Guides
Step-by-step guides on installing software, setting up a computer and downloading safely. Facts are checked against official vendor documentation and every article lists its sources.
Installing an operating system
- Windows 11 ISO download: only from Microsoft's official site (and why) Download the Windows 11 ISO for free from microsoft.com. What each option is for, the risk of 'MSDN ISO' sites, and checking the file with SHA256.
- Windows 11 bootable USB: Media Creation Tool, Rufus and Ventoy How to make a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 or Linux with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, Rufus and Ventoy, step by step, and which to use when.
- Boot menu and BIOS keys by brand: ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer, MSI and more Which key opens the boot menu to start from USB, and which opens the BIOS? ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Acer, MSI, HUAWEI, Samsung and motherboards, per vendor docs.
- Windows 11 clean install: booting from USB, setup screens and drivers Windows 11 clean install step by step: booting from USB, the setup screens, choosing the disk partition and getting drivers from the manufacturer.
- Windows 11 installation problems: no drives found, TPM and Secure Boot, USB won't boot Windows 11 setup can't find the drive or says 'This PC can't run Windows 11'? Fixes from Intel and Microsoft: RST driver, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Ventoy.
- Windows 11 activation: where to enter the product key, digital license and cheap key risks How to activate Windows 11: entering a product key, linking the digital license to your Microsoft account, and the risks of very cheap keys.
- What to do after installing Windows 11: updates and essential programs in one command Windows 11 is installed; now what? Updates, drivers, and installing a browser, office, archive and media programs from official sources in one command.
- Installing Linux Mint: making the USB drive, trying it out and the setup steps Install Linux Mint without paying for a license: downloading the ISO, making a USB drive with Etcher or Rufus, trying it live, setup steps and drivers.
Speeding up Windows, FPS and RAM
- Speed up Windows 11: the safe steps Microsoft recommends How to speed up a slow Windows 11 PC with Microsoft's official tips: updates, startup apps, storage, visual effects and power mode. All reversible.
- Increase FPS in games: Windows settings, graphics driver and refresh rate Official advice for low FPS and stutter in games: Game Mode, the right GPU, current drivers, refresh rate and power mode. Plus what doesn't help.
- High RAM usage in Windows 11: why it happens and what to do Memory usage high in Windows? Find the cause first: Task Manager, startup apps, page file and a memory test. You don't need a 'RAM cleaner'.
- Does disabling Windows services help? WinUtil, O&O ShutUp10++ and safe use Does disabling services really speed up Windows? The risks, restore points, and how to use tools like WinUtil, O&O ShutUp10++ and Winaero Tweaker safely.
- How to use Chris Titus WinUtil: running it, the tabs and safe settings Chris Titus WinUtil step by step: running it in an admin PowerShell, the tabs, presets, undoing tweaks and common errors.
Boot menu and BIOS keys by brand
- ASUS boot menu and BIOS key: Esc and F2 (laptop), booting from USB On ASUS laptops the boot menu key is Esc and the BIOS key is F2. ASUS's hold-key-then-power method, and ASUS's fix when setup cannot find the drive.
- Lenovo boot menu and BIOS key: IdeaPad F12/F2, ThinkPad F12/F1, Novo button Lenovo IdeaPad: boot menu F12, BIOS F2 or Fn+F2; ThinkPad: F12 and F1. Booting from USB with the Novo button, and Fn Lock (Fn+Esc).
- HP boot menu and BIOS key: Esc, F9 and F10 On HP computers, Esc opens the Startup Menu, F9 the boot device options and F10 the BIOS. Plus HP's Action Keys Mode setting for the F keys.
- Dell boot menu and BIOS key: F12 (One Time Boot) and F2 On Dell computers, F12 opens the One Time Boot Menu to start from USB and F2 opens the BIOS. Dell's tip: tap once per second at the logo; Fn+F2 on some laptops.
- Acer boot menu and BIOS key: enabling the F12 menu, and F2 On Acer the BIOS key is F2 and the boot menu is F12, but F12 must first be enabled: F12 Boot Menu: Enabled on the BIOS Main tab. Step by step.
- MSI laptop boot menu and BIOS key: F11 and Delete On MSI laptops the boot menu key is F11 and the BIOS key is Delete. Press repeatedly right after the power button. Separate table for MSI motherboards.
- HUAWEI MateBook boot menu and BIOS key: F12 and F2 On HUAWEI MateBook, F12 starts from USB and F2 opens the BIOS. On 2-in-1 models such as MateBook E, BIOS: Power + Volume Up.
- Samsung Galaxy Book boot menu and BIOS key: F10 and F2 On Samsung Galaxy Book the boot menu is F10 and the BIOS is F2. According to Samsung, the boot menu does not appear after sleep; shut down fully.
- Motherboard boot menu and BIOS key: ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE, ASRock Boot menu and BIOS keys on a self-built PC: ASUS F8 and Del/F2, MSI F11 and Delete, GIGABYTE F12 and Delete, ASRock F11 and F2/Del.