Windows 11 smarts: “Quick settings” lets you control Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery-saver mode and lots more, all in one place. To open it, left-click on the taskbar where the speaker icon is. To edit what you see, click the pencil icon. Unpin anything you don’t use. Easy-peasy.
💻 So long, farewell: The latest version of Windows 11 (24H2) isn’t just routine updates; it also removes some apps, including WordPad, Paint 3D and Tips. To update, go to Settings > Windows Update and enable Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available. FYI, support for Windows 10 ends on Nov. 14, 2025.
Who asked for this? If you don’t like how Microsoft put the Start menu for Windows 11 in the middle of the screen, move it back to its original home on the left. Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Crisis averted!
🤐 Get off my PC: Windows 11 crams ads for apps into the “recommended” section of the Start menu. Yes, it’s on by default. I’ve got the fix: Go into Settings and select Personalization > Start. Then, toggle off “Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more.”
📅 Support for Windows 10 ends Oct. 14, 2025: You’ll be able to pay $30 for one year of extended security updates, but that’s as far as it goes. Heads-up: Windows 11 works on CPUs made in 2018 or later. Here’s a budget pick and a high-spec model (25% off) if your laptop is older.
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☮️ Peace among us: Windows 11’s Phone Link lets iPhone users send and receive messages via iMessage, make and receive calls, and see any app notifications on a PC or laptop.
No more passwords, please: Passkeys are becoming the new standard for Windows 11 security. Instead of typing in a password, you’ll confirm it’s you using another trusted device, like your phone, that has access to your biometric data. Fast, easy and less hackable. I’m in.
Microsoft’s latest update is a mess: During installation, Windows 11 24H2 creates a 9GB temporary cache folder that can’t be deleted. Tools like Disk Cleanup don’t do anything. Microsoft is working on a patch. I’ll let you know when it rolls out.
🔄 Patch Tuesday: Microsoft just dropped fixes for 118 security flaws, including five zero-day vulnerabilities. These bugs let hackers bypass security features, execute malicious code remotely and take control of your system — all bad stuff. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates.
Update your PC now: The Windows 11 2024 update (24H2) brings improvements to the Start Menu, File Explorer and Power Settings. Several features and apps are going away, including WordPad, Paint 3D, Tips and Cortana. To update, head to Settings > Windows Update.
End of an era: Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on Nov. 14, 2025. No more “free” updates, security fixes or tech assistance. Your best options? Upgrade to Windows 11 or, if yours doesn’t meet the Windows 11 upgrade requirements, buy a new PC (this $299 one is a good pick). You can also pay Microsoft for extended security updates (up to three years) or switch to a different OS, like Linux or ChromeOS Flex.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
It took 41 years: Windows Notepad finally has spellcheck and autocorrect. In Windows 11, it’s enabled by default. You’ll know it’s working if you see a squiggly, red line under typos. To turn it off, click the gear icon in the top right corner of Notepad and toggle off both under “Spelling.”
⚙️ Fast access: Find hidden shortcuts from the Start button on Windows 11. Press Windows key + X or right-click the Start button to reveal a list of shortcuts, including Settings, Task Manager and the Run prompt.
📶 Wi-Fi issues on Windows 11? Forget the network and start fresh. In the taskbar, click the network icon > the network status button (top left). Right-click the network you’re on, then hit Forget. Now, go back to the network icon, click the arrow next to the wireless icon, and re-add your Wi-Fi network. Lovely.
🫰 Isn’t that snappy?! On Windows 11, you have all kinds of options for snapping multiple windows into place. Hold your mouse over the Maximize icon in a program (it’s the square next to the “X”), then choose your favorite. I like one large window and a couple of small ones.
Where the heck did Excel go? On Windows 11, it’s handy to pin the apps and programs you use most to the Start menu. Open the app list, right-click on a favorite, then select Pin to Start. You can drag them around to any order you like. Right-click to unpin.
Let’s forget we said that: The overwhelming reaction to Microsoft’s recently announced Recall feature for Windows 11 has been, “Uh, hello, security nightmare.” By default, they said Windows 11 on new AI-enabled PCs will snap a screenshot of everything you do so you can revisit your history. Now, they’re going opt-in only. If you get a new PC and see the option, say, “No, thanks.”
VPN trouble: Microsoft’s April security update is causing some VPN connections to fail on Windows 11 (versions 23H2, 22H2 and 21H2) and Windows 10 (versions 22H2 and 21H2). No patch date announced yet, so beware: Your IP address and location could be exposed. I’ll let you know when they fix this.