The Definitive Guide to Mastering Windows
Over the years, Windows has become the world’s most popular desktop operating system. As of October 2022, Windows holds 75% of the total market share for desktop operating systems. With constant updates and new features added in every release, mastering Windows can feel like a daunting task for many.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to become a Windows power user. From customizing your desktop and streamlining everyday tasks to troubleshooting common issues, we have got you covered.
Optimizing Windows for Productivity
With over two billion monthly active devices, it’s clear that Windows offers unparalleled productivity for all kinds of users. However, to unlock the full potential of the operating system, some customization and optimization is required. Here are some tips and tricks to boost your productivity:
Why are my files missing from Windows 10?
We can ascribe files that disappeared or missing from the Desktop to a variety of viable reasons: The missing desktop folders/files have moved to a different location/folder: Sometimes, significant updates to Windows 10 can move desktop folders or files to a different location.
What if I can’t find a file on my computer?
If you can’t find a file on your computer or you accidently modified or deleted a file, you can restore it from a backup (if you’re using Windows backup) or you can try to restore it from a previous version. Previous versions are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point.
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Use keyboard shortcuts like Win + X to access useful system tools and Win + V to access clipboard history. This saves time compared to digging through menus with the mouse.
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Organize open windows using virtual desktops. You can add new desktops and switch between them easily. This allows grouping applications based on tasks.
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Customize the taskbar by pinning frequently used apps or enabling large icons. Reduce clutter by hiding inactive icons.
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Use OneDrive files on-demand to access cloud files without syncing everything locally. This saves storage space.
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Enable Focus Assist to suppress notifications when you want to avoid distractions.
With some customization, Windows provides powerful productivity enhancements for all kinds of professional and personal projects.
Securing Your System and Data
With the proliferation of malware and cyber threats, adequate security measures are essential for any Windows user. Thankfully, Microsoft has equipped the OS with several built-in protections:
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Windows Defender provides robust antivirus and anti-malware protection out of the box. Enable cloud-delivered protection for maximum coverage.
How do I fix random files & folders disappearing on Windows 10?
If random files and folders are disappearing on Windows 10, you might want to change Indexing Options. To do that, follow these steps: Press Windows Key + S and type Indexing Options. Select Indexing Options from the list of results. When Indexing Options window opens, click on Advanced.
Why can’t I See my folders on Windows 10/11?
If you find that your files and folders have disappeared in your current system then there is a probability that your hard drive index on Windows 10/11 might have been corrupted and due to this reason, it is unable to display your folders on screen which actually are present in your system.
How to find missing files on Windows 10?
Here’s a super-quick guide to finding disappeared files on Windows 10: Download & install Disk Drill on your Windows 10 PC. Select the device containing missing files. Run the scanning process & wait for it to finish. Select the files you want to recover & click “Recover”. Choose the recovery destination & hit “Confirm”.
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Utilize the Windows Firewall to block unauthorized network access. Enable stealth mode for extra protection.
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Use BitLocker drive encryption to secure data on your hard drives. This prevents breaches in case of physical theft.
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Enable Windows Hello biometric authentication for easy and secure sign-ins without passwords.
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Manage app permissions to restrict access to sensitive components like the microphone and camera.
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Keep the system updated since patches fix security flaws in the operating system and apps.
With the right settings and vigilance, you can protect your system and data from most cyber threats.
Fixing Common Windows Issues
Despite continuous improvements, Windows still runs into problems occasionally. However, troubleshooting and recovering from issues has become much easier in recent versions. Here are some tips for common problems:
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Use the bundled Windows troubleshooters to diagnose and fix problems like audio issues, Blue Screens (BSOD), file copy failures, etc.
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Reset Windows to factory settings without losing personal files. This fixes most system corruption issues.
How to find old folder Windows 10?
Choose the Windows.old folder files that you want to recover and click ” Recover ” to find back the selected files. Sit around and wait for AnyRecover to restore the lost files from Windows.old folder. Select a safe position to store and use these recovered files. Q1: How Can I Find the Windows.old Folder in Windows 10/11?
Why are files and folders disappearing from Windows 10?
Files and folder are hidden. Files have been moved. Hard drive letters are changed. Files are missing due to fast startup. Indexing Options needs to be modified. Sometimes, files and folders are disappearing from Windows 10, but this is not caused by mistaken deletion, formatting or other obvious wrong operations.
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Refresh your PC to reinstall Windows without deleting your personal files and apps. Retains all settings.
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Use System Restore to roll back system files and settings to an earlier restore point. Fixes issues caused by software changes.
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Troubleshoot startup issues by restarting into Safe Mode, disabling automatic restart on BSOD, and using startup repair.
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Recover lost files using Previous Versions or backup solutions like File History.
With the right troubleshooting steps, most Windows problems can be easily diagnosed and resolved. Mastering basic troubleshooting empowers you to keep your system running smoothly.
Suggested Topics for Future Exploration
In this guide, we covered the basics of optimizing, securing and troubleshooting Windows. However, there is always more to explore with this versatile operating system. Here are some suggested topics for future reading:
- Mastering keyboard shortcuts to minimize mouse usage
- Customizing Start Menu and Taskbar for personal workflow
- Setting up storage spaces and disk pooling in Windows
- Using Hyper-V for virtualization needs
- Deploying Windows on business networks using domain services
- Developing Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps
- Leveraging WSL for Linux-Windows interoperability
The world of Windows is rich and evolving constantly. No matter your needs, Windows likely has a solution. We hope this guide provided a solid overview of the platform’s capabilities. Please share your feedback and suggestions for future topics in the comments!
Why do files and folders disappear when I upgrade to Windows 10?
In some cases, files and folders might disappear when you upgrade to Windows 10 and that’s because Windows 10 creates a new account for you by default. Your old account is still present, but it’s not set as the default account, so you have to switch to it. To do that, follow these steps: Click the Start Button and click your username at the top.
How to find missing files in Windows 10?
Firstly go to ‘This PC’ in your system. There you need to choose ‘Local Disk C’. Then select ‘Users’ Folder. After the ‘User Name’ Folder. And then ‘Documents’. Here you are going to find all your missing files. Further, you can also try the other way for which steps are given below: Go to ‘This PC’. Then double tap on ‘Local Disk C‘.
How to recover lost files in Windows 10?
Download & install Disk Drill on your Windows 10 PC. Select the device containing missing files. Run the scanning process & wait for it to finish. Select the files you want to recover & click “Recover”. Choose the recovery destination & hit “Confirm”. Read the detailed guide with more methods below.
Why can’t I find my old Windows 10 files?
After updating your PC to Windows 10, you may be having trouble finding your old files. Here are some things to try: Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. If you’re signed in with a temporary profile, you’ll see a message at the top that says You are logged on with a temporary profile. Roaming options are currently unavailable.
