How to Enable or Disable Developer Mode in Windows 11

Developer Mode in Windows 11 allows users to install apps from outside the Microsoft Store, use advanced debugging tools, and enable device portal for remote deployment of apps. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to enable or disable Developer Mode in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Privacy & Security.

Step 2: Access For Developers Settings

1. Scroll down the Privacy & Security section and click on For developers.
2. In this section, you will find options related to Developer Mode and other development features.

Step 3: Enable Developer Mode

1. Under the Developer Mode heading, toggle the switch to On.
2. A warning message will appear stating that enabling Developer Mode can expose your device and personal data to security risks. If you're sure you want to proceed, click Yes.

Quote:Note: Enabling Developer Mode allows you to install and test apps from sources other than the Microsoft Store, including custom apps developed by yourself.

How to Use Disk Cleanup in Windows 11

Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility in Windows 11 that helps you free up disk space by removing unnecessary files like temporary files, system cache, and previous Windows installations. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to use Disk Cleanup effectively to clean up your system and improve its performance.

Step 1: Open Disk Cleanup

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Disk Cleanup.
2. Select Disk Cleanup from the search results.

Step 2: Select the Drive to Clean

1. When the Disk Cleanup utility opens, you will be prompted to select a drive.
2. Choose the drive you want to clean up (typically C:, where Windows is installed) from the drop-down menu.
3. Click OK.

Step 3: Choose Files to Delete

1. Disk Cleanup will scan your selected drive and display a list of file categories you can delete.
2. Review the list and check the boxes next to the file types you want to remove. Common categories include:
  - Temporary Internet Files
  - Downloaded Program Files
  - Recycle Bin
  - Temporary files
  - System cache

Quote:Note: Be cautious when selecting file types. Only delete files that you no longer need, such as temporary files or items in the Recycle Bin.

Quote:Note: If you choose to delete Previous Windows installations, you will not be able to roll back to a previous version of Windows.

How to Add "Kill all not responding tasks" Context Menu in Windows 11

Sometimes, you might encounter unresponsive applications or tasks that you need to close quickly. By adding a "Kill all not responding tasks" option to the context menu in Windows 11, you can easily terminate all tasks that are not responding with a single click. This guide will show you how to add this feature using a simple registry tweak.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow access to the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the Context Menu Key

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

 

How to Use Startup Repair in Windows 11

Startup Repair is a useful troubleshooting tool in Windows 11 that helps diagnose and fix problems that prevent your PC from booting up properly. This guide will show you how to use Startup Repair to resolve startup issues and get your system back to normal.

Step 1: Boot into the Advanced Startup Options

Before you can use Startup Repair, you need to access the Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11. Here are a few ways to do that:

Method 1: Using Settings
1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on System.
3. Scroll down and select Recovery.
4. Under the Recovery options section, find Advanced startup, and click Restart now.

Quote:Note: Your system will restart, and you’ll be taken to the Advanced Startup menu.

Quote:Note: Your computer may restart several times during the repair process.

How to Enable and Disable Services in Windows 11

Windows 11 runs various background services to manage system processes, network connections, security, and more. Sometimes, you may need to enable or disable services to optimize performance or troubleshoot issues. This guide will walk you through how to enable and disable services in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Services Window

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Services.
2. Click on Services from the search results. This will open the Services window, where you can manage all Windows services.

Step 2: Locate the Service You Want to Manage

1. In the Services window, you will see a list of all services available on your system. The list includes the service name, description, status, and startup type.
2. Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the bottom to locate the specific service you want to enable or disable.

Step 3: Enable a Service

1. To enable a service, find the service in the list and check its current status in the Status column.
  - If the status is Stopped, it means the service is disabled or not running.
2. Right-click on the service and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, go to the Startup type drop-down menu and select Automatic (to start the service automatically with Windows) or Manual (to start the service manually when needed).
4. To start the service immediately, click on the Start button under Service status.
5. Click OK to apply the changes.

Step 4: Disable a Service

1. To disable a service, locate the service in the list and check its current status.
  - If the status is Running, it means the service is active.
2. Right-click on the service and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, go to the Startup type drop-down menu and select Disabled. This prevents the service from starting with Windows.
4. If the service is currently running, click the Stop button under Service status to stop it immediately.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

Step 5: Restore a Service to Default Settings (Optional)

If you need to reset a service to its default settings, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the service and select Properties.
2. In the Startup type drop-down menu, select the default option (typically Automatic or Manual, depending on the service).
3. Click OK to apply the changes.

Common Services You Might Want to Enable or Disable

Here are some common Windows services that users often manage:

- Windows Update: Controls system updates. Disable if you want to prevent automatic updates.
- Windows Search: Manages the indexing of files for faster search results.
- Superfetch/SysMain: Optimizes performance by preloading frequently used apps into memory.
- Print Spooler: Manages print jobs. Disable if you don't use a printer.
- Bluetooth Support Service: Manages Bluetooth devices and connections.

Warning: Be Careful When Disabling Services

Disabling certain services may cause system instability or prevent Windows from functioning correctly. Only disable services if you are sure they are not essential for your system. Before disabling a service, it is a good idea to research what it does and whether it is safe to disable.

Conclusion

Enabling or disabling services in Windows 11 allows you to control how system processes run in the background. By following this guide, you can manage services to optimize system performance or troubleshoot issues. Always be cautious when making changes to services, as some are critical to system stability.

How to Add or Remove Optional Features in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers various optional features that you can enable or disable depending on your needs. These features include tools and services such as Hyper-V, Telnet, Windows Subsystem for Linux, and more. This guide will show you how to easily add or remove optional features in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Apps.
3. Scroll down and select Optional Features under the Apps & features section.

Step 2: Add Optional Features

1. In the Optional Features window, scroll down and click View features next to Add an optional feature.
2. A list of available optional features will appear. You can search for a specific feature using the search bar or scroll through the list to find what you need.
3. Select the checkbox next to the feature(s) you want to add.
4. Click the Next button.
5. Review the features you selected, and then click Install.
6. The selected feature(s) will be downloaded and installed. You may need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Step 3: Remove Optional Features

1. In the Optional Features window, scroll down to see the list of features currently installed on your system.
2. To remove a feature, click on the feature from the list.
3. Click Uninstall, and Windows will remove the feature from your system.
4. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Step 4: Manage Windows Features (Control Panel Method)

In addition to the Settings app, you can manage optional features through the Control Panel, which includes additional system-level features like Hyper-V, .NET Framework, and more.

Step 4.1: Open Control Panel

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Control Panel.
2. Select Control Panel from the search results.

Step 4.2: Access Windows Features

1. In Control Panel, click on Programs.
2. Under Programs and Features, click Turn Windows features on or off.

Step 4.3: Add or Remove Features

1. A list of Windows features will appear. Features with checkboxes next to them are currently enabled.
2. To add a feature, check the box next to the feature you want to enable.
3. To remove a feature, uncheck the box next to the feature you want to disable.
4. Click OK, and Windows will apply the changes.
5. You may be prompted to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Common Optional Features You Can Enable in Windows 11

Here are some common optional features you can enable or disable based on your requirements:

- Hyper-V: Virtualization technology to run virtual machines.
- .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8: Required by many apps and services for compatibility.
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Enables you to run Linux distributions on Windows.
- Telnet Client: A command-line tool to connect to remote devices.
- Windows Sandbox: A lightweight virtual environment to test applications safely.

Conclusion

Adding or removing optional features in Windows 11 allows you to customize your system based on your specific needs. Whether you're enabling virtualization through Hyper-V or adding developer tools like Windows Subsystem for Linux, this guide provides an easy-to-follow process to manage optional features in both the Settings app and Control Panel.

How to Boot to UEFI BIOS Firmware Settings in Windows 11

UEFI BIOS firmware settings allow you to configure low-level settings on your PC, such as boot order, system security, and hardware configurations. In Windows 11, you can boot directly into UEFI BIOS settings without needing to press any keys during startup. Here's a detailed guide on how to access UEFI BIOS settings in Windows 11.

Method 1: Boot to UEFI BIOS via Settings

You can easily access UEFI BIOS settings through the Windows 11 Settings app.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on System.

Step 2: Access the Recovery Options

1. Scroll down and select Recovery from the list of options.
2. Under the Recovery options section, locate the Advanced startup option.
3. Click the Restart now button next to Advanced startup.

Quote:Note: You will be prompted to confirm the restart. Click Restart now, and your system will reboot into the Advanced Startup menu.

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How to Change Lid Close Action in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows users to customize what happens when they close their laptop lid, such as putting the laptop to sleep, shutting it down, or doing nothing. This guide will show you how to change the lid close action based on your preferences.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Control Panel.
2. Select Control Panel from the search results to open it.

Step 2: Access Power Options

1. In the Control Panel window, click on Hardware and Sound.
2. Under the Power Options section, click on Change what closing the lid does.

Step 3: Customize Lid Close Action

1. In the Define power buttons and turn on password protection window, find the section labeled When I close the lid.
2. You will see two options:
  - On battery: Defines the action when the laptop is running on battery power.
  - Plugged in: Defines the action when the laptop is connected to a power source.
 
3. Use the drop-down menus to select what happens when you close the lid:
  - Do nothing: The laptop continues running even if the lid is closed.
  - Sleep: The laptop goes into sleep mode.
  - Hibernate: The laptop enters hibernation, saving your session to the hard drive and powering down.
  - Shut down: The laptop shuts down completely when the lid is closed.

4. After selecting your preferred action, click Save changes to apply the settings.

Step 4: Test the New Settings

After making changes to the lid close action, you can test them by closing your laptop's lid. Based on the settings you chose, the system should perform the specified action (e.g., sleep, hibernate, or shut down).

Additional Tips

1. You can quickly access Power Options by right-clicking the battery icon in the taskbar and selecting Power Options.
2. If you're using a docking station or external monitor, you may want to set the lid close action to Do nothing so that your laptop continues to run even when the lid is closed.
3. To revert to the default settings, repeat the steps above and set the lid close action back to Sleep or another desired option.

Conclusion

Changing the lid close action in Windows 11 is a useful way to control how your laptop behaves when you're not using it. Whether you prefer your laptop to sleep, shut down, or continue running with the lid closed, these steps will help you customize the behavior to suit your workflow.

How to Create New Environment Variables in Windows 11

Environment variables in Windows 11 are system-wide or user-specific settings that affect how processes and applications run. These variables can be used to store paths, directories, or any other system configuration details. This guide will walk you through the process of creating new environment variables in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the System Properties Window

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Environment Variables.
2. Select the option labeled Edit the system environment variables from the search results. This will open the System Properties window.

Step 2: Access Environment Variables

1. In the System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab.
2. At the bottom of this tab, click the Environment Variables button. This will open the Environment Variables window, where you can view and edit existing variables or create new ones.

Step 3: Create a New User or System Variable

In the Environment Variables window, you have the option to create new environment variables for either the current user or the entire system.

1. Under the User variables section (for the current user) or System variables section (for all users), click the New button.

2. In the New User Variable or New System Variable dialog box, you will need to provide two pieces of information:
  - Variable name: The name of the environment variable.
  - Variable value: The value that this variable should hold. For example, this could be a file path, a folder, or a specific configuration setting.

3. After entering the variable name and value, click OK.

Example: Creating a Path Variable

1. To add a new directory to your system's path, follow these steps:
  - Under the System variables section, scroll down and select the Path variable.
  - Click Edit, then in the Edit Environment Variable window, click New.
  - Enter the full path to the directory you want to add (for example, `C:\Program Files\MyApplication`).
  - Click OK to save the changes.

Step 4: Verify the New Environment Variable

After creating a new environment variable, you can verify that it was added successfully:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command to display the value of the variable you created: