Microsoft Tips, Tricks & Info
2026OCT20
Table of Contents / Source:
Your Windows PC has a free tool that outperforms every paid system monitor, and nobody knows about it
While looking for a better way to understand what was happening on my system, I came across a Windows utility called Resource Monitor that feels far more capable than its age suggests.
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Is it better to shut down a PC instead of putting it to sleep? I found out
When I was growing up, putting a PC to sleep wasn't even an option for the longest time, yet now it's de facto behavior for many users -- it's even baked into laptops as an automatic function when you close the lid. What exactly happens when you put a PC to sleep, though? What keeps going, and what stops? Is it problematic to never shut down? There are answers, some of which could be very important to the health and functionality of your machine.
5 Windows settings most people don't know about
The manual for Windows 11 is 196 pages, so there’s definitely stuff that people don’t know.
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5 tips to maximize your tech’s performance amid the RAM crisis
What was once something simple has turned into a major upgrade, so try these tips instead.
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5 reasons you should move to Linux instead of Windows 11
You've likely heard people talking about Linux as a more stable, secure, and customizable operating system than Windows 11. That might be hard to believe, but in some cases, it's true. If you're tired of Windows' endless updates and slowdowns, you should consider taking a look at Linux, which has never been easier to download and run.
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Windows 11 runs faster when you disable these 5 Microsoft apps
You don't need to run complicated scripts to make your Windows 11 PC run faster. Simply disabling these services would improve your laptop or desktop's performance significantly.
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Is this link safe? Find out with Malwarebytes Scam Link Check
Maybe it’s a text saying your package couldn’t be delivered, with a link to reschedule. Or an email from your bank asking you to verify your account. Or perhaps it’s an invitation from someone you know to view a document.
The message looks real enough, but something about the link feels fishy. Do you click it?
Malwarebytes Scam Link Check is a new free tool that lets you check a suspicious link before you click.
Simply paste the link into Scam Link Check, and Malwarebytes will scan it for signs of phishing, scams, malware, and other online threats. You’ll know within seconds whether the link appears safe or might be dangerous.
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Every SSD has an expiration date
SSDs have replaced the older HDDs as the standard storage component in devices like laptops and consoles, and it's easy to see why. They are faster and more reliable because they don't rely on mechanical components... This makes them more reliable for a longer timeframe, although you'll still need to take measures to protect your SSDs from sudden data loss.
However, nothing lasts forever and SSDs, like outdated flash drives, have a limited lifespan and will eventually die.
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Google Messages' RCS works well, until it doesn't
RCS is good, but it can be better.
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Google is renaming Gemini again; here's what each feature does now
On November 17, Google will begin force-migrating Gems on personal Google accounts into a new format called Skills, and work and school accounts follow in 2027.
Meanwhile, Google is moving Spark , its background agent, into the main chat as “Task,” right alongside Scheduled Actions, a timer feature that’s been around since 2025. Good luck guessing which does what from the names alone.
Here's what each one does and what to do with your saved workflows before the old interface goes away.
