Categories
Windows 10

What You Need to Do to Fix Windows 11’s Slow Boot Times

What You Need to Do to Fix Windows 11's Slow Boot Times

What You Need to Do to Fix Windows 11’s Slow Boot Times

However, despite the fact that Windows 11 is intended to be more secure, more efficient, and quicker than its predecessors, many customers have reported that their system takes far longer to start up than they had anticipated. It may be really annoying when your computer takes a long time to start up, particularly if you absolutely need it for work or school and want fast access to it. Fortunately, there are a number of tried-and-true methods that may be used to accelerate the boot speeds of Windows 11. These methods range from simple tweaks to settings to more complex remedies.

1. Determine the Implications of the Slow Boot

Before making any adjustments, it is of great assistance to figure out the reason why your system is starting up slowly. Causes that are common include:

  • There are too many applications for new businesses.
  • Drivers that are either outdated or corrupt.
  • Hard disk drives that are fragmented (if utilizing HDD).
  • A slowdown in operations caused by malware or bloatware.
  • System settings that have been incorrectly specified.

Resolving these problems head-on may often reduce the amount of time it takes for your computer to start up by seconds or even minutes.

2. Turn off any startup applications that aren’t absolutely essential

By default, Windows 11 enables a large number of applications to begin during startup, which slows down the process of booting. To take care of them:

  • Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl, Shift, and Esc simultaneously.
  • Make your go to the tab labeled Startup applications.

Immediately after the computer boots up, you should disable any applications that you do not need, such as chat programs, gaming launchers, or cloud storage applications.

3. Turn on the Fast Startup feature.

Rapid Startup is a feature of Windows that combines aspects of a cold shutdown with hibernation in order to speed up the process of starting your personal computer. In order to make it possible:

  • To access the Power Options, open the Control Panel.
  • Pick one Determine the function of the power buttons.
  • When you are unable to access some options, click the Change button.
  • Examine Start the system quickly and save any changes you make.

It is possible that this will not work on all systems, but it has the potential to vastly reduce boot speeds.

4. Ensure that Windows is always up to date

In certain cases, prolonged load times might be caused by outdated system files. To install the most recent fixes and drivers, go to the Settings menu and choose Windows Update. Microsoft often introduces enhancements to its speed and stability, which might help decrease delays experienced during startup.

5. In order to update or reinstall drivers

Boot time may be lengthened by drivers that are either faulty or out of date, particularly those for the graphics, storage, or chipset. You may frequently update your drivers by using Device Manager or by visiting the website of your manufacturer.

6. Get More Space on the Disk

Windows is severely slowed down when the drive is at or near capacity. Apply the built-in tools:

  • Try searching for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start Menu.
  • There is a feature called Storage Sense in the Settings menu that controls cache and deletes temporary files automatically.

If you are still using a conventional hard drive, you should think about upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD), which may significantly cut down on the amount of time it takes for your computer to start up.

7. Turn off the visual effects mode.

Although the animations and transparencies in Windows 11 seem fantastic, they may cause older or less powerful computers to run more slowly. Putting an end to them:

Windows’s speed and look may be adjusted with the search function.

It is possible to deactivate certain effects, such as animations and transparency, manually or choose Adjust to get the best possible performance.

8. Perform a scan for malicious software

Malware has the ability to insert itself into starting procedures, which may take a very long time. For a comprehensive scan and removal of harmful apps, you may make use of Windows Security or a reliable antivirus software.

9. Improve services for new businesses

Windows also loads services in the background, in addition to applications. To take care of them:

  • To access the msconfig command, enter Win + R, then press Enter.
  • Click the “Hide all Microsoft services” checkbox located under the Services tab.
  • To lessen the pressure on the boot process, disable any superfluous third-party services.

10. Resetting the Boot Configuration Data is the Advanced Fix for this issue.

When boot files that have been damaged are the source of delays, restoring the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) might be of assistance:

  • Enter the settings menu, then choose System, then select Recovery, and finally select Advanced Startup.
  • Get the Command Prompt open.
  • Carry out the instructions listed beneath:
  • in addition to bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, and bootrec /rebuildbcd

By doing so, crucial boot data is rebuilt, and problems with delayed starting are often resolved.

11. In the BIOS or UEFI, Deactivate Any Unused Hardware

During the startup process, your computer may sometimes search for devices that you do not use (for example, your network boot or unused ports). For a quicker starting, you should enter your BIOS or UEFI settings and deactivate any boot parameters that aren’t essential.

12. Take into consideration a clean boot or a reset.

In the event that none of the aforementioned solutions are successful, executing a Clean Boot, which involves booting with just the needed Microsoft services, may indicate whether or not third-party applications are to blame. When all else fails, resetting Windows 11 to its factory settings may often resolve problems that have been present for a long time.

Slow start speeds with Windows 11 may be a nuisance, but they are not often issues that should be considered permanent. You can dramatically increase speed by turning off apps that aren’t essential for the starting process, allowing a quick startup, keeping drivers up to date, and doing other things to keep your system efficient. It is possible that more complex remedies, such as fixing the boot settings or resetting Windows, would be required for circumstances that are more difficult to resolve. You may restore the speed and efficiency that you anticipate from Windows 11 by making the necessary tweaks to your computer, which will allow it to start up fast and perform smoothly.

Categories
Windows 10

Hidden Features of Windows 11 That You Most Likely Have Not Yet Experimented With

Hidden Features of Windows 11 That You Most Likely Have Not Yet Experimented With

Hidden Features of Windows 11 That You Most Likely Have Not Yet Experimented With

An updated design, better animations, and enhanced productivity tools are some of the new features that have been added in Windows 11. However, underneath its glossy appearance lurks a collection of hidden features that the majority of users fail to see. In the event that you are aware of where to locate these lesser-known tools, they have the potential to make your system more effective, customized, and pleasurable to employ. As you read on, we will discuss the hidden features of Windows 11 that you have most likely not yet experienced, as well as the practical methods in which you may incorporate these capabilities into your everyday routine.

1. The Hidden Start Menu, which includes Power Tools

When you hit the Win key as well as the X key, you may enter a hidden menu that contains shortcuts by right-clicking the Start button. You may access the Device Manager, Task Manager, and Disk Management from this location. Additionally, you can access options for a rapid shutdown or restart. across the use of this menu, you may navigate across many windows in a more expedient manner.

2. History of the Clipboard Being Built-in

If you press the Win key and the V key simultaneously, Windows 11 will enable you to see a whole history of the clipboard, rather than copying one thing at a time. Whenever you copy anything, including text, links, and photos, this function will remember it and allow you to paste it at a later time. The fact that it allows cloud synchronization across several devices makes it an ideal solution for people who work between a personal computer and a laptop.

3. Desktops that are dynamic and come with virtual desktops

Windows 11 makes Virtual Desktops more helpful than they have ever been before, although many users are unaware of this fact. Utilize the Win key, the Ctrl key, and the D key to create a new desktop and arrange several processes. An example of this would be having one desktop dedicated to work, another for gaming, and a third for creative endeavors, each of which would have its own set of applications and windows.

4. Quick Snap Layouts That Are Hidden for Productivity

You may access Snap Layouts by moving your mouse pointer over the maximize button on any window using the mouse. Using this secret feature, you may easily arrange several windows into grids, columns, or split views without having to manually resize them. It is particularly helpful for ultrawide displays or for multitasking between different tools, such as those used for research, writing, and communication.

5. The Top-Secret Report on the Battery

You may produce a comprehensive report on the health of your laptop’s battery by entering the following command into the Command Prompt that is located on your computer:

powercfg’s battery report command

By doing so, an HTML file is generated that displays the capacity of the battery, charging patterns, and general health. When it comes to determining the cause of poor battery performance or making plans for a replacement, it is a hidden treasure.

6. A Storage Sense that Allows for Automatic Pickup

Storage Sense is a function that can be found tucked away inside the Settings app. It is specifically designed to manage system cache, erase temporary files, and clean the Recycle Bin automatically. In order to make your system work more smoothly without requiring any user involvement, you may schedule cleanups.

7. Clock app’s Focus Sessions, number seven

Windows 11 conceals a powerful Focus Sessions feature inside the Clock app, with the majority of users using it for the sole purpose of checking the time. The purpose of this program is to assist you in maintaining your concentration while you are working or studying by providing you with a timer, task integration with Microsoft To Do, and support for Spotify.

8. Utilizing Hotkeys to Access Hidden Commands in File Explorer

There are shortcuts located inside the File Explorer of Windows 11 that are not immediately evident. Take, for example:

  • To display or conceal the preview window, use Alt + P.
  • A new folder is created instantaneously when you press Ctrl, Shift, and N.
  • To rapidly access the file properties, use Alt and Enter.
    Utilizing these simple shortcuts allows for much quicker file handling.

9. Give Things a Shake to Reduce Distractions

When you hold a window by its title bar and shake it, all of the other windows will immediately minimize, leaving just the window that is now active visible. This simple yet unobtrusive motion is ideal for times when you have an excessive number of applications open at the same time.

10. The folder titled “God Mode”

God Mode, which organizes all of the system settings into a single folder for convenience, is still available in Windows 11, which is designed for power users. In order to activate it:

On your desktop, create a new folder for your files.

Alter its name to:

E7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C is the GodMode configuration.

This changes the folder into a central location that contains hundreds of different configuration choices and settings for the system.

11. Shortcut Code for the Hidden Audio Troubleshooter

Select Troubleshoot sound issues from the context menu that appears when you right-click the sound icon in the taskbar after your sound stops functioning. It is not necessary to navigate through menus since Windows 11 will automatically detect and repair the majority of problems.

12. Emoji and Symbol Panel with a Kept Secret

The emoji picker, which also includes symbols, punctuation, and even GIFs, may be opened by pressing the Win key in conjunction with either the period (.) or the semicolon (;). This is particularly helpful for when you are posting on social media or sending informal messages.

13: The Dark Mode A timetable

Using the Task Scheduler, you may automate the process of switching between light and dark themes, which avoids the need to manually move between them. Windows will automatically alter its theme to correspond with your working hours or nighttime browsing if you configure triggers for particular times of the day with the appropriate settings.

14. Searching using Natural Language for Advanced Results

Natural language queries are supported by Windows Search, which means that you may input phrases such as “documents I edited last week” or “photos from April” to retrieve files in a more logical manner. As opposed to manually traversing directories, this saves a significant amount of time.

The redesigned version of Windows 11 is more than just a clean facelift; it is filled with hidden features that improve speed, customization, and productivity. These tools may assist you in unlocking the full power of your system, whether it is via the use of virtual desktops for organization, the generation of a hidden battery report, or the activation of God Mode. You will be able to transform your Windows 11 experience into a more streamlined and intelligent workflow if you just take the time to investigate these hidden jewels.

Categories
Photoshop

Stunning Effects Can Be Created Through Mastery of Photoshop Layer Styles

Stunning Effects Can Be Created Through Mastery of Photoshop Layer Styles

Stunning Effects Can Be Created Through Mastery of Photoshop Layer Styles

Despite the fact that Adobe Photoshop is well-known for its strong editing capabilities, one feature that novice users sometimes fail to take use of is the Layer Styles function. The look of any text, shape, or picture layer may be rapidly improved by applying these built-in effects, which can be applied to any of these layers. With the help of layer styles, you can give your drawings a polished and professional appearance without having to resort to laborious manual editing. Layer styles may add everything from subtle shadows to shimmering edges and metallic textures.

As part of this tutorial, we will walk you through the fundamentals of layer styles and demonstrate how to become proficient with them so that you can create spectacular effects for your projects.

What Constitutes Layer Styles?

These preset effects in Photoshop are known as layer styles, and they may be applied to any layer in order to modify its look in a way that is not disruptive. They add visual effects such as shadows, strokes, glows, and textures despite the fact that they do not change the layer that was first applied. Because of this, they are quite helpful for creating designs, experimenting with them, and making adjustments to them without permanently altering your work.

Getting Access to the Layer Styles

When it comes to applying layer styles in Photoshop, there are two primary methods:

  • Blending Options may be selected by right-clicking on the layer and selecting the Layer Panel Method.
  • The Quick Access Button may be used by clicking the fx symbol located at the bottom of the Layers panel and selecting an effect.
  • This opens the Layer Style dialog box, which contains all of the customization choices that are accessible to you.

1. Drop Shadow is the most important of the layer style effects.

The Drop Shadow effect simulates light dropping on your item, which gives it a sense of depth. By adjusting the distance, spread, and size, it is possible to produce a wide range of effects, from a gentle glow to a vibrant shadow. When it comes to making text or icons stand out, it is perfect.

2. A stroke

When you use the Stroke effect, an outline will be added around your layer. To meet the requirements of your design, you have the ability to alter the size, location (inside, center, or outside), and color. The usage of this technique is typical for creating strong text effects or highlighted icons.

3. The Internal Glow and the Outer Glow

As a result of these effects, your design will have a glowing edge. Inner Glow enhances light inside the item, while Outer Glow stretches outward to create a brilliant appearance when applied to an object. Such effects as luminous buttons, neon writing, and magical effects are a fantastic fit for them.

4. Embossed and bevelled edges

Due to the fact that it simulates highlights and shadows, this effect gives your item the appearance of being 3-dimensional. Utilizing the appropriate settings, you are able to produce surfaces that are metallic, plastic, or embossed. The use of this technique is very useful for typography and logos.

5. An Overlay of Gradients

You may apply a gradient blend to your layer by using the Gradient Overlay tool. The ability to offer seamless color transitions to designs that are contemporary and elegant is one of its many configurable features.

6. Overlay of the Pattern

When you use Pattern Overlay, you have the ability to cover your layer with a variety of textures, including metal, cloth, and abstract patterns. Creating one-of-a-kind appearances may be accomplished without the need to manually place textures by adjusting size and mixing.

7. Innovative Approaches to Utilizing Layer Styles

To produce luminous font in the manner of neon, combine Outer Glow with a brilliant stroke to create the Neon Text Effect effects.

  • Bevel and emboss, together with a gradient overlay, may be used to create a metallic look by simulating lettering that is gold, silver, or chrome.
  • You can create buttons that stand out from your design by adding an inner shadow and a bevel to your 3D buttons.
  • Use Drop Shadows and Pattern Overlays in Poster Effects to get the desired effect of adding drama and texture to advertising visuals.

Guide to Acquiring Expertise in Layer Styles

In order to avoid making a design seem cluttered, it is important to avoid overloading it with an excessive number of effects.

  • To get a more realistic appearance, you may use blending options such as Multiply, Overlay, or Screen to achieve the desired effect.
  • You should save your custom effect as a style when you have finished creating it so that you may easily reuse it in other projects in the future.
  • You may get some of the greatest results by experimenting with different methods to combine numerous effects; here is where you will find the best results.

What Makes Layer Styles Such a Game-Changing Tool

One of the most significant benefits of layer styles is their quickness. You may obtain effects that are on par with those produced by professionals in a matter of seconds, rather than spending hours manually shading or highlighting. In addition, they are adaptable, which means that you may return to them at any point and make adjustments to them as your design develops.

Mastering the layer styles in Photoshop enables one to explore an infinite number of creative options. The use of these tools enables you to improve your work in a rapid and efficient manner, regardless of whether you are designing a logo, generating graphics for social media, or experimenting with other forms of digital art. Your designs may be transformed from flat and conventional to dynamic and eye-catching via the use of layer styles, which can be accomplished with experience and ingenuity.