Windows 11 Archives - Page 2 of 16

Stop your PC from logging your computing activity and sending it to Microsoft

Posted on December 22, 2025

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Did you know your Windows 11 PC is logging every action you take, storing it in a database and sending it back to Microsoft?

Yep, every website you visit, every app you use, every game you play, every file you open…all of that data is collected, stored and sent to Microsoft for them to use for various purposes.

If this collection, transmission and usage of your detailed computing activities makes you a bit squeamish, you’re certainly not alone. I’m right there with you. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I stop my PC’s hard drive from shutting down?

Posted on November 20, 2025

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Question from Amber: After my Windows computer has been sitting idle for a few minutes the hard drive just shuts down.

When I get back on the computer and press a key or move my mouse I can hear the drive starting back up again and I have to wait several seconds before I can do anything.

This is extremely irritating. I guess I’m just impatient and want my computer to respond as quickly as possible. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I put more than one System Image Backup on the same drive?

Posted on November 18, 2025

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Question from Julienne: Hello, Rick. I’m a long time reader of your blog and I’ve read your posts about making System Image backups with Windows.

Your instructions are very good and easy to follow.

I’ve made three backups so far for my laptop but I just noticed that there’s only one backup on my external hard drive. I’m assuming it’s the last one I made?

My question is can I store more than one backup on the same drive? [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I find the Control Panel in Windows 11?

Posted on October 21, 2025

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Question from Kerry: I have a Windows 11 question for you if you don’t mind.

I used to be a Windows guy, but several years ago when Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7 I decided to switch to a Mac.

Well, my Mac recently bit the dust and I decided to switch back to Windows. Long story short, I ended up buying a new Windows desktop computer with Windows 11 on it.

Back when I was using Windows 7 I could open the Control Panel from the Start menu, but that’s apparently not the case with Windows 11. I’ve looked high and low and I can’t find it anywhere.

I’m pretty sure Windows 11 still has a Control Panel because I think I remember seeing it mentioned on your site a while back. Can you tell me how to find it? [Read more…]

How to create a System Image Backup with Windows 11

Posted on October 17, 2025

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If you’ve been using computers for a while you probably know that a hard drive or SSD failure, a horrible virus infection or some other catastrophic event can result in data loss.

If that ever happens you, you’ll need to be able to restore the drive’s contents from a backup.

The question is, which backup software should you use to create your backups? [Read more…]