https://www.geeks.fyi/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:32:10 +0000 MyBB https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21464 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:29:39 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21464 Quote:Older Windows laptops often slow down for reasons that have little to do with failing hardware. Background apps, startup clutter, syncing services, and visual effects all add overhead that accumulates over time. In many cases, performance can be restored with a few targeted software changes rather than a full reinstall.

These tweaks focus on reducing background load, freeing system resources, and letting Windows prioritize performance where it matters.

1. Scan the system for malware

Malware remains one of the fastest ways to cripple an otherwise functional PC. Even modern systems protected by built-in tools can miss certain threats. Running a full scan with a reputable third-party scanner can identify hidden processes that consume CPU, memory, or disk activity.

If malware is found, removal alone can produce an immediate improvement in responsiveness.

2. Remove unused and preinstalled software

Many laptops ship with preinstalled utilities that continue running in the background long after setup. Over time, additional unused applications add to that load.

Uninstalling software that is no longer needed reduces background services, disk usage, and update activity. This is especially effective on systems with limited storage or memory.

3. Disable unnecessary startup apps

Some applications do not need to launch every time Windows starts. Disabling non-essential startup items reduces boot time and frees RAM.

Startup apps can be managed through Task Manager. Disabling an app here does not remove it; it simply prevents automatic launch.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Older Windows laptops often slow down for reasons that have little to do with failing hardware. Background apps, startup clutter, syncing services, and visual effects all add overhead that accumulates over time. In many cases, performance can be restored with a few targeted software changes rather than a full reinstall.

These tweaks focus on reducing background load, freeing system resources, and letting Windows prioritize performance where it matters.

1. Scan the system for malware

Malware remains one of the fastest ways to cripple an otherwise functional PC. Even modern systems protected by built-in tools can miss certain threats. Running a full scan with a reputable third-party scanner can identify hidden processes that consume CPU, memory, or disk activity.

If malware is found, removal alone can produce an immediate improvement in responsiveness.

2. Remove unused and preinstalled software

Many laptops ship with preinstalled utilities that continue running in the background long after setup. Over time, additional unused applications add to that load.

Uninstalling software that is no longer needed reduces background services, disk usage, and update activity. This is especially effective on systems with limited storage or memory.

3. Disable unnecessary startup apps

Some applications do not need to launch every time Windows starts. Disabling non-essential startup items reduces boot time and frees RAM.

Startup apps can be managed through Task Manager. Disabling an app here does not remove it; it simply prevents automatic launch.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21439 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:28:03 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21439 Quote:If your PC suddenly feels sluggish, it's easy to assume your SSD is wearing out. That's exactly what I thought when apps started launching slower and file operations felt laggy. But after a few targeted Windows-level checks, my system performance bounced back-no reinstall, no replacement drive.

The biggest surprise was TRIM being disabled. TRIM allows Windows to tell an SSD which blocks are no longer in use, so the drive can clean them up ahead of time. When it's off, often after cloning a drive, restoring an old image, or changing storage controllers, performance can degrade steadily. Re-enabling it takes seconds and immediately removes a common bottleneck.

Another overlooked factor is SSD firmware. Firmware controls garbage collection, caching, and wear leveling, and outdated versions can cause subtle slowdowns or compatibility issues after Windows updates. Checking the manufacturer's utility and applying a firmware update can restore lost performance and improve stability.

Windows themselves can also get in the way. Background indexing, write-caching settings, and power management policies can all affect SSD responsiveness, especially on systems that were upgraded across multiple Windows versions. Small adjustments here can make storage feel fast again.

The key takeaway is simple: before blaming your SSD's health, check Windows. A handful of built-in settings and quick tweaks can fix performance issues that look like failing hardware, but aren't.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:If your PC suddenly feels sluggish, it's easy to assume your SSD is wearing out. That's exactly what I thought when apps started launching slower and file operations felt laggy. But after a few targeted Windows-level checks, my system performance bounced back-no reinstall, no replacement drive.

The biggest surprise was TRIM being disabled. TRIM allows Windows to tell an SSD which blocks are no longer in use, so the drive can clean them up ahead of time. When it's off, often after cloning a drive, restoring an old image, or changing storage controllers, performance can degrade steadily. Re-enabling it takes seconds and immediately removes a common bottleneck.

Another overlooked factor is SSD firmware. Firmware controls garbage collection, caching, and wear leveling, and outdated versions can cause subtle slowdowns or compatibility issues after Windows updates. Checking the manufacturer's utility and applying a firmware update can restore lost performance and improve stability.

Windows themselves can also get in the way. Background indexing, write-caching settings, and power management policies can all affect SSD responsiveness, especially on systems that were upgraded across multiple Windows versions. Small adjustments here can make storage feel fast again.

The key takeaway is simple: before blaming your SSD's health, check Windows. A handful of built-in settings and quick tweaks can fix performance issues that look like failing hardware, but aren't.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21382 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:17:59 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21382 Quote:When Microsoft introduced the dual context menu in Windows 11, it explained that the new modern version would also address a problem that many Windows users faced after years of usage: context menu bloat.

However, while Microsoft might have that in mind when it added the new context menu as a layer on top of the old, which still exists, it probably did not foresee the rise of AI in the organization and the desire to add "AI to everything".

When you right-click on files in Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, you may see yet another entry in the modern context menu. AI actions lists all the AI-related actions that Windows users may undertake when they select files. From running a visual search on Bing over removing backgrounds with Paint to erasing objects in Photos.



The AI actions menu in File Explorer. I(mage source: Microsoft)While that may be indeed useful to some users, others may have no need for them or no desire to use them. Up until now, Windows 11 did not include a built-in option to remove AI actions from the context menu. However, that changed in the most recent builds for the operating system.

Microsoft notes in the release notes of build 26220.7344: "If there are no available or enabled AI Actions, this section will no longer show in the context menu."

Here is what that means: Microsoft won't show the entry for file types that do not have any associated AI actions. Windows users may also disable actions in

Settings to hide the entire menu.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:When Microsoft introduced the dual context menu in Windows 11, it explained that the new modern version would also address a problem that many Windows users faced after years of usage: context menu bloat.

However, while Microsoft might have that in mind when it added the new context menu as a layer on top of the old, which still exists, it probably did not foresee the rise of AI in the organization and the desire to add "AI to everything".

When you right-click on files in Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, you may see yet another entry in the modern context menu. AI actions lists all the AI-related actions that Windows users may undertake when they select files. From running a visual search on Bing over removing backgrounds with Paint to erasing objects in Photos.



The AI actions menu in File Explorer. I(mage source: Microsoft)While that may be indeed useful to some users, others may have no need for them or no desire to use them. Up until now, Windows 11 did not include a built-in option to remove AI actions from the context menu. However, that changed in the most recent builds for the operating system.

Microsoft notes in the release notes of build 26220.7344: "If there are no available or enabled AI Actions, this section will no longer show in the context menu."

Here is what that means: Microsoft won't show the entry for file types that do not have any associated AI actions. Windows users may also disable actions in

Settings to hide the entire menu.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21321 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:53:57 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21321 Quote:Most Windows features pass an extensive selection of pre-release groups and even after-release groups before they land on the systems of the majority of Windows users. If you follow release announcements, you may have noticed the splitting up of features into gradual and normal rollout groups. The new Start menu, for example, is being rolled out over time.

What this means is that even though a feature is included in a release, it may not be enabled for the majority of users in the beginning. It may take weeks or months before features land on user PCs.

While that may not be a problem most of the time, it might be a problem at times. For example, if you want to start using a new feature because it looks like it could benefit your workflows.

That is were the trusted ViVeTool comes into play usually. It is an open source tool that you may use to enable or disable certain Windows features, even those that are not yet rolled out to a particular Windows PC.

However, ViVeTool is a command line utility that you may find difficult to use. Good news is that you have another option, one that does not require you to use the command line at all.

Flyoobe is a free open source tool that you may use for that purpose. While its main purpose is to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, even if the system is not compatible with Windows 11 according to Microsoft, it does support other features, such as debloating Windows or enabling/disabling features using the ViVeTool.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Most Windows features pass an extensive selection of pre-release groups and even after-release groups before they land on the systems of the majority of Windows users. If you follow release announcements, you may have noticed the splitting up of features into gradual and normal rollout groups. The new Start menu, for example, is being rolled out over time.

What this means is that even though a feature is included in a release, it may not be enabled for the majority of users in the beginning. It may take weeks or months before features land on user PCs.

While that may not be a problem most of the time, it might be a problem at times. For example, if you want to start using a new feature because it looks like it could benefit your workflows.

That is were the trusted ViVeTool comes into play usually. It is an open source tool that you may use to enable or disable certain Windows features, even those that are not yet rolled out to a particular Windows PC.

However, ViVeTool is a command line utility that you may find difficult to use. Good news is that you have another option, one that does not require you to use the command line at all.

Flyoobe is a free open source tool that you may use for that purpose. While its main purpose is to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, even if the system is not compatible with Windows 11 according to Microsoft, it does support other features, such as debloating Windows or enabling/disabling features using the ViVeTool.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21184 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:15:37 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21184 Quote:Microsoft released the big 2025 update for its Windows 11 operating system just a few hours ago. Called the Windows 11 2025 Update, or Windows 11, version 25H2, it is the annual feature update that Microsoft releases for Windows 11.

The good news is that this year's update will install quickly on many systems. Microsoft released what it calls an Enablement Package, which upgrades the system. The update installs in a matter of minutes, as all relevant packages are already installed on the system.

Users won't have to sit through half an hour or more of update installation and repeated reboots. It installs like a smaller update, but only for devices that run Windows 11, version 24H2, last year's update.

How to get the Windows 11 2025 Update



The rollout of the update has started, but not every Windows 11 device will get it right away. Only systems that run Windows 11, version 24H2 with the latest updates installed will get a chance to grab the update right away. This means that the preview update, some call it beta, for Windows 11, 24H2 needs to be installed on the device.

For that, it is necessary to enable "get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Settings > Windows Update.

However, there are also known issues that may prevent the installation. Microsoft lists just two on the official Windows 11 25H2 dashboard.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Microsoft released the big 2025 update for its Windows 11 operating system just a few hours ago. Called the Windows 11 2025 Update, or Windows 11, version 25H2, it is the annual feature update that Microsoft releases for Windows 11.

The good news is that this year's update will install quickly on many systems. Microsoft released what it calls an Enablement Package, which upgrades the system. The update installs in a matter of minutes, as all relevant packages are already installed on the system.

Users won't have to sit through half an hour or more of update installation and repeated reboots. It installs like a smaller update, but only for devices that run Windows 11, version 24H2, last year's update.

How to get the Windows 11 2025 Update



The rollout of the update has started, but not every Windows 11 device will get it right away. Only systems that run Windows 11, version 24H2 with the latest updates installed will get a chance to grab the update right away. This means that the preview update, some call it beta, for Windows 11, 24H2 needs to be installed on the device.

For that, it is necessary to enable "get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Settings > Windows Update.

However, there are also known issues that may prevent the installation. Microsoft lists just two on the official Windows 11 25H2 dashboard.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20722 Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:51:32 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20722 Quote:Microsoft replaced the classic Notepad text editor on Windows 11 with an advanced version featuring new features such as tabs and AI integrations. Not every Windows user likes the change. Some prefer the old snappy version of Notepad instead.

The problem: When you launch Notepad on Windows 11, for instance from the Start menu or runbox, the new Notepad application is launched.

What Microsoft does not tell you is that the classic Notepad application is still onboard. You can restore it with just a few basic steps, which I will outline below.

How to restore classic Notepad on Windows 11



Note:  This methods works on all recent versions of Windows 11, including Windows 11, version 24H2.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Start menu.
   
2. Select Settings to launch the Settings application.
   
3. Navigate to Apps > Advanced App settings > App execution aliases.
   
4. Scroll down the list until you find Notepad.
   
5. Toggle the alias to Off with a click.
   

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Microsoft replaced the classic Notepad text editor on Windows 11 with an advanced version featuring new features such as tabs and AI integrations. Not every Windows user likes the change. Some prefer the old snappy version of Notepad instead.

The problem: When you launch Notepad on Windows 11, for instance from the Start menu or runbox, the new Notepad application is launched.

What Microsoft does not tell you is that the classic Notepad application is still onboard. You can restore it with just a few basic steps, which I will outline below.

How to restore classic Notepad on Windows 11



Note:  This methods works on all recent versions of Windows 11, including Windows 11, version 24H2.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Start menu.
   
2. Select Settings to launch the Settings application.
   
3. Navigate to Apps > Advanced App settings > App execution aliases.
   
4. Scroll down the list until you find Notepad.
   
5. Toggle the alias to Off with a click.
   

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20658 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 17:33:12 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20658 Quote:Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system supports a wide range of file formats by default. JPEG XL, a royalty-free open image format has not been on that default list up until now.

What is JPEG XL? The image format promises better web compatibility than JPEG, including several features that allow webmasters and users to migrate existing images to the new format:

• Compression efficiency.
  
• Support for lossless and lossy compression.
  
• Support for transparency.
  
• Support for HDR and a wide range of colors.
  
• Progressive loading support.
  
• Backward compatibility.
  

The main downside right now is limited support for the format and a lack of hardware decoding support.

Windows 11: how to install support for JPEG XL

Microsoft published the JPEG XL Image Extension on the Microsoft Store. Windows 11 users may download the application to add support for the JPEG XL format on Windows 11.

Note: The image extension is only compatible with Windows 11, version 24H2. You get an JPEG XL Image Extension failed error when you try to install it on an earlier version of Windows 11 or on a Windows 10 system.

If you run Windows 11, version 24H2 on a device and do use the Microsoft Store, you may open the JPEG XL Image Extension page to download and install support for JPEG XL.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system supports a wide range of file formats by default. JPEG XL, a royalty-free open image format has not been on that default list up until now.

What is JPEG XL? The image format promises better web compatibility than JPEG, including several features that allow webmasters and users to migrate existing images to the new format:

• Compression efficiency.
  
• Support for lossless and lossy compression.
  
• Support for transparency.
  
• Support for HDR and a wide range of colors.
  
• Progressive loading support.
  
• Backward compatibility.
  

The main downside right now is limited support for the format and a lack of hardware decoding support.

Windows 11: how to install support for JPEG XL

Microsoft published the JPEG XL Image Extension on the Microsoft Store. Windows 11 users may download the application to add support for the JPEG XL format on Windows 11.

Note: The image extension is only compatible with Windows 11, version 24H2. You get an JPEG XL Image Extension failed error when you try to install it on an earlier version of Windows 11 or on a Windows 10 system.

If you run Windows 11, version 24H2 on a device and do use the Microsoft Store, you may open the JPEG XL Image Extension page to download and install support for JPEG XL.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20597 Fri, 14 Feb 2025 10:38:52 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20597 Quote:Folders in Windows 11 show a preview of the files they contain when certain folder views are enabled. This is the case for the medium, large, and extra large icon views, as well as the views tiles and content.

Windows 11 displays a cut-off preview of one of the files, which you may dislike because it may get harder to identify files.



The operating system comes without options to change this. Good news is that third-party apps come to the rescue to modify the default view.

Restore folder thumbnails in Windows 11



FolderThumbnailFix is an open source tool that changes a single file in Windows 11. This file is responsible for cutting off the thumbnails that folders show in the operating system.

Word of warning: While we did not notice any issues using the program, it is recommended to either backup the original file in question or create a system restore point or system backup before using the application. The developer notes furthermore that some antivirus apps may falsely flag the app as malicious.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Folders in Windows 11 show a preview of the files they contain when certain folder views are enabled. This is the case for the medium, large, and extra large icon views, as well as the views tiles and content.

Windows 11 displays a cut-off preview of one of the files, which you may dislike because it may get harder to identify files.



The operating system comes without options to change this. Good news is that third-party apps come to the rescue to modify the default view.

Restore folder thumbnails in Windows 11



FolderThumbnailFix is an open source tool that changes a single file in Windows 11. This file is responsible for cutting off the thumbnails that folders show in the operating system.

Word of warning: While we did not notice any issues using the program, it is recommended to either backup the original file in question or create a system restore point or system backup before using the application. The developer notes furthermore that some antivirus apps may falsely flag the app as malicious.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20511 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 11:17:48 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20511 Quote:Several methods exist to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware and to upgrade to a new version of Windows 11 from older versions.

Microsoft allows this on one hand, but says it does not offer any kind of support, if the PC does not meet the system requirements.

Manual methods are available, but programs like Rufus have made the entire process better by automating most of it. Still, changes may block certain options that worked before.

I reviewed the open source application Flyby11 last October. The program supported two methods to install the latest version of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. It was easy to use and worked well during tests.

The developer of the program has released a new version that makes things even simpler. All it takes now is to drag & drop a Windows 11 ISO image on the drop area in the program interface. Everything else is taken care of by the program.



Probably the biggest hindrance for many users at this point is the Windows 11 ISO. That's why Flyby11 links to Microsoft's official download website.

You may also use Rufus for that or any other program or services that offers the latest Windows 11 ISO image. As far as the Microsoft option is concerned, here is its link.

Once you have downloaded the ISO file, drag and drop it on the program interface. The application starts an inPlace upgrade right away at this point.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Several methods exist to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware and to upgrade to a new version of Windows 11 from older versions.

Microsoft allows this on one hand, but says it does not offer any kind of support, if the PC does not meet the system requirements.

Manual methods are available, but programs like Rufus have made the entire process better by automating most of it. Still, changes may block certain options that worked before.

I reviewed the open source application Flyby11 last October. The program supported two methods to install the latest version of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. It was easy to use and worked well during tests.

The developer of the program has released a new version that makes things even simpler. All it takes now is to drag & drop a Windows 11 ISO image on the drop area in the program interface. Everything else is taken care of by the program.



Probably the biggest hindrance for many users at this point is the Windows 11 ISO. That's why Flyby11 links to Microsoft's official download website.

You may also use Rufus for that or any other program or services that offers the latest Windows 11 ISO image. As far as the Microsoft option is concerned, here is its link.

Once you have downloaded the ISO file, drag and drop it on the program interface. The application starts an inPlace upgrade right away at this point.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20473 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 09:07:56 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20473 Quote:Windows 11 uses the icon cache extensively to display icons of applications and other elements of the operating system. It is designed to speed up the loading and display of icons.

Sometimes, issues may arise. A common issue is corruption of the icon cache. This may lead to the display of wrong, old, duplicate, missing, or broken icons and other issues.

The reason for this, most of the time, is corruption of the icon cache. The solution in that case is to rebuild the icon cache.

This guide explains how that is done on Windows 11. The same method works on Windows 10 as well.

Rebuilding the icon cache in Windows 11



 You can rebuild the icon cache using a single command. Here is how that is done:

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-X to display the administrative menu.
   
2. Select Terminal from the menu.
   
3. Confirm the security prompt by selecting the option yes.
   
4. Paste the command "ie4uinit.exe -show" and press the Enter-key.
   

Note that you do not get a response; this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Windows 11 uses the icon cache extensively to display icons of applications and other elements of the operating system. It is designed to speed up the loading and display of icons.

Sometimes, issues may arise. A common issue is corruption of the icon cache. This may lead to the display of wrong, old, duplicate, missing, or broken icons and other issues.

The reason for this, most of the time, is corruption of the icon cache. The solution in that case is to rebuild the icon cache.

This guide explains how that is done on Windows 11. The same method works on Windows 10 as well.

Rebuilding the icon cache in Windows 11



 You can rebuild the icon cache using a single command. Here is how that is done:

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-X to display the administrative menu.
   
2. Select Terminal from the menu.
   
3. Confirm the security prompt by selecting the option yes.
   
4. Paste the command "ie4uinit.exe -show" and press the Enter-key.
   

Note that you do not get a response; this is normal and nothing to worry about.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20452 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:42:14 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20452 Quote:Wi-Fi is next to Ethernet one of the main ways of connecting a device to the Internet. A PC needs a wireless adapter or chip to support Wi-Fi. The majority of mobile devices, for example laptops and tablets, support wireless connectivity.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on disabling or enabling wireless Internet connectivity on Windows 11 PCs. It also lists examples when this may be useful.

The default: Wi-Fi is enabled by default on Windows 11. This means that the device is actively looking for wireless access points to connect to. Once a connection has been established, Windows will try to connect to the access point automatically.

Reasons for wanting to turn Wi-Fi off

• The device connects to the Internet via an Ethernet cable.
  
• You want to or have to block Internet connectivity for a time or permanently.
  
• Simplify network management.
  

Enable or disable Wi-Fi in the Quick Settings

Step 1: Click on the Wi-Fi icon displayed in the System Tray area on the Windows 11 taskbar. You find it on the right side of the taskbar next to volume.



Tip: you can also press the keys Windows and A together to display the Quick Settings.

Step 2: Click on the Wi-Fi symbol displayed in the Quick Settings interface. This toggles Wi-Fi on the device. A blue background indicates that Wi-Fi is enabled, a white background that it is turned off.



Optional: You may also use the interface to connect to a different wireless access point. For this, it is necessary to click on the right-arrow icon in the Quick Settings next to the wireless icon.



Note that I removed the names of the access points. They are displayed next to the strength indicator in the interface. There is also a Wi-Fi toggle on the page to enable or disable Wi-Fi.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Wi-Fi is next to Ethernet one of the main ways of connecting a device to the Internet. A PC needs a wireless adapter or chip to support Wi-Fi. The majority of mobile devices, for example laptops and tablets, support wireless connectivity.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on disabling or enabling wireless Internet connectivity on Windows 11 PCs. It also lists examples when this may be useful.

The default: Wi-Fi is enabled by default on Windows 11. This means that the device is actively looking for wireless access points to connect to. Once a connection has been established, Windows will try to connect to the access point automatically.

Reasons for wanting to turn Wi-Fi off

• The device connects to the Internet via an Ethernet cable.
  
• You want to or have to block Internet connectivity for a time or permanently.
  
• Simplify network management.
  

Enable or disable Wi-Fi in the Quick Settings

Step 1: Click on the Wi-Fi icon displayed in the System Tray area on the Windows 11 taskbar. You find it on the right side of the taskbar next to volume.



Tip: you can also press the keys Windows and A together to display the Quick Settings.

Step 2: Click on the Wi-Fi symbol displayed in the Quick Settings interface. This toggles Wi-Fi on the device. A blue background indicates that Wi-Fi is enabled, a white background that it is turned off.



Optional: You may also use the interface to connect to a different wireless access point. For this, it is necessary to click on the right-arrow icon in the Quick Settings next to the wireless icon.



Note that I removed the names of the access points. They are displayed next to the strength indicator in the interface. There is also a Wi-Fi toggle on the page to enable or disable Wi-Fi.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20440 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 07:56:47 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20440 Quote:Microsoft rolled out a change recently on Windows 11 that removed some bits of information from the taskbar. For the date, only day and month are shown, while the year has been removed. For the time, only the hour and minute is shown. Information such as AM or PM has also been removed.



Microsoft says this was done to free up space on the taskbar. While some users may like the change, as it gives them more room for other icons and information on the taskbar, others may dislike it.

Good news is that Microsoft added a new preference as well that allows users who do not like the change to restore the classic behavior.

Tip: You can hover with the mouse cursor over date and time to get a small popup with the full information.

How to restore the full date and time on Windows 11



Here is a step-by-step guide to restore the classic taskbar behavior:

1. Right-click on date and time on the taskbar.
   
2. Select "adjust date and time". You can also open Settings > Time & language > Date & time manually instead.
   
3. Expand "Show time and date in the System tray" by clicking on the down-arrow icon.
   
4. Uncheck "Show abbreviated time and date".
   

The change is immediate. You should see the full date and time again on the taskbar.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Microsoft rolled out a change recently on Windows 11 that removed some bits of information from the taskbar. For the date, only day and month are shown, while the year has been removed. For the time, only the hour and minute is shown. Information such as AM or PM has also been removed.



Microsoft says this was done to free up space on the taskbar. While some users may like the change, as it gives them more room for other icons and information on the taskbar, others may dislike it.

Good news is that Microsoft added a new preference as well that allows users who do not like the change to restore the classic behavior.

Tip: You can hover with the mouse cursor over date and time to get a small popup with the full information.

How to restore the full date and time on Windows 11



Here is a step-by-step guide to restore the classic taskbar behavior:

1. Right-click on date and time on the taskbar.
   
2. Select "adjust date and time". You can also open Settings > Time & language > Date & time manually instead.
   
3. Expand "Show time and date in the System tray" by clicking on the down-arrow icon.
   
4. Uncheck "Show abbreviated time and date".
   

The change is immediate. You should see the full date and time again on the taskbar.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20416 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:43:09 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20416 Quote:Windows 11 supports several power modes by default. These allow users to customize the power consumption of the device.

By default, only a few power modes are available: balanced, power saver, and high performance. Here is how they differ:

• Balanced: attempts to balance performance and energy consumption.
  
• Save Power: attempts to save power by reducing performance.
  
• High performance: improves performance, but may require more energy.
  

What Microsoft does not tell its users is that Windows 11 supports more power modes. These are not shown by default, however and need to be enabled by administrators before they become available.

One of these modes is Ultimate Performance. This mode is available on Windows 11 Pro for Workstations systems only by default. It can be activated on other systems. Here is what it does:

• Ultimate Performance: ensures maximum performance on high-end PCs
  

Tip: you may enable the Ultimate power plan on Windows 10 as well.

How to enable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11



It takes just a few steps to add the Ultimate Performance power plan to the Windows 11 system.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-X to open the secret menu.
   
2. Launch Terminal from the menu.
   
3. Type the command powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61.
   
4. Press the Enter-key.
   

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Windows 11 supports several power modes by default. These allow users to customize the power consumption of the device.

By default, only a few power modes are available: balanced, power saver, and high performance. Here is how they differ:

• Balanced: attempts to balance performance and energy consumption.
  
• Save Power: attempts to save power by reducing performance.
  
• High performance: improves performance, but may require more energy.
  

What Microsoft does not tell its users is that Windows 11 supports more power modes. These are not shown by default, however and need to be enabled by administrators before they become available.

One of these modes is Ultimate Performance. This mode is available on Windows 11 Pro for Workstations systems only by default. It can be activated on other systems. Here is what it does:

• Ultimate Performance: ensures maximum performance on high-end PCs
  

Tip: you may enable the Ultimate power plan on Windows 10 as well.

How to enable Ultimate Performance mode in Windows 11



It takes just a few steps to add the Ultimate Performance power plan to the Windows 11 system.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-X to open the secret menu.
   
2. Launch Terminal from the menu.
   
3. Type the command powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61.
   
4. Press the Enter-key.
   

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20403 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:02:29 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20403 Quote:What do Xbox Wireless Controllers, Microsoft Defender and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Bing AI in common? All of them were advertised by Microsoft on Windows 11 in the past year.

What if I told you that there is an easy way to turn off these ads on Windows 11? It takes just a minute of your time and you are done with it.

Here is how it is done:

1. Open the Start menu and load the Settings. You may also use the shortcut Windows-I for that.
   
2. Go to System > Notifications.
   
3. Scroll down and expand the "Additional settings" section there.
   
4. Uncheck "Get tips and suggestions when using Windows".
   
5. Optional: uncheck "Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what's new and suggested".
   
6. Optional: uncheck "Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device".
   
7. Restart the PC.
   

This gets rid of ads as suggestions or notifications in Windows 11.

Note that this does not block all the ads that Microsoft has displayed to users or will display to users. You may also see ads on the lock screen, in the Microsoft Store, the Settings page, File Explorer, and many other areas.

If you want to get rid of most ads, you may want to use a tool like Winaero Tweaker. It is free and covers a lot of them. Here is how you configure it for that.

Using Winaero Tweaker to disable ads on Windows 11 (and 10)



Winaero Tweaker is a free program to change lots of settings on systems running Windows 10 or 11. Start by downloading the latest version from the official website.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:What do Xbox Wireless Controllers, Microsoft Defender and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Bing AI in common? All of them were advertised by Microsoft on Windows 11 in the past year.

What if I told you that there is an easy way to turn off these ads on Windows 11? It takes just a minute of your time and you are done with it.

Here is how it is done:

1. Open the Start menu and load the Settings. You may also use the shortcut Windows-I for that.
   
2. Go to System > Notifications.
   
3. Scroll down and expand the "Additional settings" section there.
   
4. Uncheck "Get tips and suggestions when using Windows".
   
5. Optional: uncheck "Show the Windows welcome experience after updates and when signed in to show what's new and suggested".
   
6. Optional: uncheck "Suggest ways to get the most out of Windows and finish setting up this device".
   
7. Restart the PC.
   

This gets rid of ads as suggestions or notifications in Windows 11.

Note that this does not block all the ads that Microsoft has displayed to users or will display to users. You may also see ads on the lock screen, in the Microsoft Store, the Settings page, File Explorer, and many other areas.

If you want to get rid of most ads, you may want to use a tool like Winaero Tweaker. It is free and covers a lot of them. Here is how you configure it for that.

Using Winaero Tweaker to disable ads on Windows 11 (and 10)



Winaero Tweaker is a free program to change lots of settings on systems running Windows 10 or 11. Start by downloading the latest version from the official website.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20335 Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:55 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=20335 Quote:My first review of the open source tool FlyBy11 is less than ten days old. The initial version could be run in Windows 11 devices which did not meet the system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2.

Microsoft removed some options to upgrade Windows 11 that worked previously. FlyBy11 supports both options that remain. It is not the only tool that does so. Rufus, for example, supports one of the options as well.

FlyBy11 Update adds more options



When you launch FlyByScript now after the download, you still get the dreaded "are you sure" security warning on Windows 11. Once you accept it, you see more options. The initial options, now called Method 1 and Method 2, are still available.

If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2 on an unsupported system, these are the options that you may try. First the easier option, method 1, but if that does not work for whatever reason, the Registry hack that is method 2.

 The third option that is now available is for systems that do meet the hardware requirements. You can initiate the upgrade on these systems right away. That may be easier than having to wait for Microsoft to show the upgrade when you run checks using Windows Update.

Another excellent addition is that you now get checks that tell you if method 2 or the direct option is enabled already. A small detail but still useful for verification.

Plugins are introduced



The second big addition is a plugin system. This is not the first app of the developer with a plugin system. You activate it by selecting the import option in the main interface.

A total of ten plugins are provided. Not all are useful in all situations. There is Windows Old Remover, which you may run after a successful upgrade to free up disk space.


Other plugins remove OneDrive from the system, restore all built-in apps, or create restore points. All in all, these can come in handy and there is the prospect of future plugins that may automate certain processes before or after upgrades are installed on the system.

You do not need the plugins, but they may come in handy.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:My first review of the open source tool FlyBy11 is less than ten days old. The initial version could be run in Windows 11 devices which did not meet the system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2.

Microsoft removed some options to upgrade Windows 11 that worked previously. FlyBy11 supports both options that remain. It is not the only tool that does so. Rufus, for example, supports one of the options as well.

FlyBy11 Update adds more options



When you launch FlyByScript now after the download, you still get the dreaded "are you sure" security warning on Windows 11. Once you accept it, you see more options. The initial options, now called Method 1 and Method 2, are still available.

If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2 on an unsupported system, these are the options that you may try. First the easier option, method 1, but if that does not work for whatever reason, the Registry hack that is method 2.

 The third option that is now available is for systems that do meet the hardware requirements. You can initiate the upgrade on these systems right away. That may be easier than having to wait for Microsoft to show the upgrade when you run checks using Windows Update.

Another excellent addition is that you now get checks that tell you if method 2 or the direct option is enabled already. A small detail but still useful for verification.

Plugins are introduced



The second big addition is a plugin system. This is not the first app of the developer with a plugin system. You activate it by selecting the import option in the main interface.

A total of ten plugins are provided. Not all are useful in all situations. There is Windows Old Remover, which you may run after a successful upgrade to free up disk space.


Other plugins remove OneDrive from the system, restore all built-in apps, or create restore points. All in all, these can come in handy and there is the prospect of future plugins that may automate certain processes before or after upgrades are installed on the system.

You do not need the plugins, but they may come in handy.

Continue Reading... ]]>