Stop Resizing Windows: Make Apps Open Maximized

Stop Resizing Windows: Make Apps Open Maximized

Tired of opening an app only to immediately click the Maximize button? A new Windows 11 accessibility setting can automatically maximize app windows as they open, eliminating one small but repetitive step.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 14, 2026

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Open an app. 

Click Maximize. 

Open another app. 

Click Maximize again.

If that's part of your daily Windows routine, Microsoft has added a simple setting that can eliminate those extra clicks.

Called "Open apps maximized," the new Windows 11 accessibility option automatically maximizes app windows when they open. 

Microsoft introduced it in the September 22, 2026 optional preview update, KB5124010, for Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.

The feature is also part of the improvements carried forward into Microsoft's October 13, 2026 security update, KB5127648.

There's one catch. 

Microsoft is delivering Open apps maximized through a gradual rollout, which means it may reach different PCs at different times. 

Feature availability depends on the device and market.

For people who prefer working with a large app window, particularly on laptops or smaller displays, this is the kind of tiny Windows improvement that could quietly make everyday computing easier.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Let Windows maximize your apps automatically.

Stop Searching Windows Settings. Let Copilot Find Them for You

Stop Searching Windows Settings. Let Copilot Find Them for You

Windows 11 has hundreds of settings, and finding the right one isn't always easy. Microsoft Copilot can help you locate, open, and understand settings using plain English, reducing frustration and saving time.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

October 7, 2026

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Windows 11 gives users an incredible amount of control over their PCs, but that flexibility comes with a challenge. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Use Copilot as your personal Windows 11 settings guide.

Important settings can be buried several menus deep, making even simple tasks frustrating when you cannot remember where Microsoft placed a particular option.

Need to change your microphone? 

Connect Bluetooth headphones? 

Adjust battery settings? 

Make text larger?

Instead of clicking through Settings and hunting for the right menu, try asking Microsoft Copilot.

Microsoft includes Windows Settings support as part of the Copilot experience on Windows. 

The feature allows users to ask questions in natural language and receive guidance for locating settings, troubleshooting issues, and managing their PC.

The biggest benefit is simple: you no longer need to remember where Microsoft hid a setting.

Stop Losing Your Windows Every Time You Reconnect a Monitor

Stop Losing Your Windows Every Time You Reconnect a Monitor

If you use a laptop with an external monitor, you've probably experienced windows scattered across the wrong screens after reconnecting your setup. Windows 11 includes a built-in feature that can automatically restore many windows to their previous locations, helping you get back to work faster.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 30, 2026

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You disconnect your laptop from a docking station, head to a meeting, and later reconnect everything at your desk. 

Instead of jumping right back into work, you spend several minutes dragging Outlook, Excel, Teams, and browser windows back to the monitors where they belong.

Here's a Cool Tip: Turn on Remember Window Locations and let Windows put your apps back where they belong.

That annoyance is common among Windows users who work with multiple displays. Fortunately, Windows 11 includes a setting designed to reduce this frustration. 

When enabled, Windows can remember where your application windows were placed before a monitor was disconnected and attempt to restore them when the display is reconnected.

Microsoft includes this capability within Windows 11's Multiple Displays settings, giving users a simple way to maintain a more consistent workspace when moving between desk setups, docking stations, and portable work environments. 

Windows can remember window locations based on monitor connections and restore them after reconnecting external displays.

The Most Useful Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts You'll Actually Use

The Most Useful Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts You'll Actually Use

A handful of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts can save dozens of clicks every day. Whether you're working, studying, creating content, or simply browsing the web, these shortcuts can help you move through Windows faster and get more done with less effort.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 23, 2026

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If you spend several hours a day on a Windows PC, small delays add up quickly. 

Opening File Explorer, switching applications, hunting for settings, taking screenshots, and organizing windows may only take a few seconds each time, but repeated hundreds of times a week, those extra clicks can become a real productivity drain.

That's where keyboard shortcuts shine.

Windows 11 includes dozens of built-in shortcuts that make it easier to multitask, manage windows, capture screenshots, launch tools, and move around the operating system without touching a mouse. 

While many users know the basics like Copy and Paste, some of Windows 11's most useful shortcuts remain surprisingly overlooked.

The best part is that you don't need to memorize dozens of commands. Learning just a handful can noticeably speed up your daily workflow.

Here's a Cool Tip: Start with five shortcuts you'll use every day and build from there.

Microsoft’s Emergency Windows 11 Fix Tackles Major Problems

Microsoft’s Emergency Windows 11 Fix Tackles Major Problems

Microsoft has released an emergency Windows 11 update to repair Remote Desktop, Hyper-V file-sharing, and multichannel USB audio problems. The cumulative update also includes protection against an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability, making it an important release for affected users and IT teams.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

September 16, 2026

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A Windows update can quickly become a business problem when remote employees cannot sign in, virtual machines lose access to shared folders, or specialized audio equipment stops working correctly.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Check Windows Update now if Remote Desktop, Hyper-V, or USB audio recently stopped working.

Microsoft released KB5129195 on September 14, 2026, outside its regular update schedule. 

The cumulative out-of-band update applies to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 and brings those systems to OS builds 26200.9457 and 26100.9457, respectively.

The update addresses several issues introduced or exposed by the September 2026 Windows security updates. 

The failures affected Remote Desktop Services, host-folder sharing with certain Linux virtual machines, and some multichannel USB audio configurations. 

It also includes protections documented under CVE-2026-62721, a Windows User-Mode Power Service elevation-of-privilege vulnerability.

Speed Up Windows 11: 3 Easy Ways to Disable Startup Apps

Speed Up Windows 11: 3 Easy Ways to Disable Startup Apps

Too many startup apps can slow down your PC before you even begin working. Here are three simple ways to stop unnecessary programs from launching automatically in Windows 11 and improve startup performance.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 26, 2026

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You turn on your PC expecting to get to work, but Windows spends the next few minutes launching apps you didn't even open. 

If your computer feels sluggish immediately after sign-in, startup programs may be the reason.

Many applications automatically configure themselves to launch whenever you log into Windows. 

While some are genuinely helpful, others consume memory, processor resources, and storage activity before you've even opened a browser.

Here's a Cool Tip: Disable high-impact startup apps you rarely use.

Startup applications can affect both startup speed and overall system performance. 

By managing which apps launch automatically, you can reduce unnecessary background activity and create a cleaner, faster experience.

The good news is that Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that make startup management easy.

Windows 11’s Latest Updates Make Bluetooth More Reliable

Windows 11’s Latest Updates Make Bluetooth More Reliable

Windows 11’s latest updates aim to make Bluetooth audio less frustrating, especially for users who rely on wireless earbuds and headsets every day. If your headphones have been slow to pair, flaky on calls, or inconsistent with mute controls, this is one update worth checking.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 19, 2026

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Bluetooth on Windows has long had a reputation for occasional pairing glitches, dropped connections, and microphone quirks. 

That can be more than annoying when you are joining a work call, taking an online class, or trying to listen privately in a busy room.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Update Windows 11, then re-test your Bluetooth headset.

Recent Windows 11 updates appear to improve several of those pain points. 

Microsoft’s June 2026 optional update and July 2026 Patch Tuesday update include notable Bluetooth improvements, including faster AirPods pairing, better Beats Studio Pro microphone reliability, steadier LE Audio behavior, and improved mute synchronization on supported headsets.

5 Hidden Windows 11 Features That Save Time Every Day

5 Hidden Windows 11 Features That Save Time Every Day

Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that can make everyday tasks faster, cleaner, and less frustrating. These five overlooked features help you copy smarter, organize your screen, capture better screenshots, focus longer, and reach system tools quickly.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 12, 2026

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If you use Windows all day, you probably spend more time than you realize switching between apps, copying bits of text, grabbing screenshots, and digging through settings. 

The good news is that Windows 11 already includes several tools that make these little tasks easier.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Learn These Five Windows Shortcuts and Put Windows 11 to Work.

The catch? 

Many of them are hidden behind keyboard shortcuts, tucked inside system apps, or sitting in menus most users rarely open.

None of these tips requires extra software or a paid subscription. Most take just a few seconds to learn.

New OneDrive Photos App Makes Finding Old Pictures Much Easier

New OneDrive Photos App Makes Finding Old Pictures Much Easier

Microsoft is introducing a dedicated OneDrive Photos app experience that helps users organize, rediscover, and manage pictures stored locally and in the cloud. If your photo collection has become a maze of folders, screenshots, and backups, this new tool could save you a surprising amount of time.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

August 5, 2026

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Most of us take thousands of photos every year, then spend far too much time searching for the one image we actually need.

A vacation picture from three summers ago. A photo of a receipt for an expense report. A screenshot containing important information. 

The files are usually there somewhere, but finding them can be frustrating.

Here's a Cool Tip: Try the New Windows 11 OneDrive Photos App.

OneDrive Photos is a dedicated photo-focused experience that has recently started appearing on some Windows 11 systems. 

The app provides a gallery-style experience for browsing, organizing, and revisiting photos stored on a PC and in OneDrive cloud storage. 

Availability currently may vary by account, device, and rollout status.

Windows 11 Screen Tint Makes Bright Screens Easier on the Eyes

Windows 11 Screen Tint Makes Bright Screens Easier on the Eyes

Bright screens are not always a brightness problem. Sometimes the intensity of modern apps, websites, and documents is what leaves your eyes feeling tired after a long day.

Windows 11's new Screen Tint accessibility feature offers another way to improve screen comfort by applying a customizable color overlay across the entire display. Availability may vary depending on your Windows version and rollout status.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 29, 2026

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After eight hours of email, spreadsheets, Teams meetings, web browsing, and document editing, many people reach for the brightness controls. 

The problem is that brightness is not always what's causing the discomfort.

Here's a Cool Tip: Customize your screen's comfort level with Screen Tint.

Microsoft's new Screen Tint feature for Windows 11 takes a different approach. Instead of simply dimming the display, it adds a customizable color overlay designed to make bright screens feel less visually intense during long work sessions. 

The feature is intended to help users who experience eye fatigue, light sensitivity, or general visual discomfort from bright displays.

Screen Tint joins other Windows accessibility tools designed to make computing more comfortable, but it fills a unique gap between Night Light and Color Filters.

Listen Together: Windows 11 Shared Audio Explained

Listen Together: Windows 11 Shared Audio Explained

Learn how Windows 11 Shared Audio allows compatible PCs to share audio with two Bluetooth LE Audio devices, making listening together easier.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 22, 2026

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Whether you're traveling with a friend, studying with a classmate, or reviewing content with a client, sharing audio from a laptop has traditionally involved compromises. 

Most PCs connect audio to a single Bluetooth device at a time, leaving users searching for splitters, adapters, or awkward workarounds.

Here's a Cool Tip: Share One Audio Stream with Two Listeners Using Windows 11 Shared Audio.

Microsoft recently released an update with Shared Audio, a Windows 11 feature designed for compatible devices that support Bluetooth LE Audio. 

The feature allows users to broadcast the same audio stream to two supported listening devices from a single PC.

For people who frequently share videos, music, presentations, or training content, it offers a more convenient way to listen together without additional accessories.

Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's New Point-in-Time Restore Can Save Hours of Recovery

Windows 11's new Point-in-Time Restore feature can help you recover from bad updates, driver problems, and software mistakes without rebuilding an entire PC. If something breaks, you may be able to roll back to a previous working state in minutes instead of spending hours troubleshooting.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

July 15, 2026

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One bad driver update or software installation can turn a perfectly good PC into a troubleshooting project.

For years, Windows users have relied on backups, system images, or the aging System Restore feature when something went wrong. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Update Windows with the July 2026 Update for Point-in-Time Restore.

Microsoft is now introducing a more modern recovery approach called Point-in-Time Restore, a built-in Windows 11 capability designed to help users recover from software problems more quickly.

Point-in-Time Restore can restore apps, settings, and local user files captured in an available restore point. 

The goal is simple: reduce downtime and help users recover from problems without resorting to a full reinstall.

3 Smart Windows 11 Printer Tricks That Save Time and Ink

3 Smart Windows 11 Printer Tricks That Save Time and Ink

Printing mistakes and repetitive settings can quietly waste time, ink, and paper. These three Windows 11 printer tips help you take control and keep things running smoothly.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 17, 2026

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You only meant to print one page, but the printer starts churning through an entire document in full color.

That’s a quick way to burn through ink and patience.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Take Control of Printing Before It Wastes Your Time and Money.

Windows 11 includes useful printer tools most people never touch.

Once you know where they are, you can stop mistakes instantly, automate your settings, and manage printers with far more control.

Find Files Faster: Windows 11 Search Finally Gets Smarter

Find Files Faster: Windows 11 Search Finally Gets Smarter

Windows 11 Search has long been a frustration point, but the June 2026 update addresses some of its biggest weaknesses. These changes make finding files faster, easier, and far less dependent on typing the exact file name.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 10, 2026

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You know the routine. 

You open Search, type part of a file name, and nothing appears. 

So you type more. 

Then more. 

At some point, it is faster to open File Explorer and hunt manually.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Find files faster with fewer keystrokes

Microsoft finally seems to be fixing that experience.

The June 2026 Windows 11 update introduces meaningful improvements to Search performance and accuracy. 

The changes are subtle, but they show up quickly in everyday use.

Turn Simple Notes Into Organized Lists in Notepad

Turn Simple Notes Into Organized Lists in Notepad

Windows Notepad is evolving from a plain-text tool into a lightweight Markdown editor. New support for Strikethrough and Nested Lists makes everyday notes easier to organize and manage.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

June 3, 2026

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Notepad has always been the simplest app on Windows. 

Open it, type something, close it, done. 

No formatting, no structure, no distractions.

That simplicity worked until you needed to organize anything more complex than a short list. 

Project notes, task lists, outlines, even grocery planning quickly turned messy.

Here’s a Cool Tip: Use Notepad like a Structured Note-Taking Tool. 

With recent updates, Notepad is starting to behave more like a lightweight Markdown editor, including support for strikethrough text and properly nested lists.

Stop Right-Clicking: Windows 11 Drop Tray Puts File Sharing at the Top of Your Screen

Stop Right-Clicking: Windows 11 Drop Tray Puts File Sharing at the Top of Your Screen

Dragging files in Windows 11 just got smarter. Drop Tray appears the moment you start dragging, offering a fast lane to open apps, email, Teams, a connected phone, and more. No extra clicks. No menu hunting. Drag up, choose your destination, and let go.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 20, 2026

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If you have ever dragged a file across your screen only to fumble through a right-click menu, or opened three windows just to share one document, you are not alone. 

Windows has always made copying files easy. 

Sharing, though, has lagged behind.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Drop Tray.

Windows 11’s New Start App Views: Find Any App In Two Clicks Or Less

Windows 11’s New Start App Views: Find Any App In Two Clicks Or Less

The Windows 11 Start menu just learned a few new tricks that quietly fix years of everyday annoyances. If you have too many apps and not enough patience, the new Start app views might be the most useful change you see all year.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 6, 2026

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How many times a day do you open the Start menu, stare at a wall of icons, and still not find the app you need? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Check the New Start Menu.

Windows 11’s refreshed Start menu in versions 24H2 and 25H2 tackles that exact problem by turning the old, split layout into a single, smarter app launcher with multiple ways to browse.

Instead of bouncing between Pinned, All apps, and Recommended, you now get one continuous surface with new Category, Grid, and List views for your apps. 

The result feels more like a modern phone launcher: scroll, tap, done.

Here's How to Talk To Rename

Here's How to Talk To Rename

Voice Typing in Windows 11 quietly picked up a new trick: you can now rename files in File Explorer just by speaking. If you work with lots of documents, photos, or downloads, this tiny change can save clicks, reduce typos, and make Windows feel more accessible for everyone.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

April 22, 2026

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How many times have you clicked into a filename, started typing, then realized you mistyped a date, client name, or version number and had to fix it by hand? 

Now imagine doing that dozens of times a day across invoices, lesson plans, or project folders. 

It adds up.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Talk to Rename a File in Windows 11.

With the April 2026 Windows 11 update, Microsoft quietly enabled Voice Typing inside the File Explorer rename box. 

Press Win + H while the filename is editable, speak the new name, and Windows types it for you. 

It feels like a natural extension of dictation in Word or Outlook, but this time it lives right where your files are. 

Windows 11’s New Quality Pledge: What It Really Means For You

Windows 11’s New Quality Pledge: What It Really Means For You

Windows is promising fewer frustrations, smarter updates, and features that feel finished before they reach your PC. Here is what that new quality push actually looks like in real life and how you can benefit from it today.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor  

April 15, 2026

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When was the last time a Windows update landed at the worst possible moment, right before a meeting or a class? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Be Prepared for Improved Windows 11 Quality Updates.

Microsoft says it has heard that frustration loud and clear and is now reshaping how Windows is built, tested, and delivered, with a renewed focus on quality, stability, and user trust.

Microsoft leader Pavan Davuluri recently outlined a set of concrete changes: more control over updates, a faster and more dependable File Explorer, quieter widgets, fewer Copilot distractions, and a clearer Insider Program.

Freeform Rotate Comes To Windows Paint: A Tiny Button With Big Creative Power

Freeform Rotate Comes To Windows Paint: A Tiny Button With Big Creative Power

Freeform Rotate is finally arriving in the classic Windows Paint app, and it quietly fixes a decades-old annoyance. If you sketch, annotate screenshots, or mock up ideas in Paint, this one control can save you time and make your work look more polished.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

March 10, 2026

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Have you ever tried to tilt a logo or straighten a pasted screenshot in Paint, only to give up because it only rotated in 90-degree chunks? 

That friction has been part of Windows life for years.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Rotate Objects in Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft is rolling out a Freeform Rotate feature in Paint that lets you rotate shapes, text, and selections to any angle. 

It is a small change that makes Paint feel less like a toy and more like a lightweight layout tool for everyday work.