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System Recovery

How to restore Windows to a working state. How to reset your Android smartphone, or your iPhone, to its factory settings. How to troubleshoot problems with your gadgets, and computers.

Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

How to restore files and folders from a Windows backup

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 24.08.2023
Did you create a backup image of your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer using the built-in Backup and Restore (Windows 7) tool? If your PC broke down, you may have difficulties accessing your files and folders because data loss or corruption occurred. So now,...
Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

How to recover Windows from a backup with System Image Recovery

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 18.08.2023
If you’ve used the Backup and Restore feature to create a backup of your operating system’s files and settings on Windows 11 or Windows 10, you might wonder how to restore them in case of a system failure or data loss. In this tutorial, I’ll...
Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

How to use Backup and Restore in Windows 11 and Windows 10

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 16.08.2023
Windows’ Backup and Restore is a feature that allows you to create backups of your personal files, such as documents, photos, music, and videos. Moreover, you can also use it to back up a system image of your computer, which includes the operating system, programs,...
Clone SSD

How to clone a drive to an SSD (including the operating system)

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 15.05.2023
If you’ve just bought a new solid-state drive and want to copy all your data from your old SSD or hard disk drive, you might be wondering how to do it or if it’s even possible. The good news is that, yes, you can migrate...
Windows 11

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool: Create a setup USB stick or ISO file

  • tutorial
  • Ciprian Adrian Rusen
  • 03.10.2022
Do you want to install Windows 11 2022 Update (version 22H2)? Unless you intend to upgrade from Windows 10 using Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, you’ll need to download an ISO file with the setup files and then write it on a...
PowerShell

How to reinstall all the Windows default apps with PowerShell

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 16.09.2022
Some people do not like the universal apps installed by default In Windows 10 or Windows 11 and want to get rid of them. They can manually uninstall most of them using the Settings app or PowerShell. Apps like Calendar, Mail, Camera, Photos, or Candy...
Windows Troubleshooting

Use Startup Repair to fix problems that keep Windows from loading

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 01.07.2022
Is your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer or device unable to load the operating system successfully? Is Windows reporting missing or damaged system files? If that's the case, you should try to boot from a recovery drive and use the Startup Repair tool. It’s...
Command Prompt (CMD)

Repair the EFI Bootloader or the MBR (Master Boot Record) for Windows

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 01.06.2022
You can use system recovery tools to fix most of your computer problems. However, there are times when you'll need to address such issues manually, for example, when your Windows computer won't boot. In these cases, you can use a tool named Bootrec.exe. It can...
System Repair disc

6 ultimate boot CDs (system rescue) for troubleshooting Windows PCs

  • misc
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 19.05.2022
Each and every Windows user should have a rescue disc nearby, stored in a glass box that says: “Break if your computer breaks!”. They are a very efficient way of troubleshooting the problems and issues your computer is having when it doesn’t want to start,...
USB drive

How to boot from a USB drive (4 ways)

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 13.05.2022
There are many situations in which you might want to boot your computer using a USB flash drive. Maybe because you need to install Windows on your PC or maybe because you want to try the latest version of your favorite Linux distribution. Whatever reasons...
Command Prompt (CMD)

How to use SFC to repair missing or corrupt Windows files in CMD

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 10.05.2022
When you have problems with your computer, Windows system files may become corrupted or go missing. This might be caused by sudden power drops, hardware malfunctions, a hard disk or solid-state drive approaching its end of life, and so on. If Windows reports that it...
Windows 11

How long does it take to install Windows 11?

  • misc
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 27.04.2022
Windows 11 has been out in the wild for some time now, and many have already installed and tried it. But, like with any operating system, many others didn’t get it yet and have questions regarding the download and installation processes. One of the most...
Find My Device

How to find and lock your lost or stolen Windows device

  • tutorial
  • Tudor Dan
  • 03.03.2022
Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a locating feature that makes it easier to find your computers and devices when they get lost. It is called Find My Device and, when it is turned on, it allows Windows to regularly check and store your...
Windows logo

How to uninstall Windows from your PC

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 21.02.2022
Some of our readers have asked us how to remove Windows from their computers. Some of them want to remove Windows 10 or Windows 11 and empty their drives. Some have dual-boot configurations and want to keep only one Windows version. Others have Windows and...
System Repair disc

How to create a System Repair disc in Windows 10 and Windows 11

  • tutorial
  • Ciprian Adrian Rusen
  • 25.01.2022
If you want to repair a malfunctioning computer with Windows 10 or Windows 11 installed, you need a USB recovery drive or a repair disc. Most people prefer using USB memory sticks to create such drives. However, if you still have a computer laying around...
Command Prompt (CMD)

How to open Command Prompt when Windows doesn't boot (3 ways)

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 06.01.2022
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool that you can use for various purposes, including troubleshooting and fixing problems with Windows. Starting it is easy if Windows is working correctly, but what do you do when Windows refuses to load? How do you "boot" to...
Windows 11

How to factory reset Windows 11 and remove everything

  • tutorial
  • Codrut Neagu
  • 25.11.2021
Do you want to know how to delete everything on Windows 11? Are you looking for the easiest way to wipe Windows 11 to factory settings? If you answered yes, then you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, we guide you through all...