Windows tips Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I have Windows start up with one specific folder already open?

Posted on October 28, 2022

Question from Alma: I have a computer with Windows 11 on it and I’m hoping you can answer a question for me.

Every time I use my computer I start by accessing the files in one specific folder and I keep that folder open at all times.

It’s a hassle having to open File Explorer and navigate to that folder every time I turn on the computer.

It would be wonderful if I could have Windows start up every time with that folder already open so I can get right to work.

Is that possible? If it is, how do I set it up? [Read more…]

How to add new local user account in Windows 11

Posted on July 18, 2022

It’s no secret that Microsoft wants every Windows 11 user to sign into their PC with a Microsoft account.

In fact, they have even designed Windows 11 in a way that prevents a few of its most useful features from even working if you’re signed in with a local account.

But guess what? I don’t really like the idea of signing in to my computer with an Internet-based account, for various reasons (privacy and security just to name a couple).

If you feel the same way, I’m here to tell you it’s still possible to create new local user accounts and sign into them without entering any Microsoft login credentials. [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I get Desktop icons to open with a single click?

Posted on May 26, 2022

Question from Marie: I have a neurological disorder that makes it hard for me to double-click because my hands shake so bad.

When I bought my computer they set it up for me so that I could click on a desktop icon and it would open with a single click.

Ever since the last update was installed I have to click on an icon twice to get it to open. That’s very difficult for me.

How can I get the single click to start working again?

[Read more…]

Q&A: How do I disable User Account Control in Windows?

Posted on January 29, 2022

Question from Danny: I recently bought a Dell desktop computer and it’s driving me crazy.

Every time I try to install a new program a stupid “User Account Control” box pops up asking for permission to make changes to the system. I find this extremely annoying.

My question is how do I disable those annoying User Account Control pop-ups?

[Read more…]

How to copy the full pathname of a file to the Windows Clipboard

Posted on December 30, 2021

When using Microsoft Windows, there are times when we need to find the entire path to a file’s exact ‘location’ on the hard drive (i.e. the file’s pathname).

For example, some of the tips I post on this blog require entering a file’s full pathname into a text field of some sort.

Back in the Stone Age of personal computing when the DOS operating system ruled the roost, determining a file’s pathname was easy…. [Read more…]