Operating Systems Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How (and when) to boot Windows into ‘Safe Mode’

Posted on September 21, 2023

If you use a Windows PC there will likely come a time when you need to start up Windows in Safe Mode for trouble-shooting purposes.

Which brings up a question you might be asking…

What is Safe Mode?

When you boot up Windows into Safe Mode only the bare essentials of the operating system are loaded.

Only the system’s basic hardware drivers are loaded, and no programs listed in the Startup folder are allowed to load and run.

In a nutshell, Safe Mode makes it much easier to troubleshoot and fix software problems such as bad drivers, corrupted Windows files, really viruses and a lot more.

How to boot Windows into Safe Mode [Read more…]

Give an old PC new life by replacing Windows with Linux

Posted on October 29, 2020

Do you have an older computer that you’re thinking about replacing because it runs too slowly?

Well, there is a much cheaper alternative (it’s free!) for you to consider.

I know how enticing the idea of simply junking it and replacing it with a brand new PC can be, but you might be better off replacing the operating system instead.

[Read more…]

PC Decrapifier: The 2nd thing you should run on your new Windows PC!

Posted on November 7, 2019

Are you planning to buy a brand new Windows computer?

If so, there are a couple of things you need to do the very first time you run it:

1 – Ensure that it’s protected with an effective anti-virus program.

2 – Keep your PC malware-free!

In a perfect world, this wouldn’t even be necessary, but sadly it is. [Read more…]

ReactOS – Another alternative for replacing Windows on an older PC

Posted on July 26, 2018

A while back I wrote this post about how replacing the now-abandoned older versions of Windows (such as XP and Vista) with Linux can give an older Windows PC a new lease on life.

I’ve received a lot of great feedback from that post from readers who have given Linux a try. Most of them seem to be happy with it, but many others not so much.

Several folks from the “not so much” group have asked me if there’s a non-Linux alternative to Windows that will actually run Windows programs instead of generic Linux-based alternatives.

Well, as it turns out the answer is yes. [Read more…]

How to use System Restore in Windows 7

Posted on December 22, 2012

system-restore-screenshot

The System Restore utility included with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows is one of the most wonderful tools Windows users have at their disposal. It works somewhat like a time machine, allowing you to restore your Windows installation and software back to the state they were in at any point in time at which a Restore Point was created. If you make a change to your system that renders it unbootable or if a virus or other problem causes issues with Windows performing the way it should, a System Restore can almost always save the day.

If System Restore is turned on, the system creates Restore Points automatically from time to time. Restore Points are also created before updates are installed or other major changes are made to your Windows installation. What’s more, you can create a Restore Point manually should you feel the need to do so for any reason. [Read more…]