(Reprint): A ‘no-reformat reinstall’ for Windows 8

The column reprinted below was originally published in the August 15, 2013, Windows Secrets newsletter. Today, it supplements a new, free column, “Why am I not able to reset my PC or reinstall Windows?” (all versions), posted here: https://langa.com/?p=2602. I’m reprinting selected Windows Secrets columns here to help ensure readers can find and access information…

(Reprint): Win7’s no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall

The column reprinted below was originally published in the July 14, 2011, Windows Secrets newsletter. I’m reprinting selected Windows Secrets columns here to help ensure readers can find and access information I’m referencing in new columns; until older Windows Secrets/LangaList columns are moved to their new home at AskWoody.com. Specifically, this column supplements “Why am I…

How to make lithium-ion batteries last for years

The older column reprinted below was originally published in the August 13, 2015 , Windows Secrets newsletter. This older content supplements brand-new content posted today (April 8, 2019) in the AskWoody Plus newsletter, available here. An upcoming column will update and refine the information below. (I’m reprinting selected Windows Secrets columns here to help ensure…

How to solve UEFI boot and startup problems

The column reprinted below was originally published in the December 11, 2014, Windows Secrets newsletter. Today, it supplements a new LangaList column scheduled for the March 25, 2019, AskWoody Plus Newsletter. Click on over for a look! (I’m reprinting selected Windows Secrets columns here to help ensure readers can find and access information that I’m…

Activate Windows’ hidden, master admin account

The column below was originally published in the May 14, 2015 , Windows Secrets newsletter. Today, it supplements a new column, scheduled for the March 11, 2019 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, focused on what to do if an error causes you to lose all admin privileges on your own PC. Click on over to read the new…

Exploring Windows’ Administrative Tools: Part 1

The column below was originally published in the May 10, 2012 Windows Secrets. Today, it supplements a new column scheduled for the March 11, 2019, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, focused on what to do if an error causes you to lose all admin privileges on your own PC. Click on over to read the new column!…

Using Windows’ powerful ‘Recovery Environment’

The column below was originally published in the June 23, 2016 Windows Secrets. Today, it supplements a new column, scheduled for the March 11, 2019 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, focused on what to do if an error causes you to lose all admin privileges on your own PC. Click on over to read the new column!…

How to hack a ‘back door’ into Win10, 8, and 7

The column below was originally published in the August 18, 2016, Windows Secrets newsletter. Today, it supplements a new column, scheduled for the March 11, 2019 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, focused on what to do if an error causes you to lose all admin privileges on your own PC. Click on over to read the new column!…

March 4 newsletter posted

This week’s new AskWoody Plus newsletter is out; and for a while, you can read it for free, here. Here’s what’s inside issue 16.8.0: LANGALIST: Microsoft’s massive, four-month-long series of Windows update screw-ups and outages has left some readers’ PCs in the weeds. See if you’re affected in “Windows Update errors cause OS-version problems.” Plus: Whole-disk encryption options…

New Newsletter Posted

This week’s new AskWoody Plus newsletter is out; and for now you can read it for free, online. Here’s what inside issue 16.5.0: In the LangaList column, I cover “Three unusual, but interesting, reader queries“ In Patch Lady, Susan Bradley discusses “Still on Win7? Get over it, for security’s sake“ In Best Practices, Michael Lasky…