Not now, Microsoft: If you don’t want a massive Windows update interrupting something you’re doing, pause them temporarily. Go to Settings > Windows update > Pause updates. Just remember to undo this.

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.

70% of PC users are running Windows 10

Windows 11 is actually losing market share as more folks opt for Windows 10. Detractors say Windows 11 is buggy and slow, but Microsoft says we just haven’t seen what it can do yet — aka more AI features coming soon.

Put it on the tab(s): Windows File Explorer can use tabs, just like your web browser. Click the + (plus) on the toolbar at the top to create a new tab. You can also right-click on folders and pick Open in new tab. Nice.

👊 Close the Windows: There are pros to having your Microsoft and Windows 11 accounts tied together, but if you want to stop Microsoft from sharing your data with advertisers, disconnect from the cloud. Move to a local account with these steps: Open Settings, then Account > Your Info > Sign In. Log into a local account, then confirm your changes.

What’s your function? On a PC, F2 lets you rename a selected file or folder, and F3 allows you to search within an open or active application. Alt + F4 closes your active window, and pressing F5 lets you refresh or reload a page or document window. Now you know.

Leave me alone: You’re trying to get something done on your PC and the notifications won’t stop. Click on the Start menu > Settings > System > Focus assist. You’ll see options for customizing the notifications you receive — including one to make them all silent.

Save energy, save money, save the world: Open up Settings in Windows, then choose System and Power (or Power & battery on a laptop). At the top of the screen, you’ll see recommendations for cutting down on your computer’s energy use.

📺 Smart TVs and your PC: A Montreal woman experienced issues with her Windows PC like vanishing taskbars and unresponsive display settings. The culprit? Her Hisense 50Q8G TV was overloading the “Device Association Framework.” Have the same TV? Take it off your PC’s network. Or get yourself a nice Samsung.

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Hidden Windows features live in the Accessibility menu. We’re talking about the magnifier tool, text size settings, color contrast levels, voice-typing and narration features, caption settings, voice recognition and more. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Ease of Access. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Accessibility. So handy!

So long, farewell: Anyone who upgraded to Windows 11 on an old PC that technically doesn’t meet the latest operating system requirements is out of luck. Folks are reporting their tech dinos are stuck in a reboot loop. If you’re in the market, our IT genius, John, recommends this solid PC for under $650 that’ll last for years. If you edit video or need more power, here’s his pick for well under $1,000.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Get off my PC: The latest Windows 11 update 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.”

Microsoft will start nagging you to sign up for an online account. While it’s handy for backing up data and managing subscriptions, remember — you’re also letting them peek at your data. Switch off the prompts by going to Settings > Privacy & security > General and deselecting everything.

Get a little space: Virtual desktops on Windows let you keep work, play, vacation planning and whatever else separate. Hit the Windows key + Ctrl + D to create a new virtual desktop. Use the Windows key + Ctrl + the left or right arrows to move between your desktops. When you’re done, hit the Windows key + Ctrl + F4 to close your current virtual desktop.

Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon): This opens the Emoji Panel, allowing you to insert emojis into any text field.

Don’t just hold down the power button: There’s a better way to reboot your grumpy PC that shuts down all the background processes. Before you click to restart, hold down the Shift key. Keep holding until the machine powers up, then click Continue.

If you got a blue screen when you tried to upgrade to Windows 11, good news — you can finally update. After two years of complaints, Microsoft removed the “compatibility hold” that kept Windows 10 users with Intel Smart Sound Technology audio drivers and Intel 11th-Gen Core processors from getting Windows 11. First, update your drivers under Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. You should see the Windows 11 upgrade within 48 hours after updating.

Window(s) blinds: Windows 11 allows you to redact text in your screenshots in a snap. Take a screenshot using the Snipping Tool, click the Text Actions button, and then Quick Redact sensitive info, like email addresses. It’s faster than using Paint!

Microsoft excels at stuffing ads into Windows 11: Look for them in the Start menu and lock screen once testing is over. Don’t want to see them? Turn off ads under Settings > Personalization. During the last quarter of 2023, Microsoft’s net income was $21.87 billion, up from $16.43 billion during the same time in 2022. Yup, they need the money.

Pair your smartphone via Bluetooth to your PC: Be sure to enable Dynamic Lock in Windows under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Your PC will automatically lock itself if your phone moves out of Bluetooth range, increasing security when you step away. Nice one!