restore point Archives

Winsage

April 30, 2025

5 steps I took for a successful in-place upgrade of my 6-year-old PC from Windows 10 to 11

Windows 11 was released in October 2021. A user upgraded from Windows 10 22H2 to Windows 11 24H2 on a six-year-old HP Omen using an in-place upgrade. They backed up important files using OneDrive, Proton Drive, and a 4 TB external drive. The hardware was checked for compatibility with Windows 11 using Microsoft’s support page and the PC Health Check app. The user decluttered the system using Disk Cleanup and Revo Uninstaller. A system restore point was created for safety before the upgrade. The upgrade was initiated through Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, and it proceeded smoothly, allowing the user to keep files and applications.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

How to change the default screenshot folder in Windows 10 and 11

Windows 10 and 11 allow users to capture screenshots using the Snipping Tool or the PrintScreen button. By default, screenshots are saved to the C drive in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. Users can change the default screenshot folder through three methods: 1. Using the Snipping Tool: Open the Snipping Tool, click the three-dot icon, find "Automatically save original screenshots," click "Change," and select a new storage location. This does not affect screenshots taken with the Win + PrintScreen shortcut. 2. Using File Explorer: Navigate to the Pictures folder, right-click the Screenshot folder, select Properties, go to the Location tab, click Move, choose a new folder, and confirm moving existing screenshots. 3. Using the Registry Editor: Create a new folder for screenshots, open the Registry Editor, navigate to the specified path, locate or create the {B7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F} value, and change its data to the new folder path. This method does not transfer existing screenshots. Additionally, the location for screen recordings cannot be changed, but the entire Videos user folder can be relocated using the same method as the second option.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11 Update Issues and What To Do About Them

Windows 11 version 24H2 has introduced significant issues, including blue screens of death (BSOD) and device bricking associated with update KB5043145. Users have reported problems such as black screens, corrupted boot sectors, and non-functional system restore points. Businesses are facing complications like failed domain join operations, group policy errors, and stalled WSUS updates. Specific issues include Remote Desktop disconnections after update KB5050094, the removal of the Windows Copilot app in March 2025, blocked BIOS updates for Lenovo ThinkPad users, and gaming performance problems for titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Microsoft is aware of these issues but is slow to provide solutions. Users are advised to use built-in troubleshooters, roll back problematic updates, pause updates, manually update drivers, and back up their systems before major updates.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Windows 25 is a mod for Windows 11 that makes everything so much better

Users have modified operating systems, particularly Windows, for a personalized experience, leading to a community that shares tweaks and cosmetic changes. The Windows 25 mod enhances Windows 11 by addressing user criticisms, such as the design of the Start menu and context menu accessibility. Created by modder AR 4789, it utilizes the Windhawk customization tool and involves a multi-step installation process. The mod offers a futuristic interface that combines elements of Windows 11 and macOS, featuring simplified icons, transparent elements, and a movable Start menu. It also restores the classic context menu for easier access to options. Users can further customize their experience and can revert to their original setup if needed.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

How to Uninstall Problematic Windows Updates Easily: Microsoft Customer Service

Windows updates can enhance performance and security but may also cause issues such as system crashes, compatibility problems, or decreased performance. If these problems occur, uninstalling the problematic update can restore system functionality. To uninstall a Windows update, users can follow these steps: 1. Access Windows Update History: - Open Windows Settings and select Update & Security. - Click on Windows Update and then View update history. 2. Uninstall the Problematic Update: - In the update history, click on Uninstall updates. - Select the problematic update and click Uninstall, then restart the computer. 3. Use Control Panel to Uninstall Updates: - Open Control Panel and click Programs. - Click on View installed updates, select the update, and click Uninstall. 4. Use Safe Mode to Uninstall Updates: - Boot into Safe Mode by navigating to Update & Security > Recovery and selecting Restart now under Advanced startup. - After restarting, follow the previous steps to uninstall the update. 5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter: - Open Settings, navigate to Update & Security, and select Troubleshoot. - Click on Additional troubleshooters, select Windows Update, and run the troubleshooter. 6. Use System Restore to Undo Updates: - Access System Restore by searching for Create a restore point. - Follow instructions to select a restore point prior to the problematic update. 7. Prevent Future Problematic Updates: - Pause updates temporarily in Windows Update settings. - Use the Show or Hide Updates tool to block specific updates from installation. For persistent issues, users can contact Microsoft support via phone, live chat, or their support website for further assistance.

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.

Winsage

February 14, 2025

How to block Windows 11 24H2 if it is already downloading

The wushowhide tool can be used to block the Windows 11 24H2 update by selecting "Hide updates" and choosing the 24H2 version. Users can also prevent the update by stopping update-related services via Command Prompt, deleting files in the Software Distribution folder, and restarting the services. To block the update using the Group Policy Editor, users can set the target version to 23H2. For Home edition users without Group Policy Editor, registry modifications can be made by creating specific string and DWORD values under HKEYLOCALMACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows. Support for Windows 11 23H2 will retire in November 2025, so users should be prepared to update in the future.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

How to add Control Panel to the context menu in Windows 11

Microsoft is phasing out the classic Control Panel in favor of the modern Settings app, but the Control Panel remains available for compatibility reasons. Users can add the Control Panel to the context menu in Windows 11 by modifying the Windows Registry. The steps include opening the Registry Editor, navigating to HKEYCLASSESROOTDirectoryBackgroundshell, creating a new key named Control Panel, and adding a command to launch it. After completing these steps, the Control Panel option will appear in the context menu, accessible from the desktop or File Explorer. Some settings are exclusive to the Control Panel, making it useful for managing files and folders.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

How to rename the User folder on your Windows 11 PC

Microsoft's Windows 11 requires an active internet connection for installation and mandates the creation of a Microsoft account, which has raised privacy concerns. The User folder is automatically named using the first five letters of the associated email address, leading to issues for users with longer names. To rename the User folder, users can follow a complex process involving the Registry Editor, including creating a new user profile, switching to a local account, noting the SID of the user account, modifying the ProfileImagePath in the registry, renaming the folder in Windows Explorer, and creating a link between the old and new folder names using Command Prompt. Alternatively, users can create a new Microsoft account with the desired User folder name.

Tech Optimizer

December 12, 2024

The Best Way to Remove Windows Security Permanently

Microsoft offers Windows Security for Windows 11 and Windows Defender for Windows 10, both providing integrated security solutions focused on virus detection and protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. Users often consider third-party antivirus options for enhanced protection. Windows Security has drawbacks, including false positives that can lead to the removal of legitimate applications and significant resource consumption affecting performance on older devices. Users contemplating permanent removal of Windows Security may do so for reasons such as preferring third-party solutions with additional features, performance issues, and frustration from false alarms. Before removing Windows Security, users should ensure they have an alternative antivirus solution ready, understand that they will lose automatic updates for threats, and be cautious of improper removal methods that could cause system instability. Methods to disable Windows Security include using the Local Group Policy Editor, modifying the Windows Registry, disabling Tamper Protection, or using the Windows Defender Remover tool available on GitHub. Alternatives to complete removal include adding exclusions for specific files, disabling real-time protection, or installing a third-party antivirus that automatically disables Windows Security.