A System Image of your PC is a carbon copy of all the information on your drive including the OS, installed apps, customizations and personal files  for recovery in case of HDD/ SSD failure.

To create a Windows system image, do the following:

Open Control panel, navigate to ” System and Security, and click “Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)”This will work for Win 7 -Win11.. Choose “Create a system image on the left”

Plug in your external USB HDD, SDD or Thumb drive into an open USB slot. Windows will automatically select your computer’s system drive along with the system reserved partition. Below, on the hard disk example is the “D:\” drive. But it may show E:\ or F:\. This is the “Destination Drive” (the drive that the image will be created on) * This USB drive or USB Thumb Drive must be equal to or greater than the size of the original drive being copied.

Click ” On a Hard Disk” then “next”, to start the process.

Creating a Windows system image is important for system protection against unremovable viruses, failed, unrecoverable or interrupted, Windows updates and just plain peace of mind. And it’s easy to do!

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

1- Update Graphics drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA,AMD, or INTEL) to download and install the latest drivers for your GPU

2- Windows Updates: Keep Windows updated with the latest patches and updates. This helps ensure compatibility and improve system stability.

3- Power Plan Settings: Adjust your power plan to High Performance in the Power Option settings. This ensures maximum system performance during gaming.

4- Disable Background Processes: Close unnecessary background processes and applications to free up system resources. Use the Task Manager to identify and end non-essential tasks.

5- Game Mode: Enable Game Mode in Windows settings. This feature prioritizes system resources for the active game, boosting overall gaming performance.

6- Graphics Settings: Customize graphics settings within each game to find the right balance between visual quality and performance. Lowering in-game settings can significantly improve frame rates.

7-Adjust Display Settings: Set your display refresh rate to match your monitor’s capabilities. Right-click on the desktop, go to Display Settings, and choose the correct refresh rate.

8-Display Special Effects: Turn off unnecessary visual effects in Windows. Navigate to System>Advanced System Settings> Performance Settings, and select ” Adjust for best performance”.

9-Optimize Storage: Ensure your hard drive has sufficient space and is defragmented regularly. Consider using an SSD for faster load times.

10-Disable Xbox Game Bar: If not using Xbox Game Bar, disable it in Windows settings to prevent background  interference during gaming.

11- Network Optimization: Optimize your network settings for gaming by using a wired connection, and ensuring your router and network drivers are up to date.

12- Temperature Control: Keep your system cool by cleaning dust from fans and insuring proper air flow.

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

I find it useful at times to create a screen shot of a website or project I’m working on to view, even if it’s temporary. This saves having to print it or I can even add it to my blog.

1- Navigate to the website or program of your choice.

2- Press the Windows key and PrtScr ( usually located just to the right of the F12 key) together. This will save the screen you are viewing to the “ScreenShots” folder which resides in your “Pictures” folder.

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

By default, a Microsoft account is required for the installation of Windows 11 Home and versions of Pro from Build 22H2 onwards. While Microsoft accounts are free, there are various scenarios where Users may prefer to install Windows 11 without one. You may have concerns about privacy, the desire to use a local account for a child’s PC, or the intension to sell, give away, or donate a PC, without granting access to personal data.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft has implemented measures to encourage the use of Microsoft accounts, making it a bit more challenging to setup a local account out of the box. Despite these changes, there is still a relatively straightforward method to install Windows 11 without relying on a Microsoft account .Keep in mind that the instructions below may be subject to updates as Microsoft refines its processes.

1. Follow the Windows 11 install process until you get to the “choose a country” screen. 

Now’s the time to cut off the Internet. However, before you do, you need to issue a command that prevents Windows 11 from forcing you to have an Internet connection.                                                                                                                2. Hit Shift + F10. A command prompt appears and you will type OOBE\BYPASSNRO so it looks like this:

3-Hit enter

4-Hit shift+F10 again and type:  ipconfig /release      (with a space between ipconfig and / )  so it looks like this, then hit enter.

5- Close the command prompt

6- Continue with installation, choosing Keyboard layout

7- Then, Click the choice ” I do not have internet”

*******This procedure will allow you to continue the install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

Why Create a Restore Point:

1. Quick System Recovery: The primary purpose of creating a restore point is to enable quick and easy system recovery. If a recent change adversely affects your system’s stability, you can revert to the restore point, undoing any problematic alterations.
2. Minimize Data Loss: Restoring to a previous state helps minimize the risk of data loss. While it won’t recover personal files, it can protect your system files and settings, preventing the need for a complete reinstall of the operating system.
3. Troubleshooting: When troubleshooting issues, having a restore point allows you to systematically eliminate potential causes. By returning to a known working state, you can identify whether the problem is related to recent changes or if it’s an underlying issue.
4. To Create a restore point: type “create restore point” in the search bar. In the suggested topics that pops up, click on Create a Restore Point. The System Properties box will open. First, under Protection Settings, make sure System Protection is turned on. Then click on “Create” and follow the directions to name the restore point you are about to create. Any name will do . The date of the restore point will automatically be added for easy identification.
5. Windows, from time to time, will actually create it’s own restore point if it determines that the update it installs may cause issues with your computer.
6. To restore your computer using System Restore, enter System Restore, just like in item #4 above. Click on System Restore, then “Next” to enter the saved restore points choices .After choosing your restore point, you can view the affected programs by clicking on ” scan for affected programs” at the bottom right.
7. This may take some time so don’t interrupt the process

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

This is a great way to ensure all your apps are up to date

1– In the Search Bar (or click magnifying glass symbol) at the bottom of your screen, type CMD. In the popup window click on Run as Administrator.

2-The black command box will open

3– After C:\Windows\System32> type winget upgrade – –all    There is a space between winget and upgrade and also between upgrade and – –   Then hit Enter on your keyboard.            *****( There are 2 dashes after the word upgrade)(no space between the 2 dashes)

This command will update all your out of date Apps

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

1- Use specific Keywords: Start with specific keywords that directly relate to your query. For example, if you want to know how to order the proper battery for you laptop, type for example, HP Model g-7-1150us battery

2-Be Clear and Concise: Keep your question simple and to the point. Don’t use unnecessary words

3- Use question words: Begin your question with words like “What”, “How, “When” or “Where”. Google usually ignores words like “in”, “the”, “a” or “an”

4- Use Quotation Marks if you’re looking for an exact phrase like “climate change effects”

5- If you want results from a specific website, use for example “site:wikipedia.org moon landing”.

6- If your question is complex: use words like AND, OR, and NOT. For example ” healthy breakfast recipes AND gluten- free”

***Google’s algorithms are continually evolving, so staying up to date on their search tips and features can help you refine your queries further.

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

1- Press Ctrl+ Shift +Esc, all at the same time. This will bring you to the Task Manager

2- Then scroll all the way down until you see “Windows Explorer”

3-Right click on “Windows Explorer” and left click “Restart” and your screen will refresh.

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For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

1- Press the Windows + R keys

2- Type sysdm.cpl and then click on OK

3- Under “Performance”, click “Settings”

4- Click “Adjust for best performance”

5- Then check these 4 boxes….(1) Fade or slide menus into view (2) Show thumbnails instead of Icons (3) Slide open combo boxes and (4) Smooth edges of screen fonts and click OK at the bottom.

You’re done

Safety Harbor Computers provides computer repair services in Clearwater, Safety Harbor and  the surrounding area.

For more information, visit our website, https://SafetyHarborComputers.com/ or call (727) 798-4560

At times, our Microsoft Edge browser can slow way down or even freeze. Fortunately, it can be repaired.

To Repair Microsoft Edge in Windows 10:

1- Open settings by pressing the Windows and the ” i “key. Then click Apps in the home menu

2-Look for Microsoft Edge in the App & Features section

Click “Modify”…you can’t uninstall Edge…This will reinstall Edge without losing your data or settings

To Repair Microsoft Edge in Windows 11:

1-Right click start( the 4 window panes)

Go to settings, then Apps, Edge, modify, repair.

Safety Harbor Computers provides computer repair services in Clearwater, Safety Harbor and the surrounding area.

For more information, visit our website, https://safetyharborcomputers.com

call (727) 798-4560.