Help Yourself: Tech Tips Weekly

Learn how to solve common IT issues on your own. This collection of hardware, software, and networking troubleshooting tips helps Windows users help themselves.

1. Operating System

• Dealing with a bad sign-in
• Doing a Windows checkup
• Recovering a deleted file
• Locating a lost file
• Rolling back an update
• Fixing a full hard drive
• Controlling the taskbar
• Speeding up a slow computer
• Uninstalling software
• Mapping a network drive
• Managing desktop icons
• Configuring system updates
• Formatting media
• Setting laptop power options
• Setting desktop power options
• Dealing with an unknown file type
• Restarting the operating system
• Renaming a group of files
• Opening an unknown file attachment
• Knowing when to call for help

2. Networking

• Finding the PC's IP address
• Understanding networking terms
• Reviewing network layout
• Troubleshooting the network connection
• Managing Wi-Fi networks
• Restarting the network
• Checking network privacy
• Accessing a shared folder
• Sharing a folder
• Updating the Wi-Fi password
• Checking your internet speed
• Mapping a network drive
• Working with a flakey Wi-Fi connection

3. Security

• Being password smart
• Updating your password
• Spotting a secure website
• Recognizing a phishing attack email
• Clearing the browser history
• Reviewing Wi-Fi security options
• Managing online passwords
• Disabling Windows remote desktop access
• Running Windows Defender
• Understanding website certificates

4. Hardware

• Checking a bad keyboard or mouse
• Understanding PC sound connections
• Turning off a stubborn computer
• Identifying odd computer noises

5. Microsoft Office

• Disabling the backstage
• Showing (and hiding) the ribbon
• Selecting another printer
• Repairing an Office installation
• Updating the Quick Access Toolbar
• Excel: Freezing rows or columns
• Excel: Understanding hash errors
• Excel: Using the single quote
• PowerPoint: Starting a presentation
• PowerPoint: Move around a presentation
• PowerPoint: Create a slideshow video
• PowerPoint: Slideshow tips
• Word: Centering a page
• Word: Adding a page border
• Word: Changing the default font
• Word: Removing the last blank page
• Word: Rotating a single page
• Word: Restoring the Save All command
• Word: Setting tab stops

6. Windows 10

• Creating a new task view
• Changing AutoPlay behavior
• Pruning recent file lists
• Reviewing keyboard shortcuts
• Configuring Windows 10 sync
• Arranging windows
• Saving your eyes with dark mode
• Using night light
• Ratcheting up privacy protection
• Understanding Quick Access

7. Troubleshooting

• Accepting why things go wrong
• Checking the hardware
• Locating troubleshooting tools
• Using the Task Manager
• Activating File History
• Reviewing events
• Recovering an earlier version of a file
• Restoring files from a backup
• Setting a restore point
• Using system restore

8. Laptop Assistance

• Preparing for a road trip
• Going on the road
• Configuring the power buttons
• Adding a full-size monitor and keyboard
• Entering tablet mode
• Connecting to a projector
• Exploring keyboard secrets
• Working with the touch keyboard
• Protecting your laptop
• Connecting to a VPN

9. Shortcuts and Time-Savers

• Pinning items to the taskbar
• Adding the address bar
• Sending favorites to the desktop
• Changing file association
• Safely removing external storag
• Recognizing USB colors
• Launching a program at startup
• Using pins for popular files
• Useful keyboard and mouse shortcuts
• Panic-driven keyboard shortcuts

10. Images and Graphics

• Fixing a photo
• Changing image file formats

11. PC Performance

• Monitoring performance
• Disabling Windows background services
• Understanding memory leaks
• Stopping a stuck program
• Using file and drive compression
• Adding a second hard drive
• Adding more memory
• Disabling startup programs
• Improving hard drive performance
• Reviewing system performance

12. Storage Management

• Looking at storage
• Visiting the Disk Management console
• Preparing a new drive
• Partitioning a new drive
• Repartitioning a drive
• Extending and shrinking partitions
• Creating a mirrored volume
• Formatting and reformatting media
• Reassigning drive letters
• Mounting an external drive

13. File Management

• Creating files, rules, and limitations
• Organizing files in folders
• Moving and duplicating files
• Working with removable storage
• Archiving files and folders
• Deleting and recovering files
• Creating a shortcut
• Starting a new item
• Opening a file with a specific program
• Marking files as read-only or hidden

14. General Computer

• Locking the PC
• Stopping a print job
• Adding more USB devices
• Buying a new PC or laptop
• Using a UPS
• Updating the graphics driver
• Starting the Windows recovery environment
• Entering safe mode
• Using a foreign-language keyboard
• Applying BitLocker protection

15. Acrobat and PDF Tips

• PDF tips and tricks
• Filling in and signing a PDF form
• Working with PDF files on the web
• Creating a PDF
• Creating a PDF form
• Exporting a PDF to Microsoft Office
• Securing a PDF
• PDF troubleshooting

16. Excel Help

• Handy Excel keyboard shortcuts
• Creating an instant table in Excel
• Dealing with cell references in Excel
• Sizing rows and columns in a worksheet
• Naming cells
• Creating a drop-down list
• Working with text
• Using the LOOKUP formulas
• Modifying a chart
• Merging Excel and Word

17. Web Browser Tips

• Selecting the perfect browser
• Choosing a search engine
• Setting site permissions
• Opening a group of bookmarks
• Managing Chrome extensions
• Customizing the browser
• Changing the web page view
• Configuring multiple browser accounts
• Dealing with cookies
• Browsing privately

18. Windows 11 Upgrade

• Qualifying for the Windows 11 upgrade
• Checking for Windows 11 updates
• Clearing a stuck Windows update
• Reviewing Windows 11 changes
• Checking out the widgets
• Exploring files in Windows 11
• Accessing the Windows 11 shortcut menu
• Reviewing the Windows 11 taskbar corner
• Setting display options in Windows 11
• Using Linux in Windows 11
• Discovering Windows 11 backup options

19. Workplace IT Help Desk

• Using the office printer
• Creating an Outlook contact group
• Creating a shared calendar in Outlook
• Sharing a calendar event in Outlook
• Archiving email in Outlook
• Dealing with suspect email in Outlook
• Creating a junk email rule in Outlook
• Keeping your account secure
• Maximizing an online meeting

20. Microsoft Online

• Installing and using OneDrive
• Exploring OneDrive files online
• Sharing a OneDrive file or folder
• Confirming the file is saved to the cloud
• Accessing Microsoft 365
• Using Microsoft Word online
• Working in Excel Online
• Using Microsoft PowerPoint Online
• Exploring the online version of Outlook
• Getting feedback in Office
• Tracking changes in Word
• Comparing document versions
• Reviewing document history in OneDrive

21. Simple Hardware Upgrades

• Replacing a keyboard or mouse
• Adding a second monitor
• Going wireless
• Adding a Wi-Fi adapter
• Connecting and using a webcam

22. Computer Help and Support

• Signing into Windows
• Repairing Windows
• Controlling the taskbar
• Speeding up a slow computer
• Uninstalling software
• Configuring Windows updates
• Setting laptop power options
• Disabling remote desktop access
• Arranging windows
• Reassociating files
• Optimizing the start menu
• Troubleshooting Bluetooth
• Applying a desktop theme
• Scanning a document
• Linking your phone to Windows
• Checking system requirements

23. Windows Tricks

• Saving a web page address
• Using the character map
• Copying text between apps
• Taking a screenshot
• Printing a list of files
• Accessing the character palette
• Typing with your voice
• Using the cloud clipboard
• Exploring calculator features
• Magnifying the screen
• Focusing on your work
• Viewing the desktop
• Changing the input language
• Curtailing Windows notifications
• Finding all your apps

24. Productivity Tips

• Using accelerator keys
• Organizing the desktop
• Setting reminders
• Sticky notes
• Quick launch shortcuts
• Naming files for organization
• Cleaning a crowded folder
• Using templates
• Timing your distractions
• Consolidating app tasks

25. Help for older computers

• Cleaning out the box
• Adding or replacing memory
• Upgrading primary storage
• Adding external storage
• Purging old programs
• Deleting files you no longer need
• Archiving and cleaning storage
• Replacing the computer

26. Fixing PC Problems

• Finding recently opened files
• Missing internet connection
• Dealing with downloads
• Rescuing a dying battery
• Crashing programs
• Vanishing work and disappearing data
• Forgetting passwords
• Hearing silence
• Avoiding interruptions and distractions
• Blaming yourself

27. 21st Century Etiquette

• Composing a message
• Replying to an email
• Setting the To, Cc, and Bcc fields
• Choosing to send an attachment
• Deciding whether to text or email
• Interacting on social media
• Understanding online meeting rules

28. Artificial Intelligence

• Refining AI results
• Using AI to compose text
• Troubleshooting with AI