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Windows 11 Field Guide
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Independent guide, not affiliated with Microsoft

Make Windows 11 work for you

Plain-English guides to installing, upgrading, fixing and setting up Windows 11. Steps were written for the menus in 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 (Microsoft lists 25H2 and 26H2 as current for Home and Pro as of 15 October 2026), link to Microsoft's own documentation, and avoid registry hacks and risky tools.

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Settings Check Bluetooth Version Windows 11: Read the LMP Number How to check the Bluetooth version in Windows 11 in Device Manager, read the LMP number, match it to Bluetooth 4.0 to 6.0 and what it means for accessories. October 15, 2026
  1. 01 Find MAC Address Windows 11: Settings, getmac and Random MACHow to find your MAC address in Windows 11 in Settings or with getmac and ipconfig /all, and why Wi-Fi may show a random hardware address instead.
  2. 02 Find IP Address Windows 11: Settings, ipconfig and Public IPHow to find your IP address in Windows 11 in Settings or with ipconfig, the difference between local and public IP, and how to read gateway and DNS details.
  3. 03 Recover Deleted Files Windows 11: From Bin to File RecoveryHow to recover deleted files in Windows 11: Recycle Bin, previous versions from File History, OneDrive's recycle bin and Microsoft's Windows File Recovery app.

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Independent, plain-English guides to installing, fixing and setting up Windows 11, with Settings paths written for versions 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2 and checked against Microsoft's release information.

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Settings Set Default Printer Windows 11: Stop Windows Switching It How to set a default printer in Windows 11, why Windows keeps changing it, what Let Windows manage my default printer does and how to get Set as default back. October 15, 2026
A person typing on a laptop in a home office
Settings Show Desktop Icons Windows 11: Get This PC and Recycle Bin How to show desktop icons in Windows 11, add This PC and Recycle Bin, resize icons and fix a desktop that went empty after OneDrive backup or a theme change. October 15, 2026
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Tweaks Turn Off Fast Startup Windows 11: When and How to Do It How to turn off fast startup in Windows 11 from Power Options, what it does, why Restart is a full boot anyway, and when disabling it actually fixes a problem. October 15, 2026
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Settings Turn Off Sticky Keys Windows 11: Stop the Shift-Key Popup How to turn off Sticky Keys in Windows 11, stop the Shift-five-times shortcut, and handle Filter Keys and Toggle Keys when the keyboard starts acting strangely. October 15, 2026
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Troubleshooting Update Drivers Windows 11: Windows Update and Device Manager How to update drivers in Windows 11 safely: optional driver updates in Windows Update, Device Manager, the PC maker's site, rollback and when to leave alone. October 15, 2026
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Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 BitLocker: Turn On Encryption and Save the Key Windows 11 BitLocker explained: device encryption on Home, full BitLocker on Pro, how to check and turn it on, back up the recovery key and avoid a lockout. October 15, 2026
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Settings Windows 11 Bluetooth Settings: Pair, Manage and Send Files Windows 11 Bluetooth settings explained: turn Bluetooth on, pair headphones, mice and phones, use Swift Pair, remove devices, check battery and send files. October 15, 2026
A laptop, notebook and coffee cup on a wooden desk
Tweaks Clean Temp Files Windows 11: Safe Ways to Free Up Space How to clean temporary files in Windows 11 safely with Settings, Storage Sense and Disk Cleanup, what each item is, and what you should never delete by hand. October 15, 2026
A minimal desk with a monitor and keyboard
Graphics and display Windows 11 Display Scaling: Right-Size Text, Apps and Icons How Windows 11 display scaling works: choose the recommended scale, set custom scaling, make only text bigger, fix blurry apps and set each monitor separately. October 15, 2026
Handwritten notes next to an open laptop
Features and apps Windows 11 File History: Set Up Backups and Restore Files How to set up File History in Windows 11 from Control Panel, what it backs up, how to restore earlier versions of files and how it compares with Windows Backup. October 15, 2026
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Gaming Windows 11 Game Mode: What It Does and When to Turn It Off What Windows 11 Game Mode does, how to turn it on or off in Settings > Gaming, what it changes while you play, and which settings matter more for FPS. October 15, 2026
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Settings Windows 11 Lock Screen: Picture, Spotlight, Widgets, Timeout How to customise the Windows 11 lock screen: picture, slideshow or Windows spotlight, widgets and status, the sign-in background, and when the screen locks. October 15, 2026
01

Current menus

Steps follow the Settings app in Windows 11 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2, checked against Microsoft's release information (25H2 and 26H2 current as of 15 October 2026), and say where Home and Pro differ.

02

Safe fixes first

We start with built-in tools and reversible settings. No registry cleaners, debloat scripts, activators or hardware-check bypasses.

03

Independent

We are not Microsoft and not a support line. We never ask you to call us, and we link to Microsoft's own pages as sources.