Microsoft has made these free tools easier to get and keep automatically updated.

The System File Checker is a little-known, simple-to-run command-line program. It validates that Window's operating files are undamaged.

On occasion, Windows Updates can seem to take forever. Here's what to look for and what to do when that happens.

Having a regular backup system in place is critical. But then what? I'll look at how long you might want to keep those backups, why, and how long I keep mine.

Online harassment is common problem, and prevalent among children. I'll review some of the issues and steps to be taken.

If Microsoft detects a login attempt to your account from a country other than yours, additional security information may be required. You need to be prepared to provide it.

Passwordless authentication removes the need for a password and replaces it with something else. But can that be secure?

Attacks on the internet demonstrate that the so-called "internet of things" lacks basic security considerations.

Having multiple email accounts with the same email address is not possible, and may reflect a misunderstanding of how addresses and accounts relate.

I never planned to be a writer. And yet here I am. I kinda wish I'd approached a few things differently along the way.