If you're running Windows 8.1 or earlier, or if your PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11, consider moving to a new Windows 11 device. Find a PC that meets your needs. Set up your Microsoft account to transfer files and favorites. One account connects your device across Microsoft apps and services like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and Microsoft Store.

Find your product key to activate Windows. A product key is a 25-character code that's used to activate Windows and helps verify that Windows hasn't been used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.

Learn how to manage extensions in Microsoft Edge, including adding, disabling, or removing them as needed.

The files on your OneDrive are private until you share them. Keep in mind that when you share folders with Edit permissions, people you share with can add the shared folders to their own OneDrive.. This lets them keep the folder alongside their own folders and items, easily move items between folders, and more easily work on it offline.

Free. A Free badge means an active Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription isn't associated with the account you signed in with. Only the free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are available to you. To access these apps in your browser, all you need to do is to sign in to Microsoft365.com with your Microsoft account and select the app you need from the app launcher .

Find help and how-to articles for Windows operating systems. Get support for Windows and learn about installation, updates, privacy, security and more.

Notes: Reinstalling Windows 11 using installation media while choosing to ‘Keep nothing’ (a clean install) will automatically enable reserved storage if the partition you reinstall Windows to is 20GB or larger. Reserved storage sets aside disk space to be used by updates, apps, temporary files, and system caches, thus improving the day-to-day function of your PC by ensuring that critical ...

Note: If you see the icon next to the On/Off toggle for an app, you can select it to see the registry location that contains the path for the app. Apps installed through Microsoft Store (.MSIX apps) don’t have these icons. If you select the icon for these apps, File Explorer opens and highlights the executable file.

Lithium-ion batteries wear out over time, which can result in a battery not holding a charge for as long as it did when it was new. Keeping the battery charged to 100% all the time can cause it to deteriorate faster.

Tip: If you're a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscriber you get Microsoft Defender, our advanced security software for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as part of your subscription.Learn more at Getting started with Microsoft Defender.