Author: Mahak Tayal

Color accuracy is crucial in design tasks like photo editing, illustration, or digital publishing. Whether you’re a graphic designer or a photographer, enabling and configuring color profiles on your Windows machine can ensure colors are displayed consistently across devices. This guide explains how to enable and manage color profiles for optimal accuracy.

Step 1: Understand What a Color Profile Does

A color profile tells your system how to display colors accurately. Windows uses ICC profiles (International Color Consortium) to standardize color output between your monitor, software, and print. This consistency is vital for design work.

Step 2: Calibrate Your Monitor (Optional, but Recommended)

Before setting a color profile, calibrate your monitor. Accurate calibration ensures your color profile reflects real-world output.

Option A: Use Built-in Calibration Tool

• Go to Settings > System > Display.
• Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
• Click Display adapter properties > Color Management > Color Management tab.
• Select Calibrate display.

Option B: Use a Hardware Calibrator Tools like the Datacolor SpyderX or X-Rite i1Display Pro are more accurate. These often create and install a custom ICC profile.

Step 3: Open Windows Color Management

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type colorcpl and hit Enter.

This opens the Color Management window.

Step 4: Select the Correct Display

1. Under the Devices tab, select your monitor from the drop-down menu.
2. Check the box labeled Use my settings for this device.

Step 5: Add a New Color Profile

1. Click Add…
2. You’ll see a list of installed profiles. If your calibration software added a profile, it will appear here.
3. To use a manufacturer-supplied profile or one downloaded online:
   • Click Browse… and locate the .icc or .icm file.
4. Click Add to include it in the list.

Step 6: Set the Profile as Default

1. Select the profile from the list.
2. Click Set as Default Profile.

Windows will now use this profile for color rendering.

Step 7: Adjust Advanced Color Settings (Optional)

1. Go to the Advanced tab.
2. Set the Device Profile to your newly added profile.
3. Optionally, change the Windows Color System Defaults. For most design tasks, sRGB IEC61966-2.1 is a common baseline unless using a wide-gamut monitor.

Step 8: Validate the Color Profile

To ensure everything works correctly:

• Open a color-accurate image or test chart.
• Use tools like Photoshop or Lightroom to verify consistency.
• In Photoshop, go to Edit > Color Settings and verify your working RGB space aligns with your display profile.

Step 9: Recalibrate Periodically

Monitor accuracy can drift. Professionals recalibrate every 2–3 months. Rerun your calibration software or create a new profile as needed.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

• Profile not showing: Ensure you’re applying the profile to the correct display.
• Colors still appear off: Check your monitor’s internal settings (avoid using overly vivid presets).
• Profile keeps resetting: Disable any manufacturer software that may override Windows settings (e.g., Dell PremierColor).

Facing unexpected issues with your Windows PC – perhaps a newly installed program causes crashes, a driver update leads to instability, or system settings get messed up? It’s a common scenario that can be incredibly frustrating. While a full factory reset might seem like the only solution, there’s a less drastic and often more convenient option: System Restore.

System Restore is a built-in feature of the Windows operating system that allows you to revert your computer’s system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings back to a previous point in time, known as a Restore Point. The crucial advantage of this method is that it’s designed to not affect your personal files. This means your documents, photos, videos, and other personal data stored in your user folders remain untouched during the restoration process.

This feature has been a staple of Windows since Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME), serving as a vital troubleshooting tool. In modern Windows versions (Windows 10 and 11), it continues to be an invaluable safety net for software-related problems.

Understanding System Restore Points

A Restore Point is essentially a snapshot of your system at a particular moment. Windows automatically creates restore points during significant events like major updates, driver installations, or some software installations. You can also manually create a restore point before making potentially risky changes.

What a System Restore operation does and does not affect:

• Affects (Reverts):
  • System files (core Windows files)
  • Installed applications (programs you’ve installed)
  • Drivers
  • Windows Registry (the database of system settings)
  • System settings (e.g., display settings, power options)
• Does NOT Affect:
  • Your personal files (documents, pictures, music, videos, downloads)
  • Emails
  • Browser history or favorites (unless they are part of a program’s system files)

The goal is to reverse system-level changes that might be causing problems, effectively “undoing” recent software installations or configuration changes.

When to Use System Restore

System Restore is your go-to solution for:

• Resolving issues after installing a problematic program or driver.
• Fixing system instability that started after a recent change in settings.
• Recovering from unintended Windows Registry modifications.
• Addressing general system slowdowns that aren’t related to disk space or hardware.
• Dealing with minor malware infections that have altered system files (though a full scan is always recommended).

Pre-Restoration Steps (Important)

While System Restore is designed to protect your personal files, it’s always prudent to take a few preparatory steps to ensure peace of mind.

1. Backup Critical Personal Files (Extra Precaution): Although System Restore generally doesn’t affect personal files, unforeseen circumstances can occur. For absolute peace of mind, consider quickly backing up your most critical documents, photos, and projects to an external drive or cloud storage. This is a universally good practice regardless of the troubleshooting step.
2. Save Your Work: Close all open applications and save any active work before starting the restoration process.
3. Ensure Power Stability: If you’re on a laptop, plug it into a power outlet. If you’re on a desktop, ensure a stable power supply. The restoration process should not be interrupted.

Step-by-Step Guide: Restoring Windows to an Earlier Date

This process is largely the same for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Method 1: From Within Windows (When Windows Can Boot)

This is the most common and easiest way if your computer can still boot into the operating system.

1. Access System Restore:
   • Click the Start button.
   • Type create a restore point in the search bar and select the result that says “Create a restore point”. This will open the System Properties window to the System Protection tab.
   • Alternatively, you can open the Control Panel, navigate to System and Security > System, and then click System protection on the left.
2. Launch System Restore Wizard: In the System Protection tab, click the System Restore… button.
3. Follow the Wizard:
   • The System Restore wizard will open. Click Next.
   • You will see a list of available restore points. These are typically listed by date and time, along with a description (e.g., “Installed Windows Update,” “Manual Restore Point”).
   • Choose a restore point: Select the restore point that predates your system issue. For example, if your problem started on June 25, 2025, choose a restore point from June 24, 2025, or earlier.
   • Show more restore points: If you don’t see a suitable point, check the box for “Show more restore points” to see a more comprehensive list.
   • Scan for affected programs: It’s highly recommended to click “Scan for affected programs”. This will show you a list of programs and drivers that will be removed (because they were installed after the selected restore point) and programs that might be restored (because they were removed after the selected restore point). Review this list to understand the impact.
   • Click Next.
4. Confirm Restore Point: Review the restore point details and ensure it’s the correct one.
5. Initiate Restore: Click Finish. You will see a warning that System Restore cannot be interrupted once it starts. Click Yes to confirm.
6. Restart and Restore: Your computer will restart and begin the restoration process. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the restore point and your system’s speed. Do NOT turn off or restart your computer during this process.
7. Completion: Once complete, your computer will boot back into Windows, and a message will confirm that System Restore completed successfully.

Method 2: From Advanced Startup Options (When Windows Won’t Boot)

If your Windows PC fails to boot normally, you can access System Restore from the Advanced Startup Options (Windows Recovery Environment – WinRE).

1. Access Advanced Startup Options:
   • Method A (Force Shutdown): Turn on your computer. As soon as you see the Windows logo, immediately press and hold the power button until the computer turns off. Repeat this two or three times. On the third or fourth attempt, Windows should automatically enter the “Automatic Repair” environment, leading to “Advanced Startup Options.”
   • Method B (Windows Installation Media): If Method A doesn’t work, you’ll need a Windows installation USB drive or DVD. Boot your PC from this media (you might need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI). On the “Windows Setup” screen, click Next, then click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner.
2. Navigate to System Restore:
   • On the “Choose an option” screen, select Troubleshoot.
   • Then select Advanced options.
   • Click System Restore.
3. Follow the Wizard:
   • Select your account and enter your password if prompted.
   • The System Restore wizard will launch, similar to Method 1.
   • Choose a restore point and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the restoration.
   • Your computer will restart and complete the process.

Important Notes and Limitations

• System Restore is Not a Backup: It’s critical to understand that System Restore is not a substitute for regular data backups. It only restores system files, applications, and settings, not your personal documents or other user data. Always back up your important files separately.
• Disk Space for Restore Points: System Restore requires dedicated disk space. If you don’t allocate enough, older restore points will be deleted automatically. Ensure System Protection is enabled for your system drive (usually C:) and enough space is allocated (typically 3-5% of drive capacity).
• Cannot Revert Major Windows Versions: System Restore cannot revert your Windows operating system to an earlier major version (e.g., from Windows 11 back to Windows 10, or from a major Windows 10 feature update like 22H2 back to 21H2). For that, you’d typically use the “Go back to the previous version” option in Recovery settings (available for a limited time after an upgrade) or a clean install.
• Driver Rollback: If a specific driver is causing issues, sometimes a driver rollback via Device Manager might be a quicker fix than System Restore, especially if you only want to affect that specific component.
• Malware: While System Restore can revert some system changes made by malware, it may not remove the malware itself if it’s deeply embedded or has affected areas outside of what System Restore monitors. Always follow up with a full anti-malware scan.

FAQ Section

Q1: Will System Restore delete my personal files, like photos and documents?

No, System Restore is designed to not affect your personal files. Your documents, photos, music, videos, and other user data will remain untouched during the restoration process. It primarily impacts system files, installed programs, drivers, and Windows Registry settings.

Q2: What is the difference between “System Restore” and “Reset this PC”?

System Restore reverts your system to an earlier state without touching personal files, focusing on undoing recent software changes. “Reset this PC” effectively reinstalls the entire Windows operating system, giving you the option to either keep your personal files (while removing all installed apps) or remove everything for a complete wipe. “Reset this PC” is a more drastic measure than System Restore.

Q3: Why can’t I find any restore points?

If you can’t find any restore points, it likely means that System Protection is not enabled for your system drive. You need to enable it first through the System Properties > System Protection tab and allocate disk space for restore points. Windows also automatically deletes older restore points to make space, so very old points might no longer be available.

Q4: How much space do restore points take up, and how many are kept?

The amount of space restore points take up depends on the percentage of your drive’s capacity you allocate (usually 3-5%). The number of points kept varies based on the allocated space and how frequently changes occur on your system. Once the allocated space is full, Windows automatically deletes the oldest restore points to make room for new ones.

Q5: Can I undo a System Restore?

Yes, in most cases, after performing a System Restore, Windows creates an “Undo Restore” point. If the restoration didn’t fix your problem or caused new issues, you can perform another System Restore and select the “Undo my last restoration” option to revert to the state before the restore.

You’ve just finished installing a Windows update, but when you go to play a video or listen to music, you’re met with silence. It’s a frustratingly common problem: a routine update accidentally disrupts your audio settings or drivers. The good news is that this is almost always fixable.

This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to fix your audio, starting with the simplest checks and moving to the more definitive solutions. As someone who has troubleshooted this exact issue many times, I can assure you that following these steps systematically will give you the best chance of getting your sound back quickly.

First, a Few Basic Checks (Don’t Skip These!)

Before diving into system settings, let’s rule out the simple culprits. In a moment of panic, it’s easy to overlook these, but they solve the problem more often than you’d think.

• Check the Volume: Click the speaker icon in the bottom-right of your taskbar. Ensure the volume is not muted (there should be no ‘X’ next to the speaker) and that the slider is turned up.
• Check Physical Connections: If you use external speakers or a headset, make sure the cables are securely plugged into the correct audio port (usually the green one). Try unplugging and plugging them back in.
• Select the Correct Playback Device: A Windows update can sometimes change your default audio device.
  1. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar.
  2. Select Sound settings.
  3. Under the Output section, you will see a dropdown menu for “Choose where to play sound.”
  4. Click the menu and make sure your primary speakers or headphones are selected. It might have been switched to a monitor or another connected device.

If these basics don’t restore your sound, it’s time to dig a little deeper.

Method 1: Use the Built-in Windows Audio Troubleshooter

Windows has an automated tool designed specifically to find and fix common audio problems. This should always be your first major troubleshooting step.

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Troubleshoot sound problems.
3. The troubleshooter will launch. Follow the on-screen prompts, selecting the audio device that is giving you trouble.
4. The tool will check for issues with drivers, services, and settings and attempt to apply a fix automatically.

Method 2: Fix Your Audio Drivers

The most common reason for sound not working after an update is that the update installed a faulty or incompatible audio driver. We can address this using the Device Manager.

How to Open Device Manager:

Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager from the list. Once it’s open, click the arrow to expand the Sound, video and game controllers category. You’ll see your audio device listed here (e.g., “Realtek High Definition Audio,” “NVIDIA High Definition Audio”).

Option A: Roll Back the Audio Driver

If your sound was working perfectly before the update, rolling back to the previous driver is the quickest potential fix.

1. In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Properties.
2. Go to the Driver tab.
3. Click the Roll Back Driver button.
4. Choose a reason for rolling back and click Yes.
5. If this button is grayed out, it means there is no previous driver to roll back to. In that case, proceed to the next option.

Option B: Manually Reinstall the Audio Driver (Most Effective)

This method involves completely uninstalling the driver, forcing Windows to do a clean reinstallation after a restart. This often resolves stubborn conflicts.

1. In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Uninstall device.
2. A confirmation box will pop up. Important: If you see a checkbox that says “Attempt to remove the driver for this device,” leave it unchecked for your first try. Click Uninstall.
3. After the device disappears from the list, restart your computer.
4. When your PC boots up, Windows will automatically detect the “new” hardware and reinstall a fresh driver. Check if your sound is working.

If the sound is still not working, repeat the process, but this time, check the box to “Attempt to remove the driver for this device” before uninstalling. After restarting, if sound is still not working, your best bet is to visit the support website for your PC manufacturer (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) or your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., MSI, ASUS) to download and install the latest official audio driver for your specific model.

Method 3: Check Windows Audio Services

For sound to function, certain background services need to be running. An update can occasionally stop them.

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and locate these two services:
   • Windows Audio
   • Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
4. For both services, ensure their Status is “Running” and their Startup Type is “Automatic.”
5. If a service isn’t running, right-click it and choose Start. If its startup type isn’t “Automatic,” right-click it, select Properties, change the Startup type to Automatic, and click OK.

Method 4: Disable Audio Enhancements

Sometimes, software “enhancements” designed to improve sound can conflict with a new driver or update. Disabling them can restore basic audio functionality.

1. Right-click the speaker icon and go to Sound settings.
2. Scroll down and click on More sound settings.
3. In the new window, go to the Playback tab.
4. Right-click your default device (the one with the green checkmark) and select Properties.
5. Go to the Enhancements tab.
6. Check the box that says Disable all enhancements or Disable all sound effects.
7. Click Apply and OK.

By working through these steps methodically, you can diagnose the root cause of your audio issue and get your sound working again, turning a frustrating problem into a solved one.

Does your Windows PC feel sluggish, even when you’re not running many programs? The issue might be background apps. These are applications that continue working behind the scenes, using up your CPU, memory, and battery—often without you realizing it. Even after closing them or not interacting with them directly, many apps stay active, checking for updates, syncing data, or sending notifications.

Disabling unnecessary background apps can help you reclaim valuable system resources. It’s a simple step that can noticeably improve performance, especially on older machines or laptops. Let’s go over how to find and disable these background processes in both Windows 10 and 11.

What Are Background Apps and Why Disable Them?

Background apps are those that keep performing tasks even when they aren’t open on your screen. Think of a weather app updating in the background, or a messaging app scanning for new notifications. While some of these are helpful, many are not strictly necessary.

Benefits of disabling background apps:

• Better Performance: Reduces CPU and RAM usage, which helps your system run more smoothly.
• Longer Battery Life: Laptops benefit from fewer apps consuming power in the background.
• Lower Data Usage: Especially helpful if you’re on a metered connection—less syncing means less data consumed.
• Improved Privacy: Limits what apps can do or access when you’re not actively using them.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings (Windows 10 & 11)

Windows Settings is the most accessible way to control background activity.

For Windows 11:

1. Open Settings: Click Start > Gear icon, or press Windows key + I.
2. Go to Apps in the sidebar.
3. Click Apps & features.
4. Find the app you want to manage, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options.
5. Under Background app permissions, you’ll find a dropdown:
   • Choose Never to fully block background activity.
   • Power optimized allows Windows to decide based on system usage.
   • Always lets the app run freely.
6. Repeat this for other apps as needed.

Expert Tip: Windows 11 gives you more control than Windows 10, offering optimization levels instead of just on/off toggles.

For Windows 10:

1. Open Settings: Click Start > Gear icon, or press Windows key + I.
2. Select Privacy.
3. Scroll down to Background apps in the left panel.
4. You’ll see a switch for “Let apps run in the background”:
   • Turn this Off to block all apps.
   • Or, keep it On and disable apps individually below.

Personal Insight: When I noticed my older laptop’s battery life dwindling, disabling non-essential background apps (like the calculator or news widgets) made a noticeable improvement. Messaging and cloud apps stayed on, everything else went off.

Method 2: Terminate Background Processes via Task Manager

Sometimes apps are already running in the background and need to be stopped immediately. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Task Manager:
   • Right-click the Taskbar > “Task Manager”
   • Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
2. Click More details if you see a simplified view.
3. In the Processes tab, look under Apps and Background processes.
4. Identify any non-essential apps using resources (look at CPU, Memory, and Disk columns).
5. To stop one:
   • Select it
   • Click End task at the bottom-right

Caution: Avoid ending unfamiliar or system-critical processes (like Windows Explorer or your antivirus). If you’re unsure, a quick online search of the process name can help.

Note: This stops the app temporarily. It will start again the next time you open it or restart your PC unless disabled through Method 1.

Method 3: Managing Startup Apps (Complementary Step)

While technically a separate setting, many apps that run in the background also auto-launch when Windows starts. It’s smart to manage these too.

Quick Recap:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Right-click any unnecessary app and choose Disable.

This helps prevent apps from auto-starting and running background processes before you even open them.

By taking the time to manage and disable background apps, you gain more control over your PC’s resources. Whether you’re looking to extend battery life, speed things up, or just clean up your system, these methods make a noticeable difference. Regularly reviewing your app permissions and startup behavior is a small habit with big payoffs.