PCs, for a long time, had a bloatware problem. The major PC manufacturers—Dell, Asus, Acer, and the like—had a bad habit of including "free trials" of software like Norton AntiVirus on new devices.

Windows Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. 1] Are you using the right product key? Make ...

When you're planning a fresh Windows 11 installation, a bit of preparation can save you time and hassle later. From backing up important files to downloading drivers, getting everything ready makes ...

For a certain kind of computer buyer, the first thing you always did with a new laptop or desktop from a company like Dell, HP, Acer, or Asus wasn’t to open the box and start using it. Instead, you ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. It’s easy to run a full factory reset on a Windows 10 or 11 ...

Microsoft keeps adding more and more stuff to Windows and it often seems to get in the way more than it helps. A "clean" installation of Windows, at this point, forces you to sign up for a Microsoft ...

Above and beyond the benefits of a fresh do-over, clean installing Windows 11 improves security, exposes new features, and more. With the Windows 10 end of support date arriving on October 14, ...

Microsoft released Windows 11 23H2, the Windows 11 2023 Update, today, and you can now download an ISO image for the new version to put aside for emergencies or clean installs. Windows 11 23H2 was ...

For a lot of people, the difference between a “dead” laptop and a perfectly usable one comes down to a single decision: ...