That’s right, Microsoft will no longer support it starting October 14th, 2015.

Back in 2014, when Windows 10 got its name, many people were confused. Why did Microsoft opt to skip from Windows 8 directly to Windows 10? Was nine a number of evil in Japan?

Business insider Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet considered that it was named such a monumental number “because they wanted to signify that the coming Windows release would be the last ‘major’ Windows update.”

Instead of large updates and changes, Windows would focus on smaller, more concise patches over time.

We were happy with that potential explanation. The whiplash of Windows versions over the years, going from hot to cold over and over, gave us fatigue. Then, they announced Windows 11 in 2021—those bastards.

Windows 10 is dead. Long live Windows 10

Microsoft gave a roadmap update this week, explaining that update 22H2 will be the last. That’s great that we have a clear end date. But remember that whiplash from earlier?

If you have updated your Windows 10 PC anytime since October 2022, you have 22H2. The last major update was six months ago, and you never knew.

The good news is that we will continue to get security patches and basic updates until October 2025.

The bad news is that many machines out there need massive upgrades or entire replacements in the next two years.

Even the computer this article is being written on isn’t compatible with Windows 11, as the processor is not up to snuff.

As mentioned, you still have a few years to make the official final move. October 14th, 2025, is far enough away that you can grab yourself something with Windows 11 for cheap. They even come ultra-portable nowadays.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Microsoft says they’re sunsetting Windows 10 in 2025 appeared first on KnowTechie.

This even extends to the classic Windows Start Menu that many of us first encountered on our personal computers.

But now that it’s gone, do you ever find yourself asking yourself, “how do I get the classic Start Menu in Windows 10?”

Well, you’re not alone, and someone is here to answer your prayers.

Enter Stardock Start11

Thankfully, with Stardock Start11, you can now restore the appearance of the beloved classic Windows Start Menu with just a small investment of a few dollars.

Editor's Pick

Stardock Start11

4.5

Stardock Start11 provides a way for users to personalize their Windows 10 Start menu and bring back some of the features and familiarity of earlier Windows versions. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the classic Start menu or simply looking for ways to customize your Windows experience, Start11 is worth considering.

Check Price

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

The great news is that the Stardock Start11 program can be yours free of charge for the first 30 days, and after that, it only costs $4.99.

What is Stardock Start11?

Stardock Start11 is a software program designed to bring back the classic Start menu experience that some users may miss in Windows 10.

With Start11, users can tailor the Start menu to their liking, from customizing the color and texture to adding new shortcuts and folders.

Its biggest feature, however, offers the ability to switch between the Windows 10 and classic Start menus and even hide the Windows 10 Start button entirely.

This handy plugin is incredibly easy to install and doesn’t require any complicated instructions or even a reboot to start working

How to change Windows 10 Start Menu to Classic

Once you’ve successfully installed Stardock Start11 on your Windows 10 device, open up the Start Menu, and you’ll be transported back to the classic appearance of Windows 7.

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 have officially reached the end of their life cycle

Microsoft has officially turned off support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 with the end of security updates.

PSA: Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are officially dead

This nostalgic design was last offered in Windows 7, and now you can enjoy it once again with the help of this innovative Windows utility.

Okay, what are Stardock Start11’s best features?

Stardock Start11 offers a number of options for you to use, starting with which particular appearance you want for Windows.

• Classic
• New
• Fusion

Fusion is a unique program that seamlessly blends the old and new versions of Windows, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your desktop.

Stardock Start11

4.5

Stardock Start11 provides a way for users to personalize their Windows 10 Start menu and bring back some of the features and familiarity of earlier Windows versions. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the classic Start menu or simply looking for ways to customize your Windows experience, Start11 is worth considering.

Check Price

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

With Fusion, you can easily change the color scheme, adjust the size of your icons, and even add new options to your taskbar and Start menu.

By default, there’s a convenient shortcut to all of the Universal Applications that are included in the program.

This means that you can easily access all of the apps you need without having to search for them or create your own shortcuts.

The Bottom Line

Stardock Start11 is a simple and user-friendly program that enables you to turn back the clock and revisit the classic Windows Start menus of the past.

With its easy-to-use interface and customizable features, this program is an excellent tool for anyone who longs for the nostalgia of the Windows operating systems of yesteryear.

Can you downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10?

Can a PC that came with Windows 11 be downgraded to Windows 10? Here’s what you need to know.

Can you revert Windows 11 back to Windows 10?

Get the classic start button back in Windows 10 or Windows 11

If you’re interested in exploring the many features and benefits of Stardock Start11 for yourself, click on the box below to learn more and download the program today.

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to bring back the classic Windows Start menu and customize your desktop experience to your liking.

Stardock Start11

4.5

Stardock Start11 provides a way for users to personalize their Windows 10 Start menu and bring back some of the features and familiarity of earlier Windows versions. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the classic Start menu or simply looking for ways to customize your Windows experience, Start11 is worth considering.

What we liked: Every aspect of your Start menu can be customized from top to bottom. You can effortlessly modify the color scheme, adjust the transparency, tweak the spacing, and align the menu as you see fit.

Pros:

• Provides a more intuitive and streamlined user experience than the default Start menu in Windows 10 and 11
• You can easily access and launch their favorite apps and files from the Start menu
• It's lightweight and does not significantly impact system performance or resource usage

Cons:

• A previous version displayed choppy animations, particularly on higher refresh rate monitors. But that seems to have been addressed in an update.

Check Price

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it
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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post How to bring back the classic Start Menu to Windows 10 appeared first on KnowTechie.

The company recently updated its product page to show the new cutoff date for purchasing Windows 10 product keys. Customers have until January 31 to purchase a key from the Microsoft Store.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to get product keys after that date. You will likely still be able to purchase keys from third-party sites like Amazon or eBay.

While Microsoft didn’t confirm whether or not keys will still be available from third parties after January 31, the statement above suggests the latest policy change will only affect the Microsoft Store.

This news comes just a couple of weeks after Microsoft ended updates for two previous Windows versions. Windows 7 and 8.1 officially died with their final updates on January 10.

The operating system still has a couple of years of support before Microsoft ends Windows 10 completely. Support for the OS ends on October 14, 2025.

Windows 10 launched in 2015 as the successor to the widely criticized Windows 8. It became the first Windows version that Microsoft ran like a service with constant updates and customer feedback.

The operating system has had a good run, and ten years of support is an impressive feat from Microsoft. But the company has shifted its focus toward Windows 11.

If you still want a Windows 10 key from Microsoft, act quickly. You have a little over a week before they’ll no longer be available.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Microsoft will stop selling Windows 10 keys after January appeared first on KnowTechie.

Microsoft’s latest operating system has been out for a little while now. Windows 11 officially released on October 25, 2021.

Aside from some expected bugs here and there, most people have been pretty happy with the upgrade.

But Windows 11 isn’t necessarily for everyone. There’s a chance that upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 could bring performance problems to your PC.

Or maybe you’ve purchased a new computer or laptop with Windows 11 and are not a fan of the new operating system.

So is it possible to revert to Windows 11 after you’ve upgraded? And what about new machines? Can a PC that came with Windows 11 be downgraded to Windows 10? Here’s what you need to know.

Can you revert Windows 11 back to Windows 10?

Short answer: Yes, but it might take some work.

Downgrading to Windows 10 isn’t necessarily as easy as you might think. When Microsoft releases a new operating system, it tries its best to get everyone to adopt it as soon as possible.

That being said, there are ways that you can revert Windows 11 to Windows 10. In fact, the first method isn’t really that difficult.

But it is only available if you have upgraded to Windows 11 within the last 10 days.

How to revert back to Windows 10 within the 10-day limit

If you’re on a Windows 10 system and upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft gives you 10 days to decide if you want to go back to Windows 10. And fortunately, that process is relatively simple.

After completing those steps, your computer will restart and begin the recovery process to reinstall Windows 10.

Just follow the prompts that you see and your system will eventually finish reinstalling Windows 10.

After 10 days, you’ll have to perform a clean install

If you’re on a new system or are past the 10-day upgrade window, reverting to Windows 10 is a bit tougher.

If you’re in that situation, you will actually have to do a fresh install of Windows 10 on your PC to go back.

This is a much more involved process that requires a bit more computer knowledge. Microsoft IT expert Kapil Arya has a detailed guide for how you can do that.

But keep in mind that this process is somewhat difficult, so make sure you’re prepared for the task.

Windows 11 is great and will only get better in time

So there you go. You can revert Windows 11 to Windows 10, no matter the device. Keep in mind that the process can be tedious if it has been over 10 days since you updated.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that Microsoft will continue to update the operating system to improve aspects that may be lacking.

If you haven’t noticed any issues with Windows 11, you are probably fine to stay on it.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Can you downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10? appeared first on KnowTechie.

One of the most concerning is ransomware, which encrypts your files or locks your computer until you pay a ransom.

If you use Windows 10, as most desktop users do, you have built-in defenses against ransomware. All you have to do is turn it on.

Why You Need Ransomware Protection

First things first, why should you use Windows 10’s ransomware protection? Ransomware sounds like something only big companies have to worry about, and while they’re the most popular targets, individuals aren’t safe, either. It has grown in all its forms lately, and its effects can be devastating.

Ransoms for individuals typically run between $200 and $400 and can go even higher. Even if you can afford that, 92% of ransomware victims who’ve paid the ransom didn’t get their data back. Your best defense is to prevent these attacks in the first place.

How to Use Windows 10 Ransomware Protection

Now that you know why it’s important to protect yourself from ransomware, here’s how to do it. First, Microsoft recommends downloading the latest version of Windows if you haven’t already. It’s a good idea to enable automatic updates while you’re at it.

Next, type “ransomware protection” in the search bar. You can also manually get to this menu by opening settings and clicking Update & Security, then Windows Security. Open Virus & Threat Protection and click Manage Ransomware Protection.

In the ransomware protection screen, you’ll see an option called Controlled Folder Access. Turn this on, click Protected Folders and add any folders with files you want to protect. The Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Favorites folders are included by default.

Windows’ ransomware protection will block any apps from tampering with these folders, stopping ransomware from encrypting them. This will prevent other, trusted programs from changing them, too.

You can grant them permission by clicking Allow an App Through Controlled Folder Access under this menu but do so sparingly. Remember, the fewer things have access to your sensitive files, the better.

Keep in mind you can only change these settings with an administrator account. If you’re running Windows 11, you can still use these settings through the same process.

Extra Steps to Protect Your PC

This built-in protection is one of your best defenses against ransomware. Still, it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra steps, too. Here are a few more ways to keep files safe:

• Back up any important data routinely.
• Never click links on suspicious websites or unsolicited emails.
• Only download apps from trusted, first-party app stores.
• Install and use an anti-malware program.
• Keep all your software up to date.

If you think you’ve become the victim of a ransomware attack, you can report it to authorities like the FBI or CISA. Follow these experts’ advice, and never pay the ransom, as you may not get your data back.

Stay Safe From Ransomware

Ransomware is a scary and very real threat, but you don’t have to be vulnerable. Stay safe with tools like Windows 10’s ransomware protection and good cyber hygiene. You can then use the internet freely without worrying about losing your valuable files.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it appeared first on KnowTechie.

This article will introduce you to the Auto Dark Mode app, which allows you to schedule Windows 10 and 11 to switch between dark and light modes at specific times.

It is an absolute lifesaver, and we are sure you will get a ton of use out of it. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Light and dark mode, what’s the difference?

Let me ask you a question: How long are you spending behind your laptop or computer? Or, how often do you check your phone?

READ MORE: How to create a virtual desktop in Windows 11

In most cases, readers would answer three to four hours combined. If this is the case, you should know that frequent exposure to the light from your electronic device could harm your eyes and leads to myopia.

Also, scientific studies show that light mode could disrupt your sleep if you are exposed to light mode late at night.

“Our findings suggest that using dim, cooler, lights in the evening and bright warmer lights in the day may be more beneficial,” the University of Manchester writes in its study.

So, if this is ringing any alarm bells, do yourself a favor and switch from Light to Dark mode on your PC, phone, or Nintendo switch.

How to schedule dark mode in Windows 11 – Enter the Auto Dark Mode app

Auto Dark Mode is an app available for Windows 10 and 11, and it enables you to switch between these two modes automatically. It is very popular as it has a rating of five stars on Microsoft Store. You can get this app through the Windows Store or via GitHub.

READ MORE: How to change your username in Windows 11

Now, on Windows 10 or 11, go to Start, search for Auto Dark Mode, and install it. Once installed, launch it. The app’s appearance implies that it features a highly user-friendly interface that enables easy adjustments of light and dark mode timings.

Time tab

In the Time tab, you can disable or enable light/dark mode from a desired time in the morning to the night. However, if you don’t prefer to add hours, go with the “From sunset to sunrise” according to your PC’s location, and light/mode will automatically trigger on or off.

Switch Modes tab

There are other options too. For example, in the Tab Switch Mode, you can tell the app not to change the light/dark mode while playing games. Also, to save energy and prolong the lifetime of your battery, you can command switching from light to dark while your device is unplugged.

Apps and Personalization tabs

Finally, two more tabs, including Apps and Personalization, help you customize even more. For example, in the Apps tab, you can have Windows 11 disable scheduling from light to dark on certain applications.

READ MORE: How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11

Due to the importance of Microsoft Office, there is also a special command available for that package as well. Google Chrome has a similar tool as well.

There are two options in the Personalization tab, including Pick a wallpaper and Pick a theme. In the “Pick a wallpaper,” you can choose certain wallpapers for light and dark modes. This action gives artistic value to your device, which is compatible with the light mode.

Settings tab

Finally, in the Setting tab, you can hide the tray icon from the taskbar, use color filters, set the language, check for updates (you can have this option automated), set the frequency of checking for updates, and many more. 

Conclusion

Before the Auto Dark mode app, there were no other easy methods to automatically set dark mode on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine. And if there was, they required several time-consuming and cumbersome steps.

However, with Auto Dark Mode, you now have a user-friendly UI that allows you to effortlessly schedule dark mode in less than a minute or two. Seriously, it’s as simple as that. So give it a try and let us know what you think. Download it here.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post How to schedule dark mode in Windows 11 automatically appeared first on KnowTechie.

Sure, it’s a useful tool and it lets you do things without ever having to take your eyes off the action. But what if you don’t need all those features?

The thing is, Windows 10’s game recording uses up system resources, and precious storage space, and you might not care about being able to take screenshots or video clips, or to easily share them on social media.

The same goes for the chat functions, as you might prefer to stay away from public chat when you’re gaming (and we can’t blame you).

So, can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10?

Short answer: Yes

While you could also permanently remove the Game Bar with PowerShell, we don’t recommend it.

It could potentially stop some Xbox services from working properly or give issues with your connected controllers, or any number of other issues. Sticking to the inbuilt toggles in Windows 10’s settings is a safer bet.

So, there you have it. To answer your question, you can totally disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10. Just be sure to follow the instructions we provided above, and you should be good to go.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Although it is great to have all of your emails in one spot, constantly receiving new messages can be irritating. Windows 10 likes to push a notification for every email received and this can make it difficult to concentrate if you have to focus on your work.

Luckily, you can disable the notifications and maintain the full functionality of the app. However, the process is not as obvious as most may like.

Here’s how to turn off the notifications for the Mail app:

If you want to remove notifications from one (or multiple email addresses), follow these steps:

1. Start the Mail app (one way to do this is by search for Mail in the search box on your task bar)
2. Click on the Settings symbol that’s located in the lower left-hand corner of the screen
3. Select Notifications
4. Turn off Show notifications in the Action Center for all connected accounts. Alternatively, you can select the account that you want, and uncheck Show a notification banner

If you want to stop receiving notifications from a single account, you can stop here. However, if you want to completely disable the Mail app banners, you need to also:

1. Open the Windows 10 Settings app
2. Select System
3. Click on Notifications and actions
4. Scroll down until you see Get notifications from these senders and click on it
5. Disable the Mail notifications

Keep in mind that following the second set of instructions will completely disable all Mail notifications. Try to first use the Focus assist mode that temporarily turns off all notifications.

Also, keep in mind that the mode can be manually activated and deactivated, but you can also set a schedule for it.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to deactivate Mail app notifications in Windows 10 appeared first on KnowTechie.

This is usually done to streamline the users’ experience and to keep them from changing settings that could damage the system. However, it also buries many features that can help users have more control over their computers.

The more recent versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 and 11, have reduced the visibility and accessibility of the good old Control Panel in favor of a simpler, cleaner menu system. Unfortunately, the number of options that are available in the new menus is smaller than that in the regular control panel.

Now, you can still access the Control Panel, on any modern Windows version, but Microsoft has also hidden a more powerful feature. Appropriately called “God Mode,” this menu contains a wide variety of features and options that lets you alter almost any aspect of Windows.

The best part about God Mode is that it’s very straightforward. Every option is displayed right from the beginning and nothing is buried under countless menus. Here’s how you can access it:

Enabling God Mode on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Gaining access to God Mode isn’t difficult, but it is different from navigating menus throughout the OS.

1. Go to your Windows desktop
2. Right-click on a free spot on your desktop
3. From the contextual menu, hover over New, and then click on Folder

This will create a new folder on your desktop. We will use it as a container for the God Mode menu. You’re halfway there. Here’s what’s left to do:

1. Right-click on the new folder that you’ve created
2. Click on Rename
3. Type this address into the name field: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
4. Hit Enter to confirm the new name

Once you hit Enter, the name of the folder will disappear. Double-click on the icon and you will gain access to the God Mode menu. This folder/menu will allow you to modify over 200 parameters of your OS.

The various options that you can alter are grouped in categories that are displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. You can also click and drag icons from this menu to your desktop. This will create shortcuts, making it easier to find specific features that you may use more often.

If you want to delete the God Mode menu, simply drag the icon to your Recycle Bin. This will not have any impact on your system and it is possible to create another menu by repeating the steps above.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to enable the god mode menu in Windows 10 and 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Essentially, it works by plugging in a mouse or keyboard. Then, Windows will download and execute RazerInstaller as SYSTEM. From there, it is a matter of simply using Explorer and Shift+Right Click to open up PowerShell. This would give users access to command prompts, and from there, as they say, the rest is history.

Jonhat, the person that discovered the bug has followed up on the weekend post, noting that Razer has now been in contact with them and that the company is working on a fix. Jonhat had originally contacted Razer privately, but after not receiving a response, went public with the information.

According to BleepingComputer, this is a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability, which means anybody with nefarious plans would need physical access to the computer and the Razer product as well.

What happens that makes this vulnerability possible is that when you plug in the device, the setup wizard for Razer Synapse asks where you’d like it installed. It is during this step that users with bad intentions can gain access to admin privileges as outlined above.

After the post gained tons of traction on Twitter, Razer finally responded to jonhat and the company is working on a fix. They have even offered the security research a bounty for their finding, which is a bit surprising because jonhat went public with the findings.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post The latest and greatest Windows 10 hacking tool? A Razer mouse appeared first on KnowTechie.