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Dual booting Windows and Linux on a single PC lets you enjoy the benefits of both operating systems. This setup is ideal if you want to use Windows for everyday tasks and Linux for development, privacy, or learning. This article will walk you through the entire process in a clear, detailed manner, based on current practices and my personal experience.

What Is Dual Booting?

Dual booting means installing two operating systems on one computer and choosing which one to start during boot. Both OSes remain independent, and you can switch between them by rebooting.

Step 1: Prepare Your PC

Before you start:

• Back up important data to an external drive or cloud.
• Ensure your PC has enough free disk space (at least 20-30 GB recommended for Linux).
• Confirm your system uses UEFI firmware (most modern PCs do) and check if Secure Boot is enabled.

Step 2: Create Space for Linux

Linux needs its own partition on your hard drive.

• Boot into Windows.
• Open Disk Management: Press Windows + X, then select Disk Management.
• Find your primary drive and right-click the largest partition (usually C:).
• Select Shrink Volume and reduce size by at least 20-30 GB.
• This frees unallocated space for Linux installation.

Step 3: Download Linux Distribution

Choose a Linux distribution that suits you. Popular beginner-friendly options include:

• Ubuntu
• Linux Mint
• Fedora

Download the ISO file from the official website.

Step 4: Create a Bootable USB Drive

Use software like Rufus (on Windows) to create a bootable USB.

• Insert a USB drive (minimum 8 GB).
• Open Rufus.
• Select the downloaded Linux ISO.
• Choose GPT partition scheme (for UEFI systems).
• Click Start and wait until the process finishes.

Step 5: Disable Fast Startup and Secure Boot (If Necessary)

Windows Fast Startup can cause issues during dual boot:

• Open Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
• Save changes.

For Secure Boot:

• Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, DEL, or ESC during boot).
• Navigate to Secure Boot settings and disable it if your Linux distro requires it.
• Save and exit.

Step 6: Boot From USB and Start Linux Installation

• Restart your PC and boot from the USB drive.
• On most PCs, press a key like F12 during startup to select the boot device.
• Choose the USB device.
• The Linux live environment will load; select Install Linux.

Step 7: Choose Installation Type

When asked about installation type:

• Select Install Linux alongside Windows Boot Manager if available.
• If not, choose Something else for manual partitioning.

If manual:

• Select the unallocated space created earlier.
• Create a new partition for Linux root / (ext4 filesystem) with about 20 GB.
• Optionally, create a swap partition (equal to your RAM size) for memory management.
• You may create a separate /home partition for user files.

Step 8: Install the Bootloader (GRUB)

Linux uses GRUB as a bootloader to manage OS selection.

• Make sure GRUB installs to the primary drive (usually /dev/sda).
• The installer will automatically detect Windows and add it to the boot menu.

Step 9: Complete Installation and Reboot

• Follow the on-screen instructions to finish installation (timezone, username, password).
• After installation, reboot your PC.
• You will see the GRUB menu with options to boot into Linux or Windows.

Step 10: Post-Installation Tips

• Boot into both OSes to confirm everything works.
• Update Linux via the terminal: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade (for Ubuntu-based distros).
• Adjust boot order or timeout in GRUB if needed (via editing /etc/default/grub).
• Install drivers or tools needed for hardware support on Linux.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Windows Doesn’t Boot: Use Windows recovery tools or check boot order in BIOS.
• Linux Not Showing in Boot Menu: Boot repair tools like Boot-Repair can fix GRUB.
• Disk Space Problems: Use partition managers like GParted in live Linux mode.

Conclusion

Dual booting Windows and Linux provides flexibility and maximizes your PC’s capabilities. By following these steps carefully, you can set up a reliable dual boot system. The key is to back up data, allocate disk space correctly, and install GRUB properly.

Your Windows product key is a unique 25-character code essential for activating your Windows operating system. Whether you need to reinstall Windows or verify your license, knowing how to locate this key is important.

This guide explains how to find your Windows product key using Command Prompt (CMD) without overwhelming you with technical commands.

Why Use CMD to Find Your Product Key?

Using the Command Prompt to retrieve your product key is quick, safe, and does not require installing any additional software. It accesses the key stored in your system’s hardware or registry and displays it directly.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

First, you need to open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges:

• Click on the Start menu or search bar.
• Type cmd or Command Prompt.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
• If asked by User Account Control, click Yes to allow.

Step 2: Use the Built-in Windows Tool to Retrieve Your Key

Once the Command Prompt window opens:

• You will enter a system command that tells Windows to look for your original product key embedded in your device’s firmware or registry.
• After running this, the product key will be shown on the screen.

The displayed key will be a series of letters and numbers grouped in five sets of five characters each.

Step 3: Save Your Product Key

After your product key appears:

• Carefully write down or copy the key exactly as shown.
• Store it in a safe place, such as a password manager or a secure physical note, to avoid losing it.

What to Do if the Product Key Does Not Appear?

If your product key does not show up or the command returns nothing:

• Your copy of Windows may be using a digital license or digital entitlement instead of a traditional key.
• The key might not be stored in the system due to the way Windows was installed (for example, upgraded from a previous version without a key).
• You might need to use alternative methods like checking the original purchase documentation, the Windows packaging, or contacting Microsoft support.

Alternative Methods to Find Your Product Key

If CMD does not reveal your key, you can:

• Use Windows Settings if your system is linked to your Microsoft account, which automatically activates Windows.
• Use official Microsoft tools or trusted third-party utilities designed specifically to retrieve product keys.
• Consult documentation or emails if you purchased Windows digitally.

Important Notes

• Do not share your product key with others as it grants access to your licensed Windows copy.
• Always keep a backup of your product key in case you need to reinstall or troubleshoot.
• Be cautious of websites or software offering to retrieve keys with unknown reliability.

Conclusion

Finding your Windows product key using the Command Prompt is a safe and direct way to access your license information. This method requires opening CMD with admin rights and running a simple system query that displays your key on screen. If the key does not appear, it’s likely your license uses a different activation method. By following this guide, you can securely locate and save your Windows product key without technical hassle.

Creating a guest account on Windows 11 is a useful way to let others use your PC without giving them access to your personal files or system settings. While Windows 11 does not offer a built-in “Guest” account like older versions, you can create a limited user account that functions similarly. This guide explains how to set up such an account, why it’s important, and how to manage it effectively.

Why Create a Guest Account on Windows 11?

A guest account allows someone else to use your computer temporarily with restricted permissions. The guest user cannot install apps, change system settings, or access other users’ files. This protects your data and keeps your system secure while providing convenience.

Important Considerations

• Windows 11 removed the traditional Guest account for security reasons.
• You will create a local standard user account with limited privileges to mimic a guest account.
• If you want, you can restrict access further using parental controls or group policy.
• Creating a Microsoft account for the guest is optional but not necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Guest Account on Windows 11

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

1. Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key.
2. Select the Settings gear icon, or press Windows + I shortcut.

Step 2: Navigate to Accounts Settings

1. In the Settings window, click on Accounts from the left sidebar.
2. Select Family & other users from the options.

Step 3: Add a New User

1. Under Other users, click Add account.
2. A Microsoft sign-in window appears. Instead of entering an email, click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
3. On the next page, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Step 4: Create a Local Account

1. Enter a username for the guest account, for example, “Guest” or “Visitor”.
2. Leave the password fields blank if you want no password (not recommended for security) or set a simple password.
3. Click Next to finish account creation.

Step 5: Change Account Type to Standard User

By default, new accounts are standard users, which is suitable for guests.

1. In Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, locate the newly created account.
2. Click on it and select Change account type.
3. Ensure the account type is set to Standard User (not Administrator).
4. Click OK.

Step 6: Customize Guest Account Restrictions (Optional)

If you want to restrict access further, you can:

• Use Parental Controls under Family accounts to set time limits or content restrictions.
• Use Local Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro editions) to limit apps and features.
• Manually configure folder permissions to block access to certain directories.

How to Switch to the Guest Account

1. Press Windows + L to lock your screen.
2. Click on the guest account name on the login screen.
3. Enter the password if set, or simply press Enter if none.

How to Delete or Manage Guest Account

To remove or manage the guest account later:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Select the guest account.
3. Click Remove to delete the account and its data.
4. Alternatively, click Change account type to promote or restrict privileges.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: Guest Account Cannot Access Internet or Apps

• Ensure network permissions are allowed.
• Check if parental controls or firewall are blocking access.
• Verify the account is set as Standard User.

Issue 2: Guest User Cannot Save Files

• Guest accounts typically have limited write permissions.
• To allow saving files, create a shared folder with write permissions for the guest user.

Issue 3: Account Password Problems

• If the guest user forgets the password, the administrator can reset it in Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

My Experience Creating Guest Accounts on Windows 11

I needed to let a family member use my PC without risking my data. Creating a local standard user account as a guest worked well. I avoided Microsoft account sign-in for simplicity. Setting no password made access easy but less secure. Later, I added some folder restrictions manually to protect sensitive data. This setup balances convenience with security.

Summary

Though Windows 11 does not provide a dedicated guest account, you can easily create a local standard user account to serve as a guest. This allows others to use your PC safely without affecting your personal files or settings. Follow these steps:

• Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
• Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Set account type to Standard User.
• Optionally restrict further via parental controls or permissions.

This approach keeps your PC secure while providing guest access.

Renaming multiple files at once in Windows can significantly streamline your workflow, especially when dealing with large batches of files like photos, documents, or music. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, there are several methods to batch rename files efficiently. This guide will walk you through various techniques, from built-in Windows features to advanced tools, ensuring you can choose the method that best fits your needs.

Method 1: Batch Rename Using File Explorer

Windows File Explorer offers a straightforward way to rename multiple files simultaneously.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer: Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename.
2. Select Files: Click on the first file, then hold down the Ctrl key and click on each additional file you want to include. Alternatively, press Ctrl + A to select all files in the folder.
3. Initiate Rename: Press F2 on your keyboard, or right-click on the first selected file and choose “Rename” from the context menu.
4. Enter New Name: Type the desired base name for your files (e.g., “Vacation2025”) and press Enter.

Windows will automatically rename all selected files, appending a sequential number in parentheses to each (e.g., “Vacation2025 (1)”, “Vacation2025 (2)”, etc.).

Method 2: Rename Files with Different Names Using Tab Key

If you prefer to assign unique names to each file:

1. Select Files: Open the folder and select the first file.
2. Rename First File: Press F2, type the new name, and press Tab.
3. Continue Renaming: The next file will automatically be selected for renaming. Repeat the process, typing a new name and pressing Tab to move to the next file.

This method allows for quick renaming of multiple files with distinct names without using the mouse.

Method 3: Using Windows PowerShell for Advanced Renaming

For more complex renaming tasks, Windows PowerShell provides powerful scripting capabilities.

Example: Replace Spaces with Underscores

1. Open PowerShell: Right-click on the Start button and select “Windows PowerShell”.
2. Navigate to Folder: Use the cd command to change to the directory containing your files.

powershell

CopyEdit

cd “C:\Users\YourName\Documents\TargetFolder”

1. Execute Rename Command:

powershell

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Get-ChildItem -Filter “* *” | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace ‘ ‘, ‘_’ }

This command finds all files with spaces in their names and replaces the spaces with underscores.

Example: Change File Extensions

To change all .txt files to .md:

powershell

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Get-ChildItem *.txt | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace ‘.txt’, ‘.md’ }

PowerShell offers extensive flexibility for batch renaming, including using regular expressions for pattern matching and replacement.

Method 4: Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt can also be used for simple batch renaming tasks.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Folder: Use the cd command to change directories.

cmd

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cd “C:\Users\YourName\Documents\TargetFolder”

1. Rename Files: Use the ren command.

cmd

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ren *.txt *.md

This command changes all .txt files in the folder to .md.

Method 5: Utilizing Third-Party Tools

For advanced renaming needs, third-party applications offer user-friendly interfaces and additional features.

Bulk Rename Utility

A free tool that provides a wide range of renaming options, including:

• Adding prefixes or suffixes
• Changing case
• Removing characters
• Renaming based on metadata

Download from:

Advanced Renamer

Another free tool that supports:

• Batch renaming using multiple methods
• Previewing new names before applying
• Using regular expressions
• Renaming based on tags (e.g., ID3, Exif)

Download from:

Tips and Best Practices

• Undo Mistakes: If you make an error during renaming, press Ctrl + Z to undo the changes.
• Preview Changes: When using third-party tools, always preview the new filenames before applying changes to avoid unintended results.
• Backup Files: Consider creating a backup of your files before performing bulk renaming, especially when using scripts or third-party tools.
• Use Descriptive Names: Choose filenames that accurately describe the content, making it easier to search and organize your files in the future.

By utilizing these methods, you can efficiently rename multiple files in Windows, tailoring the approach to your specific needs and comfort level.

Creating AI-generated art on Windows 10 has never been easier. With the rise of free AI-powered tools, anyone—from beginners to digital artists—can produce stunning visuals simply by describing what they want to see. In this how-to guide, I’ll walk you through the full process of making AI art using only free software and services that work on a Windows 10 system.

This tutorial is based on first-hand experience, thoroughly researched information, and insights from real user discussions. Follow each step, and by the end, you’ll be creating your own AI art using nothing more than your words, imagination, and a Windows 10 PC.

Step 1: Understand What AI Art Is

Before jumping in, it’s important to understand what AI art generation actually involves.

AI art is created by using a neural network trained on massive datasets of images. You give the AI a text prompt, and it generates an image that matches your description. These tools don’t draw images like a human—they generate them based on learned patterns and styles.

There are various tools that provide this functionality, some using your local machine (like Stable Diffusion) and others running on the web (like Microsoft Designer, Canva, or Bing Image Creator).

Step 2: Choose a Free Tool Compatible with Windows 10

Here are four free AI art tools that work on Windows 10. You can pick any one of them based on your comfort level and computing resources.

1. Microsoft Paint with Image Creator (DALL·E)

Windows 10’s built-in Paint app now includes Image Creator, an AI-powered tool using OpenAI’s DALL·E model. You’ll need a Microsoft account to use this.

2. Microsoft Designer

This is a browser-based tool with AI art generation built-in. It’s free and optimized for use with Microsoft Edge and Chrome.

3. Canva AI Art Generator

Canva offers a drag-and-drop platform with AI art generation through text prompts. It’s free with optional premium features.

4. Stable Diffusion (Local Installation)

Stable Diffusion is a powerful open-source AI model you can install on your own computer. It requires a decent GPU (NVIDIA recommended) but offers maximum control.

Step 3: Install or Access the Tool

For Microsoft Paint with Image Creator:

• Make sure your Windows 10 is updated.
• Open the Paint app.
• If available, click on the Image Creator icon on the toolbar.
• Log in using your Microsoft account.
• If Image Creator isn’t there, try Bing Image Creator online (https://www.bing.com/images/create).

For Microsoft Designer:

• Visit  Designer.microsoft
• Log in with your Microsoft credentials.
• Select the AI Image Generator section.

For Canva:

• Go to Canva
• Create a free account or log in.
• Use the AI Image Generator from the “Apps” section.

For Stable Diffusion (Local Install):

• Visit the Stable Diffusion GitHub repo.
• Follow setup instructions using Automatic1111’s WebUI or NMKD Stable Diffusion GUI (ideal for beginners).
• Ensure you have at least 6GB of GPU VRAM for good performance.

Step 4: Write a Good Prompt

The prompt is the most critical part of generating quality AI art.

Here are a few tips:

• Be descriptive: Instead of “cat,” say “a white cat with blue eyes sitting on a windowsill in the morning light.”
• Add style references: Include terms like “oil painting,” “digital art,” “cyberpunk,” “abstract,” or “watercolor.”
• Use adjectives sparingly: Clarity is better than fluff.

Example prompt:
“An astronaut riding a horse on Mars, hyper-realistic style, cinematic lighting, wide shot”

Step 5: Generate Your AI Art

Using Microsoft Paint with Image Creator:

1. Open Paint and click the Image Creator button.
2. Enter your text prompt.
3. Choose from any available styles.
4. Click “Generate.” Wait for the image to render.
5. Edit or save the image within Paint.

Using Microsoft Designer:

1. Go to the AI Image Generator.
2. Type in your prompt.
3. Click “Generate” and review 3–4 different image options.
4. Select, refine, or export your favorite image.

Using Canva:

1. Inside Canva, open a blank canvas or template.
2. Use the AI Art Generator app.
3. Enter your text description and generate.
4. Drag and drop the result into your design project or download it.

Using Stable Diffusion (Local):

1. Launch your Stable Diffusion UI.
2. Enter your prompt in the text box.
3. Adjust parameters (steps, CFG scale, sampling method).
4. Click “Generate.”
5. Save the output locally for further use.

Step 6: Enhance, Edit, or Remix Your Art

Once your image is ready, you might want to tweak it:

• Use Paint, GIMP, or Photopea (free Photoshop alternative) to crop, adjust colors, or layer new elements.
• You can combine multiple outputs into collages or GIFs.
• Use CapCut or Clipchamp to animate AI art into TikTok or Instagram reels.

Step 7: Save and Share

Finally:

• Save your artwork as PNG or JPG.
• Share on platforms like DeviantArt, ArtStation, Instagram, or Reddit.
• Always credit AI tools used to maintain transparency.

Bonus Tips for Better Results

• Keep your prompts consistent when trying to generate a series.
• Experiment with small prompt changes.
• Use multiple tools—generate in Bing, edit in Canva, and finalize in Paint.

Final Thoughts

Creating AI art on Windows 10 is now completely achievable using free tools. Whether you prefer cloud-based tools like Microsoft Designer or want full control with Stable Diffusion, the key is crafting clear prompts and iterating based on results.

I personally began using Bing Image Creator and then switched to Stable Diffusion once I wanted more control over the output. Each platform has its strengths. Start simple, then grow with your skills.