Author: Tarek

In the realm of Windows 11 (and 10), the versatile capability to convert a document into a PDF is present in most applications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to seamlessly execute this task. Particularly useful when a physical printer is unavailable or when the goal is to conserve paper and ink, the process of printing to PDF extends beyond convenience. Beyond the environmental benefits of saving paper and ink, there are numerous advantages to printing to PDF. PDF files, in contrast to traditional paper, offer heightened practicality by being accessible on any device equipped with a…

With the introduction of version 11.2306.30.0, the Paint app in Windows 11 has undergone a significant enhancement. A new feature now allows users to effortlessly detect objects on an image and remove the background with a single click. This innovative functionality eliminates the need for intricate steps often associated with third-party image editing applications or online services. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of utilizing this powerful one-click option in the Paint app. By following these instructions, you can efficiently remove the background from any image without the hassle of relying on external tools or…

To centrally manage your Windows 11 devices, implementing security policies and group settings, it’s crucial to integrate them into an Active Directory domain. This post details the steps for joining a Windows 11 computer to an Active Directory domain. Prerequisites and Preparations Before incorporating your Windows 11 computer into a domain, certain conditions must be met, and preparations are required: Ensure your computer runs on Windows 11 Pro, Education, Pro for Workstations, or Enterprise edition. Home editions do not support domain joining, but you can acquire a Home to Pro upgrade license. Confirm your computer can resolve the domain name…

Windows 10 allows the storage of files in various formats, including the option to hide files and folders. To view hidden files, understanding how to unhide folders in Windows 10 is essential. Several methods exist to reveal hidden files quickly. Explore the most effective techniques to display hidden files and folders in Windows effortlessly. I will be showing you three methods to show hidden files in Windows 10 Using File Explorer to Show Hidden Files & Folders in Windows Using System Settings to Show Hidden Files & Folders in Windows Using Control Panel to Show Hidden Files & Folders in…

The Windows 10 Product Key consists of a 25-digit code, organized into five sets of five digits, enabling the activation of your Windows to its complete version. These keys are compatible with both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) installations of Windows 10. The format of the Windows 10 product key adheres to the following pattern: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Generic keys, often referred to as “default keys,” are a provision from Microsoft for Windows 10 that enables users to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 10 edition of their choice. However, it’s important to note that these keys do not activate the…

When using Windows 11 you probably have noticed the widget or weather icon on the taskbar. in the lower left corner. The widget popups when you hover over the icon with your mouse. Widgets serve as small windows providing dynamic information on your Windows desktop. They reside on the widgets board, offering flexibility to add, remove, arrange, resize, and personalize them according to your interests and workflow. These widgets amalgamate content from your favorite apps and services, ensuring you stay updated effortlessly. Bid farewell to constant app and device switching as widgets keep you connected to vital information without diverting…

In Windows 11, the default Taskbar alignment has been updated to center its elements on the screen, providing a modern and streamlined appearance. This design choice facilitates accessibility to the Start menu and applications, particularly on larger monitors. However, recognizing the preference of some users for the classic left-aligned Taskbar seen in previous versions, Windows 11 includes a feature that allows you to restore this original alignment. To delve into the history, the centered alignment in Windows 11 marked a departure from the traditional left alignment. While this design decision aimed at improving user experience, the longstanding familiarity of a…

This guide will demonstrate how to customize the default response when you close your laptop lid on Windows 11. The lid switch close action determines the action the system will perform when the laptop lid is closed. Users have the option to designate one of the following actions: Do Nothing: No action occurs when the laptop lid is closed. Sleep: The system goes into sleep mode upon closing the laptop lid. Hibernate: The system enters hibernation when the laptop lid is closed. Shut Down: The system shuts down when the laptop lid is closed. Modify the Lid Close Action…

Connecting to wireless networks is a routine task for laptop or tablet users, and Windows 11 users are no exception. While many are familiar with the manual process of selecting a network and entering its password, some may be unsure about where to locate these settings. That’s why we’ve chosen to guide you through the process of connecting to Wi-Fi on Windows 11 devices. Continue reading to discover how straightforward it is . To Connect to a Wi-Fi network through the Windows 11 Taskbar : Navigate to the desktop, where you’ll find the Network symbol in the bottom-right corner indicating…

In this article I will be showing you how to efficiently delete a user profile in Windows 10 without removing the entire account. Follow step-by-step instructions on signing out the user, accessing advanced System Properties, and navigating user profiles settings. Discover a hassle-free method to reset or clear a user’s profile while preserving their Windows 10 account. When you create a new user account in Windows 10, a profile is automatically generated the first time the user logs in. A user profile encompasses various settings that customize the computer’s appearance and functionality for that specific account. These settings, including…

This guide demonstrates the process of enabling or disabling the automatic saving of screenshots in the Snipping Tool application for your Windows 11 account. The Snipping Tool application comes equipped with an integrated screen recorder, enabling swift capture and annotation of screenshots, photos, and various images using your pen, touch, or mouse. You can conveniently save, paste, or share these captures with other applications . As of version 11.2209.2.0 of the Snipping Tool app, your screenshots will be automatically saved to the Screenshots folder within the Pictures directory (e.g., “%UserProfile%\Pictures\Screenshots”) for your account by default. Here’s how you disable/enable automatically…

Discovering the build number of your Exchange version using PowerShell is a crucial step, especially when considering an upgrade to the latest release. Prior to initiating the upgrade process, it is essential to identify the existing Exchange versions running within the organization. This article guides you through the process of utilizing PowerShell to uncover the specific Exchange version information, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s current environment. Numerous motives drive the need to identify the Exchange versions operational within the organization. Some compelling reasons for determining the Exchange version include: 1. Troubleshooting and resolving issues. 2. Verifying the current…

Windows 10 Dark Mode is a visual interface option that changes the color scheme of the operating system from the traditional light theme to a darker one. In Dark Mode, the background of system elements, such as the Start menu, Taskbar, File Explorer, and many apps, is set to a dark color, while the text and other elements are displayed in lighter colors like white or light gray. This feature is designed to reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments, and it can provide a sleek and modern appearance to the user interface. Users can easily toggle between Dark Mode…

On Windows 10, adjusting transparency effects is a straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through it using both the Settings app and the Registry. Transparency, a key element of the Fluent Design language, introduces an acrylic effect with blur and noise texture across various interface elements. This effect enhances the visual appeal by reflecting desktop background colors in the Start menu, Taskbar, flyouts, apps, and the Lock Screen. Typically enabled by default, the acrylic visual effect might be disabled based on your configuration. In such cases, manual activation is necessary. Conversely, if transparency is active, you might opt…

On May 3, 2023, Microsoft unveiled Cumulative Update 13 (KB5020999) for Exchange Server 2019, commonly referred to as Exchange Server 2019 CU13. This update addresses both security and non-security concerns by incorporating fixes for existing issues. In addition to resolving non-security issues, it encompasses all previously released solutions for both security and non-security matters. Furthermore, the fixes included in Cumulative Update 13 will be integrated into subsequent Cumulative Updates for Exchange Server 2019.Cumulative Update CU13 for Exchange Server 2019 is identified by the version number 15.02.1258.012. How to update Exchange Server 2019 to CU13? Updating Exchange Server 2019 to CU13…

Telnet is still a part of Windows 11 and not completely obsolete. It is still necessary in certain situations, such as testing remote SQL connections and firewall connectivity. By default, Telnet is disabled on Windows 11. To use it, you must either enable Telnet on your Windows 11 PC or install it  Telnet is a client/server protocol that enables users to remotely access servers. Initially, Telnet was used on terminals that only required a keyboard and displayed everything on the screen in text, primarily from a mainframe computer. The purpose was to enable terminals to remotely log in to a…

Hyper-V is a virtualization technology that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on a physical host. It is a powerful tool that enables quick deployment of computer systems, migration of virtual machines between hosts, and the ability to restore virtual machines to a previously known good state. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of enabling Hyper-V on your Windows 11 computer and show you how to create and manage virtual machines using the Hyper-V Manager. So, let’s get started and explore the world of Hyper-V! Hyper-V allows for the creation of virtual computer systems…

Windows 11 defaults to center alignment for icons on the taskbar, as opposed to the previous Windows version which aligned them to the left. If you wish to modify the taskbar alignment to either the left or center for your Windows 11 account, this guide will demonstrate how to do so. By modifying the feature settings, you can alter the alignment of the Windows 11 Taskbar and access the Start menu and other icons from the “left” side. The Taskbar in Windows 11 has been revamped, with all its components now centered on the screen. While this modification simplifies accessing…

This guide will show you how to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 that can be used for a clean install, upgrade, reset, or repair of the operating system. Additionally, the USB drive can be used as a recovery drive to access the advanced startup options, such as the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). We will use Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to create the bootable USB drive 1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft by clicking on this Link : Download Media Creation Tool 2. Run media creationtool.exe , if prompted by UAC, click on Yes. 3. Accept the…

Windows 11 comes with a number of changes to the desktop operating system, one such change is the new simplified context menu when you right click on an item. If you prefer the older and more detailed context menu from Windows 10, you can easily disable the new streamlined context menu and switch back to the previous version. When you right-click on an item in Windows 11, you will notice a condensed context menu with an option at the bottom labeled “Show more options” (Shift+F10). In order to access all of the available options, you will need to click on…

Introduction This tutorial provides instructions on how to bypass the TPM 2.0 and CPU system requirements in order to upgrade to Windows 11 from a Windows 10 device that does not meet these requirements. Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues or other malfunctions. These minimum requirements include Processor RAM Storage System firmware TPM Graphics card Display 1 GHz or faster 4 GB 64 GB or larger storage device UEFI, Secure Boot-capable Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with…

Introduction This tutorial will explain how to set up password expiration for a user’s account in Windows 11. When password expiration is enabled, the user will need to change their password the next time they log in after the expiration date has passed. By default, a local account’s password will expire after 42 days, but this can be customized with a maximum and minimum password age. On the other hand, a Microsoft account’s password is set to expire every 72 days by default. Enable or Disable Password Expiration for Local Account in Local Users and Groups 1. Open Local Users…

Introduction This tutorial will provide instructions on how to enable or disable OneDrive in Windows 11. OneDrive is a file storage and synchronization service that is built into Windows 11 by default. It allows you to access your files from any device, including your computer, mobile device, or the OneDrive website at OneDrive.com. When you make changes to a file or folder in your OneDrive folder, the changes are automatically synced with the cloud. OneDrive also enables you to work with your files offline and automatically syncs any changes you or others make when you are online. However, if you…

Introduction When you’re comparing files in two folders or managing multiple projects, you may prefer to launch a folder in a separate window rather than within the existing one. Both Windows 10 and 11 provide the option to open a folder in a new window, rather than merging it with the current window. Windows 11 users can apply the same approach to open a folder in a new window instead of creating a new tab. There are various methods available to initiate a folder in a new window. The following outlines four straightforward ways to open a folder in a…

Introduction This tutorial will show you how to change the size of desktop icons for your account in Windows 11. I will show you three ways to change the size of desktop icons for your account in Windows 11. Change Size of Desktop Icons using Context Menu Right click on your desktop, Click on View, and click on Large icons, Medium icons  or Small icons for the size you want Change Desktop Icons using Keyboard shortcuts Press the keyboard combination in the table below for the desktop icons view size you want : Icon Size                  Keyboard Combination Extra large…

Introduction The Windows 11 generic keys are technically default keys that allows you to install the OS without activation. They don’t provide you with a licensed copy, but are great for testing new builds. If Windows 11 refuses to install without a product key, or installs a wrong edition, you can specify the appropriate generic key. Using a generic key can be helpful if you want to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 11 edition for evaluation or testing on a PC or virtual machine, or just don’t have a digital license or your genuine product key currently available…

Introduction Windows 11 doesn’t come with hibernate mode enabled by default. Hibernate mode in Windows allows you to shut down your computer completely while saving your work, allowing you to quickly pick up where you left off the next time you turn on your computer. When you go away from your PC for a while, your system typically goes into Sleep mode. The sleep mode saves the current state of your PC (meaning all the files and programs you’re working on) within the RAM. Hibernate mode is similar to sleep mode, but it extends your battery life by saving the…

Introduction The taskbar on your desktop is located on the bottom of the screen by default in Windows 11. This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatically hide the taskbar for your account in Windows 11. By default, the taskbar is available in the bottom center of the screen as seen below. If you enabled automatically hide the taskbar, then the screen would look like below Open Settings (Win+I). Click on Personalization on the left side, and click on Taskbar on the right si 3. Click on Taskbar behaviors on the right side to expand it 4. Check (enable) Automatically hide the taskbar You…

Introduction A Windows product key is a 25-character code that you can use to activate your copy of Windows. Since Windows 11 uses a digital license method for the activation, you don’t need to manually enter the key each time you upgrade or clean install the Windows OS. This tutorial will show you how to find and view your product key in Windows 10 and Windows 11. ShowKeyPlus is a third-party app and is available in Microsoft Store. All you have to do is download and run the app to retrieve Windows product information. Here’s how to do it. 1.…

Introduction Want to change the default computer name? If you have bought a new computer and want to change its name, or for any other reason, here’s how you do it on Windows 11. It’s important to assign a unique name to your PC, especially if it’s connected to a network. This makes it easier to find your PC on a network with several other machines. Follow the below steps to change the computer name in Windows 11 : 1. Open the Start menu , on the task bar, click on the Start button 2. Click on the Settings (gear) button…

When interacting with your computer, you likely encounter files in .zip or .rar formats—referred to as compressed or packed files. Their purpose is to consolidate multiple files or folders into a single compressed file, making them more manageable for transmission and efficient in terms of storage. While Windows provides a built-in function for compression and decompression, utilizing WinRar offers a more robust solution. With WinRar, accessible via a simple download, you gain a user-friendly interface, additional features, and support for the .rar compression format, known for enhanced security when password-protected. While the free 30-day trial prompts a reminder to purchase…

Introduction This tutorial will show you how to manually synchronize the clock time with an Internet time server for all users in Windows 11 Your PC’s system clock is used to record the time whenever you create or modify files on your PC. There are numerous services, background processes, and even applications like the Microsoft Store that rely on the system time to work properly. If the time is net not set properly, these apps or systems will fail and you will receive any error messages. You can synchronize the Windows system clock with an Internet time server to match…

Looking to download the Windows 11 ISO file for a fresh OS installation but unsure of the process? You’ve landed in the right spot. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps for a free Windows 11 ISO download. Microsoft provides several options for Windows 11 installation, including the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, Create Windows 11 Installation Media, and Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO). The Download Windows 11 ISO tool is designed for users aiming to create a bootable installation media (such as a USB flash drive or DVD) or generate an ISO file for Windows 11 installation.…

If you want to run virtual machines (VM) on Windows 10, you’ll need to install Hyper-V. Hyper-V is a hardware-based hypervisor that lets you run VMs in their own isolated spaces. You can run multiple VMs at the same time, provided you have enough resources like disk space, RAM, and CPU capacity. Hyper-V supports Windows, Windows Server, and Linux guest operating systems. Virtualization provides a plethora of solutions from making the most of an organization’s hardware investment to running specific applications in other OS offerings. Windows 8 was the first Windows client operating system to include hardware virtualization support natively.…

Introduction Tired of seeing your current Windows 10 profile picture? Time to change it to something else. Your account picture is what you see on the Windows sign-in screen and the Start menu. Windows assigns new user accounts on Windows 10 a generic profile picture, but it’s easy to change that to any image you want. Unless you’re using a Microsoft account that already has a picture associated with it, Microsoft set your profile picture to the default user picture for Windows—a generic silhouette of a person. Local account profile pictures are controlled by the Settings app. Launch Settings from…

Introduction Windows 10 will automatically download and install important and critical updates. Although the automatic approach ensures that every device receives security updates to patch vulnerabilities and performance as well as stability enhancements, it’s one of the most controversial features.This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatic updates in Windows Update for all users in Windows 10. If you’re always noticing problems as a direct result of updates, or you have a good reason to use a device unpatched, depending on your edition of Windows 10, you can stop automatic updates using the Windows Services or using…

Introduction Feature update to Windows 10 version 2004 aka Windows 10 May 2020 update is the newest feature update to Windows 10, which is available for all the versions of Windows 10 starting May 27th, 2020. If Windows telemetry thinks your device is compatible, you should see an optional update under Windows update. Windows 10 May 2020 Update is a major feature update that Microsoft releases every 6 months. The last update (1909), was released November, 2019. Microsoft said that if you aren’t seeing the update to Windows 10, version 2004 on your device, it’s because the company is “slowly…

Introduction While installing new updates via Windows Update or the Microsoft Store, we often experienced slow internet speed. Its because Windows 10 consume all of the available internet bandwidth. Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), Microsoft is addressing this issue by introducing new options that allow you to limit the bandwidth your device uses to download and upload updates. The new feature can allow you to specify how much Internet bandwidth these update processes can use so that it does not affect other programs. If you want to minimize your internet connection impact during updates, you…

Introduction A Domain-based network provides centralized administration of an entire network from a single computer called a server. Domains provide single user log on from any networked computer within the network perimeter. Users are able to access resources for which they have appropriate permission. While I do not want to go into the complexities of Domain networks, you can find out more by contacting your Network Administrator if you have difficulties connecting to your workplace domain. To join a Domain, you must first ensure you have the following information and resources: Name of Domain Domain Controller must be running Windows…

Introduction Does Windows ask you for a password when your computer starts? It should. If a password isn’t required to access your account, you’re leaving it completely open to anyone else at your home or workplace, things like your email account, saved photos and files, etc. You need to correct this by creating a password right now. When you first set up a new computer, Windows prompts you to set a password for your account. You may have missed or skipped that step, or previously removed the password. Windows does allow you to add a password to your account later…

Introduction Want to use the Telnet application included with Microsoft Windows 10? You first need to enable the program. Here’s how it’s done. By default, if you tried to telnet in Windows 10, the command will be not recognized as the feature is not installed To install Telnet in Windows 10, follow the below steps : 1. Open Control Panel If you don’t know how to open it, check this article : How to Open Control Panel in Windows 10 2. Open Programs 3. Select the Turn Windows features on or off option. 4.  The Window Feature will open scroll down till Telnet…

Introduction Icons like This PC, Network, Recycle Bin, and your User folder are all considered “desktop icons,” even though modern versions of Windows don’t show them all on the desktop. Windows 7, 8 and 10 don’t show any of the desktop icons except for Recycle Bin. In this article I will be showing you how to display icons on your Windows 10 Dekstop. 1. Right click on the blank desktop and then choose Personalize option to open the Personalization window. 2. Once the personalization window pops up, click Theme from the left-hand side. 3. Now from the right side ,…

Throughout Windows history, build numbers served as markers for significant updates. Users commonly referenced Windows versions by major names like Vista, 7, or 8, and service packs, such as Windows 7 Service Pack 1, denoted substantial improvements. The landscape changed with Windows 10. Microsoft departed from service packs, opting for a new approach. Instead, they adopted a system of releasing two substantial builds each year. This shift reflects a dynamic update strategy, ensuring users receive continuous improvements and features without the traditional reliance on periodic service packs. The move towards more frequent, feature-rich builds signifies Microsoft’s commitment to keeping Windows…

Introduction Whether you’ve just built a new computer or are re-activating a computer that previously had Windows 10 activated using a product key, In this article, I will be showing you how to activate Windows 10 During Windows 10 installation process, you’ll be asked to input your 25-character product key. Entering it at this stage will activate it for you so you’re ready to go as soon as the installation is complete. If you don’t have your product key ready during installation, you can still proceed and activate later. Once Windows 10 is installed, you can activate it with your…

Introduction If your Windows 10 PC is running slow or acting abnormally, one of the most surefire ways of fixing the issue is by performing a factory reset. This is also recommended if you’re selling your computer. Here’s how. Before you begin the factory reset process, be sure to back up your files. Otherwise, some important data may be irretrievably lost. When you’re ready to factory reset your Windows 10 PC, open the Windows Settings menu by clicking on the Start button and then selecting the Gear icon. 1. Click the Start button and then click on Settings . 2.…

Introduction In this article, I will be showing you how to rename a Windows 10 computer name. Windows 10 has made it much simpler renaming a computer by putting it in the new Settings menu. 1. Right click on the Start button and the click on System . 2. In the About menu, you should see the name of your computer next to PC name and a button that says Rename PC. Click this button. 3. Type the new name for your computer. You can use letters, numbers and hyphens — no spaces. Then click Next. 4. A window will…

Introduction Windows 10 is Microsoft’s newest client operating system. In this article I will show you how to make a clean Windows 10 installation on your computer. Before you install Windows 10, make sure your computers meets the following Systems Requirements: Processor: 1 GHz or faster, single core or multicore RAM: 1 GB for the 32-bit version or 2 GB for the 64-bit version Free hard disk space: 16 GB for the 32-bit version or 20 GB for the 64-bit version Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 compatible graphics card A display with a minimum resolution of 800×600 pixels Boot your…

Introduction In this article, I will be showing you multiple ways that you can use to open control panel. Windows 10, you have multiple ways to open control panel, I will be showing multiple methods that I use : 1. Open Run ( using Windows Key + r ) , and then type control and click OK 2. Another method is using search : Click Start Button Type control, and then click on Control Panel 3. Another method that I use is Using the File Explorer, from any folder that is opened in front of you , you can click…

Introduction The hibernation mode in Windows is very useful and time-saving as you don’t have to close your open documents and apps before powering off the system. In Windows 10, there is no Hibernate button in Power Options by default. We have three options: Sleep, Shut down and Restart.  You can resume your work the next time exactly where you stopped. Here is simple step by step instructions on how to add a Hibernate button. 1. Click Start Button 2. Open Control Panel 3. In Control Panel , Click on Hardware and Sound 4. Under Power Options ,  click Choose what the power buttons do 5.…

Sharing files and folders is a common practice in Windows, enabling seamless collaboration and access among users. However, keeping track of shared resources can be challenging, especially when you have specific sharing preferences. In this article, we’ll delve into a helpful feature that Windows offers—the Shared Folders List. This comprehensive guide will walk you through accessing and utilizing this feature to gain control and visibility over shared files on your system. Accessing the Shared Folders List: To view the list of all shared folders in Windows, you’ll need to use the Computer Management tool. Here’s a step-by-step guide on accessing…