Windows
Whether you won't give up Windows XP or you've settled in with Windows 11, we can help you optimize features and troubleshoot problems to fix things on your own.
Latest Tech News
![POST screen example showing a BIOS version number](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/pPH2Ch65MacoorKhBfuZI4mONGQ=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/post-screen-showing-bios-version-number-56a6fac03df78cf772913f50.png)
How to Access BIOS in Windows 11
![A Windows-based PC sitting on a white desk with black and gray accessories around it. There's a mechanical keyboard in the middle, a smartphone on the left, and a mouse on a black mousepad on the right.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/i66MktyDjzmYAKs0QJvnZsTUwyI=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SetaLiveWallpaperinWindows11-b8ca3913592d4a5790808131bf8f34e1.jpg)
How to Set a Live Wallpaper in Windows 11
![A man in a blue polo shirt looking at his Microsoft Surface Pro computer with a concerned look on his face.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/HGd-85yvBAznlshYpIK5rfb7t2k=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-fix-a-critical-process-dies-windows-11-error-952a1ad6325f455aaef36516fb3f7120.jpg)
How to Fix a Critical Process Died Windows 11 Error
![A man working in Windows 11 Registry Editor to restore old context menus.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/eNp3QxrAjZ_oljQokRG_I3RjGaQ=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows11contextmenu-f4d6ebb14db4444d851b4338aa553e21.png)
How to Bring Back the Old Context Menu in Windows 11
![A person sitting at a desk using a PC running Windows 11 encountering the error 'The operation did not complete.'](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kyJhlylNsevqw5VQ_1DGYGXVNFA=/540x405/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/operationcouldnotcomplete-95695abe458d4062a2c2f7e46e656b08.png)
How to Fix an Operation Did Not Complete Error in Windows 11
![A man working in Windows 11 Registry Editor to restore old context menus.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/T3oAGUoYLVRmGZE2mOml4yp8ZKM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows11contextmenu-f4d6ebb14db4444d851b4338aa553e21.png)
How to Bring Back the Old Context Menu in Windows 11
![A person sitting at a desk using a PC running Windows 11 encountering the error 'The operation did not complete.'](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/AABN66_O5QdCnYAK8FfHPB_DHvo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/operationcouldnotcomplete-95695abe458d4062a2c2f7e46e656b08.png)
How to Fix an Operation Did Not Complete Error in Windows 11
![A man with red hair and a blue shirt looking annoyed at his laptop while sitting on a couch.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/hSS8FWO7xA50bNwlCjsNDW5C9p4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-fix-it-when-pngs-wont-open-in-windows-11-41107f6a55db4318b6c2b64437de5b75.jpg)
How to Fix It When PNGs Won’t Open in Windows 11
![Zip file format](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/4n8riO_MYW88v_KuCXoPRiMuCx8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/File-Format-Zip-Label-c778dd481b1c4e6887dc8a5934680869.jpg)
How to Unzip Files in Windows 11
![A pile of RAM sticks](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/8fBMvrWf-Ys567TH3841XCqrFj8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ram-921458-3390fae06182490a87861800a0c0d03b.jpg)
How to Check RAM in Windows 11
![Full screen icon on a computer monitor](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/8s-j8oPRkRSRB3zphx0ZKLm3vJo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/full-screen-0615d16aec844249904dfccf354434a8.jpg)
4 Ways to Go Full Screen in Windows 11
![Various file extensions](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/yXd6kbzwSV4roj76rKKn1skHMJk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/file-extensions-2eb612c006764798b8bbf97110e97c67.png)
4 Ways to Change a File Extension in Windows 11
![A person with two laptops](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/w1wwJVpQ4aXqCvUXO98UDTZYmzU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/freestocks-I_pOqP6kCOI-unsplash-0b7368513be44793b247e746e4d8ac00.jpg)
How to Turn On or Off Network Discovery in Windows 11
![A person working on a laptop with a blue question mark on the screen](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/9AwRQGlIsrWlTGm22m1fETOKmbk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/computer-help-4c2ae3033c2a49648074915cbcac411a.jpg)
10 Ways to Get Help in Windows 11
![New user account prompt on a Windows 11 laptop](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/qII9EK68kuEIAGRCFE4bQQZr1XE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/new-user-windows-11-ba39b982378c4d43bc57cc4a072d571e.jpg)
4 Ways to Create a New User in Windows 11
![A prompt in Windows 11 that reads 'The app you're trying to install isn't a Microsoft-verified app'](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/WwGbWKIgPORGoHCZH7N4aJwM-z0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/isnt-a-microsoft-verified-app-windows-11-5eb980b54ce04b0884d7661c5fddcc62.png)
Bypass ‘The App You're Trying to Install Isn't a Microsoft-Verified App’ in Windows 11
![A laptop computer next to a window](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/m1kyUcWmuPWEU_y-GKpVpk9Z4YU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dean-pugh-C8NDn4xk9zs-unsplash-695beaa3650046498cc88635c55895a4.jpg)
How to Stop Programs Running in the Background in Windows 11
![Windows 11 portrait display](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_8_hYplgi27SViMbPBApoYLLXuc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-11-rotated-screen-f1eb1728b65646f596a6efa9c80c3e2c.jpg)
How to Rotate Your Screen in Windows 11
![Windows 11 logo](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/om8Q9weuRycP_7ctYSOybb_fKi8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windwos-11-logo-microsoft-61541431d7dc4408a5c586fbf8db3d07.jpg)
How to Change a PIN in Windows 11
![Windows gradient wallpaper](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/uwA3SCnEl5a34kAvGn1Yof4yEic=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-6869498_1920-0997a7261c194d658b54a581b4d8343b.png)
Do You Need Antivirus for Windows 11?
![Keyboard with emoticon like letters on keys](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/1wbVwPNZ-lDQwseQKkoqfNTXU-0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/keyboard-emoticon-fc4aaf5752b54c2c9c338da041f82fa6.jpg)
How to Use Emoji Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 11
![man using a Windows 11 computer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/6wxlw9LGq6FPPbpCV_C4Bx14Idw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-4jObbWz5vfI-unsplash-c0439298f1604a0c9c37290ad5c33e5c.jpg)
5 Ways to Go to the Desktop in Windows 11
![Image of a keyboard ctrl key](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kY1iU3FpzPk63O4dej2ij3Gp5KA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-fix-it-when-copy-and-paste-isn-t-working-in-windows-10-11-5323811-1-5753c42f54aa4e0f80e25aeb194d6c37.jpg)
How to Fix It When Copy and Paste Isn't Working in Windows 10/11
![locked folder icons](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/k005HXlgJzN7qSJNKPg3VQe0O9I=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/locked-folders-b0d10deb748045039be2f29c1e47b8d3.png)
How to Lock a Folder in Windows 11
![Woman using Windows 11 on laptop](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/eXpdy3JiijwGqlHdQxhdBHKjETs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-AigsWJmvoEo-unsplash-67a94bcef72f4b3088afd1c564eb583b.jpg)
How to Bypass Windows 11 Requirements
![A woman connecting her iPhone to a Windows 11 PC using Phone Link.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/opDCWwP4e3kRHUgSWwnXITnaobo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iphonewindows11-1e2b4006a2cd457abdd70c1df54de963.jpg)
How to Connect an iPhone to Windows 11
![AI Chat Bot concept](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/6xuM2EyQiLZhok9LAmw6JW0hXgU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ai-Chatbot-6bb24727cd054dcd9339c6ed6f5da37e.jpg)
10 Ways to Use Copilot in Windows 11
![A man sitting on a train with a Microsoft Surface Pro laptop on his lap running Windows 11 that looks like Windows 10.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/IwRmaIeHeXckeAvHmXe3uLiZRGg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7-ways-to-make-windows11-look-like-windows10-1a57777b58da4c60a0ae14e2c500c058.jpg)
7 Ways to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10
![Bing Chat text box and logo](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/IbBoUsmodsqtCMucPpWy2WV4IOU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bing-chat-249ea636b6c9418c885ecee7ef987bcb.png)
How to Use Bing AI in Windows 11
![Windows 11 vs Windows 10](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/clYXjP1bXt9rBsdas9brxu9-X1E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Windows-11-vs-Windows-10-017883b520cd47608f6b994289765abb.jpg)
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: What's the Difference?
![A gamer checking DirectStorage compatibility on Windows](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ex9xPHUALaX2I-A3HuMo6MUFp0E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/directstoragewindows11-005dd9bd6021414298d0f3632af9f480.jpg)
How to Use DirectStorage in Windows 10
![Windows Update Icon](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/RfVWhBIIYtIH_NtkP4YohX7Q4ZU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Windows-Update-56a6c3e75f9b58b7d0e47dd2.png)
How to Fix It When a Windows 11 Update Fails After Restart
![Troubleshoot icon on the Advanced Startup Options menu in Windows](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/9dE4BZ594OnxMV1GoOMhRuuM65c=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/troubleshoot-icon-aso-windows-10-56a6fad65f9b58b7d0e5d191.png)
How to Fix Icons in Windows 11
![A woman installing Windows 11 on a Mac using Parallels Desktop.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/D4hMwo1fgvcxAWexmOZd8ozOhjo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windowsonmac-d2ca8670aaa4441693d95dd1b29f8206.jpg)
How to Run Windows 11 on a Mac
![Windows 12 wallpaper on a laptop screen](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/i47OBfBvU-32zgxLRSGZizYiKWU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-12-laptop-0a11c0e602044782bfc403f88b113a75.jpg)
Windows 12: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors
![Disabling Secure Boot in an Asrock BIOS.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/qZFrZaQBjDzTHUCtUnkN0lYQVX8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/disablesecureboot02-c88e3bc90b4d466e9dd986b35da01a04.jpg)
How to Enable Secure Boot to Install Windows 11
![A laptop running Windows 11.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/7ZaQUdAZpbeurr7xiCjlQ1enRrs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows11laptop90191-8447abc9c7044ad89f125dbf182d9a46.jpg)
What to Do When Windows 11 Doesn't Support a Processor
![User accounts on computer screen](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/urETVhWfkJkEGObaW3GlvRNSsuQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/computer-user-accounts-80d59385a53e4973ad6401242e68286c.png)
Your Guide to User Account Settings in Windows 11
![A man with a black screen on his Windows 11 Microsoft Surface Pro laptop.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/urk3gjk7c98oPaVEq8OA8MIAy1A=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-fix-windows-11-black-screen-issues-fd02c61f29db4ba9a7b4935621ea4463.jpg)
How To Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Issues
![Print Screen Prt Scr button on a Windows computer keyboard.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/TkjWQHxkGnXlesE-peTvOoknaPI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1368774675-4b5242c41c53484a84e8f4924ff68974.jpg)
16 Ways To Fix It When Print Screen Is Not Working in Windows
![A HP laptop running Windows open on a white background.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/5AvR7H0KTwyyOTF0EvjTdoE360E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-laptop-hp-14b0e74b955f4949baa65d71c09b6239.jpg)
How to Sync a Laptop Automatically to a Microsoft Account
![Man using Windows 11 laptop](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/GM2QYNwnhkXWZ2j6JDghhyeNUsI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-4jObbWz5vfI-unsplash-dafd1593c01e4b59a9dc9c9a0bfa7134.jpg)
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11
![A man wearing headphones while sitting at a desk and listing to Spotify on his Windows 11 computer with overlay controls showing.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/cFo8XbO8Lrm8TDZAHaR2aPf2qUs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-fix-spotify-song-change-notifications-not-working-on-windows11-ee9e010085b74b389f9934449b2fbf84.jpg)
How to Fix Spotify Song Change Notifications Not Working on Windows 11
![PC speakers ready for listening.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/1xos4liMI0ft9VsGNhTwrv88Sdk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/surroundspeakers01-45be5b7bbe104da789980c6c2e6a7bca.jpg)
How to Play Audio With Multiple Speakers in Windows 10
![focus sign](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ZXTHtJcqsvopCcQFElog1nw2YJ8=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stefan-cosma-0gO3-b-5m80-unsplash-69cb76cc23514eb7b23fe004961b014e.jpg)
How to Use Focus Assist in Windows 11
![A woman looking at her PC intently while sitting at a desk.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/ULeDlOC7_gNFrDAYMDzeXiBioJM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/6-things-that-are-taking-up-too-much-space-on-your-pc-5223487-d6e86fa7d13c4883bc780defd6e65a50.jpg)
6 Things That are Taking up Too Much Space on Your PC
![A woman sleeping at her desk because her computer is slow.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/aM-kBMi_II7OPQZHQey7TSqi5PA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sleepdesk-2ce4a87a5d7e443d8a88baee37d72100.jpg)
How to Fix Slow PC Startup
![Windows 11 on a PC](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/pLGFDNJs9tsb7vOOBaYjy1iAQ9c=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DesktopPCindarkroom-f0ee5fbe435c40718bfe7a1c8e848dc9.jpg)
3 Ways to Download and Install Windows 11
![A Toolbox Sitting on Top of a Laptop Computer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/y8IfaFw2lIY4XzNTvCTaHh4RGmQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-10-optimize-1-5242f065f57e4754b8e3a318d2674274.jpg)
The 10 Best Ways to Optimize Windows 10
![Printer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_J7XsSIyP0n9cmr13VEoHh4XaAU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Printer-e08dace1bba14b20b38fab94c85240ea.jpg)
How to Create a Printer Shortcut in Windows 11
![Windows 10 Taskbar screenshot](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/FLAXbNR3_VX3Piu4imKTGNgR1PE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pindoctotaskbar-5c6b1df0c9e77c0001675b08.jpg)
How to Pin Documents to the Taskbar and Declutter a Desktop
![Person browsing internet on laptop with coffee cup in hand](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/N_YKvbUFPmhqxGOvRNGalxMq_Bo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/beverage-browsing-business-coffee-computer-connection-1522939-pxhere.com-5b87ec73aadd4cd7ba130c7e5c70e78f.jpg)
How to Change Home Page and Startup Behavior in Windows
![Selecting multiple files and folders in Windows](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/WgxQ158EG3eIOoP4a3TyP7MfbZk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Multiple-Files-Folders-0363949fcbb84375b5697ef2624daca8.jpg)
How to Select Multiple Files in Windows
![Image of someone setting up a printer](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/K8_dHuFs3SKbE8lzod41A5Tknlk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-create-a-printer-shortcut-in-windows-10-5216791-15-ce0381d56d084fc690c9790b776d50b5.jpg)
How to Create a Printer Shortcut in Windows 10
![Man checking out CPU](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/onRJH6q_7cG5Now8hBdWtfpe1KI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1210742344-a6c763118a78420cb7c8ac8654730c11.jpg)
How to Check CPU Usage in Windows 11
![Create a Full Backup](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/kUVp15bzMxLxMDYKUFMkl1ArczA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Backup-Data-a4ffb32074dc423c970934a584644f88.jpg)
How to Create a Full Backup on a Windows 11 Computer
![Find Wi-Fi Password on Windows 11](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/hY8fqnecnAGZ9kpNcgfcMeDO6hg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Wi-Fi-916107c210f64fe2b6ad94f368ac137c.jpg)
How to Find Wi-Fi Password in Windows 11
![Windows 11](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/H5FKxeVFYbvf17Ff6NWt4ufd-Xk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows-11-02a5dcd7df644f44837e637aa547258c.jpg)
The 5 Best Windows 11 Features to Know
![Bluetooth](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/J9e6Qw7ihEQkO4XLp8E7vM-iKiU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bluetooth-3d360ffa12204709a54fb56786a1def1.jpg)
How to Turn On Bluetooth in Windows 11
![Command Prompt with command on Windows](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/lYEX3BSD5_WbKEtBchwU58vwmaA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Command-Prompt-IP-Windows-5185235-0f1c347eab104029a16f87fd0df48837.jpg)
How to Find an IP Address in Command Prompt
![A screenshot of the Windows Update screen in Windows 11.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/pelje9R2pHn2hcN6cpBNkTd2rJw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/windows11systemupdate1-dc9c19dc60484eada74e498413255c49.jpg)
How to Stop Windows 11 Updates in Progress
![Screenshot of Windows 11 - Right-click method to create a new folder.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/WvUL1_XrpxujrLrVltUQVlGVJaU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot_2021-11-19_092522_rclick-f6cf772aa01547c4a9ccc6de5d9cbf55.jpg)
How to Create a New Folder in Windows
![Screen capture illustration](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/RGRQ4mj-6p9b1X3IzxjYG0AujWs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/screen-capture-23236-47e45676433d42c688d14b9d5bcd2f89.png)
4 Ways to Take Screenshots in Windows 11
![A woman sitting at a desk looking at her laptop](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/rxqbQUjYRGox7FT7YpEwFYIHi0M=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-change-directories-in-command-prompt-5185508-3d714c3833e74080a360b4942e27dabb.jpg)
How to Change Directories in CMD (Command Prompt)
![A woman hides the taskbar in Windows 11 on a laptop.](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/yLT84RDw_MfIy6DpoGSWrfCdRII=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hidetaskbarwindows22-a09caa252c7f4628a8513d294f246e93.jpg)
How to Hide the Taskbar in Windows 11