumbnail picker that suggests which open window to place beside a snapped one. - It then shows how to turn Snap Assist off and back on in Settings. - What Snap Assist Does in Windows 11 Snap Assist is the suggestion step that follows a snap. - Snap Assist is one part of a larger feature called snapping, which Windows 11 groups under a single Snap windows switch in Settings. - The label for the Snap Assist option on current Windows 11 builds is When I snap a window, suggest what I can snap next to it. --- ### Why Does My Desktop Background Keep Changing in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/why-does-my-desktop-background-keep-changing-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1940 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** The desktop background keeps changing in Windows 11 because Windows spotlight or a Slideshow is selected under Settings > Personalization > Background. Open Settings, select Personalization, then Background, and set Personalize your background to Picture to stop the changes. **Content excerpt:** Your desktop background keeps changing in Windows 11 when Windows spotlight or a Slideshow is switched on under Settings > Personalization > Background. Set Personalize your background to Picture and the changes stop within seconds. If that is not the cause, a theme, a synced setting from another PC, a third-party app or a work policy is replacing the picture. This post lists each cause in the order you are most likely to hit it, and explains how to confirm and fix it. Why Does the Desktop Background Keep Changing? Windows 11 changes the wallpaper on its own only when something tells it to. The usual sources are below, most common first. Windows spotlight (a Microsoft feature that downloads new photos and rotates them) is selected as the background. You turn on a Slideshow that rotates through a folder of pictures. A theme (a saved bundle of wallpaper, colors and sounds) includes several images. Settings sync from another PC signed in to the same Microsoft account applies a different wallpaper. An app, such as a wallpaper manager or a manufacturer utility, sets the picture. Your employer or school applies a policy that overrides your choice. Work through the sections in order. Each takes a minute or two, and you can stop when the background holds still. Check the Background Setting First This page shows which mode controls your wallpaper. Most cases end here. Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select Personalization in the left pane, then select Background. Look at the Personalize your background drop-down. It shows Picture, Solid color, Slideshow or Windows spotlight. If it says Windows spotlight or Slideshow, you have found the likely cause. Use the matching section below. Turn Off Windows Spotlight Windows spotlight pulls in new photos from Microsoft and swaps them regularly. On the desktop it also adds a Learn more about this picture icon. Switching to a fixed picture stops both. Open Settings > Personalization > Background. Open the Personalize your background drop-down and select Picture. Under Recent images, select the picture you want. Select Browse photos to choose a file of your own. Check the desktop. Your chosen picture replaces the spotlight image, and the Learn more about this picture icon disappears. If the icon stays, close Settings and wait a few seconds, or sign out and back in. Our post on how to turn off Windows Spotlight on the desktop background in Windows 11 covers the leftover icon in more detail. Stop a Slideshow A Slideshow rotates through every picture in a folder at a set interval. This is a common cause when the wallpaper changes at regular intervals, such as every 10 minutes. Open Settings > Personalization > Background. Open the Personalize your background drop-down and select Picture. Choose one image from Recent images, or select Browse photos and pick a file. Wait for the next interval to pass. The same picture stays on screen. If you want to keep the Slideshow but slow it down, stay on Slideshow… **Key facts:** - Your desktop background keeps changing in Windows 11 when Windows spotlight or a Slideshow is switched on under Settings > Personalization > Background. - Windows 11 changes the wallpaper on its own only when something tells it to. - Settings sync from another PC signed in to the same Microsoft account applies a different wallpaper. - If the icon stays, close Settings and wait a few seconds, or sign out and back in. - Our post on how to turn off Windows Spotlight on the desktop background in Windows 11 covers the leftover icon in more detail. --- ### Fix the Windows Hypervisor Platform Is Not Enabled Error in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/fix-the-windows-hypervisor-platform-is-not-enabled-error-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1821 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To fix the "Windows Hypervisor Platform is not enabled" error in Windows 11, open Run with Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and tick Windows Hypervisor Platform in Windows Features. Then restart. If the error persists, check that Virtualization shows Enabled in Task Manager's Performance tab under CPU, since firmware virtualization must also be on. **Content excerpt:** The "Windows Hypervisor Platform is not enabled" error appears when an app that needs hardware virtualization starts on a PC where that support is switched off. Such apps include Android emulators and virtual machine tools. The Windows Hypervisor Platform is an optional Windows 11 feature that lets third-party software use the same virtualization layer (a hypervisor) that Hyper-V (Microsoft's built-in virtual machine system) uses. The usual fix is to turn the feature on in Windows Features and restart. That fix only works if virtualization is also enabled in your PC's firmware (the low-level startup software on the motherboard, called BIOS or UEFI). This article checks that first, then turns on the feature, then covers the less common causes. The steps apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro. Why Windows Says the Hypervisor Platform Is Not Enabled A hypervisor is a software layer that lets one computer run several isolated virtual systems at once. Apps such as emulators and virtual machine managers ask Windows for access to it. If Windows can't provide it, the app shows the error. Three causes account for nearly every case: Virtualization is off in the firmware. Intel calls it Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x). AMD calls it AMD-V or SVM Mode. Many PCs ship with it disabled. The Windows feature is off. Windows Hypervisor Platform is not turned on by default on a clean Windows 11 install. The hypervisor is set not to start at boot. A setting in the boot configuration can switch it off, even when the feature is installed. This usually happens after a change made by another tool or by hand. Work through them in that order. If you only need the feature switched on, the companion article How to Enable or Disable Windows Hypervisor Platform in Windows 11 covers the toggle on its own. It is the short version. Check Whether Virtualization Is Already Enabled Task Manager shows whether the processor's virtualization support is switched on. This takes under a minute and tells you whether you need to visit the firmware settings. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Task Manager opens. If it shows a small window with only a list of apps, select More details. Select the Performance tab in the left pane. Select CPU. A graph and a block of figures appear. Read the Virtualization line at the bottom right of the figures. It reads either Enabled or Disabled. If it reads Disabled, go to the section "Turn On Virtualization in UEFI or BIOS" below and come back here afterward. If it reads Enabled, continue to the next section. If the Virtualization line is missing, your Windows install is probably running inside a virtual machine, or a hypervisor is already active and hides the line. Skip ahead to the section on nested virtualization. Turn On Windows Hypervisor Platform in Windows Features These steps fix the "Windows Hypervisor Platform is not enabled" error in most cases. The steps below switch on the feature, add the companion feature that many apps expect,… **Key facts:** - The Windows Hypervisor Platform is an optional Windows 11 feature that lets third-party software use the same virtualization layer (a hypervisor) that Hyper-V (Microsoft's built-in virtual machine system) uses. - The steps apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Windows Hypervisor Platform is not turned on by default on a clean Windows 11 install. - If you only need the feature switched on, the companion article How to Enable or Disable Windows Hypervisor Platform in Windows 11 covers the toggle on its own. - This takes under a minute and tells you whether you need to visit the firmware settings. --- ### Every Common Emoji and Symbol Meaning on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/every-common-emoji-and-symbol-meaning-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 2476 - **Category:** CMS - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** The meaning of a symbol on Windows 11 comes from its Unicode name, which Character Map shows when you select the character. For emoji, press Windows + period (.) in any text box to open the emoji panel, then type a keyword such as thinking to see its name. For text symbols like © or ≈, use Character Map. **Content excerpt:** A symbol's meaning on Windows 11 starts with its Unicode name (the international standard that gives every character a code and a name), which Character Map shows when you select it. Searching the emoji panel (Windows + period) works too, and the tables below answer "what does this symbol mean" for the common emoji, punctuation marks and system icons. Windows 11 draws emoji with the Segoe UI Emoji font and opens the emoji panel in any text box. The panel has tabs for emoji, GIFs, kaomoji (faces built from text characters), symbols and clipboard history. None of this depends on your edition, so Home, Pro and Enterprise behave the same, and nothing needs a restart or administrator rights. How to Look Up an Unknown Emoji or Symbol on Windows 11 Three tools cover almost every case. The emoji panel is best for emoji, Character Map is best for text symbols, and a web search is the fallback for anything else. Start with whichever matches what you are looking at. Method 1: Find an Emoji in the Emoji Panel The emoji panel lets you search emoji by name or keyword, so you can confirm what an emoji is called before you use it. It works in Notepad, Word, browsers and most chat apps. Click inside any text box, such as a Notepad window or a chat field. Press Windows +. (the period key). The emoji panel opens. Windows +; (semicolon) opens the same panel. Click the Emoji tab if it is not already selected. Type a word in the search box, for example thinking or heart. The grid filters to matching emoji. Click an emoji to insert it into the text box. If the panel does not open, the cursor is probably not in the text box. Click inside it and press the shortcut again. Some games, older desktop programs and remote sessions ignore the shortcut. In those cases, type the emoji in Notepad, copy it, and paste it where you need it. The Kaomoji tab holds faces made from text characters, such as the shrug ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The Symbols tab holds punctuation, currency, math and other special characters, sorted into categories along the bottom of the panel. Method 2: Identify a Text Symbol with Character Map Character Map is an older Windows tool that lists every character in a font and shows each character's Unicode code (its number in the standard) and its name. It works well for symbols such as ©, § or ≈. It is less useful for colour emoji, so use the emoji panel for those. Click Start, type Character Map, and press Enter. The Character Map window opens with a grid of characters. Select the Advanced view check box. Extra options appear at the bottom of the window. Open the Group by list and choose Unicode Subrange. A second window lists categories such as currency symbols, mathematical operators, arrows and geometric shapes. Click a category. The grid jumps to the characters in that group. Click a character… **Key facts:** - A symbol's meaning on Windows 11 starts with its Unicode name (the international standard that gives every character a code and a name), which Character Map shows when you select it. - Windows 11 draws emoji with the Segoe UI Emoji font and opens the emoji panel in any text box. - How to Look Up an Unknown Emoji or Symbol on Windows 11 Three tools cover almost every case. - Method 1: Find an Emoji in the Emoji Panel The emoji panel lets you search emoji by name or keyword, so you can confirm what an emoji is called before you use it. - Method 2: Identify a Text Symbol with Character Map Character Map is an older Windows tool that lists every character in a font and shows each character's Unicode code (its number in the standard) and its name. --- ### Check Windows Update History in Event Viewer in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/check-windows-update-history-in-event-viewer-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 2055 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To check Windows 11 event viewer updates, press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter. Then go to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational. Click Filter Current Log, enter 19,20 in the Event IDs box, and select OK to see successful installs and failures. **Content excerpt:** Event Viewer records Windows Update activity in one log: Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational. Open Event Viewer (the built-in tool that stores system and app event logs), go to that log, and filter for event IDs 19 and 20 (the numbers that tag each type of event) to see successful and failed installs. The Operational log shows the exact time Windows downloaded, installed or failed an update, along with the KB number and any error code. This is more detail than the list in Settings gives you. It works on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The steps below take about two minutes. Start with the Run dialog box, which opens Event Viewer in one step. Later sections explain how to read each event, save a reusable view and fix an empty log. What Event Viewer Shows About Windows Updates Every time the Windows Update service acts on an update, it writes an event. An event is a single log entry with a date, a source, an ID number and a text description. The WindowsUpdateClient log keeps those entries in order, so you can follow an update from download to install to restart. The log gives more technical detail than Settings. Settings lists updates by name and date, while Event Viewer shows the stages and errors behind each one. Event Viewer adds when each stage began, which update failed and the error code behind the failure. The code is a hexadecimal number, which is a number written with the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F. Support staff ask for these codes when an update refuses to install. The log also records more than monthly cumulative updates. Microsoft Defender Antivirus definition updates,.NET updates and driver updates delivered through Windows Update all appear. Expect a long list, which is why filtering matters. Reading the log changes nothing on your PC. If you only need a quick list of recent updates, the update history page in Settings is faster. Check Windows Update History in Event Viewer These steps open the log that holds your Windows 11 event viewer updates and filter it down to installs and failures. Press Windows + R. The Run dialog box opens. Type eventvwr.msc and press Enter. Event Viewer opens with a folder tree on the left, a list in the middle and an Actions pane on the right. You can also right-click Start and choose Event Viewer. If a User Account Control prompt appears, select Yes. Expand Applications and Services Logs in the left pane. Click the small arrow next to it. A list of folders appears below it. Expand Microsoft, then expand Windows. The Windows folder contains well over a hundred subfolders, so the list is long. Scroll to WindowsUpdateClient and expand it. Folders are in alphabetical order, so look near the bottom of the list, close to the entries starting with W. Two logs sit inside, named Operational and Reliability on some builds. Select Operational. The… **Key facts:** - Open Event Viewer (the built-in tool that stores system and app event logs), go to that log, and filter for event IDs 19 and 20 (the numbers that tag each type of event) to see successful and failed installs. - This is more detail than the list in Settings gives you. - Start with the Run dialog box, which opens Event Viewer in one step. - The log gives more technical detail than Settings. - Settings lists updates by name and date, while Event Viewer shows the stages and errors behind each one. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to install optional Windows 11 updates? A: Open Settings, go to Windows Update, then select Advanced options and Optional updates. Tick the updates you want, select Download & install, and restart if Windows asks. Optional updates include driver and non-security fixes, so install only what you need. - Q: How to schedule updates in Windows 11? A: Windows 11 has no setting to pick an exact install time. Instead, open Settings, go to Windows Update, and select Active hours to set the hours you use your PC. Windows avoids restarting during that window. To delay updates for a while, use Pause updates and choose up to five weeks. - Q: How to disable automatic updates in Windows 11? A: Windows 11 Home and Pro do not offer a full off switch for updates in Settings. Open Settings, go to Windows Update, and select Pause updates to stop them for up to five weeks. Repeat the pause when it ends. Turning off the Windows Update service is possible but risky, since your PC will miss security fixes. - Q: How to schedule automatic updates in Windows 11? A: Windows 11 does not let you pick a fixed time for automatic updates. Set Active hours instead. Open Settings, go to Windows Update, and find Active hours in its options. Enter the start and end times you use your PC, and Windows will not restart during that window. - Q: How to update to the latest build of Windows 11 preview? A: Preview builds can be unstable, so back up your files first. Then join the Windows Insider Program. Open Settings, go to Windows Update, select Windows Insider Program, and choose Get started. Sign in with your Microsoft account, pick a channel such as Beta or Dev, then check for updates. --- ### What to Do When Windows 11 Settings App Crashes Immediately on Launch - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-to-do-when-windows-11-settings-app-crashes-immediately-on-launch/ - **Published:** 2026-08-24 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 1491 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** When the Windows 11 Settings app crashes immediately on launch, restart your computer first using the Start menu. If that doesn't work, open Command Prompt as administrator and run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, then run sfc /scannow to repair damaged system files. **Content excerpt:** The Windows 11 Settings app can crash the moment you open it when core system files, the app's own package, or your user profile are damaged. The window flashes and closes, so you can't change your wallpaper, install updates, or adjust network connections from it. Damaged system files or a broken background update are the usual causes. The fixes below go from quickest to most involved. Work through them in order and test Settings after each one. Most of them take a few minutes with tools that are already built into Windows, such as System File Checker, which finds broken files and replaces them. Method 1: Restart Your Computer A restart clears out temporary glitches and stuck background processes that can stop apps from opening. It is the quickest fix, so try it first. Use the Start menu rather than the power button, so Windows closes everything cleanly. Click the Start button on your taskbar. Click the Power icon in the corner of the Start menu. Select Restart and wait for the computer to boot back up completely. If you see "Update and restart" instead, choose that. It also installs pending updates, which can help. Once you are back at the desktop, try opening Settings again. If it still closes right away, move on to the next method. Method 2: Use the System File Checker to Repair Damaged Files System File Checker is a built-in tool that scans protected Windows files and replaces broken or missing ones with healthy copies. Damaged system files are one of the most common reasons Settings crashes on launch, so this scan is worth running early. Note: This method needs administrator rights because it changes core system files. Sign in to an administrator account before you start. Both commands below run in Command Prompt, opened as administrator. Click the Start button and type cmd into the search box. Right-click Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as administrator. If a window asks whether you want to allow this app to make changes to your device, click Yes. You should now see a black window with a blinking cursor and a path ending in System32. Type the following command carefully into the window: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth Press Enter and wait for the process to finish completely. Don't close the window while it runs, even if the percentage seems stuck for a while. Next, type this command into the same window: sfc /scannow Press Enter and let it finish too. The scans can take several minutes each, and the second one sometimes pauses for a long time at a fixed percentage. That is normal. When both have finished, the tools will have repaired any broken operating system files they could. Restart your computer and test Settings. If a scan reports problems it could not fix, run the commands once more after a restart before you move on. Method 3: Re-register the Settings App Using PowerShell Windows PowerShell is a command-line tool for managing system… **Key facts:** - The Windows 11 Settings app can crash the moment you open it when core system files, the app's own package, or your user profile are damaged. - Work through them in order and test Settings after each one. - Method 1: Restart Your Computer A restart clears out temporary glitches and stuck background processes that can stop apps from opening. - Once you are back at the desktop, try opening Settings again. - If it still closes right away, move on to the next method. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I can't highlight the DISM command in the guide. How do I enter it? A: You can type it yourself. Open Command Prompt as administrator, then type exactly DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Use one space between each part, a capital O in /Online, and keep the hyphens in Cleanup-image and Restorehealth. Press Enter once, then wait. The scan can take several minutes and may pause at one percentage for a while. Don't close the window… --- ### How to Enable or Disable Copilot Actions in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-disable-copilot-actions-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2025-12-07 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 621 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open the Copilot app, sign in with your Microsoft account, click Account then Settings, go to Permission settings, and toggle Copilot Actions on or off. The change takes effect immediately without restarting Windows. **Content excerpt:** Copilot Actions in Windows 11 control what the Microsoft Copilot assistant is allowed to do on your PC and which desktop apps it can work with. Recent Copilot app updates, including version 1.25112.74, add direct switches for behavior such as automatic startup and how the sidebar acts. You can also change how the AI panel opens, resize its window, or add a desktop shortcut so the app launches faster. This guide covers the Copilot Actions permission, how to turn it on or off, and how to undo the change. What Are Copilot Actions? Copilot Actions let Copilot carry out a request for you across apps and websites, instead of only answering in a chat window. You ask for something, and Copilot does the steps on your behalf. Why use this feature? It handles repetitive routines, so you spend less time clicking through the same tasks. Because it can act for you, it is also worth knowing where the off switch is. This guide shows both. The Copilot app is updated through the Microsoft Store. If you cannot find the settings described here, check the Store for an update to the app. Which options you see can depend on the app version installed on your PC. How to Enable Copilot Actions The Copilot Actions settings let you control automated tasks directly from your desktop. In short, the path is: Open the Copilot app. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Open the Account menu, then choose Settings. Open the Permission settings and switch on Copilot Actions. The screens below show each step in order. You must be signed in with a Microsoft account to change these settings. If the Account menu does not show what you expect, you are probably not signed in yet. Open the Copilot app. If you haven't signed into Copilot yet, please do so with your Microsoft account to sync your settings. Click the Account button and select Settings in full view mode. Once you reach the Settings page, carry on with the next group of steps. Take them one at a time and check that each screen matches before you move on. On the Settings page, go to the Permission settings. Select Copilot Actions. Toggle the button to turn the feature on or off. The last step is the one that actually applies the change. Check that the toggle now shows the state you want. Close the settings page when you're done. Turning Copilot Actions on authorizes the assistant to carry out tasks on your computer and on the web when you ask. Turning it off revokes that permission, so Copilot can no longer run automated actions for you. Standard chat keeps working, but the app integration stops. The change should take effect without restarting Windows. If it does not seem to apply, close the Copilot app and open it again. To undo the change, go back to the same Permission settings and flip the toggle the other way. Summary You manage Copilot Actions from the main… **Key facts:** - Copilot Actions in Windows 11 control what the Microsoft Copilot assistant is allowed to do on your PC and which desktop apps it can work with. - Recent Copilot app updates, including version 1.25112.74, add direct switches for behavior such as automatic startup and how the sidebar acts. - You ask for something, and Copilot does the steps on your behalf. - If you cannot find the settings described here, check the Store for an update to the app. - Which options you see can depend on the app version installed on your PC. **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find Copilot Actions: Microsoft has removed Copilot Actions from Copilot on Windows, so the Permission settings no longer show a Copilot Actions switch. You can't turn it on or off, and there is no direct replacement. The steps in this section no longer work. Updating the Copilot app from the Microsoft Store won't bring the option back. Standard Copilot chat is not affected… --- ### How to Enable HDR Screenshot Color Corrector in Snipping Tool - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-snipping-tools-hdr-screenshot-color-corrector-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2024-04-10 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 658 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Productivity, Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open the Snipping Tool, click the three dots menu in the top right corner, select Settings, then toggle the HDR screenshot color corrector switch on or off. The change applies immediately to new screenshots without requiring a restart. **Content excerpt:** The HDR Screenshot Color Corrector in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool fixes washed-out or blindingly bright images when you capture High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. Microsoft added it in Snipping Tool version 11.2405.35.0. It automatically adjusts bright games and videos so your saved pictures look natural on a standard monitor. This guide shows where the toggle lives, how to switch it on or off, and what to check if you can't find it. What Is the Snipping Tool? The Snipping Tool is Windows' built-in screenshot utility. It captures any part of the screen, from the full display down to a single window or a region you draw yourself. The app also lets you redact sensitive text and manage screen recordings. The HDR option sits in the same Settings page as its other preferences, so you don't need a separate tool. Why Should You Know About the HDR Color Corrector? The HDR Screenshot Color Corrector fixes washed-out or dull images when you take pictures on a high dynamic range display. An HDR screen can show a much wider range of brightness than a standard image file can store. Without correction, the saved picture often looks faded or too bright compared with what you saw live. With the feature on, colors stay natural and the saved file matches what you saw on your monitor. Vivid colors shine on HDR screens. This feature bridges the gap between what the hardware shows and what the image file can hold. Your captures keep the look the display intended, and you can share them with people who view them on ordinary screens. Turning the corrector off makes sense if your monitor doesn't support HDR, or if you prefer to handle color manually in an editor. On older machines, turning it off also reduces the processing the app has to do. If you never use HDR on your PC, you can leave it as it is. A setting that has no HDR content to work on does nothing useful. How to Turn the HDR Color Corrector On or Off Open the Snipping Tool on your computer. The quickest way is to click Start, type "Snipping Tool" and press Enter. The Snipping Tool window should now be on screen. Click the three dots button ( See more) in the top right corner of the window. A short menu should drop down. Select Settings from the menu. The app's Settings page should open. Look for the HDR screenshot color corrector option on the Settings screen. You may need to scroll down a little to see it. Toggle the switch to On or Off, depending on what you want. The switch changes state right away. There is no Save button. If you can't find the option, your Snipping Tool is probably older than version 11.2405.35.0. Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and select Get updates. Then open Snipping Tool again. The option should now appear. Close the Snipping Tool when you're done. You don't need to restart Windows. The… **Key facts:** - The HDR Screenshot Color Corrector in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool fixes washed-out or blindingly bright images when you capture High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. - The HDR option sits in the same Settings page as its other preferences, so you don't need a separate tool. - Look for the HDR screenshot color corrector option on the Settings screen. - If you can't find the option, your Snipping Tool is probably older than version 11.2405.35.0. - You turn the HDR Screenshot Color Corrector on or off from the app settings inside the Snipping Tool. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I opened Snipping Tool Settings, but there's no HDR screenshot color corrector option. Why? A: The option only appears in newer versions of Snipping Tool, so start by updating the app through the Microsoft Store: open Library and select Get updates, then reopen Snipping Tool. If it still doesn't show up, check whether your display supports HDR under Settings > System > Display. The option also won't appear on some work or school PCs, where… - Q: Why is the HDR screenshot color corrector missing from my Snipping Tool settings? A: The option may not be on your PC yet. First, update Snipping Tool in the Microsoft Store: open Library and select Get updates, then reopen the app. If it still doesn't appear, check Settings > System > Display. If your screen has no HDR option there, it doesn't support HDR, so the corrector may not show up. On a work… --- ### How to Arrange Multiple Displays in Windows 11 Display Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-arrange-multiple-displays-in-windows-11-display-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-10-04 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-21 - **Word count:** 2035 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Right-click an empty area of the desktop, select Display settings, then drag the numbered screen boxes in the diagram until they match how your monitors sit on your desk. The layout controls where your mouse pointer crosses from one screen to the next. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 lets you arrange multiple displays by dragging numbered boxes in Display settings to match how your monitors sit on your desk. The layout you create controls where your mouse pointer moves from one screen to the next and which monitor windows open on when you drag them across screens. Open Display settings by right-clicking an empty area of your desktop and selecting Display settings, then drag the screen boxes until the layout matches your physical setup. This takes just a few seconds and needs no restart or administrator access. Before you start: check that Windows sees every display You can only arrange displays that Windows has detected. Confirm each monitor is powered on, set to the correct input, and connected by a cable that fits (such as HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C, or through a dock). If a monitor shows a picture, Windows usually sees it. If it does not, the troubleshooting section further down covers it. This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. There is no edition difference. The page layout changed slightly between the original release (21H2) and later versions such as 22H2, 23H2 and 24H2, so a label may sit a few lines higher or lower on your build. The option names below are the same. Open Display settings The Display page holds the layout diagram and every per-monitor option. You can open it two ways. Method 1: from the desktop Right-click an empty area of the desktop. Select Display settings. On some builds you first need to select Show more options, but Display settings normally appears in the first menu. You should now see the System > Display page. Near the top is a diagram with one numbered rectangle for each detected monitor. Method 2: from the Settings app Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select System in the left pane. Select Display. You land on the same page with the same diagram. Make sure the displays are extended, not duplicated Arranging only matters when each monitor shows different content. If both monitors show the same picture, they are duplicated, and the diagram collapses into one box. Switch to extended mode first. Switch with the Project menu Press Windows key + P. A short menu opens on the right side of the screen. Select Extend. The menu offers four choices: PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend and Second screen only. Your second monitor should now show an empty desktop extension, and the diagram on the Display page shows two boxes. Switch in Display settings On the Display page, scroll to Multiple displays and select it to expand the section. Open the drop-down menu next to the display mode setting. Select Extend these displays. If Windows asks whether to keep the change, select Keep changes. Otherwise it reverts after a few seconds. Arrange the displays This is where the real work happens. You're telling Windows which monitor sits left, right, above, or below the others. Identify which box is which monitor The… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 lets you arrange multiple displays by dragging numbered boxes in Display settings to match how your monitors sit on your desk. - Open Display settings by right-clicking an empty area of your desktop and selecting Display settings, then drag the screen boxes until the layout matches your physical setup. - This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The page layout changed slightly between the original release (21H2) and later versions such as 22H2, 23H2 and 24H2, so a label may sit a few lines higher or lower on your build. - Open Display settings The Display page holds the layout diagram and every per-monitor option. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Can Windows 11 handle 4 monitors? A: Yes, Windows 11 supports up to 4 monitors on most systems. Open Display settings, right-click your desktop, and select Display settings. You'll see all detected monitors listed. Arrange them by dragging the numbered boxes to match your physical setup. The exact limit depends on your graphics card and ports available. - Q: How do I get my monitor to display different things? A: Use Extend display mode to show different content on each monitor. Right-click your desktop, select Display settings, then find the Multiple displays dropdown. Choose Extend these displays. Windows treats each screen as separate workspace, so you can drag windows between them independently. - Q: How to arrange multiple Windows on screen? A: Use Windows Snap to arrange open windows on your screen. Drag a window to screen edges to snap it to half, quarter, or custom sizes. Press Windows key + arrow keys for quick layouts. Right-click the taskbar and select Cascade windows or Tile windows to auto-arrange all open windows at once. - Q: How do I duplicate or extend displays in Windows 11? A: Right-click your desktop and select Display settings. Find the Multiple displays dropdown near the top. Choose Extend these displays to show different content on each monitor, or Duplicate these displays to mirror the same image on all screens. No restart needed. - Q: Why is the Multiple displays section missing, so I can't set my main display? A: This usually means Windows sees only one display, and the Multiple displays section appears only when it finds two or more. Make sure the second monitor is on and connected. Press Windows key + P and select Extend, then check the diagram on the Display page for a second box. If it's still missing, press Windows key + Ctrl +… --- ### Enable Apache Userdir on Ubuntu 26.04 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/enable-apache-userdir-on-ubuntu-26-04/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1049 - **Category:** Ubuntu Linux - **Tags:** Ubuntu Linux **Quick answer:** To enable Apache userdir on Ubuntu 26.04, run sudo a2enmod userdir, then restart Apache with sudo systemctl restart apache2. Create a public_html folder in your home directory and put your files there. Then open http://localhost/~USERNAME/ in a browser, replacing USERNAME with your Linux username. Set home directory permissions to 711 with chmod 711 ~ if you get a 403 error. **Content excerpt:** To turn on per-user web folders in Apache2 on Ubuntu, run sudo a2enmod userdir, restart Apache, then put your files in a public_html folder inside your home directory. After that, the site loads at http://localhost/~USERNAME/. This guide assumes Apache2 is already running on Ubuntu. If you work from Windows 11, the Ubuntu instance can be a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) distribution, a virtual machine, or a remote server you reach over SSH (a secure way to log in to another computer). What the Userdir module does The Userdir module ( mod_userdir) lets each Linux user publish web pages from a folder in their own home directory. The folder is called public_html. Apache maps it to a URL that starts with a tilde (the ~ character), such as /~USERNAME/. Users can then publish pages without touching the main web root at /var/www/html. This suits shared lab machines, teaching setups and personal test servers. It is less suited to a public server, because it exposes part of every user's home directory to the web server. Read the security notes below before you enable it on a machine that other people can reach. Before you start You need a user account with sudo rights (administrator rights on Ubuntu). Every step marked sudo (a command that runs with administrator rights) needs them. Apache2 must be installed and running. Step 1 below checks this. On WSL, use the Ubuntu app or open Windows Terminal and choose the Ubuntu profile. Recent WSL versions run systemd (the Linux service manager) by default on new installs. If systemctl reports an error on an older install, use sudo service apache2 restart wherever this guide says to restart Apache. Enable Userdir in Apache2 Check that Apache2 is installed and running Open your Ubuntu terminal. Install Apache2 if you have not already. This step needs sudo: sudo apt update sudo apt install apache2 Check the service status: systemctl status apache2 You should see active (running) in green. Press Q to leave the status screen. Turn on the userdir module Enable the module. This step needs sudo: sudo a2enmod userdir Ubuntu prints a message saying the module is enabled and asks you to restart Apache. Restart Apache so it loads the module. This step needs sudo: sudo systemctl restart apache2 Create the public_html folder Sign in as the user who will publish the pages. Do not use sudo for the next steps, so the files belong to that user. Create the folder in your home directory: mkdir ~/public_html Create a test page: echo "Userdir is working" > ~/public_html/index.html The file now exists at ~/public_html/index.html. Set the folder permissions Apache runs as the www-data user. It needs permission to pass through your home directory and read the files in public_html. On current Ubuntu releases, home directories are private by default, so the page fails with a 403 error until you adjust this. Allow other users to pass through your home directory without listing its contents: chmod 711 ~ Make the public_html folder… **Key facts:** - To turn on per-user web folders in Apache2 on Ubuntu, run sudo a2enmod userdir, restart Apache, then put your files in a public_html folder inside your home directory. - This guide assumes Apache2 is already running on Ubuntu. - If you work from Windows 11, the Ubuntu instance can be a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) distribution, a virtual machine, or a remote server you reach over SSH (a secure way to log in to another computer). - Every step marked sudo (a command that runs with administrator rights) needs them. - Recent WSL versions run systemd (the Linux service manager) by default on new installs. --- ### Change the Currency Symbol in Windows 11 Region Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-the-currency-symbol-in-windows-11-region-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1722 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change the currency symbol in Windows 11, open Settings, select Time & language, then Language & region, and click Administrative language settings. In the Region window, select the Formats tab, click Additional settings, and open the Currency tab. Replace the symbol in the Currency symbol box, then click OK. The change applies to your account only. **Content excerpt:** To change the currency symbol in Windows 11, you edit the Currency tab in the Region window. The symbol is the $, €, or £ that appears next to amounts in apps that follow your regional format. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Administrative language settings, then open Formats > Additional settings > Currency. The Settings app lets you pick a regional format, but it has no box for the symbol itself. That box sits in the older Region window, which Windows 11 still ships. The change takes about two minutes, and a standard user account can make it for that account. The steps below match current Windows 11 builds, including versions 23H2 and 24H2. A label can differ slightly on an older build. What the Currency Symbol Setting Changes The currency symbol is one part of your regional format (the set of rules Windows uses to show numbers, dates, times, and money). Apps that read these rules, such as Excel and many Microsoft Store apps, use your symbol whenever they format an amount as currency. The setting changes how amounts are displayed. It does not convert money, and it does not fetch exchange rates. If you set the symbol to €, an amount of 100 shows as €100 and stays the number 100. The currency symbol is also separate from your country or region. Changing the country or region in Settings affects things like Microsoft Store content and local news. It does not edit the symbol field. If you want to switch the whole region, see how to change your country or region in Windows 11 or change your device region in Windows 11. Before You Start Check these points first. They save time if something does not match what you see. Editions: The steps work the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. Administrator rights: Not needed for your own account. They are needed only for the optional step that copies your settings to the sign-in screen and new accounts, which is marked in its own section. Work or school devices: If your organization manages the PC, some of these options may be locked. Ask the person who manages the PC if a control is greyed out. Restart: Windows does not need a restart. Apps that are already open may need to be closed and reopened. How to Change the Currency Symbol in Windows 11 These steps change the currency setting for your account, from opening Settings to checking the result. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. Select Time & language. It is in the left pane. The page on the right shows date and time options. Select Language & region. The page lists your Windows display language, preferred languages, Country or region, and Regional format. Scroll to Related settings. It sits near the bottom of the page. Select Administrative language settings. A window titled Region opens on its Administrative tab. If you do not see… **Key facts:** - To change the currency symbol in Windows 11, you edit the Currency tab in the Region window. - Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region > Administrative language settings, then open Formats > Additional settings > Currency. - The Settings app lets you pick a regional format, but it has no box for the symbol itself. - That box sits in the older Region window, which Windows 11 still ships. - The steps below match current Windows 11 builds, including versions 23H2 and 24H2. --- ### How to Turn "Processor Performance Boost Mode" on or off in Power Options on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-processor-performance-boost-mode-on-or-off-in-power-options-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1189 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Windows Terminal (Admin), paste the registry command reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7 /v Attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f and press Enter. **Content excerpt:** Processor performance boost mode is a hidden Windows 11 power setting that controls how your CPU (the main chip that runs your computer) uses its boost technology. On Intel chips this is Turbo Boost, and on AMD chips it is Turbo CORE (newer Ryzen chips call it Precision Boost). Boosting lets the CPU run faster than its base speed for short periods to handle heavy tasks. You find this setting inside your power plan under "Processor power management". It lets you choose whether your PC prioritizes top speed or cooler, quieter operation. By default Windows hides it from the Power Options window, so you have to add it first. The sections below show how. Windows 11 lets you set different values for On battery and Plugged in. A common setup is a more aggressive mode when plugged in, so games and heavy apps run faster, and a more conservative mode on battery to stretch battery life and keep the fans quiet. Here is what each option means: Disabled: Your CPU won't boost its speed. It will run closer to its normal speed. This saves power and reduces heat but might make your computer feel less responsive for quick tasks. Enabled: This is the normal setting. Your CPU can boost its speed when needed. It balances speed with power and heat. Aggressive (Default): Your CPU will boost its speed more often and for longer periods. This can improve performance for demanding tasks but uses more power and generates more heat. Efficient Enabled: Your CPU can still boost, but it tries to do so only when it really helps performance. It avoids boosting for small gains to save energy. Efficient Aggressive: This is a mix. Your CPU boosts for performance, but it also focuses more on saving power than the "Aggressive" setting. It aims for good performance while reducing wasted energy. Aggressive At Guaranteed: Your CPU will always try to reach the highest possible speed above its guaranteed speed. Efficient Aggressive AT Guaranteed: Your CPU will try to reach the highest possible speed efficiently if the hardware allows it. Some of these modes depend on your CPU, its firmware and its drivers. On some PCs, a few options may behave the same or have little visible effect. Administrator rights are required to change this setting. This applies to both Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you are signed in with a standard account, you will be asked for an administrator password when Terminal opens. Option One: Add "Processor performance boost mode" to Power Options You can add processor performance boost mode to your Power Options by running a quick command in Windows Terminal. This lets you control how your computer speeds up its processor for heavy tasks, which helps you manage heat, fan noise, and battery life directly from your power plan settings. Open Windows Terminal (Admin). For example, right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin). Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. You can use either Windows PowerShell… **Key facts:** - Processor performance boost mode is a hidden Windows 11 power setting that controls how your CPU (the main chip that runs your computer) uses its boost technology. - Windows 11 lets you set different values for On battery and Plugged in. - This applies to both Windows 11 Home and Pro. - This lets you control how your computer speeds up its processor for heavy tasks, which helps you manage heat, fan noise, and battery life directly from your power plan settings. - OR reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7 /v Attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f No restart is needed. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to active boost mode of CPU on sysdm.cpl with CMD? A: Windows doesn't store boost mode in sysdm.cpl, so set it from Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7 -ATTRIB_HIDE to show the setting. Then run powercfg /setacvalueindex SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE 2 for Aggressive, and powercfg /setactive SCHEME_CURRENT to apply it. - Q: How to fimd CPU core preformance boost is on? A: Open Command Prompt and run powercfg /query SCHEME_CURRENT SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE. Look at the Current AC Power Setting Index line for plugged in, or the DC line for battery. 0x00000000 means off, 0x00000001 means enabled, and 0x00000002 means aggressive. You can also check Task Manager's Performance tab: a speed above the base speed means boost is active. - Q: How to find CPU core performance boost is on? A: Open Control Panel, go to Power Options, click Change plan settings, then Change advanced power settings. Expand Processor power management and read the Processor performance boost mode value. If the setting is missing, unhide it with the powercfg -attributes command first. Task Manager's Performance tab also shows a speed above base speed when boost is working. - Q: How to turn off CPU boost? A: Open Power Options, click Change plan settings, then Change advanced power settings. Expand Processor power management, open Processor performance boost mode, and set both On battery and Plugged in to Disabled. Click Apply, then OK. Heavy tasks will run slower, but fans stay quieter. To undo this, choose Enabled. - Q: Doestis work on win 11 home? A: Yes, it works on Windows 11 Home. The steps apply to both Home and Pro. Right-click the Start button, choose Terminal (Admin), and run the add command from the first section of the guide. You need an administrator account or password. Then open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options, click Change plan settings, then Change advanced power… --- ### Switch Copilot Language to English on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/switch-copilot-language-to-english-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1767 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change Copilot to English on Windows 11, set your Windows display language to English. Copilot takes its interface language from that setting. Open Settings, select Time & language, then Language & region. Choose English (United States) or English (United Kingdom) under Windows display language, and sign out and back in to apply it. **Content excerpt:** Copilot's language comes from Windows, so you change it outside the Copilot app. In most cases Copilot takes its interface language from your Windows display language (the language Windows uses for menus, buttons and apps). To switch it, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, choose English, and sign out and back in. The steps below switch Copilot to English. They also cover the region setting, a greyed-out English option, and the separate voice and keyboard settings. The menu names match current Windows 11 builds (23H2 and 24H2). Older builds may word some labels differently. What Controls the Language Copilot Uses Copilot does not have one language switch. Three separate things decide what you see and hear, and changing the wrong one is the most common reason Copilot stays in the wrong language. Windows Display Language This is the setting that matters most. It controls the language of Windows menus and most built-in apps, and Copilot follows it for its buttons, labels and prompts. If Windows is set to German, Copilot's interface appears in German. Country or Region Windows also stores a Country or region value. It does not translate Copilot's menus, but it can influence which content and features Copilot offers. If your region is set to a non-English country, check it after you change the display language. The Language You Type or Speak Copilot generally answers in the language you write your question in. If you type in English and still get replies in another language, the cause is usually a voice setting or an earlier instruction in the same conversation. Voice has its own language setting, covered in a later section. Before You Start Check these points first. They explain most of the cases where the steps below fail. Administrator rights: Adding a new display language may ask for administrator approval. If you use a standard account, Windows shows a prompt asking for an administrator's password. Work or school PCs: An organisation can lock the display language with a policy, which is a rule its IT team sets on the PC. In that case the language list is greyed out or the install fails, and only your IT team can change it. Single Language editions: Some PCs ship with a "Single Language" edition of Windows 11 Home, which is limited to one display language. These editions can block adding a second display language. Check Settings > System > About under Windows specifications to see your edition. Internet connection: Windows downloads the English language pack (the files that translate Windows into that language). A metered connection (one with a data limit) or an offline PC can stop the download. Save your work: The change needs a sign-out, which closes your open apps. If Copilot is missing from your PC entirely, you have a different problem. See how to enable or disable Windows Copilot in Windows 11 first. How to Switch the Copilot Language to English on Windows 11 These steps set the Windows display… **Key facts:** - To switch it, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, choose English, and sign out and back in. - They also cover the region setting, a greyed-out English option, and the separate voice and keyboard settings. - The menu names match current Windows 11 builds (23H2 and 24H2). - They explain most of the cases where the steps below fail. - Single Language editions: Some PCs ship with a "Single Language" edition of Windows 11 Home, which is limited to one display language. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Is english a germanic language? A: Yes. English is a West Germanic language, part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family. It grew out of the dialects brought to Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the 5th century. Its closest living relatives are German, Dutch, and Frisian. - Q: How old is the english language? A: English is about 1,500 years old. Its roots go back to the 5th century, when Anglo-Saxon settlers brought Old English to Britain. Modern English took shape after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and Shakespeare wrote in an early form of it. - Q: What is english language? A: English is a West Germanic language and the most widely used language for business, science and the internet. It is the first language of about 380 million people and is spoken as a second language by many more. It is the official language of dozens of countries. --- ### Refresh Your GPU Display Driver with a Hotkey in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/refresh-your-gpu-display-driver-with-a-hotkey-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 2163 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B together in Windows 11 to refresh your GPU display driver. This restarts the graphics driver without rebooting the PC or closing your apps, so the screen goes black for about a second, then returns. Save your work first, especially in games or full-screen video. It works with Intel, AMD and NVIDIA graphics on Windows 11 Home and Pro. **Content excerpt:** The GPU refresh hotkey in Windows 11 is Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B, and it restarts your graphics driver without restarting the PC. If you searched "how do i refresh gpu hotkey", press those four keys together. The screen goes black for about a second, then comes back. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is the chip that draws everything on your screen. The display driver is the software that lets Windows talk to that chip. When the driver stalls, you see a frozen picture, a black screen after waking the PC, or flickering. The shortcut reloads the driver while your apps keep running. It works on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it does not depend on whether you have Intel, AMD or NVIDIA graphics. You do not need to install or turn anything on first. What the GPU Refresh Hotkey Does Windows 11 has a built-in shortcut that tells the system to restart the graphics driver. It does not reboot the computer, sign you out or close your programs. It resets the connection between Windows and the graphics hardware, which often clears a temporary glitch. Think of it as a lighter version of restarting. A full restart reloads the entire system. The hotkey reloads only the part that draws the picture, so you lose far less time and, in most cases, no open work. What the Hotkey Changes The hotkey changes nothing permanently. It does not install, update or remove a driver, and it does not edit any setting. When the screen comes back, your resolution, refresh rate and display arrangement are the same as before. That means there is nothing to undo afterwards. Why Windows Includes It Display drivers occasionally fail to recover after sleep, after you connect a dock, or when you plug in a monitor. Windows can often recover on its own, but not always. The shortcut gives you a manual way to force that recovery when the picture is stuck. When to Use the Hotkey Use the shortcut when the display misbehaves but the PC is clearly still running. You can tell it is running if you hear sounds, see the drive or keyboard lights respond, or the mouse pointer still moves. Common cases include: A black screen after the PC wakes from sleep, while the PC itself seems to be on. An external monitor that stays dark after you plug it in or switch inputs. A frozen or stuttering picture in a video, browser or desktop animation. Flickering, stretched or odd-looking colours that appear suddenly. A display stuck at the wrong resolution after a dock or cable change. If the whole computer is frozen and does not respond to anything, the hotkey will not help. Windows has to be running well enough to receive the keystrokes. Before You Press the Hotkey Save your work first. The shortcut is safe for most programs, but a full-screen game or video app can close, minimize or freeze when its graphics connection drops. Saving first costs… **Key facts:** - The GPU refresh hotkey in Windows 11 is Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B, and it restarts your graphics driver without restarting the PC. - It works on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it does not depend on whether you have Intel, AMD or NVIDIA graphics. - What the GPU Refresh Hotkey Does Windows 11 has a built-in shortcut that tells the system to restart the graphics driver. - Think of it as a lighter version of restarting. - It does not replace a broken driver with a working one, and it does not install a newer version. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to calibrate display color in Windows 11? A: To calibrate display color in Windows 11, press the Windows key, type Calibrate display color, and press Enter. The Display Color Calibration wizard opens. Follow the on-screen steps to set gamma, brightness, contrast and color balance. Each step has a Next button. On the last screen, choose whether to keep the new settings. - Q: How to adjust display settings in Windows 11? A: To adjust display settings in Windows 11, open Settings, select System, then select Display. Use the Display resolution dropdown to change the resolution, and use Scale to resize text and apps. Use Brightness to change screen brightness. Open Advanced display to change the refresh rate. - Q: How do I pin display magnifier to the start menu of Windows 11 site Microsoft.com? A: To pin Magnifier to the Start menu in Windows 11, press the Windows key and type Magnifier. Right-click Magnifier in the results and select Pin to Start. The tile appears in the Pinned section. To close Magnifier later, press Windows + Esc. --- ### How to Enable Secure DNS in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-secure-dns-in-microsoft-edge-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-06 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 828 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Scroll to Security, toggle on "Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites," and choose your DNS provider. No restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Secure DNS in Microsoft Edge encrypts your DNS lookups. These are the requests that turn a website name into a server address. With it on, other people on your Wi-Fi network, such as a café or hotel network, cannot easily read which sites your browser is looking up. You turn it on in the Edge privacy settings, and it takes a few clicks. You can use your current internet provider's secure DNS, if it supports it, or pick a different secure DNS service. The setting applies to Edge only. Other browsers and apps on the PC keep using their own DNS settings. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Step 1: Open Edge's Settings Start in the Edge settings page. You reach it through the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the browser window. Open Microsoft Edge on your computer. Find the three dots icon (...) in the top-right corner of the browser window. This is the Settings and more menu. Click it. A dropdown menu opens. Scroll down the menu and click Settings. Edge opens the settings page in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. Tip: Type edge://settings into the address bar and press Enter to jump straight to the settings panel. If you already know where you are going, this is quicker than using the menu. micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Step 2: Go to Privacy and Security Settings The secure DNS option is in the privacy section of Settings. This area also holds the tracking protection, certificate and network security controls. In the left sidebar of the Settings page, click Privacy, search, and services. The main area on the right now shows Edge's privacy features. Scroll down the page until you reach the Security section. It is usually near the bottom of the main area. Warning: Many privacy controls sit on this page, including tracking prevention and clearing browsing data. You only need the DNS setting described below, so leave the rest as it is. Step 3: Turn on Secure DNS The switch for secure DNS sits in the Security section you just scrolled to. Turning it on takes two steps. In the Security section, find the option that says "Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites." Click the switch next to it to turn it On. The provider choices appear underneath the switch. You do not need to restart Edge or Windows. If a site does not load right after the change, reload the tab. If you cannot click the switch, or it is greyed out, your device may be managed by a work or school account. In that case an administrator controls the setting through policy, and you will need to ask them to change it. Tip: Once the switch is on, Edge shows a choice of DNS provider. One option uses your current service provider, and another lets you pick a different provider from a list… **Key facts:** - You turn it on in the Edge privacy settings, and it takes a few clicks. - Other browsers and apps on the PC keep using their own DNS settings. - It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Step 1: Open Edge's Settings Start in the Edge settings page. - Edge opens the settings page in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to secure Windows 11 with defender? A: Microsoft Defender is built into Windows 11 and turns on by default. To check it, open Windows Security from the Start menu, then select Virus & threat protection and make sure Real-time protection is on. Next, select Firewall & network protection and confirm each network profile shows On. You can run a quick scan from the same page. - Q: How to enable mobile hotspot in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Network & internet, then click Mobile hotspot. Turn on the Share my internet connection with other devices switch. Other devices can then join using the network name and password shown. To change them, select Edit, enter a new name and a password of at least eight characters, and click Save. - Q: How to enable tracking prevention in edge? A: Open Edge's Settings, then select Privacy, search, and services from the left menu. Under Tracking prevention, choose Basic, Balanced, or Strict. Balanced is the default and blocks most trackers without breaking most sites. Strict blocks more, but some websites may not work properly. --- ### How to Turn Auto Color Management on or off in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-auto-color-management-on-or-off-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-04 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1165 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn on Auto Color Management in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, click Color profile, and switch Automatically manage color for apps to On. Switch it off to turn it back off. You need Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer, and no restart is required. **Content excerpt:** To turn on color management in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, click Color profile, and switch Automatically manage color for apps to On. Switch it to Off to turn it back off. Auto Color Management (ACM) matches colors across standard and high dynamic range (HDR) screens, so photos and videos look natural without extra setup. ACM is built into Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer. It aims to make your monitor's colors look right in every app, and you can change it in your display settings whenever you want. Leaving it on helps your screen show accurate colors for everyday web browsing and creative work. Who benefits most: Creative professionals: Graphic designers, photographers, and video editors need colors to be exact. ACM keeps colors consistent from app to app. Enthusiasts: If you enjoy digital art or photography, or just like bright, true-to-life colors, you will likely notice the difference. General users: You don't have to be a pro. Colors can look richer, and you may see fewer odd color patterns in dark areas. ACM handles color profiles for the entire system, so colors look correct on compatible screens. It helps both modern and older programs render colors more faithfully. It also reduces color banding, which is the harsh, visible steps you sometimes see in smooth gradients, and it brings out subtle detail. In short, this feature aims to: Keep colors the same across different programs. Make colors more accurate, for a more real-life look. Show more detail in pictures, especially where colors change slightly. Reduce visual problems like color stripes. Enabling Automatic Color Management in Windows 11 Turning on Auto Color Management takes a few clicks in the display settings. The setting is per display, so you work on one monitor at a time. Before you start, check two things. You need Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer. To see your version, go to Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. If you are on an older version, run Windows Update first. The option also depends on your graphics hardware and driver. A very old GPU or an outdated graphics driver can leave the toggle missing or greyed out, so update the driver if you don't see it. Open Settings. Click the Start button on the taskbar, then click the Settings icon (it looks like a gear). You can also press Windows key + I. The Settings window opens. Go to Display settings. Click System in the left menu, then click Display on the right. You should now see your monitor layout and brightness options. Choose your screen. If you have more than one monitor, select the one you want to adjust at the top of the page. Pick the right one before you change anything. If you aren't sure which is which, click Identify. A number appears on each screen to match the layout. Open the color settings. Scroll down in the Display settings and click Color profile. The color… **Key facts:** - To turn on color management in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, click Color profile, and switch Automatically manage color for apps to On. - ACM is built into Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer. - It aims to make your monitor's colors look right in every app, and you can change it in your display settings whenever you want. - It also reduces color banding, which is the harsh, visible steps you sometimes see in smooth gradients, and it brings out subtle detail. - Enabling Automatic Color Management in Windows 11 Turning on Auto Color Management takes a few clicks in the display settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn on color? A: Open Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, and click Color profile. Turn on Automatically manage color for apps. Windows then adjusts colors across apps so they look consistent. To turn it off, switch the same setting to Off. This works on Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer. - Q: Is Windows 11 auto color management security risk? A: No, Auto Color Management is not a security risk. It only changes how your screen shows colors. It does not open your files, read your data, or connect to the internet. You can turn it off at any time in Settings > System > Display. - Q: Can Windows setting color depth be automated testing? A: Windows has no built-in automated test for color depth. To automate it, you need a third-party tool or a script that changes the setting and checks the result. Color depth is set in Advanced display, which you can also change by hand. - Q: How to set up auto color mode in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, and click Color profile. Switch Automatically manage color for apps to On. Then open a photo or web page to check that the colors look right. Your PC needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer for this option. - Q: Should I enable the Windows setting automatically color manage apps if I have a calibrated icc? A: Usually no. An ICC profile (a file that describes how your monitor shows color) already sets colors the way you calibrated them. Auto Color Management can override that. Turn it off, then compare a photo in two apps. Turn it on only if the colors look wrong. - Q: How to default auto color? A: Windows has no separate default setting for Auto Color Management. To set it back, go to Settings > System > Display, select your monitor, click Color profile, and switch Automatically manage color for apps to the state you want. Changes apply right away. --- ### How to Share Your Screen with Sound in Microsoft Teams - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-share-your-screen-with-sound-in-microsoft-teams/ - **Published:** 2026-07-01 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1196 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To share sound on Teams, click Share in the meeting controls, choose Desktop or Window, then turn on the Include sound switch in the sharing panel before you click Share. Sound is not available for PowerPoint or whiteboard sharing. Attendees hear your computer's audio while they see your screen. **Content excerpt:** Screen sharing with sound in Microsoft Teams sends your computer's audio into a virtual meeting, so everyone hears your videos, music, or apps. Microsoft Teams version 1.5.00.2381.4 and newer includes this built-in feature to stream system sound without extra cables or workarounds. You turn the setting on with a few clicks when you start presenting. Attendees then hear your computer's output while they see your screen. Read the steps before the meeting if you can. The sound switch appears only in the sharing panel, so you will not find it anywhere else in the meeting window. Sharing Your Screen with Sound in Teams Microsoft Teams lets meeting participants hear shared audio clearly. The feature is part of Teams application version 1.5.00.22753, and it folds audio sharing into the normal share flow. Attendees receive the sound whenever a presenter shares their screen with sound on. Teams shares your system audio, which is whatever your PC is playing through its speakers. Teams leaves out the meeting's own audio so people do not hear an echo of themselves. If you plan to share a video with sound, play it once beforehand. That way you know it runs properly on your machine, and you are not troubleshooting in front of the group. Step 1: Start Sharing Your Screen These steps show how to share sound on Teams along with your screen, so everyone in the meeting sees your display and hears your computer audio. The first four steps get you to the sharing options. The Share button looks like a box with an arrow pointing up. Join the Teams meeting where you want to share. You can only share from inside an active meeting, so wait until you are connected. Click the Share button in the meeting controls. It is the icon that looks like a box with an arrow pointing up. A panel of sharing options opens. Review the sharing options in the panel. You should see choices for your whole computer screen ( Desktop), a single program window ( Window), a PowerPoint file, and a whiteboard. Select Desktop or Window to share. Choose one of these if you need sound, because the sound option does not apply to every choice. The PowerPoint and whiteboard options normally do not offer it. If the Share button is greyed out or missing, you may not be in the meeting yet, or the organizer may have limited who can present. Ask the organizer to change your role to presenter. Then try again. Step 2: Turn on Sound Sharing To include computer audio in your Microsoft Teams screen share, turn on the audio sharing switch before you start broadcasting. The next two steps continue the same list. After you choose the window or screen to share, look near the top of the sharing options panel for the "Include sound" toggle. Find the Include sound switch near the top of the sharing panel. Look for it after you select the window or screen. Some Teams versions word it… **Key facts:** - Microsoft Teams version 1.5.00.2381.4 and newer includes this built-in feature to stream system sound without extra cables or workarounds. - Read the steps before the meeting if you can. - The feature is part of Teams application version 1.5.00.22753, and it folds audio sharing into the normal share flow. - Step 1: Start Sharing Your Screen These steps show how to share sound on Teams along with your screen, so everyone in the meeting sees your display and hears your computer audio. - The first four steps get you to the sharing options. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to share audio on Teams share screen? A: To share audio while you share your screen in Teams, click Share in the meeting controls, then pick the screen or window you want. Turn on the Include computer sound switch before you start. Attendees will hear whatever your PC plays while they watch your screen. - Q: How to turn sound on for Teams? A: Teams has no single sound switch for the whole app. You turn sound on each time you share. Click Share, pick the screen or window, then turn on Include computer sound in the sharing panel. Anything your PC plays will reach the meeting. Nothing else in your audio settings changes. - Q: How to share video audio on Teams? A: To share a video with sound, start the video on your PC first and check that you can hear it. Then click Share in Teams, choose the window or screen showing the video, and turn on Include computer sound. Attendees hear the video's audio while they watch it play. - Q: How do I get my audio to play our on Teams while sharing my screen? A: Your audio plays for the meeting when you turn on Include computer sound during screen sharing. Open the video, music, or app first, then click Share in Teams and select your screen or window. Switch on the sound option in the sharing panel. Teams sends your PC's audio to attendees while they see your screen. - Q: How to screen share on Teams and have the people hear the video too? A: Share the screen with sound on, and attendees hear the video as it plays. Start the video before you share, then click Share in Teams and pick the window that shows it. Turn on Include computer sound before you present. Teams leaves out the meeting's own audio, so people will not hear an echo of themselves. - Q: Where is include sound toggle in Teams? A: The Include computer sound toggle appears in the sharing panel after you click Share and choose a screen or window. It is not in the main Settings or the meeting toolbar. Look for it in the sharing controls that show up once you start presenting, then switch it on before you begin. --- ### How to Enable Mouse Pointer Indicator in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-mouse-pointer-indicator-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1229 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, click Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch. Toggle the Pointer indicator switch to On. A colored circle appears around your cursor immediately, making it easier to spot on busy screens. **Content excerpt:** The mouse pointer indicator in Windows 11 places a colored circle around your cursor. It helps you spot the pointer on busy screens, on multiple monitors and on high-resolution displays, where the cursor can shrink to a small arrow against a crowded desktop. It is an accessibility feature, but plenty of people without vision problems find it useful too. You turn it on in Settings, where you can also choose a circle color that stands out against your desktop background. A light circle disappears on a light wallpaper, so pick a color that contrasts with what you usually have on screen. The feature works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. What is the Mouse Pointer Indicator? With the indicator on, a colored circle follows your cursor wherever it goes. This makes the pointer much easier to find after you move between monitors, switch windows or come back to a screen you haven't touched for a while. Once the feature is active, pressing Ctrl + Ctrl (press the left Ctrl key twice) on the keyboard toggles it on or off. That is handy when you only need the circle now and then and don't want to open Settings each time. How to Turn On or Off the Mouse Pointer Indicator This is the simplest method and the one I'd use first. The steps below match current Windows 11 builds. If your Settings pages look different, check that you are fully updated, because Microsoft has moved some accessibility options between releases. Open Settings. Click the Start button and select Settings, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens. Click Accessibility in the left menu. The accessibility options appear on the right. On the right side, under the Vision section, click Mouse pointer and touch. The pointer settings page opens. Click the Pointer indicator option. Set the switch to On. The circle should appear around your pointer straight away. You can also pick a color for the circle. Move the mouse over a few different windows to check the color is easy to see. To turn it off, set the switch to Off. Nothing else changes, so you can switch it back on whenever you like. If the option is missing or greyed out, the PC may be managed by an employer or school that locks accessibility settings. In that case, ask your administrator. The Registry method below needs administrator rights, so it won't get around that restriction. The pointer indicator gives you a colored circle around the cursor, so you can find it instantly. To change it, open the main Windows Settings app, go to the accessibility options, select the mouse settings and move the Pointer indicator switch to the position you want. Once the indicator is enabled, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Ctrl (press the left Ctrl key twice) is a quick way to toggle the display on and off. It only works after you have turned the feature on in Settings, so if… **Key facts:** - The mouse pointer indicator in Windows 11 places a colored circle around your cursor. - You turn it on in Settings, where you can also choose a circle color that stands out against your desktop background. - The feature works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - That is handy when you only need the circle now and then and don't want to open Settings each time. - How to Turn On or Off the Mouse Pointer Indicator This is the simplest method and the one I'd use first. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off circle around cursor? A: Press the left Ctrl key twice to toggle the circle off, if the shortcut is enabled. Otherwise, open Settings, select Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch, and switch off Mouse pointer indicator. The circle disappears right away, and your cursor returns to its normal look. - Q: How to make circle around mouse pointer? A: Open Settings, select Accessibility, then choose Mouse pointer and touch. Turn on the Mouse pointer indicator switch. Pick a circle color that stands out from your wallpaper, such as red, and the circle will follow your cursor across every screen, so you can spot it quickly. - Q: How to turn on mouse cursor circle when press control? A: Turn on the Mouse pointer indicator in Settings first, under Accessibility and then Mouse pointer and touch. After that, pressing the left Ctrl key twice toggles the circle on or off. The shortcut only works once the feature is enabled, so skip this step if the circle never appears. - Q: How to turn a ponter into a circle? A: The Mouse pointer indicator does this. Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch, and switch on Mouse pointer indicator. A colored circle then surrounds the pointer and moves with it. Choose the circle color in the same screen. - Q: How to get red circle around cursor on laptop? A: Open Settings, select Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch. Turn on Mouse pointer indicator, then open the color options and choose red. Laptops use the same setting as desktops, and the circle follows the touchpad cursor too. Pick a different color if red blends into a red wallpaper. - Q: How to show red circle on mouse? A: Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch. Switch on Mouse pointer indicator, and select the red swatch in the color options. The circle appears around your pointer as soon as you change the setting, and you can turn it off by pressing the left Ctrl key twice. - Q: I followed the steps to turn on the mouse pointer indicator, but I can't find the Pointer indicator option in Settings. What should I do? A: The option may not be available on every version of Windows 11, so start by checking your settings page. Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Mouse pointer and touch, and scroll the whole page in case the option sits under a different heading. Next, go to Settings, then Windows Update, install any pending updates and restart. If you see a… --- ### Here's How to Manually Change Your Windows 11 Display Brightness - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/heres-how-to-manually-change-your-windows-11-display-brightness/ - **Published:** 2026-06-08 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1277 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change Windows 11 brightness, press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings, then drag the brightness slider left to dim or right to brighten. Alternatively, open Settings, select System, then Display, and adjust the slider there. **Content excerpt:** Changing your Windows 11 display brightness lets you match the screen to your room or save laptop battery power. It takes about ten seconds, and you can use either the Quick Settings panel or the Settings app. The short version: press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings, then drag the brightness slider left or right. You can also open Settings, select System, then Display, and use the same slider there. That page also has other display options, such as color settings. Why Change Screen Brightness? Screen brightness has a direct effect on how your eyes feel. A bright screen in a dark room is harsh and tiring. A dim screen in a bright room makes you squint, and that causes eye strain too. A good rule is to match the screen to the room. Turn it down in the evening or in a dim space, and turn it up in daylight so the text stays readable. What Happens When You Change Brightness? The brightness slider controls how much light the screen gives off. Moving it up makes the screen output more light. Moving it down reduces that output. Room lighting and your own preference decide the right setting, so there is no single correct level. On a laptop, lower brightness also saves battery. The backlight is one of the biggest power draws, so dimming the screen can noticeably extend your time away from the charger. Quick Way: Adjust Brightness from the Taskbar Laptops benefit most from this taskbar shortcut. You can change brightness in a couple of clicks without opening Settings. Many laptops also have dedicated brightness keys on the keyboard, often on the function row. You may need to hold Fn while pressing them. Step 1: Open Quick Settings Follow these steps to open the Quick Settings panel: Look at the right side of the taskbar, near the clock. Click the Wi-Fi, sound, or battery icons. They sit together, and clicking any of them opens the panel. You can also press Windows key + A. Check that a panel with tiles and sliders has appeared above the taskbar. You do not need administrator rights for this. A standard user account can change display brightness. If the slider is missing, the cause is almost always your hardware, not your account type. windows 11 quick settings Step 2: Find the Brightness Slider Look for the brightness slider in the Quick Settings panel. It usually has a sun icon next to it, and it sits just above or beside the volume slider. If you do not see it, check the following: Desktop computers with external monitors often have no brightness slider. Windows cannot control most external monitors from the taskbar, so use the Settings app or the monitor's own buttons. The panel may be showing only a few tiles. If you see a pencil icon, click it to check whether the brightness control was removed from the panel. You can add it back from there. Step 3: Adjust the Brightness… **Key facts:** - Changing your Windows 11 display brightness lets you match the screen to your room or save laptop battery power. - It takes about ten seconds, and you can use either the Quick Settings panel or the Settings app. - The short version: press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings, then drag the brightness slider left or right. - You can also open Settings, select System, then Display, and use the same slider there. - That page also has other display options, such as color settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change brightness settings? A: Open Quick Settings by pressing Windows key + A, then drag the brightness slider left to dim the screen or right to brighten it. For more control, open Settings, select System, then Display, and use the Brightness slider there. Laptops may also have brightness keys on the keyboard. - Q: How to I change the brightness on my Windows 11? A: Press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings, then drag the brightness slider. You can also open Settings, go to System, then Display, and move the slider there. On a laptop, the brightness keys on the keyboard work too, often marked with a sun icon. - Q: How can I change the screen brightness? A: To change screen brightness, open Quick Settings with Windows key + A and drag the brightness slider. For more options, open Settings, select System, then Display, and use the slider there. Many laptop keyboards have sun-shaped brightness keys that adjust the screen instantly. - Q: How to control screen brightness? A: Control brightness with the slider in Quick Settings, which opens with Windows key + A. The same slider is under System, then Display, in Settings. If the brightness keeps changing on its own, Windows may be using automatic brightness, which you can turn off on the Display page. - Q: Can you manually adjust? A: Yes. You can adjust brightness manually at any time with the slider in Quick Settings (Windows key + A) or in Settings under System, then Display. If the slider moves by itself, clear the option to change brightness automatically when lighting changes, found on the same Display page. - Q: How to change monitor brightness Windows 11? A: For an external monitor, press the buttons on the monitor itself. They usually open an on-screen menu with a Brightness option. You can also try the Brightness slider in Settings under System, then Display, but many external monitors do not respond to it. - Q: The screenshot in this guide doesn't match my screen. What should I do? A: Windows 11 updates can change how the Quick Settings panel looks, so your tiles and layout may differ from the screenshot. The steps still apply. Press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings and look for a brightness slider with a sun icon. If it isn't there, click the pencil icon, if you see one, to check whether the… --- ### How to Enable or Disable Memory Integrity Core Isolation in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-memory-integrity-core-isolation-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-08-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 2146 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Windows Security, go to Device security, then click Core isolation details and switch the Memory integrity toggle to On to enable it, or to Off to disable it. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears. A restart may be needed before the change fully applies. Pro and Enterprise users can also use Group Policy. **Content excerpt:** Memory Integrity is a Windows 11 security setting inside Core Isolation. Core Isolation is a group of protections that keep core parts of the operating system away from malicious code. Memory Integrity stops malware from reaching the most sensitive areas of your PC. It blocks hidden threats from taking over your system by making sure every driver running on version 22H2 or newer is safe and trusted. Microsoft also calls it hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), so you may see that name in other guides and in policy settings. Managing this feature can sometimes feel tricky when Windows blocks the change or shows confusing errors about broken drivers. You can safely turn it on or off through the Windows Security app to keep your system safe while letting your favorite apps and hardware run normally. This guide covers checking the current status, turning the feature on and off, fixing incompatible drivers, and the Group Policy method for Pro and Enterprise editions. What is Core Isolation and Memory Integrity? Core isolation and memory integrity are built-in Windows 11 security features that protect your computer by creating a safe, isolated area of system memory. Core isolation separates normal operating processes from your computer hardware, while memory integrity specifically stops malicious software from attacking low-level system drivers. Memory Integrity protects driver software. Drivers are small programs that help Windows talk to hardware like graphics cards and printers. They run with very high privileges, which makes them a favorite target. If a bad actor tries to put harmful code into a driver, Memory Integrity blocks that code right away. This stops malicious code from taking over your computer. The feature relies on virtualization built into your processor. On many PCs, that virtualization has to be switched on in the UEFI/BIOS firmware. If Memory Integrity is missing or will not turn on and no driver is listed as the cause, check that setting. On some new PCs, and on some clean installs of Windows 11 22H2 or newer, Memory Integrity is already on by default. While this setting offers strong protection, older software or specialized hardware drivers sometimes fail to work with it. If your computer relies on one of these older drivers, Windows blocks that driver from loading. This can cause your favorite programs or devices to stop working properly. How to Check If Memory Integrity Is Enabled Open the Windows Security app and check your device security settings to see if Memory Integrity is active. It takes about half a minute and changes nothing on your PC. Click the Start button on your taskbar and type Windows Security. Click the Windows Security app in the search results. The app opens with a list of protection areas. Click Device security in the left-hand menu. Under the Core isolation section, click the Core isolation details link. The Core isolation page opens. Look at the toggle switch next to Memory integrity. It shows whether the feature is On or Off. If you do not see a Core… **Key facts:** - Memory Integrity is a Windows 11 security setting inside Core Isolation. - It blocks hidden threats from taking over your system by making sure every driver running on version 22H2 or newer is safe and trusted. - Microsoft also calls it hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), so you may see that name in other guides and in policy settings. - This guide covers checking the current status, turning the feature on and off, fixing incompatible drivers, and the Group Policy method for Pro and Enterprise editions. - Core isolation and memory integrity are built-in Windows 11 security features that protect your computer by creating a safe, isolated area of system memory. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to force disable memory integrity in win11? A: Forcing it off means editing the registry, which is risky, so back up first. Open Registry Editor as administrator, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity, and set Enabled to 0. Restart, then check Windows Security. If it still turns on, a driver or Group Policy is forcing it back on. - Q: How to activate memory integrity Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to Privacy & security, select Windows Security, then Device security. Under Core isolation, select Core isolation details and switch Memory integrity to On. Restart your PC when prompted. If the switch is greyed out or turns off again, an incompatible driver is blocking it. - Q: How to disable memory integrity? A: Disable Memory integrity by opening Windows Security, selecting Device security, then Core isolation details. Switch Memory integrity to Off, approve the admin prompt, and restart your PC. Turning it off lowers protection against attacks on core Windows parts, so only do this if an app or driver requires it. - Q: How to turn memory integrity on? A: Open Windows Security, choose Device security, and select Core isolation details. Turn Memory integrity on and restart. If the switch is greyed out, an incompatible driver is usually the cause. Windows Security lists the driver, so update or remove it first. Turning it on can take a restart to apply. - Q: How to disable core isolation Windows 11? A: Core isolation has no single on/off switch in Windows 11. You turn off Memory integrity, the feature most people mean, in Windows Security under Device security, then Core isolation details. Switch Memory integrity to Off and restart. Group Policy or Windows Security settings managed by your organization may block the change. - Q: How to turn off memory integrity Windows 11? A: Open Windows Security, go to Device security, and select Core isolation details. Set Memory integrity to Off and approve the prompt. Windows may ask for an administrator password. Restart your PC to finish. Turning it off reduces protection, so turn it back on once the app or driver you needed is updated. **Extra help under the steps:** - If gpedit.msc doesn't open on your PC: If gpedit.msc does nothing or Windows says it can't find it, your PC is most likely running Windows 11 Home, which doesn't include the Local Group Policy Editor. To check your edition, open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. If it says Home, skip the Group Policy method and use the Memory integrity toggle in Windows… --- ### Adjust the Search Box Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/adjust-the-search-box-settings-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1916 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change the search box settings in Windows 11, open Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar, and choose a display option from the Search drop-down under Taskbar items. To control what search covers, open Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions for filtering and search history, and Searching Windows for file indexing. **Content excerpt:** Search box settings in Windows 11 control how the search box appears on the taskbar and which places it searches when you type. To change them, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Search for the appearance, then Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions for what it searches. Windows 11 splits these options across three Settings pages. Taskbar holds the display choices, Search permissions holds filtering and history, and Searching Windows holds file indexing. The steps follow the order most people need them. The last section covers options that are missing or greyed out. Adjust the Search Box Settings in Windows 11: Step by Step The steps below change how the search box looks, what it shows, and which files it covers. Do the ones you need and skip the rest. Changes apply as soon as you make them, and you do not need to restart. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. Select Personalization in the left pane. The page lists options such as Background, Colors and Themes. Select Taskbar. The first group on the page is called Taskbar items. Open the Search drop-down under Taskbar items. It shows four choices. Choose Search box. A wide box with the text "Search" appears on the taskbar straight away. The other choices are Hide, Search icon only and Search icon and label. Go back to the Settings home page and select Privacy & security. You do not need to change anything on the Personalization page again. Select Search permissions. This page controls filtering, cloud results and search history. Set the two switches under Cloud content search. One is for your Microsoft account and one for your Work or school account. Turn a switch off to stop search showing results from that account. Switch Search history on this device on or off. When it is off, Windows stops saving the terms you type into the search box. Select Clear search history on this device if you want to wipe past searches. This cannot be undone, so skip it if you want the history kept. Expand More settings and switch Show search highlights on or off. With it off, the search box and search pane stop showing daily illustrations and trending items. Go back to Privacy & security and select Searching Windows. This page controls which files the search box can find. Choose Classic or Enhanced under Find my files. Classic covers your Documents, Pictures, Music and Desktop folders. Enhanced covers the whole PC. Select Add an excluded folder if you want search to skip a folder. This option sits under Exclude folders from enhanced search. Pick the folder in the window that opens and confirm. Check the Indexing status text on the same page. It shows how many items are indexed and whether Windows is still working. Choose How the Search Box Looks on the Taskbar The Search setting under Taskbar items has four options. Which one suits you depends mostly on how much taskbar… **Key facts:** - Search box settings in Windows 11 control how the search box appears on the taskbar and which places it searches when you type. - To change them, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Search for the appearance, then Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions for what it searches. - Windows 11 splits these options across three Settings pages. - The steps follow the order most people need them. - Adjust the Search Box Settings in Windows 11: Step by Step The steps below change how the search box looks, what it shows, and which files it covers. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then Power & battery. Under Screen and sleep, choose how long Windows waits before it turns off the screen and before the PC goes to sleep. Use the drop-down menus next to each option. Changes take effect right away, and you do not need to restart. - Q: How to adjust display settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then Display. This page controls screen resolution, scale for text and apps, screen orientation, and brightness. Night light and HDR options are on the same page. If you change the resolution, Windows asks you to keep or revert the new setting, so check the preview before you confirm. - Q: Which selection will hide/disable the search box? A: Right-click an empty part of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Expand Search and choose Hidden to remove the search box completely. To keep only the magnifying glass icon, pick Icon only instead. Changes apply right away, so you can switch back at any time. - Q: How to backup system settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Accounts, then Windows backup. Turn on Remember my preferences and Remember my apps to store these settings in your Microsoft account. For a full copy of your files, use the Windows Backup app or the Backup and Restore tool. Make a backup before any major system change. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Advanced Bluetooth Discovery in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-advanced-bluetooth-discovery-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-09 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1272 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn on advanced Bluetooth device discovery in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Devices, click Bluetooth devices discovery, and choose Advanced from the drop-down. Windows then lists every nearby Bluetooth device, including older speakers, controllers and trackers. Choose Default to switch back. No restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** Bluetooth device discovery in Windows 11 is controlled by the Bluetooth devices discovery setting, found under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices. Set it to Advanced and Windows lists every Bluetooth device it can detect nearby, not just the common ones. By default, Windows shows only common Bluetooth devices in the pairing list. That hides many older speakers, game controllers, fitness trackers and other niche accessories. This post covers two ways to switch advanced mode on or off: the Settings app and the Registry Editor. Why Use Advanced Bluetooth Discovery? Standard scans filter out devices that don't advertise themselves in a typical way. If your accessory is switched on and in pairing mode but never shows up, the default filter is a likely cause. Advanced discovery removes that filter, so stubborn accessories can appear in the list. The trade-off is a longer, noisier list. Expect to see neighbors' phones, TVs and unnamed devices alongside your own. Once your accessory is paired, you can switch back to the default mode. This setting changes what your PC finds. It does not change whether other devices can see your PC. That second control, often called the discoverability setting, is separate. In the older Bluetooth Settings window, opened from More Bluetooth settings on the same Devices page, it is the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC option. Turn On Advanced Bluetooth Discovery Using the Settings App The Settings app is the most direct way to change this, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Before you start, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your PC has a working Bluetooth adapter. Without an adapter, the Bluetooth pages in Settings will not appear at all. The numbered steps below turn on advanced Bluetooth device discovery so your PC lists every nearby Bluetooth device. A screenshot follows each group of steps so you can check what you should see. Open the Settings app. You can do this by: Clicking the Start menu and choosing Settings. Or pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard. In Settings, click on Bluetooth & devices on the left side. Look for the Devices section and click to open it. Find and click on the Bluetooth devices discovery option. From the drop-down menu, select Advanced to allow your PC to find all types of Bluetooth devices. If you want to switch back to normal discovery later, just pick Default from the menu. When you're done, simply close the Settings app. Turn On Advanced Bluetooth Discovery Using the Registry Editor (For Advanced Users) If the discovery option is missing from Settings, check three things. First, confirm Bluetooth is on and the PC has a Bluetooth adapter. Second, install any pending Windows updates, because this option only appears in newer builds of Windows 11. Third, update the Bluetooth driver from your PC or adapter manufacturer. A driver is the software that lets Windows talk to the adapter, and an old one can hide features. To undo the… **Key facts:** - Bluetooth device discovery in Windows 11 is controlled by the Bluetooth devices discovery setting, found under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices. - This post covers two ways to switch advanced mode on or off: the Settings app and the Registry Editor. - In the older Bluetooth Settings window, opened from More Bluetooth settings on the same Devices page, it is the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC option. - Turn On Advanced Bluetooth Discovery Using the Settings App The Settings app is the most direct way to change this, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Without an adapter, the Bluetooth pages in Settings will not appear at all. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to make Bluetooth discoverable? A: To make your PC discoverable, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select Devices. Choose More Bluetooth options, open the Options tab, and tick Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC. Click Apply, then OK. Nearby devices can now see your PC until you clear that box. - Q: How to put Bluetooth in discovery mode? A: To put Bluetooth in discovery mode on Windows 11, turn on Bluetooth in Settings. Then open More Bluetooth options and tick Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC on the Options tab. For an accessory, press and hold its pairing button until its light flashes. Then select Add device in Settings to find it. - Q: How to turn off PC discoverability Windows? A: To turn off PC discoverability, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, select Devices, and choose More Bluetooth options. On the Options tab, clear the Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC box, then click Apply and OK. Your PC stays paired with existing devices but stops appearing in nearby scans. - Q: How to discover Bluetooth devices on Windows 11? A: To discover Bluetooth devices on Windows 11, turn on Bluetooth, then open Settings and select Bluetooth & devices. Click Add device and choose Bluetooth. Put your accessory in pairing mode, and Windows will list nearby devices. Select yours and follow the prompts. If it still doesn't appear, turn on advanced Bluetooth discovery. - Q: How to turn on Bluetooth? A: To turn on Bluetooth in Windows 11, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and switch the Bluetooth toggle to On. You can also press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings and select the Bluetooth tile. If the toggle is missing, check Device Manager for a disabled Bluetooth adapter. - Q: How do I make Bluetooth discoverable? A: Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select Devices. Click More Bluetooth options, then open the Options tab. Tick Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC, and click Apply, then OK. Nearby devices can now find your PC during a scan. Clear the box later to hide it again. - Q: Why is there no Advanced option in the Bluetooth devices discovery menu? A: Windows has removed the Advanced Bluetooth discovery option from recent versions, so it no longer appears in the drop-down menu. To find a device that isn't listed, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and click Add device, then choose Bluetooth. Put the accessory in pairing mode, keep it close to your PC, and wait up to a minute. If… **Extra help under the steps:** - If the Advanced option is missing from the drop-down: Advanced Bluetooth discovery has been removed from recent versions of Windows, so the Advanced option won't appear in the menu. You can still find your accessory with the normal scan: 1. Open Settings and click Bluetooth & devices. 2. Click Add device, then choose Bluetooth. 3. Put your accessory in pairing mode and keep it close to the PC. Wait… - If you can't find Advanced Bluetooth discovery: Advanced Bluetooth discovery has been removed from Windows, so you won't find it in Settings or the Registry Editor, and there is no direct replacement. Changing the AdvancedDiscoveryMode value no longer has any effect. To look for your accessory with the normal scan: 1. Open Settings and click Bluetooth & devices. 2. Click Add device, then choose Bluetooth. 3. Put… --- ### Get New Themes for Windows 11 and Apply Them - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/get-new-themes-for-windows-11-and-apply-them/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1590 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To get new themes in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Personalization > Themes, and select Browse themes beside "Get more themes from Microsoft Store." Choose a theme pack, select Get to install it, then return to Themes and select its thumbnail. Windows applies the wallpaper, accent color, sounds and cursor at once, with no restart and no administrator rights needed. **Content excerpt:** Themes in Windows 11 change your desktop background, accent color, sounds and mouse cursor in one click. The quickest way to get new ones is Settings > Personalization > Themes, where the Browse themes button opens the Microsoft Store (the built-in app store) with free theme packs. This guide shows three ways to get a theme: from the Store, from a file, or by saving your own changes. It also shows how to go back to the default look. None of the steps need administrator rights, and none need a restart. What a Windows 11 Theme Changes A theme is a saved bundle of appearance settings. It holds a set of wallpapers, an accent color (the color used on the Start menu, taskbar and window title bars), and a light or dark mode. It also holds a sound scheme (the set of sounds Windows plays for events such as alerts) and a mouse cursor set. A theme does not move the taskbar, rearrange Start, change fonts or replace system icons. Those are separate settings. Windows 11 also has no supported way to install third-party visual styles (the old "skins" that restyle every window). Avoid tools that patch system files to restyle windows. They can break Windows after an update, so do not install them. Before You Start Check three things first, so the steps below work the first time. Windows must be activated (registered with Microsoft as a genuine copy). On an unactivated copy, the Personalization page is locked, and a banner tells you to activate Windows. You need internet access and the Microsoft Store. Signing in to the Store with a Microsoft account is usually needed to download a theme, even a free one. The PC must not be locked down by an organization. On a work or school device, an administrator can block theme changes. Windows 11 Home and Pro both support themes in the same way, so the edition does not matter here. Get New Themes for Windows 11 and Apply Them Open Settings, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes, and select Browse themes to get a new theme. Then apply it and check the result on your desktop. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. Select Personalization in the left pane. The right side now shows a preview of your current desktop and a list of options. Select Themes. The page shows a Current theme card at the top and a grid of thumbnails under Select a theme to apply. Windows includes a few themes already, such as light and dark versions of the default Windows theme. Scroll to Get more themes from Microsoft Store. Select Browse themes beside it. Wait for the Microsoft Store to open on its themes page. If the Store opens but the page is blank or shows an error, close the Store and select Browse themes again. If it still fails, see the troubleshooting section below. Select a theme pack that you like. Its page… **Key facts:** - Themes in Windows 11 change your desktop background, accent color, sounds and mouse cursor in one click. - The quickest way to get new ones is Settings > Personalization > Themes, where the Browse themes button opens the Microsoft Store (the built-in app store) with free theme packs. - None of the steps need administrator rights, and none need a restart. - What a Windows 11 Theme Changes A theme is a saved bundle of appearance settings. - Windows 11 also has no supported way to install third-party visual styles (the old "skins" that restyle every window). --- ### Reset Windows 11 and Remove Everything - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/reset-windows-11-and-remove-everything/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1933 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To remove everything from Windows 11, open Settings, select System, then Recovery, and click Reset PC. Choose Remove everything, which deletes your personal files, apps and settings before reinstalling Windows. Back up your files first, because this cannot be undone. Windows 11 Home and Pro use the same steps. **Content excerpt:** Reset this PC in Windows 11 includes a Remove everything option that deletes your personal files, apps and settings, then reinstalls Windows. To remove everything, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, and choose Remove everything. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Reset this PC is built into Windows 11, so you need no extra software or installation media while Windows still starts. This process cannot be undone. Once it starts, your files are gone unless you backed them up first. Before You Remove Everything A reset wipes the drive Windows is installed on. Spend a few minutes preparing first. It prevents most regrets and most failed resets. Back Up What You Want to Keep Copy documents, photos, browser bookmarks, game saves and license keys to an external drive or to cloud storage. Check that the copy opens before you continue. The reset deletes the local copies on this PC. Your OneDrive files stay in your online account. Check other drives too. If the PC has a second internal drive, Windows can offer to wipe it as well. You will see that choice during the reset, so decide beforehand what is on it. Check Your BitLocker Recovery Key BitLocker (Microsoft's drive encryption) or Device encryption may be active on your PC. Many new Windows 11 PCs turn it on automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account. If your PC asks for a recovery key at startup after the reset, you need that key. Look for it in your Microsoft account online, under the devices that belong to you, before you begin. Know What Comes Back and What Does Not Returns: Windows 11 itself, and on a PC that came with Windows, the apps the manufacturer installed (if you leave that option on). Does not return: Apps you installed, your settings, local user accounts and any files stored on the PC. Activation: Windows 11 normally reactivates by itself, because the license is a digital license (a record that your PC is licensed for Windows, stored with Microsoft). It links to your hardware or Microsoft account. Check That You Have Administrator Rights This task requires administrator privileges. If you sign in with a standard account, Windows asks for an administrator password. On a work or school PC, your organization may also block the reset. The section on a missing or greyed-out option covers that case. Remove Everything From Windows 11 Using Settings Use this route when Windows starts and you can sign in. The steps below remove everything from the PC and reinstall Windows 11 from start to finish. Labels can differ slightly between Windows 11 versions, so the article notes where that is likely. Back up your files. Copy anything you need to an external drive or cloud storage, and confirm the copy opens. Plug in the power adapter. A laptop that runs out of battery during a reset can fail to finish and may leave Windows unusable. Open Settings. Press Windows… **Key facts:** - Reset this PC in Windows 11 includes a Remove everything option that deletes your personal files, apps and settings, then reinstalls Windows. - To remove everything, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, and choose Remove everything. - The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Reset this PC is built into Windows 11, so you need no extra software or installation media while Windows still starts. - Many new Windows 11 PCs turn it on automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to reset Windows 11? A: To reset Windows 11, open Settings, then go to System and Recovery. Click Reset PC next to Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows and leave your personal files in place, or Remove everything to wipe the drive. Back up first, because removing everything cannot be undone. - Q: How to factory reset Windows 11? A: Windows 11 has no separate factory reset. The Reset this PC option does the same job. Open Settings, go to System and Recovery, and click Reset PC. Select Remove everything to return the PC to its original state. This deletes your files, apps and settings, so back them up first. - Q: How to reset Windows 11 installation? A: Resetting the Windows 11 installation reinstalls Windows while the PC keeps running. Open Settings, go to System and Recovery, and click Reset PC. Choose Cloud download for fresh system files, or Local reinstall to use the files already on the PC. Keep my files keeps your documents. Back up first. - Q: How to reset Windows 11 laptop? A: To reset a Windows 11 laptop, plug in the charger first so the battery does not run out mid-reset. Then open Settings, go to System and Recovery, and click Reset PC. Pick Keep my files or Remove everything. The steps match the desktop version. Remove everything deletes your files, so back them up beforehand. --- ### What Breaks When You Turn Off Mobile Devices in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-breaks-when-you-turn-off-mobile-devices-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1683 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Turning off Allow this PC to access your mobile devices, found at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, stops Phone Link from showing your phone's calls, texts, notifications and recent photos. An Android phone also drops out as a connected camera in apps like Teams and Zoom. Bluetooth, USB cable transfers and Wi-Fi keep working. **Content excerpt:** Turning off Mobile devices in Windows 11 cuts the link between your PC and your phone. Phone Link (Microsoft's app for connecting a phone to a PC) stops showing your calls, texts, notifications and photos, and an Android phone stops working as a connected camera. Bluetooth, USB cable transfers and Wi-Fi are separate features and keep working. This post explains what the setting controls, what stops, what stays, how to turn it off or back on, and why the option may be missing from your PC. What the Mobile devices setting controls Mobile devices is a page in the Settings app at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices. It decides whether Windows 11 lets your PC reach phones linked to your Microsoft account (the sign-in you use for Outlook and OneDrive). Phone Link relies on this permission. So do other features that bring phone content onto the PC. The page has three controls you need to know: Allow this PC to access your mobile devices is the main switch. Everything else on the page depends on it. Manage devices opens a list of the phones linked to this PC. Show me suggestions for using my mobile device with Windows controls prompts that encourage you to link a phone. This is a separate toggle, and turning it off does not break anything. There is also an Open Phone Link button on the page. It launches the Phone Link app, which does the actual work of showing your phone's content. The page needs no administrator rights. Any standard user account can change it, and the setting applies to that account only. What breaks when you turn off Mobile devices in Windows 11 When you switch off Allow this PC to access your mobile devices, the PC stops reaching your phone through your Microsoft account. The effects below are the ones you are most likely to notice. Exact wording and available features vary with your Windows 11 version, your phone, and the Phone Link app version. Phone Link stops working Phone Link is the feature you lose first. With the setting off, these items stop appearing on your PC: Notifications from your phone Text messages you read and send from the PC Calls you make or answer on the PC Recent photos and screenshots from your phone Phone Link may show a message that it cannot connect, or it may prompt you to set up the link again. The wording differs between versions, so do not rely on a specific message. The app itself stays installed. The same applies to iPhone. Phone Link supports iPhone with a narrower feature set, mainly calls, messages and notifications over Bluetooth. Turning the setting off breaks that link as well. Your Android phone stops working as a connected camera Windows 11 can use an Android phone's camera as a webcam for the PC. Apps such as Teams, Zoom or the Camera app then list the phone as a camera. This feature depends on the PC… **Key facts:** - Turning off Mobile devices in Windows 11 cuts the link between your PC and your phone. - What the Mobile devices setting controls Mobile devices is a page in the Settings app at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices. - It decides whether Windows 11 lets your PC reach phones linked to your Microsoft account (the sign-in you use for Outlook and OneDrive). - What breaks when you turn off Mobile devices in Windows 11 When you switch off Allow this PC to access your mobile devices, the PC stops reaching your phone through your Microsoft account. - Exact wording and available features vary with your Windows 11 version, your phone, and the Phone Link app version. --- ### Reset Windows 11 and Keep My Files - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/reset-windows-11-and-keep-my-files/ - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 2189 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To reset Windows and keep my files, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC next to Reset this PC, and choose Keep my files. This reinstalls Windows and restores its default settings, while your documents, photos and user folders under C:\Users\USERNAME stay in place. Apps you installed and changed settings are removed, so back up important files before you start. **Content excerpt:** To reset Windows and keep my files, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC next to Reset this PC, and choose Keep my files. Reset this PC is the Windows 11 tool that reinstalls the operating system and puts its settings back to their defaults. The Keep my files option leaves your personal files in place. It removes every app you installed yourself, including desktop programs, and it clears your changes to Windows settings. Use it when Windows is slow, unstable or misconfigured and you want a fresh system without wiping your documents and photos. The steps below work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. They also cover resetting from the recovery screen when Windows no longer starts. What Keep my files Removes and What It Keeps Knowing the exact effect matters, because the reset cannot be undone once it starts. Windows 11 treats your apps and settings very differently from your files. What stays Personal files in your user folders, such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures and Videos under C:\Users\USERNAME. Your user accounts, including the passwords you use to sign in. Your Windows activation. A PC with a digital license (an activation tied to your hardware or Microsoft account) stays activated. Files stored on other drives, though a backup is still the safe choice. What goes Apps and programs you installed, such as browsers, Office, games and utilities. Settings you changed, including default apps, personalization and most Windows options. Drivers (the software that lets Windows talk to hardware) that you installed yourself. Windows reinstalls many of them through Windows Update. Files saved outside your user folders, for example in a folder you created in C:\. Treat these as at risk and copy them elsewhere first. Apps that came with the PC from the manufacturer return only if your PC supports that option. You see it as a choice during the reset on many branded laptops and desktops. Before You Reset Windows 11 Ten minutes of preparation prevents most of the problems people run into afterwards. Do these checks first. Back up your files anyway Keep my files is reliable, but a reset can fail halfway, and a power cut during a reset can leave Windows unable to start. Copy your important files to an external drive or to OneDrive before you begin. Files that OneDrive has finished syncing (copying so the local and online versions match) also exist online, so they survive even if something goes wrong locally. Note your licenses and sign-ins Reinstalling your apps means typing in product keys (the codes that unlock paid software) and account details again. Write down the keys for paid software that does not use an online account. Check that you know your Microsoft account password and your Wi-Fi password, because the reset can clear saved networks. Plug in power and find your recovery key Connect a laptop to its charger. A reset can run for an hour or more, and a battery that dies mid-reset can damage the… **Key facts:** - To reset Windows and keep my files, open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC next to Reset this PC, and choose Keep my files. - Reset this PC is the Windows 11 tool that reinstalls the operating system and puts its settings back to their defaults. - It removes every app you installed yourself, including desktop programs, and it clears your changes to Windows settings. - The steps below work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Windows 11 treats your apps and settings very differently from your files. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to encrypt files in Windows 11? A: Turn on BitLocker in Control Panel to encrypt a whole drive on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education. Select BitLocker Drive Encryption, then click Turn on BitLocker next to your drive. On Windows 11 Home, check Settings > Privacy & security > Device encryption instead. It turns on automatically on some PCs. - Q: How to reset Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows while leaving your personal files in place. Windows removes the apps you installed and resets your settings to their defaults. Back up important files first, since the reset cannot be undone once it starts. - Q: How to factory reset Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, and choose Remove everything. This erases your personal files, apps and settings, and reinstalls Windows 11 as if the PC were new. Back up your files first, because the erase cannot be undone. Keep the PC plugged in until the reset finishes. - Q: How to reset Windows 11 installation? A: Reset Windows 11 installation by reinstalling the operating system from Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. Choose Cloud download to get a fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft, or Local reinstall to use files already on the PC. Cloud download needs a working internet connection and takes longer. - Q: How to reset Windows 11 laptop? A: Reset a Windows 11 laptop from Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. Plug the laptop into its charger first, because the reset can fail or stall on low battery. Choose Keep my files to keep your documents and photos, or Remove everything for a full wipe. Back up anything important before you start. --- ### How to Manage Windows 11 Notifications: Turn On/Off Alerts - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/manage-windows-11-notifications/ - **Published:** 2026-08-11 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1863 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** You can disable all Windows 11 notifications by going to Settings, then System, then Notifications, and turning the main toggle off. This stops pop-ups and sounds from most apps and Windows alerts. You can also manage settings for individual apps or use Focus assist to silence alerts. **Content excerpt:** Notification management in Windows 11 controls the pop-up alerts, sounds, and banners that apps send to your desktop. You can turn off alerts from specific apps, hide preview text, or use Focus assist to stop interruptions. Newer builds call Focus assist Do not disturb. Most changes take under two minutes. Nearly everything starts in the Settings app, which opens when you press the Windows key plus I. None of the changes need a restart, and each one can be reversed by flipping the same switch back. The steps match current Windows 11, and I point out where labels differ between versions. Get Started with Windows 11 Notifications Before changing settings for individual apps, it helps to know how the system is laid out. Windows has one master switch for all notifications. Below it sits a list of every app that can send alerts, and each app has its own switches. Windows shows an alert in two places. A banner pops up near the bottom right of the screen, and the alert is then stored in the notification center. Each of these can be switched off separately for any app. Some apps, such as Teams and Messenger, also keep a second set of notification settings inside the app. If you silence an app in Windows but still get alerts, check the app's own settings. This section covers the master switch and the general system alerts. Control App and Text-Related Alerts This section covers the settings that affect how you communicate and write. Alerts about camera use, typing corrections, and spelling errors can save you from awkward mistakes, so they are worth checking. Follow these steps to review them. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. A list of apps appears, along with a switch for Camera access. Review which apps are allowed to use your camera. Each app that has asked for access is listed. Turn off access for any app you do not recognize. You can turn it back on later from the same page. Open Settings > Time & language > Typing. This page holds the typing helpers. Turn Autocorrect misspelled words on or off. On means Windows fixes typos as you type. Turn Highlight misspelled words on or off. When it is on, a red wavy underline appears under words Windows thinks are wrong. These typing settings apply to apps that use the standard Windows text controls. Some apps, such as web browsers and Microsoft Office, have their own spellcheck. If you still see underlines after turning the Windows option off, change the setting inside that app. Master Microsoft Teams Notifications Microsoft Teams sends a lot of alerts: chat messages, mentions, calls, and sounds. Managing them inside Teams keeps your workday focused. Teams has its own notification settings that work alongside the Windows ones. The Windows setting wins. If a notification is switched off in Windows, Teams cannot show it, whatever its own settings say. These steps change how Teams alerts you. Open Teams. The main window… **Key facts:** - Notification management in Windows 11 controls the pop-up alerts, sounds, and banners that apps send to your desktop. - Nearly everything starts in the Settings app, which opens when you press the Windows key plus I. - The steps match current Windows 11, and I point out where labels differ between versions. - Get Started with Windows 11 Notifications Before changing settings for individual apps, it helps to know how the system is laid out. - Some apps, such as Teams and Messenger, also keep a second set of notification settings inside the app. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off Windows notifications? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Notifications. Switch off the Notifications toggle at the top to silence alerts from every app. Your apps keep running, but they stop showing pop-ups and banners. Turn the switch back on at any time to restore them. - Q: How to manage notifications in Windows 11? A: Manage notifications in Windows 11 from Settings, under System > Notifications. Use the main Notifications switch to control everything at once. Scroll the app list to change alerts for individual apps, including their sounds and banners. Turn on Focus assist to hold alerts during set hours or while you work. - Q: How to turn on Microsoft notifications on? A: Microsoft notifications, such as alerts from Outlook or Microsoft Teams, are controlled in two places. Open Settings, go to System > Notifications, and find the app in the list to turn its alerts on. Then check the app's own notification settings, because Teams and similar apps have a separate switch. - Q: How do I turn off notifications? A: Turn off notifications by opening Settings with Windows key + I and selecting System > Notifications. Switch off the Notifications toggle to stop all app alerts. To silence only some apps, leave the main switch on and turn off those apps in the list instead. The change takes effect right away. - Q: How to disable notifications? A: To disable notifications, open Settings and go to System > Notifications. Turn off the main switch to block alerts from every app, or change individual apps in the list to block only some. No restart is needed. Use Focus assist if you only want alerts hidden for a set time. - Q: How do I turn on notifications on Windows 11? A: Turn on notifications in Windows 11 by opening Settings with Windows key + I and selecting System > Notifications. Switch on the Notifications toggle at the top. Then scroll the list and turn on each app you want alerts from. If alerts still don't appear, check Focus assist, which can hide them. - Q: How do I stop all notifications in Windows 11? A: These steps manage notifications in Windows 11 by turning off all of them at once with the master switch. - Q: How do I turn off notification sounds for specific apps? A: You can mute the sound for one app and still see its banner. Do this per app with the steps below. --- ### How to Switch from a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-switch-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1592 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. Enter your Microsoft email and password, verify your identity, and Windows signs you out once to finish. Your files, programs and settings stay in place, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 lets you switch from a local account to a Microsoft account in Settings > Accounts > Your info. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead, enter your Microsoft email and password, verify your identity, and sign back in when Windows signs you out. A local account exists only on that one PC. A Microsoft account links the PC to cloud services like OneDrive and Outlook, and it syncs your passwords, desktop settings, and apps across your Windows devices. It also makes downloading from the Microsoft Store and recovering files after a PC failure more convenient. You keep all your current files and programs during the switch, and you can go back to a local account later. Before you start, check three things: The PC needs a working internet connection. You need an existing Microsoft account (an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or other Microsoft address) and its password. You should know your current local password, because Windows may ask for it during the switch. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. No restart is needed. Windows signs you out once at the end. Step 1: Open Account Settings Everything in this guide starts in the Settings app. The numbered steps below switch your local account to a Microsoft account, and they run in order through the rest of the guide. Settings opens from the Start menu in two quick ways. Press the Windows key + I key on your keyboard. You can also click the Start button, and either way the Start menu opens. Open Settings. Select the gear icon in the Start menu. If you cannot see it, type "Settings" into the Start menu search and open the result. The Settings window opens, with a list of categories on the left side. Step 2: Find Your User Information Your sign-in settings live under Accounts. This is where Windows shows your profile details and lets you change how you sign in. Click Accounts in the Settings sidebar. The Accounts page opens. It manages everything related to your user profile and sign-in methods. windows 11 account tile in settings The Your info page shows which kind of account you are using right now. It is also where the switch begins. Click Your info on the Accounts page. Your name and picture appear. Check the text under your name. If it says Local account, you are in the right place. windows 11 your info tile in settings The Your info page displays details about your current account: your name, your picture, and whether you use a local account or a Microsoft account. If a Microsoft email address already appears here, your PC is linked and nothing more is needed. Step 3: Start the Switch Now start the conversion. The link you need appears only while a local account is active. Look in the Account settings area of the Your info page. The link usually sits under your username. Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead. A Microsoft… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 lets you switch from a local account to a Microsoft account in Settings > Accounts > Your info. - A Microsoft account links the PC to cloud services like OneDrive and Outlook, and it syncs your passwords, desktop settings, and apps across your Windows devices. - The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Step 1: Open Account Settings Everything in this guide starts in the Settings app. - The numbered steps below switch your local account to a Microsoft account, and they run in order through the rest of the guide. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Switch from local to Microsoft account windowswhat is your purpose? A: You switch to a Microsoft account to connect your PC to cloud services like OneDrive and Outlook. It also syncs your passwords, desktop settings, and apps across your Windows devices, makes Microsoft Store downloads easier, and helps you recover files if your PC fails. Your files and programs stay on the PC during the switch. - Q: How ot add my Microsoft account to my files on Windows? A: Your files are not stored under a Microsoft account, so you cannot add the account to them directly. Instead, sign in with your Microsoft account in Settings under Accounts, then Your info. Once you do, OneDrive can back up your Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders to the cloud. - Q: How to change from local account to Microsoft? A: Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info. Select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead, enter your Microsoft email and password, and enter your current local password when Windows asks. Your files and apps stay in place, and you restart the PC when the switch finishes. - Q: How to link my computer to a different Microsoft account? A: Sign out of the current Microsoft account first. Then open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and sign in with the other Microsoft account. Your personal files stay on the PC, but settings and passwords synced to the old account stop syncing. - Q: How to switch Microsoft accounts? A: Sign out of the current Microsoft account and sign in with the other one. Open Settings, select Accounts, then Your info, and choose the sign-out option. Then select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead and enter the email and password for the account you want to use. - Q: How to change main Microsoft account on PC? A: Windows links only one Microsoft account to each Windows user account. To change it, switch to a local account under Settings, then Accounts, then Your info. After that, sign in with your new main Microsoft account. Your files stay on the PC, but synced settings follow the new account. --- ### How to Turn On or off Notification Sounds in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-notification-sounds-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-07-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1646 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Go to Settings > System > Notifications and switch off Play notification sound to silence alert sounds for every app. The change applies immediately, with no restart needed. To mute a single app, click its name in the same Notifications list and switch off Play a sound when a notification arrives. **Content excerpt:** The notifications sounds setting is in Settings > System > Notifications. The Play notification sound switch there turns alert sounds on or off for every app. The steps take about a minute, and you can also mute single apps or use the Registry Editor for finer control. Notification sounds in Windows 11 play an audio alert whenever an app or the system needs your attention. The default chimes get annoying fast if many pop-ups reach you during the day. The Settings steps work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The Registry Editor methods near the end are for advanced users and also work on both editions. Option One: Control Notification Sounds for All Apps Using Settings This is the fastest way to get a quiet workspace. These steps turn sound notifications on or off for every app with one switch. The pop-ups themselves still appear unless you turn those off separately. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with the list of categories on the left. Click System in the left-hand menu. The system options appear on the right. Click Notifications on the right side. The notification settings page opens. Expand the Notifications option at the top of the page. Skip this step if it is already open. The extra options appear underneath it. Find the Play notification sound setting. This switch controls the alert sound for all apps. Set the switch to On or Off. On lets notifications make a sound, and Off silences them for all apps. The change applies right away, so you do not need to restart. Tip: On some Windows 11 builds the switch is worded a little differently, for example "Allow notifications to play sounds". It is the same setting in the same place. If the main Notifications switch is off, the options under it stay hidden, so turn it on first to see them. Close the Settings window when you are done. To undo the change later, return to the same page and flip the switch the other way. Option Two: Control Notification Sounds for Specific Apps Using Settings Muting individual apps lets you silence noisy programs while keeping sounds for important ones like email or chat. You can change this for any app in the notification list. The other apps keep playing their alerts. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens. Click System in the left menu. The system options appear on the right. Click Notifications on the right. The notification page opens. Scroll down to the list of apps that can send notifications. Every app that has sent an alert is listed here with its own switch. Click the name of the app you want to adjust, for example "Mail". The settings page for that app opens. Find Play a sound when a notification arrives. This switch controls the sound for this app only. Set the switch to On or Off. On allows sounds for this app, and Off… **Key facts:** - The notifications sounds setting is in Settings > System > Notifications. - The steps take about a minute, and you can also mute single apps or use the Registry Editor for finer control. - Notification sounds in Windows 11 play an audio alert whenever an app or the system needs your attention. - The Settings steps work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The Registry Editor methods near the end are for advanced users and also work on both editions. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off notification sounds? A: Open Settings with Windows key + I, then click System and Notifications. Turn off the Play notification sounds switch. Apps will still show pop-ups, but they will stay silent. This change applies to every app at once, so you do not need to adjust each one separately. - Q: How to shut off notification sound? A: Open Settings, select System, and click Notifications. Switch off Play notification sounds. Pop-ups will still appear on screen, but no chime will play. Turning it off affects every app, so you do not need to mute them one by one. - Q: How to turn on notifications? A: Open Settings, select System, and click Notifications. Turn on the Notifications switch at the top of the page. Apps can then show banners and alerts again. If they still stay hidden, check whether a Focus or Do not disturb setting is blocking them. - Q: How to change notification sound Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to System, and click Sound. Choose More sound settings, then open the Sounds tab. Pick a new sound for the Notification event under Program Events, or browse to your own sound file. Click Apply, then OK to save. - Q: How do I turn off my notification sound? A: Open Settings with Windows key + I, then click System and Notifications. Switch off Play notification sounds. Your PC will stop playing alert sounds from all apps, while pop-ups stay visible. Turn the switch back on at any time to hear sounds again. - Q: How to turn off the notification sound. too much noise.? A: Turn off notification sounds in Settings to cut the noise. Go to System, click Notifications, and switch off Play notification sounds. To keep alerts for only certain apps, scroll down the app list and turn sounds off for each app that is too noisy. --- ### How to Enable/Disable Edge Secure Network VPN - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-microsoft-edge-secure-network-vpn-service/ - **Published:** 2026-07-15 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 1194 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar. Scroll down to Microsoft Edge Secure Network and click the switch to turn it on. Sign in with your personal Microsoft account if prompted. **Content excerpt:** Microsoft Edge Secure Network is a built-in virtual private network (VPN) that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your browsing on public Wi-Fi networks. The feature gives you 15 gigabytes of free data each month. That makes it harder for anyone on the same network to read your personal details at places like coffee shops and airports. You turn it on from the browser settings, with no extra software or extensions. Knowing how to switch it on and off lets you decide when your traffic goes through the private tunnel. This guide covers both, plus how to confirm it is running. The steps are written for the current Edge on Windows 11. Edge updates often, so a label may differ slightly on your build. How to Turn On or Off Microsoft Edge Secure Network VPN The whole process takes a few clicks. You need to be signed in to Edge with a personal Microsoft account. Secure Network is tied to that account, because that is how Edge tracks your monthly data allowance. If the option is missing, check that you are signed in and that Edge is up to date. The feature may also not be offered in every region or on every account type. Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge Settings Everything starts in the Edge settings. Follow these steps to get there. Open the Microsoft Edge browser. Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the browser window. This is the Settings and more button. Choose Settings from the menu. Edge opens the Settings page in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Step 2: Go to Privacy, Search, and Services The Privacy, search, and services page holds the Secure Network controls. Next, open that page from the left sidebar. Click Privacy, search, and services in the left-hand menu. The right side now shows the options for how Edge handles your information and online activity, such as tracking prevention, clearing browsing data and security settings. If your browser window is narrow, the left sidebar may be hidden. Click the menu icon in the top-left of the Settings page to bring it back. Step 3: Find and Turn On the Secure Network Feature The Secure Network switch sits further down the same page. Scroll down until you see it. Scroll down the Privacy, search, and services page until you find the Microsoft Edge Secure Network section. Click the switch next to Use Microsoft Edge Secure Network to turn it on. The switch changes color, usually to blue, when it is on. If Edge asks you to sign in, sign in with your personal Microsoft account. Once you are signed in, protection starts. To turn it off, come back to the same page and click the switch again. It returns to its grey, off position and your traffic goes back to using your normal connection. No restart of Edge or Windows is needed for either change. Step… **Key facts:** - The feature gives you 15 gigabytes of free data each month. - You turn it on from the browser settings, with no extra software or extensions. - The steps are written for the current Edge on Windows 11. - Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge Settings Everything starts in the Edge settings. - Edge opens the Settings page in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn on secure network? A: Open Edge, select Settings and more (the three dots), then go to Settings, Privacy, search, and services. Scroll to Secure network and turn on the toggle. You need to be signed in with a personal Microsoft account first. Edge then routes your browsing through the encrypted connection. - Q: Why in my edge edge secure network option is not coming? A: The option usually disappears when you are not signed in with a personal Microsoft account, or when Edge is out of date. Work or school accounts may not show it either. Update Edge from Settings and more, then Help and feedback, then About Microsoft Edge. The feature also is not offered in every region. - Q: How to turn off VPN on Microsoft edge? A: Open Settings and go to Privacy, search, and services. Find Secure network and turn off the toggle. Your traffic goes back to your normal connection right away. Your account and monthly data allowance stay the same, so you can turn it on again at any time. - Q: How to turn edge VPN off? A: Use the same path: Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Switch off the Secure network toggle. Edge stops routing your traffic through the private connection once the setting is off. Check the toggle again later if you want to be sure it stayed off. - Q: How to get VPN credential pop up in edge? A: Edge Secure network does not use a separate VPN login. It runs on the personal Microsoft account you are signed in with. If you see a sign-in prompt, enter that account's details. To sign in first, select your profile picture at the top right of Edge and choose Sign in. - Q: How to disconnect from Microsoft edge VPN? A: Turn off the Secure network toggle in Edge settings to disconnect. Open Settings, select Privacy, search, and services, find Secure network, and switch it off. Your browsing then uses your regular internet connection again. You can reconnect at any time with the same toggle. - Q: This setting is turned off for managed browsers? A: Yes, on a managed browser the Secure Network option is usually turned off or hidden. Edge on a work, school, or organization-managed device can have its settings locked by the administrator, so the toggle may be missing or greyed out. Secure Network also needs a personal Microsoft account. To use it, sign in with a personal account on a browser… --- ### How to Restart Windows Explorer in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-restart-windows-explorer-in-windows-11-2/ - **Published:** 2026-02-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-20 - **Word count:** 889 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the Processes tab, and click the Restart button at the bottom right. Your taskbar and desktop will disappear briefly, then return refreshed. This fixes frozen taskbars and missing icons without restarting Windows. **Content excerpt:** Restarting Windows Explorer fixes a frozen taskbar, missing desktop icons, or a stuck File Explorer in Windows 11 without a full reboot. Windows Explorer is the background process (explorer.exe) that runs your desktop, taskbar, Start menu and file folders. Lockups and crashes happen when this process stops responding. Closing it and starting it again takes less than 60 seconds and often clears the problem right away. Save any open work first. Open File Explorer windows will close during the restart, and any file copy in progress may be interrupted. Option 1: Restart Explorer Using Task Manager This is the fastest route when you can still use the mouse and keyboard. Use it first. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager. You should see the Task Manager window appear on top of your other windows. Open the Processes tab if it is not already showing. Scroll down to Windows processes (or use the search box at the top) and click Windows Explorer. If you see only a short list of apps, click More details first. Click the Restart button at the bottom right. In the newer Task Manager layout, the button is called Restart task and sits in the toolbar at the top. You can also right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart. The taskbar and desktop will vanish for a second or two, then come back. Close Task Manager once your desktop and taskbar are back. You can restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager whenever your taskbar or desktop freezes. This usually clears small display bugs without a reboot. Nothing needs to be undone afterwards, because Windows reloads the same desktop and settings. If Windows Explorer is missing from the list, Explorer may have already crashed. Skip to the manual start method further down. If the Restart button is greyed out, click the Windows Explorer row again to select it. What happens: Task Manager stops and restarts the Explorer process. Your desktop reappears refreshed. Option 2: Restart Explorer Using Command Use a terminal when your taskbar is unresponsive and you want a method that doesn't depend on clicking through Task Manager. It also helps when Task Manager itself is slow or won't open. The command forces Explorer to close, and Windows then reloads the desktop interface. Right-click the Start button, or press Win + X, and select Windows Terminal. On some builds the entry is labelled Terminal. If you prefer, open PowerShell or Command Prompt from search instead. A normal (non-admin) window is enough, so you only need Windows Terminal (Admin) if a normal window gives you an access error. Copy one of the commands below and paste it into the window. Use the PowerShell version in Windows Terminal or PowerShell, and the Command Prompt version in Command Prompt. Press Enter. Your taskbar and desktop will disappear for a moment, then return. For PowerShell or Windows Terminal: powershell "Get-Process -Name explorer | Stop-Process; Start-Process explorer.exe" For Command Prompt: Restarting Windows Explorer refreshes the desktop and… **Key facts:** - Restarting Windows Explorer fixes a frozen taskbar, missing desktop icons, or a stuck File Explorer in Windows 11 without a full reboot. - Closing it and starting it again takes less than 60 seconds and often clears the problem right away. - Option 1: Restart Explorer Using Task Manager This is the fastest route when you can still use the mouse and keyboard. - Nothing needs to be undone afterwards, because Windows reloads the same desktop and settings. - Skip to the manual start method further down. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Ctrl+Shift+Esc opened Task Manager somewhere else. Where is it? A: Task Manager may open behind your other windows, on another monitor, or in a small compact view with no tabs. Look for its button on the taskbar, or press Alt + Tab until it appears. You can also right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager. If the window has… **Extra help under the steps:** - If the Restart button is not where this step says: Task Manager's layout differs between versions, so the restart control may not be where this step shows. Look for these, in order: 1. A Restart button at the bottom right of the window. 2. A Restart task button in the toolbar at the top. 3. Right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart. If none of these appear, Windows Explorer may not… --- ### Configure SSL/TLS with Apache on Ubuntu 26.04 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/configure-ssl-tls-with-apache-on-ubuntu-26-04/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1162 - **Category:** Ubuntu Linux - **Tags:** Ubuntu Linux **Quick answer:** To turn on HTTPS in Apache2 on Ubuntu 26.04, run sudo a2enmod ssl, point the default-ssl site at your certificate and key in /etc/apache2/sites-available/default-ssl.conf, then run sudo a2ensite default-ssl. Test with sudo apache2ctl configtest and restart Apache with sudo systemctl restart apache2. This guide uses a self-signed certificate, which suits labs and internal servers. **Content excerpt:** To turn on HTTPS in Apache2 on an Ubuntu server, enable the ssl module, point the default-ssl site at a certificate and key, enable that site, and restart Apache. You can do all of it from a Windows 11 PC over SSH (a secure way to log in to another computer and run commands). This guide uses a self-signed certificate, which suits a lab or internal server. Before you start You need an Ubuntu Server with Apache2 installed, a user account that can run sudo (administrator rights on Linux), and network access from your Windows PC to the server. Each command below that starts with sudo needs administrator rights. The examples use 192.0.2.10 as the server address, USERNAME as your account name, and www.example.com as the site name. Replace them with your own values. Connect to the server from Windows 11 Windows 11 includes an OpenSSH client (a built-in tool for remote command-line sessions), so you do not need extra software. Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal. Type the SSH command below and press Enter. ssh USERNAME@192.0.2.10 Type yes if Windows asks you to trust the server's fingerprint (a short code that identifies the server), then enter your password. You should now see the Ubuntu command prompt. Install Apache2 if it is missing Skip this section if Apache2 already runs on the server. Update the package list and install Apache2. This step needs administrator rights, so start each command with sudo. sudo apt update sudo apt install apache2 Check that the service is active. systemctl status apache2 Look for active (running) in the output, then press Q to leave the status view. Create a self-signed certificate A self-signed certificate encrypts traffic, but no public authority vouches for it. Browsers show a warning until you trust it. If the server faces the internet, use a certificate from a public authority such as Let's Encrypt instead. Create the certificate and its private key (the secret file that proves the certificate is yours) in one command. This step needs administrator rights, so start the command with sudo. The -addext flag adds the site name that modern browsers check, which is called the Subject Alternative Name. sudo openssl req -x509 -nodes -days 365 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout /etc/ssl/private/example.key -out /etc/ssl/certs/example.crt -addext "subjectAltName=DNS:www.example.com" Answer the prompts for country, organization and so on. For Common Name (the site name the certificate is issued for), enter the name people will use to reach the site, such as www.example.com. Confirm both files exist. ls -l /etc/ssl/certs/example.crt /etc/ssl/private/example.key Keep the.key file private. Anyone who has it can impersonate your server. Point the SSL site at your certificate Ubuntu ships a ready-made HTTPS site definition called default-ssl. You only need to change the certificate paths in it. Open the file in the nano text editor (requires sudo). sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/default-ssl.conf Find the line that starts with SSLCertificateFile and change it to the value shown below. SSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/certs/example.crt Find the line that starts with SSLCertificateKeyFile and change it to the value… **Key facts:** - To turn on HTTPS in Apache2 on an Ubuntu server, enable the ssl module, point the default-ssl site at a certificate and key, enable that site, and restart Apache. - You can do all of it from a Windows 11 PC over SSH (a secure way to log in to another computer and run commands). - Before you start You need an Ubuntu Server with Apache2 installed, a user account that can run sudo (administrator rights on Linux), and network access from your Windows PC to the server. - The examples use 192.0.2.10 as the server address, USERNAME as your account name, and www.example.com as the site name. - Connect to the server from Windows 11 Windows 11 includes an OpenSSH client (a built-in tool for remote command-line sessions), so you do not need extra software. --- ### Configure Apache Virtual Hosts on Ubuntu 26.04 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/configure-apache-virtual-hosts-on-ubuntu-26-04/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 995 - **Category:** Ubuntu Linux - **Tags:** Ubuntu Linux **Quick answer:** To host several websites on one Ubuntu 26.04 server, create one Apache2 configuration file per site in /etc/apache2/sites-available/, set a DocumentRoot folder for each, then run sudo a2ensite for each file and sudo systemctl reload apache2. Check the files first with sudo apache2ctl configtest, which should report Syntax OK. **Content excerpt:** To host several websites on one Ubuntu 26.04 server, create one Apache2 configuration file per site in /etc/apache2/sites-available/, then enable each one with a2ensite and reload Apache. This guide assumes Apache2 is already installed and uses two example domains. You can test from a Windows 11 PC by editing its hosts file. What you need before you start A virtual host (a configuration block that tells Apache which site to serve for which domain name) lets one server answer for many names. You need these in place first: An Ubuntu 26.04 server with Apache2 installed and running. A user account that can run sudo. Two domain names. The examples below use example.com and example.org. Replace them with your own. The server's IP address. The examples use 192.0.2.10. Create the site folders Each site gets its own folder, so the content stays separate. These steps need sudo. Open a terminal on the server, or connect to it over SSH (Secure Shell, a tool for running commands on a server remotely). Create a folder for each site: sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.com/public_html sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.org/public_html Make your user the owner of both folders. Owners can edit files in a folder without sudo: sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/example.com /var/www/example.org Create a test page for the first site: echo "This is example.com" > /var/www/example.com/public_html/index.html Create a test page for the second site: echo "This is example.org" > /var/www/example.org/public_html/index.html Each page shows a different message, so you can tell which site Apache served. Write the virtual host files Apache reads one file per site from /etc/apache2/sites-available/. The file only takes effect after you enable it in the next section. Create the first site Open a new configuration file: sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf Paste this block: ServerName www.example.com ServerAlias example.com DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com/public_html ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/example.com-error.log CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/example.com-access.log combined Press Ctrl + O, then Enter, to save. Press Ctrl + X to close nano (a basic text editor that runs in the terminal). ServerName is the main name for the site. ServerAlias adds another name that points to the same site. DocumentRoot is the folder Apache serves. Create the second site Open a second file: sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.org.conf Paste this block: ServerName www.example.org ServerAlias example.org DocumentRoot /var/www/example.org/public_html ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/example.org-error.log CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/example.org-access.log combined Save the file and close nano the same way as before. Enable the sites and reload Apache Enabling a site links its file into Apache's active configuration. Run the a2ensite command for each site below. These steps need sudo. Enable both sites: sudo a2ensite example.com.conf sudo a2ensite example.org.conf Check the configuration for mistakes: sudo apache2ctl configtest You should see Syntax OK. A warning about ServerName for the whole server does not stop Apache from working. Reload Apache so it picks up the change: sudo systemctl reload apache2 If the test reports an error, fix the file it names before you reload. Open the firewall if needed If UFW (Ubuntu's firewall tool) is active, allow web traffic. Skip this if you do… **Key facts:** - To host several websites on one Ubuntu 26.04 server, create one Apache2 configuration file per site in /etc/apache2/sites-available/, then enable each one with a2ensite and reload Apache. - This guide assumes Apache2 is already installed and uses two example domains. - You can test from a Windows 11 PC by editing its hosts file. - You need these in place first: An Ubuntu 26.04 server with Apache2 installed and running. - Write the virtual host files Apache reads one file per site from /etc/apache2/sites-available/. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Context Clues for Copilot in Microsoft Edge - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-context-clues-for-copilot-in-microsoft-edge/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 538 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** To turn Context Clues off in Edge, open Settings and more (the 3 dots), click Settings, then click Copilot and AI and switch off Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web. Copilot then stops reading your browsing data, though suggestions still appear. No administrator rights are needed, and the setting applies only to your account. **Content excerpt:** Copilot in Microsoft Edge uses your browsing data as context when you ask it questions. The Context Clues setting controls that access. This tutorial shows you how to turn Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web on or off for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. What Context Clues does Context Clues decides whether Copilot can read your browsing data in Edge. Here is what it covers. The Microsoft Copilot app connects to the Microsoft 365 apps and content you use every day. It creates documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, lets you choose between leading AI models, and keeps your data protected. Copilot adapts to the account you sign in with. Work or school accounts get a licensed version of Copilot with enterprise data protection (a set of privacy controls for organizations). A personal account gets an experience for individuals, with or without a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription. Copilot gives better answers when it can use your browsing data. The Context Clues setting in Edge controls whether it gets that access. Chat suggestions When you open Copilot in Edge, it suggests prompts to help you start a conversation. Edge builds these suggestions from the current page title and web address (URL). Context Clues doesn't affect these suggestions. Select a suggestion tile to start a conversation. If Context Clues is off, you see generic suggestions instead. Questions and requests When you ask Copilot a question or make a request, Edge shares browsing data with Copilot as extra context. For a request such as "Help me plan a trip to Cannon Beach", Copilot analyzes the shared data and works that context into its response. Copilot also uses shared browsing data when you ask it to analyze or summarize a page. It uses the data too when you ask it to create content such as podcasts, study guides, or quizzes. If Context Clues is off, Copilot can't access your browsing data. It won't answer questions or carry out requests that depend on the sites you visit. Turn Context Clues off when you browse sites that contain information you don't want to share with Copilot. Browsing data isn't stored in your conversation history. Copilot stores only your prompt and its response in your conversation history. Copilot can use these kinds of browsing data when Context Clues is on: URL Page title Page content or screenshots Browsing history How to turn Context Clues on or off in Edge Open Edge Settings and select Copilot and AI. Then turn the Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web switch on or off. No administrator privileges are required. Open Microsoft Edge. Sign in to Microsoft Edge with your Microsoft account if you want to sync your settings. Click or tap the Settings and more (3 dots) button on the toolbar, then click or tap Settings. Click or tap Copilot and AI in the Settings pane. Turn Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web on or off. On is… **Key facts:** - This tutorial shows you how to turn Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web on or off for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. - The Microsoft Copilot app connects to the Microsoft 365 apps and content you use every day. - Work or school accounts get a licensed version of Copilot with enterprise data protection (a set of privacy controls for organizations). - A personal account gets an experience for individuals, with or without a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription. - Copilot can use these kinds of browsing data when Context Clues is on: URL Page title Page content or screenshots Browsing history How to turn Context Clues on or off in Edge Open Edge Settings and select Copilot and AI. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Is this available on all PCs? A: Context Clues is a setting in Microsoft Edge, so it works on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC that runs a current version of Edge, and it doesn't need special hardware. To check, open Edge, select the Settings and more (3 dots) button, choose Settings, then select Copilot and AI. If you see the Allow Copilot to read context… --- ### Find SIM Card Settings for This PC in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/find-sim-card-settings-for-this-pc-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2308 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** SIM card settings for this PC in Windows 11 are in Settings > Network & internet > Cellular. Open that page to turn cellular data on or off, choose which SIM the PC uses, and manage roaming, data limits and eSIM profiles. The Cellular page appears only on PCs with a built-in cellular modem. **Content excerpt:** SIM card settings for this PC are in Settings > Network & internet > Cellular on Windows 11. Open that page to switch cellular data on or off, choose which SIM the PC uses, and manage roaming, data limits and eSIM profiles. A SIM (subscriber identity module) is the small chip from your mobile carrier that links a device to its network. The Cellular page appears only on PCs with a built-in cellular modem (the chip that connects the PC to a mobile network), such as many 4G LTE and 5G laptops and tablets. If the page is missing, the sections below explain why and what to check. The steps apply to current Windows 11 builds. Labels vary a little by device maker and carrier. Check that this PC can use a SIM Windows shows SIM settings only when it detects cellular hardware. Check this first so you do not spend time looking for a page that cannot appear. Look for a SIM tray. It is a small pinhole slot on the side of the laptop or tablet, or a slot under a panel or the battery cover. Check the maker's spec sheet if you cannot find one. Look for the model name. Laptop names often include "LTE" or "5G" when a modem is fitted. A model without these letters often has no modem. Check for an eSIM. An eSIM is a SIM built into the device. You load a carrier profile onto it digitally, so there is no tray. Some PCs have only an eSIM. A USB mobile broadband stick is different. Many sticks use their own software and appear as an ordinary network connection, so they may not show up on the Cellular page at all. Use the stick maker's app for those. Mobile hotspot is a different feature. It shares this PC's internet connection with other devices, but it does not control the SIM. Open the SIM card settings for this PC Follow these steps to reach the SIM card settings: Open Settings. Select Network & internet. Select Cellular. Each control on the page is described below. Insert the SIM first if you use a physical one, with the PC powered off and the card seated in the tray the right way round. Press Windows + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Network & internet in the left pane. The page lists Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN and other connection types. A Cellular row appears when Windows detects a modem. Select Cellular. If this row is missing, go to the "Cellular is missing or greyed out" section below. Check the Cellular toggle at the top. Set it to On if you want the PC to connect through the SIM. The toggle label may read On or Off beside the switch. Find the carrier name under the toggle. It is usually the name of your mobile network, with a signal indicator. Windows lists one entry for each SIM or eSIM profile. Select the… **Key facts:** - SIM card settings for this PC are in Settings > Network & internet > Cellular on Windows 11. - The Cellular page appears only on PCs with a built-in cellular modem (the chip that connects the PC to a mobile network), such as many 4G LTE and 5G laptops and tablets. - Check that this PC can use a SIM Windows shows SIM settings only when it detects cellular hardware. - Laptop names often include "LTE" or "5G" when a modem is fitted. - Open the SIM card settings for this PC Follow these steps to reach the SIM card settings: Open Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Power & battery to change when your PC sleeps or turns off the screen. Under Screen and sleep, pick how many minutes to wait while on battery and while plugged in. Choose Never if you do not want the PC to sleep. Power mode settings on the same page control how hard the PC works. - Q: How to adjust display settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Display to change brightness, resolution, and text size. Drag the Brightness slider to make the screen lighter or darker. Use the Scale dropdown to make text and apps larger or smaller. If text looks blurry, try the recommended resolution listed under Display resolution. - Q: How to import pictures from an sd card to Windows 11 and not to cloud? A: Insert the SD card into the PC's card slot or a USB card reader, then open File Explorer. Select the photos on the card, copy them, and paste them into a folder such as Pictures. The files stay on your PC and do not go to OneDrive. When you finish, right-click the card's drive and choose Eject before you pull… - Q: What is a sim card? A: A SIM card is a small chip from your mobile carrier. It stores your phone number, account details, and identity so your device can join the carrier's cellular network. Some devices use an eSIM instead, which is built in and set up by software rather than removed and replaced. - Q: What does a sim card do? A: A SIM card lets your phone or tablet connect to your carrier's network for calls, texts, and mobile data. It tells the network who you are and which plan you pay for. Without a SIM, a cellular device can still use Wi-Fi but cannot make calls or use mobile data. - Q: How to remove sim card from samsung? A: Power off the phone first, so the SIM is not in use when you remove it. Push a SIM ejector tool or a straightened paper clip into the small hole beside the SIM tray. Press steadily until the tray pops out, then take out the SIM card. Push the tray back in before you turn the phone on. --- ### Why Does My Taskbar Keep Disappearing in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/why-does-my-taskbar-keep-disappearing-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2274 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** The taskbar most often disappears because Automatically hide the taskbar is turned on, a full-screen app is covering it, or Windows Explorer has crashed. To check the first cause, open Settings, go to Personalization > Taskbar, select Taskbar behaviors, and clear Automatically hide the taskbar. **Content excerpt:** The taskbar keeps disappearing in Windows 11 most often for one of three reasons. Automatically hide the taskbar is turned on, a full-screen app is covering it, or Windows Explorer (the process that draws the taskbar and desktop) has crashed. Check the auto-hide setting first, then restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager. This article works through the causes in the order they are most likely, from a one-click setting to system file repair. Each fix says what you should see afterwards, so you can stop as soon as the taskbar stays put. Steps that need administrator rights are marked. The Settings paths match current Windows 11 (version 22H2 and later). Labels can differ slightly on older builds. Why Does My Taskbar Keep Disappearing in Windows 11? Find your symptom in the list below. Each one points to a single fix. The taskbar slides away when you click the desktop and returns when the pointer touches the bottom edge. Auto-hide is on. Go to Fix 1. The taskbar vanishes while you watch a video, play a game or use a browser in full screen. A full-screen app is covering it. Go to Fix 2. The taskbar is missing on a second monitor, or after you plug in or unplug a display. Display settings are the cause. Go to Fix 3. The taskbar goes blank, freezes or disappears with the desktop icons, then comes back after a while. Windows Explorer has crashed or stopped responding. Go to Fix 4. The problem began after a Windows update or after you installed a taskbar customization tool. Go to Fix 6 or Fix 7. The taskbar collapses on a 2-in-1 laptop or tablet when you detach the keyboard. Touch optimization is the cause. Go to Fix 5. Fix 1: Turn Off Automatically Hide the Taskbar Auto-hide is a built-in option that tucks the taskbar off the bottom of the screen until you point at it. It is the most common reason people think the taskbar has disappeared. This step turns it off so the taskbar stays visible. Press Windows + I to open Settings. If the taskbar is hidden, this still works. Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. You can also right-click an empty area of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. Select Taskbar behaviors to expand the section. You see a list of checkboxes. Clear the checkbox next to Automatically hide the taskbar. The taskbar now stays on screen all the time. To undo this, return to the same page and tick the checkbox again. If the checkbox is already clear, auto-hide is not the cause. Move on to Fix 2. If the page says some settings are managed by your organization, or the checkbox reverts after you change it, a management policy set by your organization is controlling the taskbar. Ask your IT team. Your change will not stick on a work PC. Check the taskbar edge if auto-hide is off but the bar is still missing With auto-hide on, Windows briefly… **Key facts:** - The taskbar keeps disappearing in Windows 11 most often for one of three reasons. - The Settings paths match current Windows 11 (version 22H2 and later). - Why Does My Taskbar Keep Disappearing in Windows 11? - The taskbar collapses on a 2-in-1 laptop or tablet when you detach the keyboard. - Fix 1: Turn Off Automatically Hide the Taskbar Auto-hide is a built-in option that tucks the taskbar off the bottom of the screen until you point at it. --- ### How to Configure Speech Synthesis Rate in Settings Time and Language Speech - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-speech-synthesis-rate-in-settings-time-and-language-speech/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1067 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Time & language > Speech and drag the Speed slider left to slow the voice or right to speed it up. Click Preview to hear a sample at the new rate. The change applies immediately, and no administrator rights or restart are needed. **Content excerpt:** The speech synthesis rate in Windows 11 controls how fast the built-in text-to-speech voice reads words aloud. Text-to-speech is a feature that turns on-screen text into spoken audio. A slower rate helps with dense text or language learning. A faster rate helps you get through long documents or notifications quickly. You change the rate in the Settings app, under Settings > Time & language > Speech. The control is a slider you move left or right. The sections below cover the slider, adding voices, third-party apps, Narrator and troubleshooting. The setting is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need administrator rights to change it. Labels on the Speech page can differ slightly between Windows 11 versions. The names below match recent releases. Accessing Speech Settings in Windows The speech settings sit a few clicks deep in the Settings app. The keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to get there. Press Windows key + I together to open Settings. The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. Click Time & language in the left-hand navigation menu. The page now shows options such as Date & time, Language & region and Speech. Click Speech. The page with the text-to-speech and voice options opens. If you cannot find Time & language, widen the Settings window. When the window is narrow, the left menu collapses behind a menu icon, so click that icon first. How to Configure Speech Synthesis Rate Once the Speech page is open, the speed control is a single slider. Dragging it to the left slows the voice down. Dragging it to the right speeds it up. The preview button lets you test each change before you move on. Scroll down to the voice section of the Speech page, which holds the voice and speed options. Recent builds label this area Voices or Manage voices. Find the slider labeled Speed. Click and drag the slider handle to the left to slow the speech rate, or to the right to speed it up. Click the Preview button below the slider. You should hear a sample sentence read in the current voice at the speed you just set. Repeat the adjustment and preview until the pacing feels right. The change applies automatically, so you do not need to restart Windows or click a save button. To undo a change, drag the slider back to where it was. If you do not remember the original value, move the handle to the middle and preview again. This slider sets the speed for the system text-to-speech voice. Narrator, the built-in screen reader, keeps its own voice settings, so its speed may not follow this slider. Narrator also has its own natural voices, which sound more like a human speaker than the classic system voices. To change its speed, open Settings > Accessibility > Narrator and look for the voice options, including the speed setting. The same page has an option to add natural voices. These voices… **Key facts:** - The speech synthesis rate in Windows 11 controls how fast the built-in text-to-speech voice reads words aloud. - You change the rate in the Settings app, under Settings > Time & language > Speech. - The setting is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need administrator rights to change it. - Labels on the Speech page can differ slightly between Windows 11 versions. - Accessing Speech Settings in Windows The speech settings sit a few clicks deep in the Settings app. --- ### Should You Enable Automatic Device Locking Using Bluetooth Dynamic Lock In Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/should-you-enable-automatic-device-locking-using-bluetooth-dynamic-lock-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1228 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Yes, for most people who carry a paired phone, enable Dynamic lock in Windows 11 under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Windows locks the PC about 30 seconds after the phone's Bluetooth signal goes weak, so it covers the times you forget to press Windows key + L. It does not unlock the PC, and it will not lock while the phone sits on your desk. **Content excerpt:** Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 locks your PC when you walk away with your phone. It measures the Bluetooth signal strength of a paired phone. When the signal stays weak for about 30 seconds, Windows shows the lock screen so nobody else can see your work. Pair the phone to the PC over Bluetooth before you turn the feature on. Bluetooth range changes with walls, furniture and radio interference, so the lock does not happen at the same distance or the same moment every time. So should you enable it? For most people who carry a phone, yes. It costs nothing and covers the times you forget to press Windows key + L. Keep these limits in mind: The PC stays unlocked for roughly 30 seconds after you leave. It is a safety net, not a replacement for locking the PC yourself. It only locks the PC. It does not unlock it when you come back, so you still sign in as usual. If you leave your phone on the desk, the PC sees it as nearby and does not lock. Keeping Bluetooth on all day uses a little more battery on a laptop and on your phone. Prerequisites for Setting Up Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 Dynamic Lock needs a Windows 11 computer with built-in Bluetooth or a USB Bluetooth adapter. The phone must also be paired to the PC. If the hardware is missing or the phone is not paired, the Dynamic lock option stays greyed out in Settings. Check these three items before you go further. Your Windows 11 computer has built-in Bluetooth or a working Bluetooth USB adapter. You own a smartphone or another Bluetooth-enabled device that you can carry with you. The phone is paired to your Windows 11 computer over Bluetooth before you start the configuration. If you are not sure the PC has Bluetooth, look for a Bluetooth toggle on the Bluetooth & devices page in Settings. If that toggle is missing altogether, the PC has no working Bluetooth radio, or its driver is not installed. How to Pair Your Smartphone via Bluetooth Pairing creates a trusted Bluetooth link between the PC and the phone. Dynamic lock relies on that link, so it must be active before automatic locking can work. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand menu. Turn on the main Bluetooth toggle if it is off. It should now read On. Click the Add device button near the top of the window. The Add a device window opens. Choose Bluetooth in the Add a device window. Windows starts searching for nearby devices. On your smartphone, turn on Bluetooth and make it discoverable. On most phones, keeping the Bluetooth settings screen open does this. On Android, the phone may also be named in Settings > Connected devices. Select your phone from the list of available devices on the PC screen. A… **Key facts:** - Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 locks your PC when you walk away with your phone. - When the signal stays weak for about 30 seconds, Windows shows the lock screen so nobody else can see your work. - Keep these limits in mind: The PC stays unlocked for roughly 30 seconds after you leave. - Prerequisites for Setting Up Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 Dynamic Lock needs a Windows 11 computer with built-in Bluetooth or a USB Bluetooth adapter. - If the hardware is missing or the phone is not paired, the Dynamic lock option stays greyed out in Settings. --- ### How to Update Printer Drivers Manually in Windows 11 Device Manager - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-update-printer-drivers-manually-in-windows-11-device-manager/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1117 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Device Manager, expand Print queues, right-click your printer, and select Update driver, then choose Browse my computer for drivers and Let me pick from a list of available drivers. Windows replaces the old printer driver with the one you choose, and the printer usually starts working without a restart. **Content excerpt:** Updating a printer driver in Device Manager replaces the software that lets Windows 11 talk to your printer. Outdated or damaged drivers cause errors, missing paper trays and jobs that cancel on their own. Device Manager is the built-in tool that lists and manages your PC's hardware. Before you start, check two things: You are signed in as an administrator, or you know an administrator's password. Windows will not install a driver without that permission. Windows is current. Open Settings, click Windows Update, install any pending updates, and restart if asked. Windows Update may also offer a newer printer driver. Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. If a printer driver is listed, install it before you go manual. If you downloaded a driver from the manufacturer, unzip it to a folder you can find again, such as Downloads. The steps are the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. Open Device Manager in Windows 11 Device Manager shows every piece of hardware Windows knows about, including printers. The right-click menu on the Start button is the fastest way to open it, and that menu is the same on Home and Pro. Right-click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, or press the Windows key + X. A short menu of system tools appears. Select Device Manager from the menu. The Device Manager window opens with a list of hardware categories. If the menu does not show Device Manager, click Start, type Device Manager, and open the top result. In the list, look for a category named Print queues. On some PCs you may also see Printers. Either one can hold your printer. If you see neither, make sure the printer is turned on and connected by USB or network. Wait a few seconds and look again. Locate and Select Your Printer You have to find your exact printer in the list before you can update its driver. Pick the entry carefully, because Print queues often contains several items. Click the arrow next to Print queues to expand the list. The printers installed on this PC appear underneath. Find your specific printer model in the expanded list. Ignore entries such as Microsoft Print to PDF or OneNote. These are built-in virtual printers, not physical hardware. Right-click your printer name. A context menu opens. Select Update driver. The Update Drivers window opens and asks how you want to search for drivers. If Update driver is missing from the menu, you most likely right-clicked the category name and not the printer itself. Click the printer entry and try again. Choose the Manual Update Method The manual method lets you choose the driver yourself instead of letting Windows search online. You can pick a driver Windows already has stored, or point Windows to a driver you downloaded. Click Browse my computer for drivers in the Update Drivers window. The other option, Search automatically for drivers, makes Windows look online instead. Click Let me… **Key facts:** - Updating a printer driver in Device Manager replaces the software that lets Windows 11 talk to your printer. - Open Settings, click Windows Update, install any pending updates, and restart if asked. - Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. - The steps are the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Open Device Manager in Windows 11 Device Manager shows every piece of hardware Windows knows about, including printers. --- ### How to Check Current Print Jobs in the Windows 11 Queue - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-current-print-jobs-in-the-windows-11-queue/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 992 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click your printer, and select Open print queue. The window lists every waiting document with its status, owner, size and page count. For a job that is printing right now, double-click the printer icon in the system tray instead. **Content excerpt:** The print queue in Windows 11 lists every document that is waiting to print or currently printing. It helps you spot a stuck file, see why a printer has stopped, or clear a blocked job. Windows handles print jobs through a background service called the Print Spooler. This system tool holds each job and passes it to the printer in order. The queue opens from the Settings app or from the classic Control Panel. Both methods work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Clearing a frozen queue by restarting the spooler needs an administrator account, which is covered in the last section. Using the Settings App to View Print Jobs The Settings app is the usual route. You open your device list, pick your printer, and open its queue. The queue window shows each document with its status, owner, size and number of pages, so you can see at once what is holding up the printer. There is a faster way while a job is actually printing. Windows places a small printer icon in the system tray, the row of icons at the right end of the taskbar. Double-click that icon and the queue opens directly. If the icon is not there, the printer has no active job, so use the steps below. You can also reach the same page without clicking through menus. Search for Printers & scanners in the Start menu and open the result. Typing ms-settings:printers into the Run box (Windows key + R) opens the same page. The steps below follow the full path: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window appears. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand menu. The device options appear on the right. Click Printers & scanners. A list of every printer and scanner installed on the computer appears. Click the printer whose queue you want to inspect. Its settings page opens. Click Open print queue near the top of the page. A separate window opens, listing every active document waiting to print. If your printer is not in the list, it is not installed on this PC, so there is no queue to open. Check that it is powered on and connected. You can also add it with the Add device button on the same page. Read the Status column in the queue window. A job marked Error or Paused is usually the one blocking everything behind it. Using the Control Panel for Detailed Queue Management The classic Control Panel suits anyone who prefers the older layout or cannot find the printer in Settings. It leads to the same queue window by a different route. Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and press Enter. Control Panel opens. Under the Hardware and Sound category, click View devices and printers. A window of connected hardware opens. Find your printer in the list. Printers are usually grouped under a Printers heading. Right-click the printer icon and select See what's printing… **Key facts:** - The print queue in Windows 11 lists every document that is waiting to print or currently printing. - The queue opens from the Settings app or from the classic Control Panel. - Both methods work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Using the Settings App to View Print Jobs The Settings app is the usual route. - If the icon is not there, the printer has no active job, so use the steps below. --- ### How to Change Mouse Indicator Activation Method in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-mouse-indicator-activation-method-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 682 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change the mouse indicator activation method in Windows 11, open Settings (Win + I), go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, and expand Mouse indicator. Turn the indicator on, then choose Single Ctrl key press or Double Ctrl key press in the Activation method drop-down. The change takes effect immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** The mouse indicator activation method in Windows 11 controls how you call up the highlight that shows where your pointer is. You can choose a single press or a double press of the Ctrl key. When you press it, Windows draws a circle around the cursor so you can find it quickly. This helps on large or multi-monitor setups, or when the pointer gets lost against a busy background. This tutorial shows how to pick the activation method, how to undo it, and how to keep the circle on screen until you dismiss it. First, check that your PC has these options. The Activation method option and the persistent indicator option first appeared in Insider builds, including 26340.9233 and 26340.9502. They are not limited to Insider builds. A current release, such as Windows 11 25H2 with the latest cumulative update installed, includes them. Older builds do not show either option, so if you can't find them, the build is the most likely reason. To check your build: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type winver and press Enter. An About Windows window opens. Read the Version and OS Build lines. Compare them with your target release, for example version 25H2. If your build is older, open Settings > Windows Update, install the available updates, and restart when asked. Then check again. The labels may differ slightly on Insider builds, because Microsoft changes them between updates. To change the activation method: Open Settings with Win + I, then go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. The mouse pointer options appear on the right. Expand Mouse indicator. The settings for the indicator open below it. Make sure the indicator is turned on. If the option is missing or greyed out, your build is probably too old, so go back to the build check above. Find the Activation method option, which controls how the Ctrl key triggers the indicator. Choose a single press or a double press of Ctrl. A single press is faster. A double press is less likely to fire by accident when you use Ctrl in shortcuts like copy and paste. Press Ctrl the way you just selected. A circle should appear around your pointer. If it doesn't, check that the indicator is on and that your build includes the option. No restart is needed, and the change takes effect straight away. To undo it, open the same settings and pick the other press option. Nothing is installed and no system files change, so switching back is immediate. The persistent indicator option, which arrived in build 26340.9233, keeps the indicator on screen until you dismiss it. Normally the circle goes away on its own. With this setting on, it stays visible until you do one of the following: Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + M again. Press the Esc key. Click anywhere on the screen. This is handy for presentations or screen sharing, where you want people to keep seeing where the pointer is. Adjust… **Key facts:** - The mouse indicator activation method in Windows 11 controls how you call up the highlight that shows where your pointer is. - This tutorial shows how to pick the activation method, how to undo it, and how to keep the circle on screen until you dismiss it. - The Activation method option and the persistent indicator option first appeared in Insider builds, including 26340.9233 and 26340.9502. - A current release, such as Windows 11 25H2 with the latest cumulative update installed, includes them. - Compare them with your target release, for example version 25H2. --- ### How to Adjust Display Brightness Automatically Using Windows 11 Ambient Light Sensors - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-adjust-display-brightness-automatically-using-windows-11-ambient-light-sensors/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1144 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Display, expand the Brightness section, and tick the box labelled Change brightness automatically when lighting changes. Windows then reads your ambient light sensor continuously and adjusts screen brightness to match your room's lighting. **Content excerpt:** To adjust brightness automatically based on light in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Brightness and tick Change brightness automatically when lighting changes. The option appears only on devices with an ambient light sensor, a small component that measures the light in the room. Automatic brightness, also called adaptive brightness, raises or lowers your screen's light level to match your surroundings. Most modern laptops, tablets and all-in-one PCs have the sensor. It saves battery power and reduces eye strain. To check whether your computer supports it, press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Display. Desktop monitors rarely include this hardware. If your device has no physical sensor, Windows hides the automatic brightness options entirely. That is normal behaviour, not a fault. If you see a Brightness slider but no automatic option underneath it, the sensor is probably missing or its driver is not loaded. The troubleshooting section below covers the driver case. Configuring Automatic Brightness in Settings Turning on automatic brightness lets Windows adjust display brightness automatically to match your room. It takes about a minute and needs no restart. These steps are for Windows 11 on a device with an ambient light sensor. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Select System from the left-hand navigation menu. The System pages open on the right. Click Display to open your monitor and brightness preferences. The page lists your screen settings, with Brightness near the top. Expand the Brightness section if the sub-options are hidden. Click the arrow at the right of the section. You should see the brightness slider and the options below it. Tick the box labelled Change brightness automatically when lighting changes. This is the setting that uses the ambient light sensor. If the box is missing, your device has no usable sensor. Optionally, look for Help improve battery by optimizing the content shown and brightness. This is a separate feature, often called content adaptive brightness control (CABC). It adjusts brightness based on what is on screen, not on room light. Some devices offer it as a dropdown with choices such as always or only on battery. Others do not offer it at all. Set it to suit your battery needs. Once enabled, Windows reads the ambient light sensor continuously. The display brightness shifts gradually rather than jumping, so sudden lighting changes do not strain your eyes. You can still change brightness by hand at any time. Press Windows key + A to open Quick Settings and move the brightness slider there. Windows may then adapt from your new level as the light changes. Battery saver can get in the way. When it is on, Windows may lower screen brightness to save power, and on some devices this interferes with automatic brightness. If the screen looks dim or ignores the room light, turn battery saver off and test again. Settings > System > Power & battery… **Key facts:** - To adjust brightness automatically based on light in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Brightness and tick Change brightness automatically when lighting changes. - To check whether your computer supports it, press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Display. - Configuring Automatic Brightness in Settings Turning on automatic brightness lets Windows adjust display brightness automatically to match your room. - These steps are for Windows 11 on a device with an ambient light sensor. - The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. --- ### How to Clear Automatic Speech Recognition Data in Time and Language Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-clear-automatic-speech-recognition-data-in-time-and-language-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1136 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To clear automatic speech recognition data in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Privacy & security > Speech, and click the button that clears speech recognition data stored on your device and Microsoft account. Confirm the prompt. The deletion usually cannot be undone, and Windows rebuilds the data as you keep using voice features. **Content excerpt:** Automatic Speech Recognition data in Windows 11 includes voice recordings and text dictionaries that the operating system saves to learn your voice commands and improve dictation accuracy. Clearing this stored speech data deletes your past voice interactions. It also stops the feature from using old recordings to build future speech models. Most of the work happens on the Time & language and Privacy & security pages in Settings. Deleting these files protects your privacy without breaking voice typing, because Windows starts learning again from scratch. The copy stored with your Microsoft account is cleared separately, in the last section of this tutorial. Navigating to Time & Language Settings The Time & language page holds the built-in speech controls. It also links to the speech privacy settings. The menu is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10, but the layout and wording shift a little between builds. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. The Settings window should appear with a list of categories on the left. Select Time & language from the left-hand navigation menu. On Windows 10 it is in the main grid of options instead. Click Speech. The configuration panel should now open, with your microphone settings, text-to-speech options, and a link to the speech privacy controls. On Windows 11, this page also has Manage voice typing and Voice access options. These control how the features behave. They are not the place where saved speech data is deleted. If Speech is missing from the list, update Windows first. Very old builds of Windows 10 label this page differently. Locating and Clearing Speech Data This section removes the voice clips and speech models Windows has saved over time. The exact labels depend on your Windows build, so read the options on your screen before you click anything. There is also a direct route to the same controls: Settings > Privacy & security > Speech. On builds that offer it, the Voice clips setting sits under Settings > Privacy & security > Speech > Voice clips. If you cannot find a deletion option on the Time & language page, look there. Scroll down the Speech settings page until you find the section labeled Related settings or Privacy. Look for the option tied to speech data collection or your online speech services profile. Voice access is replacing Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) in Windows 11, and WSR is deprecated. Because of that, some legacy toggles look different or are missing on newer builds. Click the button to stop collecting voice clips, or the one to clear existing speech recognition data stored on your device and Microsoft account. If you see only a link to speech privacy settings, follow it. It leads to the page described in the next section. Confirm your choice if a prompt asks you to verify the deletion of your personal speech dictionary and audio samples. The deletion usually cannot be reversed, so be sure you want it gone. No restart is needed. If you later want… **Key facts:** - Automatic Speech Recognition data in Windows 11 includes voice recordings and text dictionaries that the operating system saves to learn your voice commands and improve dictation accuracy. - Most of the work happens on the Time & language and Privacy & security pages in Settings. - Navigating to Time & Language Settings The Time & language page holds the built-in speech controls. - It also links to the speech privacy settings. - The menu is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10, but the layout and wording shift a little between builds. --- ### How to Configure Kernel Isolation Memory Integrity in Windows Security Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-kernel-isolation-memory-integrity-in-windows-security-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2804 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Windows Security, click Device security, then Core isolation details, and set the Memory integrity switch to On. Approve the User Account Control prompt and restart the PC when Windows asks. If the switch won't turn on, Windows lists incompatible drivers that you must update or remove first. You need an administrator account. **Content excerpt:** Kernel isolation memory integrity blocks malicious software from slipping bad code into the core parts of Windows 11 (and Windows 10, which reached end of support on October 14, 2025). It is also called hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). It uses a secure virtual environment to check that every driver and system file is safe before it loads. You can turn it on and off in the Windows Security app. Businesses can manage it across a network with enterprise tools. This tutorial covers the app, Group Policy and the registry, then shows how to confirm the feature is running. Changing core isolation settings and Group Policy requires administrator rights, so sign in with an administrator account first. The menu names below are for current Windows 11. Windows 10 is similar, but some options are missing, as noted where it matters. Device Security in the Windows Security App The Windows Security app shows the status of your hardware-backed defenses and whether your PC supports virtualization-based protections. Everything in this tutorial starts from the Device security page. Press the Start key, type Windows Security, and press Enter. The Windows Security window opens. Click Device security in the left-hand pane, or in the main dashboard. The page lists the protections your hardware supports. What you see here depends on your processor, your motherboard firmware and your Windows version. Typical sections are Core isolation, Security processor and Secure boot. If a section is missing, the hardware or firmware usually doesn't support it, or it is turned off in the UEFI settings. It does not mean the app is broken. Core isolation Core isolation uses virtualization-based security (VBS), a technology that creates a secure, isolated memory region, to protect vital parts of the operating system. It keeps unauthorized software away from core system memory, even if someone gains administrator access to the machine. Open Device security in the Windows Security app. Under Core isolation, click Core isolation details. A page opens with the individual protection switches. From this page you can turn individual integrity features on or off and see which protections your hardware currently supports. Only the options your system can use are shown. If a switch is greyed out, a policy set by an administrator may control it, or the hardware may not support it. Also check that you are signed in as an administrator, because standard accounts cannot change these switches. Memory integrity Memory integrity stops malware from using low-level drivers to reach kernel memory, the core part of the operating system. With it on, every driver must pass strict security checks before it loads. That blocks unsafe code at startup. Check the current state before you change anything. Memory integrity is turned on by default on new Windows 11 installations and on qualifying PCs, so it may already be on. If the switch already reads On, you have nothing to change here. Memory integrity also has hardware requirements. The PC needs a 64-bit CPU with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) support. It… **Key facts:** - Kernel isolation memory integrity blocks malicious software from slipping bad code into the core parts of Windows 11 (and Windows 10, which reached end of support on October 14, 2025). - This tutorial covers the app, Group Policy and the registry, then shows how to confirm the feature is running. - Changing core isolation settings and Group Policy requires administrator rights, so sign in with an administrator account first. - The menu names below are for current Windows 11. - Windows 10 is similar, but some options are missing, as noted where it matters. --- ### How to Set Up Custom Speech Recognition Profiles in Windows 11 Time and Language Speech Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-set-up-custom-speech-recognition-profiles-in-windows-11-time-and-language-speech-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1797 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To set up a custom speech recognition profile in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Time & language, select Speech, and choose your spoken language from the Choose the language you speak with your device menu. Then run the microphone setup under Microphone. Voice training for the legacy Windows Speech Recognition is in Control Panel, and it does not change Win+H voice typing. **Content excerpt:** Custom speech recognition profiles in Windows 11 help your PC learn your voice, accent and vocabulary, so dictation produces fewer typing errors. A profile is the set of voice data a recognition engine keeps about how you speak. Standard engines often struggle with distinct vocal pitches and specialized jargon, and accuracy drops when they do. You build this profile from the Time & language settings, the older Speech Recognition tools in Control Panel, and a few privacy switches. This guide covers each one in the order you would normally set them up. One limit matters before you start. The Control Panel training wizard only improves the legacy Windows Speech Recognition. It does not change Win+H voice typing or Voice access, which rely on cloud or on-device models. Navigating to Time & Language Speech Settings The speech settings page is where you manage your spoken language, your microphone, and related voice options. Every later step in this guide starts here or on a nearby page, so it helps to know the route. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. Click Time & language in the left-hand sidebar. The page lists date, language and speech options. Click Speech. You should now see the speech configuration screen, where you manage spoken input, microphone selection, and voice options. The layout of this page varies a little between Windows 11 versions. If a section is in a different place on your PC, look for it by name rather than by position. Windows 11 also has Voice access, found under Settings > Accessibility > Speech. It is the modern replacement for the legacy Speech Recognition tools. It runs on your device once its language files are downloaded, lets you control the whole PC by voice, and supports a custom vocabulary. It needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, so if you cannot find it, check Windows Update. Managing Speech Languages and Regional Packs The speech engine needs to know which language and regional variant you speak. The right choice matters most if you have an accent or a regional dialect. A US English model, for example, will misread many words spoken in other English variants. Open Settings, go to Time & language, and select Speech. The speech page opens. Find the Choose the language you speak with your device drop-down menu. Open the menu and select your native language or regional dialect. The setting takes effect straight away, so there is no Save button. If your language or dialect is not in the list, you need to install its language pack. Go back to Time & language and select Language & region. The list of installed languages appears. Click Add a language and search for the language you want. Select the language and click Next. A screen of optional language features appears. Check the box for Speech recognition, then click Install. The download needs an internet connection and can take a few minutes.… **Key facts:** - Custom speech recognition profiles in Windows 11 help your PC learn your voice, accent and vocabulary, so dictation produces fewer typing errors. - You build this profile from the Time & language settings, the older Speech Recognition tools in Control Panel, and a few privacy switches. - Navigating to Time & Language Speech Settings The speech settings page is where you manage your spoken language, your microphone, and related voice options. - Every later step in this guide starts here or on a nearby page, so it helps to know the route. - The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. --- ### How to Configure Advanced Diagnostic Data Upload Schedules in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-advanced-diagnostic-data-upload-schedules-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1851 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback, and choose Required or Optional diagnostic data to control what Windows sends to Microsoft. The Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service then queues uploads for when your PC is idle and online. Advanced upload timing needs Group Policy on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education, and the Settings toggle is not enough on its own. **Content excerpt:** Advanced diagnostic data upload schedules in Windows 11 let you control when your computer sends system error reports and usage data to Microsoft. By default, the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service (a background tool that sends diagnostic files to Microsoft) uploads this information whenever your PC has an active internet connection and sits idle. Changing these schedules gives you tighter control over network traffic and power use. Uploads can move into specific maintenance windows, or be held back while you are on a metered internet connection. This guide covers the diagnostic data level first, then the scheduling controls, then how to check that everything took effect. Diagnostic Data Levels and Their Impact on Upload Frequencies The diagnostic data level decides how much information your computer sends to Microsoft. That in turn affects how often and how much it uploads. Moving between required and optional telemetry changes the size of the data packets queued for transmission, which affects both your network bandwidth and your privacy position. Off: Disables optional and required diagnostic data collection, so routine telemetry generation stops. Basic security reporting may still function depending on enterprise configuration. This level is normally only available through policy on Enterprise and Education editions, so it does not appear as a choice in Settings on Home or Pro. Required Diagnostic Data: Gathers basic device information, settings, capabilities, and whether apps are performing correctly. This tier produces smaller payloads and less frequent upload queues. Optional Diagnostic Data: Includes deeper device telemetry, website activity, enhanced error reporting, and crash dumps. This setting generates significantly larger data packets that need more frequent or larger upload windows. Because each tier changes how much data is waiting to go out, a higher setting needs stricter scheduling. Without it, background uploads can saturate the connection during peak business hours. How Microsoft Handles Diagnostic Data Transmission Windows sends diagnostic data as encrypted logs over secure HTTPS connections to Microsoft's official data collection endpoints. The Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service manages these payloads in the background. It holds them locally until your device has an active internet connection. Managing this transmission lifecycle prevents network congestion. In enterprise and high-security environments, administrators often pair custom upload schedules with proxy server configurations and URL exclusions. That way telemetry traffic goes through specific gateways and does not expose internal network topology. Diagnostic Data Settings in Windows 11 Before you build an advanced schedule, set the core diagnostic data level to match your privacy and operational requirements. This can be done on a single machine through the Settings app, or enforced across many machines with centralized management tools. Check two requirements first. Changing the diagnostic data policy needs an administrator account, so sign in with one or be ready to approve an elevation prompt. The Group Policy steps below also need Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education. Home does not include the Local Group Policy Editor. If a policy is enforced, the Settings app usually shows the option greyed out with a note… **Key facts:** - Advanced diagnostic data upload schedules in Windows 11 let you control when your computer sends system error reports and usage data to Microsoft. - This level is normally only available through policy on Enterprise and Education editions, so it does not appear as a choice in Settings on Home or Pro. - Required Diagnostic Data: Gathers basic device information, settings, capabilities, and whether apps are performing correctly. - Diagnostic Data Settings in Windows 11 Before you build an advanced schedule, set the core diagnostic data level to match your privacy and operational requirements. - This can be done on a single machine through the Settings app, or enforced across many machines with centralized management tools. --- ### Show Encrypted NTFS Files in Color: A Windows 11 Guide - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/show-encrypted-ntfs-files-in-color-a-windows-11-guide/ - **Published:** 2026-02-15 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 730 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To show encrypted NTFS files in color in Windows 11, open File Explorer, click the three dots menu, select Options, click the View tab, check "Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color," and click OK. Encrypted files then appear in green. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can show the names of encrypted NTFS files in green in File Explorer, so you can spot protected data at a glance. The feature relies on Encrypted File System (EFS), a built-in Windows tool that scrambles your personal files so nobody else can open them. With the display setting on, you don't have to open each file's properties to check whether it is encrypted. EFS only works on NTFS drives. It is also only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education. Windows 11 Home can't encrypt files with EFS, so on a Home PC you will normally only see the blue color for compressed files. How to Turn On or Off Colored Encrypted or Compressed Files in Windows 11 This is a single view setting in Folder Options. It changes the text color of encrypted files so they stand out, and you can switch it off the same way if you prefer a plain view. No restart or sign-out is needed. The change applies as soon as you click OK. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar, or press Windows key + E on your keyboard. A File Explorer window opens. Click the three dots (•••) on the top menu bar. On some Windows 11 builds this button shows a tooltip reading See more. A dropdown menu appears. Select Options from the dropdown. The Folder Options window opens. Click the View tab at the top of the Folder Options window. You will see a list of settings under Advanced settings. Scroll down the Advanced settings list until you find "Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color." Check the box next to it. If the box is already checked, the setting is on and you don't need to change anything. Click OK to save your changes and close the window. File Explorer refreshes, and any encrypted files in the current folder now show in color. This reference screenshot displays the target checkbox: File Explorer renders encrypted files in green and compressed files in blue. Specific system themes, such as high contrast themes, might alter these exact shades. This setting only turns the colors on or off. It does not let you choose different colors. If you see no color, check these things: The folder must be on an NTFS drive. Drives formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, such as many USB sticks, can't hold EFS-encrypted files. The files must actually be encrypted. A password-protected ZIP file or a file protected with BitLocker is not EFS-encrypted, so it won't turn green. If your PC runs Windows 11 Home, you can't create EFS-encrypted files, so there will be nothing green to see. To go back to the standard view, repeat the steps above. Open the same Folder Options window, go to the View tab, clear the checkbox, and click OK. Filenames return to the normal text color straight away. Summary The color makes it easy to spot encrypted or compressed files without opening their properties. You… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can show the names of encrypted NTFS files in green in File Explorer, so you can spot protected data at a glance. - It is also only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education. - Windows 11 Home can't encrypt files with EFS, so on a Home PC you will normally only see the blue color for compressed files. - How to Turn On or Off Colored Encrypted or Compressed Files in Windows 11 This is a single view setting in Folder Options. - On some Windows 11 builds this button shows a tooltip reading See more. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to calibrate display color in Windows 11? A: To calibrate display color, search for 'Calibrate display color' in the Start menu and open it. The Display Color Calibration tool walks you through gamma, brightness, contrast and color balance. Follow each screen, then click Finish to save the settings. Repeat it if you change lighting or monitors. - Q: How to encrypt files in Windows 11? A: Encrypt files by right-clicking them, choosing Properties, then clicking Advanced on the General tab. Tick Encrypt contents to secure data, then click OK and Apply. Encryption needs an NTFS drive and Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education. Warning: only your account can open the files, so back up your encryption certificate first. - Q: How to configure Windows 11 color profiles? A: Open Color Management by searching for it in the Start menu. On the Devices tab, pick your monitor, tick Use my settings for this device, then click Add to attach an ICC or ICM profile file. Select the profile and click Set as Default Profile, then Close. --- ### How to Turn On or off Auto-Hide for the Taskbar in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-auto-hide-for-the-taskbar-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1078 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Expand Taskbar behaviors and toggle "Automatically hide the taskbar" on or off. The taskbar will hide when not in use and reappear when you move your mouse to the bottom of the screen. **Content excerpt:** Auto-hide makes the taskbar disappear when your mouse leaves the bottom of the screen, and it comes back when you point at the bottom edge again. On a small laptop screen, that extra strip of space helps with websites, games and documents. It also keeps the desktop cleaner, and full-screen apps can use the whole display. The setting takes less than a minute to change, and you can reverse it just as fast. This guide covers two ways to do it: the Settings app and the command line. What Does Auto-Hide Do? With auto-hide turned on, the taskbar stays out of sight until you need it. To bring it back, move your mouse to the very bottom edge of the screen. You can also press Win + T on your keyboard, or swipe up from the bottom edge if you have a touchscreen. Pressing the Windows key to open Start also brings the taskbar up. So does a notification from an app that wants your attention. While auto-hide is on, the taskbar is gone completely, not just shrunk. It stays hidden until you use one of the methods above, and it slides away again once you move the pointer off it. If the taskbar keeps popping up when you don't want it, check whether an app is flashing a notification or your mouse is resting against the bottom edge. How to Turn Auto-Hide On or Off Using Settings Open Settings by pressing Win + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens. Click Personalization in the left pane. Click Taskbar on the right side. You now see the taskbar options, such as taskbar items and corner icons. Scroll down and click the arrow next to Taskbar behaviors. The list expands to show more options. Find Automatically hide the taskbar. Check the box to turn auto-hide on, or uncheck it to turn it off. When you turn it on, the taskbar slides out of view as soon as you move the pointer away. Close Settings. The change applies right away, and you don't need to restart Windows or sign out. This works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you change your mind, come back to the same checkbox and clear it. The taskbar then stays visible all the time. If the option seems to do nothing, make sure you are looking at the right checkbox. The Taskbar behaviors list holds several similar options, and you want the one named Automatically hide the taskbar. How to Turn Auto-Hide On or Off Using Command Prompt If you prefer the command line, or you want to switch auto-hide without opening Settings, you can do it from Command Prompt inside Windows Terminal. Each setting uses one command. Copy it exactly as shown. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal. Then open the dropdown arrow in the tab bar and choose Command Prompt. A Command Prompt tab opens. To turn on auto-hide, copy and paste this command and press Enter: powershell -command… **Key facts:** - This guide covers two ways to do it: the Settings app and the command line. - It stays hidden until you use one of the methods above, and it slides away again once you move the pointer off it. - How to Turn Auto-Hide On or Off Using Settings Open Settings by pressing Win + I on your keyboard. - This works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. - How to Turn Auto-Hide On or Off Using Command Prompt If you prefer the command line, or you want to switch auto-hide without opening Settings, you can do it from Command Prompt inside Windows Terminal. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where is Windows 11 taskbar auto-hide setting stored? A: Windows 11 stores the auto-hide setting in the Registry Editor, under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3, in a binary value named Settings. Editing that value by hand is risky, so back up the key first. Most people should change the setting in Settings instead, which writes to this location for you. - Q: How to disable qtaskbar auto hide? A: Open Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar, and expand Taskbar behaviors. Uncheck Automatically hide the taskbar. If QTaskbar still hides the bar, check that tool's own settings, because it draws its own taskbar and can override the Windows option. - Q: What setting to change to make taskbar Windows disappear and reappear? A: Turn on Automatically hide the taskbar in Settings. Go to Personalization, then Taskbar, expand Taskbar behaviors, and check the box. The taskbar disappears when your pointer leaves it and reappears when you move the pointer to the bottom edge of the screen. - Q: How to auto hide taskbar Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to Personalization, then Taskbar. Expand Taskbar behaviors and check Automatically hide the taskbar. The change applies right away. Move your pointer to the bottom edge of the screen to bring the taskbar back. To reverse the change, uncheck the same box. - Q: How to make the taskbar autohide? A: Right-click an empty part of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. Under Taskbar behaviors, check Automatically hide the taskbar. Windows hides the taskbar as soon as you move the pointer away from it. Move the pointer to the bottom edge to bring it back. - Q: Do not need auto hide taskbar? A: No, you don't need it. Auto-hide is optional. Leave it off if you want the taskbar always visible, so you can see open apps and the clock at a glance. Turn it on only if you need the extra screen space, such as on a small laptop display. --- ### How to Scan for Hardware Changes in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-scan-for-hardware-changes-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1745 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows search bar, click the Action menu at the top, and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows then checks all connected ports and buses for new or missed devices like printers or USB drives, usually within seconds, with no restart required. **Content excerpt:** Scanning for hardware changes tells Device Manager (the Windows tool that lists and manages your PC hardware) to re-check every connected port and bus and look for devices it missed, such as printers, graphics cards or USB drives. Windows normally does this check automatically in the background. Faulty drivers, loose cables or older hardware can stop it from working. You can often fix a connection problem in 3 quick clicks, and you don't need to restart the computer. Open Device Manager from the Start menu, click your computer name at the top of the list, and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows then looks for missing components straight away. Why Scan for Hardware Changes? A scan makes Windows check your connected ports and internal components for new hardware. Run one when Windows doesn't pick up a new mouse, keyboard or other peripheral after you plug it in. Windows checks for missing drivers during the scan, which helps it recognise the newly attached device. If the device still doesn't appear, try a different USB port or cable before you assume the hardware is dead. A loose connection looks exactly like a detection failure. Latest Update Running pnputil /scan-devices forces the Windows kernel to search connected buses and configure matching peripheral software for any new devices. This command updates your system hardware list and matches INF installation files to newly discovered components. Use this command when you want a fast way to refresh your system hardware using the terminal. Why Scan for Hardware Changes? A manual scan makes the operating system query all physical interfaces for newly attached components. It is usually the first step when a peripheral stops responding, because re-detecting the hardware clears minor communication glitches. System builders use the same check when a motherboard controller doesn't acknowledge newly seated hardware, such as a drive, a card or a front-panel USB header. Why Scan for Hardware Changes? If Windows doesn’t automatically detect your new device, scanning helps your computer find it. It allows Windows to install the right drivers (software that helps your device work). It can also find some older devices that don’t tell Windows when they’re connected. Important: Administrator access is required to modify hardware settings. If you're signed in with a standard account, Windows will ask for an administrator password when it needs to install a driver. ⚠️ Administrator Privileges Required Modifying hardware configurations demands administrative rights. Operating without elevated permissions triggers access denial errors during system modification attempts. ⚠️ Administrator Privileges Required Log into an account with administrative privileges before proceeding. Standard user accounts lack the security tokens necessary to execute hardware changes. Method 1: Use Device Manager to Scan for Hardware Changes Device Manager lets you scan for hardware changes from a built-in visual menu. You can open it from the Windows search bar, or use the Run box: Press Windows key + R on your keyboard. The Run box opens in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. Device Manager… **Key facts:** - You can often fix a connection problem in 3 quick clicks, and you don't need to restart the computer. - It is usually the first step when a peripheral stops responding, because re-detecting the hardware clears minor communication glitches. - Important: Administrator access is required to modify hardware settings. - Method 1: Use Device Manager to Scan for Hardware Changes Device Manager lets you scan for hardware changes from a built-in visual menu. - To run the scan, follow these steps: Open Device Manager. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to let Windows 11 scan a dew device? A: Open Device Manager (the Windows tool that lists your PC hardware) from the Start menu. Click your computer name at the top of the list, then select Scan for hardware changes. Windows checks straight away, and you don't need to restart. If the device still doesn't show up, try another USB port or cable. - Q: How to get Windows 11 to rescan all hardware? A: Open Device Manager from the Start menu, click your computer name at the top, and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows then re-checks every connected port and bus for devices it missed, including printers, graphics cards and USB drives. The scan runs right away and does not require a restart. - Q: How to make win 11 auto search for insstalled devices? A: Windows usually detects new devices on its own in the background. If it doesn't, check the cable and port first. Then open Device Manager, click your computer name, and select Scan for hardware changes to force a check. Windows looks for missing devices and installs drivers where it can. - Q: How to scan for viruses on Windows 11? A: Open Windows Security from the Start menu and select Virus & threat protection. Click Quick scan to check the most common areas of your PC for malware. For a deeper check, select Scan options, then choose Full scan, which takes longer. Keep Windows Security updated so its virus definitions stay current. - Q: Why Scan for Hardware Changes? A: A scan makes Windows check your connected ports and internal components for new hardware. Run one when Windows doesn’t pick up a new mouse, keyboard or other peripheral after you plug it in. Windows checks for missing drivers during the scan, which helps it recognise the newly attached device. - Q: Device Manager vs. Command Line Device Manager: Easier for beginners, provides a visual interface, good for general hardware detection.Command Line (PnPUtil): More powerful, scriptable, useful for automation or when the GUI option fails, requires administrator privileges. Use Device Manager’s Scan for hardware changes button or menu. Or run the pnputil /scan-devices command in Windows Terminal (Admin). You must be signed in as an administrator to do these. These steps help Windows find and set up new devices without you needing to restart. Device Manager is the easiest option and works best for everyday users and general hardware detection. The command line is more powerful and can be scripted, so it suits automation or the times when the visual menu fails. Choose whichever method you’re more comfortable with to scan for hardware changes on your Windows 11 computer. A scan fixes detection problems, but it can’t repair a corrupted driver package. If a device keeps failing after you rescan, you’ll need to roll back the driver or remove it and install it again from a clean package. What Happens After Scanning? A: When Windows queries the system buses, it starts automatic driver installation for any hardware IDs it recognises. Devices without a matching driver show a warning badge in Device Manager. Downloading the driver package from the device maker usually fixes this. --- ### How to Manage Wi-Fi Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-wi-fi-settings-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1247 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Click the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar and then click the Wi-Fi button to toggle it on or off. Administrators can disable this option entirely by modifying a registry setting. **Content excerpt:** Wi-Fi settings in Windows 11 control your wireless connections, saved passwords, and available networks. You can view nearby networks, turn the wireless radio on or off, or remove old connections from the Quick Settings panel or the Settings app. Managing these options helps you fix slow speeds, switch between access points, and save battery on a laptop or tablet. Quick Settings is the fast route for everyday changes. For the full list of saved networks, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi. Turning Wi-Fi On or Off in Windows 11 You can turn your wireless connection on or off from the taskbar without opening the Settings app. This is handy when you need to disconnect quickly or save battery. The steps below work on both Home and Pro editions. Click the Wi-Fi icon on the right side of your taskbar, near the clock. The Quick Settings panel opens with tiles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode and others. Click the Wi-Fi button to toggle it on or off. When it is on, the tile is highlighted in your accent color. When it is off, the tile is grey. If Wi-Fi is on, your device tries to connect to known networks automatically. Give it a few seconds, and the taskbar icon changes to show the signal strength once it connects. If you don't see a Wi-Fi button at all, the PC may have no wireless adapter, or Airplane mode may be on. Check the Airplane mode tile first. On a desktop with no Wi-Fi card, Windows shows a network (Ethernet) icon instead. If the tile is missing but you know the PC has Wi-Fi, click the pencil ( Edit quick settings) icon at the bottom of the panel to see whether it was removed from the panel. To see nearby networks, click the arrow next to the Wi-Fi button. To pick one, click its name and then click Connect. Enter the password if asked. More on connecting to Wi-Fi in Windows 11 Why You Might Want to Disable Wi-Fi There are two common reasons to turn Wi-Fi off, or to stop others from changing it: Save battery: Turning off Wi-Fi when you don’t need it helps your laptop last longer. The saving is small on most machines, but it adds up on a long trip or an older battery. Control access: If you share your computer, you might want to stop others from turning Wi-Fi on or off. This is more common on shared lab, kiosk, or family PCs. How Administrators Can Stop Users from Changing Wi-Fi Settings Shared hardware environments need tight control over network adapters to prevent unauthorized changes. Administrators do this by editing the Registry, a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for Windows. Note: This change is meant for advanced environments. Proceed carefully inside Registry Editor, because a wrong edit can cause problems. You need an administrator account, and Windows may ask you to confirm with a User Account Control prompt. Before you start, consider backing… **Key facts:** - Wi-Fi settings in Windows 11 control your wireless connections, saved passwords, and available networks. - You can view nearby networks, turn the wireless radio on or off, or remove old connections from the Quick Settings panel or the Settings app. - Quick Settings is the fast route for everyday changes. - For the full list of saved networks, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi. - Turning Wi-Fi On or Off in Windows 11 You can turn your wireless connection on or off from the taskbar without opening the Settings app. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What to disable in Wi-Fi proprities? A: Leave most items in the Wi-Fi Properties list turned on. Only clear a box if you know you don't need that feature, such as File and Printer Sharing on a home network you don't share from. Turning off Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) will cut off most websites. If you're unsure, click Cancel. - Q: How to stop win 11 managing network? A: Windows 11 connects to known Wi-Fi networks on its own. To stop one network from connecting automatically, open Settings, go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select the network, and turn off Connect automatically when in range. - Q: How to ope Wi-Fi rightess settigs I laptop? A: Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I, then select Network & internet in the left pane and click Wi-Fi. For a quick switch, click the Wi-Fi icon near the clock on the taskbar, then click the arrow beside the Wi-Fi tile to open the list of networks. - Q: How to disable and enable Wi-Fi in my lapto? A: Click the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar near the clock, then click the Wi-Fi tile in Quick Settings to turn it off or on. A highlighted tile means Wi-Fi is on, and a grey tile means it is off. You can also press Windows + A to open Quick Settings. - Q: How to manage Wi-Fi connections? A: Open Settings, go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi, and click Manage known networks to see every saved network. Click a network, then click Forget to remove it. Forgetting a network deletes its saved password, so you must enter it again to reconnect. To find new networks, click Show available networks. - Q: How to switch off the Wi-Fi from my kids window eleven? A: Your kid can turn Wi-Fi back on from the Quick Settings tile, so turning it off on their PC is not a reliable block. To stop internet access, set limits in Microsoft Family Safety, or use your router's parental controls to pause their access. Changing the Wi-Fi password also works. --- ### How to Customize Pointer Appearance Using Windows 11 Mouse Properties - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-customize-pointer-appearance-using-windows-11-mouse-properties/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1473 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, then click Additional mouse settings. In the Mouse Properties window, select the Pointers tab, choose a scheme such as Windows Black from the Scheme drop-down, and click Apply, then OK. Your pointer changes immediately, and you can revert by selecting Windows Default. **Content excerpt:** To customize mouse pointer appearance in Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch for size and color. Open Mouse Properties for pointer schemes, shadows, speed, and trails. Mouse Properties is the classic Control Panel-style window that holds the older pointer options the modern Settings page doesn't cover. High-resolution displays and multi-monitor setups make it easy to lose track of a standard cursor. A custom pointer scheme or a shadow effect makes the cursor much simpler to follow during daily use. Accessing Mouse Properties in Windows 11 Mouse Properties in Windows 11 opens from the Settings app, through a link near the bottom of the mouse page. That link launches the classic window. There you can change cursor schemes, adjust pointer speed, and modify visibility options that the modern Settings page doesn't cover. Press the Windows key, type Mouse settings, and press Enter to open the Settings app. You should see the mouse settings page. If you land on a different page, go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse. Scroll down the page and click Additional mouse settings. It sits under the related settings links. A smaller, separate window titled Mouse Properties opens. Click the Pointers tab at the top of the Mouse Properties window. You should see the Scheme drop-down and a Customize list of cursor states. There is a faster route if you open these pointer settings often. Press Win + R, type main.cpl, and press Enter. The Mouse Properties window opens directly, with no trip through Settings. You can also open the classic Control Panel, type Mouse in its search box, and click Mouse in the results. Both methods lead to the same window and the same tabs. Changing the Pointer Scheme Pointer schemes let you apply a complete set of matching cursor graphics at once. Changing the scheme updates every cursor state together, including normal select, text select, and busy. That saves you from swapping each icon by hand. Open Mouse Properties and select the Pointers tab. Click the drop-down menu labeled Scheme. Select a pre-installed scheme from the list, such as Windows Black or Windows Inverted. The Customize list below updates to show the icons in that scheme. Click Apply to test the new cursor graphics on your screen. Your pointer changes right away, and the window stays open. Click OK to save the changes and close the window. To undo this, reopen the window and pick Windows Default from the same drop-down, then click Apply. For most visibility needs, the Settings app is the easier method. It changes the pointer's color and size without touching the scheme, and the change takes effect at once. No restart is needed. Open Settings and go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Under Mouse pointer style, choose White, Black, Inverted, or Custom. Inverted flips the pointer's color against whatever sits behind it, so it stays readable on light and dark areas. If you chose Custom, pick one of the offered colors or select your… **Key facts:** - To customize mouse pointer appearance in Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch for size and color. - Mouse Properties is the classic Control Panel-style window that holds the older pointer options the modern Settings page doesn't cover. - Accessing Mouse Properties in Windows 11 Mouse Properties in Windows 11 opens from the Settings app, through a link near the bottom of the mouse page. - There you can change cursor schemes, adjust pointer speed, and modify visibility options that the modern Settings page doesn't cover. - Press the Windows key, type Mouse settings, and press Enter to open the Settings app. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to get custom cursor fujitsu laptop if the option doesn't appear? A: If the custom cursor option is missing on a Fujitsu laptop, the pointer settings may sit under the touchpad driver rather than Windows. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, and click Additional mouse settings to check for a Pointers tab. If it still isn't there, install the latest touchpad driver from Fujitsu's support site, then restart. - Q: How to set custom cursor fujitsu laptop if theoption doesn't ppear? A: Start with Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, then click Additional mouse settings and look for a Pointers tab in Mouse Properties. If your Fujitsu laptop still hides the option, the touchpad driver is often the cause. Download the latest touchpad driver from Fujitsu's support site, install it, and restart the laptop. - Q: How to set up options for mouse pad pointer? A: Touchpad pointer options live in Settings, not Mouse Properties. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, and adjust cursor speed and tap behavior. Those controls apply to the built-in touchpad only. To change the cursor's look, open Additional mouse settings and use the Pointers tab. --- ### Why Does Your PC Automatically Reopen Apps After Restarting in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/why-does-your-pc-automatically-reopen-apps-after-restarting-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1305 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows 11 automatically reopens apps you had running before a restart because of the sign-in option "Automatically save my restartable apps when signing out and restart them after signing in." To stop it, press Windows key + I, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll to Additional settings, and toggle the restart apps option to Off. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can reopen the apps that were running before a restart, such as browser windows, documents and media players. It saves the state of those apps when you shut down or restart, then relaunches them at sign-in. That lets you pick up where you left off, but it can slow boot time when many programs start at once. The setting that controls this sits in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. This post covers that permanent fix, a one-off clean shutdown and a few related checks, so the desktop starts fresh each time. Disable Automatic Sign-in App Restoration This is the main fix, and it works on both Home and Pro. Turning off the sign-in option tells Windows not to save your restartable apps when you shut down or restart, so nothing is relaunched at the next sign-in. The change applies only to the account you are signed in with. Other user accounts on the same PC keep their own setting. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Accounts from the left-hand menu. Click Sign-in options. The sign-in methods and related settings for your account should now be listed. Scroll down to the Additional settings section. Find the option labeled Automatically save my restartable apps when signing out and restart them after signing in. On some newer Windows 11 builds the wording is shorter and reads Restart apps. If you cannot find either label, look for a toggle that mentions restarting apps. Set the switch to Off. The change takes effect immediately and no restart is needed. It applies the next time you shut down or restart. With the toggle off, choosing Shut down from the Start menu power options, rather than Restart, gives you a clean start at the next sign-in. Nothing is saved for relaunch. To undo the change, return to the same page and switch the option back to On. This is a different setting from the one about using your sign-in info to finish setting up the device after an update. Leave that one alone unless you have a reason to change it. Use the Shutdown Command to Bypass App Restoration If you want a clean desktop only once, you can shut down from Command Prompt instead of changing a permanent setting. This is a full shutdown rather than a normal restart, and it is meant to start Windows with an empty desktop at the next sign-in. Your Settings choice stays as it was, so the next ordinary restart behaves the way it did before. The Start menu power options offer another one-off route. Holding Shift while you click Restart opens the blue recovery menu instead of restarting straight away. Some people use it for a single occasional restart. Treat it as a stopgap, and use the Settings toggle from the first section when you want a dependable result. Open the Start menu, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt. A black window with a prompt should appear. Type shutdown /s… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can reopen the apps that were running before a restart, such as browser windows, documents and media players. - The setting that controls this sits in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. - The sign-in methods and related settings for your account should now be listed. - On some newer Windows 11 builds the wording is shorter and reads Restart apps. - Your Settings choice stays as it was, so the next ordinary restart behaves the way it did before. --- ### How to Configure Live Captions Styling in Windows 11 Accessibility Speech Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-live-captions-styling-in-windows-11-accessibility-speech-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1526 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, select Accessibility, then click Captions and turn on Live captions. To style them, click the gear icon on the live captions window, choose Caption style, then Edit style. You can pick a preset or adjust text color, text size, text opacity, and window opacity, with a live preview as you go. **Content excerpt:** Live captions in Windows 11 turn spoken audio into on-screen text, which helps you follow videos, podcasts, and meetings. You can change how that text looks by adjusting the font size, text color, opacity, and window layout. Live captions is built into Windows 11 version 22H2 and later (with the latest updates), in both Home and Pro. Translation and some languages need a Copilot+ PC. If you can't find the feature, run Windows Update first. Turn on live captions Live captions transcribe whatever audio your PC plays, in real time. Turn the feature on first, because none of the style options below do anything until the captions window exists. Check the requirements before you start. Live captions in English (US) work on all Windows 11 PCs that have the update level described above. Other languages and translation need a supported device and downloaded language packs, which are the speech files Windows uses to recognize each language. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Select Accessibility in the left-hand menu. The accessibility options appear on the right, grouped by type. Click Captions. On current Windows 11 builds this sits in the Hearing group. Older guides place it under Vision, so look in both if you don't see it. The page now shows the live captions controls and a caption style preview. Set the Live captions toggle to On. If this is your first time, accept the prompt to download the speech files. Wait for the download to finish. A caption bar then appears, docked at the top of the screen by default. Once live captions is set up, you have two faster ways to switch it on or off. Press Windows key + Ctrl + L from anywhere. Or open Quick Settings (click the network, speaker, and battery icons at the right end of the taskbar), then select the Accessibility tile and choose Live captions. If you don't see the tile, use the pencil (edit) button in Quick Settings to add it. To turn the feature off from Settings, set the same toggle to Off. No restart is needed. If the toggle is missing, your Windows version is probably too old. Personalize how your captions are displayed You can change the font size, background color, and text style from the floating live captions window. The settings you change here are the same ones you will find under Settings > Accessibility > Captions. Click the Settings button (the gear icon) in the top right corner of the live captions window. A small menu opens. Hover over or click Caption style. A submenu lists the available styles. Select Edit style to open the text appearance options. Choose a preset style from the dropdown menu, or click Add to create a custom style. Presets are the quickest way to get a high-contrast look. A custom style lets you adjust each part separately. Adjust the text color, text size, text transparency, caption… **Key facts:** - Live captions in Windows 11 turn spoken audio into on-screen text, which helps you follow videos, podcasts, and meetings. - Live captions is built into Windows 11 version 22H2 and later (with the latest updates), in both Home and Pro. - Live captions in English (US) work on all Windows 11 PCs that have the update level described above. - The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. - On current Windows 11 builds this sits in the Hearing group. --- ### Why Does Windows 11 Keep Reopening Closed Apps After a Reboot - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/why-does-windows-11-keep-reopening-closed-apps-after-a-reboot/ - **Published:** 2026-09-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1373 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows 11 reopens closed apps after a reboot because the "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in" option is switched on in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. To stop it, open Settings, go to Accounts, select Sign-in options, and turn off that toggle under Additional settings. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 reopens closed apps after a reboot because a built-in feature saves your open programs during shutdown and launches them again when you sign back in. This behavior is tied to your sign-in info and background settings in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. It helps you pick up where you left off, but it gets in the way when you want a clean desktop after a restart. Stopping it takes a few changes in the Settings app, your sign-in options and Task Manager. Work through the sections below in order and test after each one. You may only need the first. Disable Sign-in Info to Stop Restarting Apps Turning off the restartable-apps option stops Windows 11 from reopening your closed apps after a reboot. Windows normally uses your saved account details to finish setting up your PC after a restart, and that relaunches the programs that were running before. This setting is per user, so it only affects the account you are signed in to. You do not need administrator rights to change it. Press the Windows key and select the gear icon to open Settings. The Settings window opens. Click Accounts in the left sidebar. The account pages appear on the right. Select Sign-in options from the list of account settings. Scroll down to the Additional settings section. Turn off the toggle switch next to Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in. The switch should now read Off. In the same section, turn off the toggle for Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart. This is the setting Windows uses to sign you in and bring your apps back after an update restart. The switch should now read Off. If you do not see these toggles, check that you are on Windows 11 22H2 or later under Settings > System > About. On a work or school PC, the options may be hidden or locked by your organization's policy. To undo the changes, return to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and switch the toggles back on. No restart is needed to save them, but you will only see the effect on your next reboot. Turning off the sign-in info toggle means that after an update restart, you may have to sign in yourself before the setup finishes. Use Shut Down Commands Instead of Restart A full shutdown command performs a complete shutdown from a prompt, and it is a way to get a clean desktop for one boot. In the command below, /s shuts the PC down, /f force-closes any running apps, and /t 0 removes the waiting time. A restart from the Start menu saves your open apps by design, so they come back when the PC starts again. Running the command skips that behavior. This works on both Home and Pro. Press Windows plus X to open the quick link menu, then select Terminal or PowerShell. A prompt window… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 reopens closed apps after a reboot because a built-in feature saves your open programs during shutdown and launches them again when you sign back in. - This behavior is tied to your sign-in info and background settings in Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. - Stopping it takes a few changes in the Settings app, your sign-in options and Task Manager. - Disable Sign-in Info to Stop Restarting Apps Turning off the restartable-apps option stops Windows 11 from reopening your closed apps after a reboot. - Press the Windows key and select the gear icon to open Settings. --- ### How to Set Individual Speech Synthesis Speed for Separate Languages in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-set-individual-speech-synthesis-speed-for-separate-languages-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1274 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Accessibility > Narrator, and choose the voice for your language to set its speed there; for older apps, run control sapi.cpl, open the Text To Speech tab, select the language's voice, and drag the Voice speed slider. Each voice keeps its own speed, so changing one language leaves the others alone. **Content excerpt:** Speech synthesis speed in Windows 11 can be set for each voice, so every language reads at its own pace. Speech synthesis, also called text-to-speech, is the feature that turns on-screen text into spoken audio. Each language pack on your PC has its own voice data and synthesis engine, so a speed that sounds right for English can sound too fast or too slow for Spanish or French. Windows has more than one speech system. Narrator has its own voice and speed settings in Settings. Older apps use the classic Speech Properties window, where the speed slider is a single control that applies to the selected voice. Adjusting each voice on its own fixes that. This tutorial covers both systems and notes where they differ, so you change the right one. Checking Installed Language Packs and Voice Options Before you change any speed, check that the language pack and its text-to-speech voice are fully installed. A voice that is missing or only partly downloaded will not show up in the speed controls, and there is nothing to adjust until it does. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Time & language from the left-hand navigation menu. Click Language & region. A list of your installed languages should now appear. Find your target language, click the three dots icon next to it, and select Language options. The language's page opens and lists its features. Scroll down to the speech features and confirm that Text-to-speech is installed. Check Speech recognition too if you need it. If text-to-speech is missing, click Install next to it. On some builds the button reads Download. Wait for the download to finish. It needs an internet connection and can take a few minutes on a slow link. A restart is not normally needed, but sign out and back in if the voice does not appear in the next sections. If the language itself is not in the list, add it first with the Add a language button on the same page, then repeat the steps above. Navigating to Speech Settings in Windows 11 Windows 11 has two places for speech settings. The Narrator page in Settings controls the voice Narrator uses. The classic Speech Properties window controls the voice used by older apps built on the Windows speech API. Start with Settings. Open Settings. Select Accessibility in the left sidebar. Click Narrator. Alternatively, type Speech into the Settings search box to jump to audio output settings. On the Narrator page, find the voice section. The full path is Settings > Accessibility > Narrator > Narrator's voice. Use the Voice drop-down to pick the voice for your target language. Move the Speed slider until the pace suits that language. The same section also has Pitch and Volume controls. Switch to another language's voice and repeat. After each switch, listen again and check that the Speed setting still suits the new voice. Narrator keeps these settings for Narrator only, not for other apps. Windows 11 also offers… **Key facts:** - Speech synthesis speed in Windows 11 can be set for each voice, so every language reads at its own pace. - Narrator has its own voice and speed settings in Settings. - If the language itself is not in the list, add it first with the Add a language button on the same page, then repeat the steps above. - Navigating to Speech Settings in Windows 11 Windows 11 has two places for speech settings. - The Narrator page in Settings controls the voice Narrator uses. --- ### How to Change Display Language Preferences in Windows 11 Language Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-display-language-preferences-in-windows-11-language-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1189 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Time & language > Language & region, click the three-dot menu next to your desired language, select Language options, then choose your preferred language from the Windows display language dropdown and sign out to apply the change. **Content excerpt:** Changing the display language in Windows 11 updates the text used in menus, buttons, Settings and apps to match the language you prefer. Language packs, which are downloadable files that hold the translated text, can be installed. You can then set a primary display language and add typing tools without losing your original system layout. Windows 11 treats the display language, the regional formats for dates and times, and the keyboard layouts as separate settings. You can configure them independently or all at once. For example, you can keep English menus but show dates in the format your country uses. Before you start: Windows 11 Home Single Language editions allow only one display language, so the display language options will not work there. Some language features also need an internet connection and an up-to-date copy of Windows through Windows Update. How to Open Language Settings Every language task in this tutorial starts on the same page of the Settings app. This is where you manage installed languages, the display language and regional formats. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. The Settings window appears. Click Time & language in the left-hand sidebar. Click Language & region. You should now see your currently installed languages under Preferred languages, and your regional formats further down the page. How to Add a New Language You can download and install any language pack from the Language & region page. An internet connection is required, because Windows downloads the pack from Microsoft. Installing a language does not switch your display language unless you tick the option for that, so it is safe to add one and try it later. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region. Find the Preferred languages section and click the Add a language button. A window opens with a list of languages. Type the name of the language you want into the search bar, or scroll through the list to find it. Click the language you want to install, then click Next. A list of optional language features appears. Check the boxes next to the features you want, such as Set as my Windows display language or Text-to-speech. Leave the display language box unticked if you only want to add typing support for now. Click the Install button. Windows downloads the language pack, and you can watch its progress in the Preferred languages list. Larger packs can take several minutes. If you ticked the display language box, Windows will ask you to sign out before the change takes effect. If a language installs but never appears as a display language, it may be offered for typing only. Windows 11 Home Single Language editions are limited to one display language, and a work PC managed by an organization may block language changes. In that case, ask your IT department. If the download in Language & region fails or stalls, check for the language pack through Windows Update instead: Go to Settings > Windows… **Key facts:** - Changing the display language in Windows 11 updates the text used in menus, buttons, Settings and apps to match the language you prefer. - Windows 11 treats the display language, the regional formats for dates and times, and the keyboard layouts as separate settings. - Before you start: Windows 11 Home Single Language editions allow only one display language, so the display language options will not work there. - How to Open Language Settings Every language task in this tutorial starts on the same page of the Settings app. - Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. --- ### How to Update Printer Drivers Automatically Using Windows Update - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-update-printer-drivers-automatically-using-windows-update/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1953 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, select Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Then go to Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates, tick your printer manufacturer's package, and click Download & install. Windows downloads and installs the driver in the background, and most printers need no restart. **Content excerpt:** To update printer drivers in Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. A printer driver is the software that lets Windows and your printer exchange data so documents print correctly. Windows Update downloads many of these drivers in the background, so you rarely need to search manufacturer websites. This guide starts with Windows Update. It then covers Device Manager, removing and re-adding the printer, the Print Management console, the manufacturer's website, and the disc or USB drive from the box. The steps are written for Windows 11. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. It now receives security updates only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, so upgrading to Windows 11 is the better choice. Windows 10 menus are similar, but the layout and some wording differ. Option 1. Use Windows Update To check for printer driver updates through Windows Update, open Settings, select Windows Update, and click Check for updates. Windows scans Microsoft's servers and installs the matching printer package alongside your regular system updates. Many printer drivers arrive this way with no action from you. Some are held back as optional updates, and the steps below show where to find them. Installing or updating drivers needs an administrator account, or admin approval when Windows asks for it. This applies to Windows Update optional updates, Device Manager and manufacturer installers alike. On a standard account, Windows prompts for an administrator's password. Open Settings. Click the Start button and select the gear icon, or press the Windows key + I. The Settings window opens. Select Windows Update from the left sidebar. To run a scan first, click Check for updates and let it finish. Click Advanced options to view the extra settings. Scroll down to the Additional options section and click Optional updates. A list of optional updates opens, if Windows has any to offer. Expand the Driver updates dropdown to see the available hardware packages. Tick the box next to your printer manufacturer's software and click Download & install. Wait for the download to finish. Windows shows the status next to the item. If Optional updates is missing, or Driver updates does not appear inside it, Windows has no extra drivers to offer right now. That is normal. It usually means the current driver is already the newest one Microsoft has for your printer. Also check that the PC is online. If your connection is set as metered, Windows may hold driver downloads back. The Printers & scanners page in Settings has an option to allow downloads over metered connections. Many modern printers work with the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which is built into Windows 11. In that case Windows has no separate driver to update. If Windows Protected Print Mode is turned on, it may also limit third-party drivers and use only this built-in driver. Most printer drivers do not need a restart, but Windows Update may ask for one if other updates were installed with it. To undo… **Key facts:** - To update printer drivers in Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. - It now receives security updates only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, so upgrading to Windows 11 is the better choice. - Windows 10 menus are similar, but the layout and some wording differ. - Use Windows Update To check for printer driver updates through Windows Update, open Settings, select Windows Update, and click Check for updates. - Some are held back as optional updates, and the steps below show where to find them. --- ### How to Adjust Mouse Pointer Speed In Windows 11 Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-adjust-mouse-pointer-speed-in-windows-11-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2108 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, click Mouse, then drag the Mouse pointer speed slider left to slow the cursor or right to speed it up. The change takes effect immediately. **Content excerpt:** Mouse pointer speed in Windows 11 controls how far the cursor moves on screen for a given movement of your hand. The slider runs from 1 to 20, and the default is 10. Set it to match how fast you like to work. If your cursor feels too fast or sluggish, adjust it in the modern Settings app or in the traditional Mouse Properties window. Both are covered below. Changes to the pointer speed slider apply straight away, and none of the changes here needs a restart. Open Mouse Settings in Windows 11 Almost every mouse setting in Windows 11 starts from the same page. It holds the pointer speed slider, the button assignments and the scroll options. It also links to the older Mouse Properties window. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings app opens with a list of categories on the left. Select Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar. The list of hardware on the right now shows your connected devices. Click Mouse in that list. The mouse configuration panel opens. The rest of this tutorial assumes you are on this page. You can also right-click Start and choose Settings to reach the same place. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. On a laptop, the touchpad has its own page in the same Bluetooth & devices list. The Mouse page controls an attached or built-in mouse, not the touchpad. Change the Mouse Pointer Speed Dragging the pointer speed slider is the quickest way to find the best setting for a cursor that feels too fast or too slow. Lower numbers slow the cursor down, which helps with precise design work. Higher numbers speed it up, which helps on large or multiple screens. Open Settings. Press Windows key + I if you want a shortcut. Select Bluetooth & devices. The list of connected devices appears on the right. Click Mouse. The mouse options open. Find the Mouse pointer speed slider. It sits near the top of the page. Drag the slider handle left to slow the pointer, or right to speed it up. The slider runs from 1 to 20. Move the mouse across the screen to test the new speed. The change takes effect as you drag, so you can judge the feel straight away. Make small changes and test each one. A setting that feels right on one monitor can feel too slow on a larger one. If you end up somewhere you don't like, set the slider back to 10, the default. Make the Pointer More Accurate Pointer acceleration is the setting Windows calls Enhance pointer precision. When it is on, the cursor travels farther if you move the mouse quickly and stays steady and fine-grained when you move slowly. It is on by default. Many desktop users like it. Many gamers turn it off so the cursor moves the same distance every time. Open Settings. Select Bluetooth & devices. Click Mouse. Click Additional mouse settings under… **Key facts:** - Mouse pointer speed in Windows 11 controls how far the cursor moves on screen for a given movement of your hand. - The slider runs from 1 to 20, and the default is 10. - If your cursor feels too fast or sluggish, adjust it in the modern Settings app or in the traditional Mouse Properties window. - Open Mouse Settings in Windows 11 Almost every mouse setting in Windows 11 starts from the same page. - The Settings app opens with a list of categories on the left. --- ### How to Reset Default App Settings Back to Recommended Values in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-reset-default-app-settings-back-to-recommended-values-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1210 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Apps > Default apps, scroll to the bottom, and click the Reset button next to Reset all default apps. Windows clears all custom file associations and returns every file type to recommended defaults. No restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Resetting default app settings in Windows 11 clears out messy file associations, so files and web links open in the programs you want. Software installs and system updates often take over file types. PDFs, audio files and web links then open in programs you never chose. This tutorial covers three fixes. The first resets every default on your user account from Settings > Apps > Default apps. The second restores one file type through Registry Editor. The third clears stubborn entries when a default keeps reverting. Method 1: Reset All Default Apps via Settings To reset all default apps in Windows 11 back to recommended values, open Settings, go to Apps, and choose Default apps. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Reset button next to Reset all default apps. This clears every custom file association and returns each file type and protocol (such as https: for web links) to the Windows default. This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The reset applies to your user account, so other people who sign in to the PC keep their own choices. On work PCs, your organization may manage some defaults, such as web link handling, and the reset may not change those. You do not need to restart afterwards. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Click Apps in the left-hand sidebar. Click Default apps on the right side of the window. A searchable list of installed apps appears. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the Default apps page until you see the Reset all default apps section. Click the Reset button. Wait a few moments while Windows clears the existing protocols and file associations. A checkmark appears next to the button when the process finishes. There is no undo button for this reset. If you want a browser, PDF reader or media player back as your default afterwards, set it again from the same Default apps page. The reset also puts the Microsoft apps back as defaults, so web links may open in Microsoft Edge until you change them. If you only need to fix one app or one file type, you do not have to reset everything, and you can skip the registry. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and use the search box to find the app or the file type, such as.pdf. On the app's page, click the Restore default button if it is shown. You can also set a single file type individually by choosing it in the list and picking the app you want. Try this before Method 2, because it changes only what you select and carries less risk. Method 2: Restore a Specific File Type via Registry To restore a specific file type to its recommended default app without resetting everything, use Registry Editor. Delete the user choice registry key for that exact file extension. Windows then forgets your… **Key facts:** - Resetting default app settings in Windows 11 clears out messy file associations, so files and web links open in the programs you want. - The first resets every default on your user account from Settings > Apps > Default apps. - The second restores one file type through Registry Editor. - Method 1: Reset All Default Apps via Settings To reset all default apps in Windows 11 back to recommended values, open Settings, go to Apps, and choose Default apps. - This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. --- ### How to Connect a Flatbed Scanner to Your Device Using Windows Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-connect-a-flatbed-scanner-to-your-device-using-windows-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1185 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To connect a scanner in Windows 11, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, click Printers & scanners, then select Add device. For a USB flatbed scanner, wait for it to appear in the list and click Add device next to it. Windows installs the driver automatically, and the scanner then shows in your main list, usually without a restart. **Content excerpt:** To connect a scanner to your device in Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device. This guide covers a flatbed scanner, the kind with a glass bed and a lid, and turns paper documents, photos and artwork into digital files using tools already built into Windows. Most modern scanners do not need a driver disc. Windows detects the scanner over a USB cable or your network and installs a driver automatically, usually through Windows Update. Home and Pro editions follow the same steps. Install or add a local scanner Use this method for a scanner that plugs straight into your computer with a USB cable. It is the quickest way to add a scanner to a PC, and the steps below work in Windows Settings without extra software. Administrator rights may be required to add the device. Installing a scanner driver can trigger a User Account Control (UAC) prompt, the pop-up that asks you to confirm a change. On a work or school PC, you may need an administrator to approve it. Before you start, connect the scanner to a power outlet and switch it on. Plug the USB cable directly into a port on the PC. Avoid unpowered USB hubs, because they can cause detection to fail. You also need an internet connection so Windows can download the driver if it does not have one. Press the Windows key and the I key together to open Settings. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar. Click Printers & scanners. The list of printers and scanners Windows already knows about appears. Click the Add device button near the top of the window. Windows starts searching for hardware and shows a short "searching" message. Wait for the search to finish. When your flatbed scanner appears in the list, click Add device next to it. If a UAC prompt appears, approve it. Windows installs the driver, and the scanner then shows up in the main list. If the scanner never appears, try a different USB port, switch the scanner off and on again, or restart the PC. Then run the search again. If it still fails, check Windows Update, since the driver may arrive there. You can also check the manufacturer's support page for a driver download. Install or add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth scanner Use this method for a scanner on your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) or one that pairs over Bluetooth. A network scanner must be on the same local network as your computer. A Bluetooth scanner must be switched on, in pairing mode, and within range of the PC. As with a USB scanner, administrator rights may be needed to add the device, so expect a UAC prompt while the driver installs. Press the Windows key and the I key together to open Settings. Click Bluetooth & devices on the left menu. Select Printers & scanners. Click the Add device button. Windows searches for available wireless and network equipment.… **Key facts:** - To connect a scanner to your device in Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device. - Home and Pro editions follow the same steps. - Install or add a local scanner Use this method for a scanner that plugs straight into your computer with a USB cable. - It is the quickest way to add a scanner to a PC, and the steps below work in Windows Settings without extra software. - Press the Windows key and the I key together to open Settings. --- ### What to Do When the Windows 11 Print Queue Gets Stuck on Deleting - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-to-do-when-the-windows-11-print-queue-gets-stuck-on-deleting/ - **Published:** 2026-09-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2155 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To fix a Windows 11 print queue stuck on Deleting, stop the Print Spooler service in services.msc, delete the files inside C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then start Print Spooler again. Windows drops the hung job, and the queue clears. Restarting the PC alone usually fails because the spooler reloads the same damaged file at boot. **Content excerpt:** A print queue stuck on Deleting in Windows 11 blocks new print jobs. The Print Spooler is the background service that manages jobs sent to the printer. It cannot clear a damaged file from its spool folder. Windows starts the spooler again at every boot and loads the same stuck file, which is why restarting the PC usually does not fix it. The fix has three parts. Stop the print service, delete the temporary print files by hand, then start the service again. Windows then drops the hung job and printing works normally. The sections below cover the manual method first, then a Command Prompt shortcut, then PowerShell, and then fixes to try if the job keeps coming back. Stop the Print Spooler Service The Print Spooler is stopped from the Services app, which opens from the Run dialog. While the service runs, Windows keeps the stuck job files locked, so they cannot be deleted. Stopping the service releases that lock. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter. The Services window opens with an alphabetical list of services. Click anywhere in the list, then press the P key to jump to services that start with that letter. Scroll until you find Print Spooler. Its status should read Running. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop. Accept the User Account Control prompt if one appears. This is the dialog Windows uses to ask permission before an administrator task. This step needs administrator rights. If Stop is greyed out, you are signed in with a standard account. Sign out and sign in with an administrator account, then repeat the steps above. Check that the Status column for Print Spooler is now blank. A blank status means the service has stopped. Leave the Services window open while you clear the stuck files. You will need it again to restart the service. Delete Stuck Print Files Manually Windows stores temporary print jobs in the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder. Each job usually leaves a pair of files there, and a damaged pair is what keeps the queue hanging. Deleting them removes the corrupted job. Delete only the files inside the folder. Do not delete the PRINTERS folder itself, because the spooler expects it to exist. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. Click the address bar at the top, paste the following path, and press Enter: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS Click Continue if Windows says you need administrator permission to access the folder. The file list for the PRINTERS folder then appears. Click inside the file list and press Ctrl + A to select everything in the PRINTERS folder. The files usually have extensions such as.SPL and.SHD. The folder may already be empty if the job never wrote any files. Press the Delete key to remove the files. If Windows says a file is in use, the Print Spooler is still running. Go back to the previous section and confirm the service is stopped. Confirm the folder is now empty,… **Key facts:** - A print queue stuck on Deleting in Windows 11 blocks new print jobs. - The sections below cover the manual method first, then a Command Prompt shortcut, then PowerShell, and then fixes to try if the job keeps coming back. - Sign out and sign in with an administrator account, then repeat the steps above. - Delete Stuck Print Files Manually Windows stores temporary print jobs in the C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS folder. - Click the address bar at the top, paste the following path, and press Enter: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS Click Continue if Windows says you need administrator permission to access the folder. --- ### How to Reinstall the Bluetooth Driver in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-reinstall-the-bluetooth-driver-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1940 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Device Manager, right-click your Bluetooth adapter under the Bluetooth category and select Uninstall device, ticking Attempt to remove the driver for this device if it appears. Then select Action > Scan for hardware changes, and Windows reinstalls a clean driver automatically. Restart if the adapter does not reappear. **Content excerpt:** Reinstalling the Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 replaces broken driver software with a clean copy. A driver is the small program that lets Windows talk to a piece of hardware, here your Bluetooth adapter. A fresh copy often fixes persistent connection drops and pairing errors that standard troubleshooting misses. Device Manager, the built-in tool that lists and manages all connected hardware, does most of the work. It can remove and refresh the adapter in a few clicks. This guide also covers Windows Update, the manufacturer's installer, driver rollback and some last-resort fixes. Do these preparation steps first: Plug in a wired USB mouse and keyboard. Your Bluetooth mouse and keyboard stop working once the driver is removed, and you need to stay in control of the PC. Laptop users can rely on the trackpad and built-in keyboard. Open Settings, the app that controls system configuration in Windows 11, and select Windows Update in the left-hand menu. Click Check for updates and install anything that is pending. Restart if Windows asks you to. A fully patched system gives Windows a better chance of picking a compatible driver during the reinstall. Uninstall the Bluetooth adapter in Device Manager Device Manager lets you remove your Bluetooth adapter completely, which clears out corrupted driver software. Sign in with an account that has administrator privileges, because these changes affect the whole system. Right-click the Start button on your taskbar and select Device Manager from the menu. The Device Manager window opens with a list of hardware categories. Click the arrow next to the Bluetooth category. The list expands to show your installed wireless hardware. Find your main Bluetooth adapter. It usually has a name like Intel Wireless Bluetooth, Realtek Bluetooth Adapter or Generic Bluetooth Adapter. Other entries in the list, such as individual paired devices, are not the adapter. Right-click the adapter and select Uninstall device. A confirmation prompt appears. In the prompt, check the box labeled Attempt to remove the driver for this device if it appears. It only shows up when Windows can remove the driver package. Click Uninstall. The Bluetooth category may disappear from the list, and that is expected. Do not restart your computer yet. If you restart before the next phase, Windows may reinstall an identical cached copy of the broken driver. Reinstall the driver automatically via Device Manager You can reinstall the driver from the same Device Manager window. A hardware scan forces Windows 11 to detect the adapter again and install a fresh driver package. Stay in Device Manager. If you closed it, reopen it from the Start button's right-click menu. Click the Action menu at the top of the window. A short drop-down list opens. Select Scan for hardware changes. Wait a few seconds while Windows scans your system buses, the internal connections that link hardware to the PC. The Bluetooth category and your adapter reappear in the list, and a clean driver installs automatically. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and check that the Bluetooth toggle… **Key facts:** - Reinstalling the Bluetooth driver in Windows 11 replaces broken driver software with a clean copy. - Do these preparation steps first: Plug in a wired USB mouse and keyboard. - Open Settings, the app that controls system configuration in Windows 11, and select Windows Update in the left-hand menu. - A hardware scan forces Windows 11 to detect the adapter again and install a fresh driver package. - Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and check that the Bluetooth toggle is on. --- ### How to Enable Automatic Device Locking Feature in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-automatic-device-locking-feature-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1364 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, expand Dynamic lock, and tick "Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away." First pair your smartphone under Bluetooth & devices. Windows then locks the screen about a minute after your phone moves out of Bluetooth range. The feature works on Home and Pro. **Content excerpt:** Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 locks your PC automatically when you walk away. It tracks the Bluetooth signal of a paired phone. When you move out of range for about one minute, Windows locks the desktop so no one else can see your screen. The PC needs a built-in Bluetooth adapter or a USB dongle, plus a smartphone that stays with you. Pair the phone in Settings > Bluetooth & devices before you turn the feature on. Dynamic Lock works on both Home and Pro editions. This post also covers a screen saver lock, a Group Policy option and the newer timeout settings, for PCs where a phone is not practical. Pairing Your Mobile Device via Bluetooth Pairing your phone over Bluetooth is the required first step. Windows uses the active Bluetooth connection between the PC and the phone to estimate how far apart they are. If the pairing is removed or Bluetooth is turned off on either device, Dynamic Lock stops working. Before you start, open the Bluetooth settings on your phone and leave that screen open so the phone is discoverable. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand menu. The page lists your connected devices. Check that the main Bluetooth toggle at the top of the page is set to On. If it is off, switch it on. If the toggle is missing altogether, the PC has no working Bluetooth adapter (see the last section). Click the Add device button near the top. The Add a device window opens. Select Bluetooth from the list in the Add a device window. Windows starts scanning for nearby devices. Choose your smartphone from the list of discovered devices. If it does not appear, check that Bluetooth is on and the phone's Bluetooth screen is open, then wait a few seconds. Compare the PIN shown on your PC with the one on your phone. They must match. Click Connect on the PC, then accept the pairing prompt on the phone. Click Done once the notification confirms both devices are connected. Your phone should now appear under Devices on the Bluetooth & devices page. Enabling Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 Settings With the phone paired, you can turn on Dynamic Lock. The option sits under Accounts, on the Sign-in options page. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Accounts in the left-hand navigation pane. The main accounts page opens. Select Sign-in options from the choices on the main accounts page. Scroll down until you reach the Additional settings section. Click the Dynamic lock heading to expand it. A checkbox appears below it. Tick the box for Allow Windows to automatically lock your device when you're away. If the checkbox is greyed out or the option is missing, the PC usually has no paired phone or Bluetooth is off. Go back to the pairing steps and check. A policy set by an administrator can also lock… **Key facts:** - Dynamic Lock in Windows 11 locks your PC automatically when you walk away. - Pair the phone in Settings > Bluetooth & devices before you turn the feature on. - This post also covers a screen saver lock, a Group Policy option and the newer timeout settings, for PCs where a phone is not practical. - Pairing Your Mobile Device via Bluetooth Pairing your phone over Bluetooth is the required first step. - Before you start, open the Bluetooth settings on your phone and leave that screen open so the phone is discoverable. --- ### How to Split Screen Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-split-screen-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1767 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Multitasking and turn on the Snap windows toggle, then hover your mouse over a window's maximize button and click a zone in the Snap Layouts pop-up to split your screen. Each open app you pick fills the next zone. Snap Layouts needs Windows 11 and works the same on Home and Pro editions. **Content excerpt:** Snap Layouts in Windows 11 arranges several open windows into organized grids on your screen. Instead of resizing windows by hand, you drag an app to the edge or corner of your display, or hover over its maximize button, and it snaps into place. The hover menu and the top-of-screen layout picker need Windows 11. This guide does not apply to Windows 10, which ended support on October 14, 2025. Snap works the same on Home and Pro, so you don't need a particular edition. On a standard monitor you can view up to 3 windows at once (up to 4 on larger screens), and ultra-wide screens offer more layouts. Before you start, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and make sure the main Snap windows toggle is on. Enabling and Configuring Multitasking Settings The Multitasking page controls how windows snap when you drag them to the edges of your screen or hover over the maximize button. If snapping does nothing on your PC, check here first. The main toggle may be off, or one of the sub-options may be unchecked. Open Settings. The quickest way is to press the Windows key + I. Select System from the left-hand navigation pane. Click Multitasking to open the window management preferences. A section called Snap windows appears, with a toggle. Set the Snap windows toggle to On, then click the drop-down arrow next to it. A list of checkboxes appears underneath. Check or uncheck the options to suit how you work. Two of the most useful are "Show snap layouts when I hover over a window's maximize button" and "When I snap a window, suggest what I can snap next to it". Look for the option that resizes adjacent snapped windows together when you resize one. Leave it checked if you want the divider behavior described later in this guide. Changes apply immediately, with no restart. If you turn the main Snap windows toggle off, the sub-options are hidden and every snapping method in this guide stops working. Turn it back on to undo that. The exact list of checkboxes varies between Windows 11 versions, so you may see a few more or fewer than described here. Recent builds also include an option for showing layouts when you drag a window to the top of the screen. If you don't see it, your build may not have that feature yet. Method 1: Using the Snap Layouts Hover Menu The Snap Layouts hover menu shows every grid available for your screen size. Hover over the maximize button and you get visual templates, so you can choose how two, three, or four windows share your display. Open the first application window you want to arrange. Hover your mouse cursor over the maximize button in the top-right corner of the window frame, next to the close button. Wait a moment. A small pop-up with layout thumbnails appears. Click the section of the grid where you want the current window to sit. The window snaps… **Key facts:** - Snap Layouts in Windows 11 arranges several open windows into organized grids on your screen. - The hover menu and the top-of-screen layout picker need Windows 11. - This guide does not apply to Windows 10, which ended support on October 14, 2025. - On a standard monitor you can view up to 3 windows at once (up to 4 on larger screens), and ultra-wide screens offer more layouts. - Before you start, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and make sure the main Snap windows toggle is on. --- ### How to Clear Temporary Files Using Storage Sense in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-clear-temporary-files-using-storage-sense-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1798 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows Key + I, then go to System > Storage and switch on Storage Sense. Storage Sense deletes temporary files on a schedule you choose, from every day to every month, or only when disk space runs low. Your documents are not touched, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** Storage Sense in Windows 11 is a built-in tool that deletes unneeded data to free up disk space. It cleans out leftover application caches, old update logs, and error reports that clutter your primary drive. Left unchecked, these hidden temporary files build up and trigger low storage warnings. Deleting system files by hand risks breaking apps or removing vital operating system components. Turning on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage safely removes old temporary files, previous Windows installations, and items in your Recycle Bin without touching your documents. How to Open Settings in Windows 11 Settings is where Storage Sense lives, so start there. The keyboard shortcut is the quickest way in, and it works from almost anywhere in Windows 11. The Start menu route reaches the same place if you prefer the mouse. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, the central app for Windows features and preferences. The Settings window opens with a left sidebar that lists categories such as System, Bluetooth & devices and Network & internet. If you would rather use the mouse, click the Start button on your taskbar and select the gear-shaped Settings icon. If the icon is not pinned to the Start menu, click All apps and look for Settings in the alphabetical list. Navigating to Storage Settings The Storage page shows how your disk is being used. A quick look before you change anything tells you where the space is actually going. Temporary files are often only a small part of the total. Make sure the System tab is selected in the left-hand sidebar of the Settings window. Click Storage in the main pane. Windows takes a few seconds to scan the drive. It then shows a usage bar and a category list that covers apps, temporary files, documents, and other media. Note the size next to Temporary files. If it is only a few hundred megabytes, Storage Sense will not free much, and the real space is elsewhere in the list. Enabling and Configuring Storage Sense Storage Sense runs in the background and removes temporary system and app files on a schedule, so you do not have to remember to clean the drive by hand. Turning it on takes under a minute. On a PC managed by an employer or school, these options may be greyed out or locked by policy. If that happens, ask your IT administrator. On the Storage page, find the Storage Sense toggle under the Storage management section. You may need to scroll down. Click the toggle switch to change it from Off to On. Click the Storage Sense text row (not the toggle) to open its scheduling and cleanup rules. A new page opens with the cleanup options. Check the box next to Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning up temporary system and app files if it is not already selected. Open the Run Storage Sense drop-down menu and choose how often Windows should run the cleanup. The options are During low… **Key facts:** - Storage Sense in Windows 11 is a built-in tool that deletes unneeded data to free up disk space. - Turning on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage safely removes old temporary files, previous Windows installations, and items in your Recycle Bin without touching your documents. - How to Open Settings in Windows 11 Settings is where Storage Sense lives, so start there. - The keyboard shortcut is the quickest way in, and it works from almost anywhere in Windows 11. - Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, the central app for Windows features and preferences. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Is TSA PreCheck better than CLEAR? A: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR serve different purposes. TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening at airport checkpoints. CLEAR uses biometric scanning to skip the ID verification line entirely. CLEAR is faster but costs more. Many travelers use both together for the quickest airport experience. - Q: My CLEAR app isn't working. What should I do? A: Try closing and reopening the CLEAR app first. Check that your phone has a strong internet connection and enough storage space. Update the app through your device's app store. If it still fails, uninstall and reinstall it. Contact CLEAR support if the problem persists. - Q: Can I use TSA PreCheck through CLEAR? A: No. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are separate programs with different enrollment processes. You can use both at the same airport visit—CLEAR gets you through ID verification faster, then TSA PreCheck speeds up the security screening itself. Each requires its own membership and fee. - Q: Do I still have CLEAR? A: Check your CLEAR account status by opening the app or visiting their website and logging in. Your membership may have expired if you haven't renewed it. If you canceled it previously, you'll need to re-enroll and pay the membership fee to use it again. --- ### How to Download and Install Language Packs in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-download-and-install-language-packs-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1672 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To download and install a language pack in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, choose the language and click Install. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears. Windows downloads the files and shows progress beside the language, which can take a few minutes. **Content excerpt:** To download and install a language pack in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, choose the language and click Install. A language pack is a set of files that adds a display language, text-to-speech voices, handwriting recognition and speech recognition. It also lets you type in a different script. This guide covers installing a pack, switching between languages, fixing failed downloads and removing a pack you no longer need. The steps apply to current versions of Windows 11, and the first download takes a few minutes on a normal connection. Checking System Requirements and Preparation A little preparation prevents most download errors and half-finished installs. Language files come through Windows Update, so a stable connection matters. Do not leave unsaved work open, because changing the display language later requires you to sign out. Requirements: Adding or removing a language pack needs administrator rights. If you use a standard account, Windows shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt and asks for an administrator's password. On a managed work PC, that prompt may be blocked. Single Language editions of Windows 11 cannot add display languages at all, and some Home PCs ship this way. Check your internet connection by opening a web browser and loading any page. If the page loads slowly or times out, fix the connection before you continue. Save any open work. Installing a language does not normally force a restart. Changing your display language afterwards does require you to sign out and sign back in. Confirm that you can approve a UAC prompt, either because your account is an administrator or because you know an administrator's credentials. How to Open Language Settings in Windows 11 All language packs, keyboard layouts and region settings are managed from one page in the Settings app. The keyboard shortcut below takes you straight into Settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. You should see the Settings window with a list of categories on the left. Select Time & language from the left-hand menu. Click Language & region. You should now see the language management screen, including the "Preferred languages" list with every language already installed. Adding and Downloading a New Language Pack Adding a language downloads the core language interface, the text-to-speech engine and the basic fonts for that language. To install a language pack, you pick the language from a searchable list and Windows fetches the files. Remember that this step needs administrator approval. Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Find the Preferred languages section and click the Add a language button. A "Choose a language to install" window opens. Type the name of the language into the search box, or scroll through the list to find it. Click the language to select it, then click Next. A list of optional features appears. Review the options, such as Set as my Windows display language, Text-to-speech and Handwriting, and tick or untick the boxes you want.… **Key facts:** - To download and install a language pack in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, choose the language and click Install. - The steps apply to current versions of Windows 11, and the first download takes a few minutes on a normal connection. - Single Language editions of Windows 11 cannot add display languages at all, and some Home PCs ship this way. - How to Open Language Settings in Windows 11 All language packs, keyboard layouts and region settings are managed from one page in the Settings app. - The keyboard shortcut below takes you straight into Settings. --- ### How to Check Windows Security Protection Status in Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-windows-security-protection-status-in-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2345 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Windows Security by pressing the Windows key, typing Windows Security and pressing Enter, then open Virus & threat protection to see the status of Microsoft Defender Antivirus. A green check mark means that area is protected, a yellow warning needs your attention, and a red mark means protection is off or has failed. **Content excerpt:** Windows Security is the built-in antivirus and security app in Windows 10 and 11. It shows whether your PC is protected against malware, viruses and other threats. Its dashboard reports on real-time protection, the firewall and device security, so you can see at a glance whether each one is running. This guide covers the Settings route, a PowerShell check, each protection setting and several ways to investigate when something looks wrong. Menu names are for current Windows 11. Windows 10 looks slightly different, and I note where it matters. Use the Windows Security app to check the status of Microsoft Defender Antivirus The quickest check is the Windows Security app. It tells you whether Microsoft Defender Antivirus is running and whether your virus definitions (the files that teach it to recognize known malware) are up to date. It needs no extra software, and it flags a problem as soon as your PC needs attention. There is a faster way in than Settings. Press the Windows key, type Windows Security and press Enter. You can also click the shield icon in the system tray at the right end of the taskbar. If you don't see it, click the small arrow to show hidden icons. Either route opens the same dashboard as the steps below. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window appears. Select Privacy & security from the left-hand menu. The privacy options fill the right-hand pane. Click Windows Security. A page appears with a summary of your protection areas. Click the Open Windows Security button. The Windows Security dashboard opens in its own window, with one tile for each protection area. Click Virus & threat protection to see the current scan status, threat history and the active protection toggles. A green check mark on a tile means that area is fine. A yellow warning means Windows wants you to do something. A red mark means that protection is off or has failed. If you run a third-party antivirus, Defender usually switches itself off and this page names the other product instead. That is normal, not a fault. Also check the hardware side. Click Device security on the dashboard and look at Core isolation, Memory integrity, Secure Boot and the security processor, which is the TPM (Trusted Platform Module, a chip that stores encryption keys). Memory integrity sits under the Core isolation details link. If a PC doesn't support one of these features, the page says so. That is a hardware limit, not a fault. Use PowerShell to check the status of Microsoft Defender Antivirus PowerShell gives you a detailed report on Microsoft Defender Antivirus and its background services without clicking through menus. It is also handy if the Windows Security app won't open. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator. Click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears. A blue PowerShell window opens. Type the command Get-MpComputerStatus and press Enter. A long list of properties appears. Find AntivirusEnabled,… **Key facts:** - Windows Security is the built-in antivirus and security app in Windows 10 and 11. - This guide covers the Settings route, a PowerShell check, each protection setting and several ways to investigate when something looks wrong. - Windows 10 looks slightly different, and I note where it matters. - There is a faster way in than Settings. - Either route opens the same dashboard as the steps below. --- ### How to Enable Dark Mode in Windows 11 Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-dark-mode-in-windows-11-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1175 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, select Personalization, then click Colors. Under Choose your mode, open the drop-down and select Dark. The Start menu, taskbar, Settings and File Explorer switch to a dark colour scheme straight away, with no restart needed. To go back, select Light from the same drop-down. **Content excerpt:** Dark mode in Windows 11 is in Settings > Personalization > Colors, under the Choose your mode drop-down. Selecting Dark there turns the Start menu, taskbar, Settings, File Explorer, and other built-in apps from bright white to charcoal and black. Dark backgrounds give off far less bright light than white ones, which makes long sessions easier on the eyes. They help most in dim rooms. This guide also covers Night light, accent colors, third-party apps, and a fix for menus that stay light. None of these changes needs a restart. How to use dark themes in Windows 11? Dark mode is a system-wide color scheme. The setting is on the Colors page under Personalization, and it takes effect the moment you pick it. It is available in both Windows 11 Home and Pro. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with the category list on the left. Select Personalization from the left-hand navigation menu. Click Colors to view the system color options. Find the Choose your mode setting. It controls the color profile for Windows and your apps. Click the drop-down menu next to Choose your mode and select Dark. The Settings window, Start menu, and taskbar turn dark straight away. If you want the taskbar and Start menu dark but your apps light (or the other way round), pick Custom instead. It adds two separate options, one for Windows mode and one for the default app mode. To undo dark mode, return to the same drop-down and select Light. For a faster route, open Personalization > Themes. This page lists built-in themes, including a Windows (dark) variant, that apply a dark look in one click. A theme can also change the wallpaper and accent color, so check the result. The Themes page also links to contrast themes. These are high-contrast color schemes built for readability, and they look quite different from standard dark mode. Pick one only if you want that stronger contrast. If a banner says you need to activate Windows, the copy isn't activated. The Colors page, including Choose your mode, still works on an unactivated copy of Windows 11 in current builds. Wallpaper and lock screen personalization may be restricted. Windows 11 Night light Night light is a separate feature from dark mode. It shifts the screen colors toward warmer, more amber tones in the evening to cut blue light. Use it on its own or together with dark mode. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select System from the sidebar. Click Display to open your monitor and brightness settings. Find the Night light toggle switch and turn it on. The screen turns noticeably warmer right away. Click the Night light entry itself, not only the toggle, to open the scheduling and color temperature controls. Drag the Strength slider to your preferred warmth level. To make it run automatically, turn on Schedule night light and choose a custom schedule or one based on your local sunrise and sunset times.… **Key facts:** - Dark mode in Windows 11 is in Settings > Personalization > Colors, under the Choose your mode drop-down. - Selecting Dark there turns the Start menu, taskbar, Settings, File Explorer, and other built-in apps from bright white to charcoal and black. - It is available in both Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The Settings window opens with the category list on the left. - The Settings window, Start menu, and taskbar turn dark straight away. --- ### How to Check Print Queue on This Computer - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-print-queue-on-this-computer/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1292 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click your printer, and select Open print queue. A window lists every document waiting to print and its status. For a faster route, press Windows key + R and type control printers, then right-click your printer and choose See what's printing. **Content excerpt:** The print queue in Windows 11 shows every document waiting to print, along with its status. Checking it lets you inspect active documents, cancel frozen print jobs, or restart a stalled printing process without rebooting your computer. This guide shows four ways to open the queue: the Settings app, the Control Panel, the taskbar printer icon, and the Run box. It then covers how to cancel jobs, restart the Print Spooler service, and use PowerShell. Using the Settings App The Settings app is the quickest route in Windows 11. It lists every printer connected to your computer, and from there you can open the queue for any of them. The path is Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand menu. The devices page opens on the right. Click Printers & scanners. You will see every printer installed on the system, including virtual ones such as Microsoft Print to PDF. Click the printer whose queue you want to inspect. Its settings page opens. Click Open print queue. A separate window opens listing the active and pending documents for that device. If the list is empty, nothing is waiting to print. Using the Windows Control Panel The classic Control Panel gives you another way to reach the queue, and it is useful if the Settings app is not working. It uses the older Devices and Printers window, which is still present in Windows 11 Home and Pro. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type control printers into the Open field and press Enter. The Devices and Printers window opens. Find your printer icon under the Printers section. Right-click the printer icon and select See what's printing from the context menu. The print queue window opens. There is a faster method if you already know the printer's name. Press Windows key + R, or type in the Start menu search box, then enter printui.exe /o /n "PRINTER-NAME" and press Enter. The queue for that printer opens directly, with no clicking through windows. Replace PRINTER-NAME with the exact name of your printer. If you are not sure of the name, run Get-Printer in PowerShell. It lists every printer installed on the computer. The PowerShell section below explains how to open it. Using the Taskbar Notification Area While your computer is sending a document to the printer, Windows shows a temporary printer icon in the taskbar notification area. This is the fastest way to open the queue when a job is in progress. The icon disappears once the job finishes, so if you don't see it, nothing is currently being sent. Look at the notification area (the system tray) in the bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock. Click the upward-facing arrow if you do not see the printer symbol right away. This reveals the hidden icons. Double-click the printer icon. The… **Key facts:** - The print queue in Windows 11 shows every document waiting to print, along with its status. - This guide shows four ways to open the queue: the Settings app, the Control Panel, the taskbar printer icon, and the Run box. - Using the Settings App The Settings app is the quickest route in Windows 11. - The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. - Using the Windows Control Panel The classic Control Panel gives you another way to reach the queue, and it is useful if the Settings app is not working. --- ### How to Get Custom Themes in Windows 11 Settings Personalization - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-get-custom-themes-in-windows-11-settings-personalization/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1113 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To get custom themes in Windows 11, open Settings, select Personalization, click Themes, then click Browse themes to download more from the Microsoft Store. Downloaded themes appear in the grid. To make your own, change Background, Colors, Sounds, and Mouse cursor, then click Save theme. Windows 11 must be activated first. **Content excerpt:** A Windows 11 theme bundles your desktop background, accent color, sounds, and mouse pointer into one package. You can apply a ready-made theme, build your own from individual settings, save it, share it as a file, or delete it when you no longer want it. This guide covers each of those, plus the separate Accessibility options for contrast themes and color filters. The steps use Settings > Personalization > Themes. Windows 11 must be activated for them to work, because Personalization settings are locked on an unactivated copy. Apply a theme To apply a theme in Windows 11, open Settings, select Personalization, click Themes, and pick a thumbnail in the grid. This changes your desktop background, accent color, sounds, and mouse cursor all at once. The theme can be pre-installed or one you downloaded. Before you start, check that Windows is activated. On an unactivated copy, the Personalization pages show a message that you need to activate Windows, and the theme options stay locked. Activate Windows first (Settings > System > Activation), then come back to these steps. The steps are the same on Home and Pro. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and selecting the gear icon. Pressing Windows key + I also opens it. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Select Personalization from the left sidebar. Click Themes. The Current theme area sits at the top, with buttons for Background, Colors, Sounds, and Mouse cursor. Below it is a grid of theme thumbnails. Click any theme thumbnail in the grid. The theme applies right away. Your wallpaper, accent color, sounds, and cursor change without a restart. If you do not like the result, click a different thumbnail to switch. If you want more choices than the built-in set, use the Browse themes button on the same page. It opens the Microsoft Store, where you can download more themes. Once downloaded, they show up in the grid. Customize and share a theme You can build your own look by changing each visual element separately, then packaging the result into a theme you can reuse or share. Each element has its own page under Themes, so you can change one at a time and check the result as you go. Save a theme To save a custom theme in Windows 11, change your background, colors, sounds, and mouse cursor under Personalization and Themes, then click the Save theme button. This stores your current setup so you can switch back to it later or move it to another computer. Open Settings. Select Personalization and click Themes. Click Background, Colors, Sounds, or Mouse cursor and change each element until your desktop looks the way you want. Use the back arrow or the Themes breadcrumb at the top to return after each change. Once you have changed something, the current theme usually shows as unsaved or custom. Return to the main Themes page and click the Save theme button. On some builds, the button next to… **Key facts:** - A Windows 11 theme bundles your desktop background, accent color, sounds, and mouse pointer into one package. - You can apply a ready-made theme, build your own from individual settings, save it, share it as a file, or delete it when you no longer want it. - Windows 11 must be activated for them to work, because Personalization settings are locked on an unactivated copy. - Apply a theme To apply a theme in Windows 11, open Settings, select Personalization, click Themes, and pick a thumbnail in the grid. - Activate Windows first (Settings > System > Activation), then come back to these steps. --- ### How to Change Date Format in Windows 11 Language Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-date-format-in-windows-11-language-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1463 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Time & language > Language & region, click Change formats next to Regional format, and select your preferred layout from the Short date dropdown—for example, DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY. The change takes effect immediately. **Content excerpt:** Changing the date format in Windows 11 lets you switch between layouts like DD/MM/YYYY, MM/DD/YYYY, or YYYY-MM-DD so dates match your local habits. Windows 11 splits these regional options across two areas: the modern Settings app and the legacy Control Panel. Settings covers the common presets. Control Panel lets you build a custom pattern. Changing your own date layout needs only standard user permissions, so the Settings and Control Panel methods do not require an administrator account. The setting applies to your user profile only, and other accounts on the same PC keep their own formats. Changing the date format does not change your display language, so menus and apps stay in the same language. Method 1: Change date format via Settings (recommended) Settings is the quickest route and works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. It offers the standard date layouts for your region. If the layout you want is not in the list, use the Control Panel method further down. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Time & language from the left-hand navigation menu. Click Language & region. The language and regional options appear on the right. Find the Regional format row and click it to expand it. Your current region appears, along with a preview of how dates and times display. Click the Change formats button. A set of dropdown menus appears for calendar, first day of week, short date, long date, short time and long time. Open the Short date dropdown and pick the layout you want, for example one with a 4-digit year. Do the same for Long date if you want that changed too. Close Settings. The change applies as soon as you pick it, and there is no Save button. Short date is the format shown in the taskbar clock and in File Explorer columns. Long date is used in places like the calendar flyout. The Change formats page is reached through Settings > Time & language > Language & region, under the Regional format row. The taskbar clock has its own options too. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time to find extra taskbar clock settings, such as showing seconds. The exact list can vary slightly between Windows 11 builds. To undo the change, return to the same dropdowns and select your previous layout. To go back to the defaults for your region, change the Regional format dropdown to Recommended where it is offered. Method 2: Change Date Format via Control Panel Control Panel is the older interface, but it is the only place with full control over the pattern. Use it when none of the presets in Settings match what you want, or when you need a particular separator or leading zeros. Open the Start menu search bar, type control panel, and press Enter. Control Panel opens. Click Clock and Region in the main Control Panel window. If your view is set to large or small icons instead of categories, this link does… **Key facts:** - Changing the date format in Windows 11 lets you switch between layouts like DD/MM/YYYY, MM/DD/YYYY, or YYYY-MM-DD so dates match your local habits. - Windows 11 splits these regional options across two areas: the modern Settings app and the legacy Control Panel. - Changing your own date layout needs only standard user permissions, so the Settings and Control Panel methods do not require an administrator account. - Method 1: Change date format via Settings (recommended) Settings is the quickest route and works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - If the layout you want is not in the list, use the Control Panel method further down. --- ### How to Configure Multitasking Snap Layouts for Multiple Windows in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-multitasking-snap-layouts-for-multiple-windows-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1356 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Hover your mouse over the maximize button in the top-right corner of any window to reveal snap layout grids, then click where you want that app positioned. Use Windows logo key + Left or Right Arrow to snap to screen halves, then Up or Down Arrow for quadrants. Drag the dividing border between snapped windows to resize them simultaneously. **Content excerpt:** Snap Layouts in Windows 11 arranges open windows into preset grid positions so you can see several apps at once. Hover over a window's maximize button and a pop-up of grids appears. Pick one to place two, three, or four apps side by side or in quadrants. Snap Layouts require Windows 11. The number of layouts depends on your screen resolution, so a small laptop display shows fewer choices than a large, high-resolution monitor. This guide covers the mouse, keyboard shortcuts, and settings, and everything works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. How to Access Snap Layouts with a Mouse The maximize button hover menu is the quickest mouse method. Hover over the square maximize icon in the top-right corner of a window to reveal the grid layouts, then click the spot where you want that app to sit. Before you start, check that you are on Windows 11. Windows 10 has no maximize-button layout menu. Also expect fewer layouts on a small or low-resolution screen, because Windows only offers grids that fit. Open the first application you want to arrange. Move the mouse pointer over the Maximize button. It is the square icon in the top-right corner of the window frame, next to the close and minimize icons. Wait a moment. A pop-up menu of grid layouts should appear below the button. If nothing shows up after a second or two, move the pointer off the button and back on again. Click the zone within the layout where you want the current window to sit. The window jumps into that zone right away. Click another open application in the Snap Assist grid to fill the next empty zone. Snap Assist is the feature that shows thumbnail previews of your other open apps. Repeat until every zone has a window. Dragging is an alternative to hovering. On Windows 11 24H2 and later, drag a window by its title bar to the top of the screen and a snap layouts bar appears. Drop the window onto the zone you want. Recent builds also show a snap suggestion or preview while you drag, so you can see where the window will land before you release the mouse button. If the hover menu never appears, the option is probably switched off. See the settings section at the end of this guide, where you can also check the option for dragging to the top of the screen. Pressing the Windows logo key + Z opens the same layout menu from the keyboard. How to Use Snap Layouts with Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts let you arrange windows without touching the mouse. Press the Windows logo key with the left or right arrow to snap the active window to one side of the screen. Then use the up or down arrow to move it into a corner. Click the window you want to move to make it active. Press the Windows logo key + Left Arrow or Right Arrow to snap the window to… **Key facts:** - Snap Layouts in Windows 11 arranges open windows into preset grid positions so you can see several apps at once. - This guide covers the mouse, keyboard shortcuts, and settings, and everything works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - How to Access Snap Layouts with a Mouse The maximize button hover menu is the quickest mouse method. - Before you start, check that you are on Windows 11. - On Windows 11 24H2 and later, drag a window by its title bar to the top of the screen and a snap layouts bar appears. --- ### How to Set Up Custom ICC Color Profiles in Windows 11 Color Management - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-set-up-custom-icc-color-profiles-in-windows-11-color-management/ - **Published:** 2026-09-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1656 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Color Management from the Start menu, select your monitor, check Use my settings for this device, then click Add and choose your.icc.icm file. Click Set as Default Profile to apply it. No restart is needed, though the screen may flicker briefly as the calibration loads. **Content excerpt:** To use an ICC color profile in Windows 11, open the classic Color Management tool, select your monitor, check Use my settings for this device, and add the profile file. An ICC profile is a small file, ending in.icc or.icm, that describes how your specific screen panel displays color. Every monitor outputs colors a little differently out of the box because of manufacturing variations. Windows 11 reads your custom profile and corrects the output toward the standard it was built for, so photos and editing programs look the way they should. Profiles usually come from a calibration device, from your monitor maker's website, or from a profile you generated yourself. This tutorial also covers games that ignore the profile, a startup task that loads it on time, and how to recover after a graphics driver update. Activating the profiles The classic Color Management tool is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need to restart afterwards. Windows applies your calibration file instead of the factory default once manual settings are on for your monitor. Administrator rights are required for the Change system defaults button used in this section. They are also required for the Task Scheduler task later in this tutorial. On a standard account, ask an administrator to do those steps or sign in with an administrator account first. Open the Start menu, type Color Management, and press Enter. The Color Management window opens on the Devices tab. Open the Device dropdown menu at the top of the window and select your monitor. This matters most if you have more than one display connected. If you are not sure which is which, click Identify monitors to show a number on each screen. Check the box labeled Use my settings for this device. This turns on manual profile management for that monitor. The profile list and the buttons below it, greyed out until now, become usable. Click the Add button. The Associate Color Profile window opens. Click Browse, find your downloaded or generated ICC profile on your drive, and click Add. The profile now appears in the list for that monitor. Select the new profile in the list and click Set as Default Profile. The default profile is the one shown in bold or marked as default. Click the Advanced tab at the top of the Color Management window. Click the Change system defaults button and confirm the administrator prompt. A second Color Management window opens. If the prompt asks for credentials you don't have, you are on a standard account and need an administrator to do this step. In this second window, click its Advanced tab and check Use Windows display calibration. Click Close on the system defaults window, then click Close on the main Color Management window to save your configuration. The screen may flicker briefly as the new calibration loads. To undo this, open the same window, select the profile, and click Remove. Or uncheck Use my settings for this device to… **Key facts:** - To use an ICC color profile in Windows 11, open the classic Color Management tool, select your monitor, check Use my settings for this device, and add the profile file. - Windows 11 reads your custom profile and corrects the output toward the standard it was built for, so photos and editing programs look the way they should. - Activating the profiles The classic Color Management tool is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need to restart afterwards. - Windows applies your calibration file instead of the factory default once manual settings are on for your monitor. - On a standard account, ask an administrator to do those steps or sign in with an administrator account first. --- ### How to Configure Environment Variable Paths in Windows 11 Advanced System Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-environment-variable-paths-in-windows-11-advanced-system-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1883 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Environment Variables by pressing the Windows Key, typing Environment Variables, and selecting Edit the system environment variables, then click the Environment Variables... button on the Advanced tab. User variables apply only to your account, and System variables apply to every account and need an administrator. Changes made in this window are permanent and take effect after you reopen apps. **Content excerpt:** Environment variable paths in Windows 11 are text values that point programs to specific folders on your computer so apps can find the files they need to run. Set up correctly, they let you launch command-line tools and programs from any folder in Command Prompt or PowerShell without typing the full file path every time. Windows splits these settings into 2 scopes: User variables that apply only to your signed-in account, and System variables that affect every account on the machine. This guide covers the graphical method, PowerShell, Command Prompt, safe editing of the Path variable, and fixes for changes that do not seem to work. Changing System variables needs an administrator account. What Are Environment Variables? An environment variable is a named value that tells Windows and running programs where to find important files, folders, and system settings. Variables hold details such as system paths and temporary folder locations, so apps can run without hardcoded directory paths. The Path variable is the one you will edit most often. It holds a list of folders. When you type a command, such as a tool name, in a terminal, Windows searches those folders in order for a matching program and runs the first match it finds. Windows splits variables into User variables and System variables. User variables belong to your profile only, while System variables control behavior for the whole machine. If several accounts exist on one PC, each profile keeps its own set of user-specific values. When both scopes define the same variable, they do not always override each other. For Path, Windows combines the two lists when you sign in, with the System entries first and your User entries after them. For most other variables, the User value takes priority over the System value. Requirement: changing System variables needs an administrator account. The same applies to the Machine scope in PowerShell and to setx /M in Command Prompt, and both must run in an elevated terminal, meaning one opened with Run as administrator. A standard account can still edit its own User variables. As a rule, use User variables unless every account on the PC needs the setting. A mistake in System variables affects everyone who uses the machine. How to Open Environment Variables in Windows You open environment variables in Windows 11 from the System Properties window, which you reach through the Start menu search. This built-in window lets you view, add, and change both user-specific and system-wide values without third-party software. It works the same way in Windows 11 Home and Pro. Press the Windows Key and type Environment Variables. The search results should show Edit the system environment variables. Select Edit the system environment variables. The System Properties window opens on the Advanced tab. If Windows asks for administrator credentials, enter them to continue. Click the Environment Variables... button at the bottom right of the System Properties window. The Environment Variables window opens. Review the top section for User variables and the bottom section for System… **Key facts:** - Environment variable paths in Windows 11 are text values that point programs to specific folders on your computer so apps can find the files they need to run. - Windows splits these settings into 2 scopes: User variables that apply only to your signed-in account, and System variables that affect every account on the machine. - This guide covers the graphical method, PowerShell, Command Prompt, safe editing of the Path variable, and fixes for changes that do not seem to work. - An environment variable is a named value that tells Windows and running programs where to find important files, folders, and system settings. - How to Open Environment Variables in Windows You open environment variables in Windows 11 from the System Properties window, which you reach through the Start menu search. --- ### How to Set Up Windows Hello for Going Passwordless in Windows 11 Accounts - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-set-up-windows-hello-for-going-passwordless-in-windows-11-accounts/ - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1404 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To go passwordless with Windows Hello in Windows 11, open Settings, select Accounts, then Sign-in options, and register a PIN, fingerprint or face method. Test it by locking your PC and signing in with it. Only then turn off password sign-in, because removing the password before a replacement works can lock you out. **Content excerpt:** Windows Hello in Windows 11 lets you sign in with a PIN, your face, or your fingerprint instead of a traditional password. It is Microsoft's sign-in framework for PIN and biometric authentication, and it can replace the password on your Microsoft account entirely. That removes the password as a target for brute-force attacks, where software guesses passwords until one works. Your face or fingerprint data stays on your PC and is not sent to Microsoft. This guide assumes a currently supported version of Windows 11, which means 24H2 or 25H2. The process has four parts: check the prerequisites, register a Windows Hello method, switch off password sign-in, and set up a way back in if something fails. Do them in that order. Removing the password before you have tested a working replacement is the most common way people lock themselves out. Prerequisites for a Passwordless Windows Setup Before you remove your password, your computer needs the right hardware and software in place. Two requirements apply to every step in this guide. The PC should run a currently supported version of Windows 11, which is 24H2 or 25H2. Changing sign-in options may also need administrator rights, so sign in with an administrator account or have the administrator's credentials ready. Then check each item below. A Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) chip. This is a security component that generates and stores cryptographic keys. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 to install in the first place, so most supported PCs already have it. It must also be enabled in the firmware (BIOS/UEFI). You can confirm its status in the Windows Security app under Device security. At least one compatible authentication method, configured and tested. That means one or more of the following: A fingerprint reader (Windows Hello Fingerprint) A compatible infrared camera or a supported camera with Enhanced Sign-in Security for facial recognition (Windows Hello Face) A secure numerical or alphanumeric PIN A Microsoft account linked to your Windows profile. A standard offline local account will not work, because cloud syncing handles the passwordless transition state. A PIN works on every PC, so it is the safe baseline. Face and fingerprint need the matching hardware. An ordinary webcam will not do for face sign-in, because it must have an infrared sensor. If your PC has no suitable hardware, those options will not appear or will be greyed out in Settings. That is normal, and the PIN is still available. Set Up Windows Hello Biometrics and PIN Next, register your biometric and PIN credentials so your device has a valid alternative way to verify your identity. Do this before you touch any password settings. Open Settings. The main Settings window appears, with the category list on the left. Select Accounts. Click Sign-in options. A list of sign-in methods appears, and each one expands when clicked. Expand the Windows Hello Face, Windows Hello Fingerprint, or PIN section, depending on your hardware. On Windows 11 these may be labelled Facial recognition (Windows Hello), Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello)… **Key facts:** - Windows Hello in Windows 11 lets you sign in with a PIN, your face, or your fingerprint instead of a traditional password. - This guide assumes a currently supported version of Windows 11, which means 24H2 or 25H2. - The process has four parts: check the prerequisites, register a Windows Hello method, switch off password sign-in, and set up a way back in if something fails. - Two requirements apply to every step in this guide. - The PC should run a currently supported version of Windows 11, which is 24H2 or 25H2. --- ### How to Open the On-Screen Touchpad in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-open-the-on-screen-touchpad-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1390 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings, scroll to Taskbar corner icons, toggle Touchpad to On, then click the touchpad icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar to open the virtual touchpad. **Content excerpt:** The on-screen touchpad in Windows 11 is a virtual trackpad that appears on your display and moves the mouse cursor without physical hardware. It is a built-in feature. It helps when your trackpad breaks, or when you use a touchscreen device with a detachable keyboard and no pointing device attached. The tool is hidden by default. You switch it on once in the taskbar settings, and after that you can open it from the taskbar whenever you need it. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, but it needs a device with a touchscreen. Enable the Virtual Touchpad The virtual touchpad is turned on in Taskbar settings. Once enabled, a trackpad icon stays in the corner of your taskbar, next to the clock. The setting sits under the taskbar corner icons. Microsoft has changed the wording between Windows 11 builds, so the heading may read Taskbar corner icons or Taskbar corner items, and the entry may read Virtual touchpad or Touchpad. They are the same switch. Requirement: the Virtual touchpad toggle appears only on devices with a touchscreen. A desktop PC or laptop with a non-touch display will not show it, whatever Windows version it runs. Check this first, because updating Windows will not add the option to hardware that lacks touch support. These steps enable the virtual touchpad in Windows 11 and open it for the first time. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. The taskbar is the horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. On a touchscreen, press and hold instead, then lift your finger. Select Taskbar settings. The Settings app opens on the taskbar page, which is Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Scroll down to Taskbar corner icons. On some builds it is labelled Taskbar corner items. Click the heading to expand it if it is collapsed. Find Touchpad in the list. Some builds call it Virtual touchpad. Click the toggle next to it to set it to On. The toggle label changes to On. Look at the bottom right corner of the taskbar. The touchpad icon should now sit next to the clock and the other system tray icons. Select the touchpad icon to open the virtual touchpad. A translucent rectangle appears on the desktop. You can reach the same page in other ways. On touch devices, press and hold the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. You can also press the Windows key and R, type ms-settings:taskbar, and press Enter to open Settings directly on the taskbar page. If the toggle is missing on a touchscreen device, install any pending Windows updates, because older Windows 11 builds put these items in a slightly different place. On a device without a touchscreen, the missing toggle is expected. Open the Virtual Touchpad Selecting the touchpad icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar opens the virtual touchpad right away. A translucent rectangle appears on your desktop. You control the cursor with touch gestures, as on a physical laptop trackpad. On touch devices,… **Key facts:** - The on-screen touchpad in Windows 11 is a virtual trackpad that appears on your display and moves the mouse cursor without physical hardware. - You switch it on once in the taskbar settings, and after that you can open it from the taskbar whenever you need it. - It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, but it needs a device with a touchscreen. - Enable the Virtual Touchpad The virtual touchpad is turned on in Taskbar settings. - Microsoft has changed the wording between Windows 11 builds, so the heading may read Taskbar corner icons or Taskbar corner items, and the entry may read Virtual touchpad or Touchpad. --- ### How to Change Lock Screen Wallpaper in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-lock-screen-wallpaper-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1713 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Personalization > Lock screen, click the dropdown next to Personalize your lock screen, and select Picture, Slideshow, or Windows spotlight. If you choose Picture, click Browse photos to select an image file. Your new lock screen wallpaper appears immediately. **Content excerpt:** Changing lock screen wallpaper in Windows 11 happens in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, using the Personalize your lock screen dropdown. Lock screen wallpaper is the background picture you see after you wake or lock your PC, before you sign in. The dropdown offers three choices: a single personal photo ( Picture), daily images from Windows spotlight, or a rotating Slideshow of your own pictures. The Settings app works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, needs no restart, and you can reverse any change by choosing a different option in the same dropdown. For advanced customization, Registry Editor (a tool for viewing and changing low-level system settings) is also an option. Using the Settings App to Change Your Lock Screen The Settings app is the quickest way to change the lock screen background. One screen lets you choose a single photo, a rotating set of pictures, or a daily featured image. Windows handles the sizing, so the picture fits your display without any editing. Check two things before you start. Windows must be activated, or the personalization settings stay greyed out and you cannot change the lock screen. Also, on a PC managed by a work or school organization, policies may lock some options, including Windows spotlight. These steps manually set your lock screen wallpaper to a photo of your choice. Press Windows key + I. The Settings app opens. Select Personalization. It is in the left-hand navigation menu. Click Lock screen. You should see a preview of your current lock screen and the settings below it. Find the Personalize your lock screen dropdown. It sits just under the preview. Select Picture from the dropdown. Choose Slideshow instead if you want rotating photos. Windows spotlight is also in this list if you prefer automatically changing daily photographs. Click the Browse photos button. A file selection window opens. Recently used images may also appear as thumbnails, and you can click one of those instead. Go to the folder with your image. Use the file selection window to open the folder that holds the picture. Click the file, then click Choose picture. The preview at the top of the page updates to show your new lock screen wallpaper. Below the dropdown you will also see a Lock screen status dropdown. It lets you show detailed status from one app, such as weather or calendar, on the lock screen. Pick None if you want a clean picture with no status information. To check the result, press Windows key + L to lock the PC. To undo the change, return to this page and pick another image or another option in the dropdown. Using Windows Spotlight for Dynamic Wallpapers Windows spotlight (a feature that downloads and displays rotating daily images from Bing) changes your background automatically. You get a new photo without hunting for pictures yourself. The images are professional photography, travel locations, and similar scenes, sometimes with fun facts about what you are looking at. You do not need to… **Key facts:** - Changing lock screen wallpaper in Windows 11 happens in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, using the Personalize your lock screen dropdown. - The Settings app works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, needs no restart, and you can reverse any change by choosing a different option in the same dropdown. - For advanced customization, Registry Editor (a tool for viewing and changing low-level system settings) is also an option. - Using the Settings App to Change Your Lock Screen The Settings app is the quickest way to change the lock screen background. - Windows must be activated, or the personalization settings stay greyed out and you cannot change the lock screen. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to quickly switch wallpaper on iPhone? A: Swipe up from the home screen to open Control Center, then long-press the lock screen thumbnail at the bottom. Tap Customize, select a photo from your library, and tap Add. You can also go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper to choose images. - Q: How can I customize my PC lock screen? A: Open Settings and select Personalization, then click Lock screen. Use the dropdown menu to pick a single photo, Windows Spotlight for daily featured images, or a slideshow of your photos. You can also adjust clock style and notification settings here. - Q: How do I put a picture on the front of my phone? A: On iPhone, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, then select Photos and choose an image from your library. On Android, open Settings, tap Wallpaper or Display, and select your image. Different phones may have slightly different menu names. - Q: How to have multiple wallpapers on Android like iPhone? A: Android lets you set different wallpapers for your home screen and lock screen separately through Settings > Wallpaper. For automatic rotation, use a third-party wallpaper app from the Google Play Store that cycles through images on a schedule you set. --- ### How to Change App Video Playback Hardware Acceleration Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-app-video-playback-hardware-acceleration-settings-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1486 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, select Apps, then click Video playback and switch on "Automatically process video to enhance it". For choppy video, also check Optimizations for windowed games under System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings. Both changes apply immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Video playback problems in Windows 11, such as choppy motion, faded colors, and random freezes, usually trace back to one of four places. These are the Windows video settings, the HDR configuration, GPU scheduling, or an out-of-date graphics driver. Hardware acceleration means the graphics card does the heavy video work instead of the CPU. This guide covers each fix in order, from the least invasive to the most. Each section says what to expect on screen and how to undo the change. Adjusting Video Playback Preferences The Video playback page in Settings controls how Windows processes video for apps that use the built-in video pipeline. Use it first when movies or streams stutter. Windows 11 has no single "hardware acceleration" switch. The options below, together with the GPU scheduling section later, are how you push work onto your graphics card. Exact option names can change slightly between Windows 11 versions, so go by the closest match if your wording differs. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Apps in the left-hand sidebar. Click Video playback. The video options for your PC appear on the right. Find the setting that processes video automatically and turn its switch On. On most builds it reads "Automatically process video to enhance it". If it is missing or greyed out, your graphics hardware or driver does not support it. Updating the driver (see the driver section below) is the usual fix. If video freezes while other apps run in the background, look for Optimizations for windowed games. In current Windows 11 builds this checkbox sits under System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings, not on the Video playback page. Tick it there if you do not see it here. These changes apply immediately and normally do not need a restart. To undo one, return to the same page and switch it back. Calibrating HDR and Color Profiles Washed-out colors or overly bright whites in movies often come from HDR (High Dynamic Range) being set up badly. HDR is a display mode that shows a wider range of brightness and color than standard video. Windows may be showing standard-range video on an HDR display, or the other way round. The HDR page only appears if your display and graphics card support HDR. If you cannot find it, your monitor probably does not support it, and this section does not apply to you. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select System from the left menu. Click Display. If you use more than one monitor, pick the HDR-capable one at the top first. Click HDR. The HDR options for that display appear, such as Use HDR and Stream HDR video. Open a test video, then drag the content brightness slider until both the bright and dark areas show clear detail and the highlights are not blown out. On many builds this slider is labeled SDR content brightness. If colors still look flat, switch Use HDR off. Many standard videos look better… **Key facts:** - Video playback problems in Windows 11, such as choppy motion, faded colors, and random freezes, usually trace back to one of four places. - These are the Windows video settings, the HDR configuration, GPU scheduling, or an out-of-date graphics driver. - Adjusting Video Playback Preferences The Video playback page in Settings controls how Windows processes video for apps that use the built-in video pipeline. - Exact option names can change slightly between Windows 11 versions, so go by the closest match if your wording differs. - In current Windows 11 builds this checkbox sits under System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings, not on the Video playback page. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I get to Windows performance settings? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to System, then select About. Click Advanced system settings, then under Performance click Settings and open the Visual Effects/Advanced tabs. From here you can adjust visual effects, processor scheduling, and virtual memory to improve how Windows runs. - Q: How do I change my default video player in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and go to Apps, then Default apps. Search for the video file type you want to change (like .mp4 or .mkv). Select it and choose your preferred player from the list. Windows will open that file type with your chosen app going forward. - Q: How do I change my video settings? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select System, then Display. Here you can adjust brightness, resolution, refresh rate, HDR settings, and color profiles. For video playback specifically, go to Apps and select Video playback to adjust video processing options. - Q: How do I access the sound settings in Windows 11? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to System, then Sound. You can change your default playback and recording devices, adjust volume levels, and access advanced audio options like spatial audio and noise cancellation from this menu. --- ### How to Opt Out of Targeted Offers in Windows 11 Privacy Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-opt-out-of-targeted-offers-in-windows-11-privacy-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1746 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Personalization > Start and switch off Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more. Then go to Settings > Personalization > Device usage and turn off every toggle there. Promoted items disappear from the Start menu straight away, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** Targeted offers in Windows 11 are promotional pop-ups, tips and suggested apps that Microsoft shows in the Start menu, the Settings app and other places. Windows picks many of them based on how you use your device. Turning these features off stops the operating system from using your habits to choose suggestions and removes ad banners from your screen. There is no single switch for all of this. The offers come from several places, so you turn them off one area at a time. Each section below covers one place: Start, notifications, the lock screen, diagnostic data and advertising settings, background apps, and File Explorer. The Settings steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Option names change slightly between builds, so if yours reads a little differently, pick the closest match. Disable Recommendations in the Start Menu The Start menu is the most visible place for suggestions. It can show recently added apps, most used apps, and a Recommended section with tips and promoted apps. Turning off these toggles (on/off switches) clears most of the clutter and sponsored apps at once. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window should appear. Select Personalization from the left sidebar. Click Start in the list of options. Turn off the toggles next to Show recently added apps, Show most used apps, and Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more. Each switch should now read Off. Open the Start menu and check it. The lists should be shorter, and the Recommended area should show fewer promoted items or none. If you cannot find the recommendations toggle, your build may word it differently, for example as a setting for recommended files or websites. Turn off any toggle in that area that suggests content. To undo any of this, return to the same page and switch the toggle back on. Windows also tailors tips and ads to the way you say you use your PC. That choice lives on a separate page, so turn it off too. Go to Settings > Personalization > Device usage. Turn off every toggle on the page, such as gaming, family, creativity, schoolwork, entertainment and business. Each should read Off. When these are on, Microsoft uses them to tailor tips, ads and recommendations. If your build does not show a Device usage page, skip this part. The suggestion cards on the Settings home page are covered by a toggle in the Privacy & security section further down. Turn Off Promotional Notifications in Settings Windows also sends tips, suggestions and "what's new" screens through its notification system. These sit in a collapsed section at the bottom of the Notifications page, so they are hard to spot. Open Settings. Select System from the left menu. Click Notifications. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Additional settings to expand it. Several checkboxes should appear. Uncheck Show me the welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested.… **Key facts:** - Targeted offers in Windows 11 are promotional pop-ups, tips and suggested apps that Microsoft shows in the Start menu, the Settings app and other places. - Each section below covers one place: Start, notifications, the lock screen, diagnostic data and advertising settings, background apps, and File Explorer. - The Settings steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The suggestion cards on the Settings home page are covered by a toggle in the Privacy & security section further down. - Turn Off Promotional Notifications in Settings Windows also sends tips, suggestions and "what's new" screens through its notification system. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What are some things I should remove from Windows 11? A: Remove bloatware apps you don't use, disable startup programs slowing your boot, turn off targeted offers in Settings > Personalization > Start, leave SysMain (formerly Superfetch) enabled unless you have a specific problem, and remove unnecessary fonts. Use Task Manager to see what runs at startup, and Settings > Apps > Startup to disable items. - Q: Where can I buy discounted Windows 11? A: Buy Windows 11 licenses from Microsoft's official store, authorized retailers like Amazon or Best Buy, or through your computer manufacturer. Watch for seasonal sales. Avoid unauthorized third-party key resellers—cheap keys often violate Microsoft's terms and risk deactivation. - Q: How to see all apps in Windows 11 start menu? A: Open the Start menu and scroll down to see all pinned apps. Click 'All' in the top right of the Pinned section to view your entire app list alphabetically. You can also search for an app by typing its name directly from the Start menu. Right-click any app to pin or unpin it. - Q: Which Windows 11 version is best for performance? A: Windows 11 Pro and Home perform about the same. Choose Pro if you need BitLocker device encryption management, hosting Remote Desktop, or Group Policy access. Performance depends mostly on your hardware. Performance depends more on your hardware and background programs than your Windows version. --- ### How to Project Your Phone Screen to Your PC in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-project-your-phone-screen-to-your-pc-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1361 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To project your phone screen to your PC in Windows 11, install the Wireless Display optional feature first: open Settings, go to System > Optional features > View features, and add it. Then set Projecting to this PC to Available everywhere on secure networks, and connect from your Android phone's Cast or Smart View menu. Your phone must support Miracast. **Content excerpt:** Projecting your phone screen to your PC in Windows 11 turns your computer into a wireless display receiver using Miracast (a standard for wireless display connections). Windows 11 does not install this feature by default, so an optional system component must be added before any phone can cast its screen to your desktop. The process has three parts: install the component, allow projecting in Settings, then connect from your phone. It works the same on Home and Pro. The PC needs a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Miracast, which most laptops from the last several years have. If the feature won't install or the PC never shows up on your phone, a missing or outdated Wi-Fi driver is a common cause. These steps apply to Android phones. The phone must support Miracast or casting. Many iPhones do not support Miracast, because iOS uses AirPlay instead. Step 1: Install Wireless Display To install Wireless Display on Windows 11, open Settings, go to System, select Optional features, and click View features next to Add an optional feature. Search for Wireless Display, check the box, and click Next to install it. This adds the receiving tools your PC needs to accept a video feed from another device. Installing optional features requires an administrator account, so sign in with one before you start. Without it, the install will not go through. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and I on your keyboard. Make sure you are signed in to an administrator account, because installing optional features requires one. The Settings window opens on the System page or on Home, depending on what you used last. Select System from the left-hand menu. Click Optional features. A list shows the optional components already installed on your PC, and an Add an optional feature section sits at the top. Click the View features button next to Add an optional feature. A window opens with a list of features you can add. Type Wireless Display into the search box. The list narrows to matching features. Check the box next to Wireless Display in the search results and click Next. Click Install and wait for Windows to finish downloading and setting up the component. Progress appears on the Optional features page under the recent actions list. This step needs an internet connection, and a restart is normally not required. If Wireless Display does not appear in the search, it may already be installed. Check the list of installed features on the Optional features page. To undo this later, find Wireless Display in that list, expand it, and click Uninstall. Step 2: Enable Projection on Your PC To enable projecting to this PC in Windows 11, open Settings, go to System, and select Projecting to this PC. Change the first dropdown menu to Available everywhere on secure networks so your computer can receive connection requests and security prompts from your mobile device. Open Settings. Go to System and select Projecting to this PC. A few dropdown menus and a toggle… **Key facts:** - Projecting your phone screen to your PC in Windows 11 turns your computer into a wireless display receiver using Miracast (a standard for wireless display connections). - Windows 11 does not install this feature by default, so an optional system component must be added before any phone can cast its screen to your desktop. - The process has three parts: install the component, allow projecting in Settings, then connect from your phone. - Step 1: Install Wireless Display To install Wireless Display on Windows 11, open Settings, go to System, select Optional features, and click View features next to Add an optional feature. - Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and I on your keyboard. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Can I screen mirror my phone to my Windows PC? A: Yes. Install the Wireless Display optional feature in Windows 11 Settings under System > Optional features. Then enable projection on your PC and use your phone's cast or screen mirroring feature to connect. Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct, so the phone and PC do not need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, but Wi-Fi must be on for both. - Q: What does PC stand for? A: PC stands for personal computer. It's a general term for any desktop or laptop computer, though it's often used to mean Windows computers specifically, as opposed to Macs. - Q: Can Windows 11 do screen mirroring? A: Yes. Windows 11 supports screen mirroring through Miracast, a wireless display standard. You need to install the Wireless Display optional feature first, then enable projection settings to receive a video feed from another device. - Q: How can I view my PC screen from my phone? A: You can view your PC screen from your phone using third-party remote desktop apps like Windows App (which replaced Microsoft Remote Desktop), TeamViewer, or Chrome Remote Desktop. These let you control and see your PC from your phone over Wi-Fi or the internet. --- ### How to Inspect Installed Apps on Your Device in Windows 11 Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-inspect-installed-apps-on-your-device-in-windows-11-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1011 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, then use the sort dropdown near the top right to choose Size (large to small) or a date option. Each app's size and install date appear in small text under its name. Standard user accounts can view this list; uninstalling some desktop programs may ask for administrator approval. **Content excerpt:** The Installed apps page in Windows 11 Settings lists every program on your PC and shows how much storage each one uses and when it was installed. It helps you find large programs, spot apps you forgot about, and decide what to remove to free up disk space. The page works the same on Home and Pro. Looking at the list needs no administrator rights, so a standard user account is enough. Removing some desktop programs may ask for administrator approval. How to Access Installed Apps and Features Settings is the main place to view your software inventory. You can open it from the keyboard or from the Start menu. Press Windows key + I at the same time. Check that the Settings window opens. If the shortcut does nothing, open the Start menu and click Settings instead. Next, go to the list of installed programs. The path is Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Select Apps from the left-hand navigation menu. The right-hand pane now shows the app-related pages. Click Installed apps. The full list of programs and packages on your PC opens. It includes Microsoft Store apps and traditional desktop programs. Give the list a moment to load. On a PC with many apps, sizes and dates can take a few seconds to appear. Checking App Sizes and Install Dates The sort menu on the Installed apps page lets you check app sizes and install dates. It helps you find the largest programs and see when each one was added, so you know where to start when you need disk space. Find the sort dropdown near the top right of the app list. It shows Sort by: Name by default. Click the menu and select Size (large to small). The biggest apps now sit at the top of the list. Pick Size (small to large) to reverse the order. To sort by date instead, open the same menu and choose one of the install date options. Newest or oldest first both work, depending on whether you are hunting for something recent or something you installed long ago. To find one specific program, type its name into the search bar above the list. The list narrows to matching titles as you type. Look at the small text under any app name. It shows the app's size and its install date. Some apps show no size, or show only a date. This happens when the app or its installer doesn't report that information to Windows, so don't read a blank as zero. The exact layout can also differ slightly between Windows 11 builds, but the sort menu and the sub-text are in the same place. If you decide to remove something, use the three-dot menu at the right end of that app's row. Click the three-dot menu next to the app. A short menu opens. Select Uninstall. Windows asks you to confirm. Click Uninstall again and follow any prompts from the app's own uninstaller. Windows may ask for administrator approval… **Key facts:** - The Installed apps page in Windows 11 Settings lists every program on your PC and shows how much storage each one uses and when it was installed. - How to Access Installed Apps and Features Settings is the main place to view your software inventory. - If the shortcut does nothing, open the Start menu and click Settings instead. - The exact layout can also differ slightly between Windows 11 builds, but the sort menu and the sub-text are in the same place. - Storage settings give you another way to find large items. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How can I find the Windows installation date using PowerShell? A: Open PowerShell as an administrator and run: `Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object OsInstallDate`. The output shows when Windows was first installed on your device. You can also check System Information in Settings > System > About for the same date. - Q: How many GB is Windows 11 to install? A: Windows 11 requires at least 64 GB of storage available on the device to install. The exact amount varies depending on your system configuration and which edition you're installing. After installation, Windows typically uses 25–30 GB, leaving room for your files and apps. - Q: How do I check for app updates in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps. Scroll through your list or use the search bar to find an app. Installed apps has no Update option. Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and select Get updates; other desktop apps update through their own updater. You can also check Microsoft Store for updates to Store apps. - Q: What happens if I don't upgrade to Windows 11 by October? A: Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Free security updates no longer arrive unless you enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU), so upgrading to Windows 11 is the safest option. Your device continues working, but it becomes increasingly vulnerable to viruses and security threats. --- ### How to Split Screen Using Windows 11 Snap Layouts - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-split-screen-using-windows-11-snap-layouts/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1483 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Hover your mouse over the maximize button in the top-right corner of an open app window, without clicking, and pick a grid zone from the pop-up that appears. The window snaps into that section, and Snap Assist shows your other open apps as thumbnails so you can fill the remaining zones. **Content excerpt:** Snap layouts in Windows 11 arrange several open app windows into a tidy grid, so you stop resizing and dragging windows by hand. A layout splits the display into two, three or four sections with a few clicks or key presses. The feature is built in and works the same on Home and Pro. This tutorial covers three ways to use it: the mouse, the keyboard, and the Settings page that controls it. It also shows how to undo a snap if you change your mind. Using Snap Layouts to Organize Windows Snap Layouts lets you hover over the maximize button of any open window and pick a grid position from a small menu. The arrangement stays in place until you close or move the windows. Before you start, check the requirements. Snap Layouts need a Windows 11 PC with a display large enough to hold a grid. Windows 11 version 22H2 or later adds the newer suggestions that appear when you drag a window to the top of the screen. Which layouts you see depends on your screen. Small or low-resolution displays show only a few options, and the three-column layouts usually appear only on wider screens. With more than one monitor, each monitor shows layouts that fit its own size. Hover Over the Maximize Button The layout menu is hidden until you ask for it. The most common way is to hold your mouse pointer over the maximize button in the top-right corner of a window, without clicking. A small pop-up then appears with the grid templates. Open the app window you want to place on your screen. Move your mouse pointer over the square maximize icon in the upper-right corner of the window frame. Do not click it, because a click maximizes the window instead. Wait a moment. A small pop-up appears showing several grid layouts, with one zone highlighted in each. If nothing appears, the option may be switched off. See the settings section further down. There are two other ways to open the layouts. For a keyboard-only method, make the window active and press the Windows logo key + Z. The layout menu opens, and each zone carries a number. Press the number of the zone you want, and the window snaps there. For a mouse method that skips the maximize button, drag a window by its title bar to the top edge of the screen. On Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, the snap layouts appear at the top of the screen. Drop the window onto the zone you want. Select Your Desired Screen Position Click the zone in the pop-up that matches where you want the window. The active app snaps into exactly that section of the display, so you never have to drag borders to size it. In the layout menu, click the region where you want the app, such as the left half or the top-right quadrant. Watch the window snap into that area and resize to fit it. Look at… **Key facts:** - Snap layouts in Windows 11 arrange several open app windows into a tidy grid, so you stop resizing and dragging windows by hand. - This tutorial covers three ways to use it: the mouse, the keyboard, and the Settings page that controls it. - Snap Layouts need a Windows 11 PC with a display large enough to hold a grid. - Windows 11 version 22H2 or later adds the newer suggestions that appear when you drag a window to the top of the screen. - For a keyboard-only method, make the window active and press the Windows logo key + Z. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I enable split screen in Windows 11? A: Split screen is enabled by default in Windows 11. Open an app window and hover over the maximize button in the top-right corner without clicking. A menu showing grid layouts appears. Click the section where you want the window to snap. Open another app and repeat to fill another section. - Q: Why isn't my split screen working in Windows 11? A: If Snap Layouts isn't working, check that the window isn't maximized already—snap only works with restored windows. Make sure you're hovering over the maximize button, not clicking it. If the pop-up doesn't appear, try moving your mouse away and hovering again. Restart your computer if the feature remains unresponsive. - Q: How to activate Windows split screen? A: Open any app window and hover your mouse over the maximize button (the square icon in the top-right corner) without clicking. Wait a moment for the layout menu to appear. Click the grid section where you want the window to snap. Then open another app and snap it to fill the remaining space. - Q: How do I split my screen on Microsoft Windows? A: Open an app window and hover over the maximize button in the top-right corner to reveal Snap Layouts grid options. Click the section where you want the window to position. Open a second app and repeat the process to fill another section. Windows automatically resizes both windows to fit their zones. --- ### How to Reset Audio Settings in Windows 11 Sound Properties - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-reset-audio-settings-in-windows-11-sound-properties/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2299 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to System > Sound, and check the Output device first. Then, under Advanced > Volume mixer, set the silent app's output to Default. For a device-wide reset, press Windows key, type mmsys.cpl, open the device's Properties, and click Restore Defaults on the Advanced tab. Both steps need no restart. **Content excerpt:** Resetting audio settings in Windows 11 clears device and app settings that have gone wrong. That fixes no sound, distorted playback and wrong volume levels. The aim is to return your speakers, headphones and microphone to a known clean state. The methods below run from low risk to high risk. Start with the early ones. Driver removal and registry edits come later and carry more risk. The service, driver and registry methods need an administrator account. Removing a driver also requires a restart. Windows lets you send each app's sound to a different playback device. If an app points at a disabled or unplugged device, that program is silent while everything else sounds fine. The fix is to point the app back at your active default device. Check this first when only one program has no sound. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and click the app in the search results. The Settings window opens. Select System in the left-hand menu. Click Sound. The page lists your output devices, input devices and volume sliders. Check that the right device is selected under Output before you go further. A wrong output device is a common cause of silence. Scroll down to the Advanced section and click Volume mixer. A list of open apps appears, each with its own volume slider. Find the app that has no sound. Click the arrow beside it to expand its settings, then look at the Output device and Input device dropdowns. Open the dropdown for the affected app and change it to Default, or pick your speakers or headphones by name. The app should now play through that device. Check that the app's volume slider is not at zero. Drag it up if it is. For deeper control, go back to the main Sound page, scroll down and click More sound settings. This opens the classic Sound window used in the next section. Tip: an app must be open and must have played sound recently to appear in the Volume mixer. If it is missing, start it, play something, and look again. Some builds of Windows 11 also show a button near the bottom of this page that resets all apps' sound devices and volumes to the recommended defaults. If you see it, it is the fastest way to undo every per-app change at once. Restoring Sound Device Defaults via the Sound Control Panel Distorted playback and odd volume jumps often come from custom tweaks. Spatial sound, audio enhancements and a sample rate your hardware handles poorly are the usual causes. The classic Sound Control Panel lets you reset these settings on a single device, back to what the manufacturer recommends. Press the Windows key, type mmsys.cpl, and press Enter. The Sound window opens. Select the Playback tab. It lists every output device Windows knows about. If a device you expect is missing, right-click an empty area of the list and tick Show Disabled Devices. Disabled devices then appear greyed out. Click your main speakers or… **Key facts:** - Resetting audio settings in Windows 11 clears device and app settings that have gone wrong. - The methods below run from low risk to high risk. - Driver removal and registry edits come later and carry more risk. - The service, driver and registry methods need an administrator account. - Press the Windows key, type Settings, and click the app in the search results. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I restart audio settings? A: Open Settings and go to System > Sound. Scroll to Advanced and click Volume mixer. Find each app with audio problems and change its Output dropdown back to Default. For deeper resets, click More sound settings at the bottom of the Sound page. - Q: How to Reset audio on iPhone? A: On iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and toggle the Mute switch on the side of the phone off. Check that your ringer volume is turned up and you're not in focus modes that silence notifications. Restart the iPhone if audio still doesn't work. - Q: How to fix audio quality on PC? A: Right-click your speaker icon in the system tray and select Open Volume mixer. Check that no apps are set to low volumes individually. Go to Settings > System > Sound, select your device under Output and review its properties. Update your audio drivers through Device Manager. - Q: How do I get my audio Sound back? A: Open Settings > System > Sound and check that your speakers or headphones appear under Output devices. In Volume mixer, ensure the app causing silence isn't routed to a disabled device—change its Output dropdown to your active speaker or headphone. Unmute your device with the physical mute switch if present. --- ### How to Open Disk Management in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-open-disk-management-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1710 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Windows Key + X and click Disk Management in the menu that appears above the Start button. You can also press Windows Key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter. The Disk Management window opens right away, listing every physical disk and volume on your PC, including recovery partitions that File Explorer hides. An administrator account is needed to change partitions. **Content excerpt:** Disk Management is a built-in Windows 11 tool for setting up new hard drives, creating partitions, formatting volumes, and changing drive letters, all without extra software. It lists every physical disk in your PC and every volume on it. That includes recovery and system partitions that File Explorer hides. Open it when you need to change your storage layout, manage partitions, or troubleshoot a drive. Back up your data before you change a system drive. Deleting or formatting a volume erases everything on it and cannot be undone. How to Open Disk Management in Windows 11 The quickest route is the hidden Power User menu, which Microsoft also calls the Quick Link menu. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. You can reach it with the keyboard or by right-clicking the Start button. Administrator rights matter here. Anyone can view disks, but changing partitions, bringing a disk online, or initializing a disk requires an administrator account. On a standard account, Windows asks for an administrator password when you try these actions. Press Windows Key + X at the same time. A menu appears in the lower-left corner of the screen, just above the Start button. Click Disk Management in that menu. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes or enter an administrator password. Wait while the window loads. A list of volumes appears in the top pane, and a graphical view of each disk appears in the bottom pane. The graphical view shows the partition layouts. If Disk Management is missing from the menu, check that you pressed Windows Key + X and not Windows Key + Shift + X. Right-clicking the Start button opens the same menu. Other methods open the same tool, which helps if the Power User menu is not working: Run dialog: Press Windows Key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter. The Disk Management window opens right away. Start search: Click Start and type "disk management". The result may be labeled Create and format hard disk partitions. Click it to open the tool. Windows Tools: Open Start > All > Windows Tools and double-click Computer Management. In the left pane, click Disk Management under Storage. Current versions of Windows 11 also offer a Settings-based option. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks & volumes. This page lists your drives and lets you create, format, and manage volumes. It is the newer way to handle drives, though Disk Management still shows more detail on the layout. Online and Offline Status The online and offline status in Disk Management shows whether Windows can currently read and write data on a drive. Windows often sets new or detached secondary drives to offline to protect your files. In that case, you must bring the disk online by hand before you can use it. An offline disk is disconnected from the system, so apps and File Explorer cannot reach its contents. Bring the disk online before you assign drive… **Key facts:** - Disk Management is a built-in Windows 11 tool for setting up new hard drives, creating partitions, formatting volumes, and changing drive letters, all without extra software. - How to Open Disk Management in Windows 11 The quickest route is the hidden Power User menu, which Microsoft also calls the Quick Link menu. - It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Other methods open the same tool, which helps if the Power User menu is not working: Run dialog: Press Windows Key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter. - Current versions of Windows 11 also offer a Settings-based option. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Why can't I find Disk Management? A: Disk Management is built into Windows 11 and appears in Start search as "Create and format hard disk partitions" (and under Windows Tools). Press Windows Key + X and select Disk Management from the menu. If it doesn't show, search 'Disk Management' in the Start menu search box instead. - Q: How to fix disk issues in Windows 11? A: Open Disk Management (Windows Key + X, then click Disk Management) to check drive status and health. For file system errors, right-click the drive and run error checking. For space issues, use Storage Sense in Settings to clean temporary files automatically. - Q: How can I clean up Windows 11 to make it run faster? A: Open Storage Sense in Settings to remove temporary files automatically. Close unused apps running in the background via Task Manager. Uninstall programs you don't use. Run Disk Cleanup (search in Start menu) to remove system junk files safely. - Q: What is a good free disk manager for Windows 11? A: Windows 11's built-in Disk Management (Windows Key + X) handles partitions and formatting without extra software. For storage cleanup, use the free Storage Sense tool in Settings. For advanced features like cloning, third-party tools like Aomei Backupper offer free versions. --- ### How to Locate and Open Downloaded Files on This Computer in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-locate-and-open-downloaded-files-on-this-computer-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2077 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left sidebar, or press Windows Key + R, type shell:Downloads, and press Enter. Your downloaded files appear in C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads, where USERNAME is your account name. **Content excerpt:** The Downloads folder in Windows 11 saves every file, photo, and app installer you download from the web by default. It is usually located at C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads, where USERNAME is your account name. If a download seems to be missing, you can find it in a few clicks through File Explorer (the built-in file manager) or through your web browser's history. This guide shows where Windows puts downloads, how to change that location in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, how to move the whole Downloads folder to another drive, and what to check when a downloaded file will not open. Where Windows Stores Downloaded Files by Default Windows saves downloads to your personal user folder by default. The quickest way in is to open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left-hand navigation pane. Every new file you save from the internet goes to this folder unless you pick a different spot, or your browser is set to use another one (covered below). If the shortcut is missing from the sidebar, you can walk to the folder yourself. These steps open downloads on this computer from File Explorer, one folder at a time: Open File Explorer. Click its icon on the taskbar, or press the Windows Key + E. A File Explorer window opens, showing either Home or Quick access, depending on your Windows 11 version. Select This PC in the left-hand navigation pane. Your drives and standard folders appear on the right. Double-click your main operating system drive. It is usually labeled OS (C:). Open the Users folder. You will see one folder for each account on the PC. Open the folder that matches your account username. This is the same name that appears in the path C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads. Open the Downloads folder. Everything downloaded under your user account is listed here. Sort the files by date if the list looks jumbled. Right-click an empty area and choose Sort by > Date modified. The newest files move to the top. There is also a faster route. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type shell:Downloads, and press Enter. The Downloads folder opens directly, even if you have moved it to another drive. How to Change Where Your Web Browser Saves Files Web browsers override the system default and manage their own download destination. That means a file you just downloaded may not be in the Windows Downloads folder at all. If you cannot find it, check the browser's own setting first. You can also change the setting so files land where you want them automatically. The changes below affect new downloads only. Files you already downloaded stay where they are. Changing Google Chrome Download Locations Google Chrome lets you change where downloads are saved, so you do not have to dig through your main drive. You can also tell Chrome to ask you where to save every file before it starts downloading. The wording below matches current Chrome versions on Windows 11. Open Google Chrome. Then click… **Key facts:** - The Downloads folder in Windows 11 saves every file, photo, and app installer you download from the web by default. - These steps open downloads on this computer from File Explorer, one folder at a time: Open File Explorer. - A File Explorer window opens, showing either Home or Quick access, depending on your Windows 11 version. - The wording below matches current Chrome versions on Windows 11. - To undo the change, repeat the steps and point Chrome back to your original Downloads folder. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where can I find my Downloads on this device? A: Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left sidebar. Your downloads are stored at C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads by default. You can also press Windows Key + R, type shell:Downloads, and press Enter to open the folder instantly. - Q: Where do I locate my Downloads on my computer? A: Open File Explorer from your taskbar or press Windows Key + E. Click Downloads on the left side. If you don't see it there, navigate to This PC, open your C: drive, then Users, your username folder, and Downloads. - Q: Why are my Downloads not showing up? A: Check if your browser is set to ask where to save files instead of using Downloads automatically. Open your browser settings and look for download location. Also verify files aren't being blocked by antivirus software. Search your entire drive using File Explorer's search bar. - Q: How do I make downloaded files show up on my desktop? A: Open your browser's download settings and change the save location to your Desktop folder. In most browsers, look for Settings or Preferences, then Downloads, and select Desktop as the default folder for new downloads. - Q: How do I remove duplicate downloads? A: The guide doesn't cover finding or removing duplicate downloads, so this answer goes beyond it. Start by sorting your Downloads folder by name or date, then compare files that look alike and delete the extra copies. Open File Explorer, go to Downloads, right-click an empty area, and choose Sort by > Name or Date modified. Files like "setup (1).exe" or… --- ### How to Clear Temporary Download Caches in Windows 11 Storage Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-clear-temporary-download-caches-in-windows-11-storage-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1650 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To find the downloads on this computer, press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer, then click Downloads in the left sidebar. Your default downloads are stored in the Downloads folder in your user profile. Sort by Size to see the largest files first. Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin, so empty it to free the space. **Content excerpt:** Storage Sense is the Windows 11 tool that cleans out junk files. It can clear temporary download caches and free up disk space in a few clicks. Over time, Windows keeps old web installers, cached documents and leftover installation files in your download folders, and it does not tell you. You can remove these files from the Settings app without installing any cleanup software. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. Windows lists each category it can clear and shows how much space each one uses. One warning before you start: the Downloads category in that list is your actual Downloads folder, not a hidden cache. Anything you tick there is deleted permanently. Look at what is in the folder first, as shown below. Locating the Default Downloads Folder in Windows File Explorer shows your downloads in a few seconds. By default, Windows saves every file, picture and program you download from the internet into the Downloads folder in your user profile. You can open, move or delete these items at any time to free up space or tidy your saved files. Press Windows Key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer. A File Explorer window opens. In Windows 11 it usually starts on Home. Look at the left sidebar and click Downloads. If you do not see it, expand Home (called Quick access in some builds) and look for it there. The folder opens and lists everything you have downloaded. Review the contents. Items are grouped by date by default, with your most recent downloads at the top. Right-click an empty area of the folder, choose Sort by, and then choose Size. The largest files now sit at the top, so you can see what takes the most space. Select any file you no longer need and press Delete. The file goes to the Recycle Bin, so the space is not freed yet. Empty the Recycle Bin to get it back. If you delete something by mistake, open the Recycle Bin, right-click the file and choose Restore. The file returns to its original folder. This safety net applies only to files you delete in File Explorer. The Temporary files cleanup and Storage Sense, covered at the end of this post, do not use the Recycle Bin. Old installers (.exe and.msi files) and large ZIP archives are usually the safest things to remove first. Make sure the program is already installed and working before you delete its installer. Changing Where Your Web Browser Saves Files Change your browser settings if you want to choose where each file goes, or if you want downloads to go to a different drive to save space on your main partition. Every browser has its own download settings, and the exact wording can differ between versions. In general, you can do two things: Open the browser's Settings and go to the Downloads section. In Firefox, it is under General, in the Files and Applications area. Change the download Location to… **Key facts:** - Storage Sense is the Windows 11 tool that cleans out junk files. - You can remove these files from the Settings app without installing any cleanup software. - Changing Where Your Web Browser Saves Files Change your browser settings if you want to choose where each file goes, or if you want downloads to go to a different drive to save space on your main partition. - Every browser has its own download settings, and the exact wording can differ between versions. - In general, you can do two things: Open the browser's Settings and go to the Downloads section. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What are the best deals on cheap laptops at Walmart? A: This question is off-topic for a Windows tech tutorial site. We cover how to use Windows features, not shopping or product pricing. - Q: How to see everything you've downloaded on PC? A: Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left sidebar to see all files you've downloaded. Sort by date to find recent items. For browser downloads, check your browser's download list with Ctrl+J (Chrome, Edge) or Ctrl+Shift+Y (Firefox). - Q: How can I find my documents on this computer? A: Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. Click This PC on the left, then open the Documents folder in your user profile. You can also search for specific documents using the search box at the top of File Explorer. - Q: How to see if anything is downloading on PC? A: Check your browser's download manager: press Ctrl+J in Chrome or Edge, or Ctrl+Shift+Y in Firefox. In Windows, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and check the Processes tab for active downloads, or monitor your network activity in the Performance tab. --- ### How to Clear the Recycle Bin Automatically in Windows 11 Storage Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-clear-the-recycle-bin-automatically-in-windows-11-storage-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1594 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 11, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin, then click Yes to confirm. The deletion is permanent. To clear it automatically, open Settings, go to System > Storage > Storage Sense, and set "Delete files in my recycle bin if they have been there for over" to a period such as 30 days. **Content excerpt:** Storage Sense is a built-in Windows 11 tool that cleans up junk files automatically. It can delete files from the Recycle Bin on a schedule you set. Left alone, deleted items stay in the bin and keep using disk space until someone empties it by hand. In the Settings app you can have Windows empty items older than 1, 14, 30, or 60 days. This guide also covers emptying the bin manually, forcing it empty from Command Prompt or PowerShell, and what to try when the bin misbehaves. How to Empty the Recycle Bin Manually Emptying the Recycle Bin by hand is the fastest way to get disk space back, because there is no schedule to wait for. You can do it from the desktop icon or from inside the Recycle Bin window. Be aware that emptying the bin is permanent. Windows does not keep a second copy. If you are not sure what is in there, open the bin and look through it first. Find the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. If it is missing, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, tick the Recycle Bin checkbox, and click OK. The icon then appears on the desktop. Right-click the icon. A context menu opens. In recent Windows 11 builds, Empty Recycle Bin appears directly on this new menu. On older builds, select Show more options first (or press Shift+F10) to reach the classic menu. Select Empty Recycle Bin. Click Yes on the confirmation prompt. The icon changes from a full bin to an empty one, which tells you the files are gone. Alternatively, double-click the icon to open the Recycle Bin, click Empty Recycle Bin on the command bar at the top of the window, and confirm the deletion. This route lets you look through the files before you delete them. If the button is greyed out, the bin is already empty. Automate Cleanup Using Storage Sense Storage Sense can empty your Recycle Bin on a schedule so you never have to think about it. Turn it on in the Settings app, then tell Windows how long a file may sit in the bin before it is deleted. The options are Never, 1 day, 14 days, 30 days, and 60 days. This works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Exact label wording can differ slightly between builds, so match what you see on screen to the names below. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key plus I. Select System, then click Storage. A bar shows how much of your drive is used. Switch the Storage Sense toggle to On. On some builds the toggle is labelled Automatic User content cleanup inside the Storage Sense page. The Recycle Bin setting only takes effect when it is on. Click Storage Sense itself, not only the toggle, to open its configuration page. Find the section for temporary files and cleanup schedules. Depending on your build it is labelled Temporary Files or Cleanup of temporary files, with… **Key facts:** - Storage Sense is a built-in Windows 11 tool that cleans up junk files automatically. - In the Settings app you can have Windows empty items older than 1, 14, 30, or 60 days. - If it is missing, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings, tick the Recycle Bin checkbox, and click OK. - In recent Windows 11 builds, Empty Recycle Bin appears directly on this new menu. - On older builds, select Show more options first (or press Shift+F10) to reach the classic menu. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Should you empty the Recycle Bin on your computer? A: Yes. The Recycle Bin holds deleted files and takes up disk space until you empty it. Clearing it regularly frees up storage. You can do this manually whenever you want, or use Storage Sense to empty it automatically, deleting items that have been in the bin for 1, 14, 30, or 60 days. - Q: Why can't I empty my Recycle Bin on Windows 11? A: Files in the Recycle Bin may be locked by open programs, or you may not have permission to delete them. Close any open files and programs first. If a file belongs to another user account, switch to that account to delete it. Restart your computer if the problem persists. - Q: Why can't I empty the Recycle Bin? A: A file might be in use by Windows or a running program. Close all open applications and try again. If it's a system file you don't recognize, leave it alone. You can also restart your computer to clear any locks on files, then empty the Recycle Bin. - Q: Why can't I delete files from my Recycle Bin? A: Files stay locked if programs are still using them. Close all applications and windows, then try again. Right-click the Recycle Bin and select Empty Recycle Bin. If one file blocks the whole bin, restart Windows and try again. Some system files can't be deleted intentionally. --- ### Should You Enable Windows Hello Facial Recognition for Everyday PC Security - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/should-you-enable-windows-hello-facial-recognition-for-everyday-pc-security/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1686 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Yes, enable Windows Hello facial recognition on compatible PCs. It's faster than passwords and harder to spoof than photo-based login. Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, click Facial recognition (Windows Hello), then Set up to scan your face and create a backup PIN. Requires a built-in or external infrared camera; standard webcams don't work. **Content excerpt:** Windows Hello facial recognition lets you sign in to a Windows 11 PC with your face instead of a password. It uses an infrared camera sensor to map your facial features and to block attempts to unlock the computer with a photo or video. The feature needs a PC with built-in infrared hardware or an external Windows Hello-certified USB camera. A standard webcam will not work, because it lacks the near-infrared sensors Windows needs. If the Facial recognition (Windows Hello) option is greyed out or missing later in this guide, missing hardware is the most likely reason. So should you turn it on? For most people with a compatible laptop, yes, as long as you keep a PIN as a backup. It is faster than typing a password and harder to fake than a photo-based login. This guide covers setup, tuning, removal and fixing common problems. How to Set Up Facial Recognition in Windows 11 Setting up Windows Hello facial recognition takes about two minutes. You scan your face once, and Windows also asks you to create a PIN, which becomes your fallback sign-in method. The steps below are for Windows 11, and they are the same on Home and Pro. Before you start, check the hardware. Facial recognition needs a compatible infrared (IR) camera, either built into the PC or plugged in as a certified external unit. Without one, the face option will not appear in Settings, and no setting can add it. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or by pressing the Windows key and clicking the gear icon. The Settings window opens. Select Accounts from the left-hand navigation menu. Click Sign-in options. A list of sign-in methods appears. Click Facial recognition (Windows Hello) to expand the section. If it is greyed out or missing, Windows has not detected a compatible infrared camera. Click the Set up button to launch the configuration wizard, then click Get started. Type your current PIN when prompted to verify your identity. If you have no PIN yet, Windows asks you to create one first. Sign in with an administrator account or provide your account password to continue. Position your face directly in front of the camera, inside the on-screen frame. Hold still while the sensor captures your facial features. Take off glasses or a hat only if the wizard has trouble reading you. Click Close once the setup wizard confirms the scan was captured successfully. Lock your PC with Windows key + L and look at the camera to test it. Windows should sign you in without any typing. No restart is needed. Choosing Between Multiple Viable Facial Recognition Devices If more than one camera or sensor is connected, for example a built-in infrared camera and an external USB camera, Windows needs to know which one to use for signing in. Choosing the right device stops it from trying a camera that cannot do facial recognition. Open Settings and navigate to Accounts. Click Sign-in options. Click Facial recognition. Locate the… **Key facts:** - Windows Hello facial recognition lets you sign in to a Windows 11 PC with your face instead of a password. - How to Set Up Facial Recognition in Windows 11 Setting up Windows Hello facial recognition takes about two minutes. - You scan your face once, and Windows also asks you to create a PIN, which becomes your fallback sign-in method. - The steps below are for Windows 11, and they are the same on Home and Pro. - Without one, the face option will not appear in Settings, and no setting can add it. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What are the limitations of Windows Hello? A: Windows Hello facial recognition requires a PC with an infrared camera—standard webcams don't work. It won't function in poor lighting. You need to set up a backup sign-in method like a PIN or password. Some people find setup takes multiple attempts if the camera doesn't capture their face clearly. - Q: How does Face ID know it's me? A: Windows Hello maps your unique facial features using infrared light, creating a mathematical model of your face. It compares your live face to this stored model each time you sign in. The infrared camera sees through photos and videos, so it can't be fooled by a picture or screen recording of your face. - Q: Is it better to use fingerprint or face ID? A: Fingerprint is faster and works in any lighting. Face recognition is more convenient—you don't touch anything. Neither is objectively better. Choose based on your PC setup: fingerprint if your device has a reader, facial recognition if you have an infrared camera. Many people use both as backup methods. - Q: What is the difference between Windows Hello and Face ID? A: Face ID is Apple's facial recognition system for iPhones and iPads. Windows Hello is Microsoft's equivalent for Windows PCs. Both use infrared cameras to map faces securely. The main difference is the company and device—Face ID for Apple, Windows Hello for Windows machines. --- ### How to Customize Visual Audio Alert Flashes in Windows 11 Accessibility Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-customize-visual-audio-alert-flashes-in-windows-11-accessibility-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1180 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Accessibility > Hearing and open the dropdown labelled Flash my screen during audio notifications. Choose Flash active title bar, Flash active window or Flash entire screen, or Don't flash to turn it off. The change applies immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Visual audio alert flashes in Windows 11 are accessibility options that turn system sounds into visual cues, such as a flash of the title bar, the active window or the whole screen. They help you notice audio prompts in a quiet office, when your volume is muted, or when you miss standard sound notifications because of hearing difficulties. Windows 11 gives you 3 flash types to choose from in the Settings app: the active title bar, the active window, or the entire screen. The feature works the same on Home and Pro, and you don't need to restart the PC after changing it. How to Access Accessibility Settings in Windows 11 The Accessibility page is the central place for Windows 11's visual, hearing and physical assistance tools. This includes text size, contrast themes and the visual audio alerts covered here. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard. The Settings app opens. Look at the left-hand sidebar and scroll down until you see Accessibility. Click Accessibility. The right side of the window now lists the assistive features, grouped under headings such as Vision, Hearing and Interaction. Configuring Visual Notifications for Audio Cues The flash setting lives on the Hearing page. Windows can flash only the title bar of the window you are working in, the whole active window, or the entire screen whenever it plays a sound. You can also turn the flash off. Open Settings with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I. Click Accessibility in the left sidebar. Scroll down the right side of the window and click Hearing. This opens the audio and caption settings. Find the Audio section, then open the dropdown menu for the audio notification flash. On current Windows 11 builds it reads Flash my screen during audio notifications. Older builds may word it as flashing the active window. Pick your preferred style from the list. The choices are Don't flash, Flash active title bar, Flash active window and Flash entire screen. This decides which part of the display flashes when an alert sounds. The change applies right away. To test it, trigger any system sound, such as a notification or a warning chime, and watch the screen. If the flash is too distracting, return to the same dropdown and choose Don't flash to undo it. If you can't find the dropdown, make sure you are on the Hearing page and that Windows is fully updated. Older builds lay this page out differently. The flash reacts to the sounds Windows plays, so it helps to know which sounds those are. The Sounds tab in the classic sound dialog lists them, and lets you change or turn off each one. Open Settings > System > Sound. Scroll down and click More sound settings. On newer builds it sits under the Advanced heading. The Sound dialog opens. Click the Sounds tab. The Program Events list shows events such as notifications, warnings and device connections. Select an event and click Test to hear its sound. To change… **Key facts:** - Visual audio alert flashes in Windows 11 are accessibility options that turn system sounds into visual cues, such as a flash of the title bar, the active window or the whole screen. - Windows 11 gives you 3 flash types to choose from in the Settings app: the active title bar, the active window, or the entire screen. - How to Access Accessibility Settings in Windows 11 The Accessibility page is the central place for Windows 11's visual, hearing and physical assistance tools. - Open Settings with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I. - On current Windows 11 builds it reads Flash my screen during audio notifications. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change alert Sounds on Windows 11? A: Open Settings and go to Accessibility > Hearing. Under Audio, use the dropdown for flashing the screen during audio notifications and choose Don't flash, Flash active title bar, Flash active window or Flash entire screen. - Q: How do I change the visual effects in Windows 11? A: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects to turn transparency and animation effects on or off. Text size, Contrast themes and Color filters are separate pages under Accessibility. For window animations and transparency, use Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects for transparency and animation effects. For the classic Performance Options dialog, open System > About > Advanced system settings. - Q: Can I customize the alarm sound in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Sound > Mixer. Find the app with the alarm and adjust its volume separately. To change the actual alarm tone, open the Clock app, select the alarm, and pick a different sound from the available options. - Q: How to customize Windows sound effects? A: Go to Settings > System > Sound > Mixer to control individual app volumes. To change the system sound scheme, open More sound settings and use the Sounds tab. For system notification sounds, visit Settings > Accessibility > Hearing to enable or adjust visual alerts instead of relying on audio cues. --- ### How to Open the OpenSSH Client in Windows 11 Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-open-the-openssh-client-in-windows-11-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1789 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To open the OpenSSH client in Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Optional features, select View features next to Add an optional feature, search for OpenSSH Client, tick it, and click Install. Alternatively, run Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 in an administrator terminal. No restart is normally needed. **Content excerpt:** The OpenSSH client in Windows 11 lets you connect to remote servers and run secure command-line sessions without extra tools such as PuTTY. SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol that encrypts the connection between your PC and another machine. The client ships as an optional feature, and it is usually installed by default. On some installs it is missing. If you type the ssh command in a terminal and see an error that the command is not recognized, you need to add the feature. This tutorial shows how in Settings and in PowerShell, and checks first whether you already have it. Check if OpenSSH Client is Already Installed Before you install anything, check whether the OpenSSH client is already on your PC. On many PCs it is, and this check takes under a minute. If the client is present, the terminal prints usage instructions and a list of options. If it is missing, you get an error saying the command is not recognized. Press the Windows Key, type Terminal, and press Enter to open Windows Terminal. A prompt appears in a PowerShell tab. Type ssh and press Enter. Read the output. It is either a list of command-line switches and usage instructions, or an error stating the command is not recognized. If the output shows usage instructions starting with usage: ssh [-46AaCfGgKkMNnqsTtVvXxYy], the client is already installed and ready to use. Skip ahead to connecting to a server. If the terminal says ssh is not recognized as an internal or external command, continue with one of the two install methods below. Install OpenSSH Client via Settings App The Settings app is the graphical way to install the OpenSSH client. The path is Settings > System > Optional features, and no command line is involved. You need administrator rights on the PC. On a standard account, Windows asks for approval or an admin password. Open Settings by pressing Windows Key + I. The Settings window opens. Click System in the left sidebar. Scroll down the main pane and click Optional features. A list of the features already installed appears. Click the View features button next to Add an optional feature. A flyout window opens with a list of available features. Type OpenSSH Client into the search box in the flyout. The list narrows to matching results. Check the box next to OpenSSH Client in the search results. Click Next, then click Install. Wait for the progress bar to finish. This means Windows has downloaded and registered the files. You can close Settings while it runs, because progress also shows on the Optional features page. Once the install finishes, OpenSSH Client appears in your list of installed features. A restart is not normally needed. If you opened a terminal before the install, close it and open a new one so it picks up the change. To undo the install, go back to Optional features, find OpenSSH Client in the installed list, and remove it. If the search finds nothing or the install… **Key facts:** - The OpenSSH client in Windows 11 lets you connect to remote servers and run secure command-line sessions without extra tools such as PuTTY. - This tutorial shows how in Settings and in PowerShell, and checks first whether you already have it. - If the output shows usage instructions starting with usage: ssh [-46AaCfGgKkMNnqsTtVvXxYy], the client is already installed and ready to use. - If the terminal says ssh is not recognized as an internal or external command, continue with one of the two install methods below. - Install OpenSSH Client via Settings App The Settings app is the graphical way to install the OpenSSH client. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What's the difference between SSH and OpenSSH? A: SSH is the protocol that lets you connect securely to remote computers. OpenSSH is the specific software that runs SSH. Windows 11 includes OpenSSH built in, so you don't need to download it separately like you would with third-party tools. - Q: How do I install OpenSSH on my Windows computer? A: Windows 11 version 22H2 and later has OpenSSH Client already included. Open Settings, go to System > Optional features, click View features, search for OpenSSH Client, and select Install. If it's already listed under installed features, it is ready to use. - Q: Does Windows 11 have a built-in SSH server? A: Windows 11 includes OpenSSH Server, but it's turned off by default. Open Settings, go to System > Optional features, click View features, search for OpenSSH Server, and select Install. Then enable the SSH service in Services.msc to allow incoming connections. - Q: How to SSH into a Windows 11 computer? A: Enable OpenSSH Server on the Windows 11 computer you want to connect to. On your remote machine, open Terminal and type ssh username@computername or ssh username@ipaddress, replacing the details with the target computer's login information. --- ### How to Access Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/learn-how-to-access-the-settings-app-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2024-02-24 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1076 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Windows key + I to open Settings on Windows 11. If that shortcut doesn't work, click the Start button, find the gear-shaped Settings icon in pinned apps, and click it. You can also right-click the Start button and select Settings from the menu. **Content excerpt:** The Settings app in Windows 11 is the central hub where you control display preferences, Wi-Fi connections, privacy options, and system updates. Pressing the Windows key and the letter I together opens it instantly on any Windows 11 computer, whether it runs Home or Pro. This shortcut skips the menus, so you can change a setting or start fixing a problem right away. The sections below cover that shortcut and five other ways to open Settings. They also cover moving around the app, what to do if it won't open, and how to build a shortcut to a specific Settings page. Those other methods are useful when a keyboard shortcut is blocked or a menu is missing. The Fastest Ways to Access Settings in Windows 11 Method 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut This is the fastest method and works from almost anywhere in Windows. Press and hold the Windows key. Tap the I key, then release both keys. Wait a moment. The Settings window opens, with the category sidebar on the left and the System page on the right. The shortcut works from the desktop, from inside another app, and on the lock-screen-free sign-in session. If nothing happens, a keyboard utility or a work policy may be blocking it. Use one of the other methods below instead. Method 2: Use the Start Menu Use this method if you prefer the mouse or don't have a Windows key. Click the Start button on the taskbar, or press the Windows key on its own. Look for the gear-shaped Settings icon in the pinned apps area. Click it. The Settings app opens. If the gear isn't pinned, because someone unpinned it or your organization changed the layout, click All apps in the top right of the Start menu and scroll to Settings. You can also type "Settings" into the search box at the top of Start and press Enter. To pin it again, right-click the Settings entry and choose Pin to Start. Method 3: Use the Power User Menu This menu is handy because it stays available even if the Start menu layout has been changed. Right-click the Start button. A contextual menu appears above the taskbar. Click Settings in the list. The Settings app opens. You can also press Windows key + X to open the same menu from the keyboard, then press the key for Settings or click it. Method 4: Use Quick Settings Quick Settings is the small panel for Wi-Fi, volume, brightness, and similar toggles. It also leads to the full app. Press Windows key + A. A small panel opens in the bottom right corner of the screen, just above the taskbar. Click the "All settings" button to expand this into the full Settings app. The button wording and position can differ between Windows 11 builds. If you don't see it, use another method in this guide. You can also open the panel by clicking the Wi-Fi, speaker, or battery icons in the taskbar tray. Press Esc to… **Key facts:** - The Settings app in Windows 11 is the central hub where you control display preferences, Wi-Fi connections, privacy options, and system updates. - Pressing the Windows key and the letter I together opens it instantly on any Windows 11 computer, whether it runs Home or Pro. - The sections below cover that shortcut and five other ways to open Settings. - They also cover moving around the app, what to do if it won't open, and how to build a shortcut to a specific Settings page. - Those other methods are useful when a keyboard shortcut is blocked or a menu is missing. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: A step in the guide doesn't match my screen. What should I do? A: Start with Windows key + I, which opens Settings on most Windows 11 PCs. If a menu item, button, or position in a step looks different, the wording may have changed in a recent Windows update. Try another method from the guide, such as the Start menu or the Run box with ms-settings:. If the mismatch continues, note the step… --- ### How to Uninstall and Reinstall Outlook on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-uninstall-and-reinstall-outlook-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-02 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 987 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Remove Outlook via Windows Settings, then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. Open Settings, navigate to Apps > Installed apps, find Outlook, click the three dots, and select Uninstall. Then, open the Microsoft Store, search for Outlook, and click Install. **Content excerpt:** Uninstalling and reinstalling Outlook on Windows 11 can fix frozen screens, sync errors and other stubborn bugs, because it replaces damaged program files with a fresh copy. Outlook is Microsoft's email app for managing your mail, calendars and contacts in one place. You remove the app through Windows Settings, then download a fresh copy from the Microsoft Store. A clean install also helps if you want to move from the classic mail program to the newer Outlook, which replaced the older Mail and Calendar apps. This guide covers the new Outlook app from the Store. Classic Outlook, which comes with Microsoft 365 or Office, is removed differently, as part of the Office install. Your mail is not stored only in the app. Accounts such as Outlook.com, Microsoft 365 and Exchange keep your messages on the server, so removing the app does not delete them. You will need to sign in again after reinstalling. How to Uninstall the New Outlook App The simplest way to uninstall Outlook on Windows 11 is the Settings app. Close Outlook first so it is not running in the background. Then open Settings, go to the apps list and remove Outlook from there. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Close Outlook if it is open. Right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose close, or use the X in the top-right corner. If it keeps hanging, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Outlook and click End task. Open Settings on your computer. Click the Start button and type Settings, or press Windows key + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. In Settings, click Apps in the left menu. Click Installed apps to see every app on your computer (Settings > Apps > Installed apps). A long list appears, sorted by name by default. Scroll down or use the search box at the top of the list to find Outlook (New). The new Outlook may be listed as "Outlook (new)". If you only see Outlook as part of Microsoft 365 or Office, you have the classic version, and it is not removed with these steps. Click the three dots next to Outlook and choose Uninstall. A small confirmation box appears. Click Uninstall again to confirm. Windows removes the app, which usually takes a few seconds. Once the removal finishes, Outlook disappears from the installed apps list. You do not normally need to restart the computer. To check that it worked, search for Outlook in the installed apps list again. If it is still there, close Settings, restart Windows and look again. If the Uninstall option is missing or greyed out, use the PowerShell method below instead. Uninstall Outlook Using PowerShell (Advanced) PowerShell (a command-line interface for running system commands) is an alternative removal route. It is useful when the Settings button does nothing, is greyed out, or the Settings app itself will not open properly. This first… **Key facts:** - Uninstalling and reinstalling Outlook on Windows 11 can fix frozen screens, sync errors and other stubborn bugs, because it replaces damaged program files with a fresh copy. - You remove the app through Windows Settings, then download a fresh copy from the Microsoft Store. - Classic Outlook, which comes with Microsoft 365 or Office, is removed differently, as part of the Office install. - Accounts such as Outlook.com, Microsoft 365 and Exchange keep your messages on the server, so removing the app does not delete them. - How to Uninstall the New Outlook App The simplest way to uninstall Outlook on Windows 11 is the Settings app. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I reinstalled Outlook but my inbox is empty. Where are my old emails? A: Your old emails are usually still on the mail server, so they should return once you sign in. Keep Outlook open and connected for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure you used the same email account as before. Scroll down the message list or open Sent and Archive, since older mail loads as you go. Check that your account appears… **Extra help under the steps:** - If old emails do not appear after reinstalling: Your messages are stored on the mail server, so they should come back after you sign in. It can take a while, though. 1. Keep Outlook open and connected to the internet for 10 to 15 minutes. 2. Check that you signed in with the same email account you used before. 3. Scroll to the bottom of the message list,… --- ### Reset Touchpad Settings to Default in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/reset-touchpad-settings-to-default-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1758 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To reset touchpad settings to default in Windows 11, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, then select Touchpad. Expand the Touchpad section, scroll to Reset touchpad, and click Reset. Windows restores tap, scroll, zoom and three- and four-finger gesture options to their defaults immediately. Record your current settings first, because the reset cannot be undone. **Content excerpt:** Resetting touchpad settings in Windows 11 returns tap, scroll, zoom and gesture options to the values Windows ships with. The quickest way is the Reset button on the Touchpad page at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. The reset applies to a Precision touchpad (one that uses the standard Microsoft driver, which exposes every gesture option to Windows). Most laptops made in the last few years have one. The steps below match current Windows 11 releases, and labels may differ slightly on older builds. The reset needs no administrator rights on a normal personal PC. The driver reinstall later in this post does need them, and this guide flags it where it appears. What Resetting the Touchpad Changes The reset covers the options on the Touchpad page. That includes cursor speed and touchpad sensitivity, tap behaviour, scrolling and zooming, and the three-finger and four-finger gesture actions. Any gesture you reassigned goes back to its Windows default. It does not reinstall the touchpad driver, update firmware, or change your mouse settings. It also does not touch settings in a manufacturer's own app, such as a Synaptics or ELAN control panel, if your laptop has one. Use the reset when the cursor moves too fast or too slow, scrolling runs the wrong way, taps register by accident, or a gesture does something you did not set. It is also useful before you hand a laptop to someone else. Before You Reset: Record Your Current Settings The reset has no undo. Windows does not keep a copy of your old configuration. If you want to restore any custom gesture later, you have to set it again by hand. Take a photo of each section of the Touchpad page with your phone, or write down the values you changed. This takes a minute and saves guessing later. Reset Touchpad Settings to Default in Windows 11 Using Settings The main method is the Reset button in Settings, which is the safest method. Open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, then select Touchpad, and select Reset to restore the default touchpad settings. Windows applies the change as soon as you select Reset. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Select Bluetooth & devices. It sits in the left pane, below System. The right pane shows your connected devices. Select Touchpad. It is in the list on the right, near Mouse and Pen & Windows Ink. The Touchpad page opens with a Touchpad on/off toggle at the top. Expand the Touchpad section. Click the small arrow at the right of the toggle if the options are hidden. Leave the toggle itself set to On, because a touchpad that is switched off greys out its options. Scroll to Reset touchpad. This is in the same expanded section, below the gesture options. It carries a short line saying it resets your touchpad settings and gestures to their defaults. Click Reset. The values… **Key facts:** - Resetting touchpad settings in Windows 11 returns tap, scroll, zoom and gesture options to the values Windows ships with. - The quickest way is the Reset button on the Touchpad page at Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. - The steps below match current Windows 11 releases, and labels may differ slightly on older builds. - It does not reinstall the touchpad driver, update firmware, or change your mouse settings. - It also does not touch settings in a manufacturer's own app, such as a Synaptics or ELAN control panel, if your laptop has one. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and go to System > Power & battery to change when your screen turns off and when your PC sleeps. Under Screen and sleep, choose a time for each option, or pick Never to turn it off. Laptops show separate settings for when plugged in and on battery. - Q: How to adjust display settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and select System > Display to change screen resolution, scale, brightness, and orientation. Use the Display resolution dropdown to pick a resolution, and choose the size of text and apps with the Scale setting. Night light and HDR options are on the same page. - Q: How to set printer as default in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, then click your printer and select Set as default. Windows will now use it for every print job unless you choose another printer in the print window. --- ### Open OneDrive Settings from the Taskbar in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/open-onedrive-settings-from-the-taskbar-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2036 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To open OneDrive settings in Windows 11, select the cloud icon at the right end of the taskbar, then select the Help & Settings gear, then select Settings. If the cloud is hidden, select the Show hidden icons arrow beside the clock first. The window opens with Sync and backup, Account and About tabs. **Content excerpt:** OneDrive settings open from the cloud icon at the right end of the Windows 11 taskbar. Select the icon, select the gear labelled Help & Settings, then select Settings. This takes about ten seconds. The cloud icon sits in the notification area (the group of small icons next to the clock, also called the system tray). If you do not see it, Windows may be hiding it, or OneDrive may not be running. Both cases are covered below. The steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro, with a personal Microsoft account or a work or school account. None of them need administrator rights. Before you start: what to check Before you start, know this: OneDrive updates on its own schedule, separate from Windows 11. The labels in this article match the current OneDrive app, whose settings window has three tabs: Sync and backup, Account and About. An older build of OneDrive shows more tabs, including Settings, Backup, Network and Office. If your window does not match the descriptions, open the About tab later to see your version. A different layout is the most common reason a setting seems to be missing. You also need to be signed in to OneDrive. If the cloud icon shows a sign-in prompt instead of your files, sign in first. The settings window needs an account to show most of its options. Open OneDrive settings from the taskbar These steps open the OneDrive settings window from the taskbar, from the first glance at the tray to the finished window. Look at the right end of the taskbar. Find the cloud icon near the clock. A white or grey cloud is a personal account. A blue cloud is a work or school account. Select the Show hidden icons arrow if the cloud is not visible. This is the small upward arrow to the left of the other tray icons. A small panel opens with the icons Windows has tucked away. Select the OneDrive cloud icon. A flyout (a small pop-up panel) opens. It shows your sync status, your storage use and recently synced files. Select the Help & Settings gear icon. It sits in the top-right corner of the flyout. A menu opens with items such as Pause syncing, Settings and Quit OneDrive. Select Settings. The OneDrive settings window opens in front of your other windows. Select the tab you need. Use Sync and backup for folder backup and sync options, Account for your sign-in and folder choices, and About for version details. Change the option you want. Most switches apply the moment you flip them. If you see an OK button at the bottom of the window, select it to save. Close the settings window. Select the X in the top-right corner. OneDrive keeps running in the tray. No restart is needed. A few options, such as starting OneDrive when you sign in to Windows, take effect the next time you sign in. If the flyout opens but you see no gear icon The… **Key facts:** - OneDrive settings open from the cloud icon at the right end of the Windows 11 taskbar. - Select the icon, select the gear labelled Help & Settings, then select Settings. - The steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro, with a personal Microsoft account or a work or school account. - Before you start: what to check Before you start, know this: OneDrive updates on its own schedule, separate from Windows 11. - The labels in this article match the current OneDrive app, whose settings window has three tabs: Sync and backup, Account and About. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to adjust power and sleep settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then select Power & battery. Under Screen and sleep, choose how long Windows waits before it turns off the screen or puts the PC to sleep. Use the Power mode dropdown to balance performance and battery life. On a laptop, you can set these separately for On battery and Plugged in. - Q: How to pin apps to Windows 11 taskbar efficiently? A: Open Start, find the app, then right-click it and select Pin to taskbar. If the app is already open, right-click its taskbar icon and select Pin to taskbar. To remove an icon, right-click it and select Unpin from taskbar. Drag pinned icons left or right to change their order. - Q: How to adjust display settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then select Display. Use the Scale dropdown to make text and apps larger or smaller. Use the Display resolution dropdown to change sharpness, and the Orientation dropdown to rotate the screen. With more than one monitor, select the monitor you want to change first. - Q: What is OneDrive Windows 11? A: OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage app, built into Windows 11. It stores copies of your files online and syncs them across your PCs and phone. Files you place in the OneDrive folder in File Explorer stay available when you are signed in. You need a Microsoft account to use it. - Q: How to disable OneDrive Windows 11? A: To pause OneDrive, select its cloud icon, select the gear, then choose Pause syncing for a set time. To stop it starting with Windows, open Task Manager, select Startup apps, select Microsoft OneDrive, and select Disable. Unlinking this PC in OneDrive Settings keeps your files but stops syncing. - Q: Where is the taskbar in Windows 11? A: The taskbar is the bar along the bottom edge of your screen by default. It holds the Start button, the search box, and your pinned app icons. The notification area sits at the right end, with the clock, network, and volume icons. In Windows 11, you cannot move the taskbar to the sides or top of the screen. --- ### How to Change SafeSearch Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-safesearch-settings-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-01-29 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1126 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change SafeSearch in Windows 11, open Settings, select Privacy & security, then click Search permissions and choose Strict, Moderate or Off under the SafeSearch section. Moderate is the default. The change applies to your signed-in account immediately and needs no restart. If the section is missing, your build, region or a work or school account may be limiting it. **Content excerpt:** SafeSearch in Windows 11 filters adult and explicit material out of the web results that Windows Search shows. That covers what appears when you search from the taskbar. It is a built-in filter, and changing it takes about a minute. There are 3 levels: Strict, Moderate and Off. Strict blocks the most explicit text, images and videos. Moderate blocks adult images and videos but leaves normal text results alone, and it is the default. Browsers and search engines such as Edge, Bing and Google keep their own SafeSearch settings. The last section of this tutorial covers them. How to Change SafeSearch Settings in Windows 11 The Settings app is the supported way to change SafeSearch. The path is Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions. From that page you choose Strict, Moderate or Off. Before you start, check that your PC offers the setting. The Search permissions page with a SafeSearch section is part of Windows 11, but its availability depends on your build and region. On some builds, or where web results in Windows Search are limited, the page looks different or has no SafeSearch section. On a PC managed by a work or school account, an administrator can hide the section or lock it. Where the section is present, it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The change applies to the account you are signed in with and does not need a restart. Open Windows Settings. Click the Start button and then the gear icon, or press Windows + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens with the System page showing. More about opening Settings On the left side, click Privacy & security. The privacy options appear on the right. On the right side, find and click Search permissions. It sits in the Windows permissions group, so you may need to scroll down to reach it. The Search permissions page opens. Scroll down until you see the SafeSearch section. It lists the three filter levels as options you can select. If you cannot find this section, your build or region may not include it, as noted above. Choose your SafeSearch setting. Click the option you want and the selection moves to it right away: Strict: Blocks most adult content. Pick this on a shared or family PC. Moderate: Blocks some adult content (this is the default setting). Off: No filtering. You see all results. Close the Settings app when you are done. Windows saves your change automatically, and you do not need to restart. To undo it, come back to the same page and select your previous level. If the options are greyed out or the page will not let you change them, the PC is probably managed by a work or school account, and your administrator controls the setting. Another Way: Change SafeSearch Using the Registry Editor (For Advanced Users) You can also set SafeSearch through the Registry Editor, the Windows tool that stores system and app settings. This suits you if… **Key facts:** - SafeSearch in Windows 11 filters adult and explicit material out of the web results that Windows Search shows. - Browsers and search engines such as Edge, Bing and Google keep their own SafeSearch settings. - How to Change SafeSearch Settings in Windows 11 The Settings app is the supported way to change SafeSearch. - The path is Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions. - The Search permissions page with a SafeSearch section is part of Windows 11, but its availability depends on your build and region. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Is SafeSearch still in Windows 11 Settings? A: No. Microsoft has removed SafeSearch from Windows, so you won't find Search permissions or the Strict, Moderate, and Off options in Settings. There is no direct replacement in Windows. To filter explicit search results, open your browser's settings and search for SafeSearch there. You can also manage it online through your Microsoft account. These settings only affect searches made in… - Q: Is SafeSearch still in Windows 11? A: No. Microsoft has removed the SafeSearch options from Windows 11 Settings, so you won't find Strict, Moderate, or Off under Search permissions. There is no direct replacement in Windows. To filter explicit results, change SafeSearch in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, or manage it online in your Microsoft account. Those settings cover searches made in those places, not Windows Search… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find the SafeSearch section in Windows: Microsoft has removed SafeSearch from Windows Settings, so the Strict, Moderate, and Off options no longer appear under Search permissions. There is no direct replacement in Windows. To filter explicit results, set SafeSearch in your browser: in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, open Settings and search for SafeSearch. You can also manage it online through your Microsoft account. These browser… - If you can't find Search permissions: Microsoft has removed SafeSearch from Windows, so Search permissions and its Strict, Moderate, and Off options no longer appear in Settings. There is no direct replacement in Windows, so this step and the steps after it won't work on your PC. To filter explicit results, change SafeSearch in your web browser: open its settings and search for SafeSearch. You can… --- ### How to Customize the Context Menu in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-customize-the-context-menu-in-file-explorer-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-08-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1477 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Personalization > Context menu to control what appears when you right-click in Windows 11. Turn off File actions switches to hide built-in commands, and use App actions to hide entries added by installed programs. Changes apply the next time you open the menu, and you can turn any switch back on. **Content excerpt:** Customizing the context menu in Windows 11 means choosing which commands appear when you right-click a file, folder, or the desktop. The context menu is the pop-up list that holds everyday commands such as copy, paste, rename, and open. Apps add their own options to this list over time, which makes the menu long and messy. A newer Windows 11 settings page, found at Settings > Personalization > Context menu, lets you hide the clutter. It has File actions and App actions toggles, plus an Additional options section for the layout. This page needs a recent Windows 11 build and may not be on every PC yet. Every change can be undone by flipping the same switch back. Step 1: Open the New Context Menu Settings Page Before you start: this settings page is new. It was announced on the Windows Insider blog in August 2026, and it needs a recent Windows 11 build. It may not have reached all PCs yet, because Windows rolls out new settings in stages. Some options may exist only in Windows Insider preview builds and may be missing from stable releases. To check your build, open Settings > System > About and read the OS build line under Windows specifications. Compare it with the build number given in the Insider announcement. I cannot confirm a minimum build number here, so rely on that announcement for the exact figure. To customize the context menu, open its settings page with either method below. Both end on the same page. Method 1: The shortcut from the right-click menu Right-click an empty space. Use an empty spot on your desktop, or inside a folder in File Explorer. The context menu opens. Click Customize menu. It sits at the very bottom of the menu. Check the Settings app. It opens on the context menu settings page. Method 2: Through the Settings app Press the Windows key + I. The Settings app opens. Click Personalization. It is in the left-hand column. Click Context menu. It is on the right side of the screen, and the context menu settings page opens. The full path is Settings > Personalization > Context menu. You can also type "context menu" into the Settings search box. Tip: If you do not see Customize menu at the bottom of your right-click list, or there is no Context menu entry under Personalization, your version of Windows 11 does not have this feature yet. Install all pending updates through Settings > Windows Update, restart the PC, and check again. Some PCs get new settings pages later than others. Step 2: Choose Which File Actions You Want to See File actions are built-in Windows shortcuts for managing files and folders. Each one has a toggle switch, so you can hide the shortcuts you never use. Windows also changes which of these options appear based on what kind of file you click. These steps continue from the settings page you opened above. Find the File actions section. It is on… **Key facts:** - Customizing the context menu in Windows 11 means choosing which commands appear when you right-click a file, folder, or the desktop. - A newer Windows 11 settings page, found at Settings > Personalization > Context menu, lets you hide the clutter. - This page needs a recent Windows 11 build and may not be on every PC yet. - Step 1: Open the New Context Menu Settings Page Before you start: this settings page is new. - It was announced on the Windows Insider blog in August 2026, and it needs a recent Windows 11 build. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: 1. right-click on the file? A: Right-click a file in File Explorer, and a pop-up list of commands appears, such as Copy, Rename, and Open. Windows 11 shows only the most common commands at first. To see the full list, including older app options, click Show more options at the bottom of the menu. - Q: Where are the context menus in settings for to do? A: Open Settings and search for context menu, or right-click an empty spot on the desktop and choose Customize menu at the bottom. Both routes open the context menu settings page, where you can turn File actions and App actions on or off and change Additional options. - Q: Where do I find the context menu? A: Right-click a file, a folder, or an empty space on the desktop or inside a folder. The context menu appears at your cursor. Some items sit behind Show more options at the bottom of the list in Windows 11. - Q: How do you organize context menu win 11? A: Open the context menu settings page and turn off the File actions and App actions you never use. Apps that add their own entries are listed there too, so you can hide them. Each change is reversed by turning the same switch back on. - Q: Can I customize the Windows 11 file explorer context menu? A: Yes. The context menu settings page lets you turn off File actions and App actions, which removes entries you do not need. You can also change Additional options. Every change stays reversible, so you can turn any switch back on at any time. - Q: How to activate translate in the context menu Windows 11? A: Windows 11 has no built-in translate command in the File Explorer right-click menu. You need a translation app that adds one. After you install it, open the context menu settings page and make sure its App actions switch is on so the option appears. - Q: Why is Customize menu or the Context menu page missing from my Windows 11 settings? A: This Windows 11 context menu feature is still in development and only works on PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Preview program. It's also limited to some editions, such as Pro or Enterprise, not Home. Open Settings > System > About to check your edition. If your PC isn't in the Insider program, the steps in this guide won't work.… **Extra help under the steps:** - If the Context menu settings page is missing: If you can't find Customize menu or a Context menu page in Settings, this feature probably isn't in your copy of Windows yet. It is still in development and is only available on PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Preview program. The editor's note also says it exists only in some editions, such as Pro or Enterprise, not Home. To… --- ### How to Enable or Disable Automatically Restart Microsoft Edge to Update on Idle in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-automatically-restart-microsoft-edge-to-update-on-idle-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 750 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Open Microsoft Edge, select the Settings and more (Alt+F) button, then select Settings and About Microsoft Edge. Switch Restart to update on idle on or off. The setting is off by default, and it takes effect without a restart. Save open work first, because Edge relaunches after 20 minutes of inactivity. **Content excerpt:** Restart to update on idle is a Microsoft Edge feature you have to switch on yourself. It closes and reopens the browser while you are away from your computer, so updates install without you doing anything. This page shows you how to turn it on or off for your account in Windows 11. How Restart to update on idle works Normally, Edge waits for you to check for updates or close and reopen the browser. Some people go days without the latest version as a result. With Restart to update on idle, Edge detects when you step away. If an update is waiting, it restarts itself. Security fixes and new features reach you sooner, and Edge restores your tabs after the relaunch. Edge waits while you are active, whether you are editing a document, downloading files, or streaming media. Idle means you have not touched the keyboard or mouse. The current idle period is 20 minutes without any input from you. When the feature is on and your computer is idle, Edge shows a notification that a relaunch is coming. The notification gives you time to act. If you come back to the browser before the countdown ends, you can stop the relaunch and save your work. The notification appears only while the device is idle. When the countdown ends, Edge relaunches and installs the update. If you want to see how long the countdown lasts, check the notification or confirm the length with Microsoft. Restart to update on idle does not work in InPrivate browsing mode (a window that doesn't save your history). Turn Restart to update on idle on or off The relaunch can cause you to lose unsaved work, so save anything you have open in the browser before you turn this feature on. The setting is off by default. Open Microsoft Edge. Select the Settings and more (Alt+F) button, the three dots, then select Settings. Select About Microsoft Edge in the left pane. If you don't see the left pane, select the three-bar menu button at the top left, or widen the Edge window until the pane appears. Turn Restart to update on idle on or off, depending on what you want. To undo this change To undo this change, go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge and switch Restart to update on idle back to its previous position. If you turned it on, that means switching it off again. Edge goes back to applying updates only when you relaunch it yourself. How to enable mobile hotspot in Windows 11? Open Settings, select Network & internet, then click Mobile hotspot. Turn on the Share my internet connection with other devices switch. To change the network name or password, select Edit, enter new details, and select Save. Other devices can then connect using that name and password. How to disable automatic updates in Windows 11? Open Settings, select Windows Update, then choose Pause updates and pick a date up to five weeks away. Windows will skip updates… **Key facts:** - This page shows you how to turn it on or off for your account in Windows 11. - Some people go days without the latest version as a result. - With Restart to update on idle, Edge detects when you step away. - The current idle period is 20 minutes without any input from you. - Select the Settings and more (Alt+F) button, the three dots, then select Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to enable mobile hotspot in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Network & internet, then click Mobile hotspot. Turn on the Share my internet connection with other devices switch. To change the network name or password, select Edit, enter new details, and select Save. Other devices can then connect using that name and password. - Q: How to disable automatic updates in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select Windows Update, then choose Pause updates and pick a date up to five weeks away. Windows will skip updates until that date. Turning off updates permanently is risky because you miss security fixes, so pausing is the safer choice. Pro users can use Group Policy, but that is harder to undo. - Q: How to update to the latest build of Windows 11 preview? A: Preview builds can be unstable, so back up your files first. Open Settings, select Windows Update, then select Windows Insider Program and click Get started. Link a Microsoft account, choose a channel such as Beta Channel, and restart your PC. Then return to Windows Update and select Check for updates to get the newest build. - Q: How to enable tracking prevention in edge? A: Open Edge, select Settings and more (the three dots), then choose Settings. Select Privacy, search, and services, and scroll to Tracking prevention. Choose Balanced or Strict. Balanced is the default and blocks most trackers without breaking most sites. Strict blocks more but can break some pages. - Q: How to restart edge? A: Close every Edge window, then open Edge again from the taskbar or Start menu. If Edge stays open in the background, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, select Microsoft Edge in Task Manager, and click End task. Then open Edge again. Your tabs reopen only if you have Continue where you left off turned on. - Q: How to restart Microsoft edge? A: If an update is ready, open Settings and more, select Settings, then About Microsoft Edge. Click the Restart button shown there. If no button appears, close all Edge windows, wait a few seconds, and open Edge again from the Start menu or taskbar. --- ### Save Videos Automatically to Another Drive in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/save-videos-automatically-to-another-drive-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1954 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To automatically save videos to another drive in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, and set New photos and videos will save to your second drive, such as D:. Then right-click the Videos folder in File Explorer, choose Properties, and use the Location tab to move it to D:\Videos. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can automatically save videos to a second drive once you change one setting in Storage and move the Videos folder. The setting is under Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, and the folder move happens in the Videos folder's Properties window. Video files fill a system drive quickly, and a 4K recording can run to several gigabytes. Pointing new recordings at a larger internal or external drive keeps drive C: from running out of space. The menu names below match current Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2 and 24H2, so your screen should look the same. Home and Pro behave the same way. Before you start Check three things first, because most failures trace back to one of them. The drive is connected and visible. Open File Explorer and look for it under This PC. If it is missing there, it will also be missing from the Settings list. The drive has a file system and free space. Windows needs a formatted drive. NTFS (the file system that organises files on the drive) is the usual choice for internal drives. Leave enough room for the videos you already have, because one of the steps moves them. You are signed in with the account that makes the recordings. These settings apply per user account, not to the whole PC. Neither method asks for administrator approval on a home PC where you use a standard account. If your PC belongs to a school or employer, an administrator may have locked these options, and some controls may appear greyed out. Plan for two changes, because they cover different apps. The New photos and videos will save to setting covers apps that follow Windows' default, such as the Camera app. Moving the Videos folder controls anything that saves into that folder, such as Xbox Game Bar captures. Do both to cover most cases. How to automatically save videos to another drive in Windows 11 These steps make Windows automatically save videos to the drive you choose, first through the Storage setting and then by moving the Videos folder itself. Connect the destination drive. Plug in the external drive, or confirm the internal drive appears under This PC in File Explorer. Note its drive letter, for example D:. Open Settings. Press Windows + I. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Storage. Go to Settings > System > Storage. You see a bar showing how much space each category uses on drive C:. Expand Advanced storage settings. Scroll down and click the heading. It opens a short list of extra options. Select Where new content is saved. A page opens with a list of content types, each with its own drop-down menu. If you cannot find this item, skip to step 9 and use the Videos folder method alone. Open the New photos and videos will save to menu. Click the drop-down. It lists every drive Windows can use, with drive C: selected… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can automatically save videos to a second drive once you change one setting in Storage and move the Videos folder. - The setting is under Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, and the folder move happens in the Videos folder's Properties window. - Video files fill a system drive quickly, and a 4K recording can run to several gigabytes. - The menu names below match current Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2 and 24H2, so your screen should look the same. - If it is missing there, it will also be missing from the Settings list. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Does canva automatically save? A: Yes. Canva saves your design automatically as you edit, so you don't need to press a save button. Watch the save status near the top of the editor. If it shows an error instead of saved, copy any important work before you close the tab. - Q: How to save videos from youtube? A: YouTube doesn't offer a standard download button for most videos. The official way is YouTube Premium, which lets you download videos in the YouTube app on a phone or tablet to watch offline. Downloaders from other websites break YouTube's terms of service, and they can install unwanted software. - Q: Do Google docs automatically save? A: Yes. Google Docs saves every change as you type, usually within a few seconds. Look for the word Saved or the cloud icon near the top of the page. To keep editing without a connection, turn on offline access in Google Drive, and your changes will sync when you reconnect. --- ### Start an InPrivate Window in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/start-an-inprivate-window-in-microsoft-edge-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1804 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** To open an InPrivate window in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, press Ctrl + Shift + N while Edge is open. You can also select Settings and more (the three-dot menu at the top right) and then New InPrivate window. The window deletes your browsing history, cookies and site data when you close all InPrivate windows. **Content excerpt:** An InPrivate window in Microsoft Edge is a private browsing window that deletes your browsing history, cookies and site data once you close all InPrivate windows. To open one, press Ctrl + Shift + N while Edge is open, or select Settings and more (the three-dot menu) > New InPrivate window. This works the same way on every current build of Windows 11. None of the steps below need administrator rights. The sections below cover the main method and five faster ways to open the window. They also explain how to make a shortcut that always opens InPrivate, and what to check when the option is missing. What an InPrivate window does and does not do Knowing the limits first saves you from relying on it for the wrong job. InPrivate stops Edge from keeping a local record of your session on this PC. It does not make you anonymous online. What InPrivate does While you browse in an InPrivate window, Edge does not save your browsing history, the cookies (small files that sites use to remember you), or the form data you type. When you close the last InPrivate window, Edge discards all of it. The next person who opens Edge on the same PC will not see those pages in History or in the address bar suggestions. What InPrivate does not do Websites you visit can still see your visit and your IP address (a number that identifies your internet connection). Your internet provider, your employer or school network, and any monitoring software on the PC can still see your traffic. InPrivate does not act as a VPN (a service that hides your traffic and location). Files you download stay in your Downloads folder after you close the window. Favorites you add stay saved as well. Edge removes the download history entry, but not the file itself. Open an InPrivate window from the Edge menu This method works on any version of Edge and shows you where the option lives. Follow these steps to open a new InPrivate window in Edge on Windows 11. The menu path is Settings and more > New InPrivate window. Open Microsoft Edge. Select its icon on the taskbar or search for Edge in the Start menu. Select Settings and more. This is the three-dot button at the top right of the Edge window. A menu opens below it. Select New InPrivate window. It is the third item in the list, below New tab and New window. A second Edge window opens on top of the first. Check for the InPrivate badge. It sits at the top right of the window, and the page says You're browsing InPrivate. If you see these, you are in the right window. Type a web address or search term in the address bar. Press Enter to load the page. Edge saves nothing about this session locally. Close the window when you finish. Select the X at the top right. Edge deletes the session data once the last… **Key facts:** - To open one, press Ctrl + Shift + N while Edge is open, or select Settings and more (the three-dot menu) > New InPrivate window. - This works the same way on every current build of Windows 11. - None of the steps below need administrator rights. - The sections below cover the main method and five faster ways to open the window. - Open an InPrivate window from the Edge menu This method works on any version of Edge and shows you where the option lives. --- ### View Login History in Windows 11 with Event Viewer - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/view-login-history-in-windows-11-with-event-viewer/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 2045 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To view login history in Windows 11, open Event Viewer as an administrator, go to Windows Logs > Security, and filter the log for Event ID 4624, which records each successful sign-in. Windows also logs failed attempts as 4625. Event Viewer works on Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education, and each event's Logon Type shows whether the sign-in happened at the keyboard, over the network, or through Remote Desktop. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 keeps a record of every sign-in on your PC, both successful and failed. You can read it in the Security log in Event Viewer. To see it, open Event Viewer as an administrator, go to Windows Logs > Security, and filter the log for Event ID 4624, which marks a successful sign-in. Event Viewer is the built-in tool that reads Windows' event logs. It works on Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education. The Security log shows who signed in, when, and how: at the keyboard, over the network, or through Remote Desktop (a feature that lets someone sign in to your PC from another computer). The steps below cover successful sign-ins, failed attempts, filtering by user, and saving the results. What Event Viewer Records About Login History Windows writes a security event each time an account signs in, signs out, or fails to sign in. Each event type has an Event ID, a number that identifies what happened. These are the IDs you need for login history: Event ID What it means 4624 An account signed in successfully. 4625 A sign-in attempt failed. 4634 A sign-in session ended. 4647 The user chose to sign out. Windows 11 also records signing back in at the lock screen as a 4624 event, with a different logon type. The logon type tells you how the sign-in happened. A later section explains each one. Before You Start Reading the Security log requires administrator rights. If you sign in with a standard account, Windows asks for administrator credentials, or Event Viewer shows an access denied message when you open the Security log. Windows records successful and failed sign-ins by default on a typical Windows 11 PC. Auditing means Windows writes an event for an action. If your PC is managed by an employer or school, an administrator may have changed those settings, and the log can look different from what this article describes. The Security log has a size limit. When it fills, Windows overwrites the oldest events by default. A PC that is on every day may keep only a few weeks of history, and a busy one keeps less. View Login History in Event Viewer These steps open the Security log and filter it so the list shows only successful sign-ins, which is your login history for this PC. Click Start and type Event Viewer. The Event Viewer app appears at the top of the results. Right-click Event Viewer and choose Run as administrator. This step requires administrator privileges. Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt, or enter administrator credentials if you are asked. The Event Viewer window opens with three panes. Expand Windows Logs in the left pane. Click the arrow beside it. Five logs appear beneath it: Application, Security, Setup, System and Forwarded Events. Click Security. The middle pane fills with events. The Keywords column shows Audit Success or Audit Failure for each one. Click Filter Current Log in the right pane, under Actions. A dialog opens.… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 keeps a record of every sign-in on your PC, both successful and failed. - To see it, open Event Viewer as an administrator, go to Windows Logs > Security, and filter the log for Event ID 4624, which marks a successful sign-in. - It works on Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education. - The steps below cover successful sign-ins, failed attempts, filtering by user, and saving the results. - These are the IDs you need for login history: Event ID What it means 4624 An account signed in successfully. --- ### What Windows Dynamic Lock Actually Does with Bluetooth Devices - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-windows-dynamic-lock-actually-does-with-bluetooth-devices/ - **Published:** 2026-09-07 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 838 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows Dynamic Lock automatically locks your PC when your paired Bluetooth phone's signal drops as you walk away. It waits thirty to sixty seconds after losing the signal, then shows the lock screen. The feature monitors only Bluetooth signal strength—not GPS or cameras—and does not unlock the PC when you return; you must sign in again with your PIN, password, or Windows Hello. **Content excerpt:** Windows Dynamic Lock locks your PC when you walk away. It does this by watching the Bluetooth signal from a phone that is paired with the computer. When that signal drops, Windows waits roughly thirty to sixty seconds and then shows the lock screen. The signal strength is the only thing Windows uses. It does not track your GPS location, and it does not use cameras or other sensors. Dynamic Lock only locks the PC. When you come back and the signal returns, Windows does not unlock itself. You still sign in with your PIN, password, or Windows Hello. Dynamic Lock is included in both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. It is also available in Windows 10, so you do not need a particular edition. Supported Devices: What Can You Use With Dynamic Lock? Most modern smartphones work with Dynamic Lock, including iPhones and Android devices, as long as they pair with the computer using standard Bluetooth. Windows relies on that Bluetooth link to judge how far away the phone is. When the signal drops as you walk away, Windows locks the screen. Other Bluetooth devices, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, or wireless headphones, can also be paired. They only help if they keep a steady, reliable connection to the computer. A phone is usually the safest choice because you carry it everywhere. Headphones that you leave on the desk will keep the PC unlocked after you leave. Test any other device before you rely on it. The key requirement is that the device must already be paired with your Windows PC before you can turn on Dynamic Lock. If your computer has no built-in Bluetooth, plug in a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter first. Windows should then show the Bluetooth toggle in Settings. If you don't see it, check that the adapter's driver installed correctly. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Enable Dynamic Lock on Windows Setup takes a few minutes once the prerequisites are in place. There are two parts. First you pair the phone, then you switch on the Dynamic Lock option. Step 1: Pair Your Bluetooth Device Dynamic Lock needs a phone that Windows already knows about, so pair it through Settings first. The steps below are for Windows 11. Windows 10 uses slightly different names, noted in step 4. On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and leave the Bluetooth settings screen open so the phone is discoverable. On your PC, open the Start menu and click Settings (the gear icon). Click Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand list. In Windows 10, click Devices instead. You should see the Bluetooth settings page. Turn the Bluetooth toggle On if it is off. Click Add device, then choose Bluetooth in the window that opens. Windows starts searching for nearby devices. Select your phone from the list. If Windows and your phone both show a pairing code, check that the codes match and confirm on both devices. Wait for Windows to report that the device is Connected or paired. Your… **Key facts:** - Dynamic Lock is included in both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. - It is also available in Windows 10, so you do not need a particular edition. - Windows should then show the Bluetooth toggle in Settings. - Step-by-Step Guide: How to Enable Dynamic Lock on Windows Setup takes a few minutes once the prerequisites are in place. - Step 1: Pair Your Bluetooth Device Dynamic Lock needs a phone that Windows already knows about, so pair it through Settings first. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What if you lose your phone? A: A lost phone can't sign in to your PC. Anyone who gets back in still needs your PIN, password, or Windows Hello. The real risk is a lost phone left close to the PC, because its Bluetooth signal keeps the screen unlocked. Right away, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, select your phone, and choose Remove device. Until you… --- ### Turn Off Windows Spotlight on the Desktop Background in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/turn-off-windows-spotlight-on-the-desktop-background-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1326 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn off Windows Spotlight on the desktop background in Windows 11, open Settings, select Personalization, then select Background. Open the Personalize your background drop-down list and choose Picture, Solid color or Slideshow. The rotating photos stop and the Learn more about this picture icon disappears from your desktop, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Windows Spotlight changes your desktop photo on a schedule. To stop it, switch the background to a picture, solid color or slideshow. To turn it off, follow these steps: Open Settings > Personalization > Background. Change Personalize your background from Windows spotlight to Picture, Solid color or Slideshow. Windows Spotlight (a feature that downloads rotating photos from Microsoft) also puts a Learn more about this picture icon on your desktop. Switching to any other background option removes both the rotating photos and that icon. The change takes effect at once, and you do not need to restart. The steps below cover the desktop background. A separate section covers the lock screen, which has its own Spotlight setting. Before you start You do not need administrator rights. The setting applies only to the account you are signed in to, so each user on a shared PC changes their own. The steps match current Windows 11 versions (each numbered version of Windows is called a build). Desktop Spotlight arrived in a mid-cycle update to Windows 11 version 22H2 (the feature update released in late 2022), so a PC on an older build may not offer Windows spotlight as a desktop background at all. In that case the rotating photos you see are not coming from this setting. The troubleshooting section covers this. Home and Pro editions use the same screen, so there is no edition difference for this task. Turn off Windows Spotlight on the desktop background These steps stop the rotating desktop photos by replacing them with a fixed picture you choose. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. Select Personalization in the left pane. The right side shows a preview of your current desktop and lock screen. Select Background. Next to Personalize your background, a drop-down list shows Windows spotlight if the feature is active. If the list is greyed out, go to the troubleshooting section below. Open the Personalize your background drop-down list. It offers Windows spotlight, Picture, Solid color and Slideshow. Choose Picture. The page changes to show a Choose a photo row of recent images and a Browse photos button. The Learn more about this picture icon disappears from your desktop. Pick an image under Recent images, or select Browse photos and choose your own file. The desktop switches to that image straight away. Open the Choose a fit for your desktop image list. Choose Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, Center or Span. Fill suits most photos because it covers the screen without distorting the image. Close Settings. Look at your desktop. The picture stays the same from now on, and the Spotlight icon is gone. The Recent images row can include pictures Windows used earlier. If you want a fixed image that is not a Spotlight photo, use Browse photos and pick a file of your own. Use a solid color or a slideshow instead A fixed photo is not the only way to stop Spotlight. If you want something other than… **Key facts:** - To turn it off, follow these steps: Open Settings > Personalization > Background. - The steps match current Windows 11 versions (each numbered version of Windows is called a build). - Desktop Spotlight arrived in a mid-cycle update to Windows 11 version 22H2 (the feature update released in late 2022), so a PC on an older build may not offer Windows spotlight as a desktop background at all. - Turn off Windows Spotlight on the desktop background These steps stop the rotating desktop photos by replacing them with a fixed picture you choose. - Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. --- ### How to Change Your Main Screen in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-your-main-screen-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-06 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-19 - **Word count:** 1321 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To set the main display in Windows 11, press Windows key + I, select System > Display, click the monitor you want, expand Multiple displays and tick Make this my main display. The taskbar, system tray clock and new app windows move to that monitor straight away, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** To set the main display in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, select the monitor you want, and tick Make this my main display. That one change moves your main screen, also called the primary screen, to that monitor. The primary display holds your main taskbar, the system tray clock and, in most cases, newly opened apps. Windows uses it to decide where to put your most important windows. It also decides which monitor shows the sign-in screen and where the Start menu opens. The setting only matters when more than one monitor is connected. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you need no administrator rights to change it. Some apps reopen on the monitor they were last used on, so a few windows may not follow the change right away. These steps make the monitor you choose your main screen, from start to finish: Press Windows key + I. This opens the Settings app. Select System in the left-hand list. The System page opens on the right. Select Display. You should see a diagram of your monitors, each shown as a numbered box. Click Identify if you are unsure which box is which monitor. A large number appears briefly on each physical screen, so you can match it to the diagram. Click the box for the monitor you want as your main screen. The box is highlighted once it is selected. Scroll down and expand Multiple displays. The extra options for your monitors appear below it. Tick Make this my main display. The taskbar, clock and desktop icons should move to that monitor straight away. No restart is needed. If Make this my main display is greyed out or already ticked, the monitor you selected is already the main one. To change it, select the other monitor in the diagram instead. To undo the change, select your old monitor in the diagram and tick the box again. The taskbar moves back the same way. If a monitor is missing from the diagram, expand Multiple displays and click Detect. Then check the cable and the input source set on the monitor itself. If you only see one box, press Windows key + P and choose Extend. In Duplicate mode both screens show the same picture, so there is no separate main display to pick. Once the second monitor shows up as its own numbered box, repeat the steps above. Option 1: Change Your Main Screen Using Windows Settings Windows Settings lets you change your windows 11 main display in just a few clicks by selecting the correct monitor number in your display properties. This built-in method works for almost all computers and keeps your taskbar, new windows, and notifications on your preferred screen without needing extra software. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click on System on the left, then select Display on the right. Open Display Settings At the top, you’ll see pictures of your screens labeled with numbers. Click… **Key facts:** - To set the main display in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, select the monitor you want, and tick Make this my main display. - It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you need no administrator rights to change it. - These steps make the monitor you choose your main screen, from start to finish: Press Windows key + I. - Once the second monitor shows up as its own numbered box, repeat the steps above. - Option 1: Change Your Main Screen Using Windows Settings Windows Settings lets you change your windows 11 main display in just a few clicks by selecting the correct monitor number in your display properties. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change main display Windows 11? A: To change your main display in Windows 11, press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Display. Click the numbered box for the monitor you want, expand Multiple displays, and tick Make this my main display. The taskbar and desktop icons move to that screen right away. This option needs more than one monitor. - Q: How do I change my screen? A: Your main screen is set in Settings. Press Windows key + I, go to System > Display, click the box for the monitor you want, then expand Multiple displays and tick Make this my main display. If you meant resolution or brightness, those controls are on the same Display page. - Q: How to change main monitor? A: To change your main monitor, press Windows key + I to open Settings and go to System > Display. Select the numbered box that matches the monitor you want. Expand Multiple displays and tick Make this my main display. The taskbar and clock move to that monitor immediately. No restart is needed. - Q: How to change home screen on Windows 11? A: Windows 11 has no separate home screen setting for the desktop. The closest option is your main display, which controls where the taskbar and Start menu open and which screen shows the sign-in screen. Change it in Settings under System > Display by selecting the monitor and ticking Make this my main display. - Q: How to change Windows screen? A: To change which screen Windows uses as its main one, open Settings and go to System > Display. Choose the monitor you want, expand Multiple displays, and tick Make this my main display. The taskbar, clock and desktop icons move to that monitor. This only works when two or more monitors are connected. - Q: How do I change my main screen? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select System > Display. Click the numbered box for the monitor you want to use. Under Multiple displays, tick Make this my main display. Some apps may stay on their old monitor until you reopen them. No restart is needed. --- ### How to Add or Remove Network Locations in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-add-network-location-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2021-08-30 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1202 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To add a network location in Windows 11, open File Explorer, right-click This PC, click Show more options, then select Add a network location. Follow the wizard and type the address, such as \\server\share for a Windows file share. The shortcut appears under Network Location in This PC, with no drive letter used. **Content excerpt:** To add a network location in Windows 11, open File Explorer, right-click This PC, click Show more options, then choose Add a network location. The shortcut appears in the This PC view under Network Location, so you can reach shared folders or web servers without using a drive letter. Older Windows versions had a My Network Places folder. Windows 11 has no such folder, and the wizard is how you create these shortcuts. This guide covers adding a network location, checking that it works, and removing it later. What Is a Network Location? A network location is a shortcut to files stored on another computer or a server. It opens shared folders or websites from File Explorer without using up a drive letter, so File Explorer stays cleaner than it would with several mapped network drives. A mapped network drive occupies a drive letter, such as Z: or Y:. A network location does not. Either way, files on a remote server appear in File Explorer as if they were on your own PC, so you open and copy them the usual way. Prerequisites: Preparing Your Network Before you add a network location, confirm that Network discovery is on. This setting lets your PC see other devices on the network. Changing it needs administrator permissions, so Windows asks for an administrator password if you are signed in with a standard account. [ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED] Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. You should see a list of network profiles, such as Private networks and Public networks. Expand the profile that matches your current connection. For a home or office network, this is usually Private networks. Turn on Network discovery. The switch moves to On. Turn on File and printer sharing. Both switches should now show On for that profile. No restart is needed. To undo this later, turn the same two switches off. Leave them off on public networks such as cafe or hotel Wi-Fi, where strangers share the connection. Mapped Drives vs. Network Locations Mapped drives and network locations both connect you to network resources, but they work differently in Windows 11. A mapped drive gets its own drive letter, like Z:. A network location is a shortcut for quick access and uses no letter, so the number of free letters on the PC does not limit you. If you only need to open a share now and then, a network location is usually the lighter choice. If an older program insists on a drive letter, a mapped drive is the better fit. How to Add a Network Location in Windows 11 Step 1: Open File Explorer These numbered steps add a network location to File Explorer, from opening the wizard to entering your sign-in details. The numbering continues after each screenshot. Open File Explorer. Click the folder icon on your taskbar, and a File Explorer window opens. Select This PC in the left sidebar. Skip this if it is already selected. Step… **Key facts:** - To add a network location in Windows 11, open File Explorer, right-click This PC, click Show more options, then choose Add a network location. - Older Windows versions had a My Network Places folder. - Windows 11 has no such folder, and the wizard is how you create these shortcuts. - [ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED] Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings. - Network Locations Mapped drives and network locations both connect you to network resources, but they work differently in Windows 11. --- ### Schedule Your PC to Shut Down Automatically in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/schedule-your-pc-to-shut-down-automatically-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1682 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows 11 cannot schedule a shutdown from Power & battery settings, because those timers only turn off the screen and put the PC to sleep. To shut down at a set time, create a task in Task Scheduler that runs shutdown /s. For a one-off shutdown, open the Run box and type shutdown /s /t 3600 to switch off after one hour. **Content excerpt:** Power & sleep settings shut down the screen and put the PC to sleep, but they cannot switch Windows 11 off at a set time. To schedule a real shutdown, create a task in Task Scheduler that runs the shutdown command at the time you choose. For a one-off shutdown, run shutdown /s /t 3600 from the Run box to switch off after one hour. Windows 11 labels the old "Power & sleep" page as Power & battery (Settings > System > Power & battery). Its timers handle display and sleep only. Task Scheduler is the built-in Windows tool for running programs at set times, and it works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. This post covers both methods, the sleep timers for comparison, and what to check when a scheduled shutdown does not run. What the Power & Battery Settings Can and Cannot Do Open Settings > System > Power & battery and you will find timers for the screen and for sleep. Neither one shuts down Windows. Knowing the difference saves you from setting a timer and finding the PC still running in the morning. Sleep, hibernate and shut down are different states Sleep keeps your session in memory and uses a small amount of power. The PC wakes in seconds. Hibernate saves your session to disk and powers off, but Windows restores that session when you turn the PC back on. Neither state closes your apps. A shutdown closes your apps and Windows itself. After a shutdown, the PC uses almost no power. Only the power supply and the motherboard (the main circuit board that connects the PC's parts) still draw a little power while plugged in. If you want that, use one of the scheduling methods below. Set the screen and sleep timers If sleep is enough for you, these steps set when the screen turns off and when the PC sleeps. This is the closest the Power & battery page gets to a shutdown schedule. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I. Select System. The System page opens with the list of settings on the right. Select Power & battery. On older Windows 11 builds this page is the one that contains the sleep timers. Expand Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts. On earlier builds this section is called Screen and sleep. Choose a time next to When plugged in, put my device to sleep after. A desktop PC shows only the plugged-in options. A laptop also shows the On battery power options. To undo this, return to the same page and set the timers to the values you used before, or choose Never. Choose the Right Shutdown Method Pick the method by how often you want the PC to shut down. Every night or on certain days: use Task Scheduler. The task stays in place until you delete or disable it. Once, after a delay: use the shutdown command with a timer. It is useful when you leave a large download or a video… **Key facts:** - Power & sleep settings shut down the screen and put the PC to sleep, but they cannot switch Windows 11 off at a set time. - For a one-off shutdown, run shutdown /s /t 3600 from the Run box to switch off after one hour. - Windows 11 labels the old "Power & sleep" page as Power & battery (Settings > System > Power & battery). - Task Scheduler is the built-in Windows tool for running programs at set times, and it works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. - This post covers both methods, the sleep timers for comparison, and what to check when a scheduled shutdown does not run. --- ### Check Whether Your Hard Drive Is an HDD or SSD in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/check-whether-your-hard-drive-is-an-hdd-or-ssd-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1663 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To check whether your drive is an HDD or SSD in Windows 11, open Defragment and Optimize Drives and read the Media type column beside your main drive, usually (C:). It shows Hard disk drive or Solid state drive. **Content excerpt:** A hard disk drive (HDD) stores data on spinning magnetic platters, while a solid-state drive (SSD) stores it on flash memory chips with no moving parts. To check which one your PC has in Windows 11, open Defragment and Optimize Drives and read the Media type column. The answer takes under a minute, and you do not need administrator rights to read it. This post also covers three other ways to check: Task Manager, the Settings app and PowerShell. It explains why Windows sometimes shows a blank or wrong drive type. Knowing the drive type tells you whether a slow PC is held back by its storage. It also tells you which maintenance tasks apply, because HDDs and SSDs need different care. HDD vs SSD: What You Are Looking For An HDD has a motor, spinning platters and a read/write head, much like a small record player. It is cheaper per gigabyte, but slower, and it can click or hum under load. Most laptops and desktops sold before the mid-2010s used one as the main drive. An SSD has no moving parts, so it starts Windows faster, opens apps sooner and runs silently. SSDs come in several forms. A SATA SSD looks like a laptop hard drive. An M.2 SSD is a small card that plugs directly into the motherboard. NVMe (a fast connection standard for SSDs) is the type of M.2 drive found in most newer PCs. Some drives mix both. A hybrid drive (SSHD) is an HDD with a small amount of flash memory added as a cache (a fast store that holds files you use often). Windows reports these as HDDs, which is correct because the main storage still spins. Check Whether Your Hard Disk Drive Is an HDD or SSD With Defragment and Optimize Drives This tool lists every drive in your PC and labels each one as either a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The following steps show you how to read that label. Click Start. The Start menu opens with the search box ready for typing. Type defrag in the search box. Defragment and Optimize Drives appears at the top of the results. Click Defragment and Optimize Drives to open it. A window titled Optimize Drives opens. Find the Media type column in the drive list. It sits between the Drive and Last run columns. Read the entry beside your main drive, usually (C:). It says Hard disk drive or Solid state drive. Close the window without clicking anything else. Opening the tool changes nothing on your system. If the list shows several rows, each row is a separate drive or partition (a section of a drive). A PC with a small SSD for Windows and a large HDD for files shows one of each. Two rows can also be two partitions on the same physical drive, and both then show the same media type. If the Media Type Column Is Blank or Looks Wrong The Media type column reads what… **Key facts:** - To check which one your PC has in Windows 11, open Defragment and Optimize Drives and read the Media type column. - This post also covers three other ways to check: Task Manager, the Settings app and PowerShell. - Most laptops and desktops sold before the mid-2010s used one as the main drive. - An M.2 SSD is a small card that plugs directly into the motherboard. - NVMe (a fast connection standard for SSDs) is the type of M.2 drive found in most newer PCs. --- ### How to Find Your Motherboard Details in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-find-your-motherboard-details-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1184 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open System Information by pressing the Windows key, typing System Information, and clicking the app. In the System Summary tab, scroll down to find the BaseBoard entries: BaseBoard Manufacturer shows who made your motherboard, and BaseBoard Product shows the exact model number. Write down both values and search them together on the manufacturer's support site for drivers and compatible upgrades. **Content excerpt:** You can find your exact motherboard model in Windows 11 in under two minutes, without opening the case. The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects every other part of your PC. You need its make and model before you buy compatible upgrades, such as a new processor or memory, or before you download chipset, BIOS or other driver updates. Windows reads this information from the system firmware (BIOS/UEFI). You can see it in the System Information app or by running a short command in Command Prompt or PowerShell. All of these tools are built into both Home and Pro editions, so you don't need to install anything. How to See Motherboard Details in Windows 11 There are two ways to check, and both give you the same data. The System Information app is easier if you prefer clicking through a window. The command-line method is quicker if you already have a terminal open, and it lets you copy the text straight into a search engine or a support request. 1. Using the System Information App Click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar, or press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type System Information in the search box. Click the app when it appears in the results. The System Information window opens. Make sure System Summary is selected in the left pane. It is normally selected by default. If you see a list of categories instead of system details, click it once. Look through the list on the right for the BaseBoard entries. You will see: BaseBoard Manufacturer – The company that made your motherboard BaseBoard Product – The model name or number BaseBoard Version – The version of your motherboard The list is long and sorted in a fixed order, so you may need to scroll down to find the BaseBoard lines. They sit close to the BIOS Version/Date entry and the SMBIOS version. The app shows the manufacturer, product name and version in one place, so you can confirm your exact model without any other tool. Write down the BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product values exactly as shown. Then search for them together on the manufacturer's support site to find the right drivers and BIOS updates and the list of supported processors and memory. Some systems show a blank value, "Not Available", or a placeholder such as "To be filled by O.E.M." for the BaseBoard fields. This happens on some prebuilt or custom-built PCs, where the maker never filled in the firmware data. It also happens in virtual machines. In that case, check the PC maker's documentation or the label printed on the board itself. 2. Using Command Prompt or PowerShell Command Prompt and PowerShell let you pull the same motherboard details from the system with a text command, with no menus to click through. It takes a few seconds to run and print the results. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal. On some Windows 11 builds this entry is labelled simply Terminal.… **Key facts:** - You can find your exact motherboard model in Windows 11 in under two minutes, without opening the case. - How to See Motherboard Details in Windows 11 There are two ways to check, and both give you the same data. - The command-line method is quicker if you already have a terminal open, and it lets you copy the text straight into a search engine or a support request. - They sit close to the BIOS Version/Date entry and the SMBIOS version. - The app shows the manufacturer, product name and version in one place, so you can confirm your exact model without any other tool. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to check motherboard model? A: To check your motherboard model, press the Windows key, type System Information, and open it. Look at the BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product lines on the System Summary page. The product line is your model. You can also run a PowerShell command to get the same details without opening a window. - Q: How to see motherboard info? A: To see motherboard info, open System Information from the Start menu and read the BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product entries. The manufacturer is the company that made the board, and the product is the model name. Both appear on the System Summary page, which needs no extra installs. - Q: How to find motherboard information? A: To find motherboard information, open Windows PowerShell and type Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object Manufacturer, Product, then press Enter. The output lists the maker and model. Note the exact product name before you buy compatible parts or download drivers. - Q: How to find motherboard model? A: To find motherboard model, open System Information by pressing the Windows key and typing its name. On the System Summary page, check the BaseBoard Product line. That value is the model. To copy it, select the text and paste it into your search for compatible parts or drivers. - Q: How to find your motherboard info? A: To find your motherboard info, open Command Prompt, type msinfo32, and press Enter. This opens System Information. Read the BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product lines. Your motherboard details appear there without any installation, and you don't need to open the PC case. - Q: How to check my motherboard? A: To check your motherboard, open System Information and look for the BaseBoard Manufacturer and BaseBoard Product lines. Write down both values before you search for drivers or upgrades. You don't need to open the case, and no extra software is needed. --- ### How to Check RAM Size and Type In Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-ram-size-and-type-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1138 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, click System, scroll down and click About, then look for Installed RAM on the right side of the page. This shows your total RAM capacity in gigabytes. For RAM type and speed, open Task Manager, click Performance, then click Memory to see full details. **Content excerpt:** RAM (Random Access Memory) is your computer's short-term memory. It holds data for the apps and games running right now. Checking your RAM size and type shows whether your PC meets the requirements for new software or heavy multitasking, and you don't have to open the case. Windows 11 requires at least 4GB of RAM, but most modern setups need 8GB or more to run smoothly. You can check your specs in seconds with Settings or Task Manager. System Information and PowerShell give more detail. All four tools are built into Windows 11 Home and Pro, none needs extra software, and none needs a restart. Which tool to use depends on what you need. Settings and System Information show how much RAM is installed. Task Manager also shows the type and speed. PowerShell lists each memory module individually. 1. Check RAM Using the Settings App The Settings app is the quickest way to see how much RAM is installed. It shows only the total capacity, not the type or speed. Use Task Manager or PowerShell for those. Click the Start button (Windows icon) at the bottom-left of your screen. The Start menu opens. Click Settings (gear icon). Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings directly. The Settings window opens. In Settings, click System on the left side. Scroll down and click About at the bottom of the System menu. The page shows your device name and processor, followed by more details. Look for Installed RAM on the right. This shows how much RAM is installed, for example "16.0 GB (15.8 GB usable)". If the usable figure is a little lower than the installed figure, that's normal. Windows reserves part of the memory for hardware. Integrated graphics are a common reason. If the usable figure is much lower, one memory module may not be seated properly or may not be detected. 2. Check RAM Using Task Manager Task Manager shows the most useful RAM details in one place: total capacity, type, speed, and how many memory slots are in use. It also shows how much memory your apps are using right now, which helps if you're checking for a shortage. Click Start and type Task Manager, then open it from the results. In Task Manager, click Performance. On older builds it's a tab at the top. On newer builds it's in the list on the left, and you may need to click the menu icon (three lines) to expand the list. Click Memory on the left side. A graph of memory usage appears, with the total RAM and its type, such as DDR4, at the top right. Look at the figures below the graph. You can see your total RAM, speed (in MHz, or MT/s on some builds), how many slots are used, and more. "Slots used" shows something like "2 of 4". That tells you whether you can add more RAM without replacing what you have. If the type, speed or slot information is missing,… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 requires at least 4GB of RAM, but most modern setups need 8GB or more to run smoothly. - You can check your specs in seconds with Settings or Task Manager. - All four tools are built into Windows 11 Home and Pro, none needs extra software, and none needs a restart. - Settings and System Information show how much RAM is installed. - Check RAM Using the Settings App The Settings app is the quickest way to see how much RAM is installed. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to view RAM on Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then About, and find Installed RAM under Device specifications. That shows the total capacity. For speed and memory slots, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, select Performance, then Memory. Both views show how much RAM your PC has, and neither needs a restart. - Q: How to I list the memory installed in my Windows 11 PC with PowerShell? A: Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object BankLabel, Capacity, Speed. Each row is one memory module. Capacity appears in bytes, so 8589934592 means 8 GB. Speed is shown in MHz. - Q: How to check RAM on Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to System, then About, and check the Installed RAM line. For more detail, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, select Performance, then Memory. The top right shows total size and speed. No extra software or restart is needed. - Q: How to check what RAM I have on Windows 11? A: Open Settings, select System, then About, and read the Installed RAM line. It shows your total capacity, such as 16 GB. To see each memory stick's size and speed, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, pick Performance, and select Memory. - Q: How to figure out RAM type on win11? A: Task Manager does not show the RAM type, so use PowerShell instead. Run Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object SMBIOSMemoryType. A value of 26 means DDR4 and 34 means DDR5. A value of 0 means unknown, so check your motherboard manual or the label on the memory stick. --- ### How to Change Purchase Sign-in Settings in Microsoft Store - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-purchase-sign-in-on-or-off-for-microsoft-store-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2023-08-08 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1400 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change purchase sign-in settings in Microsoft Store, open the Store, click your Profile icon, choose Settings, and scroll to Purchase sign-in. Pick your preferred option, then enter your PIN or password if Windows asks. The setting only appears when you are signed in with a Microsoft account, and you can switch it back at any time. **Content excerpt:** Purchase sign-in settings in Microsoft Store control whether the Store asks you to sign in or enter a password before you buy apps, games, or movies on Windows 11. The setting sits on the Store's own settings page. It only appears when you are signed in with your Microsoft account. The change takes about a minute, and you can switch it back at any time. The steps below cover where to find the setting, what to do if it is missing, and which security options to keep in place. Why This Matters The Microsoft Store is the main place to get digital content on Windows 11. By default, it asks you to confirm your identity before a purchase. A stray click, or another person at your PC, then can't spend your money. Changing this behavior has two possible effects. Turning the prompt down speeds up checkout. Keeping it on, or tightening other account checks, makes the account harder to misuse. Which way to go depends on who uses the PC and how often they buy. How to Change Purchase Sign-in Settings Step 1: Open Your Profile These steps change the purchase sign-in settings for the Windows Store, which is now called Microsoft Store, from start to finish. Click Start, type Microsoft Store, and press Enter. The Store window opens. Click the Profile icon next to the search bar at the top of the window. This is your account picture, or a generic person icon if you have no picture. A menu opens with your account name and a few options. If the menu shows Sign in instead of your name, sign in with your Microsoft account first. Without a signed-in account, there is no purchase setting to change. Step 2: Find Purchase Sign-in Click Settings in the Profile menu. Some Store versions label this entry App settings. It is the same page, and the Store settings page opens. Scroll to Purchase sign-in. The current choice appears under that name. If you can't find it, update the Store first: Open Library in the Store. Click Get updates. Reopen the Store when the updates finish, then check the Settings page again. The setting may also be missing on a work or school account, because an administrator can control purchases on those accounts. In that case you can't change it yourself. Ask your IT department. Step 3: Toggle Your Preference Open the list of choices under Purchase sign-in. You can ask to be signed in for purchases, for example always or only when needed. You can also turn the prompt off so it doesn't appear. The exact wording differs between Store versions. Select the option you want. The choice you pick is the one the Store applies to future purchases. Enter your PIN or password if Windows asks you to verify your identity. This confirms that you are the account owner before the change applies. The new choice should show as selected on the page. You normally don't need to restart the PC… **Key facts:** - Purchase sign-in settings in Microsoft Store control whether the Store asks you to sign in or enter a password before you buy apps, games, or movies on Windows 11. - The setting sits on the Store's own settings page. - The steps below cover where to find the setting, what to do if it is missing, and which security options to keep in place. - Why This Matters The Microsoft Store is the main place to get digital content on Windows 11. - How to Change Purchase Sign-in Settings Step 1: Open Your Profile These steps change the purchase sign-in settings for the Windows Store, which is now called Microsoft Store, from start to finish. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off password for purchases in Microsoft store on Xbox? A: Open the Microsoft Store, select your profile picture, and choose Settings. Find the purchase sign-in option and turn off the password prompt. On Xbox, the same choice sits under your account's sign-in and security settings. Anyone using that signed-in account can then buy without confirming, so turn it off only on a PC or console that only you use. - Q: How too put a pin on Microsoft store? A: The Microsoft Store doesn't have its own PIN. It uses your Microsoft account password or Windows Hello, which is Windows' face, fingerprint, or PIN sign-in. To set one up, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Sign-in options. Keep the purchase password prompt turned on in the Store for an extra check. - Q: Where is the change my store setting on Microsoft store Windows 11? A: Open the Microsoft Store, select your profile picture in the top right, and choose Settings. The purchase sign-in options are listed there. This setting only appears when you're signed in with your Microsoft account, so sign in first if you don't see it. - Q: How to disable ask to buy on ms store? A: Ask to buy is a Family Safety feature for child accounts. Only the family organizer can change it, at family.microsoft.com. Open the child's account and find the purchase approval setting, then turn it off. Adult accounts don't have this setting. - Q: How to skip paying for apps while signing in in Windows? A: You can't skip paying for paid apps. Free apps install without payment, so you can get those without a card. Paid apps still need a purchase, and the sign-in step is only a security check, not a way around paying. Keep the password prompt on to avoid accidental charges. - Q: How to set my Microsoft store account? A: Open the Microsoft Store and select the profile icon in the top right. Choose Sign in, then enter your Microsoft account email and password. To manage accounts in Windows itself, go to Settings, then Accounts, then Email & accounts. Your library and purchases follow the account you sign in with. --- ### How to Find the Pictures Folder in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/where-is-the-pictures-folder-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2021-12-22 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1683 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** The Pictures folder in Windows 11 is located in your user profile at C:\Users\[Your Username]\Pictures. You can also find it quickly in File Explorer's left sidebar under Quick access. **Content excerpt:** The Pictures folder in Windows 11 is at C:\Users\, then your account name, then \Pictures. To open it, press the Windows key + E and click Pictures in the left pane of File Explorer. Windows saves your photos and screenshots there by default, so it is the first place to look for "my pictures" on a PC. Many apps also start in this folder when you open or save an image. Older versions of Windows called it My Pictures, but Windows 11 uses the name Pictures. The folder sits inside your user account, with your account name between C:\Users\ and \Pictures. The next element shows that part. [Your Username] Windows 11 creates the folder when it sets up your account, so every account on the PC gets its own Pictures folder. Images you download or capture are often saved there too. Screenshots taken with the Windows key + Print Screen shortcut go into a Screenshots subfolder inside it. Where is the Pictures Folder Located? The default location is inside your personal user profile on the main drive, which is normally C:. That profile is a folder that holds your desktop, documents, downloads and pictures. The path follows the pattern shown below, with your own account name in the part after Users. [Your Username] Your Pictures folder sits inside that profile folder. The quickest way to reach it is to open File Explorer and click Pictures in the navigation pane on the left. You can also open your user account folder on the main drive and find Pictures there. Either route shows you my pictures on my computer, since both lead to the same folder. What File Explorer shows first depends on your version. Windows 11 version 22H2 and later opens to Home, which contains the Quick access section. The first release of Windows 11 (21H2) opens to Quick access directly. On many PCs the folder is also listed under This PC, so if you are looking for the pictures folders on this PC, check there as well. [Your Username] This location keeps your personal photos organized and separate from system files. Other people who use the PC have their own Pictures folders under their own profiles. You will not see their photos in your folder, and they will not see yours. C:\Users\genericuser\Pictures Replace "genericuser" with your actual Windows account name. If you aren't sure what it is, look at the folder names under C:\Users. The one that matches the account you are signed in with is yours. You can also reach the folder from the navigation pane in File Explorer without typing any path. How to Open the Pictures Folder Method 1: Using File Explorer These steps open your picture folder from File Explorer, which is the fastest way to get to your photos. Follow them in order. When you finish, File Explorer shows the contents of your Pictures folder, with any subfolders listed first and then your image files. Click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar. Look for… **Key facts:** - The Pictures folder in Windows 11 is at C:\Users\, then your account name, then \Pictures. - Older versions of Windows called it My Pictures, but Windows 11 uses the name Pictures. - [Your Username] Windows 11 creates the folder when it sets up your account, so every account on the PC gets its own Pictures folder. - What File Explorer shows first depends on your version. - Windows 11 version 22H2 and later opens to Home, which contains the Quick access section. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where is my photos folder? A: Your photos are in the Pictures folder, at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures. Replace \[Your Username\] with your account name. To open it, press the Windows key + E and click Pictures in the left pane of File Explorer. Screenshots taken with Windows key + Print Screen go to a Screenshots subfolder inside it. - Q: Where are my photos on this computer? A: Photos you save or import usually land in the Pictures folder on the main drive, at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures. Open it from File Explorer by clicking Pictures in the left pane. Many apps that save images also default to this folder, so check there first if you cannot find a file. - Q: Where is my pictures folder? A: The Pictures folder is at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures, where \[Your Username\] is your account name. Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then click Pictures in the left pane. Windows 11 calls it Pictures; older versions called it My Pictures. - Q: Where are my photos stored? A: Photos are usually stored in the Pictures folder, which sits inside your user account at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures. Photos you import from a camera or phone often go there too. If someone moved the folder, it may be in a different location, so search for it in File Explorer. - Q: Where are my pictures stored? A: Pictures are stored in your Pictures folder by default, at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures. Downloaded images and screenshots often land there too. To open it, press the Windows key + E and click Pictures in the File Explorer left pane. Screenshots go in a Screenshots subfolder. - Q: Where are my pictures folder? A: Your Pictures folder is inside your user profile, at C:\Users\\[Your Username\]\Pictures. Open File Explorer with the Windows key + E and select Pictures in the left pane. If you cannot see your photos, check that you are signed in to the account you used to save them. --- ### How to Configure Lid Closed Settings in Windows 11 Power Options - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-lid-closed-settings-in-windows-11-power-options/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1600 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Control Panel, go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options, and click Choose what closing the lid does. Set the When I close the lid row to Do nothing, Sleep, Hibernate, or Shut down for both On battery and Plugged in, then click Save changes. The change applies immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Lid close settings in Windows 11 sit in Power Options in Control Panel, under the Choose what closing the lid does link. The Settings app has the same choices at System > Power & battery > Lid, power & sleep button controls. The setting decides whether your laptop sleeps, hibernates, shuts down, or stays awake when you shut the lid. Choosing the right action stops the battery draining in your bag. It also lets you keep the PC running with the screen closed while an external monitor is attached. Windows stores one action for battery power and another for when the laptop is plugged in. A common setup is Sleep on battery and Do nothing when plugged in with an external display attached. Change Lid Closed Settings in Control Panel The classic Control Panel power options page works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. It lets you pick one action for battery power and another for the wall charger. Windows 11 also has a Settings app version, covered at the end of this section. Before you start, check whether your laptop uses Modern Standby, a newer sleep mode that keeps parts of the system connected and working at low power. On these laptops, Sleep can drain the battery noticeably over a few hours. The laptop can also wake up inside a bag. If you plan to use Sleep and want a safer option for travel, choose Hibernate instead. If Hibernate is missing from the list, open an administrator terminal and run powercfg /hibernate on. Then reopen the lid settings page and check the list again. Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and press Enter. The Control Panel window opens. Select Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options. The list of power plans appears. Click the Choose what closing the lid does link on the left side of the window. The System Settings page opens. Find the When I close the lid: row. It has two columns: On battery and Plugged in. Click the drop-down menu next to each state and choose your preferred action: Do nothing, Sleep, Hibernate, or Shut down. Pick Do nothing if you want the laptop to keep running when you close the lid, for example with an external monitor. Click the Save changes button at the bottom of the window. The new settings apply right away and you do not need to restart. If the When I close the lid: row is missing, your PC does not report a lid to Windows. This is normal on desktop PCs and some all-in-one machines. If Hibernate is not in the list, hibernation is turned off on your system, and the powercfg /hibernate on command mentioned above turns it back on. Some laptops also hide options their firmware does not support. To undo a change, open the same page and pick the previous action. The Windows default for most laptops is Sleep for both states. The Settings app offers the same choices with fewer clicks and… **Key facts:** - Lid close settings in Windows 11 sit in Power Options in Control Panel, under the Choose what closing the lid does link. - The Settings app has the same choices at System > Power & battery > Lid, power & sleep button controls. - Change Lid Closed Settings in Control Panel The classic Control Panel power options page works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Windows 11 also has a Settings app version, covered at the end of this section. - Then reopen the lid settings page and check the list again. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to set what closing the lid does? A: Open Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound, then click Power Options. Choose what closing the lid does on the left side. Select your preferred action—Do nothing, Sleep, Hibernate, or Shut down—from the drop-down menus for battery and plugged-in modes, then save changes. - Q: How do I adjust the lid close setting in Windows 11? A: Open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Click Choose what closing the lid does. Use the drop-down menus next to On battery and Plugged in to select your preferred behavior, then click Save changes. - Q: How do I turn off the lid open action? A: Windows doesn't have a built-in lid open action to disable. Lid settings only control what happens when you close the lid. If you want to prevent automatic wake-on-lid-open, check your laptop manufacturer's firmware or power settings for hardware-specific options. - Q: How do I set my laptop to lock when I close the lid? A: Windows doesn't lock your laptop when you close the lid. You can set it to sleep or hibernate instead. If you want automatic locking, set the lid to Sleep, then configure Windows to require sign-in after waking in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options ("If you've been away, when should Windows require you to sign in again?"). --- ### How to Reset App Execution Alias Overrides in Windows 11 Advanced App Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-reset-app-execution-alias-overrides-in-windows-11-advanced-app-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1896 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases, then switch the toggle for the command off and back on to reset that alias. Windows has no single reset button, so you reset each alias individually. Close and reopen your terminal window before testing the command again. **Content excerpt:** App execution aliases let you launch installed apps from Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the Run dialog using short names like python.exe or wt.exe. Windows 11 manages these shortcuts automatically. Each one is a small stub file, a placeholder that points to the real app, stored in a folder inside your local user profile. Resetting the app execution alias overrides fixes broken command shortcuts by returning them to their defaults. It also stops one app from hijacking a command you want for another tool. Windows has no single Reset button for aliases. A reset means switching individual aliases off and on, or clearing out stale stub files, as shown below. Checking App Execution Aliases in Settings The App execution aliases page lists every program that registers a shortcut you can type in a terminal. On current Windows 11 builds (22H2 and later) it sits under Advanced app settings. Older Windows 11 releases may place it under Apps & features instead. Open Settings. You can press the Windows key + I. Select Apps from the left-hand navigation menu. The Apps page opens on the right. Click Advanced app settings. The page shows a few more options, such as where you can get apps from. Click App execution aliases. You now see a list of every command shortcut registered for your account. Each entry shows an app name and the alias it owns, with a toggle switch that reads On or Off. When two apps register the same alias, both appear with their own toggles. You can turn off one Microsoft Store package without touching your main desktop tools. This is the usual fix when typing python opens the Microsoft Store instead of your real Python install. Turn off the alias owned by the Store's app installer entry, and the command can reach the copy you installed yourself. These settings apply per user. Another account on the same PC has its own list and its own toggles. How to Reset App Execution Aliases via Settings To reset an alias in Settings, turn its switch off and then back on. This makes Windows recreate the shortcut link for that command. Try it first when a command stops working in your terminal window, because it changes only one alias and is quick to undo. Open Settings. Go to Apps and select Advanced app settings. Click App execution aliases. The list of aliases appears. Find the application alias you want to fix in the list. Move the toggle next to it from On to Off. The label changes to Off. Wait a few moments, then move the toggle back to On. This resets the internal routing for that command. Close and reopen any Command Prompt or PowerShell window, then test the command again. Windows that were already open may not pick up the change. If you want a different app to own the command, leave the toggle for the unwanted app switched Off and skip step 6. To undo any change, switch the toggle back to… **Key facts:** - Checking App Execution Aliases in Settings The App execution aliases page lists every program that registers a shortcut you can type in a terminal. - On current Windows 11 builds (22H2 and later) it sits under Advanced app settings. - Older Windows 11 releases may place it under Apps & features instead. - How to Reset App Execution Aliases via Settings To reset an alias in Settings, turn its switch off and then back on. - Go to Apps and select Advanced app settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How can I fix the "your App execution alias settings are configured to launch other commands besides py and python" error? A: Open Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases. Find py and python in the list, toggle them off if they're pointing to the wrong app, then toggle them back on. This resets them to Windows defaults and removes conflicts with other programs claiming those commands. - Q: How do I reset App settings in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the app you want to reset, click the three dots menu, and select Repair or Reset if available. For system apps, go to Advanced app settings to manage their aliases and permissions. Some apps don't offer reset options through Settings. - Q: How to manage App execution aliases? A: Open Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases. You'll see a list of command shortcuts with toggle switches. Turn aliases on or off to control which apps launch from Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the Run dialog. Toggle them off to disable conflicts between apps. - Q: What are some unnecessary services I should disable in Windows 11? A: Disable services like DiagTrack (diagnostic tracking), dmwappushservice (app push notifications), and Connected User Experiences if you want reduced data collection. Superfetch (SysMain) is best left enabled; there is no need to disable it because of SSD capacity. Use Task Manager or Services to turn them off. Be cautious—disabling core services can break Windows features. --- ### How to Manage Advanced Speech Recognition Voice Models in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-advanced-speech-recognition-voice-models-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1594 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Time & language > Speech. Set the Speech language dropdown to the language and regional variant you speak, such as English (United Kingdom), and use the Get started button under the microphone setup if voice commands fail. Windows applies the change immediately, though open apps may need a restart. **Content excerpt:** Advanced speech recognition voice models in Windows 11 control how your computer processes voice commands, dictation, and text-to-speech reading speeds through the Time & language Speech settings. When the language model does not match your microphone hardware or your region, voice typing fails or outputs garbled text. Adjusting these speech settings restores accurate voice recognition, so apps can process what you say without errors. You manage most of this in the main Settings app. The privacy choices can also be changed through the Registry Editor, which is a database of system and application settings. Edit it carefully, because a wrong change there can cause problems that are harder to trace. Navigating to Speech Settings in Windows Every task in this guide starts in the same place, the Speech page in Settings. Open it once and you can reuse the same route for each section below. Two related Windows 11 features use these speech models, and it helps to know which is which before you change anything. Voice typing opens with Windows key + H in any text box and types what you say. Voice access, found under Accessibility > Speech in Settings, lets you control the whole PC by voice. Voice access needs Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, with current updates installed. In newer builds, both features can use speech models stored on your own computer instead of sending audio online. On an older build, voice typing still works, but Voice access may be missing from Settings. To check your version, open Settings > System > About. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Click Time & language in the left-hand navigation pane. The page on the right changes to show date, region, and language options. Click Speech. The voice recognition and text-to-speech configuration page opens, with the language, voice, and microphone options in one place. If you cannot find Speech, check that Windows 11 is fully updated. Some options on this page appear or move slightly between builds, so a label on your screen may differ a little from the ones used here. Configuring Speech Language and Voices The Speech language setting decides which language Windows listens for when you use voice typing, and which language it uses when it reads text aloud. If this does not match the language you actually speak, you get wrong words or no output at all. Choosing the right language and region lets Windows understand your accent and vocabulary correctly. Before you start, know that a speech language pack must be installed for dictation and for Voice access to work. A language pack is a set of files that gives Windows the vocabulary and speech model for one language. Downloading it needs an internet connection. If the pack fails to install, restart the PC and try the download again. Open Settings, go to Time & language, and click Speech. Find the Speech language dropdown menu near the top of… **Key facts:** - Advanced speech recognition voice models in Windows 11 control how your computer processes voice commands, dictation, and text-to-speech reading speeds through the Time & language Speech settings. - Adjusting these speech settings restores accurate voice recognition, so apps can process what you say without errors. - You manage most of this in the main Settings app. - The privacy choices can also be changed through the Registry Editor, which is a database of system and application settings. - Navigating to Speech Settings in Windows Every task in this guide starts in the same place, the Speech page in Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What time is it right now in Florida? A: I can't tell you the current time in Florida — I don't have access to live data. Check a world clock website or search 'current time in Florida' to see the exact time right now in that timezone. - Q: What time is exactly now? A: I don't have access to real-time information, so I can't tell you what time it is now. Check your device's clock, a world clock website, or search 'current time' to find out. - Q: What is daylight savings time in 2026? A: In 2026, daylight saving time in the US starts on March 8 and ends on November 1. Most states move clocks forward one hour in March and back one hour in November, except Hawaii and most of Arizona. - Q: What minute are we on? A: I can't access live time data, so I can't tell you what minute it is right now. Check your device's clock or search 'current time' to see the exact minute. --- ### How to Configure Advanced File Explorer Hidden Extension Visibility in Windows 11 System Advanced - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-advanced-file-explorer-hidden-extension-visibility-in-windows-11-system-advanced/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1556 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To show hidden items, open File Explorer, click the three dots on the command bar, choose Options, then select the View tab. Under Advanced settings, pick Show hidden files, folders, and drives, click Apply, then OK. Hidden items appear faded, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** File Explorer hides system files, file extensions and several customization switches by default. That keeps casual users from breaking things, but it gets in the way when you troubleshoot, hunt for configuration files or want to know what a file really is. This guide shows how to reveal hidden items, show file extensions and change where File Explorer opens. It uses the Folder Options dialog, the Settings app and, for settings that are not in the normal menus, Registry Editor. Everything here works on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The Folder Options dialog is identical in both editions. None of the changes need a restart unless the Registry Editor section says so. Accessing Folder Options in Windows 11 Folder Options is the dialog that controls how files and folders behave across your computer. In Windows 11 it sits behind the three-dot menu on the File Explorer toolbar. Its General tab covers navigation and startup. Its View tab holds the advanced settings list used in the rest of this guide. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. A File Explorer window appears with the command bar along the top. Click the three horizontal dots on the top command bar. A drop-down menu opens. Click Options at the bottom of the list. The Folder Options dialog box opens. Click the View tab at the top of the dialog. A scrolling list appears under Advanced settings. If the three-dot menu looks different on your PC, make sure Windows 11 is up to date. The menu has changed slightly between releases, but Options is always at the bottom of it. Revealing Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives Windows keeps configuration files and app data in folders it normally hides, such as the per-user app data folders. Turning on hidden items makes them visible so you can browse to them. Hidden items appear slightly faded, which is how you tell them apart from normal files. Open Folder Options and select the View tab. Scroll the Advanced settings list until you reach the Hidden files and folders section. Click the radio button next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Click Apply, then OK. Open any folder that contains hidden items. They should now appear, slightly faded. To undo this, go back to the same section and choose Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives. For a quicker route, open the View menu on the File Explorer toolbar, point to Show and toggle Hidden items. Recent Windows 11 builds also offer this setting in the Settings app, which avoids Folder Options altogether. Go to Settings > System > For developers and turn on Show hidden and system files. If you do not see that page or toggle, your build is older, so use Folder Options instead. Unhiding Protected Operating System Files Protected operating system files are hidden separately from ordinary hidden files. Windows does this so nobody deletes or moves something the system needs to boot. Showing them gives you full visibility into system storage,… **Key facts:** - It uses the Folder Options dialog, the Settings app and, for settings that are not in the normal menus, Registry Editor. - Everything here works on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - None of the changes need a restart unless the Registry Editor section says so. - Accessing Folder Options in Windows 11 Folder Options is the dialog that controls how files and folders behave across your computer. - In Windows 11 it sits behind the three-dot menu on the File Explorer toolbar. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I get to advanced settings in Windows 11? A: Open File Explorer and click the three-dot menu icon in the top toolbar. Select Options to open Folder Options, where you can access the View tab containing advanced settings for file visibility, hidden files, and folder behavior. - Q: How do I get the classic File Explorer view in Windows 11? A: Windows 11 File Explorer doesn't have a true classic view, but you can adjust it in Folder Options. Open File Explorer, click the three-dot menu, select Options, then use the View tab to show file extensions and hidden files, and use the General tab to change where File Explorer opens. - Q: Where can I find the advanced settings? A: Advanced settings are in Folder Options. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer, click the three-dot menu on the toolbar, select Options at the bottom, then click the View tab to see all advanced file and folder settings. - Q: How do I change File Explorer back to normal in Windows 11? A: Open File Explorer, click the three-dot menu, and select Options. In the View tab, clear "Hide extensions for known file types" is the default; re-tick it and select "Don't show hidden files, folders, or drives," then click Apply and OK to restore default settings. --- ### How to Download Language Packs for Speech Recognition in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-download-language-packs-for-speech-recognition-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1502 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Time & language > Language & region, click Add a language, select your language, check the Speech recognition box in optional features, and click Install. Windows downloads the speech pack in the background. **Content excerpt:** Speech recognition language packs in Windows 11 add local dictionaries and audio models, so your PC can process voice typing, text-to-speech, and offline dictation accurately. Without the right pack installed, Windows may misread regional accents, and voice commands can stop working. This tutorial shows how to add a pack through the Settings app and how to fix the common download problems. The steps below work on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. You need an internet connection and an account with administrator rights, because language packs are system-wide downloads. Menu wording can differ slightly between Windows 11 builds, so the text says so where it matters. Check Current Language and Speech Capabilities Checking your installed language packs shows which speech features are already on your computer before you download anything new. The Time & language section in Settings lists every language and its speech capabilities. A quick look here saves you from downloading duplicates. Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select Time & language. Click Language & region. The page now shows your display language and the Preferred languages list. Look under the Preferred languages list to see your active system languages. Click the three dots next to a language in the list and select Language options. A page opens showing the features for that language, such as Speech, Handwriting, and Basic typing. Check each feature. If it shows as installed, you do not need to download it again. If it offers a download button, the feature is missing. If the language you need is not in the list at all, move on to the next section. If it is listed but the speech feature is missing, skip ahead to the section on optional features. Download Language Packs via Windows Settings Downloading a full language pack adds complete speech recognition data to your system, so voice commands and dictation work in that language. The Language & region page handles both the new language and its speech tools. Sign in with an administrator account and stay connected to the internet until the download finishes. Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select Time & language. Click Language & region. Click the Add a language button under the Preferred languages section. A window opens with a list of languages. Type the name of the language into the search box, or scroll through the list. Click the target language to select it, then click Next. The window now shows the optional features for that language. Check the box labeled Speech recognition if it is listed under the optional features. Not every language offers it. If the box is missing, that language has no speech pack in Windows 11. Click Install to start downloading the language pack and its speech features. Windows shows download progress next to the language in the Preferred languages list. If you want speech only and do not want Windows to change its display language, make sure the option to set it as your display language is not ticked… **Key facts:** - Speech recognition language packs in Windows 11 add local dictionaries and audio models, so your PC can process voice typing, text-to-speech, and offline dictation accurately. - This tutorial shows how to add a pack through the Settings app and how to fix the common download problems. - The steps below work on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Menu wording can differ slightly between Windows 11 builds, so the text says so where it matters. - The Time & language section in Settings lists every language and its speech capabilities. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where can I download a language pack? A: Open Settings with Windows + I, go to Time & language, then Language & region. Find your language in the Preferred languages list, click the three dots next to it, select Language options, and choose which components to download—Speech, Handwriting, or Typing. - Q: Where can I download a Microsoft language pack? A: Microsoft language packs download through Windows Settings. Press Windows + I, select Time & language, click Language & region, then click the three dots next to your language and choose Language options to download Speech, Handwriting, or other features. - Q: I can't download a language pack for Windows 11. How do I fix it? A: Check your internet connection first. Make sure you have enough storage space available. If downloads still fail, restart Windows. Try a different language temporarily to test if the issue is specific to one language, then retry the original one. - Q: How do I install a language pack on Windows 11? A: Language packs install automatically through Settings. Press Windows + I, go to Time & language > Language & region, click the three dots next to your language, select Language options, then click Download next to Speech or other features you need. --- ### How to Change App Permissions for Webcam Access in Windows 11 Privacy Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-app-permissions-for-webcam-access-in-windows-11-privacy-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1893 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and switch off the app you want to block, such as Zoom or Teams. Its video feed stops straight away, and flipping the same switch back on restores access. If the main Camera access switch is off, no app can use the webcam until you turn it on. **Content excerpt:** App permissions for webcam access in Windows 11 control which software can use your computer's camera. They stop unwanted apps from switching it on behind your back. The switches live under Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Blocking a program there cuts off its video feed straight away. You can change access for individual apps such as Zoom or Teams at any time, and flipping the same switch back reverses the change. This guide also covers the related camera settings: testing the feed, updating drivers, and fixing common picture problems. If a camera is blocked in Privacy settings, none of those other fixes will help, so check permissions first. Opening the Windows Settings App Every camera setting starts in the Settings app. There are two quick ways to open it, and both lead to the same window. Press Windows Key + I on your keyboard. The Settings app opens, with a list of categories on the left. If you prefer the mouse, click the Start button and select the gear-shaped Settings icon. The same window appears. If the Settings app does not open at all, restart the PC and try again before you look at anything else. Navigating to Bluetooth & Devices Windows lists webcams with your other hardware under Bluetooth & devices. This is where you confirm that Windows can see the camera at all. Open the Settings app. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand sidebar. The device list appears on the right. Click Cameras. Every camera Windows recognizes appears, whether it is built in or connected by USB. If your camera is missing from the list, unplug it and plug it back in. For a built-in camera, check the laptop for a physical privacy shutter or a function-key camera switch. The driver and hardware sections further down cover the other likely causes. Configuring Connected Cameras The camera page lets you test your video feed and adjust basic properties such as brightness and contrast. Use it before an important call to check your framing, fix lighting problems, and spot connection errors. Under Cameras, click your camera in the list. Its settings page opens. Look at the live video preview at the top. Check your framing and lighting. Drag the Brightness slider left or right until the exposure suits your room. The preview updates as you move it. Drag the Contrast slider to set how strongly light and dark areas separate in your video. The options on this page depend on the camera and its driver. Some cameras show extra controls, and others show only these two sliders. If the preview is black, the camera is probably blocked, covered, or in use by another app. Check the permissions in the next section. On current Windows 11 builds, the Cameras page offers more than the sliders. Each camera has its own toggle to enable or disable the device, which is useful when you want a camera switched off system-wide. PCs with a supported NPU (the neural processing unit, a… **Key facts:** - App permissions for webcam access in Windows 11 control which software can use your computer's camera. - The switches live under Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. - This guide also covers the related camera settings: testing the feed, updating drivers, and fixing common picture problems. - If a camera is blocked in Privacy settings, none of those other fixes will help, so check permissions first. - Opening the Windows Settings App Every camera setting starts in the Settings app. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where do I find the settings for my camera? A: Open Settings with Windows Key + I. Go to Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar, then click Cameras. You'll see all connected cameras and can adjust brightness, contrast, and other hardware properties from here. - Q: How do I find my camera access settings? A: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. Select Privacy & security from the left sidebar, then click Camera. You'll see which apps have permission to use your webcam and can toggle each one on or off individually. - Q: What are the 5 basic camera settings? A: Basic camera settings usually include brightness, contrast, saturation, focus, and exposure. In Windows, the Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras page offers only the controls your camera and driver support (often brightness and contrast, plus options such as eye contact or background effects on supported PCs). Some apps like Zoom or Teams have their own camera settings within the… - Q: How to set phone camera settings? A: This question is about phone cameras, not Windows. On most phones, open Settings, find Camera or Photos, and adjust brightness, resolution, grid lines, timer, and flash. Exact steps vary by Android or iPhone model. --- ### How to Customize Pointer Appearance and Cursor Thickness in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-customize-pointer-appearance-and-cursor-thickness-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1422 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, select Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch, then drag the Size slider (1 to 15) and choose a pointer style. For the typing line, go to Accessibility > Text cursor, turn on the Text cursor indicator, and drag the Text cursor thickness slider. Changes apply immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Pointer and cursor settings in Windows 11 let you enlarge the mouse pointer, change its color, and thicken the text cursor, the blinking line that shows where typing will appear. The default cursors often vanish against bright white backgrounds or busy web pages, and hunting for them slows you down. Windows 11 has built-in settings for all of this, with no extra software. You can set the pointer size from level 1 to 15, pick a custom color, and adjust the text cursor indicator and its thickness. Open Settings, then go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch for the pointer, or Accessibility > Text cursor for the typing line. The older Mouse Properties window covers schemes, trails and the Ctrl-key locator. How to open mouse settings in Windows The Mouse settings page controls pointer speed and button assignments. It also links to the older Mouse Properties window. Most of the other methods in this guide start from here or from the Run dialog. Press the Windows key, type Settings, and press Enter. The Settings app opens. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar. The list of connected devices appears on the right. Click Mouse. The page shows pointer speed, button and scrolling settings. Scroll down to the related settings and click Additional mouse settings. The classic Mouse Properties window opens. This link is a simpler route to Mouse Properties than going through Control Panel, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Any section below that says to open Mouse Properties can start here. You can also press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type control mouse, and press Enter. This opens Mouse Properties directly, which is quicker if you already know you need the classic window. Changing pointer size and color A bigger or brighter pointer is the fastest fix when you lose the cursor on a large or high-resolution screen. Everything here is in the modern Settings app. Changes apply immediately, so there is no Apply button and no restart. Open Settings. Select Accessibility from the left sidebar. Click Mouse pointer and touch. The pointer style choices and a size slider appear. Under Mouse pointer style, choose White, Black, Inverted, or Custom. Inverted flips its color against whatever is behind it, so it stays visible on both light and dark areas. With Custom, you pick a color of your own, and a bright one works well on a dark desktop. Drag the Size slider to the right to enlarge the pointer. The scale runs from 1 to 15, and the pointer on screen resizes as you drag, so stop when it is comfortable to follow. To work on the typing line instead, go back one level and open the text cursor settings. This page has two separate features. The Text cursor indicator adds a colored marker to the cursor, with its own size and color options. The Text cursor thickness slider only widens the blinking line itself. Go to Settings… **Key facts:** - Pointer and cursor settings in Windows 11 let you enlarge the mouse pointer, change its color, and thicken the text cursor, the blinking line that shows where typing will appear. - Windows 11 has built-in settings for all of this, with no extra software. - You can set the pointer size from level 1 to 15, pick a custom color, and adjust the text cursor indicator and its thickness. - Open Settings, then go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch for the pointer, or Accessibility > Text cursor for the typing line. - How to open mouse settings in Windows The Mouse settings page controls pointer speed and button assignments. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How can I change the appearance of my mouse pointer? A: Open Settings and go to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Adjust the pointer size slider from level 1 to 15 to make it larger. Choose White, Black, Inverted or Custom under Mouse pointer style to make it stand out against your background. Apply your changes and the pointer updates immediately. - Q: How do I change the display cursor? A: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor. Use the thickness slider to make the text cursor line thicker so it's easier to spot while typing. You can also turn on the Text cursor indicator and choose its color. Changes apply right away to all text fields on your screen. - Q: How to change cursor style in Windows 11? A: Open Settings and navigate to Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Use the size slider to change pointer size from 1 to 15. Select a different Mouse pointer style (White, Black, Inverted or Custom) to change how the pointer looks. These settings control both the pointer appearance and behavior across Windows 11. - Q: How do I change my custom cursor back to normal? A: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Reset the size slider to level 1 (the default). Set Mouse pointer style back to White. For text cursor, return to Settings > Accessibility > Text cursor and reset thickness to default, then toggle color off if you turned it on. --- ### How to Sync Clipboard Across Devices in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-sync-clipboard-across-devices-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1083 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To sync your clipboard across Windows 11 PCs, press Windows Key + I, then go to System > Clipboard and switch on Clipboard history and Sync across your devices. Sign in to the same Microsoft account on every PC, then repeat the setup on each one. Copied text then appears in Windows Key + V on your other devices. **Content excerpt:** Cloud Clipboard in Windows 11 lets you copy text on one PC and paste it on another PC signed in with the same Microsoft account. It keeps up to 25 copied items in your clipboard history and syncs them over the internet. No extra software is needed, and you don't have to email yourself drafts. You turn it on in Settings, which takes about a minute per PC. Repeat the setup on every PC you want to share with, because the setting applies to one device at a time. Enabling Cloud Clipboard in Windows Settings Cloud clipboard sync is a switch in Windows Settings. Once it is on, text you copy on one Windows 11 PC can be pasted on your other Windows 11 PCs. A Microsoft account is required. On a managed or shared PC where permissions are restricted, you may need an administrator account to change the setting. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens on the Home page. Select System in the left-hand menu. The System options appear on the right. Scroll down on the right and click Clipboard (Settings > System > Clipboard). The clipboard options appear, including Clipboard history. Switch Clipboard history to On if it is not already. Sync depends on history being enabled, so turn it on first. Find the Sync across your devices toggle and switch it to On. If it is greyed out or missing, check that you are signed in with a Microsoft account. Local accounts can't sync the clipboard, and a policy on a work or school PC can also lock the option. Choose how items are shared. Select Automatically sync text that I copy if you want everything you copy to appear on your other devices. Select Never automatically sync text that I copy if you would rather pick items yourself from your history list. Repeat steps 1 to 6 on each of your other PCs. To undo this, go back to the same page and switch Sync across your devices to Off. No restart is needed at any point. Be careful with automatic sync on shared or work machines. Anything you copy, including passwords, can travel to your other devices. Managing Your Copied History Your clipboard history lets you view and paste recent items you have copied. With sync on, synced items are also available on your other linked PCs. The clipboard panel gives quick access to everything you have copied. Press Windows Key + V to open the clipboard panel. If you have never used it, Windows may show a prompt asking you to turn on clipboard history. Click Turn on if you see it. Look through the list of recent items. Text is the most reliable item type to sync. Images may show in the history on the PC where you copied them but not always appear on your other devices. Click any item in the list to paste it where your cursor is. Each item in the panel has… **Key facts:** - Cloud Clipboard in Windows 11 lets you copy text on one PC and paste it on another PC signed in with the same Microsoft account. - It keeps up to 25 copied items in your clipboard history and syncs them over the internet. - You turn it on in Settings, which takes about a minute per PC. - Enabling Cloud Clipboard in Windows Settings Cloud clipboard sync is a switch in Windows Settings. - Once it is on, text you copy on one Windows 11 PC can be pasted on your other Windows 11 PCs. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How can I sync my clipboard across multiple devices? A: Open Settings with Windows Key + I, go to System > Clipboard, then turn on the toggle for "Sync across your devices". You need to be signed in with the same Microsoft account on each PC. Windows 11 will then sync your clipboard history automatically over the internet. - Q: Why is my clipboard not syncing? A: Check that "Sync across your devices" is turned on in Settings > System > Clipboard. Make sure you're signed into the same Microsoft account on both devices and both have internet access. If syncing is on but still not working, sign out and back into your Microsoft account. - Q: What is the best clipboard manager for Windows? A: Windows 11's built-in Cloud Clipboard is the best option if you want native syncing—it stores up to 25 items and requires no extra software. For advanced features like text formatting or encryption, third-party managers like Ditto or ClipClip offer more control. - Q: Can I access my online clipboard from different devices? A: Yes, with Cloud Clipboard enabled in Windows Settings. Copy something on one Windows 11 PC, then on another device signed in with the same Microsoft account, press Windows Key + V on the other PC and select what you want to paste. --- ### How to Manage Primary and Secondary Display Arrangements in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-primary-and-secondary-display-arrangements-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 2259 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Display, select the monitor you want, scroll to Multiple displays, and tick Make this my main display. The taskbar and notification area move to that screen immediately, with no restart needed. If the box is greyed out, that monitor is already your main display. **Content excerpt:** Display arrangement settings in Windows 11 control which screen holds your main desktop, taskbar, and notification area. This tutorial shows how to set the primary display, position your monitors, and tune scaling, refresh rate, and HDR. Windows can misidentify your monitors after a system update or a docking station disconnect. Icons scatter, and apps open on the wrong screen. Most fixes start in Settings > System > Display. Setting the correct monitor as your main display stops apps from opening out of view. It also keeps your mouse moving smoothly between screens. Checking Display Settings and Multi-Monitor Layout The Display page is where you arrange your monitors and choose your main screen. Drag the monitor boxes to match your physical desk layout, label each screen with a number, and make Windows look for a display it missed. None of this needs administrator rights, and no restart is required. The boxes at the top of the page represent your monitors. If the layout does not match how your screens sit on the desk, the mouse pointer crosses from one screen to the next at the wrong place. Dragging the boxes into the right positions fixes that. Press the Windows key and I together to open Settings. Select System from the sidebar, then click Display. A row of numbered boxes, one per monitor, appears at the top of the page. Click the Identify button. A large number appears on each connected screen, so you can match each physical monitor to its box. Click the Detect button if Windows fails to recognize a secondary monitor. If it is still missing, check that the cable is seated and that the monitor is switched to the right input. Detect only shows up when Windows cannot find every display, so you may not see it on a working setup. For a quick fix, press the Windows key and P together to open the Project menu. It offers PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only. A monitor that shows nothing, or that mirrors your main screen when it should not, often comes back after you pick Extend. Select the box for the monitor you want to modify. The selected box is highlighted, and the settings below the layout now apply to that monitor only. Drag the boxes until they match your desk layout. Then, if needed, scroll down and expand the Multiple displays section. Check the box that says Make this my main display. The taskbar and notification area move to that screen. If the box is greyed out, you have selected the monitor that is already the primary screen. Select the other monitor's box instead. To undo the change, select the original monitor and tick Make this my main display on it. On some Windows 11 builds the Multiple displays section only appears when more than one monitor is connected. The same section has two options that help if apps scatter after you dock or undock a laptop. Remember window locations based on monitor… **Key facts:** - Display arrangement settings in Windows 11 control which screen holds your main desktop, taskbar, and notification area. - Checking Display Settings and Multi-Monitor Layout The Display page is where you arrange your monitors and choose your main screen. - Press the Windows key and I together to open Settings. - The selected box is highlighted, and the settings below the layout now apply to that monitor only. - On some Windows 11 builds the Multiple displays section only appears when more than one monitor is connected. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: What is the main screen called? A: The main screen is called your primary display. It's the monitor where your taskbar, Start menu, and notification area appear by default. In Windows 11, you can choose which physical monitor becomes your primary display in Settings > System > Display. - Q: What is the main computer screen called? A: The main computer screen is your primary display or primary monitor. This is the screen Windows treats as your default — it shows your taskbar and is where new applications open unless you move them. You can set which monitor is primary in Display settings. - Q: What is the difference between a screen and a display? A: Screen and display are essentially the same thing — both refer to a monitor. Screen is casual language, while display is the technical term Windows uses. In Settings, you'll see "Display settings" and "primary display," but they're talking about your physical monitors. - Q: What are desktop screens called? A: Desktop screens are called monitors or displays. When you have multiple monitors connected, Windows calls them your primary display and secondary displays. You can arrange them and change which one is primary in Settings > System > Display. --- ### How to Configure Developer Mode Options in Windows 11 System Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-developer-mode-options-in-windows-11-system-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1523 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn on developer settings in Windows 11, open Settings, select System, then Advanced, and click For developers. Switch on the Developer Mode toggle and confirm the warning. The toggle shows On immediately, and you can switch it back off from the same page at any time. **Content excerpt:** Developer Mode in Windows 11 changes how your PC handles software by turning on tools for writing programs, testing local apps, and running Linux environments. These switches stay hidden by default to keep your desktop stable, but you can turn them on in under a minute from the Settings app. With these options on, you can sideload apps (install them from outside the Microsoft Store), adjust File Explorer views for debugging, and create symbolic links without an administrator prompt each time. Every change can be reversed from the same page, so you can try them without committing. How to Open Developer Settings The developer settings live on the For developers page of the Settings app. It holds the sideloading permission, File Explorer options, and remote access tools. The path below matches current Windows 11 builds. On some older builds, such as early 22H2 releases, For developers sits directly under System and there is no Advanced entry. If you do not see Advanced, look for For developers in the System list instead. Press the Windows key and the I key together to open Settings. The Settings window opens. Select System from the left menu, then select Advanced on the right. The page now lists further system options. Click For developers in the list. The page opens with the Developer Mode toggle near the top, followed by the other developer sections. Current Windows 11 builds also add newer options to this page. Depending on your version and installed updates, you may see settings for Terminal, Dev Drive (a storage volume tuned for developer workloads), Enable sudo (run a command as administrator from a normal terminal), and an End Task option that adds an end-task command to the taskbar right-click menu. If one is missing, check Windows Update first, because these options arrive with feature and cumulative updates. Turning on Developer Mode Developer Mode is the main switch on the For developers page. It lets you run unpackaged apps and install apps from outside the Microsoft Store. It also lets you create symbolic links without elevating, and it gives access to the other developer features. Windows may download a small developer package from Windows Update the first time you turn it on, so keep the PC online. This step requires administrator privileges. If you are signed in with a standard account, Windows asks for administrator credentials, or the toggle may refuse to change. Warning: Developer Mode allows Windows to install apps that Microsoft has not verified. A malicious app installed this way can damage your system or expose your data. Install only from sources you trust, and turn Developer Mode off when you no longer need it. Open the For developers page in Settings. Find the Developer Mode toggle at the top of the window. Click the toggle to switch it from Off to On. A warning prompt appears. Read the warning. It says Developer Mode lets you install apps from outside the Store, which can put your device and data at risk.… **Key facts:** - Developer Mode in Windows 11 changes how your PC handles software by turning on tools for writing programs, testing local apps, and running Linux environments. - These switches stay hidden by default to keep your desktop stable, but you can turn them on in under a minute from the Settings app. - How to Open Developer Settings The developer settings live on the For developers page of the Settings app. - On some older builds, such as early 22H2 releases, For developers sits directly under System and there is no Advanced entry. - Press the Windows key and the I key together to open Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I open developer settings? A: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select System from the left menu, then click For developers in the list on the right. Toggle on Developer Mode to enable the feature and access sideloading and debugging tools. - Q: How do I turn off developer mode on a phone? A: This question asks about phones, not Windows 11. On Android phones, open Settings, tap About phone, and tap Build number seven times to reveal Developer options again. Then go back to Settings and toggle Developer options off. - Q: How do I find hidden Developer options on Android? A: This question asks about Android phones, not Windows 11. On Android, open Settings, scroll to About phone, and tap Build number seven times rapidly. Developer options will then appear in your main Settings menu under System options. - Q: Which developer settings should I use? A: For most users, leave Developer Mode off. Turn it on only if you're testing your own apps, sideloading software, or using Windows Subsystem for Linux. Enable only the specific features you need—like Device Discovery or Device Portal—rather than all options at once. --- ### Find Power Options in Control Panel in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/find-power-options-in-control-panel-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1769 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To open Power Options in Windows 11, press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter. The Power Options window opens in Control Panel, where you change power plans, sleep timers and power button actions. You can also open Control Panel from the taskbar search and select System and Security, then Power Options. **Content excerpt:** Power Options is the classic page for managing power plans, sleep timers and the power button. A power plan is a saved group of settings for sleep, display and performance. To open the power options control panel, press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter. Windows 11 also has a newer page at Settings > System > Power & battery. It covers fewer options, so the Control Panel version is still the one to use for power plans, lid actions and advanced settings. This post shows two ways to reach it, what each part does, and what to check when an option is missing. Open Power Options with the Run box The Run box is the fastest way to open the power options control panel, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. These steps take you straight to the Power Options window. Press Windows + R. The Run box opens in the lower-left corner of the screen. Type powercfg.cpl in the Open field. This is the file name of the Power Options page. Press Enter. The Control Panel window opens at Power Options, with your current power plan selected. If nothing opens, check the spelling. The name has no spaces, and the part after the dot is cpl, not cp1. Open Power Options from Control Panel This route opens Control Panel first and then the Power Options page, which helps if you want to see where the page sits among the other settings. The steps below end at the same window as the Run box method. Select the Search icon on the taskbar. The search panel opens. Type Control Panel in the search box. The Control Panel app appears at the top of the results. Select Control Panel to open it. The window opens in Category view by default. Select System and Security. A page with groups such as Security and Maintenance and Power Options appears. Select Power Options. The power plan list opens. Control Panel remembers your last view. If it opens with rows of small icons instead of categories, Power Options is listed directly. Select it there. To get icons yourself, open the View by menu in the top-right corner and choose Large icons or Small icons. What the Power Options window shows The centre of the window lists your power plans. Balanced is the default on most PCs. Other plans, such as Power saver or High performance, may sit behind a Show additional plans arrow. The left pane holds the main links. These are Choose what the power buttons do, Create a power plan, and Choose when to turn off the display. Laptops also show Choose what closing the lid does. Desktops do not, because they have no lid. Change settings in Power Options Once the window is open, three tasks cover most needs: picking a plan, setting the sleep and display timers, and choosing what the power button does. Each task below has its own short list. Choose a power plan… **Key facts:** - A power plan is a saved group of settings for sleep, display and performance. - Windows 11 also has a newer page at Settings > System > Power & battery. - It covers fewer options, so the Control Panel version is still the one to use for power plans, lid actions and advanced settings. - Open Power Options with the Run box The Run box is the fastest way to open the power options control panel, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - These steps take you straight to the Power Options window. --- ### Pick a Regional Format Locale in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/pick-a-regional-format-locale-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1887 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change your locale in Windows 11, open Settings, select Time & language, then Language & region. Under Region, open the Regional format drop-down and pick a locale such as English (United Kingdom). The change takes effect at once without a restart, though some apps may need relaunching to show the new date and number style. **Content excerpt:** Change how Windows 11 shows dates, times, numbers and currency by picking a regional format. The setting is called Regional format, and you pick it at Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Choosing a new locale takes about a minute and does not need a restart. A regional format locale is a preset that bundles those display rules for a country or region. For example, English (United Kingdom) writes 31/12/2025, and English (United States) writes 12/31/2025. This post covers the steps, how to fine-tune individual formats, and how to apply your choice to the sign-in screen and new accounts. What a Regional Format Locale Changes A regional format changes how Windows and most apps present information. It does not translate anything. The affected items are: Short and long date formats, such as 12/31/2025 or 31 December 2025. Short and long time formats, including 12-hour or 24-hour clocks. The decimal symbol and digit grouping, such as 1,234.56 or 1.234,56. The currency symbol and where it sits relative to the amount. The first day of the week and the default calendar. The measurement system, metric or U.S. File Explorer, the taskbar clock, Notepad timestamps and most desktop apps read these values. Spreadsheets and databases that import text files are the first to break when the decimal symbol is wrong. Check the format before you open such files. Regional Format vs. Display Language vs. Country or Region Windows 11 keeps several location and language settings next to each other, and people often mix them up. Each does a different job: Windows display language sets the language of menus, buttons and system messages. Regional format sets how dates, times, numbers and currency look. This is the setting this post covers. Country or region tells Windows and the Microsoft Store where you are, so apps can offer local content and services. System locale sets the language for older programs that do not support Unicode (the modern text standard). It lives in a separate dialog and needs a restart. You do not need to install a language pack to use a different regional format. A Windows display language in English can sit beside a German or Japanese number and date style. How to Pick a Regional Format Locale in Windows 11 These steps change your locale settings for your own account. They do not need administrator rights. The steps match current Windows 11 releases (23H2 and 24H2); a label may differ slightly on an older build. The numbered steps below set your regional format locale from start to finish. Open Settings. Press Windows + I, or right-click Start and choose Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Time & language in the left pane. The page shows Date & time, Language & region, and Typing. Select Language & region. You see your display language and preferred languages at the top, and a Region section below them. Find the Regional format row in the Region section. It shows your current format,… **Key facts:** - Change how Windows 11 shows dates, times, numbers and currency by picking a regional format. - The setting is called Regional format, and you pick it at Settings > Time & language > Language & region. - For example, English (United Kingdom) writes 31/12/2025, and English (United States) writes 12/31/2025. - This post covers the steps, how to fine-tune individual formats, and how to apply your choice to the sign-in screen and new accounts. - The affected items are: Short and long date formats, such as 12/31/2025 or 31 December 2025. --- ### How to Turn On or off Shift Lock On the Touch Keyboard in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-shift-lock-on-the-touch-keyboard-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-11 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1049 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Double-tap the Shift key (the up-arrow key) on the Windows 11 touch keyboard to turn on shift lock, and tap Shift once more to turn it off. To disable the feature entirely, go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard and switch off Shift lock. **Content excerpt:** Shift lock on the Windows 11 touch keyboard turns on when you double-tap the Shift key (the up-arrow key). Tap Shift once more to turn it off. To switch the feature itself on or off, go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard, or use the Registry Editor. Shift lock keeps capital letters active until you tap Shift again. It works like Caps Lock on a physical keyboard. This tutorial covers the Settings app first, then the Registry Editor, which is the fallback if the toggle is missing. These steps open the shift lock settings and turn the feature on or off: Press Windows Key + I. The Settings window opens. Select Time & language. It is in the left-hand list. Tap Typing. The typing options for your device appear. Choose Touch keyboard. Look for the Shift lock toggle switch. Switch Shift lock on or off. The change applies straight away, and you can undo it by flipping the switch back. Windows 11 builds differ in which touch keyboard options they show. If you don't see the toggle on your PC, use the Registry Editor method further down. It works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. What is Shift Lock on the Touch Keyboard? Shift lock lets you type in all capitals on the touch keyboard without holding Shift. These steps show how to get shift lock working while you type: Open any text field. The touch keyboard appears. Tap the Shift key twice in quick succession. A small lock icon appears on the key to show shift lock is active. Type your text. Every letter stays uppercase. Tap Shift once more to turn the lock off. The lock icon disappears and you are back to lowercase. Double-tapping the Shift key activates the lock. Every letter after that stays uppercase until another tap on the Shift key disables it. The lock icon is the quickest way to tell whether the lock is on. Regular touch keyboard layouts support shift lock, but traditional keyboard layouts do not. If you switch to one of those, you won't see the lock behavior. How to Turn On or Off Shift Lock The fast way to turn shift lock on and off is to double-tap the Shift key directly on the touch keyboard. This is also how it gets switched on by accident. Two quick taps are enough, and fast typing on a small screen makes that likely. If you only want to stop the lock once it has started, change nothing. Tap Shift once to release it. If it keeps happening and you would rather not have the feature at all, you can turn it off by changing a system setting, as shown next. Disable Shift Lock using Registry Editor Registry Editor is a tool for changing advanced Windows settings. Using it to disable shift lock stops the touch keyboard from locking capitals when you tap Shift twice. You open the tool, go to a specific key, and change… **Key facts:** - Shift lock on the Windows 11 touch keyboard turns on when you double-tap the Shift key (the up-arrow key). - To switch the feature itself on or off, go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard, or use the Registry Editor. - This tutorial covers the Settings app first, then the Registry Editor, which is the fallback if the toggle is missing. - These steps open the shift lock settings and turn the feature on or off: Press Windows Key + I. - Windows 11 builds differ in which touch keyboard options they show. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I unlock my shift key? A: Tap the Shift key once to turn off Shift Lock on the touch keyboard. On a physical keyboard, press Caps Lock to end all-caps typing. If Shift seems stuck, press it five times in a row to turn off Sticky Keys, or open Settings and check Accessibility. - Q: How to enable on screen keyboard? A: Open Settings, select Accessibility, then choose Keyboard and switch on the On-screen keyboard toggle. Press Windows Key + Ctrl + O to open it without Settings. The keyboard stays on screen until you close it, and you can click keys with a mouse or touchscreen. - Q: What does Ctrl+K do in Windows? A: Windows itself does not use Ctrl+K. Inside an app, it does whatever that app assigns. In Word, Outlook, and most text editors, it inserts a hyperlink. In browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, it puts the cursor in the address bar for searching. The shortcut is set by each program, so the result changes between apps. - Q: Do you want to turn on Sticky Keys? A: Turn on Sticky Keys if you need to press Shift, Ctrl, or Alt one key at a time instead of holding them down. Press Shift five times to get the prompt, or open Settings, select Accessibility, choose Keyboard, and switch on Sticky keys. It works in every app and can be turned off the same way. - Q: The Shift lock toggle is missing from my Touch keyboard settings. What can I do? A: In some versions of Windows 11, Microsoft has removed the Shift lock toggle from the Touch keyboard settings page, so you may not see it. You can still release a lock by tapping Shift once. To try to stop it turning on by accident, you can use the Registry Editor method in this guide, but it may not work on… **Extra help under the steps:** - If the Shift lock toggle isn't on your Touch keyboard page: In some Windows 11 versions the Shift lock toggle is no longer on the Touch keyboard page, so you may not see it. You can still stop a lock you started by tapping Shift once. To stop the lock from turning on by accident, you can try the Registry Editor method below, but it may not work on every build.… --- ### What to Do When Windows 11 Location Tracking Reports the Wrong Geographic Area - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-to-do-when-windows-11-location-tracking-reports-the-wrong-geographic-area/ - **Published:** 2026-08-30 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1922 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows 11 estimates your location using Wi-Fi networks, your IP address, and GPS data. Wrong locations usually come from outdated Wi-Fi router records in Microsoft's database, an IP address registered elsewhere, or blocked location permissions. Fix it by opening Settings > Privacy & security > Location, turning on Location services and app access, clearing your location history, and checking your browser's location settings. **Content excerpt:** Location tracking in Windows 11 estimates where your PC is by combining nearby Wi-Fi networks, your internet connection details, and GPS data if your device has a GPS receiver. Apps and browsers use that estimate to show local weather, maps, and search results. The wrong geographic area usually comes from outdated Wi-Fi router records, an IP address registered to a different city, or blocked permissions. Any of these can make Windows 11 place you miles from where you actually are, sometimes hundreds of miles. The fix is to check your location permissions, clear cached location data, set a default location, and then deal with browser and network causes. The sections below go through these in order, starting with the quickest checks. How Windows 11 Tracks Your Location Windows 11 works out your position from several sources. It uses nearby wireless networks, Bluetooth signals, and your internet connection, and on some devices a GPS receiver. When it gets the area wrong, one of these sources is usually stale or misleading. Nearby wireless networks. Your PC reads the names and hardware addresses of Wi-Fi routers around you. Microsoft keeps a large database that links those addresses to map coordinates. If your router is new, secondhand, or was recently moved to a new home, the database may still list your old address. This is one of the most common reasons for a wrong location. Your internet connection. Websites and apps see the numeric (IP) address your internet service provider assigns you. Providers often route traffic through large regional hubs, so a website may think you are in a bigger city nearby rather than in your own neighborhood. A desktop on a wired connection has no Wi-Fi to work with, so it leans on this even more. Permissions and settings. If privacy settings block location access, or an app has no permission to see your position, Windows falls back on generic defaults. An app that cannot read your location may show a default or a guess instead. The sections below go through each of these, starting with permissions because they are the easiest to check. Checking and Managing Core Location Settings Start with the permissions, because a switched-off setting is the simplest cause and takes a minute to check. The main Location services switch controls whether Windows can find your position at all. Individual apps then have their own switches. Follow these steps to check your core location settings: Click the Start button and open the Settings app. Select Privacy & security from the left-hand menu. Under App permissions, click Location. You should see the location page with a list of switches. Make sure the main Location services toggle is set to On. If it was off, the list of apps below it will be greyed out until you turn it on. Check that Let apps access your location is On. Scroll down the app list and check that apps such as Maps, Weather, and your web browser are set to On. If your… **Key facts:** - Location tracking in Windows 11 estimates where your PC is by combining nearby Wi-Fi networks, your internet connection details, and GPS data if your device has a GPS receiver. - Any of these can make Windows 11 place you miles from where you actually are, sometimes hundreds of miles. - How Windows 11 Tracks Your Location Windows 11 works out your position from several sources. - If privacy settings block location access, or an app has no permission to see your position, Windows falls back on generic defaults. - Checking and Managing Core Location Settings Start with the permissions, because a switched-off setting is the simplest cause and takes a minute to check. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Why does Windows think I live in tucson, az when I live in scottsdale, az? A: Windows often guesses from your internet connection's IP address, and providers sometimes register that address to a data center or regional hub in another city, such as Tucson. Outdated Wi-Fi records can also cause it. To correct it, turn on location access in Settings > Privacy & security > Location, then set your Scottsdale address as the default location. - Q: My computer shows me in dallas, how do I reset to my current location? A: Windows keeps using the default location you set earlier, even after you move. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Location and turn on Location services. Then select Set default under Default location and choose your current city on the map. Windows will use it from then on. - Q: How to update the location zip code that pops up on my computer? A: The zip code comes from the location set for the Weather widget, not from a single system setting. Open Widgets, select the weather card's menu, and choose the location option. Type your new zip code in the search box and select it. The widget will update to that area. - Q: Why does widget in win 11 use my wrong location for the weather? A: The Weather widget uses the location Windows has on file. If that location is wrong or location services are off, the forecast will be wrong too. Turn on location access in Settings > Privacy & security > Location. Then open Widgets and set the weather location to your city or zip code manually. - Q: Is the Clear location history button still in Windows 11? A: No. Microsoft has removed the Clear location history button from Windows 11, so you won't find it under Settings > Privacy & security > Location. There is no direct replacement for clearing location history. You can still fix a wrong location by checking that Location services is on, setting your default location, and restarting your PC. If the area stays… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find Location history or its Clear button: Microsoft has removed the Clear location history button from Windows 11, so the Location history section and its Clear button are no longer there. There is no direct replacement for clearing it, so don't keep searching Settings for it. Instead: 1. Confirm Location services is On, as described above. 2. Set your default location in the next section. 3. Restart… --- ### How to Add Natural Voices in Windows 11 Narrator - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-add-natural-voices-in-windows-11-narrator/ - **Published:** 2026-02-05 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1313 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Narrator. Click "Add natural voices," choose a voice from the list, and click Install. You can then select your new voice in Narrator settings. **Content excerpt:** Narrator is the built-in screen reader in Windows 11. It reads text, buttons and menus on your screen aloud so you can work with your PC without watching the display closely. Natural voices replace the flat, robotic default speech with voices that sound like a real person talking. A voice pack such as Microsoft Jenny downloads straight from Settings, usually in a few seconds. A more lifelike voice makes long documents, emails and web pages much easier to listen to for extended periods. This guide covers how to add a natural voice, how to select it, and how to remove it again. Natural voices need Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. If you don't see the options below, run Windows Update first. What is Narrator? Narrator reads text, buttons and menus out loud so you can move around Windows without relying on what you see. It is designed for people who are blind or have low vision. It also helps anyone who wants to read emails, browse websites or write documents without staring at the monitor. You can turn Narrator on and off with Windows key + Ctrl + Enter. Use that shortcut any time you want to test a voice or stop the speech. Windows 11 brought several improvements to Narrator, and natural voices are the most noticeable one. This version handles everyday tasks such as sending emails, browsing websites and writing documents. It remains an important aid for people who are blind or have low vision. You don't need a separate download or a paid add-on. The voices come from Microsoft and are installed through the same Settings app you already use. What Are Natural Voices? Natural voices are modern text-to-speech voices. They sound like real people talking, not like computer-generated speech. They use neural speech technology to produce smooth, clear audio. Once a voice is downloaded, it works entirely offline. You need an internet connection only for the download itself. After that, the voice works on a plane, on a locked-down network or anywhere else without a connection. Legacy voices: Older and less clear voices. They are installed with Windows and are fine for basic use, but they sound robotic and can be tiring over long stretches. Natural voices: Newer, clearer voices that sound more like real people. They are optional downloads and take up more disk space than the legacy voices. Natural voices use advanced text-to-speech technology to sound much closer to actual human speech. Because they run offline, you can use them without an internet connection. That gives you more flexibility and makes them dependable on any machine. If you read a lot of text with Narrator, the difference shows quickly. Pauses, stress and sentence flow are far more natural than with the legacy voices. How to Add Natural Voices to Narrator Adding a natural voice to Narrator takes a few steps. Make sure your PC is online before you start, because Windows has to download the voice. The steps below follow this order: Open… **Key facts:** - Narrator is the built-in screen reader in Windows 11. - A voice pack such as Microsoft Jenny downloads straight from Settings, usually in a few seconds. - Natural voices need Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. - Windows 11 brought several improvements to Narrator, and natural voices are the most noticeable one. - This version handles everyday tasks such as sending emails, browsing websites and writing documents. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I can't find "Add natural voices" in Narrator settings. Where did it go? A: Microsoft renamed the option. It is now labelled "Add voices" and is still in the Narrator voice section. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Narrator, and look for a tile called Add voices. Click it, choose a natural voice such as Microsoft Jenny, and click Install. If the tile is missing, update Windows 11 through Windows Update, then search Settings… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find "Add natural voices": The option has been renamed. On the Narrator page (Settings > Accessibility > Narrator), look in the voice section for a tile labelled Add voices. Click it to see the list of natural voices, choose one such as Microsoft Jenny, then click Install. If you still can't find it, run Windows Update to make sure Windows 11 is current, then… --- ### How to Enable or Disable Copilot Cowork to Automatically Take Actions in Copilot app on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-copilot-cowork-to-automatically-take-actions-in-copilot-app-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 768 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn Cowork's actions on or off for your own account, open the Copilot app, select Copilot Chat settings, click Web browsing, and switch Allow Cowork to take actions on your behalf on or off. The setting is off by default. Administrators can apply the change to all users through Registry Editor, but that registry key path is not yet confirmed. **Content excerpt:** Copilot Cowork can automatically create tabs, take screenshots, and interact with web pages for you in the Copilot app. The setting Allow Cowork to take actions on your behalf controls this. You can change it for your own account in Settings, or for all users with Registry Editor. About Copilot Cowork The Microsoft Copilot app is an AI app for work. It connects to the Microsoft 365 apps and content you use every day. It creates documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, and lets you choose between leading AI models. It uses Work IQ to understand your job and company, and it keeps your data protected. [Verification Required: Work IQ needs a plain-English explanation from the product source] The Copilot experience depends on the account you sign in with. A work or school account gets a licensed version with enterprise data protection, which keeps company data within the company's own controls. A personal account gets an experience for individuals, with or without a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription. Copilot Cowork carries out tasks for you. Describe what you need in natural language, and Cowork creates documents, drafts and sends email, schedules meetings, and manages files. You review and approve sensitive actions before they happen. By default, Cowork also asks for your permission before certain actions, including writing files. For some actions, Copilot asks for your approval or hands control back to you. This helps prevent actions you did not intend. Copilot might also ask you to take over if a site restricts automated interaction, needs extra sign-in steps, or needs manual interaction (such as for purchases, bookings, or protected content). These actions include: Monetary transactions, such as completing a purchase or submitting payment. Submitting personal information to external websites, such as names, addresses, or phone numbers. Actions involving other people, such as sending emails or messages. Actions that change your account, such as deleting files, changing cloud storage, cancelling subscriptions, or changing account settings. Sensitive actions, such as health-related submissions, government documents, or security-related changes. Option One: Turn On or Off "Allow Cowork to take actions on your behalf" for Current User in Settings This option changes the setting for your account only. The setting is off by default. Open the Copilot app. Open Copilot Chat settings. Click Web browsing on the left side. Turn Allow Cowork to take actions on your behalf on or off, depending on what you want. Option Two: Enable or Disable "Allow Cowork to take actions on your behalf" for All Users Using Registry You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option. The value you set here overrides Option One and grays out the setting in the Copilot app. The registry key that holds CopilotCoworkToolActionsEnabled is not confirmed yet. [Verification Required: Registry path should be confirmed] [ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Copilot ] Do not edit the registry until the key path is confirmed. [Verification Required: Registry path should be confirmed] Always Enable Copilot Cowork to Take Actions for All Users This turns the setting… **Key facts:** - You can change it for your own account in Settings, or for all users with Registry Editor. - It connects to the Microsoft 365 apps and content you use every day. - A work or school account gets a licensed version with enterprise data protection, which keeps company data within the company's own controls. - A personal account gets an experience for individuals, with or without a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription. - Copilot might also ask you to take over if a site restricts automated interaction, needs extra sign-in steps, or needs manual interaction (such as for purchases, bookings, or protected content). --- ### Check Your BIOS Version with Msinfo32 in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/check-your-bios-version-with-msinfo32-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1562 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To check your BIOS version with msinfo32, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. System Information opens on the System Summary page. Scroll to the BIOS Version/Date row in the right pane. The Value column shows the firmware vendor, version number and release date. No administrator rights are needed, and the check takes under a minute. **Content excerpt:** Msinfo32 is the command that opens System Information, the Windows 11 app that lists your BIOS version alongside the rest of your hardware details. The BIOS (basic input/output system) is the firmware stored on your motherboard that starts the PC before Windows loads. Newer PCs use its successor, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the modern startup software that replaced BIOS), but Windows still labels the entry "BIOS". For a "msinfo32 bios" check, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, press Enter, and read the BIOS Version/Date line on the System Summary page. The line shows the firmware maker, the version number and the release date. It takes under a minute, and no administrator rights are needed. What msinfo32 Shows About Your BIOS System Information reads the details your PC's firmware reports about itself. Several lines on the first page relate to the BIOS, and you need to know which is which before you compare anything against a manufacturer's website. BIOS Version/Date shows the firmware vendor, the version string and the release date in one line. SMBIOS Version (System Management BIOS, the standard that describes your hardware to Windows) shows the version of that data format. It is not the BIOS version, so do not confuse the two. BIOS Mode shows UEFI or Legacy (the older startup method), which is how the PC starts Windows. SecureBoot State shows whether Secure Boot, a UEFI feature that blocks untrusted software during startup, is On, Off or Unsupported. System Manufacturer and System Model tell you which brand and model to search for when you look for firmware updates. How to Check Your BIOS Version with Msinfo32 These steps open System Information and find your BIOS version. They work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and none of them needs administrator privileges. Press Windows + R. The Run dialog opens in the lower-left corner of the screen. Type msinfo32 in the Open box. Use lowercase or uppercase; Windows accepts both. Press Enter. The System Information window opens. It can take a few seconds to fill in on a slower PC. Select System Summary in the left pane. It is normally selected already, and the right pane shows a two-column table headed Item and Value. Scroll the right pane to BIOS Version/Date. It sits a little below System Type and Processor. Read the Value column for that row. A typical entry looks like American Megatrends Inc. 1.40, 12/12/2022, with the vendor first, then the version, then the date. Check BIOS Mode in the row just below. It shows UEFI on any PC that meets the Windows 11 requirements. Note the System Manufacturer and System Model rows above it. You need both to find the right firmware download later. Select File > Export if you want a saved copy. A save dialog opens. Type a file name, such as msinfo32, and select Save. Windows writes a plain text file you can open in Notepad or send to support staff. Close the window by selecting the X… **Key facts:** - Msinfo32 is the command that opens System Information, the Windows 11 app that lists your BIOS version alongside the rest of your hardware details. - For a "msinfo32 bios" check, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, press Enter, and read the BIOS Version/Date line on the System Summary page. - The line shows the firmware maker, the version number and the release date. - What msinfo32 Shows About Your BIOS System Information reads the details your PC's firmware reports about itself. - BIOS Version/Date shows the firmware vendor, the version string and the release date in one line. --- ### Invert Colors on Windows 11 with Color Filters - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/invert-colors-on-windows-11-with-color-filters/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1523 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To invert colors on a PC running Windows 11, open Settings, select Accessibility, then Color filters. Turn on the Color filters toggle and select Inverted. White backgrounds turn black and dark blue turns light orange across the whole screen. To switch the filter on and off, turn on Keyboard shortcut for color filters and press Windows key + Ctrl + C. **Content excerpt:** To invert colors on a PC running Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Color filters, turn on Color filters, and select Inverted. The Inverted filter swaps every color on the screen for its opposite, so white becomes black and dark blue becomes light orange. The change applies to your whole display at once, including the desktop, File Explorer and every open app. It needs no restart and no administrator rights. This article covers the full steps, the keyboard shortcut that switches the filter on and off, and what to check when the option is missing or does nothing. What the Inverted Color Filter Does A color filter (a Windows accessibility feature that changes how the display renders color) works across all of Windows, not inside individual apps. It does not change the colors inside your documents or photos. It changes what the screen shows. Turn the filter off and everything returns to normal. Inverted is not the same as dark mode. Dark mode changes the colors of Windows and of apps that support it, and photos stay as they are. Inverted flips everything, so photos look like film negatives. Many people use it for reading white-background pages in dim rooms, for reducing glare, or if bright light bothers your eyes. Windows 11 offers six filters in total. The steps below use Inverted. Later, you will see when Grayscale inverted works better. How to Invert Colors on PC in Windows 11 Follow the steps below to invert colors, then set up the keyboard shortcut so you can switch inversion on and off with one keypress. Open Settings. Press the Windows key + I, or right-click Start and select Settings. Select Accessibility in the left pane. The Accessibility page opens with sections for Vision, Hearing and Interaction. Select Color filters under the Vision section. You may need to scroll down to see it. The Color filters page opens. Turn on the Color filters toggle at the top of the page. A list of filters appears below it, and the screen may change at once if a filter is already selected. Select Inverted from the filter list. If the list is collapsed, select Choose a filter to expand it first. The whole screen inverts immediately, and the Settings window inverts with it. Check the screen. White backgrounds now appear black and text appears light. If the screen turns gray instead, you picked Grayscale. Select Inverted instead. Turn on Keyboard shortcut for color filters on the same page. This switch is off by default, and the shortcut does nothing until you turn it on. Press the Windows key + Ctrl + C. This toggles the selected filter on or off. Press it again to bring the filter back. The filter stays on after you restart the PC or sign out. It stays on until you turn it off. The setting belongs to your user account, so other people who sign in to the same PC see normal colors. Windows 10 uses a different… **Key facts:** - To invert colors on a PC running Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Color filters, turn on Color filters, and select Inverted. - This article covers the full steps, the keyboard shortcut that switches the filter on and off, and what to check when the option is missing or does nothing. - How to Invert Colors on PC in Windows 11 Follow the steps below to invert colors, then set up the keyboard shortcut so you can switch inversion on and off with one keypress. - Press the Windows key + I, or right-click Start and select Settings. - The whole screen inverts immediately, and the Settings window inverts with it. --- ### Change Your Device Region in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-your-device-region-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1698 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change your device setup region in Windows 11, open Settings, select Time & language, then Language & region. Under Region, open the Country or region drop-down list and pick your new country. Windows saves it straight away, with no reset or reinstall needed. Your Time zone and Regional format stay as they are unless you change them separately. **Content excerpt:** The device setup region is the country or region you chose when you first set up Windows 11. You change it in Settings > Time & language > Language & region by picking a new entry under Country or region. The change takes a minute, applies to your user account straight away, and needs no reset or reinstall. Windows uses this setting to decide which content, local services and defaults it offers you. What the device setup region controls During first-time setup, Windows 11 asks "Is this the right country or region?" Your answer appears under Country or region in Settings. Windows and some apps read it to tailor local content, such as which apps and prices the Microsoft Store shows. Three settings sit close together and people often mix them up: Country or region is the location Windows and apps use to tailor local content and services. This is the device setup region. Regional format controls how Windows displays dates, times, numbers and currency. It can differ from your country. Time zone controls the clock. It is a separate setting under Settings > Time & language > Date & time, and changing your region does not change it. The system locale is a fourth setting. It controls the language that older programs use for text. It decides which language older, non-Unicode programs (programs written before modern text standards, which store letters in an older format) use to display text. You rarely need it, but a section below covers it. Before you start Changing Country or region applies to your own user account, so a standard account can do it. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. Only the system locale change in the later section needs administrator rights. If your employer or school manages this PC, an administrator may control this setting. The section on missing or greyed-out options covers that case. Before you change the region, check whether any apps or subscriptions depend on the old one. Some apps and services link purchases and subscriptions to a country, so changing it can affect them. Change the region on a PC that holds regional content only after you confirm you do not need the old region for those apps. How to change the device setup region in Windows 11 Use the steps below to change the device setup region. This is the Country or region setting Windows set when you first set up the PC. Open Settings. Press the Windows key + I, or right-click Start and select Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Time & language. It is in the left-hand list of categories. The right-hand pane shows Date & time, Language & region and other pages. Select Language & region. The page lists your preferred languages at the top, then a Region section further down. Scroll down to the Region section. It contains Country or region and Regional format. The country shown now is your current device… **Key facts:** - The device setup region is the country or region you chose when you first set up Windows 11. - You change it in Settings > Time & language > Language & region by picking a new entry under Country or region. - What the device setup region controls During first-time setup, Windows 11 asks "Is this the right country or region?" Your answer appears under Country or region in Settings. - Three settings sit close together and people often mix them up: Country or region is the location Windows and apps use to tailor local content and services. - It is a separate setting under Settings > Time & language > Date & time, and changing your region does not change it. --- ### How to Find Your BitLocker Recovery Key in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1427 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey on another device, sign in with your Microsoft account, find your device name, and compare the Key ID on the blue recovery screen with the one shown online. If they match, type the 48-digit key into your locked PC. **Content excerpt:** A BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11 is a unique 48-digit number that protects your files and locks your drive if the system detects an unexpected security risk. Windows asks for this code when it notices a sudden hardware change, a BIOS update, or repeated failed sign-in attempts. Where the key is stored depends on how you set up your PC. Check your online Microsoft account first. Then look for a USB flash drive you plugged in during setup, or a printed copy you filed away. On a work or school PC, the key may be held by your IT department. What is a BitLocker Recovery Key? A BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number, shown as eight groups of six digits. Windows creates it so you can still unlock the drive if it cannot confirm you are the owner. You will usually be asked for it at startup after a hardware change, a BIOS or firmware update, or too many incorrect sign-in attempts. A changed Secure Boot or boot configuration can also trigger it. The blue recovery screen also shows a Key ID, which is the first few characters of an identifier. Write it down. If you find several keys in your account or on paper, the Key ID tells you which one belongs to this drive. If you signed in with a Microsoft account during Windows 11 setup, your recovery key was probably backed up to that account automatically. This is especially common on Home editions, which use device encryption rather than full BitLocker. See Microsoft account for how this works on Windows 11 PCs. Where to Find Your BitLocker Recovery Key Your recovery key is usually in one of four places. It may be in your online Microsoft account, in a text file on a computer or USB drive, on a printed sheet of paper, or with your work or school IT department if the device is managed. Microsoft Account: If the key was saved online, you can view it by signing in to your Microsoft account from any other device. Printed Paper: You may have printed the key during setup and put it somewhere safe. USB Flash Drive: The key could be saved on a USB drive you plugged in during setup. Work or School Account: If your device is connected to your workplace or school, the key may be stored in their directory (Azure Active Directory, now called Microsoft Entra ID) or held by your system administrator. Start with the Microsoft account. It is the quickest check and the most likely place to find the key on a personal PC. How to Check Each Location 1. Find Your Recovery Key Online with Your Microsoft Account You need a second device for this, such as a phone or another computer, because your locked PC cannot get past the recovery screen. On the other device, open a browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on the locked PC. If you… **Key facts:** - A BitLocker recovery key in Windows 11 is a unique 48-digit number that protects your files and locks your drive if the system detects an unexpected security risk. - A BitLocker recovery key is a 48-digit number, shown as eight groups of six digits. - If you signed in with a Microsoft account during Windows 11 setup, your recovery key was probably backed up to that account automatically. - See Microsoft account for how this works on Windows 11 PCs. - If they match, type the 48-digit key into the locked PC. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to get BitLocker key Windows 11? A: Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey using the account linked to your PC. Your key appears there under the matching device name. If you set up BitLocker with a work or school account, ask your IT department instead, since they may hold the key. - Q: What is a recovery key Windows 11? A: A recovery key in Windows 11 is a 48-digit code that unlocks your encrypted drive when BitLocker cannot verify it is you. It works as a backup to your normal sign-in. You need it after a hardware change, a BIOS update, or repeated wrong passwords. - Q: What is BitLocker recovery key Windows 11? A: The BitLocker recovery key is the 48-digit number BitLocker uses to open a locked drive when normal startup fails. It appears as eight groups of six digits. Windows asks for it after a hardware change, a firmware update, or too many failed sign-ins, so store it somewhere safe before you need it. - Q: How can I get my bitloker key without Microsoft account? A: Look for a copy you saved yourself: a USB flash drive you plugged in during setup, a printed page, or a text file in a folder you chose. On a work PC, ask your IT department. Without the key, the drive stays locked, so check every place you might have stored it. - Q: Where is the BitLocker key locatid in the files folder? A: The BitLocker key is not kept in one fixed spot in your files. Windows saves it only where you chose during setup, such as a USB flash drive, a text file, your Microsoft account, or a printout. Search your drives for a file starting with BitLocker Recovery Key, or check the folder you picked when you turned on BitLocker. - Q: Where can I find my backup recovery key in Windows 11? A: Your backup recovery key is the copy you saved when you first turned on BitLocker. Sign in to your Microsoft account online to view it, or find the USB drive, printed page, or text file you chose during setup. While the drive is unlocked, you can also open Control Panel, go to BitLocker Drive Encryption, and select Back up your… --- ### How to Connect to WPA3 Wi-Fi in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-connect-to-wpa3-wi-fi-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1315 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Windows 11 automatically connects to WPA3 Wi-Fi networks if your PC's adapter supports it. First, press Windows + S, type cmd, and run netsh wlan show drivers to confirm WPA3-Personal appears in the authentication methods list. Then click the network icon in the taskbar, select the WPA3 network, enter the password, and verify the connection in Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. **Content excerpt:** Connecting to a WPA3 Wi-Fi network in Windows 11 gives your wireless connection the strongest security standard available to protect your data from hackers. WPA3 is the newest security protocol for wireless routers and devices. It replaces the older WPA2 system with much stronger encryption. Two things have to be true before you can join a WPA3 network. Your PC needs a Wi-Fi card or adapter that supports WPA3, and your router must broadcast a WPA3-capable signal. Most computers built in recent years already have the right hardware. This guide covers the whole job: updating Windows, checking that your adapter supports WPA3, connecting, and confirming that the connection really uses WPA3. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. What is WPA3 and Why It Matters? WPA3 is the newest way to keep your Wi-Fi connections safe from hackers. It works best with devices that support Wi-Fi 6, which gives you faster speeds and better coverage. Your router matters as much as your PC. Many routers can run in a mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode so older devices can still connect. In that mode, your PC may quietly join with WPA2 even though WPA3 is available. If you manage the router, check its wireless security settings. If you don't, ask whoever does. Step 1: Check Your Windows 11 Is Up to Date Before connecting to WPA3 Wi-Fi, make sure Windows 11 has the latest updates. Updates often include newer Wi-Fi drivers, and an old driver is a common reason WPA3 doesn't show up. Click the Start button (Windows icon). Open Settings (gear icon). Choose Windows Update in the left-hand list. Click Check for updates. Windows searches and then lists anything available. Install any updates it finds. If it asks you to restart, do that before moving on, because the new driver or system files don't take effect until you do. If your adapter still doesn't support WPA3 after this, look under Advanced options > Optional updates in Windows Update. Driver updates are sometimes listed there instead of being installed automatically. Learn more about updating Windows 11 here: How to update Windows 11 Step 2: Check if Your PC Supports WPA3 You can check whether your PC supports WPA3 Wi-Fi by running a quick command in Command Prompt. This shows the security features your wireless network adapter can handle, so you know before you try a new router. You don't need administrator rights for this command. Open the Command Prompt: Press Windows + S to open search. Type cmd and click Command Prompt. A window with a blinking cursor opens. Type this command and press Enter: netsh wlan show drivers Scroll through the output until you find the line Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode. Several lines are listed under it, one for each security type the adapter supports. Check those lines for WPA3-Personal. If you see it, your PC supports WPA3! If the output says the WLAN AutoConfig service isn't running, or the command finds no wireless interface,… **Key facts:** - Connecting to a WPA3 Wi-Fi network in Windows 11 gives your wireless connection the strongest security standard available to protect your data from hackers. - WPA3 is the newest security protocol for wireless routers and devices. - It replaces the older WPA2 system with much stronger encryption. - Two things have to be true before you can join a WPA3 network. - Your PC needs a Wi-Fi card or adapter that supports WPA3, and your router must broadcast a WPA3-capable signal. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Does my laptop support wpa3? A: Yes, if its Wi-Fi adapter supports WPA3. Most laptops made since about 2019 do. To check, open Command Prompt and run netsh wlan show drivers. Look for WPA3-Personal in the list of supported authentication methods. If you see it, your laptop can join WPA3 networks. - Q: How to install wap3 Wi-Fi driver? A: Get the driver from your laptop maker or the Wi-Fi adapter maker, not a third-party site. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds nothing newer, download the latest driver from the manufacturer's support page and run its installer, then restart. - Q: How to enable my hp laptop to support wap3 Wi-Fi protocol? A: HP laptops have no separate WPA3 setting. Support comes from the Wi-Fi driver and your router. Open HP Support Assistant, or go to HP's support site and enter your laptop model. Install the latest Wi-Fi driver, restart, and then connect to the WPA3 network. - Q: How to check if my laptop supports wpa3? A: Open Command Prompt and run netsh wlan show drivers. Find the authentication methods listed for your adapter. If WPA3-Personal appears, the adapter supports WPA3. If only WPA2-Personal appears, update the Wi-Fi driver and check again. If it still does not appear, the adapter cannot use WPA3. - Q: What is the wpa3 registty fix for Windows 11? A: There is no official Windows registry fix for WPA3, and editing the registry is risky and rarely needed. If you cannot join a WPA3 network, update the Wi-Fi driver first. Then install Windows updates and check that your router uses WPA2/WPA3 or WPA3 mode. - Q: How to enable wpa3 on PC? A: Windows turns on WPA3 by itself when both your adapter and router support it, so there is no switch to flip. Update Windows and your Wi-Fi driver. Then open Settings, go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi, and connect to the network. If it joins with WPA2 only, change the router to WPA2/WPA3 or WPA3-only mode. --- ### How to Show the Language Bar on Your Desktop or Taskbar in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-show-the-language-bar-on-your-desktop-or-taskbar-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1172 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings. Tick "Use the desktop language bar when it's available" to show it floating on your desktop, or leave it unticked for the taskbar. The Language Bar appears immediately if you have multiple input languages installed. **Content excerpt:** The Language Bar in Windows 11 lets you switch between keyboard layouts and input languages with a single click. Windows hides it by default, but you can turn it on from the Settings app in under 30 seconds. You can leave the Language Bar on the taskbar, or let it float on your desktop so it stays in view while you type. This tutorial covers both options, first through Settings and then through PowerShell. What is the Language Bar? The Windows 11 Language Bar is a small switcher that lets you change keyboard layouts and input languages while you type. It is useful when you write in more than one language or need characters that your main layout doesn't offer. It can sit on the taskbar or float on the desktop. Windows adds the matching keyboard layout automatically whenever you add a new language. You can also set up more than one layout per language. You don't need the mouse to switch. Press Win + Spacebar and Windows cycles through your active keyboard layouts. A small pop-up appears each time, so you can see which layout is selected. Note: The language switcher only appears when you have at least two languages or keyboard layouts installed. If you see nothing on the taskbar and only one language is installed, that is the reason. Add a second language or layout first, then follow the steps below. Option 1: Show Language Bar Using Windows Settings This method works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. The Settings app is the quickest way to choose between the desktop bar and the taskbar. Press Win + I to open Settings. Click Time & language in the left-hand list. The language and region options appear on the right. Click Typing on the right side. Scroll down and click Advanced keyboard settings. Tick the box for Use the desktop language bar when it's available if you want the bar to float on the desktop. It should appear on screen straight away. Untick the box if you want the language switcher on the taskbar instead. This is the default setting. Close Settings. You don't need to restart. If the bar doesn't change, sign out and back in. Both choices are in the Advanced keyboard settings page. The desktop bar floats freely, and you can drag it wherever you like. The taskbar version stays docked next to the clock in the notification area. To undo the change, go back to the same page and flip the checkbox. If Advanced keyboard settings doesn't show the checkbox, or the desktop bar doesn't appear, check that you have more than one input language installed. You can add one under Time & language > Language & region. Option 2: Show Language Bar Using PowerShell If you prefer the command line, you can configure the Language Bar with PowerShell. You don't need to open it as administrator for these changes, because they only affect your own user account. Right-click the Start button and choose… **Key facts:** - The Language Bar in Windows 11 lets you switch between keyboard layouts and input languages with a single click. - Windows hides it by default, but you can turn it on from the Settings app in under 30 seconds. - This tutorial covers both options, first through Settings and then through PowerShell. - The Windows 11 Language Bar is a small switcher that lets you change keyboard layouts and input languages while you type. - Add a second language or layout first, then follow the steps below. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to show language bar on taskbar? A: Open Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing, and select Advanced keyboard settings. Click Language bar options, choose Docked in the taskbar, and select OK. The Language bar appears on the taskbar. It only shows when you have at least two keyboard layouts or input languages set up. - Q: How to add language to taskbar? A: Open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and select Add a language. Choose the language, then install it. Windows adds its keyboard layout and shows the language switcher on the taskbar. To add another layout to a language you already have, select its Language options. - Q: Where is laungage bar? A: The Language bar sits in the system tray at the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, next to the clock. It shows your current input, such as ENG. If you don't see it, the Language bar is hidden or you have only one keyboard layout installed. - Q: Why don't I see the language selector in my Windows 11 toolbar? A: Windows only shows the language selector when you have two or more keyboard layouts or input languages. If you use just one, it stays hidden. It can also be turned off in Language bar options. Add a second layout in Settings, then check that the taskbar option is set to Docked in the taskbar. - Q: How to change language on Windows taskbar? A: Click the language indicator in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, such as ENG, and choose the layout you want from the list. You can also press Win + Spacebar to cycle through your installed layouts. Each switch shows a small pop-up so you can confirm the change. - Q: How to enable language keyboard bar on taskbar? A: Open Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing, and select Advanced keyboard settings. Click Language bar options, select Docked in the taskbar, and choose OK. The Language bar appears on the taskbar. Make sure you have at least two keyboard layouts installed, or the bar stays hidden. --- ### How to Turn On or off Different Keyboard Layouts for Each App in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-different-keyboard-layouts-for-each-app-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1119 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings and check the box next to Let me use a different input method for each app window. Each app window then remembers its own keyboard layout without requiring a restart. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can remember a different keyboard layout for every app window. If you type in German in a mail client and English in a browser, each window keeps its own layout. You don't have to switch every time you click between them. Why Change Keyboard Layouts? A keyboard layout decides which character appears when you press a physical key. Layouts let you type in several languages or enter special symbols. With a layout per app, you can use German or Spanish in one program and keep your main system language unchanged everywhere else. When you add a language to Windows, it installs the matching keyboard layout automatically. Some languages also offer extra input methods for specialised writing needs. To add a layout, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and use the language's Language options to add a keyboard. Once you have two or more layouts, you can switch between them in two ways: Click the language icon in the taskbar and pick a layout. Press Win + Spacebar. By default, Windows uses one input method for every app. If you change the layout in one window, the change applies everywhere. The setting below tells Windows to keep a separate layout for each app window. It works the same on Home and Pro, and it only matters if you have more than one layout installed. How to Turn On or Off Different Keyboard Layouts for Each App Using Settings Press Win + I to open Settings. Click Time & language in the left pane. Click Typing on the right. You should see the typing options, such as text suggestions and autocorrect. Scroll down and click Advanced keyboard settings. Find Let me use a different input method for each app window. Check the box to turn the feature on. Uncheck it to turn it off. Close Settings. The change takes effect straight away and you don't need to restart. To test it, open two apps, such as Notepad and your browser. Set a different layout in each and click back and forth. Each window should keep the layout you gave it. If an app that was already open doesn't follow the new setting, close it and reopen it. To undo the change, come back to the same page and flip the checkbox. If you only see one layout when you click the taskbar language icon, you have just one layout installed. Add a second one first. This link takes you directly to the Typing settings: Open Typing settings How to Turn On or Off Different Keyboard Layouts for Each App Using PowerShell If you prefer the command line, or you want to script the change, you can use PowerShell. Each command below covers one combination of the per-app setting and the desktop language bar. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal. The menu entry may be named slightly differently depending on your build. In the terminal, make sure you are in a Windows PowerShell tab.… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can remember a different keyboard layout for every app window. - Some languages also offer extra input methods for specialised writing needs. - To add a layout, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and use the language's Language options to add a keyboard. - By default, Windows uses one input method for every app. - How to Turn On or Off Different Keyboard Layouts for Each App Using Settings Press Win + I to open Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change keyboard layout? A: To change your keyboard layout, click the language icon in the taskbar and pick the layout you want. You can also press Win + Spacebar to cycle through the layouts you have added. To add a new one, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and add it under the language's Language options. - Q: How to see Windows keyboard lyout for different lagnauges? A: To see the keyboard layouts for a language, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region. Select the language's Language options, and its installed layouts appear under Keyboards. To see which layouts you can switch to right now, click the language icon in the taskbar. - Q: How to ensure keyboard language switches for all program in Windows 11? A: To make the keyboard language switch for every program, turn off the per-app option. Open Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing, and select Advanced keyboard settings. Turn off Let me use a different input method for each app window, and Windows applies one layout everywhere. - Q: How to type with multiple languages on keyboard? A: Add each language in Settings under Time & language, then Language & region. Switch between them with the language icon in the taskbar or with Win + Spacebar. Each layout types its own characters, so you can write in several languages on one keyboard. Turn on per-app layouts to keep each window's language separate. - Q: How do you do a diffrent type of kyeboard tybpe for your user? on discord? A: Discord has no keyboard layout setting of its own. It uses whichever layout Windows applies to the Discord window. Click the language icon in the taskbar while Discord is active, or press Win + Spacebar, to change it. To keep layouts separate for each app, turn on the per-app option under Advanced keyboard settings in Windows. - Q: How do you do a different type of keyboard type for your use? on discord? A: Discord does not offer its own keyboard layout option. The app types with the layout Windows has active for its window. Switch layouts from the taskbar language icon or with Win + Spacebar while Discord is open. For a layout that stays tied to Discord, enable the per-app setting under Time & language, Typing, Advanced keyboard settings. --- ### How to Change Your Country or Region in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-your-country-or-region-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-18 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1089 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Time & language, click Language & region, scroll to Country or region, select the drop-down menu, and pick your new country. The change saves immediately without requiring a restart. **Content excerpt:** Changing your country or region in Windows 11 updates your geographic location (GeoID). Apps, games, and Microsoft Store services use it to match your actual physical location. Windows also uses it to pick local news, the right currency, and regional apps. You can change it in under a minute from Settings, under Time & language and then Language & region. Update it when you move to a new country, or when you travel for a long time, so your PC gets the right updates and local software. The setting applies to your user account. You don't need administrator rights, and it works the same on Home and Pro. Option 1: Change Country or Region in Settings Press Windows key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Click Time & language on the left side. Click Language & region on the right side. The page lists your display language, preferred languages, and regional settings. Scroll to Country or region, click the drop-down menu, and pick your new location. You can type the first letters of the country name to jump to it in the list. Close Settings when you're done. The change is saved as soon as you pick the country. This is the built-in method, and it is the one most people need. It updates your location for the Microsoft Store and local apps without any advanced tools. You don't normally need to restart. If an app still shows content for the old country, close it and open it again, or sign out and back in. This setting does not change your display language or your Regional format (date, time, and number style). Those are separate options on the same page. To undo the change, go back to the same drop-down and pick your previous country. Your Microsoft account may also have its own billing country. Store purchases and some subscriptions can still follow the account rather than this setting. Windows 11 Language & Region Settings Select your country or region from the list Option 2: See Your Current Country or Region Using Command Before you change anything from the command line, check what Windows currently has set. This is also a quick way to confirm that a change from Settings was applied. Open Windows Terminal by searching for it in the Start menu. Choose the Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt tab. If the command isn't recognized in Command Prompt, switch to the PowerShell tab and run it there. Type or paste this command and press Enter: Get-WinHomeLocation Read the output. You will see your current country or region and its code. Close Windows Terminal when done. Option 3: Change Your Country or Region Using a Command If you prefer typing to clicking through menus, you can change your region from the command line instead. This updates your geographic location directly in Windows Terminal. You enter the numeric GeoID for your country, so you need to look that number up… **Key facts:** - Changing your country or region in Windows 11 updates your geographic location (GeoID). - You can change it in under a minute from Settings, under Time & language and then Language & region. - Option 1: Change Country or Region in Settings Press Windows key + I to open Settings. - The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. - The page lists your display language, preferred languages, and regional settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change region in Windows 11? A: To change your region, press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Time & language, then Language & region. Under Country or region, open the drop-down menu and pick your new country. Close Settings. The change applies to your user account and needs no administrator rights. - Q: How to change device setup region? A: If you're still on the first setup screens, choose your country or region from the list when Windows asks, then select Next. After setup, open Settings with Windows key + I, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and change Country or region there. - Q: Where is the option to change the country here? A: The option is in Settings, under Time & language, then Language & region. Find the Country or region row, then open its drop-down menu to choose a different country. To get there, press Windows key + I, click Time & language on the left, and click Language & region on the right. - Q: How to change country region in setting up Windows? A: When Windows asks for your country or region during setup, pick it from the list and select Next. If setup is already finished, open Settings with Windows key + I, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and change Country or region. - Q: How to change region on PC to hawaii? A: Windows doesn't list Hawaii as its own region. Hawaii is a U.S. state, so set Country or region to United States. Open Settings with Windows key + I, select Time & language, then Language & region, and choose United States from the Country or region drop-down menu. - Q: How to change region in laptop? A: The steps are the same on a laptop. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, click Time & language, then Language & region. Open the Country or region drop-down menu, pick your new country, and close Settings. You don't need administrator rights. --- ### How to Change Keyboard Character Repeat Delay in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-keyboard-character-repeat-delay-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-20 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1187 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Accessibility > Keyboard, and move the Keyboard character repeat delay slider left for a longer delay or right for a shorter delay. Test the new delay in Notepad by holding a key, then close Settings. The change applies immediately without restart. **Content excerpt:** Keyboard character repeat delay in Windows 11 controls the pause before a held-down key starts repeating. The default is 500 milliseconds. A longer pause helps stop accidental double letters. A shorter pause makes text fill the screen sooner when you hold a key. You can change this setting in less than a minute with the built-in Keyboard Properties window. This guide also covers the Settings app and the Registry Editor. The change only affects your keyboard behaviour, so you can undo it at any time. Option 1: Change Repeat Delay in Windows 11 Settings Windows Settings is the quickest place to start, because you don't need any system tools. You open the Accessibility menu, go to Keyboard, and use the slider to set how long Windows waits before a held key repeats. Press Win + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. On the left menu, click Accessibility. On the right, click Keyboard. The keyboard options for your account appear. Scroll down to find the Keyboard character repeat delay slider. Move the slider left for a longer delay (slower repeat) or right for a shorter delay (faster repeat). Click into a text field, such as Notepad, and hold down a letter key. If the pause feels wrong, go back and adjust the slider again. Close Settings when you're done. The change applies straight away, and you don't need to restart. The Settings app changes how your hardware behaves, so the new delay applies to every app you use. Some of these options only appear on certain Windows 11 versions. If you can't find the slider on your build, use the Control Panel method below, which works on all builds. To undo your change, return to the same slider and move it back to where it was, or use the default value shown in the Registry section. Option 2: Change Repeat Delay in Control Panel Open the Control Panel. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type control, and press Enter. The Control Panel window opens. Change View by (top right) to Small icons or Large icons if it isn't already. In the default Category view the Keyboard item is hidden. Click Keyboard. The Keyboard Properties window opens. Click the Speed tab. Under Character repeat, drag the Repeat delay slider towards Short for faster repeat or Long for slower repeat. Click in the test box on the same tab and hold down a key to feel the new delay before you commit to it. Click OK to save. You can also click Apply first if you want to keep testing. No restart is needed. The Repeat rate slider on the same tab controls how fast characters appear once repeating has started. It is a separate setting from the delay, so don't confuse the two. The classic Control Panel is a reliable way to change the repeat delay, and it works on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. You open the… **Key facts:** - Keyboard character repeat delay in Windows 11 controls the pause before a held-down key starts repeating. - This guide also covers the Settings app and the Registry Editor. - Option 1: Change Repeat Delay in Windows 11 Settings Windows Settings is the quickest place to start, because you don't need any system tools. - The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. - The Settings app changes how your hardware behaves, so the new delay applies to every app you use. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to shorten the time needed to start deleting letters in Windows? A: Lower the Keyboard character repeat delay so Backspace starts repeating sooner. Press Win + I, click Accessibility, then click Keyboard. Move the Keyboard character repeat delay slider to the right. A shorter delay means letters start deleting faster when you hold Backspace down. Test it in any text box. - Q: How to make a number repeating on Windows 11? A: The number repeats because Windows repeats any key you hold down. Press Win + I, click Accessibility, then Keyboard. Move the Keyboard character repeat delay slider to the left to lengthen the pause before repeating. Tap the key briefly instead of holding it to type a single number. - Q: When I hold down a key it clicks it multiply times? A: This is key repeat, and Windows is working as designed. While you hold a key, it types the character again after a short pause. To lengthen that pause, press Win + I, click Accessibility, then Keyboard, and move the Keyboard character repeat delay slider left. If a key repeats without you holding it, check for a stuck key. - Q: How to adjust keyboard press rate swaywm keyboard? A: Sway is a Linux window manager, so the Windows steps in this guide do not apply. In Sway, add this line to your config file at ~/.config/sway/config: input type:keyboard { repeat_delay 300 repeat_rate 30 }. The delay is in milliseconds and the rate is key presses per second. Run swaymsg reload to apply it. - Q: How to change delay on keyboard repeat rate? A: Press Win + I to open Settings, then click Accessibility and Keyboard. Move the Keyboard character repeat delay slider left for a longer pause before repeating, or right for a shorter pause. To change how fast keys repeat after that pause, open Control Panel, click Keyboard, and adjust the Repeat rate slider on the Speed tab. --- ### How to the Change Size of Taskbar Icons in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-size-of-taskbar-icons-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-18 - **Word count:** 1439 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Win + I, go to Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors, then use the Show smaller taskbar buttons drop-down to choose Always, Never, or When taskbar is full. The icons resize immediately without restarting. **Content excerpt:** Changing the size of taskbar icons in Windows 11 lets you clear extra screen space or make buttons easier to click with your mouse. Older releases of Windows 11 do not include a direct switch for this in the Settings app, so on those builds you have to edit the Windows Registry (a database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and apps) instead. You can choose between three different sizes (small, medium, and large) by changing a single value in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. The registry method takes less than two minutes. The sections below cover three routes: the Settings app, Registry Editor, and the Local Group Policy Editor. Try Settings first, because it is the safest. Move to the registry or Group Policy only if the option is missing. How to Change Taskbar Icon Size Using Settings Newer Windows 11 builds let you shrink the taskbar buttons from the Settings app through a compact view. This built-in method needs no advanced tools or registry edits. Open Settings with Win + I, click Personalization, select Taskbar, and look for the option to make your taskbar buttons smaller. If you do not see the option described below, your build of Windows 11 does not include it yet. Run Windows Update, or use the Registry Editor or Group Policy method later in this guide. Press Win + I on your keyboard. The Settings window opens. Click Personalization in the left pane, then select Taskbar on the right. You should see the list of taskbar items and options. Scroll down and click Taskbar behaviors to expand it. A list of checkboxes and drop-down menus appears. Find the drop-down menu labeled Show smaller taskbar buttons and choose one of these: Always – icons stay small all the time. Never – icons stay the original size. When taskbar is full – icons shrink only when the taskbar runs out of space. Close Settings. The change applies right away, and you should see the icons resize on the taskbar without restarting. To undo the change, return to the same drop-down and pick Never or When taskbar is full. Open Taskbar Settings directly Change Taskbar Icon Size Using the Registry (Advanced) Registry Editor lets you change taskbar icon size in Windows 11 by adding a specific system value that forces icons to stay permanently small. This advanced method works well if the standard Settings page is missing on your build or does not give you the display results you want. The value you set controls the icon sizing. Here is what each setting looks like. Always show smaller icons: reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v TaskbarSmallIcons /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f Never show smaller icons: reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v TaskbarSmallIcons /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f Show smaller icons only when taskbar is full (default): reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v TaskbarSmallIcons /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f How to edit the Registry manually: Before you start, consider backing up the registry. In Registry Editor, click File, then Export, and save a copy. Wrong… **Key facts:** - Changing the size of taskbar icons in Windows 11 lets you clear extra screen space or make buttons easier to click with your mouse. - Older releases of Windows 11 do not include a direct switch for this in the Settings app, so on those builds you have to edit the Windows Registry (a database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and apps) instead. - You can choose between three different sizes (small, medium, and large) by changing a single value in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. - The registry method takes less than two minutes. - The sections below cover three routes: the Settings app, Registry Editor, and the Local Group Policy Editor. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to make taskbar icons bigger? A: To make taskbar icons bigger, open Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar, and check for a size option. If none appears, open Registry Editor, go to the Advanced key under Explorer, and set the TaskbarSi value to 2 for large icons. Sign out and back in to apply the change. - Q: Why are my taskbar icons so small? A: Your taskbar icons are small because they are set to the small size. Check Settings under Personalization, then Taskbar, for a larger option. If you do not see one, open Registry Editor, find the TaskbarSi value in the Advanced key, and change it from 0 to 1 or 2. Then sign out and back in. - Q: How to increase taskbar icon size? A: To increase taskbar icon size, first check Settings under Personalization, then Taskbar. If no size option appears, open Registry Editor and set the TaskbarSi value in the Advanced key to 1 for medium or 2 for large. Sign out and back in to see the change. - Q: Can I increase taskbar icons and decrease web browser pix size? A: Yes, but they are separate settings. Taskbar icons are controlled in Settings or by the TaskbarSi value in Registry Editor. Browser image and page size are controlled inside the browser itself. Press Ctrl and plus to zoom in on web pages, and Ctrl and minus to zoom out. - Q: How to make taskbar smaller? A: You cannot shrink the taskbar's height directly in Windows 11, but you can make its icons smaller. Open Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar, and look for a smaller size option. If none appears, set TaskbarSi to 0 in the Advanced key in Registry Editor, then sign out and back in. - Q: How to make task bar icons larger? A: To make task bar icons larger, open Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar, and check for a size option. If your version does not have one, open Registry Editor, find the TaskbarSi value in the Advanced key, and set it to 2. Sign out and back in to apply the change. --- ### How to Share Your Files and Set Folder Permissions in Windows 11 File Sharing - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-share-your-files-and-set-folder-permissions-in-windows-11-file-sharing/ - **Published:** 2026-10-02 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 3050 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Right-click a folder, select Properties, open the Sharing tab, click Share, add a person, choose Read or Read/Write permission, then click Share. File permissions control what they can do once connected—Read lets them view files, Read/Write lets them change them. NTFS permissions on the Security tab apply to everyone and override share permissions if more restrictive. **Content excerpt:** Folder sharing in Windows 11 lets you make files and folders available to other people on your network or in your organization. Sharing a folder only makes it reachable over the network. Permissions then decide what each person can do once they connect, such as read files, change them or delete them. This guide covers both steps: turning sharing on for a folder, then setting read and write permissions for specific people. Most steps need administrator access, and each one that does is marked Administrator required. How Windows 11 file sharing and file permissions work Windows applies two separate sets of permissions to a shared folder. Knowing which is which saves a lot of guessing when someone gets "Access is denied". Share permissions apply only to people who connect over the network. They have three levels: Read, Change and Full Control. You set them in Advanced Sharing. NTFS permissions apply to everyone, whether they sit at the PC or connect remotely. NTFS is the file system Windows uses on its drives. You set these permissions on the Security tab. The levels are Full control, Modify, Read & execute, List folder contents, Read and Write. When both sets apply, the more restrictive one wins. If the share permission is Full Control but the NTFS permission is Read, the person can only read. A Deny entry overrides an Allow entry for the same person or group. Keep that in mind when you check why someone is blocked. Windows 11 Home vs Pro Windows 11 Home and Pro can both share folders and set permissions with the steps below. Home has no Local Users and Groups console ( lusrmgr.msc), which Pro includes. On Home, you create sharing accounts in Settings or with a command instead. Both editions also allow only a limited number of simultaneous incoming connections (20). This matters only if you share with many people at once. Before you start: prepare your PC for sharing Sharing fails more often because of network settings than folder permissions. Start by checking these three things before you touch any folder. Set your network profile to Private Windows blocks file sharing on networks marked Public. Switch your home or office network to Private so Windows allows sharing and network discovery. Network discovery is the feature that lets PCs see each other by name. Open Settings and select Network & internet. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on how you connect. For Wi-Fi, select the properties entry for your connected network. For Ethernet, select the connection. Under Network profile type, select Private network. The setting applies immediately. You do not need to restart. To undo it, return to the same page and select Public network. Turn on network discovery and file and printer sharing Administrator required. These switches control whether your PC can be found on the network and whether it answers file requests. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings. Select Advanced sharing settings. Expand Private networks. Turn Network discovery on. Leave Set… **Key facts:** - Folder sharing in Windows 11 lets you make files and folders available to other people on your network or in your organization. - This guide covers both steps: turning sharing on for a folder, then setting read and write permissions for specific people. - Most steps need administrator access, and each one that does is marked Administrator required. - How Windows 11 file sharing and file permissions work Windows applies two separate sets of permissions to a shared folder. - Windows 11 Home vs Pro Windows 11 Home and Pro can both share folders and set permissions with the steps below. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to set permissions for shared files and folders? A: Right-click the folder, select Properties, then Advanced Sharing. Click Share this folder, set Share permissions (Read, Change, or Full Control) for specific users or groups, then click Apply. For finer control, use the Security tab to set NTFS permissions on who can read, modify, or delete files. - Q: How do I share a folder with others in Windows 11? A: Right-click the folder and select Properties. On the Sharing tab, click Advanced Sharing, then check Share this folder. Enter a share name, click Permissions to set who can access it, then click Apply and OK. The folder is now available to others on your network. - Q: What is the best way to share files between two computers? A: Enable network file sharing on both PCs: right-click a folder, go to Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing, check Share this folder, and set permissions. On the other computer, open File Explorer, click Network, find the PC, and browse to the shared folder. You can also map it as a drive for quicker access. - Q: How to enable file sharing settings? A: Open Settings, go to System > Sharing or Network. Toggle File sharing on. Then enable sharing for individual folders: right-click each folder, select Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing, check Share this folder, and configure permissions for the users who need access. --- ### How to Configure Taskbar Behavior on Multiple Monitors in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-taskbar-behavior-on-multiple-monitors-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1931 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and tick Show my taskbar on all displays. A taskbar appears on every connected monitor immediately, with no restart needed. Then pick where app buttons show using the "When using multiple displays" drop-down. If the option is missing, check that your monitors are in Extend mode, not Duplicate. **Content excerpt:** The Windows 11 taskbar can appear on every monitor or on only one, and you decide which taskbar shows each app's button. The options sit in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. The steps below apply to the current versions, 24H2 and 25H2. The main setting is Show my taskbar on all displays. Once it is on, a second drop-down menu lets you show app buttons on every taskbar, only the main one, or only the taskbar where the app's window is open. Changes apply immediately and need no restart. Version 23H2 is out of support for Home and Pro editions, so update if you still run it. This guide covers turning the taskbar on for all displays, choosing where buttons go, and going back to a single-monitor taskbar. It also covers what to do when an option is missing or greyed out. Before you start: check how your monitors are set up The multi-monitor taskbar options appear only when Windows treats your screens as one extended desktop. Check this first, because it explains most "missing option" problems. Check that Windows is extending the desktop Duplicate mode (the same image on every screen) allows only one taskbar. Extend mode gives each screen its own space, and that is what you need. Press Windows key + P to open the projection menu. A short list of display modes appears at the side of the screen. Select Extend. Your desktop should now spread across both screens, and the mouse pointer can move from one to the other. If a monitor stays black, check the cable and the monitor's input source first. Then open Settings > System > Display and select Detect. It can be hidden under Multiple displays. Identify which monitor is your main display Windows treats one monitor as the main display. It gets the original taskbar, with the full system tray (the row of icons near the clock). The Start menu and new windows also open here by default. Find out which monitor it is before you change anything. Open Settings > System > Display. Select Identify. A large number appears on each screen, matching the numbered boxes at the top of the page. Select a numbered box to see that monitor's settings. Expand Multiple displays and look at the Make this my main display checkbox. If it is ticked and greyed out, that monitor is already the main one. While you are here, drag the numbered boxes to match the physical arrangement of your desk. If they are in the wrong order, your mouse pointer will cross from the wrong edge of the screen. Select Apply after you move them. Show the taskbar on every monitor This step adds a taskbar to each extended display, so you can reach the Start button and your open apps from any screen. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Personalization, then select Taskbar. Scroll down and select Taskbar… **Key facts:** - The Windows 11 taskbar can appear on every monitor or on only one, and you decide which taskbar shows each app's button. - The options sit in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. - The steps below apply to the current versions, 24H2 and 25H2. - Version 23H2 is out of support for Home and Pro editions, so update if you still run it. - Then open Settings > System > Display and select Detect. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I enable the taskbar to function on multiple monitors in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Turn on "Show my taskbar on all displays". Windows creates a taskbar on each monitor immediately. You can then choose whether app buttons appear where the app is open or only on your primary monitor. - Q: How to change Display settings for multiple monitors in Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Display. You'll see all connected monitors listed. Adjust the arrangement by dragging monitors into position, change resolution and refresh rate per monitor, or set which one is your primary display. Changes apply instantly. - Q: How to stretch a taskbar across two monitors? A: The taskbar cannot stretch across monitors. Instead, enable "Show my taskbar on all displays" in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors to place a separate taskbar on each monitor. App buttons can show where the app is open or on your primary monitor only. - Q: Why is the taskbar missing on my second monitor in Windows 11? A: Check Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and turn on "Show my taskbar on all displays". If the option is greyed out or missing, verify your monitors are set to extend the desktop (not duplicate) in Settings > System > Display. --- ### How to Access Recovery Settings and Reset This PC in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-access-recovery-settings-and-reset-this-pc-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2397 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Recovery to reach every recovery option in Windows 11, including Reset this PC. If Windows won't start, hold Shift while you click Restart to open the blue recovery menu with the same tools. Back up your files first, because a reset is hard to undo and Remove everything deletes your files. **Content excerpt:** The Recovery page in Windows 11 groups the tools that fix problems with Windows, undo recent changes, or reinstall it from scratch. Open Settings > System > Recovery to find every recovery option in one place, including Reset this PC. If Windows won't start normally, hold Shift while you click Restart to open a blue recovery menu with the same tools. This menu also appears when Windows detects a problem or when you force it to load. This article shows how to reach the Recovery page, what each option does, and how to run a reset from Settings or the recovery menu. It also covers what to do when an option is missing or a reset fails. Before you open recovery settings Resetting a PC is hard to undo. Once it starts, your apps and settings are gone for good, and with Remove everything your files go too. Work through these checks before you begin: Back up your files. Copy documents, photos and browser data to an external drive or cloud storage. Do this even if you plan to choose Keep my files, because a failed reset can leave a PC in a bad state. Note which apps you need to reinstall. A reset removes desktop programs you installed yourself. Write down licence keys for any paid software before you start. Find your BitLocker recovery key if drive encryption is on. BitLocker is Windows drive encryption, and its recovery key is a 48-digit number that unlocks your drive if Windows asks for it. A reset or a recovery-menu session can ask for that key. If you signed in with a Microsoft account, you can usually find the key at aka.ms/myrecoverykey from another device. Windows 11 Home uses a lighter version called Device encryption, which can also ask for a key. Plug in a laptop. A reset that loses power partway through can leave Windows unbootable. Sign in with an administrator account. Starting a reset requires administrator privileges. A standard account prompts for an administrator password or cannot continue. How to open Recovery settings in Windows 11 There are three ways in: the Settings app, Shift + Restart, and the automatic recovery screen that Windows shows after failed startups. Use the first or second if Windows starts normally. Use the second or third if Settings won't open or Windows does not start. Method 1: Open Recovery from Settings This is the normal route. It shows every recovery option in one place. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select Settings. Select System in the left pane. Scroll down the right side and select Recovery. A section called Recovery options appears with several rows, each with its own button. The rows you see depend on your Windows 11 version and build. Here is what each one does: Fix problems using Windows Update reinstalls the current version of Windows through Windows Update and keeps your files, apps and settings. It appears on newer builds only, such… **Key facts:** - The Recovery page in Windows 11 groups the tools that fix problems with Windows, undo recent changes, or reinstall it from scratch. - Open Settings > System > Recovery to find every recovery option in one place, including Reset this PC. - This article shows how to reach the Recovery page, what each option does, and how to run a reset from Settings or the recovery menu. - Before you open recovery settings Resetting a PC is hard to undo. - Once it starts, your apps and settings are gone for good, and with Remove everything your files go too. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to force PC into recovery mode in Windows 11? A: Hold Shift and click Restart in the Start menu to boot into the recovery menu. If Windows won't start normally, restart your PC and Windows will detect the problem and load recovery tools automatically. You can also access recovery options through Settings > System > Recovery. - Q: How to completely wipe and reset PC Windows 11? A: Open Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset this PC. Choose Remove everything to wipe all files, apps, and settings. Windows will reinstall itself from scratch. Back up your files first—this action cannot be undone and removes everything on your drive. - Q: How to bypass recovery key to reset PC Windows 11? A: You cannot bypass a recovery key if your PC is encrypted with BitLocker. You need the recovery key to proceed. If you've lost it, contact Microsoft Support or use a recovery account to regain access before resetting your PC. - Q: How do I reset my Windows 11 PC from Recovery mode? A: In the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files to remove apps and settings but save your documents, or Remove everything to wipe the entire drive. Follow the prompts and your PC will restart and reinstall Windows. --- ### How to Check Your PC's Security Status in Windows Security Dashboard - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-your-pcs-security-status-in-windows-security-dashboard/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2554 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Windows Security from the Start menu by typing Windows Security and pressing Enter, then check the status icon on the Virus & threat protection tile to see if Microsoft Defender is working. A green check means Defender is active; a yellow warning triangle or red X means you need to act on that item. **Content excerpt:** To check Microsoft Defender status in Windows 11, open the Windows Security app and read the status icon on the Virus & threat protection tile. A green check means Defender is working. Windows Security Dashboard shows the health of your antivirus, firewall, sign-in protection and hardware security in one place. A yellow warning triangle or a red X means Windows needs you to act on that item. To open it, press the Start key, type Windows Security and press Enter. The main page, Security at a glance, has one tile for each protection type. This guide explains each area, what the warnings mean, and what to do when a tile is missing or greyed out. Open the Windows Security dashboard Windows Security is the built-in app that includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall and device protection. You can open it in several ways. Use whichever is closest. From the Start menu Select Start, or press the Windows key. Type Windows Security. Select Windows Security in the results. The app opens on the Home page, titled Security at a glance. From Settings Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Select Privacy & security. Select Windows Security. This page lists the protection areas with their names. Select Open Windows Security. The dashboard opens in its own window. From the taskbar Select the up arrow at the right of the taskbar to show hidden icons. Select the Windows Security shield icon. The dashboard opens. Check the shield icon itself. A small yellow warning or red X on it means the dashboard has an item that needs attention, even before you open the app. If the shield is missing, see the section on missing or greyed-out areas below. Read the Security at a glance page The Home page shows one tile for each protection area. The same areas appear in the left sidebar. Each tile carries a status icon, and that icon tells you whether you need to do anything. This is the quickest way to check your Windows Security status without opening each page. Green check mark: the area is working and has no recommended actions. Yellow warning triangle: Windows recommends an action. Protection is usually still on, but something is out of date or switched off. Red X: an area needs your attention now. Protection is off, or something is blocking it. The tiles you see are: Virus & threat protection Account protection Firewall & network protection App & browser control Device security Device performance & health Family options The sidebar also has Protection history and a Settings entry at the bottom. If a tile shows a warning, select it. The page that opens names the problem and usually offers a button to fix it. Check each protection area Work through the areas in this order. The first two, Virus & threat protection and Account protection, matter most for everyday safety. The hardware items further down apply mainly to newer PCs. Virus & threat protection This area shows whether Microsoft Defender… **Key facts:** - To check Microsoft Defender status in Windows 11, open the Windows Security app and read the status icon on the Virus & threat protection tile. - From Settings Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. - The tiles you see are: Virus & threat protection Account protection Firewall & network protection App & browser control Device security Device performance & health Family options The sidebar also has Protection history and a Settings entry at the bottom. - Scroll to Virus & threat protection settings and select Manage settings. - Check that Tamper Protection (a setting that stops apps and scripts from changing Defender's settings) is On. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I check my PC security? A: Open Windows Security by pressing the Windows key, typing Windows Security, and pressing Enter. The Home page shows your security status at a glance with tiles for antivirus, firewall, and device protection. Green checkmarks mean everything is working; yellow warnings or red X's mean you need to take action. - Q: How to run a full PC health check? A: Open Windows Security, select Virus & threat protection, then choose Scan options. Pick Full scan to check your entire PC, or Quick scan for faster results. Click Scan now to start. A full scan takes longer but checks more thoroughly for threats. - Q: How do I check my Windows Security? A: Press the Windows key and type Windows Security, then press Enter. This opens the dashboard showing your antivirus, firewall, and device security status. You can also reach it through Settings by pressing Windows key + I, selecting Privacy & security, then Windows Security. - Q: Does Windows 11 have a built-in security? A: Yes. Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall, and device protection built in. These tools are always active and provide real-time protection against malware and viruses. You can check their status anytime through the Windows Security dashboard. --- ### How to Manage App Permissions for Documents, Pictures and Videos in Windows 11 Privacy Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-app-permissions-for-documents-pictures-and-videos-in-windows-11-privacy-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2046 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Privacy & security > Documents (or Pictures or Videos) and set the main switch to Off to block every Microsoft Store app from that library. Or press Win + R and type ms-settings:privacy-documents to jump straight there. The change takes effect immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** App permissions for Documents, Pictures and Videos control which Microsoft Store apps can open your files on Windows 11. You manage them in Settings under Privacy & security, where each folder type has its own page. Each page has a main switch that turns access on or off for all apps at once. Below it, every app has its own switch. You can block an app from your Pictures and still let it read your Documents, because the three folder types work independently. The quickest way to reach these settings is to press Win + R, type ms-settings:privacy-documents, and press Enter. The steps below apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro. What these permissions control, and what they don't The Documents, Pictures and Videos pages control apps from the Microsoft Store and other packaged apps. A packaged app uses a modern format that lets Windows isolate it from the rest of your system. When you block one of these apps, Windows stops it from browsing or reading that library on its own. Three limits are worth knowing before you change anything: Traditional desktop programs are not controlled here. Programs installed with an.exe or.msi installer, such as older editors or tools you download from vendor sites, run with your account's file access. They do not appear in these lists, and the switches do not affect them. The Controlled folder access section later in this article covers that case. Files you pick yourself still open. If you block an app and then choose a file in its Open dialog, the app can read that one file. Blocking stops the app from reaching into the library by itself. It does not stop the app from receiving a file you hand over. The settings belong to your account. Another user on the same PC has their own settings. The File system page, further down the same list, is a separate permission with its own app list. It covers broader access to files on the PC, so it is a different switch from the three library pages. Before you start The per-user switches on these pages do not need administrator privileges on a standard personal PC. The one exception in this article is Controlled folder access, which does need administrator approval. That step is marked. If a school or employer manages the PC, some switches may be locked. The troubleshooting section below describes what you will see in that case. How to open the Documents, Pictures or Videos permission page This section takes you to the right page. Do it once, then repeat it for each library you want to change. Press Win + I to open Settings. Select Privacy & security in the left pane. The right pane now lists privacy options in groups. Scroll down to the App permissions group. Select Documents, Pictures or Videos. The page opens with a main switch at the top and a list of apps below it. If you cannot find the page by scrolling, use a shortcut.… **Key facts:** - App permissions for Documents, Pictures and Videos control which Microsoft Store apps can open your files on Windows 11. - You manage them in Settings under Privacy & security, where each folder type has its own page. - The quickest way to reach these settings is to press Win + R, type ms-settings:privacy-documents, and press Enter. - The steps below apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Another user on the same PC has their own settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to manage app permissions in Windows 11? A: Open Settings, go to Privacy & security, then select the permission you want to change—Documents, Pictures, Videos, Camera, Microphone, or others. Toggle the main switch off to block all apps, or turn off individual app switches below to deny access to specific apps only. - Q: What app permissions should I not allow? A: Deny permissions to apps you don't recognize or don't trust with that data type. For example, block camera access for apps that don't need it, or deny location permission to apps that shouldn't track where you are. Review what each permission does before allowing it. - Q: What privacy settings should I turn off in Windows 11? A: Turn off Activity history if you don't want Windows tracking what you do. Disable advertising ID if you don't want personalized ads. Block app permissions you don't use—camera, microphone, location. Turn off app suggestions and Tailored experiences if you prefer less tracking. - Q: Should I always grant app permissions? A: No. Grant permissions only to apps that genuinely need them for their main function. A photo editor needs Pictures access, but a weather app doesn't. Denying unnecessary permissions reduces what data each app can collect about you. --- ### How to Choose a Default App for PDFs, Email, or Web in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-choose-a-default-app-for-pdfs-email-or-web-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2403 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Apps > Default apps and search for the file type or link type you want to change. For PDFs, type.pdf and pick your app from the list. For email, search MAILTO. Windows assigns the app immediately, with no restart needed. Each Windows user account keeps its own defaults. **Content excerpt:** Default apps in Windows 11 work per file type and link type, not with one switch as in older versions of Windows. A file type is the extension at the end of a file name, such as.pdf. A link type is the start of an address, such as mailto: for email addresses or https: for web pages. To set one, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, find the app, and assign it to the types it should handle. PDFs use.pdf, email uses MAILTO, and the web uses HTTP and HTTPS. Windows sometimes ignores your choice, especially after an update or when another app claims a file type. This guide covers PDFs, email and web links, and what to check when a default does not stick. Before you start Check these four points first. They explain most of the problems people hit later. The app must be installed. Windows can only offer apps that are installed and registered with it. If an app is missing from the list, install it first. Portable apps that run without an installer often do not register, so they will not appear. The choice is per user account. Each person who signs in to the PC has their own defaults. Changing yours does not change anyone else's. You do not need administrator rights for any step in this guide on a personal PC. On a work or school PC, an organisation can lock these settings (see the troubleshooting section below). You do not need to restart. The change applies as soon as you make it. If an app that is already open still behaves the old way, close it and open it again. These steps match current Windows 11. Button labels shift slightly between builds, and I flag those moments as they come up. Home and Pro editions use the same screens. The only difference appears on managed PCs, where an organisation's policy can override your choice. Open the Default apps page Every method below starts on the same page. It lists your installed apps and lets you search for a file type or link type. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Select Apps in the left sidebar. Select Default apps. The page now shows a search box labelled Set a default for a file type or link type, a second box labelled Search apps, and a list of installed apps below them. From here you can work in two ways. Start from the file type if you already know which app you want, as in "I want PDFs to open in Adobe". Start from the app if you want to see what it can handle, as in "I want Firefox to handle all my links". Each section below uses whichever is faster. Choose a default app for PDFs Windows opens PDFs in Microsoft Edge unless you change it, or unless an installed PDF reader has taken over. This setting decides which app opens when you double-click a PDF file. On the Default… **Key facts:** - Default apps in Windows 11 work per file type and link type, not with one switch as in older versions of Windows. - To set one, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, find the app, and assign it to the types it should handle. - You do not need administrator rights for any step in this guide on a personal PC. - On a work or school PC, an organisation can lock these settings (see the troubleshooting section below). - Open the Default apps page Every method below starts on the same page. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I set my default email application on Windows 11? A: Open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll down and select your email app from the list. Windows will then assign it to handle mailto: links. If your app doesn't appear, it may not be registered with Windows yet—reinstall it or check the app's settings. - Q: How to change default PDF viewer permanently? A: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and find your PDF reader in the list. Select it, then choose .pdf from the file types shown. Windows may reset this after updates, so check periodically. If it reverts, repeat the process or use File Explorer to right-click a PDF and pick your app. - Q: How do I remove default Apps? A: You can't remove default apps entirely—Windows requires one. You can only change which app handles a file type or link type. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find the file or link type, and pick a different app from the list. Windows will use that as the new default. - Q: What is the best PDF reader for Windows 11? A: The best PDF reader depends on your needs. Adobe Reader is the standard and most compatible. Sumatra PDF is lightweight and fast. Microsoft Edge is free and built in. Try each and set your preferred one as default in Settings > Apps > Default apps by selecting .pdf. --- ### How to Adjust the Mouse Pointer Speed In Windows 11 Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-adjust-the-mouse-pointer-speed-in-windows-11-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1199 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, and drag the Mouse pointer speed slider left to slow the cursor or right to speed it up. The change applies as you move the slider, with no Save button or restart needed. You can also press Windows Key + R, type ms-settings:mousetouchpad, and press Enter to open the Mouse page directly. **Content excerpt:** Mouse pointer speed in Windows 11 controls how fast the cursor moves across the screen when you move your mouse. If the cursor crawls or darts around, changing this setting makes everyday clicking far more comfortable. Windows 11 gives you a slider with 20 speed levels, so you can match the cursor to how far you actually move your hand. The change takes a few seconds in the Settings app and needs no extra software. This guide covers three ways to do it: Settings, the classic Control Panel, and your mouse maker's own software. Using the Settings App to Change Mouse Pointer Speed The Settings app is the quickest way to change pointer speed. The new speed applies as soon as you move the slider, so there is no Save button to look for. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it needs no restart. To skip the menus, press Windows Key + R to open the Run box, type ms-settings:mousetouchpad, and press Enter. This opens the Mouse page directly, so you can go straight to step 4 below. Press the Windows key and select Settings (the gear icon), or press Windows Key + I to open the app directly. The Settings window opens. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand menu. You should see a list of connected devices on the right. Click Mouse on the right side of the screen. This opens the main mouse configuration page. Find the slider labeled Mouse pointer speed. Click and drag the slider to the right to increase the speed, or to the left to decrease it. Move your mouse as you drag, because the cursor changes speed in real time. Stop when it feels natural. Look directly below the slider for the Enhance pointer precision toggle. Current Windows 11 builds show it on this page, so you no longer need the Control Panel for it. If you do not see it, your build may be older, and you can use the Control Panel method below. Switch Enhance pointer precision on if you want Windows to adjust the cursor speed based on how fast you move the mouse. Switch it off for uniform tracking, where the same hand movement always moves the cursor the same distance. To undo the change, drag the slider back to the middle and set the toggle back to how it was. Windows normally starts at a default value of 10 on the 20-point scale. If the Mouse page looks empty or the slider seems to do nothing, check that the mouse is connected and working. For a wireless mouse, check the battery and the receiver or Bluetooth connection. Calibrating Pointer Speed Through the Control Panel Use the classic Control Panel if you prefer the older layout or your build of Windows 11 does not show the toggle in Settings. It has an eleven-point speed slider and an Enhance pointer precision checkbox, which helps when you need to hit small buttons and links accurately.… **Key facts:** - Mouse pointer speed in Windows 11 controls how fast the cursor moves across the screen when you move your mouse. - Windows 11 gives you a slider with 20 speed levels, so you can match the cursor to how far you actually move your hand. - The change takes a few seconds in the Settings app and needs no extra software. - This guide covers three ways to do it: Settings, the classic Control Panel, and your mouse maker's own software. - Using the Settings App to Change Mouse Pointer Speed The Settings app is the quickest way to change pointer speed. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I adjust the mouse speed on a PC? A: Open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse. Find the Mouse pointer speed slider and drag it left to slow down your cursor or right to speed it up. Windows applies the change instantly without restarting. - Q: How do I adjust the mouse cursor speed in Windows 11? A: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, then click Mouse. Adjust the Mouse pointer speed slider to your preference. The slider offers 20 different speed levels to match your hand movements. - Q: How do I change the pointer speed? A: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse and use the Mouse pointer speed slider to change how fast your cursor moves. Drag it left for slower movement or right for faster movement across your screen. - Q: How to fix a slow mouse cursor? A: Open Settings, navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, and drag the Mouse pointer speed slider to the right to make your cursor move faster. If your mouse hardware is faulty, check the manufacturer's driver updates or try a different mouse. --- ### How to Check Available Storage Space on Your PC in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-available-storage-space-on-your-pc-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1980 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, select System, then click Storage to see your drive's total capacity, used space, and free space in a bar chart. Click Show more categories to view how much space apps, temporary files, documents, and other data types are using. **Content excerpt:** Checking available storage space in Windows 11 shows you why a PC slows down or fails to install updates. When a drive fills up, Windows has no room to save new files or install updates. It also has less room for virtual memory (the page file, a hidden file Windows uses when RAM runs short), and that hurts performance. The Storage page in Settings (System > Storage) breaks your drive down by category, including apps, temporary files, and system data. This guide covers the built-in tools first, then Command Prompt, PowerShell, and a few extras. By the end you can find the biggest space-wasters and clear them safely. Using Settings to Check Total and Available Drive Space The quickest way to check storage is the Settings app. It shows the total capacity and free space of your main drive. It also sorts your files into categories like apps, temporary data, and documents, so you can see what is filling your hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD). Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. Select System in the left-hand menu, then click Storage on the right. A bar appears for your main drive (usually C:) showing how much is used. Look at the drive overview at the top. It shows your total capacity, used space, and free space. Click Show more categories to expand the list. You will now see exact figures for Installed apps, Temporary files, Documents, and other data types. Click any category to drill down into the individual items using the space. The category list is a snapshot, and Windows may take a few moments to finish calculating it. If a category looks too small or too large, wait a few seconds and look again. On the same page, look for the Cleanup recommendations section. In current Windows 11 versions it gathers suggestions in one place: temporary files, large or unused files, files already synced to the cloud, and unused apps. Open each suggestion, review what it lists, and select only the items you want removed. Settings also reports on drives other than C:. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives. Pick a secondary drive from the list, and Windows shows its usage by category, not just the main drive's. Checking Drive Health and Properties in File Explorer File Explorer is the best way to check any individual drive or partition (a section of a physical drive that Windows treats as its own drive). It shows a capacity bar for external hard drives, secondary internal drives, and USB thumb drives, so you do not have to dig through Settings. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer. Click This PC in the left sidebar. All connected drives appear on the right. Find the drive you want to check. The colored bar under the drive icon shows used versus free space at a glance. The bar turns red when a drive is nearly full. Right-click the drive… **Key facts:** - Checking available storage space in Windows 11 shows you why a PC slows down or fails to install updates. - The Storage page in Settings (System > Storage) breaks your drive down by category, including apps, temporary files, and system data. - Using Settings to Check Total and Available Drive Space The quickest way to check storage is the Settings app. - In current Windows 11 versions it gathers suggestions in one place: temporary files, large or unused files, files already synced to the cloud, and unused apps. - Settings also reports on drives other than C:. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I check my GB storage? A: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. Go to System, then Storage. At the top, you'll see a bar showing your total drive capacity and how much space you're using. The remaining space is your available GB. You can also right-click your drive in File Explorer and select Properties. - Q: How many GB do I have on my PC? A: Open Settings with Windows Key + I. Select System, then Storage. The overview at the top shows your total drive size and how much free space remains. Alternatively, open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, select Properties, and read the capacity and free space listed there. - Q: How can I free up space on my PC? A: Go to Settings > System > Storage. Use Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files and recycle bin contents. Manually uninstall unused apps through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Delete old files from Downloads and Documents folders. Empty your Recycle Bin. Move large files to an external drive. - Q: Is 900 GB a lot of storage? A: 900 GB is good storage for most people. It's enough for Windows, programs, documents, and media files. However, it depends on what you store—video creators or gamers with large libraries might need more. Keep 10–15% free space for Windows to run smoothly and save temporary files. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Auto Zoom Out for Narrator Math Reading Navigation in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-auto-zoom-out-for-narrator-math-reading-navigation-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-27 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 539 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings with Win+I, go to Accessibility > Narrator, then under Math reading find Math navigation and toggle Auto zoom out on or off. The change takes effect immediately. **Content excerpt:** Auto zoom out for Narrator math reading navigation in Windows 11 controls how the built-in screen reader moves through complex math equations. When it is turned on, Narrator automatically returns to the main expression after you finish reading a smaller nested part inside it. When it is turned off, Narrator stays at the nested level until you move back out yourself. Equations are built in layers. A fraction can contain a square root, which can contain another expression, and so on. Narrator lets you zoom in to read one of these inner parts on its own, then zoom out to return to the larger expression around it. Auto zoom out does that second step for you, so you do not have to remember how many levels deep you are or press extra keys to get back to the top. Which choice is better depends on how you read math: On: Narrator returns to the main expression once you finish a nested part. This suits you if you mostly read equations from left to right and want to keep your place in the whole expression. Off: Narrator stays inside the nested part after you finish it. This suits you if you want to study one inner piece closely and decide yourself when to move back out. Narrator is the built-in Windows 11 screen reader that describes text and buttons out loud so you can use your PC without a mouse. To start or stop it quickly, press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter. You can also turn it on from the Accessibility pages in the Settings app. Math reading features are available in Microsoft Edge version 153.0.4234.32 and later and Chrome version 153.0.8010.18 and later. If your browser is older than that, math content may not be read the way described here, and the auto zoom out behavior will not apply. Update your browser first if you are not sure which version you have. The change only affects how Narrator navigates math. It does not change your files or other Windows settings, and you can switch it back at any time using the same method you used to change it. The steps for doing this follow below. Turn On or Off Auto Zoom Out for Narrator Math Reading Navigation in Settings You can turn on or off auto zoom out for Narrator math reading navigation in the Windows 11 Settings app to change how equations display on your screen. When this feature is active, Narrator automatically adjusts the view so you can read math formulas more easily. Open the Settings app and go to Accessibility, then Narrator, to change this option whenever you need. Open Settings using the Win+I keyboard shortcut. Click or tap on Accessibility on the left side and click or tap on Narrator on the right side. Open Narrator settings (Win+Ctrl+N)​ Under the Math section (or the Narrator page's math settings), click or tap on Math reading, if shown in your build. Under Math navigation, turn… **Key facts:** - Auto zoom out for Narrator math reading navigation in Windows 11 controls how the built-in screen reader moves through complex math equations. - Auto zoom out does that second step for you, so you do not have to remember how many levels deep you are or press extra keys to get back to the top. - Narrator is the built-in Windows 11 screen reader that describes text and buttons out loud so you can use your PC without a mouse. - You can also turn it on from the Accessibility pages in the Settings app. - Math reading features are available in Microsoft Edge version 153.0.4234.32 and later and Chrome version 153.0.8010.18 and later. --- ### How to Find and Access Recently Downloaded Files in Windows 11 Downloads Folder - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-find-and-access-recently-downloaded-files-in-windows-11-downloads-folder/ - **Published:** 2026-10-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2086 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then click Downloads in the left pane, where every file you have downloaded is listed. To see your newest downloads first, right-click an empty area of the folder, select Sort by, then choose Date modified and Descending. You can also press Windows key + R, type shell:Downloads and press Enter. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 saves every file you download to the Downloads folder, which File Explorer can open with a quick keystroke. The fastest way to find your most recent downloads is to sort the folder by date, with the newest files at the top. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, then click Downloads in the left pane. Right-click an empty area of the folder, select Sort by, then choose Date modified and Descending. Or select the Date modified column header (in Details view) to sort. This works the same way on Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro, and you don't need administrator privileges to access your Downloads folder. Open the Downloads folder in File Explorer Windows saves most downloads to one folder in your user profile, at C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads. File Explorer is the program that shows your files and folders, and it gives you several ways to reach that folder. Use the navigation pane The navigation pane (the list of folders and locations along the left side of File Explorer) gives you direct access to Downloads. Use it when File Explorer is already open. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer. You can also select the folder icon on the taskbar. Select Downloads in the left pane. It sits under Home and Gallery, in the Quick access list (the pinned and frequently used folders). Check the file list. You should see every file saved there, with the folder path shown in the address bar at the top. If Downloads is missing from the left pane, someone unpinned it. Select This PC in the left pane, right-click Downloads in the Folders section, and select Pin to Quick access. The folder returns to the left pane. Use a keyboard shortcut or the Run box The Run box opens the folder from anywhere, even when File Explorer is closed. It is the fastest route if you prefer the keyboard. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type shell:Downloads and press Enter. Check that File Explorer opens with your Downloads folder. This command follows the folder wherever Windows currently points it, even if you moved it. You can also paste %USERPROFILE%\Downloads into the File Explorer address bar and press Enter. Open it from your browser Use this route when you do not know where your browser saved the file. Your browser keeps a record of where each file was saved. Press Ctrl + J in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. In Edge and Chrome this opens the downloads list. In Firefox it opens the Library window. Find the file you want in the list. In Edge, select the folder icon next to the file, or open the More actions menu (the three dots) and select Show in folder. In Chrome, select Show in folder. In Firefox, select the folder icon. Check that File Explorer opens with the file highlighted. The address bar now shows the real save location. If the file opens somewhere other… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 saves every file you download to the Downloads folder, which File Explorer can open with a quick keystroke. - This works the same way on Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro, and you don't need administrator privileges to access your Downloads folder. - Use the Ctrl + J method above and select Show in folder to find the file. - Then change the default so it does not happen again: In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more (the three dots at the top right), then select Settings. - Chrome and Firefox have the same option under their own Settings, in the downloads section. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to see recently downloaded files? A: Open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E, then click Downloads in the left pane. Right-click an empty area, select Sort by, then choose Date modified and Descending. The newest files appear at the top. - Q: How to show recent files in Windows 11? A: Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer and click Downloads. Sort by Date modified (descending) to see your most recent downloads first. You can also pin Downloads to Quick Access for faster access next time. - Q: Why are my Downloads not showing up? A: Check that you're looking in the right folder: C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads. Make sure filename extensions aren't hidden in View settings. If files still don't appear, your browser may be saving downloads to a different location—check your download settings. - Q: How to find the location of a downloaded file? A: Open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left pane to see where files are stored (C:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads by default). Right-click a file and select Properties to view its full path and location on your computer. --- ### Turn On Passwordless Sign-In with Windows Hello in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/turn-on-passwordless-sign-in-with-windows-hello-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1718 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To go passwordless with Windows Hello in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Accounts > Sign-in options, and set up a PIN (Windows Hello) and, if your PC has a fingerprint reader or IR camera, a fingerprint or face sign-in. Then turn on the Windows Hello-only setting to remove the password from sign-in. The whole job takes about ten minutes. **Content excerpt:** Windows Hello in Windows 11 lets you sign in with a PIN, fingerprint or face instead of a password. To go passwordless with Windows Hello, set up a PIN and a biometric method (a fingerprint or face scan) under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Then turn on the Windows Hello-only setting. A Windows Hello PIN is not a short password. It is tied to one device and never travels to Microsoft's servers. That makes it harder to steal in a phishing attack (a scam that tricks you into typing your password into a fake sign-in page) or a data leak. The whole job takes about ten minutes. Windows 11 Home and Pro both support it. What You Need Before You Start A PIN works on every Windows 11 PC. Fingerprint and face sign-in need matching hardware. Check the points below first so you know which options you will see. Hardware for Fingerprint and Face Sign-In Fingerprint sign-in needs a fingerprint reader that supports Windows Hello. Many business laptops have one built into the power button or beside the keyboard. Face sign-in needs an infrared (IR) camera, which sees depth and works in low light. A standard webcam does not qualify. If your PC has neither, use the PIN alone. You can still go passwordless, because the PIN replaces the password at the sign-in screen. Account Type and Permissions The steps work with a Microsoft account or a local account. The Windows Hello-only setting appears only for Microsoft accounts (see step 12 in the list below). Local accounts do not show it. Setting up Windows Hello for your own account does not need administrator rights on a personal PC. On a work or school PC, your organization may control these options through a policy (a rule set by your IT team). If so, the options may be missing or locked, and your IT team has to change them. Know your Microsoft account password before you start. Windows asks for it to confirm your identity, and you may need it later to reset a forgotten PIN. Go Passwordless with Windows Hello in Windows 11 The steps below go passwordless with Windows Hello by adding a PIN, adding a fingerprint or face, and then removing the password from the sign-in screen. Skip the fingerprint or face steps if your PC lacks the hardware. Open Settings. Press the Windows key + I. The Settings window opens on the System page. Select Accounts in the left pane. The page shows your account name and picture at the top. Select Sign-in options. A list of sign-in methods appears under Ways to sign in. It can include Facial recognition (Windows Hello), Fingerprint recognition (Windows Hello), PIN (Windows Hello), Security key and Password. Methods your hardware does not support are missing or greyed out. Expand PIN (Windows Hello). Select the row to open it. If a PIN already exists, you see Change PIN and I forgot my PIN instead of Set up. In that case, go to… **Key facts:** - Windows Hello in Windows 11 lets you sign in with a PIN, fingerprint or face instead of a password. - To go passwordless with Windows Hello, set up a PIN and a biometric method (a fingerprint or face scan) under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. - What You Need Before You Start A PIN works on every Windows 11 PC. - Account Type and Permissions The steps work with a Microsoft account or a local account. - The Windows Hello-only setting appears only for Microsoft accounts (see step 12 in the list below). --- ### How to Enable or Disable Web Remix in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-web-remix-in-microsoft-edge-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 666 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Control Web Remix in Microsoft Edge with the RemixAvailability policy, set as an administrator in Registry Editor at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge. Set it to 1 to force Remix on, 0 to turn it off, or delete the value to let each user decide. Edge 156 or later applies it to all users on the PC. **Content excerpt:** Web Remix in Microsoft Edge is controlled by one policy value: RemixAvailability. Set it to force Remix on, turn it off, or return to the default, where each user decides. This applies to all users on the PC. What Web Remix does Web Remix changes how a webpage looks when you type a prompt. Edge builds the result in real time, and only you see it. Use it to: Simplify a long article so it is easier to read. Add a summary to a detailed page. Turn a recipe into a shopping list. Convert prices to your local currency. Change the appearance of a webpage. Remix is experimental. Custom remixes use AI to build page changes from your request, so remixed pages can be inaccurate or unstable. Remix is for personal use and needs you to sign in to Edge with a Microsoft account. Privacy and how Remix applies Remix runs only when you choose to create one. Microsoft lists these safeguards: No access to sensitive browser data: A Remix doesn't access saved passwords, autofill data, or payment information. No model training: Edge does not use the content it processes for a Remix to train AI models. Local, per-user changes: A Remix applies only to your browser session (the time you spend browsing in Edge) on your device. Remix runs locally and restyles the page you are viewing. It doesn't change the original website or anything on the publisher's servers, and other people don't see your Remix. It works like Reading mode, dark mode, or a browser extension. It doesn't republish, redistribute, or host website content. It changes only how a page looks after the page has loaded on your device. It does not change the page itself. How the Remix policy works In Microsoft Edge 156 and later, the RemixAvailability policy (a setting that an administrator uses to control what users can do in Edge) decides whether users can pin Remix to the toolbar and use it. The policy has three states, described below. Disabled: Remix is unavailable. The Remix setting is off, Remix doesn't appear on the toolbar, and users can't launch it from any other entry point. Force enabled: Remix is available. The Remix setting is on and Remix is pinned to the toolbar. Users can't turn it off or remove it from the toolbar. Not configured (default): Users choose whether Remix is pinned to the toolbar. Microsoft documents this policy as "Control Remix availability" in its Edge Browser policy reference for Windows and Mac (learn.microsoft.com). Enable or disable Remix for all users Administrator required: Sign in as an administrator before you make any of these changes. The registry key for these options is not confirmed yet. [Verification Required: registry key should be confirmed.] The value names and data for each option are listed below. Do not change anything in Registry Editor until the key is confirmed. A value in the wrong place has no effect. Open Registry Editor and go to the key path below. Then… **Key facts:** - How the Remix policy works In Microsoft Edge 156 and later, the RemixAvailability policy (a setting that an administrator uses to control what users can do in Edge) decides whether users can pin Remix to the toolbar and use it. - The registry key for these options is not confirmed yet. - [Verification Required: registry key should be confirmed.] The value names and data for each option are listed below. - Do not change anything in Registry Editor until the key is confirmed. - Open Registry Editor and go to the key path below. --- ### Should You Turn Off Ask to Save Passwords in Edge - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/should-you-turn-off-ask-to-save-passwords-in-edge/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1529 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Yes, turn off Ask to save passwords in Edge only if you use a separate password manager such as 1Password or Bitwarden, share your Windows account or Edge profile, or follow a work rule against browser-stored logins. Otherwise, leave it on. To change it, open Settings, select Profiles or Passwords and autofill, then switch off Ask to save passwords and passkeys. **Content excerpt:** Ask to save passwords is the Edge setting that makes the browser offer to store your sign-in each time you enter a username and password on a site. For most people the answer is to leave it on. Turn it off only if you use a different password manager, share the PC, or follow a work rule against browser-stored logins. The setting lives in Microsoft Edge, not in Windows, so the steps are the same on Windows 10 and Windows 11. This post helps you decide, then walks through turning it off, fixing the toggle if it is greyed out, and undoing the change. Should You Turn Off Ask to Save Passwords in Edge? Ask to save passwords is a convenience feature, and it comes with a trade-off. With it on, Edge builds a vault of your logins and fills them in for you. With it off, Edge stops offering to add new ones. Which is better depends on how you manage passwords today. Keep it on if Edge is your main browser and you have no other password manager. You sign in to Edge with a Microsoft account and want your logins on more than one device. You currently reuse the same few passwords. A browser that saves a different password for each site is safer than memory. You use a private Windows account that nobody else can sign in to. Turn it off if You use a separate password manager, such as 1Password or Bitwarden. Two tools offering to save the same login causes duplicate entries and confusion about which copy is current. Several people share one Windows account or one Edge profile. Anyone who opens Edge could use the saved logins. Your employer forbids storing work credentials in the browser. You use a public or borrowed PC. What turning it off does not do Turning off ask to save passwords stops new prompts only. It does not delete logins Edge has already saved, and Edge can still fill those in. If you want them gone, delete them from the Passwords page described later in this post. The setting applies only to the Edge profile you are signed in to. An Edge profile is a separate set of settings and saved data, so another profile on the PC keeps its own choice. I cannot confirm that the toggle itself syncs to your other devices, so check each device where you use Edge. How to Turn Off Ask to Save Passwords in Edge None of these steps need administrator privileges. The labels below match current Edge on Windows 11. Edge updates often, so a menu name may differ slightly on your build, and I note where that is likely. These steps turn off ask to save passwords for your current Edge profile: Open Microsoft Edge. Use the profile you want to change, because the setting belongs to that profile. Select Settings and more. This is the three-dot icon (⋯) at the top right of the window. The keyboard shortcut… **Key facts:** - The setting lives in Microsoft Edge, not in Windows, so the steps are the same on Windows 10 and Windows 11. - Turn it off if You use a separate password manager, such as 1Password or Bitwarden. - An Edge profile is a separate set of settings and saved data, so another profile on the PC keeps its own choice. - How to Turn Off Ask to Save Passwords in Edge None of these steps need administrator privileges. - The labels below match current Edge on Windows 11. --- ### How to Turn On or off Screen Rotation Lock In Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-screen-rotation-lock-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1463 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Press Win + O to toggle rotation lock on or off on supported devices. Alternatively, press Win + A to open Quick Settings, then click the Rotation lock button. On devices without a rotation sensor, this option will not appear. **Content excerpt:** Rotation lock in Windows 11 stops your display from flipping between portrait and landscape whenever you move your device. Convertible laptops and Windows tablets use it to keep the screen steady while you hold them at awkward angles, for example when reading in bed or watching a video. This guide covers four ways to switch it on or off: a keyboard shortcut, the Quick Settings panel, the Settings app and the Registry Editor. The first three take a few seconds and work on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. The registry method is for scripting or for cases where the other three fail. Before you start: rotation lock only exists on devices with an orientation (accelerometer) sensor. A standard desktop PC or a laptop without that sensor will not show the option at all. That is normal and not a fault. Option 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut The keyboard shortcut is the quickest way to toggle rotation lock. It is a good choice when you have a keyboard attached or paired and want to flip the setting without opening any menus. Press these keys on your keyboard together (on supported devices the shortcut is Win + O): Win + O What happens: Rotation lock turns on or off instantly. Windows may not show a confirmation, so open Quick Settings if you want to check the current state. The button is highlighted when the lock is on. If nothing happens, the device probably has no rotation sensor, or it is in a mode where rotation is not available. See the note under the next method. Option 2: Use Quick Settings Quick Settings is the easiest visual method, and it lets you freeze the screen without digging through menus. Press Win + A to open the panel, or click the network, speaker and battery icons at the right end of the taskbar. Then click the rotation lock button to hold your screen in its current orientation. Follow these steps: Press Win + A to open the Quick Settings panel. This is the same place where you toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Look for the Rotation lock button and click or tap it to turn it on or off. What happens: Rotation lock turns on or off right away. When it is on, the button is highlighted and the screen stays in whatever orientation it had when you clicked. If you cannot find the button, click the pencil ( Edit quick settings) icon at the bottom of the panel, choose Add, and look for Rotation lock in the list. Click Done when you finish. The button is only offered on devices that have a rotation sensor. Note: Rotation Lock might be grayed out if your device is in laptop mode or if a keyboard is connected. On laptops that fold or have removable keyboards (like Microsoft Surface), the option may only work in tablet mode. Detach the keyboard or fold the screen back, then check again. Option 3: Use the Settings App The Settings… **Key facts:** - Rotation lock in Windows 11 stops your display from flipping between portrait and landscape whenever you move your device. - This guide covers four ways to switch it on or off: a keyboard shortcut, the Quick Settings panel, the Settings app and the Registry Editor. - The first three take a few seconds and work on both Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The registry method is for scripting or for cases where the other three fail. - Option 1: Use the Keyboard Shortcut The keyboard shortcut is the quickest way to toggle rotation lock. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to unlock screen rotation? A: Turn off Rotation lock to unlock screen rotation in Windows 11. Press Win + O, or open Quick Settings from the taskbar and click the Rotation lock tile so it is no longer highlighted. The screen then flips between portrait and landscape as you move the device. If the option is missing, your device has no orientation sensor. - Q: How to turn off rotation lock? A: To turn off rotation lock, press Win + O on a supported device, or open Quick Settings from the taskbar and select the Rotation lock tile until it is no longer highlighted. The screen will rotate again when you change how you hold the device. If you do not see the option, your device lacks an orientation sensor. - Q: How to lock screen rotation? A: Turn on Rotation lock to keep the screen in its current orientation. Press Win + O, or open Quick Settings and select the Rotation lock tile so it is highlighted. The display then stays put when you tilt or turn the device. The lock does not change the orientation itself, so set the direction you want before you turn it… - Q: How to turn on screen rotation lock on Windows 11? A: Press Win + O to turn on Rotation lock in Windows 11. You can also open Quick Settings from the taskbar and select Rotation lock so its tile is highlighted. When it is on, the screen holds its current orientation even if you turn the device. If you do not see the option, your device has no orientation sensor. - Q: How to stoip rotating screen on Windows 11? A: Turn on Rotation lock to stop the screen from rotating in Windows 11. Press Win + O, or open Quick Settings and select the Rotation lock tile until it is highlighted. The display then keeps its orientation when you move the device. If it still rotates, check the orientation setting under Settings > System > Display. - Q: How to prevent screen rotation to move icons? A: Turn on Rotation lock so the screen stops changing orientation, which also keeps desktop icons from shifting. Press Win + O, or open Quick Settings and select the Rotation lock tile until it is highlighted. Icons often move when the display rotates, so a fixed orientation keeps them where you left them. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Notifications for New Bluetooth Devices in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-notifications-for-new-bluetooth-devices-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-02 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 858 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Devices > More Bluetooth settings, click the Options tab, and check or uncheck Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect. Click OK to apply the change immediately. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 can show a pop-up when a new Bluetooth accessory tries to connect to your PC. You can turn that pop-up on or off. This tutorial covers two ways to do it: the Settings app and the Registry Editor. What is Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a wireless technology that links your PC to accessories like headphones, speakers, mice, and keyboards without cables. Windows 11 laptops and desktops that have a Bluetooth adapter work with many wireless devices, including smartphones, fitness bands, and audio gear. If you need help pairing one, Microsoft has an official guide here: How to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows 11. By default, Windows 11 shows an "Add a device" notification when a new Bluetooth device tries to connect. From that banner you can approve or deny the connection right away. If you turn these alerts off, Windows stops showing a pop-up each time a nearby accessory asks to connect. This helps if a device keeps retrying and the same prompt keeps coming back. The setting works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you don't need to restart. Option 1: Turn On or Off Notifications Using Settings Follow these steps to change the setting in the Settings app. You need a working Bluetooth adapter for this to work. Press Win + I to open Settings. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left menu. If you don't see this entry, your PC has no Bluetooth adapter, or the driver isn't installed or the adapter is disabled in Device Manager. Click Devices on the right side. You should now see your paired devices. As a shortcut, you can open this page directly with this link: Open Bluetooth & devices settings. Scroll down to the Related settings section and click More Bluetooth settings. A separate Bluetooth Settings window opens. In that window, click the Options tab. To turn notifications ON, check the box Alert me when a new Bluetooth device wants to connect. To turn notifications OFF, uncheck the same box. Click OK to save your choice. The window closes and the change applies straight away. Close the Settings window. To undo the change, repeat the steps and set the box back the way it was. The Settings app takes a few clicks, but it is the fastest method for everyday use, and it needs no registry editing. The checkbox you found controls whether a connection banner appears on the desktop when a device tries to pair. If it is checked, you get the banner. If it is unchecked, Windows stays quiet. With the box unchecked, future pairing prompts will no longer interrupt fullscreen apps such as games or presentations. Option 2: Turn On or Off Notifications Using the Registry (Advanced) You can also control these alerts through the Registry Editor. This method changes a registry value that sets whether connection alerts are shown. It works on both Home and Pro, but you need an administrator account. Before you edit the registry, create a restore point… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 can show a pop-up when a new Bluetooth accessory tries to connect to your PC. - This tutorial covers two ways to do it: the Settings app and the Registry Editor. - Windows 11 laptops and desktops that have a Bluetooth adapter work with many wireless devices, including smartphones, fitness bands, and audio gear. - If you need help pairing one, Microsoft has an official guide here: How to pair a Bluetooth device in Windows 11. - By default, Windows 11 shows an "Add a device" notification when a new Bluetooth device tries to connect. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off notifications coming through Bluetooth speaker Windows 11 PC? A: Open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, then open Devices. Turn off the toggle for "Show notifications to connect using Bluetooth." Windows stops showing pop-ups when nearby accessories try to connect. Your paired speakers and headphones keep working, and the change takes effect right away without a restart. - Q: Why is my settings telling me in notifactions to connect my work or school devices? A: This message usually means Windows found a work or school account on your PC and wants you to connect it. To stop it, open Settings, select Accounts, then select Access work or school. Remove the account if you no longer need it. To keep the account but hide the prompt, turn off its notifications under System, then Notifications. - Q: How to turn off add a device notification when there is no option for add a device in notification setting? A: If Add a device is missing from your notification settings, the pop-up is controlled from Bluetooth settings instead. Open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and check Devices for a toggle that turns off connection notifications. If you can't find it, use the Registry Editor method covered in this tutorial. --- ### How to Pin Apps to Windows 11 Taskbar - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-pin-apps-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2021-07-29 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1455 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Right-click an app in the Start menu and select Pin to taskbar. If it isn't under Recommended, click All apps, find the app, then right-click it, select More, and click Pin to taskbar. The icon appears on the taskbar immediately, and you can drag it to reorder it. **Content excerpt:** Pinning an app to the Windows 11 taskbar keeps it one click away, so you stop hunting through menus for the tools you use every day. A pinned icon is a shortcut that stays on the taskbar after you close the app. You can drag pinned icons into any order you like. The steps below use the Pin to taskbar command, which is the same in every edition of Windows 11. Why Pin Apps to Your Taskbar? Pinned apps save time because you never have to search for them. Your daily tools stay in the same place on the taskbar, which keeps your workflow faster and more organized. You can pin as many apps as fit on the taskbar, and you can remove any of them later. Unpinning only removes the shortcut. It never uninstalls the app. How to Add Program Icons to the Taskbar in Windows 11 Pinning takes a few clicks, and you don't need administrator rights on your own PC. The steps below cover the two routes through the Start menu, then pinning from a file, then pinning at scale for administrators. Step 1: Open the Start Menu These numbered steps show how to pin apps to the Windows 11 taskbar efficiently, using either the Recommended section or the All apps list. Press the Windows key. You can also click the Start button on the taskbar. The Start menu opens, with pinned apps at the top and a Recommended section below. Look for the app you want to pin. If you don't see it right away, type its name to search, or use the All apps list in step 5. Step 2: Pin Recent Apps Right-click the app's icon under Recommended. This section lists apps and files you opened recently, so the app only appears there if you've used it lately. A context menu opens next to the icon. Select Pin to taskbar. The icon appears on the taskbar right away. If the app is now pinned, skip ahead to step 11 to check the result. If Pin to taskbar isn't in the right-click menu for that item, use the All apps route below instead. Some Recommended items are files rather than apps, and files don't offer this option. Step 3: View All Apps Click the All apps button in the Start menu. Use this route if the app isn't under Recommended. On the newest Windows 11 builds the button may be labeled All. The list of every installed program replaces the pinned apps view. Scroll the list to find the app. The list is sorted alphabetically, so move to the letter the app's name starts with. Click a folder to expand it if the app sits inside one. Apps that came as part of a suite, such as Microsoft Office tools, are often grouped this way. The apps inside the folder appear below its name. Step 4: Pin Apps from the Full List Right-click the app. A context menu opens next to it. Select More. A… **Key facts:** - Pinning an app to the Windows 11 taskbar keeps it one click away, so you stop hunting through menus for the tools you use every day. - The steps below use the Pin to taskbar command, which is the same in every edition of Windows 11. - How to Add Program Icons to the Taskbar in Windows 11 Pinning takes a few clicks, and you don't need administrator rights on your own PC. - The steps below cover the two routes through the Start menu, then pinning from a file, then pinning at scale for administrators. - Step 1: Open the Start Menu These numbered steps show how to pin apps to the Windows 11 taskbar efficiently, using either the Recommended section or the All apps list. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to pin apps to Windows 11 taskbar efficiently? A: Open Start, select All apps, right-click the app, and choose Pin to taskbar. To reorder icons, drag them left or right. Pin only the apps you open every day, since a crowded taskbar is harder to scan. Unpinning removes only the shortcut, not the app. - Q: How to pin to taskbar? A: To pin an app, open Start, find it in All apps, right-click it, and select Pin to taskbar. If the app is already open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose Pin to taskbar. The icon stays there after you close the app and restart your PC. - Q: How to add to taskbar? A: Open Start, select All apps, right-click the app, and choose Pin to taskbar. You can also drag the app's icon from the Start menu onto the taskbar. Pinned apps stay put until you unpin them, and unpinning never uninstalls the app. - Q: How to save programe to task bar? A: Pinning is how you save a program to the taskbar. Open Start, select All apps, right-click the program, and choose Pin to taskbar. The program's icon then stays on the taskbar as a shortcut, even when the program is closed. - Q: How to add apps to taskbar? A: Open Start, select All apps, and find the app you want. Right-click it and choose Pin to taskbar. Repeat for each app you want. Drag icons left or right to change their order. Apps you have open can also be pinned by right-clicking their taskbar icon. - Q: How to add to askbar? A: Open Start, select All apps, right-click the app, and choose Pin to taskbar. To add an app that is already open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar. You can then drag the icon to a new spot. --- ### How to Change System Locale in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-system-locale-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2021-07-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1914 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Control Panel, go to Region, and select the Administrative tab. Click Change system locale, pick the language you need, click OK, and restart the PC. The system locale controls which language non-Unicode programs use, and it applies to every user on the PC. You need an administrator account, and the change takes effect only after the restart. **Content excerpt:** Windows 11 lets you change system locale from Control Panel > Region. Open the Administrative tab, click Change system locale..., pick a language, click OK and restart the PC. The system locale is the language and code page Windows uses for non-Unicode programs, which are older apps that don't use modern Unicode text. When the locale doesn't match what a program expects, you often see strange symbols, question marks or boxes where letters should be. A program designed for German regions may not show special characters correctly under English (United States). Switching the locale to Japanese can fix garbled text in a legacy Japanese application. Modern apps ignore this setting. The change is system-wide. It applies to every user on the PC, needs an administrator account, and takes effect only after a restart. You can switch it back at any time with the same steps. The options are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Checking Your Current System Locale Before you change anything, check what your computer is set to right now. That gives you a starting point, and you can return to it if the new setting doesn't help. You can check your system locale settings from Control Panel, Command Prompt or PowerShell. All three show the same value, so use whichever you prefer. Method 1: Using the Control Panel The classic Control Panel shows your current system locale in plain words. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. You open the Region window, go to the Administrative tab, and read the language listed for non-Unicode programs. The administrative language settings are also reachable from Settings. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region and use the Administrative language settings link under Related settings. It opens the same Region window. The steps below use Control Panel. These steps show your current system locale: Search for Control Panel. Type "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and click the result. The Control Panel window opens. Check the View by setting in the top-right corner. If you see categories such as System and Security or Clock and Region, click Clock and Region. If you see small or large icons, click Region and skip the next step. Click Region if you opened Clock and Region. A Region window opens and shows your current regional settings on the Formats tab. Click the Administrative tab at the top of the window. The tab shows the section for non-Unicode programs. Read the language under Current language for non-Unicode programs. It sits in the Language for non-Unicode programs section. That language is your system locale, which your computer uses for older apps. If the language shown doesn't look right for the programs you want to use, or you don't recognize it, you probably need to change it. Write down the current value first so you can go back to it. The change methods are covered further down. Method 2: Using Command Prompt Command Prompt shows your current system… **Key facts:** - Windows 11 lets you change system locale from Control Panel > Region. - You can switch it back at any time with the same steps. - The options are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - You can check your system locale settings from Control Panel, Command Prompt or PowerShell. - Method 1: Using the Control Panel The classic Control Panel shows your current system locale in plain words. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to change locale? A: Open Control Panel and go to Region. On the Administrative tab, click Change system locale. Choose the language you need, click OK, and restart your PC. You need an administrator account, and the change applies to every user on the computer. - Q: How to change system locale to japanese? A: Open Control Panel, select Region, and go to the Administrative tab. Click Change system locale, choose Japanese (Japan), click OK, and restart the PC. Use this only to fix garbled Japanese text in an older app. Sign in as an administrator first. - Q: How to change locale to japanese? A: Changing the locale to Japanese does not translate Windows menus. Open Control Panel, go to Region, and select the Administrative tab. Click Change system locale, pick Japanese (Japan), click OK, and restart. Only older non-Unicode apps are affected. - Q: How to set locale to japanese? A: Open Control Panel and select Region. On the Administrative tab, click Change system locale and select Japanese (Japan). Click OK, then restart your PC so the change takes effect. You need an administrator account. Modern apps are not affected, and you can switch back the same way. - Q: What is system locale? A: System locale is the language and code page Windows uses for older programs that do not support Unicode, the standard for modern text. A code page is a table that maps numbers to letters. When it does not match a program, text can show as question marks or boxes. Modern apps ignore it. - Q: How to set system locale to japanese? A: Open Control Panel, go to Region, and click the Administrative tab. Click Change system locale, select Japanese (Japan), then click OK. Restart the computer to apply it. This needs an administrator account and affects every user on the PC. --- ### How to Encrypt Files in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-encrypt-files-in-windows-11-a-simple-guide/ - **Published:** 2026-02-15 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1483 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To encrypt files in Windows 11, right-click the file or folder in File Explorer and click Properties, then click Advanced... on the General tab and tick Encrypt contents to secure data. Click OK, then OK again, and choose whether to encrypt just this item or everything inside it. This requires Windows 11 Pro or higher and an NTFS drive. **Content excerpt:** Encrypting files in Windows 11 uses the Encrypting File System (EFS), a built-in feature that scrambles a file or folder so only your user account can read it. It needs Windows 11 Pro or higher and a drive formatted as NTFS. Start by finding the file or folder you want to secure. In File Explorer, note which drive it is on. The drive's format decides whether the encryption option appears at all. What is Encryption? Think of encryption as a lockbox for sensitive documents. The data is scrambled so that only authorized accounts can read it. If a laptop or drive is lost or stolen, the files stay unreadable even when someone plugs the drive into another machine. Why encrypt your files? If your hardware is stolen, your personal documents stay unreadable to the thief as long as the encryption is in place. What happens when you encrypt a folder? Files you add to that folder later are encrypted automatically. There is no need to repeat the steps for each new document. This feature ties encryption to your Windows user account. You open your own files as normal, with no password prompt. Other user accounts on the same PC get an access denied message. Windows may also prompt you to back up your file encryption key. Do it. If you lose the key, for example after a reinstall or a deleted profile, the files can be unrecoverable. Important Things to Know This built-in file encryption is not available on Windows 11 Home. It requires Windows 11 Pro or higher, and the Enterprise and Education editions also include it. On Home, the encryption option in the steps below will be missing or greyed out. Some items cannot be encrypted this way: Compressed files. A file or folder with NTFS compression turned on can't be encrypted until you clear the compression option. ZIP archives are the compressed items most people think of, so treat them with the same caution. Core system files. Mandatory operating system folders. The drive must also be formatted as NTFS. Drives formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, which are common on USB sticks, will not offer the option. To check a drive, open This PC, right-click the drive and click Properties. The General tab shows the file system. How to Lock or Unlock Files and Folders Using Properties The graphical menus are the fastest way to secure individual files or folders. No restart is needed. The change takes effect as soon as you confirm it with OK. Steps to Encrypt (Lock) a File or Folder: These steps show how to encrypt files in Windows 11 so that only your user account can open them. Open File Explorer. Browse to the file or folder you want to protect, and note which drive it is on. Right-click the item and click Properties. Selecting the item and pressing Alt+Enter does the same. The Properties window opens. Click Advanced... on the General tab. The Advanced Attributes window opens. Check Encrypt contents to secure… **Key facts:** - Encrypting files in Windows 11 uses the Encrypting File System (EFS), a built-in feature that scrambles a file or folder so only your user account can read it. - It needs Windows 11 Pro or higher and a drive formatted as NTFS. - There is no need to repeat the steps for each new document. - Important Things to Know This built-in file encryption is not available on Windows 11 Home. - It requires Windows 11 Pro or higher, and the Enterprise and Education editions also include it. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to encrypt a folder in Windows 11? A: To encrypt a folder in Windows 11 Pro, right-click the folder and choose Properties. On the General tab, click Advanced, tick Encrypt contents to secure data, then click OK and Apply. Files you add to the folder later are encrypted automatically. Only your user account can open them. - Q: How to lock a file? A: Windows has no simple password lock for single files. The closest built-in option is Encrypting File System, available in Windows 11 Pro. Right-click the file, open Properties, select Advanced on the General tab, tick Encrypt contents to secure data, and click OK. Only your Windows account can then open it. - Q: Can you encript a file on Windows 11? A: Yes, if you have Windows 11 Pro or higher and the file is on an NTFS drive. Right-click the file in File Explorer, choose Properties, select Advanced, tick Encrypt contents to secure data, and click OK. Windows 11 Home doesn't offer this option, so you'll need a third-party tool. - Q: How to encrypt a file in Windows 11 home? A: Windows 11 Home doesn't include Encrypting File System, so you can't encrypt individual files the built-in way. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro adds it. Without an upgrade, put the file in a password-protected archive with 7-Zip. Save the password somewhere safe, because a lost password means the file can't be recovered. - Q: How do I encrypt a file in Windows 11? A: Right-click the file in File Explorer and choose Properties. On the General tab, click Advanced, tick Encrypt contents to secure data, then click OK and Apply. This needs Windows 11 Pro or higher and a file on an NTFS drive. Afterward, only your user account can read the file. - Q: How to encrypt files with Windows 11 efs? A: Encrypting File System (EFS) is the built-in Windows feature that scrambles files so only your user account can read them. Open the file's or folder's Properties, select Advanced on the General tab, and tick Encrypt contents to secure data. It requires Windows 11 Pro or higher and an NTFS drive. Back up your encryption certificate, since losing your account password… - Q: What is Encryption? A: Think of encryption as a lockbox for sensitive documents. The data is scrambled so that only authorized accounts can read it. If a laptop or drive is lost or stolen, the files stay unreadable even when someone plugs the drive into another machine. --- ### How to Lock Your Windows 11 Device Remotely - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-lock-your-windows-11-device-remotely/ - **Published:** 2026-05-28 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1805 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, click Privacy & security, scroll to Security and click Find my device, then turn the switch on. Once enabled, sign in to your Microsoft account from another device, open the Devices page, select your PC, and use the lock option. **Content excerpt:** Remote lock in Windows 11 lets you lock a lost or stolen computer through your Microsoft account. It keeps other people away from your personal files while you decide what to do next. The feature is part of Find My Device, which shows your PC's last known location on a map and lets you lock the screen from another device. Find My Device is built into every edition of Windows 11, including Home and Pro. You configure it in the main Settings app. It does not always arrive switched on, so check it now. Remote lock only works if the setting was already on when the device went missing, and you cannot turn it on after the fact. Why This Matters Turn on Find My Device now, while the PC is still in your hands. Once it is on, you can locate and lock the computer from any browser, even if you no longer have the PC itself. A few things must be true for it to work later: You sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account. Local accounts (accounts that exist only on the PC) cannot use Find My Device. The PC is connected to the internet when you send the lock command. Location services are turned on for the device. You are signed in as an administrator when you change the setting. How to Enable Find My Device These steps turn on Find My Device first, then show how to lock your Windows 11 PC remotely from another device. Steps 1 to 4 are done on the PC now. Steps 5 to 9 are done later, if the PC goes missing. The Windows 10 path is included in case you manage an older machine as well. Open Settings. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard. Alternatively, click the Start button, then click the gear icon ( Settings). The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Select the privacy category. On Windows 11, click Privacy & security in the left menu. On Windows 10, click Update & Security instead. Open the Find my device page. On Windows 11, scroll down to the "Security" section and click Find my device. On Windows 10, click Find my device in the left menu of the "Update & Security" screen. Turn the switch to On. If it says "Off," click it. The label changes to "On" right away, and no restart is needed. Sign in to your Microsoft account. Do this in a browser on another device, using the same account that is signed in to the lost PC. Open the Devices page. It lists every device linked to your Microsoft account. Select the lost PC. Pick it from the list of devices. Choose Find my device. A map shows the PC's last known location. Use the lock option. Locking signs out the current users. After that, only an administrator account can unlock the device. If you cannot find the option in step 3, or the switch… **Key facts:** - Remote lock in Windows 11 lets you lock a lost or stolen computer through your Microsoft account. - Find My Device is built into every edition of Windows 11, including Home and Pro. - You configure it in the main Settings app. - How to Enable Find My Device These steps turn on Find My Device first, then show how to lock your Windows 11 PC remotely from another device. - Steps 1 to 4 are done on the PC now. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to lock your Windows 11 PC remotely? A: Sign in to account.microsoft.com/devices with the Microsoft account linked to your PC. Select the device, then choose Lock. You can add a message and phone number so whoever finds the PC can contact you. The PC must be on, connected to the internet, and have Find My Device turned on before it goes missing. - Q: Which of the following features in Windows 11 home is specifically designed to track a device if it gets misplaced or stolen? A: Find My Device is the Windows 11 feature built into Home and Pro editions that shows a device's last known location on a map. It can also lock the screen remotely. To use it, turn on Find My Device in Settings and sign in with a Microsoft account before the PC goes missing. - Q: How to lock device? PC Windows? A: Open account.microsoft.com/devices in any browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select your PC, then choose Lock. The PC must be on and connected to the internet, and Find My Device must already be turned on. Local accounts cannot use this feature. - Q: How to loc kstloen device microsofr windwos 11? A: Sign in to account.microsoft.com/devices with the Microsoft account on the stolen PC, select the device, and choose Lock. This works only if Find My Device was already turned on and the PC is connected to the internet. Local accounts cannot use it, and you cannot turn it on after the PC is gone. - Q: Will Microsoft lock your computer remotely? A: Microsoft will not lock your PC on its own. Only you can lock it, by signing in to account.microsoft.com/devices and choosing Lock for your device. This requires Find My Device to have been turned on before the PC went missing, and the PC must be connected to the internet when you send the lock. - Q: How to lock Windows on remote? A: Sign in to account.microsoft.com/devices from another computer or phone, select your Windows PC, and choose Lock. The PC needs an internet connection and must already have Find My Device turned on in Settings under Privacy & security. Without that setting on beforehand, remote lock will not work. - Q: What If You Can’t See the Location? A: You can still lock Windows 11 remotely even if you cannot see its location on the map. Find My Device sends the lock command as soon as your computer connects to the internet again, even if the device is turned off, offline, or has location tracking turned off in the settings. --- ### Open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/open-command-prompt-as-administrator-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1628 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To open cmd as administrator in Windows 11, press the Windows key, type cmd, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt. The title bar should read Administrator: Command Prompt. You need an administrator account or its password, and no restart is required. **Content excerpt:** Opening cmd as administrator in Windows 11 means starting Command Prompt with elevated rights, which lets it change system files and settings that a normal window is not allowed to change. The quickest way is to press the Windows key, type cmd, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter, and select Yes at the User Account Control prompt. User Account Control (UAC) is the Windows dialog that asks permission before a program makes system-level changes. This guide covers the Start menu method plus four other routes, including ones that work when search or File Explorer misbehaves. The steps apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro alike. You need an administrator account, or the password of one. No restart is needed. What "Run as Administrator" Changes A normal Command Prompt window runs with limited rights. It can read most files and run most commands, but it blocks anything that alters protected parts of Windows. Commands such as sfc /scannow fail in a normal window. The message reads "You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility." Others return "Access is denied" or "Error: 740 The requested operation requires elevation." An elevated window removes those limits. That also means a mistyped command can do real damage, such as deleting files in C:\Windows or changing disk settings. Run only commands you understand, and close the window when you finish. Open Command Prompt as Administrator from Start Search This is the fastest way to get a cmd administrator window, and it works on every Windows 11 build. The steps below take you from the desktop to an elevated Command Prompt. Press the Windows key. The Start menu opens with the search box ready for typing. Type cmd. Command Prompt appears under Best match, with a list of options in the right pane. Select Run as administrator in the right pane. You can also right-click Command Prompt in the results and choose the same option. Select Yes when UAC asks "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" The app is listed as Windows Command Processor. A black Command Prompt window opens. Check the title bar. It should read Administrator: Command Prompt. If it does not, the window is not elevated. Close it and repeat from step 1. On a standard (non-administrator) account, the UAC prompt asks for an administrator's username and password instead of showing Yes and No. Enter those credentials and the window opens elevated. Use the Keyboard Shortcut Instead of the Mouse After typing cmd in step 2, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter instead of selecting a result. Windows opens the highlighted item as administrator and shows the same UAC prompt. If you open Command Prompt often, this saves the most time. Other Ways to Open cmd as Administrator Use these methods if Start search is slow, does not list Command Prompt, or you prefer another route. Each one ends at the same UAC prompt and the same elevated window. From the Run Dialog The Run dialog starts… **Key facts:** - Opening cmd as administrator in Windows 11 means starting Command Prompt with elevated rights, which lets it change system files and settings that a normal window is not allowed to change. - This guide covers the Start menu method plus four other routes, including ones that work when search or File Explorer misbehaves. - The steps apply to Windows 11 Home and Pro alike. - The message reads "You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility." Others return "Access is denied" or "Error: 740 The requested operation requires elevation." An elevated window removes those limits. - That also means a mistyped command can do real damage, such as deleting files in C:\Windows or changing disk settings. --- ### What Breaks When You Disable Shared Experiences in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-breaks-when-you-disable-shared-experiences-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1814 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Turning off shared experiences at Settings > System > Shared experiences stops Nearby sharing, which sends files between nearby PCs over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and Share across devices, which lets apps on your other devices open and message apps on this PC. The Share window, Bluetooth pairing, OneDrive sync and Microsoft Store downloads keep working. Some app handoffs may stop. **Content excerpt:** The shared experiences settings in Windows 11 are at Settings > System > Shared experiences. Turning them off stops file sharing with nearby PCs and stops your other devices from opening or messaging apps on this one. Shared experiences is the group of features that lets your devices hand tasks to each other. It covers Nearby sharing (sends files between PCs over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and Share across devices (lets apps on your other devices open and message apps on this PC). Most people notice little change after they switch these off. That is why privacy guides often recommend them. A few features do stop, and some of those stops can be mistaken for a bug later. The sections below cover what breaks, what keeps working, and how to turn the settings back on. The steps below need no administrator rights on a personal PC, and Windows applies the change without a restart. A work PC may lock the page, which the troubleshooting section covers. What Breaks When You Turn Off Shared Experiences Two settings do the work: Nearby sharing and Share across devices. Each one controls a separate set of features, so the effects are easiest to follow one at a time. The label names below match current Windows 11 builds, but Microsoft moves these pages around between feature updates. Nearby Sharing Stops Working Nearby sharing sends files, photos and links from one Windows PC to another close by. It finds the other PC with Bluetooth LE (low-energy Bluetooth, used to detect nearby devices) and moves the data over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. With Nearby sharing set to Off, your PC stops listening for incoming files and stops offering to send them. In practice, this means three things: Other PCs no longer list yours as a share target, even on the same desk. Your own Share window in File Explorer and apps like Microsoft Edge no longer lists nearby PCs. It may show a prompt to turn Nearby sharing on instead. Any file transfer you started this way fails, and the other person needs another method. The "My devices only" mode needs both PCs signed in with the same Microsoft account. "Everyone nearby" accepts shares from any PC within range, though you still approve each incoming file. Switching to Off removes both modes. Share Across Devices Stops Working Share across devices lets apps on one device open and message apps on another device signed in to the same account. Windows says the feature lets apps on your other devices open and message apps on this PC, and the reverse too. With the setting off, your PC no longer takes part in that handoff, where one device passes a task to another. Microsoft does not publish a full list of apps that rely on this setting. Support depends on the app, so a feature that worked before may stop in one app and carry on in another. If you use Phone Link (the app that connects your phone to your PC)… **Key facts:** - The shared experiences settings in Windows 11 are at Settings > System > Shared experiences. - The sections below cover what breaks, what keeps working, and how to turn the settings back on. - The steps below need no administrator rights on a personal PC, and Windows applies the change without a restart. - What Breaks When You Turn Off Shared Experiences Two settings do the work: Nearby sharing and Share across devices. - The label names below match current Windows 11 builds, but Microsoft moves these pages around between feature updates. --- ### Move the Pointer with Mouse Keys in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/move-the-pointer-with-mouse-keys-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1838 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Turn on Mouse keys in Windows 11 by opening Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and switching Mouse keys to On, or by pressing Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock. Then, with Num Lock on, use the numeric keypad to move the pointer: 4, 6, 8 and 2 move left, right, up and down, and 5 clicks. No administrator rights are needed. **Content excerpt:** Mouse keys in Windows 11 lets you move the pointer with the numeric keypad instead of a mouse or touchpad. To turn it on, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and switch on Mouse keys. Alternatively, press Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock. Mouse keys is an accessibility feature. It helps if your mouse fails, if holding a mouse is painful, or if you need fine control over pointer position. Turning it on does not need administrator rights, and it works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. This article covers turning it on, moving and clicking, tuning the speed, and fixing the usual problems. Menu labels below follow current Windows 11 builds. Wording can differ slightly on older releases. What You Need Before You Start Mouse keys depends on the numeric keypad, the block of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. The keys 4, 6, 8 and 2 act as left, right, up and down. Check two things first: A numeric keypad. Most desktop keyboards have one. Many laptops and compact keyboards do not. See the troubleshooting section if yours does not. Num Lock. This key switches the keypad between typing numbers and its other jobs. Mouse keys needs Num Lock on for the keypad to move the pointer, unless you change that behaviour in Settings. How to Move the Pointer with Mouse Keys in Windows 11 These steps turn on Mouse keys and show you how to move the pointer and click with it. The first steps use keyboard shortcuts, so you can follow them without a working mouse. Open Settings. Press the Windows key + I. The Settings window opens. If you prefer, press the Windows key + U to open the Accessibility page directly, then skip to step 3. Select Accessibility in the left pane. Press Tab to reach the list, use the Down Arrow key to highlight it, then press Enter. The Accessibility page opens on the right. Select Mouse under the Interaction group. Use Tab and the arrow keys to highlight it, then press Enter. The Mouse accessibility page opens. You should see a Mouse keys row near the top. Switch the Mouse keys toggle to On. Tab to the toggle and press the Spacebar. The toggle moves to the right and reads On. The row also expands, or can be expanded, to show extra options. Press Num Lock if the keypad is not active. Look at the Num Lock light on your keyboard. With the light on, the keypad controls the pointer. Some keyboards have no light, so test in the next step. Press 6 on the numeric keypad. Hold it down for a moment. The pointer moves to the right across the screen. If nothing happens, go to the troubleshooting section. Press 4, 8 and 2 in turn. Each key moves the pointer in one direction. The pointer moves left with 4, up with 8 and down with 2. Press 7, 9, 1 or 3… **Key facts:** - Mouse keys in Windows 11 lets you move the pointer with the numeric keypad instead of a mouse or touchpad. - To turn it on, open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse and switch on Mouse keys. - Turning it on does not need administrator rights, and it works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The keys 4, 6, 8 and 2 act as left, right, up and down. - Mouse keys needs Num Lock on for the keypad to move the pointer, unless you change that behaviour in Settings. --- ### How to Schedule Night Light for Better Sleep in Windows 11 Display Settings - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-schedule-night-light-for-better-sleep-in-windows-11-display-settings/ - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1360 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To schedule Night light in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, click the Night light row, switch on Schedule night light, then choose Sunset to sunrise or Set hours. The screen warms automatically each evening, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** To schedule night light for better sleep in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, switch Night light on, then turn on Schedule night light and choose your hours. Night light is a display feature that warms screen colors in the evening by cutting blue light, which can ease eye strain. Screens give off short-wave blue light that tells your brain it is still daytime. A schedule means the color shift starts every evening without you touching anything. Windows 11 lets you pick exact start and stop times, or tie the shift to your local sunset and sunrise. The feature is built into Windows 11 Home and Pro alike, and none of the changes below need a restart. How to Turn On and Configure Night Light Manually Night light lives on the Display settings page. Try the strength slider before you schedule anything, so you know what color temperature feels comfortable at your desk when the schedule kicks in. Night light only changes how colors are shown. It does not dim the screen, so brightness is still set separately. These steps turn on Night light and set how warm it looks: Press Windows key + I. The Settings app opens. Select System in the left sidebar. The display, sound and power options appear on the right. Click Display. The brightness, scale and Night light options appear. Switch the Night light toggle to On. The screen should turn noticeably warmer and more yellow right away. Click the Night light text label, not the toggle. The row expands to show its detailed settings. Drag the Strength slider left or right. The screen changes as you drag, so you can judge the result live. Stop at a level that reduces eye strain but keeps text and colors readable. To undo this, return to the same page and switch the Night light toggle to Off. Your strength setting is kept for next time. How to Schedule Night Light Automatically These steps schedule Night light to switch on and off by itself. You can choose sunset-to-sunrise timing or custom hours. Once a schedule is on, there is nothing to adjust by hand each evening. Press Windows key + I. The Settings app opens. Select System. The system options appear on the right. Click Display. Click the Night light row to expand it. You should see the strength slider and the schedule options. Switch the Schedule night light toggle to On. The Sunset to sunrise and Set hours options become active. Select the Sunset to sunrise radio button to let Windows work out the timing from your location. The times change with the seasons, so you never have to update them. Select the Set hours radio button instead if you want fixed times. Use the drop-down menus to pick your Turn on and Turn off times, starting an hour or two before your usual bedtime. Fixed hours are a good choice if your location settings are off or if you work odd shifts. To undo… **Key facts:** - To schedule night light for better sleep in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display, switch Night light on, then turn on Schedule night light and choose your hours. - Windows 11 lets you pick exact start and stop times, or tie the shift to your local sunset and sunrise. - The feature is built into Windows 11 Home and Pro alike, and none of the changes below need a restart. - How to Turn On and Configure Night Light Manually Night light lives on the Display settings page. - These steps turn on Night light and set how warm it looks: Press Windows key + I. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Is night light on windows better for your eyes? A: Night light can make screens easier on your eyes in the evening, especially in a dim room. It cuts down blue light and warms the colors, which many people find less harsh. It does not protect your eyes from damage, and it does not dim the screen. Lowering screen brightness usually helps more with strain. - Q: How to schedule windows to sleep? A: Windows 11 has no built-in sleep schedule, so you need Task Scheduler. Click Create Basic Task, set the trigger to Daily at your bedtime, and choose Start a program as the action. In Program/script, enter C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe. In Add arguments, enter powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState 0,1,0. Finish the wizard to save the task. - Q: What is the best night light to promote sleep? A: The best night light for sleep is dim and warm, such as amber or red. Cool white light can keep your brain alert, so choose a warm bulb around 2700K or lower. Keep it dim and point it away from your eyes. On a PC, set Night light to its strongest warmth setting. - Q: Is it okay to leave a nightlight on all night? A: Yes, a low-wattage nightlight is generally safe to leave on overnight. Choose one that stays cool to the touch, and keep it away from curtains, bedding, and paper. Use a dim, warm color, because bright white light can disrupt sleep. Some people sleep better in total darkness, so turn it off if you do. --- ### How to Configure Voice Clarity for Microphone Input in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-configure-voice-clarity-for-microphone-input-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1399 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Sound, select your microphone under Input, and switch on Voice Clarity. If the option is missing, install Windows updates and your audio driver first, since Voice Clarity needs a current audio driver and system files. Changes take effect on your next call, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Voice Clarity in Windows 11 is a built-in feature that uses AI to remove background noise, echo and room reverb from your microphone audio in real time. It started on high-end Surface devices with Neural Processing Units (NPUs), which are chips built for AI work. Microsoft now supports the same audio cleanup on standard x86 and x64 processors through regular Windows updates. This guide shows how to check whether your PC supports the feature and how to turn it on, so your voice sounds clear on calls and meetings. Whether it works depends on your hardware, your audio driver and the app you use. It covers the system settings in Settings > System > Sound and the app-side controls. Checking Your Audio Drivers and Windows Update Status Start with updates and drivers. Voice Clarity needs a current set of Windows files and an audio driver that exposes the right audio processing. Outdated drivers and missing system updates are the most common reason enhancement options do not appear in Windows 11. These steps update Windows and your audio drivers so the voice clarity options can show up. First, update Windows itself: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. The Settings window appears with a list of categories on the left. Select Windows Update in the left-hand sidebar. The update status page opens on the right. Click Check for updates. Windows downloads the latest system patches and any optional hardware drivers it finds. Restart your computer if Windows asks for it. Some audio components only finish installing after a reboot, so do not skip this. Next, check that your audio hardware is working in Device Manager, the tool Windows uses to list and control the hardware in your computer. Administrator privileges are needed for the driver step. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. A window opens with your hardware grouped into categories. Expand the Audio inputs and outputs category. Your connected microphones and speakers should be listed underneath. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers category. Your main audio chipset appears here, such as Realtek Audio or Intel Smart Sound Technology. Right-click your audio device and select Update driver. A window asks how you want to search for drivers. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows looks for a newer driver and installs it if it finds one. If Windows says your drivers are up to date, that only means it found nothing newer through its own channels. Check your PC or motherboard manufacturer's support website, or a tool such as MSI Center, for a newer audio package for your exact hardware. Manufacturer packages are often newer than what Windows Update offers. Restart the PC if the installer asks for it. How Voice Clarity Works in Communications Apps Voice Clarity works on its own for apps that use the built-in Windows communications audio path. These apps take the raw audio stream from your microphone and pass it through the system-level AI filter during calls. The filter strips out background noise… **Key facts:** - Voice Clarity in Windows 11 is a built-in feature that uses AI to remove background noise, echo and room reverb from your microphone audio in real time. - Microsoft now supports the same audio cleanup on standard x86 and x64 processors through regular Windows updates. - It covers the system settings in Settings > System > Sound and the app-side controls. - Outdated drivers and missing system updates are the most common reason enhancement options do not appear in Windows 11. - These steps update Windows and your audio drivers so the voice clarity options can show up. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Why can I hear myself through my mic in Windows 11? A: You're hearing mic feedback, usually from your speakers playing back what your microphone picks up. Check your audio settings to make sure your microphone isn't set to play through speakers. In Settings > System > Sound, scroll down and turn off any mic monitoring or listen to this device options. - Q: Does Windows 11 have a voice assistant? A: Yes. Windows 11 includes Cortana, a voice assistant you can activate by saying "Hey Cortana" or searching for it in Start. You can also use voice typing by pressing Windows Key + H to dictate text in most apps without needing a third-party assistant. - Q: Why does my audio sound weird in Windows 11? A: Weird audio usually means outdated drivers or wrong audio settings. Update your audio drivers through Settings > System > Windows Update > Check for updates. Also check Settings > System > Sound to verify your input and output devices are correct and volumes are balanced. - Q: Does Windows 11 have a built-in microphone? A: Most Windows 11 laptops have built-in microphones, but desktops don't. Check your device manual or Settings > System > Sound > Input devices to see what's available. If you don't have one or need better quality, you'll need to buy an external USB microphone. --- ### How to Manage Your Microsoft Account Subscriptions - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-your-microsoft-account-subscriptions/ - **Published:** 2026-01-31 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1123 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Productivity, Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To manage Microsoft subscriptions, sign in at the Microsoft account page, click Subscriptions in the left menu, and select Manage next to the plan. You can change its payment method or turn off recurring billing there. Turn off renewal before the renewal date; you keep access until the paid period ends. **Content excerpt:** Microsoft account services and subscriptions are managed on the Services & subscriptions page of your Microsoft account dashboard. Sign in with the account that made the purchase, open that page, and pick the plan you want to check, pay for differently, or cancel. Subscriptions cover paid services such as Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, and extra OneDrive storage. The page shows each plan's next billing date, the payment method on file, and its status. To stop a plan from renewing, turn off recurring billing before the renewal date. In most cases you keep access until the end of the period you already paid for, so your apps do not stop working right away. Check the end date on the plan's page to be sure. Why Manage Your Subscriptions? Managing your subscriptions helps you control your spending. You can update a payment method when a card expires, stop a service you no longer use, and restart a plan later if you change your mind. All of this happens in a web browser, so you do not need to install anything. A quick review every few months is enough to catch plans you forgot about. Set a reminder in your calendar if that helps. The check takes a few minutes, and it saves you from having to dispute a charge for a service you stopped using. What You Need to Know Sign in with the Microsoft account tied to the subscription you want to manage. Many people own more than one account, for example a personal address and an older Outlook or Hotmail address, so check which one made the purchase. The wrong account shows no subscriptions, which can look as if the plan has vanished. Sign out and try the other address before you assume anything is wrong. Change your payment method at any time. Do it before a card expires, because a failed renewal can put the service on hold. Changing the card does not cancel the plan or change its renewal date. Cancel or turn off automatic payments whenever you want. Do it before the renewal date, or the next charge may already be processed. Cancelling does not reverse a payment that has already gone through. Two limits are worth knowing about. If a subscription is shared through a Microsoft 365 Family plan, only the person who set up the plan (the organizer) can change billing for it. Other members do not see the same options. Accounts issued by a work or school are different. The organization's administrator manages those, not this page. Steps to View and Manage Your Microsoft Subscriptions These steps open your Microsoft account services & subscriptions so you can review, change, or cancel any plan. Open Microsoft Account page in your browser. This is the Microsoft account sign-in address. If you are already signed in, you go straight to your account dashboard. Sign in to your Microsoft account. Enter your email and password or PIN. If you use two-step verification, approve the sign-in on your… **Key facts:** - Subscriptions cover paid services such as Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, and extra OneDrive storage. - The page shows each plan's next billing date, the payment method on file, and its status. - You can update a payment method when a card expires, stop a service you no longer use, and restart a plan later if you change your mind. - If a subscription is shared through a Microsoft 365 Family plan, only the person who set up the plan (the organizer) can change billing for it. - Steps to View and Manage Your Microsoft Subscriptions These steps open your Microsoft account services & subscriptions so you can review, change, or cancel any plan. --- ### Manage Kids Mode Websites in Microsoft Edge - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-grant-website-permissions-in-kids-mode-in-microsoft-edge/ - **Published:** 2023-06-10 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 830 - **Category:** Browsers - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Kids Mode in Microsoft Edge lets you approve or remove websites from your child's allowed list. When a child reaches a blocked page, select Get permission, verify with your Windows sign-in password or PIN, then choose Allow for this session or Add to allowed list. To review the full list, open Settings and more in your regular Edge window, select Family, then Manage allowed sites. **Content excerpt:** Kids Mode in Microsoft Edge is a built-in browser setting for Windows that blocks adult content, ads, and unapproved pages so children ages 5 to 12 can browse the web safely. It is free, and by default it limits browsing to a pre-approved list of websites. That list can be managed in two places: inside your own Edge profile, or on the Microsoft Family Safety website. Adding a site takes a few clicks. A child cannot get past a blocked page unless you confirm it is you with your sign-in password or PIN. Add or remove websites from the allowed list in Microsoft Edge There are two ways to let your child onto a site. You can add the page to the approved list, or you can give temporary access for a single browsing session. The list can be changed at any time in Edge settings, so your child only reaches pages you are happy with. When your child opens a page that is not on the list, Edge shows a block screen. That screen is where you start. The two options behave differently, so it helps to know which one to pick before you click. Allow for this session: This gives your child one-time access to the site. It does not save the site to the permanent list, so the page is blocked again next time. Use it for something you only need once, such as a page for a single school task. Add to allowed list: This permanently adds the site to your child's approved list so they can visit it again later. Use it for sites your child will return to, such as a favorite learning site. Approved websites are added by selecting Get permission on any blocked page. Edge then asks you to prove who you are, which stops children from bypassing the filters on their own. Do this while your child is in Kids Mode and has landed on a blocked page. These steps approve a blocked site in Microsoft Edge Kids Mode, either once or for good. Launch open Kids Mode in Edge. Use the Edge window your child is browsing in. Open the blocked page in Kids Mode. Edge shows the block screen instead of the site. Click Get permission. A permission prompt appears on the block screen. Verify your identity when Edge asks. This is normally your Windows sign-in password or PIN. A child who does not know it cannot approve the site. Choose Allow for this session or Add to allowed list. Pick the first for one-time access and the second for permanent access. Once you confirm, the page should load in Kids Mode. If you chose the permanent option, the site is now on the approved list and stays unblocked until you remove it. Managing the list To manage the approved list as a whole, open Edge settings, go to the Family section, and use the manage allowed sites option. From there you can add or remove web addresses. Do… **Key facts:** - Kids Mode in Microsoft Edge is a built-in browser setting for Windows that blocks adult content, ads, and unapproved pages so children ages 5 to 12 can browse the web safely. - The list can be changed at any time in Edge settings, so your child only reaches pages you are happy with. - These steps approve a blocked site in Microsoft Edge Kids Mode, either once or for good. - Managing the list To manage the approved list as a whole, open Edge settings, go to the Family section, and use the manage allowed sites option. - The Kids Mode window does not give access to these settings. --- ### How to Access Devices and Printers in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/learn-how-to-open-devices-and-printers-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2024-01-19 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 951 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Devices and Printers in Windows 11 by pressing Win+R, typing shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A} and pressing Enter. The classic folder opens at once and lists every connected printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard and monitor. You can also reach it from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices by clicking More devices and printers settings. **Content excerpt:** The Devices and Printers folder in Windows 11 is a classic window that lists the hardware connected to your PC. It shows printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, monitors and Bluetooth devices in one place. This post covers four ways to open it: the Settings app, the Run box, Control Panel and Start search. It also covers the newer Printers & scanners page, which handles most everyday printer jobs. The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Why use the Devices and Printers folder? This folder is a central hub for everything plugged into your computer. Use it to check whether a device is working, fix connection errors, or change settings for your printers and scanners. A device that works normally shows a plain icon. One with a problem often shows a small warning symbol. Opening the folder only lets you look at your devices. It does not change anything until you pick an action yourself, so there is nothing to undo and no restart is needed. What happens when done? When you finish the steps below, a window opens with an icon for each connected device. From there you can manage your equipment or remove devices you no longer use. Settings App vs. Legacy Control Panel Feature Settings App Legacy Control Panel Device Management Basic Advanced Printer Properties Limited Full Access Ease of Use High Low Method 1: Open Devices and Printers from the Settings App The Settings app is the route Microsoft wants you to use in Windows 11. It ends with a link that opens the classic Devices and Printers folder. These steps take you from the Start menu to the devices & printers folder. Open the Windows Settings app. Click the Start menu and select Settings, or press Windows key + I to open it quickly. The Settings window should open with a list of categories on the left. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar. The right side should now show tiles for your devices, including one named Devices. Click the Devices tile on the right side. A list of paired and connected devices should appear. Scroll down to Related settings. It sits below the list of devices, near the bottom of the page. Click More devices and printers settings. The Devices and Printers folder should open in a new window. If you only need to work with printers, you can skip the legacy folder. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. You can also open that page directly with the address ms-settings:printers. From the Printers & scanners page you can: Add a printer or scanner. Remove a printer you no longer use. Set a default printer. Open a printer's properties and printing preferences. To work with a specific printer, click its name in the list. The page for that printer has the options above. Windows can choose your default printer for you. That option is the Let Windows manage my default printer setting on the Printers & scanners… **Key facts:** - The Devices and Printers folder in Windows 11 is a classic window that lists the hardware connected to your PC. - This post covers four ways to open it: the Settings app, the Run box, Control Panel and Start search. - The steps are the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Use it to check whether a device is working, fix connection errors, or change settings for your printers and scanners. - When you finish the steps below, a window opens with an icon for each connected device. --- ### How to Change Wireless Adapter Power Saving Mode in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-wireless-adapter-power-saving-mode-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-02-07 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1402 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Control Panel, select Power Options, then Change plan settings and Change advanced power settings. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings, then Power Saving Mode, and set both On battery and Plugged in to Maximum Performance. Click OK. The change applies immediately, with no restart needed. **Content excerpt:** Wireless adapter power saving mode in Windows 11 controls how much power your PC lets the Wi-Fi card use. Depending on your power plan, Windows can switch the adapter to a power-saving setting. That can slow your internet speed or drop the connection, especially after the PC wakes from sleep. The usual fix is to set the mode to Maximum Performance. Some guides send you to Device Manager for this. This guide uses Power Options in Control Panel and Windows Terminal instead, because they change the power plan setting directly. Full power uses slightly more battery, but the connection is usually faster and steadier. What Is Wireless Adapter Power Saving Mode? Wireless adapter power saving mode lets you choose how much energy the Wi-Fi connection uses, trading battery life against network speed. There are four levels. Maximum Performance uses the most power and gives the best speed. Low Power Saving, Medium Power Saving and Maximum Power Saving save progressively more power and give up progressively more performance. On a laptop, you can set one level for battery and a different one for when it is plugged in. A common choice is Maximum Performance when plugged in and a saving mode on battery. Desktop PCs often show only one option. Power Saving Options Mode What It Does Maximum Performance Best Wi-Fi speed, uses more power. (Default when plugged in) Low Power Saving Good balance between speed and saving power Medium Power Saving More power saving but may reduce speed. (Default on battery) Maximum Power Saving Saves the most power but Wi-Fi may slow down How to Change Power Saving Mode via Control Panel The Control Panel route needs no commands, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. You open Power Options, edit your active power plan, and change the advanced settings for your wireless adapter. No restart is needed. The change applies as soon as you click OK. The setting belongs to a power plan. If you switch to a different plan later, check that plan too. These steps set the wireless adapter power saving mode to Maximum Performance, so Windows no longer trades Wi-Fi speed for battery life. Open Control Panel. Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type control and press Enter. Control Panel opens in a new window. Click Power Options. If you do not see it, set View by in the top-right corner to Small icons or Large icons. You should now see your power plans listed. Click Change plan settings next to your active plan. The active plan has the filled-in radio button, for example "Balanced". The Edit Plan Settings window opens with the display and sleep options. Click Change advanced power settings. A small Power Options dialog opens with a list of settings you can expand. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings. Scroll down and click the plus sign next to Wireless Adapter Settings. If the entry is missing, the PC has no Wi-Fi adapter installed or enabled, or the manufacturer's driver hides… **Key facts:** - Wireless adapter power saving mode in Windows 11 controls how much power your PC lets the Wi-Fi card use. - You open Power Options, edit your active power plan, and change the advanced settings for your wireless adapter. - These steps set the wireless adapter power saving mode to Maximum Performance, so Windows no longer trades Wi-Fi speed for battery life. - Click Change plan settings next to your active plan. - The Edit Plan Settings window opens with the display and sleep options. --- ### How to Change Your Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-change-your-default-search-engine-in-microsoft-edge/ - **Published:** 2026-06-09 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1075 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge, open Settings, go to Privacy, search, and services, then choose Address bar and search. Pick your provider from the Search engine used in the address bar dropdown. Edge uses the new provider right away, and no restart is needed. **Content excerpt:** Changing your default search engine in Microsoft Edge switches the search provider that handles every query you type into the address bar. Microsoft Edge version 90 or newer lets you swap Bing for Google, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo in under a minute. Edge stops sending searches to Bing and uses your new provider as soon as you pick it in Settings. No browser restart is needed. If you change your mind later, you can switch back the same way. The steps below are numbered 1 to 13 straight through, even though the headings split them into sections. Step 1: Use the Search Engine You Want First First, visit the website of your preferred search provider and run a quick search. Edge needs to see the provider at least once so it can register it and add it to its list of available choices. Only then can you select it as your permanent default. Recent versions of Edge often list Google, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo already, so your provider may appear in the dropdown without this step. Doing it first costs about thirty seconds and saves a hunt for a missing entry later. Steps 1 to 3 cover this part. Start by opening Microsoft Edge from the taskbar, the Start menu or a desktop shortcut. These 13 numbered steps show how to change the search engine in Edge, from registering the provider to testing the new default. Open Microsoft Edge. Use the taskbar, the Start menu or a desktop shortcut. A browser window should appear with a new tab or your home page. Go to your preferred search engine's website. Click the address bar at the top of the browser, type the address, such as google.com or duckduckgo.com, and press Enter. The provider's home page should now load. Run a search in the site's own search box. Click the box on the page, type something like "weather today" and press Enter. A results page from that provider should appear. Do not type the search into Edge's address bar. Edge would send it to your current default, which is still Bing at this point, and the new provider would never get registered. Step 2: Go to Edge's Settings Next, open the browser settings in Microsoft Edge. The three dots in the top-right corner of the window open a menu, and Settings on that menu opens the screen where you manage how the browser behaves. Steps 4 to 6 continue the numbering from above and take you to the Settings page: Locate the three dots in the top-right corner of Edge. You do not need to be on the search results page from step 3. These dots open the Settings and more menu. Click the three dots. A menu drops down below them. If you prefer the keyboard, Alt+F opens the same menu. Select Settings from the menu. Edge opens the Settings page in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Step 3:… **Key facts:** - Microsoft Edge version 90 or newer lets you swap Bing for Google, DuckDuckGo, or Yahoo in under a minute. - Edge stops sending searches to Bing and uses your new provider as soon as you pick it in Settings. - The steps below are numbered 1 to 13 straight through, even though the headings split them into sections. - Step 1: Use the Search Engine You Want First First, visit the website of your preferred search provider and run a quick search. - Recent versions of Edge often list Google, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo already, so your provider may appear in the dropdown without this step. --- ### What Breaks When You Disable Windows Dynamic Lighting Completely - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/what-breaks-when-you-disable-windows-dynamic-lighting-completely/ - **Published:** 2026-09-06 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 988 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Disabling Windows Dynamic Lighting removes central control over RGB device colors and effects from Windows Settings. Built-in effects like fading and rainbow waves stop working, and games can no longer sync lighting to on-screen content. Most devices fall back to their factory lighting pattern or turn off completely. Alternative software from your keyboard or mouse maker can take control again if it is still installed. **Content excerpt:** Disabling Windows Dynamic Lighting turns off the Windows 11 feature that controls RGB (color-changing) lights on keyboards, mice, and other gear from one page. You find it at Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. Your hardware keeps working normally for typing, clicking, and gaming. What you lose is central control over device colors and effects from Windows. Built-in effects such as fading and rainbow waves stop responding to Windows as soon as you switch the feature off. Games and media apps that use Dynamic Lighting can no longer match your room lighting to what is on screen. Most devices then fall back to the lighting stored on the device, which is usually the factory pattern, or they switch off. What you see depends on the model. Dynamic Lighting is a recent addition to Windows 11. If you cannot find it in Settings, install the latest Windows updates first. It only affects devices that support the standard Windows lighting interface, so other RGB gear is not touched by this setting. Alternative Lighting Software May Take Over When Windows steps back, the lighting software from your keyboard or mouse maker can usually take control of your devices again. This software is often called the vendor app. With Windows out of the way, your own colors and effects can run without being overridden. Whether disabling the feature helps or hurts depends on your setup: It helps if the Windows controls kept overriding your custom profiles. With Dynamic Lighting off, your brand software can run without competition. It can hurt if you uninstalled the brand software to save memory. Your lights may then stay stuck in a pattern you do not want until you reinstall that software or turn Dynamic Lighting back on. Before you switch the feature off, check that your vendor app is still installed and working. That way something is left to control your lights. How to Turn Off Windows Dynamic Lighting Using Settings These steps turn off Windows Dynamic Lighting from the Settings app. The method needs no system tweaks, works the same on Home and Pro, and you can reverse it at any time. Open Settings. Click the Start button on your taskbar, then click Settings, the app with the small gear icon. Pressing the Windows key and I together also works. The Settings window should now be open. Click Personalization. It sits in the menu on the left side of the window. The personalization options appear on the right. Click Dynamic Lighting in the list of options. If it is not listed, your version of Windows 11 does not have the feature yet. Open Settings > Windows Update, install what is offered, and check again. Turn off Use Dynamic Lighting on my devices. This switch is at the top of the page, so click it until it reads Off. The lighting controls below it should grey out or collapse. Uncheck any extra options on the page. Scroll down the same page to find them, such as the one… **Key facts:** - Disabling Windows Dynamic Lighting turns off the Windows 11 feature that controls RGB (color-changing) lights on keyboards, mice, and other gear from one page. - You find it at Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. - Dynamic Lighting is a recent addition to Windows 11. - If you cannot find it in Settings, install the latest Windows updates first. - Alternative Lighting Software May Take Over When Windows steps back, the lighting software from your keyboard or mouse maker can usually take control of your devices again. --- ### How to Use the Windows Tools Menu in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-use-the-windows-tools-menu-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-24 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1693 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Control Panel, change View by to Large icons, click Windows Tools, and the folder opens showing all system management utilities. Alternatively, press Win + R, type control admintools, and press Enter to access the same folder. **Content excerpt:** The Windows Tools menu in Windows 11 sits at Start > All apps > Windows Tools. It gathers more than 40 advanced system apps, management consoles, and troubleshooting utilities into one folder. If you are looking for the Windows administrative tools, this is the same folder under its newer name: in version 22H2 and later, Windows Tools replaced Administrative Tools. Instead of hunting through separate menus or typing commands into the Run box, you get tools like Disk Management and the Registry Editor in one visual list. Knowing where the folder lives speeds up routine maintenance and system checks. Some tools in this list need administrator rights. If you are on a standard account, Windows asks for an administrator password when you launch one. How to Open the Windows Tools Menu via Control Panel The Control Panel route works on every edition of Windows 11, Home and Pro alike. It takes a few clicks and needs no commands. The folder opens in a File Explorer-style window with a shortcut for each tool. These steps open the Windows Tools menu from Control Panel. Press the Windows Key. The Start menu opens, and you can start typing to search. Type Control Panel and press Enter. The Control Panel window opens. Find the View by dropdown menu in the top-right corner of the window. It is set to Category by default. Select Large icons or Small icons. The list changes from categories to a flat list of icons. If you stay on the Category view, you will not see the Windows Tools icon. Click the Windows Tools icon. The folder opens and shows all the administrative shortcuts. How to Access Windows Tools Using the Run Command The Run command is the fastest way in if you are comfortable with the keyboard. It opens the same folder as Control Panel, with no menus to click through. It works on both Home and Pro. Press Win + R together. The Run dialog box opens in the lower-left corner of the screen. Type control admintools into the Open text field. Check the spelling before you go on. Press Enter. The folder containing all the system management applets opens on your screen. Double-click any shortcut to launch that tool. If the tool needs administrator rights, approve the prompt that appears. Core Utilities Found Inside the Windows Tools Menu The Windows Tools menu contains dozens of utilities for power users, IT administrators, and advanced troubleshooting. Think of it as the system tools menu for Windows. You will not need most of them day to day. The ones below are the ones I reach for most often. Knowing what each does helps you pick the right one for the job. Task Manager Task Manager is the system monitor and performance analyzer in Windows. Use it to end unresponsive programs, change which apps run at startup, and watch CPU, memory, disk, and network use in real time. You can also open it directly with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Two… **Key facts:** - The Windows Tools menu in Windows 11 sits at Start > All apps > Windows Tools. - It gathers more than 40 advanced system apps, management consoles, and troubleshooting utilities into one folder. - If you are looking for the Windows administrative tools, this is the same folder under its newer name: in version 22H2 and later, Windows Tools replaced Administrative Tools. - Instead of hunting through separate menus or typing commands into the Run box, you get tools like Disk Management and the Registry Editor in one visual list. - How to Open the Windows Tools Menu via Control Panel The Control Panel route works on every edition of Windows 11, Home and Pro alike. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How do I get the toolbar back? A: The Windows Tools folder is not a toolbar, so it doesn't sit on the taskbar by default. Open Start, select All apps, and scroll to Windows Tools. To make it quicker to reach, right-click Windows Tools and choose Pin to Start. The pinned tile gives you a one-click shortcut. - Q: How do I access the tools menu? A: Open Start and select All apps. Scroll down to Windows Tools and click it to see the full list, including Disk Management and Registry Editor. Some tools need an administrator account, and Windows will ask for a password if you are on a standard account. - Q: How do I access the Windows toolbar? A: Windows Tools is a folder, not a toolbar. Open Start, select All apps, and scroll to Windows Tools. In Windows 11 22H2 and later, it is the newer name for Administrative Tools, so look for that name in older guides. Its list includes Disk Management, Event Viewer, and Services. - Q: How do I find tools on my PC? A: Open Start, select All apps, and scroll to Windows Tools. Each tool in that folder has its own shortcut, so you can click straight to the one you need. If you know the tool's name, type it into the Search box in Start, such as Disk Management, to open it faster. --- ### How to Access the Documents Folder on This Computer - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-access-the-documents-folder-on-this-computer/ - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1391 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open File Explorer, click Home in the left navigation pane, then click the Documents icon under pinned folders. If Documents is not there, click This PC, double-click Local Disk (C:), open Users, open your account name folder and double-click Documents. The folder sits at C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents by default. **Content excerpt:** The Documents folder in Windows 11 is the default place for your personal files, Word documents and some app data. On a standard setup it sits at C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents, where USERNAME is your account name. Windows creates it on your main drive, inside your user profile, when you first set up the PC. Browsing to the folder yourself is slower than the shortcut covered below. It does show you where the folder actually lives. These steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and the list below takes you from the taskbar to your files. Open File Explorer. Click the yellow folder icon on the taskbar, or right-click the Start button and choose File Explorer. Click This PC in the left pane. The main window lists your drives and devices. Double-click your main drive, usually Local Disk (C:). You should see folders such as Program Files, Users and Windows. Open the Users folder. You will see one folder for each account on the PC. Open the folder that matches your account name. Inside it you will see Documents, Downloads, Pictures and other personal folders. Double-click Documents. Your files and subfolders appear in the main window. Other folders in Users, such as Public, belong to other accounts or are shared. Ignore them. Your own files are only in the folder with your name. Using File Explorer to Access Your Documents The quickest route is the left-hand sidebar in File Explorer, the file management app built into Windows. In Windows 11, the top entry in the navigation pane is called Home. Older versions of Windows called it Quick Access. Documents is pinned there by default, so a shortcut is always one click away. These steps open the Documents folder on this computer from the default File Explorer view: Press Windows Key + E on your keyboard. File Explorer opens, usually on the Home view. Look at the left-hand navigation pane. This is the column of shortcuts down the left side of the window. Click Home in the navigation pane. The main window shows your pinned and frequent folders. Click the Documents icon once. It is among the pinned folders. The folder opens and shows your files. Documents also appears as its own entry in the navigation pane. If it is missing from the pane, use the longer route from the section above. Click This PC, double-click your system drive (usually Local Disk (C:)), open Users, open your user profile folder, and double-click Documents. If the shortcut has disappeared from Home, the folder itself is fine. Right-click the folder and choose the pin option to pin it again. In current Windows 11 this reads Pin to Home. The Difference Between This PC and OneDrive Documents Without OneDrive, the Documents folder lives only on your local drive. OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service. It can take over your Documents folder so your files are saved online and reachable from other devices. Windows often turns this on during setup when you sign in with a Microsoft… **Key facts:** - The Documents folder in Windows 11 is the default place for your personal files, Word documents and some app data. - These steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and the list below takes you from the taskbar to your files. - In Windows 11, the top entry in the navigation pane is called Home. - Older versions of Windows called it Quick Access. - These steps open the Documents folder on this computer from the default File Explorer view: Press Windows Key + E on your keyboard. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Where is the documents folder on my computer? A: Your Documents folder sits on your main drive, C:, inside the Users folder. Open the folder with your account name, and Documents is inside it. Windows creates this folder automatically when you set up the PC, so it is in the same place on most computers. - Q: How do I find documents on this computer? A: Open File Explorer, click This PC in the left pane, then click Documents under it. If you cannot find it there, open C:, then Users, then the folder with your account name. To search for a specific file, type part of its name into the search box at the top right of File Explorer. - Q: Why can't I access my documents folder? A: The folder is usually blocked for one of three reasons. You may be signed in to a different account, so the folder belongs to someone else. If OneDrive backs up your Documents, a paused sync can hide the files. Or Controlled folder access in Windows Security may be stopping apps from reading it. - Q: How do I access my documents? A: Press the Windows key and E together to open File Explorer. Click This PC in the left pane, then double-click Documents to open it. Documents holds your Word files and other personal work, so check it first. If you cannot find a file, use the search box in File Explorer. --- ### How to Manage Update Restart Schedules in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-manage-update-restart-schedules-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-09-26 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 2879 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Windows Update and click Schedule the restart to pick an exact day and time for Windows 11 to finish installing a pending update. The option appears only when an update has already downloaded and needs a restart. To keep restarts out of your working day, click Advanced options and set Active hours from Automatically to Manually, then enter your Start time and End time. **Content excerpt:** To manage the Windows Update restart schedule in Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and use Schedule the restart or Active hours. These settings tell Windows when it may restart to finish installing updates, so it does not close your apps without warning. Windows 11 version 21H2 and later downloads updates in the background, then prompts for a restart. You can also control the timing through the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. Start with the Settings app. Every edition of Windows 11 has it, and nothing in it can damage the system. Use Group Policy or the registry only when you need more control, for example on several PCs or on a machine you manage for someone else. Schedule update installation The most direct way to avoid a surprise reboot is to pick an exact time for Windows 11 to restart and finish installing pending updates. These steps cover managing update restart schedules for a single update that is waiting. The option only appears when an update has already downloaded and needs a restart. If nothing is pending, the option is missing, and that is normal. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens on the System page. Click Windows Update in the left sidebar. You should see the update status, and a pending update shows a restart message. Click Schedule the restart. This button only shows when an update is waiting for a reboot. Turn the schedule on, then choose a day and time. Windows shows the time you picked on the Windows Update page. To undo this, go back to the same page and pick a different time. Or click Restart now if you would rather finish the update straight away. No restart is needed to save the schedule itself. Delay automatic restart You can hold off updates for a short time when one is already downloaded and you are in the middle of something. This does not cancel the update. It delays it, and Windows installs it once the pause ends. Open Settings. Press Windows Key + I if you want a shortcut. Click Windows Update. The update status page opens. Click Pause updates and choose how long to hold off incoming installations. The menu offers a fixed set of durations rather than a free-form number of days. You can instead select Restart options to temporarily extend the restart time for an update that is already downloaded. After you pause, the page shows that updates are paused and until when. A Resume updates button appears so you can end the pause early. Windows will not let you pause forever. Once the maximum pause is reached, you must install updates before you can pause again. Configure active hours Active hours tell Windows when you normally use the PC, so it avoids restarting automatically during that window. This is the setting to use if you want to schedule Windows updates reboots without interrupting meetings: set the window to cover your working day.… **Key facts:** - To manage the Windows Update restart schedule in Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and use Schedule the restart or Active hours. - These settings tell Windows when it may restart to finish installing updates, so it does not close your apps without warning. - Windows 11 version 21H2 and later downloads updates in the background, then prompts for a restart. - You can also control the timing through the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. - Every edition of Windows 11 has it, and nothing in it can damage the system. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to set auto reboot schedule? A: Open Settings with Windows Key + I, go to Windows Update, then select Schedule the restart. Pick your preferred date and time from the menu. Windows will install updates at that time instead of forcing a restart without warning. - Q: Can I schedule my computer to restart at a certain time? A: Yes. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, click Windows Update, then choose Schedule the restart. You can pick the exact day and time you want your PC to restart and install waiting updates. - Q: How do I stop a scheduled restart? A: Open Settings with Windows Key + I, go to Windows Update, and look for a scheduled restart. Click the option to change or remove it. You can also set Active hours to prevent automatic restarts during your work time. - Q: Why is my Windows Update taking so long to restart? A: The restart delay usually means Windows is still downloading or preparing the update in the background. Check Windows Update in Settings to see the progress. Large updates take longer. If it's stuck, restart your PC manually or check your internet connection. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Animations in Ubuntu - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-animations-in-ubuntu-linux/ - **Published:** 2023-01-14 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 666 - **Category:** Ubuntu Linux - **Tags:** Ubuntu Linux **Quick answer:** Open Settings, click Accessibility, and in the Seeing section switch off Enable Animations. Windows will open and close, with no fading or sliding, and the change takes effect immediately without a restart. You don't need an administrator password, and you can turn the switch back on at any time. **Content excerpt:** Ubuntu animations are the visual effects that make windows fade, slide, and bounce across your screen. Turning off these extra effects makes older or slower computers feel much faster and more responsive. This matters most on machines with weak graphics hardware or little memory, and on virtual machines, where the effects can look choppy. You can switch desktop animations on or off in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and newer versions whenever you want to trade fancy visuals for extra speed. The change applies to your own user account, takes effect right away, and needs no restart. You can reverse it at any time. Turn on or off desktop animations on Ubuntu Linux You can disable animations in Ubuntu from the main Settings app, using the accessibility options. Turning off these visual effects makes older computers feel faster and more responsive. Keeping them on makes windows fade and slide smoothly as you open and close them. You don't need to install anything or use the terminal for this. Any user can do it. You don't need an administrator password. ubuntu Linux activities overview search box Ubuntu Linux system menu settings button Open the Settings app and find the animation switch in the Accessibility section: Open the Settings app from the Activities overview or the application menu. Look at the menu on the left side of the Settings window. You may need to scroll down to see every entry. Click Accessibility. The panel on the right now shows the accessibility options. Find the Seeing section. In current Ubuntu releases, the "Enable Animations" toggle is in this section. The exact layout can differ slightly between Ubuntu releases. If you don't see the toggle right away, scroll the Accessibility panel or open the Seeing section. Newer releases may also word the label a little differently. Ubuntu Linux System Settings Accessibility Now set the animation switch the way you want it: Find the switch labeled Enable Animations. Turn the switch On if you want the visual effects, such as windows fading and sliding. Turn the switch Off if you want to remove them for a faster feel. Open a window, then close or minimize it. With animations off, it should appear and disappear instantly instead of fading or sliding. The change applies immediately, so you can close Settings when you're done. To undo it, go back to the same place and flip the switch the other way. Ubuntu Linux enables or disables the animation button Advanced: Managing specific animations The Settings switch is all or nothing. If you want finer control, you can manage specific animations in Ubuntu by installing the Extensions app or by using dconf-editor. These tools let you turn off individual visual effects, such as workspace switching fades or window minimizing transitions, without disabling every animation on your desktop. The Extensions app manages GNOME Shell extensions, which are small add-ons that change how the desktop looks and behaves. Install it from the Ubuntu software center, or from your package manager. Which animation changes… **Key facts:** - You can switch desktop animations on or off in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and newer versions whenever you want to trade fancy visuals for extra speed. - Turn on or off desktop animations on Ubuntu Linux You can disable animations in Ubuntu from the main Settings app, using the accessibility options. - ubuntu Linux activities overview search box Ubuntu Linux system menu settings button Open the Settings app and find the animation switch in the Accessibility section: Open the Settings app from the Activities overview or the application menu. - Look at the menu on the left side of the Settings window. - Ubuntu Linux System Settings Accessibility Now set the animation switch the way you want it: Find the switch labeled Enable Animations. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: The Accessibility page in Settings no longer shows the animation switch. Where did it go? A: In recent Ubuntu versions, the animation switch has moved, so it may not be under Accessibility or the Seeing section. Open Settings, click the search box at the top, and type "animations". Open the matching result to reach the switch. If the search finds nothing, go back to Accessibility and scroll through all of its sections. Once you find the… - Q: Why isn't the Enable Animations switch in the Seeing section of Ubuntu Settings? A: In recent Ubuntu versions, the animations switch has been renamed or moved, so it may no longer appear under Seeing. Open Settings and type "animations" in the search box at the top. If the search finds nothing, click Accessibility and scroll through all of its sections. If you still can't find an animation switch, your Ubuntu version may not include… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find Enable Animations in Seeing: In recent Ubuntu versions, this switch has been renamed or moved, so it may not appear under Seeing. To find it: 1. Open Settings and click the search box at the top. 2. Type animations and open the matching result. 3. If nothing matches, click Accessibility and scroll through every section of the panel. If you still can't find an… - If you can't find the animation switch under Accessibility: The animation switch still exists in Ubuntu, but in recent versions it has moved, so it may not be under Accessibility or the Seeing section. Try this: 1. Open Settings and click the search box at the top. 2. Type animations and open the matching result. 3. If nothing matches, click Accessibility and scroll through every section of the panel.… --- ### How to Turn Microsoft Copilot Connectors on or Off - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-microsoft-copilot-connectors-on-or-off/ - **Published:** 2026-07-06 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 946 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** On Copilot.com, click the "Open" icon, then select "Use connectors" and toggle the switch next to each service. On the Windows Copilot app, click your profile icon, select "Connectors," and toggle the switch for each service. **Content excerpt:** Microsoft Copilot connectors link your AI assistant to over 30 external apps, including Google Drive, Gmail, and SharePoint. Once a connector is on, Copilot can search your files and emails directly from the chat window. It can find a specific document by name, check your calendar schedule, or pull up contact details without you opening a separate app. You can turn individual connectors on or off at any time to control what Copilot can see and use. Each connector works on its own, so you can allow Gmail and leave Google Drive off. Connectors are off until you set them up, and Copilot only reaches an app after you sign in to that account and approve access. Which connectors you see depends on your Copilot version, your region, and whether you sign in with a personal Microsoft account or a work or school account. Menu labels may differ slightly between the Copilot app and the Copilot website, and Microsoft rolls features out in stages. If a connector is missing, that is the first thing to check. How to Turn Connectors On or Off Turning a connector on or off controls which apps Copilot can reach. You can change these settings whenever you like to manage what Copilot pulls from your cloud storage or email. To turn a connector on: Open Copilot and sign in with your Microsoft account. Open your profile or account menu and select Settings. Go to Settings > Connectors. You should see a list of available apps, each with its own switch or Connect button. Choose the app you want, such as Google Drive, Gmail, or SharePoint, and select Connect or turn its switch on. Sign in to that app's account when the prompt appears. A permission screen will list what Copilot is asking to see. Read the permissions, then approve them. The connector should now show as connected or on. To check that it works, ask Copilot something that needs the app, for example to find a file by name or to list what is on your calendar. If Copilot answers with details from that app, the connector is working. To turn a connector off: Go back to Settings > Connectors. Find the connector you no longer want. Turn its switch off, or select Disconnect. The status should change to show it is no longer connected. Turning a connector off stops Copilot from searching that app in new requests. It does not delete the files or emails in the app itself. To remove the permission completely, also review the connected apps or third-party access page in the account settings of that service, such as your Google account, and remove Copilot there. You can turn the connector back on later by repeating the steps above, though you may have to sign in again. If the connector list is greyed out or a connector is missing, check these things: You may not be signed in. Connectors need a signed-in account. On a work or school account, your administrator… **Key facts:** - Microsoft Copilot connectors link your AI assistant to over 30 external apps, including Google Drive, Gmail, and SharePoint. - Which connectors you see depends on your Copilot version, your region, and whether you sign in with a personal Microsoft account or a work or school account. - You can change these settings whenever you like to manage what Copilot pulls from your cloud storage or email. - Open your profile or account menu and select Settings. - To turn a connector off: Go back to Settings > Connectors. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: Why is there no Connectors option in Copilot Settings? A: Connectors has been renamed to Sources in recent versions of Copilot. Open your profile or account menu, select Settings, and look for Sources. It has the same switches and Connect buttons described in this guide. If you can't find it, search Settings for "Sources." On a work or school account, an administrator may have blocked connectors, so check with your… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find Connectors, look for Sources: Recent versions of Copilot renamed the Connectors page to Sources. Open your profile or account menu, select Settings, and look for an option called Sources. It works the same way, with a switch or Connect button for each app. If you can't see it, use the search box in Settings and type Sources. If it still doesn't appear on a… --- ### How to Turn Fade Inactive Tabs on or off in Microsoft Edge - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-fade-inactive-tabs-on-or-off-in-microsoft-edge/ - **Published:** 2026-06-10 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 493 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots menu in the top-right corner, then Settings > System and performance. Scroll down to find Fade inactive tabs and click the switch to turn it Off. Sleeping tabs will no longer appear dimmed and match your active tabs visually. **Content excerpt:** Fade inactive tabs is a visual feature in Microsoft Edge. It dims the tabs that Edge has put to sleep, so you can see at a glance which pages are saving memory. Sleeping tabs sit in a low-power mode, and Edge lowers their brightness by default to show it. If you would rather have every open tab keep its normal brightness, you can turn the fade effect off. The switch is under System and performance in Edge settings, not under Appearance. The steps below walk through it. The change takes effect immediately and does not need a restart. How to Stop Sleeping Tabs from Fading Fade inactive tabs only changes how sleeping tabs look. It does not stop them from sleeping. If you find the dimmed tabs distracting, turn the fade off like this: Open Microsoft Edge. Start the browser as you normally would. Open the settings menu. Click the three dots... in the top-right corner of the window. A menu drops down. Click Settings. A Settings page opens in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. Click System and performance. Find it in the left-hand list. If you can't see the list, widen the window, because Edge hides it when the window is narrow. Go to the Performance section. In the System and performance page, find the performance options, which cover sleeping tabs and related settings. Find the Fade inactive tabs option. Scroll down until you see the setting named Fade inactive tabs. In some Edge versions the label reads Fade sleeping tabs. It is the same setting. It usually sits just below the switch that turns on sleeping tabs. Turn the switch off. It is normally On by default. Click it once. The switch slides to the left and changes color to show it is Off. If the option is greyed out, the sleeping tabs feature itself is probably turned off. Turn on sleeping tabs first, and the fade option becomes available. If your PC is managed by an employer or school, the setting may be locked by policy, and only your administrator can change it. micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Tabs that go to sleep will no longer look faded. They match your active tabs visually, but Edge still puts them into low-power mode in the background and still saves the same memory. To check, leave a few tabs alone for a while and look at the tab strip. Sleeping tabs should keep their normal brightness. To undo the change, go back to the same page and click the switch again so it shows On. Sleeping tabs will fade again straight away. Summary The fade setting controls only how sleeping tabs look, not how they save resources. You can turn the dimming on or off in Edge settings whenever you like, depending on whether you want every tab to look the same or want a visual cue for the ones that are asleep. **Key facts:** - The switch is under System and performance in Edge settings, not under Appearance. - A Settings page opens in a new tab, with a list of categories down the left side. - In the System and performance page, find the performance options, which cover sleeping tabs and related settings. - In some Edge versions the label reads Fade sleeping tabs. - micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Tabs that go to sleep will no longer look faded. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I can't find the Fade inactive tabs setting in Edge. Where did it go? A: In recent versions of Edge, the Fade inactive tabs setting has been moved or renamed, so it may not be in the place this guide describes. Open Edge settings and use the search box at the top of the Settings page. Type "fade" or "sleeping tabs" and open the matching result. If nothing shows up, check the System and performance… **Extra help under the steps:** - If you can't find Fade inactive tabs: The setting still exists, but in recent versions of Edge it has been moved or renamed, so it may not be where this step describes. Try this: 1. On the Settings page, click the search box at the top and type fade, or sleeping tabs. 2. Open the result that matches. 3. If nothing appears, look through the Settings categories… --- ### How to Disable Autoplay in Edge on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-media-autoplay-for-websites-in-microsoft-edge/ - **Published:** 2026-04-21 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 807 - **Category:** Browsers, Windows - **Tags:** Microsoft Edge **Quick answer:** Open Microsoft Edge, click the 3-dot menu and select Settings. Go to Cookies and site permissions, scroll down to Media autoplay, and select Block. Reload your tabs to apply the change. This stops websites from playing videos and audio automatically when you open a page. **Content excerpt:** Disabling autoplay in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 stops websites from playing unwanted videos and audio the moment you open a page. Edge allows media playback by default. A quick settings change blocks these surprise interruptions, saves internet data, and keeps your browsing quiet. You can manage this inside the browser settings, either to limit media playback globally or to add specific websites to an exception list. There are three ways to do it, and this guide covers each: Edge settings work on every edition of Windows 11 and suit most people. The Registry Editor enforces the rule at system level and needs administrator rights. Group Policy is for Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education, or for managed and multi-user PCs. Why the 'Block' Option Might Be Missing Missing the "Block" option entirely? That is common. Depending on your Edge version, the Media autoplay setting may only offer Allow and Limit. A stricter Block choice is tied to experimental features known as browser flags, and Edge often hides it unless that flag is switched on. If you do not see Block, try Limit first. It stops most pages from starting media on their own. Option One: Standard Settings You can disable autoplay in Edge using the built-in browser settings without installing extra tools. It takes only a few clicks, which makes it the best method for everyday users and the only one you need on Windows 11 Home. In short, open Edge and go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Media autoplay. Pick the most restrictive option available, then follow the numbered steps below. After you change the setting, reload any tab that is already open. Pages that were loaded earlier can keep playing until you refresh them. Open Microsoft Edge. Click the 3-dot menu and select Settings. Click Cookies and site permissions on the left. Scroll down and click Media autoplay. Select Block to stop all media from playing automatically. micrsoft edge browser more option and settings Option Two: Using the Registry Editor You can disable autoplay in Edge through the Registry Editor if you prefer system-level control. This method requires administrator privileges and lets you enforce restrictions across the browser using specific registry keys. Registry edits can break things if you mistype, so back up the registry or create a restore point first. Also close Edge before you start. Warning: Incorrect changes to the registry can cause system instability. Proceed with caution. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Approve the User Account Control prompt if it appears. The Registry Editor opens. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge If the key does not exist, right-click Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it Edge. The new key appears in the left pane. Right-click the Edge key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it MediaAutoplayLimit. The new value appears in the right pane. Double-click MediaAutoplayLimit and set the Value data to 1 to limit or 2 to block. Click OK. Close the Registry Editor and restart… **Key facts:** - Disabling autoplay in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 stops websites from playing unwanted videos and audio the moment you open a page. - A quick settings change blocks these surprise interruptions, saves internet data, and keeps your browsing quiet. - You can manage this inside the browser settings, either to limit media playback globally or to add specific websites to an exception list. - There are three ways to do it, and this guide covers each: Edge settings work on every edition of Windows 11 and suit most people. - The Registry Editor enforces the rule at system level and needs administrator rights. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: I can't find Cookies and site permissions in Edge settings. Where did it go? A: In recent versions of Edge, this part of the settings has been changed and moved, so the name in the guide may not match what you see. Open Edge's Settings from the 3-dot menu, then type autoplay into the search box at the top of the Settings page. Select the Media autoplay result and follow the rest of the steps… **Extra help under the steps:** - If Cookies and site permissions is missing: This setting has moved in recent versions of Edge, so you won't find it under that name. Open Settings from the 3-dot menu, then type autoplay into the search box at the top of the Settings page. Click the Media autoplay result, and continue from step 4. If the search finds nothing, make sure Edge is fully updated, then try… --- ### Turn On Bluetooth from Quick Settings in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/turn-on-bluetooth-from-quick-settings-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1802 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To turn on Bluetooth from Quick Settings in Windows 11, press the Windows key + A to open the Quick Settings panel, then select the Bluetooth tile. A blue tile means Bluetooth is on. The steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro and need no administrator rights. Paired devices such as headphones or a mouse usually reconnect within a few seconds. **Content excerpt:** Quick Settings in Windows 11 includes a Bluetooth tile that switches your PC's Bluetooth radio on or off with one click. Bluetooth connects headphones, mice, keyboards and speakers to your PC without a cable. To open the panel, press the Windows key + A, then select the Bluetooth tile. The same steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Turn Bluetooth on from Quick Settings in a few seconds. If the tile is missing or will not stay on, the troubleshooting sections below show what to check. Turn On Bluetooth from Quick Settings These steps open Quick Settings and switch Bluetooth on, so your PC can find and connect to Bluetooth devices. The Quick Settings steps do not need administrator rights. Later sections, such as Device Manager and the Bluetooth Support Service, do need them, and those steps are flagged. Press the Windows key + A. The Quick Settings panel (the small control panel for Wi-Fi, volume, brightness and similar toggles) opens above the right end of the taskbar. You can also click the network, speaker or battery icon in the taskbar to open the same panel. Find the Bluetooth tile. It sits in the grid of rounded tiles with Wi-Fi and Airplane mode. If you cannot see it, go to the section on adding the tile below, then return to this step. Select the Bluetooth tile once. The tile fills with your accent color (blue by default). A tile with a plain grey or dark background is off. Read the label under the tile name. It shows Not connected if no device is linked, or the name of a connected device such as your headphones. Close the panel by pressing Esc or clicking anywhere on the desktop. Bluetooth stays on after the panel closes. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices to confirm the change. The Bluetooth toggle at the top of the page now reads On. Step 6 is optional. Skip it if you only want to switch Bluetooth on. Keep it if you want to see which devices are already paired, because Quick Settings only shows a short summary. Other Ways to Open Quick Settings The keyboard shortcut is the fastest route, but it is not the only one. On a touchscreen, tap the network, volume or battery icons in the system tray. The system tray is the group of icons at the right end of the taskbar. If the taskbar is hidden or set to auto-hide, move the pointer to the bottom edge of the screen first. The Windows key + A shortcut works whether or not the taskbar is hidden, so it is the most reliable option. What You Should See After Bluetooth Is On Once the tile turns on, Windows turns on the Bluetooth hardware and reconnects to devices it has paired before. Headphones or a mouse you paired before usually connect within a few seconds, as long as the device is switched on and in range. A new device will not appear on its… **Key facts:** - Quick Settings in Windows 11 includes a Bluetooth tile that switches your PC's Bluetooth radio on or off with one click. - The same steps work on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Turn Bluetooth on from Quick Settings in a few seconds. - Turn On Bluetooth from Quick Settings These steps open Quick Settings and switch Bluetooth on, so your PC can find and connect to Bluetooth devices. - The Quick Settings steps do not need administrator rights. --- ### Assign a Color Profile to a Display in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/assign-a-color-profile-to-a-display-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1879 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To assign a color profile to a display in Windows 11, press Windows + R, type colorcpl, and press Enter. On the Devices tab, select your display, tick Use my settings for this device, click Add, choose your.icc.icm file, then click Set as Default Profile. Install the file first by right-clicking it and selecting Install Profile, which needs administrator rights. **Content excerpt:** A color profile in Windows 11 is an ICC file (a standard format named after the International Color Consortium, which describes how a display reproduces color). Assigning one takes about two minutes in the Color Management window. To open it, press Windows + R, type colorcpl, and press Enter. Recent builds of Windows 11 also add a Color profile drop-down at Settings > System > Display. Use it when it appears on your PC. This article covers both routes. Use whichever one your build shows. You need the profile file, usually ending in.icc or.icm. Installing it needs administrator rights. What You Need Before You Start Three things affect the process: where the profile comes from, which display you target, and your account type. Get the Right Profile File The best source is the support page for your exact monitor model. Look for a driver or "color profile" download. Manufacturers often bundle an ICC profile in the driver package, sometimes inside a ZIP file. A profile made with a hardware calibrator (a device that sits on the screen and measures its colors) is more accurate than a generic one. It describes your individual panel, not the average for that model. If you have no profile at all, the built-in Display Color Calibration tool can create one. The Display Color Calibration section near the end of this article explains how. Know Which Account Rights You Need Installing a profile copies it into a protected system folder, so it triggers a User Account Control (UAC) prompt. A standard account must enter administrator credentials at that prompt. Assigning a profile for your own sign-in does not need administrator rights. Setting a profile for every user on the PC does. Color Management works the same way on Windows 11 Home and Pro. There is no edition difference for this task. How to Assign a Color Profile to a Display in Windows 11 These steps install the profile and then customize color profiles for displays through the Color Management window, which works on every current build of Windows 11. Complete them in order. Download the profile file from your monitor maker's support page. Save it somewhere easy to find, such as the Downloads folder. If it arrives as a ZIP file, right-click it and select Extract All first. Right-click the.icc or.icm file. Windows 11 shows a short context menu. If you do not see the install option, select Show more options to open the full menu. Select Install Profile. This step needs administrator rights. Approve the UAC prompt if one appears. Nothing visible happens. Windows copies the file to C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color. Press Windows + R. The Run dialog opens. Type colorcpl in the box and press Enter. The Color Management window opens. Select the Devices tab. This tab lists every display and color device Windows detects. Open the Device drop-down and select your display. Entries look like "Display: 1. Generic PnP Monitor". PnP stands for plug and play, the standard that lets Windows detect hardware automatically. If… **Key facts:** - A color profile in Windows 11 is an ICC file (a standard format named after the International Color Consortium, which describes how a display reproduces color). - Recent builds of Windows 11 also add a Color profile drop-down at Settings > System > Display. - Color Management works the same way on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - How to Assign a Color Profile to a Display in Windows 11 These steps install the profile and then customize color profiles for displays through the Color Management window, which works on every current build of Windows 11. - Windows copies the file to C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color. --- ### How to Check Update History Logs in Windows 11 Update & Security - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-check-update-history-logs-in-windows-11-update-security/ - **Published:** 2026-09-23 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-17 - **Word count:** 1968 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history to see every recent install and whether it succeeded or failed, with the error code for any failure. For deeper detail, open Event Viewer and go to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational, or run Get-WindowsUpdateLog in an administrator PowerShell window to create a WindowsUpdate.log file on your desktop. **Content excerpt:** Checking update history logs in Windows 11 starts at Settings > Windows Update > Update history. That page lists each recent install and whether it succeeded or failed. Event Viewer and a log file built with PowerShell hold the deeper detail. Update history logs record every system patch, driver installation, and security fix applied to the PC, with success and failure codes. When an update fails, the records give you the exact hexadecimal error code, a long code beginning with 0x. That code helps you track down stubborn driver conflicts and pending patches that keep the PC from updating. How to access Windows Update logs in Windows 11 and Windows 10 You can read your update records in the graphical interface or export a raw text file for deeper analysis. The quickest view is the Settings app. In Windows 11 this page sits under Windows Update, not in the "Update & Security" section that Windows 10 used. These steps show the update history in Settings and work the same on Home and Pro editions. Open Settings. Use the Start menu or the pinned Settings icon. Select Windows Update in the left-hand list. The page shows the current update status and any pending updates. Select Update history. It is in the More options section further down the page. The page lists recent installs, grouped by type, with a status of Successfully installed or Failed to install beside each one. That summary is handy for a quick check. The raw log files go further. They give you minute-by-minute debugging data when you need to work out why something failed. Viewing Windows Update logs using the Event Manager Event Viewer records background actions the operating system takes, including update attempts. It shows a detailed history of past installations without any extra software. To open it from search, type event viewer in the Start menu search bar and press Enter. The steps below use the Start button instead. Follow these steps to read the Windows Update events in Event Viewer. Right-click the Start button on your taskbar. A menu of system tools appears. Select Event Viewer. The Event Viewer window opens with a folder tree on the left. Expand Applications and Services Logs in the left-hand pane. Click the arrow next to Microsoft. The folder expands. Click the arrow next to Windows. Its subfolders appear. The list is long, so expect a lot of entries. Scroll down and select WindowsUpdateClient. Two items appear beneath it. Click Operational. The central pane now lists update events and errors, newest first. Click any entry to read its details in the lower pane. Event ID 19 normally marks a successful install and Event ID 20 a failed one. To narrow a long list, use Filter Current Log in the right-hand Actions pane. Then tick Error and Warning. Clear the filter from the same pane when you want the full list back. Exporting Windows Update log files using Get-WindowsUpdateLog (PowerShell) Windows stores raw update data as ETW (Event Tracing… **Key facts:** - Checking update history logs in Windows 11 starts at Settings > Windows Update > Update history. - When an update fails, the records give you the exact hexadecimal error code, a long code beginning with 0x. - How to access Windows Update logs in Windows 11 and Windows 10 You can read your update records in the graphical interface or export a raw text file for deeper analysis. - In Windows 11 this page sits under Windows Update, not in the "Update & Security" section that Windows 10 used. - These steps show the update history in Settings and work the same on Home and Pro editions. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How can I check my Windows update logs? A: Open Settings, select Windows Update, then select Update history. The page lists each recent install and whether it succeeded or failed, with an error code for any failure. Windows 11 keeps this under Windows Update, not Update & Security. For more detail, open Event Viewer or export a log file with PowerShell. - Q: How do I check my search history with the new update? A: Windows Update history does not record searches, so it will not show them. To view or clear the searches Windows saves on this PC, open Settings, select Privacy & security, then select Search permissions. Find the History section there to view or clear device search history. - Q: How to view Windows 10 activity history? A: Open Settings, select Privacy, then select Activity history. Check "Let Windows collect my activities from this PC" if you want Windows to save them. To browse past activity, press Windows key + Tab to open Task View and scroll through the timeline. --- ### How to Start Voice Typing in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-start-voice-typing-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-06-05 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1233 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To start voice typing in Windows 11, click inside a text box and press the Windows key and H together. A microphone bar appears near the top of the screen and shows "Listening..." when it is ready. Voice typing needs an internet connection and a working microphone. Press Windows key + H again to stop. **Content excerpt:** To start voice typing in Windows 11, click inside a text box and press the Windows key and the H key together. A small microphone bar opens near the top of the screen and Windows starts listening. Voice typing is a built-in feature that turns spoken words into on-screen text in almost any app or document. It works like a live scribe, so you can write messages and emails without a physical keyboard. It is part of both Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it needs no extra download. This tutorial covers the shortcut, a second method that uses the touch keyboard, and what to check if the microphone bar stays silent. What You Need Voice typing needs three things. Check them before you start, because a missing one is the most common reason it fails. An Internet Connection: Windows sends your speech to an online speech recognition service and gets text back. If you are offline, voice typing cannot turn your words into text. A slow or unstable connection shows up as long delays or missing words. A Working Microphone: Your computer has to hear you. The microphone can be built in, such as a laptop mic, or external, such as a USB headset. Plug it in and test it before you dictate. If Windows cannot hear it, check that the correct input device is selected. Also check that microphone access is allowed for apps in Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Your Cursor in a Text Box: Voice typing needs to know where to put your words. Click inside any place where you can type, such as a document, email, search bar or chat window. If no text field is active, nothing will appear. How to Turn On Voice Typing These steps start voice typing in Windows 11 with one keyboard shortcut. The shortcut works in any text box, document or email field on the system, whenever you want to dictate instead of type. Click inside the text box. This is where your spoken words will appear, so a blinking cursor should be visible. Press the Windows key and the H key at the same time. There is no need to hold them down, because a quick press of both is enough. Look at the top of the screen. The voice typing bar should appear with a microphone icon. Wait for the "Listening..." message. It means the microphone is active. If you speak too early, the first words of your sentence can be dropped. Speak at a normal pace. The text appears at your cursor as you talk. Click the microphone icon on the bar to stop. Pressing Windows key + H again also stops dictation. Windows 11 gives you more than one way to launch voice typing. The shortcut is the fastest, and the touch keyboard is the alternative. Using a Keyboard Shortcut The Windows key is the one on a standard keyboard with a window logo on it. Pressing it together with H opens the… **Key facts:** - To start voice typing in Windows 11, click inside a text box and press the Windows key and the H key together. - It is part of both Windows 11 Home and Pro, and it needs no extra download. - This tutorial covers the shortcut, a second method that uses the touch keyboard, and what to check if the microphone bar stays silent. - Also check that microphone access is allowed for apps in Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. - How to Turn On Voice Typing These steps start voice typing in Windows 11 with one keyboard shortcut. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to enable voice typing in Windows? A: To enable voice typing, click the text box where you want to write, then press the Windows key and H together. A small microphone bar appears at the top of the screen. Voice typing works with an internet connection, so check that you are online first, then start speaking. - Q: How to activate voice typing? A: To activate voice typing, press the Windows key and H together while your cursor is in a text box. The microphone bar opens, and the microphone icon turns on when Windows is listening. Click the microphone icon to start or stop dictating. Speak in complete sentences for the best results. - Q: How to activate voice typing inwindows 11? A: To activate voice typing in Windows 11, click inside a text box, then press the Windows key and H at the same time. The microphone bar appears on screen. Speak clearly, and say punctuation words such as "period" or "comma" to add punctuation. - Q: How to use voice typing in Windows 11? A: To use voice typing in Windows 11, place your cursor where you want the text, press the Windows key and H together, and wait for the microphone bar to appear. Speak at a normal pace. Your words appear as you speak. To stop, click the microphone icon. - Q: How do I access voice to text on my laptop? A: On a laptop, open the app or text box you want to type in, then press the Windows key and H. This starts voice typing, which is built into Windows 11. You need an internet connection and a working microphone, such as the one built into your laptop. - Q: What keys do I press to get the Microsoft microphone to talk text? A: Make sure your cursor is in a text box first. Then press the Windows key and H together to turn the Microsoft microphone into a voice-to-text tool. Voice typing starts, and the microphone bar opens so you can speak. Click the microphone icon in the bar to pause or resume listening. --- ### How to Set an Alarm in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-set-an-alarm-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1718 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Start, type Clock, and press Enter, then select Alarm in the left pane and select the + button to add one. Set the hour and minute, give it a name, choose repeat days if needed, then select Save. The alarm rings with a sound and a notification, provided the PC is on and not in shutdown or hibernation. **Content excerpt:** Setting an alarm in Windows 11 uses the built-in Clock app, which stores any number of alarms and rings them even when the app is closed. The fastest route is Start > Clock > Alarm > the add button, then set a time and save. The Clock app is the Windows 11 name for what Windows 10 called Alarms & Clock. It also holds a timer, stopwatch, world clock and Focus sessions (timed work periods with short breaks). This article covers only the alarm side: creating one, editing or deleting it, and making sure it sounds when your PC is locked or idle. No administrator rights are needed for any step here. What You Need Before You Set an Alarm The Clock app ships with Windows 11, so there is nothing to install on most PCs. If it is missing, the troubleshooting section below shows how to get it back. Three things decide whether an alarm sounds on time, and it helps to check them now: The PC must be on. An alarm cannot ring on a PC that is shut down or hibernating (a power-saving state that saves your open work to disk). Sleep is less clear-cut, and a later section covers it. The volume must be up. The alarm plays through your default speakers or headphones. If the system volume is muted, you get a silent pop-up. Notifications must be allowed. The alarm appears as a Windows notification with Snooze and Dismiss buttons. If you have blocked Clock notifications, you may miss it. How to Set an Alarm in Windows 11 These steps set an alarm in Windows 11 from a blank Clock app to a saved, active alarm. Steps 9 to 11 are optional: step 9 names the alarm, step 10 sets the repeat days, and step 11 changes the alarm sound and snooze time. The sound and snooze choices are worth a look. Select Start on the taskbar. The Start menu opens with a search box at the top. Type Clock into the search box. The Clock app appears as the top result. Press Enter to open the Clock app. The window opens on the last page you used, often Focus sessions. Select Alarm in the left-hand pane. If the window is narrow, the pane shrinks to icons, and you pick the alarm icon instead. The page lists your alarms. A new install often shows a 7:00 AM alarm that is switched off. Select the + button at the bottom right of the window. The Add new alarm dialog opens. Scroll the hour column to the hour you want. Use your mouse wheel, or select the arrows above and below the number. Scroll the minute column to the minute you want. Alarms can be set to any single minute, not only to the quarter hour. Choose AM or PM if the time picker shows that column. PCs set to a 24-hour clock show no AM or PM choice, so skip this step on those. Click the… **Key facts:** - Setting an alarm in Windows 11 uses the built-in Clock app, which stores any number of alarms and rings them even when the app is closed. - The Clock app is the Windows 11 name for what Windows 10 called Alarms & Clock. - No administrator rights are needed for any step here. - What You Need Before You Set an Alarm The Clock app ships with Windows 11, so there is nothing to install on most PCs. - How to Set an Alarm in Windows 11 These steps set an alarm in Windows 11 from a blank Clock app to a saved, active alarm. --- ### How to Enable Auto Adjust Screen Brightness during Face Recognition in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-auto-adjust-screen-brightness-during-face-recognition-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 375 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings (Win+I), select Accounts, then select Sign-in options. Under Ways to sign in, expand Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and tick or clear "Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition" to turn it on or off. The option is on by default and needs Windows 11 build 26340.9750 (Experimental 26H2) or later. **Content excerpt:** Windows Hello, the face, fingerprint and PIN sign-in system, can brighten your screen for a moment when the room is too dark for it to see your face. This tutorial shows you how to turn that option on or off for your account in Windows 11. The option works with face sign-in on an infrared (IR) camera, which sees using infrared light. That camera can be built into your PC or plugged in from outside. Windows adds this option starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9750 (Experimental 26H2) for Windows Insiders, people who test preview versions of Windows before release. If your PC is not on that build, the steps below will not apply. How the feature works When Windows Hello sees that the room is too dark, it raises your screen brightness. The screen then lights up your face, so the camera can see it. When sign-in completes or the attempt ends, brightness returns to its previous level. You don't need to reset it yourself. Windows raises the brightness only when the IR camera can see your face but the regular color camera cannot. The regular camera needs more light to work. If you turn the option off, Windows doesn't change your brightness during face sign-in. Facial recognition may then fail in dark rooms. If face sign-in still fails after a brightness increase, you can sign in with your PIN or fingerprint instead. Turn automatic brightness adjustment on or off Open Settings ( Win+I). Select Accounts on the left, then select Sign-in options on the right. Open Sign-in options settings Under Ways to sign in, select Facial recognition (Windows Hello) to expand it. Select the Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition checkbox to turn the feature on (the default), or clear it to turn the feature off. Close Settings. Read the build notes in the Windows Insider Blog post from 16 October 2026 for the latest details. https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2026/10/16/announcing-new-builds-for-16-october-2026 What to do next To reverse the change, return to Accounts > Sign-in options > Facial recognition (Windows Hello) and turn the option back on or off using the same Automatically adjust screen brightness during face recognition setting you changed. If face sign-in doesn't work in a dark room, use your PIN or fingerprint to get in. **Key facts:** - This tutorial shows you how to turn that option on or off for your account in Windows 11. - Windows adds this option starting with Windows 11 build 26340.9750 (Experimental 26H2) for Windows Insiders, people who test preview versions of Windows before release. - If your PC is not on that build, the steps below will not apply. - Turn automatic brightness adjustment on or off Open Settings ( Win+I). - Open Sign-in options settings Under Ways to sign in, select Facial recognition (Windows Hello) to expand it. --- ### Copy Files from a USB Drive to Your Laptop in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/copy-files-from-a-usb-drive-to-your-laptop-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1741 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To copy files from a USB drive to your laptop in Windows 11, plug in the drive, open File Explorer, select the files, press Ctrl + C, then open a folder such as Documents and press Ctrl + V. The originals stay on the USB drive, and the copy takes about a minute for small transfers. **Content excerpt:** File Explorer copies files from a USB drive to a Windows 11 laptop. Small transfers usually finish in about a minute. To copy files from a USB drive to your laptop, plug in the drive. Open File Explorer, select the files and copy them. Then paste them into a folder on the laptop, such as Documents. File Explorer is the Windows 11 file manager, the window where you browse folders and drives. The same method copies photos, documents, videos and whole folders. It works with USB flash drives and external USB hard drives too. The numbered steps below cover the full process, from plugging in to removing the drive safely. After them, you'll find fixes for the problems that most often get in the way. What "download from USB to laptop" actually means Nothing is downloaded from the internet in this task. Windows copies files from the USB drive to the laptop's internal storage, and the originals stay on the USB drive unless you choose to move them. Copy and move are different actions. Copy leaves the original in place. Move (Cut and Paste) removes it from the USB drive once the transfer finishes. If you are unsure, copy. A copy costs nothing, and you can delete the originals later after checking the files opened correctly. Copy files from a USB drive to your laptop step by step These steps download from USB to laptop by copying the files into a folder on the laptop's own drive. No administrator rights are needed for any of them. Plug the USB drive into a USB port on the laptop. Windows 11 plays a connection sound. A notification or an AutoPlay prompt may appear in the corner of the screen. You can ignore it. The first time you use a drive, Windows may take a few seconds to set it up. Open File Explorer. Press the Windows key + E, or select the yellow folder icon on the taskbar. A File Explorer window opens. Select the USB drive in the left pane. Look for an entry named after the drive with a letter in brackets, such as USB Drive (E:). If you don't see it there, select This PC and look under Devices and drives. The letter varies from one computer to another. The folders and files on the drive appear in the main pane. Open the folder that holds your files. Double-click each folder until you reach the files you want. If they sit at the top level of the drive, stay where you are. Select the files or folders to copy. Click one item to select it. Hold Ctrl and click to add more items one at a time. Click the first item, hold Shift and click the last to select a continuous range. Press Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder. Selected items turn light blue. Press Ctrl + C to copy the selection. You can also select the Copy icon on the command bar at the top… **Key facts:** - File Explorer copies files from a USB drive to a Windows 11 laptop. - File Explorer is the Windows 11 file manager, the window where you browse folders and drives. - The same method copies photos, documents, videos and whole folders. - The numbered steps below cover the full process, from plugging in to removing the drive safely. - Copy files from a USB drive to your laptop step by step These steps download from USB to laptop by copying the files into a folder on the laptop's own drive. --- ### Change the Microsoft Store Download Path in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/change-the-microsoft-store-download-path-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1532 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** To change the Microsoft Store download path in Windows 11, open Settings, go to System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, then choose a drive under New apps will save to and click Apply. New Store apps will install on that drive. Existing apps stay where they are, and the drive must be connected and formatted as NTFS. **Content excerpt:** Changing the Microsoft Store download path in Windows 11 means telling Windows to install new Store apps and games on a different drive than C:. The quickest way is Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, then pick a drive under New apps will save to. The Microsoft Store has no separate download folder to point elsewhere. Windows treats the install location as a system-wide storage setting, and the change takes effect for the next app you install. What This Setting Changes (and What It Doesn't) Read what the setting does before you change it. That way, you will not expect a result Windows cannot give. New installs go to the drive you choose By default, Windows puts Microsoft Store apps in a protected WindowsApps folder inside Program Files on the C: drive. After you change the setting, new Store apps install to a WindowsApps folder on the drive you pick. Windows creates that folder for you. The setting is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. It needs no restart in normal use. Apps already installed stay where they are The setting never moves existing apps. Anything installed before the change stays on C: until you move it yourself. The section on moving installed apps below covers that, including why the option is sometimes missing. What the new drive needs Choose a drive that is connected, has free space and is formatted as NTFS (the standard Windows file system). Store apps expect NTFS. If the drive is external, keep it plugged in. Apps on a disconnected drive will not start. Administrator privileges: Windows may ask for approval when you apply the change. If you use a standard account, have an administrator sign in or approve the prompt. How to Change the Microsoft Store Download Path in Windows 11 Follow the numbered steps below to set a new default drive for Store apps. They use the Settings app only. No registry edit is needed. Press Windows + I to open Settings. The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. Click System in the left pane. The main pane shows Display, Sound, Notifications and other System pages. Scroll down and click Storage. This page shows how much space each type of file uses on C:. Click Advanced storage settings to expand it. A short list of extra options appears underneath. Click Where new content is saved. A page opens with several dropdown lists, one for each type of content. Find New apps will save to and open its dropdown. The list shows each drive Windows detects, with a letter such as C: or D:. Select the drive you want. If the drive you expect is missing, see the troubleshooting section below. Click Apply next to the dropdown. The button appears once you pick a different drive. Approve the administrator prompt if Windows shows one. Check that the dropdown now shows your chosen drive. If it reverts to C:,… **Key facts:** - Changing the Microsoft Store download path in Windows 11 means telling Windows to install new Store apps and games on a different drive than C:. - The quickest way is Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved, then pick a drive under New apps will save to. - The setting is the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - How to Change the Microsoft Store Download Path in Windows 11 Follow the numbered steps below to set a new default drive for Store apps. - The Settings window opens with a list of categories on the left. --- ### How to Turn On or off Automatically Restart Apps When You Sign Back In on Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-automatically-restart-apps-when-you-sign-back-in-on-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1025 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, scroll to Additional settings, and toggle Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in to On. Your apps reopen when you next sign in, with no restart required. **Content excerpt:** Automatically restarting apps in Windows 11 reopens the programs you had running, along with your File Explorer tabs, as soon as you sign back in to your account. You pick up where you left off instead of rebuilding your workspace by hand. Starting with Windows 11 version 25H2, turning this feature on also saves your open folder tabs in File Explorer automatically. You can turn the feature on or off in your sign-in settings, depending on whether you want your apps back or a clean desktop at every login. The setting is per user account. Changing it on your account does not affect other people who use the same PC. The steps below work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. Option 1: Turn On or Off Automatically Restart Apps Using Settings Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. You should see the Settings window with a list of categories on the left. Click Accounts on the left side. Then click Sign-in options on the right side. The page now shows your sign-in methods, such as PIN, password or security key. Scroll down to Additional settings and find the option called Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in. Switch it On to enable this feature or Off to disable it. The change applies immediately, and you don't need to restart the PC. Close the Settings window when you're done. This built-in feature lets your computer remember which programs were open when you shut down or signed out, and reopen them when you sign back in. To change it, open Settings, go to Accounts, then Sign-in options, and switch the restartable apps setting on or off to suit you. A few things to know: Only apps that support being restarted come back. Some programs will still open empty or not reopen at all. If you don't see the option, your PC is probably on an older build of Windows 11. Run Windows Update and check again. If the option is greyed out or switches itself back, a work or school policy may be managing the setting. Ask your administrator. To undo the change, open the same page and flip the switch back. Nothing else needs to be reset. Option 2: Turn On or Off Automatically Restart Apps Using the Registry (for advanced users) You can also change this setting using the Registry Editor (a database for system settings). Be careful when making changes here, because a wrong edit can cause problems that are hard to trace. Before you start, create a restore point or export a backup of the registry so you can roll back if something goes wrong. You need an administrator account to make changes. After you edit the setting, sign out and sign back in, or restart the PC, so Windows reads the new value. To undo the change, set the value back to what it was or restore your backup. To Turn On Automatically Restart Apps:… **Key facts:** - Automatically restarting apps in Windows 11 reopens the programs you had running, along with your File Explorer tabs, as soon as you sign back in to your account. - Starting with Windows 11 version 25H2, turning this feature on also saves your open folder tabs in File Explorer automatically. - You can turn the feature on or off in your sign-in settings, depending on whether you want your apps back or a clean desktop at every login. - The steps below work the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. - Option 1: Turn On or Off Automatically Restart Apps Using Settings Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: When I login into my laptop some apps automatically open so how to change it? A: Open Settings with Windows key + I, then go to Accounts > Sign-in options. Scroll to Additional settings and turn off Automatically save my restartable apps when I sign out and restart them when I sign in. Apps that launch on their own are controlled separately under Settings > Apps > Startup. - Q: What apps wouldforce Windows 11 to turn back on automatically? A: Windows reopens the apps you had open when you signed out, as long as the Automatically save my restartable apps setting is on. Apps set to start with Windows, such as OneDrive or Microsoft Teams, can also open at sign-in. To stop those, check Settings > Apps > Startup. - Q: How to restart app upon win 11 turning on? A: Turn on the restart setting under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings. Once it's on, Windows reopens your running apps after each sign-in. Starting with version 25H2, your File Explorer folder tabs are saved as well. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. - Q: How to undo a desktop app automatic sign in? A: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then select the Startup apps tab. Click the app, then click Disable. It stops opening at sign-in. You can turn it back on the same way, and the app itself is not removed. - Q: How to auto login Windows , then log back out to auto load programs? A: Auto sign-in skips the password prompt, so anyone who turns on the PC can reach your files. Use it only on a private PC. To set it up, press Windows key + R, type netplwiz, clear Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, and click OK. Then turn on the restart setting under Sign-in options. - Q: Can Windows 11 when booting open previously opened applications? A: Yes, but only if the restart setting is on. Windows reopens your apps when you sign in, not on the boot screen itself. Turn it on under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Additional settings. Turn it off there if you want a clean desktop at each login. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Text Suggestions in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-text-suggestions-in-windows-11-2/ - **Published:** 2026-03-03 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1073 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings, go to Time & language > Typing, then toggle Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard to On or Off. The change takes effect immediately in all text boxes and apps without restarting. **Content excerpt:** Text suggestions in Windows 11 predict words as you type. They help when you write emails and messages in apps like web browsers and text editors. The feature is also called typing suggestions. It shows a list of word choices right above your cursor, and you pick one with a single click or tap. You can turn the feature on or off in the Settings app under Time & language, then Typing. Windows 11 supports text suggestions in dozens of languages. This guide covers how suggestions work, the Settings method, the Registry method for advanced users, and the multilingual option. How to Use Text Suggestions Suggestions appear above your cursor as you type, so you can pick the right word without finishing it. When you select a suggestion, Windows types the word for you automatically. The feature saves keystrokes and cuts down on spelling mistakes across your apps. To select a suggestion, use any of these methods: Mouse or touch: Click the word with your mouse, or tap it on a touch screen. Keyboard: Press the Up arrow to move into the suggestion list. Press Left or Right to highlight the word you want, then press Enter to select it. Ignore the list: If you do not want a suggestion, click outside the suggestion box or press Esc. Then keep typing as normal. The list closes and your text stays exactly as you typed it. Turn On or Off Text Suggestions Using Settings The Settings app is the simplest way to turn text suggestions on or off. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro, and you do not need to restart. The change applies to text boxes and apps straight away. If an app is already open, click back into the text box and the new behavior should be in effect. Press Win + I to open Settings. Click Time & language in the left menu. Click Typing on the right. The page shows the typing options for your keyboard. Find Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard and set the switch to On or Off, depending on what you want. When it is On, suggestions show up as you type. When it is Off, they stop. Optional: Turn on Multilingual text suggestions if you want suggestions in more than one language. This option only works while text suggestions are turned on. If it looks greyed out or has no effect, check that the first switch is On. You will most likely also need more than one language or keyboard installed. To undo the change, go back to the same page and flip the switch again. You can also open the Typing settings directly with this link, which launches the Settings app: Open Typing Settings Turn On or Off Text Suggestions Using Registry (Advanced) Warning: Changing the Registry can affect your computer's stability, so go slowly and double-check each value you edit. Back up the Registry first. In Registry Editor, you can export the key… **Key facts:** - Text suggestions in Windows 11 predict words as you type. - You can turn the feature on or off in the Settings app under Time & language, then Typing. - Windows 11 supports text suggestions in dozens of languages. - This guide covers how suggestions work, the Settings method, the Registry method for advanced users, and the multilingual option. - To select a suggestion, use any of these methods: Mouse or touch: Click the word with your mouse, or tap it on a touch screen. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to disable Windows text suggestions? A: To disable text suggestions, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing. Turn off the Show text suggestions as I type switch. Windows stops showing word choices above your cursor in most apps, including your browser and text editor. Your change applies right away, and you can turn it back on the same way. - Q: How to select suggested text on keyboard? A: To select a suggested word without a mouse, press the Up arrow to move into the suggestion list. Press Left or Right to highlight the word you want. Then press Enter, and Windows types that word for you. Nothing is typed until you press Enter. - Q: How to stop whispering keyboard suggesting words? A: To stop the keyboard from suggesting words, turn off text suggestions in Settings. Open Settings, go to Time & language, select Typing, and switch off Show text suggestions as I type. The suggestion list will no longer appear above your cursor in most apps. - Q: How to turn off text suggestions? A: To turn off text suggestions, open Settings, select Time & language, then Typing. Switch off Show text suggestions as I type. Windows stops predicting words while you write. You can turn the feature back on from the same page at any time. - Q: How to set laptop typing setting why are show a box on tipping? A: To stop the box from appearing while you type, open Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing. Turn off Show text suggestions as I type. The box is the text suggestion list, so turning this off removes it from most apps. Your typing settings take effect immediately. - Q: Can I turn on or off sugestions with my keyboard? A: Yes, you can use the keyboard to change this setting. Press Windows + I to open Settings. Press Tab to move through the menu, then Enter to select Time & language and Typing. Use Tab to reach Show text suggestions as I type, then press Space to switch it on or off. --- ### How to Turn On or off Driver Updates with Windows Update in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-driver-updates-with-windows-update-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-04 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1401 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** You can manage driver updates in Windows 11 through either the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. Both methods involve navigating to specific settings and enabling or disabling the "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates" option. Administrator privileges are required for these changes. **Content excerpt:** Driver updates in Windows 11 install software for hardware like graphics cards and printers through Windows Update, alongside the regular system patches. You can turn this on or off. Turn it off if a bad driver has broken your computer, or if you want to manage hardware installs yourself. Blocking these updates stops Windows from replacing a stable hardware driver with a faulty one. You can change the setting at any time using the Local Group Policy Editor, the Registry Editor, or the Advanced System Settings panel. Which one you use depends mostly on your Windows edition. What Are Driver Updates? Drivers are the small pieces of software that let your computer talk to devices such as printers, graphics cards and keyboards. Windows Update often includes newer drivers to keep those devices working properly. Most of the time that is helpful. Occasionally a new driver causes crashes, display problems or a device that stops working, and that is when you may want to stop Windows from installing them on its own. For more background, see Learn more about driver updates from Microsoft Support. Before You Start You need to be signed in as an administrator on your PC to make these changes. A standard account will either not open the tools below or will not be able to save the change. Even if you turn off driver updates, some device drivers might still update automatically. Treat this setting as a strong block on Windows Update drivers, not a guarantee. Drivers installed by a manufacturer's own update tool are not controlled by it. Check which edition you have before you start. The Local Group Policy Editor is only included in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education. If you are on Home, use the registry method later in this tutorial instead. Option 1: Use Local Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/Education) You can manage Windows 11 driver updates with the Local Group Policy Editor if you have the Pro, Enterprise or Education edition. This built-in tool stops Windows from replacing your hardware drivers with updates from Microsoft, so you decide which device software gets installed. On Windows 11 Home the editor is not available, so the Run command in step 2 will return an error. Skip to the registry method in that case. One thing to watch: the policy is worded as a negative. Do not include drivers with Windows Updates set to Enabled means driver updates are off. Set to Not Configured or Disabled, driver updates are on. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. The Local Group Policy Editor window opens. If you get a "cannot find" error, you are probably on Windows 11 Home. In the left panel, expand the folders and go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update The policy list for that folder appears in the right panel. On the right, find and double-click… **Key facts:** - Driver updates in Windows 11 install software for hardware like graphics cards and printers through Windows Update, alongside the regular system patches. - You can change the setting at any time using the Local Group Policy Editor, the Registry Editor, or the Advanced System Settings panel. - The Local Group Policy Editor is only included in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education. - If you are on Home, use the registry method later in this tutorial instead. - Option 1: Use Local Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/Education) You can manage Windows 11 driver updates with the Local Group Policy Editor if you have the Pro, Enterprise or Education edition. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to turn off brother printer update reminders Windows 11 Windows 11 Windows 11? A: Open the Brother software on your PC and look in its settings for an update or notification option, then turn it off. If the reminders come from Windows, open Device Installation Settings from Advanced System Settings and choose No for automatic driver downloads. That setting applies to all devices, not only your printer. - Q: How to quit getting updates for printers in Windows 11 updates? A: Open Device Installation Settings from Advanced System Settings and choose the option that lets you decide, rather than letting Windows install drivers automatically. Windows then stops installing printer drivers from Windows Update on its own. When you need a printer driver, download it directly from the manufacturer's website. - Q: Is there a way to never allow automatic video card driver updates in Windows 11? A: Yes. Open Local Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Update, then Manage updates offered from Windows Update. Set Do not include drivers with Windows Updates to Enabled. Local Group Policy Editor is available only in Pro, Enterprise and Education editions. - Q: How to get rid of driver update message on Windows 11? A: Turn off driver offers in Device Installation Settings so Windows stops suggesting new drivers. To clear a driver that is already listed, open Settings, select Windows Update, then Advanced options, then Optional updates, and clear the box beside the driver. The message should stop appearing after that. - Q: Can you puase just driver updates from Windows? A: No. The Pause updates option in Windows Update stops all updates, including security fixes, not only drivers. To block drivers alone, use Device Installation Settings or the Group Policy setting for drivers. Pausing is only a short-term fix, because Windows Update resumes automatically when the pause period ends. - Q: Does Windows updates include driver updates? A: Yes, sometimes. Windows Update delivers some drivers with its regular updates, and it lists others under Optional updates. To check, open Settings, select Windows Update, then Advanced options, then Optional updates. Driver updates for graphics cards and printers can appear there. --- ### How to Enable or Disable Remembering Window Positions on Multiple Screens in Windows 11 - **URL:** https://geekrewind.com/how-to-turn-on-or-off-remembering-window-positions-on-multiple-screens-in-windows-11/ - **Published:** 2026-03-05 - **Last updated:** 2026-10-16 - **Word count:** 1070 - **Category:** Windows - **Tags:** Windows 11 **Quick answer:** Open Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays and check Remember window locations based on monitor connection to turn it on, or uncheck to turn it off. The change takes effect immediately without restarting your PC. **Content excerpt:** Remembering window positions on multiple screens is a display feature in Windows 11. It saves your app layout for each monitor setup, so windows return to the right screens when you disconnect and reconnect displays. With it on, apps don't pile up on your primary screen every time you undock your laptop or plug into an external monitor. The quickest way to change it is Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays. This works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. The sections below also cover a command-line method for people who prefer it. How to Enable or Disable Remembering Window Positions Using Settings The Settings app is the easiest way to turn this feature on or off. It stops apps from jumping around when you disconnect or switch off an extra monitor. The change takes effect straight away, with no restart. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click System in the left menu. Select Display on the right side. You should now see your monitors and the display options. Scroll down until you see Multiple displays. Click the arrow next to it to expand the options. Find the option Remember window locations based on monitor connection. Check the box to turn the feature on. Uncheck it to turn it off. Close Settings when you're done. If you can't find Multiple displays, Windows probably sees only one screen. Check the cable and that the second monitor is powered on and set to the right input. Then click Detect in the same Display page if it appears. The section shows up once Windows detects more than one display. To undo the change, come back to the same checkbox and switch it back. Nothing else is altered. Click here to open Display Settings directly Windows Display Settings tile Windows 11 remembers window locations based on monitor How to Enable or Disable Remembering Window Positions Using the Registry (Advanced) Warning: Editing the Registry incorrectly causes system instability. Back up the Registry before you start, so you can restore it if something goes wrong. In Registry Editor you can do this with File > Export. Creating a restore point first is also a good idea. 🚨 Administrator privileges are mandatory to execute this method. If you only want to flip the setting, use the Settings method above. It does the same job with no risk to the Registry. To Enable (This is the default setting): You can also use Command Prompt to change this setting. Advanced users often prefer this text-based approach, which requires an elevated terminal window and a precise command. Typos matter here, so copy the command exactly as shown. To open an elevated Command Prompt: Click Start and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt in the results and select Run as administrator. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. A Command Prompt window titled Administrator should now be open. reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" /v RestorePreviousStateRecalcBehavior /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f To Disable: Disabling the feature requires… **Key facts:** - Remembering window positions on multiple screens is a display feature in Windows 11. - The quickest way to change it is Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays. - This works the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. - The sections below also cover a command-line method for people who prefer it. - How to Enable or Disable Remembering Window Positions Using Settings The Settings app is the easiest way to turn this feature on or off. **Questions answered on the page:** - Q: How to save screens apps in thier positin? A: Turn on Remember window locations based on monitor connection in Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays. Windows then saves where each app window sits for every monitor setup you use. When you unplug a monitor and plug it back in, your windows return to their old screens instead of crowding onto your main display. - Q: How to manage multiple desktops in Windows 11? A: Press Windows key + Tab to open Task View, then click New desktop to add one. Switch between desktops with Ctrl + Windows key + Left or Right arrow. To move an app window to another desktop, drag it onto that desktop in Task View. Close a desktop you no longer need with Ctrl + Windows key + F4. - Q: What does remember window locations based on monitor connection mean? A: It means Windows remembers where each app window sat on each monitor setup you use. The positions are saved per setup, so when you reconnect the same monitors, windows return to their earlier screens. It is a Settings option under System > Display > Multiple displays and applies to your whole PC. - Q: How to save where Windows are on monitors? A: Turn on Remember window locations based on monitor connection under Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays. With it on, Windows stores each app window's position for every monitor setup. Apps return to the right screens after you unplug and reconnect displays, rather than all moving to your main monitor. - Q: How to open multiple Windows 11? A: Hold Shift and click an app's icon on the taskbar to open another window of that same app. Each Shift-click adds one more window. To open a pinned app, press Windows key + its position number, such as 1 for the first icon on the taskbar. - Q: What does "remember window location based on monitor connection" do? A: It tells Windows to remember where each app window sits for each monitor connection setup. When that same setup comes back, windows return to their old screens. The setting is Remember window locations based on monitor connection, found in Settings under System > Display > Multiple displays. ---