There’s also the possibility that the ESC key is defective, probably because of dirt, physical damage, or wear and tear from regular use. However, it’s best to work through the fixes that follow before coming to that conclusion.

1. Use the Keyboard Troubleshooter

Windows 10 and 11 have a dedicated troubleshooting utility that automatically detects and repairs problems specific to keyboards. To run it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.

2. Go to System > Troubleshoot.

3. Select Additional/Other troubleshooters.

4. Select Run next to Keyboard.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions of the Keyboard troubleshooter to fix any issues it detects.

2. Switch USB Ports

USB ports can malfunction and prevent connected devices from working correctly. It’s a good idea to plug the keyboard into a different USB port and check if that fixes the problem. If you use a wireless keyboard, try another port for its wireless receiver.

You should also avoid connecting the keyboard to any USB hubs; instead, plug it directly into a port on the CPU casing.

3. Reboot Your Computer

A computer restart clears temporary operating system data and flushes out the hardware driver cache, resolving various keyboard-related issues.

Just open the Start menu and select Power > Restart. If there are any unfinalized Windows updates, pick the Update and restart option.

4. Turn Off Filter Keys

Filter Keys is a built-in accessibility feature in Windows that filters accidental keystrokes but can also result in the ESC key not working. To deactivate it:

1. Open the Windows Settings app and select Accessibility > Keyboard.

2. Disable the switch next to Use Filter Keys.

5. Disable Sticky Keys

Sticky Keys is another accessibility feature that activates the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys until you press another key. Try disabling it if the Esc key—including others such as the Function keys—responds erratically.

To do that, uncheck the box next to Use Sticky Keys on the same screen above—Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.

6. Disable Filter Keys and Sticky Keys (Alt Method)

If you have trouble opening the Windows Settings app, you can deactivate Filter Keys and Sticky Keys through the Control Panel on your computer. To do that:

1. Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and select Open.

2. Select Ease of Access.

3. Select Change how your keyboard works under Ease of Access Center.

4. Uncheck the box next to Turn on Filter Keys and Turn on Sticky Keys.

5. Select Apply, then OK.

7. Install Keyboard Manufacturer Software

Some keyboards may not function normally unless you download additional drivers and applications—e.g., Logi Options+ for Logitech-branded keyboards. Search the manufacturer’s website, download any available software, and check if that makes a difference.

If you already have, try removing and reinstalling the software. To do that:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features.

2. Select the keyboard software and choose Uninstall.

3. Restart your computer, and then download and reinstall the latest version of the keyboard management software from the manufacturer’s website.

8. Check for Malware

Keyboard hijacking is a common attack vector for computer viruses, so the next fix involves checking your computer for malware. Use the built-in Windows Security utility to run an antivirus scan:

1. Open the Settings app and select Privacy & Security/Update & Security > Windows Security.

2. Select Virus & Threat Protection.

3. Select Scan options.

4. Select the radio button next to Full Scan.

5. Select Scan Now.

Follow up with a third-party malware removal utility to scan for additional forms of malware. E.g., the free version of Malwarebytes does an exceptional job detecting and removing trojans, spyware, and keyloggers.

9. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter by Microsoft can fix additional keyboard issues that stem from hardware and software conflicts on your computer. To run it:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, copy and paste the following into the Search box, and select OK:

msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

2. On the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter that shows up, select Advanced, check the box next to Apply repairs automatically, and choose Next.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions of the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to fix issues it detects.

10. Update Keyboard Driver

If the problem with the ESC key persists, try updating the keyboard driver to its latest version. To do that:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Keyboards category, right-click your keyboard driver (e.g., HID Keyboard Device), and select Update driver.

3. Select Search automatically for driver.

4. Select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.

5. Install any available keyboard driver updates that Windows Update detects.

11. Reinstall Keyboard Driver

A corrupt keyboard driver is another reason the ESC key does not work in Windows. Remove and reinstall it to fix the problem. To do that:

1. Right-click your keyboard driver in the Device Manager and select Uninstall device.

2. Select Uninstall on the confirmation pop-up.

3. Restart your computer.

Windows should automatically reinstall the keyboard drivers at computer startup. If the keyboard is unresponsive after the reboot, re-open the Device Manager and select Action > Scan for hardware changes on the menu bar.

12. Install Operating System Updates

Updating Windows to its latest version can resolve unexpected keyboard-related issues resulting from software and hardware incompatibilities.

Just open the Settings app, select Windows Update, and choose Check for updates. If Windows Update detects an update, select Download and install to install it.

13. Run an SFC and DISM Scan

Windows corruption prevents various ESC key-related functions and keyboard shortcuts from working—e.g., opening the Task Manager with the Ctrl–Shift–Esc hotkey. Run the System File Checker and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool to repair the operating system.

1. Type cmd into the Start menu and select Run as administrator.

2. Run the two commands one after the other:

• sfc /scannow
• DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

14. Perform a System Restore

Restore Windows to an earlier state to resolve problems that result from conflicting program installations, hardware driver updates, and other recent changes to the operating system. To do that:

1. Type rstrui into a Run box and select OK.

2. Select Next on the System Restore wizard.

3. Check the box next to Show more restore points, pick a restore point, and select Next.

4. Select Scan for affected programs option if you want to see a list of programs that will be affected when you go ahead. Choose Finish to continue.

5. Wait until Windows reverts the operating system installation to the specified restore point.

15. Check for Hardware Issues

If none of the fixes above help fix the ESC key, the problem is likely hardware-related. Here are several ways to help you determine if that is the case.

• Load an online keyboard testing tool like KeyboardTester.com, press the ESC key, and check if it registers.
• Open the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows (via Start menu > All apps > Accessibility), perform an action that involves the ESC key (e.g., exiting a full-screen application), and check if it works.
• Connect the keyboard to a different computer and check if the same problem occurs. If you use a laptop device, connect an external keyboard to test whether Windows responds to the ESC key.

If all signs indicate a hardware issue with the Esc key, use a keycap puller to remove the key and inspect the mechanical switch or the membrane underneath for damage. Clean it or replace it if needed. You could also get the keyboard serviced by a PC technician, replace it under warranty, or buy yourself a new keyboard.

In the meantime, you can use a third-party keyboard customization tool like SharpKeys to remap ESC to a different keyboard key.

The post ESC Key Not Working in Windows? 15 Ways to Fix first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

While it’s not always a precise or straightforward process, it’s possible to get a good idea of how old your Windows computer is by applying a few tricks.

Why Your Computer’s Age Matters

There are more than a few reasons why you’d want to know what year a computer was made or what generation of computer technology it belongs to:

• Determining if a computer is still within warranty.
• Checking whether what a seller says about a computer’s age is true.
• Working out whether a computer is still upgradeable.

Computer technology moves so quickly that, although a computer might still be in good working order, its features and performance may no longer be any good for typical jobs today.

When Is a Computer Too Old?

This is a question we get a lot from readers who either want to buy an older computer for a family member or want to know if they should replace an existing computer.

The answer is “it depends’, since what the computer is used for determines if it has enough performance on offer. If the computer still meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for the applications you need to run, then there’s no reason to replace it. Given how powerful computers from even ten years ago still are, if you only need to do basic web browsing and productivity, they’re probably still fine.

A much bigger issue is software support. Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system in the world, but Windows 11 does not support all but (at the time of writing) the most recent CPU generations. Windows 10’s end-of-life date is 14 October 2025, and if you need Windows past this date, you’ll need a computer that can run Windows 11 or later. You can’t hang on to old versions like Windows Vista or 7 since those don’t get updates, especially security updates.

Suppose you don’t need the Windows OS. In particular, you can always install one of the many wonderful distributions of Linux, which is perfectly capable of being a daily-driver operating system for anyone.

1. Check the Box the Computer Came In

If the computer’s original packaging is still around or the documentation that came with it, there’s a good chance the manufacturing date is stamped somewhere on the packaging or in the manual. This is usually only a trick that applies to laptops, since even prebuilt desktop systems are typically assembled from off-the-shelf components, each with their individual date.

2. Check the Serial Number Sticker

Even if you’ve long thrown away the computer’s box, you probably haven’t removed the serial number sticker. In many cases, the manufacturing date will be plainly stated on these stickers. Even if it isn’t apparent, the manufacturing date is sometimes encoded in the serial number. You may have to look up if this is the case using a web search so that you know how to interpret any extra information encoded in the serial number.

3. Check the Inside of the Computer Case

If you have a desktop computer with an easily-removable side panel, you may actually find the computer’s manufacturing date printed on a label inside the system. You can also check the motherboard itself for a manufacturing date, although of course this only tells you the age of the motherboard itself. Still, unless the computer has been upgraded extensively, the motherboard’s date of manufacture should be close to the average age of the computer itself.

The same goes for almost any component, so if you feel you need to you can check for date stamps on every other component too. Although in the case of the CPU, it’s not worth removing the heatsink (and heat paste) to see a date, because you can simply infer it from the model of CPU.

If you have a laptop with a removable bottom panel, you may also see this information printed on the mainboard in many cases, but it’s usually not necessary since the date should be indicated elsewhere.

4. Check the BIOS Date With Sysinfo

Another good indicator of how old a computer is is the age of the motherboard’s firmware. This was referred to as the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) on older computers, but on modern computers, this has been replaced with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

There’s usually a special key that you must press when the computer boots up to access this, but if you’re running Windows, it’s easier to use the System Information app instead.

Press the Start Button to open the Start Menu and type System Information (systeminfo.exe) into Windows Search, then select it when it comes up in the results.

Select System Summary in the left-hand pane, then look for BIOS Version/Date, and you’ll see a date listed there.

However, this is an imperfect solution because it shows the date of the latest firmware update, not the date the computer was made. So if it’s received a recent update, this could be a little misleading.

5. Use the Command Prompt to Check the Microsoft Windows Original Install Date

You can use the Command Prompt (CMD.exe) or Windows PowerShell to check the date your Windows system was installed. Simply open the Start Menu from the Taskbar and type “Command Prompt,” and run the program. Alternatively, Press Win + R, type “cmd” and press Enter.

In Command Prompt, type systeminfo | find /i “install date” and the installation date will be displayed.

As with the BIOS date method, all this tells you is when the current copy of Windows was installed. If anyone reinstalled Windows or upgraded to a newer version, the date will reflect that rather than the age of the computer itself. Still, plenty of people never upgrade to a newer version of Windows or reinstall their operating systems, so it’s still a useful trick to have.

6. Check the “Date Modified” or “Created” Attribute of the Windows Folder

If you aren’t comfortable messing around in the Command Prompt, you can get similar information by inspecting the attributes of the Windows installation folder.

Open File Explorer (Win + E is a handy shortcut for this) and navigate to the C drive where you’ll find the Windows folder. If the Windows folder isn’t there, it means that whoever installed that copy of Windows used a custom location, so you’ll have to search for it.

Right-click on the Windows folder and choose Properties.

Under the General tab, you’ll either find a “Date Modified” section or a “Created” section, depending on the version of Windows.

This will tell you when the folder was made. Assuming the computer’s clock was accurate at that time, this tells you when Windows was installed.

7. Check the CPU Model

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a computer is key to figuring out how old a computer is. The CPU is the main component that the rest of the computer is usually built around. So it’s a good indicator of how old a computer is. Even if the other component specs are newer, the CPU limits the maximum performance of core computer processes.

The easiest way to see your CPU is to open the Task Manager in Windows and check under the Performance tab for the CPU section. You’ll see your CPU model as listed here.

Then you can take that model number, put it into a search box of a site like Google or on the manufacturer’s website and find out when it was first produced, which will give you a good idea of the computer’s technological generation.

8. Checking the Age of Individual Components

If you’re faced with a desktop system that’s not a factory pre-built machine, it can be hard to tell the age of your computer. After all, some components may be much newer than others. Companies like Dell also sell refurbished computers where only components that haven’t passed a quality test make it into the build. So there could be a mix of old and new stuff.

This can be a problem because components like power supplies and mechanical hard drives are far more likely to fail the older they get since they have moving parts that wear out.

In this case, you need to inspect each individual component for its serial number or release date information.

What About Macs?

You may be wondering how to tell the age of an Apple Mac running macOS. The good news is that we can say it to you in just a sentence or two. Simply click the Apple button at the top-left corner and select About This Mac. The model year of your computer will be written right at the top, easy!

The post 8 Ways to Tell the Age of Your Windows Computer first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Windows Built-in Disc Burning Software

Microsoft has two tools to burn discs built into the Windows operating system. Windows File Explorer can format discs to be used as a flash drive or burn discs to be used with CD or DVD player. It can also burn an ISO image file to a disc. Windows Media Player can burn discs to be used with CD or DVD players. Look at both and see which is the right one for you.

To set a default burner, you can choose the first time you insert a blank disc.

1. Insert a blank CD or DVD disc into your PC. If this is your first time inserting a blank disc, a notification will ask what you want to happen with blank CDs. Click on the notification.

2. Choose either Burn an audio CD to use Windows Media Player or Burn files to disc to use File Explorer automatically next time you insert a blank disc.

Burn CDs or DVDs to Use Like a USB Flash Drive with Windows Explorer

This method assumes you have Windows set to automatically use File Explorer to burn discs. If not, just open File Explorer after inserting the blank disc, and the utility is available. You must use a CD-RW or DVD-RW format disc for this.

1. When File Explorer’s Burn a Disc window opens, enter a Disc title: and select Like a USB flash drive and Next.

File Explorer will format the disc, so it works like a USB flash drive. This process takes about a minute.

2. File Explorer will open. It’s easiest to open another File Explorer window, navigate to the files you want to add, select them and then drag and drop them into the File Explorer that’s focused on the disc.

The files get added to the disc. Depending on the amount and size, this could take a few seconds or minutes. It’s not as fast as a USB flash drive, though.

3. You can remove, add, or even edit file names. After any changes, select Drive Tools, then Eject to remove the disc. To retrieve or add files later, pop in the disc, and Windows will recognize it as a rewritable disc.

Burn CD or DVD to Use with a CD or DVD Player with Windows Explorer

This method assumes you have Windows set to use File Explorer to burn discs automatically. If not, just open File Explorer after inserting the blank disc, and the utility is available.

You can use any blank CD or DVD format disc for this. If you use a CD-RW or DVD-RW disc, it will not be rewritable anymore. These discs will work on PCs but not necessarily all other CD or DVD players. CD-R and DVD-R discs are best for this, and they’re cheaper too.

1. When File Explorer’s Burn a Disc window opens, enter a Disc title: and select With a CD/DVD player and Next.

2. File Explorer will open with its Drive Tools and the disc selected. It’s easiest to open another File Explorer to select files from the hard drive or SSD to

drag and drop onto the disc.

3. Once you have added all the files you want to the disc, select Drive Tools, then Finish Burning.

Ensure the disc title is correct and choose a recording speed. Depending on the type of CD/DVD burner you have, this could be anywhere from 4x to 48x. This means it will write 4 to 48 times faster than the disc read speed. The higher the speed, the greater chance of it failing or creating a poor quality product, so choose wisely. If you’re sure you’re not going to burn another copy, choose to Close the wizard after the files have been burned. Then select Next.

When the disc burning is finished, opt for Yes, burn these files to another disc if you want to make another copy. Otherwise, select Finish to close the wizard.

Burn CDs and DVDs with Windows Media Player

You can use Microsoft’s built-in Windows Media Player app to burn audio CDs and data CDs and DVDs. The audio CDs will work on PCs and most CD players. Data CDs and DVDs can be used for data files or music and videos. Data disks with music and videos will play on computers and may play on some CD and DVD players. Check with your CD or DVD player maker to be sure.

Burn Audio CDs with Windows Media Player

1. With a blank CD in your PC, open Windows Media Player and navigate to the Music part of your library. Then select the Burn tab. Near the top-right corner, select the small options button. In the menu that opens, select Audio CD.

2. Drag and drop songs from the main window of Windows Media Player into the Burn list area.

3. You can go back to the options list and make other choices about how the music is sorted, name the disc, and other options. Select More burn options to fine-tune the disc.

For instance, in the Options window under the Burn tab, you can adjust the burn speed, apply volume leveling across tracks, remove gaps between songs and add a list of burned files to the CD. The default values are fine for most people. Select OK to return to Windows Media Player.

4. When you’re ready, select Start Burn. The disc will pop out when the burn is finished.

Burn Data CDs and DVDs with Windows Media Player

This method is for burning plain data, music, or video to CDs and DVDs. Music and video CDs and DVDs made this way may not play on all CD and DVD players, but they will work on any PC. It’s not the best way to make DVDs, but it works. Unfortunately, Microsoft stopped including Windows DVD Maker after Windows 7. For proper DVD authoring with classic DVD menus, subtitles, and more, check out the DVD-burning software apps suggested in the Burn Blu-ray Discs section below.

1. With a blank CD or DVD in the optical drive, open Windows Media Player and select the Burn tab. Then select the Options button and make sure Data CD or DVD is selected. Normally, it defaults to this, but it’s good to be sure.

2. Go to the part of the library that has the data, music, or video that you want to burn. Then, drag and drop the media to the Burn list area.

3. Select Start burn to burn the disc. When the burning is complete, the disc burner will pop the disc out.

Burn ISO Disc Image to CD or DVD

ISO disc images tend to be for operating systems or larger applications and even games. ISO files allow for storing a large number of files into one while maintaining the directory structure. So when you mount the ISO, whatever is in it will run as intended. It’s the preferred format for bootable disks too. This works on DVDs and CDs but make sure the disc has enough capacity for the ISO file.

1. Insert a blank disc into the disc burner. Next, open Windows Explorer and navigate to the ISO you want to burn. In Windows 11, right-click on the ISO file and select Show more options, or select the file and press Shift + F10.

Then select Burn disc image.

In Windows 10, just right-click and select Burn disc image.

2. In the Windows Disc Image Burner window, you can select which disc burner to use or to Verify disc after burning. It will default to your main burner, and most of the time, discs don’t need to be verified. Select Burn to continue.

Once the burn completes, the disc will pop out. Select Close to end the session.

Burn Blu-ray Discs in Windows 11/10

It turns out there’s nothing in the Windows operating system for burning Blu-ray discs. Also, most Windows PCs and laptops don’t come with an optical disc reader or burner of any kind. So you need a Blu-ray burner and Blu-ray burning software. Make sure you have the right Blu-ray disc type, too.

These three free apps have a good, long history and continue to work well. You may recognize CDBurnerXP, ImgBurn, and Ashampoo Burning Studio Free from the heyday of torrent downloads in the late 90s and early 2000s.

CDBurnerXP looks old-school, as the XP part of the name suggests. Still, it’s a solid Blu-ray and DVD burner software. It’s the only one of the three that has a portable app option so it can be run from a USB flash drive.

ImgBurn may look like a Windows 7 app, yet it works well to burn any type of disc, including Blu-ray. There’s also a strong ImgBurn community forum with plenty of guides to help you do just about anything.

Ashampoo Burning Studio Free is another free app that’s been around a long time. It does get updated though, as reflected in the app design below. Ashampoo Burning Studio Free does require you to register with an email to use the software, while ImgBurn doesn’t.

Burn, Baby, Burn

If you’re still rocking a CD player or prefer to pop in a DVD or Blu-ray on Friday night instead of Netflix and chill, you’ve got all the tools and info at your fingertips to do it. Or do you already have a favorite burning software? Please let us know in the comments.

The post How to Burn CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs in Windows 11/10 first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

If you don’t remember the network’s security key, we’ll show you how to find saved Wi-Fi passwords in Windows. This tutorial also covers steps to set up and use mobile hotspot to share your computer’s internet.

View Wi-Fi Password via Control Panel

The Windows Control Panel offers an easy and non-technical approach to checking the security details of your network connections. You can open the Control Panel settings app through Windows Search or Windows Settings. We’ll show you how to do both.

Method 1: Open Control Panel Settings through Windows Search

1. Type control panel in the Windows Search bar and select Open below the Control Panel app.

2. Select View network status and tasks in the “Network and Internet” category. That’ll open the “Network and Sharing Center” window.

3. Select your active Wi-Fi network in the “Connections” row.

4. Select the Wireless Properties button.

5. Head to the “Security” tab on the Wi-Fi status page and select the Show characters checkbox. You should see the Wi-Fi network’s password in the “Network security key” box.

6. You can copy the network’s security key to your PC’s clipboard. Select OK to close the Wireless Network Properties dialog box.

Method: From the Windows Settings Menu

1. Open Settings (press Windows key + I) and select Network & internet on the sidebar.

A quicker alternative is to right-click the Start menu or press Windows key + X and select Network Connections.

2. Select Advanced network settings at the bottom of your Network & internet settings menu.

3. Scroll to the Related settings section and select More network adapter options.

4. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter of the active connection and select Status.

5. Select Wireless Properties and head to the Security tab on the next page.

6. Check the Show characters box to see the network’s password.

See Wi-Fi Password in Windows Powershell

You can view Wi-Fi passwords in Windows 10 and 11 by running specific Powershell commands.

1. Press Windows key + X and select Terminal (Admin) on the Quick Access menu. That’ll launch a Powershell tab in the Windows Terminal.

2. Type or paste netsh wlan show profile in the terminal and press Enter.

3. Take note of the network’s name or SSID (Service Set Identifier) on the “User profiles’ list.

4. Next, paste netsh wlan show profile “Wi-Fi name” key=clear in the Powershell terminal. Replace Wi-Fi name with the network’s name/SSID and press Enter to run the command.

5. You’ll see a bunch of information about your connection. Scroll to the “Security settings” section and check the Key Content row for your Wi-Fi network’s password.

View Wi-Fi Password in Command Prompt

Run the commands below to view Wi-Fi network passwords in Windows 11 using Command Prompt.

1. Press the Windows key + R, type cmd in the Run box, and press Enter or select OK.

2. Type or paste netsh wlan show profiles in the console and press Enter to run the command.

Command Prompt will display all saved Wi-Fi networks on your computer. Go through the profiles and note the WI-Fi network whose password you want to check.

3. Type or paste netsh wlan show profile name=profilename key=clear in the console. Replace profilename with the name of the Wi-Fi network.

If the network’s profile name is “ABC Wi-Fi,” the command should look like this: netsh wlan show profile name=ABC Wi-Fi key=clear. Network names are case-sensitive, so ensure you enter the profile name as it appears in step #2.

4. Scroll to the ”Security settings” section and check the Key Content row for the network’s password.

Use Third-Party Software

Viewing Wi-Fi passwords via Control Panel, Command Prompt, or WIndows Terminal can be stressful. They involve a lot of steps and commands that you most likely will forget.

WirelessKeyView is a popular app that provides a one-click solution for checking Wi-Fi network passwords in Windows. The app is free, easy to use, safe, and void of complex steps or commands.

Visit the developer’s website and download either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the software. Don’t know which version to download? Refer to this tutorial on checking whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows PC. Take note of the “Zip File Password” on the download page. You’ll need the password to unlock/unzip the installation file on your computer.

Install the WirelessKeyView software and launch the app. You’ll find information about all previously-used Wi-Fi networks on the app’s dashboard. Network passwords are in the Key (Ascii) row.

Select a network and press F8 to copy its password quickly. Alternatively, right-click the network and select Copy Key (Ascii).

Share Wi-Fi Connection via Hotspot

Windows 10 and 11 have a “Mobile hotspot” functionality that lets you share your computer’s internet over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet and select Mobile hotspot.

2. Expand the Share my internet connection from the drop-down menu and select the active connection source—Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

3. Next, select how you want to share your connection—via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

4. If you choose to share your connection over Wi-Fi, expand the Properties section to check the mobile hotspot credentials. Select Edit to change the hotspot name and password.

5. Go to the top of the page and toggle on Mobile hotspot to share your PC’s connection with nearby devices.

Add Mobile hotspot to the Windows Action Center to share your internet without going through the Settings app.

Press Windows key + A to open the Windows 11 Action Center and select the pen icon in the bottom-right corner. Select Add, choose Mobile hotspot, and select Done.

You should now be able to enable and disable mobile hotspot from the Action Center. To open the Mobile hotspot settings, right-click on Mobile hotspot and select Go to Settings.

Retrieve Wi-Fi Passwords and Share Your Internet

Some private network administrators frown against unauthorized Wi-Fi usage or password distribution. Before sharing a wireless network’s password, ensure you have permission to do so. If you’re having issues using mobile hotspot, disable VPN and firewall connections on your PC, and try again. Restart your computer if the problem persists. Likewise, ensure your device’s operating system is up-to-date.

The post How to Share Wi-Fi Network Connections in Windows 11 first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

If you have essential programs, folders, files, and websites you want to get to whenever you want, you must link to them on the taskbar. Programs and websites are easier to add, while files and folders are slightly trickier.

Go through the following tutorial to learn how to create shortcuts on the Windows 10 taskbar and the Windows 11 taskbar.

Pin Shortcut to Taskbar via Start Menu

If you want to create a taskbar shortcut for a program on your computer, the fastest way is to pin it via the Start menu.

To do that, just open the Start menu and locate the application. In Windows 11, you may have to check your All apps list if it’s not present among your pinned Start items. Then, right-click and select More > Pin to taskbar on the context menu.

The shortcut should appear on the taskbar immediately. Repeat for any other programs you want to add.

Pin Running Programs to Taskbar

Another way to create a shortcut to a program is to pin it to the taskbar while running it. Just right-click the icon in the toolbar and select Pin to taskbar, and it should stay there even after you close the application.

Pin Desktop Shortcuts to Taskbar

If the shortcut to a program is already present on the desktop, Windows lets you add it to the taskbar in a couple of clicks. To do that, right-click an item and select Pin to taskbar.

Pin Programs to Taskbar via Applications Folder

Windows 10 and 11 feature a special Applications folder that lists all Microsoft Store and non-Store apps on your computer. The folder also lists apps you typically won’t find within the Start menu—e.g., the Control Panel and the Command Prompt console.

1. Use the Windows Key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run box.

2. Type shell:AppsFolder and select OK.

3. Right-click the app you want to pin to the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar.

Pin Apps to Taskbar via File Explorer

It’s also possible to create taskbar shortcuts via File Explorer for a traditional desktop program after locating its primary executable (EXE) file. It’s usually quicker to pin apps from the Start menu, but you’ll occasionally run into an app that doesn’t appear there.

1. Track down the program’s installation folder. Windows installs applications to the Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories by default, so check those locations first.

2. Locate the executable file that launches the program when you double-click on it.
3. Right-click the file and select Pin to taskbar. In Windows 11, you must select Show more options first.

You can also visit the hidden WindowsApps folder and create shortcuts to Microsoft Store apps the same way. However, we recommend you avoid that since it’s difficult to distinguish between folders and files within the directory.

Pin Folders and Files to Taskbar

Unlike programs, Windows 10 and 11 do not allow you to pin files and folders to the taskbar unless you perform a tiny “hack” on each item you want to add. You’ve got a couple of ways to do that.

Use Create Shortcut Wizard

1. Right-click a vacant area and select New > Shortcut.

2. Copy and paste the file or folder path or use the Browse button to add it.

3. Add the word “explorer” (no quotes) to the front of the file or folder path. Make sure to keep a single spacing in between.

4. Assign a name and select Finish.

5. Right-click the file or folder shortcut and select Pin to taskbar.

Create and Modify Shortcut

1. Open File Explorer and visit the location of the file or folder.
2. Hold down the Alt key and drag and drop the item onto the desktop to create a shortcut.

3. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.

Tip: You can also drag files using your right mouse button. When you release the file in the target location, Windows pops open a menu asking whether you want to move, copy, or create a shortcut.

4. Switch to the Shortcut tab.
5. Add the word “explorer” (no quotes) to the front of the file or folder path within the Target field. Make sure to keep a single spacing in between.

6. Select Apply > OK to save your changes.
7. Right-click the shortcut and select Pin to taskbar.

Note: Pinned taskbar folders will display the generic File Explorer icon. To change that, open the shortcut’s Properties dialog and use the Change Icon button under the Shortcuts tab.

Pin Websites to Taskbar

If you use Microsoft Edge, you can use a built-in option to add websites to the taskbar. If you use a different browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you must rely on a workaround similar to adding files and folders.

Microsoft Edge

1. Load the website or app in Edge.
2. Open the Edge menu (select three dots on the right corner of the browser’s toolbar).

3. Select More tools > Pin to taskbar.

Other Browsers

1. Open the Create Shortcut wizard.
2. Copy and paste the website URL from your web browser.

3. Add the word “explorer” (no quotes) to the front of the URL, keeping a single space in between.

4. Assign a name and select Finish.

5. Right-click the website shortcut and select Pin to taskbar.

Pin Websites as Apps to Taskbar

If you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, you can “install” websites as progressive web apps (or PWAs) and then add them to the taskbar without any modifications. PWAs also sport site favicons, making it easier to distinguish between websites.

Google Chrome

1. Load the website in Chrome.
2. Open the Chrome menu and select More Tools > Create Shortcut.

3. Check the box next to Open as window and select Create.

4. Right-click the item and select Pin to taskbar.

Microsoft Edge

1. Load the website in Edge.
2. Open the Edge menu and select Apps > Install this site as an app.

3. Select Install to confirm.

4. Check the box next to Pin to taskbar and select Allow.

Instant Access to Apps, Files, and Websites

Now that you know how to add your favorite apps, files, and websites to the Windows taskbar, don’t forget to rearrange them by dragging them around. You can also unpin taskbar icons by right-clicking the icon and selecting Unpin from taskbar. Shortcuts aside, you can also customize the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11 and do a whole lot more.

The post How to Add Shortcuts to the Windows Taskbar first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

If you want to update your current operating system to the cutting-edge, the latest version of Windows 11 is what you want.

Understanding Windows 11 Version Numbers

Microsoft releases two types of updates:

• Feature updates are the big annual releases where Windows gets significant new features and additions.
• Quality updates are incremental updates that include bug fixes and security updates.

Updates marked as “cumulative” contain all the updates that came before them. So you don’t need to install each one that came before first.

Major feature version numbers consist of two parts, the first part represents the year of release, and the second part describes whether the release happened in the first or second half of that year. So, for example, version 20H2 would have been released in 2020’s second half.

Quality updates are labeled with the entire year and month. So the 2022-01 quality update would have been released in January 2022. Multiple quality updates can happen in the same month. Each update has a unique Knowledgebase (KB) number. For example, the 2022-01 Windows 11 release is known as KB5010690.

The built-in antivirus package, Microsoft Defender, receives separate updates known as Security Intelligence Updates. Likewise, the Microsoft Edge web browser and Microsoft Office have their own separate update paths.

The Latest Version of Windows Is Windows 11, Version 21H2

At the time of writing, the latest current version of Windows 11 is 21H2. The latest cumulative Quality update is 2022-05 KB 5013943.

A New User Interface (UI)

Windows 11 has a completely revamped UI. This new version of the Windows interface reimagines the Start Menu setup found in previous versions of Windows, such as Windows 7 and 10. The “Metro” tile system seen in Windows 8 and 8.1 is completely gone, even the vestiges that existed within Windows 10. The Taskbar is now centered in a way reminiscent of Apple macOS and iOS for iPad. However, it can be aligned left if you wish. The Search Bar is now also at the very top of the menu.

Microsoft’s voice assistant Cortana is notably missing from Windows 11 as the company winds its Siri-competitor down. While Siri proved popular on iPhone and iPad, Windows users haven’t been quite as keen on voice assistant functionality.

The new Action Center neatly unifies notifications and controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other common functions. Microsoft is also slowly deprecating the Control Panel in favor of the more streamlined Settings app.

The Windows Subsystem for Android

Windows 11 offers the ability to install and run Android apps from the Amazon store in Windows without needing a smartphone. Technically this isn’t yet a working feature in the public release of Windows 11, but it is accessible as a beta feature. We’ve tested this early implementation, and although it more or less works, it is still unpolished.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux

Like the Android solution above, this feature lets you run Linux software on Windows 11. Unlike the Android feature, this is already a part of the main release; you will have to activate and install this component under Windows features.

New Windows System Security Standards

Windows 11 dumps a lot of legacy code which could cause security vulnerabilities. In addition, running Windows 11 requires higher levels of hardware security. Specifically, it requires a TPM (Trusted Platform Module), or you can’t install it.

This TPM requirement breaks compatibility with older CPUs and can only be installed on an 8th-generation Intel or Ryzen 3000-series AMD CPU.

Improved Gaming Performance and Xbox Integration

Microsoft has fully integrated the Xbox app and the Xbox Game Pass service into Windows 11. On top of this, Windows 11 promises to have the best support for video games. It’s the best Windows OS for running 12th-generation Intel CPUs and has the best support for technologies such as GPU-based storage acceleration.

Windows 11 Comes in Different Editions

Windows 11 comes in several editions:

• Home.
• Pro.
• Education.
• Enterprise.
• Pro Education.
• Pro for Workstations.
• Mixed Reality.
• Windows Server

Only the Home and Pro versions are of interest to most Windows users. It’s important to understand that you can only update or upgrade your version of Windows to another version of the same edition. So, for example, Windows 10 Enterprise users can only move up to Windows 11 Enterprise. To change the edition of Windows you have, you must purchase a Windows license for that edition.

Understanding Release Channels

When we refer to the latest version of Windows 11, we are explicitly referring to the main release “channel.” This is the update channel that receives updates that have been extensively tested and cleared for every Windows user.

The Windows Insider channel offers any users access to future versions of Windows and the features that come with those versions. Insiders can provide insight and feedback on these new features, helping Microsoft perfect them before release. We don’t recommend using the Insider channel on your mission-critical main computer since there’s always the chance of instability and data loss.

The Dev (Developer) channel offers Windows 11 updates without being tied to any future Windows update. This channel is meant for highly-technical users involved in developing Windows software.

Once you switch over to one of these channels, you are no longer on the same track as the main Windows build, and so the version numbers discussed here don’t apply.

How to Check What Version of Windows You Have

Checking your Windows version is simple. Just select the Start button > Settings App  > System > About.

Then check under Windows Specifications next to “version.” In the example here, you can see this is version 21H2. Many users and publications expected the first major update to Windows 11 to happen in the first half of 2022, but as of the time of writing, version 22H1 is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the next expected version is 22H2, with the code name Sun Valley.

How to Update to the Latest Version of Windows

Whether you’re on Windows 10 or are already a Windows 11 user, all you have to do to initiate an update is head to Start Menu Button > Settings App > Windows Update.

You’ll either see pending updates or that you are up to date. Choose whether to install updates immediately or manually check for updates by selecting Check for Updates. Windows will handle the rest.

If you’re a Windows 10 user who wishes to update to Windows 11 and the update isn’t showing for you, go to the Windows 11 download page and choose the best installation method. We suggest trying the Windows 11 Installation Assistant first, but if you want to update a different computer, you can use the Media Creation tool or burn a downloaded ISO file to a disc. If you have a Windows 10 license key, you can use it to activate Windows 11.

Where Can You Buy Windows 11?

As mentioned above, if you’re a Windows 10 user, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 11 as long as your computer meets the minimum specifications. However, if, for example, you’ve built a computer from components and you need a Windows 11 license for it, you’ll have to pay for a license.

You can buy Windows 11 directly from the Microsoft Store, where you’ll receive a digital entitlement linked to your Microsoft Account. You can also buy Windows 11 from third-party sellers, either as a physical copy that includes disks or a pre-loaded flash drive or as just a license key. In the previous section, anyone can download and install Windows 11 without a key. Later, you can activate your copy by linking your Microsoft Account or entering the key you bought.

It’s possible to get highly-discounted keys from third-party sellers who resell volume license keys but be aware that this could be risky and possibly violate the license terms.

Should You Get The Latest Version of Windows?

At the time of writing, Microsoft has announced that they consider Windows 11 ready for general use nearly a year after its release. That means anyone waiting for stability good enough for business or mission-critical computers can now consider upgrading.

However, except for security and stability updates, it’s generally not a good idea to upgrade to a newer version of Windows the minute the update becomes available. It’s better to wait so that any new bugs or issues are discovered by early adopters and fixed before risking your computer.

The post What Is the Latest Version of Windows? first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Although Microsoft places less emphasis on desktop shortcuts in Windows 10 and 11, you can still use them to get to your favorite apps, files, and websites faster. There are several methods for adding shortcuts to the Windows desktop, and we’ll look at all of them.

Add App Shortcuts via the Start Menu

If you want to create a desktop shortcut to a Microsoft Store app—Photos, Calendar, etc.—or a traditional program on your PC, the quickest way is to drag it from the Start menu’s app list to the desktop.

1. Open the Start menu and select All apps to reveal your app list.

2. Locate the program you want to add.
3. Drag the program to the desktop and release it when the cursor changes to Link.

In Windows 10, you can also drag out pinned Start menu apps into the desktop as shortcuts.

Add App Shortcuts via the Applications Folder

The Applications folder in Windows 10 and 11 is a special directory that features a comprehensive list of all Microsoft Store and non-Store apps on your computer. It offers an alternative way to create desktop shortcuts to the programs on your computer and lists items you typically won’t find listed within the Start menu, such as the Control Panel.

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run box. Then, type shell:AppsFolder,and press Enter. The Applications folder will show up in a File Explorer window.

2. Locate the program you want to add to the desktop. Next, right-click and select Create shortcut.

3. Select Yes on the “Windows can’t create a shortcut here” pop-up. The shortcut should immediately appear on your desktop.

Alternatively, you can access the Applications folder in Windows via the Command Prompt console. Type cmd into the Start menu, select Open and run the explorer shell:AppsFolder command.

Add Traditional System Shortcuts

Windows 10 and 11 display only the Recycle Bin on the desktop by default. But you can put anything you want there, including traditional system shortcuts like This PC, your user account folder, the network devices folder, and Control Panel via the Desktop Icon Settings dialog.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.

2. Select the Personalization category.

3. Select Themes.

4. Scroll down and select Desktop icon settings.

5. Check the boxes next to the shortcuts you want—Computer, User’s Files, Network, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel.

6. Select Apply > OK.

Create Program, File, and Folder Shortcuts via File Explorer

Another way to create application shortcuts involves File Explorer. You can also use it to create shortcuts to files and folders.

Create Program Shortcuts

1. Open File Explorer and visit the program’s installation directory. The default installation locations for traditional desktop applications (e.g., Microsoft Office) are Program Files and Program Files (x86) within the system partition. To locate a Microsoft Store app, you must visit the hidden WindowsApps folder.

2. Locate the primary executable (EXE). It’s an application-type file (you can identify it by setting View to Details), typically featuring the name and icon of the program. If you want to be sure, double-click the file. If the program launches, you’ve identified the correct file.

Tip: If you have trouble locating the executable of a non-Store app, right-click the program on the Start menu and select More > Open file location. That should take you to the shortcuts folder for the Start menu. Again, right-click the program and select Open file location to bring up the application directory with the main EXE file highlighted.

3. Drag the executable file onto the desktop and release it when the cursor changes to Create link in Desktop.

Or, right-click the application file and select Send to > Desktop (shortcut) on the contextual menu. You can also click and hold the right mouse button (not the left click), drag the item into the desktop, and select Create shortcuts here.

Create File and Folder Shortcuts

1. Open File Explorer and locate the file (e.g., Excel or Word) or folder.
2. Hold down the Alt key and drag the item out to the desktop.
3. Release when the cursor changes to Create link in Desktop.

Like with application shortcuts, you can also right-click the file or folder and select Send to > Desktop (shortcut) or simply drag it to the desktop with a right-click and choose the Create shortcuts here option.

Drag and Drop URLs to Create Website Shortcuts

If you want to create a shortcut to a website or webpage, you can do that quickly by dragging and dropping the URL to the desktop.

1. Load the website or webpage in a browser tab.
2. Click anywhere within the address bar to highlight the URL.
3. Drag and drop the URL onto the desktop.

The steps above work on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and any other web browser you use in Windows 10 and 11.

Create Progressive Web App Shortcuts

If you use a Chromium-based browser such as Chrome or Edge, you can create progressive web apps (PWAs) for websites that appear on the desktop. PWAs feature website favicons, making them easier to distinguish from typical website shortcuts.

To install a site as an app in Chrome:

1. Visit the homepage of a website.
2. Open the Chrome menu and select More tools > Create shortcut.

3. Check the box next to Open as window and select Create.

If you use Edge, just open the Edge menu and select Apps > Install this site as an app.

Use the New Shortcut Wizard

The Create Shortcut wizard is a slow but reliable tool for creating desktop shortcuts for apps. You can also add shortcuts to programs, files, folders, and websites.

1. Right-click a vacant area within the desktop and select New > Shortcut.

2. Enter the path of a program executable, file, or folder, or add it via the Browse button. If you want to create a shortcut to a website, paste the URL instead.

3. Select Next.
4. Rename or assign a new name for the shortcut.

5. Select Finish.

What’s Next?

Now that you know how to create desktop shortcuts on your Windows 10 or 11 PC, what’s next?

• Learn how to change default system desktop icons like the Recycle Bin.
• Shortcuts won’t do you any good unless you know how to get to the desktop faster.
• If you have too many shortcuts, you might want to change the spacing between app icons.
• Try customizing your desktop by changing the default icons for your shortcuts.

The post How to Add Shortcuts to the Windows Desktop first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

The Windows Start Menu is the central area for launching applications, finding content, and performing other system activities. It has a space to “pin” frequently-used items for quick access, including shortcuts to apps, files, folders, and websites.

This tutorial will show you how to add shortcuts to the Windows 11 and 10 Start Menu. We used a Windows 11 PC for this tutorial, but the steps apply to devices running Windows 10.

Pin Apps or App Shortcuts to the Start Menu

If an app shortcut or executable (.exe) file is on the desktop, right-click it and select Pin to Start.

You can also add an item to the Start Menu from the File Explorer. Open the folder containing the app, right-click the EXE file, and select Pin to Start.

It’s possible to add app shortcuts to the Windows Start Menu from the Start Menu itself. This method is handy if you can’t find an app on the desktop or File Explorer. A good use for this would be adding shortcuts for frequently used system utilities (e.g., Task Manager or Control Panel).

Press the Start button or Windows key and type the app’s name in the search bar. Select Pin to Start below the app menu in the search results.

Related: Looking for more customization? Here’s how to add system folders to the bottom of your Start Menu.

Add Folder Shortcuts to the Start Menu

Pinning folders to the Start Menu is also easy. Right-click the folder and select Pin to Start.

Add a File to Windows Start Menu

When you right-click a file, you won’t find an option to add it to the Start Menu. That’s because Microsoft designed the Start Menu to hold apps and folders. It’s currently not possible to pin a file to the Start Menu. However, you can pin a shortcut to a file.

You can do so by moving the file shortcut to a specific folder on your PC. There’s another option: modifying your PC’s registry. We’ll show you how to add files to the Start Menu using both techniques.

Method 1: The File Explorer Hack

1. First, create a shortcut for the file. Open File Explorer, right-click the item and select Create shortcut.

If your PC is running Windows 11, right-click the file, select Show more options, and select Create shortcut.

Quick Tip: There’s a faster way to create shortcuts for a file. Press and hold the Alt key, then drag and drop the file to the same folder or elsewhere. That’ll make a shortcut for the file in the destination folder.

2. Select the new shortcut and press Ctrl + C to copy it to your PC’s clipboard.
3. Open the Windows Run box, type shell:programs in the dialog box, and select OK.

Alternatively, paste %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs in the Run box and select OK.

4. The command will open the folder that houses Start Menu shortcuts in Windows. Paste the file shortcut you copied (in step #2) to the Programs folder (or Start Menu folder).

Any file shortcut in the Programs folder will automatically appear in the Start Menu. The final step is to pin the file shortcut to the Start Menu.

5. Open the Start Menu and select All apps to open the list of all applications.

6. Locate and right-click the file shortcut on the list. Select Pin to Start to add the file shortcut to the Start Menu.

You should now see the file shortcut(s) in the “Pinned” section of your computer’s Start Menu.

Method 2: The Windows Registry Hack

In this method, you’ll first unlock the “Pin to Start” context menu option for files by using a Registry hack. After that, you’ll be able to right-click any shortcut and pin it to the Start menu.

Warning: Before proceeding, ensure you create a backup of your Windows Registry. The Windows Registry houses a collection of delicate files that help your computer work smoothly. Deleting essential files (even by accident) can break your PC or some system functionalities.

Rather than editing the Registry directly, we’ll walk you through creating a special text file that will register the necessary changes to the Registry for you.

1. Open Notepad on your computer and paste the code below into a new document.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\PintoStartScreen]

@=”{470C0EBD-5D73-4d58-9CED-E91E22E23282}”

2. Select File on the menu bar and select Save as (or press Ctrl + Shift + S).

3. Save the document as a registry file anywhere on your computer. Give it a name like PintoStartScreen.reg, change the “Save as type” field to All files, and select Save.

4. Open the file and select OK on the Registry Editor pop-up.

5. Select OK.

6. Afterward, create a shortcut for the file you want to pin to the Start Menu. Right-click the file and select Create shortcut.

In Windows 11, right-click the file, select Show more options, and select Create shortcut.

7. Right-click the file shortcut and select Pin to Start.

Check the Start Menu for the pinned file shortcut(s).

Add Website Shortcut to Windows Start Menu

Creating Start Menu shortcuts for frequently-visited websites is easy. We’ll show you how to do it in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, but methods for other browsers will be similar. Ensure you’re running the latest versions of these browsers on your computer.

Add Websites Shortcuts from Microsoft Edge

Open the website or web page you want to pin to the Start Menu and follow the steps below.

1. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the toolbar.

2. Select More tools.

3. Select Pin to Start or Pin this page to Start—depending on the version of Microsoft Edge you have. A “Pin to taskbar” option also adds the website shortcut on the taskbar.

4. Select Yes on the confirmation prompt.

Check your PC’s Start Menu or Taskbar for the website shortcut.

Add Website Shortcuts from Google Chrome

1. Open the website’s tab in Chrome. Select the menu icon in the top-right corner, select More tools, and select Create shortcut.

2. Rename the shortcut—if you want—and select Create.

3. Chrome will create a shortcut for the website in the Desktop folder. Right-click the desktop shortcut and select Pin to Start.

Customize Windows 11 Start Menu

There are two sections in the Windows Start Menu: Pinned and Recommended content. Windows displays a balanced number of pinned and recommended items. However, when you have too many shortcuts in the Start Menu, they roll over into a second page in the pinned section.

Scrolling through multiple pages can be time-wasting. Hence, we recommend customizing how many pinned shortcuts and how much recommended content Windows shows in the Start Menu.

Go to Settings >  Personalization > Start and select More pins to have more shortcuts in your PC’s Start Menu.

Refer to this tutorial on customizing the Windows Start Menu to learn how to personalize the Start Menu interface.

Pin Shortcuts for Quick Access

Shortcuts you add to the Start Menu are only available to your (or your user account). To make an app or file shortcut available to all users, paste it into the Public Desktop (C:\Users\Public\Desktop) folder. Afterward, sign in to the user account and manually add the Start Menu shortcut.

The post How to Add Shortcuts to the Windows Start Menu first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

If your internet connection drops in and out or your service provider is down for the day, don’t worry. It’s easy to connect your laptop to a mobile hotspot and restore the internet so you can get back to work.

Here’s how you can connect your Windows laptop to a mobile hotspot via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.

What Is a Mobile Hotspot?

A mobile hotspot lets your phone act like a router, sharing your data connection (either your mobile data plan or whatever Wi-Fi network it’s connected to) to other devices. With this functionality, you can always connect to the internet on your laptop even if your primary internet is down for some reason.

Keep in mind that using a wireless hotspot will drain your phone’s battery, use your cellular data much faster, and expose you to malicious actors if you aren’t careful.

Start the Hotspot

The first step is to start the mobile hotspot connection so your laptop can discover it.

To share your mobile hotspot on Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Connections.

3. Scroll down and tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

4. Toggle on the Mobile Hotspot setting.

5. Tap Mobile Hotspot to see and change your password.

Note: This process may differ slightly depending on your Android device’s brand and version. If your Android hotspot isn’t working, try these ten fixes.

To share your mobile hotspot on an Apple iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Personal Hotspot.

3. Toggle on Allow Others to Join.

Connect Your Windows Laptop to the Wi-Fi Hotspot

Once you’ve shared the hotspot using your mobile device, you can create a network connection with your Microsoft laptop like any other wireless network.

To connect to your mobile hotspot on Windows 11:

1. Click the Wi-Fi symbol at the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.

2. Click the arrow next to the Wi-Fi symbol to enter your Wi-Fi settings.

3. Scroll down until you find your mobile hotspot and select it. It should be the name and model of your phone.

4. When prompted, enter the hotspot Wi-Fi password and click Connect.

To connect to your mobile hotspot using Windows 10:

1. Press the network settings symbol in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. This will appear as a Wi-Fi symbol if you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, a computer, and a cable if you’re connected via ethernet, or a globe with a disconnected symbol if you are connected to no network.

2. Select your hotspot name.

3. When prompted, enter the network security key and click Next.

How to Connect Your Laptop to the Mobile Hotspot via USB

It’s possible to tether your Android phone to your Windows laptop via a USB cable. To configure USB tethering:

1. Connect your USB cable to both the phone and your laptop.
2. Open Settings on your Android.
3. Tap Connections.

4. Tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

5. Toggle on USB Tethering.

How to Connect Your Laptop to the Mobile Hotspot via Bluetooth

The final way to connect your laptop to a mobile hotspot is to enable Bluetooth tethering. This is possible on both iOS and Android phones.

To enable Bluetooth tethering on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Connections.
3. Tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
4. Tap Bluetooth tethering.

5. Toggle it on.

To enable Bluetooth tethering on an iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Bluetooth.

3. Turn Bluetooth on and select your laptop from the list of devices to connect to.

To then connect your Windows PC to the Bluetooth hotspot:

1. Click the upwards arrow at the bottom-right of your taskbar to see the icon tray.
2. Right-click the Bluetooth symbol and click Show Bluetooth Devices.

3. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.

4. Select Bluetooth.

5. Select your phone from the list.

6. When you click your phone, you should receive a pairing request. Confirm that the passkey is identical on your phone and laptop, and then click Pair on your phone.

7. Click Connect on your laptop.

Happy Days

Maintaining internet access at all times is becoming more and more necessary with so many people working from home or needing the internet to stay in touch with their families. Luckily, with the mobile hotspot feature, you can create a Wi-Fi connection using your cellular data, meaning you never lose touch.

The post How to Connect Your Windows Laptop to a Mobile Hotspot first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

That is not that easy to implement. Most reminder apps on Android or iOS don’t include an easy way to set up repeating reminders, leaving you to input each date or time manually.

Things get even trickier if you want a reminder that repeats in a matter of minutes (or seconds), as there is no application designed to remind the user that frequently. So if you have been beating your head against the wall trying to figure out a way to set recurring reminders, this guide is for you.

How to Set Weekly or Daily Reminders on Windows

The easiest way to set up reminders for repeating tasks on a Windows PC is to use Cortana. Microsoft’s own AI assistant can schedule tasks and create timed reminders. And unlike iPhone’s Siri, voice commands aren’t the only way to control it – you can also type in your commands to have them executed.

1. Begin by opening Cortana on your PC. You can search for the app in the Start Menu or just use the “Hey Cortana” voice command if you have it enabled.

2. The Cortana interface resembles a chat window. Once again, you can continue speaking your commands or typing them in to direct Cortana.

3. As Cortana can interpret natural language commands, you can just tell the AI assistant to set a reminder for a particular task, specifying the time and frequency (tomorrow, every day, etc.)

4. Cortana will create a task in Microsoft To Do for the time specified. You can edit the task yourself to change the details or remove the reminder.

Remember that while this method is the most straightforward way to set reminders, it is not very customizable. For example, you can try telling Cortana to set a reminder every hour, but that wouldn’t work.

If you are looking to set reminders that repeat at an interval of minutes or seconds, you need another method.

Using the Task Scheduler to Set Up Recurring Reminders

Experienced Windows users might recall the Task Scheduler, a built-in utility that allows you to set up tasks in advance. The problem with this approach is that most of the features of this tool have already been deprecated.

Microsoft has been gradually phasing out the Task Scheduler since the last few releases of its flagship operating system, and in Windows 11 it is nothing but an outdated husk.

You can no longer display messages or send emails, being limited to only starting a program at a scheduled time. Still, for users inclined to try it out, here are the steps:

1. Search for the Task Scheduler in the Start menu.

2. As you can already tell from the interface, the utility is rather old. Select the Create Basic Task… option to begin.

3. Start by entering a name and description of the task. This can be anything – it has no bearing on its functioning.

4. Next is the trigger, where you can basically set the frequency of the scheduled task. You have the option of daily, weekly, or monthly tasks.

5. Now you can set the time and date at which the task is to start executing.

6. Finally, you can decide on the action to be performed… though in truth there is not much of a choice here. The options to send an email or display a message have been deprecated, and will not work anymore. You can only select a program to be opened.

7. If you do select the display message option, you will get to configure the contents of the message, though Task Scheduler will throw up an error upon trying to apply it.

How to Set Up More Frequent Recurring Reminders

Using Microsoft Cortana to create weekly or daily reminders is fine, but what if you want to set reminders that repeat more frequently? Unfortunately, there are no apps – built-in or otherwise – that can do this for you.

That is where Autohotkey comes in. Primarily a macro creation tool, Autohotkey – or AHK as it is generally called – can be used to rebind keys or set up hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts). But, more importantly for us, AHK can also be used to set up repetitive tasks to perform automatically.

1. To create a recurring reminder on Windows, download AHK from the official website.

2. Just run the downloaded setup file to install the application on your computer.

3. Now you can start creating AHK scripts. Simply right-click anywhere in an empty folder (or even your desktop screen) and select New > Autohotkey Script.

4. Name it anything you like, then right-click on the script and select Open With > Notepad to edit the script.

5. Ignore the code already in the script and just enter the following after it:

#Persistent

SetTimer, Reminder, 50000
return

Reminder:
MsgBox Remember to do your task!
return

This will play a sound to alert you every 50 seconds (the duration above is given in milliseconds). You can increase or decrease this time to suit your requirements. Save the file once you are done.

6. You can run this script now just by double-clicking on the file. Alternatively, you can right-click on the script and select Open to run it.

7. A message box with the reminder will pop up after the time you specified. You can click Okay to close the message, and a new reminder will show up after the duration again.

This is, of course, an elementary demonstration of AHK’s capabilities. You can go on to add sound alerts and bind the script to a particular hotkey to toggle it on or off easily. Multiple such alerts can be set up with various messages and durations to remind you of recurring tasks.

What Is the Best Way to Set Up Repeating Reminders on Windows?

Cortana reminders are a great way to create reminders that repeat on days of the week or every day of the month. You just tell Cortana the reminder time, and it automatically creates a new task in Microsoft To Do.

But when you are looking to remind yourself every few minutes or so, Cortana isn’t of much help. Very few task scheduling apps offer recurring reminders, and almost none of them work with such short intervals.

For that, your best recourse is Autohotkey. Used safely by millions to create keyboard macros and automate tasks, it can set up a repeating reminder with a couple of lines of script.

The post How to Set Up Recurring Reminders On Windows first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Do you still need third-party antivirus software on modern systems? There are tradeoffs, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before clicking that download button.

How Dangerous Are Viruses and Malware?

When you have to decide if you’re going to install extra security to protect yourself from viruses and malware, it’s essential to know what risks you’re facing. If you get infected by one of the various kinds of malware, you could be in serious trouble.

The main risks are losing your data, having your data stolen, having your identity stolen, and perhaps worst of all, having money stolen from your accounts.

Viruses and other malware have plenty of tricks to get your data or money. At present, ransomware is probably the most dangerous and destructive. This malware encrypts your data in the background and then demands a ransom to release it. 

Adware bombards you with advertising pop-ups in an attempt to make money. Spyware watches you, looking for personal information or passwords for identity theft. Trojans attach themselves to otherwise innocent-looking programs. PUPs or Potentially Unwanted Programs are bundled into other software installers. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous vulnerabilities that malware can exploit, but that doesn’t mean you need security software to protect yourself from it!

Common Sense Is a Great Antivirus

The simple fact is that if you use your computer responsibly, it’s doubtful that you’ll ever encounter a virus or another type of malware. Stick to using software from reputable sources, examine email attachments and email senders for authenticity, and refrain from using flash drives or hard drives that have been plugged into computers you don’t know.

You can also manually check attachments and other files for the presence of malware by using a site like VirusTotal, which gives you the benefit of showing the results from multiple antivirus engines.

You can also use a virtual machine program such as VirtualBox to test out software and ensure it’s safe before using it on your computer’s entire operating system.

Also, be sure to have cloud backups of your most essential data so that if a virus does destroy your data, you still have a copy in a location it can’t be touched. Cloud storage services usually have a rolling window where you can restore any corrupted files that have been uploaded from your computer back to their original state.

Microsoft Defender Is (Mostly) Good Enough

If you’re using Microsoft Windows, then Microsoft Defender is already up and running from when you first boot up Windows. There’s a sense among users that using the “store brand” antivirus that comes with your operating system means you aren’t that well protected. The truth is that Windows Defender consistently ranks among the top commercial antivirus packages to detect and destroy malware. It’s no stretch to call it a good antivirus program, and dismissing it is perhaps a little misguided.

Defender uses the best practices of modern antivirus software. It receives virus definition updates as soon as they are available, offers real-time protection, and uses heuristic virus detection. Heuristic detection allows an antivirus package to guess whether something is a virus by its behavior, which means it can stop viruses even without a virus definition.

Like any software, Defender isn’t perfect. For example, it has a disproportionate dependence on being online. So if you spend significant amounts of time offline and engage in risky behavior while doing so, another software package might be better for you. However, in terms of actual performance, it’s right up there with paid packages while costing the user nothing. It’s not the best antivirus software, but when you factor in its price, Defender is hard to beat!

Windows Includes a Firewall

An essential part of computer security is controlling what information flows from your computer to the internet and back. You can be infected by certain malware (such as worms) through your internet or network connection without any help from you, the user.

If you’re already infected with malware, you also don’t want it calling back home and uploading the information it’s stolen from you. Paid antivirus software might advertise that they include a firewall, but you should know that Windows already has a software firewall built-in along with an antivirus. Not only that, but there’s a good chance that your network router has a firewall of its own. So don’t be swayed by the offer of a firewall as a feature.

Windows Firewall is quite basic, even if it does get the job done. The firewalls you get with paid software might offer valuable features to you. If you only need the core features of a firewall, you’re already covered.

Web Browsers Offer Free Password Managers

Antivirus software developers include internet security features to get more users to switch to their products. This may consist of a password manager, and it might seem like a good idea to get a free password manager with your security suite since that seems like a better deal than paying a monthly fee for a service like LastPass. 

There are rather excellent password managers built into popular internet browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. They’ll generate and store strong passwords for you completely free of charge. You’ll even get a warning when one of your passwords is featured in a hacker breach.

macOS Doesn’t Have a Serious Virus Problem (For Now)

Historically, Apple Mac computers like MacBooks and iMacs haven’t needed antivirus software thanks to “security through obscurity.” That’s just a fancy way of saying that such a small percentage of computers out in the world are Macs that virus creators don’t think it’s worth the effort to create anything for them.

Mac users who only download trusted Mac software or software from the official Mac App store probably have nothing to worry about, but Mac viruses and other Mac malware are out there. MacWorld maintains a Mac malware list if you’re curious about the exact threats you’re facing.

Apple’s recent shift to their CPUs, starting with the Apple M1, has significantly increased the platform’s security. Still, there’s already at least one malware package that attacks M1 systems in the form of Silver Sparrow. Ultimately, most users don’t need antivirus on Mac, but that strongly depends on your usage patterns.

Antivirus Software Can Kill Performance

Microsoft Defender has the advantage of being designed as an integrated part of Windows 10 and 11. Unfortunately, that’s not true for other antivirus options. Anyone who has used the major antivirus brands has experienced performance problems at some point.

These programs not only consume CPU and RAM resources, but their scanning can also interfere with the operation of legitimate applications, slowing them down or causing crashes.

This varies from application to application and from antivirus to antivirus. It’s worth reading up on the performance impact of any paid antivirus software you’re considering to see what users say about its effect on performance. Professional reviewers may also run benchmarks to determine how much performance impact a particular antivirus has on a computer.

If you rely on specific programs or are a gamer, you should check whether a given antivirus is known for conflicting or interfering with your favorite games or mission-critical applications.

Paid Antivirus Software Can Be Costly

It’s becoming rare for antivirus software to be sold as a once-off application. Instead, you’re likely to pay a monthly fee. Even if you pay once for the software, you may have to pay an annual fee or keep receiving virus definition updates.

Depending on your risk profile, whether you have access to built-in antivirus like Defender, and how much you need the extra features some paid options provide, the running costs may be unreasonable.

Free Antivirus Isn’t Free

Speaking of costs, there are many free antivirus programs out there. They don’t cost you any currency, but obviously, they need to make money somehow. If you’re not paying directly, that means selling your information, bundling unwanted programs into their installer, or showing you advertisements.

If a free version also has an upgraded paid version, then the free version may have too many features removed to offer good virus protection.

Third-party Antivirus Software Can Be Bloated

Installing antivirus suites can add a ton of bloat to your computer. There may be many different components to the suite, each vying for your attention. There may also be automatically installed plugins that add themselves to your browser or to office software to fight macro viruses. A good antivirus protection suite will let you choose which components to install and which to defer, but even that can be a confusing chore!

VPNs Might Be More Important in Some Cases

One feature that most antivirus programs don’t offer is a VPN or Virtual Private Network. VPNs create private “tunnels” over the internet, hiding your internet activity from anyone on the same network. That includes other users on your LAN (Local Area Network) and your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

VPNs are crucial if you ever use your computer on a public Wi-Fi network. Whether that’s at work, at a coffee shop, or in a hotel, other users can steal all sorts of information from your network data, and that’s something an antivirus program won’t protect you from.

Third-party Antivirus Software Worth Considering

If you decide that you want to install third-party antivirus protection on your computer, then it’s a good idea to stick with mainstream brands and have a known history. Especially since there are so many fake antivirus programs, you may see these phony antivirus programs advertised on dodgy websites or social media. They’ll tell you that your computer system is infected, charge you money to “fix” it, and if you’re lucky, you’ll only lose a bit of money. Mainstream cybersecurity software brands and software include:

• Norton
• Mcafee
• AVG
• Malwarebytes
• Kaspersky
• BitDefender
• Avira

Suppose you want to evaluate the relative merits of the different antivirus options or confirm that an antivirus program is legit. In that case, a great resource is AV-Test, which specializes in reviewing and testing this software. You can also check out our Best Virus & Malware Scanner for some great suggestions.

What About Antivirus for Your Smartphone?

You probably use your smartphone or tablet more than your desktop computer these days, so you’ve likely wondered if you need antivirus for that. If you’re an Android smartphone user and use software from sources other than the Google Play store, you may want to look into a reputable Android Antivirus app. 

Check out How to Remove Malware From an Android Phone and Best Android Antivirus and Security Apps. For iOS users, antivirus programs aren’t an option, but if you haven’t jailbroken your iPhone or iPad, it’s a non-issue.

The post Do You Really Need Antivirus Software on Your Windows or Mac Computer? first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Remove Default Microsoft Apps from the Start Menu

Maybe you don’t want to uninstall the default Windows apps, but would just rather not see them in the Start Menu. It’s a simple process to unpin Windows apps.

Open the Start Menu, right-click on the app and select Unpin from Start. The app disappears from the Start Menu.

Uninstall Microsoft Apps in Windows 11 via Start Menu

Perhaps the simplest way to uninstall Microsoft apps is to do it from the Start Menu.

1. Select the Start Menu, find the app you want to delete, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.

2. Windows will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall it. Select Uninstall and the app is removed.

Uninstall Microsoft Apps in Windows 11 via Settings

When you want to uninstall several apps, this is a good point-and-click method.

1. Select the Start Menu and start typing remove. There’s no need to click in the search bar or select the Search tool in the taskbar. Just start typing. Select Add or remove programs from the results.

2. Settings will open to the Apps & features area. Find the app to be removed, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.

3. Windows will ask you to confirm that you want to uninstall the app. Select Uninstall.

There’ll be a progress bar as the app is uninstalled and it will say Uninstalled when finished.

Uninstall Microsoft Apps in Windows 11 via Control Panel

Yes, the Control Panel is still in Windows 11. It’s not as handy for removing everything as it was in previous versions. Programs can still be uninstalled through this method, however, Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps won’t even show up here. UWP apps are the ones you most likely want to uninstall. 

1. Select the Start Menu and start typing control. Select Control Panel from the results.

2. When the Control Panel window opens, look for Programs and select Uninstall a program below it.

3. In the Uninstall or change a program window, select the program to remove and then select Uninstall.

Windows will show the User Account Control (UAC) window asking, “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” Select Yes. Depending on the size of the program, it may take a few minutes until the program is gone.

Uninstall Microsoft Apps In Windows 11 Via PowerShell

Even home users can learn PowerShell and have greater control over Windows. Building a PowerShell script to uninstall Microsoft apps will give you the most control over what gets removed. It also makes removing a bunch of Microsoft apps a quick and easy task, so save the script for the next time you install Windows 11.

If creating a PowerShell script is more than you bargained for, yet still want that kind of speed and control, skip to the scripting section below.

1. Select the Start Menu and start typing powershell. Select the PowerShell ISE option and open it as Administrator.

2. Once it is open, enter and run the cmdlet Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned.

When asked if you really want to change the execution policy, select Yes to All. This will allow you to run the scripts you make.

3. First you need to get the package names for the Windows apps. Create a script and save it with a name like get-InstalledApps.ps1. Copy and paste the following cmdlets into the new script. They will create and save a list of the Name, and PackageFullName of UWP apps installed. Comment lines in the image beginning with a # explain what the cmdlets under it do.

• Get-AppXPackage |`
• Select-Object -Property Name, PackageFullName |`
• Export-Csv “$PSScriptRootWindows-apps.csv”

4. Open the resulting text file. A good rule of thumb for what to remove from this file is to delete any lines that you’re not sure what it is or that has “neutral” in the PackageFullName. This will leave only those things that you are certain you want to uninstall. If you’re not sure what to do here, move on to the next section of the article.

5. Create another script and name it uninstall-WindowsApps.ps1. Use the following cmdlets to uninstall only the Windows apps that remain in the text file. Comment lines in the image beginning with a # explain what the cmdlets under it do.

• $unwantedApps = import-CSV “$PSScriptRootWindows-apps.csv”
• $unwantedApp variable
• foreach($unwantedApp in $unwantedApps){
• Get-AppXPackage $unwantedApp.name | Remove-AppXPackage -WhatIf
• }

When you’re ready, remove the -WhatIf parameter and run the script. The apps will be uninstalled.

Uninstall Microsoft Apps In Windows 11 Via Scripts

There are a few pre-made scripts that can be used to remove unwanted Microsoft apps. Two of the most popular are Windows 10 Decrapifier and Windows 10 Debloater. Both do similar things and both work in Windows 11, however we’ll only look at Windows 10 Debloater here, as it has a graphical user interface (GUI) option that you may find more helpful to use.

1. Go to the Windows 10 Debloater page and select the Code button, then select Download ZIP.

2. Once the zip file is downloaded, extract it. Find Windows10DebloaterGUI and run it.

3. Some script will run and then the Windows10Debloater GUI will open. There’s several options here, however the quickest, simplest one to use is REMOVE ALL BLOATWARE.

Once selected, you’ll see the script running in the background removing a lot of things. This can take a few minutes.The only notification that it’s done is the script stops scrolling and the last line is Finished all tasks. All the unwanted Microsoft apps are gone.

How to Restore Default Microsoft Apps in Windows 11

Great, you cleared out all the bloat and default Microsoft apps. But what if you need them back? You could go through the Microsoft Store and reinstall them one by one. However, the simplest and quickest way is with a single line of PowerShell.

1. Create another script and name it restore-WindowsApps.ps1. Run the following cmdlets to restore the default Microsoft apps. Comment lines in the image beginning with a # explain what the cmdlets under it do.

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | foreach {Add-AppXPackage – Register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

2. All the default Microsoft Apps that your Windows version normally has are installed.

Windows 11 and Default Apps

Unnecessary default apps have always been a part of Windows and, to be fair, most operating systems. Now you know how to take care of that. Do you use any other methods like Chocolatey package manager? Which is your favorite? We love hearing about new things from you. Let us know.

The post How To Remove Default Microsoft Apps in Windows 11/10 first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

You can perform all these procedures by yourself without hiring tech assistance.

Use Settings to Remove a Printer on Windows 10/11

If you use a method other than Settings to remove your printer, use the Settings app and you should have success in getting rid of your printer from your machine.

This method works on both Windows 10 and 11 PCs.

On Windows 10:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.
2. Select Devices on the Settings window.

3. Choose Printers & scanners from the left sidebar.

4. Find and select your printer in the pane on the right.
5. Select Remove device under your printer to remove the printer.

6. Choose Yes in the prompt that opens to begin uninstalling the selected printer.

On Windows 11:

1. Access the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys at the same time.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar in Settings.
3. Choose Printers & scanners in the pane on the right.

4. Select your printer in the device list.
5. Select Remove at the top-right corner of your printer’s page.

6. Choose Yes in the prompt that opens to remove your printer.

Use the Print Server Properties Window to Remove a Printer

If Settings doesn’t remove your printer, another way to get rid of your installed printers is to use the Print Server Properties window. This window lists all your printers, and you can pick the one you want to delete from your system.

On Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open the Start menu, search for Control Panel, and select Control Panel in the search results.

2. Choose View devices and printers on the Control Panel window.

3. Find and select your printer.
4. Choose Print server properties at the top of your screen.

5. Access the Drivers tab, select your printer in the list, and choose Remove at the bottom.

6. Select Remove driver and driver package and choose OK in the prompt that opens.

7. Restart your PC and your printer should be removed.

Uninstall Printer Software to Remove the Printer

It’s possible the printer software you’ve installed on your PC is causing interference with your printer removal process. In this case, first get rid of the printer software and then try to remove the printer itself.

1. Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
2. Select Apps on the Settings window.

3. Find your printer’s software in the list and select it.
4. Choose the Uninstall button for your software.

5. Select Uninstall in the prompt to remove the software.

6. Use the Settings app as described above to remove your printer from your PC.

Stop Print Spooler and Then Remove the Printer

To ensure print spooler service isn’t interfering with your printer removal process, stop that service and see if you can successfully remove the printer.

Once you’ve removed the printer, you can then restart the print spooler service.

1. Press Windows + R keys at the same time to open the Run box.
2. Type the following in the Run box and press Enter: services.msc

3. Find the Print Spooler service on the Services window.
4. Right-click the Print Spooler service and choose Stop from the menu.

5. Keep the Services window open.
6. Use the Settings app to remove the printer from your PC.
7. When your printer is removed, come back to the Services window. Then, right-click the Print Spooler service and choose Start from the menu.

Clear the Print Jobs and Then Remove the Printer

A possible reason you can’t remove the printer from your Windows 10 or 11 PC is that your printer still has pending print jobs. You should clear these print tasks before uninstalling the printer.

To do so:

1. Open Control Panel and select View devices and printers.

2. Right-click your printer and choose See what’s printing from the menu.

3. Cancel all print jobs in the window that opens.

4. Remove your printer using the Settings app as outlined above.

Use Device Manager to Delete a Printer

You can remove pretty much any device from your computer, including printers, using Device Manager. Here’s how to use this utility to remove your stubborn printer:

1. Open the Start menu, search for Device Manager, and select that tool in the search results.

2. Select View > Show hidden devices on the Device Manager window. This ensures your printer appears on the list.

3. Find your printer in the Printers section, right-click the printer, and choose Uninstall device.

4. Enable the Delete the driver software for this device option and select Uninstall.

5. Reboot your PC and your printer will be removed.

Update the Printer Drivers and Then Uninstall the Printer

If you’re using outdated or faulty printer drivers, that may be why you can’t remove your printer from your PC. To deal with this, first update your printer’s drivers and then try to remove the printer.

Luckily, you can update your printer’s drivers automatically on both Windows 10 and 11 PCs:

1. Open Device Manager and find your printer in the Printers section.
2. Right-click your printer and choose Update driver from the menu.

3. Select Search automatically for drivers on the screen that follows.

4. Allow Windows to find and install the latest drivers for your printer.
5. Restart your PC when the drivers are installed.
6. Use the Settings app to remove the printer from your PC.

Fix It When You Can’t Remove a Printer on Windows 10/11

There are many reasons your PC doesn’t let you remove your printer. Once you fix those underlying issues, you should have no difficulties getting rid of your printers from your computer. We hope this guide helps you out.

The post Can’t Remove a Printer in Windows 10/11? How To Force Remove It first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In both Windows 10 and 11 operating systems, you have built-in tools to clean up your system. You can also manually clear your unwanted folders and files if you want.

Remove Unwanted Apps To Clean Up Your PC

If you have any unused apps sitting on your PC, it’s best to remove them to clear your storage space. You can do so using the Settings app on both Windows 10 and 11.

1. Open the Settings app on your PC by pressing Windows + I keys at the same time.
2. Select Apps on the Settings screen.

3. Find the app that you’d like to remove and select that app.
4. Select Uninstall in the section that opens for your app.

5. Choose Uninstall in the prompt that opens to remove the selected app.

6. Your app should now be removed.

Follow the above process for each app that you want to uninstall on your computer.

Use Disk Cleanup to Clean Up Your Windows 10/11 PC

Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool in Windows that you can use to find and delete unwanted files from your system. This tool automatically scans for junk files and helps you get rid of them.

1. Open the Start menu, search for Disk Cleanup, and select Disk Cleanup in the search results.

2. Choose the drive you’d like to clean up and select OK.

3. Wait for Disk Cleanup to analyze the selected drive.
4. On the Disk Cleanup window, choose the files that you’d like to let go from your computer. Then, select OK at the bottom.

5. Select Delete Files in the prompt that appears to remove the selected files from your machine.

Delete Large Folders To Make Space on Your Windows PC

Nothing occupies more space on your hard drive than those old and unused large folders. Luckily, Windows has a built-in tool to quickly find those memory-hogging folders on your computer. You can then manually remove those folders if you want.

1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings app.
2. Select System on the Settings window.

3. Choose Storage from the sidebar on the left.
4. Select Other in the pane on the right.

5. You’ll see a list of folders that occupy a significant chunk of your storage space.

6. Select a folder to open it in File Explorer. You can then manually delete the folder in File Explorer.

Uninstall Built-In Apps and Make Your PC Bloatware-Free

Both Windows 10 and 11 come preloaded with certain apps. If you don’t make use of these apps, you can remove these apps and clean up your PC.

1. Access the Start menu and find the built-in app you’d like to remove.
2. Right-click on the app and select Uninstall from the menu.

3. Select Uninstall in the prompt that opens to remove the app from your PC.

Use these steps to remove any other built-in apps from your computer.

Empty the Recycle Bin

When you delete a file from your PC, that file goes straight into the Recycle Bin. This means, if you don’t clear the contents of the Recycle Bin on a regular basis, the Bin will grow large.

Luckily, there’s a single option you can use to empty the entire Recycle Bin at once:

1. Locate the Recycle Bin shortcut on your desktop.
2. Right-click the Recycle Bin shortcut and choose Empty Recycle Bin from the menu.

3. Select Yes in the prompt that appears.

Defrag Your Drives

By defragging your drives, you bring the relevant data together on your disks. This doesn’t change how the files appear on your PC as these changes are only internal.

1. Open the Start menu, search for Defragment and Optimize Drives, and select that option in the search results.

2. Select your main hard drive on the Optimize Drives window and choose the Optimize button.

3. Wait for Windows to defrag your drive.

Disable Startup Apps To Make Your PC Boot Up Faster

Your PC has certain apps, called startup apps, that automatically launch when you turn on your computer. If your computer takes too long to boot up, you should remove non-essential apps from this startup apps list.

This doesn’t delete your apps, and you can always re-add your apps to the startup apps list.

1. Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.
2. Select Apps on the Settings window.
3. Choose Startup from the sidebar on the left.
4. Find the app you want to stop launching on your PC’s boot. Then turn the toggle for that app to the off position. Repeat this process for each app you don’t want to launch when you turn on your machine.

Remove Browser Extensions and History

While cleaning your Windows 10 or 11 PC, cleaning your web browsers is also important as they are part of your system. In most browsers, you can clean up the contents by deleting your browsing history and removing unused extensions.

In most web browsers, you can remove the extensions by right-clicking the extensions and selecting Remove.

You can clear your browsing history by heading into your browser’s Settings menu and choosing an appropriate option. You can remove cookies and other site data as well.

Built-In Tools Make It Easier To Clean Up Your Windows 10/11 PC

Whether your PC has already become sluggish, or you don’t want your PC to ever get there, the methods outlined above should help you keep your PC clean and tidy. We hope the guide helps you out.

The post 8 Simple Ways To Clean Up Your Windows 11/10 PC first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In most cases, you can fix the Windows 10 memory leak issues yourself. You can close resource-intensive apps, disable certain startup apps, and perform similar tasks to fix a memory leak.

Restart Your PC

An easy way to clear the contents of your PC’s memory is to restart your PC. This should fix the memory leak issue in most cases, at least temporarily, until you can find a permanent fix.

1. Open the Start menu on your PC.
2. Select the power icon in the Start menu.
3. Choose Restart to restart your PC.

Use Windows Memory Diagnostic to Fix a Windows 10 Memory Leak

Windows 10 comes preloaded with a tool called Windows Memory Diagnostic. You can use this tool to find and fix issues with your PC’s RAM.

Since the tool automatically detects the issue with your memory, you don’t have to be computer-savvy to use the tool.

1. Open the Start menu, search for Windows Memory Diagnostic, and select that tool in the search results.

2. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended) in the tool.

3. Your computer will restart, and the tool will try and fix your memory issues.

Close the Problematic App to Resolve the Windows 10 Memory Leak Issue

Most Windows 10 memory leak issues occur due to a problematic app that you’ve installed on your system. This app usually eats up all your RAM and leaves no memory for other apps to use.

In this case, you can fix the issue by closing the problematic app on your PC. Task Manager should tell you what app is using what amount of RAM. If you find an app using an unusual amount of memory, that app might be the culprit.

1. Right-click the Windows taskbar and choose Task Manager from the menu.

2. Select the Processes tab in Task Manager.
3. You’ll see a list of apps along with the memory amount they use. If you find an app using too much memory, right-click that app and select End task to close the app.

Repeat the above process for each app that uses a lot of memory. If your Windows 10 memory leak issue gets resolved by doing that, you know what apps are causing the problem. You can then manually uninstall those apps on your computer.

Disable Startup Programs

If your PC starts showing signs of a memory leak as soon as you turn on the PC, a startup app might be the culprit. These apps automatically launch at your PC’s boot.

In this case, you can remove the problematic app from the startup apps list. The app will no longer automatically open when you turn on your computer.

1. Open Windows 10’s Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.
2. Select Apps on the Settings window.

3. Choose Startup from the sidebar on the left.
4. Find the app you don’t want to launch at your computer’s boot on the right pane.
5. Turn the toggle for that app to the off position. Repeat this process for each app you don’t want to launch when you turn on your machine.

Update Your Device Drivers

Outdated device drivers cause various issues, including Windows 10 memory leak issues. If this is the case with your PC, you should get all your drivers updated to the latest versions.

It’s free and easy to update drivers on Windows 10.

1. Open Device Manager by accessing the Start menu, searching for Device Manager, and selecting that option in the search results.

2. Find the device you want to update the drivers for on the Device Manager window. Usually, you need to update the graphics, sound, and network drivers to fix a memory leak problem.
3. Right-click your device and select Update driver.

4. Select Search automatically for drivers on the following window to let Windows 10 automatically find the latest drivers for your device.

5. Install the new drivers if they are available.
6. Restart your PC when the drivers are installed.

If you use an Nvidia graphics card, you can also manually update your drivers.

Run an Antivirus Scan to Get Around the Windows 10 Memory Leak Problem

Sometimes, a virus or malware ends up using your entire memory, which leads to a Windows 10 memory leak problem. In these cases, use your PC’s built-in antivirus tool to find and remove any viruses from your computer.

If you have a third-party antivirus installed on your computer, you can use that, too.

1. Launch the Start menu, search for Windows Security, and select that app in the search results.

2. Choose Virus & threat protection on the following screen.

3. Select Scan options on the right pane. Then, choose the Full scan option and select Scan now.

4. Wait for the antivirus to scan your entire PC.

Disable Sysmain on Windows 10

Sysmain is a feature in Windows 10 that automatically preloads your frequently used apps in the RAM. This makes launching those apps faster.

But, if you ever experience any RAM-related issues, it’s worth turning off that feature to see if that makes any difference. You can always re-enable the feature later.

To turn off Sysmain:

1. Open the Run box by pressing Windows + R keys simultaneously.
2. Type the following in the Run box and press Enter:
   services.msc

3. Find Sysmain on the Services window, right-click the service, and select Stop.

4. To ensure the Sysmain service doesn’t run when you reboot your PC, right-click the service and choose Properties.

5. Select Disabled from the Startup type dropdown menu. Then, select Apply followed by OK at the bottom.

6. Close the Services window.

Your Windows 10 Memory Leak Problem Should Now Be Fixed

Memory leak issues are pretty common on Windows PCs. If you ever experience this problem on your machine, you now know what to do to get around it. In a nutshell, stay away from any untrusted apps, and you should be just fine.

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