Fix your audio drivers. Hardware problems can be caused by outdated or malfunctioning drivers. Make sure your audio driver is up to date and update it if needed. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling the audio driver (it will reinstall automatically).

You can use installation media (a USB flash drive or DVD) to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where you'll find step-by-step instructions.

Getting ready for the Windows 11 upgrade. How to check if your device meets Windows 11 system requirements after changing device hardware. Learn how to use the PC Health Check app to help you improve your device performance.

Manage background activity for apps in Windows. Some apps let you manage background activity, which determines what they can do when they’re in the background and not actively in use. Apps that can run in the background can send and receive notifications, sync information, and stay up to date.

Download drivers and firmware for Surface. Windows 11 Windows 10 Surface. Updates keep your Surface performing its best. Along with software updates for Windows 10 or Windows 11, it's important to make hardware updates, also known as updates for drivers and firmware.

If you pre-ordered a game and want to cancel, you can do so up to 10 days before the game launches at: Order history. After this time, you may be billed, and you’ll need to request a refund to cancel your order. For more info about digital game pre-orders, see: Pre-order Xbox digital games in the Microsoft Store.

Open Device Manager. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select Device Manager from the menu. Was this information helpful?

Record game clips and take screenshots. While you’re playing a game, press the Windows logo key + G to open Game Bar. Choose Widget Menu > Capture. Choose Start recording, Take screenshot, or Record last…. Record last… turns the most recent moments of play into a game clip when background recording is turned on.

Enable automatic out of office replies from Outlook for Android or Outlook for iOS. Use rules to send an out of office message. How to send automatic out-of-office replies from Outlook (depending on the type of email account you have).

Virtualization lets your PC emulate a different operating system, like Android™ or Linux. Enabling virtualization gives you access to a larger library of apps to use and install on your PC. If you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on your PC, these steps will help you enable virtualization.