Windows 11

Key takeaways Quick answer dllhost.exe COM Surrogate high CPU usually means a thumbnail, codec or shell extension is stuck on a file. Open the folder in Details view, clear the thumbnail cache with Disk Cleanup, and restart File Explorer. If it keeps happening, add the Command line column in Task Manager’s Details tab to see…

Key takeaways Quick answer To turn on Fast Startup in Windows 11, press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl and press Enter. Click Choose what the power buttons do, then Change settings that are currently unavailable. Tick Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click Save changes. If the option is missing, open Terminal as administrator, run…

Key takeaways Quick answer To open services.msc Windows 11, press Win + R, type services.msc and press Enter. Double-click a service to see its status and startup type, then use Start, Stop or the Startup type list to change it. Changing most settings needs an administrator account. Introduction services.msc is the console you use in…

Key takeaways Quick answer TiWorker.exe high CPU usually means Windows is installing an update or cleaning old update files. Let it run, keep the PC plugged in, and restart when Windows asks. If it stays high for several hours or comes back every day, reset Windows Update components, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and sfc…

Key takeaways Quick answer To delete %temp% files in Windows 11 or 10, press Win + R, type %temp% and press Enter. Press Ctrl + A to select everything, then press Delete. When Windows says a file is in use, tick Do this for all current items and click Skip. Empty the Recycle Bin afterwards…

Key takeaways Quick answer Windows 11 Home does not include the Local Group Policy Editor, so gpedit.msc shows “Windows cannot find gpedit.msc”. To add it, open Command Prompt as administrator, run two DISM commands that install the Group Policy client packages, restart, then press Win + R and type gpedit.msc. The editor may open but…

Key takeaways Quick answer To run CMD as administrator, press Win + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter and click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt. The Command Prompt window that opens shows “Administrator: Command Prompt” in the title bar, which confirms it has elevated privileges. The same shortcut…

Key Takeaways Quick Answer Open Windows Security, go to Firewall & Network Protection, and then click “Allow an app through firewall.” Click “Change settings” to unlock the list, find the app, and check both Private and Public boxes. If the app isn’t listed, click “Allow another app” and browse to its .exe file directly. Unblock…

Key Takeaways Quick Answer Open Settings, Personalization, Colors. Set “Choose your mode” to Dark or Custom. Turn on “Show accent color on Start and taskbar.” Pick Manual under Accent color, then choose a preset or click “View colors” for a custom hex value. The taskbar updates instantly, no restart needed. Change taskbar color Windows 11…