Windows Threads
Join the How-To Geek community chatting about all things Windows.
What's the Minimum Amount of RAM You Need in a PC?
If you were buying or building a computer today, what's the minimum amount of RAM you personally would need it to have? I was surprised to see Amazon still features some budget laptops with 4GB of RAM. For daily use, I wouldn't buy anything with less than 12GB if I can avoid it.
Which Windows PowerToy Should More People Use?
If you work on Windows a lot and have for a long time, you've probably discovered PowerToys, Microsoft's collection of free tools that will help you be productive and customize your PC experience. From keyboard remapping to mass-renaming of files, there's a lot you can do with PowerToys. Which is your favorite?
What Do You Do With Windows Subsystem for Linux?
Microsoft has been offering a tool for using Linux operating systems and applications on Windows for almost a decade now as WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). There are several reasons to use WSL, though to be frank, I've always preferred to just use a Linux operating system bare metal when I have a Linux task. If you use WSL, what do you do with it?
Which GPU Brand Do You Buy?
When you buy a graphics card, you have to choose a manufacturer you're going to get it from. There's Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and more out there. What GPU brand do you prefer?
How Fast Do You Type on Your Computer?
Despite taking a typing class in college, I'm not the fastest typist. I clock in at around 60 words per minute most of the time. With skill, you can type much faster than that. What's your top typing speed?
How Often Do You Back Up Your Computer?
If you don't want to ever lose your data, you need to back up your files regularly. Ideally you follow the 3-2-1 rule, with three different copies of your data in two different mediums, with one off-site. How often are you backing up the data on your PC, whether it's automatic or manual?
What's the Easiest Video Editor for Windows?
What's the easiest video editor for Windows right now if you want to create shorts and reels on social media?
Do You Like Windows 11?
I've increasingly noticed it in doctor's office and businesses I visit, people using Windows 11 instead of Windows 10 to do their work. Windows 10 support is expiring later this year, so it's inevitable. If you're using it already, what do you think of it? Do you think it's better or worse than earlier versions of Windows?
How Would You Improve the Windows 11 Start Menu?
Microsoft this week previewed a new version of the Start menu for Windows 11, including a wider frame and a different layout for app lists. It's limited to Insider builds at the moment, but the changes may be coming to a Windows 11 PC near you. If you were redesigning the Start menu, though, what would you want changed?
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What's the Most Frustrating PC Problem You've Solved?
It's just a matter of time before the computer you're using develops a problem that makes it almost too annoying to use. My most frustrating one might be how Windows 11 kept uninstalling the drivers for my graphics card with every update. After months of pulling my hair out, my solution was just to stop using Windows. How did you troubleshoot your worst computer issue?
What Laptop Brand Is Your Go-To?
Part of choosing a laptop is deciding what brand you trust, and in some ways what brand you can afford. Is there a computer manufacturing brand you're loyal to, or do you make a brand-agnostic needs-based assessment every time you buy one?
How Do You Move Files From Your Phone to Your PC?
There comes a time when you own both a phone and a computer that you have a file on your phone that needs to get to the computer somehow. You have a lot of options for moving files between computers and phones, from USB cables to cloud drives to dedicated apps. When you're in that situation, what do you use to move the file?
Are You Buying the New AMD Graphics Cards?
Retailers started selling AMD's new RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards this past week, bringing a lot of power to with them. Compared to Nvidia's latest, they're far more affordable, going for typically under $700. Do you plan on buying one, or have you already?
Where Do You Go to Buy Computer Parts?
You can buy computer parts at lots of places, from Amazon to eBay to Facebook Marketplace to yard sales. Personally I buy new parts from Micro Center when I can, and I go to eBay if I want to find something used. Where do you find the best deals for PC parts?
Which Is the Best Kind of PC Cooling System?
Computers generate heat, and you have to keep that managed somehow, whether it's water cooling, fans, or passive cooling. When building a PC, what kind of cooling system do you recommend?
Do You Think the New Framework PC Is Worth It?
Framework, known for its upgradable laptops, this week revealed its first desktop PC, simply called the Framework Desktop. It's a "DIY" PC that you can buy in a partially pre-built state but that does require some assembly and allows for a lot of expansion. The base configuration will run you $1,099. Do you think it's worth the price?
Do You Have an SSD or HDD in Your PC?
While SSDs (solid-state drives) have been around for a while, the world of HDDs (hard disk drives) is still thriving and evolving. SSDs in one form or another have essentially become the standard for boot drives, but you can certainly replace them with HDDs if you want. Or, if there's enough physical space, install a supplementary HDD for more storage. Is your PC using an SSD or HDD? Or both?
How Much Do You Spend on PC Gear Every Year?
Looking at some deals at my local Micro Center has me thinking about my computer parts and accessories budget. The costs can add up, especially if you're into the addicting hobby of PC building. What do you estimate you're investing in your desktop or laptop every year, or maybe across years?
What Are Your Portable Monitor Recommendations?
Has anyone had any experience of using portable monitors with a laptop? Are there any conditions or limitations that depend on the specifications of the laptop?
Do You Think Copilot+ PCs Are Worth It?
Microsoft has been promoting laptops and 2-in-1's with the Copilot+ branding for close to a year now. They come with hardware for local machine learning tasks, and additional features that take advantage of that hardware. Do you think these PCs are worth springing for?
Do You Have a 4K Webcam? Is It Worth It?
I was in a meeting yesterday admiring my visage, as I typically spend meetings, and I started wondering whether I'd look better with a 4K webcam. They exist, though they seem like they have to be overkill unless I'm frequently presenting. Do you have one? And do you think they're worth it?
What Do You Have on Your Computer Desk?
Considering you're probably sitting there for hours on end, your desks' composition of gadgets, accessories, and decorations can have a major effect on your productivity and overall computing experience. Aside from the standard peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, I for example have a soft desk mat, a small adjustable desk lamp, a fidget toy, and a drawer full of flash drives and short USB cables. What do you keep at your desk?
Which Classic Windows Game Do You Think Was the Best?
From Solitaire to SkiFree, Windows has a long and storied tradition of including fun games either with the operating system or with "Entertainment Packs." Which classic Windows game do you think was the best? I think I look back on "Hover!" with the most nostalgia, though I probably played Solitaire the most.
How Often Do You Factory Reset Windows?
Yesterday I decided it was time to factory reset my Windows 11 installation. I'd switched to the Insider Program which was giving me a lot of app-breaking updates, and my storage was taken up by a bunch of random apps I've installed over the years that I don't use anymore. I decided it was best to start with a clean slate, so I initiated a factory reset. How often do you reset your Windows PC, if ever? If you haven't ever done that, why not?
Which Windows Shortcuts Do You Think Everyone Should Know?
Using keyboard shortcuts is a great way to increase productivity and just generally spend less time doing monotonous tasks on your computer. Whether it's a general desktop shortcut or inside an app like Microsoft Excel, which shortcuts do you think more people should know about?
How Much RAM Did Your First Computer Have?
While modern PCs come built with upwards of 64GB of RAM preinstalled, the PCs of years past of course had random access memory far more humble in size. When you first got a computer, how much RAM was it packing? How does it compare to your current PC?
What Are Your Favorite Freeware Windows Apps?
What are your top free apps for Windows? Here are some of mine: Everything: File searching for my PC. So fast, it's mind-blowing. Full wildcard searches, extensions, date, and more. PeaZip: Great zip app and easy operation from the Windows context menu. PDF24: If you're not using this to do all your PDF work, you're missing out. FastStone Image Viewer: Best and fastest image viewer with basic image editing. It's great and I've used it for many years as a graphics designer and photographer.
Have You Ever Built a PC?
One thing that PCs still have going for them over smartphones is that, if you want, you can easily build one yourself and customize it to your preferences. Of course, for that to be worth it, you have to know what you want first. So have you ever built a PC? If you have, what's your build like? If you haven't what do you think you would build?
How Much RAM Does Your Computer Have?
I was talking with a family member the other day about how much RAM they really needed in the PC they wanted to buy. In the laptop I'm using now, I have 16GB of RAM, and that suits me for what I need to do with it. How much RAM is inside your computer right now? (Hint: If you don't know, you can see our guide to checking RAM.)
