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The PCWorld Guide to Windows

Everything you need to know about Microsoft Windows, from the latest news about the end of Windows 10 to tips from our experts on how to maximise your productivity.

Latest Windows News

Microsoft's next Windows 11 update targets stability and speed
News

Microsoft's next Windows 11 update targets stability and speed

Windows 11 Insider previews for Beta, Dev, and Canary channels focus on improvements to File Explorer, Clipboard History, Windows Hello, and more.
By Mikael Markander and Hans-Christian Dirscherl 13 hours ago
Microsoft officially says you don't need extra antivirus on Windows 11
News

Microsoft officially says you don't need extra antivirus on Windows 11

In a blog post, Microsoft says Defender is enough for most Windows 11 users. No extra antivirus needed if you keep defaults enabled and update regularly.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 14 hours ago
April's Windows 11 update is trapping some PCs in a boot loop
News

April's Windows 11 update is trapping some PCs in a boot loop

Some HP and Dell PCs are stuck in boot loops after installing KB5083769. Microsoft's AI support suggests a few solutions.
By Kristian Kask 2 days ago
The real threat to the PC isn't death. It's losing control
Full Nerd

The real threat to the PC isn't death. It's losing control

You can put computers in every home and the PC may still not survive.
By Alaina Yee 5 days ago
Unpatched Microsoft Defender flaw lets hackers gain admin access
News

Unpatched Microsoft Defender flaw lets hackers gain admin access

A security researcher has published a working exploit for a Microsoft Defender security flaw that affects Windows 10, 11, and Server.
By Laura Pippig 6 days ago
Windows 11's April update is locking some users out of their PCs
News

Windows 11's April update is locking some users out of their PCs

Microsoft's KB5083769 update can force a BitLocker recovery key prompt when restarting. Here's who's affected and what you can do.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 6 days ago
Microsoft VP releases free Windows tool inspired by macOS feature
News

Microsoft VP releases free Windows tool inspired by macOS feature

Peek Desktop is a free Windows tool by Scott Hanselman that hides all open windows with a single desktop click.
By Mikael Markander 6 days ago
Microsoft fixes 167 security flaws in April, second biggest Patch Tuesday ever
News

Microsoft fixes 167 security flaws in April, second biggest Patch Tuesday ever

This month's Patch Tuesday includes an actively exploited Office zero-day vulnerability and several critical RCE bugs in Windows and Remote Desktop.
By Frank Ziemann 7 days ago
Microsoft explains why it killed Windows phone activation
Updated

Microsoft explains why it killed Windows phone activation

In December, Microsoft unexpectedly removed the last remaining method for activating Windows without an internet connection. Now we know why.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 1 week ago
Windows 11 testing is going back to the future with new Insider plans
News

Windows 11 testing is going back to the future with new Insider plans

Microsoft is bringing back the feel-good vibes of Windows 10 with a new approach to its Insider channels as well as in-person meetups throughout the coming months.
By Mark Hachman 1 week ago
Windows 11 is finally removing the 32GB FAT32 capacity limit
News

Windows 11 is finally removing the 32GB FAT32 capacity limit

Windows 11 Insider builds now let you format drives up to 2TB in FAT32 via Command Prompt, ending a decades-old arbitrary limit.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 1 week ago
10 Microsoft account settings I wish I had checked sooner
Feature

10 Microsoft account settings I wish I had checked sooner

Secure your Microsoft account, secure your PC. Make sure these account settings in particular are properly set!
By Chris Hoffman 1 week ago
Microsoft's Windows 11 fix list for the year: 18 changes promised
News

Microsoft's Windows 11 fix list for the year: 18 changes promised

Microsoft has committed to various Windows 11 improvements in 2026, including fixes for File Explorer, the taskbar, dark mode, and more.
By Mikael Markander 2 weeks ago
Microsoft acknowledges Windows 11's search problems, working on a fix
News

Microsoft acknowledges Windows 11's search problems, working on a fix

Windows 11's Start menu search is slow and inconsistent. Microsoft confirms fixes are coming, including a unified search update.
By Viktor Eriksson 2 weeks ago
Windows 11's emergency March update is breaking window management
News

Windows 11's emergency March update is breaking window management

Update KB5085516 was meant to fix Microsoft app logins. Now some Windows 11 25H2 users can't move or resize windows after installing it.
By Hans-Christian Dirscherl 2 weeks ago
6 signs your Windows PC needs a reset right now
Feature

6 signs your Windows PC needs a reset right now

I put it off for far too long. Don't be like me! If you experience any of these signs, consider resetting Windows sooner than later.
By Jon Martindale 2 weeks ago
More Windows news

Latest Windows Tips and How Tos

Windows 11's ads are way too pushy. These 9 settings fix the worst
How-To

Windows 11's ads are way too pushy. These 9 settings fix the worst

Tired of Microsoft pushing ads throughout Windows 11? Here are the settings you can tweak to turn them off and reclaim some privacy.
By Jon Martindale 2 days ago
Windows has a built-in ransomware shield. Most people never turn it on
How-To

Windows has a built-in ransomware shield. Most people never turn it on

Did you know Windows includes ransomware protection built right in? Microsoft Defender can safeguard your PC, but the feature isn’t automatically enabled. Here's how to do it yourself.
By Alaina Yee 5 days ago
This free tool puts all Windows privacy settings in one place
Try This

This free tool puts all Windows privacy settings in one place

O&O ShutUp10++ gives you one-click control over hidden system privacy settings on your Windows PC.
By Sam Singleton 7 days ago
Windows 11 is packed with AI now. Here’s how to take back control
How-To

Windows 11 is packed with AI now. Here’s how to take back control

Microsoft wants to put AI everywhere on your PC, but you can take back control.
By Chris Hoffman 2 weeks ago
Windows 11's 'Send to' menu is a mess. Fix it in seconds
Tip

Windows 11's 'Send to' menu is a mess. Fix it in seconds

Unnecessary "Send to" entries can accumulate in Windows 11's File Explorer. Here's how to delete them quickly and keep the context menu tidy.
By Roland Freist 2 weeks ago
Decode your Windows crash logs with this free AI tool
Try This

Decode your Windows crash logs with this free AI tool

Skip the forums and let Windows Crash Assist with AI diagnose and help you understand crash issues.
By Sam Singleton 3 weeks ago
Your Windows 11 PC is slower than it should be. Here's what to check
How-To

Your Windows 11 PC is slower than it should be. Here's what to check

Everything running on your PC uses system resources, so why tax it with unnecessary processes and programs you no longer need? There are tools available to help you tidy up your Windows system.
By Thorsten Eggeling 3 weeks ago
USB drive not recognized in Windows 11? Here's how to fix it
Tip

USB drive not recognized in Windows 11? Here's how to fix it

If a USB stick isn't recognized in Windows 11, it's usually due to drivers or settings, and can often be fixed in just a few simple steps.
By Friedrich Stiemer 4 weeks ago
Find any file on your Windows PC in seconds with this free app
Try This

Find any file on your Windows PC in seconds with this free app

The Everything app replaces Windows’ clunky system search with lightning-fast file and folder lookup.
By Sam Singleton 4 weeks ago
Replace your Windows SSD the easy way, and save hours of setup time
How-To

Replace your Windows SSD the easy way, and save hours of setup time

Reinstall Windows before upgrading to an SSD? No need: With a network image, you can back up your system, programs, and settings in just a few steps.
By Roland Freist 1 month ago
This trick removes Microsoft Office from PCs you no longer own
Tip

This trick removes Microsoft Office from PCs you no longer own

Have you scrapped your old computer but forgotten to uninstall Microsoft Office? Here's how to remove it afterwards.
By Martin Appel 1 month ago
I just spotted this Windows feature and I instantly fell in love
Tip

I just spotted this Windows feature and I instantly fell in love

This morning, I saw that the right-click menu for taskbar items includes an "End task" option. This is going to save me so much time.
By Michael Crider 1 month ago
Boost GPU performance in Windows 11 with this quick setting
Tip

Boost GPU performance in Windows 11 with this quick setting

Windows 11 offers a hidden option for smoother graphics rendering with hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. It can reduce latency and improve system responsiveness.
By Friedrich Stiemer 1 month ago
Mute and unmute your PC microphone the easy way
How-To

Mute and unmute your PC microphone the easy way

Want to protect your privacy? You can temporarily turn off your computer's microphone. If it's off by accident, we'll show you how to turn it back on.
By Martin Appel 2 months ago
Windows 11 finally brings Power Saving Mode to desktop PCs
Tip

Windows 11 finally brings Power Saving Mode to desktop PCs

Energy-saving mode was originally intended (primarily) for laptops. With a recent Windows update, power consumption can now also be permanently reduced on desktop PCs.
By Roland Freist 2 months ago
Reduce your laptop’s CPU power for a cooler laptop
Try This

Reduce your laptop’s CPU power for a cooler laptop

If your laptop is getting overheated this one simple step could bring the temperature down.
By Dominic Bayley 2 months ago
More Windows How-tos

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