Microsoft Tips, Tricks & Info
2026FEB17
Table of Contents / Source:
Windows has a built-in troubleshooting tool most people never open
The Reliability Monitor is a native diagnostic and troubleshooting tool in Windows that keeps track of system stability and displays an easy-to-comprehend visual timeline of issues, crashes, and errors. A quick look usually reveals what's wrong with the PC.
Further reading:
- Unlocking Windows Reliability Monitor: Your Guide to Diagnosing Windows 11 Issues - windowsforum.com
- How to use Reliability Monitor to fix Windows problems - thewindowsclub.com
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Your Windows PC has a secret recovery tool that's seriously useful - here's how to access it
We've probably all bumped into boot-up problems when Windows fails to load properly. That's when a recovery drive can come in handy. But how many of us take the time to set one up? Well, Windows itself offers a recovery feature that you may not even realize exists.
Known simply as Recovery Drive, this legacy tool lets you create a recovery environment to store on an external USB drive. If Windows ever has trouble launching, you'll be able to boot up your PC with the recovery media. The tool works the same in both Windows 10 and 11.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Microsoft says this free app speeds up your PC with one click. Does it work?
Now, Microsoft offers a single, streamlined utility app that collects all of Windows’ performance optimization settings: PC Manager. And it’s totally free. If you need to squeeze every last bit of performance from your PC and don't want to look in multiple places, PC Manager is worth downloading.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Microsoft is refreshing Secure Boot certificates to plug security holes before they happen — if you bought a PC last year, you should be set
Microsoft is issuing new Secure Boot certificates to Windows PC users, as the initial certificates are reaching the end of a planned lifespan after 15 years and are set to expire in June 2026.
The company has been issuing new certificates as part of Windows updates for personal users, businesses, and schools that let Microsoft manage their updates.
Further reading:
- Older Windows 11 PCs need a Secure Boot fix ASAP - pcworld.com
- Act now: Secure Boot certificates expire in June 2026 - microsoft.com
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Don't panic! Microsoft hasn't dropped support for old printers in Windows 11 — here's what you need to know
- Microsoft is changing the way some older printers are supported in Windows 11
- This doesn't mean those devices will no longer work in the OS, though
- A poorly worded statement in a roadmap gave this impression, but Microsoft has clarified that these printers will still work fine – and can have driver updates applied, just not via Windows Update
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Windows 11 version 26H1 won't be getting version 26H2 this fall
In a new support document, Microsoft has confirmed that new PCs which ship with Windows 11 version 26H1 this spring should not expect to receive an update to Windows 11 version 26H2 this fall. This is because the version 26H1 release is based on a newer version of the Windows platform, and therefore cannot downgrade to the 26H2 platform release coming later this year.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Want To Find Out Everything Google Knows About You? Try This Feature
It should not come as a surprise that Google collects plenty of data on you. Thankfully, Google offers an option to export all that user data in a massive trove, which could come in handy if you want to migrate to another cloud service or simply want to see just how much Google knows about you. The tool is called Google Takeout...
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
300,000+ Chrome users installed these malicious extensions posing as AI assistants — delete them right now
Extensions promised quick access to AI but were actually stealing emails, passwords and more.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Stop Paying for VPNs: I Built My Own in Hours With a Raspberry Pi 5
Tired of paying for pricey VPNs? With a Raspberry Pi and a bit of know-how, you can host your own VPN for free. I’ll show you exactly how to do it.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
How to Transfer Photos from Android to Laptop
Want the fastest and most reliable way to transfer photos and videos from your Android phone to your Windows PC? In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to move thousands of photos at once using a simple USB cable.
Further viewing:
- How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Laptop - youtube.com
