Month: March 2026

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How to Quickly Access the Startup Folder in Windows

Managing which apps launch when you log in is one of the easiest ways to customize your workflow or improve system performance. Whether you are using Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server, there are two specific “Startup” folders depending on your needs: one for your personal account and one for every user on the machine.

The Fastest Method: The “Shell” Shortcuts

The most efficient way to access these folders without digging through hidden system files is to use built-in “Shell” commands.

Here is how to find them quickly:

  1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type one of the following commands and press Enter:

    • For your personal user account: shell:startup

    • For all users (Global): shell:common startup

Why Use These Folders?

While the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) is great for disabling apps, these folders allow you to manually add apps, scripts, or batch files that you want to trigger automatically.

  • Personal Startup: Best for your own tools, like a specific browser or a personalized macro script.

  • Common Startup: Ideal for administrative tools, system monitors, or company-wide software that must run regardless of who logs in.

By simply dropping a shortcut into one of these folders, you ensure that your essential tools are ready to go the moment your desktop loads.

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How to Stop Fake Virus Pop-ups and Scams in Windows 10/11

If you are seeing large, alarming squares in the bottom-right corner of your screen claiming that your PC is “infected” or that your “antivirus has expired,” don’t panic. In most cases, your computer hasn’t been breached by a virus. Instead, you are likely the victim of malicious browser notifications. These pop-ups are designed to mimic official Windows or McAfee/Norton alerts to trick you into clicking and downloading actual malware or paying for fake support services.

Why is this happening?

Many websites use a “Double-Click” or “Verify you are human” trick to get you to click “Allow” on a notification prompt. Once you grant permission, the website can send alerts directly to your Windows Action Center, even if your browser is minimized or you are visiting other sites.

The Solution: Revoking Notification Permissions

Since these alerts are coming from the browser and not a software installed on your PC, you won’t find them in the Control Panel. Here is the fastest way to stop them in Google Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome on your computer.

  2. In the address bar at the top, copy and paste the following internal command and press Enter:

    chrome://settings/content/notifications

  3. Scroll down to the section labeled “Allowed to send notifications.”

  4. Look for any website names you don’t recognize or that look suspicious (e.g., https://www.google.com/search?q=global-protection-alert.com or strings of random numbers).

  5. Click the three vertical dots (More actions) next to the suspicious site.

  6. Select Remove or Block.

Pro Tip for the Future

To prevent this from happening again, you can toggle the switch at the top of that same settings page to “Don’t allow sites to send notifications.” This will stop those annoying “Allow/Block” pop-ups from appearing entirely while you browse.

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HDD or SSD? The Fastest Way to Know Using PowerShell

When it comes to PC performance, the type of storage you are using makes all the difference. While HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) rely on spinning magnetic platters, SSDs (Solid State Drives) use flash memory, making them significantly faster and more reliable.

If you are running Windows 10 or 11 and want to know exactly what is under the hood without opening your computer or clicking through multiple menus, the PowerShell command is the most professional and direct method.

The “One-Command” Solution

To identify your disk type, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open PowerShell: Right-click the Start button and select Terminal or Windows PowerShell.

  2. Run the Command: Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:

Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, MediaType

Understanding the Results

After running the command, Windows will generate a clean table. Look at the MediaType column:

  • SSD: You have a modern, high-speed Solid State Drive.

  • HDD: You are using a traditional mechanical Hard Disk Drive.

  • Unspecified: This sometimes appears for external USB drives or specific virtual disks.

Using PowerShell is the most reliable method because it queries the hardware storage layer directly, giving you an answer that is “carved in stone” by the system’s own BIOS/UEFI reporting.