Editorial policy
The rules we follow so every guide is safe, plain, independent and up to date.
Last updated November 3, 2026
What our guides are for
Every guide exists to help one worried person solve one real problem without being sold anything. If a guide does not do that, we rewrite it or remove it.
How we choose topics
We write about the problems people actually search for and email us about: warnings they do not understand, antivirus software that misbehaves, scams that copy well-known brands, and everyday faults. We do not write about a product because a company asked us to.
How we research and check
- We check each step against the current version of Windows 11, and against the software maker's own published instructions.
- Where menus differ between versions, we say so and describe where to look rather than guessing.
- We only recommend tools that come with Windows, or official tools from the maker of the software in question. We never recommend third-party "cleaners", "optimizers" or download sites.
- Facts that change, such as plan names and support dates, are checked against the company's own website before publishing.
How we write
- Safest first. Steps run from the quickest and least risky to the most involved.
- Why, then what. We explain what a step does before asking you to do it.
- Warnings before risk. Any step that changes important settings or could lose data has a clear warning and a backup reminder.
- Exact words. Buttons and menu items are written exactly as they appear on screen.
- Plain English. Short sentences, everyday words, and jargon explained the first time it appears.
- No fear. We never use urgency, countdowns or alarming language to keep you reading.
Writing tools
We sometimes use software, including AI writing assistants, to help draft or tidy text. A person reviews every guide, checks the steps and takes responsibility for what we publish.
Independence
No company pays us, and we do not use affiliate links, sponsored posts or paid rankings. Brand names appear only to identify products. Every guide about a specific product links to that company's official website for account and billing help, and carries a notice that it is not official support.
Updates and corrections
Each guide shows the date it was last checked. We review every guide at least twice a year, and sooner when Windows or a major antivirus product changes. When a reader reports a mistake, we check it, correct the guide, and update the date. Significant corrections are noted at the end of the guide.
Spotted something wrong? Please tell us.