Most people assume that deleting files and emptying the Recycle Bin permanently removes them—but that’s not true. Those “deleted” files still sit on your drive and can be restored with recovery tools. So how do you securely erase sensitive data? You can use sDelete, Microsoft’s tool to wipe data. Why...
How to Clean Up Old Windows Drivers and Hidden Files the Smart Way
Over time, hidden junk files and old drivers clog up Windows systems, slowing them down, and even introducing security vulnerabilities. That’s why it’s a good idea to ‘spring-clean' your computer every once in a while. Clearing away old junk files will speed up your computer and free up disk space...
Why Your PC Takes Forever to Start (and the Settings That Fix It)
Do apps from your previous session reopen when you start Windows? Or do some programs launch every time, even if you don’t use them? This can seriously slow down the boot process. Thankfully, Windows makes it easy to manage which apps launch on startup—and turning them off takes just a...
Your Weak, Old, Reused Passwords Are All Over the Internet
One leaked password to a critical account is a tragedy; 1.3 billion may just seem like a statistic. But security expert Troy Hunt's herculean task of combing through a massive roster of stolen logins provides some very practical insights for all of us. What matters is not so much the...
4 Common Ways Windows PCs Get Hacked and How to Stop Them
I've certainly seen my share of malware over the years, and while the methods evolve, our thinking must evolve too. It’s easy to believe the threats are all "advanced," but for everyday Windows users, the majority of compromises still come down to the same few glitches that are recognizable to...