1. Restart your PC regularly

2. Use Microsoft Edge instead of other web browsers

3. Disable startup programs

4. Run automatic Windows maintenance

In the Maintenance section, find Automatic Maintenance and select Start maintenance if you want to run it. If you want to adjust the schedule, click Change maintenance settings, select a convenient time for you, and check the box next to “Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer at the scheduled time” if necessary. Click OK to save the changes.

5. Uninstall unused programs

6. Turn off search indexing

7. Disable visual effects

To do this, open the Control Panel and select System and Security. Under the System section, click Allow remote access to open the System Properties dialog box. Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings in the Performance section. Under the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance or manually uncheck options you don’t need.

8. Change the power settings

To do so, go to the Control Panel and select Hardware and Sound > Power Options, or right-click on the battery icon in the taskbar and select Power Options. Then, choose High Performance.

9. Turn off Windows tips and tricks

10. Disable Game Mode

By following these 10 simple tips, you can speed up your Windows 11 experience and make sure your computer is running at its best. Remember to regularly maintain your system and adjust settings as needed to keep things running smoothly.

For help optimizing your Windows 11 experience or troubleshooting any issues with performance, reach out to our experts.

General Windows 11 shortcuts

Windows 11 Command Prompt shortcuts

Windows 11 File Explorer shortcuts

New Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts

Mastering these Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency. So, try incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine and experience the optimum functionality of Windows 11.

If you want to find more ways to increase your productivity using Windows 11, call our experts today.

What is Microsoft Exchange?

Many large enterprises and academic organizations install Exchange on their own servers, as this provides them with complete control over their email systems. However, this can be overly complex and expensive for smaller businesses that don’t necessarily require the same degree of customization or control. This is where Exchange Online comes in.

What is Exchange Online?

What are the benefits of Exchange Online?

• Predictable and lower costs – Exchange Online eliminates the need for expensive hardware and software investments, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs associated with an on-premises installation. As with many other hosted services, you simply pay a fixed fee each month for the number of users you need, so you can easily predict and control your costs.
• Easier implementation – Maintaining an on-premises Exchange server can be complex and time-consuming. You would need to find space in your office for the server, purchase and install hardware and software, set up and manage accounts and users, and keep it all updated and secure. In case the server runs into problems, you would then need to fix it yourself or call in an IT specialist. Exchange Online takes much of this burden away, as Microsoft takes care of everything.
• Enhanced security – Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure provides a secure platform for storing and managing your data. Exchange Online also includes advanced security features such as multifactor authentication, data loss prevention, and encryption. These features help protect your business from cyberthreats and data breaches.
• Scalability – As your business grows, Exchange Online can quickly and easily scale to meet the increased demand. Instead of needing to purchase new hardware or hire additional IT staff, you can simply increase your user count and the system will take care of the rest.

What is the Disk Cleanup tool?

Disk Cleanup is a program designed to help users free up storage space on their computer by deleting temporary and any unneeded files that are taking up valuable disk space. These files may include obsolete installation files, log files, internet history and cache, old system error reports and save points, downloaded offline content, etc. that might have been used or created by your system at some point, but are no longer necessary.

This tool can be a big help for those who work with large files or keep track of large amounts of data, as it can easily remove unnecessary clutter from the system so that you have more room for important files.

How to run the Disk Cleanup tool

The Disk Cleanup tool can be accessed in two ways:

• Option 1: Search “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu on a Windows PC and select the drive you’d like to clean up.
• Option 2: Open your computer’s “File Explorer” and right-click on the drive you want to de-clutter. Click on Properties and select Disk Cleanup.

Beside each file location, you can see how much hard disk space the selected files occupy. And if you click on the file location, you can view a description of the files so that you know what kind of data will be deleted.

If you need to free up more space, you can also choose to delete system files by clicking on Clean Up System Files. Finally, once you’ve ticked off all the necessary file locations, click OK.

It’s advisable to restart your system when Disk Cleanup is finished to ensure that the unnecessary Windows Update files are removed.

The benefits of Disk Cleanup

When was the last time you used the Disk Cleanup tool? With the benefits listed below, you’d definitely consider performing this essential task on your PC more regularly:

• Maximize your drive’s memory – Reclaiming precious storage space on your hard drive allows you to prioritize new, important files. You can also take full advantage of other benefits such as increased drive speed and improved performance.
• Enjoy a more reliable and secure computer – To ensure that your programs are functioning optimally, it’s important to regularly delete redundant and unnecessary files from your system. Cleaning up your cache and search history also ensures that your personal information can’t be accessed by cybercriminals.
• Promotes efficiency – Disk Cleanup makes decluttering your system simpler and easier. This allows you to focus on more essential tasks.
• Save money – It’s more cost-efficient to first try and troubleshoot your drive rather than investing in a new one and spending time configuring it.

Browser tab sharing

Vertical Tabs

With the recent Microsoft Edge update, users will be able to conceal the horizontal title bar at the top of the screen, giving them more vertical space to work with. To enable Vertical Tabs, go to Settings > Appearance > Customize toolbar and toggle on “Hide title bar while in vertical tabs.”

Tab groups

To use tab groups, right-click on an open tab and select Add tab to a new group. Then, create a label and choose a color to identify the tab group. When the tab group is set up, you can add tabs to the group by clicking and dragging.

Collections

To use Collections, click on the Collections button at the top-right corner of the screen and a pane will open on the right side of your browser window. You can then drag and drop web pages, text, images, videos, and other elements into a group, which you can then import into an Excel workbook or a Word document.

Tracking prevention

The tracking prevention feature in Microsoft Edge is designed to keep you from being tracked by sites that you aren’t accessing directly. It’s enabled by default, and it gives you control over the types of third-party trackers to be detected and blocked, thereby enhancing your online privacy.

Typo protection

Password Monitor

Immersive Reader

Easy switching

To learn more about the latest features of Microsoft Edge and how to enjoy their benefits on your business computers, give us a call today.

Don’t be surprised if you see some ads while using your Windows 11 computer. Microsoft designed its operating systems to show notifications and ads, regardless of the version. Some users don’t mind the ads, but if you do and are wondering if there’s any way to remove such notifications, wonder no more. Here’s how to get rid of unwanted ads in Windows 11.

Turn off suggested content in Settings

Disable system notifications

Go to Settings > System > Notifications. Then, uncheck two boxes: the one beside Offer suggestions on how I can set up my device and the one beside Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows. This will prevent the system from showing notifications about certain Windows features or offers.

Remove ads on the Lock screen

Uninstall pins from the Start menu

To remove these pins, open Start, right-click the app you want to get rid of, then select Uninstall. 

Keep File Explorer ad-free

This blog is a good starting point if you want to learn about Windows 11. But if you need something a little more advanced, our managed IT services experts are second to none. Get in touch with one of our specialists today to maximize Windows 11’s full potential.

What is Microsoft Exchange Online?

Since Exchange Online isn’t installed locally, companies must instead sign up for the following subscription plans:

• Exchange Online (Plan 1): $4/user/month – A standalone email server platform with 50 GB mailbox, Outlook on the web, message archiving, and focused inbox features
• Exchange Online (Plan 2): $8/user/month – A more robust solution that includes all the features of the first plan including 100 GB mailbox, data loss prevention, automated attendant, and cloud voicemail capabilities
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/user/month – The most comprehensive plan that comes with Exchange Online, Office Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams

Benefits of hosted Exchange

1. Predictable and lower costs Exchange Online is charged on a monthly basis per user. This makes it easier for businesses to budget for their email needs in the long run.

What’s more, you don’t need to purchase dedicated servers and expensive licenses for your email platform. And since Microsoft is responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance, there are no additional costs associated with keeping the email solution running.

2. Plug-and-play simplicity With Microsoft Exchange Server, you would have to allocate physical space for an email server, install the software, and configure user accounts manually. If you experience technical difficulties with Exchange Server, you’ll also have to troubleshoot the issue yourself.

In contrast, everything is taken care of with Exchange Online. Your cloud services provider will usually handle the hosting, management, installation, and configuration processes. That means your company can use and enjoy everything Exchange Online has to offer as soon as you sign up for a subscription plan.

3. Increased scalability and flexibility As your business grows, you might need to add more users to your email platform. Fortunately, Exchange Online allows you to accommodate more users with ease. All you have to do is contact your provider when your server requirements change. You can add or remove users with a few clicks, and you’re only charged for what you use.

4.Greater security and compliance What’s great about Exchange Online is you gain access to enterprise-grade security features like data loss prevention policies, intelligent anti-spam filters, and advanced malware detection. These features are constantly updated by Microsoft to ensure that your data is always protected against the latest security threats. Plus, Exchange Online stores your emails and data in Microsoft’s data centers, protected with cutting-edge network security and physical security measures.

These benefits merely scratch the surface of what Exchange Online is capable of. If you want to see how this email platform can power up your business, call us now!

Tweak the Taskbar

On Windows 11, the Taskbar is located at the center of the screen. If you prefer the old layout, you can simply right-click anywhere on the Taskbar to access Taskbar settings. From there, click on Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment > Left.

If you want to further customize the Taskbar settings, you can also try using Taskbar11. With Taskbar11, you can move the Taskbar to the top of your screen, instead of just to the left or center, and even change the sizes of the icons on the Taskbar.

Organize with Fences

With its many features and customization options, Fences is a great way to personalize your Windows 11 experience. It lets you easily create resizable frames where you can place custom categories for your files and folders right on your desktop. Fences also allows you to add shortcuts to your favorite programs so you can quickly access them without having to search through the Start menu.

Fences lets you put files or programs within customizable frames that you can roll up in a mini-window. This way, you can have a more organized and less cluttered desktop.

Search with PowerToys Run

If you’re in a hurry and want the easiest way to access specific programs or files, you can use PowerToys Run. Installing PowerToys Run allows you to quickly access the search function. Simply press the Alt and Space shortcut keys, and a search bar will appear on your screen. This feature eliminates the need to dig through the menus, saving you precious time. You can download PowerToys Run here.

Whether you want to make a bold statement or simply make your computer more comfortable to use, personalization is the key. So go ahead and experiment with different settings until you find the perfect combination for you. And if you have any questions about Windows 11, feel free to contact us and our experts will be happy to guide you.

Windows 11 offers a new and improved way to customize your PC. Whether you’re looking to improve your computer’s efficiency or just want to try different settings, there are plenty of options in Microsoft’s latest operating system that will suit you. Read on to find out the many ways you can personalize your Windows 11 PC.

Change your theme

The easiest way to customize Windows 11 is by changing your theme, including your desktop background and lock screen image. Just right-click anywhere on your desktop, then click on Personalize. This will lead you to the Personalization menu, where you can preview and choose different backgrounds and themes. You can even create new themes by using images from your gallery. You can also see more themes in the Microsoft Store by clicking “Browse more”.

Use dark mode

Create virtual desktops

Try snap layouts

Reorganize your Start Menu

Disable all your notifications

Personalize your Windows 11 PC however you like by using some or all of these options. If you want more ways to customize your device or if you need information on anything Windows 11-related, give us a call.

Features exclusive to Excel 2021 for Microsoft 365

• Co-authoring – lets you work simultaneously with other users on the same Excel workbook and see each other’s inputs in a matter of seconds
• Threaded comments – allows you to have better discussions with other users in an Excel workbook, thanks to the ability to reply to comments inline
• Visibility of active co-authors – lets you see the other users who are also working with you and where they are in the workbook

XLOOKUP function

• The value you are looking for
• The list that should contain the value
• The list where the result should come from

LET function

To use the LET function, you need to provide at least three parameters:

• Name
• Associated value
• Calculation that uses the name and associated value pair/s

6 New dynamic array functions

To leverage dynamic arrays, Excel 2021 for Windows introduced six new functions:

• FILTER – filters data based on the predefined criteria
• SORT – sorts a cell range by a specified column
• SORTBY – sorts a cell range by another range or array
• UNIQUE – takes out unique values from a range of cells
• SEQUENCE – creates a list of sequential numbers
• RANDARRAY – creates an array of random numbers

XMATCH function

The XMATCH function assumes that you want an exact match, so it requires only two parameters (i.e., lookup value and lookup array) to work. However, you can add an optional third parameter to change the default matching type to “next smaller,” “next larger,” or “wildcard match.”

XMATCH has another optional parameter that allows you to indicate whether to search from the top or bottom of the lookup list, or whether to conduct a binary search on ascending or descending values.

These are just some of the great new features you can leverage in Excel 2021 for Windows. For more Microsoft Office productivity tips, consult our IT experts today.