User folder Archives

Winsage

November 6, 2025

How to record your screen in Windows 10 or 11 – in just a few clicks

Windows offers built-in tools for screen recording, specifically the Game Bar and the Snipping Tool. The Game Bar, available in Windows 10 and 11, allows users to record screen activity, activate the microphone, and save recordings in MP4 format. To use the Game Bar, navigate to Settings > Gaming > Captures, and recordings are saved in the user folder under VideosCaptures. Users can start recording by pressing the Record button or using the shortcut Windows key + Alt + R. The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 can also record screens, requiring version 22621.1344 or higher. Users can launch it, define the recording area, and manage audio settings before and during recording. Recorded videos can be edited, saved, or shared directly from the respective tools.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

12 features coming during first half of October on Windows 11 Insiders

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 in October 2025 through the Windows Insider Program, releasing several notable features and improvements. Key updates include: 1. An updated Settings app with improved AI agent integration, featuring a "Recommended settings" card and enhanced search results. 2. The Drag Tray now supports dragging and dropping multiple files. 3. Administrator Protection is accessible again in the Windows Security app. 4. The "Run" command dialog box is being updated for dark mode support. 5. Click to Do feature enhancements allow for more precise object selection within images. 6. Windows Hello now supports external fingerprint sensors. 7. Users can configure the user folder name during the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) using Command Prompt. 8. File Explorer receives dark mode improvements across various dialogs. 9. A redesigned Start menu in the Canary Channel combines "All," "Pinned," and "Recommended" sections into a scrollable interface. 10. A new setting allows users to adjust the position of on-screen hardware indicators. 11. Updates to keyboard shortcuts facilitate the insertion of En dashes and Em dashes. 12. The Windows Share interface now includes an option for pinning favorite apps.

Winsage

October 7, 2025

Windows 11 update removes “known” local account workarounds, so now you most definitely need to sign in with Microsoft

Microsoft has removed local account creation methods in the latest Windows 11 update (Preview Build 26220.6772), requiring users to complete the setup process with an internet connection and a Microsoft account. This change coincides with the impending end of Windows 10 support on October 14, affecting around 400 million devices. The update aims to ensure that devices are fully configured for use, as previous local account workarounds often led to incomplete setups. Users in the European Economic Area can extend their Windows 10 support for an additional year at no cost.

Winsage

October 7, 2025

Microsoft is plugging more holes that let you use Windows 11 without an online account

Microsoft is eliminating methods to bypass the requirement for a Microsoft account during the installation of Windows 11. Users will now need to complete the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) screens with an active internet connection and a Microsoft account. The "bypassnro" workaround has already been disabled, and the command "start ms-cxh:localonly" now resets the OOBE process. Microsoft is introducing a feature that allows users to specify a custom name for their default user folder during setup, but this will require a command input.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Tested: Backup and Restore (Windows 7) has just two jobs, but manages only one

The Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature is located in the Control Panel under System and Security and can be accessed more conveniently through a desktop shortcut. It uses Microsoft’s VHDX files for imaging, allowing users to mount and browse images in Windows Explorer. The backup configuration defaults to user folders and full system images of internal drives, with options to customize selections. Backups can be saved to an internal hard drive or a network location, but not to directly attached external media like USB drives. Users can include non-user folders by transforming them into user libraries. The tool creates VHDX images, but the restoration process requires a physical disc (CD or DVD) and lacks an option to create an ISO file. Users have reported mixed results with Windows Recovery Drive, with some experiencing failures. Backup and Restore (Windows 7) does not support incremental or differential backups and is limited to a single job configuration. It cannot restore to a smaller capacity drive than the original, and the Recovery Drive is tied to the specific PC it was created on. Due to these limitations, it is recommended to consider alternatives like EaseUS Todo Backup 2025 or Macrium Reflect 8 Free for disaster recovery. However, Backup and Restore (Windows 7) remains suitable for creating VHDX images for browsing and manual recovery within the Windows ecosystem.

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

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.