It’s no longer necessary to use Internet Explorer for downloading Windows Updates (.msu update packages for offline install or distribution) from the Microsoft Update catalog. The Microsoft Update catalog now supports any browser, as Microsoft has revamped the site and eliminated the ActiveX Control.
This article tells you how to download updates from the Microsoft Update catalog using your web browser or PowerShell.Read more
Windows 10/1 includes a feature where you can quickly reset or repair a store app without having to uninstall and reinstall it. Universal Apps store their settings in per-app registry hives, and resetting the app is probably the only way you can clear the settings.Read more
You may sometimes think of reinstalling Windows, especially when its performance goes down after a few years due to several different factors. And, you may like to know the date and time of your current Windows installation.
This post shows you the different methods using which you can determine the original installation date and time of your Windows installation. The information applies to all versions of Windows, including Windows 10.
Note that in Windows 10, the following methods show the installation date of the most recent feature update you installed, and not the install date and time of your 1st Windows 10 build.
When using your Windows 10 computer in Tablet mode, to clear the Recycle Bin you either have to switch off Tablet mode, or open File Explorer and browse the Recycle Bin folder in order to empty it. This post tells you how to create a shortcut to clear the Recycle Bin in a single click or tap, using PowerShell.Read more
Occasionally, the Start button, Taskbar, and the Notification area icons may get stuck or frozen; clicking them does nothing. When the items in the Notification area are frozen, you wouldn’t be able to access Action Center, Wi-fi network settings, etc.
If the Windows 10 Start Menu is frozen or non-responsive and does not work, or shows the Critical Error message, here is the list of troubleshooting steps you can follow. The fixes involve running the Start menu Troubleshooter or manually registering the ShellExperienceHost & StartMenuExperienceHost packages using PowerShell or restoring the default Start menu by rebuilding the Start menu database.
This article explains how to repair, reset, or reinstall the Start menu in Windows 10.Read more
If the Photos app does not start or causes an error and the reset and repair method hasn’t helped, you can uninstall and reinstall the app using PowerShell. Here are the steps for Windows 10 and 11.Read more
The Build Number, Version, “Bit”ness (32-bit or 64-bit) of your Windows installation can be determined using many ways, and here are some of the methods listed. Screenshots are from a Windows 10 PC, but most of the information applies to all versions of Windows, including Windows 11.Read more
Windows 10 and 11, as you know, includes the Microsoft Print to PDF virtual printer built-in that can print (convert) documents to PDF format from any application.
Microsoft Print to PDF is a handy tool in Windows 10/11. In the previous Windows Operating Systems, users needed to use a third-party tool or virtual printer driver to convert documents or web pages to PDF. Most users, including me, have been relying upon the Cute PDF Writer driver or similar drivers supplied with PDF reader applications — e.g., Adobe Acrobat or Fox It Reader. And don’t forget Microsoft’s own Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS.
Interestingly, many Windows 10/11 users accidentally delete Microsoft Print to PDF and wonder how to restore it. This post explains how to restore/reinstall the Microsoft Print to PDF printer if you’ve accidentally deleted it.Read more
In response to a script request recently from one of our readers, here is an article that tells you how to find the last logged in date and time for all user accounts on the computer.
System Restore is a valuable feature in Windows that helps you easily recover the system in the event of any misconfiguration. If you’ve been using the System Restore feature regularly, then you need to know how to create System Restore Points with a single click using the command-line. You can also do this by scripting it using WMI or PowerShell.
This article discusses some methods to quickly create a System Restore point in a single click in Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier Operating Systems.Read more
