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Daniel wants to get rid of the "Blur Effect" in Windows 11
Hi TC, I have a question. How do I turn off the background blur on the Windows 11 sign-in screen? I know there was a way to do it in Windows 10, but I don't remember how, nor do I know if it's the same in Windows 11. Thank you for all your help; you guys are amazing.

This "blur" effect is what Microsoft calls Acrylic, and it’s meant to help you focus on the password box. There are several ways to turn off the blur, but only one easy way, which is the only way we recommend. The others involve editing the registry or using the Group Policy Editor, which is only included in Windows 11 PRO.

Here is the quickest and easiest method to eliminate the blur. But keep in mind that this method turns off transparency effects everywhere in Windows (like on your Taskbar and Start menu). But most people won't notice or don't care.

Lock your computer (Windows Key + L), and you’ll see the background on the login screen is now crystal clear.

Dianne wants to know if Copilot is spying on her
I just had an update and noticed a new window titled personal question. Is this to do with Copilot? Just wondering if it can see all I do on my PC? Ifr it is,Â I don't do anything wrong, but it feels like someone is watching over my shoulder... KINDA FREEKY!

Our answer
Hi Dianne. You're seeing Microsoftâ€™s new "ambient AI" push. That "Personal Question" window is part of the Copilot Vision or Copilot Voice setup, where the system tries to learn her preferences to "personalize" Copilot.As part of the recent 2026 Windows updates, Microsoft has been rolling out a more "conversational" setup process. Here is what is happening:

That "Personal Question" window is Copilot directly integrated into the Windows Update and Setup experience. Microsoft says it wants to "get to know" how you use your computer so it can pre-configure Copilot to be more helpful to you. It might ask things like, "What do you primarily use this PC for?" (e.g., Work, Gaming, Creative, or Personal) or ask for permission to use your data to "personalize" your AI responses. This window often pops up immediately after a major update because the update has "reset" or added new AI features that need your initial input to activate.

It is a legitimate part of Windows. However, we always preach a "Privacy First" policy. You don't have to answer these questions to use your computer. If you don't want Microsoft "personalizing" your experience based on your habits, look for a "Skip," "Not Now," or "Decline" button at the bottom of that window. If you find the window annoying and just want to get back to your desktop, look for the "Skip" or "X": Most of these "Personal Question" screens have a small "Skip for now" link in the bottom corner. If the window is part of the new "Copilot Voice" or "Copilot Vision" demo, you can simply click the X in the top right of that specific pane.

You can also turn off the "Hey Copilot" wake word. If the window keeps appearing because it thinks you're talking to it, you can go to Settings > Personalization > Copilot and toggle off the "Wake Word".

If you want to stop Windows from asking her those "personal questions" about how you use your PC:

Open Settings
Go to Privacy & security > General.
Turn off "Show me suggested content in the Settings app" and "Let Windows improve Start and search results by tracking app launches." This usually tells Windows to stop asking setup questions.

You can also remove Copilot completely. In the newest 2026 updates, Microsoft has made Copilot an "Installed App" for most users, which means you can actually remove it like a normal program:

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Search the list for Microsoft Copilot.
Click the three dots (...) next to it and select Uninstall.

We hope this helps you. Dianne.

Annette has a question about 0patch on Windows 10
I have a Windows 10 computer, and bought (and thought I installed Opatch after reading your article).But when I look at all the programs on my computer, O Patch isn’t listed. I wonder if I did something wrong.I do have a Cloudeight key I have not used, if it would be easier for you to take a look.Thank you for your help! Annette.

Our answer
Hi Annette. 0patch is not a regular app or program; it is a bit of a "ghost" program by design. It’s an "Agent," not a standard app or program. Standard programs /apps (like Word or Chrome) have big folders and shortcuts. 0patch is technically a "service" called the 0patch Agent.Also, it doesn't behave like a traditional program because of how it works. Here is why it isn’t showing up in the usual spots and how you can verify it’s actually there:

It hides its icon in the System Tray. Because 0patch is designed to run silently in the background without bothering the user, it doesn't always pin itself to the Start Menu. Look at the bottom-right corner of the screen near the clock. Click the small up arrow (the "Show hidden icons" menu). You should see a small green "0" icon. If she double-clicks that, the 0patch Console will pop up.

To see it in the "official" Windows list, you need to go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. It is listed there simply as "0patch Agent" rather than just "0patch."

0patch doesn't "install" updates on the hard drive. This is the most common source of confusion. Unlike Windows Update, which downloads huge files and changes your computer's permanent code, 0patch uses "micropatches." These patches only exist in the computer's memory (RAM) while it's running. Because it never touches the actual files on your hard drive, you won't see 0patch updates listed in the "View Installed Updates" section of Windows Settings.

If you want some peace of mind, try this:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. Click the Services tab at the top. Look for "0patchService". If the status says "Running," You are fully protected, even if you can't find a shortcut on your desktop.

If you still want me to look at your computer and do a checkup/cleanup, I'd be glad to. I need your time zone and the best days/times for you to schedule a session.

I hope this helps ease your mind, Annette.

We've helped hundreds and hundreds of you with your computers since we started our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service! If you're having computer problems - we CAN help you!

We all know that sooner or later our computers are going to start having problems. We can help you with any computer need -- from diagnosing and fixing Windows problems - to cleaning up malware and viruses - to cleaning up your computer and optimizing it -- and more. We can do just about anything need done and we guarantee our work - you're either satisfied or we'll refund your money.

We will connect to your computer via the Internet and fix any problems you may be having. You can watch us work and chat with us while we do. If you have any computer questions you'd like to ask we'll be glad to answer them for you. We don't just fix your computer, we explain what we're doing and why we're doing it and we are right there with the entire time. Since we've started we've helped hundreds of you with your computer problems and we've received dozens of referrals and testimonials from our readers and customers.

We offer many other computer services too! If you have a problem with your computer - we can fix it!

Get more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and / or get your repair keys here.

Rusty wants to install AtlasOS
I have a Windows 11 computer (updated from Windows 10). How can I install AtlasOS without losing everything I have installed? Will AtlasOS be updated periodically like Windows 11? Thanks! Rusty.

Our answer
Hi Rusty. Be careful. Many articles about Atlas OS are clickbait written by technical writers to make it sound like Atlas OS is the cure for Windows 11, and all you have to do is a quick install. I'm here to tell you the truth. Short answer: I would not do it. Most people who find Windows 11 inefficient, bulky, or slow are trying to run it with less than 8GB of RAM. Windows 11 needs at least 8 GB of RAM to run efficiently, with 12 to 16 GB highly recommended. Many people who upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 only have 4 to 6 GB of RAM.

Long answer: Installing AtlasOS is a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation when it comes to keeping your files. Because AtlasOS is a deep modification of Windows 11 rather than just a simple app, the installation process is more rigorous than a standard software update.

Can you really stall it without losing everything? Technically, yes, but it’s risky.

While there are ways to run the Atlas "Playbook" on an existing installation, the developers strongly recommend a fresh install of Windows. Applying AtlasOS to a system that has been used for a while (especially one upgraded from Windows 10) often leads to problems. Residual files from Windows 10 or previous software can conflict with Atlas’s optimizations. Many of the speed boosts won't work correctly because the "old" registry settings are still there. You might find that basic things like Wi-Fi or certain apps stop working unexpectedly.

If you want to keep your files, the best method is to use the "Windows.old" method. During a clean Windows 11 reinstall, you can choose to keep your files (but not your apps). Windows will move your documents and photos into a folder called C:\Windows.old, allowing you to move them back once Atlas is installed. You will, however, have to reinstall all your programs. At its best, this is very time-consuming, and there are no guarantees.

AtlasOS is updated periodically, but the way it updates is different from standard Windows.

AtlasOS allows you to keep receiving Microsoft Security Updates. This is important so your PC stays protected against new threats. AtlasOS typically disables major Windows Feature Updates (like moving from version 23H2 to 24H2) by default. These major updates often "break" the Atlas optimizations, essentially turning your PC back into a standard, bloated version of Windows.

The Atlas team releases new "Playbooks" (their configuration files) periodically to support newer versions of Windows and add new features. To get the absolute latest Atlas features, you often have to re-run the installer when a major update is released.

If you attempt to install Atlas OS, make sure that you back up your data to an external drive or cloud storage. Modifying system files is like surgery—you hope for the best, but you prepare for the worst. Sometimes the patient doesn't survive the surgery.

Dotty wants to uninstall some fonts she no longer wants
In your February 13 issue, you told us how to see all the fonts we have installed. Is there a way to delete some that I no longer want?

Our answer

Hi Dotty. Deleting fonts in Windows is a straightforward process, whether you're using Windows 10 or 11. Here is the easiest way.

Open Settings (press Win + I).

Go to Personalization and then select Fonts from the left sidebar (Windows 10) or the main list (Windows 11).

In the Available fonts section, use the search bar to find the font you want to remove.

Click on the font name.

On the font details page, click on Uninstall.

Then confirm.

Important! Windows will usually prevent you from deleting essential system fonts (like Segoe UI or Arial). It's best not to force-delete these, as it can cause your menus and apps to display weird symbols or become unreadable.

Terry has questions about the various DNS services available
Hello CloudEight. With the onslaught of many DNS clients, which are you recommending? I'm using Cloudflare, but it seems many more different DNS clients are being advertised, for example, DNSCrypt, which was a tech headline on your site. Terry.

Our answer
Hi Terry. Remember, our Thursday Tech Headlines feature just provides a list of articles we found interesting. It does not mean we approve of any recommendations made. These are not "Cloudeight recommended" programs or sites; they are just interesting new articles we found that we may or may not agree with.We don't have a favorite. I've used Open DNS, Google DNS, and Cloudflare. Honestly, I didn't see any difference. I'm not saying it's not a good idea to use a DNS service, but if you're looking for privacy, you just aren't going to find it on the Internet. DNS tracking is only one of many tracking ploys employed by those seeking to invade your privacy for some kind of financial or information gain. DNS services are only one way to "prevent" your ISP from tracking the sites you visit; a VPN is another. But then you have to wonder who is keeping logs of all this activity. And then you realize just about everyone, including the VPNs that claim they don't keep logs or DNS service promoting privacy, all keep logs. Most of the time, you have to inherently trust those who claim they don't keep logs. I've seen numerous criminals who were apprehended when their "We don't keep logs" VPN service suddenly turned over the logs they don't keep to authorities, who then used the information contained therein to arrest the criminal.

It's good to do all you can to protect your privacy, as long as you understand that when using the internet, you cannot expect privacy. Everywhere you go, everything you do is logged.

So don't spend too much time wondering which DNS will protect you best; they all basically do the same thing.

Our Ten Commandments of Safe Computing
Windows 10 / Windows 11

We could write a book (you know us) about computer safety (and we have). But we wanted to pare down our list and create the Ten Commandments of Safe Computing. Our missions are to help you with your computer, help you safely navigate the web, and keep you safe from scammers and other online criminals. We want you all to enjoy your computers and your other internet-connected devices.

Here are our Ten Commandments of Safe Computing

1. Fortify Your Defenses: Install strong antivirus/anti-malware software and keep it updated. We use and recommend Emsisoft. Emsisoft automatically updates and keeps your computer protected with a minimum amount of fuss.

2. Guard Your Gateway: Secure your home router with a unique password. Routers come with default passwords. Make sure you change yours to something strong and unique.

3. Think Before You Click: Always verify the legitimacy of websites and senders before clicking links or opening attachments. Hover over links to see the true destination URL. NEVER CLICK LINKS IN EMAILS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU KNOW WHO SENT THEM.

4. Windows Updates: Don't Procrastinate: Update your operating system whenever updates become available to patch security vulnerabilities.

5. Craft Unbreakable Passwords: Create complex passwords with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Make them unique for each account. And use a password manager. We recommend three. All have free versions. Bitwarden, LastPass, and RoboForm. There are others, too. The important thing is to use one. Better yet, use Passkeys wherever you can.

6. Beware of Online Phishing: Be cautious of suspicious emails, links, and attachments. Don't fall for phishing scams or click on unknown sources. Again... NEVER CLICK LINKS IN EMAILS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU KNOW WHO SENT THEM.

7. Backup Regularly, Breathe Easy: Regularly back up your important data to an external drive or cloud storage for peace of mind. We recommend OneDrive. For $9.99 a month, you get one terabyte of cloud backup & storage space, plus you get the latest version of MS365 (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook & more). Nope. Microsoft does not pay us to recommend OneDrive. We have been using it for years now, and it makes moving to a new computer as easy as pie.

8. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or entering passwords. If necessary, use a free browser-based VPN for added security.

9. Privacy Matters: Manage Settings: Consider disabling unused camera and microphone permissions to prevent unauthorized access.

10. Scammers and scams are everywhere. If someone tries to pressure you or threaten you into acting immediately or paying with gift cards, disconnect from the internet and wait a few minutes before reconnecting. If something seems too good to be true, there's a 99.9% chance it is too good to be true.

How to Use AI to Make Life Easier – Here are Five Examples
A tip for everyone

We, like most others, are concerned about the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI). But no matter how we feel about it, it’s here to stay, and it’s going to become more and more a part of our daily lives.

But it’s not all Grim Reaper stuff. AI can do many things to make your life easier, even if you’re not technically inclined and even if you have no idea how AI works. Don’t fear it, don’t fight it – use it!

Today, we’re going to show you five ways you can use AI to make your life easier and maybe even better.

Our current AI of choice is Google’s Gemini, but you can use ChatGPT or Copilot on any of the many other AI “chatbots” floating around out there.

Rather than wade through pages and pages of search results (and ads) trying to find what you’re looking for, try using AI for searching. If you have a Google account, try using https://gemini.google.com/ to search. If you don’t have a Google account, try using Windows Copilot or ChatGPT. You’ll most likely find what you’re looking for without having to sift through pages of results and ads.

For instance, I wanted to know the difference between twilight, civil twilight, and nautical twilight. Rather than googling it, I asked Gemini to explain the differences. I got the answer without sifting through pages of results.

Stuck in “what to watch?” purgatory? AI on streaming services recommends shows and movies based on your past choices, keeping you entertained for hours. For instance, I really like film noir, so when I asked Gemini to give me some suggestions for movies to watch, it suggested these:

The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Double Indemnity (1944)
The Third Man (1949)
Touch of Evil (1958)
Sunset Boulevard (1950)

I’ve seen the first three but not the last two. Plus, if I asked for more than these, I would get several more. I’m off to watch Double Indemnity.

If you’re looking for a new recipe or just want to see what kinds of meals you can make with what you have on hand. AI can help. I was looking for an easy and simple coleslaw recipe the other day, and used Gemini to help me. And here’s the recipe it suggested and that I used…

Well, you get the idea. Using AI is a great way to plan an itinerary for your next trip, including suggestions for sightseeing and great places to eat.

Just ask your favorite AI: “Find restaurants and places of interest within xx miles of (enter your zip code or location).”

I searched my area and found 2 restaurants I didn’t even know existed and found out that the fish hatchery, which had been closed for quite a while, is now open to visitors again. It might not sound exciting but it is an idyllic setting featuring one of five “bottomless” natural pools in the area, and it’s interesting to see how they hatch and raise the different types of fish. So give AI a try – you might find restaurants and interesting places near you that you didn’t know existed or you’d forgotten about.

AI is here to stay, whether we like it or not. And it’s going to become more and more part of our lives. You don’t need to be a geek or technically inclined to use AI; everyone can use it right now – all you need to know is how to type and ask questions. And most AI agents like Gemini allow you to use your voice to ask questions, so you don't even have to type.

Consolidate over 200+ Windows System Settings and Administrative Tools Into One, Easily Searchable List
Windows 10 / Windows 11

It seems that with every “newer and better” Windows version, the more difficult it is to find the most important settings.

Windows 11, like Windows 10, attempts to simplify things using a stylish “Settings” menu, which appears to be attempting to cancel out the trusty old Control Panel. But not so fast! The Control Panel still contains a host of important options.

We wish we could rename GodMode to something else, but we can’t, as Windows 11 (as of now) will not show the correct icon unless it’s called GodMode. But take heart, GodMode is not a game mode where the gamer has the power to walk through walls, etc. GodMode gives you easy access to almost every Windows 10 or Windows 11 setting, all with a single click.

While you can create a shortcut to GodMode anywhere, we think it’s best to create the shortcut on the desktop since it will be more accessible. GodMode is more than a shortcut; it’s a special “magic” folder.

Here’s how to create a God Mode shortcut in Windows 10 or Windows 11

1. Create a new folder on your desktop (Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and click “New” then “Folder”.

2. Right-click on the newly created folder, choose “Rename”, and rename it exactly as below.

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

(On Windows 11, you’ll have to click “See more options” to find “Rename” or simply press the Windows key + F2 to rename the folder. We also recommend you copy the GodMode folder name and then paste it as the folder name.)

3. When you’re done, you’ll have an icon on your desktop that looks like this – yes looks like a Control Panel icon.

Cloudeight Internet Windows Tips & Tricks

When you click it, you can access almost any Windows setting. Here are some screenshots from Windows 11:

Empowered with GodMode - Windows 10 and Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

And here’s one from Windows 10…

Empowered with GodMode - Windows 10 and Windows 11 - Cloudeight InfoAve

And there are a lot more settings than we show here. A virtual plethora of settings – all available to you when you empower yourself with GodMode.

If you want to see almost every setting available in GodMode, take a look at this page.

After you donate, you will receive an invitation to become a Cloudeight Booster.

Help us keep helping you and helping you stay safe on the Web. Thank you so much!

What's the first thing I should do if I start to have problems with my computer?

This will be, mercifully, one of the shortest answers you'll ever see written by TC.

If that does not work, shut down your computer - make sure it's powered off and no power lights are on. Wait five minutes and then turn your computer back on.

That's it. You'll be surprised how many PC problems one or the other of these quick tips will fix.