You know what’s the worst part about getting a new Windows PC or doing a clean install of Windows? When you first boot, your computer will be empty and it will take many hours to make it yours. As someone who does consumer technology journalism and continues to test new hardware, I’ve been in this … Read more
Microsoft says some users may have issues enabling Smart App Control after installing this month’s Windows 11 security update KB5127648. Smart App Control is a Windows 11 security feature that leverages Microsoft’s App Intelligence Services and Code Integrity features, working with Microsoft Defender and SmartScreen to block potentially malicious apps or binaries. According to the … Read more
Resume NexPhone dual-boots Android, Debian Linux and Windows 11 on the same phone. Shipping for the NexPhone has been pushed back to March 2027 (end of Q1) after 14 years of development. New pre-orders will cost $599, but people who pre-ordered the original $549 won’t have to pay extra. You usually only have one operating … Read more
Microsoft has fixed a known issue that resulted in black screens, desktop loading issues, and Explorer crashes after installing Windows 11 updates released since August. As Microsoft explained last month when it confirmed the issue, affected users experienced several symptoms, most commonly a black screen after logging in, not being able to access their desktop … Read more
I’ve been running Windows 11 on this same machine for the past 10 years and haven’t had to wipe and reformat once. I didn’t feel the need to reformat because I use it mainly for writing. I keep the system light and my regular maintenance keeps it running like new. Some added Microsoft features have … Read more
Over the years, the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) has graced Windows with its worst moments—those moments when your PC completely gives up. This error screen is reserved for fatal errors that prevent Windows from functioning normally. The operating system displays details of the process that caused the fatal crash and restarts itself to … Read more
Microsoft has fixed a known issue that resulted in connection issues with Always On VPN after installing the Windows 11 September 2026 security updates. The Always On VPN The remote access solution replaces legacy DirectAccess technology and works with domain-joined, non-domain-joined, and Microsoft Entra ID-joined Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server devices. Always On … Read more
You’ve probably used Task Manager countless times on your Windows PC to stop a stuck app or minimize the distraction of a running app. The Windows 11 Task Manager has evolved significantly over the past three decades, but it can be traced back to the first version shipped with Windows NT 4.0 in 1996. It … Read more
Whether it’s a multi-terabyte Gen 5 NVMe or a 500GB SATA SSD, everyone wants a little more space on their drive. If you can’t afford to buy more, the next best thing is to soften your drive as much as possible by freeing up space for the apps and services you use. Many third-party utilities … Read more
VLC is probably the only media player I use regularly since Windows Media Player stopped being a one-time video feed on my computer. Most of you reading this are probably in the same boat. VLC even has advanced tricks that most users will never have access to. There’s a reason why it’s still the most … Read more