Cookies

A computer cookie, commonly referred to as just a “cookie,” is a small text file that is stored on a user’s computer or device by a website they visit. It is a common method used by websites to remember certain information about the user and their interactions with the site.

When you visit a website, the site sends a cookie to your browser, which then stores it on your computer. The cookie contains data such as your preferences, login information, browsing history, or other details relevant to your interaction with the website. The next time you visit the same website, your browser sends the stored cookie back to the site, allowing it to recognize you and provide a more personalized experience.

Cookies serve various purposes, including:

  1. Session management: Cookies can be used to keep track of a user’s session on a website, allowing them to navigate between pages without having to re-authenticate or re-enter information.
  2. Personalization: Websites can use cookies to remember user preferences, such as language settings, font size, or theme choices.
  3. Tracking: Cookies can be used to collect information about a user’s browsing behavior, such as pages visited, links clicked, or products viewed. This data is often used for analytics or advertising purposes.
  4. Authentication: Cookies can store login information, allowing users to stay logged in across multiple sessions without having to re-enter their credentials.

It’s worth noting that cookies are typically harmless and cannot execute code or transmit viruses. However, concerns regarding privacy and data security have led to increased scrutiny and regulations around the use of cookies. Most web browsers provide settings that allow users to manage and control how cookies are stored and used.

Editing Your Registry in Windows

Editing the Windows Registry can be a powerful tool to customize and configure your system, but it is also a delicate task that requires caution. Here are some steps to safely edit the Registry in Windows 10:

  1. Back up your Registry: Before making any changes, it’s essential to create a backup of your registry. To do this, open the Registry Editor, select “Computer” or “This PC” in the left pane, and then click on “File” > “Export”. Choose a name and location for your backup file and click “Save”.
  2. Understand what you’re doing: Before editing the Registry, make sure you understand what you’re changing and what the consequences could be. Be cautious and make changes only when you’re confident in what you’re doing.
  3. Use the Registry Editor: To access the Registry Editor, press “Windows + R” to open the “Run” dialog box, type “regedit”, and press “Enter”. Once you’re in the editor, navigate to the key you want to modify.
  4. Make the change: Once you have found the key you want to modify, double-click it to open the “Edit String” dialog box. Type in the new value and click “OK”.
  5. Close the Registry Editor: Once you’ve made the change, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
  6. Verify the change: After restarting your computer, verify that the change you made has been applied correctly.

Remember, editing the Registry can be risky, and if done incorrectly, it can cause serious problems for your system. Always proceed with caution and make sure to back up your registry before making any changes.

Hardware Requirements to Upgrade to Windows 11

Hardware requirements

To install or upgrade to Windows 11, devices must meet the following minimum hardware requirements:

  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
  • RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.
  • Storage: 64 GB* or greater available storage is required to install Windows 11.
    • Additional storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features.
  • Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
  • System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
  • Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.
  • Internet connection: Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features.
    • Windows 11 Home edition requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft Account to complete device setup on first use.

* There might be additional requirements over time for updates, and to enable specific features within the operating system. For more information, see Windows 11 specifications.

Also see Update on Windows 11 minimum system requirements.

For information about tools to evaluate readiness, see Determine eligibility.