7 Common Microsoft Issues and

How to Fix Them

SPONSORED POST
Published on May 29, 2017

Microsoft is the leading software company and

support system provider in the world, with an illustrious history of providing top-notch office
solutions, operating systems and other operational software to individual users, companies,
agencies, enterprises and even government entities around the world.
However, even Microsoft is not immune to issues regarding applications and their functions.
Over the years, there have been a number of complaints regarding the products that Microsoft
has launched that have then prompted updates and improvements. Despite that, the issues have
persisted which has given rise to a number of workarounds and fixing techniques that serve to
provide a temporary solution until Microsoft fixes the problem themselves.
The following is a list of common issues that you may come across while using Microsoft and
their products, followed by the solutions to the issues.
General Functionality Issues
These have been the most common issues faced by companies and firms that have implemented
the usage of Microsoft’s latest products as part of their operational infrastructure. However,
sometimes, issues can occur when the installation has not been carried out by Microsoft-certified
individuals and companies.
The Solution – Hire a Microsoft-certified Company
If you are in need of Microsoft support in the UK, always hire a reputable company that has a
Microsoft certification, to install the latest systems in your company.
Difficulty in Finding Applications for Windows 10
While Windows 10 improved on some of the issues related to the interface of Windows 8, there
was still a problem that users should be face on a daily basis; not being able to find the
application they wished to use.
As applications in Windows 10 do not appear as pins or icons in the start menu unless enabled,
users may have difficulty in finding them, which takes time and often confuses the user.
The Solution – Pin to Start Menu
To find the application you wish to use from the start menu in Windows 10, simply click on Start
and type in the name of the application in the search bar at the top. To pin the apps that you
might often use to the start menu, simply click on All Apps in the start menu which will open all
the applications currently installed. You can then simply Right-Click on each and choose the Pin
to Start option in the pop-up menu.
Update Reboots without Warning
The Windows 10 operating system needs an internet connection to function at its best. This
means that all updates are downloaded and installed at random times, as soon as they are made
available; and the installation is followed by a reboot.
This reboot could take place without warning, interrupting or even terminating the process you
were busy with, sometimes even resulting in loss of data which is massively inconvenient, as
well as annoying.
The Solution – Set to Request Reboot
In order to combat this, go to Settings, Update & Security, and Windows Update, in that order.
Once there, click on Advanced Options and finally on Notify to Schedule Restart. This will make
the operating system ask for a reboot rather than directly going for it.
Windows Insisting on Edge Usage
Since the replacement for the old Internet Explorer app, each new version of Windows comes
with an Edge browser which is set as the default browser. Users who are used to working on
Chrome and Firefox will not find these pre-installed, as Microsoft insists that Edge maybe is
instead of be used on the Windows 10 platform.
The Solution – Download, Install and Run
Simply find and download the Windows 10 compatible version of Firefox or Chrome and work
on them as usual.
Inability to Print after a Windows 10 Upgrade
Users who have installed Windows 10 recently may have found that they cannot print documents
from Microsoft Word.
The Solution – Install New Drivers
The best fix for this is to install the newest and updated drivers for the printer in use onto the PC
which will enable it to run seamlessly. You can look for the drivers in question by searching
online.
Malfunctioning MS Office 365
Users of the classic MS Office systems were faced with a number of issues when the new update
to Office was launched. Office 365 proved to be a success. However, a lot of companies and
firms which had the software installed faced issues regarding functionality.
The Solution – Install Office through a Microsoft Technical Support Company
When hiring a support company to install Microsoft products on to the main cloud server, make
sure that you hire a company that has a Microsoft certification. This ensures that licensed and
genuine software is installed and timely updates are scheduled as necessary.
Issue Regarding the Server Platforms
Companies that operate on a Microsoft-based computing infrastructure can often run into
problems with their server platform, which can then disrupt functionality across all the connected
platforms and users.
The Solution – Determine the Appropriate Server
The type of server you have running in your infrastructure can often determine the scale of
operation and how smoothly it runs. This is why it is important to choose the right server type for
the needs of the company, before installing and running it.
If you’re facing any of the above Microsoft issues, try the above-mentioned solutions and speak
to Microsoft support if further help is needed.
 100 common Windows 10 problems and how to
solve them
By Max Slater-Robins April 19, 2019
Easy fixes for widespread issues

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Image Credit: TechRadar

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GETTING STARTED WITH WINDOWS 10

Now that Windows 10 has overtaken Windows 7 as the most popular operating system, it’s
bigger than ever. The sequel to Windows 8.1 has been out for more than three years now, and
has given users plenty of time to figure it out. 
Luckily, most Windows 10 problems have been patched out by Microsoft over the last few years.
There are still some security exploits and other bugbears that have either lingered or have been
caused by recent Windows updates. This is in part because Windows 10 updates are still kind of
a mess, the most recent of which, the October 2018 Update, caused all kinds of issues, including
Blue Screen errors on Microsoft’s own Surface devices. 
That could be why the adoption of that update is only now starting to take off, just in time for the
next one. 
If all of these problems are any indication, Microsoft has a lot of work to do. Plus, there are still
a lot of Windows 10 problems that are still around, like printer connectivity issues. But, who
 knows, maybe Microsoft will actually fix some of these problems in the Windows 10 May 2019
Update, which should be out soon. 

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Still, if you’re having a hard time with the operating system, we’ve compiled a guide to 100 of
the most common Windows 10 problems, and how to fix them – whether it’s a Windows 10
problem with a printer or connectivity issues. So, if you’re trying to troubleshoot your device,
keep reading.

1. Having enough space to install Windows 10

Image Credit: Microsoft

If you're planning to move to Windows 10, actually installing the OS is the first area you could
potentially run into problems with. Installing a new operating system requires a certain amount
of free space on your drive so that it can be downloaded and certain elements can be run
successfully.

For Windows 10, the space requirement is 16GB, which should be kept free on the main system
drive the computer uses. This is actually the same as previous versions of Windows, so if you've
upgraded before you can most likely do it again.

If you want to check how much space is left on your PC, go to My Computer (or This PC,
depending on which version of Windows you’re running) where any drives you have will be
listed. You can see the remaining space indicated beneath each drive, or you can right click and
select Properties for a better overview (your system drive is usually C:)

2. Checking you have a powerful enough PC

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

Just as with space requirements, your PC will also have to be capable of running Windows 10.
This means that it must reach certain minimum system requirements.

The requirements for running Windows 10 are relatively low: A processor of 1GHz or faster;
1GB (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit) of RAM; 16GB of free drive space; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphic
device; and a Microsoft account combined with internet access.

To find out your PC's spec, go to Control Panel and select System and Security, then System.

However, keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements, and you should shoot for
higher specs to have a smooth and enjoyable experience. 
3. Activating Windows 10

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Some users have reported issues with activating their copies of Windows 10, which could have
been down to a number of different reasons. In some cases, the easiest way to get around the
problem is to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows 10.
Unlike previous versions of Windows, the latest one is almost exclusively available online,
which means that official Microsoft websites are the best bet for your purchase. The company
was giving the OS away for free, but that promotion ended quite a while ago.

Microsoft has a helpful website that provides a downloadable copy in either 32-bit or 64-bit
versions.
If you do find that you're unable to activate Windows 10 successfully, handily Microsoft
introduced a new activation troubleshooter feature way back in the Anniversary Update. You'll
find this in Settings, then click Update & Security, go to Activation and select Troubleshoot (you
won't see this option if the OS has been activated).

4. Avoiding inconvenient software update reboots

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

Windows 10 is, in many ways, a truly internet-based operating system. Mostly, this is a bonus
but there are times when it isn't – and Microsoft's attitude towards operating system updates is
one such time.

The most annoying part of automatic updates is the restarting, which can seemingly come at
random (and inconvenient times). The simplest way to counteract this is to head to Windows
Update (in Settings > Update & Security), click on Advanced Options and then Notify to
Schedule Restart, which means the OS will request a reboot instead of interrupting everything
you’re working on.

5. Updating old software to work with Windows 10

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Each version of a new operating system comes with its own set of backwards compatibility
issues and Windows 10 is no exception.

The transition from Windows 8.1 to 10 is far less jarring than the move from Windows 7 to 8
was, but there are still certain applications that can become broken and, in some cases, cease to
work at all.

If a program isn't working with Windows 10, try looking in the Windows Store for an update
and, if that doesn't work, delete and reinstall it. 
Now that Windows 10 has been out for a few years, most programs should be compatible with
the operating system. If they aren't, then they likely never will be.

Consider moving to a newer version of the software, or if it's stopped being developed, it may be
time to look for alternatives.

6. Changing privacy and Wi-Fi Sense settings

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

Data security is incredibly important, especially as hackers become increasingly sophisticated

and the number of cyber-attacks is on the up.

Windows 10 comes with a decent set of built-in protection measures, but you can never be too
careful. One such feature that should be disabled by privacy-minded individuals is Wi-Fi Sense,
which automatically shares the Wi-Fi password across Windows 10 devices on the same account.

Microsoft updated Wi-Fi Sense to share less data, but switching it off is the ideal way of
preventing anything you don't want happening. To turn it off, go to the Start Menu, select
Settings and click on Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi, and head to Manage Wi-Fi Settings – turn
off all the options in here.

Also in Settings, it's possible to get an overview of everything else happening on Windows 10 in
terms of privacy – unsurprisingly, under the Privacy section. In here, you'll be presented with a
bunch of toggles that adjust some privacy options to help keep everything under control.

7. Printer compatibility

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

If you have an older device, printer compatibility can turn into a real problem. If you’re
upgrading from Windows 7 (or earlier) to Windows 10, you need to update all available printer
drives, which will prevent them from not working post-upgrade.

Luckily, this couldn’t be easier. Just search for the name of your printer in the search engine of
your choice, and download the latest Windows 10 compatible drivers – make sure you’re
downloading them from the actual manufacturers website, though. Follow the manufacturer's
instructions to install them, and you’re good to go.
8. Grappling with the touchscreen

Image Credit: TechRadar

Microsoft ships Windows 10 with Edge, the successor to its Internet Explorer browser (although
IE is still present in the OS). For many people, however, using Chrome or Firefox is the norm, no
matter what Microsoft wants.

To install Chrome or Firefox – and get back to normality – open Edge, search for either, and find
a Windows 10 version. Download it, install it, and make sure it's set as the default browser
option so that Edge doesn't keep reappearing. To do this, head to Settings, System, and click on
Default Apps – click under Web Browser and you can then select your preferred default browser.

But, now that Microsoft Edge is moving to Chromium, you may have less of a reason to switch
over. 
9. Grappling with the touchpad

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Having a touchpad-enabled laptop is also good for Windows 10, but some users have reported
that the upgrade from Windows 7 (and sometimes Windows 8) breaks it.

One of the ways to solve this is by first checking to see if your keyboard has a key that turns the
touchpad off. If it doesn't – or the right setting is toggled – then head to Devices > Mouse &
Touchpad > Additional mouse options.

A new window will appear. From here, select the tab that says Device Settings, then Devices,
and then make sure the touchpad is enabled.

If none of these options work, press Windows Key + X, select Device Manager, then the option
for Mice and other pointing devices, and update the driver. This should fix things.

10. Finding Safe Mode

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

Safe Mode is just what you'd expect – a safe way of booting up a PC and running the system
with no startup apps and only essential drivers, which should hopefully allow the computer to
boot successfully when it won't otherwise due to some issue or other.

With Windows 10, to access Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key during boot-up (or select
Restart from the desktop while holding down Shift).

11. Making sure Windows 10 knows where you are

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Location-based apps are fairly prominent in Windows 10 which makes it a good idea to let your
PC know (roughly) where you are. Cortana, for example, can give far more information if it can
accurately pinpoint where in the world it's being used.

To update your computer's location settings, head to the Start menu, click Settings, Time &
Language, and click Region & Language – then make sure the correct country is selected. To
turn on Location services, go to Settings > Privacy > Location, and flick the Location switch on.

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

12. Setting up Windows Hello

Windows Hello is one of the most innovative features that Microsoft has built into Windows 10.
Essentially, it lets a user login just by using facial recognition (or a fingerprint) virtually
instantly.
The software, which is available to all Windows 10 users, does require special hardware (and
most likely won't work on older computers). Assuming you have the necessary hardware, how
do you set up Windows Hello?

You need to go to the Start menu, click on Account, and select Change Account Settings. Select
Sign-in Options and set a PIN. Once you've done this, there will be an option to Setup under
Face. Select this and follow the instructions.

13. Finding files with tags

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If you’re forever having trouble finding files on your PC, one way to keep track of them is to use
‘tags’ in Windows 10.

To tag a file, right click it, select Properties, go to the Details tab, and if you click on the Tags
section (under Description) you can add a tag from there – simply type it in. You can then use
those tags when searching – for example, you could tag a few files as a specific work project, all
of which would come up when you searched for that term at a later date. 

14. Installing apps you’ve downloaded from the web

 Image Credit: Microsoft 

The move from distributing apps via the web to the Windows Store means that unfortunately it’s
sometimes not such a straightforward matter to install software grabbed from the former.
Programs like Windows Defender and Firewall, which we’ve talked about earlier, can try to
combat potential malware by only allowing certain apps to install. 

If you’re having trouble, to get around this and install an app from the web, you may have to
fine-tune Defender’s settings. 

To do this, go to the Cortana/search box (bottom-left, next to the Start menu), search for
Windows Defender and you’ll need to access its Settings menu. You’ll be presented with a home
page of sorts, so click on Settings. Once you’re in Settings, you’ll see a list of options related to
various functions Defender performs. 

Tweaking these options is easy, and the one that will yield results for our purposes is Exclusions,
which dictates the areas of the system that are left unchecked by Defender. You can click ‘Add
an exclusion’ to add the file you’re installing and make sure that Defender doesn’t interfere with
the installation.

15. Using Windows 10 gestures to work quickly

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Is working with the keyboard and mouse too sluggish for your liking at times? Well, Windows
10 is a touchscreen-optimised operating system (just as Windows 8 was), and that means it can
do a lot of cool stuff rather swiftly with just a finger prod.

For example, swiping in from the left will bring you to Task View, an overview of all the apps
running currently. Swiping in from the right brings up Action Center, where notifications are
displayed and settings can be changed. Swiping down from the top produces a title bar complete
with minimisation tools.

To see the full range of gestures available, go to the Cortana/search box, and search for ‘touch’.

16. The power of virtual desktops

Image Credit: TechRadar

One desktop not enough for you? Well, handily enough, Windows 10 lets you run multiple
virtual desktops so you can work across different projects on just the one monitor screen.

To fire up a fresh virtual desktop in Windows 10, click Task View (on the right of the
Cortana/search box on the taskbar) and select the New Desktop option in the bottom-right corner
of the screen. It’s as easy as that – and moving apps across virtual desktops is equally simple:
just access Task View again and drag the app from one desktop to another. 

To close these desktops, go back to Task View and hit the cross. There is no limit on how many
virtual desktops you can create, incidentally.

17. Work faster by ‘peeking’ at desktops

Image Credit: TechRadar

Productivity tips don’t just extend to keyboard shortcuts, especially in Windows 10 – there are
other ways of accomplishing things more swiftly for those frustrated at their inability to get
around the OS fast. One of the niftiest tools in this respect is ‘peeking’ at desktops, which can
save time if you’re working across many virtual desktops (which we just discussed above). 

To do this, right-click on the thin button at the far right end of the taskbar and choose ‘Peek at
desktop’. Now when you roll the pointer over it, it’ll show you a quick preview of the desktop
and revert back when you move away.
18. Hover don’t click

Image Credit: TechRadar

Here’s another time-saving little trick that Windows 10 is capable of in order to smooth the path
of those who get frustrated with sluggishness and want to speed up and streamline their usage of
the operating system.

Say you have the Settings app and an Edge window open side-by-side. Settings is in the
foreground but you want to scroll the Edge window. In Windows 8.1, you’d need to click on the
window to do it. Not anymore. Microsoft changed how Windows 10 works so that just having
the mouse pointer over Edge is enough. Pretty neat. 

19. Use Cortana to the max

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Cortana is a virtual assistant of many talents, and can help Windows 10 users out in many
different ways. However, you may not be aware of the full range of functionality Cortana offers
– but there’s an easy way to find out.

Simply go to the Cortana box in the taskbar and type in:

Cortana help
This will list all of the commands and functions Cortana can take care of, which includes setting
reminders or calendar alerts, creating lists, getting directions, working out sums and calculations,
checking the weather, or your stocks, flight times and so on.
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MORE ABOUT COMPUTING

17 Windows 10 problems - and

how to fix them
Tips covering everything from upgrade issues and freeing up storage, to solving
privacy errors and using safe mode
by: IT Pro team

26 Mar 2020

Windows is by far the most commonly used operating system (OS) across the

world. Over the last few decades, subsequent versions of Microsoft’s flagship
OS have been at the heart of enterprise computing, with Windows gaining a
reputation as being a solid and reliable underlying fabric to essential
computing functions. Most individuals, workers and businesses will use one
form of Windows OS or another during their lives to the extent that it’s utterly
ubiquitous, barring MacOS and Linux systems.

The latest iteration of the flagship OS line is Windows 10, and while it’s been
largely a step up against the likes of Windows Vista and Windows 8 from eras
gone by, there are still a litany of bugs and issues that plague the user
 experience. There have been countless problems reported since Microsoft
launched Windows 10 in 2015, which is among the reasons why many have
persisted with its predecessor, Windows 7, despite this system being
rendered obsolete on 14 January 2020.

 Best Windows 10 tips and tricks for power users

 How to speed up Windows 10

 How to get help in Windows 10

With Windows 7 reaching end-of-life, many companies will find themselves

undergoing a drawn-out migration to Windows 10, and experience a raft of
potential issues that may or may not crop up. While no software is perfect, let
alone a major operating system, there are a number of common problems that
may crop up for many. 

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There’s no need to panic, however, as these issues are routinely flagged and
fixed. For those bugs that don’t get immediate fixes, there are a number of
workarounds that can be applied.

1 - Can't upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8

Some of the most common problems with Windows 10 are those that happen
when first installing the upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.
RELATED RESOURCE

The IT Pro guide to Windows 10 migration

Everything you need to know for a successful transition
DOWNLOAD NOW

These include seeing messages that the Get Windows 10 (or GWX) app
saying that machines deemed by Microsoft as perfectly viable to receive the
update aren't compatible, through to the app never appearing in the first place,
and to stalled and failed downloads. If you've got a PC still stubbornly clinging
to Windows 7 or Windows 8, there are a few things to try:

 Open Control Panel, run Windows Update and ensure that the PC is
fully up to date. If updates fail, run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
(see below, number 3)

 Use the Media Creation Tool. Don't rely on GWX:

visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10,
click Download tool now, save the tool and run it on the PC you want to
upgrade. If this didn't work for you back when Windows 10 launched, try
it again now - the tool has been improved.

 Make sure that hardware Disable Execution Prevention (DEP) is

switched on in the BIOS, referring to your motherboard manual for help
if you need it. If you still have problems, use the Start Menu to search
for 'performance', run Adjust the appearance and performance of
Windows, click the Data Execution Prevention tab and turn DEP on for
all programs and services, then reboot and try again.
2 - Can't upgrade to the latest Windows 10 version
Windows 10 receives pretty big updates every so often, such as the Creators
update in March 2017, Fall creators Update in October 2017, and the April 18
and October 2018 update last year. Each of these major updates introduces
new features to Windows 10, as well as security bug fixes and a whole lot
more.
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Despite Windows 10 being the most stable release yet, one of the most
common problems experienced by the platform users is updating to the latest
version of Windows 10 when it's released. 

However, any updates like this won't show up as available to everyone and
this means you'll have to resort to manually updating your operating system
instead.

Before you start upgrading, you'll need to check which Windows 10 version
you're already running. You can do this by heading to the "About Windows"
screen.
If you're ready to install the latest version of Windows 10, you can use the
Windows Update Tool (instructions below), although the Media Creation Tool
alternative is the more reliable option. You simply need to download it, install it
and use it to manually upgrade your PC to the latest version.

Just a little side note. When you run Media Creation Tool, you may not see
any reference to upgrading to the late version of Windows 10 when using the
software, or which version it will upgrade your system to. Instead, it refers to
whether it's the Home or Business version you're trying to install and as long
as this is the version you're running, you can hopefully be rest assured the
newest build will be installed.

Also, make sure you've opted to keep the personal files and apps and click
Install to keep your data, apps and the majority of your settings untouched.
Now, when you hit install, it should start installing the most up-to-date version
of the operating system.
3 - Have a lot less free storage than before
You might not know, but after installing Windows 10 the old version of the OS
is hanging around in the background taking up useful space. Surprised?
When you upgraded, your old version of Windows doesn't disappear. It's still
in the back of the system and goes by the name "windows.old" and takes up
valuable disk space.
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You may be asking as to why this happened and the answer is that Microsoft
isn't quite as controlling as some other big tech companies. Instead of forcing
users to update their hardware and never look back, Microsoft keeps a hold of
the important files that made up your previous OS in the C:/ drive. This is in
case you don't like the new Windows 10 and decide to change back to the
previous operating system that you might be more used to.

If you like the new OS and want to delete the old one for good, then click on
the Windows Start button and type "cleanup" to automatically search the
system. A "Disk Cleanup" app should appear before you in the search criteria
field. Click on it to open the application. 
A drive selection box should appear. Simply select the drive your OS is
installed on. The default drive should appear first which is usually the C:/
drive. If you're confident that this is the main drive where your OS is installed,
hit OK. Windows should scan your system for a while and then a box will pop
up.

Now, two things could happen at this point. You could be presented with a list
of files to delete right away, one of which is "Previous Windows
Installation(s)", or if that option is not visible, you will need to select the "Clean
up system files" option on the bottom left.

Windows will do some more calculations and give you another a very similar
looking box, this time with the option to delete previous windows
installation(s). You might have to scroll down to find it, but it should be taking
up a sizeable bit of drive space, in our case, almost 5GB. Tick this option and
click OK. In the separate message box that appears asking if you're certain
you want to send this, click Delete Files, and you're done.

4 - Windows Update isn't working

Many people have reported issues with Windows Update in Windows 10.
Check first that you've upgraded to the Windows 10 Fall update (see above,
number 2). If you're still getting problems, download and run the Windows
Update Troubleshooter, then reboot and try to update again.
If the problems remain, you might need to get a bit more stuck in. First, check
that System Restore is configured (see below, number 7) and create a restore
point. With this done, use Win+x and select Command Prompt (Admin), then
type 'net stop wuauserv' (without the quotes) and hit Enter, followed by 'net
stop bits' and Enter. You should see confirmations that each service was
either stopped or wasn't running. Next, open Explorer, navigate
to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, and delete its contents including any
sub-folders. Now reboot, open Windows Update and click Check for updates.

5 - Turn off forced updates

If you're anything like us, you set up previous Windows releases so that they
wouldn't install updates automatically - one forced reboot is one too many. To
be fair to Microsoft, Windows 10 handles post-update reboots much more
elegantly, but we'd still rather be in control from the outset.
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There is a workaround for users running Windows 10 Pro: from the Start
Menu, search for 'gpedit' and run the Group Policy Editor. Expand Computer
Configuration in the left-hand pane, and navigate to Administrative
Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update. Double-click Configure
Automatic Updates in the list, select the Enabled radio button, and in the left-
hand box select 2 - Notify for download and notify for install. Now click OK,
and you'll be notified whenever there are updates - unfortunately, they'll be a
daily irritation if you're using Windows Defender.

The Group Policy Editor isn't available on Windows 10 Home, but we'd
recommend you at least open Windows Update, click Advanced options and
select Notify to schedule restart from the Choose how updates are installed
list. While you're here, all Windows 10 users might want to click Choose how
updates are delivered and ensure that Updates from more than one place is
either off, or set to PCs on my local network.

6 - Turn off unnecessary notifications

Windows 10 introduced Action Centre, a panel positioned to the side of the
display which aggregates all the notifications your system makes so you can
deal with them all at once. It's a handy feature but it can also become clogged
with notifications quickly if they're not frequently addressed.
Notifications can vary from the highly important systems messages to
miscellaneous social media of software updates. There is, however, a way to
filter out the messages you have no interest in.

You can open Settings, head to notifications & actions, and you'll be greeted
with a number of toggle buttons which you can customise on an app-by-app
basis. You can also just head straight to the settings screen by searching
'notification and actions' in the search bar.

7 - Fix privacy and data defaults

We're not a fan of some of the data-sharing defaults in Windows 10, and we'd
recommend all users review them periodically. Use the Start Menu to search
for and run the Settings app, then click Privacy. In the left-hand pane, you'll
see many areas where your computer might be sharing data. It's worth
spending time checking that you're comfortable with allowing apps to use your
computer's camera, microphone, account information and so on, and where
you are, checking that no surprise apps appear in the lists. Note, too, that the
default Feedback & diagnostics setting is to send enhanced data to Microsoft.

If you use Windows Defender, click the back arrow and select Update &
Security, then Windows Defender. Check that you're happy with the default
behaviour, which is to enable Cloud-based detection and Automatic sample
submission.
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Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of Wi-Fi Sense, which is
designed to get you onto wireless networks more quickly. On a device with
Wi-Fi, click the back arrow, select Network & Internet, click WiFi and select
Manage WiFi Settings. We'd strongly recommend turning off Connect to
suggested open hotspots, Connect to networks shared by my contacts, and
disabling the button under Paid WiFi services if it's present.

Additionally, Wi-Fi Sense might result in the sharing of your network's wireless
credentials among devices you don't control: allow a guest to log in and their
contacts - and potentially theirs in turn - may also be able to. Ridiculously, the
only fix is to rename your network's SSID so that it ends with "_optout". We'd
recommend confining guests to a guest wireless network, configuring your
own devices not to use Wi-Fi Sense, and asking staff to do the same before
allowing their Windows 10 devices onto the main wireless network.

8 - Where's Safe Mode when you need it?

Nothing gets you out of Windows trouble like Safe Mode, which is why it's
inexplicable that you can no longer enter it by pressing F8 or Shift+F8 at boot.
Although it's still available in Windows 10, you have to boot into Windows first,
then either restart holding the left Shift key or via an option within Update &
Security in the Settings app. Neither method is helpful if your PC can't boot
into Windows in the first place. 
You can't get around this, which is why it's helpful to create a boot time Safe
Mode option before trouble arrives. Hit Win+x and select Command Prompt
(Admin), then type bcdedit /copy {current} /d "Windows 10 Safe Mode" and hit
Enter. From the Start Menu type msconfig, run System Configuration in the
results, and navigate to the Boot tab. Highlight the Windows 10 Safe Mode
option you just created, tick Safe boot and select Minimal under Boot options
and - if necessary - reduce the Timeout value so you won't be inconvenienced
- the minimum is three seconds. Tick Make all boot settings permanent (in fact
you can simply return here to delete the Safe Mode entry) and click OK.

You can repeat these steps, substituting suitable names in quotes at the
Command Prompt, to create shortcuts for Safe Mode with Networking (tick
Network rather than Minimal in System Configuration) and Safe Mode with
Command Prompt (Alternate shell).
9 - Enable System Restore
Another inexplicable choice in Windows 10 is that System Restore isn't
enabled by default; we wouldn't hesitate to turn it on. Search for 'Create a
restore point' in the Start Menu and select it in the results, then highlight the
system drive, click the Configure button and select Turn on system protection.
Use the slider to set an appropriate amount of maximum disk space - about
5GB ought to be enough. Note that, annoyingly, the upgrade to Windows 10
version 10586 turns this off again - you'll need to turn it back on.

10 - Bad localisation, Cortana 'not available'

Windows 10's localisation options seem needlessly convoluted, and we've
had multiple reports of incorrect localisation even in computers that were
upgraded from correctly localised Windows 7 or Windows 8 installations. The
most common issue seems to be system dates set in the American format
MM/DD/YY, but Windows can also report that Cortana isn't available, even in
regions where it is.
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From the Start Menu, search for 'region' and choose Region & Language
settings. Check that the United Kingdom is selected under Country or region,
and check that your chosen language(s) appear under Languages. Select
your primary language, click Options and click Download under the language
pack, and speech options if they're present. Check on this page that the
keyboard is also correct - if it isn't, add the correct one then select the wrong
one and remove it.

Click the back arrow and select Additional date, time & regional settings.
Under Language, click Change input methods, select your chosen language,
move it to the top of the list if it isn't there already, and click Options. Under
Windows display language you might see either Enabled or Available - if the
latter, click Make this the primary language. If you don't see either, download
and install the language pack, then make it the primary language.

Click the back arrow to return to the language preferences, and in the left-
hand pane click Change date, time, or number formats and check that the
format is set to the correct language. Check the Home location on the
Location tab, and finally use the Administrative tab to check the System
locale, and use the Copy settings button to apply the settings to the Welcome
screen and new user accounts.

11 - Fix slow boot times

Like Windows 8 before it, Windows 10 uses a hybrid boot to enable fast boot
times. When you shut the system down, apps and app processes are
terminated, but the Windows kernel itself is hibernated to allow for a faster
restart. In theory, it's great, but it seems to still be very slow for some
Windows 10 users.

Disable it by searching for Power Options in the Start Menu and running the
matching Control Panel applet, then in the left-hand pane click Choose what
the power buttons do. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable,
scroll down and un-tick Turn on fast start-up, then click Save changes. This
should prevent very slow starts on affected PCs. Some users report that if
they subsequently reboot, re-trace their steps and re-enable fast start-up the
problem remains cured.

If you're dual-booting between Windows 10 and Windows 7, switching fast

startup off will also fix the problem where Windows 7 checks the disks each
time you boot it: With fast start-up enabled, the earlier operating system
doesn't recognise that the disks have been properly shut down by Windows
10.

12 - The lock screen gets in the way

Return to a locked Windows 10 device and you'll see a pretty picture. That's
nice, but it's a needless obstacle in the way of logging in. If you're as impatient
as we are, disable the lock screen by searching the Start Menu for regedit,
and running the Registry editor.
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Navigate
to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. If
you don't already see a key named 'Personalization', select the Windows key,
right-click it, choose New>Key and rename this new key to Personalization
(sic). Right-click the Personalization key, choose New again then select
DWORD (32-bit) Value. Select New Value #1 in the right-hand pane and use
F2 to rename it NoLockScreen, then double-click it, change the value data to
1 and click OK. After a reboot, the lock screen will be gone.

13 - I can't play a DVD!

Windows 10 shipped without an app to play DVDs on. Which isn't great if you
like to watch movies on your PC. 

Luckily, Microsoft has released an app as a download. Trouble is it costs

11.59. It also has garnered an overall rating of just two stars. Alternatively,
you can download VLC, which is free and works just as well if not better.

14 Stop Windows 10 using 4G data 

Windows 10 often uses your internet bandwidth invisibly in the background
which can play havoc with your data allowance if you're using a portable
hotspot.

To stop Windows 10 devouring your cellular data allowance in the

background: 

 Go to Settings, then Network & Internet.

 Select Wi-Fi and then Advanced Options.

 Click "Set as metered connection" to on, and Windows will stop fetching
non-essential data in the background, such as app updates and Start
screen tile updates.

Oddly, this tip doesn't work if your PC connects to the internet via Ethernet.
15 Save a web page as an HTML file in Microsoft Edge
Bizarrely, Microsoft's new Windows 10 web browser can't currently save web
pages as an HTML file. The only workaround is to open the web page in
Internet Explorer 11 (which is still included as standard with Windows 10) and
save from there. 

To do this:

 Select the menu on the far right-hand side of the Edge window.

 Select the open with Internet Explorer' option. This will open your
current web page in a new tab in IE.

 In IE 11, press Control-S on your keyboard to access the Save as

dialogue box.
16 - Turn on Pop-Up Blocker in Edge
If you used Microsoft Edge, you may find that pop-up ads will get in the way of
the websites you actually want to visit. You can disable pop-ups by clicking on
the icon with three dots on the right-hand side of the address bar and then
clicking on "Settings", then "View advanced settings". Under "Block pop-ups"
make sure this is set to "On". 

17 - Files opening with the wrong default apps

Windows 10 has a nasty habit of reverting all the file associations back to
default settings when it updates. This means that even if you specifically set
certain types of files to open with certain apps, they may switch back to the
Windows defaults.

This isn't ideal, especially given that the default Windows apps for many tasks
are inferior to third-party alternatives. Luckily, there's a very simple fix for this,
allowing you to restore your preferred associations.
Open Windows 10's Settings app, and under the System tab, you should find
a category marked 'default apps'. From here, you'll be able to pick what kind
of app opens different kinds of media. For example, you change it so that
music is played in Windows Media Player rather than Groove Music.

You can even get right down to the fine details, changing which apps handle
specific file extensions. This means that you can set different programs to
open specific image or video files, for instance, while still having the majority
handled by a different application.