Knowledge Centre - Windows Tools
How to Speed Up a Slow Windows 11 PC (8 Fixes That Actually Work) Is your Windows 11 PC slow? Try these 8 free fixes, from turning off startup apps to changing power mode, all step by step and with no extra software needed. How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11: Every Method Explained Learn every way to take a screenshot on Windows 11: Print Screen, Win + Shift + S, Snipping Tool, delayed screenshots, screen recording and where your screenshots are saved. How to Free Up Disk Space on Windows 11 (Without Deleting Anything Important) Running out of storage on Windows 11? Reclaim gigabytes safely with Storage Sense, Cleanup recommendations, Disk Cleanup and OneDrive, step by step. How to Use Snap Layouts in Windows 11 (Split Your Screen Like a Pro) Learn how to split your screen in Windows 11 with Snap Layouts, the Snap bar, keyboard shortcuts and Snap Groups, step by step. How to Use Clipboard History in Windows 11 (Win + V Explained) Windows 11 can remember everything you copy. Learn how to turn on clipboard history with Win + V, pin items, sync between PCs and use the emoji panel. 12 Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts That Save Hours The Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know, from Win + E and Win + L to Ctrl + Shift + Esc, plus a printable cheat sheet. How to Use Virtual Desktops in Windows 11 Separate work, home and hobbies with virtual desktops in Windows 11. Learn how to create, switch, rename and close desktops, with keyboard shortcuts. How to Back Up Your Windows 11 PC (3 Free Methods) Protect your photos and documents with 3 free ways to back up Windows 11: the Windows Backup app, OneDrive folder backup and File History. How to Turn On Dark Mode and Night Light in Windows 11 Reduce eye strain with Dark mode and Night light in Windows 11. Learn how to set them up, schedule Night light and use dark mode in Edge and Office. Wi-Fi Not Working on Windows 11? 7 Fixes to Try Windows 11 Wi-Fi not connecting or keeps dropping? Try these 7 fixes, from restarting your router to network reset, step by step. 6 Windows Security Settings to Check Right Now Is your Windows 11 PC properly protected? Check these 6 free Windows Security settings, including ransomware protection, SmartScreen and Find my device. How to Customise the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11 Make Windows 11 yours: move the Start button to the left, declutter the taskbar, pin apps, create Start menu folders and hide recommendations. How to Reset Windows 11 Without Losing Your Files Fix a broken or slow Windows 11 PC without losing your files. Compare System Restore, Reinstall via Windows Update and Reset this PC, step by step. How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones, Mice and Speakers to Windows 11 Pair Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, mice, keyboards and speakers with Windows 11, switch audio output, and fix devices that won't connect. New Windows 11 PC? 10 Things to Do First Just got a new Windows 11 laptop or PC? Do these 10 things first: updates, backups, security, removing junk and more, step by step. 10 File Explorer Tips for Windows 11 Everyone Should Know Get more from File Explorer in Windows 11: tabs, file extensions, hidden files, Quick access, ZIP files, Copy as path and more. How to Set Up a Second Monitor on Windows 11 Connect a second monitor to your Windows 11 PC or laptop, choose extend or duplicate, arrange your screens, and fix scaling and taskbar settings. How to Connect Your Phone to Windows 11 With Phone Link Use Phone Link to see texts, calls, notifications and photos from your Android phone or iPhone on your Windows 11 PC. Step-by-step setup. How to Change Default Apps in Windows 11 (Browser, PDF, Photos and More) Make Chrome or Firefox your default browser, choose which app opens PDFs and photos, and fix files opening in the wrong app in Windows 11. How to Find Your PC's Specs in Windows 11 (Processor, RAM, Graphics and More) Find out exactly what's inside your Windows 11 PC: processor, RAM, graphics card, storage, Windows version and serial number, in seconds. Talk to Type: Voice Typing and Voice Access in Windows 11 Use Win + H voice typing to dictate emails and documents, and Voice Access to control your whole PC with your voice in Windows 11. How to Add Another User to Windows 11 (Family, Guest and Local Accounts) Give everyone their own account on a shared Windows 11 PC: add family members, add a local account without a Microsoft account, and change account types. How to Install Apps Safely on Windows 11 (and Avoid Fake Downloads) Install apps safely on Windows 11 using the Microsoft Store, official websites and winget, and learn how to spot fake download buttons and bundled junk. Is Your PC Encrypted? Device Encryption and BitLocker in Windows 11 Check whether your Windows 11 PC is encrypted, turn on Device encryption or BitLocker, and back up your recovery key so you never get locked out. 7 Windows 11 Accessibility Features Everyone Should Know Make Windows 11 easier to see, hear and use: bigger text, Magnifier, Live captions, a bigger mouse pointer, colour filters, Narrator and more. How to Use Task Manager in Windows 11: A Beginner's Guide Learn what every Task Manager tab does in Windows 11: close frozen apps, see what's using your CPU and memory, manage startup apps and more. How to Help Family With Their PC Remotely Using Quick Assist Use Quick Assist in Windows 11 to see and control a friend's or relative's PC over the internet, fix problems remotely, and stay safe from scammers. How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 11 (5 Things to Try) Deleted a file by mistake? Try these 5 ways to get it back in Windows 11: Undo, the Recycle Bin, File History, OneDrive and Windows File Recovery. Keyboard Typing @ Instead of "? Fix Your Keyboard Layout and Type Any Symbol Fix a Windows 11 keyboard that types the wrong symbols by switching to the UK layout, then learn easy ways to type £, €, é, ° and other symbols. How to Control Windows Update in Windows 11 (Pause, Schedule and Fix) Stop Windows 11 restarting at the wrong moment: set active hours, pause updates, schedule restarts, install optional driver updates and uninstall a bad update. How to Add a Printer in Windows 11 (and Save Anything as a PDF) Set up a Wi-Fi or USB printer in Windows 11, choose your default printer, print a test page, clear a stuck print queue and save any document as a PDF. How to Stop Notifications in Windows 11 With Do Not Disturb and Focus Silence distracting pop-ups in Windows 11: turn on Do not disturb, schedule quiet hours, start a Focus session and choose which apps can notify you. 8 Windows 11 Privacy Settings Worth Changing Take control of your privacy in Windows 11: turn off ad tracking, limit diagnostic data, clear activity history and choose which apps can use your camera, mic and location. 8 Microsoft Edge Tips That Make Browsing Easier Get more from Microsoft Edge on Windows 11: vertical tabs, tab groups, sleeping tabs, Read aloud, Immersive Reader, full-page screenshots and more. How to Record Your Screen in Windows 11 (No Extra Software) Record your screen in Windows 11 for free with the Snipping Tool, Xbox Game Bar or Clipchamp, including sound and your voice. Step-by-step guide. Sleep, Hibernate or Shut Down? Power Settings in Windows 11 Explained Understand sleep, hibernate and shut down in Windows 11, change when your screen turns off, choose what closing the lid does, and know when to restart. How to Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode (4 Ways) Start Windows 11 in Safe Mode from Settings, the sign-in screen or a PC that won't boot, and learn what to do once you're in. Step-by-step guide. Mouse and Touchpad Settings in Windows 11: Speed, Scrolling and Gestures Make your mouse and laptop touchpad work the way you like in Windows 11: change pointer speed, scrolling direction, tapping and three-finger gestures. How to Repair Windows 11 With SFC, DISM and CHKDSK Fix crashes, errors and strange behaviour in Windows 11 with three built-in repair commands: SFC, DISM and CHKDSK. What they do and how to run them safely. How to Create a Windows 11 Recovery Drive (Before You Need One) Make a Windows 11 recovery USB drive so you can repair or reinstall Windows if your PC won't start. What you need, how to create it and how to use it. 
