Tag: Windows

  • Reinstall Windows 10 and Keep Your Personal Files, Apps, and Windows Settings

    Providing a PC is still bootable, and Windows 10 is up and running, you can reinstall Windows 10 from an ISO image file and keep your personal files, apps, and Windows settings. An ISO file, commonly known as ISO image, is an archive file that contains an identical copy or image of data found on an optical disc, such as a CD or DVD.

    Before starting the process, make sure that you have a good backup of all the personal files on the PC.

    Follow the steps below to reinstall Windows 10 using ISO image:

    • Download Microsoft’s media creation tool to create Windows 10 ISO file
      • Open a browser and go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
      • Scroll down to ‘Create Windows 10 installation media’
      • Download and run the media creation tool
      • When asked What doi you want to do, select ‘Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC’ and click next
      • The options for Language = English, Edition = Windows 10 and Architecture = 64-bit (x64) should be preselected for you
      • Deselect ‘Use the recommended settings for this PC’ and click next
      • ‘Choose which media to use’, select ISO file and click next
      • Choose where to create the ISO file, by default you will be offered the filename ‘Windows’ and Documents folder
      • The download process begins.
    • After downloading the newly-created ISO file, right-click on it and select “Mount” to continue
    • Double-click the Setup.exe file at the root directory
    • Choose the correct option when prompted to “Download and install updates.” Choose the option if your computer is connected to the internet. If not, select “Not right now.” Click “Next” to continue
    • Click on “Change what to keep” in the subsequent popup window
    • Choose the option to “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings”
    • Click “Next” to install Windows 10
    • At the end of the installation process , the PC will reboot and return to the Desktop

    The media creation tool will take around 10-15mins, the Windows 10 installation should take less than an hour.

  • Windows 10 – Block Update to Windows 11

    The automatic update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 can be blocked by changing some registry keys.

    Be careful while using the Registry Editor, if you change the wrong key, you can mess up your system.

    It is very important to keep your system updated, always check for updates on Windows Update.

    Now follow these instructions to block Windows 11 Update:

    • Right Click the Start Menu and select “Run”
    • Type regedit and press Enter
    • On the Registry editor window, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
      (You can copy and paste the address on the address bar)
      If you can’t find the Windows Update key, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, right click > New > Key , and name it WindowsUpdate
    • On the right side of the screen, right click > New > DWORD (32-bit) > and name it TargetReleaseVersion, double click it and set Value Data to 1
    • Again on the right side of the screen, right click > New > String Value > and name it ProductVersion , double click it and set Value Data to Windows 10
    • Again on the right side of the screen , right click > New > String Value > and name it TargetReleaseVersionInfo , double click it and set Value Data to 21h2

    A TargetedReleaseVersion is a group policy introduced with Windows 10 version 1803. If you specify a TargetReleaseVersion as the current Version, Windows 10 will remain on this release until it reaches the end of service. This would, hence blocking the Windows 11 update. The first command enables the policy, and the second specifies the target version.

  • Windows – Shortcut Keys

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse.

    Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts
    Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts
    Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts
    Dialog box keyboard shortcuts
    File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
    Virtual desktops keyboard shortcuts
    Taskbar keyboard shortcuts
    Settings keyboard shortcuts

  • Windows – Settings keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    Windows logo key  + IOpen settings.
    BackspaceGo back to the settings home page.
    Type on any page with search boxSearch settings.

  • Windows – Taskbar keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    Shift + click a taskbar buttonOpen an app or quickly open another instance of an app.
    Ctrl + Shift + click a taskbar buttonOpen an app as an administrator.
    Shift + right-click a taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the app.
    Shift + right-click a grouped taskbar buttonShow the window menu for the group.
    Ctrl + click a grouped taskbar buttonCycle through the windows of the group.

  • Windows – Virtual desktops keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    Windows logo key  + TabOpen Task view.
    Windows logo key  + Ctrl + DAdd a virtual desktop.
    Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Right arrowSwitch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the right.
    Windows logo key  + Ctrl + Left arrowSwitch between virtual desktops you’ve created on the left.
    Windows logo key  + Ctrl + F4Close the virtual desktop you’re using.

  • Windows – File Explorer keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    Alt + DSelect the address bar.
    Ctrl + ESelect the search box.
    Ctrl + FSelect the search box.
    Ctrl + NOpen a new window.
    Ctrl + WClose the active window.
    Ctrl + mouse scroll wheelChange the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
    Ctrl + Shift + EDisplay all folders above the selected folder.
    Ctrl + Shift + NCreate a new folder.
    Num Lock + asterisk (*)Display all subfolders under the selected folder.
    Num Lock + plus (+)Display the contents of the selected folder.
    Num Lock + minus (-)Collapse the selected folder.
    Alt + PDisplay the preview panel.
    Alt + EnterOpen the Properties dialog box for the selected item.
    Alt + Right arrowView the next folder.
    Alt + Up arrowView the folder that the folder was in.
    Alt + Left arrowView the previous folder.
    BackspaceView the previous folder.
    Right arrowDisplay the current selection (if it’s collapsed), or select the first subfolder.
    Left arrowCollapse the current selection (if it’s expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in.
    EndDisplay the bottom of the active window.
    HomeDisplay the top of the active window.
    F11Maximize or minimize the active window.

  • Windows – Command Prompt keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert)Copy the selected text.
    Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert)Paste the selected text.
    Ctrl + MEnter Mark mode.
    Alt + selection keyBegin selection in block mode.
    Arrow keysMove the cursor in the direction specified.
    Page upMove the cursor by one page up.
    Page downMove the cursor by one page down.
    Ctrl + Home (Mark mode)Move the cursor to the beginning of the buffer.
    Ctrl + End (Mark mode)Move the cursor to the end of the buffer.
    Ctrl + Up arrowMove up one line in the output history.
    Ctrl + Down arrowMove down one line in the output history.
    Ctrl + Home (History navigation)If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the top of the buffer. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the left of the cursor in the command line.
    Ctrl + End (History navigation)If the command line is empty, move the viewport to the command line. Otherwise, delete all the characters to the right of the cursor in the command line.

  • Windows – Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

    Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. More shortcut keys.

    Press this keyTo do this
    F4Display the items in the active list.
    Ctrl + TabMove forward through tabs.
    Ctrl + Shift + TabMove back through tabs.
    Ctrl + number (number 1–9)Move to nth tab.
    TabMove forward through options.
    Shift + TabMove back through options.
    Alt + underlined letterPerform the command (or select the option) that is used with that letter.
    SpacebarSelect or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
    BackspaceOpen a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
    Arrow keysSelect a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.

  • Windows – Windows logo key keyboard shortcuts

    Press this keyTo do this
    Windows logo key Open or close Start.
    Windows logo key  + AOpen Action centre.
    Windows logo key  + DDisplay and hide the desktop.
    Windows logo key  + Alt + DDisplay and hide the date and time on the desktop.
    Windows logo key  + EOpen File Explorer.
    Windows logo key  + IOpen Settings.
    Windows logo key  + LLock your PC or switch accounts.
    Windows logo key  + MMinimize all windows.
    Windows logo key  + PChoose a presentation display mode (Multiple Screens)
    Windows logo key   + Ctrl + QOpen Quick Assist.
    Windows logo key  + ROpen the Run dialog box.
    Windows logo key  + SOpen search.
    Windows logo key  + Shift + STake a screenshot of part of  your screen.
    Windows logo key  + TCycle through apps on the taskbar.
    Windows logo key  + VOpen the clipboard.