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How to Initialize and Format a Newly Installed Secondary Drive in Windows 10
You needed more storage space and so you've just installed a new secondary drive in your computer. But when you open the file explorer, it's not there! If the drive has never been installed in a computer before, it probably needs initialized and partitioned before you can save or install things on it. Fortunately, getting…
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How to remove a Printer from Windows 10
If you have gotten a new printer for your PC, and still see the option for your old, unused printer, this process explains how to remove a printer in windows 10, which will remove the option of it being available to print to. This process can also be done to assist with the reinstall of a printer driver as well. Here is…
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[GUIDE] How to Install & Enable On-Screen Display in MSI Afterburner (RTSS)
Have you ever wondered how your computer is performing while gaming? Do you feel like your system might be running hot, or that your performance is lacking and you're trying to figure out why? This guide will introduce you to a very helpful set of troubleshooting tools known as MSI Afterburner and Rivatuner Statistics…
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How to use the Maingear Vector 2 NODE Control Center Software
This guide will give you a general overview of the new NODE Control Center software included on the Maingear Vector 2 laptops. It differs from the NODE software on some of their previous models, though it does have very similar functionality in general. It includes features for customizing lighting and performance, as well…
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How do I make Windows 10 not prompt for a password after sleep
By default, Windows will require you to to sign in again after waking up from sleep mode. Your computer will automatically go to sleep after a certain amount of time, or if you have a laptop, after closing the lid. Some of you may prefer to not be required to enter your password again every time you open your computer back…
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My keyboard or mouse won't work after the computer sleeps in Windows 10
If your mouse or keyboard does not seem to work in Windows 10 after you have woke your computer from sleep, and you have to shut down the PC completely to get them to work again, there are few things you can do to try and fix that problem. This guide will cover several different steps you can try if you're having this…
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How to sign in to Microsoft Office with an existing Microsoft Account
Most new computers come with a free trial of Office 365, which is not activated. If you already have a Microsoft account with an existing Office subscription, you do not need to re-download Office, just use these instructions to sign in using to your existing Microsoft account and activate Office from what is already…
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How to change AutoPlay settings in Windows 10
When you connect a flash drive to your computer, you may want it to automatically open up and show you the contents. You might want the SD card from your camera to automatically import photos or for CDs to automatically start playing. What your computer does when you connect or insert a device can be controlled by changing…
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How to Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter
Maybe you just reset Windows on your computer, or maybe you just brought home a new computer. Either way, you should have a valid copy of Windows, but suddenly, the system is telling you to activate Windows, or that your copy of Windows isn't genuine. If you have a copy of your product key handy, you can always just…
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How to uninstall another antivirus program before installing ESET in Windows 10
ESET will attempt to stop you from installing if you have another antivirus already on your computer. If you manage to install anyway, your system will run more slowly and may experience issues launching some applications. The best thing to do is to remove any pre-installed antivirus software before installing ESET. Here…
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How to Create a Windows 10 Installation Flash Drive
For better or worse, you've encountered a situation where you need to install Windows using external media. Could be you're putting together a new build, or maybe your hard drive just failed and a Windows Reset isn't an option. Fortunately, it's easy to create an installer using Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to install…
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How to Fix Your Master Boot Record in Windows 8 and 10
The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a file that tells your computer where to find Windows and what drive to boot from. If it is corrupted, your computer will not successfully start up. You may receive an error message like "Operating System Not Found" or "Invalid Partition Table." If you have already attempted a System…
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How to set up and use ESET Anti-Theft
You've just purchased ESET Internet Security or Smart Security and you saw it comes with Anti-Theft tools. Maybe you're concerned abut someone stealing your computer, or maybe you just worry about forgetting your laptop somewhere. ESET Anti Theft is a tool that allows you to monitor, lock and track a lost/stolen computer.…
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How to Disable Startup Programs and Services in Windows 10
Many programs and services start automatically when you turn on your Windows 10 computer. Some of these may be programs that you don't use. The more services that automatically start, the longer your computer will take to boot. Disabling these programs and services can improve your boot times, and save you from having to…
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How to Get Out of Windows 10 S Mode
S Mode is a restricted version of Windows 10 that can only install Microsoft verified applications through the Windows Store. S Mode is intended to provide added security by only allowing applications approved by Microsoft to be installed. However this can be overly restrictive for most users. If you bought a computer with…
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How to reinstall Microsoft Office 2013 or newer (including Office 365)
For one reason or another, you may find yourself needing to install Microsoft Office for a second (or third or fourth) time. It used to be that you had to track down your original CD, and re-enter the 25 character activation code to install again. And if you lost your code, or had used it too many times, you had to buy it…
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How to Activate and Install ESET Antivirus Trial on Your PowerSpec Computer
PowerSpec computers come with 90 days of ESET antivirus. Unlike other brands, PowerSpec does not pre-install ESET in case you prefer to run a different antivirus program, but your system will come with the ESET Activation Helper tool to help you activate and install ESET. Whether you want to run ESET or not, we do strongly…
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How to use System Restore in Windows 10
System Restore is a Windows tool that lets you revert recent changes. If you are unable to boot into Windows, or dealing with frequent crashes, System Restore can undo recent changes like: driver updates, Windows updates, software installs, system file changes, and configuration changes to restore your computer. System…
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Windows Crash/Blue Screen of Death Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly received blue screen of death (BSOD) questions we receive at our Micro Center stores: Q: What causes my computer to crash? A: There are many things that can cause crashes. Usually it is something software or Windows related. Crashes can be caused by hardware issues as well, but that is…
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How to set up NVIDIA Surround
Looking to set up a continual display across multiple monitors and you have a NVIDIA graphics card? NVIDIA has a built-in feature found in its control panel to set up what is known as NVIDIA Surrond to make your displays concurrent across all displays. To enable this feature: * Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right…
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Video Cable Connection Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly received video cable/video connection questions we receive at our Micro Center stores: Q: How many types of video connections are there for computers? A: There are four primary types of video connections: VGA, DVI, HDMI, and DP. All four connections are currently used today, but not all…
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How do I activate Windows 10 when installing for the first time
If you have a Windows 10 DVD/USB purchase either for a new system, or for an upgrade on an older PC, and it is asking to be activated after you get into loaded into Windows 10, here is how to activate that license once you have Windows installed. NOTE: If you have a new PC with Windows 10 pre-loaded and do not have a key,…
