Can’t Call In or Out on Android

Android SIM Calls Not Working While SMS Still Works

There are situations where a working SIM card is inserted into an Android phone, but the device suddenly becomes unable to make or receive voice calls while SMS and mobile data continue to work.

One possible cause is Advanced Protection on supported Android devices. Depending on the device and network configuration, this security feature can disable or restrict 2G connectivity. If the carrier's voice service relies on 2G in certain locations or circumstances, this may prevent voice calls from working even though SMS remains functional.

How to Fix It

On supported devices:

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to Security & privacy.

3. Select Advanced Protection.

4. Turn Device protection off.

5. Restart the phone and test incoming and outgoing calls.

If the phone is managed as a child account through Google Family Link, check the applicable device or account settings and make the same adjustment if Advanced Protection is being enforced.

Testing: This procedure was tested on a Google Pixel device.

Network: Tested with Globe and Smart mobile networks in the Philippines.

Network compatibility: This information is based on the network configurations and behavior observed in the Philippines as of September 2026. Carrier configurations may change over time, so the same behavior may not apply indefinitely.

Important: Settings and behavior may vary depending on the Android version, phone model, carrier, and network configuration. Disabling 2G protection reduces a security safeguard, so it should only be disabled when necessary and preferably re-enabled when the issue has been resolved.

Updated as of September 2026.

Bypass Microsoft Account on Windows 11 Installation

 

Bypassing the Microsoft Account Requirement

If you want to complete a Windows 11 installation without creating or signing in with a Microsoft Account, there are installation methods that may allow you to proceed with a local account.

Method 1: Use Command Prompt During Installation

During the Windows 11 setup process:

1. When you reach the screen requiring an internet connection or Microsoft Account, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

2. Type the following command:

   oobe\bypassnro

3. Press Enter.

4. The computer will restart automatically.

5. After the restart, continue through the Windows setup process.

6. When prompted to connect to the internet, select "I don't have internet."

7. Select the option to continue with a limited or local setup and create your local Windows account.

Note: The availability of this method can vary depending on the Windows 11 version and Microsoft’s changes to the out-of-box setup process.

Method 2: Use Rufus to Create the Installation USB

If you are performing a clean installation using a Windows 11 ISO, you can also use Rufus to create the bootable USB installer.

When creating the Windows 11 installation media, Rufus may provide Windows User Experience options that allow you to:

• Remove the requirement for an online Microsoft Account.

• Create a local user account during setup.

• Bypass certain Windows 11 hardware requirements, if necessary.

Download Rufus from the official website

This approach can be particularly convenient when preparing a fresh Windows 11 installation because the selected options are incorporated into the installation media before you begin the setup process.

Updated as of September 2026.

Razer Ripsaw HD - No Audio on OBS Studio

 If you encounter problems with your Razer Ripsaw HD, particularly experiencing audio issues while streaming with OBS, you should take the following steps.

The OBS Studio version utilized was 30.1.2 and was assessed on an ASUS G14 laptop operating on a fully updated Windows 11 23H2, as of May 1, 2024.

Looking at the settings of OBS Studio for your reference. Nothing was added or changed.

Only the default settings are there. You can replace the default Mic/Auxiliary Audio as you like.

1. Click the + button under the Sources on your chosen Scenes.

2. Click the Audio Input Capture.

3. Under Create new, enter a name of the Audio Source. For the example below, we'll use the "Audio Input Capture 2".

4. Under the Device dropdown, select the Microphone (Razer Ripsaw HD HDMI) then click Ok button below.

5. Go to Edit > Advanced Audio Properties.

6. Look for the Audio Input Capture 2 and set the Volume to 1100%. Make sure that the % in the Volume was checked.

7. Under the Audio Mixer, you should see the Green indicator of audio output under the Audio Input Capture 2.

8. If it didn't work, unplug the USB port on the Razer Ripsaw HD and insert it again. Wait for few seconds.

Ensure that there is an active video source with audio playing to conduct this test.

Updated as of September 2026.

Armoury Crate Not Loading When Pressing the ROG Button

 

If you are using an ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop and you cannot load the Armoury Crate by pressing the ROG button on your keyboard, you must do the following to restore it.

We assume that you have the latest Armoury Crate installed on your laptop and the ASUS System Control Interface V3 is also installed. You can download the following below.

Armoury-Crate | US | For Those Who Dare (asus.com)

For all Asus products (Search for your individual product)

Download Center | Official Support | ASUS Philippines

Go to Add or remove programs. You can press the Windows Key and type Add or remove programs to launch it.

Once inside the Add or remove programs, search for the Armoury Crate app.

Click the Option button (3 dots) then click Advanced options

Scroll down and look for the Reset. Click Reset button below.

After the reset, the button should work again.

This unwanted behavior could be triggered by updates on Armoury Crate which requires us to reset the application.

Updated as of September 2026.

Unsupported Protocol (Router's Admin Page)

 

There is a chance that opening your internet router's admin page would return the error "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx uses an unsupported protocol.". This is because newer versions of our web browsers requires TLS version 1.2 as the minimum. In order to access the old router's admin page, we need to enable the old TLS version.

For Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox.
2. In the address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
3. In the Search field, enter tls. Find and double-click the entry for security.tls.version.min.
4. Set the integer value to 1 to enable TLS 1.0 and 1.1.

Once the setting is saved, you can now open your router's admin page by visiting the right IP Address.

This fix also applies to third party websites that uses old version of TLS / SSL

It is not recommended to enable it permanently. Revert the settings back as soon as you finish configuring your routers.

Updated as of September 2026.

How to Migrate from Google G Suite Legacy to Free Gmail

 

Since Google G Suite Legacy would be retired by June 1, 2022, some of you might want to migrate to a free Gmail instead of paying Google for Google Workspace. The only thing that you need to consider is that your personalized domain would be gone and you will go back to @gmail.com email address. To migrate your data to the free email, follow the instructions below.

Login to your Google G Suite Legacy Account at https://gmail.com

Go to Settings then click See all settings.

Go to Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab then click Enable POP for all mail.

Go to Manage Your Google Account by clicking your icon on the upper right corner.

Go to Security then scroll down to Less secure app access. Turn it on!

Logout to your current email then login with your new Free Gmail Account at https://gmail.com.

Go to Settings then click See all settings.

Click the Accounts and Import tab then click Import mail and contacts.

Follow the instructions on the wizard. Just remember to key in the right password and the settings below.

POP Username: your complete email address ex. somebody@yourdomain.com
POP Server: pop.gmail.com
Port: 995
SSL: Enable

Once it is accepted then it would start the importation of all your emails. It could take a long time specially if you have lots of emails. You can logout from your email and just wait for it to complete.

Just make sure to update all your online accounts to reflect all your new email address. You also need to check all the recovery settings of all your existing accounts to make sure that all of them are updated with the new email address.

Next step is to migrate the Google Drive.

Login to your Google G Suite account.

Go to Admin.

Delete the user then on the wizard, you can select to whom you want to transfer all data before deleting it.

Updated as of September 2026.

Windows Security Not Loading on WIndows 11

 

After upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10, Windows Security might not be opening as you expected and would just show the dialog above. There is a quick fix for that. Just follow the instructions below.

Open the Windows PowerShell as Administrator.

Type the following then press Enter.

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

You can now try to open Windows Security.

This issue was identified as a bug in an earlier release of Windows 11. Microsoft has since addressed the issue, and it should no longer occur in subsequent versions.

Updated as of September 2026.

Bypass Windows 11 Requirements for Older PC

 

If your older PC does not officially meet the Windows 11 system requirements, you may still be able to install Windows 11 using unsupported installation methods. However, doing so is at your own risk, as Microsoft may not guarantee compatibility, updates, or support for unsupported hardware.

Keep in mind that your PC may still need to meet certain hardware requirements. In particular, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 for supported installations, although some older systems with earlier TPM versions may be able to bypass this requirement using unsupported installation methods.

Open REGEDIT by typing it from the search (Press Windows Key then start typing) or RUN.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.

Create a DWORD (32-bit) Value called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU if it doesn't already exist. (Right click on the blank part of the screen to show the option to create the DWORD)

Set AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU to 1. Once this is complete, restart your computer before continuing.

Download the Windows 11 ISO from the website below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Open the ISO file then click setup.

*You cannot use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant to upgrade. You really need to download the ISO. No need to burn it to a DVD. Just open it from your drive then it would automatically mount.

Clean Install of Windows 11

If you want to perform a clean installation of Windows 11, you can download the official Windows 11 ISO directly from Microsoft and use Rufus to create a bootable USB flash drive.

Downloads

• Windows 11 ISO: Download Windows 11 from Microsoft

• Rufus: Download Rufus

Create the Bootable USB

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's official website.

2. Download and run Rufus.

3. Connect a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage. All data on the USB drive will be erased.

4. In Rufus, select your USB drive under Device.

5. Under Boot selection, select Disk or ISO image, then click SELECT.

6. Choose the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded.

7. Select the appropriate partition scheme. GPT is generally recommended for modern UEFI systems.

8. Click START.

Bypass Windows 11 Hardware Requirements

If the computer does not meet Microsoft's hardware requirements, Rufus can offer options to create installation media that bypasses certain Windows 11 checks.

When Rufus displays the Windows User Experience options, select the applicable options such as:

• Remove requirement for TPM 2.0

• Remove requirement for Secure Boot

• Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM — if required

• Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account — optional

The exact options displayed may vary depending on the Windows 11 ISO and Rufus version.

9. Review the selected options and click OK.

10. Rufus will format the USB drive and create the Windows 11 installation media.

11. When finished, safely eject the USB drive.

12. Connect the USB drive to the target PC and restart it.

13. Open the PC's Boot Menu or UEFI/BIOS and select the USB drive.

14. Start Windows Setup and proceed with the clean installation.

Important

This bypass does not make unsupported hardware officially compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot capability for supported Windows 11 configurations.

If you install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, Microsoft states that the device is not supported and may not be entitled to updates. Proceed only if you understand and accept these limitations.

Always back up your important files before performing a clean installation. A clean installation can erase everything on the target drive.

Updated as of September 2026.

Where to Download Windows 10 or Windows 11?

You can download and install Windows 10 or Windows 11 directly from Microsoft's official website. This is the recommended and safer approach because Windows installation files obtained from unofficial third-party websites may be modified and could contain malware or other unwanted software.

There are several ways to install Windows 10 or Windows 11:

1. Upgrade an Existing Windows Installation
   Upgrade from Windows 10 or an earlier supported version of Windows 11 while keeping your files, applications, and settings where supported.

2. Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive
   Create bootable installation media that can be used to perform a clean installation or, depending on the installation method, an upgrade.

   You can use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool or a third-party utility such as Rufus to create a bootable USB installer from the official Windows ISO.

   Rufus: Download Rufus

3. Download the ISO File
   Download the official Windows ISO file and either create installation media, burn it to a DVD where supported, or keep the ISO for future use.

What if I don't have my Windows License or Product Key?

In many cases, you may not need to manually enter a Product Key.

When upgrading an already activated Windows installation, the activation information can be carried over to the new installation. On many modern PCs and laptops from major manufacturers (OEMs), the Windows license is embedded in the device's firmware or associated with the device's hardware, allowing Windows to activate automatically after installation.

For a clean installation, make sure the edition you install—such as Home or Pro—matches the license associated with the device.

Windows 11

Windows 11 Download Page — Microsoft

Windows 11 Installation Assistant — Used to upgrade a compatible existing Windows 10 installation or an earlier supported version of Windows 11.

Create Windows 11 Installation Media — Used to create a bootable USB flash drive or download the Windows 11 ISO for installation.

Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) — Allows you to download the official Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft for creating installation media or future use.

Windows 10

Windows 10 Download Page — Microsoft

Windows 10 Update Assistant — Used to upgrade an existing compatible Windows installation to Windows 10.

Create Windows 10 Installation Media — Allows you to create a bootable USB flash drive or download the Windows 10 ISO file.

Installing Windows 11 on Older Hardware

If your PC does not meet some of the official Windows 11 hardware requirements, there are installation methods that can bypass certain compatibility checks. These methods are intended for unsupported hardware and should be used with caution, as Microsoft does not guarantee support or updates for unsupported configurations.

For additional instructions on retrieving your Windows Product Key and working with Windows installations on older hardware, see:

Windows Installation and Product Key Guide: Tech&Ed — How to Retrieve Windows 10 Product Key

Note: Windows 10 reached the end of Microsoft's standard support lifecycle on October 14, 2025. For supported hardware, Windows 11 is the current Windows release to consider for a new installation.

Updated as of September 2026.

ABS-CBN TV Plus GO App (Version from Google Play Store)

Since ABS-CBN TV Plus GO App is not searchable from the Google Play Store, I'm sharing the direct link to Google Play Store to all so you can still use your existing ABS-CBN TV Plus Go dongle. You just need to rescan to get new channels.

Google Play Direct Link

TVplus GO - Apps on Google Play

How to Retrieve Windows 10 / 11 Product Key?

There are situations where you may need to reinstall Windows from scratch, whether you’re troubleshooting system issues or installing a fresh copy of Windows after replacing your SSD.

You can download the official Windows ISO files directly from Microsoft:

• Windows 10: Download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft

• Windows 11: Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft

Depending on your installation and license, you may need your Windows Product Key during the installation process.

If you have an existing, genuine Windows 10 / 11 installation, there is a simple way to retrieve the product key stored on your system before performing a clean installation.

Follow the instructions below to retrieve your Windows Product Key.

Open the "Command Prompt" as "Administrator".

On the prompt, type the command below.

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

You should now be able to retrieve your Windows 10 or Windows 11 Product Key and proceed with a clean installation using an official copy of Windows downloaded directly from Microsoft.

Note: This method retrieves the Windows Product Key stored in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware. In other words, it displays the original Windows license key embedded in the device by the manufacturer.

Updated as of September 2026.

Adobe Creative Cloud's "Loading Creative Cloud" Issue

Installing Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Premiere Rush or InDesign on Windows usually works well but there are cases that you would encounter issues like Creative Cloud App not loading and you're stuck with the "Loading Creative Cloud" screen. To fix this issue, you could do the following.

Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime

Go to "Add or remove programs".

Select each "Microsoft Visual C++ xxxx Redistributable".

Click "Modify".

Click "Repair".

Once all the repairs are completed then restart the computer.

Give Full Permissions to Adobe Folder for your user account.

Go to the following folders.

C:\Program Files\Adobe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe

Right click on each folder then click "Properties" then select "Security" tab.

Click "Edit".

Give "Full control" to your user account by clicking your username above then clicking the checkbox under the "Full control" below. Click "Apply" then try to load Creative Cloud App again.

Updated as of September 2026.

What is Patch Tuesday?

Microsoft Windows Logo

How Do You Know When Microsoft Releases New Patches?

If you want to know when Microsoft typically releases security patches and updates for its products, the answer is Patch Tuesday.

Patch Tuesday is Microsoft's regular monthly security update cycle. Microsoft generally releases security updates for supported products on the second Tuesday of each month, providing organizations with a predictable schedule for reviewing, testing, and deploying patches.

For IT teams, having a regular patch schedule makes it easier to:

• Prepare for upcoming patch deployments.
• Review security advisories and affected products.
• Test patches against existing applications and systems.
• Identify potential compatibility issues.
• Schedule and execute deployments with minimal disruption.

Microsoft may also release out-of-band (OOB) updates when a critical security issue or other urgent situation requires a patch outside the normal monthly schedule.

Security Recommendation: Regularly install security updates and patches on supported devices and applications. Keeping systems up to date is one of the fundamental measures for reducing exposure to known security vulnerabilities.

Updated as of September 2026.

Is Overcharging Your Phone Safe?

Proper Phone Charging and Battery Care

Proper charging habits can help extend the useful life of your phone's battery. You generally do not need to wait until the battery reaches 0% before charging. In fact, frequent deep discharges are unnecessary for modern lithium-ion batteries. Partial charging throughout the day is perfectly acceptable.

For everyday use, charging to around 80–90% and recharging when needed is a practical approach. You can also charge to 100% when you need the additional battery capacity.

Use a Quality Charger and Cable

Whenever possible, use the original charger and cable supplied with your phone or a reputable, standards-compliant replacement. Not all chargers and cables are manufactured to the same standards.

If you need an aftermarket charger, Anker and UGREEN are reputable options. Choose a model that supports the charging standards required by your specific phone, such as USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) or PPS, where applicable.

Is a Higher-Wattage Charger Safe?

Yes. A higher-wattage charger is generally safe as long as it is a reputable, standards-compliant charger and supports the appropriate charging protocol.

A 65W or 100W charger, for example, does not automatically force 65W or 100W into a phone that only supports a lower charging rate. The phone and charger negotiate the appropriate power level, and the phone controls how much power it accepts.

However, higher wattage does not necessarily mean faster charging. The phone's maximum supported charging rate, charging protocol, cable, temperature, and battery level determine the actual charging speed.

iPhone Battery Recommendations

For iPhone:

• Use Optimized Battery Charging where available.

• On iPhone 15 and later, you can use Charge Limit to set a maximum charge level between 80% and 100%.

• Avoid exposing the phone to excessive heat while charging. iOS can automatically slow or pause charging when temperatures become too high.

• Use a compatible USB-C Power Delivery charger for fast wired charging on supported iPhone models.

• Use quality, compliant charging cables and accessories.

Android Battery Recommendations

For Android:

• Use the manufacturer's recommended charger or a reputable compatible charger.

• Enable Adaptive Charging, Battery Protection, or an equivalent feature if your phone provides one.

• Some Android devices allow you to limit charging to around 80% to prioritize long-term battery health. For example, Google Pixel provides an 80% charge-limit option on supported devices.

• Avoid excessive heat while charging. Temperature is an important factor in battery degradation.

• You do not need to routinely discharge the battery to 0% to "calibrate" it. Modern phones manage battery capacity electronically.

Bottom line: You don't need to wait for your battery to reach 0%. Keep the battery reasonably charged, avoid excessive heat, use quality chargers and cables, and take advantage of your phone's built-in battery protection features.

Updated as of September 2026.

Prevent Gears of War 4 From Crashing on Windows

If Gears of War 4 is randomly crashing on Windows, make sure to turn off Asyc Compute under Options > Video - Advanced.

Gears of War 4 Settings

Alienware 17 R4 Issues and Fixes

Alienware 17 R4 is one of the best laptop that I've used in the past few years but it comes with some issues that needs to be addressed manually.

Issue 1: Keyboard is automatically entering 4444444 continuously or pressing left key automatically after Fresh Reset of Windows.
This issue is due to the outdated Tobii Eye Tracking Software. Once you activated Tobii Eye Tracking then the behavior starts happening. You need to visit https://tobiigaming.com/getstarted/ and download the latest version of the Tobii Eye Tracking Software for Alienware.


Issue 2: Black Screen on Bootup
There are cases that I randomly encountered black screen on bootup. To fix this issue, just disable the Windows 10 Fast Startup by going to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do (left) > Change settings that are currently not available  then uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)"

Tips: Make sure to update Windows and run Alienware Update regularly.

How to Clear LinkedIn and Facebook Link Preview Cache?

How to Refresh Link Previews on LinkedIn and Facebook

When you share a website link on LinkedIn or Facebook, the preview may sometimes display an outdated title, description, image, or other information—even after the actual webpage has been updated.

This happens because social media platforms cache information from shared URLs to improve performance and reduce repeated requests to the original website. LinkedIn and Facebook may store the metadata they previously retrieved from a page, which means an updated webpage may not immediately appear in a new post.

If you have recently updated a webpage and want the social media preview to reflect the latest information, you can manually refresh the cached data.

LinkedIn

1. Visit the LinkedIn Post Inspector:
   LinkedIn Post Inspector

2. Enter the webpage URL.

3. Click Inspect.

4. LinkedIn will retrieve the latest available information from the webpage and refresh its cached preview data.

Facebook

1. Visit the Facebook Sharing Debugger:
   Facebook Sharing Debugger

2. Enter the webpage URL.

3. Click Debug.

4. If necessary, use the available option to Scrape Again so Facebook retrieves the latest page information.

After refreshing the cached information, try sharing the same URL again. The preview should now reflect the updated title, description, and image from the webpage.

Tip: Make sure your webpage has the correct Open Graph metadata (og:title, og:description, and og:image) before refreshing the social media cache. These metadata tags determine much of the information displayed in link previews.

Updated as of September 2026.

How to Play Videos That Won't Play on Windows

Playing Videos on Windows

Playing videos on a Windows PC should be straightforward, but there are times when a video simply won't play. You might assume that the file is damaged or corrupted, but often the issue is that the video was encoded using a codec or format that Windows does not support by default.

DVD playback can also be an issue on a fresh Windows installation. Microsoft removed built-in DVD playback support from Windows several years ago, so additional software may be required.

There are two tools I commonly recommend:

• VLC Media Player
  Download VLC Media Player

• K-Lite Codec Pack
  Download K-Lite Codec Pack

When Should You Use VLC?

VLC Media Player should be your first choice if you simply want to play videos or audio files.

VLC is a standalone, open-source media player with built-in support for a very wide range of video and audio formats. It does not normally require you to install additional codecs.

Use VLC when:

• A video does not play in Windows Media Player.

• You want to play different video or audio formats.

• You need to play DVDs or other media supported by VLC.

• You want a simple, all-in-one media player.

• You need to play network streams.

For most users, VLC alone is sufficient for everyday video and audio playback.

When Should You Use K-Lite Codec Pack?

K-Lite Codec Pack is useful when you want other Windows applications to support additional video and audio formats.

Unlike VLC, which primarily uses its own built-in decoding components, K-Lite installs codecs and related components that can be used by compatible applications that rely on system codecs.

Use K-Lite when:

• A video needs to play inside another Windows application.

• You use media applications that depend on system-installed codecs.

• Windows Explorer or other applications need additional codec support.

• You need more control over how different codecs and media formats are handled.

Which One Should You Install?

For the average Windows user, start with VLC. It is simpler and avoids changing the system-wide codec environment.

Install K-Lite Codec Pack when you specifically encounter a compatibility issue with another application that VLC cannot solve because the application requires system-level codec support.

You generally do not need to install both just to watch videos. Using VLC as your primary media player is usually the simplest approach, while K-Lite is more useful for specific compatibility requirements.

Updated as of September 2026.

Do I Need Anti-Virus on Windows?

Do You Still Need Antivirus Software on Your PC?

One of the most common questions among PC users is whether you still need to install separate antivirus software. The answer has changed significantly over the years.

If you were using a PC 15–20 years ago, my answer would have been a definite yes. I started using PCs during an era when installing antivirus software was considered essential. Norton AntiVirus, for example, was one of the most recognized antivirus products at the time and was widely regarded as a standard security solution for Windows PCs.

The Era of Free Antivirus

During the Windows 7 era, Microsoft offered Microsoft Security Essentials, a free antivirus and malware-protection solution for Windows.

Microsoft Security Essentials Information

Microsoft Security Essentials provided basic protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. Other well-known companies also offered free antivirus products, including AVG, Avira, and Avast.

Windows Defender and Built-in Protection

Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft integrated its built-in antimalware protection directly into Windows. It was initially known as Windows Defender, and Microsoft has continued to expand its capabilities in subsequent versions of Windows.

Today, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 11 as part of Windows Security. It provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, and other threats, along with additional security features such as firewall protection, SmartScreen, and hardware-based security capabilities on supported systems.

For the majority of users, the built-in Microsoft security features provide a solid baseline of protection without requiring a separate third-party antivirus application. It also integrates directly with Windows and can reduce the need for additional security software running in the background.

Do You Still Need Third-Party Antivirus?

For most home and general-purpose users, installing another antivirus program is not necessarily required. Microsoft Defender can provide comprehensive baseline protection when Windows, applications, and security definitions are kept up to date.

However, organizations and advanced users may have specific requirements that justify additional endpoint security products, particularly when centralized management, advanced threat detection, compliance requirements, or additional security controls are needed.

Remember: Antivirus Is Not Enough

No antivirus solution can protect you from every possible threat. Modern attacks can also rely on phishing, malicious websites, social engineering, stolen credentials, compromised accounts, and vulnerabilities in outdated software.

Good security practices remain essential:

• Keep Windows and applications updated.

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication.

• Be cautious with email attachments and unfamiliar links.

• Avoid downloading software from untrusted or unauthorized sources.

• Do not disable security features unless there is a specific and justified reason.

• Maintain regular backups of important files.

• Keep your browser and other frequently used applications updated.

The best security strategy is layered protection: keep your operating system and applications patched, use the built-in security controls provided by Windows, practice safe browsing and computing habits, and maintain reliable backups.

Updated as of September 2026.

How to Format / Reset Windows?

How to Reset Your Windows PC

Many people need technical assistance when their Windows PC starts experiencing slowdowns, errors, or other system problems. In the past, reinstalling Windows typically required creating a bootable USB drive or downloading an ISO and burning it to a DVD—steps that could be difficult for less experienced users.

Microsoft made this process significantly easier with the introduction of Reset/Refresh your PC in Windows 8. Similar to restoring a mobile device, Windows can now reset the operating system through a guided process without requiring you to manually create installation media.

Before resetting your PC, make sure you have:

• Backed up all important files.

• Saved your software licenses and product keys.

• Confirmed that you have installation files or access to the applications you need afterward.

• Backed up browser data and other important settings where necessary.

You can back up your files to an external SSD or HDD, or use cloud storage services such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

How to Start the Reset

On newer versions of Windows:

1. Press the Windows Key.

2. Type Reset this PC.

3. Select Reset this PC from the search results.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose the appropriate reset option.

Depending on your Windows version, you may be given options such as Keep my files or Remove everything.

For older versions of Windows, such as Windows 8, the feature may be presented under slightly different wording, such as Reset your PC.

Important: A reset can remove applications, settings, and potentially personal files depending on the option selected. Always maintain a verified backup before proceeding.

 

You can also go to Settings > Updates and Security > Recovery. This will bring you to the Recovery window.

Click the "Get Started" under "Recovery".

If you want to get rid of all your files then choose "Remove everything". This is the recommended way. In case you selected "Keep my files", only the programs installed on Windows (including Microsoft Office) will be removed and all your files will be intact.

The entire process will take at least 20 minutes to few hours depending on the speed of your machine. Once the refresh process is completed, make sure to run the following.

• Windows Update
• Disk Cleanup (Select Cleanup system files and check everything)

Your newly reinstalled Windows is now ready for use.

Updated as of September 2026.