Ctrl + Shift + Esc Archives

Winsage

March 13, 2025

Make Your Windows PC Last 30 Percent Longer by Adjusting These Settings

The text discusses ways to optimize battery life on Windows laptops, which can extend usage by approximately 30 percent and potentially add up to 90 minutes of additional battery life. Key strategies include: 1. Using Standby Mode: Pressing Alt + F4 to activate standby mode can conserve energy when the laptop is idle. 2. Lowering Display Refresh Rate: Adjusting the refresh rate to 60 Hz can save between 10 to 30 percent of battery life. 3. Creating Custom Power Plans: Users can create tailored power plans for different tasks, optimizing settings for various times of the day. 4. Adjusting Additional Settings: Enabling dark mode and using Efficiency mode for specific applications can further enhance battery performance. These adjustments can significantly improve battery longevity and productivity without the need for a charger.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

12 Ways To Make Windows 11 Run Faster

Windows is a dominant operating system known for its affordability and software compatibility, but users often face performance issues. To enhance performance on Windows 11, users can: 1. Restart the device weekly and ensure it is up-to-date to resolve bugs and improve security. 2. Disable unnecessary startup applications via Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager. 3. Use Task Manager to monitor and terminate resource-hungry applications. 4. Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed software using tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller. 5. Upgrade hardware by installing an SSD or adding RAM for better performance. 6. Regularly scan for malware using Windows Security to maintain system health. 7. Adjust power settings to "Best Performance" under Settings > System > Power & battery > Power Mode. 8. Free up disk space using built-in tools like Storage Sense or by manually deleting old files. 9. Disable unnecessary visual effects via Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects or Control Panel. 10. Pause OneDrive or other cloud storage services to reduce resource consumption during intensive tasks. 11. Disable File Explorer search indexing if frequent searches are not needed. 12. Use the system restore feature to revert to a previous state if performance issues persist.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

What to do if you think your PC has a virus

Signs that a PC may have a virus include noticeable slowdown in performance, unfamiliar applications appearing, frequent crashes or erratic software behavior, and overheating. To remove a virus from a PC, users should: 1. Disconnect from the internet. 2. Enter safe mode. 3. Run a virus scan with antivirus software. 4. Delete or quarantine infected files. 5. Clear temporary files using the Disk Cleanup tool. 6. Reset browser settings to default. 7. Check and disable unfamiliar startup programs in Task Manager. 8. Update the operating system and software. 9. Backup data regularly. To avoid future viruses, users should practice safe browsing, enable a firewall, download from trusted sites, and use a secure VPN connection.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

7 settings to change on your Windows 11 PC to maximize battery life

Windows PCs, particularly newer laptop models, have improved battery performance, but users often experience reduced battery life over time. A three-year-old Windows laptop may drop from six to seven hours of screen time to struggling to reach three hours. Software adjustments can help maximize battery life. 1. Lowering screen brightness to around 30-40% can extend battery life. 2. The Battery Saver option in Windows 11 can be manually enabled to disable power-hungry activities. 3. Reducing display and sleep timeout settings can conserve energy. 4. Disabling unnecessary startup applications can save battery resources. 5. Turning off animation effects can improve battery life, especially on older devices. 6. Shutting down the laptop instead of just closing the lid can prevent unexpected battery drain. 7. Changing the power mode from Balanced to Best power efficiency can significantly extend battery life.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

How to use Windows Task Manager to disable suspicious files

Windows Task Manager allows users to monitor and manage applications and processes, providing an overview of CPU usage, memory allocation, and network activity. It helps in troubleshooting by identifying and terminating unresponsive programs. Task Manager is also useful for detecting and eliminating malicious processes that may appear as legitimate applications. Users should avoid terminating system-critical processes labeled “Windows” or from trusted publishers like Microsoft to prevent system instability. To open Task Manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager."

Winsage

November 25, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 update is a nightmare for many gamers

The Windows 11 24H2 update has caused significant issues with several Ubisoft titles, leading Microsoft to block the update on devices with these games installed. The problematic games include Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Users may experience unresponsiveness, black screens, or performance issues after installing the update. Microsoft advises against manual installation of the 24H2 update on systems with affected games and is working with Ubisoft to find a resolution. A guide to exit unresponsive games via Task Manager has been provided by Microsoft.

Winsage

November 25, 2024

Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla broken by latest Windows 11 update

Ubisoft games, including Star Wars Outlaws, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, are experiencing issues on devices with Windows 11 version update 24H2. Microsoft has blocked this update for affected users, acknowledging that these games may become unresponsive during startup, loading, or gameplay, and some users may see a black screen. A compatibility hold has been implemented, preventing the installation of Windows 11 version 24H2 on devices with these games. Users are advised not to manually install the update if they own specific titles. Microsoft has released a temporary mitigation for Star Wars Outlaws to prevent unresponsiveness, but performance issues may still occur. Both companies are working on a comprehensive fix. A workaround for unresponsive games involves using Task Manager to end the game's process.

Winsage

September 24, 2024

Windows 11 Search Not Working? Here’s How To Fix It – SlashGear

Experiencing sluggish performance with Windows 11 search can be addressed through several troubleshooting steps. 1. Restart the SearchHost.exe process by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), navigating to the Details tab, right-clicking on SearchHost.exe, and selecting End Task. 2. If the search icon on the taskbar is unresponsive, restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager by going to the Processes tab, right-clicking on Windows Explorer, and selecting Restart. 3. Ensure Windows is up to date by opening the Settings app (Windows + I), navigating to the Windows Update tab, and clicking on Check for updates. 4. Configure the Windows Search service by opening the Run dialog (Windows + R), typing services.msc, locating Windows Search, setting the Startup type to Automatic, and restarting the service. 5. Expand search capabilities by accessing Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows, selecting Enhanced under Find my files, and removing any excluded folders. 6. Rebuild the search index by opening Settings, navigating to Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options, clicking Advanced, and selecting Rebuild. 7. If issues persist, perform a system restore by opening the Run dialog (Windows + R), typing rstrui.exe, selecting a restore point prior to the issue, and clicking Finish.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Use Windows like a pro: 11 keyboard shortcuts that are super-handy

- The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 allows users to capture screenshots or screen recordings, with options for different selection types. Command: Windows key + Shift + S. - To minimize all open windows and reveal the desktop, use the command: Windows key + D. - To launch Task Manager and terminate unresponsive applications, use the command: Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - To launch Copilot quickly, use the command: Windows key + C. - To cycle between browser tabs, use the command: Ctrl + Tab; to navigate counterclockwise, use Ctrl + Shift + Tab. - To permanently delete a file without sending it to the Recycle Bin, use the command: Shift + Delete. - To undo the last action, use the command: Ctrl + Z. - To lock your PC, use the command: Windows key + L. - To open the emoji menu, use the command: Windows key + . (period). - To see all open windows and switch between desktops, use the command: Windows key + Tab. - To activate ‘Sticky keys’ for easier command execution, press Shift repeatedly for 5 times.

Winsage

September 5, 2024

Microsoft offers tips for long startup times on Windows PCs

Microsoft has launched a support page to help users optimize startup times for Windows PCs, focusing on managing startup applications that affect boot-up speed. 1. Settings: Users can go to Settings > Apps > Startup to disable resource-heavy applications that launch automatically during boot-up, such as web browsers, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Creative Cloud, Steam, and Discord. 2. Task Manager: Accessed via the taskbar or Ctrl + Shift + Esc, the Task Manager's Startup apps tab shows the status and impact of applications on startup delays, allowing users to disable them. 3. File Explorer: Users can manage startup applications through the Startup folder by using the Run command with shortcuts: shell:startup for the current user's folder and shell:common startup for all users. Deleting shortcuts from these folders prevents applications from launching at startup. 4. Registry: Advanced users can modify startup applications in the Windows Registry at specific paths, though caution is advised to avoid system instability. Additionally, Microsoft suggests using the free PC Manager tool to optimize system resources and offers various tips for improving overall Windows performance.