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#383a42;line-height:80px;position:relative;z-index:2;font-weight:600}.c-siteAccordionMenu.c-sitePrimaryMenu_subNav{position:fixed;top:0;bottom:0}.c-siteAccordionMenu_content{width:100%;max-height:100%;overflow:auto}.c-siteAccordionMenu_content::after{content:"";padding-bottom:2rem;display:block}.c-siteAccordionMenu_section .c-siteAccordionMenu_item{opacity:0;visibility:hidden;max-height:0;line-height:20px;margin:0;transition:opacity .3s ease,max-height .3s .3s ease,margin .3s .3s ease,visibility 0s .3s}.c-siteAccordionMenu_section.is-expanded{border-bottom:1px solid #383a42}.c-siteAccordionMenu_section.is-expanded .c-siteAccordionMenu_sectionToggle>svg{transform:rotateX(180deg)}.c-siteAccordionMenu_section.is-expanded .c-siteAccordionMenu_item{visibility:visible;max-height:80px;margin:2rem 0;opacity:1;transition:opacity .3s .3s ease,max-height .3s ease,margin .3s ease}.c-siteAccordionMenu_item{color:#fff;font-size:13px;padding:0 calc(2rem/2)}.c-siteAccordionMenu_item small{font-size:inherit;font-weight:400}.c-siteAccordionMenu_item small::before{content:" | "}.c-siteAccordionMenu_itemArrowIcon{width:15px;height:13px;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:5px;fill:#fff}.c-siteAccordionMenu_item:hover{color:#3f8eff}.c-siteAccordionMenu_item:hover svg{fill:#3f8eff}.c-siteAccordionMenu_link{-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(0,0,0,0);display:block;color:inherit}.c-siteAccordionMenu_link:hover{color:#3f8eff}.c-siteAccordionMenu_closeButton{border-bottom:1px solid #383a42;line-height:46px;padding:0 calc(2rem/2);cursor:pointer;display:block;text-align:right;box-sizing:border-box;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)}.c-siteAccordionMenu_closeButton>svg{width:17px;height:17px;fill:#fff;vertical-align:middle}.c-siteAccordionMenu_closeButton:hover>svg{fill:#3f8eff}.c-siteAccordionMenu_sectionToggle{position:relative;border-bottom:1px solid #383a42;padding:0 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.c-dynamicHeader_title{font-size:3rem;line-height:3.25rem;margin:0;padding:0;text-transform:initial;border:none}@media(max-width: 767px){.c-dynamicHeader_title{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:2.75rem}}.c-dynamicHeader_desc{width:65%}@media(max-width: 767px){.c-dynamicHeader_desc{width:100%}} .c-listingCarouselHorizontal{border-top:1px solid #080a12}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-listingCarouselHorizontal{width:100%}}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingCarouselHorizontal_loadingIndicator{width:100%;height:4.8px;display:block;position:relative;background:#fff;overflow:hidden}}.c-listingCarouselHorizontal_loadingIndicator::after{content:""}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingCarouselHorizontal_loadingIndicator::after{box-sizing:border-box;width:0;height:4.8px;background:#d0ff4b;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;animation:animFw 10s linear infinite}}@keyframes animFw{0%{width:0}100%{width:100%}}.c-listingCarouselHorizontal 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.VueCarousel-inner--center { justify-content: center; } .VueCarousel-slide { flex-basis: inherit; flex-grow: 0; flex-shrink: 0; user-select: none; backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-touch-callout: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); outline: none; } .VueCarousel-slide-adjustableHeight { display: table; flex-basis: auto; width: 100%; } .c-cmsImage{display:block;width:100%;background:rgba(0,0,0,.05)}.c-cmsImage img{display:block;width:100%;height:auto}.c-cmsImage img[src=""]{visibility:hidden} .c-dynamicListing_listing h3{margin:0}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-dynamicListing_listing h3{margin:0 0 1.5rem}} .c-listingLatest{position:relative}.c-listingLatest_heading{margin:.5rem 0 0 0}.c-listingLatest_item{padding:1rem 0;border-bottom:1px solid #e1e0e3}.c-listingLatest_item:nth-child(9){border-bottom:none}.c-listingLatest_itemLink{display:block;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;color:#080a12;font-weight:600}.c-listingLatest_itemLink:hover{color:#0058d5}.c-listingLatest_pubDate{font-size:.813rem;color:#505259}.c-listingLatest .c-listingLatest_showAll{margin-bottom:1.5rem;margin-right:0}.c-listingLatest .c-listingLatest_showAll svg{display:inline-block;width:15px;height:13px;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:10px}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-listingLatest_heading{margin:1.5rem 0}.c-listingLatest_item{padding:1.5rem 0}.c-listingLatest_item:nth-child(1){padding-top:0}} .c-listingFiveStory_heading{grid-gap:1.25rem}.c-listingFiveStory_heading .c-sectionHeading{border:none;margin-bottom:.5rem}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-listingFiveStory_heading .c-sectionHeading{margin-bottom:1.5rem}}.c-listingFiveStory_titleWrapper{grid-gap:0;margin-bottom:1.5rem}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-listingFiveStory_titleWrapper{flex-direction:row;align-items:center;grid-gap:1.25rem;margin-bottom:0}}.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll{margin-left:auto;font-size:.813rem;font-weight:400;color:#080a12;grid-gap:.25rem}.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll-topic{display:none}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll-topic{display:inline}}.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll svg{width:1rem;aspect-ratio:1}.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll:hover{color:#0058d5}.c-listingFiveStory_seeAll:hover svg{fill:#0058d5}.c-listingFiveStory_container{margin-bottom:1.5rem}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingFiveStory_container{flex-direction:row;gap:0 1.5rem;margin-bottom:2rem}}.c-listingFiveStory_first-item-container,.c-listingFiveStory_additional-items-container{width:100%}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingFiveStory_first-item-container,.c-listingFiveStory_additional-items-container{width:50%}}.c-listingFiveStory_additional-items-container{display:grid;gap:1rem;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingFiveStory_additional-items-container{gap:1.5rem}}.c-listingFiveStory_image{display:block;width:100%}.c-listingFiveStory_item{position:relative;color:#080a12;flex-direction:column}.c-listingFiveStory_item span{color:inherit;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;margin-bottom:0}.c-listingFiveStory_item--first span{margin-bottom:.5rem}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingFiveStory_item--first span{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:2.275rem}}.c-listingFiveStory_item:hover{color:#0058d5}.c-listingFiveStory_item:hover img{opacity:.8} .c-listingDefault_itemLink{color:#080a12}.c-listingDefault_author,.c-listingDefault_topic{color:#080a12}.c-listingDefault_author:hover,.c-listingDefault_topic:hover{color:#0058d5}.c-listingDefault .u-grid-columns{grid-template-columns:1fr 4fr}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingDefault .u-grid-columns{grid-template-columns:2fr 4fr}}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingDefault_title{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.75rem;padding-top:5px}}.c-listingDefault_description{display:none;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;overflow:hidden;color:#080a12}@media(min-width: 768px){.c-listingDefault_description{display:-webkit-box}}.c-listingDefault_itemImage{margin-top:5px}.c-listingDefault_item:hover .c-listingDefault_itemImage{opacity:.9}.c-listingDefault_item:hover .c-listingDefault_title{color:#0058d5}.c-listingDefault_pubDate:hover{color:#080a12} .c-loadMoreButton_svg{display:inline-block}.c-loadMoreButton_svg svg{display:inline-block;width:15px;height:13px;vertical-align:middle;margin-left:10px;transform:rotate(90deg)}.c-loadMoreButton_link{height:64px;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;margin:auto;max-width:416px;width:100%}.c-loadMoreButton_text{display:inline-block} .c-globalSticky{display:initial;overflow:initial;flex:1;margin-bottom:calc(var(--mpu-margin-bottom, 0)*1px)}.c-globalSticky:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.c-globalSticky:nth-child(1 of .c-globalSticky){padding-top:calc(var(--first-elem-padding-top, 0)*1px)}.c-globalSticky_element{position:sticky;top:calc(var(--toc-height, 200px) + var(--toc-top-margin-sticky, 0px) + 32px)} .c-siteFooter{z-index:1;position:relative;background:#20222a;overflow:hidden}.c-siteFooter .c-siteFooter_background{width:0}.c-siteFooter .c-siteFooter_background img[src=""]{opacity:0}.c-siteFooter .c-siteFooter_background img{transition:opacity 1s ease;opacity:1;object-fit:cover;position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0;top:0}@media(min-width: 1024px){.c-siteFooter{padding:0 3rem 3rem 3rem}}.c-siteFooter_container{position:relative}.c-siteFooter_logoLink{display:block}.c-siteFooter_logo{left:50%;margin-left:-50vw;right:50%;margin-right:-50vw;max-width:100vw;position:relative;width:100vw;fill:#fff;aspect-ratio:814/150}@media(min-width: 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among other glitches </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday fixed several bugs but triggered several problems. Some users are struggling just to install the security update. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">1 day ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/how-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-free-up-valuable-system-resources/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Windows January update bugs" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/how-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-free-up-valuable-system-resources/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and free up valuable system resources) </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Removing cache and temporary files can give your PC a noticeable speed boost - and you don't need any extra software to do it. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">5 days ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/kyle-kucharski/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Kyle Kucharski </a> in <a href="/topic/laptops/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Laptops </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="encryption concept" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> How to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> BitLocker encryption is a great way to stop a thief from accessing your business and personal secrets. But don't let the tool lock you out of your PC. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">6 days ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/ed-bott/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Ed Bott </a> in <a href="/topic/security/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Security </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/how-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/how-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> How to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> If your PC is operating perfectly right now, great! But getting ahead of any future PC fiascos with a recovery drive may save you from a major tech-induced headache later. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">6 days ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/ed-bott/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Ed Bott </a> in <a href="/topic/windows/" aria-current="page" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic nuxt-link-exact-active nuxt-link-active"> Windows </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/statcounters-windows-market-share-data-is-not-accurate-or-reliable-and-i-can-prove-it/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Statcounter stories" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/statcounters-windows-market-share-data-is-not-accurate-or-reliable-and-i-can-prove-it/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Statcounter's Windows market-share data is not accurate or reliable, and I can prove it </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> It's time for another round of Statcounter stories on Windows 'market share,' but none of the data makes any sense, and I have the receipts to prove it. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">1 week ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/ed-bott/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Ed Bott </a> in <a href="/topic/pcs/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> PCs </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/dont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Windows January update bugs" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/dont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Don't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> The latest updates resolve more glitches and security flaws - some critical - in Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2, so you'll want to install them sooner rather than later. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">1 week ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows/" aria-current="page" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic nuxt-link-exact-active nuxt-link-active"> Windows </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/windows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="New year, new Windows 11 24H2 bug to add to the list: 12 and counting" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/windows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Windows 11's bug-fixing update is making things worse </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Each new update ends up introducing even more bugs. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">1 week ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/too-many-tabs-try-these-browsers-with-better-tab-management-than-chrome/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Opera Developer browser on a laptop." width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/too-many-tabs-try-these-browsers-with-better-tab-management-than-chrome/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Too many tabs? Try these browsers with better tab management than Chrome </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Stop wasting time searching for tabs every day. These four browsers with the best built-in tab management features can help. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/jack-wallen/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Jack Wallen </a> in <a href="/topic/services-software/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Services & Software </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Clear blue sky" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> How to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> A clean install is the ultimate troubleshooting technique, but it's also the best way to repurpose a device you no longer need or to get a fresh start. By my count, there are four ways to do a clean install. Here are the pros and cons of each. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/ed-bott/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Ed Bott </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/microsoft-removes-guide-for-installing-windows-11-on-unsupported-pcs-but-this-hack-still-works/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start menu" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/microsoft-removes-guide-for-installing-windows-11-on-unsupported-pcs-but-this-hack-still-works/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Microsoft removes guide for installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs - but this hack still works </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> A support page no longer describes the Registry hack that lets you bypass Windows 11's TPM requirements. But you still have options for sneaking past the hardware restrictions. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/microsoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="windows 10 on a laptop" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/microsoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Microsoft has a serious problem on its hands, thanks to competition from... itself? </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/ed-bott/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Ed Bott </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-10/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 10 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/magnify-your-screen-and-more-with-powertoys-new-zoomit-tool-heres-how/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="mag555gettyimages-612634876" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/magnify-your-screen-and-more-with-powertoys-new-zoomit-tool-heres-how/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Magnify your screen and more with PowerToys' new ZoomIt tool - here's how </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> A handy tool for presentations, demos and even accessibility, ZoomIt lets you zoom in on the screen, mark up the current page, and even capture your screen activity. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/services-software/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Services & Software </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/windows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="No clipboard history" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/windows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Windows 11 24H2's wild ride: Some fixes are in but other bugs still linger </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> Microsoft's official 24H2 update for Windows 11 has been hit with one bug after another. But a variety of have finally been patched. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div><div class="c-listingDefault_item g-outer-spacing-bottom-large"><div class="u-grid-columns"><a href="/article/microsofts-latest-optional-patch-is-a-bug-fix-bonanza-for-windows-11-24h2/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><div class="c-listingDefault_itemImage"><picture class="c-cmsImage" style="aspect-ratio:306/172;"> <img src alt="Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start menu" width="306" height="172" fetchpriority="low"></picture></div></a> <div class="c-listingDefault_itemContent"><a href="/article/microsofts-latest-optional-patch-is-a-bug-fix-bonanza-for-windows-11-24h2/" class="c-listingDefault_itemLink"><h3 class="c-listingDefault_title g-text-small-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall"> Microsoft's latest optional patch is a bug-fix bonanza for Windows 11 24H2 </h3> <span class="c-listingDefault_description g-text-xsmall g-outer-spacing-bottom-small"> The new preview update resolves some persistent and annoying problems with Windows 24H2, but you may need to download and install it manually. </span></a> <div class="g-text-xxsmall c-listingDefault_meta"><span class="c-listingDefault_pubDate">2 weeks ago</span> by <a href="/meet-the-team/lance-whitney/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_author"> Lance Whitney </a> in <a href="/topic/windows-11/" class="g-text-bold c-listingDefault_topic"> Windows 11 </a></div></div></div> </div></div> <div class="c-loadMoreButton u-grid-columns"><a href="/topic/windows/2/" class="c-loadMoreButton_link o-button o-button-large o-button-smallRound lg:u-col-8 lg:u-col-start-3 md:u-col-6 sm:u-col-2 o-button-secondary"><span class="c-loadMoreButton_text">Load 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1985, the evolution of Microsoft's flagship operating system has both driven and reflected the development of personal computing."}},{id:"232d4b76-a7b3-43f7-8729-bb376f425c87",meta:{componentName:"232d4b76-a7b3-43f7-8729-bb376f425c87",componentDisplayName:"Product Research",componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F232d4b76-a7b3-43f7-8729-bb376f425c87\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=232d4b76-a7b3-43f7-8729-bb376f425c87"}},items:[{author:{id:"f2d97ea2-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Adrian",lastName:"Kingsley-Hughes",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2",filename:"adrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:59:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2\u002Fadrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera. Adrian has authored\u002Fco-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include 'Build the Ultimate Custom PC', 'Beginning Programming' and 'The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide'. He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"30176ebd-6049-42a9-a72e-544e73503014\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe PNY Duo Link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"PNY Duo Link\" data-image-filename=\"img-5722.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApart from a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdo-ios-updates-wear-out-your-iphones-battery-the-answer-is-not-so-obvious\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eworn battery\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and broken display, a common reason people upgrade an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-iphone\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EiPhone\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is that there is no more storage space. And, more often than not, what's behind all that storage consumption will be photos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut just mass-deleting photos is a bad road to go down because you're invariably going to lose sentimental photos and either be sad or get into trouble. On the flip side, sorting through photos can be a huge waste of time (although \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffree-up-storage-space-and-declutter-your-iphone-with-gemini-photos\u002F\"\u003Ethere is some excellent software\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that can help you sort the wheat from the chaff). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fevery-product-were-expecting-at-apples-september-event-iphone-15-apple-watch-ultra-2-airpods\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat to expect from Apple's 'Wonderlust Event'\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, if you don't want to delete things and you don't want to be tied to paying iCloud storage fees, a great option is to back up photos to a flash drive that will connect to both your iPhone and a computer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnter the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"a65e3676-8921-4de3-b016-f9ba55666351\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C797ZV3G\u002Fref=twister_B0C9VXHZNV\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"PNY Duo Link Lightning and USB-A flash drive\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"1fe4e93c-24bc-4b8b-908f-19ac782aa901\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBridge the gap between mobile and desktop with the PNY Duo Link storage drive, the perfect solution for on-the-go file management.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"PNY Duo Link\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"332b66c7-712d-4d6d-afd8-7c1e724f48d1","title":"PNY Duo Link","filename":"img-5721.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F09\u002F12\u002F332b66c7-712d-4d6d-afd8-7c1e724f48d1\u002Fimg-5721.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":492416,"width":1600,"height":900,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-09-12 13:46:58","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-09-12 13:47:05","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET","alt":"PNY Duo Link","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"332b66c7-712d-4d6d-afd8-7c1e724f48d1","imageAltText":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"img-5721.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F09\u002F12","imageWidth":1600,"imageHeight":900,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"ZDNET RECOMMENDS\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C797ZV3G\u002Fref=twister_B0C9VXHZNV?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C797ZV3G\u002Fref=twister_B0C9VXHZNV","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C797ZV3G\u002Fref=twister_B0C9VXHZNV?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpecs PNY Duo Link specs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECapacity\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 64-256GB\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterface 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Lightning Connector\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterface 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompatibility\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: USB 3.2 Gen 1\u002FUSB 3.0 equipped host devices, backward compatible with USB 2.0\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDevice Compatibility\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: iOS devices and a USB 3.2 Type-A connector for PC and Mac systems\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOperating System Compatibility\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Compatible with iOS 10 and later, MacOS 10 and later, and Windows 7 and later\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOperating Temperature\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 5 to 35 degrees Celsius \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStorage Temperature\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: -20 to 60 degrees Celsius \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2050571\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Recommends\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fe773e54-a16b-4403-b2ba-ed011d9e4d51\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPNY Duo Link drive is small but well-built.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"PNY Duo Link drive in hand\" data-image-filename=\"img-5740.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are a lot of drives like this out there, but not many come close to the quality of this one. PNY is a respected company in the storage, memory, graphic card, and motherboard business, so you know you're in good hands. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fthis-charging-cable-with-a-twist-works-on-every-device-even-your-new-iphone-15\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThis charging cable with a twist works on every device, even your new iPhone 15\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe drive is solidly made, featuring a durable metal construction with laser-engraved markings (a great touch because stickers and ink wear off easily). This is more than robust enough to put up with day-to-day use and life on a keychain.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c64d4ff7-0fd8-4707-8e2e-6b6154799521\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESolid, metal construction with laser-etched print.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Solid, metal construction with laser etched print\" data-image-filename=\"img-5724.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA plastic cap that covers the Lighting connector clips securely over the connector. This is the sort of thing that I will almost certainly lose, and when I do, I'm not going to worry about it. Lightning connectors are surprisingly robust.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a nice touch that the Lightning connector is long enough to be used when the iPhone is in a thick case. I hate having to take my iPhone out of its case to use accessories, so it's a pleasant surprise to find something that's been designed with this in mind. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-fans-will-dig-this-stylish-new-3-in-1-charger-from-nomad\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple fans will dig this stylish new 3-in-1 charger from Nomad\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo use this drive on the iPhone, you need the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Fduo-link-4\u002Fid1103672387\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPNY Duo Link 4 app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This handles the interface between the drive and the iPhone. Using this app, you can move selected photos and videos, back up your entire library, and even transfer documents and other media.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"20e4627e-076f-4c91-8f5b-04fc138390d0\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPNY Duo Link 4 app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"PNY Duo Link 4 app\" data-image-filename=\"img-5727.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"867\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use the app to password-protect the drive, but if you do this, you won't be able to use the drive on a Windows or Mac system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"334e93d8-96b2-4a16-b7b6-cfe71ea2bf9a\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPassword-protecting the drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Password-protecting the drive\" data-image-filename=\"img-5739.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"619\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reviews for this software aren't great, but I've tested it with the drive on a number of iPhones and had no problem whatsoever, so I can't comment on what problems people are having. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-one-iphone-15-pro-upgrade-i-need-is-basic-reasonable-and-disruptive\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe one iPhone 15 Pro upgrade I need is basic, reasonable, and disruptive\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerformance-wise, the drive isn't a speed demon, and I was getting approximately 60MB per second in tests. But since this is specifically for backing up the iPhone, I don't see this performance limitation as an issue.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7a23a769-021e-4f09-b2d8-07f57224cf19\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EBenchmark testing the PNY Duo Link using MiniTool Partition Wizard 12.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Benchmark testing the PNY Duo Link using MiniTool Partition Wizard 12\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-2023-09-12-123444.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F12\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"851\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"98a2e14c-9548-49b2-a9b6-40f7efe460d2\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C798VC5F\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C798VC5F?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"prices starting at $25 for a 64GB drive\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E and increasing to \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"c8aabab8-c92c-424f-b364-bf0f2003d81c\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0C797ZV3G\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$55 for the 256GB version\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, this is a cheap and effective way to get beyond your iPhone storage issues. It's not as perfect a solution as having the photos on your iPhone, but it's a very cost-effective way to get a few years out of your iPhone while saving you hundreds of dollars. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-12 16:08:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"One of the top reasons that people upgrade their iPhones is a lack of storage space. Buy this drive and save hundreds of dollars.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"9e1ec943-9849-45be-93ce-15532165319a",image:{id:"30176ebd-6049-42a9-a72e-544e73503014",filename:"img-5722.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-09-12 13:43:54",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"GOTRAX 4 electric scooter",credits:"GOTRAX",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F09\u002F12\u002F30176ebd-6049-42a9-a72e-544e73503014\u002Fimg-5722.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Storage",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"not-buying-a-new-iphone-this-flash-drive-will-give-your-old-one-a-new-lease-of-life",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Not buying a new iPhone? This flash drive will give your old one a new lease on life",topic:{id:"11601750-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"storage",name:"Storage",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"11601750-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"storage",name:"Storage",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"108f2b14-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"ios",name:"iOS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1093d9cb-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"iphone",name:"iPhone",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"84261707-5816-4c70-94b1-98f8902b4739",username:"sshibu",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Sherin",lastName:"Shibu",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8efd843a-7142-4081-bcd1-3b6c654432e4",filename:"headshot.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-22 15:09:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F22\u002F8efd843a-7142-4081-bcd1-3b6c654432e4\u002Fheadshot.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Sherin Shibu started writing professionally eight years ago at a national startup. Since then she has written for publications centered on tech, startups, innovation, politics, and financial services, including PCMag, Business Insider, InvestmentWires, GovLoop, and Thrive Global. She lives in Queens, NY.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"c5e7e27a-e814-4cb1-8ad5-0b1c4114e767\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Duolingo\" data-rating=\"3.5\" data-like=\"~Desktop and mobile apps are user-friendly ~Range of questions for 19 distinct languages ~Variety of platforms ~Bite-sized lessons\" data-dislike=\"~Can feel overly gamified ~Not for someone who needs to learn a language quickly ~ Requires external practice to master a language\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"05\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-05-02T15:33:42.541Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"05\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-05-02T15:33:42.541Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"05c3df5c-c786-4486-9a0a-58fba40a87c8","filename":"learner-with-duolingo-app-2.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F17\u002F05c3df5c-c786-4486-9a0a-58fba40a87c8\u002Flearner-with-duolingo-app-2.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-06-17 14:01:56","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"05c3df5c-c786-4486-9a0a-58fba40a87c8","imageFilename":"learner-with-duolingo-app-2.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F06\u002F17"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Duolingo","offerPrice":"","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"www.duolingo.com","url":""}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy teenage brother isn't allowed to play online games. So he plays Duolingo.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe popular language-learning app gamifies learning with bright colors, shiny medals, and sound effects (ping, whoosh, ta-da). It's free, and it gives constant positive reinforcement. There's an audible back and forth. Some prompts require you to speak in order to make it to the next question. You read, you actively recall what you've learned through in-app quizzes, and you learn.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill, Duolingo's gamification is not for everyone. Serious learners may find the program to be overly quizzical, vexed by the idea of levels and a progress system. In this review, I'll approach it as a complete beginner on different platforms and walk you through my impressions, including whether or not I think Duolingo alone can help you become proficient in a new language.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETable of Contents \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=Alternatives%20to%20consider-,Specifications,-Available%20languages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESpecifications \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=language%20learning%20works-,Duolingo%20on%20desktop,-A%20great%20aspect\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWalkthrough of Duolingo on desktop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=Duolingo%20on%20iOS\u002Fmobile%20app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWalkthrough of Duolingo on mobile\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=Is%20Duolingo%20actually%20effective%3F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow effective is Duolingo?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=Two%20years%20of%20Duolingo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2 years of Duolingo\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=now%20at%20Duolingo-,Bottom%20line,-By%20bringing%20languages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBottom line\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fduolingo-review\u002F#:~:text=Alternatives%20to%20consider%C2%A0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlternatives to consider\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpecifications\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvailable languages\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd spellcheck=\"false\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpanish, French, English, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Hindi, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Turkish, Dutch, Latin, Swedish, Greek, Irish, Polish, Norwegian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Hawaiian, High Valyrian, Danish, Indonesian, Romanian, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Czech, Swahili, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Klingon, Navajo, Esperanto, Finnish, Catalan, Haitian Creole, Ukrainian\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDownload type\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnline, Android, iOS, iPad OS, and Windows 11\u002F10.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApproach\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImages, text, pictures, audio, verbal\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociated resources\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpodcast.duolingo.com\u002F\"\u003EDuolingo Podcast\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERequirements\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo not need to create an account right away to start learning\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow language learning works\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDuolingo on desktop\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA great aspect of Duolingo is that you don't have to sign up right away to start learning. I decided to start with Spanish on my desktop and I had two options: Complete the intro lesson or take the placement test. My high school Spanish skills were many years out of use, but I tried to dust them off to take the placement test. It's about five minutes in length and it gets progressively harder. After a couple of minutes, I opted instead for the intro lesson. Completing the placement test can unlock many levels that you may have already mastered, giving you a leg up in the learning process. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1b570e99-8155-42a7-b22b-50e6f7025b97\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"spanish6\" data-image-filename=\"spanish6.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-crop=\"1098x579+0+1\" data-image-width=\"1099\" data-image-height=\"1222\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first question of the intro lesson made me appreciate the diversity of the characters. The background wasn't distracting and the question was clearly legible. The visuals helped me figure out the question. Duolingo doesn't strike me as an intimidating platform to start learning a language.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cf8bc86f-7d76-461e-b8cf-8561a09f1914\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"spanish1\" data-image-filename=\"spanish1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-crop=\"1139x640+0+217\" data-image-width=\"1139\" data-image-height=\"1172\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the multiple-choice question, I had to answer a writing question, with blocks like \"the\" \"man\" and \"woman\" in place to prevent written typos on my part. I found the blocks to be a clever design tool. I also liked that you could hear the Spanish words spoken aloud. It made the experience feel multidimensional, and it encouraged me to try pronouncing the word myself -- as many times as I needed to to get it right. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"16be2bda-9f8f-4016-abdd-f4077cb9ede1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"spanish2\" data-image-filename=\"spanish2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-crop=\"1025x576+0+232\" data-image-width=\"1025\" data-image-height=\"1186\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen came encouragement: A cute little green bird praising me for getting five questions right in a row! Thank you, little bird, that is amazing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bb0ea6dc-38d3-4d46-9276-74e839b866d2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"spanish3\" data-image-filename=\"spanish3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-crop=\"482x271+229+887\" data-image-width=\"1139\" data-image-height=\"1196\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother type of question I saw was a listening question. I had to tap the screen to hear the audio and then I wrote down what I heard. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"af8587ef-6e2a-42e8-8132-d6acde71f33b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"spanish5\" data-image-filename=\"spanish5.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-crop=\"1089x612+0+218\" data-image-width=\"1089\" data-image-height=\"1200\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI appreciate the simplicity of the online interface. There's just enough information to encourage you to pay attention and the positive feedback keeps you going. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-language-learning-app\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 7 best language learning apps\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDuolingo on iOS\u002Fmobile app\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWould the positives of Duolingo's web version hold true on its iPhone app? Yes, and I actually had a better experience on my phone than on my desktop. At the welcome screen, I started right away instead of logging in. The option to get started without disclosing my personal information immediately establishes trust. It gives me the power to test the technology and decide if I want to sign up.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c8a9f708-711a-4751-a135-8fa49f83bccd\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"chinese1\" data-image-filename=\"chinese1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"828\" data-image-height=\"1713\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are a lot of languages available, but I wanted to try a language that I had no familiarity with at all to model how a beginner would approach the app. So I chose Chinese -- I've always wanted to learn but thought it might be too difficult for me. Let's see how Duolingo presents the language.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore starting the lesson, I had to answer a few questions about proficiency level (beginner) and motivation. I then chose how long I wanted to train per day and I was given the option to set daily reminders to meet my goal. I opted out of the daily reminder because I personally dislike having my phone cluttered with notifications, but you might find it useful. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7fbb4df3-b023-4a16-9ce2-492444e0a48a\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"chinese2\" data-image-filename=\"chinese2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"828\" data-image-height=\"1696\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI started learning from scratch. The first question I had to answer was an audio question: What sound does 好 make? The question was communicated through audio, and a voice said something that sounded like \"how\" when it came to the character 好. Of the three answer choices, nǐ, hǎo, and zài, hǎo sounded closest to what I had heard. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second question was a translation question that asked me to write \"你好\" in English. It was easy to figure out because I could hover over the question and see the translation as \"hello.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe third question asked me to recall the character I saw in the first question. When I clicked on an answer choice, I heard the corresponding sound. This was the third question:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"dc9c1b6a-c803-4e54-bf6f-70d06a328ec0\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"chinese3\" data-image-filename=\"chinese3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"828\" data-image-height=\"1696\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThankfully I remembered the character I had just seen. I liked the way that the questions built on each other.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe process of learning new characters and sounds was enjoyable. I was able to complete the first lesson and I found myself trying to write the characters on my own. It was a bite-sized lesson for sure, something you'd learn in the first three minutes of a Chinese class, but it was a step closer to understanding. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f680ad13-6437-4b4f-95c4-649b48da8963\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Duolingo\" data-image-alt-text=\"chinese4\" data-image-filename=\"chinese4.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"828\" data-image-height=\"1676\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy downloading the app and completing a lesson, I understood how Duolingo keeps students interested in the language: There are streaks, there are awards -- it's fun. It's language learning that keeps the big picture in mind without getting bogged down by the details, especially at first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"fa7894fc-5308-49cb-85a1-0637dd3c3074\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENot on its own. If you supplement Duolingo lessons with Duolingo stories or&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fevents.duolingo.com\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Eeven a Duolingo event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you'll maximize the free resources offered by the company and maybe even still not have a complete grasp of the language. Self-study is key here, meaning you should acquire workbooks and practice on your own time in addition to using Duolingo. I also think it's important to speak as you go through questions on Duolingo; for example, I tried saying 好 or hǎo out loud when a question popped up that mentioned it.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Is Duolingo actually effective?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"61460043-8e3c-4254-95f8-5dcb9ea3e23c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe main disadvantage of Duolingo, and the reason why I question if you can become fully fluent with the platform, is the lack of practice. I've taken Italian classes for five years, Spanish for three years, and Intensive Catalan for a semester, all in school. I've pursued the self-study of many languages. In each of those endeavors, the amount of practice and work I put into reading, memorizing, and trying to speak the language correlated directly with my grasp of it. Nothing beats practice and hard work, especially because language acquisition depends on memorization in its early stages.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuolingo's message of learning a language in 10 or 20 minutes per day seems unrealistic even with the attention-drawing quizzes and games, especially considering that college language classes meet for at least three hours a week and assign homework that takes at least twice that time to complete. Even if you take four college classes spread out over four semesters or about two years, you're still only at an intermediate level. Duolingo's allocation of time for language learning seems paltry by comparison.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Feducation\u002Fcomputers-tech\u002Ffree-language-learning-apps\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EFree language learning apps\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Can you become fluent with Duolingo?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"9a49c66d-e9df-4a82-8042-dd470456a3b1\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you want to achieve fluency within a couple of years, Duolingo should not be your only platform of learning, but it is a good supplement. As I used the app, I felt more like I was having fun and less like I was cramming conjugations in my brain. The slow pace might not be for everyone, though, and I've seen it used best as a practice tool to keep up in regular classes. I was impressed with Duolingo overall. It's a solid tool to start learning a language, but not one for total mastery.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Is Duolingo still worth your time?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETwo years of Duolingo\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll things said and done, with enough commitment, Duolingo can be very beneficial to your language learning. My little brother is a Duolingo inspiration -- he started using it two years ago, when he was in sixth grade, and he still uses it. He rarely misses a day, and he's currently on a 143-day streak. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"It was easy to get started and understand all the concepts,\" he told me. \"It's good for learning vocabulary and brushing up on old topics. It's not the best learning platform for learning a language from scratch. If you have some knowledge of a language, it'll help you a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"145bb05f-83a4-45f0-a110-dda2ab82f390\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EHis user profile.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Sherin Shibu\" data-image-alt-text=\"img-0363\" data-image-filename=\"img-0363.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1620\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe started with French and expanded to Spanish, Hindi, and Italian.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"It helps a lot with understanding what's going on in class,\" he said. \"I'm able to understand what my French teacher says more easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe's currently in the silver league and he's received 275 crowns or skill completions. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"65f6caf2-12f8-4d2a-b064-39af7ed8a959\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EEach set gets progressively harder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Sherin Shibu\" data-image-alt-text=\"duolingostories\" data-image-filename=\"duolingostories.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1620\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe's also listened to 64 sets of stories in French, some of which require him to play a role in the story. I've heard the sounds of him on his iPad practicing Duolingo so often that I don't even register it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"14b94fa7-074c-417c-8d92-74fbd266b9b9\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Duolingo\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Duolingo.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Duolingo","imageData":{"id":"f7e1c401-5210-4a8d-8576-46fa4acaf43a","filename":"screen-shot-2022-06-10-at-2-04-27-pm.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F10\u002Ff7e1c401-5210-4a8d-8576-46fa4acaf43a\u002Fscreen-shot-2022-06-10-at-2-04-27-pm.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-06-10 18:04:53","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"f7e1c401-5210-4a8d-8576-46fa4acaf43a","imageFilename":"screen-shot-2022-06-10-at-2-04-27-pm.png","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F06\u002F10"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Duolingo\" data-offerurl=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.duolingo.com\" data-offermerchant=\"Duolingo\" data-usemonetization=\"false\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBottom line\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy bringing languages from all over the world onto one platform, Duolingo creates more than just a way to broaden your linguistic capabilities -- it's also about broadening your horizons. The upbeat way that the company does this, with bright colors and interesting graphics, draws the eye. The encouragement makes Duolingo users feel as though they're making progress. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the United States, nearly 231 million Americans only speak English: That's about 80% of the population. Becoming fluent in another language doesn't just make you more worldly. It can be a huge advantage in the workplace.    \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAlternatives to consider \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"ff78e22d-0fe2-44fc-87d4-ebccaddc97d3\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Memrise\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"memrise-master-ios-logo","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Memrise","imageData":{"id":"176f3c3a-54e3-40dc-958f-d4defaae0fa9","filename":"memrise-master-ios-logo.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F10\u002F176f3c3a-54e3-40dc-958f-d4defaae0fa9\u002Fmemrise-master-ios-logo.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-06-10 18:40:37","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"176f3c3a-54e3-40dc-958f-d4defaae0fa9","imageFilename":"memrise-master-ios-logo.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F06\u002F10"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Memrise\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.memrise.com\u002F\" data-offermerchant=\"Memrise\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmemrise.pxf.io\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F1040453\u002F13531?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.memrise.com\u002F&subId1=[subid_value]\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMemrise is another free language learning platform.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"ba0bac12-bb43-4867-a098-2b808b5a3b3e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Pimsleur\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Pimsleur","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Apple App Store","imageData":{"id":"387bf278-4be8-45b6-8f90-c124dc0e8397","filename":"pimsleur.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F07\u002F01\u002F387bf278-4be8-45b6-8f90-c124dc0e8397\u002Fpimsleur.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-07-01 15:18:50","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"387bf278-4be8-45b6-8f90-c124dc0e8397","imageFilename":"pimsleur.png","imageDateCreated":"2021\u002F07\u002F01"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Apple App Store\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pimsleur.com\u002F\" data-offerprice=\"20\" data-offermerchant=\"Pimsleur\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fimp.i271380.net\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F812637\u002F11472?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pimsleur.com\u002F&subId1=[subid_value]\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA trusted method based on 30 minutes of audio lessons a day.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"b9d1604f-5707-4525-aeb5-56f11e3e6634\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Rosetta Stone\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"12.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003EA gift for your student doesn't have to be related to hardware or gadgets. In today's competitive marketplace and global industries, learning a second language can give those entering the workforce a competitive edge -- and so immersive language programs such as the Rosetta Stone can prove an invaluable way to learn quickly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not cheap -- subscriptions can reach hundreds of dollars but is effective. I myself have used the program for Spanish and Japanese in the past, and still retain a fair grasp on both.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program uses immersion tactics including image association and speaking practice to give students a strong grasp of a language, whether it be French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.rosettastone.com\\"\u003ERosetta Stone\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Rosetta Stone","imageData":{"id":"37870cf9-62b2-4a25-a63f-079c7a253c46","filename":"12.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F29\u002F37870cf9-62b2-4a25-a63f-079c7a253c46\u002F12.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-29 18:14:45","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"credits":"","primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"37870cf9-62b2-4a25-a63f-079c7a253c46","imageFilename":"12.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F29"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003EA gift for your student doesn't have to be related to hardware or gadgets. In today's competitive marketplace and global industries, learning a second language can give those entering the workforce a competitive edge -- and so immersive language programs such as the Rosetta Stone can prove an invaluable way to learn quickly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not cheap -- subscriptions can reach hundreds of dollars but is effective. I myself have used the program for Spanish and Japanese in the past, and still retain a fair grasp on both.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program uses immersion tactics including image association and speaking practice to give students a strong grasp of a language, whether it be French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href="http:\u002F\u002Fwww.rosettastone.com"\u003ERosetta Stone\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Rosetta Stone\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rosettastone.com\u002F\" data-offerprice=\"36\" data-offermerchant=\"Rosetta Stone\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother trusted method with instant feedback on pronunciation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-17 15:20:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A valuable resource for language learning that enables you to expand your skillset, better relate to people, and broaden your horizons.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"6781c4af-3ca9-49a5-b8db-1cc88a6d0784",image:{id:"05c3df5c-c786-4486-9a0a-58fba40a87c8",filename:"learner-with-duolingo-app-2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-17 14:01:56",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"replace-this-image.jpg",credits:"Duolingo",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F17\u002F05c3df5c-c786-4486-9a0a-58fba40a87c8\u002Flearner-with-duolingo-app-2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3537,height:1990,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"duolingo-review",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Duolingo review: Free, fun, easy language learning practice",topic:{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"108f2b14-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"ios",name:"iOS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"863fe219-de4d-4c2d-9e95-55e19301075a",slug:"education",name:"Education",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926460b5-b4e9-464e-859e-278dd409a3a7",slug:"professional-development",name:"Professional Development",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"b0fb3d1e-3e24-473d-9325-eaaf1980f7c7",slug:"android",name:"Android",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"98d6f538-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Matthew",lastName:"Miller",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc",filename:"matthew-miller.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:28:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc\u002Fmatthew-miller.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion series books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned hundreds of devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes a Galaxy Z Fold 3, COROS Vertix 2, Garmin Fenix 945 LTE, Microsoft Surface Pro 6, and many more, along with classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various social networks under the user name of \"palmsolo.\"",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EFor the past several years, my home and office setup has included twin Dell monitors with a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"5c33c4b5-9bd4-4ea8-a155-d840395bad65\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMicrosoft-Surface-Pro-8-13-Touchscreen\u002Fdp\u002FB09DKJKS4T\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E or Chromebook connected to get work done. I was recently contacted about testing a new 4K monitor, and my focus was going to be on setting up a mobile device station with the monitor connected to a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"f7406f4c-df1e-4dc7-ba96-39f929f1c440\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fsmartphones\u002Fgalaxy-s22-ultra\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Samsung phone\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"530fd9d3-27b2-4ebb-b0c2-3a0312b1ede8\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-air\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Apple iPad\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"43c3ed9c-2134-4bee-9cfc-62b8e073dfac\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Ftablets\u002Ftab-s8\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Samsung tablet\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"08b20574-83dc-4748-90fd-2cfd0f45b25c\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FNintendo-Switch-Neon-Blue-Joy%E2%80%91\u002Fdp\u002FB07VGRJDFY\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Nintendo Switch\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, or other mobile devices. After the monitor arrived and I set it up, I quickly replaced one of my older Dell monitors and have been thoroughly impressed with the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"7f929127-618a-43d5-b841-ae3584bcfe6c\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Innocn 27C1U 4K\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003Ecomputer monitor. It is particularly impressive when the Amazon Prime pricing is currently just $349.99.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"1970bcb1-d2e2-4cb5-a4ef-8b24c34ca2c6\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Innocn 27C1U 4K computer monitor\" data-rating=\"4.5\" data-like=\"~Gorgeous, colorful 4K LCD panel ~Ample ports for connectivity ~Decent integrated dual speakers ~USB-C charges portable devices ~Affordable price ~Solid hardware design and quality build\" data-dislike=\"~Menu buttons require practice\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"03\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-03-02T13:48:03.173Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"03\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-03-02T13:48:03.173Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"db9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741","filename":"20220324-072301.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F24\u002Fdb9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741\u002F20220324-072301.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-24 17:58:26","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"db9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741","imageFilename":"20220324-072301.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F24"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"349.99","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{"uuid":"f3651276-b139-46ca-ae0b-65332bcc5b3d","slug":"innocn-27-computer-monitor-4k-uhd-3840-x-2160-16-9-lcd-ips-display-100-srgb-dp-usb-c-hdmi-pc-monitor-hdr400-freesync-1-07b","name":"INNOCN 27\\" Computer Monitor 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 16:9 LCD IPS Display, 100% sRGB DP USB C HDMI PC Monitor HDR400 FreeSync, 1.07B+ Colors, Gravity Sensor, Calibrated Colors Accuracy ∆E＜2, VESA - 27C1U","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"AUTOPID","mod":1667437571600,"displayDate":"Wed Nov 02 2022 21:06:11 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first device I connected to the monitor was the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-s22-ultra-review\u002F\"\u003ESamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-dex-everything-you-need-to-make-your-galaxy-phone-a-primary-computing-platform\u002F\"\u003ESamsung DeX\u003C\u002Fa\u003E providing a near-PC experience when connected to a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. I also tested out my \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"01fc5ab2-bd56-485b-9bb5-8c16535e53be\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-pro\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPad Pro 12.9\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, but that connection just made it more obvious to me that Apple has a major opportunity for improving its external monitor functionality.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInnocn has a range of portable monitors, and this desktop monitor is labeled as an art monitor. It is 27 inches with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels on an LCD IPS panel. The maximum brightness is 400 nits, but I typically have to tone it down to a brightness level of 40-50% in my daily use. The colors are vibrant and bright with crystal clear fonts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"54b0ba52-b5db-4d84-a15d-d5c0b518f4e2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matt Miller\" data-image-alt-text=\"20220324-072411.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"20220324-072411.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F03\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1409\" data-image-height=\"1057\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHardware\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe retail package contains the monitor, a power cable and power adapter, USB-C to USB-A cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, DP cable, color calibration report for that monitor, and an instruction guide. A two-part stand is included that provides a very sturdy platform for mounting the monitor on your desk. The long arm clips into the back of the monitor while the arm secures to the base with a couple of posts and a center screw with a wing nut on it. Setup was quick and easy, so I had everything ready to go in just a few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are ample ports on the center of the back, including two USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-B port, two full-size HDMI 2.0 ports, a DP1.4 port, a USB-C PD 65W port, 3.5mm audio jack, and a DC power port. With this assortment of ports, I connected my Surface dock to the DP1.4 port, Samsung devices and the iPad to the USB-C port, and my Nintendo Switch to the HDMI port. It was quick and easy to switch between the ports and have the cables I needed available near the base.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe monitor has a built-in gravity sensor with an adjustable pivot, so you can rotate into portrait mode if you want to use it in that non-traditional orientation. You can pivot the monitor left and right 45 degrees, up and down five inches, tilt forward 5 degrees, or tile backwards 20 degrees.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-dex-everything-you-need-to-make-your-galaxy-phone-a-primary-computing-platform\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESamsung DeX 101: Turn a Galaxy phone or tablet into your primary computer\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpecifications\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 27-inch LCD IPS with 3840x2160 pixels resolution and 400 nits brightness\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 60 Hz\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpeakers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Two 5W\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay colors\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 1074 million\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EContrast\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: 1000:1\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPorts\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: DP, USB-C, USB-A 3.0(2), HDMI 2.0 (2), 3.5mm audio, USB-B\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMonitor controls and settings\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"4758fa48-b793-4be6-bea9-6d06b3c8f399\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F4758fa48-b793-4be6-bea9-6d06b3c8f399\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPress any button on the lower right corner of the display to access the on-screen display controls. Five quick access controls appear for home, brightness control, volume control, input signal, and power off; that match the buttons below the icon. Press the far left button for home to access the full OSD menu. Here, the settings appear in professional, picture settings, PIP\u002FPBP, OSD settings, and Other settings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessional settings include standard mode, sRGB mode, Adobe mode, uniformity mode, gamma, CT settings, sharpness, shadow balance, low blue light, hue, saturation, and dynamic brightness. Picture settings include brightness, contrast, DCR, contextual model, HDR, and aspect ratio.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-choose-the-right-monitor-layout-for-working-from-home\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to choose the right monitor layout for working from home\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe OSD settings let you customize three of the hotkeys to your preferences, so you can set these up for the most common functions that will allow you to control the monitor without diving into the full OSD menu. Hotkey options include brightness, contrast, volume, mute, shadow balance, PIP\u002FPBP mode, input signal, dynamic brightness, HDR, gravity sensor, USB switch.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther settings include input signal, volume, auto power, eyeshield reminder, gravity sensor, USB power, reset, and information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs you can see, you can fully customize the monitor for your specific needs. The monitor is also intelligent, and everything I plugged into it worked perfectly without requiring me to dive into the settings. I did alter some settings to check to see if everything was optimized, but the auto settings were near perfect.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d4cd3e59-5ced-4ae6-a018-a2b0c003daed\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMy multi-display setup.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matt Miller\" data-image-alt-text=\"20220324-072404.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"20220324-072404.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F03\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1334\" data-image-height=\"1000\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"ef53480a-1f41-44d0-b103-67eaee10231a\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Innocn 27C1U 4K monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"db9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741","filename":"20220324-072301.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F24\u002Fdb9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741\u002F20220324-072301.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-24 17:58:26","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"db9c827e-3e92-45c3-ab96-11d0e16ce741","imageFilename":"20220324-072301.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F24"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY\" data-offerprice=\"399.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09JS74MGY?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDaily usage experiences and conclusion\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy existing Dell monitors are fairly standard 24-inch models, and they have served me well. However, the 27-inch Innocn 27C1U 4K has soured that relationship, and now I cannot go back. The display colors are vibrant, it is very bright, there is ample room to run two full-size apps side-by-side, and it works seamlessly with a number of my mobile devices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne cool feature is the support for PIP, where multiple input signals for multiple devices is supported. I can view content from my Surface Book and Samsung smartphone at the same time with enough room on the display to use and interact with two devices at once. The menu system is easy to navigate, and you can even set up your most commonly accessed buttons so that settings are not buried a couple of levels.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile I haven't tested many monitors in the past, I know when one works flawlessly, provides me with a stunning display experience, is affordable, and does everything I need with ease. I love the fact that I can now have one monitor that lets me easily switch between a PC, Samsung device, iPad, or gaming console with the ability to even view two input signals at once.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"6ce0e79b-438d-497b-ab2b-ff7b960d3851\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F6ce0e79b-438d-497b-ab2b-ff7b960d3851\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-03-24 18:06:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A two-monitor setup is standard for me and one that supports easy connectivity to a Samsung device or other mobile tech makes the monitor that much more useful. The Innocn 27C1U is an affordable, lovely monitor that is perfect for enhanced productivity.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"3c66420a-5166-490d-a165-2b8c23ef278a",image:{id:"54b0ba52-b5db-4d84-a15d-d5c0b518f4e2",filename:"20220324-072411.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-03-24 17:56:15",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"innocn-27-4k-monitor-9.jpg",credits:"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F24\u002F54b0ba52-b5db-4d84-a15d-d5c0b518f4e2\u002F20220324-072411.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1409,height:1057,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Smart Office^Office Hardware & Appliances",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"innocn-27c1u-4k-computer-monitor",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Innocn 27C1U 4K computer monitor review: Gorgeous, bright, quick to connect",topic:{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1136d09c-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"samsung",name:"Samsung",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1147b242-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"smartphones",name:"Smartphones",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"116c1d92-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"tablets",name:"Tablets",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2a142269-ad72-4347-a8d7-cbab9a2f6346",username:"chris_matyszczyk",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Chris",lastName:"Matyszczyk",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"dc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42",filename:"chris-matyszczyk.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:17:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fdc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42\u002Fchris-matyszczyk.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who now runs the consultancy Howard Raucous LLC. In 2013, Mediapost named him the Most Influential Person on Madison Avenue. His writing has been published all over the world, most recently on CNET.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f2bb6521-1fdb-4b76-88e8-d0add5cf26c0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThey love it. They really do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by ZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"screen-shot-2022-03-29-at-4-09-02-pm.png\" data-image-filename=\"screen-shot-2022-03-29-at-4-09-02-pm.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F03\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"1682\" data-image-height=\"806\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe world seems to have come to terms with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Ftopic\u002Fwindows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sort of terms that come with conditions and make you agree to them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 looks more lovely than Windows 10, and, despite some initial rough patches, relative peace has descended upon the Windows firmament.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"637906dc-92c9-4c02-9a97-f798c806d664\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ZDNet Recommends: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 -- Windows 11 choice\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"surface-pro-8-770x433.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"4c0a3130-bd39-46ed-b0bf-a58292da46d5","filename":"surface-pro-8-770x433.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F23\u002F4c0a3130-bd39-46ed-b0bf-a58292da46d5\u002Fsurface-pro-8-770x433.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-23 14:40:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"4c0a3130-bd39-46ed-b0bf-a58292da46d5","imageFilename":"surface-pro-8-770x433.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F23"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMicrosoft-Surface-Tablet-i5-1135G7-Platinum\u002Fdp\u002FB09GW8GDM1\" data-offerprice=\"1298.98\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis isn't enough for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fmicrosoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. It clearly wants you to feel love. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows, it insists, brings you closer to the things you love. Despite \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-says-this-is-the-ultimate-truth-about-windows-11-i-still-dont-get-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etruly trying\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, I've been unable to grasp what this means.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has tried \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-says-this-is-the-ultimate-truth-about-windows-11-i-still-dont-get-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eseveral iterations of communication\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. All have left me emptily bemused.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo now Redmond is trying the really big sell. It's just released \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=mNXw08CYSWY\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ean ad\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that declares engineers love Windows 11. Well, two engineers. Well, two engineers who are twins and somewhat popular on TikTok.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMalik and Miles are both MIT students who enjoy more than 60,000 followers on the former dance app. Their aim, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmalikandmiles.com\u002Fabout-us\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethey say\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, is to get PhDs in Biological Engineering.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir inner joy, however, is to commune with Windows 11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey're an engaging pair. They enter the ad by explaining they're scientists, they're engineers, and they dance. That's a heady mixture I wish I could get closer to.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat role, you may wonder, does Windows 11 play? Does it help them create better, quicker science? Does it help them find superlative engineering solutions?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a way.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"youtube_video\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-oembed=\"{"author_name":"Windows","author_url":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fwww.youtube.com\\\u002Fmicrosoftwindows","height":113,"html":"\u003Ciframe width=\\"200\\" height=\\"113\\" src=\\"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fwww.youtube.com\\\u002Fembed\\\u002FmNXw08CYSWY?autoplay=0&amp;loop=0&amp;fs=1&amp;start=0&amp;rel=1&amp;feature=oembed\\" frameborder=\\"0\\" allow=\\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\\" allowfullscreen\u003E\u003C\\\u002Fiframe\u003E","provider_name":"YouTube","provider_url":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fwww.youtube.com\\\u002F","thumbnail_height":360,"thumbnail_url":"https:\\\u002F\\\u002Fi.ytimg.com\\\u002Fvi\\\u002FmNXw08CYSWY\\\u002Fhqdefault.jpg","thumbnail_width":480,"title":"Windows 11 | Brings you closer | Fun STEM Videos","type":"video","version":"1.0","width":200}\" data-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FmNXw08CYSWY\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-loop=\"false\" data-start=\"0\" data-fs=\"true\" data-rel=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"One of the biggest features I use,\" says Miles, \"is multiple desktops. By just swiping the screen, I go from being a student to being a gamer.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMembers of MIT's philosophy department might wonder why you can't be a student and a gamer at the same time. They'll point out you could be studying on your laptop while playing a game on your phone. Or vice-versa. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI don't suffer from such pedantry, of course.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut what about Malik? Well, he adores Snap Assist, which lets him have all his important applications on at once. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's difficult asking two large brains to summarize in a few words why they love Windows 11, even if they're being paid. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese two engineers are, however, pursuing a noble cause. If they insist Windows 11 helps them be TikToking mentors to aspiring young scientists, I support their sincerity. (As if they're so old themselves.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEspecially as commenters on their TikTok channel have already seen this ad and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tiktok.com\u002F@malikandmiles\u002Fvideo\u002F7078847436860427566?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoffered\u003C\u002Fa\u003E uncontrolled enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESample: \"This is the reason my parents let me have TikTok.\" Good work, young person. You've learned how to con your parents.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, then, Microsoft has found a way to express a little of Windows 11's joy by showing that engineers can be fun people.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis represents progress, in so many ways.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-04-01 10:00:02",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Redmond won't stop until you feel pure adoration for its latest operating system.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bba016af-ce2a-4f30-9e61-ffd8d6f81188",image:{id:"f2bb6521-1fdb-4b76-88e8-d0add5cf26c0",filename:"screen-shot-2022-03-29-at-4-09-02-pm.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-03-29 23:12:12",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"screen-shot-2022-03-29-at-4-09-02-pm.png",credits:"Screenshot by ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EThey love it. They really do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F29\u002Ff2bb6521-1fdb-4b76-88e8-d0add5cf26c0\u002Fscreen-shot-2022-03-29-at-4-09-02-pm.png",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1682,height:806,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Companies^Microsoft",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"engineers-just-love-windows-11-says-microsoft",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Engineers just love Windows 11 (says Microsoft)",topic:{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EFor nearly a decade, Microsoft product planners have been chasing a dream of running Android apps on Windows. Last June, as part of the announcement of Windows 11, the company went public with its intentions. And as of February 2022, those plans have \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-starts-rolling-out-android-apps-for-windows-11-other-new-features-to-mainstream-users\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecoalesced into a shipping feature\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter installing the Windows Subsystem for Android on several test PCs, I can confirm that it works as advertised. But as with Windows 11 itself, system requirements (and geographical restrictions) mean that many users are unable to test the new feature for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're among those who can install and run the necessary bits, be prepared to be underwhelmed by the extremely limited selection of apps. There's good reason for the scarcity, though; the Android-on-Windows feature (which is still officially in Preview) doesn't use Google's version of Android, nor does it allow access to the enormous collection of apps in the Google Play Store.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"bfde5059-2927-482c-8c9f-48dfb927bfbb\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ZDNet Recommends: HP Elite Dragonfly G2 -- Best Windows laptop for professionals\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"hp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236","filename":"hp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2020\u002F01\u002F03\u002F0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236\u002Fhp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2020-01-03 21:18:06","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236","imageFilename":"hp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020\u002F01\u002F03"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hp.com\u002Fus-en\u002Fshop\u002FConfigureView?urlLangId=&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&storeId=10151&catEntryId=3074457345619924318&quantity=1&source=aw&subacctid=423585&subacctname=CNET+Media+Group&adcampaigngroup=91539&awc=7168_1645712428_5f3e61cb506890c6331db0011758c48f&jumpid=af_gen_nc_ns&utm_medium=af&utm_source=aw&utm_campaign=CNET+Media+Group\" data-offerprice=\"2942.00\" data-offermerchant=\"HP\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead, the Windows Subsystem for Android runs a virtualized build of Android that's based on the Android Open Source Project, with apps delivered via the Amazon Appstore.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b0424593-b40e-4edc-8cba-e039d6556d07\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Amazon Appstore has the Kindle app, but not much else.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Amazon\" data-image-alt-text=\"amazon-appstore-selection.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"amazon-appstore-selection.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F02\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"2880\" data-image-height=\"1920\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough there are more than 1,000 apps in the Amazon Appstore, the overwhelming majority are games. The only two marquee apps available are, naturally, from Amazon: the Kindle app, for reading ebooks purchased from Amazon, and the Audible app, for listening to audiobooks. On a Windows 11-powered tablet like the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"3ab1810e-c0ec-4b1d-b53e-89f26d3978f2\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FNEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Touch-Screen\u002Fdp\u002FB07YNJ6R9P\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro X\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003Eor \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"789ee76d-8270-4db4-aa97-eab509bc7377\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMicrosoft-Surface-Pro-8-13-Touchscreen\u002Fdp\u002FB09DKHYLSH\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro 8\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, running either app allows you to use your pricey laptop as if it were an \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"d5e63019-9215-4adc-aa18-9283c37454ca\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAll-new-tablet-release-without-lockscreen\u002Fdp\u002FB09KMW4YGR\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Amazon Fire tablet\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhich is ... not exactly a compelling proposition for would-be buyers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwant-to-run-android-apps-on-windows-11-you-should-have-pc-with-16gb-ram-says-microsoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWant to run Android apps on Windows 11? You need 8GB RAM but should have 16GB, says Microsoft\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Amazon Appstore didn't stock any of the apps I routinely use on Android devices. I couldn't find any home automation utilities for controlling the lighting, thermostat, and other smart home features I use every day. There were no music services (not even Amazon Music), no finance tools, and only a smattering of news-related apps: one for the \u003Cem\u003EWall Street Journal\u003C\u002Fem\u003E, another for Jeff Bezos's \u003Cem\u003EWashington Post, \u003C\u002Fem\u003Eyet another for the sports-focused \u003Cem\u003EBleacher Report\u003C\u002Fem\u003E. I was surprised to see an app for the controversial far-right cable network Newsmax.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat can you expect if you enable this feature on your own PC? I've got the details here.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"64ba6279-89d9-437c-a929-5069a48711e9\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENot every PC can take advantage of this feature. For now, the Windows Subsystem for Android is a U.S.-only feature, although that will undoubtedly change in subsequent updates. In addition, your PC must meet the following system requirements:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWindows 11 version 22000.0 or higher, any edition\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMicrosoft Store version 22202.1402.0 or later\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EArchitecture: X64 or Arm64\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProcessor: Intel Core i3 8th Gen or later, AMD Ryzen 3000 or later, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c or later\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMemory: At least 8GB of RAM (16GB is recommended)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStorage: A solid-state drive\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVirtualization: Enabled in hardware\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou don't need to chase down the specs for your system to see if your device is compatible. As with Windows 11, an automated compatibility checker is available. Open this support page:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Finstall-mobile-apps-and-the-amazon-appstore-f8d0abb5-44ad-47d8-b9fb-ad6b1459ff6c"\u003EInstall mobile apps and the Amazon Appstore\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Click the Get The Amazon Appstore link, which will prompt you to open the Microsoft Store app and find the Amazon Appstore page. Scroll down to check the compatibility details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Will my PC run the Windows Subsystem for Android?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6b84e25e-ca33-4d89-870d-e79fecb6cd17\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe compatibility section of this Store listing will alert you to compatibility issues.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"android-compatibility-check.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"android-compatibility-check.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F02\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"960\" data-image-height=\"1207\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the above screenshot shows, I was unable to install the necessary components on a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"c6447b56-257a-438b-bf7a-84c7cac11501\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FNEW-Microsoft-Surface-Go-Touch-Screen\u002Fdp\u002FB086QQNRT4\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Go 2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E; its 8th Gen Intel M3 processor is good enough to run Windows 11, but it doesn't meet the higher compatibility bar for the Android subsystem.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI was also unable to install the Android bits in a Hyper-V virtual machine, even after enabling nested virtualization. The compatibility checker complained that the virtual hard disk wasn't a solid-state drive and refused to complete the installation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI was more successful on a variety of Dell laptops and Surface devices, including the Arm-powered Surface Pro X, which handled the workload exceptionally well.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7a651ebb-d494-4f8d-a286-cdf31a547374\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe installation process is, thankfully, straightforward. First, make sure the Microsoft Store app is updated; then install the Amazon Appstore app, which automatically enables the Windows 11 Virtual Machine Platform and installs the Windows Subsystem for Android components in the background.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter installation is complete, you'll find two new shortcuts on the Windows 11 Start menu, one for the Amazon Appstore and another for the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app. The latter app gives you some control over how the Android virtual machine uses system resources.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How do I install the Windows Subsystem for Android?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"80ee1750-a451-4107-b5fe-a8e3f55b8e29\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EUse this app to adjust resource usage for the Android virtual machine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"android-subsystem-settings-app.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"android-subsystem-settings-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F02\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"2880\" data-image-height=\"1826\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"62cbdc96-390d-4fd1-b9f8-f757a61a6f10\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EOn my test system, installing the Android subsystem used roughly 1.3GB of storage for the app and related components; installing the Kindle app and downloading a few books grabbed another 1.3GB of disk space.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn operation, the Android virtual machine and running apps use a substantial amount of memory, which might explain why Microsoft says 16GB of RAM is recommended for this configuration.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can use Task Manager to monitor memory usage for the Windows Subsystem for Android. As you can see from this example, taken from the Surface Pro X with 16GB of installed RAM, the Android virtual machine itself gobbles up well over a gigabyte of memory, and the Kindle app plus its data file takes the total usage to more than 2GB.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How much memory and disk space does the Android subsystem use?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ef303c0e-899b-4eca-9477-890ae4cec5ae\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAndroid apps run in a virtual environment that uses a substantial amount of memory.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"android-subsystem-memory-usage.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"android-subsystem-memory-usage.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F02\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"1374\" data-image-height=\"1188\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"5ab75751-28dc-4f24-a7d2-cf126b7b5000\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ETo uninstall the Android components and reclaim the disk space they're using, open the Windows 11 Settings app, go to Apps &gt; Installed Apps, and scroll down to the Windows Subsystem for Android entry. Click the three dots to the right of the menu entry and then click Uninstall.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENote that uninstalling the Windows Subsystem for Android also uninstalls the Amazon Appstore and any Android apps you've installed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How do I uninstall the Windows Subsystem for Android?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"afbabd4e-14a8-4671-bb1f-0c62c10300b4\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Windows Subsystem for Android was designed for use on touch-enabled tablets, not on PCs driven by a keyboard and mouse. The Kindle app running on a Surface device with a detachable keyboard is one where that design succeeds. You can arguably take a single device on the road and use it for reading, entertainment, and running productivity apps in that configuration.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut that's just about the only success story in this early iteration of Android on Windows. The selection in Amazon's Appstore is paltry, and it's hard to imagine that any developers with A-list Android apps are going to be swayed to upload them to Amazon's store so that they can run on a tiny minority of Windows devices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis scenario might have been more sustainable in a world where Windows ran on smaller tablets, but Microsoft pretty much killed off that form factor after the Windows 8 debacle.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, for now, the Windows Subsystem on Android is mostly just a proof of concept. Microsoft couldn't crack the code for convincing developers to write native apps for its Windows tablets, and it's difficult to see anything here that makes a more persuasive&nbsp;argument.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs always, the correct answer is probably to just wait for version 3.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Is it all worth it?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-02-24 14:50:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"After years of development, Microsoft has finally shipped its virtualized Android-on-Windows subsystem. But a paltry selection of apps and excessive resource demands make this option hard to recommend.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"f3e59e0c-1735-4007-93dc-9240ea8e2dca",image:{id:"b0424593-b40e-4edc-8cba-e039d6556d07",filename:"amazon-appstore-selection.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-02-23 23:30:27",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"amazon-appstore-selection.jpg",credits:"Amazon",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EThe Amazon Appstore has the Kindle app, but not much else. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F02\u002F23\u002Fb0424593-b40e-4edc-8cba-e039d6556d07\u002Famazon-appstore-selection.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2880,height:1920,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"android-on-windows-11-is-it-worth-the-effort",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Android on Windows 11: Is it worth the effort?",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"116c1d92-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"tablets",name:"Tablets",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"b0fb3d1e-3e24-473d-9325-eaaf1980f7c7",slug:"android",name:"Android",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a7ecc6fa-8176-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Mary Jo Foley",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Mary Jo",lastName:"Foley",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94",filename:"mary-jo-foley.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:57:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94\u002Fmary-jo-foley.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 30 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNET, eWeek, and Baseline. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008). She also is the co-host of the \"Windows Weekly\" podcast on the TWiT network. \r\n\r\nGot a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips, and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b46395e3-4acd-4e48-9ddd-f8e2ac9b0662\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's new Surface Laptop SE running Windows 11 SE, both optimized for the education market.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Credit: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"surfacelaptopsewin11se.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surfacelaptopsewin11se.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F11\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"8000\" data-image-height=\"4500\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft is taking the wraps off a new Windows 11 SKU called Windows 11 SE, as well as a new \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"880ad3c6-5b3d-40ab-be7b-5423e00925d2\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsurface\u002Fbusiness\u002Fsurface-laptop-se\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Laptop SE\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E device today, November 9. The new Windows 11 edition is a simplified version of Microsoft's newest OS release, customized for the K-12 education market. The new Surface Laptop SE, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"a5db6985-07f3-4a02-8dff-c579f2ae4d3d\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsurface\u002Fbusiness\u002Fsurface-laptop-se\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"which starts at $250\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, is targeted at the same space. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EMicrosoft rolled out the Windows 11 SE release and device simultaneously with its virtual \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Freimagine-education-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EReimagine: What's Next for Education event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on November 8. The existence of both \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-to-try-again-to-reach-the-k-12-market-with-a-new-low-cost-surface-laptop-report\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Windows 11 SE SKU and the laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E were reported a couple of weeks ago by Windows Central.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESee also: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhich-microsoft-surface-pc-is-right-for-you\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best Surface PC: Every Surface device is Windows 11-ready\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feducationblog.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Fimagining-a-new-era-of-education\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 SE\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (which I'd think stands for Student Edition or School Edition, but which Microsoft claims doesn't stand for anything in particular) will only be available preloaded on new devices for the education market. It won't be available for existing devices or made available separately for users to install on any other devices. It will be available pre-installed on PCs that are available via education purchasing channels. It won't be actively sold to business users or consumers. Schools can pave their Windows 11 SE devices and reinstall any legitimate Windows version for which they have a license, but once they do this, they cannot go back to Windows 11 SE, according to Microsoft.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"d9e698c1-4d2b-47b1-b621-ac3429e42672\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Surface Laptop SE\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"73a5baf6-e374-4098-b878-7a3f5fd90d87","filename":"microsoft-surface-se.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fimage-resizer.prod.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F09\u002F73a5baf6-e374-4098-b878-7a3f5fd90d87\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-se.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-11-09 17:31:28","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"73a5baf6-e374-4098-b878-7a3f5fd90d87","imageFilename":"microsoft-surface-se.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021\u002F11\u002F09"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsurface\u002Fbusiness\u002Fsurface-laptop-se\" data-offerprice=\"249\" data-offermerchant=\"Microsoft\" data-usemonetization=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMicrosoft is positioning Windows 11 SE, which was codenamed \"Hailey,\"  as providing a simple, distraction-free environment for students and school admins. It will open apps full-screen, will not support widgets and only allow two choices of side-by-side snapped-app grids. As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-acknowledges-its-dropping-its-stores-for-business-and-education-in-early-2023\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft is discontinuing its Microsoft Store for Education\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Windows 11 SE won't include a built-in Store for apps, but it will enable admins and\u002For students to download a somewhat curated set of third-party apps, including Chrome and Zoom. Microsoft is touting Microsoft 365 for Education, which will enable students to have offline copies of the key Office apps and store their work locally in case they don't have Internet access outside school, is well-suited, though optional, for Windows 11 SE devices.\u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EThere is nothing new in the Windows 11 OS itself that is designed to make device provisioning, wiping and updating easier. Microsoft says admins should use existing Intune, Intune for Education and\u002For \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-aims-to-simplify-windows-10-pc-set-up-with-windows-autopilot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Autopilot\u003C\u002Fa\u003E tools to deploy and manage Windows 11 SE devices. Of these, Intune for Education is a must; admins who want to use other non-Microsoft management tools should opt for an OS other than Windows 11 SE, Microsoft says.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft built \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsurface\u002Fbusiness\u002Fsurface-laptop-se\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Laptop SE\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to be its own first-party device for the K-8 education market running Windows 11 SE. Various OEMs, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Dynabook, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and other PC makers also will be rolling out their own Windows 11 SE PCs. Microsoft officials said they expect the majority of these devices to be available for ordering through education channels later this year and into 2022. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003ESurface Laptop SE, seemingly codenamed \"Vivian,\" is a plastic-encased device with an 11.6-inch screen, front-facing 720-pixel camera and accessible screws on the bottom to make it easily repairable. Surface Laptop SE uses the same keyboard and trackpad as Surface Laptop Go. It Surface Laptop SE features an Intel Celeron processor (N4020 or 4120), 4 GB or 8GB of memory and 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage. It has a USB-A and USB-C port, plus a barrel-type power connector. Microsoft is claiming 16 hours of \"typical\" usage battery life (which, based on my experience, will be 8 hours, at best). Unlike most recent Surface PCs, the Laptop SE has a 16:9 ratio, rather than 3:2 (maybe to save on the cost of components?). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has pursued a variety of strategies as part of its Chromebook-compete efforts for the past several years. It introduced the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-takes-aim-at-schools-consumers-and-businesses-with-surface-go-tablets-starting-at-399\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Go in 2018, with the EDU market\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as one of its primary audiences. Because the Go wasn't truly \"low-cost,\" -- as it started at $400 without a keyboard or pen (both costing extra) --  it's not clear how much success it has had in that market. Microsoft also planned to try to win over the education market with its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-10x-microsofts-cloud-powered-chrome-os-competitor-inches-closer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10X operating system\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which it \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-officially-acknowledges-windows-10x-isnt-happening\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edropped before it ever came to market\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Microsoft officials have said that many of 10X's planned features were included in Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUpdate (November 9)\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Here are a few additional interesting tidbits from Microsoft's FAQ about Windows 11 SE.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe recently announced \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-to-add-new-education-focused-m365-a1-per-device-subscription-plan\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft 365 A1 per-device license\u003C\u002Fa\u003E does figure in with Windows 11 SE. That new $38-per-device license that is good for six years actually comes with Windows 11 SE, Teams, Office, OneNote and Class Notebook, plus other \"education centered\" apps like Minecraft: Education Edition, Flipgrid and Reading Progress. And this new license also includes Intune for Education.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 SE is definitely not as restrictive as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-switching-out-of-windows-10-s-mode-will-be-free-for-all\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10 in S Mode\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is\u002Fwas. However, the types of apps customers can install and run natively will be limited to six categories: Content-filtering apps, test-taking apps, accessibility apps, classroom communication apps, diagnostics\u002Fmanagement\u002Fconnectivity and supportability apps and browsers. Students won't be able to download things like games, YouTube, etc. on Windows 11 SE by design. It's supposed to be a platform for running a set of apps curated by school IT\u002Fadmins.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 SE won't be the only education-focused version of Windows 11, going forward. Microsoft will continue to offer  Windows 11 Pro Education and Windows 11 Education. Microsoft considers Windows 11 SE a \"cloud-first edition of Windows 11\" that is more controlled by IT than Pro Education, which allows students and others to install apps on their own devices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2021-11-09 17:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft is taking on Chromebooks yet again with its new Surface Laptop SE, which runs a simplified version of Windows 11, called Windows 11 SE.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"6f1744ea-0057-4f90-8a4d-e2635366a3d1",image:{id:"73a5baf6-e374-4098-b878-7a3f5fd90d87",filename:"microsoft-surface-se.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-11-09 17:31:28",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"win11sestartmenu.png",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F09\u002F73a5baf6-e374-4098-b878-7a3f5fd90d87\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-se.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1534,height:1014,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-introduces-windows-11-se-new-250-surface-laptop-se-for-education-market",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft introduces Windows 11 SE, new $250 Surface Laptop SE for education market",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"863fe219-de4d-4c2d-9e95-55e19301075a",slug:"education",name:"Education",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a0de22ce-dbed-419b-9a97-562689032701",username:"kwan2035",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"June",lastName:"Wan",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51",filename:"1549928918804.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-03 20:04:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F03\u002F4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51\u002F1549928918804.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"June, who often goes by Kerry, serves as Technology Editor of ZDNET and is based in New York City. He reviews the latest consumer gadgets and shares advice to make the most out of them. When June isn't drooling over the next best thing, he's probably being let down by the Los Angeles Lakers.",profile:c,title:"Technology Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"256e4013-468c-431c-99dc-0325461daf42\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Espresso Display (V2, 15-inch)\" data-rating=\"3\" data-like=\"Sleek industrial design ~ Touchscreen support for MacOS ~ Plug-and-play via USB-C ~ Magnetic mount is great for landscape and portrait use\" data-dislike=\"Expensive ~ Monitor is wobbly ~ Glossy display is not ideal ~ Speakers are subpar\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"07\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-07-03T14:23:00.859Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"07\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-07-03T14:23:00.859Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"5fa2dd94-d23d-4ff2-9323-50de89237faa","filename":"espresso-monitor-1.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F06\u002F5fa2dd94-d23d-4ff2-9323-50de89237faa\u002Fespresso-monitor-1.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-06 14:38:06","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"5fa2dd94-d23d-4ff2-9323-50de89237faa","imageFilename":"espresso-monitor-1.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F06"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"499","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Espresso","offerPrice":"499","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fespres.so\u002Fproducts\u002Fespressodisplays?","url":""}]\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you're working from home, the office, or a bit of both, chances are you've considered adding a monitor or two to your computing setup. While choosing the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fsmart-office\u002Fhow-to-choose-the-right-monitor-layout-for-working-from-home\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eright monitor layout\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can be a pain in the rear, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-portable-monitor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eportable monitor\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a great starting point. They're mobile, take up less space than traditional displays, and often come at a cheaper price. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"3b5b0eef-d91b-4939-97c4-faaaee2ae059\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F3b5b0eef-d91b-4939-97c4-faaaee2ae059\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat mostly holds true with the Espresso Display V2, save for the cheaper price bit. Fundamentally, the Display V2 serves as a primary or secondary screen, mirroring or extending from your desktop, laptop, or mobile device -- much like every other portable monitor. Where the Display V2 differentiates itself is in design and form factor, which the company touts as the thinnest and lightest on the market. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 15-inch touchscreen model that I've been testing \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"102c0db6-f55a-4e15-8343-c98b8490a0ab\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"costs $499\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, which isn't the most expensive portable monitor out there, but it's a marginal step up from the sub-$200 offerings that you'd typically find on \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"3b18fab9-5438-427e-a4fc-dd75518870d3\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fs?k=portable+monitor&i=electronics&crid=24ZP2PE8N0I59&sprefix=portable+monitor%2Celectronics%2C82&ref=nb_sb_noss_1\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Amazon\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Here's my review of it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpecifications\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESize\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E359x256x5.3mm\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisplay\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1920x1080p at 60Hz\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBrightness\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E300 nits\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAspect ratio\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E16:9\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWeight\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E865g\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuild material\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluminum\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompatibility\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMac, Windows, Android, iOS, tablets\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrice\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd spellcheck=\"false\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"877a57b3-edfc-4f67-82d0-460d608130e0\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$499\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDesigned for minimalists\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c8c2b063-cf14-455b-878d-65a0f0db1ab3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe 15-inch display produces punchy and sharp-looking images. I wish it was matte instead of glossy, though.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"espresso-monitor-ports\" data-image-filename=\"espresso-monitor-display1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPart of the reason for Espresso's lofty asking price is its industrial design. The Display V2's record-setting claim is backed by 5.3mm of thickness and 620g (for the 13-inch model). The monitor is as thin as portable monitors come, which makes it excellent for slipping into a backpack, flexing around the home office, and carrying from place to place. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEqually impressive is the aeronautical-grade, aluminum unibody that gives the Display V2 its sturdy and metallic figure. Typically with cheaper monitors (often made with plastic), you'll hear the slightest creaking when moving them around and fidgeting between orientations. That hasn't been the case with this model, and I've felt comfortable enough tucking it in a bag with my laptop, books, and all. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d525a901-64a3-42dd-881c-b6b07048dd9c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EDon't worry, a hidden layer of cushioning separates the Display V2 from the laptop.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"espresso-monitor-backpack\" data-image-filename=\"espresso-monitor-backpack.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe monitor has two USB-C ports for display connection and nothing more. Gone is the 3.5mm headphone jack that was on the V1 model, and you won't find any HDMI or USB port on the monitor, either. This can be a dealbreaker for some, especially if you're eyeing a portable monitor to use as a standalone device. At the same time, the minimal, one-cable-rules-all approach is what makes the Display V2 as thin as it is.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-portable-monitor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBest portable monitors to get work done\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow it works\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, I should mention that the Display V2, by default, is sold as a monitor only. The magnetic stand that turns it into a mini iMac display costs extra ($69), as do all the other practical accessories that Espresso suggests you use. From my week of using the monitor, I think the magnetic stand plays too significant of a role to be sold separately. Not only does it allow you to easily rotate the Display V2 from landscape to portrait mode, but it offers two tilt points for flexible viewing. I'd happily pay for the accessory, but I wish I didn't have to.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e8a271a0-fbff-4be4-98b4-1cce390c121f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe optional magnetic stand is thin and can be folded down when not used.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"espresso-monitor-thinness\" data-image-filename=\"espresso-monitor-thinness.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESetting up the Display V2 was as simple as connecting the monitor to my primary device via the included USB-C cable. Unfortunately, other USB-C cables would register the Display V2 as a touchpad and not a monitor, so you'll want to keep the bundled cable safe and secure (but if you want a $499 touchpad, then that's cool, too).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI tested the Display V2 with a MacBook Pro, Windows desktop, and Android phone, all of which successfully detected the monitor and naturally extended their content onto it soon after. With a 16:9, 60Hz, 1920 x 1080p panel, the Display V2 does an adequate job of displaying webpages, pictures, and videos. You can connect it to a Nintendo Switch as well, but don't expect the best graphics and performance, even at $499.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make the most out of the touchscreen, you'll want to download \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"63122928-b827-4c9b-811b-de9bc829421f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fespres.so\u002Fdownload\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Espresso Flow\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, a Mac- and Windows-supported software that enables multi-touch gestures and motion-based detection for when you rotate the monitor. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fsmart-office\u002Fhow-to-choose-the-right-monitor-layout-for-working-from-home\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to choose the right monitor layout for WFH\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5ac88c1c-8213-4644-b06e-72f70c0cc139\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPortrait orientation is great for long-form, vertical content.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"espresso-monitor-vertical\" data-image-filename=\"espresso-monitor-vertical.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are bottom-firing speakers on the monitor, but you're better off using the native one(s) of your connected device. It's certainly astounding how Espresso managed to cram a functioning speaker into the chassis, but in its pursuit of slimness, the actual audio performance takes a major hit. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFinally, a touchscreen for Mac\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndustrial achievements aside, the Display V2 impressed me the most by doing something that even Apple cannot: giving touchscreen support for my MacBook. As many \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-results-are-in-zdnets-linkedin-fans-want-a-touchscreen-macbook-too\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZDNET contributors and readers have opined\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a MacBook with a touchscreen would make one of the best productivity machines even better. While the Display V2 doesn't turn your actual MacBook display into a touchscreen, it does replicate the content, allowing you to interact with taps, presses, and swipes. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile it was fun interacting with MacOS in a different manner, the operating system was not designed for it. That means that certain elements, like the red exit button in Safari, are way too small to tap on. Expect frequent mis-presses that only Espresso's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"d9c0dfd7-1328-4829-8493-f5789911fea3\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fespres.so\u002Fespresso-sketch\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$79 stylus\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E can solve.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdear-apple-we-need-a-touchscreen-macbook-the-surface-laptop-studio-proves-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDear Apple, we need a touchscreen MacBook\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5fa2dd94-d23d-4ff2-9323-50de89237faa\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOne cable is all that separates Apple's reluctance and a touchscreen MacBook dream.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"espresso-monitor-1\" data-image-filename=\"espresso-monitor-1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"5bcef1b8-3e3a-4240-a94d-c364e0ad653b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Espresso Display V2\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"c8c2b063-cf14-455b-878d-65a0f0db1ab3","filename":"espresso-monitor-display1.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F06\u002Fc8c2b063-cf14-455b-878d-65a0f0db1ab3\u002Fespresso-monitor-display1.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-06 16:43:02","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"c8c2b063-cf14-455b-878d-65a0f0db1ab3","imageFilename":"espresso-monitor-display1.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F06"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442\" data-offerprice=\"499\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EShould you buy it?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"5ae6f80b-b99a-42b0-9e50-d080f3a37e5f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fespresso-Display-Touchscreen-Portable-External\u002Fdp\u002FB09WMX6442\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Espresso Display V2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is the thinnest portable monitor in the world, which means, by design, there are benefits and drawbacks. For traveling business people, hybrid workers, and digital nomads, the enhanced portability and simple set-up will be greatly appreciated. For remote and stationary workers, the ability to flex between display orientations and interact via touch comes in handy. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe things I'd watch out for are the subpar speakers, additional upcharges for accessories, and the glossy display panel, especially if you work near windows. If you can shoulder these limitations, then the Espresso Display V2 is as good as portable monitors get.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAlternatives to consider\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill on the fence? Here are some formidable alternatives to the espresso Display V2:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"06ffefe2-27c2-40e0-96a0-6864c60eb817\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Lenovo ThinkVision M14t\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"180633ce-8788-4e3d-bf8f-fd824f697f0e","filename":"lenovo-thinkvision-m14t.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F08\u002F180633ce-8788-4e3d-bf8f-fd824f697f0e\u002Flenovo-thinkvision-m14t.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-08 15:46:24","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"180633ce-8788-4e3d-bf8f-fd824f697f0e","imageFilename":"lenovo-thinkvision-m14t.png","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F08"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FThinkVision-USB-C-Mobile-Monitor-Screen\u002Fdp\u002FB08L6SLRG6\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Flenovo-thinkvision-m14t-14-led-mobile-monitor-with-touch-screen-169-14-class-1920-x-1080-full-hd-black\u002F6474460.p?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Lenovo ThinkVision M14t is another touchscreen-enabled, portable monitor that supports USB-C passthrough. While not as flexible as espresso's monitor-stand setup, you're still able to tilt the display up and down and station it in portrait mode. There are no built-in speakers, though. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"e8249d60-a9ab-46e5-9629-2ec5e734773d\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ASUS ROG Strix 17.3'' Gaming Monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"asus-rog-strix-portable-monitor.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"ASUS","imageData":{"id":"bbc45019-b0fa-43d0-8a8d-f25d36590081","filename":"asus-rog-strix-portable-monitor.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F21\u002Fbbc45019-b0fa-43d0-8a8d-f25d36590081\u002Fasus-rog-strix-portable-monitor.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-21 13:20:25","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"bbc45019-b0fa-43d0-8a8d-f25d36590081","imageFilename":"asus-rog-strix-portable-monitor.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F21"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"ASUS\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0845Y1FRN\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're eyeing a portable monitor for on-the-go gaming, then check out the ASUS ROG Strix. It has a much larger panel at 17.3 inches and refreshes at 240Hz (compared to the espresso's 60Hz). ASUS also crammed in a built-in battery that should last up to three hours per charge.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"5a771170-1a9d-41b8-afe1-9d45b10e33aa\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ViewSonic 15.6'' Touchscreen Monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"viewsonic-15-6-touchscreen.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"2f8401dd-d267-42f3-a188-5a8bd52f4f79","filename":"viewsonic-15-6-touchscreen.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F08\u002F2f8401dd-d267-42f3-a188-5a8bd52f4f79\u002Fviewsonic-15-6-touchscreen.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-08 15:53:37","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"2f8401dd-d267-42f3-a188-5a8bd52f4f79","imageFilename":"viewsonic-15-6-touchscreen.png","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F08"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FViewSonic-Portable-Touchscreen-Frameless-TD1655\u002Fdp\u002FB08778F756\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a no-frills portable monitor, we'd recommend this 15.6-inch, touchscreen offering from ViewSonic. It's not competing with espresso to be the thinnest display out there; the thick side tray houses two USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-11-11 19:47:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Review: The Espresso Display V2 has a 15-inch panel that's just 5.3mm thin while giving touchscreen functionality to Mac and Windows computers.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"882424ae-c78a-4826-bf4c-3f0bfcf66bcf",image:{id:"c0c684dc-4ccb-41b7-b310-1612da40d83e",filename:"espresso-monitor-1.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-06 15:33:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"espresso-monitor-thinness",credits:"June Wan\u002FZDNet",caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F06\u002Fc0c684dc-4ccb-41b7-b310-1612da40d83e\u002Fespresso-monitor-1.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:6000,height:3376,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Smart Office^Office Hardware & Appliances",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"want-a-touchscreen-macbook-this-portable-monitor-makes-it-possible",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Want a touchscreen MacBook? This portable monitor makes it possible",topic:{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"6b5d3adf-f429-447b-b93f-469fefe712c5",slug:"office-furniture",name:"Office Furniture",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a0de22ce-dbed-419b-9a97-562689032701",username:"kwan2035",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"June",lastName:"Wan",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51",filename:"1549928918804.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-03 20:04:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F03\u002F4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51\u002F1549928918804.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"June, who often goes by Kerry, serves as Technology Editor of ZDNET and is based in New York City. He reviews the latest consumer gadgets and shares advice to make the most out of them. When June isn't drooling over the next best thing, he's probably being let down by the Los Angeles Lakers.",profile:c,title:"Technology Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3cffc32c-9f3e-4b76-b7ce-72f1918502cd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The MSI Prestige 13 Evo open on a red table top.\" data-image-filename=\"dsc02990.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMSI had my undivided attention back in CES when it demoed a stylus that could \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-laptop-stylus-that-can-strangely-write-on-paper-is-my-favorite-ces-gadget\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewrite on both paper and screen\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. It was also at that time when the company gave me a taste of its lightest laptop yet: The \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"fbcbbda9-aac4-4152-be07-f87e754b61ed\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fstellar-gray-msi-prestige-13evo-a13m-050us-work-business\u002Fp\u002FN82E16834156440?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"MSI Prestige 13 Evo\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. It weighs just shy of 2.2 pounds, making it impossible not to draw comparisons between the burdenless framework and that of Apple's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"0d1ed064-f163-45fa-a113-3197d7d7607e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002F2022-Apple-MacBook-Laptop-chip\u002Fdp\u002FB0B3C2R8MP\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Macbook Air\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. While the M2 variant of the Apple laptop has remained my go-to for mobile computing, in many ways, the lesser-known MSI does the ultraportable better.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fusb-port-problems-this-handy-kit-tests-usb-ports-for-under-25\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThis handy $24 kit can help you troubleshoot USB problems\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Prestige 13 Evo comes with a matte, glare-free, 13-inch display, a privacy-shuttered webcam that supports Windows Hello, up to 32GB of RAM, and all the ports you'd want, including \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fhome-entertainment\u002Fbest-hdmi-cable\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHDMI\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and USB-A. MSI tells me the base $999 model (12th Gen Intel Core i5 with 16GB RAM) will be available by the end of this month, so I'd wait until then if you're looking to save money. For now, I'd recommend opting for the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"0ba63a9e-16c6-4465-ab94-bb0031587ebe\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fmsi-prestige-13evo-a13m-074us\u002Fp\u002FN82E16834156465?\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fstellar-gray-msi-prestige-13evo-a13m-050us-work-business%2Fp%2FN82E16834156440\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"higher-end\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E Core i7, 16GB RAM, and 1TB model which costs less than the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8f9d1e7d-e392-4e80-a358-4464adf6286d\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fmacbook-air-13-6-laptop-apple-m2-chip-8gb-memory-512gb-ssd-latest-model-midnight\u002F6509651.p?skuId=6509651\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"specced-out MacBook Air\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E but has twice the storage size.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"86228c85-e99e-45c5-9058-5e640a595315\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the MSI Prestige 13 Evo\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"aed9e52b-8489-4f36-a8ca-93f063d04416","filename":"dsc02973.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F14\u002Faed9e52b-8489-4f36-a8ca-93f063d04416\u002Fdsc02973.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-03-14 16:48:43","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"aed9e52b-8489-4f36-a8ca-93f063d04416","imageFilename":"dsc02973.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F03\u002F14"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fmsi-prestige-13evo-a13m-074us\u002Fp\u002FN82E16834156465?\" data-offerprice=\"1299\" data-offermerchant=\"Newegg\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fstellar-gray-msi-prestige-13evo-a13m-050us-work-business\u002Fp\u002FN82E16834156440\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy past few weeks of testing the MSI laptop have been refreshing. As someone who needs a work machine that's just as reliable on the go as it is when \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop-docking-station\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edocked to an external monitor\u003C\u002Fa\u003E at home, I've been leaning more towards Apple's M1 and M2 laptops for their efficiency and no-frills performance. While benchmarks suggest that the Prestige 13 Evo's Intel system is not as efficient as devices powered by Apple silicon, the overall user experience of the laptop is enough to replace them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBest Windows laptops you can buy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFlexibility is what sells the MSI laptop for me, from the slew of ports to the duality of biometric identification support (facial scan and fingerprint sensor). Switching gears from the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESamsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra\u003C\u002Fa\u003E I recently reviewed, it was a welcome surprise to see similar features trickle down to the less-expensive MSI laptop, including HDMI support, a MicroSD card slot, and a USB-A port. It's rare to find them on a 13-inch build, let alone one that is built with nimbleness in mind.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"22201238-291f-4c03-8732-6cd3ac95822d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"A close-up shot of the ports on the MSI Prestige 13 Evo\" data-image-filename=\"dsc03002.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore impressively, MSI managed to cram in a 75Wh battery in the Prestige 13 Evo, giving it a rated endurance of 15 hours per charge. I got about 12 hours of usage before needing to whip out the included 65W charger, but that's still impressive when compared to similar-sized laptops that score in the 8 to 10 hours range, sometimes lower. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmsi-stealth-14-studio-review-gaming-laptop-portable-powerhouse\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI tried the new MSI Stealth 14 Studio and it's a portable powerhouse\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe enhanced battery life can mostly be attributed to the 75Wh capacity, though I'd also credit the generous spread of vents beaming out from the back of the laptop, as well as the lower-resolution, 1080p display. The latter of which is not a dealbreaker by any means; most content that we consume nowadays is in 1080p resolution, and you'll barely notice the visual difference between it and a 2K panel on a 13-inch screen. But if you dabble in creative work that requires attention to detail, you're best served outside of the compact laptop market, where 2K and even 4K displays are more prevalent.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3fb835f9-7b73-4251-bcc9-dc7ac9247be0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"MSI Prestige 13 Evo's keyboard and trackpad.\" data-image-filename=\"dsc02997.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"6000\" data-image-height=\"3376\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy now, you can probably guess that while MSI specializes in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-gaming-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egaming laptops\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the Prestige 13 Evo is anything but that. There's no ultra-clicky, RGB keyboard or 144Hz display to be found here. Instead, the laptop is for those who want a portable and compact Windows computer that's capable of running the latest pro-grade apps and services, can last up to two days per charge, has a bevy of ports for creators, and won't cost an arm and a leg, relatively speaking.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-03-16 13:21:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"MSI is best known for its gaming laptops, but the Prestige 13 Evo is all about business, weighs just two pounds, and has all the ports.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"b1188c50-2c76-434e-a45c-4e48aff9d790",image:{id:"3cffc32c-9f3e-4b76-b7ce-72f1918502cd",filename:"dsc02990.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-03-14 13:44:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"The MSI Prestige 13 Evo open on a red table top.",credits:"June Wan\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F14\u002F3cffc32c-9f3e-4b76-b7ce-72f1918502cd\u002Fdsc02990.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:6000,height:3376,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"forget-the-macbook-air-this-windows-alternative-weighs-less-and-does-more",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Forget the MacBook Air: This Windows alternative weighs less and does more",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"f2d97ea2-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Adrian",lastName:"Kingsley-Hughes",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2",filename:"adrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:59:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2\u002Fadrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera. Adrian has authored\u002Fco-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include 'Build the Ultimate Custom PC', 'Beginning Programming' and 'The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide'. He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EInvesting in a laptop for school or work can be an expensive undertaking, and not everyone wants to pay thousands of dollars for the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebest Windows laptops\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If you're in the market for a new laptop but not willing to pay top dollar for a device, these affordable systems get the job done without bells and whistles or fancy branding. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-college-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 6 best laptops for college\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are a handful of Windows laptops, all priced under $400. While compiling this list, we considered price, function, speed, and performance. ZDNET's best overall pick ended up being the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"3005c30e-1d50-4974-b972-bfd4ff2142db\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAcer-Display-Graphics-Keyboard-A515-43-R19L\u002Fdp\u002FB07RF1XD36\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Acer Aspire 5\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E for its price and great display. Read on for the rest of our picks for best cheap Windows laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe best affordable Windows laptops of 2024\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"776f95b4-45cd-4ce3-b3de-83ad1d462d4f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAcer Aspire 5 specs:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay size: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E15.6-inch | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E1920 x 1080 | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E8 GB, DDR4 SDRAM | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E AMD Radeon | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Ryzen 3 3200U&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 256GB SSD&nbsp; | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E10 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is one of those budget laptops that not only looks premium, but also boasts advanced features such as Wi-Fi 6 and a substantial amount of fast storage. With a broad selection of ports and an impressively wide display, it's the perfect laptop for work or school. The battery life will last you beyond your workday, though you may want to keep the charger around. It's a simple computer with great memory and storage for your menial tasks -- and it won't cost you your entire paycheck.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Acer Aspire 5\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap Windows laptop overall\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Acer Aspire 5","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Amazon\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"3330512b-3fb1-4ea3-b089-9f0693d851c8","title":"Acer Aspire 5","filename":"acer-aspire-5.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F17\u002F3330512b-3fb1-4ea3-b089-9f0693d851c8\u002Facer-aspire-5.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":66678,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-05-17 01:57:58","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-05-17 01:58:09","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Amazon\u002FZDNET","alt":"Acer Aspire 5","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"3330512b-3fb1-4ea3-b089-9f0693d851c8","imageAltText":"Acer Aspire 5","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Amazon\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"acer-aspire-5.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F05\u002F17","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Amazon\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FAcer-Aspire-5-14-0-Full-HD-IPS-Display-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-1135G7-8GB-DDR4-256GB-M-2-NVMe-PCIe-SSD-Wi-Fi-6-AX201-802-11ax-Safari-Gold-Windows-11-H%2F945394621&subId1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Walmart","offerPrice":"430","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FAcer-Aspire-5-14-0-Full-HD-IPS-Display-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-1135G7-8GB-DDR4-256GB-M-2-NVMe-PCIe-SSD-Wi-Fi-6-AX201-802-11ax-Safari-Gold-Windows-11-H\u002F945394621","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FAcer-Aspire-5-14-0-Full-HD-IPS-Display-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-1135G7-8GB-DDR4-256GB-M-2-NVMe-PCIe-SSD-Wi-Fi-6-AX201-802-11ax-Safari-Gold-Windows-11-H%2F945394621&subId1=subid_value"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAcer-Display-Graphics-Keyboard-A515-43-R19L\u002Fdp\u002FB07RF1XD36?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"348","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAcer-Display-Graphics-Keyboard-A515-43-R19L\u002Fdp\u002FB07RF1XD36","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAcer-Display-Graphics-Keyboard-A515-43-R19L\u002Fdp\u002FB07RF1XD36?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"~ Affordable ~ Great display ~ Efficient processor\" data-dislike=\"~ Finicky touchpad\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"541e01d5-d840-48f5-a8a0-dbd8648f5445\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDell Inspiron 3510 tech specs:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 15.6 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1366 x 768 | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003ENo&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 8GB&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIntel UHD Graphics 600 | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel Celeron Processor N4020 | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 256 GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Up to 8 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Dell Inspiron 3510 is a cheap yet stylish laptop that offers decent power and performance, all for under $400. It is a good, solid, and reliable all-rounder with speedy RAM, a wide display, and all the storage you need for your school or work assignments.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Dell Inspiron 3510\" data-superlative=\"Best value cheap Windows laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Dell\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"ec4f0d39-09f0-4d0c-a4f9-904045d1903f","title":"Dell Inspiron","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-02-at-12-53-35-pm.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F02\u002Fec4f0d39-09f0-4d0c-a4f9-904045d1903f\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-02-at-12-53-35-pm.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":596332,"width":1788,"height":988,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-02 16:53:55","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-02 16:54:21","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Dell\u002FZDNET","alt":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"ec4f0d39-09f0-4d0c-a4f9-904045d1903f","imageAltText":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Dell\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-02-at-12-53-35-pm.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F02","imageWidth":1788,"imageHeight":988,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Dell\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-3510-Processor-Bluetooth\u002Fdp\u002FB0B2KLMFH9\u002Fref=sr_1_3?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"399","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-3510-Processor-Bluetooth\u002Fdp\u002FB0B2KLMFH9\u002F","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-3510-Processor-Bluetooth\u002Fdp\u002FB0B2KLMFH9\u002Fref=sr_1_3?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDell-Inspiron-15-3000-3510-Black-Laptop-Intel-Celeron-N4020-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-Capacity-Intel-Core-Windows-11-15-6-W-Webcam%2F765995632%3Fwmlspartner%3Dwlpa%26selectedSellerId%3D101031856&subId1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Walmart","offerPrice":"399","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FDell-Inspiron-15-3000-3510-Black-Laptop-Intel-Celeron-N4020-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-Capacity-Intel-Core-Windows-11-15-6-W-Webcam\u002F765995632","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDell-Inspiron-15-3000-3510-Black-Laptop-Intel-Celeron-N4020-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-Capacity-Intel-Core-Windows-11-15-6-W-Webcam%2F765995632%3Fwmlspartner%3Dwlpa%26selectedSellerId%3D101031856&subId1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"~ Easy-to-use keyboard ~High speed RAM\" data-dislike=\"~ No SSD ~ No USB-C ports ~OK battery life\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"fd84e05f-6775-40eb-90ce-7bff97870fba\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EASUS Laptop L406 Specs:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay size: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E14 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1920x1080 | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 4GB LPDDR4 | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel UHD Graphics 600 | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel Celeron N4000 | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 64GB eMMC&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 10 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThin and light aren't limited to high-end, high-priced premium devices. Here we have a solid laptop that's perfect for day-to-day tasks, and it has a modern design and premium feel. The battery life will last you well past the school day, and with a 14-inch display size and 1920 x 1080 resolution, you will get a clear and full view of your workday tasks.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"ASUS Laptop L406\" data-superlative=\"Best lightweight cheap Windows laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Asus Laptop against grey backdrop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"81351fe5-fec1-4876-90fa-9b6b54d0d4c6","title":"Asus Laptop L406","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-38-59-am.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F03\u002F81351fe5-fec1-4876-90fa-9b6b54d0d4c6\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-38-59-am.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":718600,"width":1782,"height":986,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-03 13:39:23","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-03 13:39:48","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","alt":"Asus Laptop against grey backdrop","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"81351fe5-fec1-4876-90fa-9b6b54d0d4c6","imageAltText":"Asus Laptop against grey backdrop","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-38-59-am.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F03","imageWidth":1782,"imageHeight":986,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Asus\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasus-l406ma-wh02-notebooks%2Fp%2F1TS-001A-02DR6","offerMerchant":"Newegg","offerPrice":"282","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fasus-l406ma-wh02-notebooks\u002Fp\u002F1TS-001A-02DR6","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fasus-l406ma-wh02-notebooks%2Fp%2F1TS-001A-02DR6"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FASUS-Display-Processor-Microsoft-L406MA-WH02\u002Fdp\u002FB0892WCGZM?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"263","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FASUS-Display-Processor-Microsoft-L406MA-WH02\u002Fdp\u002FB0892WCGZM","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FASUS-Display-Processor-Microsoft-L406MA-WH02\u002Fdp\u002FB0892WCGZM?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"~ Lightweight, yet durable option ~ Bright and powerful screen ~ Great battery life\" data-dislike=\"~ Trackpad could be better ~ Lacks more RAM\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"605f1867-a03c-4cda-9290-e8b51489356f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDell Inspiron 11 3195 2-in-1 specs:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 11.6 inches&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1366 x 768 | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EYes | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E4GB DDR4 | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Radeon R5 | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EAMD A9-9420E&nbsp; | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E64GB eMMC | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 14 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Dell Inspiron 11 is a great device for those who can't choose between a laptop and a tablet -- with just a flip of a hinge, you can swap between one configuration and another with ease. Choose between tablet mode, presentation mode, tent mode, and laptop mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 64GB eMMC storage means this is a more robust platform, ideal for throwing into a messenger bag or school bag since there's no hard drive to knock about.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Dell Inspiron 11 3195 2-in-1\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap Windows 2-in-1 laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Dell\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"60068773-7310-4dea-8a77-92aee496e64d","title":"Dell Inspiron","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-41-44-am.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F03\u002F60068773-7310-4dea-8a77-92aee496e64d\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-41-44-am.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":801909,"width":1786,"height":984,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-03 13:42:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-03 13:42:16","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Dell\u002FZDNET","alt":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"60068773-7310-4dea-8a77-92aee496e64d","imageAltText":"Dell Inspiron laptop against grey backdrop","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Dell\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-9-41-44-am.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F03","imageWidth":1786,"imageHeight":984,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Dell\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-A9-9420e-Graphics-LED-Backlit\u002Fdp\u002FB07S37WHS5\u002F?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"398","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-A9-9420e-Graphics-LED-Backlit\u002Fdp\u002FB07S37WHS5\u002F","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-Inspiron-A9-9420e-Graphics-LED-Backlit\u002Fdp\u002FB07S37WHS5\u002F?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDell-Inspiron-11-3195-2-1-7th-Gen-AMD-A9-9420e-W-Radeon-R5-Graphics-4GB-DDR4-2666MHz-RAM-64GB-HD-11-6-HD-1366-X-768-LED-Backlit-Touch-Display-i3195-A%2F403506320&subId1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Walmart","offerPrice":"358","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FDell-Inspiron-11-3195-2-1-7th-Gen-AMD-A9-9420e-W-Radeon-R5-Graphics-4GB-DDR4-2666MHz-RAM-64GB-HD-11-6-HD-1366-X-768-LED-Backlit-Touch-Display-i3195-A\u002F403506320","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FDell-Inspiron-11-3195-2-1-7th-Gen-AMD-A9-9420e-W-Radeon-R5-Graphics-4GB-DDR4-2666MHz-RAM-64GB-HD-11-6-HD-1366-X-768-LED-Backlit-Touch-Display-i3195-A%2F403506320&subId1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"~ Compact ~ Doubles as a touchscreen tablet ~ Great color and design\" data-dislike=\"~ Battery life could be better ~ Dimmer display\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d22adedf-29b3-42a2-a486-f34c68f483ed\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e specs:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay size: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E11.6 inches&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1366 x 768 &nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Yes | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 8 GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 605 | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Core m3-8100Y | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 256 GB&nbsp;| \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E12 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis convertible laptop also functions as a tablet, a tent, and a stand for ultimate portability. Use it like a PC, and flip it for drawing and design capabilities. The Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga offers students and professionals a wide screen display, ample storage, and a healthy battery life. The ThinkPad also comes with a stylus that's great for taking handwritten notes in class or at meetings. Plus, this 2-in-1 device is spill-resistant, a handy feature for those of us on the clumsier side.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e\" data-superlative=\"The best portable 2-in-1\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga against gray background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"60a0fd1c-47ad-43d6-85d1-4b87050f4ebc","title":"Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-02-at-11-49-14-am.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F02\u002F60a0fd1c-47ad-43d6-85d1-4b87050f4ebc\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-02-at-11-49-14-am.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":478741,"width":1788,"height":978,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-02 15:49:30","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-02 15:49:56","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","alt":"Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga against gray background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"60a0fd1c-47ad-43d6-85d1-4b87050f4ebc","imageAltText":"Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga against gray background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-02-at-11-49-14-am.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F02","imageWidth":1788,"imageHeight":978,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Lenovo\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLenovo-ThinkPad-Yoga-11e-Laptop\u002Fdp\u002FB07Q39C9R2\u002Fref=sr_1_3?hvadid=634880915642&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9060351&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9346828929333729122&hvtargid=kwd-882474463381&hydadcr=24800_13517467&keywords=thinkpad%2Byoga%2B11e%2Bgen%2B5&qid=1690901831&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3&th=1&tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"350","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLenovo-ThinkPad-Yoga-11e-Laptop\u002Fdp\u002FB07Q39C9R2\u002F","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLenovo-ThinkPad-Yoga-11e-Laptop\u002Fdp\u002FB07Q39C9R2\u002Fref=sr_1_3?hvadid=634880915642&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9060351&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9346828929333729122&hvtargid=kwd-882474463381&hydadcr=24800_13517467&keywords=thinkpad%2Byoga%2B11e%2Bgen%2B5&qid=1690901831&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3&th=1&tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-usepricing=\"false\" data-like=\"~Spill resistant ~Touchscreen ~Support stylus\" data-dislike=\"~Smaller display\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"e5a58318-e3ff-40bf-9fdf-fe85ef30ff5d\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Acer Aspire 5 is our pick for the best cheap Windows laptop. Whether you need a budget Windows laptop for work or school, the Acer Aspire 5 packs a punch at a very affordable price. It is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11, and certainly gets the job done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003Elaptop\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECPU\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisplay\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAcer Aspire 5\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E$348\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor quad-core 2.60 GHz\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E15.6 inches\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDell Inspiron 15 3000\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E$399\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EIntel Celeron Processor N4020 (4MB Cache, up to 2.8 GHz)\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E15.6 inches&nbsp;\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EASUS Laptop L406\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E$263\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EIntel Celeron N4000\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E14.0 inches\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDell Inspiron 11 2-in-1\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E$358\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAMD A9-9420E processor\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E11.6 inches\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E$350\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ECore m3-8100Y\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E11.6 inches\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\" data-hed=\"What is the best cheap Windows Laptop?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d5885e97-17b5-43b6-8547-39420ef372a8\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAny of these cheap Windows laptops are great options -- it ultimately comes down to what qualities are important to you (CPU, RAM, display, etc.), what size and weight you prefer, and what you're willing to spend.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChoose this cheap Windows laptop...\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf you want...\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EAcer Aspire 5\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EThe best overall option.\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDell Inspiron 15 3000\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EA reliable laptop for great value.\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EASUS Laptop L406\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EA lightweight Windows laptop.\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EDell Inspiron 11 2-in-1\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EA Windows laptop that also doubles as a tablet.\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ELenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EA portable option that doubles as a tablet.\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\" data-hed=\"Which cheap Windows laptop is right for you?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d497ed51-2381-45b1-913d-597c8c4607ca\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWe chose these laptops after extensive research into the product category. We compared factors like pricing, reviews (both good and bad), different specs, as well as renowned brand names in the space.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EA good laptop doesn't need to cost you over $1,000 to perform the regular responsibilities of schoolwork and job assignments.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpecs:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Some laptops have great memory, long battery life, storage, pristine resolution, and a wide display. While you don't need every single spec to be top tier just to write an essay or submit your physics homework, we compared these essential specs to other laptops on the market.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunctionality:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Some laptops are lightweight, while others weigh a ton. Some double as tablets and boast touchscreens. We considered how these aspects of the laptops would cater to a student or employee's needs.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\" data-hed=\"How did we choose these cheap Windows laptops?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"40754b25-70ab-4787-867b-58476b2e04dc\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIt's always recommended that you check the tech specs and user manual of your laptop to see what version of Windows it's running. But the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 has Windows 11 already installed, and the Acer Aspire 5 is eligible for a free Windows 11 upgrade.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Can all these laptops run Windows 11?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"168f6432-fa91-43c7-a791-092bc0018b15\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EYou're looking at a system that can handle the general activities people do at work or school (as long as they don't include things like pro-grade photo and video editing and playing games and that sort of activities). These systems are general-purpose systems, but don't expect them to handle heavy workloads.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"What are budget laptops best suited for?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d343a092-b416-4f12-8d26-c5230895d175\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-battery-life-laptop\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EBattery life\u003C\u002Fa\u003E all depends on how you're using your laptop. If you're doing very light workloads like web browsing or word processing, you'll get the maximum run time out of your new laptop. For example: the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 has a maximum battery life of 7.5 hours. So if you're just catching up on news headlines or your kids are doing homework, you'll get fairly close to that number. But if you're streaming music, movies, or shows, you'll get a bit less, and your laptop will die fairly quickly if you're trying to edit photos and videos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"What kind of battery life can I expect from a budget laptop?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"92a6b2b0-6fb0-455b-894a-27edfccaae95\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe above cheap Windows laptops are the best on the market in terms of price, functionality, and tech specs, but if you're looking for more options, here are some noteworthy alternatives to consider.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Are there alternative cheap Windows laptops worth considering?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"194c0575-c971-4353-b4f9-6b4523147fb1\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThis business student latop offers 12 hours of battery life, a 14-inch display, and a gorgeous rose gold cover, all for under $300.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"ASUS E410 \" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Asus pink laptop against grey backdrop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"f26fc23d-03b2-4688-9d57-d9d6288e3877","title":"ASUS E410","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-06-55-am.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F03\u002Ff26fc23d-03b2-4688-9d57-d9d6288e3877\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-06-55-am.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":562298,"width":1788,"height":990,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-03 14:08:07","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-03 14:08:28","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","alt":"Asus pink laptop against grey backdrop","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"f26fc23d-03b2-4688-9d57-d9d6288e3877","imageAltText":"Asus pink laptop against grey backdrop","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-06-55-am.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F03","imageWidth":1788,"imageHeight":990,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Asus\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"Best cheap Windows laptop alternative\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"264","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FASUS-Business-Student-Computer-Processor\u002Fdp\u002FB08Z5TQRRF\u002F","url":""}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"66623937-fb47-41ae-83b8-0325da751d93\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWith a processor that can handle most day-to-day tasks, enough memory for all your most important assignments, and a $300 pricetag, this Ideapad that boasts a touchscreen is your back-to-school secret weapon.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch HD Touch Screen Laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Lenovo Ideapad against grey backdrop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"9f3c3705-2027-41ee-bc00-0c34ba40704b","title":"Lenovo Ideapad","filename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-18-36-am.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F03\u002F9f3c3705-2027-41ee-bc00-0c34ba40704b\u002Fscreenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-18-36-am.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":617558,"width":1790,"height":984,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-03 14:21:06","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-03 14:21:26","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","alt":"Lenovo Ideapad against grey backdrop","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"9f3c3705-2027-41ee-bc00-0c34ba40704b","imageAltText":"Lenovo Ideapad against grey backdrop","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screenshot-2023-08-03-at-10-18-36-am.png","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F03","imageWidth":1790,"imageHeight":984,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Lenovo\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"Best cheap Windows laptop alternative\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"300","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Flenovo-ideapad-3-15-hd-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i3-1115g4-intel-uhd-graphics-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-almond\u002F6497829.p?skuId=6497829","url":""}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2050571\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Recommends\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"12922153-5c9c-495e-a36a-5dbbc9302a9f\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F12922153-5c9c-495e-a36a-5dbbc9302a9f\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E \t\u003Cbr\u003E \u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E \u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-02 19:12:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Looking for a Windows laptop but don't want to spend a fortune? The best cheap Windows laptops have decent battery lives, storage options, and more for a lower price.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"dac15bdb-4836-46c4-abfb-a347e885da69",image:{id:"b4b27372-d8ca-4050-ae9e-5325261adbae",filename:"gettyimages-887898636.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-08-03 14:27:40",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Girl typing on school laptop",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F03\u002Fb4b27372-d8ca-4050-ae9e-5325261adbae\u002Fgettyimages-887898636.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2121,height:1414,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"best-list",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:"The best cheap Windows laptops: Top picks under $400",section:b,slug:"best-cheap-windows-laptop",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"The best cheap Windows laptops for 2024: Acer, Dell and more compared",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"af36937c-c95c-4bf0-9c02-831f70ad9a0c",slug:"best-lists",name:"Best Lists",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"f1f7db06-c6f9-4e80-8187-60ad48f035a1",slug:"zdnet-recommends",name:"ZDNET Recommends",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a0de22ce-dbed-419b-9a97-562689032701",username:"kwan2035",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"June",lastName:"Wan",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51",filename:"1549928918804.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-03 20:04:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F03\u002F4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51\u002F1549928918804.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"June serves as Technology Editor of ZDNET and is based in New York City. He reviews the latest consumer gadgets and shares advice to make the most out of them. When June isn't drooling over the next best thing, he's probably being let down by the Los Angeles Lakers.",profile:c,title:"Technology Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f1ea1170-7907-4f66-b84d-dc797fd63ee7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Surface Holiday Line.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Holiday Line on cylinders.\" data-image-filename=\"surfaceholiday2022.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F11\" data-image-crop=\"1725x970+84+99\" data-image-width=\"1900\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter months of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-october-12-surface-launch-whats-on-tap\u002F\"\u003Especulation\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and more than a year's worth of waiting from antsy Microsoft customers, the 2022 lineup of Surface PCs is official. Microsoft's Chief Product Officer Panos Panay took the virtual stage today to unveil the new \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"1b9bb634-e187-49b3-8366-ddc893d7636f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Laptop-5\u002F8XN49V61S1BN?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Laptop 5\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"f1f1ff14-8236-4de4-8afa-5a791afcae5c\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Pro-9\u002F93VKD8NP4FVK\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro 9\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"24beccd2-83f4-4857-a584-58116a2a0259\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Studio-2\u002F8VLFQC3597K4?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Studio 2+\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, and two accessories meant to improve the hybrid meeting experience: Microsoft Presenter+ and Microsoft Audio Dock. The company official also broke news on a DALL-E-based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-takes-aim-again-at-creators-with-its-new-designer-graphic-design-app\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egraphic design app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the surface, Microsoft has kept its fall lineup of products nearly indistinguishable from its predecessors, retaining the company's vision of sleek, burdenless, and practically designed computers. What's new with this generation of Windows PCs mainly revolves around processing power and modernization -- two aspects that should bring the Surface more in line with the industry's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebest systems\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's everything that the company announced during its October event.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-did-microsoft-manage-to-get-it-right-with-surface\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow did Microsoft manage to get it right with Surface?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESurface Laptop 5 gets a splash of color\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ed0ec52a-6b1b-4319-ae82-e0a81024a2f3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 in Sage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Hand pointing on Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 in Sage.\" data-image-filename=\"surfacelaptop5.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F11\" data-image-crop=\"1900x1067+0+105\" data-image-width=\"1900\" data-image-height=\"1267\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast year, ZDNET reviewed the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-laptop-4-13-5-ryzen-7-4980u-16-gb-ram-512-gb-ssd-english\u002F\"\u003ESurface Laptop 4\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and commended the ultraportable for its long-lasting battery life, the dual-tone pairing of stylish metal and fabric, and overall performance that was delivered in a tasteful 3:2 display. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe story mostly remains the same with the new Surface Laptop 5; Microsoft touts \"all-day battery life,\" a familiar anodized aluminum construction, and a 3:2 PixelSense display that comes in 13.5\" and 15\" configurations. We're also seeing the usual suspects of visual and audio enhancements, including Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos 3D spatial processing, and a duet of \"Studio Microphones\" and a front-facing HD camera for virtual collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat's different about the new Surface Laptop starts with the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors that power it. Coming from last year's 11th-gen platform, the Surface Laptop 5 is expected to deliver over 50% more power for your casual or professional needs. (We're not seeing anything on AMD units this time around.) Each model also comes fitted with a Thunderbolt 4 port that will yield a higher bandwidth for data and power transfer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"b1fa88a1-e11e-404b-aaa5-9c5f4bb2c744\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Surface Laptop 5\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"A seated man is using a Microsoft Surface Laptop","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Courtesy of Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"e2151a24-63f2-4c43-9f07-1e541b2b26a5","filename":"man-using-surface-laptop.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F21\u002Fe2151a24-63f2-4c43-9f07-1e541b2b26a5\u002Fman-using-surface-laptop.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-06-21 15:30:37","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"e2151a24-63f2-4c43-9f07-1e541b2b26a5","imageFilename":"man-using-surface-laptop.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F06\u002F21"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Courtesy of Microsoft\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Laptop-5\u002F8XN49V61S1BN?\" data-offermerchant=\"Microsoft\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Surface Laptop 5 will be available in select markets beginning on Oct. 25 with a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"44260d19-ebd9-4bb8-8d46-07fff1feeae9\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Laptop-5\u002F8XN49V61S1BN?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"starting price of $999\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E for the i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB model. The laptop will be available in classic Platinum, Black, and Sandstone colorways, as well as a new leafy \"Sage\" option. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGoodbye Surface Pro X, hello Surface Pro 9\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"dd3e1110-d1c1-4c7f-81ed-64dc0d85478b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Surface Pro 9 in the Liberty special edition.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Liberty Special Edition on white background.\" data-image-filename=\"surfacepro9libertyspecialedition.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F11\" data-image-width=\"5209\" data-image-height=\"2930\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBig news: Microsoft is doing away with the Surface Pro X line and, instead, unifying it with the regular Pro model. This gives users the option to configure the Surface Pro 9's architecture -- between the latest 12th-gen Intel Core on the Evo platform or Microsoft's ARM-based SQ3 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon -- without compromising or settling up for a different form factor. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Intel-based model comes equipped with Thunderbolt 4 for faster transfer speeds and the ability to connect the Surface Pro 9 to 4K monitors and eGPUs. As for the SQ3 model, it should play well with digital nomads who rely on 5G (or LTE) connectivity to get work done on the go. Microsoft says the Snapdragon version also comes with a host of Windows Studio Effects and AI features, thanks to the new Neural Processing Unit (NPU) within. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsurface-pro-arm-or-x86-the-answers-not-so-simple\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Pro: Arm or x86? The answer's not so simple\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot-so-big news: The rest is a standard Surface Pro affair;  2-in-1 design with a detachable 13-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, support for the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"6061c798-6f89-4026-b33f-105ad3254c0e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FSurface-Slim-Pen-Compatible-Touchscreen\u002Fdp\u002FB09DK2YSH2\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Slim Pen 2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, and an Alcantara keyboard that's just as comfortable to type on as it is to rest your palm on and think about life. All of this shouldn't come as a surprise, though, given how significant of a hardware upgrade the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-pro-8-for-business-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Pro 8\u003C\u002Fa\u003E was to its predecessor.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"27b3c16f-f3de-4f68-8b9a-fdd7cc2b725c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 9\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"Microsoft Surface Pro X 13-inch tablet 2","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"b5fd3adb-b930-49d1-b5d5-0784a6036280","filename":"microsoft-surface-pro-x-13-inch-tablet-2.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F03\u002Fb5fd3adb-b930-49d1-b5d5-0784a6036280\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-pro-x-13-inch-tablet-2.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-08-03 19:54:40","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"b5fd3adb-b930-49d1-b5d5-0784a6036280","imageFilename":"microsoft-surface-pro-x-13-inch-tablet-2.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F08\u002F03"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Microsoft\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Pro-9\u002F93VKD8NP4FVK?\" data-offermerchant=\"Microsoft\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs far as pricing goes, the Intel-based Surface Pro 9 starts at \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"a4b40923-e9c8-4a72-83bf-5f5ab5ca4cfe\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Pro-9\u002F93VKD8NP4FVK?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$999\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E (i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB), and the ARM-based model starts at \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"b04fe249-88eb-4c8f-b74e-76aa45c0e37e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Pro-9\u002F93VKD8NP4FVK?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$1,299\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E (SQ3, 8GB RAM, 128GB). The former comes in Platinum, Graphite, Forest, and Sapphire, while the latter only comes in Platinum. Preorders start today. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe aptly-named Surface Studio 2+\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f22c9dac-7aed-410e-8af1-ea8d7cb6ad65\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Surface Studio 2+ looks nearly identical to the Surface Studio 2.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Woman writing on Surface Studio 2+.\" data-image-filename=\"surfacestudio2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F11\" data-image-crop=\"1900x1067+0+123\" data-image-width=\"1900\" data-image-height=\"1267\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's been nearly four years since Microsoft introduced the sequel to one of its most ambitious Surface products, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-studio-2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Studio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. While the company left the smooth-folding, all-in-one (AIO) desktop idle for some time, it's finally introducing a much-needed revamp to satisfy the content creators, graphics designers, and artists that it aimed to please in the first place. You'll be impressed, as long as you weren't expecting the new Studio to look any different. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"5aa83eda-e0af-4090-aa97-df3ed60b2b2a\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Studio-2\u002F8VLFQC3597K4?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Studio 2+\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, as Microsoft strategically dubs it, keeps the same push-and-pull, 28-inch frame as its predecessor, with the Zero Gravity Hinge carrying the weight of the transformative design. The company has modernized some aspects of the new Studio like the sharper front-facing camera, Studio Mics, and USB-C with Thunderbolt 4. To meet the demand of power users, the Studio 2+ leverages an updated Intel Core H-35 processor for \"up to 50% faster CPU performance\" and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics, according to Microsoft's press release. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor all the performance gains that you're getting, Microsoft is making you pay to play. The Surface Studio 2+ \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"faafa871-3f47-4b0d-b25d-0232633e67f7\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Studio-2\u002F8VLFQC3597K4?\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=24542&u1=[subid_value]&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.microsoft.com%2Fen-us%2Fstore%2Fconfigure%2FSurface-Studio-2%2F8VLFQC3597K4%3F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"starts at $4,499\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E for the Core i7, 32GB RAM, and 1TB model -- peripherals included. That's a whopping $1,000 increase from the original \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"7885fdb3-aa9e-41ab-9f8c-0141e5398e2b\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-studio-2\u002F8SBJXM0M58T4?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Studio 2's $3,499\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E listing price. But for what the computer is, and all the use cases that it presents to digital creators, do you think Microsoft has done enough to justify the price?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"4b16d9cf-301b-4b6b-87e7-1ba0c29ad56e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Surface Studio 2+\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"microsoft-surface-studio-2-770x433.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Image: Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"b93b7df2-1013-4ff2-a79e-65711497c60a","filename":"microsoft-surface-studio-2-770x433.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F26\u002Fb93b7df2-1013-4ff2-a79e-65711497c60a\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-studio-2-770x433.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-04-26 07:45:25","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"b93b7df2-1013-4ff2-a79e-65711497c60a","imageFilename":"microsoft-surface-studio-2-770x433.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F04\u002F26"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fstore\u002Fconfigure\u002FSurface-Studio-2\u002F8VLFQC3597K4?\" data-offermerchant=\"Microsoft\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMicrosoft Presenter+ and Audio Dock\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ca642ef6-13b5-4382-80f2-5fd7c2a09918\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Microsoft Presenter+.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Hand holding the Microsoft Presenter+\" data-image-filename=\"presenter.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F11\" data-image-crop=\"1900x1067+0+200\" data-image-width=\"1900\" data-image-height=\"1267\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReleasing alongside the new Surface products are the Microsoft Presenter+ and Microsoft Audio Dock, two accessories that Microsoft says will \"improve the hybrid meeting experience.\" The Presenter+, which costs $79, is a Bluetooth-powered clicker that allows you to skip through slides, mute and unmute during calls, and navigate Microsoft Teams with customizable buttons. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-new-accessories-are-geared-toward-the-hybrid-era-of-work\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's new accessories are geared toward the hybrid era of work\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Microsoft Audio Dock is both a docking station with four ports (HDMI, 2x USB-C, and USB-A) and a speaker for audio input and output. For $249, which is not cheap for either of its two functions, Microsoft promises \"premium sound\" and noise-reducing microphones that will help you \"be heard clearly in your next online meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMicrosoft Designer takes on Canva\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"98a4bd3c-8e63-44c8-b0f6-70b641994adb\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"microsoft-designer-app\" data-image-filename=\"microsoft-designer-app-demo.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F13\" data-image-width=\"2622\" data-image-height=\"1460\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHardware aside, Microsoft also announced \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-announces-canva-competitor-with-new-designer-app-powered-by-ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea new graphic design app, Designer,\u003C\u002Fa\u003E which will be integrated into Microsoft's Office suite of productivity services. The app, available for free to Office subscribers and at a higher cost for more exclusive features, leverages Microsoft's existing AI tech with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fopenais-dall-e-2-may-mean-we-never-need-stock-photos-again\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOpenAI's DALL-E 2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to smartly (and uniquely) generate images, layouts, and graphics based on users' text description(s). From the examples that Microsoft demoed during the keynote (see image above), Designer looks \u003Cem\u003Every\u003C\u002Fem\u003E promising.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Canva-competing service also allows you to upload existing images -- say, a portrait of your dog or a product that you're selling -- to base the AI-generated design off of. Once finished, the image can be saved and\u002For shared directly on LinkedIn or Instagram.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft officials say that Designer is targeted at consumers more than anyone else, though I wouldn't be surprised to see businesses and professionals pick up the service for its ease of use and effective output. The Designer app is still in its testing phase, but users can now join a waitlist to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdesigner.microsoft.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eaccess the free web preview\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-13 14:39:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Fall lineup brings refreshes to Surface favorites, including the Surface Laptop 5, Surface Pro 9, and Surface Studio 2+, in addition to two new accessories for the hybrid work era.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"d06f99ea-a7d1-4df5-8245-8ab3e225d54e",image:{id:"f1ea1170-7907-4f66-b84d-dc797fd63ee7",filename:"surfaceholiday2022.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-10-11 02:37:12",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"surface-pro-x-770x433.jpg",credits:"Image: Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Surface Holiday Line.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F11\u002Ff1ea1170-7907-4f66-b84d-dc797fd63ee7\u002Fsurfaceholiday2022.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:"1693x952+105+117",typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1900,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"everything-microsoft-announced-at-the-october-surface-event",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Everything Microsoft announced at the October Surface event",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"116c1d92-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"tablets",name:"Tablets",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"95ca6724-c309-42a2-b946-f359f1127d73",slug:"computers-tech",name:"Computers & Tech",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a7ecc6fa-8176-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Mary Jo Foley",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Mary Jo",lastName:"Foley",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94",filename:"mary-jo-foley.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:57:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94\u002Fmary-jo-foley.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 30 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNET, eWeek, and Baseline. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008). She also is the co-host of the \"Windows Weekly\" podcast on the TWiT network. \r\n\r\nGot a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips, and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a76016d2-a7cc-4281-a6e5-f7f881a506e8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows11sepcseducation.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows11sepcseducation.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F01\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"768\" data-image-height=\"507\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast fall, Microsoft announced \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-introduces-windows-11-se-new-250-surface-laptop-se-for-education-market\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 SE\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a version of Windows 11 streamlined for the education market. At that time, the company also debuted the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-introduces-windows-11-se-new-250-surface-laptop-se-for-education-market\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E$250 Surface Laptop SE\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, its first device with Windows 11 SE preloaded. Today, Jan. 18, a number of PC makers also went public with their own Windows 11 SE devices, starting as low as $219. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EAmong the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.windows.com\u002Fwindowsexperience\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F09\u002Fintroducing-windows-11-se-and-devices-to-support-k-8-classrooms\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew Windows 11 SE devices announced\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAcer TravelMate Spin B3 laptop: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EAn 11.6-inch device for K-12 students that includes durability enhancements like shock-absorbent bumpers and keys designed to protect against moderate spills. This laptop comes with a choice of Pentium Silver or Celeron, Intel Wi-Fi 6, and reported 10-hour battery life. (There's also a Windows 11 SE-based Acer TravelMate B3.) \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAsus BR100F:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A laptop meant for \"students of all ages\" that's been built to be resistant to drops, knocks, and spills. It includes a touchscreen display and pen, a 360-degree hinge, Wi-Fi 6, as well as optional 4G LTE. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDell Latitude 3120 and 3120 2-in-1 for Education:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E These PCs come with 11-inch displays, Intel Celeron Quad-Core and Pentium Quad-Core processors, fast charging, Wi-Fi-6, and scratch-resistant glass (on the 2-in-1). There's also an optional pen. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDynabook E10-S: From Dynabook (formerly Toshiba PC):\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E This 11.6-inch model is \"backpack-safe\" with a reinforced chassis and bumpers, 18-degree hinges, and a spill-resistant keyboard. It comes with a number of ports, including USB-C. (Dynabook also has a Satellite Pro E105 that's powered by Windows 11 SE.) \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G9 Notebook: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E14-inch display, Wi-Fi 6, a starting weight of 3.7 pounds, textured surface for easier gripping, spill-resistant keyboard and molded rubber trim for absorbing shocks, plus reinforced hinges. (HP also has the Pro x360 Fortis 11-inch G9 Notebook that's powered by Windows 11 SE.) \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJP.IK Leap T304: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EStarting at $219, this device is ruggedized; includes an anti-glare display, and is made from sustainably cultivated and recyclable plastic. (There's also the JP.IK Turn T303, starting at $269, that runs Windows 11 SE.) \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003ELenovo 100W, 300w, 500w, and 14w laptops powered by Windows 11 SE. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"58e64049-0a38-4d0c-9457-534ddda5f7be\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ZDNet Recommends: HP Elite Dragonfly G2 -- Windows 11 Laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236","filename":"hp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fimage-resizer.prod.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2020\u002F01\u002F03\u002F0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236\u002Fhp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2020-01-03 21:18:06","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"0cee6f9d-fa89-4763-8aa5-57f893427236","imageFilename":"hp-elite-dragonfly-g2-front-right.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020\u002F01\u002F03"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hp.com\u002Fus-en\u002Fshop\u002Fmdp\u002Felitebook--zbook---probook\u002Fhp-elite-dragonfly#!&tab=vao\" data-offerprice=\"1839\" data-offermerchant=\"HP\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.awin1.com\u002Fcread.php?awinmid=7168&awinaffid=423585&clickref=[subid_value]&ued=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hp.com\u002Fus-en\u002Fshop\u002Fmdp\u002Felitebook--zbook---probook\u002Fhp-elite-dragonfly#!&tab=vao\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EMicrosoft officials said there will be more Windows 11 SE devices coming later this year, including models from Fujitsu and Positivo.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-introduces-windows-11-se-new-250-surface-laptop-se-for-education-market\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 SE is a simplified version of Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, customized for the K-12 education market, and is designed to help Microsoft and its partners try to better compete with Chromebooks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 SE is not the same as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-switching-out-of-windows-10-s-mode-will-be-free-for-all\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10 in S Mode\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. However, the types of apps Windows 11 SE users can install and run natively will be limited to six categories: Content-filtering apps, test-taking apps, accessibility apps, classroom communication apps, diagnostics\u002Fmanagement\u002Fconnectivity, and supportability apps and browsers. Students won't be able to download things like games, YouTube, etc., on Windows 11 SE by design. It's supposed to be a platform for running a set of apps curated by school IT\u002Fadmins.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-01-18 14:03:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft partners are starting to roll out their Windows 11 SE Chromebook-compete devices, which start as low as $219.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"aa5b64ce-1b0e-4c55-962d-78ef44153c77",image:{id:"a76016d2-a7cc-4281-a6e5-f7f881a506e8",filename:"windows11sepcseducation.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-01-18 13:40:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"windows11sepcseducation.jpg",credits:c,caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F01\u002F18\u002Fa76016d2-a7cc-4281-a6e5-f7f881a506e8\u002Fwindows11sepcseducation.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:768,height:507,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"pc-makers-take-the-wraps-off-windows-11-se-devices-for-education",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"PC makers take the wraps off Windows 11 SE devices for education",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"863fe219-de4d-4c2d-9e95-55e19301075a",slug:"education",name:"Education",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"98d6f538-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Matthew",lastName:"Miller",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc",filename:"matthew-miller.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:28:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc\u002Fmatthew-miller.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion series books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned hundreds of devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes a Galaxy Z Fold 3, COROS Vertix 2, Garmin Fenix 945 LTE, Microsoft Surface Pro 6, and many more, along with classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various social networks under the user name of \"palmsolo.\"",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"3a64187f-9d7e-4c0d-ba2a-32bf900a51e5\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Keychron Q5 QMK Mechanical Keyboard\" data-rating=\"5\" data-like=\"~Substantial weight and stability ~High quality design, fit, and finish ~Number pad ~QMK VIA software support ~Mac and Windows compatibility\" data-dislike=\"~Expensive for a pre-built mechanical keyboard ~ Not ideal for users who prefer wireless portability\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"07\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-07-03T14:21:07.258Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"07\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-07-03T14:21:07.258Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a","filename":"keychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a\u002Fkeychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-22 03:45:49","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a","imageFilename":"keychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F22"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Keychron","offerPrice":"205","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fkeychron-q5-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40010452271193","url":""}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI spend a few hours a day pounding away on a keyboard, and for the past couple of years, my default brand has been Keychron. If you spend lots of time entering text on a physical keyboard, then spending $200 may be pretty easy to justify. For the past few weeks, the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"16b7e520-2787-494d-b300-e6147e909832\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fkeychron-q5-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40010452271193\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Keychron Q5\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E has been serving as my primary keyboard, with its dedicated number pad and rotating knob setting this one apart from past keyboards I've tried.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pullquote\" data-alignment=\"right\" data-quote=\"With a lovely stable platform, the Keychron Q5 can remain in place when typing and gaming.  \"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Keychron Q5 is an 1800 layout that is 96% of a full-size keyboard. The 1800 layout is not that common as it is designed to pack in as many keys as possible into a smaller area, saving you about an inch of space when compared to a full-size keyboard. I'm perfectly happy getting rid of a bit of dead space to optimize the size for functionality and have been enjoying the unorthodox design. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EKeyboard hardware\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Keychron Q5 keyboard connects to your computer through its USB-C port with a grey Keychron-branded USB-C to USB-C\u002FA included in the retail package. An OS switch is found at the top, next to the USB-C port, so that you can optimize the keyboard for Windows or MacOS. I do not have a MacOS computer, so I only tested the Q5 with Windows 10.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"104371d2-2a78-4580-b044-fac57589855a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe operating system switch is next to the USB-C port\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-4\" data-image-filename=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-4.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F22\" data-image-crop=\"1425x800+0+269\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keyboard is constructed by CNC machined 6063 aluminum, with a hefty weight of 5.09 pounds (2,310 grams). While I prefer lighter Bluetooth keyboards when I move my keyboard between workstations, keyboards that connect via cables should be heavy and immobile. With a lovely stable platform, the Keychron Q5 can remain in place when typing and gaming.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"61d0d9fd-9785-472b-ab89-15e51bd6ac6f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe left side of the Keychron Q5\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-2\" data-image-filename=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F22\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESouth-facing (towards the typist), RGB LED lights are provided on the keyboard. By pressing Fn + Q, you're able to change the lighting effect across 13 different options, which is great. You can also press FN + Tab to toggle the backlight on and off. The brightness of it all is controlled with Fn + W (increase) or Fn + S (decrease).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fkeychron-q1-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard\u002F\"\u003EKeychron Q1 QMK custom mechanical keyboard review\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bbc40324-b599-4951-af3b-d9efcd14ad80\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbbc40324-b599-4951-af3b-d9efcd14ad80\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keyboard has several layers, including the bottom aluminum case, silicone gaskets, case foam, the PCB, sound absorbing foam, gaskets, steel plate, aluminum top case, switches, and keycaps. I was sent the fully assembled knob model that is available in three color options, with the silver grey one provided for testing. Keycap kits are available to swap out the keys if you prefer a different look to your keyboard.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keys are set at a 5.3-degree angle, and the bottom case is not adjustable. I use a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"064e7ac9-12a2-48c1-9cfe-295041e4a555\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FWalnut-Keychron-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard\u002Fdp\u002FB07Y84SP8G\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Keychron wooden palm rest\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E since the keyboard is quite tall at the front, 30.9 mm with keycaps installed. The back height is 42.8 mm with the keycaps. The keyboard is 390.5 mm in length and 145 mm in width.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EKeyboard software\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe model I tested includes the knob, and by default, the knob works to control volume with a press-in of the knob toggling mute on and off. You can reprogram the knob to perform other actions, such as zoom in and out, adjust the screen brightness, and more. In addition to downloading and installing the free VIA software, you also need to download the appropriate keymap JSON file from the Keychron website. Once this is set up, then you can set the macro for the knob in addition to mapping other keys as you desire.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFour layers of key settings are provided with layers 0\u002F1 assigned to MacOS and layers 2\u002F3 assigned to Windows. You can customize shortcuts, backlight effects, and a lot more with the software, so spend some time setting the keyboard up, so it works best for your needs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESwitch options\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVarious switch options are supported, and they are also hot-swappable. The Gateron G Pro Red switches were included with this review unit. \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ac9fe8c5-b3f2-4fee-9180-77ce0487c7cf\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fgateron-switch-set?variant=31923910705241\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Gateron G Pro Blue\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E and \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"6d2c320f-3263-430c-82eb-141b174574ae\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fgateron-switch-set?variant=31923912376409\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Gateron G Pro Brown\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E are other available options. The \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"180139fb-bad9-4c34-9d90-b9a964971242\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fgateron-switch-set\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Gateron G Pro Red\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E switch is a quiet switch, suitable for office use or gaming, with minimal force needed to press the keys. Keychron also sent along a set of \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"2c1ae925-d097-45a1-8f6b-9146e4e1850a\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fgateron-cap-switch-set?variant=39371706302553\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Golden Brown Gateron Cap switches\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. This switch set has a gentle sound level with tactile behavior. While I enjoy the clicky switches, too, the Gateron Pro Red looks great, and I am able to type faster with it equipped. It's fairly affordable to change out the switches if you want to try something else too.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESilver gray model with the knob, extra keycaps, and extra switches\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-1\" data-image-filename=\"keychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F22\" data-image-crop=\"1425x801+0+228\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKeychron also incorporates Gateron screw-in PCB stabilizers so that the larger keys have stable and smooth performance. We use the space bar more than we know it, and I've genuinely enjoyed the response on the Q5 keyboard. There are also stabilizers for the shift, enter, and backspace keys.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe retail package includes the keyboard, keycap puller, switch puller, screwdriver, hex key, Windows keys, and a few extra keys. A 1.2-meter USB-C to USB-C cable (with USB-A adapter) is provided to connect the keyboard. There are 98 keys on the Keychron Q5 QMK keyboard with the number pad on the right, and directional arrows tucked in between the keys and number pad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fkeychron-k3-wireless-mechanical-keyboard\u002F\"\u003EKeychron K3 wireless mechanical keyboard review\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"606af762-bfb5-4d37-9243-0501283c4874\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Keychron Q5 Keyboard\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"keychron-q5-keyboard-3","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet","imageData":{"id":"81b53f6d-3a28-4a6e-b811-68ba15d8a52c","filename":"keychron-q5-keyboard-3.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F81b53f6d-3a28-4a6e-b811-68ba15d8a52c\u002Fkeychron-q5-keyboard-3.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-22 03:43:54","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"81b53f6d-3a28-4a6e-b811-68ba15d8a52c","imageFilename":"keychron-q5-keyboard-3.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F22"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keychron.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fkeychron-q5-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40010452271193\" data-offerprice=\"205\" data-offermerchant=\"Keychron\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDaily usage experiences and conclusion\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Keychron Q5 keyboard is available in a barebones model for $175 up to a fully assembled model with a knob for $205. ISO models are available too, with three color and three switch options to choose from.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKeychron also has a new double gasket design in the Q5 that adds gaskets and silicone pads to reduce the sound resonance between the metals and reduce other sounds while supporting the overall typing sound. It's tough to find anything wrong with the keyboard, and spending $200 for a high-quality keyboard that helps you enter text quickly and efficiently is worth it to me.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAlternatives to consider\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Keychron Q5 keyboard is a near-perfect keyboard for many people, but if you don't need the number pad, want something priced differently, or want another brand, here are some other options to consider.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"558cb7ec-30ff-40fa-a8ec-ee925915fd76\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Drop Shift Mechanical Gaming Keyboard\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"82ee463e-3e7e-41a8-8f60-80b8d1a188a6","filename":"dropshift-gaming-keyboard.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F82ee463e-3e7e-41a8-8f60-80b8d1a188a6\u002Fdropshift-gaming-keyboard.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-22 03:52:28","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"82ee463e-3e7e-41a8-8f60-80b8d1a188a6","imageFilename":"dropshift-gaming-keyboard.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F22"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB08L8K7SYZ\" data-offerprice=\"270\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB08L8K7SYZ?linkCode=sl1&tag=nerdtechy-20&linkId=ccfaf16aad540898d437538ee4075d42&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"3b782d24-2711-4c20-9219-82fa073b6db2\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Keychron K4 96% layout keyboard\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"356281d5-5ff0-4f56-9740-cfd45e8d7073","filename":"keychron-k4.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F356281d5-5ff0-4f56-9740-cfd45e8d7073\u002Fkeychron-k4.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-22 03:54:18","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"356281d5-5ff0-4f56-9740-cfd45e8d7073","imageFilename":"keychron-k4.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F22"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB08LSQXKMN?\" data-offerprice=\"87.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB08LSQXKMN?&linkCode=sl1&tag=nerdtechy-20&linkId=145383a601c6c99cce4b749b9d52edcd&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"35f8e35c-908f-4b56-bf51-00a27da6123c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"FL ESPORTS 98 key keyboard\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"20a1321d-615c-46c5-b8cb-b4ddeadc4e8e","filename":"fl-esports-98-key-keyboard.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F20a1321d-615c-46c5-b8cb-b4ddeadc4e8e\u002Ffl-esports-98-key-keyboard.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-22 03:55:49","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"20a1321d-615c-46c5-b8cb-b4ddeadc4e8e","imageFilename":"fl-esports-98-key-keyboard.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F22"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09GB577FW?\" data-offerprice=\"99.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09GB577FW?linkCode=sl1&tag=nerdtechy-20&linkId=f278650dbe88381af605d38a64e0d885&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-26 20:35:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Keychron continues to release compelling mechanical keyboards, and the newest model brings the rare 96% layout that includes a number pad, function row, and knob.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"398cd3e7-0bd8-41f9-bf41-847908f4eed4",image:{id:"36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a",filename:"keychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-22 03:45:49",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"keychron-q5-keyboard-1",credits:"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003ESilver gray model with the knob, extra keycaps, and extra switches\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F22\u002F36d26d00-400b-4f1d-823f-1ffedfeee39a\u002Fkeychron-q5-keyboard-1.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:"1425x801+0+211",typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1425,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Smart Office^Office Furniture",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"keychron-q5-keyboard-review",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Keychron Q5 keyboard review: Greater functionality for a greater price",topic:{id:"6b5d3adf-f429-447b-b93f-469fefe712c5",slug:"office-furniture",name:"Office Furniture",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"6b5d3adf-f429-447b-b93f-469fefe712c5",slug:"office-furniture",name:"Office Furniture",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"4ccc7a51-db4d-46e5-834a-6da2306636bb",slug:"gaming-accessories",name:"Gaming Accessories",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"5a505bd7-edd5-4501-b6a1-0b4b0149318e",username:"Jason Cipriani",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jason",lastName:"Cipriani",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ec9503e9-68fc-4acb-b714-31487e597154",filename:"jason-cipriani.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:09:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fec9503e9-68fc-4acb-b714-31487e597154\u002Fjason-cipriani.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets as a freelance journalist for the past 13 years. His work can be found all across the Internet and in print. When he's not writing, he can be found hanging out with his family, gaming, or trying to force himself to read a book.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft hasn't given up on its aspirations to create a unique, if not niche, smartphone for its loyal Surface fans. With last year's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"4defa1e0-723b-4ba3-8d3f-d297701cf211\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsurface\u002Fdevices\u002Fsurface-duo\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Duo\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, the company took a novel approach to the standard smartphone. Instead of putting out yet another rectangular Android phone, the Duo featured two impressively thin displays, held together by hinges, that made it possible to fold the phone in half. Unlike Samsung's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"d5cc3b20-3f1b-4a3a-b260-e426966c5a82\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fsmartphones\u002Fgalaxy-z-fold3-5g\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Galaxy Z Fold\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E that actually has a screen that folds in half, the Duo had two displays that are physically separated. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs is often the case with first-generation devices, the Duo wasn't all that impressive. I purchased one and returned it within 30 days (Microsoft offers a 60-day return policy). There was clear potential with the phone, but I felt the concept was a better fit for a tablet (or even a laptop). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFast forward and Microsoft is ready to ship the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"e7137e0b-a8a3-4fbe-883e-eef89765ccb6\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-duo-2\u002F9408kgxp4xjl\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Duo 2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. There are some modest changes to the second generation device, including a speedier processor, better cameras and it runs Android 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"dd06e1b0-3027-4f79-b8b3-e559db6dbf70\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Microsoft Surface Duo 2\" data-rating=\"3.5\" data-like=\"~ Battery life ~ Performance ~ Two screens are better than one\" data-dislike=\"~ Mediocre camera ~ Awkward design ~ Expensive\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"11\" data-editorsyear=\"2021\" data-editorsdate=\""2021-11-02T18:51:01.662Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"11\" data-innovationyear=\"2021\" data-innovationdate=\""2021-11-02T18:51:01.662Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"418972ce-b21f-408b-88a8-d71b744cca93","filename":"surface-duo-2-1.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F20\u002F418972ce-b21f-408b-88a8-d71b744cca93\u002Fsurface-duo-2-1.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-10-20 19:16:34","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"418972ce-b21f-408b-88a8-d71b744cca93","imageFilename":"surface-duo-2-1.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021\u002F10\u002F20"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=24542&u1=[subid_value]&murl=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-duo-2\u002F9408kgxp4xjl?activetab=pivot:overviewtab","offerMerchant":"Microsoft","offerPrice":"","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-duo-2\u002F9408kgxp4xjl?activetab=pivot:overviewtab","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=24542&u1=[subid_value]&murl=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-duo-2\u002F9408kgxp4xjl?activetab=pivot:overviewtab"}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've been using the Surface Duo 2 as my main Android phone for two weeks now, and have a good feel for what I like and what I don't. I'm going to stick to my original plan and live with the Duo 2 for an extended amount of time, but here are some of my thoughts after using it for a couple of weeks. Let's start with my least favorite part of the Duo 2. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fff0e928-96ed-4f8f-8f81-24ce3de48766\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EGet a case. Or at least, be more aware of how you're carrying the Duo 2.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"zv100475.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"zv100475.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F11\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"5472\" data-image-height=\"3080\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELet's be honest –– It's an awkward design\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first few days of using the Duo 2, I didn't really mind the different approach to its size and shape. It was a nice break from the long, black rectangles all smartphones resemble. But the longer I've used it, the more awkward I've found it. Microsoft has made adjustments to the keyboard, its positioning and size based on whether or not the Duo 2 is open, or one side is folded onto itself. But I've yet to figure out the most comfortable way to type on it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith both screens open, you're forced to type on one side with a single thumb, with the keyboard shrinking down towards the edge of the screen to make it easier. When the device is folded over on itself, giving you a single screen to view and use, the keyboard spans the entire screen to make it easier to type two-handed. This is probably the most comfortable, or at least my most used, orientation for typing longer messages or replying to emails. But because the camera bump (more on that in a minute) no longer allows the device to fold completely flat, the gap between makes it feel lopsided, as if you're doing something wrong. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen there's the fact that putting the oddly shaped smartphone -- which is wider than the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"83436e36-73dc-44c3-8a98-6908be0a8764\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-iphone\u002Fiphone-13-pro\u002F6.7-inch-display-128gb-graphite-unlocked\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPhone 13 Pro Max\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E or \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ad8398fb-2722-416e-9598-f25e825ca771\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fgoogle-pixel-6-pro-128gb-sorta-sunny-verizon\u002F6483653.p?skuId=6483653\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Pixel 6 Pro\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E when closed -- in a pocket is downright uncomfortable. It just doesn't fit properly, which means you end up carrying it in your hand most of the time, or slipping it into your back pocket. Or in my case, I put it in a coat pocket, not realizing that it didn't quite fit all the way. A few seconds later, the phone fell out of my pocket, crashed to the floor and cracked the corner of the screen. It's still usable and doesn't impact the experience at all (other than seeing a few cracks), but it's a good reminder that you need to put some sort of case or bumper on this phone, and be more aware of how you're carrying it with you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Glance Bar has serious potential\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3db73244-a476-46ac-a757-e302b544ef33\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Duo 2's Glance Bar needs to be opened up to more developers.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-duo-2-6.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surface-duo-2-6.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"2355\" data-image-height=\"1766\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe original Duo lacked any way to easily check if you had any pending alerts while the device was closed. You had to slightly open the device to activate the peek feature that showed you the time and notification icons. Peek is still present to check the time (at least I can't find a setting to turn on alerts), but thanks to rounded display edges, you can now see alert icons along the hinge when the Duo 2 closed. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft is calling this feature the Glance Bar, and currently, it's capable of showing the time, text message alerts, missed calls, battery level, and volume. For example, when you start charging the Duo 2, the Glance Bar will show you the battery's current charge level -- showing green or red based on the current level. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the device is closed, you can press the power button to trigger Glance Bar and check the time as well as any pending alerts. It's a far better experience than peek on the original Duo which required more than just a quick action like pressing a button. However, it doesn't go far enough. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI would love for Microsoft to open Glance Bar to third-party developers and let apps like Twitter or Spark Email to show new message alerts. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've also found that the Glance Bar doesn't always work. For example, I've randomly been able to press the volume buttons and see the Glance Bar light up white to show the volume level moving up or down. But more often than not, the volume indicator doesn't show up at all. Maybe there's a specific order of pressing the sleep\u002Fwake button and then the volume rocker, or vice versa, but all of my pressing and tapping hasn't figured it out. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMultitasking on both screens is getting easier\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bc15ebdf-aa2d-4d47-a811-9d0c3564291e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ETwo screens really are better than one.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-duo-2-2.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surface-duo-2-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"2647\" data-image-height=\"1985\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaybe I never really gave the Duo a proper chance, or the Duo 2's software ironed out enough of the usability bugs I encountered (more on that in a minute), but it feels easier to multitask on the Duo 2. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt wasn't until about 48 hours after setting up the phone that the way to leverage two different displays started to click for me. For example, entering app-specific passwords to set up my email, contacts, and calendars normally is a process that requires jumping between a browser and an email or sync app. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut on the Duo 2, I left the Edge browser open on one display, with passwords at the ready while at the same time completing the setup process in the respective apps on the other display. What really helped me, more than being able to see all the information at the same time, was that I could use one hand to select and copy information while at almost the same time using the other hand on the opposite display to select a text field and paste the information. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt really was an \u003Cem\u003EAha!\u003C\u002Fem\u003E moment for how the Duo 2 is supposed to be used. I need a lot more time to figure out the multitasking scenarios and how Microsoft intends for the Duo 2 to be used, but I feel like I've started to turn the corner. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter two weeks, I still find value in using both of the Duo 2's screens at the same time. Often I have Twitter open on one side, browsing through my timeline, with the other display acting as my multitasking screen. I'll switch between apps, reply to messages and the like. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThere are still some software quirks\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of my main issues with the original Duo was that the software felt unfinished and lacked overall polish for routine tasks like rotating the screen. Icons would disappear, the device wouldn't change orientation or the launcher would flat out crash. It was bad, but I've been told it got better over the last year through software updates. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat effort doesn't go unnoticed on the Duo 2 which runs Android 11. Overall, the Duo 2 feels faster and performance has been mostly reliable. That said, there have been a few occasions when app icons appear stuck on the screen. Here's a screenshot example:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"48eb21f7-c711-4902-a3f4-6b0b6631628c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOne of the random software quirks I've experienced so far.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"duo-2-software-issue.png\" data-image-filename=\"duo-2-software-issue.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"2754\" data-image-height=\"1892\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs you can see on the left side of the device, there are stacked app icons and the dock has a giant bar across it. I just noticed while adding the photo that the search bar is also present. So much going on in one screenshot. I remember seeing similar stuff like this on the Duo last year, but it happened a lot more frequently. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe review sample I received is running the same software version that Microsoft is shipping to customers, so I'd expect some customers to report similar issues. Granted, it's not widespread, but this is something that shouldn't really happen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGestures are a huge adjustment I just haven't made yet\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor those who've used Android's gestures to navigate between apps and menus, you'll feel somewhat at home when using the Duo 2. Most of the gestures are still there and do exactly what you want them to, with two big exceptions. You can't swipe horizontally across the bottom of the screen to quickly switch between apps. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a gesture I routinely use on a typical Android device to bounce between apps. That gesture does absolutely nothing on the Duo 2. Well, I take that back. If you swipe towards the other screen, it will move the app to that screen, replacing any app that was open. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo switch between apps, you have to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to enter the multitasking view and then continue to scroll vertically until you find the app you want to switch to. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm not sure what the answer is for the Duo 2 and its gestures, but after two weeks you'd think that I would have adjusted to the new gestures. Instead, I constantly throw apps from screen to screen without even thinking. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe camera bump took away my favorite part of the Duo's design \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a8d701d2-e774-4d8c-a376-0b2386312ede\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe bump is big. Too big.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-duo-2-3.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surface-duo-2-3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"4032\" data-image-height=\"3024\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the many complaints about the original Duo was its lack of a high-quality camera. In fact, it only had a single camera that was above the display -- there wasn't one on the rear of the device at all. That meant the back of the device was completely flat on both sides, allowing you to lay it completely flat or fold it closed on itself. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year, Microsoft added a triple camera array on the back of the right display. The cameras, so far, are an improvement, but the bump that Microsoft had to add to accommodate the modules takes away how surprisingly thin the original Duo was. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to that, the Duo 2 no longer sits flat on a table, nor can you fold it over on itself without there being a gap. The latter complaint is admittedly a little nit-picky on my part, but not being able to lay the Duo 2 flat on my desk and use the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"acc68073-ea84-4b0e-976c-2e59891662db\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-slim-pen-2\u002F8tb9xw8rwc14\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Slim Pen 2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E to jot notes in One Note is what really irks me. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause of the camera bump the entire device wobbles when you get near the edge or to a specific corner of the display, depending on how you place the Duo 2 on your desk. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Slim Pen 2 is a meaningful upgrade\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"135d32b6-1287-46ea-930e-f94e952b215e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Slim Pen 2 is the Apple Pencil the Surface line deserves.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-duo-2-4.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surface-duo-2-4.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"2446\" data-image-height=\"1834\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI have used a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"b70fdadd-db39-490d-89ce-90d6ca625e27\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-slim-pen\u002F8mn7mp9nqdlk\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Slim Pen\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E with several Surface products, including the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"01778e37-7350-4e9d-9de1-7678ba996483\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-laptop-4\u002F946627fb12t1\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Laptop 4\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E and the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"aecb3edc-1072-42c6-952c-52bd7db9ef37\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-pro-x\u002F8xtmb6c575md\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro X\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, and it works, but the experience hasn't been near as good as the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8631d2db-e3ac-40b2-9219-976f3b69ebee\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fus-hed\u002Fshop\u002Fproduct\u002FMK0C2AM\u002FA\u002Fapple-pencil-1st-generation\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Apple Pencil\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E on an \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"9d9d03ef-d7ed-466d-b798-ba0e5f463d17\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-pro\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPad Pro\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven with the wobbly issue I just talked about, the Slim Pen 2 and the Duo 2 is a marked improvement. I've been using the Duo 2 for all my meeting notes the last couple of days and have been impressed. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft isn't taking orders for a Duo 2 case that magnetically attaches and wirelessly charges the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"93179da7-c255-4f78-9616-76145034016a\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fd\u002Fsurface-slim-pen-2\u002F8tb9xw8rwc14\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Slim Pen 2\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, but it's definitely something I want to check out when it launches. It's odd that the case enables wireless charging for the pen, but the Duo 2 itself lacks wireless charging. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMicrosoft needs more apps to adopt Duo support\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4997ec5b-1227-4818-9c8f-81668b412243\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAn example of TikTok running on the Duo 2. This is how all apps need to look and work on the novel phone.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-duo-2-5.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"surface-duo-2-5.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F10\u002F20\" data-image-width=\"2714\" data-image-height=\"2036\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOutside of Microsoft's own apps, there aren't very many apps that fully support the Duo 2's dual-screen approach. Amazon's Kindle app is a good example of an app that had adopted the two-screen approach and makes it feel as if you're really reading a book. TikTok is also optimized for the Duo 2, showing you trending items or a user's profile information on one screen while you swipe through your account's stream on the other. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"ce257707-4741-4cb1-946c-40e75c5be771\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fce257707-4741-4cb1-946c-40e75c5be771\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut outside of the small handful of developers that Microsoft has convinced to build apps to maximize the experience, many apps struggle -- especially when they're spanned across both displays. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESlack, for example, would make sense to add Duo 2 support and adopt a similar look to the iPad app where your list of channels and conversations are on the left side, and the right side shows the content of each as you move between them. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead, the full-screen Slack app acts just like it does on a much slimmer, single display smartphone, forcing you to swipe back and forth to move between channels, conversations, and their contents. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI get it, the Duo and Duo 2 are very niche devices for a very small subset of users. Prioritizing developer resources to implement features that a small percentage of people will care about and use isn't a top priority -- and shouldn't be for most developer teams -- but, as is often the case with experimental and new devices like the Duo 2, without developer support it's hard for a device to gain traction. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPlenty more left to explore\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI haven't fully tested the cameras outside of a couple of photos of random stuff on my desk and one of my dogs. Even those boring pictures look much better than I remember the original Duo's camera being, but not on the same level of Apple's iPhone, Google's Pixel or even a Galaxy phone. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm sure my experience and opinion of the Duo 2 will drastically change over the coming days and weeks. I'll keep updating this review in progress as that happens. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIn the meantime, do you have a Duo or plan on getting the Duo 2? Let me know your thoughts about Microsoft's latest smartphone in the comments below.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2021-11-04 13:39:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's second-generation foldable smartphone is off to a cautiously optimistic start.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"32deb356-4b39-4f97-a56c-8e14fa488c77",image:{id:"4997ec5b-1227-4818-9c8f-81668b412243",filename:"surface-duo-2-5.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-10-20 19:17:39",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"surface-duo-2-5.jpg",credits:"Jason Cipriani\u002FZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EAn example of TikTok running on the Duo 2. This is how all apps need to look and work on the novel phone. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F20\u002F4997ec5b-1227-4818-9c8f-81668b412243\u002Fsurface-duo-2-5.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2714,height:2036,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Companies^Microsoft",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-surface-duo-2-review",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review in progress: Two weeks in and I'm as confused as I am intrigued",topic:{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"0ff3d7ed-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"bring-your-own-device",name:"Bring Your Own Device",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10cdea3b-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"mobile-os",name:"Mobile OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10d0341c-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"mobility",name:"Mobility",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1147b242-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"smartphones",name:"Smartphones",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"57d5b2de-e901-4dd9-af48-ece44becc366",slug:"5g",name:"5G",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a7ecc6fa-8176-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Mary Jo Foley",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Mary Jo",lastName:"Foley",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94",filename:"mary-jo-foley.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:57:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94\u002Fmary-jo-foley.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 30 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNET, eWeek, and Baseline. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008). She also is the co-host of the \"Windows Weekly\" podcast on the TWiT network. \r\n\r\nGot a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips, and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e67e8a28-1047-43f9-817f-4c0615adc0a8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Credit: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"windowshybridworkevent.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windowshybridworkevent.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F03\u002F15\" data-image-width=\"2292\" data-image-height=\"982\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft is planning a virtual event next month that will provide a glimpse at the future of Windows as a hybrid-work platform. That event, happening April 5, is entitled \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fbusiness\u002Fevent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Powers the Future of Hybrid Work\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\", according to the landing page. The 1.5-hour event starts at 8 a.m. PT\u002F11 a.m. ET.\u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EHeadlining the event, which is aimed at the commercial customer audience, will be Panos Panay, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer. In addition to a keynote, Microsoft is expected to provide demos of some future productivity, security and management features coming to Windows and Microsoft 365. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EMicrosoft has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fmicrosoft-365\u002Fblog\u002F2021\u002F06\u002F24\u002Fwindows-11-the-operating-system-for-hybrid-work-and-learning\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epitching Windows 11 as \"the operating system for hybrid work and learning\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E since June 2021, when Microsoft publicly announced Windows 11. Officials have said that Microsoft's decision to modernize the overall user interface while still maintaining the operating system's \"familiar feel\" would make users more productive. They also played up the security and manageability of Windows 11 as part of that pitch.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"b6ee7c84-a830-40a5-ab8a-986ca7ba484e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ZDNet Recommends: Surface Pro 8 -- 1TB SSD\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"surface-pro-8-listicle-size.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Image: Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"22d3d510-6481-4acc-bbe5-df6a90045ebf","filename":"surface-pro-8-listicle-size.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2022\u002F02\u002F24\u002F22d3d510-6481-4acc-bbe5-df6a90045ebf\u002Fsurface-pro-8-listicle-size.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-02-24 16:36:39","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"22d3d510-6481-4acc-bbe5-df6a90045ebf","imageFilename":"surface-pro-8-listicle-size.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F02\u002F24"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Image: Microsoft\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fassoc-redirect.amazon.com\u002Fg\u002Fr\u002Fhttps:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB09DK45YW2\" data-offerprice=\"1973\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EI don't have any inside information about what Microsoft plans to highlight at the April 5 event. But I have a few guesses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, I would assume we could see a peek of some so-far-undisclosed features coming to the Windows 11 -- both later this year and around October in the all-up Windows 11 22H2 feature update. Given Microsoft's recent focus on tweaking search in Windows 11, perhaps we'll see more on that front.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm also expecting we could see and hear more about some Microsoft 365 services, given that Microsoft increasingly has been integrating its Microsoft 365\u002FOffice 365 subscription services into Windows. (This would be a good time for Microsoft to make a case for why it is requiring not just Windows 11 Home but also \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-pro-may-require-msa-sign-in-internet-connectivity-just-like-the-home-version\u002F#link={%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-pro-may-require-msa-sign-in-internet-connectivity-just-like-the-home-version\u002F%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-pro-may-require-msa-sign-in-internet-connectivity-just-like-the-home-version\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 Pro users to sign in with their Microsoft Accounts\u003C\u002Fa\u003E by highlighting the kinds of services users will be able to fully access by doing so. Just saying.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI am betting we hear and see the long-rumored \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-marches-toward-its-one-outlook-rollout\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOne Outlook\" client codenamed \"Monarch\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\" at this event. Last I heard, Microsoft planned to make available its new Outlook mail and calendar release this spring in preview with its Insider testers and ultimately integrate the new Outlook into Windows, starting slowly and maybe as early as this fall. Last I heard, Microsoft plans to gradually replace the built-in Windows Mail and Calendar client with the new Outlook.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis also seems like a chance for Microsoft to talk more in-depth about how it is changing its Defender security product for Windows. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-defender-coming-soon-to-a-group-of-family-devices-including-phones\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew Microsoft Defender for Windows security product, which is codenamed \"Gibraltar\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, is designed to protect a 'family' group of devices. Microsoft just made a preview of this new security client available to Insiders in the Dev Channel. This new Defender is designed for consumers, but Microsoft seemingly is working to make sure it has consumer versions of its business services, bolstering its claim that there is no longer a clear home\u002Fwork divide in terms of PC use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm not sure whether or not Microsoft might talk a bit more about its Teams consumer plans, too, at this event for the same reasons as I outlined with Defender. The company integrated Teams chat into the taskbar on Windows 11 when it launched last year, hoping to attract consumers to the Teams platform. That effort doesn't seem to have gone much of anywhere so far, but Microsoft has been hiring consumer-industry experts from other companies to try to jumpstart its Teams consumer strategy. In August 2021, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-hires-former-uber-exec-in-effort-to-grow-its-teams-consumer-business\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft hired former Uber Chief Product Officer Manik Gupta\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as Corporate Vice President for Teams Consumer, Skype and GroupMe. And last week, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Ffeed\u002Fupdate\u002Furn:li:activity:6906598672281272320\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft hired Danny Bernstein\u003C\u002Fa\u003E -- a 10-year Google veteran who had worked on Google Assistant, Google Search and Google+ -- as Product Lead for Teams Consumer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiven this is a business-focused Windows event, I'd expect to hear something about what's next for\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-brings-windows-to-the-cloud-with-windows-365-and-cloud-pc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E Windows 365 and Cloud PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, as well as what's happening with Endpoint Manager\u002FIntune and System Center on April 5. Microsoft never announced the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-aquila-system-center-operations-manager-in-the-cloud\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecloud-based System Center Operations Manager product \u003C\u002Fa\u003EI heard about a couple of years ago, codenamed \"Aquila.\" Maybe it's coming soon (TM)?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoes anyone else have any guesses on what we might see on April 5?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-03-15 17:27:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft is planning a virtual event for April 5 that will highlight the future of the Windows platform as a hub for hybrid work.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"a4d27e83-3e7f-4d85-baa6-e649eae8b52c",image:{id:"e67e8a28-1047-43f9-817f-4c0615adc0a8",filename:"windowshybridworkevent.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-03-15 17:22:21",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"windowshybridworkevent.jpg",credits:"Credit: Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F15\u002Fe67e8a28-1047-43f9-817f-4c0615adc0a8\u002Fwindowshybridworkevent.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2292,height:982,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-to-show-how-windows-powers-the-future-of-hybrid-work",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft to show how Windows 'powers the future of hybrid work'",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"101518dd-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"cloud",name:"Cloud",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"109dbc12-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"it-priorities",name:"IT Priorities",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"98d6f538-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"palmsolo (aka Matthew Miller)",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Matthew",lastName:"Miller",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc",filename:"matthew-miller.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:28:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fee87d915-3bf6-40cb-8e7f-6112d3b322bc\u002Fmatthew-miller.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion series books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned hundreds of devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes a Galaxy Z Fold 3, COROS Vertix 2, Garmin Fenix 945 LTE, Microsoft Surface Pro 6, and many more, along with classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various social networks under the user name of \"palmsolo.\"",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"95c11e20-7ab9-4c10-8338-e4ac18bec611\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Innocn 40C1R ultrawide gaming monitor\" data-rating=\"4\" data-like=\"~Wide canvas to work with ~High 144Hz refresh rate ~Ample ports for connectivity ~USB-C charges portable devices ~Reasonable price ~Solid hardware design and quality build\" data-dislike=\"~Poor speakers ~Menu buttons require practice\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"07\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-07-02T12:42:43.713Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"07\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-07-02T12:42:43.713Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"14dbe020-931d-4c85-9b67-3008357bd252","filename":"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F24\u002F14dbe020-931d-4c85-9b67-3008357bd252\u002Finnocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-24 01:38:47","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"14dbe020-931d-4c85-9b67-3008357bd252","imageFilename":"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F24"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-FreeSync-Premium\u002Fdp\u002FB09N3G9T16?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"499.99","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-FreeSync-Premium\u002Fdp\u002FB09N3G9T16","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-FreeSync-Premium\u002Fdp\u002FB09N3G9T16?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{"uuid":"cbb91236-d793-4c26-9905-cd699abf0515","slug":"innocn-ultrawide-monitor-40-wqhd-3440-x-1440p-144hz-monitor-amd-freesync-premium-hdr400-21-9-computer-monitor-95-dci-p3","name":"INNOCN Ultrawide Monitor 40\\" WQHD 3440 x 1440p 144Hz Monitor AMD FreeSync Premium HDR400 21:9 Computer Monitor 95% DCI-P3 500Nits IPS USB Type-C HDMI Tilt\u002FHeight Adjustable Monitor, Mountable - 40C1R","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"AUTOPID","mod":1667437633253,"displayDate":"Wed Nov 02 2022 21:07:13 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"chart\" data-type=\"GeekboxChart\" data-chart=\"{"chart":[["Display","40-inch, 3440 x 1440 pixels, IPS LCD"],["Refresh rate","144 Hz"],["Aspect ratio","21:9"],["Contrast ratio","1200:1"],["Brightness","500 Nits"],["Ports","DP 1.4, USB-C (90W), HDMI 2.0 (2), 3.5mm audio"],["Weight","12.65 kg (27.9 lbs)"]],"chartName":"Specifications","headingRows":""}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA few months ago the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fsmart-office\u002Finnocn-27c1u-4k-computer-monitor\u002F\"\u003EInnocn 27C1U 4K\u003C\u002Fa\u003E computer monitor replaced my standard Dell 24-inch monitor and the colors, clarity, and performance has continued to be impressive. Last month, the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"2812f872-0bba-4098-a80a-691eb0515144\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-FreeSync-Premium\u002Fdp\u002FB09N3G9T16\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Innocn 40C1R ultrawide monitor\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E arrived for testing. It is impressive for gaming, multi-input use, and productivity with multiple apps and tabs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy primary ZDNet writing computer is an older Surface Book while my daily engineering computer is a Surface Pro 6. To connect these computers to the monitor, I simply swap the connection to my Microsoft Surface hub. With these Surface products, I enjoyed using two full size apps side-by-side to get work done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b828b194-b7f4-4b9a-9300-857d0edc1b05\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EHere's an example of working with two browsers open on the wide display\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-1\" data-image-filename=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the support for USB-C and my focus on mobile devices, I connected the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-s22-ultra-review\u002F\"\u003ESamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-dex-everything-you-need-to-make-your-galaxy-phone-a-primary-computing-platform\u002F\"\u003ESamsung DeX\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for a full PC experience. I also tested out my iPad Pro 12.9 running the public beta of iOS 16.0 that significantly improves the external monitor support.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EHardware\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe retail package is very long so you may want to have two people present for unboxing and setup. The retail box contains the monitor, a power cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, DP cable, color calibration report for the specific monitor in the box, four mount hexagon irons, stand arm, base, and an instruction guide. The two-part stand is composed of a vertical piece that screws securely into the base platform and then snaps into the back of the monitor so that a very sturdy platform for setting the monitor on your desk is provided. You can also mount the monitor on a wall and those specific instructions are provided in the box. Setup was quick and easy so I had everything ready to go in just a few minutes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConnection ports are found on the lower back of the monitor and include one full-size HDMI 2.0 port, DP1.4 port, USB-C PD 90W port, 3.5mm audio jack, and DC power port. With this assortment of ports, I connected my Surface dock to the DP1.4 port, Samsung devices and the iPad to the USB-C port, and my Nintendo Switch to the HDMI port. It was quick and easy to switch between the ports and have the cables I needed available near the base.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3d961bbb-eeb8-4b1c-b2b0-6519502af093\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe 27-inch model on the left looks tiny next to the 40-inch ultrawide monitor on the right\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-4\" data-image-filename=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-4.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe monitor is height adjustable with a range of 120mm to match your preferred height. You can pivot the monitor left and right 30 degrees, tilt forward 5 degrees, or tilt backward 15 degrees.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-dex-everything-you-need-to-make-your-galaxy-phone-a-primary-computing-platform\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESamsung DeX 101: Turn a Galaxy phone or tablet into your primary computer\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EMonitor controls and settings\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPress any button on the lower right corner of the display to access the on-screen display controls. Five buttons are present and working from left to right we find the menu button, down button, up button, exit\u002Fhot key, and power button. The menu button is used to make selections. The up and down buttons move through menu options when in a menu and when no on-screen menu is shown they can be used to quickly turn up or down the brightness levels. The exit\u002Fhot key goes back into the menu system and also lets you quickly switch port settings with no menu on the display.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe on-screen display (OSD) menu options are plentiful on the Innocn 40C1R with settings for game, professional, picture, PIP\u002FPBP, OSD settings, and other settings. Game settings include RTS\u002FRPB mode toggle, FPS arena mode toggle, adaptive sync, refresh rate, and game crosshair options. The monitor is clearly optimized for the gamer and that experience is better than the work experience with the resolution provided.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d75978c7-5be6-4e55-938e-d00ec43ecec3\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThere are a plethora of options available to optimize the monitor for your gaming or work needs\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet\" data-image-alt-text=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-2\" data-image-filename=\"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1425\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessional settings include standard mode, sRGB mode, Adobe mode, uniformity mode, gamma, CT settings, sharpness, shadow balance, low blue light, hue, saturation, and dynamic brightness. Picture settings include brightness, contrast, DCR, contextual model, HDR, and aspect ratio.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile you can use PIP with a secondary input device, I preferred using PBP for Samsung DeX on half of the display. There are six available settings for PIP\u002FPBP so explore those if you like using this capability.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe OSD settings let you customize three of the hot keys to your preferences so you can set these up for the most common functions that will allow you to control the monitor without diving into the full OSD menu. Hot key options include brightness, contrast, volume, mute, shadow balance, game crosshair, refresh rate, PIP\u002FPBP mode, input signal, dynamic brightness, and HDR.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther settings include input signal, volume, mute, auto power, eyeshield reminder, reset, and information. As you can see, you can fully customize the monitor for your specific needs. The monitor is also intelligent and everything I plugged into it worked perfectly without requiring me to dive into the settings. I did alter some settings to check to see if everything was optimized, but the auto settings were near perfect.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Finnocn-pu15-pre-portable-monitor-review-4k-oled-panel-improves-productivity-on-the-road\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInnocn PU15-Pre 4K OLED review: A portable monitor to improve your productivity\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDaily usage experiences and conclusion\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"c9b71371-4fd5-4a9d-a471-c2b09713ca6a\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-FreeSync-Premium\u002Fdp\u002FB09N3G9T16\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Innocn 40C1R ultrawide monitor\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is optimized for gaming and after first connecting my Surface computers I was not impressed by the resolution, especially when having the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fsmart-office\u002Finnocn-27c1u-4k-computer-monitor\u002F\"\u003EInnocn 27C1U 4K\u003C\u002Fa\u003E serving as the secondary monitor. The speakers are also pretty terrible so make sure to use another source for audio or plug speakers into the 3.5mm audio port since good sound is important to the gaming experience. Playing games at a high refresh rate with FreeSync support (requires an AMD GPU or APU) is likely the better experience with this wide monitor.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a week, my eyes adjusted to the monitor for engineering tasks, document creation, and more as I ran just about everything in a split screen setup with two apps splitting the display. I still prefer the smaller 27C1U for work though. The monitor base is reasonably sized and fitting the wider monitor on my standing desk was perfectly acceptable. I've actually moved the Innocn 40C1R to another standing desk that is serving as a gaming station where the monitor is best used.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESetup was quick and easy, the monitor is well constructed, it has performed flawlessly, and it is reasonably priced at $499.99. I've also seen an $80 coupon appear for the monitor, making it an even more affordable gaming platform.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAlternatives to consider\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Innocn 40C1R is a solid widescreen monitor, but you may be looking for something else so here are some alternative to consider.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"0529083c-a98f-40d4-8cac-c3e5918f91d1\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Innocn 44C1G ultrawide split screen monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"innocn-44c1g-monitor","caption":"\u003Cp\u003EThis monitor is optimized for the split-screen experience\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Image: Amazon","imageData":{"id":"a8bfb9ce-8931-4086-bd23-4e37a5053c59","filename":"innocn-44c1g-monitor.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F24\u002Fa8bfb9ce-8931-4086-bd23-4e37a5053c59\u002Finnocn-44c1g-monitor.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-24 01:45:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"a8bfb9ce-8931-4086-bd23-4e37a5053c59","imageFilename":"innocn-44c1g-monitor.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F24"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThis monitor is optimized for the split-screen experience\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Image: Amazon\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FINNOCN-Ultrawide-Monitor-1080p-120Hz\u002Fdp\u002FB09WR3SKR4\u002Fref=sr_1_22?keywords=40+wide&qid=1658621727&s=pc&sr=1-22\" data-offerprice=\"559.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"08653b2a-f166-4506-9eaf-334465f2f751\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"LG 43UN700 43-inch monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"lg-43un700-monitor","caption":"\u003Cp\u003EGet work done in several panes on this big monitor\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Image: Amazon","imageData":{"id":"9ffc7f1d-aed8-421c-93a9-1eb89934cb15","filename":"lg-43un700-monitor.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F24\u002F9ffc7f1d-aed8-421c-93a9-1eb89934cb15\u002Flg-43un700-monitor.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-24 01:46:57","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"9ffc7f1d-aed8-421c-93a9-1eb89934cb15","imageFilename":"lg-43un700-monitor.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F24"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003EGet work done in several panes on this big monitor\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Image: Amazon\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLG-43UN700-B-Display-Type-C-inputs\u002Fdp\u002FB0821WWXV6\u002Fref=sr_1_13?keywords=40+wide&qid=1658621727&s=pc&sr=1-13\" data-offerprice=\"596.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"81b9305b-f7bb-4aed-b622-53e17ffceccc\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"ViewSonic VX4381 widescreen monitor\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"viewsonic-vx4381-monitor","caption":"\u003Cp\u003EAnother 43-inch monitor, but with higher resolution\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Image: Amazon","imageData":{"id":"261510da-a6fc-45ab-a741-98d34b099151","filename":"viewsonic-vx4381-monitor.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F24\u002F261510da-a6fc-45ab-a741-98d34b099151\u002Fviewsonic-vx4381-monitor.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-07-24 01:48:38","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"261510da-a6fc-45ab-a741-98d34b099151","imageFilename":"viewsonic-vx4381-monitor.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F07\u002F24"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAnother 43-inch monitor, but with higher resolution\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Image: Amazon\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FViewSonic-VX4381-4K-Monitor-Widescreen-DisplayPort\u002Fdp\u002FB097J4J1Z7\u002Fref=sr_1_18?keywords=40+wide&qid=1658621727&s=pc&sr=1-18\" data-offerprice=\"679.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-24 13:21:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you want a single monitor to help you get work done, the 40-inch ultrawide Innocn 40C1R provides plenty of room for multiple apps and multiple input devices. It's optimized for gaming, but it's also great for productivity.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"05a11ad2-83f6-47ab-9ed7-94cdb69361cd",image:{id:"14dbe020-931d-4c85-9b67-3008357bd252",filename:"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-24 01:38:47",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"innocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3",credits:"Matthew Miller\u002FZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EThe 40-inch monitor provides a huge canvas to work with\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F24\u002F14dbe020-931d-4c85-9b67-3008357bd252\u002Finnocn-40c1r-widescreen-monitor-3.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1425,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Home Entertainment^Gaming",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"innocn-40c1r-ultrawide-144hz-monitor-review",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Innocn 40C1R ultrawide 144Hz monitor review: Plenty of room and fast refresh rate",topic:{id:"f07e8684-3ad4-438d-a6b4-0665b9de2f60",slug:"gaming",name:"Gaming",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"f07e8684-3ad4-438d-a6b4-0665b9de2f60",slug:"gaming",name:"Gaming",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1136d09c-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"samsung",name:"Samsung",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1147b242-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"smartphones",name:"Smartphones",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"59080956-0412-41e5-8eb9-a44ae4f9a8a9",username:"Michael Gariffo",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Michael",lastName:"Gariffo",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"96ef4095-58f9-4a2f-81e3-f21dc8610bf3",filename:"michael-gariffo.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:37:27",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F96ef4095-58f9-4a2f-81e3-f21dc8610bf3\u002Fmichael-gariffo.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Michael is a veteran technology writer who has been covering business and consumer-focused hardware and software for over a decade. He has published hundreds of whitepapers and thousands of articles on everything from the handheld technology that makes your daily life a little easier to the global infrastructure that powers the entire Internet.",profile:c,title:"Staff Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"9aa3e8a0-2441-42d7-bf17-998894e684f6\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Acer Swift Edge\" data-rating=\"4\" data-like=\"~Gorgeous 4K display with rich colors ~Excellent port selection includes 2 full USB-A slots ~Thinner and lighter than you'd expect from the spec sheet\" data-dislike=\"~Can run quite hot when it's being pushed ~More flex than I'd like in some places ~Battery life is just OK\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"10\" data-editorsyear=\"2022\" data-editorsdate=\""2022-10-02T21:43:12.245Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"10\" data-innovationyear=\"2022\" data-innovationdate=\""2022-10-02T21:43:12.245Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"13323fa2-4251-4eab-afd6-fa0a0eba5a34","filename":"acer-swift-edge-aspect-ratio.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F31\u002F13323fa2-4251-4eab-afd6-fa0a0eba5a34\u002Facer-swift-edge-aspect-ratio.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-31 20:31:12","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"13323fa2-4251-4eab-afd6-fa0a0eba5a34","imageFilename":"acer-swift-edge-aspect-ratio.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F10\u002F31"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.anrdoezrs.net\u002Flinks\u002F9041660\u002Ftype\u002Fdlg\u002Fsid\u002Fsubid_value\u002Fhttps:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys","offerMerchant":"Acer","offerPrice":"1500","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.anrdoezrs.net\u002Flinks\u002F9041660\u002Ftype\u002Fdlg\u002Fsid\u002Fsubid_value\u002Fhttps:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys"}]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBetween chip shortages, supply chain breakdowns, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Ffinance\u002Finflation-what-it-means-for-your-wallet-and-how-it-impacts-your-life\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eongoing inflation\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, it may seem impossible to find a high-end laptop for under $2,000. Acer's 16-inch Swift Edge model makes a case that it is still possible to buy an ultrabook-class laptop for not only less than $2,000, but \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"e6e9ee6d-733a-42ce-9612-32139c32844e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"less than $1,500\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Its thin, light chassis, Ryzen 7 CPU, DDR5 memory, and 4K display all shout \"premium,\" while the price is more than $500 less than a similarly sized and equipped \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacBook Pro\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pullquote\" data-alignment=\"right\" data-quote=\"The Swift Edge is an excellent, budget-friendly option for the shopper who needs a solid, workhorse laptop, with one of the best 16-inch displays I've seen for under $2,000.\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, this surprisingly low sticker price comes with some concessions you should know about. High-concept design and ultrarigid construction are left behind here in favor of raw power. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe battery life's also shorter than on pricier models. In exchange, you're getting performance that can handle anything you throw at it -- and handled quickly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fhome-entertainment\u002Foled-vs-led-whats-the-difference-and-is-one-better-than-the-other\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOLED vs LED: What's the difference and is one better than the other?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis review will help you decide if the balance that Acer has struck between performance, build quality, and price makes the Swift Edge the ideal laptop for you.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"chart\" data-type=\"GeekboxChart\" data-chart=\"{"chart":[["Processor","AMD Ryzen 7 6800U"],["Display","16-inch 3840x2400 OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate"],["Memory","16GB DDR5 (up to 32GB available)"],["Storage","1TB Gen 4 NVME SSD"],["Cameras","1080p at 60FPS"],["Battery","54Wh, rated for up to 10.5 hours"],["Ports","2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 20Gbps with DisplayPort over USB), 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (HDCP support), 1 combo headphone\u002Fmicrophone jack"],["Connectivity","Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2"],["Weight and dimensions","2.58 lbs&nbsp; | 14.04 x 9.5 x 0.51 inches or 356.7 x 242.3 x 12.95 millimeters\u003Cbr\u003E"]],"chartName":"Specifications","headingRows":""}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBuild quality\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3a3fd64f-6b13-405b-8ea1-2e3a25706855\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe lid is moderately prone to fingerprints in the Olivine Black colorway.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Acer's Swift Edge laptop closed on a desk\" data-image-filename=\"acer-swift-edge-lid.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'd say that build quality is the least impressive aspect of the Swift Edge. While there's no single part of the laptop that's poorly made, the majority of the materials are... serviceable. The outer shell, for example, is entirely metallic, but it's thinner metal than most laptops with such lofty internals, and there's more flex to it than I'd like. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b5552b15-8ab2-4018-8f60-e41de80e0fea\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe inset trackpad rises above the rest of the build a bit to provide a particularly responsive, pleasant experience in a Windows laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Acer Swift Edge laptop's keyboard and trackpad\" data-image-filename=\"acer-swift-edge-keyboard.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis theme continues on the keyboard. It provides an average level of typing comfort and feel, with some noticeable give in the typing deck. That said, the touchpad provides a satisfying mechanical click, and is as responsive and accurate as any I've used on a Windows-based laptop recently. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 4K display, \u003Cem\u003Ethe\u003C\u002Fem\u003E high point of the system, is surrounded by pleasingly thin bezels, allowing its gorgeous OLED panel to shine (more on this later). The taller-than-16:9 aspect ratio also provides ample screen real estate for work and browsing websites. That beauty and practicality go a long way toward making you forget about the outer shell and keyboard that might seem at home on a much cheaper laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe best laptops: Does Apple take the crown?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFeatures and ports\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7c4016da-f0b7-42bd-a782-5192cd7b4dcc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe pair of full-size USB-A ports is a rare treat these days, especially on a laptop this thin.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The port selection of Acer's Swift Edge laptop\" data-image-filename=\"acer-swift-edge-ports.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe port selection on the Swift Edge is another triumph. While some expensive models add even more cost by requiring dongles and adapters, this more budget-friendly model from Acer offers two USB-A and two USB-C ports, likely enough to meet your peripheral and storage needs. It also adds additional flexibility to your setup by expanding the included HDMI 2.1 port with DisplayPort over USB Type-C support for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fsmart-office\u002Fhow-to-choose-the-right-monitor-layout-for-working-from-home\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eextra monitors\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose extra displays might struggle to compete with the built-in screen of the Swift Edge. I've occasionally waffled on the necessity of 4K displays under 24 inches. But here, the extreme pixel density and gorgeous color saturation (provided by the OLED panel) made me shut up and enjoy the show. Video streaming looked crisp, with deep, rich blacks, while text looked razor-sharp at all sizes. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe glossy coating is also more resistant to background glare than other models I've recently reviewed. Between this and the 400 nits of brightness, you shouldn't have any issues getting work done in direct sunlight. Of course, that beautiful display does drink electricity, but we'll discuss that more in the next section. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b09310aa-0ea4-485a-8488-d1e921558c45\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe included charger is on the more compact size, barely larger than the palm of my hand.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Acer Swift laptop's charger\" data-image-filename=\"acer-swift-edge-charger.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAbout that webcam...\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI should also cover the included 1080p webcam. I won't be quite as harsh as I was about the built-in webcam in my recent \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Flenovo-thinkpad-z16-review-disappointing-webcam-great-everything-else\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ereview of Lenovo's ThinkPad Z16\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. The reasons for this are twofold. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47c778fe-0b37-4ef3-8d2d-1e4a39ee993e\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47c778fe-0b37-4ef3-8d2d-1e4a39ee993e\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, Acer didn't make the webcam a showpiece, instead listing it on its spec sheet as a fairly average 1080p laptop camera, unlike Lenovo's decision to permanently highlight it on its laptop's lid. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESecond, for all that lack of attention, it performed about the same as Lenovo's webcam: exactly how you'd expect a middling 1080p webcam built into a laptop this thin and light to perform. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not the worst I've ever used, but it has the slightly noisy, not-quite-as-HD-as-you'd-expect look that most laptop webcams suffer from. Still, it's entirely usable for Zoom calls and the like. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELastly, I'll note that the built-in stereo speakers are fine. They won't blow you away, but they also don't distort your audio or get overly muddled at higher volumes either, which is nice for media consumption.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPerformance and battery life\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"38fcdeee-fda0-4b7f-81b8-f140937dc6be\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe default wallpaper does an excellent job of showing off everything from the rich, dark blacks the OLED can provide to the crisp, highly saturated 4K resolution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The display of the Acer Swift Edge Laptop\" data-image-filename=\"acer-swift-edge-display.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is where the sacrifices in other aspects of the Swift Edge pay off. The Ryzen 7 CPU and 16GB of DDR5 RAM (the latest standard) provided exceptional performance in almost every task I put them to. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"33f444ee-2e26-4a77-bd23-1b8913e1a22b\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F33f444ee-2e26-4a77-bd23-1b8913e1a22b\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBasic Windows and productivity actions always felt instant, even when I attempted to bog the unit down with numerous open browser tabs and several running programs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile it couldn't quite hold up to the Ryzen 9 CPU in that Lenovo model mentioned above, it came far closer than something with an MSRP more than $300 below that model should be expected to. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe only area where it fell somewhat short was gaming. I should emphasize that the Swift Edge is not marketed as a gaming PC. However, most high-end laptops can usually play most midrange games, even if they can't offer usable frame rates on AAA titles. The Swift Edge's performance is just barely usable in games like Overwatch 2 and Valorant,\u003Cem\u003E \u003C\u002Fem\u003Eand fine for older titles like League of Legends or any retro and 2D games you might like. Still, I wouldn't recommend it for more than very occasional, very casual gaming.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGaming performance is a nice bonus in a work or school laptop, but battery life is usually paramount. Acer rates the Swift Edge at 10.5 hours for video playback and 7.5 hours per a MobileMark 2018 benchmark. I found the lower number closer to reality. Most full charges lasted around 5.5 to 7 hours. Pushing the system hard could drop that figure as low as 3 hours, while applying some modest battery-saving measures could stretch it as far as 8 hours. However, carrying out what I consider to be an average variety of tasks, I'd estimate 6.5 hours per charge is a realistic expectation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-power-bank\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 5 best portable power banks: Top up your mobile devices\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis means you shouldn't expect all-day battery life. But, it was never realistic to expect a 16-inch, 4K resolution display to match the 13-inch, HD display laptops pushing over 10 hours. It's another trade-off worth noting. If you absolutely need 10-plus hours of battery life, you're going to have to consider a smaller, lower-resolution display, or a heavier laptop. You can't have it all, especially at this price point. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"14b94fa7-074c-417c-8d92-74fbd266b9b9\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Acer Swift Edge\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"245353d8-6d9e-46eb-bb69-600852ef543a","filename":"acer-swift-edge-promo.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F31\u002F245353d8-6d9e-46eb-bb69-600852ef543a\u002Facer-swift-edge-promo.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-31 20:28:25","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"245353d8-6d9e-46eb-bb69-600852ef543a","imageFilename":"acer-swift-edge-promo.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F10\u002F31"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys\" data-offerprice=\"1499.99\" data-offermerchant=\"Acer\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.anrdoezrs.net\u002Flinks\u002F9041660\u002Ftype\u002Fdlg\u002Fsid\u002Fsubid_value\u002Fhttps:\u002F\u002Fstore.acer.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fswift-edge-laptop-sfa16-41-r6ys\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBottom line \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHopefully, I've illustrated the high points and drawbacks of the Swift Edge in a way that will help you decide if its skills and deficits suit your needs. I believe the ideal owner would be someone who will fully exploit the larger, 4K display. If you'll constantly struggle with the shorter battery life, or you're just doing basic productivity work, all of those pixels will just go to waste. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you're a content creator producing photos or videos at 4K resolution or a content consumer who wants your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-streaming-webcam\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estreaming video\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to look its absolute best, you'll savor all this OLED panel has to offer. You'll also need to plug in from time to time to keep that work or entertainment uninterrupted, albeit not for long thanks to the included 65W charger.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are laptop options that will get you a little closer to having everything, but you'll need to shell out about $500 more, and even then you'll leave behind things like a 4K display. This fact alone makes the Swift Edge an excellent, budget-friendly option for the shopper who needs a solid, workhorse laptop with one of the best 16-inch displays I've seen in a laptop under $2,000.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAlternatives to consider \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"ff78e22d-0fe2-44fc-87d4-ebccaddc97d3\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Lenovo ThinkPad Z16\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"276583e1-f8fa-4ec3-81f0-0fcd3c84c2ae","filename":"lenovo-thinkpad-z16-lifestyle.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F12\u002F276583e1-f8fa-4ec3-81f0-0fcd3c84c2ae\u002Flenovo-thinkpad-z16-lifestyle.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-12 18:35:21","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"276583e1-f8fa-4ec3-81f0-0fcd3c84c2ae","imageFilename":"lenovo-thinkpad-z16-lifestyle.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F10\u002F12"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLenovo-ThinkPad-21D4001VUS-Notebook-Board\u002Fdp\u002FB0B8NVY2FZ\" data-offerprice=\"1659\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FLenovo-ThinkPad-21D4001VUS-Notebook-Board\u002Fdp\u002FB0B8NVY2FZ?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf build quality is more important to you than a 4K display, and you can afford to up your budget a little more, Lenovo's ThinkPad Z16 is a beautifully made laptop with a powerhouse Ryzen 9 at its core.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"ba0bac12-bb43-4867-a098-2b808b5a3b3e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Dell XPS 13 Plus\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"22822c2e-3fbc-45ca-bb26-58b78f996df0","filename":"dell-xps-13-plus.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F13\u002F22822c2e-3fbc-45ca-bb26-58b78f996df0\u002Fdell-xps-13-plus.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-13 16:03:08","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"22822c2e-3fbc-45ca-bb26-58b78f996df0","imageFilename":"dell-xps-13-plus.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F10\u002F13"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-9320-Touchscreen-Notebook-Board\u002Fdp\u002FB0BBGTT1R3\" data-offerprice=\"1730\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-9320-Touchscreen-Notebook-Board\u002Fdp\u002FB0BBGTT1R3?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you need something with a longer battery life, Dell's XPS 13 Plus is amongst the latest and greatest all-day laptops, with a 13-hour-plus battery. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"b9d1604f-5707-4525-aeb5-56f11e3e6634\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"e8531547-23c5-475a-9c81-e7198d7a404b","filename":"macbook-pro-16.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F17\u002Fe8531547-23c5-475a-9c81-e7198d7a404b\u002Fmacbook-pro-16.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-17 13:48:31","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"e8531547-23c5-475a-9c81-e7198d7a404b","imageFilename":"macbook-pro-16.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F17"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10%E2%80%91core-16%E2%80%91core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\u002F\" data-offerprice=\"2299\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10‑core-16‑core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\u002F?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe perpetual elephant in the room whenever you're shopping for a laptop, Apple's latest 16-inch MacBook Pro is a battery life king with up to 21 hours of use thanks to its highly integrated, extremely powerful M1 Pro core. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-11-01 13:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Acer's Swift Edge Laptop manages to sport features that usually push laptop prices over the $2,000 mark, for around $500 less -- but not without cutting a few corners.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"e816b76b-30bc-4923-92b1-df38144ecd26",image:{id:"38fcdeee-fda0-4b7f-81b8-f140937dc6be",filename:"acer-swift-edge-display.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-10-31 20:34:19",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"replace-this-image.jpg",credits:"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EAlso, notice the image file name is descriptive. Please don't upload images that have \"screenshot\" or \"image\" or something unknown in the file name. In other words, if the image is of an iPhone 13, make sure the image's file name says iPhone 13. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F31\u002F38fcdeee-fda0-4b7f-81b8-f140937dc6be\u002Facer-swift-edge-display.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"acer-swift-edge-laptop-review-the-lightest-4k-oled-laptop-yet",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Acer Swift Edge laptop review: The lightest 4K OLED laptop yet",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2a142269-ad72-4347-a8d7-cbab9a2f6346",username:"chris_matyszczyk",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Chris",lastName:"Matyszczyk",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"dc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42",filename:"chris-matyszczyk.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:17:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fdc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42\u002Fchris-matyszczyk.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who now runs the consultancy Howard Raucous LLC. In 2013, Mediapost named him the Most Influential Person on Madison Avenue. His writing has been published all over the world, most recently on CNET.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1e21f250-b45f-45e0-aee8-0600d069fc98\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESell it to me, Apple.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Apple\" data-image-alt-text=\"apple-ipad-air-2022.png\" data-image-filename=\"screen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-22-14-pm-2.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F03\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"Goodness,\" I said to myself. \"That's so impressive.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWell, I was sitting on my own watching Apple's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fiphone-se-2022-specs-price-release-date-how-to-buy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elatest event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, so who else was I going to talk to?  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd I'm always easily impressed. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this case, Angela Kyazike, Apple's iPad engineering program manager, showed off \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-unveils-latest-ipad-air-with-m1-chip-improved-usbc-port\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe latest and clearly most wonderful iPad Air\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe sold it with a script that contained all the aplomb of the small print you always click \"agree\" under. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe said \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"48fd8084-ce9b-409b-9362-a4a2b05b5bf3\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-air\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"the new Air\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is \"up to two times faster than the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebest selling Windows laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in its price range.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"e15256bd-5065-4aee-a45c-e692c24d6388\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"iPad Air\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"aeee0261-c5e3-4c13-944c-31bdc34b11ae","filename":"screen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-18-39-pm-2.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F08\u002Faeee0261-c5e3-4c13-944c-31bdc34b11ae\u002Fscreen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-18-39-pm-2.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-03-08 18:19:57","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"aeee0261-c5e3-4c13-944c-31bdc34b11ae","imageFilename":"screen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-18-39-pm-2.png","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F03\u002F08"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-air\u002F\" data-offerprice=\"599\" data-offermerchant=\"Apple\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapple.sjv.io\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F435031\u002F7613?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad-air\u002F&subId1=[subid_value]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs often happens, my initial excitement -- hey, it was Tuesday morning -- was followed by a more rational \"wait a minute there.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's a tablet that purports to be not so expensive being compared to a relatively cheap Windows laptop. We've been here so many times before. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnet.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft-laughs-at-apples-claim-that-ipad-pro-is-a-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehas often claimed the iPad is a laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, then changed its mind and seemed to contort itself into \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-cant-stop-insisting-ipad-pro-is-a-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eseveral more twists\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before concluding that, well, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-finally-decides-the-ipad-pro-is-a-computer-and-isnt\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eit's not really a laptop, but maybe it is\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis time, it seems to be far better than a laptop. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUntil, perhaps, you remember you know how to add numbers together. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new Air is priced -- base priced, that is -- at between \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"196c0248-3c14-40df-8fb0-b4bb6e557e2c\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-ipad\u002Fipad-air\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$599 and $899\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo type on it in a (vaguely) similar way to a laptop, you need a keyboard. Which Apple's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ae2b3d42-e9d9-4db6-a489-c5ceb279445f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fselect-ipad-keyboards\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"fine website\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E tells me could cost you another \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"bded9485-1cb8-4bd7-94a5-127b3f99f977\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fproduct\u002FMJQJ3LL\u002FA\u002Fmagic-keyboard-for-ipad-pro-11-inch-3rd-generation-and-ipad-air-5th-generation-us-english-white\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$299 for the Magic version\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E and \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"a7478719-78cc-43b4-a561-f6de66a4e416\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fproduct\u002FMXNK2LL\u002FA\u002Fsmart-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-pro-11-inch-3rd-generation-and-ipad-air-5th-generation-us-english\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$159-$179 for the merely Smart version\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"d2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fd2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWas Apple, therefore, comparing a thing without a keyboard to a thing with a keyboard and hoping no one would notice? (\"Yes,\" is my first thought.) \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd then there's this best-selling Windows laptop in the same price range as the iPad Air. Which part of the iPad Air's price range would that specifically be? I'm guessing the very bottom end. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThinking makes the problems mount, doesn't it? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo Apple was, I'm thinking, claiming that the new Air is twice as fast as a pretty cheap but popular Windows laptop -- one that isn't, practically speaking, in the same price range at all. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKyazike did offer another clue. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fapple-events\u002Fmarch-2022\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EShe said\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that the Windows laptop was three times thicker and four times heavier. Which just wasn't enough of a clue for me. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENaturally, then, I did the only thing I could. I asked Apple if it could please tell me which specific Windows laptop it was denigrating with such haughty sales patter. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'll update, should I (ever) hear. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis tortured sales technique can be a touch grating. Could it be that, if Apple had named this Windows laptop, it would have rendered its comparison slightly risible? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"gallery\" data-uuid=\"dad86a73-8a67-422c-8583-ed12ec893188\" data-float=\"none\" data-size=\"large\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMight it have elicited a little \"well, of course, it's going to be faster than \u003Cem\u003Ethat?\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe identity of this Dell or HP or Lenovo -- I'm guessing here -- laptop must remain a mystery for now. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'll merely tell you that my \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"1067204e-60c6-40d4-9f7f-8ae82187d799\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fmacbook-air\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"M1 MacBook Air\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is faster than a coffee table. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes, even a coffee table with wheels. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"video\" data-uuid=\"e3b1efc7-844a-480d-b4ac-b255afdfb210\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-03-09 13:40:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"During its latest event, Apple made a boast about the iPad Air. How much hot air was in it? I asked Apple.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"41bb3ea0-0825-40fe-8738-e9b0a0f67c9f",image:{id:"1e21f250-b45f-45e0-aee8-0600d069fc98",filename:"screen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-22-14-pm-2.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-03-08 21:37:12",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"apple-ipad-air-2022.png",credits:"Apple",caption:"\u003Cp\u003ESell it to me, Apple.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F08\u002F1e21f250-b45f-45e0-aee8-0600d069fc98\u002Fscreen-shot-2022-03-08-at-1-22-14-pm-2.png",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Companies^Apple",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"apple-ruthlessly-mocks-a-windows-laptop-but-which-one-exactly",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Apple ruthlessly mocks a Windows laptop (but which one, exactly?)",topic:{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10d0341c-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"mobility",name:"Mobility",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"116c1d92-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"tablets",name:"Tablets",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"59080956-0412-41e5-8eb9-a44ae4f9a8a9",username:"Michael Gariffo",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Michael",lastName:"Gariffo",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"96ef4095-58f9-4a2f-81e3-f21dc8610bf3",filename:"michael-gariffo.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:37:27",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F96ef4095-58f9-4a2f-81e3-f21dc8610bf3\u002Fmichael-gariffo.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Michael is a veteran technology writer who has been covering business and consumer-focused hardware and software for over a decade. He has published hundreds of whitepapers and thousands of articles on everything from the handheld technology that makes your daily life a little easier to the global infrastructure that powers the entire Internet.",profile:c,title:"Staff Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"28ccf3a7-6370-4555-bec7-a35ec7cfc9cc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Accell\" data-image-alt-text=\"Sample Image 16:9 Red\" data-image-filename=\"accel-thunderbolt-4-docking-station.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"3933\" data-image-height=\"2190\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've never used a docking station like Accell's Thunderbolt 4 Dock, you're missing out. Loads of us use a single, often work-provided, laptop when we're on the go and working from home. The hassle of swapping between these two scenarios means we often find ourselves struggling to get work done on a tiny laptop display with nothing but its built-in keyboard and touchpad. After all, who feels like connecting and disconnecting six or seven cables multiple times a day to take advantage of external monitors and peripherals? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, imagine if you could complete all of the same hook-ups, even power, by connecting one, single cable. In this new world of distributed work scenarios we now live in, that kind of convenience can revolutionize your workflow. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhich-is-better-usb-c-3-1-gen-2-or-thunderbolt\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWhich is better, USB-C 3.1 gen 2 or Thunderbolt?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"efbd3e2b-8b43-424d-b5c4-caefa2cfd9ce\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Accell Thunderbolt 4 Dock here\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"30aed06e-a669-4fe8-8217-fefea3fc124d","filename":"accell-tb4-dock-promo.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F14\u002F30aed06e-a669-4fe8-8217-fefea3fc124d\u002Faccell-tb4-dock-promo.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-09-14 16:45:25","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"30aed06e-a669-4fe8-8217-fefea3fc124d","imageFilename":"accell-tb4-dock-promo.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F09\u002F14"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAccell-Thunderbolt-Docking-Station\u002Fdp\u002FB09KZBD1KJ\" data-offerprice=\"300\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first, most important thing you can know about the Accell Thunderbolt 4 Dock is its expansive port selection. This is one of the two main differentiators between the many Thunderbolt docks on the market. We'll cover the other a bit further down. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinding the right \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop-docking-station\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edocking station\u003C\u002Fa\u003E boils down to your needs, including what peripherals you want to use, how many of each you own, and what connections your monitors and peripherals require. This will determine if this model is right for you, or if another would better suit your setup. To make this easy for you, I've included bulleted lists below. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrontside ports\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e243d4fb-6c70-4c56-9024-0b637f886756\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAll ports are listed below, left to right. The tiny dot on the extreme right is an indicator LED\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Front of Accell's Thunderbolt 4 dock\" data-image-filename=\"accell-tb4-dock-front-view.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESD 4.0 UHS-II card reader slot\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUSB 2.0 Type A port\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E3.5mm audio jack\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUpstream \u002F Source Thunderbolt 4 port with 96W of power delivery (PD) - This is where you'll plug in your laptop\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBackside ports\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fa22f6c0-7fed-41d7-a81d-7abf5cadb342\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe ports are nicely spaced to prevent larger connectors and dongles from interfering with adjacent inputs\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\" data-image-alt-text=\"Rear view of Accell's Thunderbolt 4 dock\" data-image-filename=\"accell-tb4-dock-rear-view.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPower in (from supplied power brick, shown below)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDisplayPort 1.4 port\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E3 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A ports\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGigabit Ethernet port\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis doesn't represent the widest port selection available at this price point, but it should cover the vast majority of users' needs. This is especially true if one of the displays you'll be connecting supports video over Thunderbolt, as either of the included Thunderbolt 4 ports can output your PC's video to external displays.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-monitor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBest monitor 2022: Treat yourself with a gorgeous screen\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 96W of supported power delivery means this tiny dock should also be able to top up all but the most power-hungry laptop, as long as they support charging via Thunderbolt. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1c76a06e-851b-4a68-81c9-f08e0ca1bd79\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ELeft to right: power adapter (that power brick's nearly as big as, and heavier than, the dock itself), Euro Plug power cable, US power cable, and Thunderbolt 4 cable\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Michael Gariffo\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Accessories included with Accell's Thunderbolt 4 dock\" data-image-filename=\"accell-tb4-dock-accessories.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis all means that you could connect a laptop to a triple-monitor setup (including the laptop's own display), with an external keyboard and mouse, and still have enough room for things like USB-connected printers or webcams, as well as analog audio equipment...all by plugging in that single, included Thunderbolt 4 cable. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI tested this scenario using a late model \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Ftopic\u002Flenovo\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELenovo ThinkPad\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and an older model Alienware gaming laptop. All monitors, peripherals, and connected equipment functioned perfectly and took only seconds to fully connect. The setup also included two 4K displays, one connected via DisplayPort and the other via Thunderbolt cable. The Accell dock supports a single 8K (at 30Hz) display, but I didn't have one handy to test this with. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fhome-entertainment\u002Fbest-8k-tv\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 5 best 8K TVs: Future-proof your home theater\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThere's a catch\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn short, it all \"just works,\" and works well...as long as you're using a Windows-based PC. To be clear, everything but display outputs worked perfectly well on Macs too. But, there's a caveat when it comes to external monitors. This is where the second of the big considerations I'd advise you to analyze when shopping for a Thunderbolt dock comes in: whether or not it supports DisplayLink. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"69ef46e6-6566-480e-b2ee-8ff4f1c72edf\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"right\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EDocks that support DisplayLink will generally either show this logo somewhere in their support literature, or will specifically note it on the device itself\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"DisplayLink\" data-image-alt-text=\"The DisplayLink logo\" data-image-filename=\"displaylink-logo.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F14\" data-image-crop=\"700x627+297+63\" data-image-width=\"1321\" data-image-height=\"743\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can think of DisplayLink as a way to add extra external displays to a PC by creating a software-based GPU, or video card. This virtualized hardware makes it possible to exceed the maximum number of displays your PC could typically support. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis has become so important recently because of Apple. The company's M1 and M2-based MacBooks only support a single external display. If you connect the Accell Thunderbolt 4 Dock, you can still use a single DisplayPort OR Thunderbolt 4 display. However, attempting to add a second monitor will disable the first. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fvideo\u002Fhow-to-connect-a-second-thunderbolt-monitor-to-your-m1-mac-mini\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to connect a second Thunderbolt monitor to your M1 Mac Mini\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis, to be clear, is a limitation of Apple's hardware, not Accell's. However, there are comparably priced Thunderbolt docks that do offer DisplayPort and will allow you to add more than one external display to an M1 or M2-based MacBook. This dock, unfortunately, will not. Accell itself notes this in its tech specs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, If you're a Windows PC user DisplayLink is less vital. Also, if you own a MacBook using an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffirst-look-at-apple-m1-pro-and-m1-max\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EM1 Pro or M1 Max chip\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (which supports two and four external displays, respectively), it will likely be unnecessary. But, given the massive popularity of the M1 and M2 MacBook air models, it's something all Thunderbolt dock shoppers should know about.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBottom line\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the Accell Thunderbolt 4 dock is a high-quality option for users with the right operating system and needs, but it's not something I can recommend for all users, and I'd advise MacBook owners to opt for something else. For them, cheaper, DisplayLink-equipped options would likely be a better choice. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuying info: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIf the Accell Thunderbolt 4 Dock sounds like an ideal solution for your situation and the specifical peripherals you use, you can purchase it \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"0558793f-326a-4c42-a209-b2fecc2ade66\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FAccell-Thunderbolt-Docking-Station\u002Fdp\u002FB09KZBD1KJ\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"at Amazon.com for $300 right now\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop-docking-station\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 13 best laptop docking stations of 2022\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-14 20:54:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The convenience provided by this tiny desktop companion is hard to overstate. It's great for Macs, too, except for one thing.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"0f0fca9b-993e-47cd-85bc-9c5109eab3c6",image:{id:"30aed06e-a669-4fe8-8217-fefea3fc124d",filename:"accell-tb4-dock-promo.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-09-14 16:45:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"GOTRAX 4 electric scooter",credits:"GOTRAX",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F14\u002F30aed06e-a669-4fe8-8217-fefea3fc124d\u002Faccell-tb4-dock-promo.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1321,height:743,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Smart Office^Office Hardware & Appliances",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"accell-thunderbolt-4-docking-station-extreme-convenience-but-best-for-windows-users",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Is this the ultimate Windows docking station? Meet the Accell Thunderbolt 4",topic:{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"f6766034-0530-4765-8be5-effa45e1c660",slug:"office-hardware-appliances",name:"Office Hardware & Appliances",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"112a7545-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"reviews",name:"Reviews",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"95ca6724-c309-42a2-b946-f359f1127d73",slug:"computers-tech",name:"Computers & Tech",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"7ba93295-2caf-4dd0-a86b-85d50f348846",username:"kkucharski",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Kyle",lastName:"Kucharski",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20",filename:"kyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-04-24 19:47:58",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F04\u002F24\u002Fec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20\u002Fkyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Kyle Kucharski is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor interested in emerging technologies and all things futurism. When he's not covering new laptops and computers for ZDNET, he's writing about music and speculative fiction.",profile:c,title:"Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ba854373-0e61-430b-956f-899e68f95ceb\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Lenovo Flex 5 14" Gen 7\" data-image-filename=\"img-8067.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"4032\" data-image-height=\"2268\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EZDNET's key takeaways\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"567a3705-fe08-4e67-8963-8c60dd49aa0e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible\u002F837286081\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 2-in-1\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is available now at Walmart for $679. \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's a durable budget laptop that comes with Windows S mode, a restricted but streamlined version of the operating system that improves performance.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe restrictions that come with Windows S mode won't make sense for everyone, and the laptop is on the heavy side. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELenovo's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"7a48542c-f7d4-4fcb-b273-869ad05fdd02\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible\u002F837286081\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"IdeaPad Flex 5\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is a solid budget 2-in-1 laptop in its own right, but it's designed with a special purpose in mind: optimization with Windows' light and limited S mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're not familiar with S mode, it's a restricted, simplified mode of Windows 11 that is more secure and lightweight, resulting in better performance -- especially for machines with lower-end hardware. This isn't the operating system for everyone, but for students, workers, enterprise machines, or people who just want a more secure experience, it has a lot of potential. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-battery-life-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best battery life laptops of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IdeaPad Flex 5 is a sturdy little 14-inch 2-in-1 starting at $679, making it an attractive budget option that puts it in Chromebook territory. But it's not only the price point that draws these comparisons. The modest hardware and Windows 11 S mode make for a lightweight device that's optimized for a practical, albeit limited use case. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"1fe4e93c-24bc-4b8b-908f-19ac782aa901\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe IdeaPad Flex 5 lives up to its name as a flexible, durable budget 2-in-1 laptop that comes with Windows 11 S mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"7d766932-3960-4529-9b33-c031934dc05d","title":"Lenovo Flex 5 14\\" Gen 7","filename":"img-8061.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F24\u002F7d766932-3960-4529-9b33-c031934dc05d\u002Fimg-8061.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":1937316,"width":4032,"height":2268,"dateCreated":{"date":"2024-10-24 15:24:16","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2024-10-24 15:24:54","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET","alt":"Lenovo Flex 5 14\\" Gen 7","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"7d766932-3960-4529-9b33-c031934dc05d","imageAltText":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"img-8061.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2024\u002F10\u002F24","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":2268,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"ZDNET RECOMMENDS\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{"uuid":"32b31d19-05fe-4745-9015-37efc2037176","slug":"lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14iau7-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-8-gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-storm-gray","name":"\\"Lenovo - IdeaPad Flex 5 14IAU7 14\\"\\" Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8 GB Memory - 512 GB SSD - Storm Gray\\"","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"EZMONEY","mod":1729781496885,"displayDate":"Thu Oct 24 2024 10:51:36 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedid=zdnet&partnerpropertyid=1980086&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible%2F837286081&subId1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Walmart","offerPrice":"","offerPriceRange":"","offerPriceText":"","offerType":"Single Product","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible\u002F837286081","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fgoto.walmart.com\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F565706\u002F9383?&sharedid=zdnet&partnerpropertyid=1980086&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible%2F837286081&subId1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 has specs that look like a Chromebook. It's got an Intel i5 processor, either 8GB or 16GB of soldered (read: un-upgradeable) RAM, an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU, and 512GB of storage. The touchscreen display is a 300-nit, 60Hz WUXGA screen that looks just fine for everyday use, and a 2-in-1 form factor that easily swaps between tablet and laptop mode. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-lightweight-laptop-has-one-of-the-best-displays-ive-seen-and-its-very-affordable\u002F\"\u003EThis lightweight laptop has one of the best displays I've seen - and it's very affordable\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn terms of connectivity, it has all the bases covered: two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, one USB-C Thunderbolt, one 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader. To charge, it can use either Lenovo's proprietary port with the charger it came with, or charge via USB-C Thunderbolt if you have one one. This wide range of ports makes for a versatile laptop that can integrate well with already-existing IT systems. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IdeaPad Flex 5 is not particularly lightweight, weighing in at 3.42 pounds, but its overall form factor is slim enough. Overall, it feels well-made and sturdy, with a slightly grainy texture that resists fingerprints and feels durable enough to perform well after changing hands many times. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7d766932-3960-4529-9b33-c031934dc05d\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Lenovo Flex 5 14" Gen 7\" data-image-filename=\"img-8061.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"4032\" data-image-height=\"2268\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's certainly something Lenovo had in mind with this machine's use case with Windows S. It's not the sleekest, boldest design on the market, but it's well-suited to act as a machine for students or in an enterprise setting. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's look a little closer at Windows S mode. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen Windows S was first released, developers and consumers alike \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-windows-10-s-for-you-the-good-the-bad-and-the-target-users\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehad mixed feelings, to say the least\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Now, however, the use cases for Windows S are a little more clear. The key thing to understand is that you can only download apps from Microsoft Store, similar to Apple's \"walled garden\" in iOS. This means no random .exe files you download off the internet. If it's not in the official Store app, it won't run. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fone-of-the-most-versatile-laptops-ive-tested-is-a-crowd-pleaser-with-solid-hardware\u002F\"\u003EOne of the most versatile laptops I've tested is a crowd-pleaser with solid hardware\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis restriction prevents any unverified applications from running on the machine, greatly reducing the risk of things like viruses and malware, while boosting performance by keeping the registry clean. Users also can't access command-line shells in any way, which prevents any kind of registry changes or risky system settings alterations that might break things. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis results in a device that's pretty locked down, but that could be especially useful, particularly in an educational or workplace setting, or for users who don't need the extra choice. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2050571\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Recommends\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince choice is the main thing you give up, that means \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-windows-10-s-for-you-the-good-the-bad-and-the-target-users\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eno Google Chrome (likely ever)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, as you'll be relegated to Microsoft Edge as the only approved default browser (you can download Opera, however, and a handful of other lesser-known browsers).  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis lack of choice alone might be a dealbreaker for some, as most of the basic industry-standard productivity apps are available (Slack, Outlook, Dropbox), but more dedicated apps like Adobe Creative Cloud are not (except Photoshop Express). In return, what you get is a squeaky-clean, streamlined laptop that will never be bogged down by bloatware.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"17961a1e-bb44-44ba-af7c-a1fb7d5ac23c\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kyle Kucharski\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Lenovo Flex 5 14" Gen 7\" data-image-filename=\"img-8065.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"4032\" data-image-height=\"2268\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo you have to run the IdeaPad Flex 5 with Windows 11 S? The answer is no; you can swap to \"regular\" Windows at any time, but you won't be able to swap back -- it's a one-way street. That being said, I wouldn't recommend this laptop if you're just going to run traditional Windows 11. There are plenty of other budget laptops with more memory that would make more sense if you don't want the restrictions of Windows S.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-switched-to-a-split-ergonomic-keyboard-for-a-week-and-its-spoiled-every-other-peripheral-for-me\u002F\"\u003EI switched to a split ergonomic keyboard for a week, and it's spoiled every other peripheral for me\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo is the IdeaPad Flex 5 comparable to a Chromebook? Absolutely. But keep in mind that Chromebooks have gotten quite a bit more spicy these days, especially with the release of devices like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-lightweight-laptop-has-one-of-the-best-displays-ive-seen-and-its-very-affordable\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESamsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. For example, for around $200 more, Samsung's device has an OLED display, is thinner and a pound lighter, with ChromeOS' handful of new AI features. But it's not Windows, which is sometimes what you need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EZDNET's buying advice\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"2013232e-96b1-4fcd-bbbe-b1d4ce6d5fb7\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FLenovo-IdeaPad-Flex-5-14IAU7-Intel-Core-i5-12th-Gen-1235U-1-30GHz-8GB-Memory-512-GB-PCIe-SSD-Iris-Xe-Graphics-14-Touchscreen-1920-x-1200-Convertible\u002F837286081\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is a great laptop for what it's designed for. Whether it's for use in schools, an enterprise setting, or for users who want a locked down and highly optimized laptop, its modest suite of hardware (and agreeable $679 price point) go much further than they would otherwise. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't like the idea of using Windows S mode, there are other budget laptops that I'd suggest instead, like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-acer-laptop-is-my-go-to-recommendation-for-budget-shoppers-and-its-on-sale\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAcer's Aspire Go 15\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for $299. If you like the idea of a streamlined and efficient laptop for an agreeable price, but want more integration with Google's suite of apps and services, you'd be better off with a Chromebook like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fone-of-the-smallest-chromebooks-ive-tested-is-also-one-of-the-most-versatile\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELenovo's Duet Gen 9\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2024-10-24 22:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Running Windows S mode, Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5 delivers a secure and simplified computing experience - and it's available now for $679.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"7db78219-442e-48c5-a9a3-a2ef014a0b44",image:{id:"ba854373-0e61-430b-956f-899e68f95ceb",filename:"img-8067.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-10-24 15:24:16",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"GOTRAX 4 electric scooter",credits:"GOTRAX",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F24\u002Fba854373-0e61-430b-956f-899e68f95ceb\u002Fimg-8067.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4032,height:2268,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"this-679-lenovo-ideapad-has-a-clever-feature-that-makes-it-a-budget-laptop-winner",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"This $679 Lenovo IdeaPad has a clever feature that makes it a budget laptop winner",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"863fe219-de4d-4c2d-9e95-55e19301075a",slug:"education",name:"Education",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"f2d97ea2-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Adrian",lastName:"Kingsley-Hughes",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2",filename:"adrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:59:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2\u002Fadrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera. Adrian has authored\u002Fco-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include 'Build the Ultimate Custom PC', 'Beginning Programming' and 'The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide'. He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003ESo, how does Windows 11 run on \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"63a1cc4b-4363-4452-97fc-9c40947a05ad\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\u002Fmacbook-pro\u002F14-inch\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapple.sjv.io\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F435031\u002F7613?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-mac%2Fmacbook-pro%2F14-inch&subId1=[subid_value]\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Apple's M1 Pro MacBook Pro?\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E I've been asked this quite a lot over the past few months, and, until now, I've been a bit hesitant to comment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"d2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fd2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen I switched up to an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, I knew a whole bunch of things would change. One of those was that it was the end of the line of being able to run the x86 Windows on the Mac. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYeah, I'm one of those people who run Windows on their Macs. Get over it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReview: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-16-inch-macbook-pro-m1-max-late-2021-review-apple-supercharges-its-flagship-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApple supercharges its flagship laptop\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis lack of support for x86 initially got me more than a bit worried. While I don't absolutely need Windows, it's very handy to have access to it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERunning Windows in Apple's Bootcamp software was dead in the water as it was no longer supported, and Bootcamp really wasn't the best experience at the best of times anyway.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFortunately, the good people at Parallels released \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fparallels-desktop-17\u002F\"\u003EParallels Desktop for Mac 17\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and this version would allow me to run \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffuture-of-desktop-computing-is-it-all-in-apples-hands-with-arm\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 Arm\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on my M1 Pro MacBook Pro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe process of getting your hands on Windows 11 Arm and getting it installed on macOS is pretty straightforward, and Parallels has outlined the process \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkb.parallels.com\u002F125375\"\u003Ehere\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince I don't run Windows a whole lot on my Mac, this is something I've been testing slowly over the past few months. I initially felt that possible compatibility issues with Windows 11 Arm would make the whole endeavor painful, and that I'd have to give up on having Windows on my Mac and run Windows on a Windows laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis initially made me a little hesitant in recommending this path to others. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, given the great job Microsoft has done, how \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fuwp\u002Fporting\u002Fapps-on-arm\"\u003Ewell Windows 11 Arm supports a broad range of different applications\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and the fantastic job that Parallels have done in supporting Windows 11 Arm, I've actually had zero issues whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZero.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've now got a version of Windows 11 running on my Mac, and I have access to everything that I need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELife is good.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, it's weird that when I do switch to a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows machine\u003C\u002Fa\u003E how I feel that the experience is very often a second-rate experience. The power that the M1 Pro system offers, especially when the system is running on battery power, absolutely blows away the competition.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt really is hard for Windows users sometimes to comprehend that I can be running macOS and Windows 11 side-by-side, along with a whole bunch of apps, and the power and performance that is on offer just feels pretty much limitless.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"83b189ab-b14f-4fcb-a665-ddf697abf25b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"013f4e2a-84cd-426a-b011-7ca8b0483674","filename":"m1-pro-macbook-pro.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2022\u002F02\u002F14\u002F013f4e2a-84cd-426a-b011-7ca8b0483674\u002Fm1-pro-macbook-pro.png","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-02-14 17:36:21","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"013f4e2a-84cd-426a-b011-7ca8b0483674","imageFilename":"m1-pro-macbook-pro.png","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F02\u002F14"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\u002Fmacbook-pro\u002F14-inch\" data-offerprice=\"1849\" data-offermerchant=\"Apple\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapple.sjv.io\u002Fc\u002F159047\u002F435031\u002F7613?&sharedId=zdnet&u=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fus-edu\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\u002Fmacbook-pro\u002F14-inch-space-gray-8-core-cpu-14-core-gpu-512gb&subId1=[subid_value]\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe M1 Pro MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM totally blows out of the water a Windows system with 16GB of RAM.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's just no comparison whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlso, the cooling on the new MacBook Pro is so much better and more efficient than any Windows laptop I've ever tested. Despite running system-intensive apps under both macOS and Windows 11, I barely ever hear the fans come on.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-macbook-mac-mini-deals\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest MacBook and Mac Mini deals\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's still unclear to me what Microsoft's longer-term intentions with Windows 11 Arm are. But for now, the combination of an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, Parallels Desktop for Mac 17, and Windows 11 Arm is an absolutely winning combination.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, this is my endorsement of Windows 11 Arm running in Parallels Desktop for Mac 17 on the M1 Pro MacBook Pro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor me, there's no better way to run Windows 11 than on a Mac.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"gallery\" data-uuid=\"2e16b0ca-7448-4d25-8e4a-05c739b6bcaf\" data-float=\"none\" data-size=\"large\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-02-14 15:32:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Yes, Windows 11 Arm runs buttery smooth on the M1 Pro chip",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"40bc793e-8342-4038-b253-748cde105c3c",image:{id:"9d38198c-3dc6-4b8a-af85-3c6e7652d215",filename:"parallels-17-header.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-08-10 09:54:56",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"parallels-17-header.jpg",credits:"Image: Parallels",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F10\u002F9d38198c-3dc6-4b8a-af85-3c6e7652d215\u002Fparallels-17-header.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:770,height:433,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"apples-m1-pro-macbook-pro-is-an-amazing-windows-11-laptop",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Apple's M1 Pro MacBook Pro is an amazing Windows 11 laptop",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"f2d97ea2-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Adrian",lastName:"Kingsley-Hughes",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2",filename:"adrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:59:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2\u002Fadrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera. Adrian has authored\u002Fco-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include 'Build the Ultimate Custom PC', 'Beginning Programming' and 'The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide'. He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f32bc2cc-bd3f-46bb-8fc5-50a9473d605c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Describe what's shown in the image.\" data-image-filename=\"img-9752.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F05\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EZDNET's key takeaways\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"b366f93e-8c4d-4862-9371-d49f1627b4ec\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FBaseus-Spacemate-Ethernet-Stations-WindowsDell\u002Fdp\u002FB0CYSKGWCL\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E docking station is regularly priced at $140.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's a well-made, reliable docking station with a space-saving design that allows you to declutter your desk.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt doesn't have Thunderbolt support, and I wish the front LCD panel provided more information.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is no shortage of docking stations on the market, but they all have a common issue: they tend to be large and bulky. The assumption seems to be that everyone has ample desk space to dedicate a significant portion of their real estate to a dock.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-gan-charger\u002F\"\u003EThe best GaN chargers you can buy: Expert tested\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat if you want to save space with a docking station or prefer a minimalist setup? Previously, this proved to be a rather ambitious ask until I came across a docking station that bridges both worlds: the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"396f67a7-7510-4c42-948b-3aaed9c410f5\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FBaseus-Spacemate-Ethernet-Stations-WindowsDell\u002Fdp\u002FB0CYSKGWCL\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E docking station combines connectivity with a space-saving form factor.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"1fe4e93c-24bc-4b8b-908f-19ac782aa901\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThis streamlined, minimal docking station extends your display across three monitors (in Windows) at a stunning 4K resolution via DisplayPort and HDMI ports.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate docking station\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Baseus","imageData":{"id":"988eb964-b317-4784-8154-6e068a7eb533","title":"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate docking station","filename":"untitled-2.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F05\u002F02\u002F988eb964-b317-4784-8154-6e068a7eb533\u002Funtitled-2.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":211020,"width":1600,"height":900,"dateCreated":{"date":"2024-05-02 13:14:34","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2024-05-02 13:14:56","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Baseus","alt":"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate docking station","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"988eb964-b317-4784-8154-6e068a7eb533","imageAltText":"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Baseus","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"untitled-2.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2024\u002F05\u002F02","imageWidth":1600,"imageHeight":900,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Baseus\" data-linktext=\"ZDNET RECOMMENDS\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"","offerPriceRange":"","offerPriceText":"","offerType":"Single Product","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FBaseus-Spacemate-Ethernet-Stations-WindowsDell\u002Fdp\u002FB0CYSKGWCL","url":""}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBaseus 11-in-1 Spacemate docking station tech specs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPorts: 2 x HDMI (4K@60fps max), 2 x DisplayPort (4K@60fps max), USB-C and 2 x USB-A 10Gbps data ports, USB-A 2.0, 100W PD, 1Gbps Ethernet port with support for WOL (Wake On LAN) and PXE (Preboot eXecution Environment), 3.5mm auxiliary jack supporting 24bit\u002F96Hz\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEmbedded LED intelligent digital display\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESupport for three additional displays on Windows (MacOS supports one additional display)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E4.84 x 2.59 x 2.59 inches\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E1.07 pounds\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2050571\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Recommends\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis dock takes a unique approach by adopting a tower configuration, which builds upwards rather than outwards, thus minimizing its footprint on your desk. To ensure stability and prevent it from toppling over and causing damage and mayhem, it features a detachable magnetic base equipped with a \"nano adhesive\" pad. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis design allows the dock to remain securely anchored to your desk while offering the flexibility to detach it from the base and take it with you. The detachable base is particularly useful for those who appreciate a tidy, space-efficient setup but still require the functionality of a full docking station.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fd063a46-f175-4741-9dd3-ce069ad4a474\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe detachable magnetic base is a clever design element.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Detachable magnetic base\" data-image-filename=\"img-9757.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F05\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe dock also features a front display with an at-a-glance operating status for each interface. While this is a nice touch, the information displayed is limited. It would be more useful if the display showed more details, such as connection speeds and power transfer data, to give users a better understanding of the dock's performance.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-gan-everything-you-need-to-know-about-gallium-nitride-charging-tech\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is GaN? Everything you need to know about gallium nitride-based charging tech\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, a screen lock button is on the top of the dock. You can quickly lock the display by tapping it once on Windows PCs or twice on Macs. This feature is particularly handy for creating instant privacy, ensuring that sensitive information can be swiftly and easily -- albeit rather obviously -- protected.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs for the ports, these are what you'd expect from a docking station, offering a selection of USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, HDMI, and 3.5 mm audio. There's also a fixed 12-inch braided cable -- long enough to be useful but short enough not to be unwieldy.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f165c863-fa3b-4f1b-a4ed-7ed95581e9f9\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPorts, ports, ports!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Ports, ports, ports!\" data-image-filename=\"img-9756.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F05\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs with all Baseus products that I've tested, this is a quality product made to appeal to a broad audience. In my hands-on experience with the device, I found that everything worked as promised on the spec sheets, and the dock is reliable in day-to-day use. I did notice that it got warm under a demanding load, but this only occurred when I was pushing it hard during testing and wasn't hot enough to worry about. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EZDNET's buying advice\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"e90d8d81-5004-4db3-bf8c-4e51cc881ec2\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FBaseus-Spacemate-Ethernet-Stations-WindowsDell\u002Fdp\u002FB0CYSKGWCL\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E docking station is normally priced at $140. Overall, this is a solid option for extending your USB-C port while keeping your desk tidy, and given the specs and build quality.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2024-12-03 10:47:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Baseus Spacemate docking station features a unique upright design that frees up precious desk space and has all the ports.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bd8931fd-8465-431e-812a-ed9c70e01701",image:{id:"f32bc2cc-bd3f-46bb-8fc5-50a9473d605c",filename:"img-9752.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-05-02 13:15:13",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Baseus 11-in-1 Spacemate docking station",credits:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F05\u002F02\u002Ff32bc2cc-bd3f-46bb-8fc5-50a9473d605c\u002Fimg-9752.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Tech",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"this-11-in-1-docking-station-instantly-decluttered-my-desk",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"This 11-in-1 docking station instantly decluttered my desk",topic:{id:"9841d7c0-1be2-42d4-963b-3d0c080290bc",slug:"tech",name:"Tech",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"9841d7c0-1be2-42d4-963b-3d0c080290bc",slug:"tech",name:"Tech",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"e7582209-1d56-45da-8e5c-6d042b18e212",username:"tclemons1",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Taylor",lastName:"Clemons",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"c646bb0f-81fb-4b32-97e3-e73a4d0d1f03",filename:"taylor-clemons.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:37:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fc646bb0f-81fb-4b32-97e3-e73a4d0d1f03\u002Ftaylor-clemons.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Taylor Clemons is a tech writer and reviewer based near Cleveland, OH. After graduating from Tiffin University in 2011, they spent several years in lawn and garden manufacturing before working on their own (now defunct) game review site, Steam Shovelers. From there, Taylor expanded into writing about consumer technology like televisions, home audio equipment, and smart home devices at Lifewire. Taylor's work can also be found at The Balance, TechRadar, Tom's Hardware, SPY.com, GameSkinny, IndieHangover, The Inventory, and Forbes.",profile:c,title:"Staff Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EShopping for a cheap laptop doesn't have to be a chore -- respected brands like MSI, Lenovo, and Asus offer budget-friendly laptops for work, school, and even gaming. And while more affordable laptops won't blow anyone away with their displays or use any high-end components, you can still find solid options offering decent battery life as well as plenty of storage for photos, documents, and your most-used programs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest laptops\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo help you find the best cheap laptop for your needs, ZDNET did research and hands-on testing to develop this list. Our pick for the best cheap laptop overall is the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"cd5378db-28bf-4372-9203-f7a74464afb4\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fmsi-modern-14-c12m-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-with-8gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-classic-black\u002F6544883.p?skuId=6544883\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"MSI Modern 14\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E for its 9-hour battery life, 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, and lightweight design. You can keep reading below to find out more about the MSI Modern 14 as well as our other picks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe best cheap laptops of 2024\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"185c595c-27aa-4fb9-9184-e5872f188470\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMSI Modern 14 specs: Display size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 14 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1080p | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E8GB\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E| \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics| \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel Core i3-1215U | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 512GB SSD | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E9 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe MSI Modern 14 is a well-rounded, affordable laptop that's great for home use, office work, and students. The 14-inch display provides 1080p resolution as well as a 60Hz refresh rate for smoother playback for streaming and video calls. The laptop is built with a 12th generation Intel Core i3 CPU and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics for enough power and performance for typical office or classroom work as well as web browsing, streaming, and data entry.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be able to connect all of your peripherals via Bluetooth or USB for better control over your laptop as well as most-used programs. And with the Modern 14 weighing in at just under 3 pounds, it's lightweight enough to take with you on your work or school commute without bogging you down. The 9-hour battery life means you can work all day before you need to plug in.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"MSI Modern 14\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap laptop overall\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"An MSI Modern 14 laptop on a grey background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"MSI\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"13d9290a-5b81-4049-adbc-5bce87b55dd8","title":"msi-modern-14","filename":"msi-modern-14.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F08\u002F13d9290a-5b81-4049-adbc-5bce87b55dd8\u002Fmsi-modern-14.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":98216,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-08 15:23:09","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-08 15:23:24","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"MSI\u002FZDNET","alt":"An MSI Modern 14 laptop on a grey background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"13d9290a-5b81-4049-adbc-5bce87b55dd8","imageAltText":"An MSI Modern 14 laptop on a grey background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"MSI\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"msi-modern-14.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F08","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"MSI\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fmsi-modern-14-c12m-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-with-8gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-classic-black%2F6544883.p%3FskuId%3D6544883&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"500","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fmsi-modern-14-c12m-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-with-8gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-classic-black\u002F6544883.p?skuId=6544883","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fmsi-modern-14-c12m-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-with-8gb-memory-512-gb-ssd-classic-black%2F6544883.p%3FskuId%3D6544883&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fclassic-black-msi-modern-14-c12m-032-work-business%2Fp%2FN82E16834156236","offerMerchant":"Newegg","offerPrice":"630","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newegg.com\u002Fclassic-black-msi-modern-14-c12m-032-work-business\u002Fp\u002FN82E16834156236","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=44583&u1=subid_value&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2Fclassic-black-msi-modern-14-c12m-032-work-business%2Fp%2FN82E16834156236"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"Decent battery life ~ Lightweight ~ 12th gen Intel Core i3 CPU\" data-dislike=\"No discrete GPU ~ Only one USB-C port\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"f5aaaecb-3485-4caf-8f9b-d24395313c0a\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELenovo Chromebook Flex 3i specs: Display size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 15.6 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1080p | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Yes | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 8GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIntel UHD | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Intel Celeron N4500 | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 128gb eMMC\u002FSD card | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E10 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZDNET reviews editor Kerry Wan did hands-on testing of the \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fforget-macbook-this-350-lenovo-chromebook-is-my-ideal-college-laptop\u002F"\u003ELenovo Chromebook Flex 3i\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and tapped this laptop as his top pick for students. Wan praised the Flex 3i for handling streaming, video meetings, and content creation with minimal risk of overheating or data bottleneck. With a starting price that sits well below $500, the Flex 3i is a great, budget-friendly option for elementary, high school, and even college students looking for a reliable laptop that won't break the bank. It's built with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage across an eMMC drive and SD card. And since this laptop uses ChromeOS, you'll be able to sync your files to Google Drive or other cloud storage services to free up local drive space for documents, files, and photos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 15.6-inch display gives you 1080p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate for smoother playback; and you can connect up to two external displays via USB-C for more room to multitask while researching school projects. And with a battery life of up to 10 hours, students will be able to use their laptops the entire school day before they need to think about recharging.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReview: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fforget-macbook-this-350-lenovo-chromebook-is-my-ideal-college-laptop\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELenovo Flex 3i\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap laptop for students\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i in tent mode","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"June Wan\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"0367b30a-225a-42b9-a7f3-e107dbc721fe","title":"The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i in tent mode","filename":"dsc00274.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F18\u002F0367b30a-225a-42b9-a7f3-e107dbc721fe\u002Fdsc00274.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":5349138,"width":6000,"height":3376,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-05-18 14:14:17","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-05-18 14:14:28","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"June Wan\u002FZDNET","alt":"The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i in tent mode","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"0367b30a-225a-42b9-a7f3-e107dbc721fe","imageAltText":"The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i in tent mode","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"June Wan\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"dsc00274.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F05\u002F18","imageWidth":6000,"imageHeight":3376,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"","offerMerchant":"Walmart","offerPrice":"","offerPriceRange":"","offerPriceText":"","offerType":"Single Product","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.walmart.com\u002Fip\u002FLenovo-Flex-3i-12-2-WUXGA-Touch-Screen-Chromebook-Laptop-Intel-N100-with-4GB-Memory-64GB-eMMC-Abyss-Blue-Notebook-PC\u002F2523745800","url":""}]\" data-usepricing=\"false\" data-like=\"10 hour battery ~ Connect up to 2 external displays ~ Under $500\" data-dislike=\"Can't be user upgraded ~ May not be best choice for specialized learning\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"5de6203d-8533-41ce-ace3-9982ea3bc27a\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAsus TUF A15 specs:&nbsp;Display size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 15.6 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 144Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1080p | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E8GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 512GB SSD | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EUp to 12 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt can be difficult to find a gaming laptop that's budget-friendly, but thankfully the Asus TUF A15 offers everything you need for a great gaming experience without making you spend a fortune. This laptop is built with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for all of the power, performance, and storage you need for a modest game library. And if your needs change in the future, you can upgrade RAM, storage, the CPU, and GPU separately as needed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 15.6-inch display gives you 1080p resolution for crisp detailing and rich colors while the 144Hz refresh rate helps prevent screen tearing and stuttering during intense action scenes. The Asus TUF A15 also sports an impressive 12-hour battery life for web browsing and an industry-standard 4 hours for gaming; this makes the TUF A15 a great choice for anyone looking for a laptop that can pull double duty at the office and as a gaming rig.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Asus TUF A15\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap laptop for gaming\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"An Asus TUF A15 gaming laptop on a grey background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"9151d3ac-8467-4070-8d93-1f73523ac9d7","title":"asus-tuf-a15","filename":"asus-tuf-a15.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F04\u002F13\u002F9151d3ac-8467-4070-8d93-1f73523ac9d7\u002Fasus-tuf-a15.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":129282,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-04-13 20:46:22","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-04-13 20:46:39","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Asus\u002FZDNET","alt":"An Asus TUF A15 gaming laptop on a grey background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"9151d3ac-8467-4070-8d93-1f73523ac9d7","imageAltText":"An Asus TUF A15 gaming laptop on a grey background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Asus\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"asus-tuf-a15.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F04\u002F13","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Asus\u002FZDNET\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fasus-tuf-gaming-a15-15-6-fhd-144hz-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-ddr5-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-ti-512gb-pcie-ssd%2F6501561.p%3FskuId%3D6501561&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"1080","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fasus-tuf-gaming-a15-15-6-fhd-144hz-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-ddr5-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-ti-512gb-pcie-ssd\u002F6501561.p?skuId=6501561","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fasus-tuf-gaming-a15-15-6-fhd-144hz-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-ddr5-memory-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-ti-512gb-pcie-ssd%2F6501561.p%3FskuId%3D6501561&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Faffportal.bhphoto.com\u002Fdl\u002Fredventures\u002F?s=subid_value&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1756848-REG%2Fasus_fx506hc_rs51_15_6_tuf_gaming_laptop.html","offerMerchant":"B&H Photo","offerPrice":"750","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bhphotovideo.com\u002Fc\u002Fproduct\u002F1756848-REG\u002Fasus_fx506hc_rs51_15_6_tuf_gaming_laptop.html","url":"https:\u002F\u002Faffportal.bhphoto.com\u002Fdl\u002Fredventures\u002F?s=subid_value&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1756848-REG%2Fasus_fx506hc_rs51_15_6_tuf_gaming_laptop.html"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"12-hour battery life ~ 144Hz refresh rate ~ User upgradeable ~ Wi-Fi 6 support ~ Dolby Atmos audio\" data-dislike=\"12-hour battery only for web browsing\u002Foffice work ~ No Thunderbolt input support\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0062c47a-76af-4c23-9cb4-2e25ecaf5b0f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHP Envy x360 specs - Display size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 15.6 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1080p | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Yes | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EUp to 16GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIntegrated AMD Radeon | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EUp to AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Up to 1TB SSD | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EUp to 13.25 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA 2-in-1 laptop can be a great option for anyone looking to streamline their device line-up. The HP Envy x360 features a special hinge that allows you to use it as a traditional laptop or as a tablet for drawing and taking notes. You can configure the Envy x360 with up to an AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for all of the power, storage, and performance you need for work and home use.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 15.6-inch display supports multi-touch inputs so you can zoom, scroll, and pan more easily within programs as well as use supported stylus inputs for note-taking or digital drawing. And with a battery life that tops out at just over 13 hours, you'll be able to work all day and well into the evening before you need to even think about busting out your charging cable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"HP Envy x360\" data-superlative=\"Best cheap 2-in-1 laptop\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"HP Envy x360","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FHP-2-1-Touch-Screen-Natural\u002Fdp\u002FB08996DKMJ","imageData":{"id":"bd29c615-2f42-4370-b7b8-a3e6728e38f2","title":"HP Envy x360","filename":"hp-envy-x360.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F04\u002F29\u002Fbd29c615-2f42-4370-b7b8-a3e6728e38f2\u002Fhp-envy-x360.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":98772,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-04-29 02:45:19","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-04-29 02:45:32","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FHP-2-1-Touch-Screen-Natural\u002Fdp\u002FB08996DKMJ","alt":"HP Envy x360","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"bd29c615-2f42-4370-b7b8-a3e6728e38f2","imageAltText":"HP Envy x360","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FHP-2-1-Touch-Screen-Natural\u002Fdp\u002FB08996DKMJ","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"hp-envy-x360.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F04\u002F29","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FHP-2-1-Touch-Screen-Natural\u002Fdp\u002FB08996DKMJ\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.awin1.com\u002Fcread.php?awinmid=7168&awinaffid=423585&clickref=subid_value&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hp.com%2Fus-en%2Fshop%2Fpdp%2Fhp-envy-x360-2-in-1-laptop-15z-fh000-156-77w47av-1","offerMerchant":"HP","offerPrice":"550","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hp.com\u002Fus-en\u002Fshop\u002Fpdp\u002Fhp-envy-x360-2-in-1-laptop-15z-fh000-156-77w47av-1","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.awin1.com\u002Fcread.php?awinmid=7168&awinaffid=423585&clickref=subid_value&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hp.com%2Fus-en%2Fshop%2Fpdp%2Fhp-envy-x360-2-in-1-laptop-15z-fh000-156-77w47av-1"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fhp-envy-2-in-1-15-6-full-hd-touch-screen-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7530u-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-nightfall-black%2F6535748.p%3FskuId%3D6535748&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"800","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fhp-envy-2-in-1-15-6-full-hd-touch-screen-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7530u-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-nightfall-black\u002F6535748.p?skuId=6535748","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fhp-envy-2-in-1-15-6-full-hd-touch-screen-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7530u-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-nightfall-black%2F6535748.p%3FskuId%3D6535748&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\" data-like=\"Excellent battery life ~ 2-in-1 laptop ~ Multiple configuration options ~ Touchscreen display\" data-dislike=\"No discrete GPU ~ No Intel option\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"ec6db275-999f-481f-a9b1-de609c6ae921\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAsus Vivobook 17 specs:&nbsp;Display size:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 17 inches | \u003Cstrong\u003ERefresh rate:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 60Hz | \u003Cstrong\u003EResolution:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 1080p | \u003Cstrong\u003ETouchscreen:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No | \u003Cstrong\u003ERAM:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 8GB | \u003Cstrong\u003EGPU:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Integrated Intel UHD | \u003Cstrong\u003ECPU: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIntel Pentium 8505 | \u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E 256GB SSD | \u003Cstrong\u003EBattery life: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E7 hours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer a large screen on your laptop for work, web browsing, or streaming, the Asus Vivobook 17 gives you a 17-inch display with 1080p resolution for clearer detailing as well as a 60Hz refresh rate for smoother playback. The laptop is built with an Intel Pentium 8505 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, making it an almost-perfect option for home or office use. And with an HDMI input, you can set up a secondary display for more space to multitask. It also features Bluetooth connectivity for wireless peripherals like mice and headsets for a clutter-free workspace. 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It's built with a 12th generation Intel Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, and a 512GB SSD. The 14-inch display gives you crisp 1080p full HD resolution as well as a 60Hz refresh rate for smoother playback. And with Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI connectivity, you'll be able to set up all of your peripherals, displays, and storage devices to create the ultimate workspace. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ctable data-title="6x4 Table"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest cheap laptop\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECPU\u002FGPU\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERAM\u002FStorage\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMSI Modern 14 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E$500 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E12th gen Intel Core, Intel Iris Xe \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8GB, 512GB SSD \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E$350 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntel Celeron N4500, Integrated Intel&nbsp; \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E4GB, 128GB eMMC\u002FSD card \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsus TUF A15 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E$750 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUp to AMD Ryzen 7 6000 series or Intel Core i7, Up to Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050 Ti \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8GB, 512GB SSD \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHP Envy x360 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E$550 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAMD Ryzen 5 7530U, AMD Integrated Radeon&nbsp; \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8GB, 256GB SSD \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsus Vivobook 17 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E$500 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntel Pentium 8505, Intel UHD integrated graphics \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8GB, 256GB SSD \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\" data-hed=\"What is the best cheap laptop?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"89fcfda2-f71b-4fbd-9ddd-ac280ae210bf\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe first decision you need to make is whether you want a Windows machine or a Chromebook running ChromeOS. Both operating systems have their strengths: Windows offers continuity from the desktop experience, while ChromeOS offers simplicity. Think about how you intend to use the laptop when making this choice.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome of these systems run Windows 10S, which is a version of Windows 10 that can only run apps from the Windows app store. This has both pros (increased security and reliability) and cons (fewer options), so bear this in mind if you plan to take this path. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, prioritize what you want from the hardware. The $350 price point won't buy you everything, so you're going to have to choose which features you value most. Do you absolutely need a big display, more storage, or more RAM? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ctable data-title="6x2 Table"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuy this best cheap laptop...\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf you need...\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMSI Modern 14 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA well rounded and budget-friendly laptop. It's built with a 12th gen Intel Core processor as well as integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics for everything from office tasks and homework to streaming and web browsing. \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELenovo Chromebook Flex 3i \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA cheap laptop for students of all ages. This Chromebook features a 2-in-1 form factor as well as a keyboard that includes the 10-key number pad for more efficient data entry. \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsus TUF A15 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA budget-friendly gaming laptop. This gaming laptop retails for around $1000 and is built with An Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti graphics card. \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHP Envy x360 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA cheap 2-in-1 laptop. Along with a budget-friendly price, you'll also get Bang &amp; Olufsen audio and Wi-Fi 6 support. \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsus Vivobook 17 \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn affordable, 17-inch laptop. The screen features ultra-narrow bezels for a better screen-to-body ratio as well as a lightweight and thin design for portability. \t\t\t\t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\" data-hed=\"Which cheap laptop is right for you?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"054aae42-31f5-41e3-9544-4a38627fc69f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWhile testing and researching each laptop on this list, I&nbsp;kept these criteria in mind:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrice: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EWhile it's not exactly difficult to find budget-friendly laptops for different applications, the term "budget-friendly" means different things to different people. I did my best to ensure that all laptops featured on this list have base retail prices at or below $1,000.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUser upgrades:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Even if you're looking for a cheap laptop, it's still an investment that you'll want to last at least a few years. I made sure that each pick for the best cheap laptops is able to be user-upgraded in at least one way (RAM, storage, GPU, etc.)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStorage:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EWhether you want a new, cheap laptop for school work or gaming, having an appropriately sized storage drive is important. For each pick on this list, I made sure that their storage drives matched up to minimum specifications for popular programs used for work, school, gaming, and streaming.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\" data-hed=\"How did we choose these cheap laptops?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7cffd232-3675-45f0-8c35-ed2e6560e618\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EDon't be fooled -- $350 will not buy you monster system that can do everything. If you are looking for a system that can handle tasks like photo and video editing (or even gaming), then you are looking in the wrong place.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut, if you want a basic system capable of browsing the web (keep the Google Chrome tabs down to a minimum) or making documents and spreadsheets, then these are the systems for you.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Is $350 enough for a good laptop?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"1c5f0de9-c42d-44bd-a2a1-62524434375d\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, a desktop may be cheaper than a laptop, especially if you're looking for a video-editing or gaming device. However, you'll be hard-pressed to find desktops suitable for daily use that can compete with these laptop prices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Envy TE01 is the most affordable HP desktop on the market, and its price starts at $450. In comparison, everything on this list is under $350. While you may get lucky with a great sale or discount coupon from certain retailers, a desktop that sells for under $400 is very, very rare.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Are desktops cheaper than laptops?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"f854ee41-31ae-4f98-9de1-a87cf8e39a17\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EDeciding how much RAM your laptop should have, no matter the price, is going to very much depend on how you are going to be using your new laptop. If it's going to be a family computer for web browsing, streaming, and occasional homework assignments, a laptop with just 4 or 8GB of RAM will have more than enough power. However, if your laptop is going to be for gaming or creative work, you'll want at least 16GB to help reduce the risk of bottleneck.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How much RAM should a laptop have?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"73ac4ce3-40e5-4be1-bed9-886eb984bb20\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EMuch like RAM, how much storage your laptop should have depends entirely on how you'll be using it. For very young students and casual home use laptops, a storage drive of just 128GB will be more than sufficient for documents, photos, and essential programs. For office and creative work or gaming, you'll want to opt for a laptop that has at least a 500GB storage drive to ensure that you'll have plenty of space for raw photo and video files, game libraries, and productivity software. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany budget-friendly laptops, like Chromebooks, offer integration with cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. This means that they'll have very small local drives, but you'll be able to free up space by transferring files to whichever cloud storage service you use. This also means that students can access assignments on other computers if their laptop is having issues or needs repaired.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How much storage should a laptop have?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"8a945009-4b97-4fd1-b805-b91cd8ca2099\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThere are plenty of options out there if you're looking for an affordable laptop for everyday use. Here's a short list of alternatives that are also solid choices:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Are there alternative cheap laptops worth considering?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"bf41647d-fb8b-41cd-b339-858503f90386\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EChromeOS now supports Steam for gaming. The Acer Chromebook 516 is built with a 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for plenty of storage, power, and performance for casual and beginner PC gamers.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Acer Chromebook 516\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"An Acer Chromebook 516 on a grey background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Acer\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"f732f091-0be3-49e0-a804-d71c4deb09d3","title":"acer-chromebook-516","filename":"acer-chromebook-516.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F07\u002Ff732f091-0be3-49e0-a804-d71c4deb09d3\u002Facer-chromebook-516.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":113672,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:13:45","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:14:01","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Acer\u002FZDNET","alt":"An Acer Chromebook 516 on a grey background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"f732f091-0be3-49e0-a804-d71c4deb09d3","imageAltText":"An Acer Chromebook 516 on a grey background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Acer\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"acer-chromebook-516.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F07","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Acer\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"BEST PRICE\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Facer-chromebook-516-ge-cloud-gaming-chromebook-16-2560x1600-120hz-intel-core-i5-1240p-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-rgb-kb-titanium-gray%2F6516347.p%3FskuId%3D6516347&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"649","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Facer-chromebook-516-ge-cloud-gaming-chromebook-16-2560x1600-120hz-intel-core-i5-1240p-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-rgb-kb-titanium-gray\u002F6516347.p?skuId=6516347","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Facer-chromebook-516-ge-cloud-gaming-chromebook-16-2560x1600-120hz-intel-core-i5-1240p-8gb-ram-256gb-ssd-rgb-kb-titanium-gray%2F6516347.p%3FskuId%3D6516347&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"b4b6c28d-68bb-4d02-b977-c97a80e886af\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is a great option for students, with its exceptional portability and dual tablet and laptop form factor. The 13.3-inch display uses an OLED panel for enhanced detailing and Wi-Fi 6 support gives you faster web browsing and file transfers to and from cloud storage services like Google Drive. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"A Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 on a grey background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"2326b293-a3a0-4319-8053-22e4711636a2","title":"lenovo-ideapad-duet-5","filename":"lenovo-ideapad-duet-5.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F07\u002F2326b293-a3a0-4319-8053-22e4711636a2\u002Flenovo-ideapad-duet-5.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":95157,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:15:07","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:15:19","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","alt":"A Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 on a grey background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"2326b293-a3a0-4319-8053-22e4711636a2","imageAltText":"A Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 on a grey background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Lenovo\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"lenovo-ideapad-duet-5.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F07","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Lenovo\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"BEST PRICE\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Flenovo-ideapad-duet-5-chromebook-13-3-oled-1920x1080-touch-2in1-tablet-snapdragon-7cg2-8gb-128gb-emmc-with-keyboard-abyss-blue%2F6477625.p%3FskuId%3D6477625&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"499","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Flenovo-ideapad-duet-5-chromebook-13-3-oled-1920x1080-touch-2in1-tablet-snapdragon-7cg2-8gb-128gb-emmc-with-keyboard-abyss-blue\u002F6477625.p?skuId=6477625","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Flenovo-ideapad-duet-5-chromebook-13-3-oled-1920x1080-touch-2in1-tablet-snapdragon-7cg2-8gb-128gb-emmc-with-keyboard-abyss-blue%2F6477625.p%3FskuId%3D6477625&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"}]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"1c849a7e-99f4-4e27-9db3-c17fac643ccb\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is great for anyone who wants a cheap laptop that will integrate almost seamlessly with their Samsung or Android devices. It runs on ChromeOS, and with Nearby Share and Phone Hub, it's easy to transfer files between devices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"A Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 laptop on a grey background","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Samsung\u002FZDNET","imageData":{"id":"221322be-6f70-4c32-ba5b-7e66c51d325f","title":"samsung-galaxy-chromebook-2-360","filename":"samsung-galaxy-chromebook-2-360.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F07\u002F221322be-6f70-4c32-ba5b-7e66c51d325f\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-chromebook-2-360.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":107317,"width":1296,"height":720,"dateCreated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:16:14","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2023-08-07 16:16:29","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Samsung\u002FZDNET","alt":"A Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 laptop on a grey background","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"221322be-6f70-4c32-ba5b-7e66c51d325f","imageAltText":"A Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 laptop on a grey background","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Samsung\u002FZDNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"samsung-galaxy-chromebook-2-360.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F08\u002F07","imageWidth":1296,"imageHeight":720,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Samsung\u002FZDNET\" data-linktext=\"BEST PRICE\" data-linkurl=\"Design: Mini Listicle\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fsamsung-galaxy-chromebook-2-360-12-4-led-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-intel-uhd-graphics-128gb-silver%2F6502057.p%3FskuId%3D6502057&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best 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data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F12922153-5c9c-495e-a36a-5dbbc9302a9f\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-02 20:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Buying a new laptop for work, home, or school doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune -- get features like long battery life, a high-resolution display, and more for less with our picks.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"d139584e-9d10-498f-a325-0db7101238f0",image:{id:"8d817aea-199f-450d-acce-521e9856deeb",filename:"gettyimages-1456336945.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-08-09 15:12:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Close-up of a young woman using an MSI Modern laptop to work on photo editing",credits:"MSI\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F09\u002F8d817aea-199f-450d-acce-521e9856deeb\u002Fgettyimages-1456336945.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:7008,height:4672,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"best-list",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:"The best cheap laptops, starting at $350",section:b,slug:"best-cheap-laptop",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"The best cheap laptops of 2024: Lenovo, HP, Asus, and more",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1050fa4d-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"google",name:"Google",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10666ed8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"hardware",name:"Hardware",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"af36937c-c95c-4bf0-9c02-831f70ad9a0c",slug:"best-lists",name:"Best Lists",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"f1f7db06-c6f9-4e80-8187-60ad48f035a1",slug:"zdnet-recommends",name:"ZDNET Recommends",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a0de22ce-dbed-419b-9a97-562689032701",username:"kwan2035",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"June",lastName:"Wan",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51",filename:"1549928918804.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-03 20:04:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F03\u002F4cc4d03e-eeaf-4b0c-bb8a-63d34de6cc51\u002F1549928918804.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"June, who often goes by Kerry, serves as Technology Editor of ZDNET and is based in New York City. He reviews the latest consumer gadgets and shares advice to make the most out of them. When June isn't drooling over the next best thing, he's probably being let down by the Los Angeles Lakers.",profile:c,title:"Technology Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"reviewcard\" data-id=\"c40a0ee8-50a6-42c3-bc39-c947302bafbf\" data-edition=\"us\" data-productname=\"Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra\" data-rating=\"3.5\" data-like=\"OLED display (16-inch, 120Hz, 16:10) is visually stunning ~ Dedicated RTX 4050 or 4070 GPU for graphics-intensive apps ~ Slew of Galaxy syncing features ~ Sleek design, even with its full number pad\" data-dislike=\"Wobbly, glossy display is not ideal for travelers ~ Passable battery life requires aggressive cooling ~ Large touchpad leads to inaccurate inputs ~ Where's the full-size SD card slot?\" data-editorschoice=\"false\" data-editorsmonth=\"03\" data-editorsyear=\"2023\" data-editorsdate=\""2023-03-02T16:42:51.448Z"\" data-innovationaward=\"false\" data-innovationmonth=\"03\" data-innovationyear=\"2023\" data-innovationdate=\""2023-03-02T16:42:51.448Z"\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"d1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c","filename":"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F01\u002Fd1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-03-01 16:21:57","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"d1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c","imageFilename":"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F03\u002F01"}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Samsung","offerPrice":"2200","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-ultra-16-3k-amoled-laptop-intel-13th-gen-evo-core-i7-13700h-16gb-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4050-512gb-ssd-graphite\u002F6531071.p?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value","offerMerchant":"Best Buy","offerPrice":"2200","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-ultra-16-3k-amoled-laptop-intel-13th-gen-evo-core-i7-13700h-16gb-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4050-512gb-ssd-graphite\u002F6531071.p?","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bestbuy.com\u002Fsite\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-ultra-16-3k-amoled-laptop-intel-13th-gen-evo-core-i7-13700h-16gb-nvidia-geforce-rtx-4050-512gb-ssd-graphite\u002F6531071.p?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value"},{"useMonetization":true,"monetizedUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FSAMSUNG-i7-13700H-GeForce-4050-1TB-Graphite\u002Fdp\u002FB0BWQYHQBX?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20","offerMerchant":"Amazon","offerPrice":"2200","monetizationStatus":"on","rawUrl":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FSAMSUNG-i7-13700H-GeForce-4050-1TB-Graphite\u002Fdp\u002FB0BWQYHQBX","url":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FSAMSUNG-i7-13700H-GeForce-4050-1TB-Graphite\u002Fdp\u002FB0BWQYHQBX?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20"}]\" data-usepricing=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"52eea59f-1b20-4bfa-9128-e8ab40c966ee\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10%E2%80%91core-16%E2%80%91core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"16-inch MacBook Pro\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E is the ultrabook that I've personally been using for work and play. (And by \"play\" I mean playing with visual effects and graphics in Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapples-silicon-chips-bring-macs-into-aaa-gaming\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGaming on the Mac\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is still a \"would not recommend.\")\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut while Apple continues to refine its premier laptop in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-new-macbook-pros-with-m2-pro-and-m2-max-chips-heres-what-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eincremental yet meaningful ways\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, it's always interesting to look past the walled garden and into the fields of competing laptops.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pullquote\" data-alignment=\"right\" data-quote=\"For content creators and professionals, especially if you own a Samsung smartphone or tablet, I could see the Ultra laptop being worth the splurge.\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESamsung's new \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"56f90d77-4c95-4d5f-8b63-9cdc109f3342\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Galaxy Book 3 Ultra\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E represents the company's best of the best; one could say it's the pinnacle of the Galaxy laptop experience, with a series of ecosystem-enriched features to affirm Samsung's commitment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-ultra-vs-apple-macbook-pro-a-premium-laptop-showdown\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESamsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra vs. Apple MacBook Pro\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've been testing the base \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"843455c0-f13c-42b9-97ff-799d17560ed4\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fcomputing%2Fgalaxy-book3-ultra%2Fbuy%2F%3F&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$2,200 variant\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E of Galaxy Book 3 Ultra for the past week, and it's clear to me that Samsung wants it to be at the top of your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\"\u003Elaptop buying list\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, ideally, above Apple's MacBook Pro. Does it succeed? Sure, but only if its wins matter more to you than its losses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESpecifications\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisplay\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E16-inch 3K AMOLED (2,880 x 1,800, 16:10) with 120Hz\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProcessor\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIntel Core i7-13700H or i9-13900H\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphics\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENvidia RTX GeForce 4050 or 4070\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERAM\u002Fstorage\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E16\u002F32GB RAM with 512GB\u002F1TB\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBattery\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E76Wh (up to 17 hours)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDimensions\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E13.99 x 9.86 x 0.65 inches\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWeight\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3.95lbs\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPorts\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1x HDMI 2.0, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio jack\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrice\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003Ctd spellcheck=\"false\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F\"\u003EStarting at $2,200\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETextbook design, period.\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe design of the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra doesn't move the needle; hide the Samsung logo on the cover and it can easily pass as just another large-screen laptop that's stacked up during Black Friday. Fortunately, the sturdy aluminum build of the Galaxy Book feels much more premium than that of a discount laptop, and thanks to subtle wedges and seamless curves throughout the chassis, the 16-inch size gives off a better impression of portability than a MacBook Pro of similar size. If I had to lug around a laptop throughout a workday, I'd pick the Samsung without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmsi-stealth-14-studio-review-gaming-laptop-portable-powerhouse\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI tried the MSI Stealth 14 Studio, and it's a portable powerhouse\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not just the sleek design language that gives the Galaxy Book the edge here though. The weight of it is just shy of four pounds and noticeably lighter than other large laptops I've held. And with the lid being near paper thin, lifting it up with one hand is very much doable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"63b5d9a0-8640-40d6-8af9-143afd4a7104\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is surprisingly thin for a 16-inch laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Holding up the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra.\" data-image-filename=\"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-form-factor.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"3200\" data-image-height=\"1800\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoing so also exposes two flaws of the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra: the wobbliness and glossy finish of the display. While the screen is absolutely gorgeous to look at (more on that later), it has a tendency to wobble when I'm typing from my lap or any surface with the slightest tilt. The shaking is only emphasized when the glossy display starts to reflect every ray of light in a room or, worse yet, the outdoors.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWill you notice the shaking when you're laser-focused on what's being displayed? Probably not. Would a matte display have served better for viewing comfort? Absolutely.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELive by the display…\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBelieve it or not, I still consider the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra's display to be one of its key selling points. You're looking at a 16-inch, 120Hz, 3K, AMOLED display, with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-display-brings-advanced-smartphone-oled-touch-tech-to-notebooks\u002F\"\u003Emost of its tech carried over\u003C\u002Fa\u003E from the sharp, great-looking panels from Samsung's high-end smartphones. The colors on the laptop are, to say the least, punchy, visually distinctive, and plenty bright for most environments. Gaming and multimedia consumption are an absolute treat on the Galaxy Book.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReview: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-pro-360-review-great-hardware-way-too-much-software\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESamsung's 2-in-1 Galaxy Book is a great but frustrating laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor content creation and multitasking, the wider 16:10 dimension here is ideal. And while the Ultra model doesn't have a flashy 360-degree hinge or touchscreen display like its standard Pro and 360 siblings, its more conventional, laid-back design suggests that the laptop is all about getting the job done. Plus, a display that is both touchscreen-enabled and glossy is a recipe for a visual disaster.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"245396bf-0307-4c3f-8a6e-ffbc422d5a52\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe thin bezels make the 16-inch display a little more manageable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra on a table.\" data-image-filename=\"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-display.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"3200\" data-image-height=\"1800\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe best use of space?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe bottom half of the laptop features what I can only describe as generous yet questionable add-ons. Things I like include the full-size number pad (even if the keys are narrower than my desktop keyboard's), the tactile yet bouncy keycaps, and the abundance of ports flanking the left and right sides, including one for USB-A!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop-docking-station\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 7 best laptop docking stations\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile I love that Samsung includes a wealth of input\u002Foutput, I wish one of two USB-C ports was situated on the right side of the laptop. That way, I have more flexibility when charging and don't have to shuffle a cable around. Also, the company decided to put a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-microsd-card\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EmicroSD card\u003C\u002Fa\u003E slot in favor of one for a full-sized SD card which doesn't make sense to me if its target audience consists of creators, folks who are likely to store camera photos and videos on, you guessed it, an SD card.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fa881228-fd4d-4d99-a5d5-8fa1bc93fc1b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe keys have a decent amount of travel and are evenly spaced throughout the chassis.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"A close-up shot of the keyboard and trackpad of the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra.\" data-image-filename=\"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-keyboard.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"3200\" data-image-height=\"1800\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother thing that I don't love is the trackpad. While massive, the new trackpad is not only off-centered but doesn't register presses on the upper half of it. As a result, there were plenty of times when the laptop would register a double tap as a single tap and vice versa. Keep in mind that I was coming from the MacBook Pro and have been absolutely spoiled by its Force Touch trackpad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA dedicated graphics card matters\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe day-to-day performance of the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra has been admirable. My typical workflow revolves around three desktops – one with Slack, Microsoft Outlook, and some form of media playback, another consisting of a content management system and all the tabs I need for research, and the last being either Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro for editing. Then, there's the occasional video call.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile my Galaxy Book 3 Ultra review unit was the base model (13th-gen Intel Core i7 with 16GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050), and it handled all of that without any noticeable stuttering, it's safe to credit the integration of a dedicated graphics card and rather intense fans for the laptop's fluidity. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5882044b-1cb1-4b39-ac27-b8bc341d79a7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EA closer look at the difference in keyboard layouts between the Galaxy Book (left) and MacBook (right).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Keyboard and trackpad comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and MacBook Pro 16-inch.\" data-image-filename=\"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-vs-macbook-pro-16.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"3000\" data-image-height=\"1688\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith a discrete GPU, the Galaxy Book absolutely breezes through my usual photo and video edits, which consist of high-resolution, raw images and footage. My usual stress test includes applying multiple layers of gaussian blur on a timeline and seeing if the laptop struggles at all with playback. The Galaxy Book showed signs of weakness only after its battery dipped under the 40 percent range and began to throttle itself. Naturally, the cooling fans get loud enough to serve as a constant reminder whenever I'm pushing the laptop's internals and inevitably draining its battery life.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 12 best laptops for every budget\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a standard workday, I averaged about six and a half hours of usage per charge, which is not bad but not great either. On days that involved more video editing, downloading files, and a bit of gaming (because that's what you do when you have a dedicated GPU in a laptop), I watched as the battery percentage dropped 20% every hour.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe benchmark results are in...\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor those who live by benchmarks, here's how the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra fared in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench R23 tests compared to 16-inch MacBook Pros (M1 Pro and M2 Max).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"87264eab-8651-47e7-87db-cba1f89f56c0\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"A bar chart comparing the GeekBench 6 and Cinebench scores of the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and Apple MacBook Pros.\" data-image-filename=\"galaxy-book-3-ultra-vs-apple-macbook-16-inch.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"652\" data-image-height=\"371\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy the numbers, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is neck and neck with Apple's older \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"1bf0f21f-50f5-4963-a3c3-c73f6492f51b\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10%E2%80%91core-16%E2%80%91core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"M1 Pro-equipped MacBook\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, but the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"5fb78372-2495-4830-8af0-656f3109bfe6\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0BSHF1YSR\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"M2 Max\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E variant is still levels above the competition when it comes to multi-core performance. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile your Twitter feed isn't going to load any faster because one laptop scored higher than the other, we're looking at seconds (or even minutes) of faster speeds when it comes to graphics-intensive applications like exporting 4K videos and loading AAA games.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAn ecosystem of its own\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuch like Apple's deep integration across devices, Samsung's been building out an ecosystem of its own. This, in my opinion, is the biggest reason anyone should consider the Galaxy Book, let alone the Ultra. With the latest laptops, Galaxy users can sync their smartphones and tablets to take advantage of features like Multi Control, which allows you to navigate and control multiple devices through the Galaxy Book's keyboard and trackpad, Quick Share for wireless data transferring, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe smartphone-laptop integration meant that my usual camera could be set aside.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"June Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra running Adobe Photoshop.\" data-image-filename=\"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F03\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"3200\" data-image-height=\"1800\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, all the product photos in this review were captured by the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffive-hidden-features-on-the-new-samsung-galaxy-s23-and-s23-ultra\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGalaxy S23 that I've been testing\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, transferred over to the Galaxy Book Ultra via Quick Share, and edited from the laptop. The process was pleasantly seamless and took less than a minute for the two devices to first recognize each other. It almost felt wrong to be able to move 4K videos from the phone to the laptop in less than a minute. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"b10fd8e1-e09f-4ce4-bbc5-e9d5bac5fcda\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"2b724cdf-bb8f-40ff-8882-f05eb78550fa","filename":"galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F01\u002F27\u002F2b724cdf-bb8f-40ff-8882-f05eb78550fa\u002Fgalaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-01-27 12:31:26","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"2b724cdf-bb8f-40ff-8882-f05eb78550fa","imageFilename":"galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F01\u002F27"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?\" data-offerprice=\"2200\" data-offermerchant=\"Samsung\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBottom line\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"1af83f97-12cf-40d1-8bb7-0fb887b21c75\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-ultra\u002Fbuy\u002F?\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fshop-links.co\u002Flink\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.samsung.com%2Fus%2Fcomputing%2Fgalaxy-book3-ultra%2Fbuy%2F%3F&publisher_slug=zdnet&article_name=__ARTICLE_NAME__&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=subid_value\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"starts at $2,200\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E for the Intel Core i7, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage configuration. That's a big price for a big laptop, but if we're comparing it with its closest Apple alternative, then Samsung is undercutting the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"730f597f-d61d-4479-b393-fecabb3320b7\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fdp\u002FB0BSHF7LLL\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"16-inch MacBook Pro (M2)\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E by about $300. And in Samsung's defense, it's giving you a lot for the money, including a dedicated graphics card, one of the best-looking laptop displays on the market, and an uncompromising keyboard experience. The only notable shortcomings are the glossy screen, the obnoxiously large trackpad, and the moderate battery life.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EShould I buy one?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor content creators and professional users, especially if you already own a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-samsung-phone\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESamsung smartphone\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or tablet, I could see the Ultra laptop being worth the splurge. It's also one of the few non-gaming laptops that I'd genuinely recommend for those who play.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut at a starting price of $2,200, there are plenty of other, more affordable yet just as powerful laptops that you should be considering, including the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"67bc4408-3718-4c6d-ad4c-ec5ae2759bb8\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10%E2%80%91core-16%E2%80%91core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"last-gen MacBook Pro (M1 Pro)\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. I'd also look elsewhere if you rely heavily on an SD card for file transferring. In my case, I'm always taking pictures and videos with a mirrorless camera, and being able to move my files locally, with no fear of wonky wireless connections getting in the way, is a must.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAlternatives to consider\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBesides the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra, here are the alternatives that I'd recommend:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"fc1c2377-c98d-4c2d-92f9-897cfaf3d376\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"22629d4e-fc33-4ecb-aff2-30e0c40fa2d5","filename":"samsung-book3-pro-360-7.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F02\u002F22\u002F22629d4e-fc33-4ecb-aff2-30e0c40fa2d5\u002Fsamsung-book3-pro-360-7.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-02-22 19:17:23","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"22629d4e-fc33-4ecb-aff2-30e0c40fa2d5","imageFilename":"samsung-book3-pro-360-7.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F02\u002F22"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.samsung.com\u002Fus\u002Fcomputing\u002Fgalaxy-book3-series\u002Fbuy\u002F\" data-offerprice=\"1700\" data-offermerchant=\"Samsung\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike the Ultra, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book3-pro-360-review-great-hardware-way-too-much-software\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGalaxy Book 3 Pro 360\u003C\u002Fa\u003E has a 16-inch screen, up to 1TB of storage, and the same arrangement of ports. While it runs on an Intel Iris Xe instead of an Nvidia GPU, the laptop is still reliable for day-to-day tasks and most professional software and costs $500 less.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"c231c2f3-0910-492b-9c6b-da82b7d57a6e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro)\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"MacBook Pro 16-inch","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"CNET","imageData":{"id":"7d6208c3-88d1-428d-a865-73a6b3f00825","filename":"macbook-pro-16.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F11\u002F7d6208c3-88d1-428d-a865-73a6b3f00825\u002Fmacbook-pro-16.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2022-10-11 14:47:40","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"7d6208c3-88d1-428d-a865-73a6b3f00825","imageFilename":"macbook-pro-16.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2022\u002F10\u002F11"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"CNET\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10%E2%80%91core-16%E2%80%91core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB\" data-offerprice=\"2100\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-monetizedurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-MacBook-16-inch-10‑core-16‑core\u002Fdp\u002FB09JQKBQSB?tag=zdnet-buy-button-20\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2021's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-16-inch-macbook-pro-m1-max-late-2021-review-apple-supercharges-its-flagship-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacBook Pros\u003C\u002Fa\u003E are still some of the most capable laptops available today, as demonstrated by the benchmark results earlier, and they're more affordable now thanks to Apple's new M2 models. That makes both the 14-inch and 16-inch variants great pick-ups if you're in the market for new hardware.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"commercepromo\" data-id=\"6c25ae5e-33f6-4927-949f-1d5e497ac2e5\" data-edition=\"us\" data-hed=\"Asus ZenBook 14\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"The Asus ZenBook 14 with a green background.","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Asus","imageData":{"id":"12aa0711-ba77-49f9-8194-0adf4f11602c","filename":"asus-zenbook-pro-14-duo-oled.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F01\u002F09\u002F12aa0711-ba77-49f9-8194-0adf4f11602c\u002Fasus-zenbook-pro-14-duo-oled.jpg","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-01-09 21:24:17","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"uuid":"12aa0711-ba77-49f9-8194-0adf4f11602c","imageFilename":"asus-zenbook-pro-14-duo-oled.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2023\u002F01\u002F09"}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Asus\" data-offerurl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FASUS-ZenBook-NanoEdge-CoreTM-i7-12700H-UX8402ZE-DB74T\u002Fdp\u002FB09TDD18KQ\" data-offerprice=\"1850\" data-offermerchant=\"Amazon\" data-techobjectinfo=\"{}\" data-usemonetization=\"true\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the two alternatives above are more subtle by design, the Asus ZenBook 14 is clearly a creator's laptop, with two displays -- a 14.5-inch screen on top and a 12.7-inch ScreenPad Plus on the bottom -- that allow you to multitask with ease. There's also a discrete RTX 3050 GPU and 1TB of storage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F47b1617b-799d-4263-9878-ccc4bc00d4b9\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-03-03 19:21:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"With a dedicated GPU, a large 16-inch display, and all the software perks imaginable, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is a prosumer powerhouse, especially for Samsung fans.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"b39a12df-f61c-4142-adca-70aea8fbadac",image:{id:"d1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c",filename:"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-03-01 16:21:57",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Holding up the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra.",credits:"June Wan\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F01\u002Fd1762712-8441-4457-900a-4bc8edf5521c\u002Fsamsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-hero.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:"3200x1800+0+0",typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3200,height:1800,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"review-single",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"samsung-galaxy-book-3-ultra-review",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra review: The laptop Samsung fans have been waiting for",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10801121-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"intel",name:"Intel",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1136d09c-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"samsung",name:"Samsung",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"30b98e72-eebc-412b-a846-98e5e246eeaf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOut of the box, Xubuntu is very basic but ready for you to tweak it to meet your needs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The default Xubuntu desktop.\" data-image-filename=\"xubuntu1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F07\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1279\" data-image-height=\"801\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough I've only ever made Xfce my default for a brief period, I've been a fan of the open-source desktop for a long time. Not only is it very fast and reliable, but it's also a tinkerer's dream. In fact, you can configure Xfce into looking and feeling like just about any type of desktop you want. Fan of Windows 7? Xfce has you covered. Prefer MacOS? Xfce can do that. What about something altogether different? Yup, Xfce can do that as well.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI would go so far as to say that Xfce is the single most flexible desktop interface on the market. If you can dream it, Xfce can do it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-linux-desktops-for-beginners\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best Linux distros for beginners\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat, of course, doesn't mean Xfce will challenge new-to-Linux users. Xfce is just as at home with new users as it is with those who've been using Linux for years. Out of the box, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fxubuntu.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EXubuntu\u003C\u002Fa\u003E presents Xfce as a desktop that is immediately familiar. You'll find a panel, start menu, system tray, and clickable icons ready to go. Click the start menu and you'll find all the applications you need to be productive and entertained, including:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELibreOffice (office suite)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirefox (web browser)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThunderbird (email client)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETransmission (torrent client)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECatfish (file search tool)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGIMP (image editor)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERhythmbox (music player)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EParole Media Player\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAtril Document Viewer\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOut of the box, Xubuntu goes for a very minimal desktop that includes nothing more than a top panel featuring the app menu, and system tray. You'll also find two desktop icons (Trash and Home) but you can easily add more by right-clicking an app entry in the menu and selecting Add to Desktop. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e942822f-396b-4b22-8db7-a8ca12c6a44a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdding a new icon to the desktop for easy app launching.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Xfce menu right-click context-menu.\" data-image-filename=\"xubuntu2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F07\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"509\" data-image-height=\"546\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also add new panels by clicking Start > Settings > Panel. From within the Panel Preferences window, click + and then place the panel where you want it and start adding items. One thing to keep in mind is that to configure a specific panel, you must first select it from the drop-down. Once you've selected a panel to configure, it will be surrounded by a red dotted line to indicate it is the panel you are working with.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"be5c2e55-76b2-443f-9913-d62ee65e10fb\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EConfiguring an Xfce panel is actually quite easy.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Xfce panel configuration window.\" data-image-filename=\"xubuntu3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F07\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1285\" data-image-height=\"801\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA cautionary tale about Xfce\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs I said earlier, I appreciate what Xfce does. It's so flexible that it can be bent and twisted into just about any type of desktop you want. Just about every aspect of Xfce can be tweaked. That, of course, can lead to problems. I remember, long ago, when I first used Xfce I immediately dove in to conquer that desktop. My goal was to see how far I could push the desktop and I wound up breaking a few things. It took me a while to get the desktop back to working order but it wasn't exactly easy. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo that end, I would say this: If you go with Xubuntu as your desktop operating system of choice, take it slow. At first, maybe don't dive in too deep with the configurations, lest you wind up with a FUBAR UI. If you take Xfce slowly, learning how it all works and behaves, you can tweak it, tiny bit by tiny bit, until you have a desktop that perfectly suits your needs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-most-important-reason-you-should-be-using-linux-at-home\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe most important reason you should be using Linux at home\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd that, my friends, is the biggest benefit to using the Xubuntu flavor of Ubuntu -- flexibility. And when you combine that with the speed and reliability that comes with Xfce, you wind up with an operating system that not only works well but can grow with you as you learn more about how this desktop functions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd speaking of the highly configurable nature of Xubuntu, one thing you won't find is a single app housing all of those configuration options. There is no \"Control Panel\" or Settings application. If you open the desktop menu and click Settings, you'll find every setting broken into categories. So, think of the Settings menu entry as the Xfce Control Panel. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2a0a1414-7360-4c12-8913-04072231c6c7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAccess to every setting option is found in the desktop menu under Settings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Xfce Settings menu.\" data-image-filename=\"xubuntu4.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F07\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"543\" data-image-height=\"543\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWho is Xubuntu for?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome feel that any Xfce-based desktop distribution is great for new users. I don't happen to fall into that category. In fact, I tend to tell new users to avoid this desktop until they have at least a fundamental grasp on how the Linux operating system works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe problem with Xfce and new users is that if a user who isn't familiar with some of the concepts starts poking too deeply into the Settings menu, they could wind up like I did (so many years ago) and have to roll back their configurations to get the desktop to a functioning place. Or, worst case scenario, have to re-install the OS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-choose-the-right-linux-desktop-distribution-for-you\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to choose the right Linux desktop distribution for you\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, for those who have even a basic understanding of the Linux desktop, Xubuntu will grow with you. If you're looking for a tinkerer's dream come true, this is it. If you're looking for an operating system that \"just works,\" this will serve that function…as long as you don't get too curious with some of the configuration options. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll-in-all, Xubuntu is a great Ubuntu flavor for those willing to take the time and understand how the desktop functions and what the different configuration options are, and how they affect the desktop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1d11a65c-977c-4f6a-82e0-a6abcfd960ff\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1d11a65c-977c-4f6a-82e0-a6abcfd960ff\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-07-03 18:57:14",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you like to tinker with your desktop, bending it to meet your exact needs, Xubuntu might be the ideal operating system for you.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"9817cedb-c11b-4513-8c19-35e12069fbf9",image:{id:"30b98e72-eebc-412b-a846-98e5e246eeaf",filename:"xubuntu1.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-07-03 13:38:26",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"The default Xubuntu desktop.",credits:"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EOut of the box, Xubuntu is very basic but ready for you to tweak it to meet your needs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F07\u002F03\u002F30b98e72-eebc-412b-a846-98e5e246eeaf\u002Fxubuntu1.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1279,height:801,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"product-promo",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Open Source",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"xubuntu-is-a-highly-configurable-linux-desktop-that-can-be-tweaked-to-your-hearts-content",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Xubuntu is a highly configurable Linux desktop that can be tweaked to your heart's content",topic:{id:"10f422bf-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"open-source",name:"Open Source",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10f422bf-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"open-source",name:"Open Source",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d}],componentLabel:"Deep-dive, compare, decide",description:c,filters:c,paging:c,slug:"dynamic-topic-4-story-carousel-product-research",title:"Product Research",label:c,viewMoreText:c,viewMoreUrl:c,relatedItems:c},{id:"49cbd472-fb49-40ab-832b-366ddd22eb32",meta:{componentName:"49cbd472-fb49-40ab-832b-366ddd22eb32",componentDisplayName:"How-to Guides",componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F49cbd472-fb49-40ab-832b-366ddd22eb32\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=49cbd472-fb49-40ab-832b-366ddd22eb32"}},items:[{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c9ead10c-3cdd-4549-8113-97eb6bc79f61\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Edge with imported favorites\" data-image-filename=\"figure-hero-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1224\" data-image-height=\"623\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInternet Explorer has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fjune-15-its-the-end-of-the-internet-explorer-era\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eofficially been put out to pasture as of June 15, 2022\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Microsoft no longer supports the aged browser, and the program itself is due to be removed from Windows 10 in a future update. If you want to keep using a Microsoft browser, you'll need to make Microsoft Edge your permanent home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"56171094-1e7b-4b42-86b1-ef2adb50bdc5\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F56171094-1e7b-4b42-86b1-ef2adb50bdc5\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIE's days have been numbered for a while now, so most people have likely already been using Edge, Chrome, or Firefox as their default browser. But at last count, Internet Explorer still had a small slice of the market, which means some individuals and organizations still have to switch to a different browser.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're eyeing the move from IE to Edge, you'll need to import bookmarks and other data. But Edge also offers an IE mode that lets you run sites and web-based apps that require Internet Explorer for compatibility reasons.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInternet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge will be \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.microsoft.com\u002Flifecycle\u002Ffaq\u002Finternet-explorer-microsoft-edge\"\u003Esupported through at least 2029\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, according to Microsoft. Ultimately, such sites and apps should be updated to work with more modern web standards. But at least you can see which ones still rely on Internet Explorer and continue using them in Edge. Now, let's see how to jump from IE to Edge.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECopy bookmarks and other data\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour first step should be to copy your bookmarks, saved passwords, and other content from IE to Edge. You can kick this off from either browser. Doing it from Edge is usually quicker, but let's check out both options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EExport from Internet Explorer\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen Internet Explorer. Click the icon in the upper right to View favorites, feed, and history (the one with an image of a star). Click the dropdown arrow next to Add to Favorites and select Import and export (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6b1d437e-547e-4d62-a2ac-5ab0fbb67119\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Internet Explorer's Import and export option\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1227\" data-image-height=\"565\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the Import\u002FExport Settings window, choose the option for Export to a file. The next window asks what items you want to export -- Favorites, Feeds, and Cookies. Check the box for Favorites but leave the other two unchecked as Edge is unable to import feeds or cookies from an HTML file. Click Next (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e42b238c-4c86-49d4-9df9-ca6b52e5777c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Export favorites from Internet Explorer\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1212\" data-image-height=\"707\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the next window, select the folder of favorites that you wish to export. Assuming you want to copy all of your bookmarks, select the Favorites folder. Click Next (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ca139b33-734b-4a2a-9f2e-2ed4d7599ca3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose folder to export\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1212\" data-image-height=\"707\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the window asking where you want to export your favorites, choose a location easily accessible to Edge. You can rename the file but change the extension from HTM to HTML. Click Export and then Finish (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"12eb2229-7803-4701-85eb-e2f0ab824b82\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose location and name for exported HTML file\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1212\" data-image-height=\"707\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen Microsoft Edge. Click the Favorites icon in the upper right. Select the ellipsis icon and then click Import favorites (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c00e0ffe-321b-40d0-8cf9-27384e1f1e07\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Import favorites in Edge\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1234\" data-image-height=\"632\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the window for Import browser data, click the dropdown menu and change the selection to Favorites or Bookmarks HTML file. Click the button for Choose File and select the exported file from Internet Explorer. Click Open. A message then tells you that your data was brought over (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cdf2861d-2a26-4676-8508-98662735603c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select exported file\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1228\" data-image-height=\"653\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the Favorites icon to view your imported folders and favorites (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e592fd13-dfb5-4eb0-b017-f5988bc75a54\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"View imported folders and favorites\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1231\" data-image-height=\"656\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EImport in Microsoft Edge\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternatively, you can import bookmarks and other content directly from IE to Edge without having to generate an HTML file. This option also lets you copy your browsing history, cookies, and other items.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Edge, click the Favorites icon, click the ellipsis icon, and then select Import Favorites. At the Import browser data window, make sure the dropdown box is set to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Uncheck any content you don't wish to retain. Click the Import button, and your favorites and other items are copied to Edge (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1caf251e-6b5d-4ff0-ad6c-477afa2abc5e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose items to import\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1232\" data-image-height=\"652\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one possible hiccup in this process. Your favorites folders and bookmarks may be imported into the Favorites Bar location in Edge, which likely is not where you want them to reside. If that happens, you can easily fix it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Edge, click the Favorites icon, select the ellipsis icon, and then click Open Favorites page. Check the boxes for all the listed folders and individual bookmarks in the Favorites window. To quickly check them all, press Ctrl+A (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0d0bfbe5-2ee5-412a-9b22-664d39ba9f97\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select imported folders and favorites\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1232\" data-image-height=\"578\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, drag and drop the selected items onto the Other Favorites folder at the bottom of the left pane (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cda0a28d-0d22-4ddf-bb67-0a6bf6d87e49\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Move imported folders and favorites\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1234\" data-image-height=\"425\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the Favorites icon, and you'll see the imported bookmarks nestled under Other favorites (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5cefa8a2-3c9d-46e4-b296-22d868df3ff8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"View imported bookmarks under Other favorites\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1227\" data-image-height=\"655\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnable IE mode in Edge\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith all your content migrated, your next step should be to make sure that sites and apps built for IE can run in Microsoft Edge. In Edge, click the ellipsis icon in the upper right and select Settings. At the Settings window, select the setting for Default browser. In the section for Internet Explorer compatibility, click the dropdown menu for Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) and change it to Allow.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be prompted to restart the browser. When Edge reopens, return to the same Settings screen. If you know of any specific sites requiring Internet Explorer that you want to open using Edge's IE mode, click the Add button and enter their addresses (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 12\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"eec333c4-86d6-43da-8f24-734367d6aad2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 12\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enable IE mode in Edge\" data-image-filename=\"figure-12-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1226\" data-image-height=\"640\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESet Edge as the default browser\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, you'll probably want to make Edge the default browser in Windows. To do this in Windows 10, go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Apps > Default apps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Click the current selection for Web browser and change it to Microsoft Edge (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 13\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"76d28653-1cf1-482d-8fa6-3aa2bb968ac6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 13\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set Edge as default browser\" data-image-filename=\"figure-13-how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"1108\" data-image-height=\"620\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-05 21:00:48",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"With Internet Explorer no longer supported by Microsoft, here's how to jump ship to Microsoft Edge.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"031d416f-bd48-4283-ae87-8eb52f29ea60",image:{id:"70099a11-0e9f-48fc-8894-ea0cd823a252",filename:"microsoft-edge.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-12-02 13:26:48",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F02\u002F70099a11-0e9f-48fc-8894-ea0cd823a252\u002Fmicrosoft-edge.png",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-jump-to-microsoft-edge-from-internet-explorer",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to jump to Microsoft Edge from Internet Explorer",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4444c3cd-36d5-4b81-a1c2-b817f6383226\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"microsoft-launcher-android.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"microsoft-launcher-android.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2019-05-24 13:07:00.000000\" data-image-width=\"1254\" data-image-height=\"836\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose of you who own an Android phone and use a Microsoft account or a business account to run Microsoft apps and services can bring the two worlds together with a custom launcher. Designed for Android, the Microsoft Launcher lets you tweak the design and layout of your phone's home screens to quickly access your Microsoft apps, documents, calendar, contacts, sticky notes, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond setting up Microsoft-related wallpaper, themes, and widgets, you can create specific gestures to tap and swipe your way to your favorite Microsoft content. Here's how it works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, grab your Android phone and download the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=com.microsoft.launcher&hl=en\"\u003EMicrosoft Launcher app from Google Play\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Open the app and tap the Get Started button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-link-and-sync-your-android-phone-with-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to link and sync your Android phone with Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first screen asks if you want Microsoft Launcher to access this device's location, a useful option if you wish to get the weather or find nearby businesses and other local information. If so, choose Precise or Approximate and select While using the app or Only this time. If not, select Don't allow. The app then asks for permission to access your photos and media (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0e921d83-c63c-46a3-bbbc-cded0d486141\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set up the Microsoft Launcher\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, pick your phone's wallpaper, opting to choose daily wallpaper from Bing if you wish. You're then prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account or your business account. To get the full experience, set Microsoft Launcher as the default look (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7c1c008b-02d2-4544-b8ad-1aad4f65c197\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose your wallpaper and default launcher\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can now explore your phone via your new Microsoft Launcher integration. To see your feed with Microsoft-specific widgets, swipe to the right. By default, the widgets screen can show you your calendar appointments, to do list, sticky notes, apps, documents, screen time, and recent activities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETap the Sign in button at the top to sign in with your Microsoft account or your work\u002Fschool account. If you have both types of accounts, you can sign in with each one separately. Any associated content from your Microsoft account or work\u002Fschool account or from Windows will now be synced with your phone (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"64284439-82e5-4583-9bea-3a7e93a47c38\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Sign into your account\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESwipe down the feed to see the individual cards and widgets. Your calendar will show any upcoming appointments, your to-do list will display upcoming tasks, and the Sticky Notes card will display any sticky notes you've created in Windows. Frequently used apps and recent documents also appear as do screen time settings, recent activities, and Microsoft rewards. Tap a specific app, document, or another item to open it (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9450ffb3-10cd-4ad4-b69f-19eb15bb482d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"View your widgets\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"862\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can customize your feed. Swipe down to the bottom of the screen and tap the button for Edit this view. Uncheck any widgets you don't wish to see. Tap the Add widget button and then add any that you do want to see in your feed (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b6bbb35a-e42e-439e-a78b-ce562bf1afda\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Customize your widgets\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond adding widgets to the feed, you can add them anywhere else on the Home screen. Swipe to the left. Long press on any empty area and then tap the icon for Add widgets. Set up and position the new widget on any available spot (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5830a070-ee0f-45f4-8829-692c0801c54d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Add home screen widgets\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs your next step, you'll likely want to install any Microsoft apps that you plan to use on your phone. On your home screen, tap the Microsoft folder to open it, and then tap any apps that you want to install. Tap an installed app to use it, sign in with the associated account, and then select any document or other file you wish to view or edit (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9b0d9089-46eb-4b65-834b-8a46b9600b1f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Install Microsoft apps\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChange your wallpaper if you want something different. Long press on any empty area of the home screen and select the icon for Change wallpaper. Select a new image and then decide if you want it to appear on your Home screen, Lock screen, or both (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4e0e2725-347d-4308-ab2c-5f00b564debd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Change your wallpaper\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith your feed, widgets, and apps all set up, now it's time to customize other features and aspects of the Microsoft Launcher.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETap the Launcher app on the Home screen or long press on any empty area and select the icon for Launcher Settings. At the settings screen, the category for System Settings brings you to the Android settings for your phone. The category for Wallpaper lets you change the wallpaper.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETap the category for Themes to change the theme between dark and light, adjust the opacity, enable a blur effect, and use an accent color. Select the category for Home screen and you can tweak the size and layout of the Home screen icons as well as the appearance of folders (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4989bb6e-fcc6-4cca-ba45-05ab54d272ee\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Tweak your home screen icons and folders\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack at the settings screen, choose the category for Dock to determine if and how you wish to display the Dock at the bottom of the screen. Next, select the App drawer category to tweak the options for the App drawer that appears when you swipe up on the screen (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"52424b08-72dd-46a0-8691-0d330e9938a6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Customize the dock and app drawer\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"862\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReturn to the settings screen and select the Gestures category. Here, you can create your own customized gestures to set what happens when you tap the home button, swipe up or down with one finger or two fingers, double tap, pinch in, or pinch out. The Feed category lets you determine what items appear on your feed. The Search category allows you to control the search options (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"51782606-ab48-4aa2-b624-b4fd40788c93\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Tweak your gestures, feed, and search options\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"862\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo back up your Microsoft Launcher customizations, select the Back up and restore category. You can then restore your tweaks from the backup. Finally, the category for Advanced settings lets you reset Launcher back to the default settings or even switch to a different Android launcher (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 12\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6b28d691-0a0c-4ddd-b220-39e4863ac53d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Customize advanced settings\" data-image-filename=\"figure-12-how-to-access-your-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"863\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-19 20:32:04",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"With the Microsoft Launcher nestled on your Android phone, you can easily set up and access all your favorite Microsoft content.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"0b1f772d-1e07-4658-b65b-bc2bf98e3674",image:{id:"4444c3cd-36d5-4b81-a1c2-b817f6383226",filename:"microsoft-launcher-android.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2019-05-24 13:07:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2019\u002F05\u002F24\u002F4444c3cd-36d5-4b81-a1c2-b817f6383226\u002Fmicrosoft-launcher-android.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1254,height:836,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Mobile OS^Android",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-use-microsoft-launcher-to-access-microsoft-apps-and-services-on-your-android-phone",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to use Microsoft Launcher to access Microsoft apps and services on your Android phone",topic:{id:"b0fb3d1e-3e24-473d-9325-eaaf1980f7c7",slug:"android",name:"Android",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"b0fb3d1e-3e24-473d-9325-eaaf1980f7c7",slug:"android",name:"Android",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003ESize matters, at least when it comes to your photos and other pictures. Larger file sizes can mean better-looking photos, but an image that's bigger than it needs to be chews up disk space and can clog inboxes when you email it. That's why reducing the size of your photos and other images is often a worthy endeavor. And one tool that can aid you in this effort is Image Resizer, part of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fpowertoys\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's free PowerToys utilities\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Image Resizer, you can change the size of an image anywhere from small to large to a custom set of dimensions. You can control the quality of the image and the level of compression when you shrink it. And you can specify a certain filename for the resized image. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's how it works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't already have PowerToys, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the program's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. You can install and use it in Windows 10 or 11; it works the same in both versions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to use PowerToys FancyZones and why you should\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen the PowerToys Settings window by double-clicking its System Tray icon. Select the entry for Image Resizer and make sure it's toggled on. Image Resizer comes with several presets so that you can change the size without having to fuss with specific dimensions (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"df202c4f-4f2c-40ac-9ddf-a9b8ca63fa84\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: The Image Resizer window in PowerToys.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Image Resizer window in PowerToys\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"680\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo see this tool in action, segue to File Explorer and right-click an image you wish to resize. Select the option for Resize pictures (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f8fb1094-3f86-42c8-8e0d-caaf1bd54aef\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Right-click an image in File Explorer to see the Resize pictures option.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Resize pictures option\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1003\" data-image-height=\"625\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Image Resizer window pops up. Click the current preset and you can change it to Small, Medium, Large, or Phone size. Each preset displays the specific number of pixels for the height and width. Select the preset you want to use (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8f6f2ce1-d44f-44e6-a87b-77eb8ff9eacd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Choose one of the presets for a specific size\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Size presets\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1003\" data-image-height=\"625\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternatively, select Custom. At the Custom window, you're able to choose the type (Fill, Fit, or Stretch), the width and the height, and the unit of measurement (Centimeter, Inch, Percent, or Pixel) (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"59a22f27-c0f6-4f4c-98f0-623bef5df986\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Choose Custom to set your own size.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Custom sizes\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1003\" data-image-height=\"625\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, review the different options. Check the box for \u003Cstrong\u003EMake pictures smaller but not larger\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E if you want to make sure you don't accidentally enlarge any photos. Check the box for \u003Cstrong\u003EIgnore the orientation of pictures\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to resize them regardless of the orientation. Check the box for \u003Cstrong\u003EResize the original pictures\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E if you wish to resize the original file and not create a copy. And check the box for \u003Cstrong\u003ERemove metadata that doesn't affect rendering\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to remove any non-essential metadata that can be discarded. When ready, click Resize (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"46426611-916b-43e6-aee7-d6138553a930\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Check the other options and then resize the image.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Image options\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1003\" data-image-height=\"625\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you opted not to resize the original picture, the resized copy contains the title of the preset (e.g., Small, Medium, Large, Custom) as part of the filename. If you chose to resize the original, the resized image keeps the initial name. Look for the resized file in File Explorer to see its new size. You should also open it to make sure that the quality of the image is still acceptable (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c8064c84-b353-4252-a148-9d2d88a0df41\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Check the resized file to see the new size.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"New file size\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1085\" data-image-height=\"625\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo configure Image Resizer beyond the default settings, return to its screen in Power Toys. To add a new preset size, click the button for \"Add a size.\" A new preset appears at the bottom of the list. Click the Pencil icon to edit it. Provide a name, select the fit type, and then enter the width and height. Click anywhere outside the editing window to finish. To remove any presets that you don't need, click the trash can icon for that entry (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"721f0c38-18cc-4ac9-b797-0e43aa4d9fe1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Create a new preset.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"New preset\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"635\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScroll down to the Encoding section. The setting for the Fallback encoder determines what format the tool will use if the original image format can't be encoded to create a new image. The default is JPEG encoder, which means the resized image will be saved as a JPG file. This should suffice in most cases. But if you want to use a different format, click the dropdown menu and you can choose PNG, BMP, TIFF, WMP, or GIF.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next three options set the level of compression used to shrink the file in different formats. For JPG, you can move the slider to the left or right depending on whether the resized files are still too large or the image quality is not being preserved. You can also enable or disable PNG interlacing and TIFF compression if you selected either format (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"dcf3999b-453b-4927-ac3a-45ee3712faf1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Set the level of compression.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Compression level slider\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"606\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, scroll down to the File section. Here, you can specify what filename format to use for the resized copy. By default, Image Resizer retains the original filename but adds the title of the preset you used. To switch to a different file naming scheme, click the Info circle next to this setting to see the different variables and incorporate the required one for the filename you want to use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, the resized copy automatically takes on a timestamp from when it was created. If you prefer to use the timestamp of the original file, click the dropdown menu here and change the option to Original file timestamp (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f2dc2187-52b6-4eeb-bbb5-0ac98426bec5\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Configure the filename scheme.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Filename options\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-shrink-your-images-with-powertoys-image-resizer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"606\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-08-16 22:15:50",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The handy PowerToys Image Resizer tool helps you shrink the size of big and bulky images.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"0f564977-61d3-4f9b-bef7-3c3db6ecadac",image:{id:"7eb31b9b-756c-40d0-9ff1-cd8a55d92236",filename:"samsung-unpacked-aug-2022-galaxy-z-fold-4-facebook.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-10 14:04:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F10\u002F7eb31b9b-756c-40d0-9ff1-cd8a55d92236\u002Fsamsung-unpacked-aug-2022-galaxy-z-fold-4-facebook.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2408,height:1346,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-shrink-your-images-with-the-powertoys-image-resizer",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to shrink your images with the PowerToys Image Resizer",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"040c3ff1-4f98-4277-b43f-e4d930acbe4e",slug:"photo-video",name:"Photo & Video",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e2b38f36-c7ce-4765-ac9b-b9663b0f2b92\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"onedrive-best-cloud-storage-service.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"onedrive-best-cloud-storage-service.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022-04-14 19:12:08.000000\" data-image-width=\"1910\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrying to find an older version of a file or document that's been deleted or modified in Windows is always a challenge. But one tool that can help is OneDrive. For those of you who use Microsoft's backup and syncing service, OneDrive offers its own Recycle Bin that hangs onto deleted files for up to 30 days. Beyond that, OneDrive offers both a version history option and a restore function through which you can see and restore previous versions of files that have been updated. Here's how this works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, you naturally have to make sure you're using OneDrive to back up and sync your files. Both Windows 10 and 11 enable OneDrive by default, whether you want to use it or not. But if you do want it, it's ready and waiting for you. Just make sure you sign in to set up your account and are syncing the necessary folders and files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0f0e307c-3b87-43a8-afd9-29aacf8f7a2d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set up OneDrive\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1016\" data-image-height=\"556\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERestore a file from the OneDrive Recycle Bin\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOkay, now let's say you've deleted a file and need it back. To find the deleted file, you've likely already searched your entire PC and have checked the Windows Recycle Bin but have come up empty. A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-recover-deleted-files-in-windows-10-or-11\u002F\"\u003Ededicated recovery tool\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is always worth trying as they can locate files that no longer reside in the Windows Recycle Bin. But since you're syncing your files with OneDrive, let's give that a shot first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7c6784d7-81aa-41d3-a576-6db60006380d\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ESelect the option for View Online. Sign into your OneDrive online storage page and select the option on the left for Recycle Bin.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Step 1: Click the OneDrive icon in the System Tray\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"09ae71e0-6c16-42e1-b071-913b13f98615\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Access the OneDrive Recycle Bin\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1242\" data-image-height=\"464\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d6d0358a-8373-43ad-bbb2-a812eb974b5e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EClick one of the four headers at the top -- Name, Original location, Date deleted, or Size. You can can then sort the list by any of the available criteria, including A-Z or Z-A for Name or Original location, older to newer or newer to older for Date deleted, and smaller to larger or larger to smaller for Size.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Step 2: Hunt for the deleted file\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6c512dce-cc40-431e-88b6-a9ba16740f84\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Sort the files in the OneDrive Recycle Bin\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1162\" data-image-height=\"507\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternatively, you can search for the file if you know the specific or approximate name. The search feature peeks into all your OneDrive folders, not just the Recycle Bin. Still, a search may be able to help you zero in on the right file. Type as much of the name as you can in the Search field at the top. You can use wildcards here as well. OneDrive then suggests potential matches. Select the file if you see it among the results or click the option for \u003Cstrong\u003EShow more results\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to see more possible matches.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ddf86557-5eda-4fbd-a845-b787f9f87513\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Check the results\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1279\" data-image-height=\"552\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"ca6df584-205c-4177-977c-a0f14ab299c8\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you find the file you need, select it and then click the Restore icon at the top to restore it to its original location.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Step 3: Restore found files\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9f4a259d-ee38-4c9c-9547-34d1dbdd2321\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Restore the file\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1257\" data-image-height=\"420\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOkay, let's look at the next conundrum. You've modified a file that's been synced to OneDrive and you don't like the changes you made, or perhaps a file has been corrupted by a technical glitch or infected with malware. Whatever the reason, you want to restore a previous version of it. For this feat, OneDrive offers two separate options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Version History, you can restore previous versions of a single file going back several months. With the Restore your OneDrive feature, you can restore previous versions of all OneDrive files moving forward from a specific date.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are a few conditions to Restore your OneDrive. First, you need to have a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"85b35e83-61df-484b-ab85-bd9e8dd4517f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fmicrosoft-365\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Microsoft 365 account\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E; a regular OneDrive account won't do the trick. Second, the feature can only restore files up to 30 days in the past. Third, the feature will restore the entire OneDrive backup starting from a certain day, which may not be what you want.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you need to just restore a single file, use the Version History option. If you need to restore an entire group of files starting from a specific day and you have a Microsoft 365 account, try the Restore your OneDrive option.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERestore a file through Version History\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt your OneDrive online page, select the file for which you want to view and restore a previous version. Right-click on the file and select Version History or select Version History at the top.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7082e176-1fe4-4329-bdbd-1ba3dbf89165\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select Version History\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1263\" data-image-height=\"533\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Version History page previews the current version of the file and then displays a list of dates for each previous version. Click a specific date to view that version of the file. If it's the version you need, click Restore and then Restore again to restore it to its original location. Click Download to open the file in a separate window. You can then save it to a different location (Figure 7).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0138ab9e-5417-4398-a299-e2546867e8ca\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Save the file\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1362\" data-image-height=\"748\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERestore your OneDrive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo restore an entire OneDrive backup starting from a specific day, go to your main OneDrive page. Click the Settings icon at the top and select Options. At the next screen, click the option for Restore your OneDrive. You may be asked to verify your identity through your Microsoft authentication method. At the next screen, click the dropdown menu for Select a date and choose a timeframe for the version of the file you wish to recover -- Yesterday, One week ago, Three weeks ago, or a Custom date and time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo further narrow down the date, move the slider left or right to a specific date, anywhere from 1 day ago to 29 days ago. Click a file from the date at which you want to restore the entire backup. For example, clicking a file from five days ago will restore all OneDrive backups from that time through today. Confirm the potential action and then click Restore at the top. Your OneDrive backups are restored starting from the day you selected.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"27a2abe3-c25d-4348-bffb-9da1ef616ba3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Restore OneDrive session\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1243\" data-image-height=\"901\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-06 14:54:20",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Looking for a file that's either been deleted or modified with unwanted changes? OneDrive may hold the answer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"11c4f3f1-13be-48b0-8a52-922687429787",image:{id:"e2b38f36-c7ce-4765-ac9b-b9663b0f2b92",filename:"onedrive-best-cloud-storage-service.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-14 19:12:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Set up OneDrive",credits:c,caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F14\u002Fe2b38f36-c7ce-4765-ac9b-b9663b0f2b92\u002Fonedrive-best-cloud-storage-service.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1910,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-restore-deleted-or-modified-files-with-the-help-of-onedrive",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to restore deleted or modified files with the help of OneDrive",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1e99b991-b4c9-46e9-bc70-49fd5ab8e897\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Duplicate your favorite colors with Color Picker\" data-image-filename=\"figure-top-image-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1102\" data-image-height=\"508\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you're a graphic designer, a web developer, or a programmer, sometimes you need to precisely duplicate a color you see on the screen to use in your work. And one tool up for the job is Color Picker, courtesy of Microsoft's free PowerToys.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should\u002F\"\u003EHow to use the free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows (and why you should)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith Color Picker, you use an eyedropper to select a specific color on the screen. From there, the app identifies the color and translates it into different values, including RGB, HEX, and CMYK. The default value is copied to the Windows clipboard, where you can paste it into a graphic or web design program or insert it into your code.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've turned to Color Picker when I need a specific color for editing images or tweaking code for a webpage, and it's proven to be a helpful, time-saving tool. Here's how it works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-copy-colors-on-macos-with-system-color-picker\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to copy colors on macOS with System Color Picker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnable Color Picker\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you don't already have PowerToys, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002Ftag\u002Fv0.59.0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe program's GitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen the PowerToys Settings window by double-clicking its System Tray icon.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESelect the entry for Color Picker and make sure its switch is turned on (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b28dde46-7b97-47d1-8736-5416eaa41233\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enable Color Picker\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"598\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETweak Color Picker\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBefore you start using Color Picker, review its settings to see if there are any you want to tweak. By default, the shortcut to activate Color Picker is Windows key+Shift+C. If you prefer to use a different shortcut, click the pencil icon for \u003Cstrong\u003EActivation shortcut\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and try a different combination. But keep in mind that the shortcut must start with the Windows key, Ctrl, Alt, or Shift (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6590c77b-5c4c-424b-b3d6-19de3533ef1e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose activation shortcut for Color Picker\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"598\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. By default, pressing the activation shortcut opens Color Picker, lets you pick a color, and then takes you to the editor for further actions. By clicking the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EActivation behavior\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, you can change the response to opening the editor directly or only picking a color. But the default behavior works best for most situations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3. In the section for Picker behavior, you can choose the default format for the color you pick, meaning the value that's copied to the clipboard. When working with an application or web design code, HEX is typically the most commonly used format, so it's the default. But you can click the dropdown for \u003Cstrong\u003EDefault color format\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to change it to a different format (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bc8b6e6b-5c82-46e1-b35b-7652f6758edb\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-3-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"598\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E4. Beyond seeing the HEX value or other format, I always like to see the name of the color I pick. To enable this, turn on the switch for \u003Cstrong\u003EShow color name\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E5. That takes us to the Editor section. Here is where you can specify which color formats should appear in the editor, so you have a choice of using other values beyond the default. At a minimum, I usually select HEX, RGB, and CMYK. But other formats are available for more specialized purposes. Turn on the switch for any format you want to see. Click the ellipsis icon next to a specific format you've chosen, and you can move it up or down in the list that appears in the editor (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"559a0644-57e4-418f-a61d-0c0f15d4a087\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select the color formats to appear in the editor\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1079\" data-image-height=\"680\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EUse Color Picker\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow it's time to take Color Picker for a test drive. Let's say you're creating code for an application or website, or you're trying to duplicate a color to use in a graphic program. You like a color you see somewhere on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPress the shortcut for Color Picker. The picker part of the program appears (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c938bdbb-d312-41a4-aaae-f5afc5a90acf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Pick a color\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1201\" data-image-height=\"723\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. Move your mouse cursor until it's precisely on the color you want to select. Sometimes nailing the exact color is tricky if the section with that color is very small or too close to surrounding colors. In that case, Color Picker will let you zoom in on the area to select the color more easily. Move your mouse's scroll wheel or use two-finger swiping on a trackpad to zoom in on the spot (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8c204d3d-2384-434c-a13c-968715814b6f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Zoom in on a color\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1076\" data-image-height=\"590\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3. When ready, click your mouse to capture that color.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E4. The value of the default format is copied to the clipboard, and the editor pops up, showing you the values in all the formats you enabled (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d5aed42f-5eaa-4d2e-b910-8c503ca6e57e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Editor shows the color values\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1106\" data-image-height=\"606\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E5. If you just need the value for the default format, simply paste it into your graphic or web code. If you want the value for a different format, click the \u003Cstrong\u003ECopy to clipboard\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button next to it and then paste that value where you need it (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4cca85be-3d80-4da4-94d2-327ef2ec5fcf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Copy color to clipboard\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1102\" data-image-height=\"508\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E6. What if you want to modify the color? The color you picked appears in the middle of the bar at the top. Click that section on the bar, and another editor pops up where you can manually refine the HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) by dragging the three different sliders or the RGB or HEX values by changing the numbers (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"eafcdc91-2e45-4954-856f-0ebd581d1859\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Modify selected color\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1091\" data-image-height=\"534\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E7. What if you want a variation of the color you picked? Notice that the bar at the top displays the color you selected along with lighter and darker variations. Click one of the variations to select it and modify it or copy it to the clipboard (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a2c89559-ee1d-4179-be1b-ef2d430c02e9\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"View variations of selected color\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1092\" data-image-height=\"485\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8. Finally, as you pick additional colors, each one appears on the left side of the editor. Scroll down the list of previous colors if you wish to return to one that you selected in the past (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"89152e4a-aef7-43b1-b352-02b6ab5405c1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"View previous colors\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1076\" data-image-height=\"539\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-08 20:14:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Color Picker tool helps you duplicate any color you see on the screen to use for design or development purposes.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bb16b6d5-fdb9-46bb-a01e-23a543bff75c",image:{id:"89152e4a-aef7-43b1-b352-02b6ab5405c1",filename:"figure-11-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-08 14:43:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F08\u002F89152e4a-aef7-43b1-b352-02b6ab5405c1\u002Ffigure-11-how-to-use-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1076,height:539,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Creativity Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-copy-colors-with-the-color-picker-tool-in-powertoys",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to copy colors with the Color Picker tool in PowerToys",topic:{id:"60d9173f-03f6-41a6-9196-b2b5131cf205",slug:"creativity-software",name:"Creativity Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"60d9173f-03f6-41a6-9196-b2b5131cf205",slug:"creativity-software",name:"Creativity Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"0a6fffc2-2220-44ba-99e4-4c567f6f57bb",username:"maria-diaz-zd",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Maria",lastName:"Diaz",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"d89921b7-c002-40ef-8401-f002f1a769e9",filename:"maria-diaz.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:44:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fd89921b7-c002-40ef-8401-f002f1a769e9\u002Fmaria-diaz.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Maria Diaz is a staff writer based in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area with a passion for home automation and a background in graphic design, photography, and filmmaking. She has a bachelor's in Mass Communication and experience in journalism.",profile:c,title:"Staff Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"eaca28ea-e2c3-46f5-b07a-401e49afd43a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EiCloud for Windows can become your new password manager.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"iCloud window on a Windows laptop.\" data-image-filename=\"icloud-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-friends-could-help-stop-you-getting-locked-out-of-your-apple-id\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple ID\u003C\u002Fa\u003E gives you access to many perks within the Apple software ecosystem, and one of them is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-locate-a-password-with-the-macos-keychain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKeychain\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: iCloud's password manager.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"7098396a-45dc-4f31-8567-d4b310457b81\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F7098396a-45dc-4f31-8567-d4b310457b81\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you use Keychain already or are in the market for a new password manager for your Windows computer after your \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ea164d21-7eec-4c43-a17d-950ec629f52d\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lastpass.com\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"free trial of LastPass\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E expired, using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-back-up-iphone-with-icloud-or-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EiCloud\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as a password manager is possible not only on MacOS devices but also on Windows PCs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've been around for the past 10 or so years, you know that most services require accounts set up to access them. This means that we end up with dozens of passwords that we somehow have to remember for each one of those accounts.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe 10 best Windows laptops, 2-in-1s, and ultraportables\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut how can I remember all these passwords if I can't even remember my significant other's phone number half the time?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use iCloud as a password manager on Windows\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"ea395680-2bb1-46d2-b8cb-171e72f5a5db\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EGo to your Start menu and open iCloud for Windows. Adding iCloud for Windows to your computer lets you manage your passwords from your PC and generate verification codes when an account needs \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ftwo-factor-authentication-is-a-great-idea-but-not-enough-people-are-using-it\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Etwo-factor authentication\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (2FA).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake sure you have \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fstore\u002Fdetail\u002Ficloud\u002F9PKTQ5699M62?hl=en-us&amp;gl=us" target="_blank"\u003Edownloaded iCloud for your Windows PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Open iCloud for Windows\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b2c34312-4c25-475c-b166-e986b853d6a1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EGo to the Start menu and open iCloud for Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"iCloud highlighted in green box with arrow pointing to it in Windows laptop.\" data-image-filename=\"step1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"b216b78e-3fb5-4c36-8e1b-c215d591c126\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EOnce you sign in to your account -- if you haven't already -- you can access your account, add another account, and make any necessary changes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGo to Passwords, and click Apply.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Sign in to your iCloud Passwords\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"74839d13-54c0-4925-a6e5-e35574caccbc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESign in with your Apple ID and password.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Login page for iCloud Passwords.\" data-image-filename=\"log-into-icloud-copy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"f8f40929-1025-4a00-a23e-d9951949caa3\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure Passwords is selected on the iCloud window, then click on \u003Cstrong\u003EApply\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to make the changes. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also install browser extensions at this point.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Make sure Passwords is on and click Apply\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4a1a3a2c-fa93-4676-a5d0-32b3ed6476dc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure Passwords is on and click \u003Cstrong\u003EApply\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Passwords highlighted in green box with arrow pointing to it on a Windows laptop.\" data-image-filename=\"untitled-1-copy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"9d623095-da61-4b8a-89f1-6a487c7998b5\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, you can also add a browser extension to \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmalicious-google-chrome-extensions-affect-1-4-million-users\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EGoogle Chrome\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbeef-up-microsoft-edge-with-my-favorite-add-ons\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EMicrosoft Edge\u003C\u002Fa\u003E by following the instructions in the iCloud for Windows app.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Add browser extension\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"68a4b7ce-5b5c-46d7-8faf-115ced13fe42\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOnce you click \u003Cstrong\u003EInstall Extension\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in iCloud, you'll be able to add the \u003Cstrong\u003EiCloud Passwords\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E extension in Chrome.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"iCloud Passwords Chrome extension.\" data-image-filename=\"add-extension.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHere's how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"98934f98-d6dc-4a2e-8b9c-faaae7df661f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ESince I added the \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-chrome-extension\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EGoogle Chrome extension\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the next step is to \u003Cstrong\u003EEnable Autofill\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to give Chrome permission to my iCloud Passwords.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do this, click on the Keychain button on the toolbar (marked with an arrow on the image below).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnabling Autofill will prompt 2FA with your Apple device. You can see my phone (second image below) is asking me to allow another PC to access my account, and then it will provide a verification code to enter on the Windows PC.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"5. Enable Autofill on Chrome\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"291bed32-cf57-4b97-8cd2-2ac9024361a2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EEnable Autofill.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Green arrow pointing to where to Enable Autofill.\" data-image-filename=\"enable-autofill.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5ad733c4-732a-4bd7-bc28-f9fae87fc5e3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EEnter the verification code.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"iCloud two factor authentication.\" data-image-filename=\"iphione.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"979f8e5e-7d91-4ed6-9e44-63d95f8f785e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAfter you set up iCloud for \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-22h2-how-to-get-microsofts-latest-os-update-and-whats-coming-next\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EWindows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as a password manager and your browser extension, you can try it out by going to a website and trying to log in.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"6. Try out the password manager\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9c2d1429-d949-4c31-b264-49badac226af\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe iCloud Passwords icon is enabled and you can let it autofill your passwords.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Maria Diaz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"LinkedIn login page with iCloud Passwords icon enabled.\" data-image-filename=\"filled-pw.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"2100\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike LastPass, the browser extension will let you fill in your login information. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-lastpass-alternatives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWant to ditch LastPass? Here are the best alternatives to try\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFAQ\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow do you get iCloud for Windows?\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo get \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fstore\u002Fdetail\u002Ficloud\u002F9PKTQ5699M62?hl=en-us&gl=us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EiCloud for Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, just download the app on your Windows PC, then log in with your Apple ID. You'll be prompted to follow the steps for two-factor authentication by entering a verification code on an iPhone with iOS 14 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 14 or later, or a Mac with MacOS 11 or later. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How do I set up iCloud Keychain? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EiCloud Keychain is available for your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-update-all-of-your-apple-devices\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple devices\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"edc70090-e7ca-4fa1-9578-b8a9f3bbd834\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fiphone\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPhone\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"11bc78d6-65e7-407e-90ce-42250bd54b6d\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fipad\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPad\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, and \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"0ea1a941-15b2-4325-8658-377ab1aeec2f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Mac\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. To set it up, go to your iPhone's Settings and tap on your name at the top of the screen to access your iCloud settings. Then, choose iCloud. Find Passwords and Keychain and select that, then tap on Sync this iPhone to turn it on. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you want to add iCloud Keychain to your Windows computer, then you can download iCloud Passwords.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Can I use LastPass for free? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELastPass changed the terms on its free option, so that someone with a free account can only use the password manager on one device. This means that you'd need a subscription to use LastPass on both your iPhone and your Windows PC, for example. So, while you can use LastPass for free on your iPhone and iPad, the free version won't be also available for your Windows PC. This is why using iCloud Passwords for Windows is the best free option. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-22 13:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you already have an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac, then a free and secure password manager has been in your hands all this time.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"aa130d25-9a36-4844-998b-2476f85e9629",image:{id:"e240071b-febc-4470-9a8f-557ca237e13f",filename:"gettyimages-1369567919-1-copy.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-09-21 16:52:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Businesswoman with smart phone looking at computer monitor. Young female professional is sitting at desk. She is wearing smart casuals at home office.",credits:"Image: Morsa Images via Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F09\u002F21\u002Fe240071b-febc-4470-9a8f-557ca237e13f\u002Fgettyimages-1369567919-1-copy.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:7281,height:4856,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Security^Password Manager",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"break-up-with-lastpass-how-to-use-icloud-as-a-password-manager-on-windows",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Break up with LastPass: How to use iCloud as a password manager on Windows",topic:{id:"f2cbf828-9507-490c-aefd-dff02f47ee1a",slug:"password-manager",name:"Password Manager",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"f2cbf828-9507-490c-aefd-dff02f47ee1a",slug:"password-manager",name:"Password Manager",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"863fe219-de4d-4c2d-9e95-55e19301075a",slug:"education",name:"Education",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6b310bb6-4624-4420-830a-4dc2b5d9878b\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Edge logo\" data-image-filename=\"microsoft-edge-logo.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F08\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"770\" data-image-height=\"578\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Edge has developed into a robust and effective browser since its debut back in 2015. And that's especially true since it moved to Chromium a couple of years ago. But any browser can use a helping hand to be even more useful. And one way to achieve that is through the right extensions, aka add-ons. Though the Chromium version of Edge can handle any extension from Google's Chrome Web Store, Microsoft also offers a healthy array of add-ons for Edge.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you'd like to check out Microsoft's add-ons for Edge, open the Edge browser and surf to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002FMicrosoft-Edge-Extensions-Home?hl=en-US\"\u003EEdge Add-ons page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Here, you can browse and search for specific add-ons by name or category. When you spot an add-on you want to try, select it and click the Get button. Click the button for \"Add extension,\" and the add-on is installed (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"14982770-b853-4b09-97b9-d5d9f36b04f6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Adding the Office extension.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Install an addon in Microsoft Edge\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1178\" data-image-height=\"616\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo view or work with the add-on from the Edge toolbar, click the Extensions icon (the one that looks like a puzzle piece). Click the eye icon next to the extension to show it on the toolbar. Depending on the add-on, you should be able to use or access it from its toolbar icon. To manage the add-on, click the Extensions icon and select \"Manage extensions.\" From the Extensions page in Edge, you can view details about the add-on, turn it off temporarily, or remove it entirely (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f70e66bb-0b43-4c67-81de-94540491a765\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Managing your installed extensions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Installed extensions page\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1175\" data-image-height=\"573\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, here are some of my favorite Edge add-ons.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOffice Online\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"53a25cb1-d9fc-4fed-9aec-1ac99a8a365c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"left\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Office addon\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Foffice\u002Fgggmmkjegpiggikcnhidnjjhmicpibll\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1395\" data-image-height=\"537\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EHere's a handy add-on for those of you who use Microsoft Office, either the paid version or the free web-based flavor. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Foffice\u002Fgggmmkjegpiggikcnhidnjjhmicpibll\"\u003EOffice add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E provides access to your Office applications and documents directly from Edge. After installing this extension, click on its toolbar icon and sign in to your Microsoft account. Click the icon again and you now can access the online editions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive. The screen also displays a few recent documents for you to open. And you can access even more documents and upload files to your online space.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMicrosoft Editor\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"aab8bc04-8ecf-428f-8484-611edd1662c6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Editor addon correcting a typo\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fmicrosoft-editor-spellin\u002Fhokifickgkhplphjiodbggjmoafhignh\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1337\" data-image-height=\"440\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you're composing an email online or a tweet on Twitter, sometimes you could use a good spelling and grammar checker to flag errors. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fmicrosoft-editor-spellin\u002Fhokifickgkhplphjiodbggjmoafhignh\"\u003EMicrosoft Editor add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E does just that. With this one, you can opt to check spelling, grammar, or both, and in any one of several different languages. Compose an email in Gmail, Yahoo, or another online email program; write a post on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or any other site; and the Microsoft Editor will underline any potential typos or mistakes. Click the underlined word, and the add-on suggests alternative words or lets you ignore the flagged word. You can also turn off the checker for specific websites.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBookmark Sidebar\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"47676541-307f-4628-a3c7-08270a2fa3ba\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Bookmark Sidebar addon\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fbookmark-sidebar\u002Flmjefbghkfeppnpofmbfmhgodpclipbl?hl=en-US\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1285\" data-image-height=\"699\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWant a quick way to view and open your bookmarks in Edge? The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fbookmark-sidebar\u002Flmjefbghkfeppnpofmbfmhgodpclipbl?hl=en-US\"\u003EBookmark Sidebar add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help. With this one, your bookmarks will appear in a sidebar so they're easily accessible. You can choose between a left and right sidebar location and toggle the style between light and dark. You then decide how you want to trigger the sidebar -- left click, right click, mouseover, or clicking on an icon. After you trigger the sidebar, just click a bookmark to launch the page. You can sort the list of bookmarks alphabetically, by most used, by recently used, or by recently added. And you can add or remove folders and bookmarks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EInfinity New Tab\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"53eb15e2-85d7-471f-9a00-91cbf45afe7b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Infinity New Tab addon with a misty forest background\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Finfinity-new-tab\u002Faadnmeanpbokjjahcnikajejglihibpd?hl=en-US\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1515\" data-image-height=\"767\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy default, opening a new tab in Edge takes you to a Microsoft page that may or may not be useful. If you want a more effective new tab page, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Finfinity-new-tab\u002Faadnmeanpbokjjahcnikajejglihibpd?hl=en-US\"\u003EInfinity New Tab add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E will supply it. When you install this add-on, your new tab page gets icons that display the weather, show your to-list, display your notes, retrieve your bookmarks and browsing history, take you to the add-ons page, and more. You can create multiple screens for the new tab page and scroll from one to the next. You can also customize each page by editing, adding, and removing individual icons.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPrint Friendly & PDF\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e50abe4a-247e-43cf-8f4d-723df3f771f6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Print Friendly & PDF addon adjusting font size\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fprint-friendly-pdf\u002Fnhiebejbpolmpkikgbijamagibifhjib?hl=en-US\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1445\" data-image-height=\"895\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrinting a webpage is often problematic, as most pages just aren't designed to be printed. Rather than struggle to print an uncooperative page, turn to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fprint-friendly-pdf\u002Fnhiebejbpolmpkikgbijamagibifhjib?hl=en-US\"\u003EPrint Friendly & PDF add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This one will generate a print-friendly version of your current page. From there, you can directly print the page or save it as a PDF. If you don't like the format, simply adjust the font, size, alignment, and line height, and turn images on or off.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EGhostery\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5207ad7b-17a9-4142-9aef-70e13780eb32\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Ghostery addon showing what's blocked\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fghostery-%E2%80%93-privacy-ad-blo\u002Ffclbdkbhjlgkbpfldjodgjncejkkjcme?hl=en-US\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1271\" data-image-height=\"749\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll find lots of ad blockers in the Edge Add-On store. One that I've always liked is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fghostery-%E2%80%93-privacy-ad-blo\u002Ffclbdkbhjlgkbpfldjodgjncejkkjcme?hl=en-US\"\u003EGhostery\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. The free version of Ghostery will remove ads from any webpage and block website trackers, thereby protecting your privacy and potentially speeding up your web browsing. To see Ghostery in action, browse to a site where you're likely to be served ads and tracked. Click the Ghostery icon on the toolbar, and it will tell you how many trackers were stopped. A detailed view reveals the specific ads and trackers that were blocked. You can turn certain features on and off and tell the add-on to trust your current site so that it won't block any ads or trackers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7c8c69f5-850f-4845-9483-f0348fe498f6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials addon showing a B plus privacy grade for GoDaddy.com\" data-image-target-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fduckduckgo-privacy-essent\u002Fcaoacbimdbbljakfhgikoodekdnlcgpk?hl=en-US\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-my-favorite-add-ons-for-microsoft-edge.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"1153\" data-image-height=\"655\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother solid privacy extension, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com\u002Faddons\u002Fdetail\u002Fduckduckgo-privacy-essent\u002Fcaoacbimdbbljakfhgikoodekdnlcgpk?hl=en-US\"\u003EDuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials add-on\u003C\u002Fa\u003E offers a lot of useful features. DuckDuckGo will block hidden third-party trackers, stop email trackers that try to trace your email address to your browsing activity, force unencrypted websites to use an encrypted (HTTPS) connection, change your search engine to DuckDuckGo Search, and tap into \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobalprivacycontrol.org\u002F\"\u003EGlobal Privacy Control\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (GPC) to tell websites not to sell or share your personal data. To see it work, browse to a website and click the DuckDuckGo icon on the toolbar. The add-on tells you how many trackers were blocked and gives the site a privacy grade. Click the window to see why it received a certain grade and the names of the specific trackers that were blocked.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-08-10 18:30:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"You can boost the usefulness of Microsoft's browser with the right add-ons. Here are some good ones.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"c31bcdbd-c22b-4c35-8a27-e5a3fbb6534e",image:{id:"6b310bb6-4624-4420-830a-4dc2b5d9878b",filename:"microsoft-edge-logo.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-08-19 11:14:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F19\u002F6b310bb6-4624-4420-830a-4dc2b5d9878b\u002Fmicrosoft-edge-logo.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:770,height:578,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"beef-up-microsoft-edge-with-my-favorite-add-ons",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Beef up Microsoft Edge with my favorite add-ons",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"a1897105-61bd-4610-abb3-4804906d4a9a",slug:"home-and-office",name:"Home & Office",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"f2d97ea2-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Adrian",lastName:"Kingsley-Hughes",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2",filename:"adrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:59:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F11c625de-cb18-4e3f-8614-5010553831f2\u002Fadrian-kingsley-hughes.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera. Adrian has authored\u002Fco-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include 'Build the Ultimate Custom PC', 'Beginning Programming' and 'The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide'. He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EGot an old PC that feels old and tired, and you think it might be time to buy a new one? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are two things that you can do to turbo-boost your PC, and it both will cost you a lot less than buying a new PC. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"5fd41f04-2c7b-4009-95f6-7c5c247289d9\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F5fd41f04-2c7b-4009-95f6-7c5c247289d9\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's take a look at how to breathe new life into your old PC.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1: Upgrade your RAM \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your PC has less than 4GB of RAM, upgrading this -- if it's possible -- up to 4GB is a worthy upgrade. RAM upgrades are quick and easy and also pretty cheap. If you already have 4GB, then the gains you get from pushing this higher have diminishing returns unless you are into high-end gaming or have specific workloads such as video rendering.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sad fact is that an increasing number of devices can no longer accept RAM upgrades. Macs are the worst culprits, but Apple is not alone in making upgrades tricky.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot sure if your PC can take an upgrade? If it was made by one of the major OEMs, then a RAM vendor like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.crucial.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrucial\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kingston.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKingston\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (or for Macs, you can check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feshop.macsales.com\u002Fshop\u002Fmemory\u002FApple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro\u002FUpgrade\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOWC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-ram\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best RAM: Top memory upgrades for your PC\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2: Upgrade your storage from a hard drive to SSD \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile a RAM upgrade offers good bang-for-the-buck, if you already have 4GB of RAM, then the next best upgrade you can do is swap out your hard drive (HDD) for an SSD.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnsure if your PC can take an SSD upgrade SSD? My first port of call would be to check the user manual or a motherboard manual. If you don't have either of these, then I recommend an internet search because you're unlikely to be the first person wanting to do it!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStill not sure? Crucial has a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.crucial.com\u002Farticles\u002Fabout-ssd\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-to-an-ssd\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esystem scanner\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that can check your PC and tell you if an upgrade is possible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's what you'll need to do the upgrade:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAn SSD drive.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDepending on your PC, you may need a 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch tray to fit in a bay designed for a hard drive or optical drive (some SSD kits come with these parts). \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA #1 Phillips screwdriver.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA tool for carrying out your data migration (I use the free \t\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.partitionwizard.com\u002Ffree-partition-manager.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMiniTool PartitionWizard Free Edition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which always performs flawlessly).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA basic understanding of how to fit and remove storage drives. \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA knowledge of how your BIOS works, specifically the setting which drive the system boots up from (there are so many different kinds that I can't help, so find do a web search for the manual for your motherboard). \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETip\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: A quick way to identify your motherboard is to fire up a Command Prompt and use the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line tool. To do that, type: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ewmic baseboard get product,manufacturer,version \t\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"31212dd4-c4e6-4cf1-b50c-67d77007142a\" data-size=\"full_width\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"The quickest, simplest way to speed up an old, tired PC\" data-image-filename=\"capture.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"770\" data-image-height=\"227\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-much-ram-does-your-pc-or-mac-need\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow much RAM does your Windows PC need?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe upgrade process is pretty simple: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen up the PC and fit the new drive. \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFire up the Windows Disk Management tool (press \t\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows Key+R\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \ton your keyboard to launch the \u003Cstrong\u003ERun\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \tdialog box and then type \u003Cstrong\u003Ediskmgmt.msc\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \tand press \u003Cstrong\u003EEnter\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFind the new drive, which will be marked as \"unknown\" and \"Not initialized\" in the listing of drives at the bottom of the Disk Management window, and then right-click on where it says \"unknown\" and choose \t\u003Cstrong\u003EInitialize Disk\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and then follow the prompts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDownload, install and then launch \t\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.partitionwizard.com\u002Ffree-partition-manager.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick on \u003Cstrong\u003EMigrate OS to SSD\u002FHD\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in the sidebar and follow the prompts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"df20acbf-4b08-4560-9fee-9ed6769267a8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"MiniTool Partition Wizard 11\" data-image-filename=\"2019-08-09-20-35-01.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2019\u002F08\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"770\" data-image-height=\"532\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhen the migration process is done -- this will take some time,  as much as a few hours -- then you will need to set the system BIOS to boot up off the new drive. \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou can, if you want, remove the old drive, or keep it in the system, wipe it, and use it for storage. \t\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETip\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: Swapping a drive should not cause any Windows activations or licensing problems. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith a Mac, the easiest way to upgrade your storage drive is to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT201250\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emake a Time Machine backup\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and then load that backup onto your new drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIs faster storage upgrade the best option? \t \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. With a but.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving tried it with a range of SSDs drives (ranging in performance from basic to high-end) and across a range of systems (from dual-core to dual-socket), I'm pretty confident that anyone moving from a hard drive to an SSD drive will see serious performance gains. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is even the case when RAM is down at the 2GB levels (however, at this point, RAM does become quite a limiting factor, and if you're running Windows 10, then you ideally need more than 2GB to keep sane). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy advice is this -- if you have a basic PC (desktop or laptop) and it has 4GB of RAM and a hard drive installed, you're far better off spending your money on faster storage than you are on more RAM or a new CPU. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F73acd149-be52-4594-aa01-295e1bc9507b\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-04-29 12:36:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Is your PC or Mac feeling old and tired? Here are two ways to inject new life into an aging computer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"62fdfab5-b09f-46da-9f41-447dd38933a6",image:{id:"2b9d89fa-ca00-42f4-9bc1-d78e772982fb",filename:"2017-05-1812-40-45.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2017-05-18 12:24:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"2017-05-1812-40-45.jpg",credits:b,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F18\u002F2b9d89fa-ca00-42f4-9bc1-d78e772982fb\u002F2017-05-1812-40-45.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:489,height:449,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Computing^PCs",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-speed-up-your-old-windows-10-pc-or-mac",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to speed up your old Windows 10 PC or Mac",topic:{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10666ed8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"hardware",name:"Hardware",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"11601750-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"storage",name:"Storage",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"226def65-03d9-492b-998d-e1caaf811b1b\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"search-organization-on-the-taskbar.png\" data-image-filename=\"search-organization-on-the-taskbar.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"601\" data-image-height=\"546\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecently, I tried to run a search in Windows for specific Word documents based on the filename. I expected a number of different results. Instead, Windows delivered only one result and not any of the ones I wanted. Oops.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe search feature in Windows is a usually a handy and effective way to hunt for specific files and other items. But sometimes, it fails to work properly, coming up empty when there should be at least a few results in response to your search.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy does Windows search occasionally fall down on the job and how can you get it to work properly again? Let's go through a few troubleshooting steps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECheck the search settings\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, check the Search settings in Windows to make sure they're configured the way you want. In Windows 10, click the Search field. In Windows 11, click the Search icon. Then in either version, click the ellipsis icon in the Search window and select Search settings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDepending on what type of account you have (business or Microsoft account) and what applications and services you use, go to the Cloud content search section and turn on the switches for Microsoft account or Work or School account. By doing this, any files or other items that you search for across different Microsoft services will appear in the results. Next, turn on the switch for Search history on this device. Doing so ensures that your search history is stored locally on your computer (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"785e2628-9bd3-4a31-a7a0-b4b675550473\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configure your search permissions and history\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"620\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENormally when you configure your search settings and permissions, you want to strike a balance between productivity and privacy. You don't necessarily want Microsoft tracking and storing everything you do. But when troubleshooting a search problem, you want to loosen up the restrictions to some degree to see if the glitch is fixed. You can always fine-tune the settings later on once the search issue has been resolved.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, try rerunning your searches to see if the results are now accurate and as expected. If not, time to ask Windows for some help.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERun the search indexer troubleshooter\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Windows search index collects and stores links to certain folders on your PC to speed up a search. But that index can sometimes develop internal problems. One way to diagnose this patient is through a built-in Windows troubleshooter.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Windows 10 or 11, click the Search icon or field again. Click the ellipsis icon and then select Indexing options. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. In Windows 10, click the link that says: Run the indexer troubleshooter to resolve common search issues. In Windows 11, click the entry for Index troubleshooter. Check the box that best describes the problem and click Next (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"930e68b9-845d-4733-bfcf-cf8a651683e2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Run the search indexer troubleshooter\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"664\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe troubleshooter may ask for your permission to diagnose or fix the problem. If so, give it the OK. If it indicates that the problem has been resolved, try rerunning the search to confirm  (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). If all is well, great. If not, let's try another approach.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a1b3eb19-d1b1-4168-82b9-6668083e02b3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"The indexer troubleshooter has fixed the problem, you hope.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"664\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECustomize search locations\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy default, the search index covers only certain locations on your PC, including the Users folder. But if you store files or documents in a location not seen by the index, your search results may be inaccurate. To fix this, click the link for Customize search locations here (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"14b92d3a-cb49-4ac6-aaae-9abe8461b818\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Add more folders to the search index\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"620\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the Indexing Options window, click the Modify button. At the Indexed Location window, open the drive and then click the checkbox for the folder in which your documents are stored (assuming they're not stored in your Users folder). Click OK and then close the indexing windows (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"49c0fd46-91c9-48fc-a2f2-2a0dba082b00\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Check a specific folder to add\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"620\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow try rerunning the problematic search to see if the results are more accurate. If not, you can open up the indexing to your entire PC. Back at the Searching Windows screen, check the button for Enhanced. Scroll down the page to check the folders that will still be excluded from the index. Typically, these are Windows or application folders that shouldn't be storing any documents or personal files (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"30545ef9-f304-424c-aad0-54f8ea924f5c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose the Enhanced option for the index\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"664\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe upside is that the index will now cover all possible locations on your PC. The downside is that the indexing and your searches will take longer to complete. But again, you're trying these different steps for troubleshooting reasons. You can always change the settings in the future after the current search glitch has been fixed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERebuild the search index\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your searches still aren't working properly, there's no more step to try, namely rebuilding the search index. This was ultimately the remedy I had to take to fix the search issues on my PC. At the Search Windows page, click the entry for Advanced Search Indexer Settings in Windows 10 and Advanced indexing options in Windows 11. At the Indexing Options window, click the Advanced button. At the Advanced Options window, click the Rebuild button and then click OK (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"84d1d189-723a-48d1-9e90-576022b98ab0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Rebuilt the search index\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-fix-search-snafus-in-windows.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1195\" data-image-height=\"664\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile you wait, the window will indicate how many items have been indexed. After the rebuild has completed, try running your search once more; hopefully, you'll get the right results this time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-27 20:32:24",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Windows search feature sometimes fails to deliver the right results. Here's how to find what you're looking for in Windows.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"1de9a5d0-5edd-4e24-b783-863eb186675c",image:{id:"06e50580-5943-4448-848b-3320feec66fc",filename:"figure-8-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-21 16:46:18",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F21\u002F06e50580-5943-4448-848b-3320feec66fc\u002Ffigure-8-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1112,height:541,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-fix-search-glitches-in-windows",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to fix search glitches in Windows",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"df75c005-715d-4ff8-82e7-88bbd1c4e6c3",slug:"operating-systems",name:"Operating Systems",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ce49b550-f4fc-4a6a-a76f-296e666f10c0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Tweak the Taskbar with a third-party utility\" data-image-filename=\"figure-top-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1041\" data-image-height=\"572\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike the Start menu, the Taskbar in Windows 11 has gotten a thumb's down from a lot of people, mostly because it's much less customizable than its Windows 10 counterpart. In Windows 10, you can move the Taskbar to any of the four sides of the screen, combine taskbar buttons, change the size of the buttons, and increase the height of the taskbar itself. None of those capabilities are available in Windows 11, at least not in the current version.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you want a more robust and user-friendly Taskbar in Windows 11, there are several changes you can make in the OS itself. If those don't do the trick, you may want to try a third-party utility to further enhance the Taskbar. Let's look at your options. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ETweak the Taskbar\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, you should review the different ways to modify the Taskbar to make it look and work according to your preferences. Right-click on any empty area of the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Here, you can remove icons for certain programs that you never use so they don't waste space. These include Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat. Turn off the switch for the ones you don't want to see (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f80f436b-2d63-4e99-a72a-66b227b98939\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Turn Taskbar icons on or off\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1177\" data-image-height=\"479\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScroll down further. The next section lets you add a menu for a pen or stylus, a Touch keyboard, and a virtual touchpad to the Taskbar. If you're using a hybrid touchscreen PC without a mouse or keyboard, then you might want to enable these features. Otherwise, leave them turned off (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"857724c8-b83f-417f-a8b0-a499fed100ea\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enable options for touchscreen hybrid device\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1173\" data-image-height=\"406\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext on the list is the System Tray, which appears at the right end of the Taskbar. Normally, you have to click the up arrow in the System Tray to view and access the icons for all your startup programs and other features. But if there are certain ones you'd like to see directly, turn on their switches. For instance, I like to see the icon for OneDrive directly in the System Tray so I can check the file syncing and other elements of the program (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"66003b30-dc6f-4a2c-9980-9d011e6e9e31\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Control the system tray\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1202\" data-image-height=\"537\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can control Taskbar behaviors. I like to change the alignment to the left and automatically hide the Taskbar. Those are the two most important settings for me, though I leave the other ones turned on as well (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a5e53424-3820-4a9a-b4c5-d8a4f1e142f1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Change the alignment and hide the Taskbar\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1191\" data-image-height=\"539\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPin icons to the Taskbar\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can't currently drag and drop icons onto the Windows 11 Taskbar as you can in Windows 10. But you can pin your favorite programs to the Taskbar. Click the Start button. In the Pinned apps section, find the program you want to add to the Taskbar, right-click it, and select Pin to taskbar. In the All Apps list, right-click the program, go to More, and then select Pin to taskbar. You can then drag and drop icons around the Taskbar to put them in your preferred order (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5d618ab5-b270-4623-b755-a6e284e5a637\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Pin icons to the Taskbar\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1102\" data-image-height=\"726\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EChange the Taskbar color and appearance\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut wait, there's more you can do with the Taskbar, specifically regarding its appearance. Go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Personalization > Colors\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. To make the Taskbar translucent against your current wallpaper background, turn on the switch for Transparency effects (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"92c5389c-1ea4-4d08-a86b-4efc6fb04a59\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Make the Taskbar translucent\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1132\" data-image-height=\"689\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can add an accent color to the Start menu and Taskbar. Click the dropdown menu for Accent color and change it to manual. Then select your preferred accent color from the palette (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9899bb8c-7916-4c5c-9c09-9fb93d7437dd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose an accent color\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1073\" data-image-height=\"687\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo paint just the Start menu, Taskbar, and certain elements dark, click the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EChoose your mode\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and change it to Custom. Click the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EChoose your default Windows mode\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and set it to Dark. Leave the setting for \u003Cstrong\u003EChoose your default app mode\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to Light (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4fbc31e4-1d58-4200-84d4-85847d949c45\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Switch to dark mode\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1102\" data-image-height=\"690\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EThird-party tweaks\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome Registry hacks claim to change certain elements of the Taskbar, such as the position and height. But they don't always work reliably or consistently, especially since Microsoft keeps altering Windows 11 to prevent certain tweaks. If you'd like to perform more radical surgery on the Taskbar beyond its icons and appearance, your best bet is to turn to a third-party utility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can alter certain aspects of the Taskbar with two Start Menu replacement programs, namely Start11 and StartAllBack, both of which I wrote about in my column on \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu\u002F\"\u003EHow to replace your Windows 11 Start menu with a third-party app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut another program I especially like is ExplorerPatcher, which offers several handy ways to improve the Taskbar. To download this free utility, browse to its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fvalinet\u002FExplorerPatcher\"\u003EGitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and click the link for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fvalinet\u002FExplorerPatcher\u002Freleases\u002Flatest\u002Fdownload\u002Fep_setup.exe\"\u003EDownload the latest version of the setup program\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. After installation, open the program from the All Apps menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first option in ExplorerPatcher's Properties menu is for Taskbar. Here, you can change the Taskbar style to Windows 10, choose how and when to combine Taskbar buttons, modify the size of Taskbar buttons, and move the Taskbar to any side of the screen. After making your modifications, click the link for Restart File Explorer, and the changes go into effect (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6ae48e5b-9c39-4e0f-8451-5a99da10723b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Tweak the Taskbar with a third-party utility\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F27\" data-image-width=\"1089\" data-image-height=\"634\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-28 20:13:57",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Not happy with the Windows 11 Taskbar? You can change the look, layout, and other elements in Windows and through a third-party utility.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"518adc21-f709-456a-8caf-a7bb3748db9b",image:{id:"ce49b550-f4fc-4a6a-a76f-296e666f10c0",filename:"figure-top-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-27 13:54:10",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F27\u002Fce49b550-f4fc-4a6a-a76f-296e666f10c0\u002Ffigure-top-how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1041,height:572,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-improve-and-enhance-the-windows-11-taskbar",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to improve and enhance the Windows 11 Taskbar",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f7da76d7-f579-40d6-9a70-5ee4dd4d90bf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Update security questions and answers for a local Windows account\" data-image-filename=\"top-figure-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account-copy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"1132\" data-image-height=\"627\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChoose to set up Windows 10 or 11 with a local account, and you're required to select three security questions to answer if you ever get locked out. Those questions include the typical ones, such as your first pet's name, the first name of your oldest cousin, and the name of your first school. But you can always change those questions and their answers if you don't like the initial ones. That option is readily accessible in Windows 10 but not in Windows 11. Here's how the process works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou first see the option for creating an account early in the Windows setup. Of course, Microsoft wants you to use a Microsoft account so the company doesn't make it easy to choose a local account instead. But it's doable and works the same in Windows 10 and 11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-your-windows-license-legal-should-you-even-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIs your Windows license legal? Should you even care?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ECreate a local account\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAt the screen asking how you would like to set up Windows, choose the option Set up for personal use.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe next screen is where you would start veering toward a local account. In Windows 10, select Offline account. In Windows 11, select Sign in Options and then select Offline account.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAt the next screen, Microsoft tries its best to steer you away from a local account. But stay strong. In Windows 10, select Limited experience. In Windows 11, select Skip for now.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOkay, now you can finally enter the name you want to use for your local account. Devise a password and then confirm it.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EChoose your security questions and answers\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd that leads us to the security questions, which Microsoft requires you to set up at this point.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose your first security question and then type a response. Choose and answer your second question and then do the same for the third and final question.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8e502d5d-58e0-4f72-8be1-2656190d8448\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set up your questions and answers for a local Windows account\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"1024\" data-image-height=\"764\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. Finish the reset of the setup and then you're nestled into Windows with your local account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ESwitch to a Local Account\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBesides choosing a local account from the get-go, you can switch to a local account if you're already using a Microsoft Account to sign into Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIn Windows 10 or 11, go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Accounts > Your Info\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the link to Sign in with a local account instead. Of course, you're asked if you're sure you want to switch to a local account. Click Next to confirm.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnter your Microsoft account PIN. Create a password for your new local account. Sign out and then sign back in with your new local account.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOkay, now there are a couple of problems. Notice that when you switch to a local account, you're not prompted to create the security questions. That means you have to choose to do so on your own. Otherwise, if you need to reset your password, the only option available is to use a recovery drive, which you probably didn't set up either.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd even if you choose a local account during the initial Windows setup, what if you have second thoughts about your security questions at some point? Maybe you think that at least one of the answers may be too easy to guess. Or perhaps you want to change one of the questions. Can you update them? Let's try this in Windows 10 and then in Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EUpdate your questions and answers in Windows 10\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIn Windows 10, go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Accounts > Sign-in options\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Click the option for Password. Then click Update your security questions.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"75e8df64-fede-4901-a73c-41859febfadd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Reset your security questions and answers in Windows 10\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"1131\" data-image-height=\"621\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. At the window that pops up, type your local account password and click OK. You can now choose different questions and answers for each of the three items. When done, click Finish.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e905d460-290c-4364-9b6c-04ff2f13c01f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Update questions and answers\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-3-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"1132\" data-image-height=\"627\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EUpdate your questions and answers in Windows 11\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, let's try the same thing in Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Accounts > Sign-in options\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Click the option for Password. Uh-oh. There is no option for updating your security questions. For whatever reason, either forgetfulness or a lack of concern about local accounts, Microsoft neglected to equip Windows 11 with an obvious way to change your security questions and answers. But no worries. There is an unsupported though perfectly usable workaround.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHold down the Windows key and press R to trigger the Run dialog box. In the Open field, type the following string: \u003Cem\u003Ems-cxh:\u002F\u002Fsetsqsalocalonly\u003C\u002Fem\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e34eaa40-083a-4191-ae13-6cd7a2ea3311\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Reset questions and answers in Windows 11\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-4-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"1135\" data-image-height=\"627\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3. You're then prompted to type your local account password. And you can now update each of the three security questions and answers. Type Finish when done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"86649ea4-8221-4f46-ab2f-f3ae57793f27\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Update questions and answers in Windows 11\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-5-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022-06-01 18:05:44.000000\" data-image-width=\"1080\" data-image-height=\"628\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAnswer the security questions to reset your password\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow let's say there comes a time when you forget your local Windows account password, either in Windows 10 or 11. You've tried a few different passwords, but no dice. You're stuck at the login screen with no way to get in.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the link for Reset Password. The window for your security questions pops up. Answer each of the three questions. Then click the right arrow next to the third answer.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f087b726-d34a-4bc7-bf13-8e716e976de6\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Answer security questions\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022-06-01 18:06:41.000000\" data-image-width=\"1089\" data-image-height=\"636\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. Type and then retype a new local password, and click the right arrow. And you're in. But this time, try to remember your password.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"95a34d20-51bf-4ae6-a06f-d5322d4ad2ff\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Create new password\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022-06-01 18:07:18.000000\" data-image-width=\"1090\" data-image-height=\"481\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-02 20:49:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A local Windows account requires you to set up three security questions. Here's how this works in Windows 10 and 11.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"42a01f07-3fe1-481a-b874-798e8f4da324",image:{id:"f087b726-d34a-4bc7-bf13-8e716e976de6",filename:"figure-6-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-01 18:06:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Update security questions and answers for a local Windows account",credits:c,caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F01\u002Ff087b726-d34a-4bc7-bf13-8e716e976de6\u002Ffigure-6-how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1089,height:636,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-manage-your-security-questions-for-a-local-windows-account",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to manage your security questions for a local Windows account",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"aa6b68a0-6821-4508-ad08-1495fdc63720\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Shutterstock \u002F Prostock-studio\" data-image-alt-text=\"Woman typing on laptop. \" data-image-filename=\"shutterstock-1660017136.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F09\u002F10\" data-image-width=\"6720\" data-image-height=\"4320\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou have a host of files on your computer that you want to rename all in one shot, and all according to a certain pattern. Windows does let you rename multiple files by applying the same name followed by sequential numbers. But to add more punch to your file renaming, Microsoft offers a PowerToys tool called PowerRename.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccessible from the right-click context menu in File Explorer, the PowerRename command can rename files through the use of variables. Simply select the files you wish to rename, trigger the command, and then choose the filename string and variables that you want to use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you just need to add sequential numbers to a group of files, that's already easy enough to do directly in Windows. Open File Explorer, select the files you want to rename, and then press F2. The last file in the list is selected. Type the name you wish to use and press Enter. All the files you selected are given the same name with successive numbers in parentheses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut PowerRename can do that and more. If you don't already have PowerToys on your PC, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002F\"\u003Eprogram's GitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. PowerToys and its programs work the same in both Windows 10 and 11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to use the free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows and why you should\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to rename multiple files in Windows with PowerRename\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"9871633c-fee1-412c-8294-a0a18037092e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen the PowerToys Settings window by double-clicking its System Tray icon. Select the entry for PowerRename. Turn on the switch for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEnable PowerRename\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;if it's off.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Enable PowerRename\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b9b8e8f7-0924-446a-85fd-01f5426238b7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"PowerToys Setting window.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1207\" data-image-height=\"565\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0c99fb32-1489-49dd-9ab5-30d5a44bdcf3\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENext, click the dropdown menu for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShow PowerRename in\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;and set it to&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EDefault and extended context menu\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. This ensures that the command is available in the context menu in Windows 10 and both of the context menus in Windows 11. Leave the box for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHide icon in context menu\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;unchecked.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Click Show PowerRename and set it to Default and extended context menu\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3d939316-e872-4e07-b985-8f1ad9e89e41\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Show PowerRename in the context menus of File Explorer.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1207\" data-image-height=\"501\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"38044ac4-e000-4896-b46c-8d633b49c5ea\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ETo receive suggestions for names when searching for and replacing the existing filenames, make sure the switch is turned on for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEnable auto-complete for the search and replace fields\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. To control the number of suggestions you can receive when searching for and replacing filenames, set the number for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMaximum number of items\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. If unsure, leave the default value at 10.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo see the last strings used for a search and replace, turn on the switch for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShow recently used strings\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Finally, if you think you'll need more than just the regular expressions used for search and replace, turn on the switch for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EUse Boost library\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Otherwise, leave this off; you can always turn it on if and when necessary.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Turn on options for searching and replacing filenames\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f9f06645-434f-4b5c-8f01-a3406bc4b1e7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFinishing configuring PowerRename.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Options to turn on in PowerRename.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1207\" data-image-height=\"816\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0ca57c92-7603-4c0b-94d1-44a644d9bb4c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENow that you've checked the settings and changed any from their defaults, it's time to take PowerRename for a spin. Open File Explorer. Select several files whose names you want to change. Photos imported from your phone are a good option since they're given generic designations that you'll likely want to switch to more meaningful names. Right-click anywhere on the selection and select PowerRename from the context menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the right pane, confirm the files you wish to rename and make sure each one is checked.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Open File Explorer and select files you want to change \" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c5cde22f-6111-485e-ad7f-21f89a7ff43a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESelect PowerRename from the context menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"PowerRename option in the context menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1293\" data-image-height=\"741\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"489405c8-0031-4596-8f57-3592f0486f77\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENext, it's time to set up your search and replace strings. For this one, I'm going to use an actual example. My wife and I recently took a trip to London where I took hundreds of photos. At the end of the trip, I had a bunch of photos with generic names that I wished to rename. For the first part of this process, I wanted to rename each one&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ETrip to London\u003C\u002Fem\u003E&nbsp;but then add a sequential number at the end of each filename, starting with one and going from there.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe files initially all had names of IMG_ followed by a four-digit number and then JPG as the extension, e.g., IMG_1001, IMG_1002, etc. In the Search field, I typed&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EIMG_\u003C\u002Fem\u003E. In PowerRename, the . symbol is used as a variable representing a single character. So I then typed four dots after the IMG_ as in&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EIMG_....\u003C\u002Fem\u003E&nbsp;and then nothing for the extension as I wanted to leave JPG as is.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"5. Set up your search and replace strings\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8177059c-2b04-4153-9f89-465c1bc6390f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ECreate the search string.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"IMG and JPG files in PowerRename.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1380\" data-image-height=\"808\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"2e171ada-efbb-4f09-944f-3b5140dbd58c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn the Replace field, I typed&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ETrip to London\u003C\u002Fem\u003E. I then clicked the&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEnumerate Items\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;button as that tells PowerRename to add a sequential number in parentheses to the filename, as in Trip to London (1), Trip to London (2), and so on. Clicking Apply then performs the rename.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"6. Select Enumerate Items\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"eb15afb7-a1fa-4228-a524-576c2e21be59\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ECreate the replace string.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"IMG and JPG files in PowerRename.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1380\" data-image-height=\"808\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"f4104990-4d05-46e0-9e2c-c22bea5c3e21\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe true strength of PowerRename lies in its support for variables. For the second part of this process, I wanted to indicate the date each photo was taken. This required using variables, specifically a $ followed by the string for the type of date.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith PowerRename variables, the month is represented by the letter M, the date by the letter D, and the year by the letter Y. The number of times you use the letter determines the exact format. In this case, I wanted to use the two-digit value for the month, the two-digit value for the date, and the four-digit value for the year. So, I typed the replace string as&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ETrip to London-$MM-$DD-$YYYY\u003C\u002Fem\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"7. Indicate the date each photo was taken\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7308aaf0-1570-43a0-8959-17cb19971a76\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFinish the replace string.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"IMG and JPG files in PowerRename with renamed files.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-rename-files-in-windows-with-powerrename.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1532\" data-image-height=\"808\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7c49ec04-e314-43b4-bc09-cb7a90d8a317\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAs a helping hand, PowerRename previews the new names in the Renamed column so you can see whether your syntax is correct. If all looks good, click the Apply button, and the files are renamed. The new names appear in the Original column to indicate that the files have been renamed. Ultimately, my photos had their new names, the full date, and the sequential numbers. Mission accomplished.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"8. Click Apply if all looks good\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you need more powerful and flexible file renaming, then you might prefer a third-party utility. I've used \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sherrodcomputers.com\u002Fproducts_filerenamer.cfm\"\u003ESherrod Computer's File Renamer program\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which comes in both free and paid flavors, and provides a variety of renaming options. But if your file renaming needs are relatively basic, PowerRename is a useful and convenient tool.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-19 16:46:59",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"With the free PowerRename tool, you can rename a bunch of files in one single move based on a specific naming scheme.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"8e53b841-a6dd-4c2a-a826-393037543f39",image:{id:"aa6b68a0-6821-4508-ad08-1495fdc63720",filename:"shutterstock-1660017136.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-09-10 10:03:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F10\u002Faa6b68a0-6821-4508-ad08-1495fdc63720\u002Fshutterstock-1660017136.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:6720,height:4320,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-rename-multiple-files-in-windows-with-powerrename",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to rename multiple files in Windows with PowerRename",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"03eb7b21-cccd-44c2-b4c8-78b22ddd49ed\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash\" data-image-alt-text=\"brooke-cagle-609880-unsplash.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"brooke-cagle-609880-unsplash.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2018\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"5208\" data-image-height=\"3472\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESharing a computer with multiple people can be challenging, especially when it comes to protecting that PC against security risks. Whether you use a shared PC at home, in a home office, or in a small business, you want to ensure that everyone who uses that machine follows proper security guidelines, and that especially applies to passwords.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreating a strong and complex password is one of the best ways to protect your account and your PC from any type of compromise or other security threat. You can certainly make sure that your own password is hard to crack, but how can you coax other people who use the same PC to do likewise?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELarge companies and enterprises typically set up domains and rely on Group Policy to set password policies. But your average home or even small office isn't likely to go through the trouble of creating and managing domains. No problem. You can still protect your shared computer by using the local security policy in Windows. Available in Windows 10 and 11, the local security policy helps you control a variety of security options for all users of the PC, including password length and complexity.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the settings offered by the local security policy are geared toward domain-based computers. But if you simply want to control a single computer, you can ignore the network-specific settings and focus on the ones for passwords. Using the policy this way will help you better protect a PC shared in a home, a home office, or a small business office. Let's see how this works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to set local security policy in Windows\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe local security policy is accessible from Windows 10 and 11 and works the same in both versions. You can open or access the local security policy using a few different methods. But the quickest way is through the Search tool. Click the Search field or icon, type secpol.msc, and then press Enter. The local security policy window pops up (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2164eed6-c282-469a-a924-86c51095922f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"The local security policy in Windows\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1152\" data-image-height=\"641\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESet minimum password length\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, you can ensure that anyone who has an account on this computer uses a password of a certain length. Click the right arrow for Account Policies and then select Password Policy. Among the eight options here, double-click the one for Minimum Password Length.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the Explain tab to see the details of this setting. By default, the minimum length can be as many as 14 characters. Switch back to the Local Security Setting Tab and enter a number up to 14 to specify the minimum length for a password. Click OK when done (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1f423992-3d36-4577-8d34-efa855107177\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set the minimum password length\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1139\" data-image-height=\"543\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESet password complexity\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore important than password length is complexity, which means requiring users of this shared PC to use passwords with uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and non-alphanumeric characters. Double-click the option for Password must meet complexity requirements.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the Explain tab to see the requirements for this one. If this policy is enabled, the password can't contain the user's account name and must be at least six characters long. It also must contain characters from any three of the following categories: Uppercase characters, lowercase characters, any number 0 through 9, and non-alphanumeric characters such as ! or #. Go back to the Local Security Setting tab and click the button for Enabled. Click OK (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9694c42b-2170-432f-9036-f8ea9f34243f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enable password complexity\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1140\" data-image-height=\"540\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERequire password changes\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can make sure that people must change their passwords periodically. Double-click the option for Maximum Password Age. Select the Explain tab to learn how this setting works. Return to the Local Security Setting tab and enter a number to determine how many days someone can use a password before it expires. Depending on your environment, 90 days is typically a good timeframe, so that people have to change their passwords every three months. Click OK (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2de44361-ce30-4bed-903e-2fca77144a7d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set the number of days until a password expires\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1141\" data-image-height=\"542\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnforce password history\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFaced with the challenge of changing their passwords periodically, many people will simply recycle older passwords. You can limit this tendency by enforcing a password history. Click the option for Enforce password history. Click the Explain tab to see how this plays out. At the Local Security Setting screen, enter a number between 0 and 24, with 0 meaning that no password will be remembered and 24 meaning that the past two dozen passwords will be remembered and therefore unable to be reused. Click OK (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"77abaf76-3177-4c3c-b98d-273122c5815e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enforce a password history\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1143\" data-image-height=\"559\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESet lockout policy\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can protect your PC's accounts from compromise by locking them out if the wrong password is entered too many times. Select the setting for Account Lockout Policy and double-click the option for Account lockout threshold.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the Explain tab to read the details on this one. Return to the Local Security Setting screen and enter a number between 0 and 999. The number will determine how many times an incorrect password can be entered before the account is locked out. A locked out account then must be reset by an administrator account on that PC. Click OK.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBased on the number you choose, you may see suggestions for the other two options: Account lockout duration and Reset account lockout counter. These two options determine how long the account will be locked out following the specified number of wrong password attempts. Click OK to accept the suggested settings (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8ad1f2ec-7ea6-443b-87df-ae76b36ca3d4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set lockout policy\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-require-strong-and-complex-passwords-on-a-shared-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"1140\" data-image-height=\"558\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow strict should you make the password and lockout requirements on your shared PC? That depends on the location and the people using it. For a home PC used by family members, you may want to keep the settings less restrictive. But for a business PC used by employees, you might tighten the requirements. Of course, you can always adjust the settings if they turn out to be too loose or too tight.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-25 18:05:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"You can make sure that everyone who uses a shared Windows PC at your home or business creates a password that can't easily be cracked.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"8b96a804-156c-4e95-9819-cafe50e26366",image:{id:"03eb7b21-cccd-44c2-b4c8-78b22ddd49ed",filename:"brooke-cagle-609880-unsplash.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2018-06-21 05:17:47",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EIf you have to share a computer with a friend, guest, or sibling, one way to make sure your browsing is private is to turn on incognito mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2018\u002F06\u002F21\u002F03eb7b21-cccd-44c2-b4c8-78b22ddd49ed\u002Fbrooke-cagle-609880-unsplash.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:5208,height:3472,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-require-strong-passwords-on-your-shared-windows-pc",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to require strong passwords on your shared Windows PC",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"9a23272b-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"David Gewirtz",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"David",lastName:"Gewirtz",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"de4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945",filename:"david-gewirtz.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:19:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fde4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945\u002Fdavid-gewirtz.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"In addition to hosting the ZDNET Government and ZDNet DIY-IT blogs, David Gewirtz is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in The History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets, is one of America's foremost cyber-security experts, and is a top expert on saving and creating jobs. He is also director of the U.S. Strategic Perspective Institute as well as the founder of ZATZ Publishing.\r\n\r\nDavid is a member of FBI InfraGard, the Cyberwarfare Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, and has been a regular CNN contributor, and a guest commentator for the Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of Where Have All the Emails Gone?, the definitive study of email in the White House, as well as How To Save Jobs and The Flexible Enterprise, the classic book that served as a foundation for today's agile business movement.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EIf you write about computers or software, sooner or later, you'll need to take a screenshot (an image of all or part of your computer screen). I take a lot of screenshots. In fact, this article has eight of them. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're running on Windows -- whether \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-faq-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or Windows 10 -- there's a very nice utility that comes with the operating system that does a great job. It's called Snipping Tool, and it just works. In this article, I'm going to show you the Windows 11 version, which adds a few minor features over the older Windows 10 version. But it doesn't matter which OS you call home. Snipping Tool works pretty much the same. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome Windows installs have Snipping Tool in the application menu, but if not, just type \"snip\" into the search bar, and the Snipping Tool utility will come up. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne you launch Snipping Tool from your app menu, right-click on the icon and select Pin to Taskbar. That will permanently add it to your taskbar, which you'll find helpful over time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"18a7e20b-c927-4537-8bc9-1dc66133beb1\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping tool in tool bar\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00008.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"327\" data-image-height=\"94\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunching the app produces this little window (below). As you can see, there's a drop-down menu with a bunch of options. I prefer \u003Cstrong\u003ERectangle Mode\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, which allows you to draw a box around what you want to capture. You can also capture a window, the whole screen, or even freeform draw a border. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"813e2630-70b6-4505-ac7f-9bb80ace3e72\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping Tool mode menu\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00007.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"481\" data-image-height=\"258\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you launch the Snipping Tool on Windows 10, you'll get a slightly different window. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"81928d82-0596-4ebc-9efe-04d4f6f7f831\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping tool warning message\" data-image-filename=\"pollywin-2022-05-17-15-31-16.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"430\" data-image-height=\"308\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENote the suggestion to try Snip & Sketch. I don't recommend Snip & Sketch. The Snipping Tool does a great job, and as the screenshot above this one shows, Windows 11 no longer promotes moving to Snip & Sketch. Worse, Snip & Sketch has some \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fstore\u002Fdetail\u002Fsnip-sketch\u002F9MZ95KL8MR0L?hl=en-us&gl=US\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epretty sketchy reviews\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on the Windows Store. You're welcome to get it, but I just don't see much of an upside to doing so.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most important features of a screenshot tool is a \u003Cstrong\u003Ecapture delay\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. That allows you to move your mouse and take actions without the capture tool in the way. Most often, I capture with no delay. But when I use a delay, I always choose ten seconds. That gives me enough time to get the screen set the way I want it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cc229979-22c8-4365-8d2e-8df0ea8aff5b\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping Tool delay menu.\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00006.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"444\" data-image-height=\"218\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen, you just hit the \u003Cstrong\u003ENew\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button. You'll be given the opportunity to choose your capture area. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENOTE:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E You can also press \u003Cstrong\u003EWindows+Shift+S\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to get this same capture area.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f140c32c-dc60-40f3-a40d-0e1733dcfdec\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping Tool in action\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00003.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"772\" data-image-height=\"430\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce you capture your image, you'll be popped into a little image editing tool. It's not much, but it will allow you to draw circles or highlights around your image, as well as crop it and save it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9643bdeb-d4f3-46e5-9920-59e57093966c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping tool notification options\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00002.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"842\" data-image-height=\"516\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the basic capture, there are some other settings. Just \u003Cstrong\u003Etap the three dots\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to see the additional options menu. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"25a6742e-8005-41f9-a1e7-5261bdf9957a\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Snipping Tool settings menu\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00005.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"426\" data-image-height=\"216\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen tap \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"493df56b-fc33-4440-b89c-adc0581c5841\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Other Snipping Tool settings.\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00004.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"406\" data-image-height=\"543\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI like to keep \u003Cstrong\u003EAdd Copy to Clipboard\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E on because then it's just as easy to paste my capture as it would be to save it off as a file. That's great for quick clips that I want to drop right into an email message or Slack chat. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou might also want to turn on \u003Cstrong\u003ESave Snips\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, which asks if you want to save snips before you close the editor. I keep it off because I do most of my work with the clipboard, pasting it into the aforementioned email or Slack or directly into Photoshop for editing. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last two options are also nice. \u003Cstrong\u003EMultiple windows\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E mean that the snipping tool doesn't reuse one window. That way, you can have a bunch of snaps at once floating on your screen. I find that distracting, so for me, it's off. And finally, there's \u003Cstrong\u003ESnip outline\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. I like to add my own outline, but this is a helpful option if you quickly want to make your snip stand out from the rest of the page. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Beyond the basics \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are a lot of screenshot tools available for Windows. I find the basic Snipping Tool to be quite wieldy (and yes, that's a word). But, if you want to go for the Cadillac of Windows snipping tools, look no farther than \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"73873b92-963f-4d58-b723-0a9ae2b19248\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techsmith.com\u002Fscreen-capture.html\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"the $63 SnagIt\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. This tool has been updated constantly since it debuted back in 1990. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, yeah, SnagIt has been on the market and continuously improved and updated for a very long time. I'm not going to go into all the features of SnagIt, but this graphic should give you a pretty good idea. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2d7b59bc-09bf-4a95-a75c-753b0eca1fcc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"screenshot-00001.png\" data-image-filename=\"screenshot-00001.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"2419\" data-image-height=\"2407\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow you know. If you want a simple, easy, free screenshot tool, use Snipping Tool. If you want everything and the kitchen sink, consider \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"4cb8e3d4-f0e6-4851-bcdb-897396d9fb4f\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techsmith.com\u002Fscreen-capture.html\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"SnagIt\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat kinds of screenshots do you capture? What's your favorite capture tool? What do you use for image editing once you capture your pixels? Let us know in the comments below. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYou can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003E@DavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Facebook at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003EFacebook.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Instagram at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u002F\"\u003EInstagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and on YouTube at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fuser\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\"\u003EYouTube.com\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-05-18 21:15:54",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"We show you how to capture images on Windows with a free tool in this quick how-to. We'll also point you to a capture tool that costs a bit more but does just about everything you could possibly want.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"7878627f-5832-497e-a6c4-9590f8d1c2b3",image:{id:"7fe3fab7-1723-4cce-be60-c18684d82e13",filename:"shutterstock-2013850121.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-10-17 23:29:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"screenshot-00008.jpg",credits:"dgtl.escapism shutterstcl",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F17\u002F7fe3fab7-1723-4cce-be60-c18684d82e13\u002Fshutterstock-2013850121.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-screenshot-on-windows",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to take a screenshot on Windows",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"9a23272b-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"David Gewirtz",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"David",lastName:"Gewirtz",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"de4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945",filename:"david-gewirtz.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:19:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fde4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945\u002Fdavid-gewirtz.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"In addition to hosting the ZDNET Government and ZDNet DIY-IT blogs, David Gewirtz is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in The History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets, is one of America's foremost cyber-security experts, and is a top expert on saving and creating jobs. He is also director of the U.S. Strategic Perspective Institute as well as the founder of ZATZ Publishing.\r\n\r\nDavid is a member of FBI InfraGard, the Cyberwarfare Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, and has been a regular CNN contributor, and a guest commentator for the Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of Where Have All the Emails Gone?, the definitive study of email in the White House, as well as How To Save Jobs and The Flexible Enterprise, the classic book that served as a foundation for today's agile business movement.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"35d364f3-14b0-40ac-aa20-c5d78f1c094c\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Apple\" data-image-alt-text=\"A person running MacOS Ventura on a laptop\" data-image-filename=\"apple-wwdc22-macos-ventura-continuity-camera-lifestyle-220606.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1774\" data-image-height=\"1182\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'd like to think that, after all this time, we've moved past the petty disputes about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-laptop-should-i-buy-windows-or-macos-plus-10-more-things-to-consider\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewhether Macs are better than PCs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and vice versa. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd yet, there's one incredibly useful feature that Windows has had forever, that's gone inexplicably missing from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-macos-monterey-12-0-1-review-productivity-firmly-back-on-the-menu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If you use a Mac, but have even the slightest Windows muscle memory, you'll try to use this feature, recall that Apple, in its infinite wisdom, decided to skip it, and then slam your mouse down in frustration. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut not anymore, courtesy of Mac developer Coral Wu. And all it costs is two bucks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F3-ways-macos-ventura-could-upgrade-your-worklife-hands-on-impressions\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3 ways MacOS Ventura could upgrade your work life: Hands-on impressions\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOK, so what is this feature? Simple: Right-click to create a new file at your current location in the file tree. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine you're on Windows, and you've navigated deep down into a file tree. You want to create a new Word document in that folder. All you do is right-click and choose New from the context menu. A submenu opens with a whole bunch of file types. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c714135a-ce12-4063-abb9-f1eead9111ab\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe New context menu in Windows 11. This screenshot doesn't have any applications shown because it's a test machine. But if you had applications installed, they'd be in that wonderful menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 New menu\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-34-232x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"2366\" data-image-height=\"1618\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo if you want to plant a Word document way, way deep, just right-click, select New->Microsoft Word document, and a fresh file will be placed exactly where you want it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut if you're a Mac user, you have to create the new document from within your application, then -- again, from within the application -- dig down to where you want to save it. There's no New option on the context menu. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a6869220-0002-427b-a7bf-369bccedd3f5\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EYes, you can create a New folder. Big whoop. Do you see a way to add a text file here? Or a Photoshop document? Or even a Word doc? No. No you don't. And why not?&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\" data-image-alt-text=\"Context menu\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-44-172x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1338\" data-image-height=\"1106\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis has resulted in all sorts of wasteful workarounds. There's the \"Save it to the desktop and I'll get to it someday\" workaround. There's the \"Open the save dialog in the app and try to drag the destination folder from the Finder into that dialog\" workaround. There's even the \"Create a bunch of empty files and drag them where you'll need them\" workaround. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a computer and an OS that eschew ugly, the whole process is ugly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIntroducing New File Menu\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInto this wasteland cometh a savior, the aforementioned developer. Wu has created a Finder extension called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Fnew-file-menu\u002Fid1064959555?mt=12\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENew File Menu\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which adds... wait for it... a New File menu to the Finder. Behold: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9f69480c-f5f7-4264-ac36-3198ef3b1c17\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOoh. Ah. I hear trumpets.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\" data-image-alt-text=\"New File Menu options\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-45-312x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1338\" data-image-height=\"1106\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo set it up, you have to install it, then navigate to System Preferences>Extensions and turn on the New File Menu extension. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6b4a0240-16b5-46fc-8d38-a0e5de086388\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to enable the System Preference for this extension.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\" data-image-alt-text=\"Extensions management page\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-40-392x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1455\" data-image-height=\"1163\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom within the application, you can customize which items are added to the New File menu. If an item isn't on the developer's prepared list, you can add your own. I added Photoshop, which not only creates a new PSD file in my folder of choice, it actually moves in a template file, already sized appropriately for my ZDNet article images, because I was able to customize it to my personal needs. So very helpful! \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"57d41529-0df8-42f9-8497-58f48c80e1b0\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EI added Photoshop to this list, and it's been very helpful.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\" data-image-alt-text=\"New File Menu preferences\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-59-362x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1522\" data-image-height=\"1106\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is a free version of New File Menu that allows you to add just one file type. But let's get real. At $2, with Family Sharing, you can put New File Menu on any computer, including any of your family members' computers. It's a no-brainer. Send the developer your two dollars. It's an incredibly worthwhile expense. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo you have a favorite Mac app? Is there something that removes annoyance and improves your productivity? Let us know in the comments below. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYou can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003E@DavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Facebook at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003EFacebook.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Instagram at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u002F\"\u003EInstagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and on YouTube at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fuser\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\"\u003EYouTube.com\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"12922153-5c9c-495e-a36a-5dbbc9302a9f\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F12922153-5c9c-495e-a36a-5dbbc9302a9f\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-08-17 16:48:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"How could Apple have missed this? Fortunately, a developer has provided a Finder extension to right this wrong.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"3ab90fdc-57d8-420f-a0cb-1ca8415d4435",image:{id:"0114d1e3-1247-463d-8900-75d876109d99",filename:"mac-pc1x.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2015-10-27 09:45:20",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"cleanshot-2022-08-16-at-22-34-232x",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EThe New context menu in Windows 11. This screenshot doesn't have any applications shown because it's a test machine. But if you had applications installed, they'd be in that wonderful menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2015\u002F10\u002F27\u002F0114d1e3-1247-463d-8900-75d876109d99\u002Fmac-pc1x.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:583,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Companies^Apple",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"for-two-bucks-you-can-finally-give-your-mac-an-incredibly-useful-feature-windows-has-always-had",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"For $2, you can finally give your Mac an incredibly useful feature Windows has always had",topic:{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"43c21c39-0612-4738-8efe-069fe5bb3d52\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFancyZones in use on my laptop.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Use predefined templates to easily position multiple windows on the screen\" data-image-filename=\"figure-top-image-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones-copy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1400\" data-image-height=\"963\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs I work with different apps in Windows, I often need to open and view several windows at the same time. The problem is that positioning and arranging multiple windows to appear on the screen together can be challenging. You may want to position a certain number of windows in a certain layout, but Windows itself won't let you easily do that, not even with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-snap-your-windows-on-macos-and-windows\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebuilt-in Snap feature\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. One utility I've found handy for this purpose is FancyZones, one of many tools that come with Microsoft's free PowerToys.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0317e809-d10c-481b-9d72-7d010899bc42\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EDesigned for Windows 10 and 11, FancyZones lets you apply and create layouts with a set arrangement of rows, columns, or overlapping windows. You can trigger a predefined layout and then precisely move each window into a specific zone, so all the windows coexist peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFancyZones lets you define the number of zones for each layout along with the padding and spacing so you can fully control how and where they appear on the screen. You can also create your own customized layouts. FancyZones works the same in Windows 10 and 11. Here's how.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"What is FancyZones?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEnable FancyZones\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you don't already have the latest version of PowerToys, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002Ftag\u002Fv0.58.0\"\u003Ethe program's GitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen the PowerToys Settings window by double-clicking its System Tray icon.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESelect the entry for FancyZones and make sure its switch is turned on (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c960c27c-370c-49ad-b152-6823406154dd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Access FancyZones from the PowerToys Settings screen\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1107\" data-image-height=\"657\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESet up FancyZones\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the Editor section, click the entry for \u003Cstrong\u003EActivation Shortcut\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E if you wish to define a different shortcut to trigger the tool; otherwise, leave this as is. The next entry for \u003Cstrong\u003ELaunch editor on the display\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E determines where the layout editor appears when you launch it. Click its dropdown box if you wish to change the location (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f5357cc9-4393-4120-aa14-3d6308f2e961\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configure FancyZones\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1107\" data-image-height=\"657\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ENow let's dive into the layout editor.\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the entry for \u003Cstrong\u003ELaunch layout editor\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E or simply press the defined shortcut. The layout editor appears with the built-in templates on display. Each layout is designed for a specific number of windows and a specific format, such as rows or columns (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0f871a06-3b9c-4fcf-812d-b0e932a3262c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Launch the layout editor\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"713\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2. Reduce the size of the layout editor and then click each of the templates. Each template you select is displayed behind the layout editor, so you get a visual sense of how and where your open windows would appear. Notice that most of the layouts position each zone next to each other horizontally or vertically. The exception is the Focus layout, which applies overlapping windows (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0de4ed25-678f-4fcf-9f6e-d60845eab3a0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Preview each layout\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"729\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EUse FancyZones\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETo activate a specific template, double-click on it. For example, let's pick one of the templates with three zones.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClose or minimize the PowerToys Settings window if it's visible.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen or move to a window you wish to add to the layout.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPress the Shift key and drag the window by its title bar. You'll then see the layout you selected.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDrag the window into one of the zones, and it will fit into place.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDo the same for a second window and again for a third window. You'll now see all three windows snapped into each of the three zones (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"af717e6e-44fd-4931-ba8d-b77583d73b62\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Drag a window into each zone\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"731\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can manually reposition a specific window by dragging and dropping it by the title bar. But if you want to snap a window into a specific zone, remember to hold down the Shift key and then drag it to the right spot. Naturally, you can also minimize, maximize, or resize any window in a zone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-snap-your-windows-on-macos-and-windows\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to snap your windows on MacOS and Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETweak a layout\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can tweak the different default layouts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPress the defined shortcut to open the layout editor.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the pencil icon for a layout you want to modify.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirst, you can increase or decrease the number of zones. You're adding or subtracting the number of rows for a row layout. You're adding or subtracting the number of columns for a column or grid layout. Click the field for \u003Cstrong\u003ENumber of zones\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and either click the up or down arrow or type a specific number.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETo increase or decrease the space, or padding, around each zone, click in the field for \u003Cstrong\u003ESpace around zones\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and click the up or down arrow or type a specific number. Turn off the switch completely to eliminate the spacing.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENext, the setting for \u003Cstrong\u003EHighlight distance\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E determines the amount of space between two zones until they snap or merge together. Again, click in the field and adjust the number by clicking the up or down arrow or typing a specific number.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhen done, click Save to save the changes to the template (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a2899072-41f3-46d6-b135-efc2e449f1f2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Edit a layout\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1394\" data-image-height=\"755\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECreate a new layout\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you'd like to create a new layout from scratch, click the button for \u003Cstrong\u003ECreate new layout\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EType a name for your layout.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose Grid for stacked zones. Choose Canvas for overlapping zones.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick Create (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bf0c0869-329c-4e49-b531-6e4882808e08\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Create a new layout\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1387\" data-image-height=\"755\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E5. The next screen is where you define the format of the new layout. By default, the layout starts with three columns.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E6. As you move your mouse along the layout, notice the horizontal blue bar that appears. If you click on the spot where that bar is positioned, you'll split the current zone into two separate zones. Hold down the Shift key, and the bar shifts from horizontal to vertical (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a3be6c91-ef07-47c4-a10a-d758b4811832\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Create new zones\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"731\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E7. If you wish to remove a zone, essentially merging it with a zone next to it, hold down your mouse button and select the two zones you wish to merge. After the two zones are highlighted in blue, click the \u003Cstrong\u003EMerge zones\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"35003d52-3de2-4208-b148-11c88b4f55a4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Merge zones\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"730\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8. Next, drag and drop the border between any two zones to resize them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E9. When done, click \u003Cstrong\u003ESave & apply\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d441f683-447d-49d4-83a5-f3c3900755cf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Merge zones\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"729\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAdjust FancyZones settings\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond editing and creating templates, you can adjust certain settings for FancyZones.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReturn to the FancyZones screen in the PowerToys Settings window. Different sections organize the settings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe section for Zones determines whether zones are activated when you hold the Shift key while dragging them and how the zones work across multiple monitors. The section for Windows controls how windows look and behave when you're using FancyZones. The section for Layouts allows you to use layout-specific shortcuts in the editor. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, the section for Excluded apps lets you add any apps that you don't wish to include in FancyZones (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"61b9fbe0-02e4-4386-bb4f-24cf3684e2e6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Adjust FancyZones settings\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"1129\" data-image-height=\"731\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-07 15:52:38",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"You should really be using FancyZones to supercharge your productivity on your desktop. Here's how to get started.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"4965735e-f466-4ec8-bb55-5112fd0c22ec",image:{id:"94218490-661c-4da6-be82-2360fd020501",filename:"figure-top-image-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones-copy.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-07 15:35:18",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Use predefined templates to easily position multiple windows on the screen",credits:"Lance Whitney",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F07\u002F94218490-661c-4da6-be82-2360fd020501\u002Ffigure-top-image-how-to-easily-position-multiple-apps-and-windows-with-powertoys-fancyzones-copy.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1400,height:963,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to use the free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows and why you should",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b809c697-b45d-4fdb-b9b2-abc0c94914a3\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Apple\" data-image-alt-text=\"An iPhone taking a picture of a flowering plant\" data-image-filename=\"iphone-13.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F11\" data-image-width=\"1296\" data-image-height=\"729\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're like me, you've probably snapped thousands of photos on your \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8778e16a-b1ab-47e5-a22a-5b1a1a8c67ea\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fiphone\u002Fbuy\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"iPhone\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E over the years. But now you want to copy them onto your computer for editing or just for safekeeping. No problem; there are a number of ways to do this. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can simply plug your iPhone into your PC via a USB cable and access the photos from your phone. You can use the Windows Photos app to import the photos from your phone to a specific folder. If you take advantage of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-do-i-get-onedrive-under-control-ask-zdnet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOneDrive\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you can automatically upload new photos that you snap on your iPhone to the OneDrive Pictures folder. And you can always sync your photos with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-back-up-iphone-with-icloud-or-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EiCloud\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-i-took-control-of-my-iphones-photos-app-and-freed-up-gigabytes-of-space\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow I took control of my iPhone's photos and freed up gigabytes\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's explore each method so you can find out which one works best for you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Plug your phone into your PC \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe simplest way to transfer photos is to just plug your iPhone into your computer via USB.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"7610e33e-ff80-4eee-aae9-f1fad8deba1a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F7610e33e-ff80-4eee-aae9-f1fad8deba1a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour phone should appear as a device in File Explorer. Double-click the icon for your iPhone and drill down through the Internal Storage and DCIM folders.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou should see one or more subfolders, each named with a number indicating the year and month the photos it contains were taken.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen the folder with the photos you want to access. From there, open another window in File Explorer pointing to the folder to which you want to copy the photos. Select the photos to transfer and then drag and drop or copy and paste them into the folder on your PC (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"686e7b23-bffc-4bc4-b025-4a821c968b6a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Select your photos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"iPhone photo selected using File Explorer\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1199\" data-image-height=\"657\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough this seems like the easiest way to transfer photos, it doesn't always work reliably. Sometimes the DCIM folder doesn't appear. Other times, your latest photos may not be visible. In these cases, disconnecting and then reconnecting your phone to your PC may resolve this hiccup. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fhow-to-photoshop-on-iphone\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to use Photoshop on your iPhone\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Use the Photos app in Windows \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother option is to import the photos to your PC using Microsoft's Photos app. To do this, connect your iPhone to your computer via USB. Open the Windows Photos app. Click the Import icon in the upper right corner and select the option \"From a connected device\" (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0d810530-0701-48d5-a19e-085afb44bf09\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Importing from a connected device.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Transfer photos using Windows Photos app\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1459\" data-image-height=\"819\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe app should detect your connected iPhone and display the photos stored on it. By default, the photos will be imported to the Pictures folder under your user account, but you can change this by clicking the link for \"Change destination\" and selecting a different folder. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the drop-down menu for Select and choose whether you want to import all folders or only those since the last import.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also select all photos for a certain month and year or manually select individual photos. Further, you can opt to delete all the photos on your phone after they've been imported. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter you've configured the import, click the button for \"Import [x number] of [x] items\" and the photos will be transferred to the chosen destination folder on your PC. If you opted to delete the photos from your phone, you'll be asked to confirm the deletion as the final step (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c5d53248-749f-4312-990b-ed128de74138\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Import items.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Importing 68 of 68 photos\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1459\" data-image-height=\"819\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Use OneDrive \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you already use OneDrive to back up and sync your files, then you can enlist it to back up and sync photos from your iPhone to your PC. To set this up, download and install the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Fmicrosoft-onedrive\u002Fid477537958\"\u003EOneDrive iOS app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on your phone if you aren't already using it. Open the app and tap the Photos icon on the bottom. Tap the Turn On button for Camera Upload.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can opt to upload selected photos, allow access to all photos, or or not to allow access. You'll want to choose the option to allow access to all photos. Your photos are then uploaded and visible on the Photos screen of the OneDrive app (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"589649ef-a4cf-4a3b-9155-73307ecdf36a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E OneDrive requesting access to photos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshots\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Transfer photos using OneDrive\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"708\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn your PC, open the OneDrive folder, select Photos, and then select Camera Roll. In Camera Roll you'll see subfolders for year and then month. Open one of the month folders to see the photos inside. You can either leave the photos in OneDrive accessible on your PC or copy them to a local folder (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ea7c9f9b-0e56-454e-bbc3-77fdca6e0d56\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Photos in OneDrive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"View photos on OneDrive\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1117\" data-image-height=\"469\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Use iCloud Photos \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother option for copying your iPhone photos to your Windows PC is to use iCloud Photos. This provides access to your photos not only on your computer but on any other Apple device syncing with iCloud. On your iPhone, go to Settings and select your name at the top of the screen. Tap the setting for iCloud, select Photos, and then toggle on \"Sync this iPhone.\" You can also flick on the switch for Shared Albums if you want to share or access shared albums with other people (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0946d626-5a78-4b26-a257-16c6d52eda8a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Enable iCloud Photos syncing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshots\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Enable iCloud Photos\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"708\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you'll need to download the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fstore\u002Fdetail\u002Ficloud\u002F9PKTQ5699M62?hl=en-us&gl=US\"\u003EiCloud for Windows app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E from the Microsoft Store. Open the app after installation and click the Options button for Photos. Check the options for iCloud Photos and Shared Albums if not already checked. Click Done and then click Apply \u003Cstrong\u003E(Figure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3001ce4c-2ef4-4efc-b6bc-f9412ef67b01\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Enable iCloud Photos.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set up iCloud for Windows\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"772\" data-image-height=\"619\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen File Explorer and click the entry for iCloud Photos. You should now see all your synced photos (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2d36d6a5-88ff-4d2e-b4b3-fd4b87593632\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Your iCloud photos on Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot\u002FLance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"View your photos from iCloud Photos\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1144\" data-image-height=\"518\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iCloud for Windows app is a handy option for a Windows PC, but it is saddled with a couple of major drawbacks. The app dumps all your photos into one flat folder structure, so they're not organized according to any folders or albums you may have created on your iPhone or in iCloud. Also, the app doesn't support true two-way syncing, so if you delete a photo in the iCloud folder on your Windows PC, it does not get deleted in iCloud or on your other devices. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Best options \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOverall, I think Windows Photos is your best bet for manually transferring photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC, and OneDrive is the best method for automatically transferring them. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-01 20:40:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Need a quick and reliable way to copy photos from your iPhone to your PC? Here are a few options.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"43c19100-826d-4c58-9106-33931eeec6a5",image:{id:"b809c697-b45d-4fdb-b9b2-abc0c94914a3",filename:"iphone-13.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-11 15:21:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"iphone-13",credits:"iPhone 13",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F11\u002Fb809c697-b45d-4fdb-b9b2-abc0c94914a3\u002Fiphone-13.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1296,height:729,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Smartphones^iPhone",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-transfer-photos-from-your-iphone-to-your-windows-pc",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to transfer photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC",topic:{id:"1093d9cb-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"iphone",name:"iPhone",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"1093d9cb-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"iphone",name:"iPhone",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"a1897105-61bd-4610-abb3-4804906d4a9a",slug:"home-and-office",name:"Home & Office",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6a9d851d-ae4d-4bcd-a25d-a36be324cc69\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"top-image-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"top-image-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"609\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI often install and test different applications and features in Windows as part of my work. And most of the time, I don't necessarily want those new or unknown apps and features to affect my main Windows working environment. The trick then is to keep any changes I make isolated from the core OS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI do rely on several Windows virtual machines running in applications like VMWare Workstation and Oracle VM VirtualBox. But sometimes, I just want a fast, temporary VM to do something relatively quick and simple. Plus, getting Windows 11 to work as a virtual machine in a third-party application can be challenging due to its onerous requirements. That's where the Windows Sandbox comes into play.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvailable in the Pro and Enterprise flavors of Windows 10 and 11, the Sandbox is a lightweight and temporary virtual machine outfitted with the same version of Windows installed on your host PC, meaning 10 or 11. You can install apps, set up different features, and run processes without worrying about your activities conflicting with your core Windows environment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimply open the Sandbox, do what you need to do, and then shut it down. All your changes in the Sandbox disappear. The next time you open it, the Sandbox appears as a fresh installation of Windows. For now, restarting Windows in the Sandbox is not supported, so restarting is the same as shutting down, meaning any changes you've made disappear. However, Microsoft says that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.windows.com\u002Fwindows-insider\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F01\u002Fannouncing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22509\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 Build 22509 will support reboots in the Sandbox\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to allow changes to stick. That will certainly be helpful if you need to install an application or run another task that requires a reboot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's see how the Sandbox works in Windows 11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, confirm that the virtualization features are enabled for your PC. Boot into the BIOS, look for a setting for Virtualization and make sure its switch is turned on.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you'll need to install the Sandbox. And you can do this in a few different ways.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter booting into Windows 11, open Control Panel and select the applet for Programs and Features; on the next screen, click the option for \u003Cstrong\u003ETurn Windows features on or off\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. At the Windows Features window, scroll down the list and check the one for Windows Sandbox, click OK, and then reboot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternatively, you can more easily get to the Windows Features window by clicking the Search icon and typing \u003Cem\u003Eoptionalfeatures\u003C\u002Fem\u003E. At the Windows Features window, check the box for Windows Sandbox, click OK, and reboot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet another way to enable the Sandbox is through a PowerShell command. Open the Windows Terminal app as an administrator. At the prompt, type this string: \u003Cem\u003EEnable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName \"Containers-DisposableClientVM\" -All\u003C\u002Fem\u003E or this string: \u003Cem\u003Edism \u002Fonline \u002FDisable-Feature \u002FFeatureName:\"Containers-DisposableClientVM\" -All\u003C\u002Fem\u003E. Reboot the PC if prompted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELog back into Windows. Open the Start menu and go to All Apps. Scroll down to the W section to find the shortcut for Windows Sandbox. Before you actually open the Sandbox, add its shortcut to the Start menu and the Taskbar so you can more quickly access it in the future. Right-click and select Pin to Start. Right-click again, move to the More option and select Pin to Taskbar.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the shortcut for Windows Sandbox doesn't appear in the Start menu or All Apps list, you get to grab the executable file directly. Open File Explorer to the Windows\\System 32 path. Scroll down until you see the WindowsSandbox.exe file. You can then create a shortcut from the file and put it in a convenient spot, such as the Desktop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the shortcut, and the Windows 11 environment appears in the Sandbox but with only the built-in applications and features. Click the Start button to see the pinned apps and then the All Apps entry to see all the installed Windows apps (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f7278794-aee1-4ef7-bbc4-087041558145\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-1-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"658\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen an app such as Microsoft Edge. You have full internet access through the host machine's connectivity, so you can directly download and install an application you want to test in the Sandbox (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a3e0bacd-66dd-4a61-999f-ec093b347042\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-2-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"658\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter you've tested the application, you might then want to start fresh with another task. Just exit the Sandbox as you would normally shut down Windows 11 or simply close its window, and whatever applications you installed or changes you made disappear.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen the Sandbox again. Now perhaps the file for the program you wish to install is already on your host machine. No problem. You can copy and paste any folder or file from your host into the Sandbox. Open File Explorer in both the host and the Sandbox. Then just select and copy the file you want to run or open and paste it into a folder in the Sandbox (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fa3958a0-0aa0-425f-8494-b4bb9e236787\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"figure-3-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-windows-11-sandbox-virtual-machine.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"751\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you decide you no longer want to use the Sandbox in Windows 11, you can remove it in a few different ways. Return to the Windows Features window in your host environment, uncheck the one for Windows Sandbox and then reboot. Alternatively, open Windows Terminal as an administrator and enter this string: \u003Cem\u003EDisable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName \"Containers-DisposableClientVM\" –Online\u003C\u002Fem\u003E or this string: \u003Cem\u003EDism \u002Fonline \u002FDisable-Feature \u002FFeatureName:\"Containers-DisposableClientVM\"\u003C\u002Fem\u003E and then reboot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOverall, the Windows 11 Sandbox isn't as robust as a full-featured virtual machine program like VMWare Workstation, especially since, for now, you can't restart it without losing all your changes. But if you want to test a single application or enable a specific feature in Windows without affecting your core environment, the Sandbox offers a quick and easy way to do that.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-05-18 20:44:19",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Sandbox in Windows 11 gives you an isolated and temporary virtual machine to run things without affecting your core OS environment.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ab6b5cec-86b1-4186-a144-2fba5c7ce298",image:{id:"13369703-226c-4572-84a5-1997803adbd6",filename:"windows10tiprepair-1.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2017-06-06 08:08:32",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"replace-this-image.jpg",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EFor this maneuver, Windows 10 installment media is required (and can be obtained using the free Media Creation Tool). When you're set, download the ISO and double-click to mount it as a virtual drive. (Or, if you chose to create bootable media on a USB drive, open that removable drive in File Explorer.) Double-click Setup to begin reinstalling Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENote: I added the ellipses and the \"without losing your programs and apps\" to the headline because that seemed to be what the item was about, and putting that info in the head made the copy flow better. Noting because I'm not sure if I was supposed to reword the title of tips.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2017\u002F06\u002F06\u002F13369703-226c-4572-84a5-1997803adbd6\u002Fwindows10tiprepair-1.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:800,height:564,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-use-the-windows-11-sandbox-as-a-virtual-machine",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to use the Windows 11 Sandbox as a virtual machine",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"iStockphoto\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"Businesswoman by cafe window working on laptop.\" data-image-filename=\"businesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F10\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"1254\" data-image-height=\"836\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E lets you create and manage folders to house the apps in your Start menu. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's a helpful way to organize your apps and keep the menu from getting too cluttered. The initial version of Windows 11 lacked that capability.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut now Microsoft has revived that feature for its latest flavor of Windows. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-cant-i-get-windows-11-22h2-yet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 22H2 update\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you can create, move, and manage folders in the Start menu to better group specific apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-deals-under-20-amazon-prime-early-access-sale-prime-day-october\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best deals under $20 on Amazon right now\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to organize your Windows 11 Start menu with folders \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E Here's how this works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"5f96f8a7-d019-48b3-b91b-4498d9fcd64f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFirst, you'll need to update your Windows 11 PC to the 22H2 version if you haven't already done so. Go to&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ESettings &gt; Windows Update\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;and then click the button for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck for updates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. If the 22H2 update isn't yet available for your PC and you still want to install it, head to Microsoft's&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fsoftware-download\u002Fwindows11"\u003EDownload Windows 11 website\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Here you can snag the update through the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, through the Windows 11 Installation Media, or through an ISO file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Update your Windows 11 PC to the 22H2 version\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"790ad889-8f8c-476c-a20b-2fa8b1e421bc\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EClick the \u003Cstrong\u003EStart\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button to access the menu. If any frequently used apps are not on the Start menu, you may first want to pin them there so you can move them into folders. Click the \u003Cstrong\u003EAll Apps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button at the top. Right-click on any app you want to pin, and click the command for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPin to Start\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Click Start\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bdc9051a-85fc-4d8a-a417-c470fd883440\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPin apps to the Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Pin to Start button in Windows 11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1076\" data-image-height=\"1013\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"2dfa625f-bd7d-44bb-b367-0ee560f85d55\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EGo back to the Start menu and look for apps that you'd want to put into a folder. Check for related apps, such as Microsoft Office programs, web browsers, photo and video editors, or utilities. Drag and drop one icon on top of another to create a folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Look for apps to put into a folder\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0fc8a800-99da-474f-aea9-b58ad827309e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EDrop one icon onto another to create a folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Creating a folder by dropping icons in Windows 11 Start menu with folders.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1057\" data-image-height=\"1024\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-22h2-how-to-get-microsofts-latest-os-update-and-whats-coming-next\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows 11 22H2: How to get Microsoft's latest OS update and what's coming next\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"ce42dc27-f367-4694-a5da-4265d423e441\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe two apps below will be placed in a folder with the generic name of Folder. Click the folder to open it. Click in the&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEdit name\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;field, and type a new name for the folder. Then click anywhere outside the folder to close it and confirm the new name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Edit the name of the folder\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0598ed3b-a06e-43ed-af92-03ffc5c072fc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ERename a folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Naming a folder in Windows 11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1097\" data-image-height=\"1007\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"eadf7d58-8398-489b-ac77-01148c888a6e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ETo add more apps to the folder, drag and drop other related icons on top of the folder. Continue in this way to add more apps to the folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"5. Continue adding apps to the folder\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f0f86819-8228-40fc-be4e-2017fbe95e4f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdd more apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Adding more apps to a folder in Windows 11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1066\" data-image-height=\"1015\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"924145a3-d8d2-4971-9865-d7639b6d6940\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENext, look for other apps that you want to place in a folder. But here's a challenge. What if the apps are so far apart on the Start menu that dragging and dropping one on the other is too difficult? No problem, not when you can put them both on the same row. Right-click one of the apps and select&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove to front\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. That moves the icon to the first spot in the top row.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"6. Select "Move to front" as you continue to look for other apps\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a59ad82c-a62e-48be-b84f-2ccc410a69dc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMove icons to the top row.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Moving icons to the top row in Windows 11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1920\" data-image-height=\"1080\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"5860b005-6527-4090-8697-bf1619061558\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EDo the same with any other apps you want to move into the same folder so that they're all next to each other on the top row. When you're done, move the apps on top of each other to create the new folder, and then change its name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"7. Move apps on top of each other to create new folder\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c6f2f4e0-6e27-4cfc-9e3d-c5336a92c9a4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMove all apps for a folder to the top row.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Moving all apps to the top row in Windows 11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1059\" data-image-height=\"1012\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-22h2-these-are-the-big-new-security-features\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows 11 22H2: These are the big new security features\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"e548a3a2-1bef-46ba-96f8-d6a7bba01e89\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EContinue this process until you've created the folders you want. Open a folder to view its icons. You can drag and drop the icons to sort them in the order you wish. Single-click an app to open it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"8. Open a folder to view its icons\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5ac6dc05-e704-4704-b8ce-c68e3c23af81\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen a folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Opened folder that shows apps.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1090\" data-image-height=\"1019\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"be22472b-a3bd-43d9-8b0d-6df409e234d7\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAfter you're finished, drag and drop the folders around the Start menu to position them in the spots you want. You can right-click a folder and select&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove to front\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;to move it to the top row.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"9. Drag and drop folders around the Start menu\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0b9984c3-cec1-4846-85e0-44d34a438860\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMove folders around the Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Moving folders around the Windows 11 Start menu with Move to front button.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1045\" data-image-height=\"1021\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"eb55ede0-8263-4c80-b996-a4985bdc9c40\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFinally, if you decide you want to remove an app from a folder and place it by itself in the Start menu, just open the folder and drag the icon outside. If you remove all of the apps except one, the folder itself disappears.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"10. To remove an app from a folder, open the folder and drag the icon outside\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"62500009-2774-48d8-986c-56c9c56e0aa8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ERemove an app from a folder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Action to remove an app from a folder in Windows 11 Start menu\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"1112\" data-image-height=\"1025\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-07 17:12:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"With the 2022 update to Windows 11, Microsoft has resurrected Start menu folders.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bb228804-5396-4f53-8145-c9dfe2a8e394",image:{id:"a3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5",filename:"businesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2017-10-09 11:14:57",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Businesswoman by window working on laptop.",credits:"iStockphoto\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F09\u002Fa3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5\u002Fbusinesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1254,height:836,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-organize-your-windows-11-start-menu-with-folders",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to organize your Windows 11 Start menu with folders",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"iStockphoto\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"Woman working on laptop\" data-image-filename=\"businesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F10\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"1254\" data-image-height=\"836\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrying to keep all the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-to-auto-restore-apps-from-microsoft-store\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eapplications on your Windows PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E updated is a chore. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETypically, you have to open and check each app one at a time to see if an important or critical update is waiting to be installed. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWell, instead of checking each program manually, there's an easier way, namely by using a software updater.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe best software updaters will check all your Windows applications for updates and then install them for you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuch tools as Patch My PC Home Updater, Adlice Software's Ucheck, and IObit Software Updater will automatically \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-these-are-the-windows-update-policies-you-should-set-for-your-pcs-and-rollercoasters\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eupdate the programs on your PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Here's how they work.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYes, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. Here's how\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to automatically keep your Windows applications updated\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0938295a-8283-4288-b730-ef03784dda6f\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFree for home users,&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fpatchmypc.com\u002Fhome-updater"\u003EPatch My PC Home Updater\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;supports more than 300 different applications, offering you a way to keep them updated through manual or scheduled scans, and automated installations. Patch My PC is a portable program, so there's no installation required.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpon startup, the software automatically scans your PC for supported applications. The home screen then shows a list of apps color coded based on status. Apps in green are installed but don't need to be updated. Apps in red are installed and do need to be updated. Apps in black are not installed. The screen also tells you how many apps need to be updated and how many are already up to date. To see if a specific app is supported, either browse the list on the left or search for the app by name\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Download Patch My PC Home Updater\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"29062fad-c476-4ecf-9ada-d9443adc7d6e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPatch My PC Home Updater updates to install.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Apps color coded for update status on home screen.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1146\" data-image-height=\"645\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"bfe40b17-3c73-4d46-b59e-e74649403fd4\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EClick the button for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERe-Scan Installed Apps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;if you want to refresh the scan. Select Options to tweak the program. You can tell it to download but not install any updates, change the color coding, automatically update apps when you launch Patch My PC, and create a restore point before any updates. The program also accepts certain command line switches, which you can see by clicking the button for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECommand Line Options\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Click Re-Scan Installed Apps\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8f55ad66-1604-47ba-a468-1a0e39d6d861\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPatch My PC Home Updater options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Options for configuring updates with Patch My PC Home Updater\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1146\" data-image-height=\"645\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"efd1f015-91f0-49f1-bf38-cfdbb5f0f8ca\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EPatch My PC even comes with its own uninstaller, so you can remove any application you no longer need or want. Select \u003Cstrong\u003EScheduler\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and you can schedule a scan at different intervals, such as once a day, once every five days, once a week, or once a month.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Select Scheduler\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cfe30137-49b9-4761-bd83-bd2218dcdae4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPatch My PC Home Updater Scheduler.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Scheduling times in Patch My PC Home Updater scheduler feature.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1146\" data-image-height=\"645\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-downgrade-a-windows-11-pc-to-windows-10\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to 'downgrade' a Windows 11 PC to Windows 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"d79336ae-2da1-40f2-8f0d-4a911ba84c67\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ETo apply the latest updates, click the button at the bottom of the screen for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPerform X Updates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. The program lists each application with an indicator as to whether it was successfully updated. Overall, Patch My PC is an easy and effective tool. However, there are some popular apps that the program doesn't support, such as \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fzoom-101-a-starter-guide-for-beginners-plus-advanced-tips-and-tricks-for-pros\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EZoom\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-teams-heres-everything-new-in-the-last-two-months\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EMicrosoft Teams\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Click Perform X Updates\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a3bfa0cf-0f41-4eda-a644-a928b05a9ce3\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EPatch My PC Home Updater results.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Perform X Updates results for app update status.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1146\" data-image-height=\"645\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAdlice Software's UCheck\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe free version of Adlice Software's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.adlice.com\u002Fucheck\u002F\"\u003EUCheck\u003C\u002Fa\u003E will scan for apps in need of updating and let you install those updates. For $13 a year, the Premium version allows you to schedule scans and install new applications. For $32 a year, a Technician edition kicks in a portable configuration and license, scriptable software, and unlimited use on computers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike Patch My PC Home Updater, UCheck supports a healthy array of apps, but there will always be certain ones missing from the list. A handy link lets you suggest an app that you feel should be supported. After launching UCheck, click the Scan button. In response, the program shows you how many apps need updating and how many apps are installed on your PC. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f9d77b1f-9800-46b0-8ccf-03a643f26305\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdlice Software's UCheck list of apps to update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"UCheck scan option for updates\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1050\" data-image-height=\"606\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the link for \u003Cstrong\u003EPending Updates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. At the screen showing the available updates, you can select all the listed apps or just specific ones. Click the \u003Cstrong\u003EUpdate Selected\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button to update all the selected apps or click the Action button for a specific app to download the latest update. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a115e3f2-b202-4566-a711-49effe58ae58\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdlice Software's UCheck download an update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Download an update option in Adlice Software's UCheck\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1116\" data-image-height=\"600\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program then refreshes to display the installed updates. An update in purple means that it's been downloaded but not yet installed. An update in green means it's been downloaded and installed. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-cheap-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThese cheap Windows laptops are all under $400\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"55b28f5f-cf2c-4bce-8791-7a526ff66c5f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdlice Software's UCheck results.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Selected updates for Adlice Software's UCheck\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1127\" data-image-height=\"571\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, click the icon for \u003Cstrong\u003EHistory & Settings\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to check various settings to tweak and view past scan reports. Certain features and settings aren't available in the free version. But if all you need is a good software updater, then the freebie should do the trick. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"36e0d72b-ea0e-4034-bc9f-3fb2e666e22f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdlice Software's UCheck history.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"History and Settings section of Adlice Software's UCheck\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"1113\" data-image-height=\"548\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIObit Software Updater\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iobit.com\u002Fen\u002Fiobit-software-updater.php\"\u003EIObit Software Updater\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is another capable updater that supports a wide range of applications. The main drawback is that the free flavor limits you to two updates per day. For greater flexibility, you have to shell out $13 for the pro edition. Just be careful during the installation as IObit tries to add other programs to your PC, such as a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-vpn\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVPN\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-password-manager\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epassword manager\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Just say no if you don't need these extras.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce the program is up and running, it automatically scans your installed applications to see which ones need updating, as listed in the Outdated section. You can check only the apps you want to update or select them all and click the \u003Cstrong\u003EUpdate Now\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E button. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"26826665-c929-42fe-86b6-c14289a09fa2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIObit Software Updater apps to update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Outdated programs to update for IObit Software Updater\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"938\" data-image-height=\"617\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the free version limits you to two updates per day, you'll have to return again tomorrow to update any remaining apps. Otherwise, the paid edition lets you update as many as you want and also provides an auto update function that automates the process. Overall, the program worked well, though I did bump into one glitch where it was unable to update OBS Studio with no explanation of what went wrong. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best Windows laptops\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3848e6c7-1296-423f-944c-9763c798a16f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIObit Software Updater results.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"One program update failed notification for IObit Software Updater\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F26\" data-image-width=\"940\" data-image-height=\"620\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond Patch My PC Home Updater, UCheck, and IObit Software Updater, some programs include a software updater as part of their overall package. For example, Glary Utilities and Norton 360 both come with software updaters that work effectively. But whatever program you use, I think you'll find a software updater will save you a lot of time and effort.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-26 15:49:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A good software updater can save you time and effort by automatically updating the apps on your computer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"9f4ac054-276d-47f3-9535-dfb0076f2398",image:{id:"a3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5",filename:"businesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2017-10-09 11:14:57",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Businesswoman by cafe window working on laptop.",credits:"iStockphoto\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F09\u002Fa3a771f5-4b7d-4740-a42c-3a11830be5b5\u002Fbusinesswoman-by-window-working-on-laptop.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1254,height:836,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-automatically-keep-your-windows-applications-updated",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to automatically keep your Windows applications updated",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"400d7906-e92a-4feb-bcd6-b72be0c8eb69\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EScreen Ruler measures areas and distances on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Screen Ruler measuring multiple areas.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-top-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1073\" data-image-height=\"674\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you're a web designer or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Feducation\u002Fcomputers-tech\u002Fhow-to-become-a-web-developer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edeveloper\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-future-of-the-web-will-need-a-different-sort-of-software-developer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eprogrammer\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, or a graphic artist, you sometimes need to measure the number of pixels that are used by or surround specific elements on the screen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaybe you want to get the size for a certain object. Maybe you need to measure a certain vertical or horizontal distance. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatever the reason, one tool that can help is Screen Ruler. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to measure pixels on your screen with Screen Ruler\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPart of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-announces-canva-competitor-with-new-designer-app-powered-by-ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's\u003C\u002Fa\u003E free PowerToys, Screen Ruler will measure a square area, a cross line area, and a vertical or horizontal area. Here's how it works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to use the free PowerToys FancyZones in Windows and why you should\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERequirements \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't already have PowerToys on your PC, download and install the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eprogram's GitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. PowerToys and its tools work the same in both \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-starts-rolling-out-the-annual-windows-10-feature-update-windows-10-22h2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and 11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"6afcdc0a-d197-45e6-a115-c862bf3213fc\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen PowerToys by double-clicking its System Tray icon. Then, select Screen Ruler in the left pane.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake sure the switch is turned on for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EEnable Screen Ruler\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. By default, the activation shortcut to trigger Screen Ruler is Windows key+Shift+M.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou're best off sticking with the default shortcut as it's chosen to avoid interfering with other Windows shortcut combinations. But if you need to change it, click the Pencil icon and press a different combination. The tool will tell you if you pick an invalid shortcut.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-graphic-design-monitor\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best graphic design monitors\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Open PowerToys and turn on Enable Screen Ruler\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"dc06cc87-a471-4d57-a1ba-e97b890882ff\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESet up Screen Ruler.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Activation shortcut popup.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1187\" data-image-height=\"502\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"972abaeb-4cf1-46fc-835e-603e19ea940d\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENext, scroll down to the section for Behavior. The first setting here for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECapture screen continuously during measuring\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;determines whether the tool continuously measures the screen or takes a single snapshot. For most results, you'll want to keep this switch turned on. However, if you're trying to measure a moving object, such as an animated GIF, or you need to take a screenshot of the measurement, then turn off this switch.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe setting for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPer color channel edge detection\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;checks if all the color channels are within a tolerance distance from each other. You can typically leave this turned off. The setting for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPixel tolerance for edge detection\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;can help you more accurately measure certain elements on the screen. For example, Microsoft recommends increasing this value if you need to measure gradients or shadows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe setting for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EDraw feet on cross\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;adds "feet" to the cross lines, so you can better see them. And the final setting for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELine color\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;determines the color of the measurement lines. Red is the default, but you can easily change this if that color conflicts with the color of the screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-graphic-design-desktop\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best desktops for graphic design\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Go to Behavior and configure Screen Ruler\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2e738c86-1ebf-4d87-ad09-7bafedeaa16b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EConfigure Screen Ruler.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configuration options for Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1189\" data-image-height=\"638\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"78cf8e2f-a13a-469e-a5b2-70e16728f618\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENow let's check out Screen Ruler in action. Display the screen or object that you want to measure. Press the shortcut combination to trigger the tool. The Screen Ruler toolbar appears at the top of the screen with icons for the different types of measurements. To measure both the horizontal and vertical distances for a square or rectangular area, click the first icon with the dashed square symbol.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHold down your mouse button or trackpad and drag to select the area you wish to measure. The number of pixels will change as you draw. When you've selected the exact area, note the horizontal and vertical measurements in pixels. Release your mouse button, and the selection will disappear. You can then select another area to measure the pixels.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Drag your mouse to select the area you want to measure\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b518d302-7249-44d3-a535-c3e3191579d1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMeasure square or rectangular area.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Sample rectangular area being measured with Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1140\" data-image-height=\"618\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"c12a70bf-bbe7-4e8e-b5dc-e98d73dc198b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you want to capture multiple areas and keep the selection and pixel measurements visible for each one, press the Shift key as you select each area. The tool will remain active, meaning you can't use your mouse or keyboard for other tasks. To exit the tool, press the Esc key on your keyboard, or click the X on the Screen Ruler toolbar.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Use the Shift key to capture multiple areas\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"03bbc48d-f22b-4931-ab07-25de6d886f41\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMeasure multiple areas.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Multiple areas being measured at once with Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1073\" data-image-height=\"674\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"b23592b0-534c-4b4e-9cfb-e07945a94676\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EPress the shortcut combination again. To measure the horizontal and vertical distances between areas on the screen, click the second icon with the cross symbol. As you move the mouse, the measurement will change depending on the screen elements above, below, to the left, and to the right of the cross lines. To modify the horizontal and vertical distances being measured, move your mouse's scroll wheel up or down.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop-for-graphic-design\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best laptops for graphic design\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"5. Use the cross symbol icon to measure distances between areas\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c0afcf8e-d436-4c10-ba1b-5b3a246f645d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMeasure area with cross lines.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Distance between areas being measured with Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1178\" data-image-height=\"460\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"eb669873-37fc-442f-9cbc-53147af7575c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ETo measure a horizontal distance, click the horizontal line icon on the toolbar. Move your mouse to measure a certain area. Move the mouse's scroll wheel up or down to modify the distance being measured.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"6. Click the horizontal line icon to measure horizontal distance\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"190f7cee-4b70-47ba-b473-0c9a553e324a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMeasure horizontal area.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Horizontal area being measured with Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1089\" data-image-height=\"455\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"95fe55ef-c5d0-494d-b725-376f64d21959\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFinally, to measure a vertical distance, click the vertical line icon on the toolbar. Move your mouse to measure the area you wish to capture. Move your mouse's scroll wheel to alter the distance that you want to measure.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"7. Use the vertical line icon to measure vertical distance\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cf8dd78e-c426-4352-a14d-307ada4516bd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMeasure vertical area.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Vertical area being measured with Screen Ruler.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1150\" data-image-height=\"612\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-19 18:53:38",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Part of Microsoft's PowerToys program, Screen Ruler can help web developers, programmers, and graphic artists measure specific areas and distances on the screen.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"592d8f0e-1cdd-456f-8774-d17019a5d379",image:{id:"400d7906-e92a-4feb-bcd6-b72be0c8eb69",filename:"figure-top-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-10-19 13:32:15",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EScreen Ruler measures areas and distances on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F19\u002F400d7906-e92a-4feb-bcd6-b72be0c8eb69\u002Ffigure-top-how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1073,height:674,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Creativity Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-measure-pixels-on-your-screen-with-screen-ruler",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to measure pixels on your screen with Screen Ruler",topic:{id:"60d9173f-03f6-41a6-9196-b2b5131cf205",slug:"creativity-software",name:"Creativity Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"60d9173f-03f6-41a6-9196-b2b5131cf205",slug:"creativity-software",name:"Creativity Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e2109d8a-32eb-4f8b-b126-b34820b6598f\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"iStockphoto\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"Serious businesswoman using computer at desk\" data-image-filename=\"computeradministock-915946732.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2019\u002F06\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1253\" data-image-height=\"836\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI use Microsoft OneDrive to back up and sync my documents, photos, and other files across my different PCs and mobile devices. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough my OneDrive files should be safe and secure in the cloud and on my various devices, I'm still concerned that files with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fonline-security-101-how-to-protect-your-privacy-from-hackers-spies-and-the-government\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Econfidential or sensitive information may be exposed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. For that reason, I use a feature in OneDrive called Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy including specific OneDrive folders or files in this vault, you can add an extra layer of authentication required to access this content. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy default, the vault remains locked until you need it. You unlock it with whatever method you use to protect your \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-microsoft-office-for-free\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft account\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. After you unlock the vault, it automatically locks after a certain amount of time to again protect your files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-do-i-get-onedrive-under-control-ask-zdnet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow do I get OneDrive under control [Ask ZDNET]\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERequirements\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo take full advantage of the Personal Vault, you need a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-launches-defender-for-individuals-for-microsoft-365-personal-and-family-subscribers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft 365 Family or Personal subscription\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. With either plan, you can add as many files to the vault as space allows. Without a Microsoft 365 plan, you can include only three files in your vault, which likely wouldn't do the trick for most people. Further, the Personal Vault is available only with the OneDrive personal app and not with OneDrive for Business. Otherwise, the vault works the same in Windows 10 and 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to secure your sensitive OneDrive files with a Personal Vault\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"9038f370-f05b-4530-8a48-aebcce8cc973\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBefore you activate the Personal Vault, you should protect your Microsoft account as well as OneDrive access with the right type of multi-factor authentication, such as&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fprotect-yourself-how-to-choose-the-right-two-factor-authenticator-app\u002F"\u003Ean authenticator app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;or a&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-security-key\u002F"\u003Ephysical security key\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In this case, use the&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-lock-down-your-microsoft-account-and-keep-it-safe-from-outside-attackers\u002F"\u003EMicrosoft Authenticator app\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which you can set up to send a notification to your mobile device when you want to unlock your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Protect your Microsoft account and OneDrive access\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"68995827-729f-45a3-a279-2c5769d7cdd7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ETurn on the Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft approve sign in request popup\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1271\" data-image-height=\"722\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbetter-than-the-best-password-how-to-use-2fa-to-improve-your-security\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMulti-factor authentication: How to enable 2FA to step up your security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"67e3018e-8e11-4de9-8c96-c4f7bfa30aca\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFor the next steps, I'll assume you're already using OneDrive to back up and sync key folders and files. Right-click the OneDrive System Tray icon and select the option for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EView online\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Sign in to OneDrive with your Microsoft Account. Under My Files, double-click the folder for Personal Vault. You'll be asked to authenticate this access through the multi-factor authentication in place for your account. Approve the sign-in via the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Right-click the OneDrive System Tray icon and select View online\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"55c2a29f-70af-440d-9ea2-69dcd709aa44\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EGet ready to move folders and files to your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"My files section of Personal Vault.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1271\" data-image-height=\"727\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"6e6835b5-5a4c-4035-8f23-9c1ba2aec57e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe next screen then prompts you to move the files you wish to protect into the Personal Vault. Consider the files that contain the most private or confidential information, such as financial or tax data and personal ID numbers. Click the&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove from\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;heading at the top.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrill through the different folders in OneDrive and select the subfolders and files you want to move to the Personal Vault. Then click the heading for&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove items\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Continue this process until you've moved all the necessary items.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Move the files you wish to protect \" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c7f1af7d-53bc-413e-bffd-d26b4ff9a6c8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESelect folders and files to move to your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"Moving items to Personal Vault\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1263\" data-image-height=\"726\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"98010e15-465a-468e-852c-ee68271ef5f8\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWhen done, you should see the folders and files you selected appear in the Personal Vault. Close the online site for OneDrive. Wait for the folders and files to sync to your local OneDrive storage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Wait for folders and files to sync to your local OneDrive storage\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"aeb36b97-87c9-4a2f-9064-598650b4a843\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EView the folders and files moved to your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Folders and files in Personal Vault.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1269\" data-image-height=\"644\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"33e89500-ce0a-4acf-89ec-e40ba444e73c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAfter&nbsp;activating your Personal Vault, there's one setting you'll want to tweak. Right-click the OneDrive System Tray icon and select Settings. Select the Account tab and click the dropdown menu for Personal Vault. Here, you set the amount of time that the Personal Vault will wait to automatically lock after you've unlocked it and have stopped using it. I set mine for 20 minutes to be on the safe side, but you can choose a longer duration if you wish. Click OK.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"5. Set the amount of time the Personal Vault will wait to automatically lock\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"56846661-5bbd-41ef-8719-88aa530773d2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESet the time to automatically lock your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Duration options to automatically lock Personal Vault\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"873\" data-image-height=\"536\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"e67757ae-4a60-4db6-8a76-1bd2f5652571\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ENow, let's say you need to access certain files in your Personal Vault. Right-click the OneDrive System Tray icon and select&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EUnlock Personal Vault\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"6. To access files in your Personal Vault, select Unlock Personal Vault\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"68b65009-1bf7-4689-a4b4-cd9548dee6ca\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EUnlock your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Option to unlock your Personal Vault\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"831\" data-image-height=\"674\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"e8b7347e-7121-443b-af31-53dc6fbf9fb7\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe first time you do this, the Personal Vault has to configure a few settings. You're then prompted to confirm the access with your authentication method.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"7. Confirm access with your authentication method\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1c4e30f8-27a9-45c4-ad08-66ff2eb15bca\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EConfirm the authentication to unlock your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Authentication sign in request for unlocking Personal Vault.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1065\" data-image-height=\"536\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ftwo-factor-authentication-is-a-great-idea-but-not-enough-people-are-using-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETwo-factor authentication is a great idea. But not enough people are using it\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"954f8473-047a-43df-b695-fb2cdcde4a31\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Personal Vault folder pops up in File Explorer to display the folders and files inside so that you can now open and view them. When you're done, either wait for your vault to automatically lock itself again or right-click the OneDrive icon and select&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELock Personal Vault\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;to immediately lock it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"8. When you're done, wait for the vault to lock automatically or select Lock Personal Vault\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d050a544-787a-4842-b0bc-d09bf57eba2c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ELock your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Option to lock your Personal Vault\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1163\" data-image-height=\"641\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"bd3884e0-9635-4ed3-a36d-19f6cad41e8e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFinally, you can move folders and files out of your Personal Vault if you feel they no longer need the extra security. Go to your&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fonedrive.live.com\u002F"\u003Eonline OneDrive storage\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Open the Personal Vault. Select the folders or files you want to move. Select&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove to\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;at the top, choose the folder to which you want to move them, and then click the&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMove here\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"9. Move folders and files out of Personal Vault that no longer need extra security\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f858ccde-c0af-4f24-9840-45bda76129bf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ERemove folders and files from your Personal Vault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Move here option for moving folders and files.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F24\" data-image-width=\"1051\" data-image-height=\"520\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-24 17:36:59",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The Personal Vault adds an extra layer of protection to protect sensitive OneDrive files.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"a2ab520f-20da-4976-8d3e-6be77f226735",image:{id:"2eddb27c-51c4-471d-890f-5e68365764a6",filename:"computeradministock-915946732.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2019-08-27 10:42:24",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Serious businesswoman using computer at desk",credits:"Getty Images\u002FiStockphoto",caption:"\u003Cp\u003ESerious mature businesswoman using computer at desk. Female professional is sitting in office. She is wearing smart casuals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F27\u002F2eddb27c-51c4-471d-890f-5e68365764a6\u002Fcomputeradministock-915946732.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1253,height:836,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Cloud^Cloud Storage",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-secure-your-sensitive-onedrive-files-with-a-personal-vault",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to secure your sensitive OneDrive files with a Personal Vault",topic:{id:"3b987f7b-de23-441d-8861-b6cf818b701e",slug:"cloud-storage",name:"Cloud Storage",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"3b987f7b-de23-441d-8861-b6cf818b701e",slug:"cloud-storage",name:"Cloud Storage",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"38da47f1-8eba-4a5e-a9a3-3a3fb4af4faa\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStart11 Windows 11 Start Menu Replacement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Screenshot of the Start11 Windows 11 Start Menu Replacement.\" data-image-filename=\"top-image-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1271\" data-image-height=\"868\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-former-windows-user-experience-chief-has-issues-with-the-windows-11-start-menu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 Start menu has peeved and perturbed lots of people\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with its clunky layout and lack of customization. Instead of enhancing and improving the previous menu designs from Windows 7 and 10, Microsoft opted for a backward redesign that has left many of us wondering, \"What were they thinking?\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWell, if you hate the new Start menu in Windows 11 as much as I do and want something more usable and customizable, your best bet is to switch to a Start menu replacement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral third-party apps can replace the Windows 11 Start menu with a more familiar look and layout and a variety of ways to customize it. The program I use on my Windows 11 machines is Start11. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut there are other utilities worth checking out as well, including StartAllBack and Open Shell Menu. Here's how to get the Windows 11 Start menu you deserve.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-22h2-how-to-get-microsofts-latest-os-update-and-whats-coming-next\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows 11 22H2: How to get Microsoft's latest OS update and what's coming next\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStart11\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPriced at $5.99 for a single license, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stardock.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fstart11\u002Fdownload\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStardock's Start11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E lets you choose from among four different Start menu layouts. The Windows 7 and Modern styles offer the traditional two-column display with all apps or favorite apps on the left and shortcuts to different Windows features and locations on the right. A Windows 10 style uses the familiar menu and tiled screen combination. There's even a Windows 11 style, but one that provides more features and flexibility than the built-in menu. I've always liked the two-column display, so I use the Modern style menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0b137919-e448-4037-8591-0c27e4225df7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStart11 Start menu choices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choices for the Start11 Start menu style.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"611\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhichever menu you choose, you're able to tweak its look, layout, and design. You can opt for a regular menu that uses the full width or a more compact design that shrinks certain items. Further, you're able to configure the all-apps list, add and remove shortcuts, adjust the color and appearance, and determine when and how the Start11 menu is triggered.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"80741ea1-0fd2-4243-b843-cfcd0e064fd0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStart11 configuration options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configuration section of Start11.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"649\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart11 also provides much-needed assistance to the Windows 11 Taskbar, which itself has been criticized for its limitations and lack of flexibility. You can tweak the color and transparency of the Taskbar, adjust its size, choose where it should appear on both a primary and secondary monitor, and decide if and when Taskbar buttons should be combined.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a9198cd9-4961-4676-adb6-ccc92b2659c9\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStart11 Taskbar options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Taskbar section of Start11.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1300\" data-image-height=\"591\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother bonus is that you can rename, move, and delete folders and shortcuts directly from the Start menu just as Windows long ago allowed you to do. Whether you use Start11 as is or dive into its many customizations, you'll find this a friendly and effective alternative to the regular Windows 11 Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c5be6372-5ecd-48ce-a60b-282d7c7e21a2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStart11 Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Start11 Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1271\" data-image-height=\"868\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe 10 best Windows laptops: Top notebooks, 2-in-1s, and ultraportables\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStartAllBack\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt a cost of $4.99 for one license, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.startallback.com\u002F\"\u003EStartAllBack\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a more basic but still capable Start menu replacement. Right off the bat, the program asks what theme you wish to use for the menu, offering three choices: Proper 11, Kinda 10, and Remastered 7. Despite their names, all three kick in the traditional two-column layout with program shortcuts on the left and Windows features on the right. The differences between them are more aesthetic and depend on whether you prefer rounded or square corners, for example.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2889d3fb-63f8-4a51-9f93-0b9908699dd6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStartAllBack Start menu choices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Theme options for StartAllBack Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1148\" data-image-height=\"517\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter you've picked your preferred theme, head to the Start Menu section in the program to tweak the menu's style, appearance, and functionality. You can control the size of the menu's icons, opt to display modern apps in their own folder, choose to highlight newly installed programs, and set up the shortcuts on the right side as menus or as links.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"10871829-1b7a-4513-90ab-0f7ba756a2cc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStartAllBack configuration options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configuration section for StartAllBack.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1149\" data-image-height=\"593\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike Start11, StartAllBack possesses the power to spruce up the Taskbar. You can pick a custom image for the Start button, select a visual style for the Taskbar, and determine how to combine Taskbar buttons. Best of all, you can position the Taskbar at the top, bottom, left, or right, a capability that Microsoft offers in Windows 10 but killed in Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"953481dd-af22-4c2b-822a-7b632ee33f0b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStartAllBack Taskbar options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Taskbar section of StartAllBack.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1154\" data-image-height=\"593\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStartAllBack even taps into File Explorer, letting you choose between the Ribbon interface or command bar, turn on the classic search box, and restore the classic context menus from Windows 10. If you want a simple but capable Start menu replacement, StartAllBack is a good choice.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"06e50580-5943-4448-848b-3320feec66fc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EStartAllBack Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Screenshot of the StartAllBack Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1112\" data-image-height=\"541\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-downgrade-a-windows-11-pc-to-windows-10\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to 'downgrade' a Windows 11 PC to a Windows 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOpen Shell Menu\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough not specifically designed for Windows 11, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002FOpen-Shell\u002FOpen-Shell-Menu\"\u003EOpen Shell Menu\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a free Start menu replacement that works in the new OS with a bit of coaxing. After downloading and installing the program from its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002FOpen-Shell\u002FOpen-Shell-Menu\"\u003EGitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you'll need to enable a new Start button to access the menu. To do this, click the regular Windows 11 Start button, go to All Apps, select the folder for Open Shell, and click the shortcut for Open Shell Menu Settings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the Settings screen, choose the Start menu layout you prefer -- Classic style with one column, Classic with two columns, or Windows 7 style with two columns. Then check the box for Replace Start button and select one of the built-in images.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3f03684b-d217-4b50-abb5-ff7caa899338\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen Shell Menu Start menu choices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Styles for Open Shell Menu Start menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1193\" data-image-height=\"579\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile you're at the settings screen, you can tweak many other options: You can determine how to trigger the Open Shell Start menu, show recent or frequently used programs, choose the behavior of the Shut Down button, and opt to display the Search box. Next, you can tweak the skin options to set the size of fonts and icons. A section for Taskbar lets you adjust the size, color, and opacity of the Taskbar. And then you can pick which features you want to see in the Start menu and whether they appear as links or as menus.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5da20a4a-674a-4c75-af2f-234dc7f22232\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen Shell Menu configuration options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Configuration options in Open Shell Menu.\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1191\" data-image-height=\"578\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo delve even deeper into the program, check the box for \"Show all settings\" and review the additional options. Otherwise, click the Start button to see the results. Though it's not as polished as Start11 or StartAllBack, the Open Shell menu is certainly worth considering, especially if you're looking for a free Start menu replacement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"df6521d1-1dad-4faf-820a-ebf20c0aec06\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EOpen Shell Menu Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Open Shell Menu Start menu\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"1111\" data-image-height=\"609\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-26 17:09:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Can't stand the new Start menu in Windows 11? Here's how to replace it with a more user-friendly tool.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"d16ff017-ed29-4572-aa6e-72fcf02e822b",image:{id:"38da47f1-8eba-4a5e-a9a3-3a3fb4af4faa",filename:"top-image-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-21 16:41:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F21\u002F38da47f1-8eba-4a5e-a9a3-3a3fb4af4faa\u002Ftop-image-how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu-with-a-third-party-app.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1271,height:868,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-replace-the-windows-11-start-menu",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to replace your Windows 11 Start menu with a third-party app",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b",filename:"thumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-04-20 18:05:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F20\u002F50f6af8c-f846-4158-835e-fd3c636dfa2b\u002Fthumbnail-lance-whitney-zdnet-shot2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"705760b7-377d-4d38-aeda-6a13df1b757c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\" data-image-alt-text=\"A signpost with signs saying Backup and Restore\" data-image-filename=\"backup-and-restore-signs.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F03\u002F25\" data-image-width=\"5000\" data-image-height=\"3500\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBacking up your documents and other files in Windows is always advisable in case the originals ever get lost or corrupted. That's especially true for files that are important, sensitive, or irreplaceable. But ideally, you want a seamless and automated way to back up your files so that you don't have to keep doing it manually. Though you can turn to a variety of third-party backup programs, a tool built into Windows is worth trying, namely, File History.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvailable in Windows 10 and 11, File History will automatically back up files from specific folders on your PC to an external source, such as a USB drive or network location. Your backups run in the background based on the interval you set. And if you ever need to restore a file, just open and browse through your previous backups to find the right version.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy default, File History will back up specific folders under your User account, such as Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. You can remove and add folders to make sure that all the files you choose are backed up no matter where they reside. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne downside of using File History is that its days may be numbered. I've heard rumors that Microsoft plans to deprecate the feature at some point, forcing users to turn to other backup methods, such as OneDrive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne clue to File History's future lies in the way it works in Windows 11 versus Windows 10. In Windows 10, the feature is easy to set up and use as you run it from the Settings app. But in Windows 11, Microsoft removed File History from Settings; your only option is to run it from Control Panel, which is clumsy and seems like a clear step backward.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegardless of Microsoft's plans for File History, the tool remains accessible in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and functions as a capable backup method. As long as it's still around, it's still worth using. Here's how to take advantage of it in both Windows 10 and 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWindows 10 File History Backup\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Windows 10, go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > Update & Security > Backup\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Connect the drive or device that you want to use as the backup location. Click the button for \"Add a drive,\" and select the drive you wish to use. This turns on File History (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ee413e0a-1d09-4ad5-9adf-ad79e6693cb4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choosing backup destination\" data-image-filename=\"figure-1-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1161\" data-image-height=\"533\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClick the link for \"More options.\" At the Backup options screen, click the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EBack up my files\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and set the backup interval, anywhere from every 10 minutes to daily. Next, click the menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EKeep my backups\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and decide how long you wish to retain each backup, anywhere from \"Until space is needed\" to Forever (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c7caef83-30f9-4489-9956-e5b84c45dddf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Choose backup interval\" data-image-filename=\"figure-2-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1003\" data-image-height=\"461\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can set which folders to include and exclude in the backup. Review the folders that are already tagged for File History. If any folders that you want backed up are not listed, click the Add a folder button and select that folder (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8a4440a3-107f-45d0-8e99-76f1eae35979\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 3\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Add a folder\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1141\" data-image-height=\"614\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the list displays any folder that you don't want backed up, select it and then click the Remove button (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"171fe991-bab9-429c-a582-a666feffff30\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 4\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Remove a folder\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1069\" data-image-height=\"570\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo exclude any folder not displayed in the list, such as a subfolder, click the Add a Folder button in the section for \u003Cstrong\u003EExclude these folders\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and select that folder (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3a3f0780-514b-4ef4-92bc-3c4053cd87e1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 5\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Exclude a folder\" data-image-filename=\"figure-5-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1088\" data-image-height=\"559\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDepending on the backup schedule you chose, the File History backup may have already started by itself. If not, scroll to the top of the screen and click the Back up now button (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"def7efbb-9a20-47c3-867f-cdd7d398f14e\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 6\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Selecting Back up now\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1013\" data-image-height=\"564\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe backup will kick off in the background, both now and repeating at the interval you set. You can go about your work as the backup runs. After it's completed, the overview section indicates the date and time of the last backup.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWindows 10 File History Restore\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow let's say one or more of the files backed up through File History goes missing, gets corrupted, or is otherwise unreadable and unusable, and you want to restore that file from the backup. Scroll to the bottom of the File History screen in Settings and click the link for \"Restore files from a current backup\" (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"67485016-a013-45a9-afb6-4be43104800d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 7\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Restore files\" data-image-filename=\"figure-7-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1061\" data-image-height=\"545\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUp pops a File History window showing the last backup. If you need a file from a previous backup, click the left arrow icon at the bottom of the screen. Keep clicking the icon to go back in time to each prior backup. Click the right arrow to move ahead. When you find the backup you need, open the folder that contains the file or files you want to restore, select those files, and then click the Restore button at the bottom. The files are restored to their original location (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"09be299b-cd75-45fa-b4e1-c82c6f608046\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 8\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select files to restore\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1176\" data-image-height=\"530\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWindows 11 File History Backup\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo use File History in Windows 11, make sure the drive you want to use as the backup location is connected. Open Control Panel in icon view and select the File History icon (or click the Search icon, type File History, and select the result). The File History window should point to the backup destination under \"Copy files to:\" (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1a4fa0d5-f177-453e-ae45-896f39e40c90\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 9\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set up File History\" data-image-filename=\"figure-9-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1201\" data-image-height=\"543\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf more than one backup drive is connected, click the link on the left for \u003Cstrong\u003ESelect drive\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Select the drive you wish to use and click OK (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0a7d27ea-a482-4905-be64-8915fbdd3d30\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 10\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Select backup destination\" data-image-filename=\"figure-10-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1113\" data-image-height=\"707\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can add other folders to the backup beyond the default ones, though the process here is kludgy. By default, File History in Windows 10 backs up all the folders listed under Libraries. To add another folder to the backup, open File Explorer, right-click on the folder and select \"Show more options.\" From the full context menu, select \u003Cstrong\u003EInclude in library\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and then add it to an existing folder or create it as a new library. That folder will then be included in File History (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4f73f5f0-9add-46a3-93a7-738a69e44ab2\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Add folder to library\" data-image-filename=\"figure-11-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"660\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo exclude a folder, click the link for \u003Cstrong\u003EExclude folders\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Click the Add button and then select the folder you wish to exclude from the backup (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 12\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"aeaf8942-9f3c-4f81-a77d-8a2ae71b5954\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 12\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Exclude folder\" data-image-filename=\"figure-12-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"627\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReturn to the main File History Control Panel window and click the link for Advanced settings. Click the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003ESave copies of files\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and set the backup interval. Click the dropdown menu for \u003Cstrong\u003EKeep saved version\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and set how long File History backups should be retained. When done, click \"Save changes\" (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 13\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2b3ea93e-4c0b-4712-bed3-955b5829d5b0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 13\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Set backup interval\" data-image-filename=\"figure-13-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1119\" data-image-height=\"696\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWindows 11 File History Restore\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe backup should have already started at this point. If not, click the \"Run now\" link. If you need to restore a file at some point in the future, return to the File History screen in Control Panel and click the link for \"Restore personal files.\" Search your backups and open the folder that contains the file you wish to restore. Select the file and click the button for \"Restore to original location.\" Your file will be restored to its original spot (\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 14\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"cfa9f40b-c25d-4e35-a179-09b0b39fba2c\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 14\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Lance Whitney\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"Restore file\" data-image-filename=\"figure-14-how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F08\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"746\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-08-08 18:28:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"File History will automatically back up critical folders and files in Windows and help you restore them.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"cffb4f25-8d05-4236-b129-ba57008d2439",image:{id:"705760b7-377d-4d38-aeda-6a13df1b757c",filename:"backup-and-restore-signs.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-03-25 14:28:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"sample-image-16-9-red.jpg",credits:"ZDNet",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F25\u002F705760b7-377d-4d38-aeda-6a13df1b757c\u002Fbackup-and-restore-signs.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:5000,height:3500,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-back-up-your-files-in-windows-10-and-11-with-file-history",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to back up your files in Windows 10 and 11 with File History",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d}],componentLabel:"Practical tips, tricks, and advice for getting things done",description:c,filters:c,paging:c,slug:"dynamic-topic-3-story-carousel-how-to",title:"How-to Guides",label:c,viewMoreText:c,viewMoreUrl:c,relatedItems:c},{id:"58d3384f-a0d7-4628-acc1-a44626a03c4e",meta:{componentName:"58d3384f-a0d7-4628-acc1-a44626a03c4e",componentDisplayName:"Analysis & Opinion",componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F58d3384f-a0d7-4628-acc1-a44626a03c4e\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=58d3384f-a0d7-4628-acc1-a44626a03c4e"}},items:[{author:{id:"9a23272b-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"David Gewirtz",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"David",lastName:"Gewirtz",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"de4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945",filename:"david-gewirtz.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:19:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fde4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945\u002Fdavid-gewirtz.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"In addition to hosting the ZDNET Government and ZDNet DIY-IT blogs, David Gewirtz is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in The History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets, is one of America's foremost cyber-security experts, and is a top expert on saving and creating jobs. He is also director of the U.S. Strategic Perspective Institute as well as the founder of ZATZ Publishing.\r\n\r\nDavid is a member of FBI InfraGard, the Cyberwarfare Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, and has been a regular CNN contributor, and a guest commentator for the Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of Where Have All the Emails Gone?, the definitive study of email in the White House, as well as How To Save Jobs and The Flexible Enterprise, the classic book that served as a foundation for today's agile business movement.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EI got an email from a reader. I'm not going to tell you exactly what my correspondent said because, as often happens in reader letters to me, it was rife with unrepeatable words. The least egregious of my Dear Reader's vocabulary was the opening salvo, which read, \"Listen, you idiot, there's no way I'm upgrading to Windows 11.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the surface, it might appear that readers like this are unpleasant. But I've found that many of my most cranky readers are what can be categorized as \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inc.com\u002Flaura-montini\u002Fthe-most-undervalued-employee-at-any-organization.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edisagreeable givers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\" These folks are golden. I find them tremendously valuable. They're willing to provide feedback that more pleasant folks aren't willing or able to do. I can't tell you how many times I've posted about something. I got an email back that begins with \"listen, you idiot,\" followed with detailed and useful information for solving whatever problem I was struggling with. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this case, my correspondent goes on to list the reasons he's not upgrading to Windows 11. Three of his observations form the foundation of this article. First, Windows 10 will be supported until 2025. Second, some of his current machines won't run Windows 11 (at least, not without a hack). And third, he believes it's not worth the retraining time for Windows 11 but is willing to move to Windows 11 when he buys new machines. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are, in fact, reasonably valid points. Let's discuss the end-of-life issue first. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E The Windows pumpkin date \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-windows-10-is-a-security-disaster-waiting-to-happen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEd Bott discusses\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Windows 10 will turn into a pumpkin on October 14, 2025. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe concept of something pumpkining is tied to the fable Cinderella, where Cindy's fabulous carriage, which her Fairy Godmother magically created from a pumpkin, reverts back to a pumpkin at midnight. In our case, anything that pumpkins changes into a useless or less desirable form at a specific time or date. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 10 pumpkins in October 2025 because that's when Microsoft will stop issuing support updates. Unfortunately, since millions of machines can't be updated to Windows 11, Bott rightly contends that all those machines will then become security nightmares. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-guide-to-screen-size-aspect-ratio-resolution-and-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour guide to screen size: Aspect ratio, resolution, and more\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut 2025 is almost four years away, which means if you want to use your Windows 10 machine until support ends, nothing is stopping you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E No Windows 11 for you \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-windows-11-means-well-be-stuck-with-millions-of-windows-10-zombies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewe haven't mentioned this\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before a lot. But Windows 11 won't run on all PCs. Only certain processors will be supported, only 64-bit machines will be supported, and only machines with a TPM chip will run Windows 11. For the very latest, keep an eye on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwill-your-pc-run-windows-11-even-microsoft-cant-say-for-sure\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEd's article on the subject\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which he keeps up to date. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your machine isn't supported for Windows 11, you can certainly keep using it with Windows 10. We don't recommend using it after updates end, but that's years away. Cross that bridge when the pumpkin pops. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou could do another thing, which we do not recommend, is install Windows 11 by hacking your PC. My Internet Press Guild colleague Avram Piltch has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tomshardware.com\u002Fhow-to\u002Fbypass-windows-11-tpm-requirement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea helpful guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E if you want to take that route. But be forewarned: you lose \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-has-advanced-hardware-security-heres-how-to-get-it-in-windows-10-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emost of the added security goodness Windows 11 offers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E if you do. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Retraining for Windows 11 \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere, I mostly disagree with my disagreeable giver reader. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's be clear. If you know how to use Windows 10, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to learn to use Windows 11. So the Start icon is in the middle of the screen. Big deal. You can actually move it back, if you want to, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fpaid-content\u002Farticle\u002F6-ways-to-customize-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewith a simple tweak\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo he can cry all he wants about retraining. It honestly ain't no big thing. Get over it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E But you don't have to update to Windows 11 \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn general, operating systems need to be upgraded regularly. Hardware evolves. So do threats. There comes a time when the overall architecture of an ageing OS begins to weigh down with legacy elements, making it harder to add innovations. Upgrading an OS allows vendors to make big-step changes that incorporate new innovations and new protections. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVendors also like new operating systems because they give machines that new PC smell. There's usually a bump in PC sales when a new major release comes out, so vendors like to see new OS versions every few years. It allows them to add some of those new features we discussed but also market using a differentiator that says their older systems are older and that their newest products are the new hotness. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs for security, I asked Ed how to characterize Windows 11 vs. Windows 10. He told me: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI personally don't think it's helpful to make blanket statements like \"Windows 11 is more secure than Windows 10.\" Better to simply say, if your hardware supports Windows 11, and there are no critical features that you would lose, then you should upgrade. It's a platform that's being actively developed. Windows 10 is a legacy platform. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut here's the thing. Windows 10 can be secure, especially if you update \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techradar.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft-could-be-on-the-verge-of-forcibly-upgrading-windows-10-on-your-computer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eas Microsoft recommends\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F66464c74-be08-4046-a7d9-4711d63864af\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's only February of 2022. October of 2025 is 43 months away. A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Fen-nz\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F16\u002Ftrue-cost-of-not-replacing-computers-revealed-in-microsoft-study-more-than-4000-each\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E2018 Microsoft study\u003C\u002Fa\u003E states that the \"optimal age of PCs is no more than four years old.\" Even if you buy a new Windows 10 machine right now, it's still going to have most of its usable life while it's within the optimal age window. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, at some point, you will have to upgrade. Yes, some OSs are safe to use, even if they're 40 years old. \u003Cem\u003EGame of Thrones\u003C\u002Fem\u003E (technically, \u003Cem\u003EA Song of Ice and Fire\u003C\u002Fem\u003E) author \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fslate.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2014\u002F05\u002Fgeorge-r-r-martin-writes-on-dos-based-wordstar-4-0-software-from-the-1980s.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGeorge R.R. Martin writes using WordStar 4.0 on DOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. But DOS is safe because it's pre-Internet. It's so old that while malware did exist back in DOS's dark days, it didn't send your personal identifying information to criminals. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the fact is, if you're running an Internet-connected OS (and you are, because how could you survive otherwise?), then you'll need to upgrade at some point. Once Windows 10 loses support updates, hackers will be free to flood the Internet with unchecked exploits, and everyone running Windows 10 will be at risk. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut that's not for 43 months. So, if you don't want to upgrade to Windows 11 today, don't sweat it. Just put it on your calendar for the early fall of 2025. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat's your Windows story? Are you running Windows 10? Windows 11? A mix of both? Let us know your thoughts and plans in the comments below. Feel free to post something disagreeable and useful (but not mean or disgusting, please). I always welcome learning new things. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYou can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003E@DavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Facebook at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003EFacebook.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Instagram at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u002F\"\u003EInstagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and on YouTube at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fuser\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\"\u003EYouTube.com\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-02-11 17:20:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"We share a reader's reasons for not upgrading to Windows 11 and explore whether you have to upgrade at all. TL;DR: Not now, but eventually.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"072faf3b-9579-47e8-86ec-9f3c1129874a",image:{id:"8f752e06-4c3c-4a8f-a220-5c84491e8be8",filename:"shutterstock-2001159119-windows-11.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-12-13 00:10:48",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Microsoft Windows 11 operating system logo seen on the screen of tablet and user pointing at it with stylus",credits:"Shutterstock",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F13\u002F8f752e06-4c3c-4a8f-a220-5c84491e8be8\u002Fshutterstock-2001159119-windows-11.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11-not-ready-to-upgrade-do-this-instead",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11: Not ready to upgrade? Do this instead",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2a142269-ad72-4347-a8d7-cbab9a2f6346",username:"chris_matyszczyk",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Chris",lastName:"Matyszczyk",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"dc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42",filename:"chris-matyszczyk.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:17:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fdc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42\u002Fchris-matyszczyk.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who now runs the consultancy Howard Raucous LLC. In 2013, Mediapost named him the Most Influential Person on Madison Avenue. His writing has been published all over the world, most recently on CNET.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9f8edbe2-2736-46a7-a51e-47642d17f11d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ENo, it's not this one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"By sdx15 -- Shutterstock\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows-11-laptop.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-laptop.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2021\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"1069\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's been hard to forget.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral years ago, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fa-best-buy-salesman-told-me-the-best-windows-laptop-is-a-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI went to Best Buy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on one of my regular missions to see what salespeople tell customers, and I asked a question that has often perplexed me: What's the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebest Windows laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe answer was twofold: first, the salesman took me over to the HP display. The \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"32539341-96a5-4cc7-85c8-57daefd04251\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FHP-15-6-inch-Touchscreen-Resolution-15-eb1043dx\u002Fdp\u002FB08RRSVW52\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Spectre 15\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E was his suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut as we got talking, he confessed that, though he wasn't an Apple fanperson -- his phone was Samsung -- the best Windows laptop in his truly honest view was the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"cb8f59c4-2623-47db-93ba-4343a41848e9\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fmacbook-pro\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"15-inch MacBook Pro\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlright, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fan-apple-store-salesman-told-me-the-macbook-air-is-a-honda-civic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI was amused\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. I'm all \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"6463a216-ea15-4a68-8d1a-baf8c72cfa58\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fmacbook-air\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"MacBook Air\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, you see. My wife, on the other hand, is Windows. A scientist, that's what her employers provide, and it can sometimes be painful to witness.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe's graduated from a very heavy Dell -- \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"03d72ad6-245d-4ddf-9ee5-07caac6b4d31\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FDell-XPS-15-9500-i7-10750H\u002Fdp\u002FB08LDZNRPC\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"the XPS 15\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E -- to an appreciably lighter one. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwwdc-2022-apples-new-m2-powered-macbook-air\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENew MacBook Air and refreshed MacBook Pro Launch with Apple's new M2 chip\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI never get the impression, however, that she cherishes her laptop with consummate reverence.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOff I went, then, this time back to Best Buy with the idea that life had changed. With a different salesperson, I might be enlightened in a different manner.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI explained that I wanted my wife to be happy. The Best Buy salesman refrained from the obvious joke, for which I was grateful.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI admitted to my Macness and asked him, quite simply: \"Please tell me what the best Windows laptop is these days.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen chatting with some salespeople, they ask more questions. They might ask: \"What does she do?\" \"How does she use her laptop?\" Or even \"What did she do marrying you?\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis particular salesman, though, wasn't riven by doubt.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe instantly swept me toward the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"88c3a282-8c31-4dab-82be-ab83b18e865d\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FMicrosoft-Surface-Pro-8-13-Touchscreen\u002Fdp\u002FB09DKJKS4T\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Microsoft Surface\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Or, rather, the Microsoft Surfaces. For him, the touchscreens were a delight, and the ability to separate the screen from the keyboard was mesmerizing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, what struck me was how hard it was to grasp what they were all called. As he whisked me through, even he got caught between his Gos and his Pros. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe insisted, though, that my wife would find her ultimate experience in one or more of these Surfaces.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut then he caught himself: \"If she wants a more conventional laptop, then Microsoft has those too.\" So he wandered me over to those, which looked far more like MacBook Airs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI didn't find anything negative in his enthusiasm. Perhaps, though, on seeing a minor flutter of my eyebrows, he added: \"I just want to say this. I don't get commission on any of these laptops, so I'm not saying this for the money.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithout my saying anything, he did then whip me over to HP and Dell. He explained they make nice things too. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI did, though, wonder whether he was vulnerable to pressing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI asked him whether it was more difficult for him to now sell Windows laptops, given the entry of the M1 MacBook Air and Pro. Their performance is, after, quite something. (Disclosure: I own and mostly like my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmy-apple-macbook-air-wouldnt-close-anymore-then-i-got-one-surprise-too-many\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EM1 Air.\u003C\u002Fa\u003E)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"For most things you do, you just don't need the M1 MacBooks,\" he said. \"With some things, it's true; they're 30% faster.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"ce257707-4741-4cb1-946c-40e75c5be771\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fce257707-4741-4cb1-946c-40e75c5be771\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn essence, he felt that most people are content with what Windows laptops can do. And don't forget the detachable touchscreen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe explained that he didn't like the iPad Pro because it uses iOS, not macOS. But, returning to the M1, he offered these crucial words: \"And then there's the price.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo my eyes, the Surfaces didn't look exactly cheap. But every dollar matters, especially in the currently torrid economic climate.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery salesperson you meet has their own bent, their own way of selling, their own way of pleasing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've (almost) always had uplifting and entertaining sales experiences at Best Buy. This was no different. The salesman was easy to talk to, and his enthusiasm came across as quite genuine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI still worry that the Surface hasn't broken through as much as it might have done. If only its initial marketing hadn't been so painful. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's odd to think that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-in-2022-what-do-we-want-and-what-do-we-expect\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe Surface brand is now 10 years old\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. It's hard to do hardware well when you start so far behind.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI thanked the salesman for his comprehensively enthusiastic presentation and walked away thinking he believed the \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8699a556-2dce-48b2-aafb-17f1de8c137e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FNEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-Touch-Screen\u002Fdp\u002FB07YNJ6R9P\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Surface Pro X\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E was the best Windows laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt least, I think it was the Surface Pro X.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F3be818df-27e4-42c7-813f-c703e2d38814\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-05 12:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"When a salesperson has no doubts, should you doubt them?",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"513f54e8-42bd-4863-b0d7-b057410603f2",image:{id:"9f8edbe2-2736-46a7-a51e-47642d17f11d",filename:"windows-11-laptop.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2021-08-31 11:12:20",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"windows-11-laptop.jpg",credits:"By sdx15 -- Shutterstock",caption:"\u003Cp\u003ENo, it's not this one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F31\u002F9f8edbe2-2736-46a7-a51e-47642d17f11d\u002Fwindows-11-laptop.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:1069,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"i-asked-a-best-buy-salesman-for-the-best-windows-laptop-he-had-no-doubts",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"I asked a Best Buy salesman for the best Windows laptop. He had no doubts",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a7ecc6fa-8176-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Mary Jo Foley",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Mary Jo",lastName:"Foley",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94",filename:"mary-jo-foley.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:57:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94\u002Fmary-jo-foley.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 30 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNET, eWeek, and Baseline. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008). She also is the co-host of the \"Windows Weekly\" podcast on the TWiT network. \r\n\r\nGot a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips, and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"a92dfe6f-b02a-4e1b-9e4e-582a550e445f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Credit: @technosarusrex\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows11moments\" data-image-filename=\"windows11moments.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"877\" data-image-height=\"581\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust when Windows users were getting used to the largely well-received idea of Microsoft delivering a once-yearly feature update, the company may be about to shift gears yet again. Microsoft may be moving to a schedule where \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowscentral.com\u002Fsoftware-apps\u002Fwindows-11\u002Fmicrosoft-moves-to-new-windows-development-cycle-with-major-release-every-three-years-feature-drops-in-between\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew Windows 11 features will roll out up to four times a year, and a \"major\" new release will happen every three years\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, according to a July 14 report by \u003Cem\u003EWindows Central.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EBefore IT admins grab their pitchforks, I think this change may be more of a public-relations move than something that will have major implications for how Windows releases are supported -- which is the main issue for many IT folks when it comes to new Windows releases.\u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EThe Windows group already started \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-heres-how-windows-11-will-get-new-features\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emuddying the updated waters\u003C\u002Fa\u003E this year. After announcing to the joy of many admins that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwith-rollout-of-21h2-microsoft-moves-windows-10-to-annual-updates\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft would move Windows 10 and 11 to an annual feature update cadence\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with longer support terms, Chief Product Officer Panos Panay and the team made it clear that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-starts-rolling-out-android-apps-for-windows-11-other-new-features-to-mainstream-users\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethey would and could roll out new features whenever and however they wanted\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In February this year, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-starts-rolling-out-android-apps-for-windows-11-other-new-features-to-mainstream-users\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft rolled out a handful of new Windows 11 features simultaneously\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and outside of the promised second-half feature update.\u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWindows Central\u003C\u002Fem\u003E says that Microsoft's new plan is to roll out new features outside of major OS releases starting in 2023 as part of a new \"Moments\" engineering effort. (Even the name \"Moments\" has a very PR-ish ring to it.) These drops could happen as many as four times a year, \u003Cem\u003EWinCentral\u003C\u002Fem\u003E says. One of my contacts -- \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Ftechosarusrex\u002Fstatus\u002F1544779223801511939\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E@techosarusrex on Twitter\u003C\u002Fa\u003E -- showed me last week his servicing search results, which revealed a possible \"Moment\" feature drop. He speculated this drop could be related to the 22622 Windows 11 test build that Microsoft made available to the beta channel last week. (See the screenshot from him embedded above in this post.) \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003ELike \u003Cem\u003EWindows Central\u003C\u002Fem\u003E, I had heard from one of my sources that the next \"major\" release of Windows client would be known as \"Next Valley,\" or NV. (Windows 11 was codenamed \"Sun Valley,\" or SV.) \u003Cem\u003EWindows Central\u003C\u002Fem\u003E says this client release is happening in 2024 now, not next year. I have not heard a target date for it myself. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003EThis report has me wondering about several things, none of which I'm sure Microsoft will explain right now:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWill these servicing changes also apply to Windows 10? If not, I think Microsoft is taking a big risk, as businesses which typically don't want multiple new features delivered willy-nilly may dig in their heels and hold off moving to Windows 11 as long as possible (if ever).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHow will these changes, if and when they happen, affect the period of time for which Microsoft will offer support for various Windows releases? I'm assuming the Moment feature drops will not trigger a new support countdown clock, as this didn't happen with the February feature drop this year. Will Microsoft actually be extending the Windows support windows, so they last up to three years, timed with new \"major\" releases\"? Many IT folks would welcome that if it were the case. \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWill Microsoft still offer its yearly Windows feature updates for Windows 10 and 11? This year, Windows 11 22H2 is still on the calendar for some time this fall, and we believe Windows 10 22H2 will show up around the same time, even though officials have said next-to-nothing about Windows 10's update schedule (beyond the fact that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-windows-10-is-a-security-disaster-waiting-to-happen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esupport for Windows 10 ends in October 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.) From Windows Central's report, it sounds like the annual feature update schedule, announced just a year ago, may already be a thing of the past.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVendors wanting to maintain secrecy around new hardware releases is understandable. But when the majority of a company's customers are business users, similar secrecy -- especially around software and servicing -- is far less so. Businesses need predictability, and over the past year, predictability has been sorely lacking in the Windows space. Many in the Windows team seem to want Windows on PCs to move to the kind of feature update schedule that is accepted on phones and tablets. But this ignores the fact that businesses -- the biggest Windows PC constituency -- are not keen on this.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI will update this post if and when I hear back from Microsoft on the reported Windows servicing changes. I'm not holding my breath for anything beyond \"we have nothing to share,\" but stay tuned.\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUpdate\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: \"Microsoft has nothing to share regarding this speculation. Check out the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.windows.com\u002Fwindowsexperience\u002F2022\u002F02\u002F15\u002Fbringing-you-closer-to-what-you-love-with-new-experiences-in-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFebruary Windows Experience blog\u003C\u002Fa\u003E from Panos for info on Windows' update cadence,\" a spokesperson said.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-14 14:26:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft already had been muddying the waters around how and when it planned to bring new features to Windows. Now it sounds as if quarterly new feature 'Moments' updates between 'major' Windows client releases could become the newest servicing roadmap.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"8066e086-0df2-4e91-8bae-2c7e051f7c4c",image:{id:"fb186118-fb0c-430f-88b6-fb77a10a373d",filename:"newwin11servicingplan.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-14 14:25:51",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"newwin11servicingplan",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F14\u002Ffb186118-fb0c-430f-88b6-fb77a10a373d\u002Fnewwin11servicingplan.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:932,height:582,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-said-to-be-ready-to-shake-up-the-windows-update-schedule-again",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft said to be ready to shake up the Windows update schedule. Again",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"109dbc12-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"it-priorities",name:"IT Priorities",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fd216892-97a3-4886-b449-d9130444b717\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFor those who prefer a single email account, the answer is ... aliases.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"email alias symbol\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-465070386-email-alias.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F15\" data-image-width=\"2720\" data-image-height=\"1530\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bf1fc5fa-8a77-44cb-94d2-d2b56bcb14c3\" data-size=\"small\" data-float=\"right\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F04\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"270\" data-image-height=\"185\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWelcome to the latest installment of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fask-zdnet\u002F#link={%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fask-zdnet\u002F%22,%22target%22:%22_blank%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22Ask%20ZDNet%22}\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAsk ZDNet\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, where we know that the answer to every question isn't \"Have you tried turning it off and back on again?\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the mailbag this week: What's the best way to filter out marketing mail, newsletters, and other clutter without using a separate email account? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"401073e6-b713-44e3-a990-533b527eb1fa\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFor those who missed the earlier Ask ZDNet column, here's a quick refresher:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fim-drowning-in-spam-how-do-i-make-it-stop-ask-zdnet\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E"I'm drowning in spam! How do I make it stop?"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Is there a way to keep junk email out of my inbox without having to juggle two or more email accounts? \" data-superlative=\"A few weeks ago, you recommended setting up a secondary email account as the best way to keep your inbox free of clutter. I'd rather stick with one email account, though. Do you have any options to recommend? \" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"9bbaf691-f316-4277-87dd-972993f7244d\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F9bbaf691-f316-4277-87dd-972993f7244d\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd, yes, we understand the desire to keep things simple. For those who prefer a single email account, the answer is ... aliases. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn alias is an alternate email address that is different from your \"real\" one but is still associated with your account and deposits messages sent to that alias into your regular inbox, without forwarding. Combining an alias with filters or rules lets you automatically move messages out of your inbox to a folder of your choosing as a way to manage less important email traffic.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGmail has the most limited approach to aliases, which are based on your primary address. To create an alias on the fly, just put a plus sign at the end and tack on whatever you want as a suffix. If your address is \u003Ca href=\"mailto:AskZDNet@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAskZDNet@gmail.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, for example, you could use \u003Ca href=\"mailto:AskZDNet+news@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAskZDNet+news@gmail.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as the address for subscribing to email newsletters. Then create a filter that applies the Newsletter label and skips the Inbox. Marie Kondo would be proud. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"cce67a1a-6848-4f69-bee4-4f5c80613d1b\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fcce67a1a-6848-4f69-bee4-4f5c80613d1b\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne problem with Gmail's plus-sign aliases is that they give away your primary address. A spammer can just strip away the plus sign and everything after and begin cluttering up your inbox.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA free Outlook.com account has much more versatile alias options. You can create up to 10 aliases that don't have to have any connection to your primary address. (Go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faccount.live.com\u002Fnames\u002Fmanage\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faccount.live.com\u002Fnames\u002Fmanage\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and sign in with your Microsoft account to create a new alias or remove an existing one.) Messages sent to an alias arrive in the same inbox as those sent to the primary email address and can be moved out of the Inbox and into custom folders using Outlook rules. If you're getting too much spam at an alias, you can delete it (and open up a slot for a new one). Any email sent to a deleted alias gets bounced back to the sender and is never forwarded. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf neither of those options is attractive, consider using \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"29400f32-5bf0-4e2c-858f-c8bab64dde1e\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsimplelogin.io\u002Fpricing\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"SimpleLogin\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, an open-source alternative that lets you create aliases that can be associated with any mailbox. (If you run your own mail server, you can even self-host the software.) The free Simple Login plan allows up to 15 aliases for one mailbox. Upgrading to the Premium plan for $4 a month (or $30 a year) unlocks unlimited aliases, unlimited mailboxes, unlimited custom domains, and PGP encryption. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESend your questions to \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003Ca href=\"mailto:ask@zdnet.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eask@zdnet.com\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cem\u003E. Due to the volume of submissions, we can't guarantee a personal reply, but we do promise to read every letter and respond right here to the ones that we think our readers will care about. Be sure to include a working email address in case we have follow-up questions. We promise not to use it for any other purpose.  \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-21 11:00:02",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Got a tech question? Ed Bott and ZDNet's squad of editors and experts probably have the answer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"c4befa33-a84d-4644-a6fb-8b7ec9f487ea",image:{id:"fd216892-97a3-4886-b449-d9130444b717",filename:"gettyimages-465070386-email-alias.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-15 17:46:21",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"email alias symbol",credits:"Getty Image",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F15\u002Ffd216892-97a3-4886-b449-d9130444b717\u002Fgettyimages-465070386-email-alias.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2720,height:1530,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-can-i-keep-junk-email-out-of-my-inbox-without-juggling-two-or-more-email-accounts-ask-zdnet",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How can I keep junk email out of my inbox without juggling two or more email accounts? [Ask ZDNet]",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"70a27718-986e-4ccd-b086-0f0d6a0a3308\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"apps sync to multiple devices\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-171241293-synced-pcs2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F08\" data-image-width=\"4155\" data-image-height=\"2337\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bf1fc5fa-8a77-44cb-94d2-d2b56bcb14c3\" data-size=\"small\" data-float=\"right\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F04\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"270\" data-image-height=\"185\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWelcome to the latest installment of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fask-zdnet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAsk ZDNet\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, where we answer the questions that stump Alexa. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the mailbag this week: A reader works from two homes that are 1,000 miles apart. Is there a way to keep the content on his two PCs identical? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"946759d6-f849-4616-93ab-a0b1b18be44b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EYou're not alone in this request. Lots of people want to keep two PCs in sync (a desktop and laptop, usually) even when those PCs are in different rooms of the same house. It doesn't matter that your PCs are in two different states—the solution is still the same: Use the cloud.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How do I keep two PCs in sync when they're in different locations?\" data-superlative=\"I regularly travel between New York City and Miami Beach, where I have a second home. I have a desktop PC with a big monitor in each location. Is there a way to keep the content on these two PCs identical? My main email account is on Gmail. I have a Microsoft 365 Home account and also use Quicken along with some maritime and sailing and weather apps. I also have several thousand bookmarks.\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiven the software and cloud services you listed here, you're already most of the way to achieving most of what you want to do. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour Gmail account is already in the cloud with Google. You can send, receive, and review your email messages from anywhere, using a web browser or a dedicated email app. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"f4799f1a-47ab-4c7a-bad5-805647caecfc\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Ff4799f1a-47ab-4c7a-bad5-805647caecfc\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThousands of bookmarks? Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your default browser on both PCs, and then sign in with your Google account (for Chrome) or Microsoft account (for Edge) and let the browser take care of keeping your bookmarks in sync. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving a Microsoft 365 subscription gives you the right to install the Office desktop apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, and the rest) on up to five PCs. Go to the Office home page (\u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ec2bd4a4-010c-414c-80ef-e32a4046e9d1\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.office.com\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.office.com\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E), sign in with your Microsoft account, and click the Install Office button. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore importantly, that Microsoft 365 subscription includes 1 TB of storage in OneDrive, which should be more than enough to keep all your data files in sync. If you add, edit, or delete a file on one PC, your changes will automatically synchronize across the Internet to your other PC. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll have to do a minimal amount of work to install the remainder of your apps on each PC, but that's a one-time task. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can streamline the synchronization process by setting up OneDrive so that your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders are automatically synced to the cloud. (You'll find this option on the Backup tab in the OneDrive Settings dialog box.) For your traditional apps that aren't cloud-aware, just put their data files in the Documents folder and let OneDrive take care of keeping them in sync. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd when all that's done, you'll have essentially identical PC setups in both your homes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fgoogle-drive-vs-onedrive-which-one-is-better-for-your-business\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGoogle Drive vs. OneDrive: Which one is better for your business?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESend your questions to \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003Ca href=\"mailto:ask@zdnet.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eask@zdnet.com\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cem\u003E. Due to the volume of submissions, we can't guarantee a personal reply, but we do promise to read every letter and respond right here to the ones that we think our readers will care about. Be sure to include a working email address in case we have follow-up questions. We promise not to use it for any other purpose.  \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-06-10 11:04:26",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Got a tech question? Ed Bott and ZDNet's squad of editors and experts probably have the answer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"99310ea0-9ab0-4234-9fa7-a9ba9334ed8a",image:{id:"70a27718-986e-4ccd-b086-0f0d6a0a3308",filename:"gettyimages-171241293-synced-pcs2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-08 19:24:51",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"apps sync to multiple devices",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F08\u002F70a27718-986e-4ccd-b086-0f0d6a0a3308\u002Fgettyimages-171241293-synced-pcs2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4155,height:2337,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-do-i-keep-two-pcs-in-sync-when-theyre-in-different-locations-ask-zdnet",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How do I keep two PCs in sync when they're in different locations? [Ask ZDNet]",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1e4902fd-38d7-495a-81e1-f85362c641b4\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\u002FiStockphoto\" data-image-alt-text=\"Female holding credit card making online payment, closeup view\" data-image-filename=\"istock-1198265932.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2020\u002F09\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1365\" data-image-height=\"768\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's nothing quite like the sinking feeling in your stomach when you discover that someone has stolen your credit card information and begun using it online. Eventually, that feeling of astonishment is replaced by a seemingly endless series of steps as you try to recover from the damage. At a minimum, you have to get the compromised card replaced and then change all your online payments.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIs there a way to minimize the risk that this will happen again?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor starters, realize that you probably have protections under existing laws. For cardholders in the United States, provisions in the Fair Credit Billing Act mean your actual losses are limited to $50, provided you notify the card issuer as soon as you become aware of any theft or unauthorized use. Most card issuers have fraud detection capabilities that will alert you immediately in the event of a suspicious transaction and protect you from any loss. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne important caveat here: These fraud protections do not apply to debit cards, even if the card has the logo of a major credit card issuer. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act offers similar protections if you report an unauthorized transaction within 48 hours, but after that you're on the hook for $500 in losses, and the limit vanishes completely if a fraud goes unreported for 60 days. (For details, see this FTC page: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fconsumer.ftc.gov\u002Farticles\u002Flost-or-stolen-credit-atm-debit-cards\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven with those protections, there's always a risk with any online transaction. Here's how to minimize your risk. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe vigilant about sites where you use your card.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Make sure the page is secure and that the merchant is trustworthy. If you don't recognize the merchant or the site seems suspicious, think twice before entering your card details. \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvoid storing your card details unnecessarily.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E You can probably waive this precaution for top-tier merchants like Amazon and Apple, but it's really not that inconvenient to re-enter a card number for smaller merchants that you do business with occasionally. (Obviously, you can't avoid this for recurring payments.) \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUse Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or other digital wallets whenever possible.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Those systems use virtual account numbers tied to your device, which means in the event of compromise, your actual card number is not revealed. (For details on virtual card numbers, see these support documents from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.google.com\u002Fpay\u002Fanswer\u002F7643925?hl=en#zippy=%2Cvirtual-account-numbers\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGoogle\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fapple-pay\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.) \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECreate your own masked card.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E The free \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fprivacy.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPrivacy.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E service, for example, lets you create virtual credit cards for specific merchants. Each virtual card looks like a standard credit card, but it's tied to your bank account or a credit card. You can assign per-transaction limits or set an overall maximum charge for one of these cards, making it impossible for an unscrupulous merchant to turn a small charge into a larger one without your consent. We've used this service and can recommend it enthusiastically. \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to all that, be sure to install the mobile app for your credit card and turn on notifications. That way, in the unlikely event your card is compromised, you'll know immediately and can use the app to temporarily disable the card while you contact the issuer for help.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-15 16:30:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Having a credit card compromised is a major pain in the wallet. Fortunately, there are protections in U.S. law that limit your losses, and there are steps you can take to minimize the risk.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"f967050e-01ff-4278-975f-da97b0e6834a",image:{id:"2dadfeaf-f925-4014-bcb3-10111437c7dd",filename:"gettyimages-626530416-man-on-keyboard2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-06 16:22:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Upset man fingers on keyboard",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F06\u002F2dadfeaf-f925-4014-bcb3-10111437c7dd\u002Fgettyimages-626530416-man-on-keyboard2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4296,height:2417,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-can-i-keep-my-credit-card-details-from-being-stolen-online-ask-zdnet",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to keep your credit card details from being stolen online",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2dadfeaf-f925-4014-bcb3-10111437c7dd\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIs there any way to retrieve the data before it's lost for good?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"Upset man fingers on keyboard\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-626530416-man-on-keyboard2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"4296\" data-image-height=\"2417\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA few years ago a reader sent me an urgent request for help. His ancient Windows laptop (about 8 or 9 years old) had been sitting on his office shelf gathering dust for a few years but was still usable. In fact, it contained the only copy of some crucial work files. Unfortunately, my correspondent had forgotten the password for his local account and everything he tried was incorrect. To make things worse, those \"login failed\" messages also included a warning that the system had detected signs of an imminent hard drive failure.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIs there any way to get past that pesky password prompt and retrieve that data before it's irretrievably lost?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs with most tech support questions, the answer is \"Maybe.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"5762da8d-c329-4f79-a304-b8283cabf0fb\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F5762da8d-c329-4f79-a304-b8283cabf0fb\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat data might be recoverable, but there's no guarantee. If the data wasn't encrypted, the task is simple. Use a boot disk to bypass Windows and then simply copy the data to an external USB drive from the command line (you'll need some mastery of DOS commands to pull that off). As an alternative, you can try disassembling the laptop, removing the hard drive, and using a USB-to-SATA adapter kit that can convert the internal drive to one that connects to a USB port. (\u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8f3a0533-ee91-4cfc-b5f0-8c8ee699313b\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FSATA-Drive-Adapter-Converter-Power\u002Fdp\u002FB07PVX682Q\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"This StarTech adapter\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E will probably work, but you'll need to check compatibility with your drive to be sure.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour job is considerably more difficult if the drive is encrypted using BitLocker or the Windows Encrypted File System. Had you signed in with a Microsoft account, you could find the recovery key for that system drive by simply going to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fonedrive.com\u002Frecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fonedrive.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and copying the recovery key for that drive. But that option isn't available for a local account, and if you didn't back up the recovery key after encrypting the drive you're out of luck.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou might be able to use an old trick that involves booting from a recovery drive and fooling Windows into opening an administrative Command Prompt window where you can reset your password.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELowell Heddings at the excellent How-To Geek website has a full set of instructions here: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.howtogeek.com\u002F96630\u002Fhow-to-reset-your-forgotten-Windows-password-the-easy-way\u002F\"\u003E\"How to Reset Your Forgotten Windows Password the Easy Way.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor those following along at home, this might be a good place to remind everyone that backing your important data files up to the cloud (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) is always a smart idea. And signing into your Windows PC with a Microsoft account also enables you to encrypt your data while still making it easy to recover from a lost password.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGood luck!\u003Cem\u003E  \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-17 14:28:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"That old laptop has been sitting on the shelf for ages. Now you realize it has your only backup copy of some important files, but you've forgotten the password. What can you do?",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"66df38b2-429a-43fb-b297-f5207c9ee444",image:{id:"2dadfeaf-f925-4014-bcb3-10111437c7dd",filename:"gettyimages-626530416-man-on-keyboard2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-06 16:22:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Upset man fingers on keyboard",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F06\u002F2dadfeaf-f925-4014-bcb3-10111437c7dd\u002Fgettyimages-626530416-man-on-keyboard2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4296,height:2417,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-do-i-recover-data-from-an-old-laptop-if-ive-forgotten-the-password",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to recover data from an old laptop if you've forgotten the password",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1d04fa8e-61b0-417a-9d9f-6e0fa119ba87\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows-11-desktop.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-desktop.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1024\" data-image-height=\"576\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 is about to celebrate its first birthday and deliver its first big feature update. Based on my reading of the feedback from early adopters, though, I'm not sure how many people are going to show up for the party. You don't have to spend a lot of time in support forums and other community sites to hear a steady stream of criticism from Windows 11 haters.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd even those who don't actively \u003Cem\u003Ehate\u003C\u002Fem\u003E the changes Microsoft made in the Windows user interface still have plenty to complain about.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis isn't a new phenomenon, of course. Every new version of Windows brings out its share of negative reactions from people who wonder why Microsoft felt it necessary to change things up for no obvious reason. Windows 11, however, seems to have kicked that reaction up to, uh … 11, especially with the decision to remove some features that power users took for granted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe good news is that there are workarounds for many of the annoyances that have inspired the loudest complaints. In addition, there's a thriving community of developers building utilities to restore the features Microsoft took away.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe root of the problem is Microsoft's decision in Windows 11 to discard a huge amount of legacy code and rewrite key features, including the taskbar, the Start menu, and File Explorer. The old code in many cases dated back to the Windows 95 era, and I am sure there are program managers who have agonized over PowerPoint decks to explain just why those rewrites make sense from an architectural point of view.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut still...\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThere's a shortcut for that  \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, the fix for common annoyances is to learn a keyboard shortcut. Are you bugged by File Explorer's new, streamlined shortcut menus, which require an extra click to get to the complete menu? There's a shortcut for that: Hold down the Shift key as you right-click.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd what about the decision to remove the ribbon from File Explorer? That makes it more difficult to show or hide the Detail pane and the Preview pane, which are now buried three menus deep: View > Show > Details Pane\u002FPreview Pane.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's a shortcut for that, too: Alt+P to show or hide the Preview pane, and Alt+Shift+P to do the same with the Details pane. After you've used those shortcuts a few times, muscle memory takes over.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd no, you can't right-click the taskbar to open Task Manager anymore. But (you guessed it) there's a shortcut for that: Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Or you can right-click the Start button and use the Task Manager shortcut on the Quick Link menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo you find the new widgets feature annoying? It's easy enough to hide them. Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and flip the Widgets switch to the Off position. (You can always make the Widgets pane appear by using its keyboard shortcut: Windows key + W.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you can't get used to the taskbar and Start button being in the center of the screen, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-how-to-move-the-start-button-back-to-where-it-belongs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyou can move the them back to the left side\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut some Windows 11 annoyances don't have an easy fix. If you want to move the taskbar to the top of the display or snap it to either side, you're not going to find a solution in the official Settings app. That's where those third-party apps come in handy.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThird-party solutions\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the right tools, you can undo Microsoft's changes and turn the Windows 11 interface into something more familiar. We can recommend these four options, two of which are completely free: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fvalinet\u002FExplorerPatcher\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExplorerPatcher\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: This free, open source project lets you replace the Windows 11 taskbar with the Windows 10 version, disable the Windows 11 context menu and command bar in File Explorer, and tweak the Start menu and search box. There's a full list of features in the project's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fvalinet\u002FExplorerPatcher\u002Fwiki\u002FAll-features\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewiki\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002FOpen-Shell\u002FOpen-Shell-Menu\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpen Shell\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: Longtime Windows users might remember a utility program called Classic Shell, whose original purpose was to restore the Start menu to Windows 8. That project was abandoned years ago, but a group of volunteers picked up the codebase and turned it into the free Open Shell. Its biggest claim to fame is the ability to restore the Windows 7 Start menu and the Windows Explorer toolbar. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stardock.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fstart11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStart11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: This commercial product from Stardock offers a 30-day trial; after that, you'll need to pony up $6 for a single device or $15 for a license that works on up to five devices. You can replace the Windows 11 Start menu with its Windows 7 or Windows 10 version, move the taskbar to the top of the display and restore the taskbar context menu, and change a bunch of customization options. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.startallback.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStartAllBack\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: The bold promise of this commercial tool ($5 for a single device, with discounts for additional installations) is to \"unsweep [the] classic UI from under the rug.\" The list of tweaks includes the ability to drag and drop items onto taskbar icons, improvements to Start, File Explorer, and context menus, and \"lightweight styling and UI consistency.\" Like Start11, it offers a 30-day free trial. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIs there something on your Windows 11 annoyance list that isn't fixed with one of these tools? Leave a note in the comments and we'll see if we can find a solution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-12 20:32:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Every new Windows version comes with its own set of annoyances, but for some people, Windows 11 seems even more annoying than its predecessors. Fortunately, there are ways to make things work more like they did in Windows 10.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"91733626-079a-4288-81b1-49b456249c2c",image:{id:"1d04fa8e-61b0-417a-9d9f-6e0fa119ba87",filename:"windows-11-desktop.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-05-19 09:03:18",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Upset man fingers on keyboard",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F05\u002F19\u002F1d04fa8e-61b0-417a-9d9f-6e0fa119ba87\u002Fwindows-11-desktop.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1024,height:576,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"hate-windows-11-heres-how-to-make-it-work-more-like-windows-10",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Hate Windows 11? Here's how to make it work more like Windows 10",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"a7ecc6fa-8176-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Mary Jo Foley",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Mary Jo",lastName:"Foley",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94",filename:"mary-jo-foley.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 14:57:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8215236b-63b7-491f-91ad-190439d0bf94\u002Fmary-jo-foley.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Mary Jo Foley has covered the tech industry for 30 years for a variety of publications, including ZDNET, eWeek, and Baseline. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008). She also is the co-host of the \"Windows Weekly\" podcast on the TWiT network. \r\n\r\nGot a tip? Send her an email with your rants, rumors, tips, and tattles. Confidentiality guaranteed.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"90cd3f36-fd29-4a01-a3dc-cedfdeb89a23\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Credit: Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"microsoftcloudpcadvertising\" data-image-filename=\"microsoftcloudpcadvertising.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F10\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1378\" data-image-height=\"1097\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn April this year, Windows officials talked about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-provides-a-glimpse-of-future-windows-11-and-cloud-pc-integrations\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eplans to more tightly integrate Windows 365 and Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. So far, they've delivered on one of their promises: A preview of the Windows 365 app that Windows 11 users can pin to their taskbars and Start menus to more easily access their cloud PCs. But Microsoft officials have much bigger plans for Windows 365 and seemingly are counting on it keep Windows relevant, even if the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fpc-sales-are-falling-what-does-that-mean-for-the-price-of-your-new-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPC industry declines\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in the coming months and years. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E As many users have noticed, Microsoft increasingly has been squeezing ads into everything from the new Windows 11 search box to the Edge browser (and its other apps). So perhaps it's not too surprising that Microsoft management is pitching Windows as a vehicle for delivering ads -- both first-party Microsoft \"house\" ads and third-party ads, as CEO Satya Nadella himself acknowledged during \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fview.officeapps.live.com\u002Fop\u002Fview.aspx?src=https:\u002F\u002Fc.s-microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002FCMSFiles\u002FTranscriptFY23Q1.docx?version=133e9c66-ae13-63c3-aad8-1bcfd5c6f0d4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's Q1 FY'23 earnings call\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. (Thanks to Paul Thurrott for pointing this out on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwit.tv\u002Fshows\u002Fwindows-weekly\u002Fepisodes\u002F800\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Weekly\u003C\u002Fa\u003E last week.) \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut there are even more sweeping plans for creating a new Windows business model, as evidenced in several recent job postings for \"the newly formed Windows Incubation team\" on Microsoft's career site. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat team is looking to tie together Windows and Windows 365 even more tightly by building \"a Web-based shell with direct integration with Windows 365.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe end game? Selling thin-client\u002Flow-cost devices to businesses and consumers and offsetting costs via ads and subscriptions. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmary-jo-foley-looks-back-on-a-momentous-16-years-of-covering-microsoft-for-zdnet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMary Jo Foley on 16 epic years covering Microsoft for ZDNET\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom the job post: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"The building blocks we create will chart \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcareers.microsoft.com\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fjob\u002F1436861\u002FPrincipal-Software-Engineering-Manager\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea new direction for the experience and business model of Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E - from low-cost PCs powered through advertising and subscriptions, to new direct-to-cloud hardware devices across work and life.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft made its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-brings-windows-to-the-cloud-with-windows-365-and-cloud-pc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 365\u002FCloud PC service (codenamed Deschutes) generally available in August of 2021\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Windows 365 is a cloud-based virtualization service that builds on top of and complements Azure Virtual Desktop. Windows 365 is for business users only at this point and costs anywhere from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-windows-365-cloud-pc-service-will-range-from-20-to-162-per-user-per-month\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E$20 to $162 per user per month\u003C\u002Fa\u003E based on cores, RAM and storage. But given that the Windows 365 Business SKU can scale down to businesses with only one employee, it's not too surprising that Microsoft officials already are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpetri.com\u002Fpodcast\u002Fmjfchat-windows-365-what-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethinking about how to deliver Windows 365 for consumers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E Microsoft quietly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-adds-cloud-for-sovereignty-to-its-line-up\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emoved the Windows 365 team under Chief Product Officer and Windows chief Panos Panay\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in July. In addition to the Windows 365 App, the team is working on Windows 365 Boot, which will allow users to boot directly to their cloud PCs; Windows 365 Switch, which will allow users to move between their local and cloud PCs as easily as they can move between different desktops today; and Windows 365 Offline, the capability to resync with the Windows 365 service without data loss. Microsoft hasn't provided public delivery targets for any of these capabilities but did \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcommunity.microsoft.com\u002Ft5\u002Fwindows-events\u002Fwhat-s-new-and-how-to-deploy-windows-365-business\u002Fec-p\u002F3660520#M1776\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edemo the Switch feature during a \"Technical Takeoff\" virtual session\u003C\u002Fa\u003E last week. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E Meanwhile, Microsoft's WebXT organization, which includes \"several thousand software engineers\" working on Bing, Search, Edge, Maps, Ads, News and other products, is forging ahead with its own set of deliverables for consumers and enterprise users both. The team has been doing a lot of work in machine learning, speech, computer vision, and natural-language processing, which it has been folding into all of the products mentioned above. \u003Cbr\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E It seems like at least some customers are already wondering aloud if and when Microsoft and other PC makers will build thin-client-type devices meant to be used with Windows 365. Who knows ... Maybe there's a Surface Win365book on the road map somewhere? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-31 14:33:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Windows 365 and Microsoft's ad business both may have big roles to play in how Microsoft takes Windows forward.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"635fed4a-d374-42c6-85e1-e20628aced08",image:{id:"90cd3f36-fd29-4a01-a3dc-cedfdeb89a23",filename:"microsoftcloudpcadvertising.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-10-31 14:31:11",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"microsoftcloudpcadvertising",credits:"Credit: Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F10\u002F31\u002F90cd3f36-fd29-4a01-a3dc-cedfdeb89a23\u002Fmicrosoftcloudpcadvertising.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1378,height:1097,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"whats-next-for-windows-cloud-integration-ad-and-subscription-powered-devices",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"What's next for Windows: Sweeping new strategy for cloud, ads, devices?",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"101518dd-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"cloud",name:"Cloud",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"11d72d67-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"virtualization",name:"Virtualization",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2a142269-ad72-4347-a8d7-cbab9a2f6346",username:"chris_matyszczyk",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Chris",lastName:"Matyszczyk",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"dc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42",filename:"chris-matyszczyk.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:17:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fdc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42\u002Fchris-matyszczyk.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who now runs the consultancy Howard Raucous LLC. In 2013, Mediapost named him the Most Influential Person on Madison Avenue. His writing has been published all over the world, most recently on CNET.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"42ed18c3-08e3-453d-9a7b-454ea76dae09\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESome Windows laptops are lovely. Others, less so.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 laptop\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-pro2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F13\" data-image-width=\"1368\" data-image-height=\"770\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-hybrid-work-revolution-is-within-our-reach-its-time-to-decide-what-we-want\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAt work\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, feelings matter.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot just in the way that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fworried-about-quiet-quitting-these-dos-and-donts-could-stop-it-becoming-a-problem\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebosses manage employees\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and not just in the way employees treat each other.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"d2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fd2c8d2e3-a125-48c1-b8aa-af507b069739\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeelings about technology are important too.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou walk into a new job and discover a bright, shiny, state-of-the-art computer on your desk. There's that extra buzz of excitement as you sit in your tiny cubicle. Or your tiny space along a very large table.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis doesn't appear to be the case for project managers at Amazon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI judge this from a \u003Cem\u003EBusiness Insider\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.businessinsider.com\u002Fformer-amazon-employees-who-work-at-google-share-horror-stories-2022-9\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eexposé\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in which former Amazon employees, now working for Google, talk about their past experiences at Jeff Bezos' happy camp.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Famazon-thought-this-was-a-clever-idea-the-world-just-shook-its-head\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmazon thought this was a clever idea. The world just shook its head\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere were terrible stories of so-called frupidity. This is the glorious blend of frugality and stupidity that seems to infect too many companies. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most pungent complaints, however, came from a former Amazon product manager. It seems that Amazon didn't think these vital employees were worthy of \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8061d0f8-5ee5-4ac1-b5e2-6e551b901bad\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"MacBooks\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Instead, they were given \"subpar Windows laptops.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne can only wonder which particular laptops these might have been. One person's subpar is another person's \"works fine for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut this particular project manager described their pain like this: \"I found it ridiculous because there's no joy in \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"c5cd2c84-d109-493a-9011-af8e984560f5\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fbusiness\u002Fdevices\" data-monetized-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclick.linksynergy.com\u002Fdeeplink?id=IokOf8qagZo&mid=24542&u1=[subid_value]&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.microsoft.com%2Fen-us%2Fwindows%2Fbusiness%2Fdevices\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Windows laptops\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E and when there's no joy, no creativity happens, and when there's no creativity, what's a PM's worth?\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYes, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. Here's how\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI fear several reactions might be incited here.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong them: \"Product managers are supposed to be creative? No way. There's just supposed to make sure the job gets done.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr perhaps: \"Joy? You expect joy when you're a product manager?\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr even: \"You expect joy? You work for Amazon?\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr maybe: \"You're not one of those raving, cultish \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhe-owns-150-macs-now-hes-created-the-one-thing-apple-fans-desperately-need\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple fanpersons\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow much, though, of the product manager's observations might be based on perception and how much on reality?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhp-launches-a-laptop-in-a-way-even-apple-wouldnt-dare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHP launches a laptop in a way even Apple wouldn't dare\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has fought the image of laborious stodginess by creating its own \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-october-12-surface-launch-whats-on-tap\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface brand\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. You might have many views about these devices, but substandard they're not. Creative, they largely are. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"e658c585-db33-46c8-918a-752729fe81da\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fe658c585-db33-46c8-918a-752729fe81da\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndeed, the Surface brand was ahead of the Microsoft brand in standing for something different -- different from Windows' traditional, forced, business-brained dullness.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut if a company insists that all you need is a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-cheap-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echeap Windows laptop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, what does that truly say?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technology a company provides is a signal of respect for the job and the employee. It's also a signal of how the company sees itself -- especially if it's a tech company.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou might be wondering, though, what Google is now providing this product manager. \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-chromebook-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChromebooks\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,\" I hear you mutter.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo, it appears employees get a nice new \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacBook\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with highly palatable specs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat must explain why \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fgoogle-wants-more-old-style-business-attitude-hp-laughs-in-googles-face\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethere's so much joy at Google right now\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"d9187ff5-288d-4569-8b5e-e4f0aa892d83\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fd9187ff5-288d-4569-8b5e-e4f0aa892d83\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-09-25 12:00:02",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Do Windows laptops really make employees unhappy?",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"150bb14f-70c7-473a-9a67-b4732ff0d4f4",image:{id:"42ed18c3-08e3-453d-9a7b-454ea76dae09",filename:"windows-11-pro2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-13 16:50:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"windows 11 screen laptop",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003ESome Windows laptops are lovely. Others, less so.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F13\u002F42ed18c3-08e3-453d-9a7b-454ea76dae09\u002Fwindows-11-pro2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1368,height:770,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"theres-no-joy-in-windows-laptops-claims-macbook-loving-google-employee",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"There's no joy in Windows laptops, claims MacBook-loving Google employee",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1050fa4d-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"google",name:"Google",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ecd0b44e-4aac-4eb4-81c5-581d7e204cdf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you forget your password, you are indistinguishable from a hostile intruder and you will be treated as such, which means you will be locked out from your encrypted data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"Digital generated image of data\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1197243194-digital-generated-image-of-data2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F05\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"2070\" data-image-height=\"1164\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisk encryption is absolute magic to most non-mathematicians. And like any complex technology, it leads to uncomfortable questions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoes encrypting a disk make it less likely that data can be recovered with utilities after a crash? Does encrypting the disk make it more likely to have errors and failures? Does encrypting the disk make it harder to transfer to a bigger boot disk? Just what are the pros and cons for the average PC user in a home or small business without a full-time IT department?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-encrypt-your-email-and-why-you-should\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to encrypt your email and why you should\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"5762da8d-c329-4f79-a304-b8283cabf0fb\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F5762da8d-c329-4f79-a304-b8283cabf0fb\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake no mistake about it, disk encryption is a powerful security precaution. Using strong disk encryption means that your data is under your control and \u003Cem\u003Eonly\u003C\u002Fem\u003E your control. An unauthorized intruder who's able to gain access to that encrypted data but doesn't have proper sign-in credentials (your username and password) or a recovery key is able to see what looks like pure gibberish. And brute-force techniques aren't effective. Even with the assets of the world's most powerful intelligence agencies, it can take years or even centuries to crack that code and decrypt the underlying data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn PCs designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11, the system disk is encrypted by default, but that encryption uses a clear key. The encryption doesn't protect your data unless you sign in with a Microsoft account, which protects the data and also saves a recovery key in OneDrive. On PCs running the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows, you can enable BitLocker Drive Encryption, which is capable of encrypting any disk, including removable drives such as USB flash drives.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-is-how-fast-a-ransomware-attack-encrypts-all-your-files\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThis is how fast a ransomware attack encrypts all your files\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern Macs likewise offer built-in encryption using a feature called FileVault.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd now the bad news: If you forget the password or passphrase that is required to decrypt that data, the encryption software has no way to distinguish you from a hostile intruder, which means you are locked out from your encrypted data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's not a bug, it's a feature. A backdoor that would allow you to recover your data without the decryption key would also be available to an attacker, rendering the data protection useless.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut that's the \u003Cem\u003Eonly\u003C\u002Fem\u003E difference between an encrypted disk and one where the data is stored in the clear. If your drive or controller fails, resulting in data corruption, it doesn't matter whether the data is encrypted or not; you'll need a backup to recover the damaged files. And on modern hardware, encryption and decryption using the AES standard takes place in the CPU, which means that any impact on data transfer speeds is negligible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhich means your biggest challenge is to ensure that you have access to the backup encryption key for your device, for use only in the event of an emergency. On a Mac using Apple's FileVault encryption, you can store the recovery key in iCloud or locally (follow the instructions in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT204837\"\u003Ethis support article\u003C\u002Fa\u003E). For devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow the instructions in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\"\u003EZDNET's BitLocker FAQ\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-encrypt-a-folder-in-macos-to-keep-sensitive-data-from-prying-eyes\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to encrypt a folder in MacOS to keep sensitive data from prying eyes\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake sure you store that recovery key in a safe place. If you can supply that key on demand, you have full access to the data on the encrypted disk.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"867a8602-6dd8-4cb6-b32e-449daea83709\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F867a8602-6dd8-4cb6-b32e-449daea83709\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-26 15:32:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Disk encryption is a powerful security precaution. Is there a downside to it? Here's what you need to know.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"c3d8746a-4b3e-4d3d-81b2-2535168f4f28",image:{id:"ecd0b44e-4aac-4eb4-81c5-581d7e204cdf",filename:"gettyimages-1197243194-digital-generated-image-of-data2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-05-18 18:38:04",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Digital generated image of data",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F05\u002F18\u002Fecd0b44e-4aac-4eb4-81c5-581d7e204cdf\u002Fgettyimages-1197243194-digital-generated-image-of-data2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2070,height:1164,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"does-disk-encryption-slow-down-your-pc",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Does disk encryption slow down your PC?",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"371a7418-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"sjvn",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Steven",lastName:"Vaughan-Nichols",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e2171bd1-84f6-4ca8-9801-2abdeb61a365",filename:"steven-vaughan-nichols.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 18:47:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe2171bd1-84f6-4ca8-9801-2abdeb61a365\u002Fsteven-vaughan-nichols.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols is a freelance writer and technology analyst. Besides ZDNET, he works with Foundry (Formerly IDG Communications), The Register, The New Stack, and Cathey Communications. He does not own stocks or other investments in any technology company.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"1ffbcbe3-76b4-11e4-b569-d4ae52e95e57\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"03-internet-explorer-and-windows-95.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"patch-the-windows-schannel-bug-now.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2014\u002F11\u002F28\" data-image-width=\"620\" data-image-height=\"465\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor longer than some of you have been alive, I've been preaching the gospel of using more secure desktop operating systems. You see, Windows has been insecure since 1985's Windows 1.0, really an MS-DOS extension, rolled out the door. Then, as now, there were more secure options. Then it was Unix desktop operating systems. Today it's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-linux-desktops-for-beginners\u002F\"\u003ELinux desktops\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"a79e7679-c6c7-4a8a-b132-d9c5800e2976\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fa79e7679-c6c7-4a8a-b132-d9c5800e2976\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy hasn't Microsoft ever gotten its security act together? The fundamental problem is that Windows was never, ever meant to work on a network. It worked as a standalone PC operating system. And, even today, 37 years later, the same pre-internet problems keep showing up. Unix and Linux started with the premise that there's more than one user on the system, and you need to secure accounts and programs from other users, local or remote. This has served these operating systems well.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, the developers from Redmond may say they rewrite Windows code from the bottom up to make it more secure. But, they don't. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETake, for example, Microsoft recently patched zero-day remote code execution \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2022-41128\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Scripting Languages Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2022-41128\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECVE-2022-41128,\u003C\u002Fa\u003E With a  Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) rating of 8.8, it's a baddie. This is a Windows JavaScript scripting language security hole. Specifically, it's a hole in Internet Explorer (IE) 11's JScript9 JavaScript engine. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhackers-are-still-finding-and-using-flaws-in-internet-explorer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHackers are still finding -- and using -- flaws in Internet Explorer\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a nasty one. It affects every version of currently supported Windows. That includes everything from Windows 8.1 to all the various Windows Servers and Windows 11. Since it showed up, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Fthreat-analysis-group\u002Finternet-explorer-0-day-exploited-by-north-korean-actor-apt37\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENorth Korean hackers exploited it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to infect South Korean users with malware.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt works by presenting the victims with a malicious document. When an innocent opens the document, it then downloads a rich text file (RTF) remote template. The HTML inside would then be rendered by the IE engine. Then -- ta-da! -- you've got a case of some malware or the other. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG) that found it said, \"This technique has been widely used to distribute IE exploits via Office files since 2017. Delivering IE exploits via this vector has the advantage of not requiring the target to use Internet Explorer as its default browser.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOh, guys, it is so, so much older than that. I described this kind of problem in the long-defunct magazine PC Sources in 1992 when I found it in Windows for WorkGroup 3.1. Then, as now, Windows and its native programs treated document data as programming instructions. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's why according to Atlas VPN, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fatlasvpn.com\u002Fblog\u002Fmicrosoft-office-flaws-exploited-in-nearly-80-of-malware-attacks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft Office remains the most widely exploited software for malware delivery.\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\" How bad is it? Try 78.5% of all attacks. Office on your PC, Office 365, it doesn't matter. They're all open to attacks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, then, what's the elephant in the room I haven't mentioned yet? It's that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fjune-15-its-the-end-of-the-internet-explorer-era\u002F\"\u003EIE retired\u003C\u002Fa\u003E back in June 2022. It's been replaced by Microsoft Edge. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-linux-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best Linux laptops\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, why the heck are all versions of Windows vulnerable to an IE attack in late 2022? Isn't it history? I mean, IE was never in Windows 11, anyway. You'd like to think that, but no matter what version of Windows you're using, the IE engine is still in Windows and still ready to run JavaScript attacks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows's fundamental security flaws have never been fixed. They never will be. Backward compatibility is far more important to Microsoft than security. So, the company continues to play patch a hole. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf, like me, you favor security over backward compatibility, you'll run Linux. Despite what you've heard, Linux is not that hard to use. But, if you'd rather not go to the effort, just \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-chromebook-for-work\u002F\"\u003Ebuy a Chromebook\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Anyone can use a Chromebook, and, since it's based on Linux, it's a lot more secure. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERelated Stories:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-patch-tuesday-fixes-six-critical-vulnerabilities\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft Patch Tuesday fixes six critical vulnerabilities\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fmicrosofts-internet-explorer-browser-is-finally-gone-not-everyone-is-a-happy-about-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft's Internet Explorer browser is finally gone. But not everyone is happy about it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-12-15 21:25:47",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"OPINION: With every Windows release, Microsoft promises better security. And, sometimes, it makes improvements. But then, well then, we see truly ancient security holes show up yet again.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"a1a0f7f0-6801-4d8e-a9f1-3d7b8eeac670",image:{id:"1ffbcbe3-76b4-11e4-b569-d4ae52e95e57",filename:"patch-the-windows-schannel-bug-now.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2014-11-28 04:07:53",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"03-internet-explorer-and-windows-95.jpg",credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2014\u002F11\u002F28\u002F1ffbcbe3-76b4-11e4-b569-d4ae52e95e57\u002Fpatch-the-windows-schannel-bug-now.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:620,height:465,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-still-insecure-after-all-these-years",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows: Still insecure after all these years",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10e2a445-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"networking",name:"Networking",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"c0b51424-0289-47b9-b1df-710d42a76f00\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"A Windows 11 laptop on top of the corner of a Windows 10 laptop\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1238265324-windows-10-and-windows-11-pcs2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F04\u002F14\" data-image-width=\"5740\" data-image-height=\"4305\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis post has been completely updated and republished several times since its initial publication in 2013. Most recent update: Dec. 19, 2022.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd then there were two. Two supported Microsoft desktop operating systems, that is.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs of Jan. 10, 2023, Microsoft will stop issuing security updates for Windows 8.1. (Support for Windows 8 ended seven years earlier, in January 2016.) The Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) program also ends on that date; customers who had paid the ESU subscription price got a three-year extension from the official January 2020 end-of-support date for Windows 7, but the door slams shut once and for all at the start of 2023.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-your-windows-license-legal-should-you-even-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIs your Windows license legal? Should you even care?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat leaves Windows 10 and Windows 11 as the only supported desktop operating systems for Microsoft customers. And the clock is ticking on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which is now less than three years from its expiration date.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's a similar calendar for Microsoft's Office products. Support for Office 2010 ended in October 2020, while Office 2013 support ends in just a few months, on April 11, 2023.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, where do those dates come from, and why does it matter?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has a well-established \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fgp\u002Flifepolicy\"\u003Esupport life cycle\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for its software products. It's basically an agreement that the company makes with everyone who purchases a license to use its core products, Windows (desktop and server) and Office, including the newer subscription-based versions sold under the Microsoft 365 brand.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe assurance of support is especially important for business customers, who tend to be conservative in their approach to upgrades.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-microsoft-office-for-free\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to get Microsoft Office for free\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe support life cycle for each new version of Windows or Office is 10 years, with mainstream support for five years and extended support for another five years. Subscription versions of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-microsoft-365-formerly-office-365-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft 365\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which receive updates and upgrades monthly, play by a different set of rules.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat 10-year support life cycle has evolved in recent years, as Microsoft has emphasized its \"Windows as a service\" and Microsoft 365 subscription models. The Fixed Lifecycle Policy still applies to Office versions up to and including Office 2019. But it's rapidly being supplanted by the Modern Lifecycle Policy, which applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as Office 2021. (For details on the differences, see the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\"\u003EMicrosoft Lifecycle Policy home page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's the rundown on commitments for currently supported client versions of Windows and Office, starting with the newest member of the family.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"ab4d8174-1c19-462e-8150-408880e45b0c\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBecause Windows 11 follows the Modern Policy, it is currently listed as&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Fproducts\u002Fwindows-11-home-and-pro"\u003EIn Support\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, with no defined end date. Each annual feature update, which is released at the end of the calendar year, has its own support life cycle. For Home and Pro editions, the end date for support is two years after a feature update is released. Thus, the original release of Windows 11 Home and Pro, version 21H2, will stop receiving updates on Oct. 10, 2023; the end date for \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-22h2-how-to-get-microsofts-latest-os-update-and-whats-coming-next\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Eversion 22H2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is Oct. 8, 2024. Once those dates arrive, customers need to install a newer feature update to remain in support.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor customers running Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions, the support life cycle for a feature update is three years instead of two. These customers have until Oct. 8, 2024, to update from version 21H2; the end date is Oct. 14, 2025, for version 22H2.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-microsoft-cracking-down-on-windows-11-updates-for-unsupported-hardware\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIs Microsoft cracking down on Windows 11 updates for unsupported hardware?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's possible that Microsoft will follow the Windows 10 timetable and ship a successor to Windows 11 in 2026, around the time that Windows 11 reaches the traditional five-year mainstream support milestone. That scenario is not guaranteed, however. If it does happen, it's reasonable to expect Microsoft to declare an end date to Windows 11 support, with that deadline probably arriving in January 2032.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor an up-to-date list of end-of-service dates for each update, see the official support pages here:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Fproducts\u002Fwindows-11-home-and-pro"\u003EWindows 11 Home and Pro\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;and&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Fproducts\u002Fwindows-11-enterprise-and-education"\u003EWindows 11 Enterprise and Education\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one caveat to all those dates: They apply only to hardware that meets the strict compatibility requirements for Windows 11. If you use one of the documented \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-bypass-windows-11-limits-and-install-on-almost-any-old-pc\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Eworkarounds for installing Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on hardware that falls short of those requirements, Microsoft warns that the hardware is not "entitled" to support. But it will almost certainly still receive security updates along with devices that do pass the compatibility tests.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERetirement date:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ETBD\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How long will Windows 11 be supported?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"686229f2-ec58-4039-9db5-5439bf252431\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn the run-up to the release of Windows 10, many wondered whether Microsoft would take the opportunity to change its established 10-year support life cycle. The answer,&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-commits-to-10-year-support-lifecycle-for-windows-10\u002F"\u003Eas announced with the release of the new operating system in July 2015\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, is no. The Windows 10 support life cycle follows the full 10-year support calendar, with the operating system scheduled for "retirement" on Oct. 14, 2025.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose dates are calculated under the Modern Policy, which requires that the device in question be running a supported feature update. For Windows 10, feature updates were originally released every six months, with a support life cycle that lasted 18 months for each. That resulted in a chaotic support calendar, and customers practically needed a whiteboard to figure out support deadlines.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-debloating-windows-is-not-a-good-idea-and-what-to-do-instead\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy 'debloating' Windows is not a good idea (and what to do instead)\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThanks to a change Microsoft made in 2021, however, you can safely put the whiteboard away. Feature updates are now released annually, just like with Windows 11, in the second half of the calendar year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupport for the last of the semi-annual feature updates, version 21H1, officially ended on Dec. 13, 2022, for all editions. For \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-were-auto-upgrading-more-pcs-to-windows-10-21h2-so-get-ready\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EWindows 10 version 21H2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the end-of-support date varies by edition: Home and Pro is June 13, 2023, while Enterprise and Education support runs a year longer, until June 11, 2024. For \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-windows-10-upgrade-will-be-arriving-on-more-pcs-soon\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Eversion 22H2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the end dates are May 14, 2024, and May 13, 2025, respectively.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe support pages for&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Fproducts\u002Fwindows-10-home-and-pro"\u003EWindows 10 Home and Pro\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;and&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Fproducts\u002Fwindows-10-enterprise-and-education"\u003EWindows 10 Enterprise and Education\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;promise that "Microsoft will continue to support at least one Windows 10 release until October 14, 2025."\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 10-year upgrade cycle for Windows 10 matters most to customers running Long Term Servicing editions in enterprise deployments. For 2015 and 2016, these were called Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB); beginning in 2019, the name changed to Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC). The 2015 and 2016 LTSB releases end support on Oct. 14, 2025, and Oct. 13, 2026, respectively. For Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, the end date is Jan. 9, 2029. Confusingly, Microsoft does not offer extended support for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, which ends support on Jan. 12, 2027.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERetirement date:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOct. 14, 2025\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How long will Windows 10 be supported?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"4937a15c-0287-49c5-9f11-96dedd6e86b4\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's official&nbsp;\u003Ca href="http:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fgp\u002Fmsl-Windows-81"\u003EWindows 8.1 Support Lifecycle Policy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;treats Windows 8.1 as if it were a service pack for Windows 8. (The Windows 8.1 upgrade was delivered for free available through the Windows Store on PCs running Windows 8.) That means the life cycle calculations started when Windows 8 shipped, in 2012.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupport for the original release of Windows 8 ended "two years after the General Availability of the Windows 8.1 update," or Oct. 18, 2015. The extended support phase ends Jan. 10, 2023.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How long will Windows 8.1 be supported?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0c55c114-dd42-45c0-8381-56470f0c0aca\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe Office support life cycle works just like support for Windows, with one important difference. Office desktop apps that are installed as part of a Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) subscription always receive the most current version, which can be installed on up to 10 PCs or Macs, depending on the edition. As long as the subscription is active, the product is supported.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft continues to sell traditional versions of Office with a perpetual license. These products receive regular security and reliability updates but don't qualify for feature upgrades. They also require activation and can only be installed on a single PC.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-ultimate-windows-troubleshooting-trick\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe ultimate Windows troubleshooting trick\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are the support dates for each current member of the Office family sold as a perpetual license product. Note that versions up to and including Office 2019 follow the Fixed Lifecycle Policy and support dates apply to the following editions: Home and Business, Home and Student, Personal, Professional, Professional Academic, Professional Plus, and Standard. Office 2021 follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy, and the support calendar applies only to these editions: Home and Business, Home and Business for Mac, Home and Student, Home and Student for Mac, and Professional.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffice 2021 --&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERetirement date: Oct. 13, 2026\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is the first perpetual-license version of Office that doesn't include a full 10 years of support. On its FAQ page, Microsoft explains the decision: "Software that is a decade old or more … is difficult to secure and inherently less productive. As the pace of change accelerates, it has become imperative to move our software to a more modern cadence."\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffice 2016 and Office 2019 --&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExtended support ends:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOct. 14, 2025\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough these versions were released three years apart, their support schedule ends on the same date.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOffice 2013 --&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExtended support ends: April 11, 2023\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Office 2013 support schedule goes roughly three months past that of Windows 8.1.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How long will my version of Office be supported?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"006a9c20-fae8-49d2-8cf9-0016b2861d59\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFor older versions of Windows and Office, Microsoft provides at least five years of mainstream support, followed by another five years of extended support. These life cycles apply equally to business and home versions of Windows and Office.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGenerally, "supported" means you have access to at least one type of assisted support option (possibly paid) and no-charge security updates through channels like Windows Update and the Download Center.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhats-next-for-windows-cloud-integration-ad-and-subscription-powered-devices\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat's next for Windows: Sweeping new strategy for cloud, ads, devices?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe calculations start with the general availability (GA) date for each product. The official date of retirement for support is the second Tuesday in the first month of the quarter following that anniversary (which also happens to be Patch Tuesday). That grace period typically means a few weeks or months of extra support tacked on at the end of the five- and 10-year support cycles for each product.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Modern Lifecycle Policy, which applies to Windows 10, Windows 11, and Office 2021, no longer follows that calendar. Instead of mainstream and extended support phases, there's simply a retirement date, with regular updates required to maintain support along the way.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo find the official end-of-support date for any Microsoft product, use the&nbsp;\u003Ca href="http:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Flifecycle\u002Fsearch\u002F"\u003EMicrosoft Product Lifecycle Search page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. When you find the entry for a specific product, you can see the general availability date, the retirement dates for mainstream and extended support, and retirement dates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, it's worth noting that the end-of-support date is not a death sentence. PCs running Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are still out there, running merrily (if not securely) along. Likewise, PCs running Windows 10 will not stop working when the clock runs out less than three years from now.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fstill-on-windows-10-version-21h1-dont-expect-any-more-monthly-security-updates-from-microsoft\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStill on Windows 10 21H1? Don't expect any more monthly security updates from Microsoft\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe only difference will be an eerie quiet on the second Tuesday of each month. When the product reaches its retirement date, so do those Patch Tuesday security updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELarge enterprise customers who have custom support agreements with Microsoft and that are willing to pay a very steep price for a Premium Support agreement have, in the past, been allowed to receive custom updates after the official end of support. The last such support agreement for Windows 2000 ended in 2016, more than six years after extended support officially ended, and some large customers with Windows XP and Windows 7 deployment may still be operating under custom support plans, although Microsoft doesn't publicly acknowledge their existence.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut those options have effectively ended for recent versions of Windows and Office, and even the largest customers are required to pay for Microsoft 365 plans, which can include enterprise licensing, if they expect to receive continuing support.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How the fixed support life cycle works\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-12-19 20:01:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"\"Set it and forget it\" is no longer an option for the software that runs your business. For Windows 10, the support clock runs out sooner than you might expect. Here's what you need to know.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"612225a3-3f1a-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",image:{id:"cc9aa17b-b9b5-4e3b-93d9-fbca4954dcaf",filename:"clock-time.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2015-11-17 18:56:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"clock-time.jpg",credits:c,caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2015\u002F11\u002F17\u002Fcc9aa17b-b9b5-4e3b-93d9-fbca4954dcaf\u002Fclock-time.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:610,height:407,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Enterprise Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"when-will-microsoft-pull-the-plug-on-your-version-of-windows-or-office",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"When will Microsoft end support for your version of Windows or Office?",topic:{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bf1fc5fa-8a77-44cb-94d2-d2b56bcb14c3\" data-size=\"small\" data-float=\"right\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"ask-zd-270.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F04\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"270\" data-image-height=\"185\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWelcome to the latest installment of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fask-zdnet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAsk ZDNet\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, where we answer the questions that make your IT guy reach for the Tums. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the mailbag this week: Is the latest, greatest iPhone really worth the higher price tag? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've got a question for the Ask ZDNet editors, we're all ears. Send your questions to ask(at)zdnet(dot)com.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"4cdb4ee7-6560-45c9-8994-a2d0172775c2\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFor iPhone owners, this is always a tricky question. It's always worth checking the incentives offered by your carrier, which might end up making the cost of one model significantly better than you think. If you're considering changing carriers, now is a good time to see what kind of enticements they're offering to get you to switch. You might end up with a new phone for significantly less than you'd pay otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhich model is right for you? We asked ZDNet's iPhone expert, Jason Cipriani, to help spell out the differences:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeciding between an iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can be tough. Both phones are very similar. They both have two rear-facing cameras, the same core display tech, support 5G connectivity and run the latest version of iOS. However, there are some key differences that are sure to help you make your final decision one way or another.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose differences distill down to a new processor, battery life, storage, camera features and -- if it's important to you -- color options. The iPhone 13 comes with Apple's A15 processor while the iPhone 12 has the A14. Those numbers might not mean much, and even though my experience is that the iPhone 13 does perform better, it's not something you should specifically seek out unless your budget allows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iPhone 13 has slightly better battery life (19 hours for the iPhone 13 versus 17 hours for the iPhone 12), and the base storage for the non-Pro models has doubled to start at 128GB, instead of the iPhone 12's 64GB starting point.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iPhone 13's camera also has a few new camera tricks, including Cinematic Mode, which adds depth to your videos. There's also a difference in color options, with the 12's colors being brighter and more vibrant while the iPhone 13's colors are darker, but still look fantastic.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll told, the iPhone 12 is a very similar device to the iPhone 13. If you don't care about the colors, storage, or a couple extra hours of battery and a performance bump, I think you'd be happy with the iPhone 12. However, if any of those factors are important to you, the iPhone 13 is the better investment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESide note:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E For those struggling with a similar decision regarding the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro, then you should know there are some big differences between the two, especially when it comes to display technology.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpecifically, the iPhone 13 Pro line has what Apple calls a ProMotion display, which means that the refresh rate of the screen maxes out at 120Hz compared to 60Hz on the iPhone 12 Pro. The impact of the faster refresh rate is that scrolling through long documents, in apps and even gaming all look smoother. Battery life goes from 17 hours on the iPhone 12 Pro to 22 hours on the iPhone 13 Pro, and you gain the ability to take macro photos using the rear cameras.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\" data-hed=\"I need a new iPhone. Is last year's model good enough?\" data-superlative=\"My three-year-old iPhone suddenly started flaking out on me. If I buy a new one, should I get the latest and greatest? Or should I save a few bucks by getting last year's model?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso see:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-iphone\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe 8 best iPhone models: Which is right for you?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd don't forget, this year's model will become last year's model in September or October. As you approach the launch of a new model, it might be worth waiting to see what surprises the new edition will bring.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGood luck!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESend your questions to ask(at)zdnet(dot)com. Due to the volume of submissions, we can't guarantee a personal reply, but we do promise to read every letter and respond right here to the ones that we think our readers will care about. Be sure to include a working email address in case we have follow-up questions. We promise not to use it for any other purpose.  \u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F734f1f41-08e0-4fd8-932e-a858274833f8\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E \u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-26 13:24:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Got a tech question? Ed Bott and ZDNet's squad of editors and experts probably have the answer.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bb8822a3-6ef9-49c1-86e4-d00895cc0b8f",image:{id:"98124677-f336-421a-883e-b11ef4f5f9f6",filename:"iphone-13-mini.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-11 15:23:20",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Upset man fingers on keyboard",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F11\u002F98124677-f336-421a-883e-b11ef4f5f9f6\u002Fiphone-13-mini.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1296,height:729,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"i-need-a-new-iphone-is-last-years-model-good-enough-ask-zdnet",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"I need a new iPhone. Is last year's model good enough? [Ask ZDNet]",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2a142269-ad72-4347-a8d7-cbab9a2f6346",username:"chris_matyszczyk",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Chris",lastName:"Matyszczyk",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"dc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42",filename:"chris-matyszczyk.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:17:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fdc8b697c-2b0a-4b2d-8ce9-7ff431642a42\u002Fchris-matyszczyk.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who now runs the consultancy Howard Raucous LLC. In 2013, Mediapost named him the Most Influential Person on Madison Avenue. His writing has been published all over the world, most recently on CNET.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6bd6f0c2-58fe-4661-ac11-c130962abadc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EFetching. Very fetching.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(A screenshot from the Microsoft Xbox website)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Chris Matyszczyk\u002FScreenshot\" data-image-alt-text=\"screen-shot-2022-07-13-at-9-36-19-am.png\" data-image-filename=\"screen-shot-2022-07-13-at-9-36-19-am.png\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F07\u002F13\" data-image-width=\"1070\" data-image-height=\"1062\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI feel as if you and I have an unspoken agreement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI don't think about what you're wearing, and you don't think about what I'm wearing either.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's better that way. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F0b19438c-bed7-40a8-84c9-9a85920df167\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fblog\u002Fmicrosoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, however, has a different idea. It wants you to be proud of what you're wearing when you're at your computer or console. Perhaps more importantly, the company wants you to be proud of Microsoft.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat else can one conclude from perusing Microsoft's new \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgear.xbox.com\u002Fpages\u002Fhardwear?utm_source=pocket_mylist\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHardwear Collection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E? A fine name, you'll surely agree.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChanneling its inner Gucci, Microsoft has released this nine-piece wonder in collaboration with Gavin Mathieu, founder of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupervsn.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESupervsn Studios\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShould you have missed out on Supervsn before now, it's \"a Los Angeles-based collective that is focused on creating thought-provoking PRODUCTS, CONTENT, and EXPERIENCES that INSPIRE CREATIVITY. Defined by the intersection between CREATIVITY and REALITY, when ENERGY becomes an IDEA, and an IDEA becomes a REALITY.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWow. That tired me out.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(All those capital letters aren't mine. The ones in quotes, that is.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow, then, does Microsoft want to inspire your creativity? Well, by getting you to pay $150 for tech pants. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with the concept. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's allow Microsoft to enlighten you. Its new \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgear.xbox.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fcargo-tech-pants\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHardwear Tech Cargo Pants\u003C\u002Fa\u003E come in a slightly uncreative selection of colors: green or green.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat makes them specifically tech pants? I'm not entirely sure. All I can give you is Microsoft's own sell: \"'Cargo pants are my go-to item as a creative,' said creative director Gavin Mathieu. This updated staple adds extra pocket placements and other thoughtful features for accessibility. 'You can zip the legs off and have cargo shorts on if you need to. It's versatile so that you can do your thing.'\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour thing may not be my thing or even Mathieu's thing. These tech pants things, though, have specific attributes: \"100% cotton ripstop, Cargo pockets, Waist adjusters, Zip-off leg, Leg print.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShould you still be unconvinced about paying $150 for pants to sit about in all day, may I recommend the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgear.xbox.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fblue-sky-green-hill-tee\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHardwear Blue Sky Green Hill Tee\u003C\u002Fa\u003E? This has a modest front with a Hardwear logo. On the back, however -- did you get there already? -- is the Windows XP bliss wallpaper. Yours for a mere $60.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sell is, again, pulsating: \"'I grew up with this iconic image as a symbol of potential, opportunity, and hope,' said Gavin Mathieu of the Microsoft computer background. The creative director of Supervsn designed the Blue Sky Green Hill tee with the wayward mouse included. 'A nod to thinking outside the box.' Explore this design in black and mustard colorways.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo very outside the box and the very definition of irresistible for many, I imagine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has done a fine job of changing its image since the dour, cold-hearted Bill Gates days. A little warmth from your CEO, a more inviting sense of design from your hardware and even a finer aesthetic for your software can come together and lift your brand spirits.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou, too, then can change your image and bring more \"ENERGY\" and \"CREATIVITY\" to your look.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be surprised how hopeful it'll make you feel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-07-14 12:00:01",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft wants to become more fashionable. Hey, how about a Windows XP t-shirt for $60, too?",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"bd9c942f-1abf-45c9-bd3c-4a2712d82380",image:{id:"6bd6f0c2-58fe-4661-ac11-c130962abadc",filename:"screen-shot-2022-07-13-at-9-36-19-am.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-07-13 16:36:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"screen-shot-2022-07-13-at-9-36-19-am.png",credits:"A screenshot from the Microsoft Xbox website",caption:"\u003Cp\u003EFetching. Very fetching.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(A screenshot from the Microsoft Xbox website)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F07\u002F13\u002F6bd6f0c2-58fe-4661-ac11-c130962abadc\u002Fscreen-shot-2022-07-13-at-9-36-19-am.png",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1070,height:1062,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Business^Companies^Microsoft",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-is-selling-tech-pants-for-150-wait-what-are-tech-pants",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft is selling tech pants for $150. (Wait, what are tech pants?)",topic:{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ef01233a-1673-4bcd-8b3d-f2ccfaf48cf0\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E&nbsp;Relax: If you reinstall Windows Pro, the activation servers will restore the activation without a squawk.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Getty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"user's head behind screen\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-107741308-users-head-behind-screen.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"5040\" data-image-height=\"2835\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are many reasons why you might want to use the reset option to give your Windows-based PC a fresh start. Maybe you've been running Insider preview releases and you want to return to the stability of the General Availability channel. Perhaps you're handing down an old PC to another family member and you want to clean off all traces of your old installation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've spent the past week or two resetting an office full of Windows PCs, and one minor problem came up multiple times. When the reset was finished, I discovered that I was running Windows Home edition. That's the edition that was on this PC when I acquired it, but one of the first things I did was to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, and I have no idea where that product key is now.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwant-to-ditch-windows-windowsfx-may-be-the-ideal-linux-distribution-for-you\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWant to ditch Windows? Windowsfx may be the ideal Linux distribution for you\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is a surprisingly common occurrence, especially given how many PC makers try to shave a few dollars off the price of their hardware by installing the much less expensive Home edition. (Even Microsoft! The new Surface Pro 9, for example, is available only with Windows 11 Home edition.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the OEM built that PC, it embedded the licensing information for the preinstalled Home edition in the BIOS of the system. When you do a full reset, that's the information that's used for the installation. As far as Windows is concerned, it's putting things back to where they were when you bought the system, based on the embedded version information it found.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe good news is that Microsoft's activation servers also contain details for your Windows Pro upgrade. When you entered the product key to perform that upgrade the first time, those servers created a second activation record along with a hash that identifies your system based on its unique hardware. If you reinstall Windows Pro on that system, even without a product key, the activation servers will restore the activation without a squawk. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"12875ebd-8bd1-4933-9db5-bce83a7b56fe\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"right\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Ed Bott\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows 11 activation screen\" data-image-filename=\"ask-zdnet-06-24-activation.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2022\u002F06\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"671\" data-image-height=\"658\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this case, the simplest solution is to use Microsoft's generic product key for Windows Pro to quickly upgrade from Home to Pro. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGo to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings > System > Activation.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Click to expand the section labeled \u003Cstrong\u003EUpgrade your edition of Windows,\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and then click the button labeled \u003Cstrong\u003EChange\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E; it's just to the right of the \u003Cstrong\u003EChange product key\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E heading, as shown here. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnter this product key in the dialog box that appears next:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollow the prompts to complete the upgrade. After you restart and connect to the Internet, you should have a fully activated Windows Pro installation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's nothing magical about that product key. If you use it to upgrade a system running Home edition that has never been activated for Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, you'll get an activation error, and the only way to recover is to enter a valid (Microsoft calls it \"genuine\") product key that entitles you to the upgrade.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if you want to skip this song and dance in the future, try reinstalling from a bootable USB flash drive. When you run the setup, choose the option to skip entering a product key, which then lets you choose the exact edition you want to install.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E \u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2022-10-20 13:53:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"When you reset a PC that originally shipped with Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home edition, the activation process might restore that edition. Fortunately, it's easy to restore your Pro upgrade.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"3de49a67-5dad-44f2-952b-a2a215a84a7f",image:{id:"ef01233a-1673-4bcd-8b3d-f2ccfaf48cf0",filename:"gettyimages-107741308-users-head-behind-screen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-06-16 18:02:51",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"user's head behind screen",credits:"Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F16\u002Fef01233a-1673-4bcd-8b3d-f2ccfaf48cf0\u002Fgettyimages-107741308-users-head-behind-screen.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:5040,height:2835,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"when-i-reset-my-windows-pc-i-ended-up-with-home-edition-how-do-i-get-my-pro-upgrade-back",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"You reset your Windows PC and ended up with Home edition. Here's how to get your Pro upgrade back",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"2c87ef21-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"jperlow",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jason",lastName:"Perlow",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"8ee616a1-94ee-439e-9574-58f014ae5ef0",filename:"jason-perlow.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:08:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002F8ee616a1-94ee-439e-9574-58f014ae5ef0\u002Fjason-perlow.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jason Perlow is a technologist with over two decades of experience integrating large heterogeneous multi-vendor computing environments in Fortune 500 companies. His expressed views do not necessarily represent those of his employer, The Linux Foundation.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the 36-year history of Microsoft Windows, we've had wildly popular releases such as Windows 3.1 (1992), which was the first to take off and jumpstarted the PC GUI revolution. We had Windows 95 (1995), the first Internet-enabled Windows out of the box, which had a built-in web browser, the ability to run 32-bit applications, and its iconic Start Menu that persists to this day. We had Windows XP (2001), the first consumer-facing, truly protected mode, multithreaded, preemptive multitasking 32-bit Windows operating system, which had the longest lifecycle of any Windows OS to date.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll of these were successful releases, but we've also had some real clunkers as well. Some of these were early versions of technologies that were to be exploited in more refined iterations, later on, not yet ready for prime time. But some of these were just plain... bad. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe've presented these OS disasters chronologically -- not in the order of how much they suck. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"6a109895-0506-40a9-b3ea-5b248e9347d7\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft already had some experience with GUIs, having worked with Apple to develop applications for the Mac in 1984. So the company tried its hand at making its own GUI that would sit on top of DOS. It was a graphical multitasking shell that could also run DOS programs and apps specifically written for Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe press universally hated it because of performance-related issues and a lack of resources for new users. In addition, most PCs at the time couldn't run it because their hardware specifications weren't powerful enough. But hey, it was a 1.0 product.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows 1.0\" data-superlative=\"Release Date: November 1985\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"cmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"db9b07b8-1bd3-4451-9365-7bd336f4d7dd","title":"","filename":"cmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002Fdb9b07b8-1bd3-4451-9365-7bd336f4d7dd\u002Fcmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","caption":null,"size":218811,"width":620,"height":339,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 09:10:42","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"","alt":"cmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"db9b07b8-1bd3-4451-9365-7bd336f4d7dd","imageAltText":"cmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"cmwindows1-0jul15a.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":620,"imageHeight":339,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"3f34b079-8ee8-4720-8948-31c894103759\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWindows 2.10 came in two different flavors, one for the Intel 80286 16-bit processor and the other for the Intel 80386 32-bit processor. The 386 version allowed it to run in protected mode, above which applications and the GUI ran as a virtual task in the 8086 instruction set. This allowed it to have a limited form of preemptive multitasking, which was a significant technological improvement for PC OSes. MS-DOS could only run one application simultaneously; Windows 386 allowed DOS apps to run in the background instead of suspended, although timing-sensitive apps had issues.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, Windows 386 had significant stability issues. For example, its memory manager was incompatible with DOS memory managers, such as QEMM or the DOS Extenders needed by applications such as Lotus 1-2-3, the most popular spreadsheet. \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F1991s-pc-technology-was-unbelievable\u002F"\u003ESo that meant that if you wanted to use those apps, you would need a boot floppy and need to reboot into DOS to run them\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. It's inconceivable now that end-users put up with this stuff, but we did. You also couldn't page out to virtual disk if you started to run out of memory. Some of these issues were rectified in Windows 3.0, which followed in 1990.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows\u002F386 2.10\" data-superlative=\"Release date: May 1988\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"cmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"","imageData":{"id":"a36d827e-fc1a-4895-9398-56aa39185e6a","title":"","filename":"cmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002Fa36d827e-fc1a-4895-9398-56aa39185e6a\u002Fcmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","caption":null,"size":196976,"width":512,"height":384,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 09:39:10","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"","alt":"cmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"a36d827e-fc1a-4895-9398-56aa39185e6a","imageAltText":"cmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"cmwindows2-0jul15b.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":512,"imageHeight":384,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"46e9c5e6-0856-4ef0-9fb9-e4516673f53e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EAlthough this OS is the basis for the kernel that all modern versions of Windows currently are based on, this was a major sea change for the platform, and it had a rocky start. Initially started as a re-write of the OS\u002F2 3.0 operating system that IBM and Microsoft collaborated on, the two companies parted ways, and Microsoft decided to take Windows NT in its own direction, hiring Dave Cutler from DEC, the architect of the VMS operating system, to run the core development team. While the OS shared an identical Windowing interface with Windows 3.1, the popular business version of Windows that ran on top of DOS, the two systems were extremely different architecturally. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows NT was a native protected mode, multiprocessor-capable, multithreaded, multiuser, processor architecture-independent, true preemptive multitasking OS, but it needed to run Win32 apps written specifically to take advantage of those features. 16-bit Windows apps from Windows 3.1 could run on it, but they ran slowly and not very well -- and DOS compatibility was horrible. In addition, Windows NT 3.1 was expensive (the workstation version was $500), had substantial minimum hardware requirements for the time (a 386 processor and 12MB of memory), and ran best on non-Intel systems such as DEC Alpha and the MIPS. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows NT 3.1\" data-superlative=\"Release date: July 1993\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"cmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJuly 27, 1993\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows NT was born from the wreckage of Microsoft's ill-fated OS\u002F2 partnership with IBM. It was built from the ground up under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, although later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"d68dbae9-473d-4121-98ba-5d1243d4582a","title":"Windows NT 3.1","filename":"cmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002Fd68dbae9-473d-4121-98ba-5d1243d4582a\u002Fcmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJuly 27, 1993\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows NT was born from the wreckage of Microsoft's ill-fated OS\u002F2 partnership with IBM. It was built from the ground up under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, although later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":176365,"width":620,"height":465,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 10:44:25","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Microsoft","alt":"cmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"d68dbae9-473d-4121-98ba-5d1243d4582a","imageAltText":"cmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJuly 27, 1993\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows NT was born from the wreckage of Microsoft's ill-fated OS\u002F2 partnership with IBM. It was built from the ground up under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, although later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Microsoft","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"cmwindowsnt3-1jul15d.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":620,"imageHeight":465,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJuly 27, 1993\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows NT was born from the wreckage of Microsoft's ill-fated OS\u002F2 partnership with IBM. It was built from the ground up under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, although later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Microsoft\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"8f1301c3-635f-418c-b7f8-e3944b7cfac1\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWindows Millennium Edition, or ME, was introduced as an interim refresh of Windows 98 (a refresh of Windows 95) before the NT platform switchover to Windows XP. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt included updated versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media player, which were add-ons for Windows 98 and Windows 95. While this sounded good on paper, Windows Me was heavily panned because it was unstable, lacked support for legacy real-mode apps that previous versions had, and did not exploit modern PC hardware the way Windows 2000, the business OS Microsoft was shipping at the time, did. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt wasn't until about a year later that the NT-based Windows XP shipped, which became the most successful version of Windows in history.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows Me\" data-superlative=\"Release date: September 2000\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"cmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeptember 14, 2000\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last of the DOS-based Windows 9x line, Millennium Edition is widely regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support, but did include the useful System Restore feature, which allowed users to take the system back to a previous stable configuration. Just as well, because the hurriedly released Windows ME was notorious for being buggy and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMinimum system specifications for Windows ME were a 150MHz Pentium processor with 300MHz recommended, 32MB of RAM with 64MB recommended, and 320MB of hard disk space with 2GB recommended. It could address up to 1.5GB of RAM.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"7f882e87-eff6-4501-8335-2956bf6d4077","title":"Windows ME","filename":"cmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002F7f882e87-eff6-4501-8335-2956bf6d4077\u002Fcmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeptember 14, 2000\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last of the DOS-based Windows 9x line, Millennium Edition is widely regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support, but did include the useful System Restore feature, which allowed users to take the system back to a previous stable configuration. Just as well, because the hurriedly released Windows ME was notorious for being buggy and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMinimum system specifications for Windows ME were a 150MHz Pentium processor with 300MHz recommended, 32MB of RAM with 64MB recommended, and 320MB of hard disk space with 2GB recommended. It could address up to 1.5GB of RAM.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":18395,"width":457,"height":322,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 11:26:32","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Microsoft","alt":"cmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"7f882e87-eff6-4501-8335-2956bf6d4077","imageAltText":"cmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeptember 14, 2000\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last of the DOS-based Windows 9x line, Millennium Edition is widely regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support, but did include the useful System Restore feature, which allowed users to take the system back to a previous stable configuration. Just as well, because the hurriedly released Windows ME was notorious for being buggy and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMinimum system specifications for Windows ME were a 150MHz Pentium processor with 300MHz recommended, 32MB of RAM with 64MB recommended, and 320MB of hard disk space with 2GB recommended. It could address up to 1.5GB of RAM.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Microsoft","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"cmwindowsmejul15i.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":457,"imageHeight":322,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeptember 14, 2000\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last of the DOS-based Windows 9x line, Millennium Edition is widely regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support, but did include the useful System Restore feature, which allowed users to take the system back to a previous stable configuration. Just as well, because the hurriedly released Windows ME was notorious for being buggy and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMinimum system specifications for Windows ME were a 150MHz Pentium processor with 300MHz recommended, 32MB of RAM with 64MB recommended, and 320MB of hard disk space with 2GB recommended. It could address up to 1.5GB of RAM.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Microsoft\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7de1707f-9d0d-4c8e-8c82-e4b3aa21c274\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ESimply mention "Windows Vista" in casual conversation in tech industry circles, and you will get laughs and snickers -- that's how bad a reputation this OS release had. Why was it so awful? High system requirements and onerous licensing terms, longer boot times, software compatibility issues, the use of new DRM technologies, and an extremely annoying and overly-prompting User Account Control feature made this release one tough pill to swallow were the top complaints at the time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile Vista gets a bad rap, many of the architectural changes introduced still exist in modern versions of Windows today, and Windows 7, one of the most successful Windows releases, is essentially a cleaned-up, streamlined Windows Vista.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows Vista\" data-superlative=\"Release date: January 2007\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary 30, 2007\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista's codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeatures that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"1db8b589-69ba-42e3-99c7-b277eb9cfac3","title":"Windows Vista","filename":"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002F1db8b589-69ba-42e3-99c7-b277eb9cfac3\u002Fcmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary 30, 2007\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista’s codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeatures that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":237190,"width":620,"height":465,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 13:36:25","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fjpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Microsoft","alt":"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"1db8b589-69ba-42e3-99c7-b277eb9cfac3","imageAltText":"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary 30, 2007\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista's codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeatures that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Microsoft","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":620,"imageHeight":465,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary 30, 2007\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista's codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeatures that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Microsoft\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"7668808c-2c59-4fba-94ce-bb7a767302c5\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EWhile the core of the OS wasn't much different than Windows 7 -- by far the most successful Windows operating system in recent memory aside from Windows 10 -- the blocky, animated "Metro" user interface, with its live tiles and eschewed the popular "Start menu" certainly turned out to be a major disaster. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft tried to unify the Windows 8 interface with Metro on desktops and tablets, and even Windows Phone, but it didn't catch on. Live Tiles persisted in Windows 10 less prominently and are being unceremoniously ripped out in Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows 8\" data-superlative=\"Release date: August 2012\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"windows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOctober 25, 2012\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 8 came in three 32-bit and 64-bit x86 editions: Windows 8, W8 Pro and W8 Enterprise – plus a fourth, Windows RT for ARM-based systems. The Enterprise edition was only available to Software Assurance customers, and included the Windows To Go feature for creating secure bootable USB flash drives. Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's primary focus for Windows 8 was to accommodate touchscreen devices such as tablets and laptop\u002Ftablet hybrids, which it did via the flat, tile-based interface formerly known as Metro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe traditional Windows 7-like Desktop, minus the Start button, was still present, but the system booted into the new-look Start screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Microsoft","imageData":{"id":"fd6e534c-341d-417b-a3c8-385355673e37","title":"Windows 8","filename":"windows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002Ffd6e534c-341d-417b-a3c8-385355673e37\u002Fwindows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOctober 25, 2012\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 8 came in three 32-bit and 64-bit x86 editions: Windows 8, W8 Pro and W8 Enterprise – plus a fourth, Windows RT for ARM-based systems. The Enterprise edition was only available to Software Assurance customers, and included the Windows To Go feature for creating secure bootable USB flash drives. Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's primary focus for Windows 8 was to accommodate touchscreen devices such as tablets and laptop\u002Ftablet hybrids, which it did via the flat, tile-based interface formerly known as Metro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe traditional Windows 7-like Desktop, minus the Start button, was still present, but the system booted into the new-look Start screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":68535,"width":620,"height":465,"dateCreated":{"date":"2015-07-23 14:10:49","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2017-05-10 16:54:20","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Microsoft","alt":"windows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"fd6e534c-341d-417b-a3c8-385355673e37","imageAltText":"windows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOctober 25, 2012\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 8 came in three 32-bit and 64-bit x86 editions: Windows 8, W8 Pro and W8 Enterprise – plus a fourth, Windows RT for ARM-based systems. The Enterprise edition was only available to Software Assurance customers, and included the Windows To Go feature for creating secure bootable USB flash drives. Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's primary focus for Windows 8 was to accommodate touchscreen devices such as tablets and laptop\u002Ftablet hybrids, which it did via the flat, tile-based interface formerly known as Metro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe traditional Windows 7-like Desktop, minus the Start button, was still present, but the system booted into the new-look Start screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Microsoft","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"windows-8-x64-2012-03-01-08-51-03b.png","imageDateCreated":"2015\u002F07\u002F23","imageWidth":620,"imageHeight":465,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOctober 25, 2012\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 8 came in three 32-bit and 64-bit x86 editions: Windows 8, W8 Pro and W8 Enterprise – plus a fourth, Windows RT for ARM-based systems. The Enterprise edition was only available to Software Assurance customers, and included the Windows To Go feature for creating secure bootable USB flash drives. Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's primary focus for Windows 8 was to accommodate touchscreen devices such as tablets and laptop\u002Ftablet hybrids, which it did via the flat, tile-based interface formerly known as Metro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe traditional Windows 7-like Desktop, minus the Start button, was still present, but the system booted into the new-look Start screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Microsoft\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"12c63f37-9e25-4235-997d-98ba95f89d91\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIt may be too early to tell if Windows 11 is to become one of the most hated releases ever, as it hasn't even been released yet. But the signs aren't promising for many PC users running Windows 10 that hoped to take this upgrade with minimal impact: that's based on its current system requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module running at version 2.0 and the elimination of all Intel x86 systems Generation 7 and earlier. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese Intel chips shipped beginning in August 2016 and are still sold in retail channels, including Microsoft's Surface Studio systems. Unfortunately, so many PCs will be left out. To quote ZDNet columnist David Gewirtz, the affected systems will "\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-windows-11-means-well-be-stuck-with-millions-of-windows-10-zombies\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Ebecome the walking dead."\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReady or not, Windows 11 is on target to leave stranded hundreds of millions of systems on Windows 10 -- which will still be supported until January of 2025. The sheer amount of bad will created by a software upgrade that essentially doesn't seem like much more than a user interface update is \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwill-your-pc-run-windows-11-even-microsoft-cant-say-for-sure\u002F"\u003Erubbing many Microsoft diehards the wrong way.\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Windows 11\" data-superlative=\"Release date: Fall 2021\" data-imagegroup=\"{"alt":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003ECan you hear it? Can you feel it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","credits":"Screenshot by ZDNet","imageData":{"id":"283aee81-8d79-4812-b897-46d83ffa4b12","title":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm","filename":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","path":"https:\u002F\u002Fgcp-prod-image-resizer.zdnet.com\u002Fi\u002F2021\u002F06\u002F10\u002F283aee81-8d79-4812-b897-46d83ffa4b12\u002Fscreen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","caption":"\u003Cp\u003ECan you hear it? Can you feel it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","size":656716,"width":1606,"height":870,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-06-10 22:59:32","timezone":"UTC"},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2021-06-10 22:59:53","timezone":"UTC"},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image\u002Fpng","deleted":false,"credits":"Screenshot by ZDNet","alt":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"283aee81-8d79-4812-b897-46d83ffa4b12","imageAltText":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","imageCaption":"\u003Cp\u003ECan you hear it? Can you feel it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","imageCredit":"Screenshot by ZDNet","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"screen-shot-2021-06-10-at-3-59-10-pm.png","imageDateCreated":"2021\u002F06\u002F10","imageWidth":1606,"imageHeight":870,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}\" data-overridecaption=\"\u003Cp\u003ECan you hear it? Can you feel it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-overridecredit=\"Screenshot by ZDNet\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"gallery\" data-uuid=\"ac441591-0ba1-46c2-9c8a-ab675f762828\" data-float=\"none\" data-size=\"large\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDid we miss anything? And if we were to sort these by reputation -- from bad to worst -- what would the correct sort order be? \u003Cem\u003ETalkback\u003C\u002Fem\u003E below to let us know. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"codesnippet\" data-code=\"PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vb3Blbi5zcG90aWZ5LmNvbS9lbWJlZC9lcGlzb2RlLzNDbXdqdjl2Y2hMY3VESmRhZzJLQjE\u002FdD0wIiB3aWR0aD0iMTAwJSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNTIiIGZyYW1lQm9yZGVyPSIwIiBhbGxvd3RyYW5zcGFyZW5jeT0idHJ1ZSIgYWxsb3c9ImVuY3J5cHRlZC1tZWRpYSI+PC9pZnJhbWU+\" data-encoding=\"base64\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F11d06a52-f745-42cd-a335-edf5631018f1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2021-06-28 15:20:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Not every version would be as beloved as Windows XP or Windows 7. In our humble opinion, these are the seven worst Windows releases ever.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"8c7ed584-b5e7-49fd-a690-74f2a602c2fe",image:{id:"1db8b589-69ba-42e3-99c7-b277eb9cfac3",filename:"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2015-07-23 13:36:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"cmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg",credits:"Microsoft",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanuary 30, 2007\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows Vista had a convoluted gestation, a delayed birth and a relatively short life, and retains a reputation as a particularly ill-conceived Windows release.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe main complaints centred on security features, digital rights management, hardware requirements and performance, and software compatibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter a false start on the XP code base, Longhorn (Vista's codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeatures that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F23\u002F1db8b589-69ba-42e3-99c7-b277eb9cfac3\u002Fcmwindowsvistajul15l.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:620,height:465,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"most-hated-microsoft-windows-releases-a-retrospective",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11, the latest of Microsoft's most hated Windows releases. Too soon?",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"9a23272b-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"David Gewirtz",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"David",lastName:"Gewirtz",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"de4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945",filename:"david-gewirtz.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:19:52",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fde4475ef-be59-4858-beb8-6f7696c85945\u002Fdavid-gewirtz.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"In addition to hosting the ZDNET Government and ZDNet DIY-IT blogs, David Gewirtz is an author, U.S. policy advisor, and computer scientist. He is featured in The History Channel special The President's Book of Secrets, is one of America's foremost cyber-security experts, and is a top expert on saving and creating jobs. He is also director of the U.S. Strategic Perspective Institute as well as the founder of ZATZ Publishing.\r\n\r\nDavid is a member of FBI InfraGard, the Cyberwarfare Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, and has been a regular CNN contributor, and a guest commentator for the Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. He is the author of Where Have All the Emails Gone?, the definitive study of email in the White House, as well as How To Save Jobs and The Flexible Enterprise, the classic book that served as a foundation for today's agile business movement.",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"950fb15a-67fd-4ed2-9176-4d878f7f5283\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Image: Apple\" data-image-alt-text=\"Person using Macbook Pro\" data-image-filename=\"macbook-pro.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F01\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1960\" data-image-height=\"1102\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack in the day, there used to be a lot of debate about which operating system was better. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-mac-or-linux-we-compare-the-pros-and-cons-of-these-computing-platforms\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELinux, Windows, and MacOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E all had their staunch fans. But over the years, as each OS just got better and better, the fanboy battles seemed to fade away. Thankfully.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F77635b39-fa40-48b8-b215-00cf0ab2ae6a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPersonally, I use all three -- each for its own purpose. Today, my main productivity computer is a Mac, mostly because I use a few software tools that only run on Macs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI use my Windows machine to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhands-on-building-the-next-generation-x-carve-cnc-build-log\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erun my CNC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and for applications that don't run well on Macs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen I had time for gaming, I also used a Windows machine for those Triple-A gaming titles that only work well on PCs. And I use Linux to run my servers -- both at home \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F3d-printing-hands-on-adding-a-case-and-a-camera-to-the-raspberry-pi-and-lulzbot-mini\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edriving my 3D printers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and in the cloud hosting my websites. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFolks coming from other operating systems don't always have the ability to see everything that's available to get their jobs done, especially when those capabilities come from the wider ecosystem, rather than the OS vendor.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMacOS, with its very rich developer community, is often the subject of misconceptions and misunderstandings. I recently read an article from a Windows user entitled, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.neowin.net\u002Feditorials\u002Fi-wanted-to-love-macos-for-a-change-but-i-now-appreciate-windows-even-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI wanted to love macOS for a change, but I now appreciate Windows even more\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,\" that spotlights some things users miss when they first try Apple's OS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdid-an-sos-satellite-icon-just-appear-on-your-iphone-heres-why\u002F\"\u003EDid an SOS satellite icon just appear on your iPhone? Here's why\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the record, I don't \"love\" any of the operating systems. Some days, I wish I could escape away from computers completely, disconnect from all things digital, and go live in a nice yurt in the woods. I'm betting my editor is, right now, trying to decide whether to leave this paragraph in, all the while nodding in agreement with the sentiment. We've all felt that way. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's get started. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Claim: Missing app preview \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApp preview is a handy Windows feature where, when you hover over a dock icon for an actively running application, a little preview is shown. In the case of media apps like Spotify, the preview window also provides playback controls. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe article's writer says, \"When I listen to Spotify, I am so used to using the play, pause, forward, and backward buttons from that tiny thumbnail preview. It is so convenient that way versus how macOS does it.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe article complains that this feature is not available on the Mac. This is technically true, in that the feature doesn't come with MacOS itself. But as Stardock demonstrated back in the Windows world, folks will often pay for add-on tools that customize their computing experience. I think I bought every utility Stardock ever sold. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcool-things-you-can-do-with-the-linux-desktop-that-you-cant-do-with-macos-or-windows\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECool things you can do with the Linux desktop that you can't do with MacOS or Windows\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the Mac's case, there's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"b0e7d181-8f07-4447-87b0-ad3427784722\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbahoom.com\u002Fhyperdock\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"a little $10 add-on called HyperDock\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Once installed, it just works. As long as you visit an application once, HyperDock can display a thumbnail. Below, you can see how ZDNET, my development environment, and Spotify all have very nice previews. And Spotify even has those playback control buttons. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"13116d96-d234-4257-8b42-ffd2cc7109a9\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you have multiple browser windows, HyperDock will show them. From left to right, Chrome, PhpStorm (a coding tool), and Spotify.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Using HyperDock to view multiple windows\" data-image-filename=\"hyperdock.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F01\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"2454\" data-image-height=\"716\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Claim: Missing clipboard history \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother point the writer laments is the lack of a clipboard history feature in MacOS. They say that Windows keeps a record of items you cut or copy, so you can go back later and paste a previously cut item, even if it's not the most recent. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe writer says, \"Windows saves them in the Clipboard until you turn off your PC. In macOS Ventura or any previous version of the OS, you can only see the most recent text you have copied. Despite being exorbitantly priced, it is a shame that a Mac does not offer a decent first-party clipboard management tool.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs it turns out, there are quite a few excellent clipboard management tools for the Mac. If the writer has already blown their budget on an \"exorbitantly priced\" Mac Mini (which is what the writer bought), I'd recommend a fine \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmacmost.com\u002Fcliptools\"\u003Eadd-on called ClipTools\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which is a free download from the Mac App Store. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-buy-apples-new-macbook-pro-and-mac-mini-and-skip-the-line\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to buy Apple's new MacBook Pro and Mac Mini and skip the line\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd, for the record, an \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"7b3b380b-4298-43e1-87ae-2b69bbbadeb9\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apple.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuy-mac\u002Fmac-mini\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"M2 Mac Mini\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E can be had for as little as $599, which provides a whole lot of bang for the buck compared to most any PC at that price and performance point. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"0b8fb844-4874-49e0-9d7b-96a8f18b2bee\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EClipTools has a ton of settings. So if you want more saved clipboards, you can have them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Clipboards that are saved\" data-image-filename=\"cleanshot-2023-01-22-at-17-39-552x.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F01\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"1056\" data-image-height=\"1124\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Mac has long had a bunch of really excellent clipboard management add-ons. When I need to cut and paste a sequence of items, I use a $12.99 tool called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftapbots.com\u002Fpastebot\u002F\"\u003EPastebot\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Another tool I use is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Funclutterapp.com\u002F\"\u003EUnclutter\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This $20 add-on provides a very quick way to manage notes, clips, and files. I use it to jot down notes while I'm coding and because the notes drop down from the menu bar, they're never in the way. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Claim: Missing multitasking \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo this one is baffling. And I'll be honest. I can't figure out where the writer got this from: \"macOS Ventura does not allow you to use more than two apps at the same time.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOkay. So. Wow. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can use so many apps at once on the Mac that it can freeze your brain. Obviously, the amount of RAM you have in your system has some influence on this, but I used a \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"8846d4ce-806f-41e7-8991-ca4a224a1ba9\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002FApple-Mini-Chip-256GB-Storage\u002Fdp\u002FB08TDNXTVK\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"16GB M1 Mac\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E as my main development machine for a few years and often had ten or more applications open at once. Coding requires a lot of tools to run, and even a Mac with 16GB gets it done. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapple-mac-mini-2023-vs-mac-studio\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApple Mac Mini (2023) vs Mac Studio: Is M2 really better than M1?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-bought-a-mac-studio-here-are-the-specs-i-chose-and-why\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI'm now running a Mac Studio with 64GB RAM\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and haven't found anything that slows me down, not even doing multi-stream 4K video editing while also doing 3D modeling, image editing, and coding -- all at once. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"79855434-19cd-4b2f-baf2-bcf85b04a8d6\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ESo let's see. My PhpStorm development environment is running way in the back. Photoshop is open. There's an FTP client and a terminal window. There's also the screenshot program running which grabbed this image. And this is tame compared to how crazy it can get. Yeah, the Mac can run more than two apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"David Gewirtz\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Multiple apps running on Mac\" data-image-filename=\"david-bash-80x24-2023-01-22-17-58-09.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F01\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"2560\" data-image-height=\"1404\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven iPads are no longer limited to two apps. The Apple Silicon iPads allow two side-by-side apps to be open, and a third through a slide-out sidebar. With Stage Manager, Apple Silicon iPads can run four apps at once. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-split-screen-on-ipad-for-multitasking\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to split-screen on iPad for multitasking\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've been trying to figure out how the writer might have been so wrong about the number of apps that can run on the Mac and the only thing I can come up with is he used the side-by-side \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT204948\"\u003ESplit View\u003C\u002Fa\u003E interface exclusively. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut Split View doesn't happen organically when you open an application. You have to explicitly tell the apps to tile. So I can't imagine the writer never figured out that multiple windows open up since it's nearly impossible to not open multiple windows. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Claim: The missing link \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows supports a helpful feature called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-to-rebrand-your-phone-as-phone-link\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPhone Link\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that allows Samsung Galaxy phones and Windows PCs to talk to each other. It allows messages, calls, notifications, and files to sync. Microsoft says the feature is limited to Samsung phones, but the writer says that a subset of features is available to other Android phones as well. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"7610e33e-ff80-4eee-aae9-f1fad8deba1a\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F7610e33e-ff80-4eee-aae9-f1fad8deba1a\" data-float=\"right\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe article does acknowledge that \"macOS and iPhone work great together, too,\" but states, \"I strongly feel Apple should also make necessary compromises to let Microsoft bring the 'Phone Link' experience to the Apple ecosystem.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple's version of Phone Link is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT204681\"\u003EContinuity\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Continuity provides a ton of features that work across the entire ecosystem. Perhaps the one I use most is a shared clipboard. I'll often cut or copy something on my iPhone and paste it on my Mac. But there are a bunch of shared features. The most notable addition to Ventura is the ability to use the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fapples-continuity-webcam-changes-everything-heres-how-to-use-it\u002F\"\u003EiPhone camera as a webcam\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ee02d01a-7c7e-497f-a0e0-7ec7bc0ebd89\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EApple's list of Continuity features.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Apple\" data-image-alt-text=\"Continuity features with descriptions listed\" data-image-filename=\"use-continuity-to-connect-your-mac-iphone-ipad-and-apple-watch-apple-support-2023-01-22-18-13-52.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F01\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"787\" data-image-height=\"1146\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat the writer is saying, though, is that there is a form of ecosystem lock. This is true on both Mac and Windows. Windows doesn't support Phone Link for iPhones, for example. And Apple doesn't support Continuity for Android phones. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-security-keys-for-apple-id-and-why-does-it-matter\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is Security Keys for Apple ID and why does it matter?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI think most users wish that wasn't the case, but competition being what it is, I don't expect we'll see any substantial cross-platform cooperation any time soon. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFinal thoughts\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe're no longer in the fanboy OS wars, and so I don't think the writer of the article in question made these claims to cheerlead Windows users. Instead, I think the writer genuinely wanted to learn to love MacOS, but due to lack of domain-specific knowledge, didn't know how to get some things done. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis goes to one of the great benefits of the Mac. It has a very rich library of aftermarket developer-created tools that modify and extend the user experience. Every time I find I need some new functionality, there's usually a great little utility that can get it done for me. Yes, ten bucks here, twelve bucks there, and twenty bucks over there add up, but when I'm trying to save time or get a deliverable to a client in an impossibly short period of time, it's well worth the cost for the extra minutes each tool buys me. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EComparing the best Macs: Is a MacBook or Mac Studio right for you?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the exception of programs that only run on one operating system or another, you can get everything you need to get done on each of the three main OSs. What you use is a matter of your own personal choice and needs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut before you dismiss any OS as incapable, do some research. Perhaps with a bit of Googling, our forlorn Windows writer could have found more about the Mac to love. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr maybe we should all just give it up and go live in a yurt.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYou can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003E@DavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Facebook at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fdavidgewirtz\"\u003EFacebook.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, on Instagram at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.instagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u002F\"\u003EInstagram.com\u002FDavidGewirtz\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and on YouTube at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fuser\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\"\u003EYouTube.com\u002FDavidGewirtzTV\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"2db6bf39-e9c6-4606-a92b-50d0c4bdc8f7\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F2db6bf39-e9c6-4606-a92b-50d0c4bdc8f7\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-01-24 16:10:28",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"MacOS is often misunderstood by users coming from other operating systems. Here are four things you need to know if you're considering making the switch.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"1af8f184-06d8-463a-a528-07bede1d5e80",image:{id:"950fb15a-67fd-4ed2-9176-4d878f7f5283",filename:"macbook-pro.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-01-17 15:32:02",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"macbook-pro",credits:"Image: Apple",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F01\u002F17\u002F950fb15a-67fd-4ed2-9176-4d878f7f5283\u002Fmacbook-pro.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1960,height:1102,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Mac OS",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"4-ways-windows-people-get-macos-wrong",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"4 ways Windows people get MacOS wrong",topic:{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8dd991da-a62c-4f64-9a8c-fa3e9e199ecb\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jupiterimages\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"roller coaster\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-78059264.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F22\" data-image-width=\"2122\" data-image-height=\"1412\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo you like roller coaster rides? Do you crave those \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcoasterpedia.net\u002Fwiki\u002FSteepest_roller_coaster_drops\"\u003Esteep drops\u003C\u002Fa\u003E where the car plunges more than a thousand feet at an insane angle, subjecting your body to a g-force of 3.5?  Do you squirm with anticipation as the car clack-clack-clacks slowly up to the top and then hurtles down, leaving your stomach behind as you speed to the bottom?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fevery-product-microsoft-unveiled-at-its-surface-and-ai-event-today\u002F\"\u003EEvery product Microsoft unveiled at its Surface and AI event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuckle up as we go for a decade-long ride with Microsoft's Surface division, which has delivered a performance worthy of a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcoasterpedia.net\u002Fwiki\u002FEuro-Fighter\"\u003EGerstlauer Euro-Fighter 1000\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. After an inauspicious beginning in 2012, the division began growing steadily. Back in 2018, I wrote a recap of that progress, noting that the division had brought in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsurface-by-the-numbers-how-microsoft-successfully-reinvented-the-pc\u002F\"\u003Etotal revenue of nearly $5 billion\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo one in their right mind would have placed a bet on that number five years ago. At the end of FY2013, Microsoft had to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-900-million-surface-rt-write-down-how-did-this-happen\u002F\"\u003Etake a one-time writedown of $900 million\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to account for the spectacular \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-big-things-that-baffle-me-about-microsoft-surface-rt\u002F\"\u003Efailure of its Surface RT\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany companies would have given up at that point, but not one run by Steve Ballmer, who famously described Microsoft's approach as \"long-term, tenacious, and partner-centric.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs he once told an arena full of partners, \"We don't go home. We just keep coming and coming and coming. Tenacious, tenacious, tenacious.\" (As Ashlee Vance noted when transcribing those remarks for the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbits.blogs.nytimes.com\u002F2009\u002F07\u002F14\u002Fsteve-ballmer-shouts-microsoft-will-keep-on-coming\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENew York Times\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, \"The man likes to talk in threes.\")\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn fact, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fworldwide-pc-shipments-effectively-flat-in-q1-2018\u002F\"\u003EPC shipments overall have been flat\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or down for the past four years, the Surface business has been growing at a compound annual rate of better than 22 percent a year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Surface division hit its high point at the end of FY22, bringing in nearly $7 billion of revenue for Microsoft. And then… Well, see for yourself.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"07ceacbd-5b97-4232-98e6-2be6d00a6e85\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERevenue for 2024 is projected based on y\u002Fy decline of 24%&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Chart by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"surface-revenue-2014-24\" data-image-filename=\"surface-revenue-2014-24.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F22\" data-image-width=\"1653\" data-image-height=\"993\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's a pretty spectacular collapse in FY2023. (Note that the number for FY2024 in the chart above is a projection.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeasing those numbers out of Microsoft's financial reports was a bit of a challenge. The company stopped reporting actual Surface revenue numbers in FY22, instead choosing to disclose changes from the previous year's revenue in percentage terms. To make comparisons even murkier, the company in 2023 changed the \"Surface revenue\" line item to \"Devices revenue growth,\" folding in revenue it receives from sales of keyboards, mice, and other peripherals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-quietly-announced-two-products-today-that-business-users-will-love\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft quietly announced two products that business users will love\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven with all that massaging, the picture for FY2023 (which ended on July 30, 2023) was grim. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.gcs-web.com\u002Fstatic-files\u002Fe2931fdb-9823-4130-b2a8-f6b8db0b15a9\"\u003EIn its annual report\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Microsoft noted \"Devices revenue decreased $1.8 billion or 24% as elevated channel inventory levels continued to drive additional weakness beyond declining PC demand.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr, to put it another way: The PC market is going through a major correction right now, and Surface is doing even worse than its rivals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe carnage isn't over. In the Microsoft FY23 \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fview.officeapps.live.com\u002Fop\u002Fview.aspx?src=https:\u002F\u002Fc.s-microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002FCMSFiles\u002FTranscriptFY23Q4.docx?version=f64b33fa-1c41-799b-70cf-cc2cd098555b\"\u003Efourth quarter earnings conference call\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Satya Nadella and his team projected that Devices revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2023 would continue plunging:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Devices, revenue should decline in the mid-30s due to the overall PC market and adjustments we made in our portfolio with an increased focus on our higher margin premium products.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's hard to imagine that things will get much better before the end of 2023. The most successful Surface products are the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, both of which are more than a year old. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-surface-laptop-studio-2-hands-on-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESurface Laptop Studio 2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a high-priced machine made for a niche market, was in the spotlight at this year's fall Surface event in New York City and isn't likely to be a runaway hit.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best Windows laptop you can buy: Dell, Samsung, Lenovo, and more\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the chart above, I've projected what the Surface revenue number might look like if the company rebounds to a loss of only 24%, repeating this year's performance. Basically, they're back to what the business was in 2016 and 2017, which is… not good?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Microsoft, a division needs to be able to bring in $10 billion of revenue per year to be considered a \"needle mover.\" Surface once looked like it was on its way to building that kind of steady, growing business. It doesn't anymore.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaybe this explains the sudden departure of Windows & Devices boss Panos Panay, just days ahead of the company's fall Surface showcase event. His portfolio had expanded dramatically in recent years to cover not just Surface devices but also Windows 11. A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.businessinsider.com\u002Fwhy-microsoft-windows-surface-panos-panay-left-for-amazon-2023-9\"\u003Ereport in Business Insider\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, quoting \"anonymous insiders,\" says Panay was \"unhappy with recent changes in the Windows + Devices division,\" including \"significant cuts to simplify the Surface business ... and focus more on Microsoft's hits rather than the more experimental devices the company funded in flush times.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lines are undoubtedly the \"hits\" referred to in that report. Notably, both products are relatively mature designs whose physical appearance has barely changed in recent years. The addition of Thunderbolt 4 support in the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop 5 was welcome, but otherwise, most upgrades in these product lines have been simple spec bumps, not the sort of thing to win over new customers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-windows-10-too-popular-for-its-own-good\u002F\"\u003EIs Windows 10 too popular for its own good?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA pair of high-profile flops probably didn't help anyone making the case for Surface in front of Microsoft management. The Surface Duo, a dual-screen phone powered by Android, was uncomfortably expensive and just plain odd. I bought one shortly after its release in 2019 and returned it six weeks later. (For details, see \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffive-reasons-why-i-returned-my-surface-duo\u002F\"\u003E\"Five reasons why I returned my Surface Duo.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd then there was the dual-screen Surface Neo, which was announced at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhands-on-at-surface-event-new-direction-or-more-of-the-same-yes-and-yes\u002F\"\u003Ethe same 2019 event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as the Surface Duo and became one of the first casualties of the pandemic the next year. It never shipped, and neither did the operating system it was supposed to run, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-10x-everything-you-need-to-know-about-microsofts-windows-10-variant\u002F\"\u003EWindows 10X\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If you've forgotten about that project it's understandable. Hey, a lot happened in 2020! But the bottom line is it was supposed to be a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-10x-microsofts-cloud-powered-chrome-os-competitor-inches-closer\u002F\"\u003E\"cloud-powered\" competitor to ChromeOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECEO Satya Nadella has not been shy about pulling the plug on products that aren't pulling their weight. Maybe that will ultimately be the fate of Surface, but I doubt it. In fact, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fre-inventing-windows-from-nt-to-10x-microsofts-never-ending-quest-for-the-better-os\u002F\"\u003Esomething I wrote about Windows 10X back when it was first announced\u003C\u002Fa\u003E seems like it might be relevant today.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 10X is debuting as the native operating system for a new PC form factor, with multiple screens. But its core innovation is the ability to run traditional Windows desktop apps in secure containers that are isolated from the core of the operating system. It's easy to imagine this technology migrating to more traditional form factors before long.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA dual-screen PC is an expensive gimmick and unlikely to become a mass market hit. That's why the project was killed and why it's unlikely to ever come back. But imagine if you can accomplish many of the same goals of the Windows 10X project on traditional hardware, like (say) an inexpensive laptop. At that point you have a credible competitor to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-chromebook-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGoogle's Chromebook\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and possibly a way to once again make Windows relevant in schools.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-screen-record-in-windows-10-or-windows-11\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to screen record in Windows 10 or Windows 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is apparently what Microsoft has been working on for the past three years with its CorePC project, which might ship next year (in whole or in part) under the Windows 12 moniker. If you need an explainer, Zac Bowden at Windows Central can fill you in on this \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowscentral.com\u002Fsoftware-apps\u002Fwindows-11\u002Fmicrosoft-windows-corepc-modern-platform-hudson-valley-2024\"\u003E\"modular and customizable variant of Windows.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy sources tell me CorePC will allow Microsoft to finally deliver a version of Windows that truly competes with Chromebooks in OS footprint, performance, and capabilities. A version of Windows that only runs Edge, web apps, Android apps (via Project Latte) and Office apps, designed for low-end education PCs is already in early testing internally, and is roughly 60-75% smaller than Windows 11 SE.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, at the \"high-margin, premium device\" end of the PC spectrum, Microsoft desperately needs a way to compete with Apple's M2-powered MacBook line (and Macs based on more powerful M3 processors should be on the shelves in Apple Stores next year). Unfortunately, getting performance and battery life that are competitive with Apple's flagship products is going to require Arm-based processors, and right now the entire PC industry is waiting for Qualcomm to ship its next-generation Nuvia SoCs. This is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-on-arm-can-microsoft-deliver-a-silicon-surprise-before-years-end\u002F\"\u003Ewhat I wrote on the subject\u003C\u002Fa\u003E a few months ago:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs pretty much every rational observer has noted, Windows on Arm is far behind Apple, at least using Qualcomm's current SoC designs. But they could play catch-up, and maybe even leapfrog their Cupertino competition, with a successful launch of the Nuvia-based Oryon architecture, especially if they can build some custom Windows features into it. (The SQ3-based Surface Pro 9 has a couple of nifty AI-based features not found in its Intel sibling, including eye-tracking and background noise reduction for video calls.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's probably why Microsoft didn't have anything to say about upcoming iterations of Surface Pro or Surface Laptop at its recent hardware event. Another spec bump won't move the needle at all. But an Arm-powered device that gets double the battery life of x86-based hardware, has a neural processing unit for advanced AI tasks, and can run x86 apps in secure containers? That might be worth waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-went-hands-on-with-microsofts-new-ai-features-and-these-5-are-the-most-useful\u002F\"\u003EI went hands-on with Microsoft's new AI features, and these 5 are the most useful\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFighting off determined competitors on the low end and the high end at the same time is hard enough, and the challenge is worse when you need to do it in the face of budget cuts and the loss of a key leader. Get ready for another ride on the Surface roller coaster.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-22 20:34:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"After nearly a decade of steady growth, revenue from Microsoft's Surface devices plunged in 2023, and next year doesn't look much better. Fasten your seatbelts.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"850aa856-f0b0-419b-9219-8d4a84e48770",image:{id:"8dd991da-a62c-4f64-9a8c-fa3e9e199ecb",filename:"gettyimages-78059264.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-09-22 19:00:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"surface-revenue-2014-24",credits:"Chart by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERevenue for 2024 is projected based on y\u002Fy decline of 24% \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F09\u002F22\u002F8dd991da-a62c-4f64-9a8c-fa3e9e199ecb\u002Fgettyimages-78059264.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2122,height:1412,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^PCs",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"can-microsoft-recover-from-the-collapse-of-its-surface-business",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Can Microsoft recover from the collapse of its Surface business?",topic:{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"0fbd54d0-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"apple",name:"Apple",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"1050fa4d-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"google",name:"Google",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"7fe15a96-71ed-48fc-bdc4-6642ecb9bbc5\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Peter Dazeley\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"hourglass-computer-gettyimages-951888450\" data-image-filename=\"hourglass-computer-gettyimages-951888450.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F11\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"2159\" data-image-height=\"1388\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen large public companies have good news to share, they write a press release and put it on the wires so that the publications that cover them will blast that message out for everyone to read. When they have bad news to share, they publish a blog post late on a Friday afternoon before a long holiday weekend.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd when they have \u003Cem\u003Ereally\u003C\u002Fem\u003E bad news to share, they bury it at the end of an unrelated press release or blog post, hoping no one will notice.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best Windows laptop you can buy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow that you're armed with that knowledge, I invite you to read this unsigned Microsoft support article, published today and titled \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fhelp\u002F5033467\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"How we are maximizing value in Windows 10.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E There, in what's essentially a footnote, you will find this casual one-liner:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"The Windows 10 end-of-support date of October 14, 2025, is unchanged.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo the untrained eye, that's a fairly bland statement. If it's unchanged, it must not be news, right?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAllow me to translate for you: Many of Microsoft's customers are still running Windows 10. Some of them are doing so by choice; others are doing so because they have perfectly functional PC hardware that runs Windows 10 but doesn't meet \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-faq-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11's strict compatibility requirements\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. For all of those PCs in all of those homes and offices, Microsoft is going to stop sending security updates in less than two years, when that end-of-support date rolls around. Those customers will have the difficult choice of continuing to use unsupported software, making them vulnerable to online attackers, or throwing away perfectly good hardware and paying for new PCs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of those customers have made it clear to Microsoft that they're not happy about this decision. In California, the nonprofit public-interest group CALPIRG has written an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpirg.org\u002Fcalifornia\u002Ftake-action\u002Ftell-microsoft-dont-leave-millions-of-computers-behind\u002F\"\u003Eopen letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, asking him to rethink that policy, \"Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10,\" they argue, \"could cause the single biggest jump in junked computers ever, and make it impossible for Microsoft to hit their sustainability goals.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-why-windows-pcs-are-only-going-to-get-more-annoying\u002F\"\u003EHere's why Windows PCs are only going to get more annoying\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's announcement today is the company's way of saying, \"Nope. No extension. Sorry, not sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs I've \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-windows-10-is-a-security-disaster-waiting-to-happen\u002F\"\u003Enoted previously\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Microsoft has painted itself into a very weird corner here, essentially \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-windows-10-too-popular-for-its-own-good\u002F\"\u003Ecompeting with itself … and losing\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. The company says there are approximately 1.4 billion Windows PCs in use today. They won't break down how many are still running Windows 10, but third-party statistics suggest that the percentage is still well above 60%, and over 70% in some parts of the world. That's at least 800 million computers. Even if half of them are retired or upgraded in the next two years, that's still a staggering 400 million PCs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft defenders might argue that Windows 10 has reached the end of its normal 10-year support lifecycle. Windows 7 didn't get a reprieve, and neither did Windows 8, so why should Windows 10 be treated differently? As I noted two years ago, \"[I]n both of those instances, Microsoft could implore its customers to fix the problem by upgrading to a newer version of the Windows operating system.... That's not an option for customers running Windows 10 on hardware that doesn't meet the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-microsoft-stands-firm-on-hardware-requirements\u002F\"\u003Estringent hardware compatibility requirements of Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. When October 2025 rolls around, those devices will have no Microsoft-supported migration path to a newer version.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo what choices are available for owners of PCs that can't be upgraded to Windows 11?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-you-still-get-a-windows-10-upgrade-for-free\u002F\"\u003ECan you still get a Windows 10 upgrade for free?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a separate post, under the heading \"What about Windows 11?\" Microsoft has this advice for those customers: \"Replace the ineligible Windows 10 devices with new Windows 11 Pro devices.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI suspect that Microsoft will offer corporate customers an escape hatch in the form of an option to pay for extended security updates. After Windows 7 support ended, the company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-much-will-staying-patched-on-windows-7-cost-you-heres-the-price-list\u002F\"\u003Edid exactly that for three years\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Enterprise administrators might grumble, but they will write those checks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnfortunately, that choice probably won't be on the table for the very large number of people running Windows 10 on PCs in homes and small businesses, who will probably just keep using their old operating system and ignoring Microsoft's increasingly shrill entreaties to replace their perfectly good computer. Windows 10 will continue working just as it always has, even after the end-of-support deadline passes. But it won't receive security updates, making this option increasingly dangerous and irresponsible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-downgrade-from-windows-11-to-windows-10\u002F\"\u003EHow to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 (there's a catch)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe good news is that Microsoft's brief announcement today doesn't shut the door on a change of heart next year. As I wrote two years ago:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis mess is Microsoft's responsibility, and doing nothing to clean it up isn't an acceptable option.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is an alternative, though: Microsoft could extend the support deadline for Windows 10 on hardware that isn't compatible with Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe company did the same thing, under similar circumstances, in the Windows XP era, and it's a perfectly appropriate solution here. The good news is that Microsoft's spinmeisters have three years to come up with a press release that makes it sound like they planned this all along.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust remember to publish that press release late on a Friday afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-11-16 18:00:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft announced this week that it's not changing its 2025 support deadline for Windows 10. If you missed the news, maybe you weren't looking in the right place.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"5720e065-14f6-4052-8227-de4c666a850c",image:{id:"7fe15a96-71ed-48fc-bdc4-6642ecb9bbc5",filename:"hourglass-computer-gettyimages-951888450.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-11-16 16:12:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"hourglass-computer-gettyimages-951888450",credits:"Peter Dazeley\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F11\u002F16\u002F7fe15a96-71ed-48fc-bdc4-6642ecb9bbc5\u002Fhourglass-computer-gettyimages-951888450.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2159,height:1388,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"hoping-for-a-windows-10-support-extension-microsoft-just-quietly-crushed-your-dreams",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Hoping for a Windows 10 support extension? Microsoft just quietly crushed your dreams",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f65d9f94-d593-41a5-8502-05dcf3ea0dfb\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe right tool for the task is a great way to approach your digital life.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"igorbondarenko\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"wrenches-gettyimages-904428020\" data-image-filename=\"wrenches-gettyimages-904428020.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F06\" data-image-width=\"2121\" data-image-height=\"1414\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver 20 years ago, I was a managing editor for a company and was charged with building Linux content for the site. At some point during that gig, I was told that I \u003Cem\u003Ehad \u003C\u002Fem\u003Eto use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fis-windows-10-too-popular-for-its-own-good\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and a bevy of MS software.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI refused.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy? Call it pride, stubbornness, or just the knowledge that my operating system of choice (Linux) was not only far superior to anything Microsoft produced, but it made my life a lot easier and I never had to worry about viruses or the dreaded \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-famous-blue-screen-of-death-gets-a-new-colour-in-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlue Screen of Death\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-another-reason-why-linux-is-way-cooler-than-your-operating-system\u002F\"\u003EHere's another reason why Linux is way cooler than your operating system\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey fought me on that issue until I was written up. Soon after that, my position was downsized, which turned out to be a blessing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat whole affair also served to teach me a valuable lesson.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat I should have capitulated and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-why-windows-pcs-are-only-going-to-get-more-annoying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ejust used Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E? \u003Cem\u003ENo. \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe lesson was that the right tool for the right job is always the best route to go.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince then, I've made it a point to always evaluate what I'm using to ensure it's the best fit for the gig.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis manifested itself a second time about five years ago.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI was picked up by a publisher to write a book series. I've since been retained by that publisher and given free rein to write what I want. However, I very quickly discovered a serious problem when using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fhow-to-install-the-latest-version-of-the-free-libreoffice-office-suite-on-linux\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELibreOffice\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to collaborate with my assigned editor. With 60k+ manuscripts, filled with comments and track changes, LibreOffice choked. Any time I would open a document with that application, it would come to a screeching halt and threaten to bring the operating system along for the bumpy ride. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI had to do something. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI tried to convince my editor to use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fgoogle-docs-offers-new-ai-powered-proofreading-tool\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGoogle Docs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, but she refused because Word had been her tool of the trade for years. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt wasn't my place to educate her or change her mind. My place was to get the job done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnter \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-collaborate-with-an-apple-pages-document-via-icloud\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApple Pages\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. With Apple's office suite, those manuscripts didn't bring the system down. In fact, I very quickly found Pages to be more than capable of handling the job.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd so, I added MacOS and Apple Pages into my workflow. But that was the only reason I was using MacOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUntil I discovered Final Cut Pro.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffinal-cut-pro-on-the-ipad-a-surprisingly-touching-experience\u002F\"\u003EFinal Cut Pro on the iPad: A surprisingly touching experience\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou see, I was creating all of my videos with OpenShot on Linux and the results were, sadly, not good. Since I already owned a MacBook Pro, I decided I'd take Final Cut Pro for a trial.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI was an instant convert.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFast forward to now and here are the operating systems I use and their purpose:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMacOS - book and video edits\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELinux - writing, graphic design, general web browsing, email, audio editing, graphic design, general usage\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAndroid - mobile\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELinux will always be my default OS because it's exponentially more flexible than any other OS, reliable, secure, and free. MacOS will most likely always be my go-to OS editing platform because it serves that purpose to perfection. Android is like the Linux of mobile operating systems, so it fits in with my modus operandi.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmy-idea-for-a-great-new-beginner-friendly-linux-distribution\u002F\"\u003EMy idea for a great new beginner-friendly Linux distribution\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is a lesson that most people could use. I cannot tell you how many people I know who struggle to get their operating system of choice to behave and function how they want. I know writers who have lost significant work because, out of the blue, Windows decided to restart for an update. I know Linux users who struggle to get professional-looking videos edited together with open-source tools. I know MacOS users who'd be better off not having to do everything Apple's way.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every operating system is a good match for every task, workflow -- or even every personality. If you find yourself constantly struggling to get something done, the problem might very well be the operating system you've chosen. Even though most people spend the majority of their time within the confines of a web browser, the operating system they are running plays a very big role in how well that browser functions. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you find yourself in a constant battle with your computer, I would highly recommend you ask yourself what you want out of that operating system. Once you have the answer, you can prescribe the right OS to solve what ails you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-tool-is-my-new-favorite-way-to-monitor-and-manage-apps-on-the-linux-desktop\u002F\"\u003EThis tool is my new favorite way to monitor and manage apps on the Linux desktop\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are my recommendations:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELinux - for those who want the most reliable, secure, and flexible operating system\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMacOS - for those who need to work with multi-media\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWindows - for those who require Windows-only software\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlso, consider that you don't have to stick with just one OS. And if you have only one computer, consider adding a virtualization platform (such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-linux-virtual-machine-with-virtualbox\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVirtualBox\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhats-new-in-parallels-desktop-19-the-best-way-to-run-windows-on-your-mac\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EParallels\u003C\u002Fa\u003E) into the mix. If you use a MacBook Pro or iMac, you can add Linux or Windows as a virtual machine and work with both. My mix-and-match approach has paid off such that I never have problems getting my work done, being entertained, and staying connected.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe right tool for the task is a great way to approach your digital life. I've been doing it for years and can attest it has made everything easier, more repeatable, and removed considerable stress from my life.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"26d1d292-1768-4c56-bd62-dbc463199bfa\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F26d1d292-1768-4c56-bd62-dbc463199bfa\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-06 18:07:20",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Linux, Windows, MacOS -- or how about all of the above? Most people stick with a single OS for work and personal use but years ago I discovered that the right tool for the right task is the best way to go.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ad7c6c47-3c2c-4c09-9d8f-703be2b3259d",image:{id:"f65d9f94-d593-41a5-8502-05dcf3ea0dfb",filename:"wrenches-gettyimages-904428020.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-09-06 15:09:48",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"wrenches-gettyimages-904428020",credits:"igorbondarenko\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F09\u002F06\u002Ff65d9f94-d593-41a5-8502-05dcf3ea0dfb\u002Fwrenches-gettyimages-904428020.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2121,height:1414,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Linux",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"why-i-use-multiple-operating-systems-to-get-my-work-done",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Why I use multiple operating systems to get my work done",topic:{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"df75c005-715d-4ff8-82e7-88bbd1c4e6c3",slug:"operating-systems",name:"Operating Systems",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"4bbc83d6-56fd-416f-844b-bcbe62a8d805\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"DjelicS\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"cat working on a laptop\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-916511842-1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F09\u002F01\" data-image-width=\"2119\" data-image-height=\"1414\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're old enough to remember Windows 95, you probably remember the original \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FMicrosoft_PowerToys\"\u003EWindows PowerToys\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a collection of utilities developed by the Windows 95 shell team and distributed free of charge to the community. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe collection's most famous free tool, TweakUI, enabled you to fine-tune the Windows interface by pointing and clicking, with the utility writing your changes to the Windows Registry. (For those who want to go a little deeper, the original author of TweakUI, Raymond Chen, wrote \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdevblogs.microsoft.com\u002Foldnewthing\u002F20050202-00\u002F?p=36543\"\u003Ean amusing history\u003C\u002Fa\u003E of how the project came to be.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Feverything-were-expecting-at-microsofts-surface-and-ai-september-event-bing\u002F\"\u003EEverything we're expecting at Microsoft's Surface and AI September event\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2019, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fin-nostalgic-move-microsoft-brings-back-powertoys-for-windows-10\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft revived the PowerToys brand\u003C\u002Fa\u003E name for a line of new utilities made for Windows 10. The initial product release was... how do I say this kindly? Well, it was as modest as you would expect of something labeled version 0.11.0.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFour years later, that situation has changed radically. The current version (0.72.0) is still labeled a preview, but it now consists of a curated collection of open-source utilities that run on all supported versions of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 10 and 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, with an easy-to-use frontend for managing them all. The whole thing is hosted on GitHub, with distributions available via the Microsoft Store or the Winget package manager. There's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fpowertoys\u002F\"\u003Eofficial documentation\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on the Microsoft Learn site, too.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best Windows laptops: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe PowerToys app includes two pages: a Welcome dialog that provides help on each tool in the suite, and a Settings page, shown below, that lets you configure options for each tool:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"91b5a5fa-0fcd-4d1b-ab63-eaccef658dc0\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EUse this page to enable and configure each utility in the PowerToys collection.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"powertoy-settings\" data-image-filename=\"powertoy-settings.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1354\" data-image-height=\"1036\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, after a few years of development, Microsoft's new PowerToys are ... well, pretty great. And you don't need to be a developer to take advantage of them. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-keep-track-of-your-mouse-pointer-with-the-powertoys-mouse-utilities\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to keep track of your mouse pointer with the PowerToys Mouse Utilities\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA significant number of these utilities could easily be filed under the \"Annoyance remover\" heading, while others are more comprehensive in their effect. This post highlights some of the individual utilities that have become an indispensable part of my workflow.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Keyboard Manager\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f5fb603c-b7a6-4714-9ec3-e204ab067d2a\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAfter disabling the Caps Lock key, I no longer have to worry about SUDDEN ALL CAPS OUTBURSTS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"keyboard-manager-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"keyboard-manager-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"712\" data-image-height=\"910\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConfession time: I am a very sloppy typist. My fingers often stray from the home row and I regularly strike the Caps Lock key when I'm aiming for Shift or Tab, which in turn results in me typing sOMETHING LIKE THIS AND THEN CURSING as I erase and retype that part of the text. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-microsoft-365-mobile-app-to-work-with-your-documents-and-files\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to use the Microsoft 365 mobile app to work with your documents and files\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor me, Keyboard Manager is worth the price of admission all on its own, thanks to its ability to remap or disable any key. I've also remapped two keys I literally never use, Pause and Scroll Lock, so that they work with Windows shortcuts for the Quick Link menu (Windows key + X), and the third pinned app on my taskbar (Windows key + 3), which in my case is the PowerToys Settings app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. FancyZones\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"32c52db1-4e4c-4dcb-a6d0-39675cce100a\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe options here take Windows Snap to a whole new level.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"fancyzones-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"fancyzones-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"1920\" data-image-height=\"1150\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI am a huge fan of the Windows Snap feature, which allows you to arrange windows on the screen in predefined layouts, \"snapping\" them into position. This feature is an ideal option for anyone who needs to work with multiple apps without constantly switching between windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-new-bing-and-how-its-different-from-chatgpt\u002F\"\u003EHow to use Bing Chat (and how it's different from ChatGPT)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFancyZones supercharges the Windows Snap feature, giving you the ability to create custom layouts and span zones across multiple monitors. If you've got a big enough display, you can create a multi-zone dashboard that would impress even the most jaded Wall Street analyst with the most expensive Bloomberg Terminal subscription.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor step-by-step instructions on how to use this somewhat intimidating but undeniably powerful tool, see \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fhow-to-use-the-free-powertoys-fancyzones-in-windows-and-why-you-should\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELance Whitney's guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Text Extractor\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"00a16508-b889-4ab9-ab3a-439527416847\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWhen you need to grab text from a picture or a scanned page, here's your new best friend.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"text-extractor-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"text-extractor-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"834\" data-image-height=\"802\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESometimes you need to grab the text from a picture, so you can paste it into Word, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fgoogle-docs-offers-new-ai-powered-proofreading-tool\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGoogle Doc\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, or an email message -- and that's what this clever little tool does so well. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse the activation shortcut (by default, that's Windows key + Shift + T, although you can change it), then select a section of the image containing the text you want: a scanned page from a magazine or book or a legal filing, say, or a picture of a sign describing a historical marker. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-build-your-own-ai-chatbot-with-this-drag-and-drop-tool\u002F\"\u003EYou can build your own AI chatbot with this drag-and-drop tool\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe utility uses OCR to place the text it finds on the Clipboard. You avoid the tedium of retyping, although I recommend you proofread the automatically recognized text carefully, especially for images that are less than crisp.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Quick Accent\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"fc8fe6d3-7a44-4e46-9360-2789af62109e\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EUse this tool to quickly enter characters with tildes, accents, and other diacritical marks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"quick-accent-powertoy-2\" data-image-filename=\"quick-accent-powertoy-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"834\" data-image-height=\"1262\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're even occasionally multilingual, you probably already know how tedious it is to type characters with tildes, accents, and diacritical marks using the standard English (U.S.) keyboard layout. But with this utility running in the background, it's much easier. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHold down a key and then tap the Quick Accent shortcut key (by default, this is the right or left arrow, or the spacebar). That action displays a pop-up window containing all available variants for the character you selected. Keep holding down the letter you want to type and then tap the shortcut key repeatedly; let go of the letter key when you get to the variation you want to use. This technique works with numbers, too, where you get options to create a subscript or superscript. Hold down the hyphen key and use Quick Accent to choose from a very wide array of dashes and tildes. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-moment-i-realized-chatgpt-plus-was-a-game-changer-for-my-business\u002F\"\u003EThe moment I realized ChatGPT Plus was a game-changer for my business\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technique takes a bit of practice. However, once you master it, you can un-memorize all those alt key codes you used to depend on, but can't use anymore because your laptop doesn't have a dedicated number keypad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E5. Awake\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"346cbbdb-be7a-4237-bb77-009eb0d3bead\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWhen you want your PC to stay awake, so you can finish a lengthy download or compile, use this PowerToy.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"awake-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"awake-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"714\" data-image-height=\"774\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHas this ever happened to you? You've started a lengthy task -- downloading a really big file over a slow connection, for example. You want to step away from the PC, but you're worried that Windows is going to put your PC to sleep, interrupting the download and forcing you to start over when you get back. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F7-advanced-chatgpt-prompt-writing-tips-you-need-to-know\u002F\"\u003E7 advanced ChatGPT prompt-writing tips you need to know\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's where Awake can help. Flip this switch to the On position and walk away confident that Windows won't get in the way. You can make the keep-awake period indefinite (until you change it) or set a predetermined interval after which it's safe for Windows to put the PC to sleep. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E6. Peek\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5bb859d0-de7a-4102-af73-3363ab6f6c32\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EHere's the Windows answer to QuickLook spacebar previews on MacOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"peek-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"peek-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"834\" data-image-height=\"782\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbuying-a-used-mac-laptop-how-to-avoid-scams-and-find-the-best-deals\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eused a Mac\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and wished your Windows PC could preview files with a tap of the spacebar like Quick Look on MacOS, here's your answer. With the Peek PowerToy enabled on a Windows PC, you can select a file in File Explorer and then use the shortcut Ctrl + Spacebar. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat process opens the preview in a separate WinUI window. Unlike on a Mac, the preview window doesn't automatically close when you return to File Explorer; tap Escape to clear it from the screen. If that behavior bothers you, you can change it in settings. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E7. Mouse Utilities\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3eba75fc-cfa9-4630-a38e-21ec58c9bf30\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003ECan't find that mouse pointer? Just tap the left Ctrl key twice.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"mouse-utilities-powertoy\" data-image-filename=\"mouse-utilities-powertoy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F08\u002F31\" data-image-width=\"834\" data-image-height=\"1010\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis page contains a slew of useful little tricks to make it easier to use a mouse. The Find My Mouse feature, for example, comes to the rescue if you lose track of the mouse pointer. To highlight the missing cursor, tap the left Ctrl key twice. You can also change this activation method to a shake of the mouse if you'd rather not memorize yet another keyboard shortcut. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-keep-track-of-your-mouse-pointer-with-the-powertoys-mouse-utilities\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to keep track of your mouse pointer with the PowerToys Mouse utilities\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis feature-packed page also includes Mouse Highlighter options that highlight each mouse click -- that option is especially useful for anyone who regularly leads PC training sessions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOther stuff\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm pretty confident that I've left out one of your favorite PowerToys. If you regularly have to do bulk file-management projects, you're probably a fan of PowerRename. I know people who swear by File Locksmith, which lets you see what process is preventing you from accessing or modifying a file. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr maybe you're a network-savvy Windows geek who finds Hosts File Editor a super-easy way of managing a local hosts file. And then there's Paste as Plain Text, which passes the Truth in Labeling test with a perfect score.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBottom line: if you use Windows, I guarantee you'll find something interesting and useful in the Microsoft PowerToys collection, and you don't need to be a coder to appreciate it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-09-01 14:11:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's collection of free, open-source utilities for Windows is packed with productivity enhancers and annoyance removers that you didn't know you needed.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"c81c97d0-f8e5-46fc-80dc-021e21437672",image:{id:"4bbc83d6-56fd-416f-844b-bcbe62a8d805",filename:"gettyimages-916511842-1.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-09-01 13:53:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"cat working on a laptop",credits:"DjelicS\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F09\u002F01\u002F4bbc83d6-56fd-416f-844b-bcbe62a8d805\u002Fgettyimages-916511842-1.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2119,height:1414,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"my-7-favorite-microsoft-powertoys-utilities-that-every-windows-pc-user-should-know",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"My 7 favorite Microsoft PowerToys: Utilities every Windows PC user should try",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e90123f2-1973-40c5-98e6-b66d7049ec6b\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Spiderstock\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"recycling can full of paper\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-118118173.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F11\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"2124\" data-image-height=\"1411\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrompted by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fheres-how-microsoft-will-change-windows-to-comply-with-eu-laws\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEuropean regulators and the Digital Markets Act\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Microsoft is about to greatly expand your ability to declutter a Windows PC -- specifically, by adding an uninstall option to some Microsoft apps that previously lacked that choice. That's a pretty big deal!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best Windows laptops: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows (the operating system) is valuable to Microsoft on its own, thanks to PC makers that pay a royalty for every new PC they sell. But that's just the base revenue. Windows is even more valuable for its ability to bundle and promote a collection of free and paid apps and services, many of them owned and operated by Microsoft. They're installed alongside Windows and occasionally pop up to pester you with the goal of getting you to spend more money on Microsoft services, thereby increasing your value to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT:NASDAQ).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere, for example, is what the Start menu looks like on a brand-new Windows 11 Pro virtual machine I just set up using a Microsoft account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"415351ed-0176-47da-91ed-b50c79e51392\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAll these apps are included by default with Windows 11, but you can remove them if you like.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"windows-11-start-default-apps\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-start-default-apps.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2023\u002F11\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"1340\" data-image-height=\"1597\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome of those are third-party apps, of course. In this example, Spotify, WhatsApp, and Camo pay Microsoft for the privilege of being included on the Start menu. Those aren't actually installed apps, only shortcuts that download and install the app if you click them. Right-click one of those third-party shortcuts, click \u003Cstrong\u003EUnpin from Start\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, and it's like they were never there.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-use-the-new-bing-and-how-its-different-from-chatgpt\u002F\"\u003EHow to use Copilot (formerly called Bing Chat)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut that's not the case with the Microsoft-branded apps and utilities included with Windows 11. Want to see the entire collection? Go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E > \u003Cstrong\u003EApps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E > \u003Cstrong\u003EInstalled Apps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and type \u003Cem\u003EMicrosoft\u003C\u002Fem\u003E in the search box at the top of the page. When I tried that on a Surface Pro 9, that list included nearly 50 apps, some essential and others completely unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd that's where the aforementioned European competition rules come into play. Thanks to a recent update, you can now uninstall most of those apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis isn't about disk space or system resources. These built-in apps take up very little disk space and use no CPU or graphics power unless you choose to run them. The real issue is simple: If you don't want an app on your PC, you have the right to remove it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fsix-things-you-should-do-right-away-with-your-new-windows-11-pc\u002F\"\u003EWindows 11: Do these six things right away after you finish setup\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've done exactly that on the systems I use day in and day out for productivity. Some apps earn a place of honor, pinned to Start, or to the taskbar, or to both. Others get uninstalled completely, because I know I have no use for them. And then there's a third group, representing apps that I don't want cluttering up the Start menu but keep available in the All Apps list, just in case.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's a rundown on how I decided which apps to keep and which to toss.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe apps I use\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA handful of apps get top billing on my PCs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMicrosoft Store\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo not attempt to uninstall this app. It's necessary for updating many of the built-in system apps, and thanks to recent changes in the Store's design, it's also a great way to find and install conventional desktop apps from a secure source.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Microsoft Edge\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's default browser is at the top of my list. Because it's based on the open-source Chromium engine, it doesn't suffer from the serious compatibility problems that plagued its predecessor (which had the same name, confusingly). It's even compatible with extensions from the Google Chrome store. And it has tracking protection features that eliminate the need to install an ad-blocking extension.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-tighten-your-security-in-microsoft-edge\u002F\"\u003EHow to tighten your security in Microsoft Edge\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEdge has its share of annoyances, especially its insistence on showing coupons for shopping sites and its hard-to-customize home page. But I still consider it a keeper. If you prefer an alternative browser, feel free to remove its shortcut from Start and replace it with your choice.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Snipping Tool\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI absolutely love this little utility, which lets you capture all or part of your screen with a click. You can save the result as a PNG or JPEG file or paste a snip directly into an email message or social media post. It hasn't replaced \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ca459f13-416c-4f06-bbaa-3aefe214df33\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techsmith.com\u002Fsnagit-workplace-communication.html\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"SnagIt\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E, which is still my go-to program for capturing screenshots for work, but it's good enough for everyday tasks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-screen-record-in-windows-10-or-windows-11\u002F\"\u003EHow to screen record in Windows 10 or Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmazingly, Microsoft's developers keep adding features to this product that actually make it better, like the recent addition of the ability to extract text from a capture, as well as the ability to record screencasts coming soon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis one is worth memorizing the keyboard shortcut: Windows + Shift + S.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4-5. Microsoft OneNote and Sticky Notes\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm going to lump these together in the same entry because they're all tied together.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI've been using OneNote since it came out 20 years ago. I have a collection of notebooks that represent my entire work history, and my wife and I also use shared notebooks to handle a myriad of household tasks. It was originally part of Microsoft Office but the app is now included with Windows and uses the free OneDrive account you get when you sign in with a Microsoft account. If you don't use OneNote, you can safely uninstall it without any consequences.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-note-taking-tablet\u002F\"\u003EThe best note-taking tablets\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Sticky Notes app for Windows should feel familiar. Apps that let you stick a virtual Post-it® note on your PC display have been around as long as I can remember. This one, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, retains the simplicity of the original. Its killer feature is that you can also create sticky notes on a smartphone and sync them with your Windows PC. I've got the corresponding widgets installed on my Android phone and my iPhone (where it syncs seamlessly with Apple's own Notes app!), making it pretty easy to jot a quick note to myself and find it later. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E6-8. Notepad, Paint, and Calculator\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's hear it for the throwback apps, which have been around since the earliest days of Windows and are still in active development. All three of these apps have received updates to support modern UX standards. Notepad now does multiple tabs and auto-saves your work. Paint can do format conversions with minimal effort. And good old calculator can do much more than numbers, including unit conversions and date calculations. It can even produce graphs!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E9. Solitaire \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis one's my guilty pleasure. I even pay the $10 a year to remove ads, which are otherwise too annoying for me to play.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E10. Microsoft OneDrive\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription and a Microsoft 365 Business subscription, each with 1 TB of online storage, and I use them regularly. Even if you don't use the Office apps included with Microsoft 365, though, the 5 GB of storage included with a free Microsoft account is useful for quickly transferring files between devices and is accessible even if you sign in with a local account. I don't recommend deleting this app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E11. Media Player\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft is infamous for assigning confusing names to its apps, and it should get extra credit for this one. The Media Player app in Windows 11 is not the same as Windows Media Player, which has been part of Windows for more than three decades and is still available in Windows 11 for no apparent reason. The new app with the old name is the successor to the ill-fated Groove app from Windows 10, which in turn can trace its lineage back to the ill-fated Zune app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-you-still-get-a-windows-10-upgrade-for-free\u002F\"\u003ECan you still get a Windows 10 upgrade for free?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnyway, this is a perfectly good option for playing back random audio and video files. I recommend leaving it installed but replacing it with your favorite alternative media player. (For me, that's \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"a765475d-a322-4eba-81b1-351c34cdb3c4\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mediamonkey.com\u002Fdownload\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"MediaMonkey\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E12. Microsoft Photos\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft Photos is more than competent as a way to view your photo library and do minor edits. You probably have a preferred alternative, so consider doing as I do: Leave this app installed but remove its shortcut from the Start menu and replace it with your favorite photo editing app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe apps I dump\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI mean no disrespect to the apps on this list, but several are already deprecated and others might as well be, given how little attention they've received in recent years. If you're a fan of any of these apps, feel free to keep using them. The rest of us can cheerfully right-click the \u003Cstrong\u003EUninstall\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E option and move on.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Microsoft To Do\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt makes a simple task list overly complicated.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Xbox Live\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'm not a gamer, so this is an easy decision for me. Uninstalled.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Movies & TV\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis app is mostly a front end to protected video content you buy or rent from the Microsoft Store, where you can also find content from Amazon Prime Video. I replace it with \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"7b8ccf1c-df2b-452e-97b1-792b965d7380\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fdetail\u002FXPDM1ZW6815MQM?ocid=pdpshare&hl=en-us&gl=US\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"VLC Media Player\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Maps\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack when Microsoft had a mobile strategy, it made sense to have an app that would work with your GPS. Today, if you want to find a location on your Windows PC, you use Google Maps or Bing Maps. I suspect this app will be gone when the next major version of Windows is released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. News and Weather\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a mystery why these two apps are still available in Windows. They haven't been updated in years and Microsoft's current strategy is to cram news into Windows 11 Widgets and the default home page for Edge.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E6. Cortana \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis app is officially deprecated. If you try to run it, you get a message telling you so.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E7. Journal\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis was supposed to be a showcase for the digital pen included with tablet PCs, but I've never seen anyone use it except as part of a Microsoft product demo.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E8-10. Mail, Calendar, and People\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese legacy apps are being replaced by the new Outlook.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E11. Microsoft Teams (free)\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnless you have a compelling reason to keep this one around, feel free to dump it. It's not the same as the Teams app you use for work, and it's just going to confuse you. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2023-11-29 14:53:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A default installation of Windows 11 includes dozens of Microsoft apps. Which ones are worth keeping, and which ones should you uninstall? These are my top picks.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"27eabd16-d7ae-4412-a8e4-a9988f33190d",image:{id:"e90123f2-1973-40c5-98e6-b66d7049ec6b",filename:"gettyimages-118118173.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-11-29 14:44:45",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"recycling can full of paper",credits:"Spiderstock\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F11\u002F29\u002Fe90123f2-1973-40c5-98e6-b66d7049ec6b\u002Fgettyimages-118118173.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2124,height:1411,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"these-are-the-windows-11-apps-i-use-and-the-ones-i-dump",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"The 12 Windows apps I keep (and the 11 I dump) on every new install",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8ed2f714-3c32-49ef-8a9a-8a4781efeefd\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"MirageC\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"A ball protected by various abstract walls\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1196521215.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F04\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"2120\" data-image-height=\"1414\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI get tunnel vision when I'm writing. Once I'm deep into the flow, most everything disappears, and it's just me and the words. However, I can't always get deep into that flow. Sometimes my mind wants to wander. Typically, I allow such curiosity, because it often leads to a thought I might not otherwise have had. Either that -- or my brain simply needs the break.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Five-published-60-novels-and-these-5-free-writing-tools-helped-make-it-possible\u002F\"\u003EI've published 60 novels - and these 5 free writing tools helped make it possible\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut at times, those distractions do throw me off my game. Writing is a finicky beast. A five-minute break can easily become 15 or 20 minutes as you must take the time to get back into that zone you walked away from. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou don't want that.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo avoid such distractions, I have a particular set of tools I can turn to (for when my mind is feeling particularly wander-ish). Here they are.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Calmly Writer: No-nonsense focus\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENormally, I use LibreOffice as my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002F5-ways-libreoffice-meets-my-writing-needs-better-than-google-docs-can\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eword processor of choice\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. It's free, open-source, cross-platform, and powerful. But sometimes I need to pare the features down until it's just a bare-bones writing tool --just me and the words. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen I need my concentration to be laser-focused on composing a narrative, I turn to \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"ee32c737-cb51-4a77-b90f-547aa1aa4843\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.calmlywriter.com\u002F\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"Calmy Writer\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. Imagine having what looks like a standard terminal window but with the power of a word processor. That's Calmy Writer. This app strips away the nonsense and presents you with only what you need to get the words down. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002F5-ways-libreoffice-meets-my-writing-needs-better-than-google-docs-can\u002F\"\u003E5 ways LibreOffice meets my writing needs better than Google Docs can\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is minimal formatting but just enough to allow you to create H2\u002FH2, bold, italics, bulleted lists, numbered lists, links, and quotes. You also get real-time feedback for word count, character count, and average reading time. The tabbed interface can also be used in full-screen mode, which makes it an ideal tool for pushing away distractions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECalmly Writer offers a free trial. To continue using the app, you'll have to drop a one-time \u003Cspan data-shortcode=\"commercelinkshortcode\" data-id=\"c6ebaad1-fe63-45c4-8b4d-3a86874d13ec\" data-raw-url=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.calmlywriter.com\u002Fbuylicense.htm\" data-link-shortcode-text=\"$14.99 license fee\" data-use-monetization=\"true\" data-edition=\"us\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E. You can install Calmly Writer on Linux, MacOS, Windows, and ChromeOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Opera: Yes, a browser - for research\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIncluding a web browser in a list of distraction-free tools might seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. It's inevitable: While writing, you'll have to do some research now and then. I regularly have to look things up when writing. For example, my current book series is set in Boston. Since I don't live in Boston, I need to check on street names, neighborhoods, and other facts that could distract readers if they're wrong. For that, I need a browser. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.opera.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOpera\u003C\u002Fa\u003E? Two reasons: Workspaces and Aria. Workspaces is the best tab management system on the market. I have a Writing workspace, which I only use for -- you guessed it -- writing. When I'm writing, I don't leave that Workspace and I don't open social media, shopping, or other non-writing-related sites. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002F5-reasons-why-opera-is-my-favorite-browser-and-you-should-check-it-out-too\u002F\"\u003E5 reasons why Opera is my favorite browser (and you should check it out too)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAria is Opera's built-in AI and I use it strictly for research. Why do I opt for Aria over a Google search? Because I can get the answers I need faster and without worrying about landing on sites overloaded with ads or other distractions. I can type \"\u003Cem\u003EWhat is the average amount of snowfall in Boston between January and March?\" \u003C\u002Fem\u003Eand get an immediate answer. Beyond research, I do \u003Cem\u003Enot\u003C\u002Fem\u003E use AI in my writing (nor do I copy\u002Fpaste anything from Aria's responses).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpera is free and can be installed on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Limit: Cut down on distracting sites\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpeaking of web browsers: If you have trouble governing your web browser usage (especially on social media sites), consider using an extension like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.freedom.to\u002Fen\u002Farticles\u002F3148951-how-to-use-limit\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELimit\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which allows you to set time limits on distracting sites. For instance, you could set a five-minute limit (the minimum) on Facebook, so every time you feel a need for a distraction, you can be sure it will only last five minutes. Any website can be added and you'll find 10 pre-configured sites (that are known for being distracting). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-smart-notebook\u002F\"\u003EThe best smart notebooks: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you find yourself constantly doom-scrolling when you should be writing, Limit is a must. Limit is free and can be installed on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fchromewebstore.google.com\u002Fdetail\u002Flimit-set-limits-for-dist\u002Fblcdfhbibkkjpfdddnmnmhfgjlicebba\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChromium-based\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faddons.mozilla.org\u002Fen-US\u002Ffirefox\u002Faddon\u002Flimit-limit-distracting-sites\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFirefox-based browsers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Blanket: Ambient sounds instead of music\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery so often I need sound to keep me centered. The problem with listening to music when I write is that the tunes tend to color my prose, narration, and dialogue. Because of that, I would always have to switch to music that matched the tone of what I was working on. On top of that, I can't listen to music with lyrics because I might allow those words to inform my writing. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-music-headphones\u002F\"\u003EI listened to over 100 hours of music last year. These headphones sounded the best\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat I now use instead is an app like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fflathub.org\u002Fapps\u002Fcom.rafaelmardojai.Blanket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlanket\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which creates ambient sounds like rain, storm, wind, waves, stream, birds, summer night, train, boat, city, coffee shop, fireplace, pink noise, white noise, and even custom sounds that you add. You can raise the volume of each sound to create a noise scape of different sounds, such as storms and waves or rain and coffee shops. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBlanket is free and only available for Linux, but you'll find plenty of ambient sound apps for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fus\u002Fapp\u002Fdark-noise-ambient-sounds\u002Fid1465439395\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fdetail\u002F9p9bngqtdgrt?hl=en-us&gl=US\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E5. Pomodoro: Set a timer and - go!\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETypically, I \"time\" my fiction-writing sessions by word count and not by time spent. I aim for 1,000 words per day. But once in a while, I'll do a writing sprint, where I'll set a time limit and just start writing stream of consciousness. This is a great writing exercise because it challenges you to not stop writing for a set period. It doesn't matter what you write, as long as you don't stop writing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor that, I need a good timer and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgnomepomodoro.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPomodoro\u003C\u002Fa\u003E timer on Linux is a great option. (If you're curious, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FPomodoro_Technique\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPomodoro Technique\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a time management system  that uses a kitchen timer to break work into intervals.) This timer is also an option for breaks. Set the timer for five minutes and give your brain a rest. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002F5-ways-to-help-you-manage-your-time-more-effectively-at-work\u002F\"\u003E5 ways to manage your time more effectively at work\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPomodoro is free to install on Linux. You'll find plenty of Pomodoro timers for \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fgb\u002Fapp\u002Fbe-focused-pomodoro-timer\u002Fid973134470?mt=12\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMacOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.microsoft.com\u002Fsearch?query=pomodoro&hl=en-us&gl=US\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd there you have it, five apps I depend on when distractions become an issue. I'm confident that at least one of these tools will help you focus so you can get the words to the page more efficiently -- and without suffering under the weight of your mind's wanderlust.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2024-04-16 20:54:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"To avoid distractions, I enlist a particular set of tools. Whatever your writing platform - Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, or iOS - help is here.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"35e2e5b0-6174-48de-a8ce-e32b1ca044f8",image:{id:"8ed2f714-3c32-49ef-8a9a-8a4781efeefd",filename:"gettyimages-1196521215.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-04-16 22:22:29",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"A ball protected by various abstract walls",credits:"MirageC\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F04\u002F16\u002F8ed2f714-3c32-49ef-8a9a-8a4781efeefd\u002Fgettyimages-1196521215.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2120,height:1414,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Home & Office^Work Life^Productivity",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"my-top-5-tools-to-beat-distractions-and-get-more-writing-done-or-any-work-really",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"My top 5 tools to beat distractions and get more writing done - or any work, really",topic:{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d}],componentLabel:"Explore a fresh perspective",description:c,filters:c,paging:c,slug:"dynamic-topic-3-story-carousel-analysis",title:"Analysis & Opinion",label:c,viewMoreText:c,viewMoreUrl:c,relatedItems:c},{id:"ddc9226f-14b1-4a1c-9cfa-46a60a305f1f",meta:{componentName:"ddc9226f-14b1-4a1c-9cfa-46a60a305f1f",componentDisplayName:"Latest",componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002Fddc9226f-14b1-4a1c-9cfa-46a60a305f1f\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=ddc9226f-14b1-4a1c-9cfa-46a60a305f1f"}},items:[{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"How to run DeepSeek AI locally for more privacy\" data-image-filename=\"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4320\" data-image-height=\"2430\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeepSeek is the latest buzzword within the world of AI. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-deepseek-ai-is-it-safe-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDeepSeek\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a Chinese AI startup, founded in May 2023, that functions as an independent AI research lab and has gained significant attention around the globe for developing very powerful large language models (LLMs) at a cost for which its US counterparts cannot compete.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-sparsity-deepseek-ais-secret-revealed-by-apple-researchers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is sparsity? DeepSeek AI's secret, revealed by Apple researchers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason for this lower cost is that DeepSeek is open-source. The company has also claimed it has created a way to develop LLMs at a much lower cost than US AI companies. DeepSeek models also perform as well (if not better) than other models, and the company has released different models for different purposes (such as programming, general-purpose, and vision). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy experience with DeepSeek has been interesting so far. What I've found is that DeepSeek always seems to be having a conversation with itself, in the process of relaying information to the user. The responses tend to be long-winded and can send me down several different rabbit holes, each of which led to me learning something new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI do love learning new things. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-i-feed-my-files-to-a-local-ai-for-better-more-relevant-responses\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow I feed my files to a local AI for better, more relevant responses\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're interested in DeepSeek, you don't have to rely on a third party to use it. That's right -- you can install DeepSeek locally and use it at your whim. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are two easy ways to make this happen, and I'm going to show you both. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to add DeepSeek to Msty \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat you'll need\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: For this, you'll need both \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-install-an-llm-on-macos-and-why-you-should\u002F\"\u003EOllama\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-app-makes-using-ollama-local-ai-on-macos-devices-so-easy\u002F\"\u003EMsty\u003C\u002Fa\u003E installed -- and that's it. You can use this on Linux, MacOS, or Windows, and it won't cost you a penny. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0c5cb204-db6f-41c9-b04e-34808f0c645e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe first step is to open the Msty GUI. How you do this will depend on the OS you use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Open Msty\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"02118476-1ebb-4bb8-ac5e-5c61902d6b9b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFrom the left sidebar, click the icon that looks like a computer monitor with a lightning bolt, which will open the Local AI Models section.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Access the Local AI Models section\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ba166e12-1476-4b39-9237-95411de5d601\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure Msty is updated by clicking the cloud icon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty sidebar with Local AI models highlighted.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"402\" data-image-height=\"404\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"db0c2f41-bcfb-4300-a4fa-e5513df99ddd\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn the Local AI Models section, you'll see DeepSeek R1. Click the download button (downward pointing arrow) to add the DeepSeek model to Msty. Once the download completes, close the Local AI Models window.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Install DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8cea8c36-d36d-4620-95f2-2d3be2286e40\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to select DeepSeek R1.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Local AI downloader.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1308\" data-image-height=\"499\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"43046221-61ec-46b4-85b5-1f938521ee05\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack at the main window, click the model selection drop-down, click DeepSeek R1 (under Local AL), and type your query.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Select and use DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9ba947da-aa78-4b25-92b8-9159c52a1f5d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EYou can install as many local models as you need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Models selection menu.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"361\" data-image-height=\"328\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to install DeepSeek locally from the Linux command line \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother option is to do a full install of DeepSeek on Linux. Before you do this, know that the system requirements for this are pretty steep. You'll need a minimum of: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECPU: A powerful multi-core processor with a minimum of 12 cores recommended.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGPU: An NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support for accelerated performance. If Ollama doesn't detect the presence of an NVIDIA GPU, it will configure itself to run in CPU-only mode.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERAM: A minimum of 16 GB, preferably 32 GB or more.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStorage: You'll want NVMe storage for faster read\u002Fwrite operations.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOperating System: You'll need Ubuntu or an Ubuntu-based distribution.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your system meets those requirements, and you already have Ollama installed, you can run the DeepSeek R1 model with: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:8b \t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you haven't already installed Ollama, you can do that with a single command: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ecurl -fsSL https:\u002F\u002Follama.com\u002Finstall.sh | sh \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-sanctums-local-ai-app-and-its-exactly-what-i-needed-to-keep-my-data-private\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI tried Sanctum's local AI app, and it's exactly what I needed to keep my data private\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be prompted for your user password. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are other versions of DeepSeek you can run, which are: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1 - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe default 8B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:1.5b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe smallest model\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:7b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 7B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:14b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 14B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:32b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 32B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:70b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe largest and smartest of the models.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce the command completes, you'll find yourself at the Ollama prompt, where you can start using the model of your choice. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthese-nations-are-banning-deepseek-ai-heres-why\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThese nations are banning DeepSeek AI - here's why\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEither way you go, you now have access to the DeepSeek AI and can use it while keeping all of your queries and information safe on your local machine. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 15:28:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you're curious about DeepSeek but reluctant to try it because of privacy issues, this is the solution for you.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"6924c32b-9af9-4a9a-8cf1-efedc5526c28",image:{id:"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc",filename:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 14:38:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Deepseek AI logo with Scarcity background.",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002F6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\u002Fhow-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4320,height:2430,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Artificial Intelligence",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-to-protect-your-privacy-2-easy-ways",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to run DeepSeek AI locally to protect your privacy - 2 easy ways",topic:{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft keeps running into brick walls with the 2024 version of Windows 11. Each new update designed to fix the outstanding bugs ends up introducing other problems. That's apparently true with the February Patch Tuesday update, prompting users to complain of File Explorer issues, installation glitches, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched as an automatic update on February 11, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051987-os-build-26100-3194-63fb007d-3f52-4b47-85ea-28414a24be2d#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051987\u003C\u002Fa\u003E added a few helpful features and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003Eresolved a host of bugs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, both old and new. Among the glitches resolved were ones that affected digital audio converters, USB audio drivers, USB cameras, and passkeys. The update also patched several security vulnerabilities, including some that were deemed critical.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003EDon't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOK, that's the good news. Now for the bad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter applying KB5051987, many Windows users have been hit by troubles with File Explorer, as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fwindows-11-kb5051987-breaks-file-explorer-install-fails-on-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In some cases, File Explorer fails to respond when you try to open folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. In other cases, File Explorer refuses to open if you try to access it through the desktop shortcut or Windows Search. In still other cases, clicking on a folder's arrow in the left sidebar to view its subfolders produces no response.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe explorer.exe program still appears in Task Manager, indicating that File Explorer is running and hasn't frozen or crashed. One thought was that File Explorer conflicts with third-party tools. However, according to Windows Latest, the problems pop up even on plain vanilla systems with no third-party customizations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the glitches with File Explorer, some people have reported issues simply trying to install the update. Sometimes, the installation stops at 96%, kicking off an error that something didn't go as planned. Other times, you're told that KB5051987 can't be installed because some update files are missing or have problems. Some users with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fus.msi.com\u002F\"\u003EMSI-based systems\u003C\u002Fa\u003E say that the update gets stuck at 0% for several hours.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo try to resolve installation issues, Windows Latest suggests clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder where Windows stores its update files. You'll find that folder under C:\\Windows. Otherwise, you can just wait several hours or overnight to see if the installation finishes on its own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther glitches that may pop up include a stuttering mouse, an undetectable camera, .NET apps that cannot be installed inside the Windows Sandbox, and the Taskbar's new preview animation that does not work properly. You may also encounter other roadblocks. One person in the Windows Feedback Hub said that after installing the update, the battery life shows only 2.5 hours versus 6 hours previously. Another person found that the clipboard history no longer copies items from Microsoft Word.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn my end, I applied the February patch and haven't yet noticed any of the reported glitches. However, I've found that the Windows desktop now takes much longer to appear after I log in. I've also noticed a couple of odd issues that randomly occur and then vanish if I reboot. For example, right-clicking on a folder or file in File Explorer sometimes fails to trigger the context menu. I reboot and try again, and then it works fine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach annual Windows update can suffer from bugs, especially after being rolled out to millions of users. However, Windows 11 24H2 has been more problematic than usual. Since its official launch last October, the 2024 version has carried with it a host of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eknown issues\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, many of which still haven't been resolved. As we get closer to the October 2025 deadline for the Windows 10 support cutoff, Microsoft needs to ensure that Windows 11 is a more stable and reliable system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:48:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday fixed several bugs but triggered several problems. Some users are struggling just to install the security update.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"f8ec5e98-38f4-4ce2-89f8-88c10e70aa7e",image:{id:"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4",filename:"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:20:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer",credits:"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F18\u002F36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\u002Fwindows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11-update-breaks-file-explorer-among-other-glitches",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer - among other glitches",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"7ba93295-2caf-4dd0-a86b-85d50f348846",username:"kkucharski",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Kyle",lastName:"Kucharski",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20",filename:"kyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-04-24 19:47:58",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F04\u002F24\u002Fec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20\u002Fkyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Kyle Kucharski is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor interested in emerging technologies and all things futurism. When he's not covering new laptops and computers for ZDNET, he's writing about music and speculative fiction.",profile:c,title:"Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00989.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your computer desktop looks a little chaotic and you're noticing some performance slowdown, it might be time to do a cleanup. The best way to keep things running smoothly is to ensure you're running the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emost updated version of Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (you'd be surprised how many folks' devices are several updates behind). But if you're up-to-date, there are other things you can do to optimize.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows has a few helpful utilities that can free up some space (and they're already on your PC). These utilities aren't intended for large-scale repairs but can help make things run faster by cutting excess weight.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegular computer usage results in stored cache files that can become corrupted and outdated, leading to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoperational quirks\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and slower boot times. Clearing this cache and other temporary files can improve performance and keep things running optimally. Here's how. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4930893\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Innovation Weekly\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Cleanup recommendations\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 can identify large files, unused apps, and system files that can be safely deleted. This is a good place to start when optimizing your disk space. Here's how to access these tools:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Click the Start button > Settings\u003Cbr\u003E2. System > Storage\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to \"Cleanup recommendations\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis will bring up temporary files in your Downloads folder and the Recycle Bin. Nuking these files can free up several GB of disk space. Before you do, ensure you don't need anything in your Downloads folder, as it could contain necessary files. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther recommendations for removal will appear on this screen, including large or unused files, which Windows will bring to your attention. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the large files it will suggest will be video clips or large image files, which you might want to review before deleting.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-your-android-phones-cache-and-make-it-feel-like-new-for-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear your Android phone's cache and make it feel like new for 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the bottom, Windows will identify apps you rarely (or have never used) to consider for deletion. If you don't need an app, you can remove it and reclaim the disk space. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisk Cleanup is another utility that is accessible regardless of your Windows version. The easiest way to open it is to search for \"Disk Cleanup\" in the search bar and bring up the window. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe utility will then identify temporary internet files, setup log files, and various cache files that can be safely deleted to reclaim a few GB of storage space (hey, every little bit helps). Check the boxes of the file types you're ready to delete and click OK. It's that easy. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to clear your PC's location cache\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome data will be created when your PC syncs in a new location. You can safely clear your device's location cache in Windows to free up more space. Here's how: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Hit the Start menu and click \"Settings\"\u003Cbr\u003E2. Click \"Privacy and Security\"\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to the section titled \"Location history\" and click \"Clear\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to flush the DNS cache \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your internet browsing speeds aren't what they used to be, one thing that could help speed things up is a flush of the DNS cache. This task is easy enough to do with one command. Here's how:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run command window\u003Cbr\u003E2. In the Run command prompt, type \u003Cstrong\u003Eipconfig\u002Fflushdns\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and press Enter\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOptimizing Windows requires good file management habits, and monitoring file creep is crucial. These cleanup utilities might seem small in impact, but they add up over time to keep things running smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-14 16:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Removing cache and temporary files can give your PC a noticeable speed boost - and you don't need any extra software to do it.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ff2d1019-1d05-4ad9-889f-b146608946cb",image:{id:"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b",filename:"dsc00989.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows January update bugs",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002F48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\u002Fdsc00989.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-free-up-valuable-system-resources",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and free up valuable system resources)",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"JuSun\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"encryption concept\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"2309\" data-image-height=\"1299\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-faq-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, like its predecessor, includes easy options to encrypt your system drive. With BitLocker \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edevice encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E turned on for your PC's system drive, your personal data is safe if your laptop is lost or stolen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf Windows determines that boot integrity has been compromised, it will demand a recovery key (a 48-digit number, divided into eight groups of six numbers each) before it unlocks the information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhen will you see the BitLocker recovery prompt?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs millions of people discovered during the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-caused-the-great-crowdstrike-windows-meltdown-of-2024-history-has-the-answer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrowdStrike meltdown\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Windows can demand that recovery key when you least expect it. Under normal circumstances, you unlock your drive automatically when you sign in to Windows using an account that's authorized for that device. Using your password or your biometrics proves to Windows that you are who you say you are.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you try to access the system in any other way, such as by booting from a Windows recovery drive or a Linux-based USB boot drive, you'll be prompted for a recovery key to access the current drive. You might also see a prompt for a recovery key if a firmware update has changed the system in a way that the TPM doesn't recognize. In cases like these, Windows has no way to confirm that you're authorized to access this data. As a result, you will see this screen:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"00b77661-d8b0-4843-b1f6-a3f7484bc262\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you see this screen, something went wrong at startup and you need to prove your identity to recover your data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot from Microsoft Support\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F08\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"1920\" data-image-height=\"1200\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you have that key handy, this is a minor annoyance. If you can't find that key, it's a disaster. Without it, your files are completely inaccessible. The moral of the story? You want to ensure you always have ready access to the recovery key when you need it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to find your saved BitLocker recovery key online\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you sign in to Windows on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea new PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E using a Microsoft account, Windows uses the built-in device encryption option and automatically saves the recovery key to your Microsoft account. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo access that key from any device, go to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and sign in with the same Microsoft account (personal or business) that you used when you set up the PC for the first time. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer a command line, open PowerShell and use this command to view details about encryption on the system drive, including the recovery key:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you signed in for the first time with a local account, your system drive is not encrypted. On a PC running \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Home edition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the only way to enable device encryption is to sign in with a Microsoft account. With Windows 11 Pro, you can turn on BitLocker encryption manually, on the system drive and external drives. See my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker Guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to save a fresh copy of your BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're running Windows 11 Pro, Windows prompts you to save the recovery key when you first turn on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-windows-bitlocker-recovery-bug-is-fixed-according-to-microsoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Windows gives you three (or four) options for saving a recovery key. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can save the key to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-restores-its-guide-that-helps-you-switch-from-a-microsoft-account-to-a-local-account\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyour Microsoft account\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (personal or business), save the key to a text file you save on a storage device of your choosing, or send that key to a printer and save the hard copy in a safe location. If you're the belt-and-suspenders type, you can do all three. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAny time after that, you can save a fresh copy of the key by going to the Manage BitLocker Control Panel. Just type a few letters of the word \u003Cem\u003EBitLocker\u003C\u002Fem\u003E in the search box to find it. Click \"Back up your recovery key\" to open the dialog box shown here:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack up the recovery key to OneDrive for easy access, or save it as a file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F29\u002F3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\u002Fbitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F05\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"972\" data-image-height=\"644\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe top option is the easiest: save the key to OneDrive and retrieve it any time by signing in with your Microsoft account at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fmyrecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. You can use the browser on your mobile phone if necessary. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a personal Microsoft account, that shortcut goes directly to the page containing recovery keys. On a business account, click \"Manage devices\" and expand the menu for the device you're trying to unlock to see a \"View BitLocker keys\" button. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fwiping-a-windows-laptop-heres-the-safest-free-way-to-erase-your-personal-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWiping a Windows laptop? Here's the safest free way to erase your personal data\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer an alternative cloud storage service, save the recovery key as a file (to a drive other than the system drive) and then upload it to the cloud manually.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if you anticipate that you'll be traveling to a place where you can't count on ready access to your Microsoft account, save the recovery key as a file on your mobile phone, add it in a secure note in your password manager, or print it out on a slip of paper and tuck it into your wallet.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 17:44:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"BitLocker encryption is a great way to stop a thief from accessing your business and personal secrets. But don't let the tool lock you out of your PC.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"116cf625-0fda-4fa5-8ef2-ccf52d9c9d63",image:{id:"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c",filename:"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-09-19 23:21:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"encryption concept",credits:"JuSun\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F09\u002F19\u002F672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\u002Fgettyimages-1471976069.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2309,height:1299,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00999.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one immutable law of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPCs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: sh*t happens. And when it does, there's usually a way to fix things, if you had the foresight to create one essential recovery tool first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBooting from a USB recovery drive allows you to perform basic troubleshooting repairs on any \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows system\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. And by adding Windows installation files to your bootable recovery drive, you can easily reinstall Windows and get back to work.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive with the latest Windows installation files. Go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDownload Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E page, find the \"Create Windows 11 Installation Media\" section, click Download Now, and follow the prompts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use the free, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frufus.ie\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eopen-source Rufus utility\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to create a bootable installation drive for Windows 11, as long as you already have an ISO file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you just want to use the tools built into Windows, I recommend a slightly different approach. Download the Windows 11 installer as a disk image file (in ISO format), use the built-in Windows Recovery Media Creator utility to create a bootable recovery drive, and copy the Windows installation files to that drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe entire process takes four steps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Download the most recent Windows 11 version\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnically, this step is optional. You can create a recovery drive that does nothing but boot into the Windows Recovery Environment. However, that drive is much more useful when you add the Windows installation files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn ISO file is a disk image. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft, free of charge. You don't have to provide any identification or sign-in. For Windows 11, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; for Windows 10, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScroll down to the section, \"Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices\". If the PC for which you're creating a recovery drive uses an Intel or AMD processor, select a download type (there should be only one option) and click Download Now; for a PC based on an Arm processor, click the link that leads to Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64 devices. Choose your language and then follow the prompts to download the ISO file to your computer. (Don't download it to the removable drive!)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the download finishes, you can double-click the ISO file in WIndows 10 or Windows 11 to mount it as a virtual DVD drive in File Explorer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Get a USB flash drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreating a basic recovery drive requires a USB drive that's at least 512MB. For a recovery drive that includes 64-bit Windows system files, you'll need a larger USB drive, at least 16GB in size; and if you're creating a drive using the system files included with your PC, you might need a 32GB drive. To transform that bare USB flash drive, you use the built-in Recovery Drive tool. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA word of caution: creating a recovery drive formats the drive and erases all content on it, so be sure to make backup copies of any important files on that drive before you begin the process.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Create the bootable recovery drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Recovery Drive tool has its own executable file, which you can open directly by using the following command:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E%windir%\\system32\\RecoveryDrive.exe\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn easier way to locate that file is to type \u003Cstrong\u003Erecovery\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in the search box on the taskbar, and then click the Recovery Drive shortcut from the search results. That action opens a window like the one shown next:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e300bf93-85ce-439c-9720-1a4df085fbdf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWith this check box selected, you can create a recovery drive to reinstall the original factory-supplied Windows image.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"create-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F13\u002F77bf24df-b475-4f32-8420-5708f8051903\u002Fcreate-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows11-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F07\u002F30\" data-image-width=\"649\" data-image-height=\"480\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your PC included a partition with recovery files for the installed OEM version of Windows 11, you can create a recovery drive with those files for reinstalling Windows; be sure to select the \"Back up system files to the recovery drive\" option on the first page. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-recover-deleted-files-in-windows-10-or-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to recover deleted files in Windows 10 or 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is ideal if your PC is brand new and contains a current version of Windows; it's less useful for a two or three-year-old PC, where this option will result in your recovery drive containing an outdated version of Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollow the prompts to finish creating the recovery drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Add Windows installation files to the drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you chose to include your OEM recovery files in the previous step, you can stop here. You're all done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't have an OEM recovery partition, this is the point where you add Windows installation files to the recovery drive:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDouble-click the ISO file you saved earlier to open a File Explorer window containing its contents. (This \"mounted\" ISO file acts like a virtual CD or DVD drive.)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen a second File Explorer window and double-click the drive letter of the USB recovery drive to display its contents.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPosition the two File Explorer windows side by side.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick to select any file in the mounted ISO drive window and press Ctrl+A to select every file in that window; then drag that selection and drop it in the recovery drive window.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose the option to replace any files on the recovery drive with the files you're copying.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the file copying is complete, remove the USB flash drive, label it, and store it in a safe place where you can get to it quickly when required. You can use it on any PC to start the Windows Recovery Environment or to reinstall Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-10-pc-cant-be-upgraded-you-have-5-options-before-support-ends-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EYour Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded? You have 5 options before support ends in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, that recovery drive installs a generic, retail edition of Windows without special drivers or custom software that the PC maker might have included with your original installation. To restore that version, you'll need to download a recovery image from the OEM. For instructions, see this article: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-a-free-windows-recovery-image-for-your-oem-pc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"How to get a free Windows (or Linux) recovery image for your Dell, HP, Lenovo, or Microsoft Surface PC.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, you can add your custom files to the recovery drive, such as installation files or product keys for third-party software you typically include with a new Windows installation. This is also a good place to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwheres-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-how-to-save-a-copy-before-the-next-windows-meltdown\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esave a copy of the BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for your system drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a good idea to repeat this process once a year after Microsoft releases its annual feature update in the second half of the year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 14:11:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If your PC is operating perfectly right now, great! But getting ahead of any future PC fiascos with a recovery drive may save you from a major tech-induced headache later.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"2a26a624-171c-4670-8f21-3f77ac54d7b0",image:{id:"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292",filename:"dsc00999.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard",credits:"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002Fef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\u002Fdsc00999.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d}],componentLabel:c,description:c,filters:c,paging:c,slug:"dynamic-topic-listing-right-rail-basic-latest",title:"Latest",label:c,viewMoreText:c,viewMoreUrl:c,relatedItems:c},{id:"2ffa34dd-efe5-440b-bcdf-7eae560bba29",meta:{componentName:"2ffa34dd-efe5-440b-bcdf-7eae560bba29",componentDisplayName:c,componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F2ffa34dd-efe5-440b-bcdf-7eae560bba29\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=2ffa34dd-efe5-440b-bcdf-7eae560bba29"}},items:[{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"How to run DeepSeek AI locally for more privacy\" data-image-filename=\"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4320\" data-image-height=\"2430\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeepSeek is the latest buzzword within the world of AI. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-deepseek-ai-is-it-safe-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDeepSeek\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a Chinese AI startup, founded in May 2023, that functions as an independent AI research lab and has gained significant attention around the globe for developing very powerful large language models (LLMs) at a cost for which its US counterparts cannot compete.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-sparsity-deepseek-ais-secret-revealed-by-apple-researchers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is sparsity? DeepSeek AI's secret, revealed by Apple researchers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason for this lower cost is that DeepSeek is open-source. The company has also claimed it has created a way to develop LLMs at a much lower cost than US AI companies. DeepSeek models also perform as well (if not better) than other models, and the company has released different models for different purposes (such as programming, general-purpose, and vision). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy experience with DeepSeek has been interesting so far. What I've found is that DeepSeek always seems to be having a conversation with itself, in the process of relaying information to the user. The responses tend to be long-winded and can send me down several different rabbit holes, each of which led to me learning something new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI do love learning new things. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-i-feed-my-files-to-a-local-ai-for-better-more-relevant-responses\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow I feed my files to a local AI for better, more relevant responses\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're interested in DeepSeek, you don't have to rely on a third party to use it. That's right -- you can install DeepSeek locally and use it at your whim. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are two easy ways to make this happen, and I'm going to show you both. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to add DeepSeek to Msty \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat you'll need\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: For this, you'll need both \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-install-an-llm-on-macos-and-why-you-should\u002F\"\u003EOllama\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-app-makes-using-ollama-local-ai-on-macos-devices-so-easy\u002F\"\u003EMsty\u003C\u002Fa\u003E installed -- and that's it. You can use this on Linux, MacOS, or Windows, and it won't cost you a penny. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0c5cb204-db6f-41c9-b04e-34808f0c645e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe first step is to open the Msty GUI. How you do this will depend on the OS you use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Open Msty\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"02118476-1ebb-4bb8-ac5e-5c61902d6b9b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFrom the left sidebar, click the icon that looks like a computer monitor with a lightning bolt, which will open the Local AI Models section.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Access the Local AI Models section\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ba166e12-1476-4b39-9237-95411de5d601\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure Msty is updated by clicking the cloud icon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty sidebar with Local AI models highlighted.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"402\" data-image-height=\"404\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"db0c2f41-bcfb-4300-a4fa-e5513df99ddd\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn the Local AI Models section, you'll see DeepSeek R1. Click the download button (downward pointing arrow) to add the DeepSeek model to Msty. Once the download completes, close the Local AI Models window.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Install DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8cea8c36-d36d-4620-95f2-2d3be2286e40\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to select DeepSeek R1.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Local AI downloader.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1308\" data-image-height=\"499\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"43046221-61ec-46b4-85b5-1f938521ee05\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack at the main window, click the model selection drop-down, click DeepSeek R1 (under Local AL), and type your query.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Select and use DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9ba947da-aa78-4b25-92b8-9159c52a1f5d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EYou can install as many local models as you need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Models selection menu.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"361\" data-image-height=\"328\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to install DeepSeek locally from the Linux command line \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother option is to do a full install of DeepSeek on Linux. Before you do this, know that the system requirements for this are pretty steep. You'll need a minimum of: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECPU: A powerful multi-core processor with a minimum of 12 cores recommended.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGPU: An NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support for accelerated performance. If Ollama doesn't detect the presence of an NVIDIA GPU, it will configure itself to run in CPU-only mode.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERAM: A minimum of 16 GB, preferably 32 GB or more.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStorage: You'll want NVMe storage for faster read\u002Fwrite operations.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOperating System: You'll need Ubuntu or an Ubuntu-based distribution.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your system meets those requirements, and you already have Ollama installed, you can run the DeepSeek R1 model with: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:8b \t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you haven't already installed Ollama, you can do that with a single command: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ecurl -fsSL https:\u002F\u002Follama.com\u002Finstall.sh | sh \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-sanctums-local-ai-app-and-its-exactly-what-i-needed-to-keep-my-data-private\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI tried Sanctum's local AI app, and it's exactly what I needed to keep my data private\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be prompted for your user password. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are other versions of DeepSeek you can run, which are: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1 - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe default 8B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:1.5b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe smallest model\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:7b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 7B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:14b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 14B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:32b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 32B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:70b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe largest and smartest of the models.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce the command completes, you'll find yourself at the Ollama prompt, where you can start using the model of your choice. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthese-nations-are-banning-deepseek-ai-heres-why\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThese nations are banning DeepSeek AI - here's why\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEither way you go, you now have access to the DeepSeek AI and can use it while keeping all of your queries and information safe on your local machine. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 15:28:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you're curious about DeepSeek but reluctant to try it because of privacy issues, this is the solution for you.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"6924c32b-9af9-4a9a-8cf1-efedc5526c28",image:{id:"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc",filename:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 14:38:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Deepseek AI logo with Scarcity background.",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002F6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\u002Fhow-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4320,height:2430,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Artificial Intelligence",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-to-protect-your-privacy-2-easy-ways",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to run DeepSeek AI locally to protect your privacy - 2 easy ways",topic:{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft keeps running into brick walls with the 2024 version of Windows 11. Each new update designed to fix the outstanding bugs ends up introducing other problems. That's apparently true with the February Patch Tuesday update, prompting users to complain of File Explorer issues, installation glitches, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched as an automatic update on February 11, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051987-os-build-26100-3194-63fb007d-3f52-4b47-85ea-28414a24be2d#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051987\u003C\u002Fa\u003E added a few helpful features and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003Eresolved a host of bugs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, both old and new. Among the glitches resolved were ones that affected digital audio converters, USB audio drivers, USB cameras, and passkeys. The update also patched several security vulnerabilities, including some that were deemed critical.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003EDon't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOK, that's the good news. Now for the bad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter applying KB5051987, many Windows users have been hit by troubles with File Explorer, as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fwindows-11-kb5051987-breaks-file-explorer-install-fails-on-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In some cases, File Explorer fails to respond when you try to open folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. In other cases, File Explorer refuses to open if you try to access it through the desktop shortcut or Windows Search. In still other cases, clicking on a folder's arrow in the left sidebar to view its subfolders produces no response.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe explorer.exe program still appears in Task Manager, indicating that File Explorer is running and hasn't frozen or crashed. One thought was that File Explorer conflicts with third-party tools. However, according to Windows Latest, the problems pop up even on plain vanilla systems with no third-party customizations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the glitches with File Explorer, some people have reported issues simply trying to install the update. Sometimes, the installation stops at 96%, kicking off an error that something didn't go as planned. Other times, you're told that KB5051987 can't be installed because some update files are missing or have problems. Some users with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fus.msi.com\u002F\"\u003EMSI-based systems\u003C\u002Fa\u003E say that the update gets stuck at 0% for several hours.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo try to resolve installation issues, Windows Latest suggests clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder where Windows stores its update files. You'll find that folder under C:\\Windows. Otherwise, you can just wait several hours or overnight to see if the installation finishes on its own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther glitches that may pop up include a stuttering mouse, an undetectable camera, .NET apps that cannot be installed inside the Windows Sandbox, and the Taskbar's new preview animation that does not work properly. You may also encounter other roadblocks. One person in the Windows Feedback Hub said that after installing the update, the battery life shows only 2.5 hours versus 6 hours previously. Another person found that the clipboard history no longer copies items from Microsoft Word.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn my end, I applied the February patch and haven't yet noticed any of the reported glitches. However, I've found that the Windows desktop now takes much longer to appear after I log in. I've also noticed a couple of odd issues that randomly occur and then vanish if I reboot. For example, right-clicking on a folder or file in File Explorer sometimes fails to trigger the context menu. I reboot and try again, and then it works fine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach annual Windows update can suffer from bugs, especially after being rolled out to millions of users. However, Windows 11 24H2 has been more problematic than usual. Since its official launch last October, the 2024 version has carried with it a host of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eknown issues\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, many of which still haven't been resolved. As we get closer to the October 2025 deadline for the Windows 10 support cutoff, Microsoft needs to ensure that Windows 11 is a more stable and reliable system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:48:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday fixed several bugs but triggered several problems. Some users are struggling just to install the security update.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"f8ec5e98-38f4-4ce2-89f8-88c10e70aa7e",image:{id:"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4",filename:"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:20:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer",credits:"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F18\u002F36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\u002Fwindows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11-update-breaks-file-explorer-among-other-glitches",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer - among other glitches",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"7ba93295-2caf-4dd0-a86b-85d50f348846",username:"kkucharski",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Kyle",lastName:"Kucharski",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20",filename:"kyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-04-24 19:47:58",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F04\u002F24\u002Fec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20\u002Fkyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Kyle Kucharski is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor interested in emerging technologies and all things futurism. When he's not covering new laptops and computers for ZDNET, he's writing about music and speculative fiction.",profile:c,title:"Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00989.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your computer desktop looks a little chaotic and you're noticing some performance slowdown, it might be time to do a cleanup. The best way to keep things running smoothly is to ensure you're running the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emost updated version of Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (you'd be surprised how many folks' devices are several updates behind). But if you're up-to-date, there are other things you can do to optimize.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows has a few helpful utilities that can free up some space (and they're already on your PC). These utilities aren't intended for large-scale repairs but can help make things run faster by cutting excess weight.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegular computer usage results in stored cache files that can become corrupted and outdated, leading to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoperational quirks\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and slower boot times. Clearing this cache and other temporary files can improve performance and keep things running optimally. Here's how. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4930893\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Innovation Weekly\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Cleanup recommendations\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 can identify large files, unused apps, and system files that can be safely deleted. This is a good place to start when optimizing your disk space. Here's how to access these tools:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Click the Start button > Settings\u003Cbr\u003E2. System > Storage\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to \"Cleanup recommendations\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis will bring up temporary files in your Downloads folder and the Recycle Bin. Nuking these files can free up several GB of disk space. Before you do, ensure you don't need anything in your Downloads folder, as it could contain necessary files. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther recommendations for removal will appear on this screen, including large or unused files, which Windows will bring to your attention. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the large files it will suggest will be video clips or large image files, which you might want to review before deleting.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-your-android-phones-cache-and-make-it-feel-like-new-for-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear your Android phone's cache and make it feel like new for 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the bottom, Windows will identify apps you rarely (or have never used) to consider for deletion. If you don't need an app, you can remove it and reclaim the disk space. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisk Cleanup is another utility that is accessible regardless of your Windows version. The easiest way to open it is to search for \"Disk Cleanup\" in the search bar and bring up the window. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe utility will then identify temporary internet files, setup log files, and various cache files that can be safely deleted to reclaim a few GB of storage space (hey, every little bit helps). Check the boxes of the file types you're ready to delete and click OK. It's that easy. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to clear your PC's location cache\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome data will be created when your PC syncs in a new location. You can safely clear your device's location cache in Windows to free up more space. Here's how: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Hit the Start menu and click \"Settings\"\u003Cbr\u003E2. Click \"Privacy and Security\"\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to the section titled \"Location history\" and click \"Clear\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to flush the DNS cache \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your internet browsing speeds aren't what they used to be, one thing that could help speed things up is a flush of the DNS cache. This task is easy enough to do with one command. Here's how:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run command window\u003Cbr\u003E2. In the Run command prompt, type \u003Cstrong\u003Eipconfig\u002Fflushdns\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and press Enter\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOptimizing Windows requires good file management habits, and monitoring file creep is crucial. These cleanup utilities might seem small in impact, but they add up over time to keep things running smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-14 16:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Removing cache and temporary files can give your PC a noticeable speed boost - and you don't need any extra software to do it.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ff2d1019-1d05-4ad9-889f-b146608946cb",image:{id:"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b",filename:"dsc00989.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows January update bugs",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002F48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\u002Fdsc00989.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-free-up-valuable-system-resources",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and free up valuable system resources)",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"JuSun\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"encryption concept\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"2309\" data-image-height=\"1299\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-faq-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, like its predecessor, includes easy options to encrypt your system drive. With BitLocker \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edevice encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E turned on for your PC's system drive, your personal data is safe if your laptop is lost or stolen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf Windows determines that boot integrity has been compromised, it will demand a recovery key (a 48-digit number, divided into eight groups of six numbers each) before it unlocks the information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhen will you see the BitLocker recovery prompt?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs millions of people discovered during the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-caused-the-great-crowdstrike-windows-meltdown-of-2024-history-has-the-answer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrowdStrike meltdown\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Windows can demand that recovery key when you least expect it. Under normal circumstances, you unlock your drive automatically when you sign in to Windows using an account that's authorized for that device. Using your password or your biometrics proves to Windows that you are who you say you are.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you try to access the system in any other way, such as by booting from a Windows recovery drive or a Linux-based USB boot drive, you'll be prompted for a recovery key to access the current drive. You might also see a prompt for a recovery key if a firmware update has changed the system in a way that the TPM doesn't recognize. In cases like these, Windows has no way to confirm that you're authorized to access this data. As a result, you will see this screen:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"00b77661-d8b0-4843-b1f6-a3f7484bc262\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you see this screen, something went wrong at startup and you need to prove your identity to recover your data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot from Microsoft Support\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F08\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"1920\" data-image-height=\"1200\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you have that key handy, this is a minor annoyance. If you can't find that key, it's a disaster. Without it, your files are completely inaccessible. The moral of the story? You want to ensure you always have ready access to the recovery key when you need it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to find your saved BitLocker recovery key online\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you sign in to Windows on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea new PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E using a Microsoft account, Windows uses the built-in device encryption option and automatically saves the recovery key to your Microsoft account. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo access that key from any device, go to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and sign in with the same Microsoft account (personal or business) that you used when you set up the PC for the first time. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer a command line, open PowerShell and use this command to view details about encryption on the system drive, including the recovery key:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you signed in for the first time with a local account, your system drive is not encrypted. On a PC running \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Home edition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the only way to enable device encryption is to sign in with a Microsoft account. With Windows 11 Pro, you can turn on BitLocker encryption manually, on the system drive and external drives. See my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker Guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to save a fresh copy of your BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're running Windows 11 Pro, Windows prompts you to save the recovery key when you first turn on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-windows-bitlocker-recovery-bug-is-fixed-according-to-microsoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Windows gives you three (or four) options for saving a recovery key. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can save the key to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-restores-its-guide-that-helps-you-switch-from-a-microsoft-account-to-a-local-account\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyour Microsoft account\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (personal or business), save the key to a text file you save on a storage device of your choosing, or send that key to a printer and save the hard copy in a safe location. If you're the belt-and-suspenders type, you can do all three. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAny time after that, you can save a fresh copy of the key by going to the Manage BitLocker Control Panel. Just type a few letters of the word \u003Cem\u003EBitLocker\u003C\u002Fem\u003E in the search box to find it. Click \"Back up your recovery key\" to open the dialog box shown here:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack up the recovery key to OneDrive for easy access, or save it as a file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F29\u002F3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\u002Fbitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F05\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"972\" data-image-height=\"644\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe top option is the easiest: save the key to OneDrive and retrieve it any time by signing in with your Microsoft account at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fmyrecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. You can use the browser on your mobile phone if necessary. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a personal Microsoft account, that shortcut goes directly to the page containing recovery keys. On a business account, click \"Manage devices\" and expand the menu for the device you're trying to unlock to see a \"View BitLocker keys\" button. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fwiping-a-windows-laptop-heres-the-safest-free-way-to-erase-your-personal-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWiping a Windows laptop? Here's the safest free way to erase your personal data\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer an alternative cloud storage service, save the recovery key as a file (to a drive other than the system drive) and then upload it to the cloud manually.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if you anticipate that you'll be traveling to a place where you can't count on ready access to your Microsoft account, save the recovery key as a file on your mobile phone, add it in a secure note in your password manager, or print it out on a slip of paper and tuck it into your wallet.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 17:44:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"BitLocker encryption is a great way to stop a thief from accessing your business and personal secrets. But don't let the tool lock you out of your PC.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"116cf625-0fda-4fa5-8ef2-ccf52d9c9d63",image:{id:"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c",filename:"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-09-19 23:21:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"encryption concept",credits:"JuSun\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F09\u002F19\u002F672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\u002Fgettyimages-1471976069.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2309,height:1299,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00999.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one immutable law of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPCs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: sh*t happens. And when it does, there's usually a way to fix things, if you had the foresight to create one essential recovery tool first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBooting from a USB recovery drive allows you to perform basic troubleshooting repairs on any \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows system\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. And by adding Windows installation files to your bootable recovery drive, you can easily reinstall Windows and get back to work.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive with the latest Windows installation files. Go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDownload Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E page, find the \"Create Windows 11 Installation Media\" section, click Download Now, and follow the prompts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use the free, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frufus.ie\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eopen-source Rufus utility\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to create a bootable installation drive for Windows 11, as long as you already have an ISO file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you just want to use the tools built into Windows, I recommend a slightly different approach. Download the Windows 11 installer as a disk image file (in ISO format), use the built-in Windows Recovery Media Creator utility to create a bootable recovery drive, and copy the Windows installation files to that drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe entire process takes four steps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Download the most recent Windows 11 version\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnically, this step is optional. You can create a recovery drive that does nothing but boot into the Windows Recovery Environment. However, that drive is much more useful when you add the Windows installation files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn ISO file is a disk image. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft, free of charge. You don't have to provide any identification or sign-in. For Windows 11, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; for Windows 10, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScroll down to the section, \"Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices\". If the PC for which you're creating a recovery drive uses an Intel or AMD processor, select a download type (there should be only one option) and click Download Now; for a PC based on an Arm processor, click the link that leads to Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64 devices. Choose your language and then follow the prompts to download the ISO file to your computer. (Don't download it to the removable drive!)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the download finishes, you can double-click the ISO file in WIndows 10 or Windows 11 to mount it as a virtual DVD drive in File Explorer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Get a USB flash drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreating a basic recovery drive requires a USB drive that's at least 512MB. For a recovery drive that includes 64-bit Windows system files, you'll need a larger USB drive, at least 16GB in size; and if you're creating a drive using the system files included with your PC, you might need a 32GB drive. To transform that bare USB flash drive, you use the built-in Recovery Drive tool. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA word of caution: creating a recovery drive formats the drive and erases all content on it, so be sure to make backup copies of any important files on that drive before you begin the process.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Create the bootable recovery drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Recovery Drive tool has its own executable file, which you can open directly by using the following command:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E%windir%\\system32\\RecoveryDrive.exe\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn easier way to locate that file is to type \u003Cstrong\u003Erecovery\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in the search box on the taskbar, and then click the Recovery Drive shortcut from the search results. That action opens a window like the one shown next:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e300bf93-85ce-439c-9720-1a4df085fbdf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWith this check box selected, you can create a recovery drive to reinstall the original factory-supplied Windows image.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"create-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F13\u002F77bf24df-b475-4f32-8420-5708f8051903\u002Fcreate-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows11-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F07\u002F30\" data-image-width=\"649\" data-image-height=\"480\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your PC included a partition with recovery files for the installed OEM version of Windows 11, you can create a recovery drive with those files for reinstalling Windows; be sure to select the \"Back up system files to the recovery drive\" option on the first page. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-recover-deleted-files-in-windows-10-or-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to recover deleted files in Windows 10 or 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is ideal if your PC is brand new and contains a current version of Windows; it's less useful for a two or three-year-old PC, where this option will result in your recovery drive containing an outdated version of Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollow the prompts to finish creating the recovery drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Add Windows installation files to the drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you chose to include your OEM recovery files in the previous step, you can stop here. You're all done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't have an OEM recovery partition, this is the point where you add Windows installation files to the recovery drive:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDouble-click the ISO file you saved earlier to open a File Explorer window containing its contents. (This \"mounted\" ISO file acts like a virtual CD or DVD drive.)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen a second File Explorer window and double-click the drive letter of the USB recovery drive to display its contents.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPosition the two File Explorer windows side by side.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick to select any file in the mounted ISO drive window and press Ctrl+A to select every file in that window; then drag that selection and drop it in the recovery drive window.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose the option to replace any files on the recovery drive with the files you're copying.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the file copying is complete, remove the USB flash drive, label it, and store it in a safe place where you can get to it quickly when required. You can use it on any PC to start the Windows Recovery Environment or to reinstall Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-10-pc-cant-be-upgraded-you-have-5-options-before-support-ends-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EYour Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded? You have 5 options before support ends in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, that recovery drive installs a generic, retail edition of Windows without special drivers or custom software that the PC maker might have included with your original installation. To restore that version, you'll need to download a recovery image from the OEM. For instructions, see this article: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-a-free-windows-recovery-image-for-your-oem-pc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"How to get a free Windows (or Linux) recovery image for your Dell, HP, Lenovo, or Microsoft Surface PC.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, you can add your custom files to the recovery drive, such as installation files or product keys for third-party software you typically include with a new Windows installation. This is also a good place to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwheres-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-how-to-save-a-copy-before-the-next-windows-meltdown\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esave a copy of the BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for your system drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a good idea to repeat this process once a year after Microsoft releases its annual feature update in the second half of the year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 14:11:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If your PC is operating perfectly right now, great! But getting ahead of any future PC fiascos with a recovery drive may save you from a major tech-induced headache later.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"2a26a624-171c-4670-8f21-3f77ac54d7b0",image:{id:"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292",filename:"dsc00999.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard",credits:"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002Fef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\u002Fdsc00999.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Statcounter stories\" data-image-filename=\"images-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt happens like clockwork, around the first of each month. Sites that focus on technology churn out nearly identical articles, all based on a chart like this one, prepared by the good folks at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStatcounter Global Stats\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d12b3d96-e255-409f-8133-c22fa5a37a58\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EEvery month, tech bloggers try to turn a chart like this one into a story, but most of them miss what's actually happening.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Statcounter GS\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-windows-version-ww-monthly-202312-202501.png\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-windows-version-ww-monthly-202312-202501.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1280\" data-image-height=\"720\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI saw that chart in dozens of posts this month, along with detailed explanations of what the author thought the underlying data points mean. Sometimes the authors of these posts even convince an industry analyst to share their thoughts. It's stereotypical horserace coverage. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis month, the challenge for every pundit was to explain why Windows 10 (the purple line at the top) appears to be suddenly collapsing in popularity and why Windows 11 (the blue line in the middle) has regained its mojo.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's a small sampling of some of the stories that the Statcounter \"Windows market share\" report inspired. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8943f27c-eb4e-4223-819e-899040a5da06\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAt the start of every month, stories like these appear, all based on the same charts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-stories-feb-2025\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-windows-headlines-feb-2025.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"745\" data-image-height=\"838\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy favorite quote from this batch is from Forbes, which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fzakdoffman\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F01\u002Fmicrosofts-free-offer-deadline-millions-of-windows-users-suddenly-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emade this bold assertion\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: \"The January stats are now out, and according to Statcounter, the Windows 11 upgrade trend has now un-reversed itself ... some 40 million hold-outs have suddenly upgraded their PCs in the last 31 days.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003EDon't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInevitably, these posts try to answer the question, \"Why did this happen?\" But maybe a better question is, \"Did this happen?\" followed by \"Are you sure?\" and \"Why doesn't any of this data make sense?\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause here's the reality: Statcounter's \"market share\" reports are a great excuse for tech bloggers to crank out a story each month, but they bear only the most casual relation to the real world, and most of those month-to-month spikes are simply statistical noise.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet me show you what I mean with another chart, which I created using data I downloaded from Statcounter's site. For this one, I changed the parameters to include data from January 2022 through January 2025, covering only the United States. After plugging that data into Excel, I created a line chart like the ones they publish, but I made two changes. First, I added third-order polynomial trendlines for the Windows 10 and Windows 11 data points to show the general direction of those monthly figures over time. Then, I added a shadow on either side of that trendline to indicate a likely margin of error. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"06945ca1-8c4b-4776-8f65-7eec95efd632\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdding a trendline helps to smooth out the statistical fluctuations and reveals the real patterns in this data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Chart by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET; data from Statcounter GS\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-data-remixed\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-data-remixed.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"1790\" data-image-height=\"1300\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWell, that tells a very different story, doesn't it? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the sites that use Statcounter's web analytics service, pageviews from PCs running Windows 10 are steadily declining, while pageviews from PCs running Windows 11 are steadily increasing. And those trends have been consistent over time, despite some fluctuations in the data. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll notice that description doesn't mention \"market share.\" Statcounter's data counts pageviews, not visits, or sessions, or individual devices. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd make no mistake about it, those monthly fluctuations really are just noise. Look at the teal-colored line for Windows 8.x versions from January 2024. Do you really think that 10 or 20 million people fired up their old Windows 8 devices on New Year's Day, used them for a few weeks, and then put them all back in the closet? That's unlikely. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENone of those other monthly spikes mean anything either. Did millions of people uninstall Windows 11 in December 2024 and then change their mind a month later? Of course not. The data is just messy! \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, let me be crystal clear here: I don't blame the Statcounter folks for taking advantage of an irresistible opportunity to generate publicity. I do, however, want to have a serious talk with every journalist and analyst who relies on Statcounter's charts without questioning the underlying data behind them, because those numbers can't stand up to even the mildest questioning. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Who is Statcounter? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter is a web analytics company based in Ireland. It was founded in 1999, during the Web 1.0 era, with a simple business model of counting \"hits\" to websites using a tracking pixel that clients embedded on their pages. If you're a website owner, adding Statcounter's tracking technology to your site can give you valuable information about your visitors. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was a good business for a long time, but over the years the company's customer base has shrunk. In 2009, it boasted that 3 million customers were using its service. By 2022, its own pages acknowledged that the customer base had been cut in half, to 1.5 million websites. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why\u002F\"\u003EHow to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fw3techs.com\u002Ftechnologies\u002Fdetails\u002Fta-statcounter\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EW3Techs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which tracks companies in this space, reported that 0.9% of all websites were using Statcounter's services in 2019. By January 2024, that number had shrunk to 0.5%, and when I checked again in January 2025, the number was down again, to 0.4%. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENone of that decline should be surprising. Google Analytics dominates this space today, and other big players, like Meta Pixel, WordPress Jetpack, and Adobe Analytics, have also stolen share from tiny firms like Statcounter. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Where do Statcounter's numbers come from? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter's customer base consists of a lot of small websites and a few medium-sized ones. The Statcounter Global Stats reports aggregate all the pageviews from those sites, with details about the visitors, including the hardware type, operating system, and browser, as collected by that tracking. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fif-your-windows-10-pc-cant-be-upgraded-you-have-5-options-before-time-runs-out\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter's data collection has declined dramatically in the last decade. A decade ago, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb.archive.org\u002Fweb\u002F20120930035044\u002Fhttp:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002Ffaq#methodology\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecompany's FAQ page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E reported that it measured more than 17 billion pageviews in a typical month. By 2022 (the last numbers that Statcounter has provided on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002Ffaq#methodology\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe current FAQ page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E), that number was down to 5 billion a month. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter represents a tiny sliver of actual traffic on the web, mostly from fairly esoteric websites that have chosen to embed the Statcounter tracking code on their websites, like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffutbin.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFutbin.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffilmyzilla.com.fj\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFilmyzilla.com.fj\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fask.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAsk.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkernel.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKernel.org\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. They can't count traffic from the most popular sites on the web, like Google, Facebook, or Wikipedia. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-you-still-get-a-windows-10-upgrade-for-free-in-2025-short-answer-maybe\u002F\"\u003ECan you still get a Windows 10 upgrade for free in 2025? Short answer: Maybe\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's like trying to do a survey of consumer behavior without including Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, CVS, or any Kroger grocery store. By leaving out those giants, your sample becomes quirky and almost certainly not representative of the greater market. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore importantly, Statcounter measures only pageviews, not visits or sessions. If I go to a site that uses the Statcounter service and visit five pages on my Windows 11 PC, and you load 10 pages with your Windows 10 PC, the results in Statcounter's \"market share\" report will show that Windows 10 is twice as popular as Windows 11. You see the problem here, I presume. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, that assumes all those pageviews are even counted. On my Windows 11 PC, where I use Microsoft Edge with its tracking protection set to Strict, Statcounter's tracking code is automatically blocked. Oops. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E So, what's the real story? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe data from Statcounter tells a perfectly valid story about how people use websites that belong to its customers. But it says nothing about the \"market share\" for Windows PCs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt does show, in the most general terms, that traffic to those sites from Windows 10 PCs is declining slowly and that traffic from PCs running Windows 11 appears to be increasing slowly as well. Do those numbers map to the population of PCs worldwide? Probably not, although no one can say for sure. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe do know that there are a very large number of PCs running Windows 10 that are not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11. That number will probably still be very large in October 2025, when support for Windows 10 ends. Someone with access to Microsoft's telemetry servers could probably give you a pretty good estimate of how many devices are in each population, but they're not talking. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe rest of us, unfortunately, are left to guess. And if you want to make a wager based on data from Statcounter, go right ahead. Just don't put any serious money on that bet. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-12 20:09:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"It's time for another round of Statcounter stories on Windows 'market share,' but none of the data makes any sense, and I have the receipts to prove it.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"3c7ca795-29f3-4278-a567-6896ae3c8d47",image:{id:"14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85",filename:"images-2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-03 13:17:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Statcounter stories",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F03\u002F14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85\u002Fimages-2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^PCs",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"statcounters-windows-market-share-data-is-not-accurate-or-reliable-and-i-can-prove-it",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Statcounter's Windows market-share data is not accurate or reliable, and I can prove it",topic:{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows January update bugs\" data-image-filename=\"windows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025-01-29 15:58:22.000000\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's Patch Tuesday rollout for February is a big one, not simply in size but in scope. Rolled out on February 11, the latest updates not only add a few new features but squash several bugs, including a few critical security vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's start with the new features. The latest round of patches, available as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051987-os-build-26100-3194-63fb007d-3f52-4b47-85ea-28414a24be2d#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051987\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Windows 11 24H2 and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051989-os-builds-22621-4890-and-22631-4890-b3062bbc-d32c-48cd-bc52-0c57bfd6a764#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051989\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Windows 11 23H2, enhances built-in tools such as the Taskbar and File Explorer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse\u002F\"\u003EWindows 11's bug-fixing update is making things worse\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to its changelog, Microsoft says the update improves the previews and animations that appear when your cursor hovers over Taskbar icons. Next, a new icon appears in the System Tray when you use an app that supports \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fwindows\u002Fai\u002Fstudio-effects\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Studio Effects\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which can display special effects through the front-facing camera on your PC or monitor. The update also adds a new simplified Chinese font called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unicode.org\u002Fcharts\u002FPDF\u002FU30000.pdf#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESimsun-ExtG\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one more. Windows can now automatically restart certain apps when you exit and then sign back in. To enable this option, go to Settings, select Accounts, and then click Sign in options. Turn on the switch for \"Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs for File Explorer, the latest update adds a few tweaks. When you right-click on a drive or folder in the left pane, a \"New Folder\" command now appears in the context menu. Windows will now restore all previously open tabs in each File Explorer window if you check the box in Folder Options for \"Restore previous folder windows at logon.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrior to the update, File Explorer was also beset with a few glitches. A search that you ran might repeat when you didn't want it to. The date and time properties of a file could change after copying it. Icons on the details pane might not update if you switched between dark and light themes. And the search box may lose focus as you typed. Now these bugs have all been resolved.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe February Patch Tuesday update also fixes a number of other bugs, old and new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPreviously, the display of some games was oversaturated when you used \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fuse-auto-hdr-for-better-gaming-in-windows-0cce8402-3de5-4512-a742-e027ca7aa79c#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAuto HDR\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. People who used USB audio devices with DACs (digital audio converters) could have encountered issues where the playback would stop. Another problem affected USB audio drivers connected to external devices, displaying an error that the device could not start. But those glitches should no longer plague Windows users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne snafu introduced with the January 2025 security update prevented USB cameras from being recognized. Passkey users would sometimes get a one-minute timeout when using their passkeys through a mobile phone. And the Windows shutdown process could be slower with a controller connected to the computer. These three problems have also been fixed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe February Patch Tuesday update also resolves several security holes in Windows. In total, 56 vulnerabilities are fixed, three of which are classified as critical. According to patch management provider Action1, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.action1.com\u002Fpatch-tuesday\u002Fpatch-tuesday-february-2025\u002F?vyj\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etwo zero-day flaws\u003C\u002Fa\u003E have been patched, and an older zero-day fault has been further updated.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERated as important, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21391\"\u003ECVE-2025-21391\u003C\u002Fa\u003E flaw could have allowed an attacker to delete files on a targeted system. Another flaw rated as important, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21418\"\u003ECVE-2025-21418\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, could have let an attacker remotely execute malicious code on a PC. The flaw labeled \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21377\"\u003ECVE-2025-21377\u003C\u002Fa\u003E could have opened the door for someone to spoof the victim's authentication credentials. And a flaw rated as critical, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21376\"\u003ECVE-2025-21376\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, could have allowed an attacker to run malicious code on an affected system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-how-it-helps-your-system-run-better\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and how it helps your system run better)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new KB5051987 and KB5051989 patches are the official and final versions of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse\u002F\"\u003Epreview updates that Microsoft launched on January 28\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Those updates fixed some bugs but created a host of new ones. So far, the February patches appear to be more stable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe latest patches are set as automatic updates, which means they should automatically get installed on your PC. Otherwise, head to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to download and install them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-12 17:29:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The latest updates resolve more glitches and security flaws - some critical - in Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2, so you'll want to install them sooner rather than later.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ab375619-e16a-463c-9a4e-e7fa6bfbd5db",image:{id:"3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364",filename:"windows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-01-29 15:58:22",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows January update bugs",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F01\u002F29\u002F3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"dont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Don't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11's January bug-fixing update adds several bugs of its own\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"3600\" data-image-height=\"2025\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft and its users still can't seem to catch a break with updates to Windows 11 24H2. Since its official debut last October, the 2024 version has been saddled with problems. But each new update designed to fix a bunch of bugs ends up introducing even more of them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 24H2's wild ride: Some fixes are in but other bugs still linger\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe latest issue centers around the Windows 11 24H2 preview update released on Jan. 28. Known as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Fjanuary-28-2025-kb5050094-os-build-26100-3037-preview-78fda0ea-79e9-468d-8a77-de7914ca1aef\"\u003EKB5050094\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, this one was supposed to be a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-latest-optional-patch-is-a-bug-fix-bonanza-for-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Emajor bug buster\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,  addressing both new and old glitches. The update did succeed in that regard, fixing issues with USB headphones and webcams, DAC audio, Bluetooth devices, game playing with AutoHDR, and disappearing mouse cursors.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe latest bugs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut, as is sometimes the case, the update introduced a new series of glitches, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reddit.com\u002Fr\u002FWindows11\u002Fcomments\u002F1iic4iu\u002Fwindows_11_kb5050094_has_major_issues_including\u002F\"\u003Euser complaints\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F05\u002Fwindows-11-kb5050094-has-major-issues-including-spinning-cursor-on-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.   The latest bugs affect the cursor, File Explorer, audio devices, the virtual machine tool Hyper-V, and a variety of other features.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral users who installed KB5050094 say the cursor sometimes continues to load. In its testing, Windows Latest found that the cursor's spinning circle appears every 30 seconds or so, making it seem as if Windows is trying to load something. The Jan. 28 update was also supposed to squash a bug in which the cursor would vanish when you tried to edit a text field. But this glitch seems to have survived and even gotten worse.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother problem reported by people who installed KB5050094 affects File Explorer. In this case, File Explorer sometimes freezes or fails to respond. One person who chimed in on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FAAuar5c\"\u003EMicrosoft's Feedback Hub\u003C\u002Fa\u003E said they could no longer use Windows Explorer on their desktop or laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Windows January updates are a mess - here's why you should wait to install\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther issues have popped up, according to Windows Latest. Some people say that audio devices disappear when they use apps like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkodi.tv\u002F\"\u003EKodi\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which is an open-source media player. In a few cases, Windows gets stuck in a loop trying to install the same update over and over again. Hyper-V may stop working during a Remote Desktop Session. In some rare instances, the PC's idle RAM use and CPU and GPU temperatures will rise.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOther potential problems\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESearching Microsoft's Feedback Hub for KB5050094 uncovers a host of other potential problems. One person says that apps can become unresponsive and that manually shutting them down renders them unusable unless the PC is rebooted. Another person reports that after coming out of sleep mode, the computer freezes and has to be restarted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet another person documented a host of glitches.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"Installing Windows 11 24H2 preview update KB5050094, build 26100.3037 makes my computer unusable,\" the person wrote in the Feedback Hub. \"File Explorer fails to open when clicking on the Explorer button on taskbar or even from the Run command or command prompt. Any Save As \u002F Open \u002F Browse dialogs also fail to open. Performance, especially at login, is terrible; it takes minutes just to log in to the desktop after entering my password. Various desktop apps and programs tend to become unresponsive for minutes at a time and then become responsive. I had the same exact experience on 2 additional PCs with Windows 11 24H2 with this preview update installed. Uninstalling this update makes Windows behave normally again. This update needs major improvements before being released in final form.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI applied the KB5050094 update to one of my Windows 11 PCs last week. I haven't had a chance to fully put it through its paces, but I can confirm at least one glitch. Logging in to Windows now takes much longer than it did before the update. After entering the password, PIN, or scanning my fingerprint, I have to wait at least 15-20 seconds before the desktop appears -- a good three to four times longer than it used to take.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy are people running into so many problems with this latest update?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some ways, this simply continues Microsoft's bad track record of updating Windows 11 24H2. However, KB5050094 is also a preview update. That means it's a preview of the following month's Patch Tuesday rollout, designed to give Windows administrators time to test it. As such, there's an implication that it's not quite finished and may be more unstable than an official automatic update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-11-pc-is-acting-up-4-essential-settings-i-always-check-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHopefully, Microsoft will have addressed some of the bugs introduced by KB5050094 in time for the next Patch Tuesday on Feb.11. Otherwise, the problems in this update are likely to spread to many more Windows 11 users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-07 15:51:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Each new update ends up introducing even more bugs.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"46f15005-25c4-497c-b786-cb6e9a59d70c",image:{id:"78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394",filename:"windows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-07 15:31:27",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"New year, new Windows 11 24H2 bug to add to the list: 12 and counting",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F07\u002F78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394\u002Fwindows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3600,height:2025,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11's bug-fixing update is making things worse",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Stop wasting time searching for tabs. These browsers are so much easier to keep organized\" data-image-filename=\"stop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHave you ever stopped to look at how many tabs you have across the top of your browser? Is that number so large that you can't make out the favicons for each of those sites, forcing you to click through them to find the site you need?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe frustration described above is more common than you might think. Part of the reason is that many browsers still haven't figured out how to manage tabs with any level of efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-great-chrome-like-browsers-that-put-your-privacy-first\u002F\"\u003E5 great Chrome-like browsers that put your privacy first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-browser-for-privacy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehandful of browsers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E make working with an ever-growing list of tabs so much easier that you'll wonder why you haven't already made the switch.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrust me -- once you've experienced real tab management in a web browser, you won't look back. In fact, after I started using one of these browsers, I couldn't go back to the old-school method of hunting for tabs in a sea of tiny icons.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf that sounds like a frustration you'd prefer to leave behind, read on, my friend, because your tabs are about to get managed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Opera\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'll start with the browser that made me leave behind Firefox and never look back. That browser is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.opera.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOpera\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and the feature is called Workspaces. With Workspaces, you create categorized spaces (such as Social Media, Shopping, News, and Work) and can open related tabs in those spaces, quickly switching back and forth. You could spend time viewing work-related sites in the Work Workspace and then move to the Shopping Workspace to find a new book to read. Hit the Social Media Workspace and craft a pithy post. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-great-chrome-like-browsers-that-put-your-privacy-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5 great Chrome-like browsers that put your privacy first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorkspaces can be accessed from the sidebar, and you can create as many as you need. Even better, you can pin specific tabs to specific workspaces. You can also customize keyboard shortcuts to allow you to switch from one workspace to the next without your hands leaving the keyboard. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpera is free to use and can be installed on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who want serious tab management, use different operating systems, and don't mind installing closed-source software. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Arc\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a daily basis, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Farc.net\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EArc\u003C\u002Fa\u003E does everything in its power to lure me away from Opera. On MacOS, it certainly succeeded. If the development team would release a version of Arc for Linux, it would be my default browser on every platform. You see, Arc takes Opera's Workspaces feature and improves upon it by allowing you to better customize each space. Not only can you give each space a unique theme, but you can also associate each space with a different profile. By associating each space with a different profile, you can customize each profile so that each space functions differently. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Ftry-the-worlds-best-browser-while-you-can-because-arcs-creator-has-other-plans\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETry the world's best browser while you can - because Arc's creator has other plans\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor instance, you could set your Workspace to use the more secure \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsearch.brave.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrave Search engine\u003C\u002Fa\u003E  and your Writing space to default to Perplexity.ai as its search engine. It doesn't hurt that Arc is also one of the best-looking browsers on the market. If you use Arc on a touch-pad-enabled device (with multipoint gestures), you can easily swipe between spaces.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArc is free but only available for MacOS and Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who value efficiency as well as aesthetics. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Zen Browser\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fzen-browser.app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZen Browser\u003C\u002Fa\u003E did for Firefox tab management what Opera did for Chrome. Zen Browser borrows from Arc's Spaces theming by allowing the user to customize the theme for the entire browser. To that end, you could have one browser theme for your Work workspace, a different theme for your Social workspace, and a different theme for your News workspace. With this feature, there's no doubt about which workspace you're using. Zen Browser also allows you to pin specific tabs to specific workspaces.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffor-anonymous-browsing-these-extensions-are-the-next-best-thing-to-tor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFor anonymous browsing, these extensions are the next best thing to Tor\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZen Browser is just as elegant as Arc, and I inch closer every day to switching from both Opera and Arc to Zen Browser. To add a nice cherry on top, Zen Browser is (unlike either Opera or Arc) open-source. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZen Browser is free to use and installable on Linux, MacOS, and Windows.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who value efficiency, beauty, and open-source. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Safari\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESafari finally got smart and added a tab management feature that is somewhat similar to Opera's. Safari's workspaces feature isn't quite as refined as Opera's (it functions more like vertical sidebar tabs than anything), but it gets the job done. Of the four browsers on this list, Safari's workspaces feature is the weakest. But it's there and quite user-friendly. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fmy-5-favorite-web-browsers-and-why-you-should-use-them\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMy 5 favorite web browsers - and what each is ideal for\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESafari's workspaces feature functions via a drop-down near the upper-left corner of the browser window, but you can also open the sidebar, where you'll get access to pinning tabs to workspaces and the ability to move a workspace to a different profile. By making use of profiles, you can assign specific extensions, set a theme, and configure how new windows and tabs open. Although you might not have nearly the customization of workspaces\u002Fprofiles found in Arc, Safari does a decent job with this. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EMacOS users who need better tab management but would rather stick with the default browser.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-05 22:17:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Stop wasting time searching for tabs every day. These four browsers with the best built-in tab management features can help.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"821759e7-fdf6-4047-b9b3-28a925ff1afe",image:{id:"8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7",filename:"stop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-05 17:42:55",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Opera Developer browser on a laptop.",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F05\u002F8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7\u002Fstop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"too-many-tabs-try-these-browsers-with-better-tab-management-than-chrome",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Too many tabs? Try these browsers with better tab management than Chrome",topic:{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"How to do a clean install of Windows 11: Which option is best for you?\" data-image-filename=\"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F04\" data-image-width=\"3600\" data-image-height=\"2025\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong Windows experts, a clean install is a time-honored ritual, a way to wipe out accumulated cruft and restore an old PC to new life.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can find plenty of perfectly good reasons to do a clean install. You might be repurposing an old but still serviceable PC for use by someone else in your family or your organization. Perhaps you've decided to replace a conventional hard disk drive with a fast solid-state drive to extend the life of an older PC. Or maybe you just want a fresh start.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA clean install is the ultimate troubleshooting technique, virtually guaranteed to eliminate performance or compatibility problems caused by third-party software, temporary files, configuration errors, and garden-variety malware. Done right, the result is a PC that starts from a known good state, with either the default Windows 10 configuration or a previously tested configuration that includes specific third-party software and drivers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy my count, there are four ways to do a clean install (short of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebuying a new PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E). Here are the pros and cons of each method, along with some advice on when to employ each one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(A quick note up front: This article covers the full range of installations on hardware that was originally designed for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Unless otherwise specified, all instructions assume that you're installing or reinstalling Windows 11 version 24H2.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Use a recovery image from the OEM\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you purchased a PC with Windows preinstalled, you might have the option to revert to the original image that the manufacturer supplied.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe good news is that the saved image includes all the drivers, utilities, and hardware support so that (in theory, at least) all your devices work as designed as soon as you sign in for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe bad news is that the saved image also includes whatever crapware the manufacturer was paid to preinstall alongside your otherwise pristine Windows installation. That might not be a dealbreaker if you have a business-class PC with minimal unwanted software, but it can be a royal pain for a consumer device overstuffed with games and trial versions of software.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBesides the aforementioned crapware, the biggest disadvantage of this option is that you're likely to end up with a Windows installation that's out of date, leading to the need for a tedious full feature update, followed by the latest cumulative update, after your recovery is complete. That's especially true if the PC you're working with came with Windows 10 and you upgraded it to Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is preferred if you're getting a machine ready to sell or give away, or if you're experiencing hardware issues that require repair or return of a device as part of a warranty claim.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe option to restore an OEM image might be available from a dedicated partition when you start your PC in recovery mode, or your OEM might include a utility that downloads the latest image from its servers. As an alternative, your OEM might be able to supply you with a bootable recovery image that you can install on a USB flash drive. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-a-free-windows-recovery-image-for-your-oem-pc\u002F\"\u003E\"How to get a free Windows (or Linux) recovery image for your OEM PC\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for details on where you can get recovery images for Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft Surface devices.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Restore from a backup image\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy definition, this option is only available if you're a well-prepared person who \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-10-tip-create-a-full-image-backup-using-this-hidden-tool\u002F\"\u003Eused the legacy Windows Backup program (Sdclt.exe)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or an alternative third-party backup program immediately after setting up your PC when it was brand new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you count yourself among that small group, you are probably reading this article from your lavishly appointed fallout shelter, with a 12-month supply of canned food, medications, and bottled water neatly stacked on the shelves. As a well-prepared person, what you did immediately after setting up your PC was create a backup image of your completed Windows installation, in anticipation of the day when something would head south and you would want to start over.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-set-up-god-mode-in-windows-11-and-the-wonders-you-can-do-with-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to set up God Mode in Windows 11 - and the wonders you can do with it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is especially appealing if you rely on a large collection of third-party software, including custom device drivers that are not available through Windows Update. Capture that image after completing installation of all those third-party programs but before restoring any personal data files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe disadvantages of this technique include the extra time and effort required to create the backup, as well as the organizational chops required to keep that backup safe and easily accessible when it's needed. As with an OEM recovery image, the backup doesn't necessarily include the most recent feature update. However, if the image reflects a previous Windows version that you want to use while you defer installation of later feature updates, you might see this as a plus.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Use the built-in Windows reset option\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis feature, which has been significantly refined since its debut more than a decade ago in Windows 8, lays down a completely new copy of your current Windows version, without any third-party drivers or software that might be causing problems. You don't need any installation media or product keys, and you don't have to adjust firmware settings to boot from an alternative device.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can't reset your PC by accident. The process involves at least four steps that require choices on your part, with one final confirmation that lays out in very clear terms exactly what's about to happen. You can back out at any time before you click that last button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro - without overpaying\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo start, go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under the \"Recovery options\" heading, click the Reset PC button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the first set of options, choose Keep My Files (the best choice if you're planning to reuse the PC yourself) or Remove Everything (if you're selling the PC or turning it over to someone else). If you choose to remove all files, the next option allows you to wipe the empty space those files occupied so they can't be recovered using disk utility software. (You can skip that step if you're resetting the PC for your own use.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn all currently supported Windows versions, the Reset This PC feature provides two options: You can reinstall Windows using the installed copy, or you can choose to download a fresh copy from the cloud. (Note that the Cloud Download option will use up to 4GB of data.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reset process is the best option if you want the quickest, least cumbersome way to start fresh. Note that a reset might not work if your system is compromised by malware or if some system files are damaged or corrupted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Reinstall from a bootable Windows recovery drive\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option gives you the most control over the clean install process. It also requires more than average technical skills and, usually, some post-installation futzing to get all hardware working properly and to ensure that the right features are available.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a three-step process:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirst, use the Media Creation Tool to download the latest installation files from the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDownload Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E  page and create a bootable USB flash drive. (If you're looking to reinstall Windows 10, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows10\"\u003Eyou'll find the official download here\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.)  \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENext, find the right combination of keystrokes and\u002For incantations to boot directly from that drive into the Windows Setup program. Use the built-in tools to reformat and\u002For repartition the target drive, if necessary. If you skip the formatting step, your old files remain on the drive in a Windows.old folder.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFinally, install Windows. Assuming you're doing so on hardware that's previously been activated, you can skip past the part where you're asked to enter a product key. Windows will activate automatically after you sign in for the first time.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-11-pc-is-acting-up-4-essential-settings-i-always-check-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter that's complete, you'll need to use Windows Update to install the latest updates, including hardware drivers for devices that aren't included as part of a standard Windows setup. If you did the installation without formatting the system drive first, you'll also need to clean up the Windows.old folder and then finish additional setup tasks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 17:25:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A clean install is the ultimate troubleshooting technique, but it's also the best way to repurpose a device you no longer need or to get a fresh start. By my count, there are four ways to do a clean install. Here are the pros and cons of each.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"1edb1bf9-baa6-4da4-854c-8499cacee9bc",image:{id:"700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a",filename:"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 17:09:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Clear blue sky",credits:"Getty Images\u002FiStockphoto",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F04\u002F700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a\u002Fhow-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3600,height:2025,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d}],componentLabel:c,description:c,filters:c,paging:c,slug:"dynamic-topic-five-story-feature-latest-offset-5",title:c,label:c,viewMoreText:c,viewMoreUrl:c,relatedItems:c},{id:"61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d",meta:{componentName:"61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d",componentDisplayName:c,componentType:"ContentList"},metadata:{},links:{self:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d",meta:{pageNum:1,count:15}},prev:{href:c,meta:c},next:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d&offset=15&limit=15",meta:{pageNum:2,count:15}},first:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d&offset=0&limit=15",meta:{pageNum:1,count:15}},last:{href:"https:\u002F\u002Fbender.cnetstatic.com\u002Fapi\u002Fneutron\u002Fcomponents\u002Fzdnet\u002Flisting\u002Fdynamic_listing\u002F61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d\u002Fweb?searchBy=id&topicSlug=windows&componentType=ContentList&componentName=61aded77-4ad4-412f-850f-e183cdc51b1d&offset=17760&limit=15",meta:{pageNum:1185,count:9}}},items:[{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"How to run DeepSeek AI locally for more privacy\" data-image-filename=\"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4320\" data-image-height=\"2430\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeepSeek is the latest buzzword within the world of AI. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-deepseek-ai-is-it-safe-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDeepSeek\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a Chinese AI startup, founded in May 2023, that functions as an independent AI research lab and has gained significant attention around the globe for developing very powerful large language models (LLMs) at a cost for which its US counterparts cannot compete.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-is-sparsity-deepseek-ais-secret-revealed-by-apple-researchers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is sparsity? DeepSeek AI's secret, revealed by Apple researchers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason for this lower cost is that DeepSeek is open-source. The company has also claimed it has created a way to develop LLMs at a much lower cost than US AI companies. DeepSeek models also perform as well (if not better) than other models, and the company has released different models for different purposes (such as programming, general-purpose, and vision). \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy experience with DeepSeek has been interesting so far. What I've found is that DeepSeek always seems to be having a conversation with itself, in the process of relaying information to the user. The responses tend to be long-winded and can send me down several different rabbit holes, each of which led to me learning something new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI do love learning new things. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-i-feed-my-files-to-a-local-ai-for-better-more-relevant-responses\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow I feed my files to a local AI for better, more relevant responses\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're interested in DeepSeek, you don't have to rely on a third party to use it. That's right -- you can install DeepSeek locally and use it at your whim. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are two easy ways to make this happen, and I'm going to show you both. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to add DeepSeek to Msty \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat you'll need\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: For this, you'll need both \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-install-an-llm-on-macos-and-why-you-should\u002F\"\u003EOllama\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-app-makes-using-ollama-local-ai-on-macos-devices-so-easy\u002F\"\u003EMsty\u003C\u002Fa\u003E installed -- and that's it. You can use this on Linux, MacOS, or Windows, and it won't cost you a penny. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"0c5cb204-db6f-41c9-b04e-34808f0c645e\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThe first step is to open the Msty GUI. How you do this will depend on the OS you use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"1. Open Msty\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"02118476-1ebb-4bb8-ac5e-5c61902d6b9b\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EFrom the left sidebar, click the icon that looks like a computer monitor with a lightning bolt, which will open the Local AI Models section.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"2. Access the Local AI Models section\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ba166e12-1476-4b39-9237-95411de5d601\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure Msty is updated by clicking the cloud icon.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty sidebar with Local AI models highlighted.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek1.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"402\" data-image-height=\"404\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"db0c2f41-bcfb-4300-a4fa-e5513df99ddd\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIn the Local AI Models section, you'll see DeepSeek R1. Click the download button (downward pointing arrow) to add the DeepSeek model to Msty. Once the download completes, close the Local AI Models window.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"3. Install DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8cea8c36-d36d-4620-95f2-2d3be2286e40\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to select DeepSeek R1.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Local AI downloader.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"1308\" data-image-height=\"499\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"43046221-61ec-46b4-85b5-1f938521ee05\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack at the main window, click the model selection drop-down, click DeepSeek R1 (under Local AL), and type your query.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"4. Select and use DeepSeek\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9ba947da-aa78-4b25-92b8-9159c52a1f5d\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EYou can install as many local models as you need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Jack Wallen\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"The Msty Models selection menu.\" data-image-filename=\"deepseek3.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"361\" data-image-height=\"328\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E How to install DeepSeek locally from the Linux command line \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother option is to do a full install of DeepSeek on Linux. Before you do this, know that the system requirements for this are pretty steep. You'll need a minimum of: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECPU: A powerful multi-core processor with a minimum of 12 cores recommended.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGPU: An NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support for accelerated performance. If Ollama doesn't detect the presence of an NVIDIA GPU, it will configure itself to run in CPU-only mode.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERAM: A minimum of 16 GB, preferably 32 GB or more.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStorage: You'll want NVMe storage for faster read\u002Fwrite operations.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOperating System: You'll need Ubuntu or an Ubuntu-based distribution.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your system meets those requirements, and you already have Ollama installed, you can run the DeepSeek R1 model with: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:8b \t\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you haven't already installed Ollama, you can do that with a single command: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ecurl -fsSL https:\u002F\u002Follama.com\u002Finstall.sh | sh \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-sanctums-local-ai-app-and-its-exactly-what-i-needed-to-keep-my-data-private\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI tried Sanctum's local AI app, and it's exactly what I needed to keep my data private\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll be prompted for your user password. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are other versions of DeepSeek you can run, which are: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1 - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe default 8B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:1.5b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe smallest model\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:7b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 7B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:14b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 14B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:32b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe 32B version\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eollama run deepseek-r1:70b - \u003C\u002Fem\u003EThe largest and smartest of the models.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce the command completes, you'll find yourself at the Ollama prompt, where you can start using the model of your choice. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthese-nations-are-banning-deepseek-ai-heres-why\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThese nations are banning DeepSeek AI - here's why\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEither way you go, you now have access to the DeepSeek AI and can use it while keeping all of your queries and information safe on your local machine. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 15:28:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If you're curious about DeepSeek but reluctant to try it because of privacy issues, this is the solution for you.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"6924c32b-9af9-4a9a-8cf1-efedc5526c28",image:{id:"6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc",filename:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-19 14:38:35",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Deepseek AI logo with Scarcity background.",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F19\u002F6568831a-f072-452d-a769-d9b9363ea5bc\u002Fhow-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-for-more-privacy.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4320,height:2430,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Innovation^Artificial Intelligence",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-run-deepseek-ai-locally-to-protect-your-privacy-2-easy-ways",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to run DeepSeek AI locally to protect your privacy - 2 easy ways",topic:{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"3414bf30-82eb-4a6a-a561-f193482f1643",slug:"artificial-intelligence",name:"Artificial Intelligence",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10b2a4fa-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"linux",name:"Linux",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F18\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"900\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft keeps running into brick walls with the 2024 version of Windows 11. Each new update designed to fix the outstanding bugs ends up introducing other problems. That's apparently true with the February Patch Tuesday update, prompting users to complain of File Explorer issues, installation glitches, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaunched as an automatic update on February 11, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051987-os-build-26100-3194-63fb007d-3f52-4b47-85ea-28414a24be2d#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051987\u003C\u002Fa\u003E added a few helpful features and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003Eresolved a host of bugs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, both old and new. Among the glitches resolved were ones that affected digital audio converters, USB audio drivers, USB cameras, and passkeys. The update also patched several security vulnerabilities, including some that were deemed critical.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003EDon't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOK, that's the good news. Now for the bad.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter applying KB5051987, many Windows users have been hit by troubles with File Explorer, as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fwindows-11-kb5051987-breaks-file-explorer-install-fails-on-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In some cases, File Explorer fails to respond when you try to open folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. In other cases, File Explorer refuses to open if you try to access it through the desktop shortcut or Windows Search. In still other cases, clicking on a folder's arrow in the left sidebar to view its subfolders produces no response.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe explorer.exe program still appears in Task Manager, indicating that File Explorer is running and hasn't frozen or crashed. One thought was that File Explorer conflicts with third-party tools. However, according to Windows Latest, the problems pop up even on plain vanilla systems with no third-party customizations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the glitches with File Explorer, some people have reported issues simply trying to install the update. Sometimes, the installation stops at 96%, kicking off an error that something didn't go as planned. Other times, you're told that KB5051987 can't be installed because some update files are missing or have problems. Some users with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fus.msi.com\u002F\"\u003EMSI-based systems\u003C\u002Fa\u003E say that the update gets stuck at 0% for several hours.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo try to resolve installation issues, Windows Latest suggests clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder where Windows stores its update files. You'll find that folder under C:\\Windows. Otherwise, you can just wait several hours or overnight to see if the installation finishes on its own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther glitches that may pop up include a stuttering mouse, an undetectable camera, .NET apps that cannot be installed inside the Windows Sandbox, and the Taskbar's new preview animation that does not work properly. You may also encounter other roadblocks. One person in the Windows Feedback Hub said that after installing the update, the battery life shows only 2.5 hours versus 6 hours previously. Another person found that the clipboard history no longer copies items from Microsoft Word.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn my end, I applied the February patch and haven't yet noticed any of the reported glitches. However, I've found that the Windows desktop now takes much longer to appear after I log in. I've also noticed a couple of odd issues that randomly occur and then vanish if I reboot. For example, right-clicking on a folder or file in File Explorer sometimes fails to trigger the context menu. I reboot and try again, and then it works fine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach annual Windows update can suffer from bugs, especially after being rolled out to millions of users. However, Windows 11 24H2 has been more problematic than usual. Since its official launch last October, the 2024 version has carried with it a host of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eknown issues\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, many of which still haven't been resolved. As we get closer to the October 2025 deadline for the Windows 10 support cutoff, Microsoft needs to ensure that Windows 11 is a more stable and reliable system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:48:41",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday fixed several bugs but triggered several problems. Some users are struggling just to install the security update.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"f8ec5e98-38f4-4ce2-89f8-88c10e70aa7e",image:{id:"36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4",filename:"windows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-18 17:20:37",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows 11 Start menu and File Explorer",credits:"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F18\u002F36b31e6c-b8f9-47a7-b192-59e1f08c97d4\u002Fwindows-11-start-menu-and-file-explorer.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:900,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11-update-breaks-file-explorer-among-other-glitches",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11 update breaks File Explorer - among other glitches",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"7ba93295-2caf-4dd0-a86b-85d50f348846",username:"kkucharski",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Kyle",lastName:"Kucharski",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"ec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20",filename:"kyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-04-24 19:47:58",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F04\u002F24\u002Fec018756-f0a4-4808-a2d2-ea26188ade20\u002Fkyle-closeup-headshot-edited2.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Kyle Kucharski is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor interested in emerging technologies and all things futurism. When he's not covering new laptops and computers for ZDNET, he's writing about music and speculative fiction.",profile:c,title:"Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00989.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your computer desktop looks a little chaotic and you're noticing some performance slowdown, it might be time to do a cleanup. The best way to keep things running smoothly is to ensure you're running the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emost updated version of Windows\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (you'd be surprised how many folks' devices are several updates behind). But if you're up-to-date, there are other things you can do to optimize.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows has a few helpful utilities that can free up some space (and they're already on your PC). These utilities aren't intended for large-scale repairs but can help make things run faster by cutting excess weight.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegular computer usage results in stored cache files that can become corrupted and outdated, leading to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoperational quirks\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and slower boot times. Clearing this cache and other temporary files can improve performance and keep things running optimally. Here's how. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4930893\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Innovation Weekly\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Cleanup recommendations\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 can identify large files, unused apps, and system files that can be safely deleted. This is a good place to start when optimizing your disk space. Here's how to access these tools:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Click the Start button > Settings\u003Cbr\u003E2. System > Storage\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to \"Cleanup recommendations\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis will bring up temporary files in your Downloads folder and the Recycle Bin. Nuking these files can free up several GB of disk space. Before you do, ensure you don't need anything in your Downloads folder, as it could contain necessary files. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther recommendations for removal will appear on this screen, including large or unused files, which Windows will bring to your attention. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the large files it will suggest will be video clips or large image files, which you might want to review before deleting.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-your-android-phones-cache-and-make-it-feel-like-new-for-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear your Android phone's cache and make it feel like new for 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the bottom, Windows will identify apps you rarely (or have never used) to consider for deletion. If you don't need an app, you can remove it and reclaim the disk space. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDisk Cleanup is another utility that is accessible regardless of your Windows version. The easiest way to open it is to search for \"Disk Cleanup\" in the search bar and bring up the window. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late\u002F\"\u003EHow to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe utility will then identify temporary internet files, setup log files, and various cache files that can be safely deleted to reclaim a few GB of storage space (hey, every little bit helps). Check the boxes of the file types you're ready to delete and click OK. It's that easy. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to clear your PC's location cache\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome data will be created when your PC syncs in a new location. You can safely clear your device's location cache in Windows to free up more space. Here's how: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Hit the Start menu and click \"Settings\"\u003Cbr\u003E2. Click \"Privacy and Security\"\u003Cbr\u003E3. Scroll down to the section titled \"Location history\" and click \"Clear\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to flush the DNS cache \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your internet browsing speeds aren't what they used to be, one thing that could help speed things up is a flush of the DNS cache. This task is easy enough to do with one command. Here's how:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run command window\u003Cbr\u003E2. In the Run command prompt, type \u003Cstrong\u003Eipconfig\u002Fflushdns\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and press Enter\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOptimizing Windows requires good file management habits, and monitoring file creep is crucial. These cleanup utilities might seem small in impact, but they add up over time to keep things running smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F61b2fa86-25ca-4edd-8c79-0a571ebf1336\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-14 16:00:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Removing cache and temporary files can give your PC a noticeable speed boost - and you don't need any extra software to do it.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ff2d1019-1d05-4ad9-889f-b146608946cb",image:{id:"48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b",filename:"dsc00989.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows January update bugs",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002F48fea9c2-3727-4ad0-85e9-0906b8f6341b\u002Fdsc00989.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^Laptops",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-free-up-valuable-system-resources",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and free up valuable system resources)",topic:{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"10a72f10-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"laptops",name:"Laptops",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"JuSun\u002FGetty Images\" data-image-alt-text=\"encryption concept\" data-image-filename=\"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F09\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"2309\" data-image-height=\"1299\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-faq-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, like its predecessor, includes easy options to encrypt your system drive. With BitLocker \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edevice encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E turned on for your PC's system drive, your personal data is safe if your laptop is lost or stolen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf Windows determines that boot integrity has been compromised, it will demand a recovery key (a 48-digit number, divided into eight groups of six numbers each) before it unlocks the information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhen will you see the BitLocker recovery prompt?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs millions of people discovered during the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhat-caused-the-great-crowdstrike-windows-meltdown-of-2024-history-has-the-answer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrowdStrike meltdown\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Windows can demand that recovery key when you least expect it. Under normal circumstances, you unlock your drive automatically when you sign in to Windows using an account that's authorized for that device. Using your password or your biometrics proves to Windows that you are who you say you are.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you try to access the system in any other way, such as by booting from a Windows recovery drive or a Linux-based USB boot drive, you'll be prompted for a recovery key to access the current drive. You might also see a prompt for a recovery key if a firmware update has changed the system in a way that the TPM doesn't recognize. In cases like these, Windows has no way to confirm that you're authorized to access this data. As a result, you will see this screen:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"00b77661-d8b0-4843-b1f6-a3f7484bc262\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf you see this screen, something went wrong at startup and you need to prove your identity to recover your data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot from Microsoft Support\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-recovery-preboot.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F08\u002F09\" data-image-width=\"1920\" data-image-height=\"1200\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you have that key handy, this is a minor annoyance. If you can't find that key, it's a disaster. Without it, your files are completely inaccessible. The moral of the story? You want to ensure you always have ready access to the recovery key when you need it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to find your saved BitLocker recovery key online\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you sign in to Windows on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea new PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E using a Microsoft account, Windows uses the built-in device encryption option and automatically saves the recovery key to your Microsoft account. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo access that key from any device, go to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and sign in with the same Microsoft account (personal or business) that you used when you set up the PC for the first time. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer a command line, open PowerShell and use this command to view details about encryption on the system drive, including the recovery key:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you signed in for the first time with a local account, your system drive is not encrypted. On a PC running \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Home edition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the only way to enable device encryption is to sign in with a Microsoft account. With Windows 11 Pro, you can turn on BitLocker encryption manually, on the system drive and external drives. See my \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbitlocker-guide-how-to-use-this-windows-encryption-tool-to-protect-your-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker Guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to save a fresh copy of your BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you're running Windows 11 Pro, Windows prompts you to save the recovery key when you first turn on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthe-windows-bitlocker-recovery-bug-is-fixed-according-to-microsoft\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBitLocker encryption\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Windows gives you three (or four) options for saving a recovery key. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can save the key to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-restores-its-guide-that-helps-you-switch-from-a-microsoft-account-to-a-local-account\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eyour Microsoft account\u003C\u002Fa\u003E (personal or business), save the key to a text file you save on a storage device of your choosing, or send that key to a printer and save the hard copy in a safe location. If you're the belt-and-suspenders type, you can do all three. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAny time after that, you can save a fresh copy of the key by going to the Manage BitLocker Control Panel. Just type a few letters of the word \u003Cem\u003EBitLocker\u003C\u002Fem\u003E in the search box to find it. Click \"Back up your recovery key\" to open the dialog box shown here:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EBack up the recovery key to OneDrive for easy access, or save it as a file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F29\u002F3b47bbff-e8cf-435b-b069-d542a810095f\u002Fbitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"bitlocker-back-up-recovery-key.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2017\u002F05\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"972\" data-image-height=\"644\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"enabled\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe top option is the easiest: save the key to OneDrive and retrieve it any time by signing in with your Microsoft account at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fmyrecoverykey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Fmicrosoft.com\u002Frecoverykey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. You can use the browser on your mobile phone if necessary. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a personal Microsoft account, that shortcut goes directly to the page containing recovery keys. On a business account, click \"Manage devices\" and expand the menu for the device you're trying to unlock to see a \"View BitLocker keys\" button. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fwiping-a-windows-laptop-heres-the-safest-free-way-to-erase-your-personal-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWiping a Windows laptop? Here's the safest free way to erase your personal data\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you prefer an alternative cloud storage service, save the recovery key as a file (to a drive other than the system drive) and then upload it to the cloud manually.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if you anticipate that you'll be traveling to a place where you can't count on ready access to your Microsoft account, save the recovery key as a file on your mobile phone, add it in a secure note in your password manager, or print it out on a slip of paper and tuck it into your wallet.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 17:44:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"BitLocker encryption is a great way to stop a thief from accessing your business and personal secrets. But don't let the tool lock you out of your PC.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"116cf625-0fda-4fa5-8ef2-ccf52d9c9d63",image:{id:"672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c",filename:"gettyimages-1471976069.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-09-19 23:21:25",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"encryption concept",credits:"JuSun\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F09\u002F19\u002F672a760d-c161-4fb9-8abc-ec03c3b28b5c\u002Fgettyimages-1471976069.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2309,height:1299,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Security",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-find-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-and-save-a-secure-backup-copy-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to find your BitLocker recovery key - and save a secure backup copy before it's too late",topic:{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard\" data-image-filename=\"dsc00999.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F06\u002F19\" data-image-width=\"4240\" data-image-height=\"2384\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one immutable law of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-computer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPCs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: sh*t happens. And when it does, there's usually a way to fix things, if you had the foresight to create one essential recovery tool first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBooting from a USB recovery drive allows you to perform basic troubleshooting repairs on any \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows system\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. And by adding Windows installation files to your bootable recovery drive, you can easily reinstall Windows and get back to work.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive with the latest Windows installation files. Go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDownload Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E page, find the \"Create Windows 11 Installation Media\" section, click Download Now, and follow the prompts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use the free, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Frufus.ie\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eopen-source Rufus utility\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to create a bootable installation drive for Windows 11, as long as you already have an ISO file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-your-old-pc-handle-the-windows-11-upgrade-how-to-find-out-before-you-try\u002F\"\u003ECan your old PC handle the Windows 11 upgrade? How to find out - before you try\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if you just want to use the tools built into Windows, I recommend a slightly different approach. Download the Windows 11 installer as a disk image file (in ISO format), use the built-in Windows Recovery Media Creator utility to create a bootable recovery drive, and copy the Windows installation files to that drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe entire process takes four steps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Download the most recent Windows 11 version\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnically, this step is optional. You can create a recovery drive that does nothing but boot into the Windows Recovery Environment. However, that drive is much more useful when you add the Windows installation files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn ISO file is a disk image. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft, free of charge. You don't have to provide any identification or sign-in. For Windows 11, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; for Windows 10, go to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehttps:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002Fdownloadwindows10\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-still-upgrade-old-pcs-to-windows-11-even-if-microsoft-says-no-readers-prove-it\u002F\"\u003EYou can still upgrade old PCs to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no: Readers prove it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScroll down to the section, \"Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices\". If the PC for which you're creating a recovery drive uses an Intel or AMD processor, select a download type (there should be only one option) and click Download Now; for a PC based on an Arm processor, click the link that leads to Windows 11 ISOs for Arm64 devices. Choose your language and then follow the prompts to download the ISO file to your computer. (Don't download it to the removable drive!)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter the download finishes, you can double-click the ISO file in WIndows 10 or Windows 11 to mount it as a virtual DVD drive in File Explorer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Get a USB flash drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreating a basic recovery drive requires a USB drive that's at least 512MB. For a recovery drive that includes 64-bit Windows system files, you'll need a larger USB drive, at least 16GB in size; and if you're creating a drive using the system files included with your PC, you might need a 32GB drive. To transform that bare USB flash drive, you use the built-in Recovery Drive tool. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA word of caution: creating a recovery drive formats the drive and erases all content on it, so be sure to make backup copies of any important files on that drive before you begin the process.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Create the bootable recovery drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Recovery Drive tool has its own executable file, which you can open directly by using the following command:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E%windir%\\system32\\RecoveryDrive.exe\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn easier way to locate that file is to type \u003Cstrong\u003Erecovery\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in the search box on the taskbar, and then click the Recovery Drive shortcut from the search results. That action opens a window like the one shown next:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"e300bf93-85ce-439c-9720-1a4df085fbdf\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWith this check box selected, you can create a recovery drive to reinstall the original factory-supplied Windows image.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"create-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-target-url=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fhub\u002Fi\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F13\u002F77bf24df-b475-4f32-8420-5708f8051903\u002Fcreate-a-windows-10-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-filename=\"windows11-recovery-drive.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F07\u002F30\" data-image-width=\"649\" data-image-height=\"480\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your PC included a partition with recovery files for the installed OEM version of Windows 11, you can create a recovery drive with those files for reinstalling Windows; be sure to select the \"Back up system files to the recovery drive\" option on the first page. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-recover-deleted-files-in-windows-10-or-11\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to recover deleted files in Windows 10 or 11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is ideal if your PC is brand new and contains a current version of Windows; it's less useful for a two or three-year-old PC, where this option will result in your recovery drive containing an outdated version of Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollow the prompts to finish creating the recovery drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Add Windows installation files to the drive\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you chose to include your OEM recovery files in the previous step, you can stop here. You're all done.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't have an OEM recovery partition, this is the point where you add Windows installation files to the recovery drive:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDouble-click the ISO file you saved earlier to open a File Explorer window containing its contents. (This \"mounted\" ISO file acts like a virtual CD or DVD drive.)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpen a second File Explorer window and double-click the drive letter of the USB recovery drive to display its contents.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPosition the two File Explorer windows side by side.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick to select any file in the mounted ISO drive window and press Ctrl+A to select every file in that window; then drag that selection and drop it in the recovery drive window.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChoose the option to replace any files on the recovery drive with the files you're copying.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the file copying is complete, remove the USB flash drive, label it, and store it in a safe place where you can get to it quickly when required. You can use it on any PC to start the Windows Recovery Environment or to reinstall Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-10-pc-cant-be-upgraded-you-have-5-options-before-support-ends-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EYour Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded? You have 5 options before support ends in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, that recovery drive installs a generic, retail edition of Windows without special drivers or custom software that the PC maker might have included with your original installation. To restore that version, you'll need to download a recovery image from the OEM. For instructions, see this article: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-a-free-windows-recovery-image-for-your-oem-pc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"How to get a free Windows (or Linux) recovery image for your Dell, HP, Lenovo, or Microsoft Surface PC.\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, you can add your custom files to the recovery drive, such as installation files or product keys for third-party software you typically include with a new Windows installation. This is also a good place to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwheres-your-bitlocker-recovery-key-how-to-save-a-copy-before-the-next-windows-meltdown\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esave a copy of the BitLocker recovery key\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for your system drive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a good idea to repeat this process once a year after Microsoft releases its annual feature update in the second half of the year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-13 14:11:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"If your PC is operating perfectly right now, great! But getting ahead of any future PC fiascos with a recovery drive may save you from a major tech-induced headache later.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"2a26a624-171c-4670-8f21-3f77ac54d7b0",image:{id:"ef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292",filename:"dsc00999.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2024-06-19 18:45:08",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Microsoft Surface Laptop Keyboard",credits:"Kerry Wan\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2024\u002F06\u002F19\u002Fef6824f5-c328-403d-8eb9-6e4e47a6b292\u002Fdsc00999.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:4240,height:2384,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"how-to",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-create-a-windows-recovery-drive-in-4-easy-steps-before-its-too-late",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to create a Windows recovery drive in 4 easy steps - before it's too late",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Statcounter stories\" data-image-filename=\"images-2.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt happens like clockwork, around the first of each month. Sites that focus on technology churn out nearly identical articles, all based on a chart like this one, prepared by the good folks at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStatcounter Global Stats\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d12b3d96-e255-409f-8133-c22fa5a37a58\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EEvery month, tech bloggers try to turn a chart like this one into a story, but most of them miss what's actually happening.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Statcounter GS\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-windows-version-ww-monthly-202312-202501.png\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-windows-version-ww-monthly-202312-202501.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1280\" data-image-height=\"720\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI saw that chart in dozens of posts this month, along with detailed explanations of what the author thought the underlying data points mean. Sometimes the authors of these posts even convince an industry analyst to share their thoughts. It's stereotypical horserace coverage. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis month, the challenge for every pundit was to explain why Windows 10 (the purple line at the top) appears to be suddenly collapsing in popularity and why Windows 11 (the blue line in the middle) has regained its mojo.   \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's a small sampling of some of the stories that the Statcounter \"Windows market share\" report inspired. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8943f27c-eb4e-4223-819e-899040a5da06\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAt the start of every month, stories like these appear, all based on the same charts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-stories-feb-2025\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-windows-headlines-feb-2025.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"745\" data-image-height=\"838\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy favorite quote from this batch is from Forbes, which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fzakdoffman\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F01\u002Fmicrosofts-free-offer-deadline-millions-of-windows-users-suddenly-upgrade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emade this bold assertion\u003C\u002Fa\u003E: \"The January stats are now out, and according to Statcounter, the Windows 11 upgrade trend has now un-reversed itself ... some 40 million hold-outs have suddenly upgraded their PCs in the last 31 days.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users\u002F\"\u003EDon't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInevitably, these posts try to answer the question, \"Why did this happen?\" But maybe a better question is, \"Did this happen?\" followed by \"Are you sure?\" and \"Why doesn't any of this data make sense?\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause here's the reality: Statcounter's \"market share\" reports are a great excuse for tech bloggers to crank out a story each month, but they bear only the most casual relation to the real world, and most of those month-to-month spikes are simply statistical noise.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet me show you what I mean with another chart, which I created using data I downloaded from Statcounter's site. For this one, I changed the parameters to include data from January 2022 through January 2025, covering only the United States. After plugging that data into Excel, I created a line chart like the ones they publish, but I made two changes. First, I added third-order polynomial trendlines for the Windows 10 and Windows 11 data points to show the general direction of those monthly figures over time. Then, I added a shadow on either side of that trendline to indicate a likely margin of error. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"06945ca1-8c4b-4776-8f65-7eec95efd632\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EAdding a trendline helps to smooth out the statistical fluctuations and reveals the real patterns in this data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Chart by Ed Bott\u002FZDNET; data from Statcounter GS\" data-image-alt-text=\"statcounter-data-remixed\" data-image-filename=\"statcounter-data-remixed.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F02\" data-image-width=\"1790\" data-image-height=\"1300\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWell, that tells a very different story, doesn't it? \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the sites that use Statcounter's web analytics service, pageviews from PCs running Windows 10 are steadily declining, while pageviews from PCs running Windows 11 are steadily increasing. And those trends have been consistent over time, despite some fluctuations in the data. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou'll notice that description doesn't mention \"market share.\" Statcounter's data counts pageviews, not visits, or sessions, or individual devices. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd make no mistake about it, those monthly fluctuations really are just noise. Look at the teal-colored line for Windows 8.x versions from January 2024. Do you really think that 10 or 20 million people fired up their old Windows 8 devices on New Year's Day, used them for a few weeks, and then put them all back in the closet? That's unlikely. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENone of those other monthly spikes mean anything either. Did millions of people uninstall Windows 11 in December 2024 and then change their mind a month later? Of course not. The data is just messy! \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, let me be crystal clear here: I don't blame the Statcounter folks for taking advantage of an irresistible opportunity to generate publicity. I do, however, want to have a serious talk with every journalist and analyst who relies on Statcounter's charts without questioning the underlying data behind them, because those numbers can't stand up to even the mildest questioning. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Who is Statcounter? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter is a web analytics company based in Ireland. It was founded in 1999, during the Web 1.0 era, with a simple business model of counting \"hits\" to websites using a tracking pixel that clients embedded on their pages. If you're a website owner, adding Statcounter's tracking technology to your site can give you valuable information about your visitors. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was a good business for a long time, but over the years the company's customer base has shrunk. In 2009, it boasted that 3 million customers were using its service. By 2022, its own pages acknowledged that the customer base had been cut in half, to 1.5 million websites. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why\u002F\"\u003EHow to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fw3techs.com\u002Ftechnologies\u002Fdetails\u002Fta-statcounter\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EW3Techs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which tracks companies in this space, reported that 0.9% of all websites were using Statcounter's services in 2019. By January 2024, that number had shrunk to 0.5%, and when I checked again in January 2025, the number was down again, to 0.4%. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENone of that decline should be surprising. Google Analytics dominates this space today, and other big players, like Meta Pixel, WordPress Jetpack, and Adobe Analytics, have also stolen share from tiny firms like Statcounter. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E Where do Statcounter's numbers come from? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter's customer base consists of a lot of small websites and a few medium-sized ones. The Statcounter Global Stats reports aggregate all the pageviews from those sites, with details about the visitors, including the hardware type, operating system, and browser, as collected by that tracking. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fif-your-windows-10-pc-cant-be-upgraded-you-have-5-options-before-time-runs-out\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded, you have 5 options before time runs out\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter's data collection has declined dramatically in the last decade. A decade ago, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb.archive.org\u002Fweb\u002F20120930035044\u002Fhttp:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002Ffaq#methodology\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecompany's FAQ page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E reported that it measured more than 17 billion pageviews in a typical month. By 2022 (the last numbers that Statcounter has provided on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgs.statcounter.com\u002Ffaq#methodology\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethe current FAQ page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E), that number was down to 5 billion a month. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatcounter represents a tiny sliver of actual traffic on the web, mostly from fairly esoteric websites that have chosen to embed the Statcounter tracking code on their websites, like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffutbin.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFutbin.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffilmyzilla.com.fj\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFilmyzilla.com.fj\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fask.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAsk.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkernel.org\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKernel.org\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. They can't count traffic from the most popular sites on the web, like Google, Facebook, or Wikipedia. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcan-you-still-get-a-windows-10-upgrade-for-free-in-2025-short-answer-maybe\u002F\"\u003ECan you still get a Windows 10 upgrade for free in 2025? Short answer: Maybe\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's like trying to do a survey of consumer behavior without including Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Target, CVS, or any Kroger grocery store. By leaving out those giants, your sample becomes quirky and almost certainly not representative of the greater market. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore importantly, Statcounter measures only pageviews, not visits or sessions. If I go to a site that uses the Statcounter service and visit five pages on my Windows 11 PC, and you load 10 pages with your Windows 10 PC, the results in Statcounter's \"market share\" report will show that Windows 10 is twice as popular as Windows 11. You see the problem here, I presume. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, that assumes all those pageviews are even counted. On my Windows 11 PC, where I use Microsoft Edge with its tracking protection set to Strict, Statcounter's tracking code is automatically blocked. Oops. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E So, what's the real story? \u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe data from Statcounter tells a perfectly valid story about how people use websites that belong to its customers. But it says nothing about the \"market share\" for Windows PCs. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt does show, in the most general terms, that traffic to those sites from Windows 10 PCs is declining slowly and that traffic from PCs running Windows 11 appears to be increasing slowly as well. Do those numbers map to the population of PCs worldwide? Probably not, although no one can say for sure. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe do know that there are a very large number of PCs running Windows 10 that are not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11. That number will probably still be very large in October 2025, when support for Windows 10 ends. Someone with access to Microsoft's telemetry servers could probably give you a pretty good estimate of how many devices are in each population, but they're not talking. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe rest of us, unfortunately, are left to guess. And if you want to make a wager based on data from Statcounter, go right ahead. Just don't put any serious money on that bet. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-12 20:09:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"It's time for another round of Statcounter stories on Windows 'market share,' but none of the data makes any sense, and I have the receipts to prove it.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"3c7ca795-29f3-4278-a567-6896ae3c8d47",image:{id:"14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85",filename:"images-2.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-03 13:17:30",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Statcounter stories",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F03\u002F14ce830a-2638-4146-8252-dff124776c85\u002Fimages-2.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Computing^PCs",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"statcounters-windows-market-share-data-is-not-accurate-or-reliable-and-i-can-prove-it",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Statcounter's Windows market-share data is not accurate or reliable, and I can prove it",topic:{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"110769e8-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"pcs",name:"PCs",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows January update bugs\" data-image-filename=\"windows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025-01-29 15:58:22.000000\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft's Patch Tuesday rollout for February is a big one, not simply in size but in scope. Rolled out on February 11, the latest updates not only add a few new features but squash several bugs, including a few critical security vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELet's start with the new features. The latest round of patches, available as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051987-os-build-26100-3194-63fb007d-3f52-4b47-85ea-28414a24be2d#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051987\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Windows 11 24H2 and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Ffebruary-11-2025-kb5051989-os-builds-22621-4890-and-22631-4890-b3062bbc-d32c-48cd-bc52-0c57bfd6a764#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5051989\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Windows 11 23H2, enhances built-in tools such as the Taskbar and File Explorer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse\u002F\"\u003EWindows 11's bug-fixing update is making things worse\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to its changelog, Microsoft says the update improves the previews and animations that appear when your cursor hovers over Taskbar icons. Next, a new icon appears in the System Tray when you use an app that supports \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fwindows\u002Fai\u002Fstudio-effects\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows Studio Effects\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which can display special effects through the front-facing camera on your PC or monitor. The update also adds a new simplified Chinese font called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unicode.org\u002Fcharts\u002FPDF\u002FU30000.pdf#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESimsun-ExtG\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one more. Windows can now automatically restart certain apps when you exit and then sign back in. To enable this option, go to Settings, select Accounts, and then click Sign in options. Turn on the switch for \"Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs for File Explorer, the latest update adds a few tweaks. When you right-click on a drive or folder in the left pane, a \"New Folder\" command now appears in the context menu. Windows will now restore all previously open tabs in each File Explorer window if you check the box in Folder Options for \"Restore previous folder windows at logon.\" \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrior to the update, File Explorer was also beset with a few glitches. A search that you ran might repeat when you didn't want it to. The date and time properties of a file could change after copying it. Icons on the details pane might not update if you switched between dark and light themes. And the search box may lose focus as you typed. Now these bugs have all been resolved.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe February Patch Tuesday update also fixes a number of other bugs, old and new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPreviously, the display of some games was oversaturated when you used \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fuse-auto-hdr-for-better-gaming-in-windows-0cce8402-3de5-4512-a742-e027ca7aa79c#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAuto HDR\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. People who used USB audio devices with DACs (digital audio converters) could have encountered issues where the playback would stop. Another problem affected USB audio drivers connected to external devices, displaying an error that the device could not start. But those glitches should no longer plague Windows users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne snafu introduced with the January 2025 security update prevented USB cameras from being recognized. Passkey users would sometimes get a one-minute timeout when using their passkeys through a mobile phone. And the Windows shutdown process could be slower with a controller connected to the computer. These three problems have also been fixed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe February Patch Tuesday update also resolves several security holes in Windows. In total, 56 vulnerabilities are fixed, three of which are classified as critical. According to patch management provider Action1, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.action1.com\u002Fpatch-tuesday\u002Fpatch-tuesday-february-2025\u002F?vyj\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Etwo zero-day flaws\u003C\u002Fa\u003E have been patched, and an older zero-day fault has been further updated.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERated as important, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21391\"\u003ECVE-2025-21391\u003C\u002Fa\u003E flaw could have allowed an attacker to delete files on a targeted system. Another flaw rated as important, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21418\"\u003ECVE-2025-21418\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, could have let an attacker remotely execute malicious code on a PC. The flaw labeled \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21377\"\u003ECVE-2025-21377\u003C\u002Fa\u003E could have opened the door for someone to spoof the victim's authentication credentials. And a flaw rated as critical, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmsrc.microsoft.com\u002Fupdate-guide\u002Fvulnerability\u002FCVE-2025-21376\"\u003ECVE-2025-21376\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, could have allowed an attacker to run malicious code on an affected system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-how-it-helps-your-system-run-better\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and how it helps your system run better)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new KB5051987 and KB5051989 patches are the official and final versions of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse\u002F\"\u003Epreview updates that Microsoft launched on January 28\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Those updates fixed some bugs but created a host of new ones. So far, the February patches appear to be more stable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe latest patches are set as automatic updates, which means they should automatically get installed on your PC. Otherwise, head to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to download and install them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-12 17:29:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The latest updates resolve more glitches and security flaws - some critical - in Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2, so you'll want to install them sooner rather than later.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"ab375619-e16a-463c-9a4e-e7fa6bfbd5db",image:{id:"3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364",filename:"windows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-01-29 15:58:22",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows January update bugs",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F01\u002F29\u002F3f506eba-c92e-4f49-9de8-84c945d9d364\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"dont-ignore-microsofts-february-patch-tuesday-its-a-big-one-for-all-windows-11-users",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Don't ignore Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday - it's a big one for all Windows 11 users",topic:{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"113c25b6-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"security",name:"Security",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11's January bug-fixing update adds several bugs of its own\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F07\" data-image-width=\"3600\" data-image-height=\"2025\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft and its users still can't seem to catch a break with updates to Windows 11 24H2. Since its official debut last October, the 2024 version has been saddled with problems. But each new update designed to fix a bunch of bugs ends up introducing even more of them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 24H2's wild ride: Some fixes are in but other bugs still linger\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe latest issue centers around the Windows 11 24H2 preview update released on Jan. 28. Known as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Fjanuary-28-2025-kb5050094-os-build-26100-3037-preview-78fda0ea-79e9-468d-8a77-de7914ca1aef\"\u003EKB5050094\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, this one was supposed to be a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-latest-optional-patch-is-a-bug-fix-bonanza-for-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Emajor bug buster\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,  addressing both new and old glitches. The update did succeed in that regard, fixing issues with USB headphones and webcams, DAC audio, Bluetooth devices, game playing with AutoHDR, and disappearing mouse cursors.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe latest bugs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut, as is sometimes the case, the update introduced a new series of glitches, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reddit.com\u002Fr\u002FWindows11\u002Fcomments\u002F1iic4iu\u002Fwindows_11_kb5050094_has_major_issues_including\u002F\"\u003Euser complaints\u003C\u002Fa\u003E as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F05\u002Fwindows-11-kb5050094-has-major-issues-including-spinning-cursor-on-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.   The latest bugs affect the cursor, File Explorer, audio devices, the virtual machine tool Hyper-V, and a variety of other features.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral users who installed KB5050094 say the cursor sometimes continues to load. In its testing, Windows Latest found that the cursor's spinning circle appears every 30 seconds or so, making it seem as if Windows is trying to load something. The Jan. 28 update was also supposed to squash a bug in which the cursor would vanish when you tried to edit a text field. But this glitch seems to have survived and even gotten worse.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother problem reported by people who installed KB5050094 affects File Explorer. In this case, File Explorer sometimes freezes or fails to respond. One person who chimed in on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FAAuar5c\"\u003EMicrosoft's Feedback Hub\u003C\u002Fa\u003E said they could no longer use Windows Explorer on their desktop or laptop.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Windows January updates are a mess - here's why you should wait to install\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther issues have popped up, according to Windows Latest. Some people say that audio devices disappear when they use apps like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkodi.tv\u002F\"\u003EKodi\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which is an open-source media player. In a few cases, Windows gets stuck in a loop trying to install the same update over and over again. Hyper-V may stop working during a Remote Desktop Session. In some rare instances, the PC's idle RAM use and CPU and GPU temperatures will rise.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOther potential problems\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESearching Microsoft's Feedback Hub for KB5050094 uncovers a host of other potential problems. One person says that apps can become unresponsive and that manually shutting them down renders them unusable unless the PC is rebooted. Another person reports that after coming out of sleep mode, the computer freezes and has to be restarted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet another person documented a host of glitches.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"Installing Windows 11 24H2 preview update KB5050094, build 26100.3037 makes my computer unusable,\" the person wrote in the Feedback Hub. \"File Explorer fails to open when clicking on the Explorer button on taskbar or even from the Run command or command prompt. Any Save As \u002F Open \u002F Browse dialogs also fail to open. Performance, especially at login, is terrible; it takes minutes just to log in to the desktop after entering my password. Various desktop apps and programs tend to become unresponsive for minutes at a time and then become responsive. I had the same exact experience on 2 additional PCs with Windows 11 24H2 with this preview update installed. Uninstalling this update makes Windows behave normally again. This update needs major improvements before being released in final form.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI applied the KB5050094 update to one of my Windows 11 PCs last week. I haven't had a chance to fully put it through its paces, but I can confirm at least one glitch. Logging in to Windows now takes much longer than it did before the update. After entering the password, PIN, or scanning my fingerprint, I have to wait at least 15-20 seconds before the desktop appears -- a good three to four times longer than it used to take.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy are people running into so many problems with this latest update?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some ways, this simply continues Microsoft's bad track record of updating Windows 11 24H2. However, KB5050094 is also a preview update. That means it's a preview of the following month's Patch Tuesday rollout, designed to give Windows administrators time to test it. As such, there's an implication that it's not quite finished and may be more unstable than an official automatic update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-11-pc-is-acting-up-4-essential-settings-i-always-check-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHopefully, Microsoft will have addressed some of the bugs introduced by KB5050094 in time for the next Patch Tuesday on Feb.11. Otherwise, the problems in this update are likely to spread to many more Windows 11 users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F1c484d26-6f31-48ab-8c73-282514bb76c1\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-07 15:51:46",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Each new update ends up introducing even more bugs.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"46f15005-25c4-497c-b786-cb6e9a59d70c",image:{id:"78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394",filename:"windows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-07 15:31:27",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"New year, new Windows 11 24H2 bug to add to the list: 12 and counting",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F07\u002F78804c92-d175-4b80-9273-67b583b5c394\u002Fwindows-11s-january-bug-fixing-update-adds-several-bugs-of-its-own.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3600,height:2025,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11s-bug-fixing-update-is-making-things-worse",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11's bug-fixing update is making things worse",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"8d600230-8175-11e2-9d12-0018fe8a00b0",username:"Jack Wallen",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Jack",lastName:"Wallen",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"f03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899",filename:"jack-wallen.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:04:34",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Ff03bef9a-858a-451d-bc30-8c603c2ba899\u002Fjack-wallen.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Jack Wallen is what happens when a Gen Xer mind-melds with present-day snark. Jack is a seeker of truth and a writer of words with a quantum mechanical pencil and a disjointed beat of sound and soul. An award-winning writer and novelist, Jack has been covering Linux, open-source, and other topics since the late 1990s for numerous publications such as ZDNET, CNET, TechRepublic, Linux.com, The New Stack, Linode, TechTarget, and Linux New Media. Jack's also written over 50 novels of fiction, at least one of which focuses on the Linux operating system. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.com.",profile:c,title:"Contributing Writer",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Stop wasting time searching for tabs. These browsers are so much easier to keep organized\" data-image-filename=\"stop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F05\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHave you ever stopped to look at how many tabs you have across the top of your browser? Is that number so large that you can't make out the favicons for each of those sites, forcing you to click through them to find the site you need?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe frustration described above is more common than you might think. Part of the reason is that many browsers still haven't figured out how to manage tabs with any level of efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-great-chrome-like-browsers-that-put-your-privacy-first\u002F\"\u003E5 great Chrome-like browsers that put your privacy first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-browser-for-privacy\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehandful of browsers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E make working with an ever-growing list of tabs so much easier that you'll wonder why you haven't already made the switch.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETrust me -- once you've experienced real tab management in a web browser, you won't look back. In fact, after I started using one of these browsers, I couldn't go back to the old-school method of hunting for tabs in a sea of tiny icons.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf that sounds like a frustration you'd prefer to leave behind, read on, my friend, because your tabs are about to get managed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Opera\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI'll start with the browser that made me leave behind Firefox and never look back. That browser is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.opera.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOpera\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and the feature is called Workspaces. With Workspaces, you create categorized spaces (such as Social Media, Shopping, News, and Work) and can open related tabs in those spaces, quickly switching back and forth. You could spend time viewing work-related sites in the Work Workspace and then move to the Shopping Workspace to find a new book to read. Hit the Social Media Workspace and craft a pithy post. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-great-chrome-like-browsers-that-put-your-privacy-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E5 great Chrome-like browsers that put your privacy first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorkspaces can be accessed from the sidebar, and you can create as many as you need. Even better, you can pin specific tabs to specific workspaces. You can also customize keyboard shortcuts to allow you to switch from one workspace to the next without your hands leaving the keyboard. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpera is free to use and can be installed on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who want serious tab management, use different operating systems, and don't mind installing closed-source software. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Arc\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a daily basis, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Farc.net\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EArc\u003C\u002Fa\u003E does everything in its power to lure me away from Opera. On MacOS, it certainly succeeded. If the development team would release a version of Arc for Linux, it would be my default browser on every platform. You see, Arc takes Opera's Workspaces feature and improves upon it by allowing you to better customize each space. Not only can you give each space a unique theme, but you can also associate each space with a different profile. By associating each space with a different profile, you can customize each profile so that each space functions differently. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Ftry-the-worlds-best-browser-while-you-can-because-arcs-creator-has-other-plans\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETry the world's best browser while you can - because Arc's creator has other plans\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor instance, you could set your Workspace to use the more secure \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsearch.brave.com\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrave Search engine\u003C\u002Fa\u003E  and your Writing space to default to Perplexity.ai as its search engine. It doesn't hurt that Arc is also one of the best-looking browsers on the market. If you use Arc on a touch-pad-enabled device (with multipoint gestures), you can easily swipe between spaces.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArc is free but only available for MacOS and Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who value efficiency as well as aesthetics. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Zen Browser\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fzen-browser.app\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZen Browser\u003C\u002Fa\u003E did for Firefox tab management what Opera did for Chrome. Zen Browser borrows from Arc's Spaces theming by allowing the user to customize the theme for the entire browser. To that end, you could have one browser theme for your Work workspace, a different theme for your Social workspace, and a different theme for your News workspace. With this feature, there's no doubt about which workspace you're using. Zen Browser also allows you to pin specific tabs to specific workspaces.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffor-anonymous-browsing-these-extensions-are-the-next-best-thing-to-tor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFor anonymous browsing, these extensions are the next best thing to Tor\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZen Browser is just as elegant as Arc, and I inch closer every day to switching from both Opera and Arc to Zen Browser. To add a nice cherry on top, Zen Browser is (unlike either Opera or Arc) open-source. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZen Browser is free to use and installable on Linux, MacOS, and Windows.  \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThose who value efficiency, beauty, and open-source. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Safari\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESafari finally got smart and added a tab management feature that is somewhat similar to Opera's. Safari's workspaces feature isn't quite as refined as Opera's (it functions more like vertical sidebar tabs than anything), but it gets the job done. Of the four browsers on this list, Safari's workspaces feature is the weakest. But it's there and quite user-friendly. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fhome-and-office\u002Fwork-life\u002Fmy-5-favorite-web-browsers-and-why-you-should-use-them\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMy 5 favorite web browsers - and what each is ideal for\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESafari's workspaces feature functions via a drop-down near the upper-left corner of the browser window, but you can also open the sidebar, where you'll get access to pinning tabs to workspaces and the ability to move a workspace to a different profile. By making use of profiles, you can assign specific extensions, set a theme, and configure how new windows and tabs open. Although you might not have nearly the customization of workspaces\u002Fprofiles found in Arc, Safari does a decent job with this. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBest for: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EMacOS users who need better tab management but would rather stick with the default browser.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-05 22:17:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Stop wasting time searching for tabs every day. These four browsers with the best built-in tab management features can help.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"821759e7-fdf6-4047-b9b3-28a925ff1afe",image:{id:"8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7",filename:"stop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-05 17:42:55",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Opera Developer browser on a laptop.",credits:"ZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F05\u002F8b307cf9-1457-4dd9-8b94-ab8ac7ff19a7\u002Fstop-wasting-time-searching-for-tabs-these-browsers-are-so-much-easier-to-keep-organized.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"too-many-tabs-try-these-browsers-with-better-tab-management-than-chrome",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Too many tabs? Try these browsers with better tab management than Chrome",topic:{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"d0aee31d-965e-4a8b-97f0-5c7c1b8bf7f1",slug:"mac-os",name:"Mac OS",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"How to do a clean install of Windows 11: Which option is best for you?\" data-image-filename=\"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F04\" data-image-width=\"3600\" data-image-height=\"2025\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong Windows experts, a clean install is a time-honored ritual, a way to wipe out accumulated cruft and restore an old PC to new life.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can find plenty of perfectly good reasons to do a clean install. You might be repurposing an old but still serviceable PC for use by someone else in your family or your organization. Perhaps you've decided to replace a conventional hard disk drive with a fast solid-state drive to extend the life of an older PC. Or maybe you just want a fresh start.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA clean install is the ultimate troubleshooting technique, virtually guaranteed to eliminate performance or compatibility problems caused by third-party software, temporary files, configuration errors, and garden-variety malware. Done right, the result is a PC that starts from a known good state, with either the default Windows 10 configuration or a previously tested configuration that includes specific third-party software and drivers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy my count, there are four ways to do a clean install (short of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebuying a new PC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E). Here are the pros and cons of each method, along with some advice on when to employ each one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(A quick note up front: This article covers the full range of installations on hardware that was originally designed for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Unless otherwise specified, all instructions assume that you're installing or reinstalling Windows 11 version 24H2.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Use a recovery image from the OEM\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you purchased a PC with Windows preinstalled, you might have the option to revert to the original image that the manufacturer supplied.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe good news is that the saved image includes all the drivers, utilities, and hardware support so that (in theory, at least) all your devices work as designed as soon as you sign in for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe bad news is that the saved image also includes whatever crapware the manufacturer was paid to preinstall alongside your otherwise pristine Windows installation. That might not be a dealbreaker if you have a business-class PC with minimal unwanted software, but it can be a royal pain for a consumer device overstuffed with games and trial versions of software.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBesides the aforementioned crapware, the biggest disadvantage of this option is that you're likely to end up with a Windows installation that's out of date, leading to the need for a tedious full feature update, followed by the latest cumulative update, after your recovery is complete. That's especially true if the PC you're working with came with Windows 10 and you upgraded it to Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is preferred if you're getting a machine ready to sell or give away, or if you're experiencing hardware issues that require repair or return of a device as part of a warranty claim.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe option to restore an OEM image might be available from a dedicated partition when you start your PC in recovery mode, or your OEM might include a utility that downloads the latest image from its servers. As an alternative, your OEM might be able to supply you with a bootable recovery image that you can install on a USB flash drive. (See \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-get-a-free-windows-recovery-image-for-your-oem-pc\u002F\"\u003E\"How to get a free Windows (or Linux) recovery image for your OEM PC\"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for details on where you can get recovery images for Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft Surface devices.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Restore from a backup image\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy definition, this option is only available if you're a well-prepared person who \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-10-tip-create-a-full-image-backup-using-this-hidden-tool\u002F\"\u003Eused the legacy Windows Backup program (Sdclt.exe)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or an alternative third-party backup program immediately after setting up your PC when it was brand new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you count yourself among that small group, you are probably reading this article from your lavishly appointed fallout shelter, with a 12-month supply of canned food, medications, and bottled water neatly stacked on the shelves. As a well-prepared person, what you did immediately after setting up your PC was create a backup image of your completed Windows installation, in anticipation of the day when something would head south and you would want to start over.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-set-up-god-mode-in-windows-11-and-the-wonders-you-can-do-with-it\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to set up God Mode in Windows 11 - and the wonders you can do with it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option is especially appealing if you rely on a large collection of third-party software, including custom device drivers that are not available through Windows Update. Capture that image after completing installation of all those third-party programs but before restoring any personal data files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe disadvantages of this technique include the extra time and effort required to create the backup, as well as the organizational chops required to keep that backup safe and easily accessible when it's needed. As with an OEM recovery image, the backup doesn't necessarily include the most recent feature update. However, if the image reflects a previous Windows version that you want to use while you defer installation of later feature updates, you might see this as a plus.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Use the built-in Windows reset option\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis feature, which has been significantly refined since its debut more than a decade ago in Windows 8, lays down a completely new copy of your current Windows version, without any third-party drivers or software that might be causing problems. You don't need any installation media or product keys, and you don't have to adjust firmware settings to boot from an alternative device.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can't reset your PC by accident. The process involves at least four steps that require choices on your part, with one final confirmation that lays out in very clear terms exactly what's about to happen. You can back out at any time before you click that last button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro - without overpaying\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo start, go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under the \"Recovery options\" heading, click the Reset PC button.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the first set of options, choose Keep My Files (the best choice if you're planning to reuse the PC yourself) or Remove Everything (if you're selling the PC or turning it over to someone else). If you choose to remove all files, the next option allows you to wipe the empty space those files occupied so they can't be recovered using disk utility software. (You can skip that step if you're resetting the PC for your own use.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn all currently supported Windows versions, the Reset This PC feature provides two options: You can reinstall Windows using the installed copy, or you can choose to download a fresh copy from the cloud. (Note that the Cloud Download option will use up to 4GB of data.)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reset process is the best option if you want the quickest, least cumbersome way to start fresh. Note that a reset might not work if your system is compromised by malware or if some system files are damaged or corrupted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Reinstall from a bootable Windows recovery drive\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis option gives you the most control over the clean install process. It also requires more than average technical skills and, usually, some post-installation futzing to get all hardware working properly and to ensure that the right features are available.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a three-step process:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirst, use the Media Creation Tool to download the latest installation files from the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDownload Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E  page and create a bootable USB flash drive. (If you're looking to reinstall Windows 10, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Faka.ms\u002FDownloadWindows10\"\u003Eyou'll find the official download here\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.)  \u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENext, find the right combination of keystrokes and\u002For incantations to boot directly from that drive into the Windows Setup program. Use the built-in tools to reformat and\u002For repartition the target drive, if necessary. If you skip the formatting step, your old files remain on the drive in a Windows.old folder.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFinally, install Windows. Assuming you're doing so on hardware that's previously been activated, you can skip past the part where you're asked to enter a product key. Windows will activate automatically after you sign in for the first time.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-11-pc-is-acting-up-4-essential-settings-i-always-check-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter that's complete, you'll need to use Windows Update to install the latest updates, including hardware drivers for devices that aren't included as part of a standard Windows setup. If you did the installation without formatting the system drive first, you'll also need to clean up the Windows.old folder and then finish additional setup tasks. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 17:25:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A clean install is the ultimate troubleshooting technique, but it's also the best way to repurpose a device you no longer need or to get a fresh start. By my count, there are four ways to do a clean install. Here are the pros and cons of each.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"1edb1bf9-baa6-4da4-854c-8499cacee9bc",image:{id:"700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a",filename:"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 17:09:33",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Clear blue sky",credits:"Getty Images\u002FiStockphoto",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F04\u002F700e8955-7afb-489b-a35f-b1ca8227b01a\u002Fhow-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-which-option-is-best-for-you.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3600,height:2025,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-11-see-which-option-is-best-for-you-and-why",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"How to do a clean install of Windows 11: See which option is best for you and why",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2fd5f96c-5493-4229-bbd3-5c8f49ad5828\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start menu\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-desktop-and-start-menu.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F01\u002F30\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"934\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has been pushing people to upgrade to Windows 11 but it doesn't want you running the OS on an unsupported system. For security reasons, only PCs with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 are supported by the latest version of Windows. To dissuade you from skipping past that requirement, the company has removed the steps for a Registry hack workaround from a Windows 11 support page.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it\u002F\"\u003EMicrosoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETitled \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e\"\u003EWays to install Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,\" the page has been around for several years. The current version explains how to install the OS using Windows Update, the Installation Assistant, and a USB drive or DVD. However, a previous edition of the page also included steps for changing the Registry to bypass the TPM requirements, as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.neowin.net\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft-quietly-removes-official-windows-11-cputpm-bypass-for-unsupported-pcs\u002F\"\u003Espotted by Neowin\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeen through the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb.archive.org\u002Fweb\u002F20241212193416\u002Fhttps:\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e\"\u003Eversion of the page from Dec. 12, 2024\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, shows the following now missing information, albeit with several warnings from Microsoft:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWarning: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft recommends against installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb.archive.org\u002Fweb\u002F20241212193416\u002Fhttps:\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fwindows\u002Fwindows-11-specifications\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 minimum system requirements\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If you choose to install Windows 11 on a device that does not meet these requirements, and you \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb.archive.org\u002Fweb\u002F20241212193416\u002Fhttps:\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Finstalling-windows-11-on-devices-that-don-t-meet-minimum-system-requirements-0b2dc4a2-5933-4ad4-9c09-ef0a331518f1\"\u003Eacknowledge and understand the risks\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you can create the following registry key values and bypass the check for TPM 2.0 (at least TPM 1.2 is required) and the CPU family and model.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegistry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\Setup\\MoSetup\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EName: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EType: REG_DWORD\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EValue: 1\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENote: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis doesn't mean the Registry hack no longer works; simply that Microsoft no longer wants to publicize it. Beyond the Registry tweak, there are other ways to sneak past the hardware restrictions to install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC. I've used third-party tools such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-install-windows-11-the-way-you-want-and-bypass-microsofts-restrictions\u002F\"\u003ERufus\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fi-tried-another-way-to-bypass-windows-11s-installation-restrictions-heres-how-it-works\u002F\"\u003EFlyby\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which I've found more effective than other methods.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe need to upgrade to Windows 11 has ramped up as we approach the end of support for Windows 10 in October. However, many older PCs don't qualify for the upgrade through the usual methods, and Microsoft increasingly has been trying to discourage its customers from using workarounds.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn another Windows 11 support document revised in December, Microsoft \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-ramps-up-pressure-on-users-running-windows-11-on-unsupported-pcs\u002F\"\u003Ewarned about the repercussions\u003C\u002Fa\u003E of installing Windows 11 on PCs that don't meet the minimum requirements. In its tough talk, the company said that doing so may result in compatibility issues, that your PC will no longer be supported, and that you won't be entitled to receive updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the past year, I've been running Windows 11 on an old Lenovo laptop and several virtual machines. The only issue I've encountered is one related to updates. I couldn't move from Windows 11 23H2 to Windows 11 24H2 on a PC that I had set up using Rufus. I had to download the 2024 version and set up a new installation with Rufus. Once my PC was equipped with 24H2, I could download the latest updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhy not just buy a new PC with Windows 11? In my case, I rely on my older Lenovo laptop for its dual batteries and high-quality keyboard, features I'd hate to lose by replacing the machine with a newer and less user-friendly model. I'm sure many other people are in a similar boat. Eventually, we may all have no choice but to buy new Windows 11 PCs. But for now, workarounds are still available even though Microsoft may not like them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 17:10:18",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A support page no longer describes the Registry hack that lets you bypass Windows 11's TPM requirements. But you still have options for sneaking past the hardware restrictions.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"80765a17-f79f-481e-99db-2c0c43cb2705",image:{id:"2fd5f96c-5493-4229-bbd3-5c8f49ad5828",filename:"windows-11-desktop-and-start-menu.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-01-30 14:42:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start menu",credits:c,caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F01\u002F30\u002F2fd5f96c-5493-4229-bbd3-5c8f49ad5828\u002Fwindows-11-desktop-and-start-menu.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:1600,height:934,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-removes-guide-for-installing-windows-11-on-unsupported-pcs-but-this-hack-still-works",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft removes guide for installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs - but this hack still works",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"294e47d5-10d6-11e4-9732-00505685119a",username:"Ed Bott",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Ed",lastName:"Bott",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"e98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e",filename:"ed-bott.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2022-08-05 15:06:03",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F05\u002Fe98b0a76-a96a-4fbb-be02-00807405874e\u002Fed-bott.jpg",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than three decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (2023).",profile:c,title:"Senior Contributing Editor",bio:b,bureau:"US",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"30842347-2300-4355-805c-b1fb58ff179f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem\" data-image-filename=\"microsoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F04\" data-image-width=\"3840\" data-image-height=\"2160\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWindows 10 is about to expire.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn just eight months, Microsoft's most successful operating system release ever will reach its end-of-support date. Like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgenius.com\u002FMonty-python-dead-parrot-sketch-annotated\"\u003EMonty Python's Norwegian Blue\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, it will be pushing up the daisies. It will have shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain, and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11\u002F\"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow is this even possible? It feels like only yesterday, but in fact, Windows 10 was officially released to the public nearly a decade ago, in July 2015. Following on the heels of the ill-fated Windows 8, it became an unqualified success among consumers and business customers alike.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's good news, right? Well, not exactly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has a big challenge on its hands in the run-up to that end-of-support date: convincing its enormous installed base to leave their beloved Windows 10 behind and make the move to its successor operating system, Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI wrote the original version of this post in July 2023. As that end date continues to draw uncomfortably closer, I've been revisiting the topic to help answer some burning questions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"2a88cc33-1e61-4f39-b970-75e2ad9c20b8\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003ELike every version of Windows in the modern era, Windows 10 adheres to a 10-year support lifecycle. That means most Windows 10 editions -- Home, Pro, Pro Workstation, Enterprise, and Education -- will reach their end-of-support date on Oct. 14, 2025. (For the nerdy details on how that date is calculated, see&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhen-will-microsoft-pull-the-plug-on-your-version-of-windows-or-office\u002F"\u003E"When will Microsoft end support for your version of Windows or Office?"\u003C\u002Fa\u003E)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, what happens when that day arrives? Nothing. Seriously, absolutely nothing happens on that date. PCs running Windows 10 will continue to work just as they always have, and they will do so indefinitely.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fstill-have-a-windows-10-pc-you-have-5-options-before-support-ends-next-year\u002F"\u003EStill have a Windows 10 PC? You have 5 options before support ends next year\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom that date forward, however, those PCs will no longer receive security fixes through Windows Update unless their owners&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwant-to-keep-getting-windows-10-updates-next-year-heres-what-it-will-cost\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Epay Microsoft for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. On Windows 10 PCs without an ESU subscription, any security flaws found from that day forward will remain unpatched, making those PCs increasingly vulnerable to online attacks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is at least one exception to this cutoff date, which applies to PCs running Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing editions. In all, Microsoft has released four of these editions. The 2015 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) ends support on Oct. 14, 2025, along with the editions described earlier. The 2016 LTSB release ends support a year later, on Oct. 13, 2026. Beginning in 2019, the name changed to Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC). For Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, the end date is Jan. 9, 2029.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConfusingly, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 has only a five-year support lifecycle, which means it ends support on Jan. 12, 2027.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"When does Windows 10 support end, and what does that mean for Windows 10 users?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"8e5a5655-d499-440e-b40a-e495cd21a1c1\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EIf anyone tells you they know the answer to this one, maybe stop listening to them?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft can probably make a solid estimate based on its telemetry, but the rest of us are forced to guess based on fragmentary third-party metrics.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11-in-2025\u002F"\u003EHow to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the sources I have relied on over the years is the US government's&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fanalytics.usa.gov\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EDigital Analytics Program (DAP)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which has a well-organized repository of information about traffic to official websites run by agencies like the Postal Service, the National Institutes of Health, the National Weather Service, the IRS, and NASA.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen I visited DAP at the beginning of February 2025, I retrieved 30 days' worth of data, covering more than 1.8 billion visits to those websites from people using Windows computers, Macs, and mobile devices from all around the world. Here's what the data told me about the visits from PCs and Macs:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"How many PCs are running Windows 10 today?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"d25a1468-6e40-49af-8934-e54eb72b7525\" data-size=\"medium\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003EWindows 11 has finally overtaken Windows 10 in visits to U.S. government websites, but just barely.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"DAP\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"desktop-os-versions-dap-feb-2025\" data-image-filename=\"desktop-os-versions-dap-feb-2025.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F04\" data-image-width=\"1165\" data-image-height=\"841\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's a big improvement over the numbers I found last August, when visits from PCs running Windows 10 significantly outpaced those from Windows 11. One bit of good news is that other versions of Windows represent a trivial share of visits, being outnumbered by every alternative desktop platform, including \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-things-chrome-os-needs-to-rival-macos\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChromeOS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut if you extrapolate those numbers to the worldwide population of Windows PCs, you can see the problem. Nearly half of those 1.4 billion devices are running Windows 10, and many of them have no supported upgrade path.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-debloating-windows-is-a-bad-idea-and-what-to-do-instead\u002F\"\u003EWhy 'debloating' Windows is a bad idea (and what to do instead)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor people who are concerned about the security of the internet at large, that thought is -- well, let's call it unnerving.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother widely used measure of web traffic, StatCounter, offers its own estimates of traffic from PCs running Microsoft Windows. If you believe their charts, about 60% of PCs worldwide are still running Windows 10.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, I have my issues with StatCounter's metrics, a topic \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-many-windows-10-pcs-are-still-in-use-no-one-knows-but-they-try-to-tell-you-anyway\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI have recently discussed at length\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. I think the StatCounter numbers probably overcount the number of Windows 10 PCs, but they do confirm the general conclusion that there will be a large number of unsupported PCs at the end of 2025.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"f510479d-17f0-4c37-a6fc-49fe55da6afb\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EThat's the real question, isn't it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite predictions of the imminent demise of the PC market, OEMs continue to sell more than 200 million new Windows computers each year. The most optimistic scenario is that every one of those new PCs sold in the next year replaces a Windows 10 device that is then retired, with another 100 million or so older PCs replaced by Chromebooks, iPads, and Macs. Maybe some old PCs are simply put out to pasture and not replaced at all, as consumers decide to use their phones or tablets instead.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-computer\u002F" target="_blank"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe best computers: Comparing laptops, Macs, PCs and more\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the shift to Windows 11 continues at its current rate, as measured by the DAP data, roughly 38% of PCs will still be running Windows 10 in October 2025. That adds up to more than 500 million PCs that will be running an outdated, unsupported operating system at the end of the year. Even if that pace accelerates, it will still mean hundreds of millions of people will be running Windows 10 when the end-of-support date rolls around. Yikes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWho owns those PCs?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThose who don't qualify for an automatic upgrade\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Some people own older hardware that doesn't meet the minimum hardware compatibility standards for Windows 11. Basically, that means any PC that was designed in 2018 or earlier. Note that this category includes many budget PCs that used older designs and unsupported CPUs but were sold as new in 2019 and 2020.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECorporate PCs that are standardized on Windows 10. \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EA nontrivial number of enterprise IT managers aren't ready to go through a wholesale Windows 11 migration. Many of them will use the normal upgrade cycle to perform that migration over time, and they have the option to pay for Windows 10 upgrades for up to three years after the end-of-support date.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWindows 10 diehards. \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EFrom my time spent reading support forums, I know there's a large population of longtime Windows users who are unhappy about the changes in Windows 11. Some of them will reluctantly upgrade, but others won't.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\" data-hed=\"How many PCs will still be running Windows 10 at the end of 2025?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"cnetlisticle\" data-id=\"8b1c3d9f-efe2-4c16-aa93-de7b5a78a578\" data-edition=\"us\" data-description=\"\u003Cp\u003EI know some people are convinced this is a possibility, and there's precedent for it in the experience of Windows XP, which ended support in April 2014, more than 12 years after it was first released. Windows XP users even received emergency security updates well after that official end date, to address the&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-wannacry-ransomware-is-still-a-threat-to-your-pc\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EWannaCry vulnerability\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;in 2017 and a similar flaw in 2019. Likewise, Microsoft \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Finstall-immediately-microsoft-delivers-emergency-patch-for-printnightmare-security-bug\u002F" target="_blank"\u003Eissued emergency security updates for Windows 7 in 2021\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;after its support had officially ended.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Ffor-windows-11-setup-which-user-account-type-should-you-choose-how-to-decide\u002F"\u003EFor Windows 11 setup, which user account type should you choose? How to decide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, in both cases, the customers running the soon-to-be-obsolete Windows version had the option to upgrade to a new version. Indeed, that's the recommendation from Microsoft's&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Flifecycle\u002Foverview\u002Fproduct-end-of-support-overview"\u003Eofficial Product End of Support page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce a product reaches the end of support, or a service retires, there will be no new security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support. Customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product or service.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Windows 10, though, that alternative might not be available. Devices that don't meet the hardware compatibility requirements will have no Microsoft-supported migration path to a newer version. As I pointed out&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fstill-have-a-windows-10-pc-you-have-5-options-before-support-ends-next-year\u002F"\u003Ethe last time I looked at this issue\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the owners of those perfectly functional PCs -- some only five or six years old -- will instead have the following options:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInstall a non-Microsoft operating system.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;Maybe 2026 will be the year when desktop \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002F5-reasons-why-linux-will-eventually-overtake-windows-and-macos-on-the-desktop\u002F" target="_blank"\u003ELinux finally takes hold\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, although that's unlikely. \u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Finstalling-chromeos-flex-5-things-you-need-to-do-first-to-avoid-headaches\u002F" target="_blank"\u003EChromeOS Flex\u003C\u002Fa\u003E might be another option, but it has its own&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.google.com\u002Fchromeosflex\u002Fanswer\u002F11513094?sjid=1307842147959197296-NA#zippy=,apple,microsoft"\u003Ehardware compatibility requirements\u003C\u002Fa\u003E&nbsp;that probably make it unsuitable for older hardware.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIgnore Microsoft's warnings and upgrade to Windows 11 anyway.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;There are options to&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11\u002F"\u003Einstall Windows 11 on "incompatible" hardware\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, but they require a fair amount of technical experience. People who are clinging to old PCs because they can't afford a new one likely don't have those specialized skills and may not even realize that the option is available. I doubt that many businesses would be willing to risk the support issues that come with that approach.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKeep running Windows 10 and hope for the best.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;History suggests that this is the most likely option.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENothing in the company's behavior over the past year suggests they have any plans to extend the support deadline for Windows 10.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft and its OEM partners would prefer that the owners of those devices dump them in a landfill and buy a new PC running Windows 11. However, my experience with PC owners, especially older people on a fixed income, is that they will use those devices until they stop working. Those PCs will be sitting ducks for a cyberattack like&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwannacry-ransomware-crisis-one-year-on-are-we-ready-for-the-next-global-cyber-attack\u002F"\u003EWannaCry\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which was brutally effective against the large population of Windows 7 PCs that were still in use three years after its support ended.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso:&nbsp;\u003Ca href="https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fthis-secret-windows-11-setting-lets-you-kill-unresponsive-apps-much-faster\u002F"\u003EThis secret Windows 11 setting lets you kill unresponsive apps much faster\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat incident was a PR nightmare for Microsoft, and a repeat would be even more devastating to the company's reputation. That's why Microsoft has offered paid options to extend support for Windows 10 by three years. Customers in enterprise and education deployments are likely to take advantage of those options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumers have the option to pay for updates for a year. I predict that few will do so. After that? Well, you're on your own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-hed=\"Will Microsoft extend the support deadline for Windows 10?\" data-imagegroup=\"{}\" data-merchantoffers=\"[]\" data-usepricing=\"true\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article was originally published in July 2023. The most recent update was in February 2025.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 14:46:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft has a serious problem on its hands, thanks to competition from... itself?",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"372c05e4-f1bd-45d6-8199-0103e8862208",image:{id:"30842347-2300-4355-805c-b1fb58ff179f",filename:"microsoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-04 14:45:16",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"windows 10 on a laptop",credits:"John Taggart\u002FBloomberg via Getty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F04\u002F30842347-2300-4355-805c-b1fb58ff179f\u002Fmicrosoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3840,height:2160,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 10",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"microsoft-has-a-big-windows-10-problem-and-its-running-out-of-time-to-solve-it",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it",topic:{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"5a09f531-5d09-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57",slug:"windows-10",name:"Windows 10",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"1048432a-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"enterprise-software",name:"Enterprise Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"f28e6442-6211-418f-b286-25fe1de590fe\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"ZoomIt from Microsoft PowerToys\" data-image-filename=\"zoomit-microsoft-powertoys.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"931\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking for a way to magnify your computer screen, either for yourself or for public presentations? A new PowerToys tool from Microsoft may be exactly what you need. Added to the latest version of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmy-7-favorite-microsoft-powertoys-utilities-that-every-windows-pc-user-should-know\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPowerToys\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, ZoomIt can zoom in on the screen, let you write on it, and take a screenshot or recording of your current activity.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft is touting ZoomIt as a tool for presentations and demos. By zooming in on specific areas of the screen, you can emphasize certain points or simply enlarge text and images for your audience. The writing and annotation features let you mark up the screen to highlight key elements. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-clear-the-cache-on-your-windows-11-pc-and-why-it-makes-such-a-big-difference\u002F\"\u003EHow to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it makes such a big difference)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond its worth as a presentation tool, ZoomIt can magnify the screen if you have trouble seeing or reading small print on a web page or document.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZoomIt was originally a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsysinternals\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESysinternals\u003C\u002Fa\u003E tool. Recently, its source code was released, allowing it to be included in PowerToys. However, it will still be available as an external tool, updated, and offered by Sysinternals for anyone who'd rather use it as a standalone program.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow does the PowerToys version of ZoomIt work and how can you use it?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst, make sure you're running the latest version of PowerToys. If you already use the utility, click the PowerToys icon in the Windows System Tray and you'll see a notification to update it. Otherwise, head to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgithub.com\u002Fmicrosoft\u002FPowerToys\u002Freleases\u002Ftag\u002Fv0.88.0\"\u003Ethe PowerToys GitHub page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and download the executable file for your edition of Windows.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpen PowerToys, click the drop-down arrow for System Tools, and then select ZoomIt. Turn on the switch for Enable ZoomIt and make sure the System Tray icon is switched on. You can now try zooming in and out. For that, press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard. The first time you do this, be sure you agree to the notice from Sysinternals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe screen will then automatically zoom in. Move your mouse's scroll wheel or swipe up and down on your laptop's touchpad to zoom in and out. You can then move your mouse or your finger to navigate the screen. To revert to normal screen mode, just press Esc. Back at the ZoomIt settings in PowerToys, go to the Zoom section and you're able to change the hotkey, turn the zoom animation on and off, and adjust the zoom level.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b62492cc-1423-4890-93c3-b207bdbc675b\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Zooming in with ZoomIt\" data-image-filename=\"zoomit-microsoft-powertoys-zoom-mode.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"662\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext, you can zoom in and still use your mouse or touchpad to move up and down the screen. To activate this Live Zoom mode, press Crtl+4. Your screen zooms in. Use your mouse's scroll wheel or swipe up and down on a touchpad, and the screen will move up and down as expected. You can also move left and right with your mouse or touchpad to read or see an entire zoomed-in page. To exit this mode, press Ctrl+4 again.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-screen-record-in-windows-10-or-11\u002F\"\u003EHow to screen record in Windows 10 or 11 with built-in tools\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZoomIt also offers a few options for drawing on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPress Ctrl+2, and the cursor turns into a pen tool. Just hold down the left mouse button or the touchpad and you can then draw on the screen. To change the thickness of the pen, press the Ctrl key and swipe up and down on the scroll wheel or touchpad. To switch to a different color, press the R key on your keyboard for red, G for green, B for blue, Y for yellow, P for pink, and O for orange. Go to the Draw section in ZoomIt settings to check out more drawing options. Press Esc to exit drawing mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"90e3c09f-54f6-4c5e-bc9d-419a00cfa652\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Drawing on the screen with ZoomIt\" data-image-filename=\"zoomit-microsoft-powertoys-drawing-mode.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"774\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile in drawing mode, you can type text on the screen. Press Ctrl+2 to return to drawing mode, press the T key, and start typing. Use your mouse's scroll wheel or swipe up and down on the touchpad to change the font size. Press Esc once to exit text mode and then again to exit drawing mode.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"02c0a347-47b3-49c7-885b-c4e50da51e75\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Typing on the screen with ZoomIt\" data-image-filename=\"zoomit-microsoft-powertoys-typing-mode.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F02\u002F03\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"589\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZoomIt offers a couple of other modes, including Demo Type and Break. Return to its settings screen in PowerToys to try these out.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo record your screen while in zoomed mode, press Ctrl+5. You can then move around and navigate the screen. When done, press Ctrl+5 again to stop the recording. You're prompted to save your screen activity as an MP4 file. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-windows-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best Windows laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo capture a static shot of your screen in zoomed mode, press Ctrl+6. Draw the area you want to snip. The resulting image is saved to the Windows clipboard for you to paste elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, you can more quickly access ZoomIt's key modes through the System Tray shortcut. Just click on the shortcut and you're able to zoom in, draw, and record your screen. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-02-03 17:37:09",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"A handy tool for presentations, demos and even accessibility, ZoomIt lets you zoom in on the screen, mark up the current page, and even capture your screen activity.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"b4ff0b4a-f537-478f-8762-dd2c7e3a4a00",image:{id:"1d79aa8d-6ae5-4974-9114-ab816b540805",filename:"mag555gettyimages-612634876.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-02-03 17:35:50",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"mag555gettyimages-612634876",credits:"tiero\u002FGetty Images",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F02\u002F03\u002F1d79aa8d-6ae5-4974-9114-ab816b540805\u002Fmag555gettyimages-612634876.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:2253,height:1330,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"news",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"magnify-your-screen-and-more-with-powertoys-new-zoomit-tool-heres-how",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Magnify your screen and more with PowerToys' new ZoomIt tool - here's how",topic:{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:i,slug:"windows",name:"Windows",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"926c7fe3-bac7-46e3-b421-bf633d90ee73",slug:"productivity",name:"Productivity",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"9d090b08-a8ab-4c6f-9f48-8dd7888341d5\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"ZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"New year, new Windows 11 24H2 bug to add to the list: 12 and counting\" data-image-filename=\"new-year-new-windows-11-24h2-bug-to-add-to-the-list.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F01\u002F21\" data-image-width=\"3120\" data-image-height=\"1755\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUPDATE\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E: When Microsoft rolled out another Windows 11 24H2 update for January's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPatch Tuesday\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, instead of fixing existing issues, the update created more havoc, causing conflicts with audio, Bluetooth, webcams, and more. But a preview update released on Jan. 28 finally fixed several glitches -- both old and new.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn October, after months of beta testing, Microsoft officially released its major 2024 update for Windows 11. Known as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhats-new-in-windows-11-24h2-and-when-will-your-pc-get-it\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 24H2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the latest version enhances the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-copilots-wave-2-is-here-everything-you-need-to-know\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECopilot AI\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, improves File Explorer, promises faster performance and greater stability, and introduces other improvements.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe update, which is rolling out to eligible Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 users, may appear on your PC's Windows Update screen. If so, you can certainly install it from there. Otherwise, the new version is accessible on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fsoftware-download\u002Fwindows11#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's Download Windows 11 page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, where you can grab it through the Installation Assistant, installation media, or as an ISO file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\"\u003EThe Windows January updates are a mess - here's why you should wait to install\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut before you dive into the 2024 update, know that you may run into some problems and conflicts. The new version has been plagued by bugs that could prevent you from using Windows reliably and effectively. Microsoft has documented some of the glitches, and Windows users have reported others. In response, Microsoft has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-blocks-windows-11-24h2-update-for-some-pcs-following-bug-onslaught\u002F#link={\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eput the update on hold for problematic PCs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that could encounter blue screens and other issues.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo address the barrage of bugs, the company has rolled out several sets of patches so far -- one in late October, another in mid-November, a third on December 10 as part of the monthly Patch Tuesday, a fourth in early January, a fifth on January 14 for the month's Patch Tuesday, and a sixth to resolve some of the bugs triggered by the Patch Tuesday update.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fhow-to-upgrade-from-windows-11-home-to-pro-without-overpaying\u002F\"\u003EHow to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro - without overpaying\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-windows-11-24h2-bug-patch-fixes-some-problems-and-creates-new-ones\u002F\"\u003EOctober update\u003C\u002Fa\u003E fixed a few bugs but also created a couple of new ones. The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-november-patch-tuesday-squashes-several-bugs-in-windows-11-24h2\u002F\"\u003ENovember update\u003C\u002Fa\u003E resolved some, but certainly not all, of the outstanding glitches. The December update addressed one specific glitch with certain USB-connected scanners and other devices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn early January patch finally \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#3448msgdesc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efixed conflicts with the Ubisoft games\u003C\u002Fa\u003E Star Wars Outlaws, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Origins, and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut then came the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJanuary 14 Patch Tuesday update\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Instead of resolving some of the persistent issues, this one actually introduced a host of new bugs, creating conflicts with audio devices, Bluetooth connections, webcams, and more.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, there's been some light toward the end of the tunnel. On January 28, Microsoft released an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosofts-latest-optional-patch-is-a-bug-fix-bonanza-for-windows-11-24h2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eoptional preview update for Windows 24H2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that squashed a number of bugs. Several of the glitches were new ones added by the messy January 14 update. Others had been around since last year, some as old as October.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut even after the latest update, several bugs persist. Here are ones that may still cause trouble for anyone running the 2024 flavor of Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E1. Conflict with PCs with Citrix components\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn one glitch introduced with the January Patch Tuesday update, PCs with certain Citrix components may not be able to complete the installation of the January patches. Microsoft said it found this issue on devices with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.citrix.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsession-recording\u002Fcurrent-release\u002Finstall-upgrade-uninstall.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECitrix Session Recording Agent (SRA)\u003C\u002Fa\u003E version 2411, which was released in December. The company is working with Citrix to resolve the problem. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"3f6e65f0-434d-40c9-8c41-e22f937bf0fa\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Citrix\" data-image-alt-text=\"Citrix Session Recording Agent\" data-image-filename=\"citrix-session-recording-agent.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F01\u002F29\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"1138\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E2. Inability to install future updates\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you installed the Windows 11 24H2 update through a CD or USB flash drive anytime between Oct. 8, 2024, and Nov. 12, 2024, you may be \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fnew-windows-11-24h2-bug-could-block-future-security-updates-see-whos-affected\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eunable to run any future security updates\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. That means you're stuck if new vulnerabilities are discovered and you need to patch the OS. The problem doesn't occur if you installed or updated Windows 11 24H2 through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-laptop\u002F\"\u003EThe best laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates,\" Microsoft has explained on its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#3469msgdesc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat's the fix? If you haven't yet run the updates from the past few months for Windows 11 24H2 and want to install them via CD or USB drive, be sure to grab the latest version from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fsoftware-download\u002Fwindows11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft's Download Windows 11 page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If you've already updated Windows 11 24H2 through physical media and can't install the latest patches, be patient. Microsoft is working on a fix for the problem.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"11a0b9c9-ef5f-4c2b-a52b-837bb3b2acfa\" data-size=\"large\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 updates\" data-image-filename=\"figure-top-windows-11-updates.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024-12-30 18:35:22.000000\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"888\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E3. Conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat online gaming app\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA program known as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.easy.ac\u002Fen-US\"\u003EEasy Anti-Cheat\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is automatically installed with some online games to prevent cheating. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#263msgdesc\"\u003EWindows 11 2024 doesn't play well with this software\u003C\u002Fa\u003E -- users can experience the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), at least in rare cases, according to Microsoft.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnly devices with Intel's Alder Lake+ processors and vPro platform are affected. Microsoft is working with the developer of Easy Anti-Cheat to resolve the glitch. Until then, those who run this app on PCs with the affected Intel chip should be aware of the conflict.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"5eedc7fc-7fcc-40d6-ac0d-24bfc49f213f\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Anti-Cheat online gaming app\" data-image-filename=\"figure-3-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1241\" data-image-height=\"577\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E4. Blue screens in other instances\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the clash with Easy Anti-Cheat, other situations can lead to the BSOD in the Windows 11 2024 update. Intel and Microsoft have discovered \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#386msgdesc\"\u003Eincompatibility issues with certain drivers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors. People running the affected driver and Windows 11 24H2 could run into blue screens.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fcant-quit-windows-10-microsoft-will-charge-for-updates-next-year-heres-how-much\u002F\"\u003ECan't quit Windows 10? Microsoft will soon charge for updates. Here's how much\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESources told Windows Latest that Microsoft is reportedly aware of a glitch in the 24H2 update that causes \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F15\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-causing-bsods-microsoft-will-reportedly-halt-update-for-more-pcs\u002F\"\u003Eblue screening for PCs with certain Western Digital SSDs\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This one has affected Lenovo, Asus VivoBook, and other model computers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn another issue \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F27\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-issues-break-internet-wi-fi-network-sharing-cause-more-bsods\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, PCs with Z890 motherboards sold by MSI, Asus, and other vendors can run into blue screens. This occurs most notably on systems with the Core Ultra 200S series and its integrated Xe-LPG graphics.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"eeecf192-607a-4671-8db2-176483894d05\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Alyson Windsor\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Blue screen\" data-image-filename=\"figure-4-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"803\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E5. Internet connection issues\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome people who've installed the Windows 11 2024 update report that their \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fanswers.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fforum\u002Fall\u002Fproblem-in-network-windows-11-24h2\u002Fac1e20e5-091a-45ab-a3c7-94ca7b31577d?page=1\"\u003Einternet connections are now glitchy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. As discovered by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwindowsreport.com\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-is-causing-some-huge-issues-with-internet-connectivity\u002F\"\u003EWindows Report\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, these users seem to be able to connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, but they don't receive a valid IP address and therefore can't get an internet or network connection.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fbest-vpn\u002F\"\u003EThe best VPN services: Expert tested\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeither updating drivers and firmware nor resetting the network connectivity resolves the problem. In certain cases, using a static IP address instead of a dynamic address resolves the issue.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"208d2220-7a5b-45a6-9a32-a9d67cbc54f1\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"Internet connection\" data-image-filename=\"figure-6-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F16\" data-image-width=\"1029\" data-image-height=\"454\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E6. Broken clipboard history\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Windows clipboard history is a great tool for storing and syncing a history of copied clipboard items across multiple devices. I've liked this feature ever since Microsoft introduced it in 2018. Alas, the latest Windows 11 update breaks the clipboard history, at least for some people.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fdeepin-25-linux-preview-looks-and-feels-more-like-windows-but-is-it-safe\u002F\"\u003EDeepin 25 Linux preview looks and feels more like Windows - but is it safe?\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F16\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-clipboard-history-blank-disk-cleanup-reporting-issues\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espotted by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, dozens of users chiming in on different online forums report that the tool keeps insisting that the clipboard history is empty, even though they've already copied one or more items to it. Though this bug seems to affect only a small number of users, it was flagged by Windows Insider testers a few months ago. But apparently, Microsoft didn't bother to fix it or didn't fix it properly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"bd0194df-bcab-4b8c-9750-2a1e1cdbbb71\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET\" data-image-alt-text=\"No clipboard history\" data-image-filename=\"figure-8-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F10\u002F17\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"699\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E7. Network sharing doesn't work\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn another network-related issue triggered by the 24H2 update on some PCs, either the computer or other devices fail to appear in the network list, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F27\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-issues-break-internet-wi-fi-network-sharing-cause-more-bsods\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eaccording to Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. As a result, you're unable to share files and printers between different PCs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe problem could be related to Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDResPub), which lets Windows 11 remain visible on the network. As a workaround, some people have resolved the glitch by setting FDResPub to start manually instead of automatically.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"2051361\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E8. Printer issues with ARM-based Copilot+ PCs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet another issue that has been popping up affects people who own Copilot+ PCs. Based on several user reports \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.neowin.net\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft-quietly-admits-windows-11-24h2-printer-issues-on-arm-no-word-on-amd-or-intel\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Espotted by Neowin\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, some users who upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 are unable to set up or use a printer. The glitch seems to be hitting those with printers made by HP, Canon, Brother, and other manufacturers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has posted \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Fhelp-with-installing-printers-on-arm-pcs-fe3e5b19-a15a-4ae6-a0c0-502b45f1b4c9\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ea support article\u003C\u002Fa\u003E highlighting the problem and offering some workarounds. But at this point, this bug remains unresolved.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E9. Audio output glitch on some PCs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPCs that contain Dirac Audio with a file named cridspapo.dll could bump into audio issues. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dirac.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDirac Audio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is a digital sound technology that improves audio clarity and precision. Some users with this configuration who ran the update say that the integrated speakers, Bluetooth speakers, and Bluetooth headsets \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#3465msgdesc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehave stopped working\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and that first-party and third-party applications no longer recognize these speakers or headsets.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs with most of the bugs, Microsoft has paused the update for affected PCs. Once the manufacturer releases a fix, Microsoft promises to offer a new driver through the standard Windows Update process.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"b2046f39-c6d8-41f0-8a55-443eb06b14fb\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Dirac\" data-image-alt-text=\"Dirac audio interface\" data-image-filename=\"figure-13-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F12\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"694\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E10. Outlook may not launch with Google Workspace Sync\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#3456msgdesc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft Outlook may fail to load if Google Workspace Sync is installed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This particular Google Workspace Sync tool lets you manage your Google Workspace emails, calendar events, contacts, notes, and tasks directly in Outlook.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe specific error that pops up says: \"Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot Open the Outlook Window. The set of folders cannot be opened. An unexpected error has occurred. MAPI was unable to load the information service...\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has put a hold on the update for affected users. You may be able to resolve the issue on your own by updating to the latest version of Google Workspace Sync (4.3.68.0). But if the glitch persists, you'll have to contact Google Workspace Support for help.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"552e5dab-d29d-4a79-91e9-0cdd28032da8\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-credit=\"Microsoft\" data-image-alt-text=\"Outlook error\" data-image-filename=\"figure-14-avoid-the-windows-11-2024-update-for-now-heres-why.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2024\u002F12\u002F23\" data-image-width=\"1200\" data-image-height=\"568\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are just some of the glitches plaguing Microsoft and its users with the Windows 11 2024 update. Microsoft has listed others on its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2\"\u003EKnown Issues and Notifications page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI initially installed the update on a test Windows 11 PC in 2024 and bumped into a few of the bugs described here, along with others. A calendar and contact syncing program I used, called Sync2Cloud, wouldn't run in Windows 11 24H2. Two driver updates from Intel kept failing when I tried to install them. Connecting to the PC using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection didn't always work the first time around.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the January 28 update, however, I ran the update again on my test PC. Two of the problems I encountered previously seem to have been corrected. However, I'm still having trouble connecting through Remote Desktop Connection. I still need to spend more time working with the machine, but so far the patch appears to have helped.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyou-can-finally-test-microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-heres-how\u002F\"\u003EYou can finally test Microsoft's controversial Recall feature - here's how\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome conflicts are expected when Microsoft rolls out a major new Windows update. Even with widescale beta testing, not every potential problem will be found. However, any significant issues are still frustrating for those of us who need to use Windows for work and other tasks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe number of bugs in Windows 11 24H2 also seems greater than in past annual Windows updates. The ongoing spread of one bug after another and Microsoft's need to stall the update for many people both point to a problem with this latest version.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt this point, Microsoft needs to follow up on its Jan. 28 patch by addressing more of the long-standing issues and making sure that this version of Windows 11 will be more stable and reliable, especially with support for Windows 10 due to expire in October.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"bc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002Fbc4074e0-359d-459b-b3db-941877b80949\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-01-31 13:56:00",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"Microsoft's official 24H2 update for Windows 11 has been hit with one bug after another. But a variety of have finally been patched.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"2df2d275-2681-4460-ab26-c7bb2d3bf47d",image:{id:"9d090b08-a8ab-4c6f-9f48-8dd7888341d5",filename:"new-year-new-windows-11-24h2-bug-to-add-to-the-list.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-01-21 15:37:48",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"No clipboard history",credits:"Screenshot by Lance Whitney\u002FZDNET",caption:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2025\u002F01\u002F21\u002F9d090b08-a8ab-4c6f-9f48-8dd7888341d5\u002Fnew-year-new-windows-11-24h2-bug-to-add-to-the-list.jpg",cropGravity:o,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:3120,height:1755,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},label:b,metaData:{typeTitle:"analysis\u002Fopinion",hubTopicPathString:"Tech^Services & Software^Operating Systems^Windows^Windows 11",relatedItems:[]},name:b,promoTitle:b,section:b,slug:"windows-11-24h2s-wild-ride-some-fixes-are-in-but-other-bugs-still-linger",startYear:c,summary:b,title:"Windows 11 24H2's wild ride: Some fixes are in but other bugs still linger",topic:{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},topics:[{id:"41040cf0-0abb-4cd0-aad1-1cb0e38b334c",slug:"windows-11",name:"Windows 11",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:a,topicPath:[]},{id:"10c1d40e-ec91-11e3-95d2-02911863765e",slug:"microsoft",name:"Microsoft",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]},{id:"96093490-341e-45e4-b27a-bf297aa2c5bb",slug:"services-software",name:"Services & Software",typeName:"content_topic",uuid:b,primary:d,topicPath:[]}],hubTopicPathString:c,type:"content_article",typeName:b,url:b,isSponsored:d},{author:{id:"97e096ab-1a2f-479b-b8c6-7abec11c1087",username:"lancewhitney",profileUrl:c,email:c,firstName:"Lance",lastName:"Whitney",jobTitle:c,dateCreated:{created:c,date:c,timezone:c,updated:c,published:c},image:{id:"6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2",filename:"lance-31.png",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2023-05-12 19:35:23",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:c,credits:c,caption:c,path:"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Fa\u002Fimg\u002F2023\u002F05\u002F12\u002F6835195a-fcd2-43b2-918b-8f61bcdb9fd2\u002Flance-31.png",cropGravity:c,crop:c,typeName:"content_image",imageUrl:c,width:c,height:c,bucketPath:c,bucketType:c,title:c},socialProfileIds:c,authorBio:"Lance Whitney is a freelance technology writer and trainer with a background in IT. He's written for a host of sites and publications, including TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, AskWoody, Time, Fortune, and AARP Magazine. He spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET and six years writing a monthly column about Microsoft utilities for the late TechNet Magazine. He's written two books for Wiley & Sons - \"Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time\" and \"Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.\" He also teaches both online and in-person computer classes on such topics as Windows, Microsoft Office, eBay, social media, and cybersecurity. And in a past life, he worked in IT for an international company providing product management and systems support in the U.S. and abroad.",profile:c,title:b,bio:b,bureau:"AU",awards:b,expertise:b,authorDisclosure:c},body:"\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"image\" data-uuid=\"2fd5f96c-5493-4229-bbd3-5c8f49ad5828\" data-size=\"original\" data-float=\"none\" data-image-caption=\"\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\" data-image-alt-text=\"Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start menu\" data-image-filename=\"windows-11-desktop-and-start-menu.jpg\" data-image-date-created=\"2025\u002F01\u002F30\" data-image-width=\"1600\" data-image-height=\"934\" data-image-do-not-crop=\"false\" data-image-do-not-resize=\"false\" data-image-watermark=\"false\" data-lightbox=\"false\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrosoft has released a preview update designed to fix a number of bugs that have plagued the 2024 version of Windows 11.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fmicrosoft-is-forcing-windows-11-24h2-update-on-all-eligible-pcs-but-is-it-stable-enough\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMicrosoft is forcing Windows 11 24H2 update on all eligible PCs, but is it stable enough?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReleased on Tuesday, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Fjanuary-28-2025-kb5050094-os-build-26100-3037-preview-78fda0ea-79e9-468d-8a77-de7914ca1aef\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKB5050094\u003C\u002Fa\u003E addresses both older issues in Windows 11 24H2 and newer ones caused by January's buggy \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Ftopic\u002Fjanuary-14-2025-kb5050009-os-build-26100-2894-bdbfb097-ea20-487d-9171-718d15e26f1b\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPatch Tuesday update\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which created conflicts with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-january-updates-trigger-audio-glitches-bluetooth-bugs-and-more\u002F\"\u003Eaudio, Bluetooth, and webcams\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELatest patch resolves several problems\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst on the list of fixes, KB5050094 resolves a glitch caused by the Patch Tuesday update in which USB headphones and other devices connected through a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) failed to produce audio. Connecting the device would trigger the error message: \"Insufficient system resources exist to complete the API.\" As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bleepingcomputer.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft\u002Fwindows-11-kb5050094-update-fixes-bugs-causing-audio-issues\u002F\"\u003Enoted by Bleeping Computer\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the update also addresses a USB audio driver issue that prevented certain devices from starting.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother issue caused by the January Patch Tuesday update, and fixed by KB5050094, impacted USB cameras. In this case, the glitch prevented Windows from recognizing that such cameras were turned on. The update doesn't seem to address reported bugs with built-in webcams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwindows-11-24h2-plagued-by-yet-more-bugs-in-2025\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWindows 11 24H2 plagued by yet more bugs in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOtherwise, the latest patch resolves several problems that have been around for a while.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome gamers running Windows 11 24H2 have encountered trouble trying to play certain games with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flearn.microsoft.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fwindows\u002Frelease-health\u002Fstatus-windows-11-24h2#3466msgdesc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAutoHDR enabled\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. In these instances, the game colors failed to display correctly. With the new fix, you should be able to use AutoHDR again, a feature that enhances gameplay by converting standard dynamic range (SDR) content to high dynamic range (HDR).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith KB5050094, Microsoft has also resolved a long-standing bug in which the mouse cursor would disappear if you tried to select or edit text using the cursor. This issue dates back to October, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2024\u002F10\u002F08\u002Fa-windows-11-24h2-bug-is-so-odd-that-it-causes-the-mouse-pointer-cursor-to-disappear\u002F\"\u003Ereports and testing by Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother bug squashed by KB5050094 was one in which cumulative Windows updates might not install. Also fixed was an issue where you'd receive an error message when trying to connect to a Windows 11 workstation via Microsoft's Remote Desktop Gateway. One more problem now fixed affected the Windows Snipping Tool. In this case, your screenshots might have been distorted if you used two or more monitors with different scaling.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EMore fixes\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd there are more fixes, as described below, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.windowslatest.com\u002F2025\u002F01\u002F29\u002Fwindows-11-kb5050094-24h2-adds-features-direct-download-msu-from-microsoft\u002F\"\u003Ecourtesy of Windows Latest\u003C\u002Fa\u003E:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou can now change the time zone as a regular user without admin rights required.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe cursor no longer becomes transparent.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe mouse no longer stutters when you move it across the screen.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETask Manager now opens faster.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKB5050094 is known as a preview update because it offers a preview of next month's Patch Tuesday update, as noted by Bleeping Computer. These updates are launched at the end of a month to give Windows administrators the ability to test bug fixes and other changes. If all goes well, the update will automatically roll out to all Windows users on the second Tuesday of the following month.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"newsletter\" data-id=\"4914532\" data-copy=\"ZDNET Tech Today\" data-image=\"{"id":null,"alt":null}\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to download the update manually\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince the new update is optional, you may have to download it manually. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlso: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fyour-windows-11-pc-is-acting-up-4-essential-settings-i-always-check-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYour Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo do so, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and then click the button to check for updates. You should see an entry for \"Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5050094).\" If so, select it for installation. If not, turn on the switch for \"Get the latest updates as soon as they're available,\" and the new update should appear.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlternatively, browse to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.catalog.update.microsoft.com\u002FSearch.aspx?q=KB5050094\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMicrosoft Update Catalog\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, click the Download button for KB5050094, and then click the link to download the MSU file. You can then double-click the MSU file to install it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cdiv data-shortcode=\"pinbox\" data-uuid=\"635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-uri=\"\u002Fapi\u002Fcomponent\u002Feditorial\u002F635210bb-41ff-11e4-b6a0-d4ae52e95e57\" data-float=\"none\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E",gallery:c,category:c,children:c,contentType:b,contentUrl:b,coreImages:c,date:c,datePublished:{created:c,date:"2025-01-30 15:34:05",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},description:"The new preview update resolves some persistent and annoying problems with Windows 24H2, but you may need to download and install it manually.",filterKey:c,filterLabel:c,genreGroups:c,icon:b,nodeId:b,subCategory:c,id:"a4ceea0b-7ebb-42de-80f8-7a80e259b578",image:{id:"2fd5f96c-5493-4229-bbd3-5c8f49ad5828",filename:"windows-11-desktop-and-start-menu.jpg",dateCreated:{created:c,date:"2025-01-30 14:42:44",timezone:"UTC",updated:c,published:c},alt:"Windows 11 24H2 desktop and Start 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