الوسم: Windows Tip

Have you ever found yourself repeatedly sharing your Wi-Fi credentials with visiting family or friends? I certainly have.

A straightforward way to solve this is by generating a Wi-Fi QR code on your Windows computer. Guests can simply scan this code with their device’s camera to instantly connect without needing to manually enter login details.

While apps have long offered this functionality, Microsoft introduced a built-in feature to create Wi-Fi QR codes directly in Windows 11 as of late 2024.

This feature is popular among hotels and cafes as it makes Wi-Fi access effortless, but there’s no reason why it can’t be used at home too. Here’s how to do it.

Steps to create your Wi-Fi QR code:

• Open Windows Settings and go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known networks.
• Select your Wi-Fi network by clicking the arrow next to its name.
• On the subsequent screen, tap the Show button next to Wi-Fi network password.
• Your Wi-Fi password along with a corresponding QR code will then be displayed.
• Capture a screenshot of this QR code and print it out so others can easily scan it when they need to connect.

After printing the QR code, your visitors or household members can scan it with their smartphone, tablet, or PC webcam to connect seamlessly to your Wi-Fi network without having to type in any login details.

This approach spares you from constantly repeating your Wi-Fi credentials. That’s the tip for today. If you’d like more helpful tips like this delivered weekly to your inbox, consider subscribing to our PCWorld Try This newsletter. You might also find other PCWorld newsletters worthwhile on the same sign-up page.

For those unfamiliar, Microsoft To Do is a task management application integrated into Windows 11. It’s accessible via the web and compatible with iOS and Android devices, allowing me to receive reminders and updates regardless of where I am. The best part: it’s free to use.

The feature I find most helpful is “My Day,” which acts as a personalized daily planner. It’s user-friendly and makes setting up and tracking tasks straightforward.

Here’s a guide on how to utilize Microsoft To Do to turn flagged emails from Outlook into manageable tasks. This process is part of my morning routine and significantly enhances my productivity.

Steps to follow:

• Launch Microsoft To Do and log into your account. To find the app quickly, type To Do into the Search bar, then select it. Updates may be prompted, so ensure it’s up to date. If you plan on using it frequently, consider pinning it to your desktop taskbar for easy access.
• Log in to your Microsoft Outlook email account. Browse your inbox and flag any emails you want to convert into tasks.
• In Microsoft To Do, click on Flagged Emails from the sidebar. Your flagged messages should appear automatically. If not, enable this feature in the app’s settings.
• Highlight the emails you want to add to your task list, right-click, and choose Add to My Day.
• Navigate to My Day on the sidebar. Your flagged emails should now appear as individual tasks in your daily planner. Click on each task to add details such as reminders, due dates, attachments, notes, or relevant files.

And that’s all there is to it. Microsoft To Do has many advanced features, such as sharing your lists with colleagues, family, or friends. Take some time to explore these options and get comfortable with the app.

And one more thing: we send out helpful tips like this twice weekly to our PCWorldTry This newsletter subscribers. If you’re interested, be sure to subscribe!

While using Windows, the system discreetly tracks your behavior to enhance your user experience. It personalizes the Start menu by quickening access to frequently used applications and documents. For instance, it logs recently installed programs and files you’ve modified, highlighting them in the Start menu. However, this means others can easily observe your recent activity on the computer over the past few hours or days.

These personalizations are stored separately for each user account. Still, a quick glance at the Start menu during a break can reveal your recent actions.

If preferred, you can adjust the settings so that the menu ignores your activity entirely. To do this, open the Start menu, navigate to Settings > Personalization, and disable the following options:

• Show recently added apps
• Show most used apps
• Show recommended files in the Start menu, recently used files in File Explorer, and items in jump lists

Hello, PCWorld readers! I’ve been captivated by time-lapse videos ever since I experienced the mesmerizing effect of watching a bean sprout grow in my second-grade class.

The idea of compressing days of development into a brief one-minute video felt like pure enchantment. It also revealed something remarkable about plants: they aren’t just static objects—they move, albeit at a slower pace than us!

These days, creating a time-lapse video has never been easier. You don’t need a professional studio or expensive equipment; your smartphone and a free app on Windows will do just fine.

If you’re passionate about a hobby that would lend itself beautifully to time-lapse, the possibilities are endless. Here are some inspiration ideas:

• A flower blooming
• An artist at work
• Traffic patterns on a busy street
• Your hair growing out after a fresh cut

Pro Tip: For great results, slow-moving subjects like snails or drifting clouds work wonderfully, though they do require a bit longer to film.

Steps to Create Your Time-Lapse Video:

A straightforward way to make a time-lapse video is by using an app called Time Lapse Creator. This app allows you to either upload images or videos, or capture them directly through the app.

For this tutorial, I’ll assume you’ve already taken the photos, uploaded them to your computer, and organized them in a folder. Here’s what to do next:

• Download and install the free app, Time Lapse Creator.
• Select either “Import Folder” or “Import Files” to choose the images you want to use and arrange them in your desired order (by date or ascending/descending).
• Set the frame rate (fps), video quality, and bitrate. For reference, using 240 images at 24fps will yield a professional-quality 10-second video. For 25fps, use 250 images; for 30fps, 300 images.
• Hit the preview button to view your video and make any adjustments until you’re satisfied.
• When you’re happy with it, save your creation as an MP4 file.

And that’s all there is to it! If you would like to receive more tips like this one straight to your inbox twice a week, consider subscribing to our PCWorld Try This newsletter.

My experience with Windows 11 has not been as favorable as it was with Windows 10. The constant barrage of ads and the unwanted integration of “AI” features made me less enthusiastic. One major irritation remains: the insistence that I use Microsoft’s Edge browser and Bing search for virtually everything, even within the otherwise convenient Start menu search.

In the past, I’ve attempted various fixes for this frustrating issue, but Microsoft’s frequent updates have rendered those solutions ineffective. Ultimately, I accepted that the Start menu would remain laden with Microsoft’s branding, even though I’d prefer to use my own choices—Vivaldi for browsing and DuckDuckGo for searching.

It’s frustrating, to say the least. Microsoft should not interfere with how we choose to navigate the operating systems we’ve paid for. And no, I’m not harboring any bitterness—why would you think that?

A recent purchase of a Windows laptop—yes, even we sometimes get excited about our own deals!—brought these grievances to the forefront once more. I spent 40 minutes on the setup screen, peppered with prompts urging me to shell out more cash for 365, Copilot, or OneDrive. This compelled me to investigate whether I could reclaim control over the Start menu from Microsoft’s ever-watchful gaze.

A bit of browsing led me to discover MSEdgeRedirect, a tool that fulfills its promise by redirecting web searches from the Windows 11 Start search to your preferred browser of choice, along with any major search engine. This setup is how it should have worked all along.

The software is straightforward to install, requiring no cumbersome background processes. Besides redirecting web searches, it also manages various taskbar widgets like weather, news, and images—you can send these to your chosen browser and an alternate service (like Accuweather) instead.

As of July 2025, MSEdgeRedirect is functioning well on both my home-built desktop and my Snapdragon laptop. I can’t vouch for its longevity, though; Microsoft has previously updated Windows in ways that undermine such tools, which feels quite disheartening for customers like myself. Perhaps they might want to reconsider their approach to user satisfaction.

But for now, this solution works. I hope it helps make your Windows 11 experience a bit less frustrating, particularly if you’ve recently transitioned to a new system or operating environment.

Cropping images on Windows is quite straightforward, thanks to built-in applications like the Snipping Tool, the Photos app, and Paint. Whether you need to edit screenshots, adjust the size of a photo, or get images ready for social media sharing, there are several effective methods available without requiring any third-party software. Here’s how you can use each tool efficiently.

Let’s begin with the Snipping Tool. To start, right-click on any image file in File Explorer and choose Open with > Snipping Tool. This opens the selected image within the Snipping Tool interface.

After that, click on the Crop image button located in the toolbar—it’s the fourth option from the right. You’ll see a frame with handles around the image. Drag these handles inward to achieve your desired crop.

When you’re satisfied with the cropped image, click the checkmark icon at the top labeled Apply (input). To save your edited image, use the Save as button in the top right corner to create a new file.

Using the Photos App

With the Photos app (commonly known as Windows Photo Viewer), cropping images is a breeze. Start by right-clicking on the image you want to edit in Explorer and selecting Edit with Photos from the options.

Ensure you click on Crop in the toolbar at the top, then adjust the handles until the photo is sized to your preference. Once you’re happy, click Save options to determine how you want to proceed with your edited image.

If you’d like to crop your photo using a custom aspect ratio, select Free at the bottom, choose your desired format, confirm with Done, and then click Save options again.

Using Paint

As another option, you can also use the Paint application to crop images. Right-click on the image file in Explorer and select Edit with Paint.

In Paint, you might want to first adjust the image view by clicking the Fit to window size button located at the bottom right. The program will automatically add handles to the photo, allowing you to quickly crop as needed.

You can also go to Select > Rectangle from the far left of the toolbar, choose the area of the image you wish to retain, and then click the Crop button (found immediately to the right) to eliminate the excess portions of the photo.

Hello, PC enthusiasts! I’ve been utilizing a handy tool called Steps Recorder in both Windows 10 and 11 for quite some time. Essentially, it captures a problem and provides a step-by-step visual guide to resolve it. I’ve found it incredibly effective when demonstrating to family members how to navigate through various Windows settings without the need for lengthy explanations.

They’re always amazed by it, but honestly, it’s quite straightforward. You can access Steps Recorder by simply typing “Steps Recorder” into Windows Search. However, there’s a catch—this feature is gradually being phased out, prompting me to transition to the recording capability found in the Windows Snipping Tool.

You can use this tool similarly to document solutions for troubleshooting issues with family or colleagues, or even to capture something interesting you’re doing on your PC that you want to share. Here’s a quick guide on how to use it:

How to Use It:

• Start by typing Snipping into Windows Search and select the Snipping Tool to open it.
• Next, press Windows Key + Shift + R or click New to choose the area of your screen that you want to record. For demonstrating any settings changes in Windows, it’s best to select the entire screen for clarity.
• A control box will pop up at the top of your screen. Click “Start” to initiate recording, which will begin after a brief countdown.
• Go ahead and make the settings adjustments you want to showcase in the recording, or start any other activity you want to capture.
• To stop recording, simply click the stop button. Don’t forget to save your file in an easily accessible location.

Pro Tip: If you’re demonstrating settings changes or other essential tips in your videos, consider practicing beforehand or preparing a checklist of settings to include. This preparation will make your video clearer and more straightforward for viewers.

That wraps up this quick tip! If you’d like to receive more helpful insights like this directly in your inbox twice a week, don’t forget to subscribe to our Try This newsletter.

Hello, everyone! Today, I’m excited to guide you on how to prevent apps from launching automatically at startup in Windows.

Many developers design their applications to start automatically when you boot up your Windows system, bringing them to the forefront. However, I’ve found that this can often clutter my screen and obstruct my desktop view.

Moreover, having numerous applications load at startup can noticeably slow down your boot time and delay your computer’s responsiveness after it starts. It can be frustrating to either have to close all these apps manually or deal with prompts before you can begin your work.

I’ve decided to stop allowing most apps to run automatically at startup and only open them when needed. This change has made my laptop much quicker! And the best part? It’s a straightforward process to set this up!

Here’s How:

• Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu from your desktop.
• Next, go to Apps > Startup and turn off the switches for any apps you want to keep from starting automatically.

If you’re looking to further enhance your computer’s performance after a restart, consider preventing apps from reopening automatically. Here’s how:

• Access the Settings menu by pressing Windows + I. Then, navigate to Accounts > Sign-In Options.
• Toggle Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in to “Off.”

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

After completing these steps, your computer should boot up with only the applications you wish to have at startup and after restarting.

If you have certain applications that you want to run at specific times (like your calendar or to-do list), but you don’t want the hassle of starting them manually every day, you can use Windows Task Scheduler. Here’s a quick guide:

• Search for Task Scheduler in Windows and open the utility.
• On the right side, select Create basic task under the Actions section.
• Provide a Name and Description for your task, then click Next.
• Select the Trigger (timing and frequency) for when you want your task to run, and press Next.
• Choose the application or program you’d like to launch, click Next, and finally select Finish.

Dominic Bayley / Foundry

You can apply this method to any applications you desire!

Taking control of your startup process is truly satisfying, isn’t it? If you’d like to receive more easy-to-follow tips like this one delivered to your inbox each week, don’t forget to subscribe to our Try This newsletter!

Hi there! Have you ever found yourself needing to quickly glance at images or other files in Windows File Explorer, only to have them open in a full program? That scenario happens to me frequently when I’m selecting images for my articles.

Let me tell you, waiting for each file to load can be a major hassle, especially when all I need is a quick peek to select the right one; it really hampers my productivity. Fortunately, I discovered a simple solution: the Peek Utility available in PowerToys for Windows 10 and 11. Now that I’ve tried it, I can’t imagine working without it.

If you’re not familiar with it, PowerToys is a collection of 22 utilities designed for Windows enthusiasts. Developed by Microsoft, this free and open-source application aims to enhance user efficiency and provide customization options for the Windows experience. (For a deeper dive, check out PCWorld’s overview of PowerToys—it’s packed with information about this impressive suite of tools.)

How to Get Started:

• Begin by downloading and installing Microsoft PowerToys.
• Select the file you wish to preview and press Ctrl + Space (the default shortcut) to activate the Peek preview.
• Use the arrow keys (up, down, right, and left) to navigate through the files in the folder you’re currently viewing.
• If you prefer to flick through a specific set of files, just select those files first, and then use the keys.

If you liked this tip, you might also be interested in our comprehensive article featuring 13 tips to elevate your Windows 11 skills. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Try This newsletter, which delivers twice-weekly tips directly to your inbox, ensuring you stay updated!

Are you on the latest version of Windows? Have you already upgraded to the significant Windows 11 24H2 update, or is it something you’re yet to explore? Identifying the current version on your PC can help clarify these questions.

Here are three straightforward and quick methods to determine the build and version numbers of your Windows operating system.

The easiest way to check your Windows OS version and build number is by using the built-in Winver tool.

Just type “winver” into the search bar on your taskbar. Click on the winver command from the search results, and a window will appear displaying your version and build number.

2. Windows Settings

Sam Singleton

The second method to find your version number is through the Windows “Settings” menu.

Type “Settings” in the Start menu and select the Settings option. Choose “System” from the menu, then scroll down and click on “About.” In the next window, you’ll see the information listed under “Windows specifications.”

3. Registry Database

Sam Singleton

The third method involves accessing the registry database. Type “regedit” in the taskbar search field and open the “Registry Editor.”

Then, navigate through the following path: “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion.” Click on “CurrentVersion,” and on the right side of the window, find the version number listed under “ReleaseId.” Usually, you will want to refer to the “DisplayVersion” value which is located slightly above.

Maintaining optimal performance on your Windows PC isn’t overly complicated. With a bit of regular care, you can ensure it runs smoothly. Over time, issues may arise, but Windows provides various built-in tools to help rectify these problems.

Consider utilizing advanced tools like SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK periodically to keep your system in check. If you prefer a convenient solution that encompasses all these tools, the Windows Maintenance Tool is an excellent free application available on GitHub.

The developer describes it as a “comprehensive Windows maintenance toolkit” aimed at “power users, system administrators, and enthusiastic tinkerers.”

Apart from running essential tools, this application can restart your network settings, modify your DNS configurations, troubleshoot Windows Update issues, generate reports, display driver information, clear temporary files, and back up your registry.

How to Utilize the Windows Maintenance Tool

To get started with the Windows Maintenance Tool, visit its GitHub page and download the latest version. As it’s a batch file, you can open it in any text editor, scrutinize the code, and even edit it if you possess the necessary skills.

Next, ensure you run the script with administrator privileges, as it needs elevated access to perform various functions. Here’s an example of how the tool appears when used on a Windows device:

To run a command, simply input the corresponding number and press Enter. This feature streamlines the troubleshooting process for common Windows issues.

For instance, typing “21” will initiate the Windows Update Repair Tool, while “23” will reset Windows. Any reports or logs generated from the script are conveniently saved to your desktop.

Just a note of caution: as this is third-party software, there’s a degree of risk involved. It’s advisable to test it out in a virtual environment before deploying it on your primary PC.

When enjoying a film or your favorite TV series, you might have experienced sudden and jarring changes in sound, particularly when the more intense volume of commercials arrives, often catching you off guard. Thankfully, there’s a solution: volume normalization.

If you’re using a Windows 11 computer, you’ll find this feature referred to as Volume Equalization. Its availability hinges on the sound driver or the integrated audio hardware on your device. Nonetheless, most sound drivers support this normalization feature.

To enable Volume Equalization, start by clicking the Windows icon, then navigate to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced Sound Settings. In this interface, select your playback device, click on Properties – Extensions, and check the box for Volume Equalization.

Once done, click OK to save your settings. From this point on, Windows will automatically adjust the volume during quieter segments of your movie or show while toning it down during commercial breaks. However, it’s worth noting that while volume equalization can enhance regular viewing, it may not be as effective for music playback since highly dynamic tracks might lose their intended impact.

Having a webcam has become essential for video meetings. However, it’s important to be aware that various applications may have access to your camera, presenting a potential risk of exploitation by malicious individuals. If you want to enhance your privacy by restricting camera access for yourself or others using your computer, you can modify the Windows registry.

To start, type “regedit” into your taskbar’s search bar and select the Registry Editor. Navigate to the folder located at “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft.” Once there, create a new key by right-clicking in the right pane and selecting New – Key. Name this new key “Camera.”

Next, select the Camera key and right-click in the right panel again. Choose New – DWORD Value (32-bit) and name the new entry “AllowCamera.” Double-click it to open the properties window.

To disable camera access for all applications, set the Value data to 0 and confirm by pressing Enter. No need to restart your computer for this change to take effect.

In the event that someone tries to open the Windows Camera app, they will see a message suggesting they update their privacy settings. However, the options presented will be disabled, effectively preventing access. If you later decide to allow camera functionality again, simply set the value to 1 or delete the AllowCamera DWORD entry entirely.

Related: Explore our top-rated webcams

A recent announcement from Microsoft revealed a significant change for Windows 10 users: starting February 2025, the new Outlook app will be automatically installed on Windows 10 PCs through a mandatory update. This move is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to integrate the new Outlook as the standard email client across its operating system.

Initially, Microsoft claimed that users would have no option to avoid this automatic installation. However, it turns out there’s a workaround, as discovered by Windows Latest.

How to Stop the New Outlook Installation

The new Outlook app will be installed on every Windows 10 PC that receives the KB5051974 update, which is a crucial security patch addressing several system vulnerabilities. Therefore, skipping it is not advisable.

If you want to prevent the new Outlook from being installed as part of this update, you can make some adjustments to the Windows registry:

Warning: Only modify the Windows registry if you’re confident in your ability to do so. If you’re unfamiliar with it, we advise you to read our guide on the potential risks of improper registry edits, which could harm your system.

1. Open the Start menu, type Registry Editor, and launch the application.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path in the left-hand panel: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe
3. Select UScheduler_Oobe, then right-click in the empty area of the right pane and choose New > String Value.
4. Right-click the new REG_SZ entry and select Rename. Set its name to BlockedOobeUpdaters.
5. Right-click on this entry again, choose Modify, and change the value data to ["MS_Outlook"].
6. Exit the Registry Editor.

Following these steps will prevent Windows 10 from automatically installing the new Outlook. However, you will need to repeat this process before each future Windows 10 update, as the new Outlook can be included again with subsequent patches, particularly the March 2025 update.

Removing the New Outlook if Installed

If you’ve already seen the new Outlook installed on your computer, don’t worry; you can uninstall it. However, this process differs from typical app removals and requires the use of Windows PowerShell.

To begin, right-click the Start menu button and select Terminal (Admin) to open PowerShell with administrative rights. Then, input the following command and press Enter:

Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -AllUsers -Online -PackageName (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OutlookForWindows).PackageFullName

This command not only removes the new Outlook app but also prevents it from being reinstalled in the future.

Be cautious not to accidentally open the Mail or Calendar apps, as they may trigger the installation of the new Outlook app. You can also uninstall those applications using PowerShell with this command:

Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Where {$_.DisplayName -match "microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps"} | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online -PackageName {$_.PackageName}

Understanding the Issue

Fundamentally, there’s nothing inherently wrong with the new Outlook app itself, as it represents an upgrade over the previous version. It occupies minimal storage space and generally doesn’t disrupt user experience.

However, Microsoft’s decision to implement mandatory installations raises concerns. It can feel intrusive, especially in light of the ongoing challenges related to the forced upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, which has been problematic for many users.

Ultimately, how you choose to respond to this situation is up to you. If you’re interested in learning more about the new Outlook app and tips to optimize your experience, be sure to check out our comprehensive overview.