Although, Microsoft has removed the Windows 7 backup tool in Windows 8.1, the feature still pretty much alive, but in form of command-line. Now to create a system image backup, you’ll need to use the PowerShell “Wbadmin start backup” tool, which for years system administrators have used on the server version of Windows. The Windows 7 “Backup and Restore” feature, which was renamed to “Windows 7 File History” in Windows 8, was somewhat simple tool that allowed users to create a system image backup of their PCs....

To create an automatic file backup on Windows 11, open Control Panel > System and Security > File History , and click “Turn on.” To back up files automatically from Windows Backup, open Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) , click “Set up backup,” choose the backup location, then “Let me choose” and select the files back up with the tool, confirm the schedule and save the settings....

To enable hidden Administrator account on Windows 11, open Command Prompt (admin) and run the “net user “Administrator” /active:yes” command. To enable the local admin account with PowerShell, open the console (admin) and run the “Get-LocalUser -Name “Administrator” | Enable-LocalUser” command. To enable the Administrator account on Windows 11, open Computer Management and open the “Administrator Properties” page from the “Users” branch, and clear the “Account is disabled” option. UPDATED 12/24/2025: On Windows 11 , you can enable the built-in “Administrator” account in at least three ways, and in this guide, I’ll teach you how to complete this configuration....

Although Windows 10 includes an option to switch to the light and dark modes within the Personalization settings, if you want to use the light colors globally, while the Mail app with the dark color scheme, the app allows to switch between modes manually within its settings. In this guide , you’ll learn the easy steps to start using the dark color scheme with the Mail app on Windows 10 ....

On Windows 10, “Previous Versions” is a feature that allows you to recover lost or deleted files using File Explorer. Previous Versions are copies of files and folders the system saves automatically as part of a shadow copy, which means that you have to configure a restore point or File History. Or you have to use a combination of Task Scheduler and commands to create shadow copies at different intervals automatically....

To enable the “End Task” for the Taskbar context menu on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Advanced and select the “End Task” option. UPDATED 12/26/2025: On Windows 11 , you can force-close unresponsive apps directly from the Taskbar using the End task option. However, this feature is disabled by default and must be turned on manually. In this guide, you’ll learn how to enable and use it....

To repair or reset an app on Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps , open the app with the “Advanced options” settings, click the “Repair” button, and then click the “Reset” button. Alternatively, you can use the “Get-AppxPackage “App-Name” | Reset-AppxPackage” command in PowerShell. On Windows 11 , when an app isn’t opening or not working for any reason, you can reset it to its default settings to resolve the most common issues, and you can complete this process in at least two ways, including using the Settings app and PowerShell....

Microsoft has a troubleshooter to fix syncing problems with OneDrive Files On-Demand after installing Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update) . According to the company , after the upgrade, some older devices or devices with apps which happen to use the legacy file system filter drivers are not able to connect to OneDrive causing problems downloading files on-demand, or even opening that were previously synced on the device. In some cases, Windows 10 users may see the error: “OneDrive cannot connect to Windows....

To format a drive with FAT32 on Windows 11 (or Windows 10), open File Explorer, click on “This PC,” right-click the drive, choose “Format,” select “FAT32,” confirm the label, and click “Start.” You can also use the Command Prompt and PowerShell to convert a USB flash drive with the FAT32 file system. File Explorer limits the format size to 32GB, but starting on Windows 11 build 27686, you can format drives up to 2TB....

On Windows 10, you’ve been able to install or uninstall fonts since the beginning through the Control Panel, but the experience hasn’t been able to showcase new font capabilities, including variable fonts and color fonts. Starting with version 1803 (April 2018 Update) and later versions, Windows 10 brings a new experience to the Settings app to manage fonts. In the new Fonts settings, you can not only see the fonts currently installed, but you can also easily uninstall fonts you want, there are more details and tools, and fonts are also available through the Microsoft Store....

On Windows 11, open Command Prompt and run the DISM Add-Package command to install a CAB file. You can also install a CAB file using the Add-WindowsPackage PowerShell command. On Windows 11, you can install a .cab file using Command Prompt with the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool and PowerShell commands. A CAB extension file refers to the cabinet archiving file format that can be used to store compressed files in a file library....

On Windows 11 , .NET 9 is the next version of the platform that Microsoft uses to provide developers a framework for building desktop and web applications. While the stable and required version of the platform is already part of the operating system, there are newer versions and different versions that have to be installed manually. As part of the latest development, Microsoft is working on “.NET 9,” which includes WebSocket APIs, new compression options, advanced SignalR tracing, updates to MAUI for better text alignment, and a lot more....

To “Emergency Restart” on Windows 11 (and 10), use the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” shortcut, press and hold the “Ctrl” key, click the “Power” button, and click the “OK” button. On Windows 11 (as well as on Windows 10 ), “Emergency Restart” is one of those hidden features that allows you to force restart when the computer is unresponsive or frozen, but you can still navigate the interface, and in this guide, I’ll teach you the easy steps to perform this action....

To schedule an email send in Outlook for Windows 11, create a new email or open a message to reply, click the “Send” menu and choose “Schedule send,” configure the email schedule, and click “Send.” You can always modify or cancel the send schedule from the “Drafts” folder. In the classic version, while in a new message, click on “Options,” choose “Delay Delivery,” and use the “Do not deliver before” setting....

When you need to work from a remote location, you can use the VPN client that comes built into Windows 7 to connect to a workplace network. The ability to connect to a network remotely has its benefits. For example, thanks to a VPN connection, you can get your work done from virtually anywhere, you don’t have to spend time and money traveling to an specific location, you can access remote files, and you can even remote into your work computer....

To check the Windows 11 ISO hash value, open PowerShell (admin) , run the “Get-FileHash C:\PATH\TO\WINDOWS11.ISO” command, and compare the results with the official list of hash values. This list includes the latest hash codes to confirm the authenticity of Windows 11 25H2. UPDATED 10/3/2025: When you download the Windows 11 ISO file , you can verify its data integrity and authenticity to ensure it has not been corrupted, tampered with, or altered....

Microsoft makes one more policy change with Xbox One, now gamers will be able to use the game console without a Kinect sensor. In the original Microsoft’s plan, Kinect was going to be a required peripheral to use the game console. But once again things are changing, in a new interview Marc Whitten, Xbox chief product officer, has told IGN that the sensor will not longer be mandatory. But of course, this will cut-off some of Xbox One features, you won’t be able to use speech or use hands gestures to control the console, neither you will be able play games that explicitly uses the sensor....

Did it ever happen to you that you accidentally modified or deleted a system or a program file and your computer started acting-up? Or you have installed a new software that messed up your computer settings, and you wish you could go back in time when everything was running smooth? Well, if you are running Microsoft Windows 7 you can travel back in time and return your computer to the working state with System Restore Point....

Microsoft finally launched its wearable fitness tracker, the Microsoft Band , and as you’ll find out the device is very configurable, even more with the Microsoft Health app. Now there are two important configurations that you may want to check that are configured properly (if you want to be on top of different things happening around your digital life): notifications and haptic alerts. In the wearable you can have notifications even with haptic alerts for many things arriving to you, such as a text message or phone call....

Bing Chat has undergone a rebranding and is now officially known as Copilot. This means that Bing and Copilot are now two separate products. Microsoft will continue to offer Bing search with the Copilot integration on the web. The company has also simplified the names of its AI technologies for enterprise offerings. Microsoft has rebranded its “Bing Chat” technology to simply “Copilot” in a not-too-surprising move. Originally, the software giant launched its chatbot AI as part of the search experience on Bing on February 7, 2023, before integrating it into Microsoft Edge and then on Windows 11 with the release of version 23H2 and now, less than a year later, the name is now changing to “Copilot” for simplicity and to align the branding with the other AI products, according to the company’s announcement ....