Can't Get Phone Link to Work
everybody. I just got a new phone and have been trying to get Phone Link to work. Yesterday it said to try again tomorrow, and today it's doing the same thing. It will ask me to put a number in Authenticator when I'm already in it, and there's no place to put a number. It has asked me to go to three of my email apps, to give me a code and when I try to put it in it says something like "Try again later, or if not try tomorrow" It asks me to login with a passkey when I don't have or know my passkey. It will ask me to login using my Microsoft Account and when I enter ****@hotmail.com or ****@live.com and put in my password which I know is correct because I keep it in my password manager and it always works, it will say wrong password. I'm at my wit's end. I have never had a problem with any of my previous phones. When I chatted with MS support they told me to delete phone link "link to Windows" from my phone and reinstall it, but I don't see any way to uninstall it. Today it's telling me to scan a QR code on my PC and the QR code never shows up, even if I go to the site it tells me go to if I can't see it. I'm older and have disabilities. My eyesight is poor and I have problems typing on my phone. I like to use the full size keyboard on my PC.
File History has stopped functioning
My file history program has stopped functioning. I tried searching the internet for some of these error messages and I have not found anything that has a solution that works. I tried deleting the backup on my backup drive, and also deleting the file history data/configuration folders so it would "start fresh" and I still keep getting errors. Here are some of the errors: Also have gotten a bunch of different errors for "reparse points". This is one example. I tried to exclude some of these folders from the backup but it didn't seem to help. But how do I find and eliminate a "reparse point" so it doesn't cause the file history to fail? And why doesn't file history just ignore those folders and go on and back up everything else?Windows11 Voice typing does not work in text fields of certain UWP apps
Pressing the Windows + H key combination to activate voice input works as expected in Notepad, browsers, and most Win32 applications, but when used in certain UWP applications, it fails to recognize any voice input. Although the microphone icon appears, the application does not respond to voice input. Even if the microphone is properly configured and works elsewhere, restarting the voice runtime service or the application does not resolve this issue.Win11 Find my device settings page fails to open with a blank screen
When I go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Find My Device, the page appears blank. The page fails to load any options or status information related to device location features. Closing and reopening Settings does not resolve the issue, and the problem persists even after restarting the computer. This issue occurs on my version of Windows 11 and prevents me from managing the location settings for lost or stolen devices.
Can I turn a screenshot into a hyperlink without saving it first?
I'm trying to take a screenshot of something on a web page—like a person's image—and then use that screenshot as a URL or hyperlink to paste directly into Google Images search, without actually downloading or saving the image file first. I know this is possible using the Google Lens feature built into Chrome, but I'm wondering if there's any way to do something similar using Windows 11's default tools. I haven't found anything built-in that works like that. If not, does anyone know of a third-party tool that can do this? Specifically, capture a screenshot and use it as a search query or link without storing it locally first.Win11 Closing a window via the X button sometimes restarts File Explorer
When you click the red X button to close certain File Explorer windows, the File Explorer process occasionally crashes and restarts automatically. This issue occurs more frequently when multiple File Explorer windows are open at the same time. During the restart, all open File Explorer windows are closed, interrupting file management tasks.KB5101650 breaks Microsoft Store app update toggle (even for admins)
So I installed the latest Windows 11 security update (KB5101650) and ran into something weird in the Microsoft Store. Trying to turn off the "App updates" toggle throws an error asking for administrator privileges—even though my account is already an admin. Makes zero sense. Tried the usual fixes, nothing worked. Ended up uninstalling the update and the toggle went back to working normally immediately. Curious if anyone else has run into this or if I just got lucky with a weird one-off.Multitasking on Windows needs a rethink
The current window grouping logic just isn't cutting it. When most of your windows have the same icon, it's a mess trying to find what you need. And groups shuffle around sometimes too, which doesn't help. Here's an idea: replace the maximize button with two separate controls—one for size, one for position. Size button: snap to preset vertical/horizontal combos (like full height + half width, etc.) Position button: snap to fixed spots on a generous grid No more dragging windows around—at least not for positioning. Drag could still move things, but only between fixed grid spots. Would make things way more predictable and way less fiddly. Thoughts?Printer only printing in a small strip after fresh Windows 11 install
Hey everyone, I just did a clean install of Windows 11 and reinstalled my printer, and since then everything I print comes out weird. Content only shows up in a tiny strip on the right side of the page while the rest stays blank. Even the Windows test page prints like this. I've already tried reinstalling the printer, printing a test page, and checking that the page size is set to A4, but nothing changed. Also made sure the paper size matches what's loaded, checked the print preview before sending it, and even tried printing from different apps—same result every time. Printer is an HP LaserJet MFP M126nw, OS is a fresh Windows 11 install, and I'm using the drivers Windows pulled automatically during setup. Anyone seen this before or know what might be causing it? Appreciate any help.
