All Questions
42,392
questions
469
votes
18
answers
328k
views
How can I remove malicious spyware, malware, adware, viruses, trojans or rootkits from my PC?
What should I do if my Windows computer seems to be infected with a virus or malware?
What are the symptoms of an infection?
What should I do after noticing an infection?
What can I do to get rid of ...
54
votes
9
answers
24k
views
How do I recover lost/inaccessible data from my storage device?
What steps can I take to try to recover lost or inaccessible data from any storage device?
Answers:
This applies to any computer storage device, e.g. internal/external hard drives, USB sticks, flash ...
311
votes
23
answers
187k
views
How can I visualize the file system usage on Windows?
How can I visualize which folders and files are taking up all of the space on my hard drive?
I'm getting some conflicting reports on the size of hard drive contents. Namely what is and isn't there ...
55
votes
3
answers
103k
views
What can I do if my USB flash drive is write-protected or read-only?
When I plug in my USB flash drive, it shows up on my computer as write-protected or read-only. I am unable to transfer data to it, nor can I modify or delete any files already stored on it. I also ...
- 46.2k
176
votes
17
answers
292k
views
What can I do if I forgot my Windows password?
I got a brand new Windows 7 machine, installed the operating system, created one account and forgot its password. What can I do?
There is no external CD, the operating system is loaded from somewhere ...
- 4,090
207
votes
7
answers
309k
views
Where can I download Windows 7 (legally from Microsoft)?
I just bought a serial for Windows 7 on-line from the Microsoft store (the most painful shopping experience EVER!). I selected that I wanted to download my version of Windows 7 after purchase. After ...
- 2,649
411
votes
5
answers
1.1m
views
What are PATH and other environment variables, and how can I set or use them?
Questions about
setting environment variables
the PATH
are very common here, and in most cases the answers are very similar to each other. In the future it would be nice to have a good Q/A for this....
- 230k
127
votes
1
answer
20k
views
Windows Activation FAQ: How do language, version, 64-bit or 32-bit, and source affect ability to install and transfer Windows licenses?
We get a lot of questions on Super User about Windows activation and licensing. This question is an attempt to answer the most common questions in one place with a canonical answer.
When reinstalling ...
- 37.5k
97
votes
17
answers
32k
views
Stopping all automatic updates Windows 10
We've upgraded some machines to Windows 10 and realized there were some updates which updated as required. However, I realized there was no option available to stop the download similar to that on ...
- 1,165
46
votes
5
answers
157k
views
Where can I get a clean ISO of a specific build of Windows 10?
I need to repair my Windows 10 installation. Where can I get a clean ISO (with install.wim, no Install.ESD, so that I can run DISM against the WIM) of the specific Windows 10 build required for this?
...
- 98.5k
33
votes
3
answers
37k
views
How to get rights of admin after I disabled all admin accounts in my computer
I accidentally disabled my admin account.
After I login to another account I found I can not get admin rights, because all admin accounts on my computer are disabled.
I clicked on 'run as ...
- 459
26
votes
2
answers
16k
views
How do I add VBA in MS Office?
I've seen posts showing answers which use VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code/macros, however, I've also noted additional comments afterwards about how to use the VBA (how to implement and ...
- 25.4k
12
votes
2
answers
18k
views
What is the most efficient, native way to image a Windows partition?
What is the most efficient, native way to image a Windows partition?
Is the native method generally the best method for most users?
How does the native method differ from conventional cloning?
What ...
- 8,168
562
votes
13
answers
3.3m
views
Windows 7 SP1 Windows Update stuck checking for updates
I installed Windows 7 fresh and installed SP1. Now, when I try to check manually for Windows Updates it just hangs on the Checking for updates screen.
I tried running the tools in How do I reset ...
- 6,123
48
votes
4
answers
348k
views
USB flash drive not working or is appearing as an empty disk drive, Disk Management reports "No Media" with 0 bytes size
I have a USB flash drive which is no longer recognized by my computer. Windows Disk Management and DiskPart report No Media with no storage space (0 bytes) on the drive and I cannot partition or ...
- 46.2k
231
votes
6
answers
688k
views
Troubleshoot High CPU usage by the "System" process
I have noticed that from some time my system is freezing and its probably caused by the high CPU usage which is caused by the system process.
All applications I'm running is the Skype, TeamSpeak and ...
- 2,423
93
votes
9
answers
38k
views
Why does Windows only show about 3.5 GB of my 4 GB of RAM?
I recently upgraded my computer's RAM to 4 GB. My 32-bit Windows installation shows only 3574 MB of the memory. How can I make Windows use the full amount of RAM?
- 1,178
228
votes
19
answers
60k
views
32-bit vs. 64-bit systems
What are the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit systems?
If you have used both of them, what kind of sharp differences have you experienced?
Would it be a problem to use 32-bit programs on 64-...
- 55.6k
164
votes
16
answers
416k
views
How can I read my hard drive’s SMART status in Windows 7?
How can I read the S.M.A.R.T. state of my HDDs while using Windows 7, either automatically or manually?
- 1,873
469
votes
16
answers
1.2m
views
How can I download an entire website?
How can I download all pages from a website?
Any platform is fine.
45
votes
5
answers
35k
views
Windows Starter Edition, Home and Home Premium do not include gpedit, how do I install it?
I want to make some changes to Windows that require using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
Unfortunately the Group Policy Editor is not included with the Starter Edition, Home and Home Premium ...
- 158k
662
votes
20
answers
392k
views
How to *disable* automatic reboots in Windows 10?
Windows 10 lets you 'schedule' a reboot for later. I want to disable it.
Evidently Windows scheduled itself for a reboot last night when I wasn't looking and just closed everything I had been working ...
- 12.2k
181
votes
18
answers
438k
views
What utility can move my Windows boot partition over to another hard drive? [closed]
Can anyone recommend a cheap/free utility that can do this without very much effort?
My preference is that it would be really easy.
Boot into Windows
Pick drive to move
Pick target drive
It copies ...
53
votes
5
answers
182k
views
How do I stop Windows 10 from updating my graphics driver?
Every time Windows 10 runs updates (which I see no way to control), it updates my graphics driver. I like the old one because it is faster. So, I have to reinstall it. This is getting to be a pain. ...
- 3,639
181
votes
12
answers
124k
views
Why does the /winsxs folder grow so large, and can it be made smaller?
A Vista virtual machine I use only has a 10 GB virtual hard disk -- and I'm worried about it running out of space over time.
I used TreeSize to check for the culprits..
And the primary culprit is ...
- 24.2k
30
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Is there a general term for the items in a directory?
I'm just curious if there's a standard computer term that encompasses everything in a directory, instead of always having to mention "files" and "(sub)directories/folders" ...
- 431
75
votes
7
answers
75k
views
How do I reset the Windows XP Administrator password?
I have forgotten the Administrator password of my Windows XP installation and locked out. Is there a way to reset it? I do have physical access to the PC.
- 10.2k
125
votes
9
answers
111k
views
Can I use my laptop as a second monitor?
Is it possible to make my laptop's screen act as a second monitor for my desktop computer?
- 14.2k
188
votes
20
answers
771k
views
Run a batch file in a completely hidden way
I'm looking for some way to run a batch file (.bat) without anything visible to the user (no window, no taskbar name, .etc..).
I don't want to use some program to do that, I'm looking for something ...
- 4,043
22
votes
4
answers
32k
views
Can I safely charge my laptop with a non-standard, third-party charger? [duplicate]
I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop. My charger has stopped working.
I have access to a Lenovo charger. Can I use this charger on my laptop?
- 301
91
votes
9
answers
291k
views
How can I remap a keyboard key?
One of my laptop's keys has fallen off. Is there any way I can remap another key to serve as that key? I'll 'sacrifice' the other key because I never use it.
- 1,903
140
votes
25
answers
389k
views
How can I mass rename files?
I've got a bunch of files named with a the pattern 99 - DescriptiveName.txt and I'd like to remove the number from the front so I just have DescriptiveName.txt.
How can I do this? Can I do it from ...
61
votes
10
answers
255k
views
How can I tell what RAM will fit my computer?
If I want to add more RAM to my computer, how can I buy something compatible? What kinds are there? How do I determine which kind my computer will accept and how much I can add?
- 26.8k
432
votes
25
answers
549k
views
How to delete directories with path/names too long for normal delete
Windows seems to have a length limit on file names when trying to delete, though it won't prevent those files from being created.
Our build process creates a number of temporary files (many build off ...
- 9,742
116
votes
4
answers
426k
views
Windows 10 high memory usage (unknown reason)
A few days ago I updated my PC to Windows 10. However, after some use my PC started to slow down until it was impossible to use – it was due to high memory usage. After a restart, everything came back ...
- 1,263
23
votes
8
answers
55k
views
What is the easiest method of checking SMART status for your hard drive?
I've seen programs in the past that were able to check the SMART status of a hard disk drive but it wasn't easy for me to find. Also, I think I had to boot into the CD in order to check on it. What is ...
- 1,420
15
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What is the purpose of the DISM /RestoreHealth parameter and SFC?
What is the purpose of the DISM /RestoreHealth parameter and the SFC /ScanNow parameter?
How do they correlate to one another?
In what order should they be run?
Why does the order sequence matter ...
- 8,168
169
votes
9
answers
447k
views
How to delete a keyboard layout in Windows 10
I installed Windows 10 on a physically German keyboard, then installed a Window English software keyboard and bought some little stickers to make my keyboard look OK.
However, Windows shows 2 ...
- 4,465
110
votes
11
answers
18k
views
Securely erasing all data from a hard drive
I am about to sell my old desktop PC and I am cautious about some of my sensitive information being available to the purchaser, even after reformatting the hard-drive, using data recovery software.
...
- 21.3k
152
votes
7
answers
89k
views
How can I determine which process owns a hotkey in Windows?
Given a hotkey, how can I find which program owns it?
- 1,623
21
votes
5
answers
67k
views
How to reinstall Windows 10 on new hard disk
I've been using Windows 10 for a couple of month now (joined the Insider Preview).
Now my hard drive started ticking so I've bought a new SSD and I want to move the windows installation to the new ...
- 3,630
79
votes
17
answers
211k
views
How do I troubleshoot a Windows freeze or slowness?
A machine is described as being "really slow" or "freezing". How can I troubleshoot/resolve this issue? What should be the first steps to take?
161
votes
7
answers
88k
views
Is it better to use a laptop on battery or on AC power?
When I'm at home, is it better to use the laptop plugged into AC power, or with just the battery, for the overall battery life?
- 4,043
67
votes
3
answers
120k
views
How can I reinstall Windows 7 if I lost my installation DVD? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Where do I download Windows 7 (legally from Microsoft)?
I have lost my Windows 7 installation DVD, but I do have the license key. How can I get a Windows 7 DVD? Can I download ...
- 1,276
132
votes
9
answers
529k
views
How can I repair the Windows 8 EFI Bootloader?
I installed Windows 7 and Windows 8 in EFI mode on a hard disk some days ago. Today, the bootloader got missing/corrupted.
I currently have the Windows 8 installer on a flash drive and tried using ...
- 14.7k
125
votes
8
answers
220k
views
How to shrink Windows 7 boot partition with unmovable files
I have just bought an HP laptop with Windows 7 (64 bit). It has a 500 GB HDD with three partitions: a small hidden system partition, a 12 GiB HP recovery partition, and a 450 GiB C:...
- 2,751
87
votes
4
answers
155k
views
Windows 10, 'System' process taking massive amounts of RAM
Since I upgraded to Windows 10, my system has been consuming RAM excessively
I've been reading a bit and determined it's likely a driver leaking memory. So I got myself the Windows Driver Kit and ...
- 1,048
193
votes
23
answers
438k
views
How do I place a bootable ISO on a USB drive?
What's the best way of placing a bootable ISO on a USB drive, such that the drive is bootable? ISOs such as a live Linux preview disk, Windows installation ISO, etc.
- 2,119
95
votes
11
answers
30k
views
Cross-platform file system
I would like my external drives to be readable and writable from Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.
FAT32 works, but the 4 GB file size limit is a showstopper these days. Are there any alternatives?
- 2,672
68
votes
7
answers
89k
views
Install Windows 7 from USB flash drive
I have an ISO image of the Windows 7 installation DVD, but I can't burn it to CD or DVD. I have an empty flash drive with plenty of space. Is there any way I can put the ISO image on it and install ...
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