- Make sure you have a good UPS (or at least a surge protector) to protect you from power outages and power spikes.
- Format & Partition the disk ...
- Windows - Recovery or Clean Install ...
- Product Key
- How to Find Windows 10 Product Key? Here Are 4 Methods
- Regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion
- Find and install your Microsoft downloads from Microsoft Store
- 3 simple ways to find your Windows 10 product key - TechRepublic
- Your Windows 10 product key should be listed on a sticker located on your computer hardware somewhere - typically in the most inaccessible spot possible. A 25-digit alphanumeric code printed in fine print on the backside of your PC.
- cmd (admin) > wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
- PS > PowerShell" (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"
- regedit > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform > BackupProductKeyDefault (may be different from OA3xOriginalProductKey)
- If you bought Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, your account order history would have product key information available.
- How to set up a new Windows 10 PC perfectly in one hour or less | ZDNet
- How to Find Windows 10 Product Key? Here Are 4 Methods
- When will you get the next version of Windows 10? Here's how to take control | ZDNet
Windows 10 May 2019 Update: Everything you need to know - TechRepublic - Multiple windows / Multiple instances of a program or app / Multiple versions simultaneously / Same app twice
- Use a Virtual Machine (sandbox) for the other instance or version
- How to Run Multiple Versions of the Same Program on Windows: 5 Ways
- See: Sandboxie, VMWare
- How to Open Multiple Windows or Instances of an App on Windows
- How to open the same app twice or multiple times on Windows
- How to Run Multiple Instances of a Windows Program - Make Tech Easier
- How to open multiple instances of the same program in Windows
- Virtual Machine = VM
- VM = V.M.
- What Are Virtual Machines, and How Do They Work?
- Is virtualization right for you? @ AskWoody -|- AskWoody subscription
- Virtual Desktops - (called Workspaces in Linux)
- How to Use Virtual Desktops on Windows
- Navigating Windows 10: How to use Task view and Virtual Desktops | ExtremeTech
-
+Tab
- A virtual desktop is not the same thing as desktop virtualization, which refers to a method of running a separate operating system instance on top of an already-existing OS.
- -------------------
- Hyper-V - by MS
- Hyper-V - Wikipedia
- Disk2vhd - Sysinternals | Microsoft Learn - The program creates a VHD (virtual hard drive) by copying a system from another computer. VHDs work with both Virtual PC or Hyper-V. Once launched in a VM, the image will run, work, and reactivate. It’s just not legal.
- See also: VMWare
- Is this valid?: Simply enable your free Hyper-V on most editions of Windows 10 and 11, only takes a couple of minute to spin up a Windows guest O/S and play in Microsoft’s safest sandbox.
One-liner in PowerShell: <span class=”hljs-pscommand”>Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature</span><span class=”hljs-parameter”> -Online</span><span class=”hljs-parameter”> -FeatureName</span> <span class=”hljs-pscommand”>Microsoft-Hyper</span>-V<span class=”hljs-parameter”> -All</span> - Hyper-V Technology Overview | Microsoft Learn
- Oracle VM VirtualBox
- Sandbox
- Sandbox (computer security) - Wikipedia
- Windows Sandbox | Microsoft Learn
- A temporary virtual machine that can be turned on, used to review a potentially risky website or activity, and then turned off and discarded.
- Norton365 > Security > Advanced > Sandbox
- Sandboxie
- Sandboxie - Wikipedia
- Sandboxie-Plus | Open Source sandbox-based isolation software
- Feature Comparison | Sandboxie-Plus - Free ($0), Home (€30,00/year), Personal, Family, Business
- Sandboxie-Plus Home | Xanasoft - €30,00/year
- Sandboxie-Plus - OlderGeeks.com Freeware Downloads
- Sandboxie-Plus Advanced Encryption Pack | Xanasoft
- Sandboxie-Plus — A safe place for apps to run @ AskWoody -|- AskWoody subscription
- Sandbox: How to Safely Run Software With Windows 10 Sandbox | PCMag
- UTM
- VirtualBox by Oracle - definitely has room for improvement
- VMware - Delivering a Digital Foundation For Businesses
- Desktop Hypervisor Solutions | VMware
- Making it possible to run, in parallel, pretty much any x86-based operating system in a virtual machine on top of the host operating system. Tons of RAM is as great an idea as is having as fast a processor as you can get your sweaty hands on.
- How to Install Windows 10 in a Virtual Machine - ExtremeTech
- How to install Windows 11 on a virtual machine - TechRepublic
- Windows Virtual PC - RIP
- Startup
- win_faq ...
- How to Manage Startup Programs in Windows 10’s Settings App
- How to Access the Windows 10 Startup Folder
- Windows > Start > Run > shell:startup
- BitLocker
- Recommend that BitLocker be turned off on most consumer PCs.
- How to Get Rid of the Illustrations Inside Windows Search
- Right-click in an empty space on your taskbar > Search > uncheck Show Search Highlights
- Why you should never use the personalized device usage settings in Windows 11 | TechRepublic
- Windows Update ...
- Windows Update (repeat & reboot many times) + Service Packs
- Note: Windows has the annoying habit of resetting many system setting whenever there is a major Windows Update.
- Disable Forced Restarts After A Windows Update = NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers
- Windows Restore Points ...
- Caps Lock OFF
- NumLock ON ...
- ScrollBar ...
- Windows Features - Press the WinKey (or click on the start menu button), then type "windows features".
- Recall ...
- How to disable or turn off Recall in Windows 11
- Drivers (graphics, mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer drivers, etc.)
- It is
usuallypreferable to get the drivers from the manufacturer's site, rather than from MS (via Windows Update). - LAN ... & Routers ...
- Display adapter (GPU)
- Monitor
- Mouse / Trackball
- Audio - Set up the speakers/headset again (after every major Windows update).
- Printers ...
- etc.
- Drivers ...
- It is
- Show Desktop icon on tray (= Quick Launch)
- How to Set the Default Folder in File Explorer
- R-click on Taskbar > Toolbars > New Toolbar > Paste this string into the text box: %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch -or- %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
- R-click on the Quick Launch area of the Taskbar > Properties > Uncheck Show Text > Uncheck Show Title (The Quick Launch Properties are not available in the newest Windows versions.)
- How to Bring Back the Quick Launch Bar in Windows 7, 8, or 10
- Search / Control Panel / Settings / Win-X / Cortana / Search by clicking on Start button / ...
- Under Settings > Search > Searching Windows > Find My Files > Classic (set search to Classic, which only applies to Libraries and Desktop, or choose Enhanced indexing to search the whole computer).
- R-click on the Taskbar > Search > Hidden
- Just touch the Windows key and start typing to find anything on your computer.
- Default Apps by file type
- Date / Time / Region
- How to permanently display the Windows version on the desktop - TechRepublic
- How to display version information on the Windows 11 desktop - TechRepublic
- Warning! -Back up the Windows Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed.
- System configuration will show the version of Windows running on the machine
- cmd > regedit.exe > Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop > modify or create a new 32-Bit DWORD value PaintDesktopVersion - change the Default value from "zero" to "1" > reboot
- Warning! - It may be necessary to reset this value to 1 after every major Windows Update.
- How to Display Build Info, Edition and WinDir Path on the Desktop » Winhelponline
- cmd > regedit.exe > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows > Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named DisplayVersion > 1 (or whatever the current version is) > exit regedit > F5 to refresh Desktop
- or
- PS > REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows" /v DisplayVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f > exit > F5 to refresh Desktop
- BgInfo - Windows Sysinternals | Microsoft Docs
- Download BgInfo] (3.4 MB)
- Run now from Sysinternals Live.
- SysInternals Pro: Using BgInfo to Display System Information on the Desktop
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ > CurrentBuildNumber
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion > DisplayVersion
- How to remove BGInfo from desktopHow to remove BGInfo from desktop
- start BGinfo and clear everything in the display window; save and exit
- cmd > Regedit > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Winternals\BGInfo
- ScreenSaver & LockScreen & Background
- R-click on Desktop
- Default Windows Wallpapers locations
- Windows > Settings > Personalization > Background
- Where are desktop backgrounds (wallpapers) stored in Windows 10? - gHacks Tech News
- C:\Windows\Web
- %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
- Where is the current custom wallpaper stored in Windows 10? - Microsoft Community
- %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\CachedFiles
- %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\TranscodedWallpaper
- Regedit > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop >> Wallpaper
- C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets
Rename the files by adding “.jpg” to the end of their names. You don’t have to keep the same long filenames; you can change them to whatever you’d like.
- Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch - Screenshots
- Power Settings - Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options
- Power settings (sleep, shut-down, PC & monitor)
- Windows 10: How to restore the ultimate power plan and improve performance - TechRepublic
- Start > Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings
- CLI (Admin command prompt or PowerShell) > powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61 (Ultimate power plan)
- CLI (Admin command prompt or PowerShell) > powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c (High performance power plan)
- Start > Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional power settings > check that "Ultimate power plan" and "High performance power plan" are now available to the Power Options Control Panel.
- Fix Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry High CPU Usage (CompatTelRunner.exe) | Geek's Advice - One of the following procedures should work:
- Windows10 > Run > taskschd.msc > Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience > Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser> Disable
- Windows10 > Run > gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds >
Double-click Allow Telemetry > Disabled > Apply > OK - Windows10 > Run > regedit > User Account Control > Yes > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > DataCollection > right-click on DataCollection > New > DWORD (32-bit value) > Give this new value name Allow Telemetry > double-click it > Change Value data to 0 (zero) > OK.
- How to Stop Windows from Adding "- Shortcut" to Shortcut File Names
- Date & Time & Location
- Microsoft Store > install "MSN Weather" - $0
- Weather requires your location.
- Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps > Run the troubleshooter
- Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Weather (MSN) > Uninstall
Restart
Microsoft Store > Search for Weather (MSN) > Install - Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Choose Weather app by clicking on the plus symbol
Settings > Personalization > Lock screen "Get fun facts" > on
Settings > Privacy > Location > Weather (on)
Settings > Privacy > Notifications > Allow apps to access your notifications (on)
Restart
- Weather works on some Win10Pro PCs, but not on others. Why?
- How to Fix MSN Weather Not Working in Windows 10 Error
- Weather requires your location.
- Microsoft Store > install "MSN Weather" - $0
- Got a New PC? 11 Things to Do Right Away | PCMag
- Windows size & position
- Taskbar
- Enable or Disable Grouping of Taskbar Buttons in Windows | Tutorials - NoTaskGrouping DWORD (regedit)
- Browsers ...
- RAM Drive ...
- Winget = Windows Package Manager - Wikipedia
- since 2021-05-27
- cmd > winget list
- Display installed applications = all programs installed on your computere
- Getting started with winget @ AskWoody -|- AskWoody subscription
- cmd > winget list
- Backup software ...
- Cloud - data storage
- Productivity software
- Adobe ... - Adobe Acrobat/Reader (or Adobe Creative Cloud $$)
- Evernote ...
- Microsoft Office 365 ... - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, ToDo, Calendar, Skype
- TextPad - the text editor for Windows
- Textpad > Configure -> Preferences -> General -> Tick "Replace Notepad"
- How To Replace Notepad with Another Text Editor in Windows (by replacing notepad.exe)
- To Do ...
- Utility software ...
- Security - Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware, VPN, Password Managers, etc...
- Essential Apps to Install on Windows and macOS | TechSpot
- Essential Apps to Install on Windows and macOS | TechSpot - The full list
- Everything - voidtools = search engine that locates files and folders by filename instantly for Windows.
- File Compression ... - 7-Zip, WinZip, etc.
- Backup software ...
- Crapware ...
- Disk info (HDD/SSD) ...
- Everything ...
- File Explorer alternatives (Windows) ...
- FileZilla - The free FTP solution
- God mode
- PowerToys (MS) ...
- RAM Drive = RAM Disk = ramdisk = ramdrive = virtual RAM drive = software RAM drive
- Unlocker
- VideoLAN VLC Media Player ...
- Laptop Battery
- BatteryInfoView - View battery information on laptops / netbooks
- This is far easier than running powercfg from a command prompt or PowerShell, and it presents the battery information more clearly.
- Topic: Defibrillate your “dead” laptop @ AskWoody -|- AskWoody subscription
- How to use the "Battery Care Function" utility to check the physical condition of the battery. | Sony USA
- BatteryInfoView - View battery information on laptops / netbooks
- Browsers ... (Firefox, MS-Edge, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, etc...)
- LAN
- Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings
- 10 Tips to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network: Banish Hackers and Freeloaders Now - CNET
- Strong wi-fi password
- Change the wi-fi username, if possible
- Turn on firewall
- Turn on wi-fi encryption
- Create a guest network
- Use a VPN
- Disable remote router access
- Upgrade to a WPA3 router
- How to Share File or Folder in Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and go to the folder you want to share.
- Right-click on it and open Properties from the context menu.
- On the Sharing tab, click on the Advanced Sharing button.
- In the next dialog, enable the option Share this folder.
- Specify the share name that other users will see.
- Also, you can limit the number of simultaneous users and add a comment.
- Click on the Permissions button and set the required permissions.
- If you don't see the required user account, click on the Add button.
- In the Select Users or Groups dialog click on the Advanced... button.
- Click on the Find now button.
- Select the user account or group and click on the OK button.
- Now configure the required permissions.
- Use the Remove button to stop folder sharing with the select user account.
- Enable or Disable Network Discovery in Windows 10
- DHCP or 1.1.1.1
- Windows > Start > Network status > Status > Properties > IP Settings > Edit > Manual (drop-down menu) > IPv4 > On > Preferred IP address > 1.1.1.1 > Alternate DNS > 1.0.0.1 > Save
- Windows > Start > Network status > Status > Properties > IP Settings > Edit > Manual (drop-down menu) > IPv6 > On > Preferred IP address > 2606:4700:4700::1111
- 1.1.1.1 — The free app that makes your Internet faster.
- What is 1.1.1.1? | Cloudflare
- Core isolation
- We recommend that you leave this setting on, if your system supports it. However, incompatible drivers may prevent this setting.
- Start > Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation > On
- Device protection in Windows Security
- How to get the Windows 11 security protections on an existing PC - TechRepublic
When you set up a new PC for your personal use, one of the most important choices you have to make is what kind of account to set up. Many longtime Windows users instinctively prefer a traditional local account over a Microsoft account, on the theory that anything stored in the cloud must be less secure.
I understand that instinct, but I also strongly recommend that you use a Microsoft account, which is, paradoxically, more secure.
For starters, you can easily recover from a forgotten password using a Microsoft account. You can also retrieve a BitLocker recovery key (just sign in at microsoft.com/recoverykey), which can prevent your encrypted data from being irretrievably lost to hardware or software glitches. A Microsoft account (or an Azure AD account) is also a requirement to use Windows Hello biometric authentication.
If you're concerned about privacy, one easy solution is to create a new email address for a Microsoft account when you set up a new PC, and then use that address only for signing on. Don't link it to your real email address, and don't use it for online services. In that configuration, you get all the advantages of online backup without having to worry about your personal data.
- Recommendation: Don't rename it unless it is on a new clean Windows installation. Too many problems.
- Searching with Google will find many ways to rename the user's folder name. Not easy. Not necessarily safe. It could screw up that user's account.
- If you are using a MS account, it may automatically create a username folder which is not what you want. Windows will automatically take the first five characters of the user's email address. WTF was MS thinking?
- Don't just simply rename the folder.
- If you are setting up a new system, without any important info in the folder:
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC > Use a MS account login (instead of a local account)
- Search for Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users > Right-click on the account's Name
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Confirm (using MS File Explorer) that the username's folder is correct (C:\Users\UserName),
- Summary - Rename a User Profile
- Remind yourself that this is a risky operation.
- Backup everything (cloud)
- Create a system image (Macrium Reflect)
- Create a system restore point
- Win > restore
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:yes
- log out of the user profile you want to change
- log into an Administrator account
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Other users > Add someone else to this PC
- Create account
- Change account type > Administrator
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd > lusrmgr.msc > Local Users and Groups > Users > Rename the folder
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Reboot
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:no
-
- How to Rename User Profile Folder in Windows 10
- Rename a User Profile
- Create a system restore point
- Win > restore
- log out of the user profile you want to change
- log into an administrator account
- Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Other users > Add someone else to this PC
- Create account
- Change account type > Administrator
- Reboot
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd > lusrmgr.msc > Local Users and Groups > Users > Rename the folder
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Reboot
- Create a system restore point
- Rename a User Profile
- How to Rename a Windows 10 User Folder | How to Change User Folder Name in Windows 10 - YouTube
- Rename a User Profile
- Warning! Danger. Read the comments. However, it did work for some people.
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:yes
- Sign out
- Log into the Administrator account
- Win > compmgmt.msc > Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users > R-click on the username > Rename it
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Win > regedit > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Sign out
- Log into the new user account
- Win > Cmd (Run as administrator) > net user Administrator /active:no
- Rename a User Profile
- How to rename the User folder in Windows 10? - Super User
- Rename a User Profile
- Win > Cmd > wmic useraccount get name,SID > make a note of the user SID
- Win > Cmd > regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Rename a User Profile
- Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- Rename a User Profile
- It is highly recommended to create a system image before doing the steps in this tutorial to be able to quickly restore the image to undo the steps if needed since renaming a user profile folder name may have unknown side effects. For example, some programs not referencing the new profile folder name. (Macrium Reflect or Windows 10)
- Sign out
- Sign in with an administrator account
- Win > Cmd > wmic useraccount get name,SID > make a note of the user SID
- Win > regedit > Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- select the SID in the ProfileList and double-click on the ProfileImagePath value > enter the new profile folder name
- Windows File Explorer > C:\Users > select the username folder > Rename the folder
- Create a symbolic link using the command below in an elevated command prompt. This is so anything that still references the old user profile folder name will be automatically redirected to the new user profile folder name.
- mklink /d "Full path of old profile folder name" "full path of new profile folder name"
- Verify the OneDrive folder location for your account is correctly using the new profile folder name. If it's not, then change the OneDrive folder location to correct it.
- Rename a User Profile
- rename user folder windows 10 - Search
- Change User Name of Account in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- Rename Windows user account and profile folder
- How to Rename User Folder in Windows 10 - Microsoft Community
- How to Change User Folder Name in Windows 10 – 2 Ways
- How to Change the User Folder Name in Windows 10
- Change Name of User Profile Folder in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- Change User Name of Account in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- How to Rename User Profile Folder in Windows 10/11 » Winhelponline
- How to Rename User Profile Folder in Windows 10