How To Guides

45 guides for How To Guides problems on Windows — find yours, then get the step-by-step fix in the app.

What kind of "how to" this covers

This is less about something being broken and more about not yet knowing how a feature or a task works — setting up a new PC, using Word or Excel properly, screen recording, buying a used PC safely, understanding what "repair vs. replace" even means for a given problem. Nothing here assumes anything is wrong; it assumes someone just hasn't done this particular task before.

A lot of it is also decision-support rather than a mechanical task — knowing whether a PC is even worth repairing, or which specs actually matter when buying one, is as much about making a good choice as it is about following steps.

When people usually look for this kind of guidance

• Setting up something for the very first time — a new PC, a new printer, a new account
• Before making a decision with money attached, like buying, repairing, or upgrading a PC
• When trying to do something in an app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) that isn't obviously discoverable just by clicking around

Why one-size-fits-all tutorials often waste people's time

A lot of "how to" content online is written to be as broad as possible, so it spends most of its length covering scenarios that don't apply to the reader's actual situation — a specific PC, a specific version of an app, a specific goal.

WindowsHelper is being designed to match a guide to the specific task and situation someone actually has, rather than a generic walkthrough padded out to cover every possible variation at once.

Browse the guides

• How To Set Up a New PC

  Set up a new Windows PC: the setup screens, Windows Update first, essential free apps, removing bloatware and the settings worth changing on day one.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use OneDrive

  Learn OneDrive: set it up, save and share files, free up space with Files On-Demand, fix sync problems and protect important files in Personal Vault.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Microsoft Word

  Learn Microsoft Word: create and save documents, format text, add images and tables, print or export to PDF, use styles, tables of contents and track changes.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Microsoft Excel

  Learn Excel from the basics: cells and data entry, formulas, sorting and filtering, charts, pivot tables, lookup formulas and automating tasks with macros.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use PowerPoint

  Learn PowerPoint: build your first presentation, add images and design, use transitions and animations, present with speaker notes and export or share it.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Google Docs & Sheets

  Learn Google Docs and Sheets: create files, format documents, formulas and charts, work offline, collaborate with comments and version history, and more.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Set Up a Printer

  Set up a USB or Wi-Fi printer, print to PDF, manage print settings, install the maker's software for scanning and fix stuck jobs or an offline printer.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Connect a Monitor

  Connect an external monitor: choose the right cable, set up extend or mirror, resolution and refresh rate, use it with a laptop and fix a no-signal screen.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Cloud Storage

  Choose between OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and iCloud, set them up on Windows, use them day to day, keep files private and move between providers.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Back Up Your PC

  Back up your PC in three levels, from OneDrive cloud backup to File History on an external drive and a full system image, then test that your backups work.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Clean Up Your PC

  Clean up your PC: delete junk files, uninstall bloatware and unused programs, cut startup apps, check for viruses and malware, and keep it clean afterwards.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Task Manager

  Use Task Manager to end frozen tasks, see CPU, memory, disk and GPU use, see what slows your PC, manage startup items and fix it when it won't open.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Connect Bluetooth Devices

  Pair Bluetooth headphones, speakers, mice and keyboards with Windows, make Bluetooth audio the default, fix common problems or add Bluetooth to a desktop PC.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Split Screen

  Use split screen in Windows with keyboard snapping, dragging windows to the edges, Snap Layouts, virtual desktops, FancyZones and multiple monitors.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Manage Passwords Safely

  Keep your passwords safe: set up a proper manager, enable two-factor sign-in, check for leaked passwords, try passkeys and plan for getting locked out.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use the Command Prompt

  Learn the Command Prompt: open it as administrator, the most useful commands, system repair commands, environment variables and your first batch scripts.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Transfer Data to a New PC

  Move your files, programs and browser data to a new PC with OneDrive, an external drive, Windows Backup or a direct network transfer.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use Windows Defender

  Use Windows Defender: check protection and run scans, real-time protection, firewall, ransomware protection, exclusions, threat history and a disabled Defender.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Fix Common Error Messages

  What common Windows error messages mean and how to deal with them: file and disk errors, network, permission, app crashes, blue screen and Windows Update codes.

  Easy10-15 min
• How To Use the Microsoft Store

  Get around the Microsoft Store: browse, install, update and uninstall apps, manage payments, Game Pass games, and fix Store problems.

  Easy10-15 min
• How to Screen Record on Windows 11 — Free Methods

  Record your screen on Windows 11 for free using Xbox Game Bar (Win+Alt+R), Snipping Tool area recording, or PowerPoint screen recorder.

  Easy2 minutes to learn
• How to Type Emojis & Symbols on Windows

  Learn to type emojis, symbols (©™°€→), kaomoji, and special characters using the Windows emoji picker, alt codes, and Character Map.

  Easy1-2 minutes
• How to Extract ZIP, RAR & 7Z Files on Windows

  Open ZIP, RAR, 7Z and TAR files on Windows with the built-in tools or 7-Zip, handle passwords and multi-part archives, and create compressed files.

  Easy1-3 minutes
• Should You Repair or Replace Your PC?

  Decision guide with cost tables, age thresholds, and the 50% rule to determine if repairing or replacing your PC makes more financial sense.

  Easy10 minutes
• How to Clean Your Screen & Keyboard Safely

  The right way to clean monitors, laptop screens, keyboards, touchscreens, and mice without causing damage. Uses Windex with Vinegar on microfiber cloth.

  Easy10-15 minutes
• How Much Should a PC Repair Cost? Price Guide

  Fair prices for every common PC repair in 2026 — software, hardware, upgrades, diagnostics. Includes red flags for dishonest shops and DIY cost comparison.

  EasyReference guide
• Laptop Buying Guide — What Specs Actually Matter

  Cut through marketing jargon and buy the right laptop. Covers CPU, RAM, storage, screen, battery, build quality, cooling pads, brand rankings, and where to find deals.

  Easy10 min read
• Can My PC Run This Game or Software?

  Check if your PC can run a game or software using Can You Run It (systemrequirementslab.com), manual spec checking, and upgrade tips if it cannot.

  Easy2-5 minutes
• How to Buy a Used or Refurbished PC Safely

  Complete guide to safely buying refurbished laptops. Where to buy, what to check, arrival testing with HWiNFO and powercfg, red flags to return immediately, and first-time setup.

  Easy15 min read
• 📊 How to Open Task Manager & Fix Its Problems

  Monitor running programs, check CPU/RAM usage, and close frozen apps

  Easy5-10 minutes
• 🛡️ How to Use Safe Mode & Fix Safe Mode Problems

  Boot Windows with minimal drivers to diagnose and fix problems

  Easy10-15 minutes
• 📸 How to Take a Screenshot & Fix Problems

  Capture your screen to share errors, save information, or document issues

  Easy5 minutes
• 💻 How to Check Your Windows Version

  Find out exactly which version of Windows you are running and if you are up to date

  Easy5 minutes
• 🔐 How to Run Programs as Administrator

  Understand admin privileges and when you need them to fix your PC

  Easy5-10 minutes
• 💾 How to Back Up Your Files

  Protect your important files from loss — every backup method explained

  Easy15-30 minutes
• Free Up Disk Space

  Free up disk space with Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup, find and delete large or temporary files, uninstall unused programs and move files to other storage.

  Easy10-15 min
• Connect a Printer

  Connect a USB, Wi-Fi or network printer to Windows, choose your default printer, print a test page and fix a printer that is not working.

  Easy10-15 min
• Create a User Account

  Add a Microsoft or local account, set up a child account, switch between administrator and standard users, and remove accounts you no longer need.

  Easy5-10 min
• Use Windows Search

  Search your PC from the Start menu, File Explorer and Settings, narrow results with search syntax, search file contents and fix Windows Search when it breaks.

  Easy5 min
• Manage Startup Programs

  Control which programs start with Windows using Task Manager, Settings and the Startup folder, learn which are safe to disable and add your own.

  Easy5-10 min
• Check Storage Space

  See how much space is left and which files use it in Settings and File Explorer, spot large files, and learn when low space becomes a problem.

  Easy5 min
• Connect Bluetooth Devices

  Turn on Bluetooth and pair headphones, speakers, keyboards and mice with Windows, remove old devices and fix Bluetooth that is not working.

  Easy5-10 min
• Adjust Display Settings

  Change screen resolution, scaling, brightness and refresh rate, set up multiple monitors, and sort out blurry or flickering displays.

  Easy5-10 min
• Set Up Email

  Set up email on Windows in the Mail app, Outlook or your browser, add several accounts, choose your notifications and fix email that stops syncing.

  Easy10-15 min
• Uninstall Programs

  Uninstall programs from Settings, the classic Programs and Features list or the Start menu, remove stubborn programs and clean up the files they leave behind.

  Easy5-10 min

Common questions