If your system is asking you for your BitLocker recovery key, the following information may help you locate your recovery key and understand why you're being asked to provide it. Important: Microsoft support is unable to provide, or recreate, a lost BitLocker recovery key.

Having a backup copy of your BitLocker recovery key helps to prevent serious issues later. It takes less than a minute to back up your key and this article will show you how.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

Get the steps for changing your home page in Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Find your Windows settings in a snap! Select the Start button, then select Settings . From there, browse the categories or use search to find what you're looking for. Windows 11 Windows 10. Tips: Most apps have their own settings. In the app, select Settings to make app-specific changes.

If you see a list of Android devices, choose the one you wish to pair with Phone Link to access your favorite apps, respond to texts, make calls, view photos, and more from your PC. Grant permissions on the Link to Windows app on your Android device. You are all set to use Phone Link.

Show or hide the Recycle Bin. Select the Start  button, then select Settings . Select Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Select the Recycle Bin check box > Apply. To get to desktop icon settings in Windows 8.1, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then select Search.

Find the Recycle Bin. If your desktop shows no icons at all, right-click (or press and hold) the desktop and select View. If Show desktop icons has no checkmark, click it to add one. If that doesn't work, try this: Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings.

To see where your browser is saving downloads, look in your browser's settings. For example, in the new Microsoft Edge , select Settings and more > Settings > Downloads . The file path for your downloaded files (for example, C:\Users\ [your name]\Downloads) is listed under Location.

To add a different search engine, perform a search in the address bar using that search engine (or a website that supports search, like a wiki site). Then go to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Address bar and search.