#Windows 11 - Page 2
473 Stories
New Windows 11 Recovery Tool Fixes Your PC Using OS Update, Not Installation Media
Arjun Sha
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Microsoft has come up with a seamless recovery tool that allows you to re-install Windows 11, in case you are facing any issues. This method doesn't delete your files, apps, and settings. Best of all, you don't need to create an installation media or tinker with partitions to perform re-installation
Windows has the ability to automatically increase and reduce the paging size, manually changing it in case of significant performance drops is better. You can do so by going to System info > Advanced Settings > Performance tab. Alternatively, you can use the WMIC utility by launching Command Prompt as an administrator.
Screen savers have been deprecated by Microsoft but there are still feint traces of enabling the feature. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to save power when you're away from your PC is to let it sleep but if you're a sucker for screen savers and craving nostalgia, you can set a screen saver by searching for the option in Start menu and choosing a screen saver from the drop down. Besides, you can also set custom Screen Saver using the Wallpaper Engine on Steam.
Installing Windows 11 requires you to go through Windows' out-of-the-box experience steps and sign in to your Microsoft Account. However, if you're unwilling to sign in and want to use Windows 11 with a local administrator account, there are a few ways to do it. One of the is by using the Command Prompt when installing Windows, and the other is by using a third-party, open-source software called Rufus.
Windows Hello is a term Microsoft uses to represent different ways of authenticating and unlocking your Windows machine. Setting up Windows Hello is way more convenient than entering your PIN or password and you can do so by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
We have thoroughly benchmarked the Snapdragon X Elite processor on a variety of tests including Geekbench, Cinebench, 3DMark, Speedometer, and more. While the performance is top-notch, it draws more power than Apple M-series chipsets. But it's still much better than x86 processors when it comes to delivering performance at lower power. Go through our article to find all the benchmark numbers.
To enhance performance on Windows 11 and 10, I strongly recommend users to prevent apps from launching on startup. It can significantly improve the boot time and make your PC fast and usable. On both Windows 11 and 10, you can disable startup apps from the Task Manager and Windows Settings.
While BitLocker encryption is a good solution from the point of security and data protection, it can also lead to data loss if you don't have the recovery key. So in this article, I have added a few methods on how to bypass the BitLocker recovery key on Windows 11. You can find the recovery key in your Microsoft account or locate the recovery key on other drives or external storage.
If you wish to disable BitLocker encryption on your Windows 11 or 10 PC, you can do so from the Control Panel or Windows Settings. Apart from that, by using the "manage-bde" command in CMD or PowerShell, you can also turn off BitLocker. Go through our article to find detailed instructions.
Restarting Windows is one of the fundamental things that you'll see yourself doing often. Some of the ways to restart your Windows PC is from the Start menu, using at least three different keyboard shortcuts, using the Command Prompt, by force restarting using the power button, and by creating a shortcut.
Microsoft doesn't allow users to easily remove Edge from PCs. We have, however, found a nifty way to uninstall Microsoft Edge from Windows 11 and 10 PCs. With a dedicated uninstaller program, you can permanently remove Edge and prevent it from reinstalling as well.
In case you are not aware, Microsoft has removed WordPad from Windows 11 24H2 and it won't be available in future builds too. You can, however, bring it back by downloading a small package. Many users love WordPad for the ability to open DOCX and RTF files quickly.
Snapdragon X Elite Reviews are Out: Solid Performance and Great Battery Life
Arjun Sha
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The embargo has finally lifted and many outlets have reviewed the Asus Vivobook S15, which is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor. As Qualcomm claimed, the Snapdragon X Elite chipset delivers great performance, matching the Apple M3 in multi-core tasks, and the battery life rivals the MacBook Air M3. The X Elite-powered PC delivers battery life up to 13 hours while performing everyday tasks.
The support window for Windows 10 is winding down so it's the best time to upgrade to Windows 11. Over the past few years, Windows 11 has gained substantial improvements in performance and security. Foreground app prioritization and faster boot process are some of the key improvements introduced on Windows 11. Hardware-based security features are also enabled by default. In addition, new AI features and experiences are coming to Windows 11.
I Tested an Open-Source Alternative to Windows Recall That Works on Any PC
Arjun Sha
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If you want to try out an alternative to Windows Recall, check out OpenRecall which is open-source and entirely free. It does all the processing locally and works on any x86 PC without an NPU. Keep in mind, the local vector database is not encrypted so that might be a major security concern.
The error code 0x80070643 usually occurs when updating a Windows PC. It was first reported to show up after the KB5034441 update on Windows 10. Some of the ways to fix it is by restarting your PC, replacing the old .NET installation with the latest one, and increasing the disk space for the Windows Recovery Environment.
Windows has many built-in ways of zooming in across screens for better visibility, and they're all pretty easy to use. Some of them are by using Windows' built-in Magnifier option, scaling options, adjusting resolution, or using keyboard shortcuts to zoom in or out in a browser like Chrome.
If you are facing the PcaWallpaperAppDetect (PcaSvc.dll) error on Windows 11 version 24H2, you are not alone. The error is caused due to a scheduled task. You can simply delete the task by following our guide and you are good to go.
Microsoft Addresses Windows Recall Concerns; Makes It Opt-in By Default
Arjun Sha
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After intense public outcry, Microsoft has finally responded to major security concerns surrounding the Recall AI feature. Users would now get a clear choice to either enable or disable Recall during the onboarding setup. In addition, the Recall vector index will remain encrypted and will only be decrypted when the user authenticates using Windows Hello.
Microsoft has released the Recall AI feature on Copilot+ PCs in the Insider channel. So if you are looking to disable or uninstall Recall AI right away. We have added four different ways to turn off Recall on Copilot+ PCs. You can disable it from Windows Features, Settings, Registry or Group Policy Editor.
Windows Search is a component that's known to break often, and if you're unable to type anything in the search bar right now, there are a few fixes you can try. Some of them include restarting your PC, checking your keyboard, restarting Windows Explorer, and updating Windows.
If you are unable to solve certain issue with your Windows 11 installation, reinstalling Windows could be your last hope. There are three ways to do it — using Windows Media Creation Tool, using the Reinstall Now option in settings, and using the Reset PC setting.
Windows 11 Recall Feature is a Privacy Nightmare; Major Security Flaw Surfaces
Arjun Sha
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A security researcher has pointed out multiple flaws in Recall's implementation on Windows 11. The Recall database is stored in a SQLite database inside the AppData folder and it can be accessed by any program. In fact, another user on the same PC can also access the Recall activity data. On top of that, Microsoft has enabled the feature by default which poses a security risk.
A Windows dev has managed to run the headline AI feature called Recall on unsupported Windows 11 PCs. If you have an older ARM PC, you can run Recall without any issues. x86 users can't run Recall yet as Microsoft has not released the ML models for this architecture. However, you can emulate it via a VM, but the experience is painfully slow.
The error code 0x80070570 might occur in both Windows 10 and 11 installations, and it's fairly common. It denotes that Windows cannot process a thing which is corrupted, and some of the ways to get rid of the issue is by restarting your PC, updating it, formatting the media if you're installing Windows, or re-downloading an app.
With the Windows 11 24H2 update, Microsoft has introduced a new Copilot app that brings support for a 'Phone' plugin. It allows the Copilot to interact with your smartphone. You can send messages, retrieve contact details, and find past messages. The feature is currently in the basic form, but more features are expected to land soon.
Force quitting an app is done when an app isn't responding or if you quickly want to force close it using your keyboard. There are many ways to force quit an app on Windows, including using the task manager, a keyboard shortcut, from Windows settings, and using the Windows Terminal.
Microsoft has developed a new Prism layer to run x86 apps on next-gen ARM-based Copilot+ PCs with better compatibility and performance. Microsoft says the new Prism layer offers up to 2x performance jump in single-core tasks. It also translates Windows libraries, game drivers, and x86 binaries for making Windows games playable on Snapdragon X series PCs. In an early report, emulated apps are said to perform even better than native apps running on Intel processors.
You can easily install the new Copilot app on Windows 11, 10, and older builds as well. I have extracted the new Copilot app from the 24H2 build and installed it on my PC running the 23H2 build. The new Copilot app is actually a web-based app and not a native Windows app.
A Microsoft-backed third-party website is maintaining a list of Windows games that can be played on ARM-based PCs. You can find games that run perfectly well, some are playable, and some run with glitches. Intensive titles like Fortnite and PUBG currently don't run on Snapdragon X series PCs.
In a major push to kickstart the new era of AI PCs, Microsoft has announced a new Recall AI feature on Copilot+ PCs. It actively takes screenshots of your PC every few seconds to create a local semantic index. The processing is done locally and the information is encrypted. However, would you be comfortable actively sharing your screen for the Recall feature? We find out.
Microsoft Build 2024 is afoot and I am pretty excited about all the new AI features, Windows 11 announcements, and Snapdragon X Elite laptops expected to be unveiled at the event. One of the most anticipated features, AI Explorer is coming to Windows 11 24H2 build, and it will be unveiled a day before the MS Build 2024 event.
Microsoft is working on a Start Menu Companion feature that will bring Adaptive Cards similar to live tiles on the Windows 11 Start menu. It's currently being tested on the latest Windows 11 Insider Beta build.
Windows 11 Snipping Tool Gets QR Code Scanning and Emoji Support
Abubakar Mohammed
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In a new update to Windows 11 Insiders, Microsoft is rolling out new features to the Snipping Tool. Version 11.2404.37.0 of the Snipping Tool now comes with QR code scanning and will let users use Emoji as a markup asset in screenshots. It also brings a bunch of improvements to shapes and color opacity in the tool.
A new tool called Winpilot lets you disable all types of ads on Windows 11 with a single click. The tool uses PowerShell scripts and Registry keys to modify key settings which disable the ads on Windows 11. The tool is free to use and works quite well. You can also use it to debloat your computer.
I Tried Arc on Windows: Likeable but Can It Replace My Current Browser?
Arjun Sha
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Arc browser is a new browser with unique UI and features like Spaces, vertical tab navigation, colorful themes, split view, and more. It's still under beta on Windows and some features are missing, but it has the potential to be a good Chrome alternative. Read my piece to understand why.
Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus: What’s the Difference, SKUs, and Benchmarks
Arjun Sha
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Qualcomm is all set to redefine the PC ecosystem with its Snapdragon X series lineup. There are a total of four chipsets: three are from the Snapdragon X Elite platform and one is from the Snapdragon X Plus platform. The top-tier Elite variant, X1E-84-100, offers a dual-core boost up to 4.2GHz. The Plus variant offers multithreaded frequency up to 3.4GHz. The Adreno GPU can perform up to 4.6 TFLOPs on the top-end variant, but the rest of the lineup offers performance up to 3.8 TFLOPs. That said, the Hexagon NPU is the same across all chipsets, which delivers performance up to 45 TOPS.
Microsoft is now pushing ads in the Windows 11 Start Menu with the April 2024 optional update. If you are seeing promotional ads in the Start Menu, you can disable it from Windows Settings.
A new leak showcases that Microsoft is working on a uniquely-designed cursor for Windows 11. The cursor is linked to an AI Explorer feature called screen understanding. We don't know much beyond that, but new strings related to AI Explorer suggest that AI models will run locally on the device.
Microsoft is continuously improving Windows 11 and upgrading the visual style of many old components. Now, users would be redirected to the Windows 11 Settings app when accessing the Fonts page under the Control Panel. If you don't like this change, you can check out our article for some workarounds.
Safe mode can help you troubleshoot issues with Windows. There are five widely known ways to get into secure boot — click Restart while holding the Shift key, using Settings, using the Command line, forcing Windows into the recovery settings, and using the System Configuration tool. Once into advanced options, you'll need to go to Troubleshoot > Startup Setting > press F4 to boot into Safe mode.
The much-hyped AI Explorer feature which is said to come with the 24H2 update on Windows 11, might be exclusive to Snapdragon X Elite PCs only. A code snippet found in the latest insider build shows the system requirements for the AI Explorer feature to work. The PC must be powered by an ARM64 CPU and Snapdragon X Elite NPU and must have 16GB of RAM, and 225GB of storage.