Category: Fix It

Computer basics, in plain English · Updated November 3, 2026

Want a favorite family photo, a peaceful landscape, or just a different color behind your desktop icons? That picture is called your desktop background or wallpaper. You can change it without changing your files or programs.

Quick answer

Windows 11 or Windows 10: Right-click an empty spot on the desktop → Personalize → Background → choose Picture and select your photo.
Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → Wallpaper → choose a picture or add your own photo.

How to change your desktop background in Windows 11 or Windows 10

1. Minimize or close your open windows so you can see the desktop.
2. Right-click an empty area of the desktop—not an icon.
3. Choose Personalize.
4. Select Background. You can also open Start → Settings → Personalization → Background.
5. Under Personalize your background (or the background menu on Windows 10), choose Picture.
6. Click one of the suggested images, or choose Browse photos / Browse to find a photo on your computer.

Your desktop picture should change immediately. If you do not like it, return to the same settings and choose another image.

How to use your own photo as desktop wallpaper

1. Save the picture on your computer first. Your Pictures or Downloads folder is a good place to look.
2. Open Settings → Personalization → Background.
3. Choose Picture, then Browse photos or Browse.
4. Find the photo, select it, and choose Choose picture or Open.

Another Windows shortcut: Open File Explorer, find the saved image file, right-click it, and look for Set as desktop background. In some versions you may need to choose Show more options first.

Can’t find the picture you downloaded? Our guide to finding missing downloads and photos can help.

Want a plain color or pictures that change automatically?

In Windows Background settings, you can choose:

• Picture: Display one photo.
• Solid color: Use one simple color instead of a photo.
• Slideshow: Choose a folder of pictures and let Windows rotate between them.
• Windows spotlight: Show changing images supplied by Windows, if that option is available.

How to change the desktop background on a Mac

1. Click the Apple menu () at the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Choose Wallpaper in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.
4. Pick one of Apple’s pictures or colors, or find Your Photos to use your own.
5. To choose a saved picture, click Add Photo, then select Choose File or Choose from Photos, depending on where your picture is stored.

On older versions of macOS, this area may be called Desktop & Screen Saver in System Preferences. To change wallpaper directly from Finder, you can also Control-click a saved image file and choose Set Desktop Picture, when available.

Why does my desktop photo look zoomed in or stretched?

Your picture and screen may have different shapes. For example, a tall phone photo is not the same shape as a wide monitor.

• Fill: Fills the screen, but may crop the edges.
• Fit: Shows the whole image, but may leave empty space along the sides.
• Stretch: Fills the screen by changing the picture’s proportions; people can look wider or taller than normal.
• Center: Keeps the picture near its original size.

On Windows, look for Choose a fit for your desktop image on the Background screen. On Mac, wallpaper sizing options depend on the selected image and macOS version. For the clearest result, start with a photo that is at least as large as your screen’s resolution.

Desktop background not changing? Try these checks

1. Make sure you selected the desktop background, not the lock screen. The lock screen is what appears before you sign in; these are separate settings.
2. Try another picture. An unavailable, unsupported, or corrupted image may not work.
3. Check the picture location. If you moved or deleted the file, save a fresh copy in Pictures and select it again.
4. Check whether the computer is managed. A work or school computer may have rules that prevent wallpaper changes. Ask your administrator rather than trying to bypass them.
5. Restart your computer if the settings appear stuck, then try again.

Windows 10 note: Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. The wallpaper steps can still work, but check whether your PC has an eligible supported update path or extended security coverage.

Common questions

Will changing the desktop background delete anything?

No. Choosing a new wallpaper does not delete your documents, photos, or desktop icons. It changes the picture behind them.

How do I go back to the original Windows wallpaper?

Open Settings → Personalization → Background, choose Picture, and pick one of the built-in Windows images.

Is desktop wallpaper the same as the lock screen?

No. Wallpaper appears behind your icons after you sign in. The lock screen appears before you unlock the computer. Windows lock screen settings are under Settings → Personalization → Lock screen.

Official instructions

• Microsoft: Change the desktop background in Windows
• Apple: Customize the wallpaper on your Mac

Keep learning: What are files and folders? · How to change your computer password · How to take a screenshot.

Have another computer question?

Tell us what you’re trying to do and we may turn it into an easy guide. Suggest a topic.

Computer basics, in plain English · Updated November 3, 2026

Want to change the password you use when you turn on your desktop or laptop? You can usually do it in a few minutes if you know your current password. Here are the steps for Windows and Mac, with separate instructions for a Windows PIN.

Quick answer

Windows 11 or 10: Start → Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Password → Change.
Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → Users & Groups → select your account → Change.
Windows PIN: Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → PIN (Windows Hello) → Change PIN.

How to change your password in Windows 11 or Windows 10

1. Click the Start button (the Windows logo).
2. Open Settings (the gear icon). You can also press Windows key + I.
3. Choose Accounts, then Sign-in options.
4. Find Password and choose Change.
5. Enter your current password, then follow the prompts to enter and confirm a new one.
6. Complete the process, then make sure you can sign in again.

The menus are similar on Windows 10 and 11, though their appearance can differ. If you sign in with a Microsoft account rather than a local account, changing the account password can affect your sign-in to other Microsoft services. Some passwordless accounts or managed computers may show different choices.

Can’t find “Password”? Look for other sign-in options or check whether your Windows account uses passwordless sign-in. If the PC belongs to your employer or school, the administrator may control password changes.

Windows PIN vs. password: which one do you want to change?

If you usually type a short set of numbers at the lock screen, you may be using a Windows Hello PIN. Your PIN is a sign-in method for that device; it is not your Microsoft account password.

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
2. Choose PIN (Windows Hello).
3. Select Change PIN, enter the old PIN, then choose and confirm a new one.

If you forgot the PIN, look for I forgot my PIN and follow the identity-verification instructions. On some local accounts or configurations, you may need to sign in with your account password first. Do not assume changing a PIN changes the account password too.

How to change your desktop login password on a Mac

1. Click the Apple menu () in the upper-left corner.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Choose Users & Groups.
4. Click the information button next to your user account, then choose Change.
5. Enter your old login password and your new password twice.
6. Add a hint that helps you remember it without revealing the actual password, then click Change Password.

On some macOS versions, the controls may look a little different. Your Mac login password unlocks the computer and is not automatically the same as the password for your Apple Account (used for iCloud and other Apple services).

What if you forgot your desktop password?

Changing a password you remember is different from resetting one you have forgotten.

• Windows local account: On the sign-in screen, select the password sign-in option and look for Reset password. Answer the security questions you previously configured, or use an existing password reset disk if offered.
• Windows Microsoft account: Use Microsoft’s official account-recovery or “I forgot my password” process. Expect identity-verification steps. Visit Microsoft’s password reset page.
• Mac: Check for the question mark or reset options on the login screen. Follow Apple’s official forgotten Mac login password guide. Available recovery methods depend on your setup.

Important: Avoid random “password unlock” downloads, paid recovery pop-ups, and videos promising to bypass computer security. If it is a work or school computer, contact your IT department before attempting recovery.

How to choose a better password

• Use a long, unique password or passphrase that you do not reuse on other accounts.
• Consider a reputable password manager to store passwords securely.
• Turn on two-factor authentication for online accounts where available.
• Never share your password or one-time verification code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Before signing out, confirm any account-recovery methods still work.

Common questions

Will changing my desktop password erase my files?

Normally, changing your own password while signed in does not delete files. A password reset performed through a different recovery method can have additional consequences, especially for encrypted information or saved credentials. Follow the official recovery prompts carefully.

Does a new Windows password also change my PIN?

No. The Windows Hello PIN and Microsoft account password are different sign-in methods, and you manage them separately.

Should I change my password on a shared computer?

Change only the password for your own account. If several people use one login, consider setting up separate user accounts so each person has their own sign-in and files.

Official help

• Microsoft: Change or reset a Windows local account password
• Microsoft: Change or reset a Windows PIN
• Apple: Change your Mac login password

For more easy security tips, visit our passkey explainer or what to do if your email has been hacked.

Need another step-by-step guide?

Have a question about your computer? Suggest a guide. No Panic Tech helps make everyday tech easier to understand.

If someone broke into your email, changing the password is essential—but it may not undo changes they already made. This friendly checklist helps you regain control of Gmail or Outlook and spot hidden settings that can keep causing trouble.

First: If this is a work or school account, notify your IT administrator immediately. If you suspect your computer is infected, use a different trusted device to secure the account.

Watch the quick video

Prefer to watch? Start with this short illustrated guide, then follow the full checklist below.

Watch this video on YouTube · More NoPanicTech videos

10 things to check after your email is hacked

1. Change your password. Open the official Gmail, Microsoft, or company sign-in site yourself—not a link from a suspicious email. Choose a unique password and replace it anywhere else you reused it.
2. Sign out unfamiliar devices and sessions. In your account’s security settings, review recent activity and sign out devices you do not recognize. Your workplace IT team may need to revoke Microsoft 365 sessions centrally.
3. Turn on or reset two-factor authentication (2FA). Remove unknown verification methods, verify your own recovery phone and email, and register a passkey or authenticator when available. Never approve a sign-in request you did not start.
4. Check inbox rules and filters. Attackers sometimes make incoming messages skip the inbox, go to Trash/Deleted Items, get marked read, or forward elsewhere. Remove rules or filters you did not create. In Outlook on the web, open Settings → Mail → Rules (menu names vary). In Gmail on a computer, open Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.
5. Check forwarding. Look for an unknown forwarding address. In Outlook on the web, check Settings → Mail → Forwarding. In Gmail on a computer, check Settings → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Business administrators should also check mailbox-level forwarding and mail flow rules, which may not appear in the user’s settings.
6. Review connected apps. An outside app may have permission to read mail even after you change your password. Review third-party connections or app permissions in your Google or Microsoft account, and revoke anything unfamiliar. Ask an administrator for help with workplace app permissions.
7. Check who can access your mailbox. Look for unfamiliar delegates, shared access, or Send As permissions. These can be managed in account settings or by your organization’s administrator; Gmail delegation is under Settings → Accounts and Import on supported accounts.
8. Check Sent, Deleted Items/Trash, and archive folders. See whether anyone sent fraudulent messages from your account or hid incoming mail. If an unexpected rule sent mail to Deleted Items or Trash, the messages may still be there. Check recovery options before emptying anything; retention periods and recovery availability vary.
9. Review account activity and security changes. Look for suspicious successful sign-ins, unfamiliar devices, new recovery methods, and account changes. A location by itself can be misleading, so look at device and time details too.
10. Warn affected contacts and watch for repeat activity. Tell people who may have received suspicious messages not to open links or enter passwords. Monitor the account for new rules, forwarding changes, unfamiliar sessions, and unexpected mail for the next several days.

Where to find the settings

Gmail / Google account

Go directly to Google Account Security to review devices, sign-ins, and two-step verification. In Gmail on a computer, open the gear icon → See all settings to inspect filters, forwarding, and account delegation (where supported). You can find Google’s instructions at Secure a hacked Google Account.

Outlook.com / Microsoft 365

Open your normal Outlook webmail directly. Use Settings to inspect Rules and Forwarding, and your Microsoft account’s security page to review authentication and recent activity. On a workplace Microsoft 365 account, some settings—including server-side forwarding, mailbox permissions, OAuth app grants and session revocation—require help from IT. Microsoft’s account recovery guidance is a useful starting point for personal Microsoft accounts.

Extra checks for Microsoft 365 administrators

If you’re the IT administrator responding to a compromised mailbox, preserve appropriate evidence and review: Entra sign-in and audit logs; active sessions and registered authentication methods; inbox rules (including hidden or suspicious rules); mailbox and transport-level forwarding; Full Access, Send As and Send on Behalf permissions; enterprise app consent and service principals; suspicious sent mail and message trace; and whether a phishing campaign affected other users. Revoke sessions and unauthorized grants and confirm remediation with fresh sign-in activity.

Important: An empty forwarding setting or delegate list does not prove the account is clean. Review other access paths too, and follow your organization’s incident-response process.

What if your missing email is in Deleted Items?

Do not empty that folder. Remove the unwanted rule or filter first, then move legitimate messages back to the Inbox. If messages are no longer there, check the provider’s recovery feature or ask IT about retention and restore options. Recovery is not always possible.

The bottom line

Secure the login, then check what the attacker changed. A malicious inbox rule can keep hiding email after the hacker is locked out. Checking rules, forwarding, app access, delegated access and deleted messages can reveal problems that a password reset alone will miss.

Related guides: Clicked a Scam Link? · Dangerous Email Attachments · How to Spot a Scam Email.

Quick answer: A Facebook ad can look professional, use a familiar company logo, and even say “Sponsored” — and still be a scam. “Sponsored” means someone paid to show the ad. It does not mean Facebook guarantees the seller is trustworthy.

Maybe you have seen a familiar store advertising an unbelievable clearance sale, a famous person recommending an investment, or a warning that your Facebook account needs attention. Before you click or pay, use these simple checks.

7 warning signs of a fake Facebook ad

1. The price seems too good to be true

A $200 appliance for $19.99? A well-known brand with an “everything must go” sale? Scammers regularly copy product photos and logos to advertise deals that do not exist. Compare the price on the company’s real website, reached by typing its address yourself.

2. The ad pressures you to act immediately

Watch out for countdown clocks, “only two left,” or warnings that you must act within minutes. Real sales can be time-limited, too, but pressure is a reason to slow down — not speed up.

3. The page name looks almost right

A scammer might create a page with a familiar logo and a name such as “Brand Official Deals” or a misspelled store name. A logo, a large number of likes, or even a familiar-looking page is not proof of legitimacy.

4. The website address is strange

Look at the actual website address before entering anything. A fake store may use a long address with extra words, unusual spelling, or a different ending from the real company’s website. A padlock or https only means the connection is encrypted; it does not prove the company is legitimate.

5. A celebrity is making an unbelievable promise

Scammers use edited videos, stolen photos, and AI-generated voices to make celebrities appear to promote investments, giveaways, or miracle products. Never trust a financial offer simply because a famous person seems to endorse it.

6. The seller demands an unusual payment method

Be especially suspicious if you are told to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or a payment app sent to an individual. A credit card generally offers better options to dispute a purchase when something goes wrong.

7. The ad asks you to sign in to fix a problem

An ad or message claiming your Facebook account, bank account, or computer is locked may lead to a fake sign-in screen. Do not enter passwords or verification codes through that link. Open the app or visit the service’s official website yourself.

A simple 30-second check before you buy

1. Stop. Don’t buy straight from the ad.
2. Search. Look up the business separately. Try its name plus “scam,” “complaint,” or “reviews.”
3. Compare. Visit the real store’s website and see whether the same offer exists.
4. Check. Read the full web address and confirm who is receiving the payment.
5. Skip it if unsure. Missing one sale is better than losing your money or account.

What if you already clicked the ad?

If you only opened the website: Close the page. Opening a link does not automatically mean your account was stolen, but do not download files, allow notifications, or provide information. If you downloaded something, avoid opening it and run your device’s built-in security scan.

If you entered a password: Open the real website or app directly and change that password immediately. Change it anywhere else you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication, review recent logins, and sign out unfamiliar devices or sessions. Never give anyone a security verification code.

If you entered a credit card: Contact your card issuer using the number printed on the card or in its official app. Explain what happened, ask about freezing or replacing the card, and review transactions. Dispute fraudulent charges promptly.

If you paid by another method: Contact the payment provider or bank as quickly as possible and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recovered. Save screenshots, receipts, and messages.

If someone asks for personal identity information: Visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps appropriate to what was shared.

How to report a suspicious Facebook ad

1. Find the advertisement in your Facebook feed, if it is still available.
2. Tap or click the three dots (⋯) near the ad.
3. Select Report ad or the closest reporting option shown.
4. Choose a reason such as scam, fraud, or misleading content, and follow the prompts.

Menus can vary depending on your version of Facebook. You can also report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

Remember: “Sponsored” is not a safety seal

The FTC warns that scammers can buy advertisements on social media, including ads pretending to represent real businesses. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, says it actively removes scam ads and takes action against deceptive advertisers, but no screening system catches every scam. That is why a little independent checking matters.

The NoPanicTech rule: If an ad makes you excited, frightened, or rushed, take a minute and check it outside Facebook before you click, sign in, or pay.

For more help spotting fake sign-in pages, read our guide: That Email Attachment Might Be a Trap.

Trusted sources

• FTC: Are social media ads checked for scams?
• FTC: How to spot scams that start on social media
• Meta: Scam prevention and safety basics

Some parking lots let you pay by texting a code or scanning a QR code. The exact steps depend on the parking operator, but this guide covers the basics.

Before paying

1. Read the official sign in the lot and confirm the posted parking operator, zone and instructions.
2. Check the website address shown on the sign. Stickers pasted over a real sign can sometimes send you to a scam page.
3. Enter the lot or zone number, vehicle license plate and desired parking time as instructed.
4. Review the parking price, service fees and expiration time before paying.
5. Keep the confirmation message or receipt.

How do I extend parking time?

Use the extension link from a genuine confirmation message, or return to the parking provider’s official website or app. Look for Extend, Add Time, or your active parking session. Not every lot allows extensions, and some require you to extend before your current time expires.

What if I receive a suspicious text?

Do not tap a payment link just because the text says you owe a parking fine. Instead, visit the parking operator’s official website using an address you found independently, or use the instructions on the physical sign. Never enter banking details on a site whose legitimacy you cannot verify.

Tip: Set a phone reminder a little before your parking session ends, especially if you will be away from the car.

It can feel like new apps and advertisements appear on your phone every day. Often, several different things are being confused: an app, an ad inside an app, a notification, and a website shortcut.

First, identify what you are seeing

An installed app opens when you tap its icon. An advertisement appears inside a website, game, or another app. A notification appears as an alert or banner. A website shortcut looks like an app icon but opens a page in a browser.

Reduce notifications on iPhone

Open Settings > Notifications. Choose the app sending alerts and change or disable its notification permissions. For Safari website pop-ups, open Settings, search for Safari, and enable the pop-up blocking option when available. Some ads are built into free apps and cannot all be removed through a single phone setting.

Remove unfamiliar apps carefully

Press and hold an iPhone app icon, then tap Remove App > Delete App. On Android, touch and hold the app or go to Settings > Apps and choose Uninstall. If an app is unfamiliar, check what it does before deleting it. Removing an app may not cancel an existing subscription.

Do I need antivirus?

Keep your operating system and apps updated, use official app stores, and avoid suspicious links. Modern phones have built-in security protections, but no product can make you perfectly safe. If a browser page announces that your phone is infected and asks you to call a number or pay immediately, it may be a fake virus warning. Close the page, and do not call the number.

Quick check

1. Is it an ad or a real installed app?
2. Which app or website is showing it?
3. Can you turn off its notifications?
4. Is there a paid subscription you also need to cancel?

You open your email and see a message that makes your stomach drop: “New login from another location.” Maybe it says California when you’re sitting at home in Georgia. Does that mean someone hacked your account?

Not necessarily. But don’t ignore it. Here’s how to tell the difference between a harmless location mix-up and a login you need to take seriously. If you think someone used your password, see our plain-English two-factor authentication guide for an additional way to protect your account.

First: Why does my account think I’m in another state?

Websites usually estimate your location using your IP address—a number your internet provider assigns to your connection. An IP address isn’t GPS. A cellular carrier, VPN, work network, or outdated location database can make a login appear hundreds of miles away.

So an email saying “San Francisco” doesn’t prove someone in San Francisco logged into your account.

What matters more: Was the login at a time you were signing in? Does the device match your phone or computer? Is the session active? Do you recognize it?

Look at the device, not just the city

Imagine you use a Samsung phone, but your account’s security page shows a new login from a Xiaomi phone you don’t own. That’s a stronger reason to investigate than the city alone.

Device labels aren’t perfect, either. Some apps and automated browsers can report unexpected details. But an unfamiliar device plus a login you didn’t make should be treated as suspicious until you can explain it.

How an old password can come back to haunt you

Years ago, many of us used the same password on several sites. If just one of those sites suffered a data breach, attackers might have obtained an email-and-password combination.

They can then try that combination on other websites, hoping you reused it. That’s called credential stuffing. Software can test stolen login combinations automatically; it doesn’t take a clever human sitting at a keyboard, and AI isn’t required.

This is why an account you haven’t thought about in years can suddenly get a login alert. Even if your password is long, a password exposed in a breach isn’t safe to reuse.

What to do when you get a suspicious login email

1. Don’t use links in the email. Open the app normally or type its website address yourself. Fake security alerts are a common phishing trick.
2. Check recent logins and active sessions. Look at the device, approximate location, date, and time. If a device is unfamiliar, take it seriously.
3. Change your password. Use a new, unique password—one you’ve never used on another site. A password manager can generate and remember it.
4. Sign out of other sessions. Many services offer a “Log out of all other devices” option. Use it if you suspect someone else got in.
5. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). Prefer a passkey or authenticator app when supported. Read our simple guide to two-factor authentication.
6. Review connected apps and recovery information. Remove unfamiliar third-party access, and make sure the recovery email and phone number are yours.
7. Check for unwanted changes. Look at sent messages, posts, account settings, payment details, and login alerts. If the account was accessed, change any other passwords that were reused.

What if you already changed your password?

Great start. Signing out other sessions and enabling 2FA helps close the door. Still, changing a password may not automatically revoke every third-party app authorization, so review those separately.

If you used the old password anywhere else, change it on those sites too—especially your main email account, which is often used to reset passwords elsewhere.

Could a browser or connected app be responsible?

Possibly. Saved browser sessions, social media tools, and services that act on your behalf can create logins you don’t immediately recognize. That doesn’t mean the service leaked your password. It also doesn’t prove the login was legitimate.

Compare the time of the login to what you were actually doing, inspect authorized apps, and be cautious about granting broad account permissions. If you don’t recognize an active session, sign it out and secure the account rather than waiting for certainty.

How to prevent this next time

• Use a different password for every website and app.
• Use a reputable password manager instead of remembering dozens of passwords.
• Enable 2FA or passkeys wherever possible.
• Keep recovery email accounts secure.
• Take login alerts seriously—but remember that location estimates can be wrong.

Want more practical help? Read What Is a Passkey?, How to Spot a Scam, and Clicked a Scam Link? What to Do Next.

The bottom line

A login from another state isn’t proof of hacking. An unfamiliar login you cannot explain is a reason to act. Check the device and session details, replace reused passwords, sign out unknown sessions, and turn on two-factor authentication. You don’t need to be a computer expert to protect yourself—and you don’t need to panic.

Is your computer taking forever to start, opening programs slowly, or freezing when you just want to check your email? You don’t necessarily need a new computer. Start with these simple checks, in order, before spending money. If you’re worried the slowdown could be malware, use our guide to checking for signs of a virus rather than buying a cleanup tool immediately.

1. Restart the computer

Choose Start → Power → Restart on Windows, or the Apple menu → Restart on a Mac. Restarting clears many temporary problems that build up when a computer stays on for days. Closing the laptop lid usually puts it to sleep; it doesn’t restart it. Learn more in our explanation of why turning devices off and on works.

2. Check whether one program is causing the slowdown

Close programs you aren’t using, especially lots of browser tabs. If the computer becomes fast again, reopen your programs one at a time. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and look at CPU, Memory, and Disk use. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor. A number briefly jumping high is normal; a program constantly using most resources is worth investigating. Save your work before closing anything.

3. Make some breathing room on the drive

A nearly full drive can make updates and normal work difficult. On Windows, open Settings → System → Storage. On a Mac, open System Settings → General → Storage. Remove items you recognize and no longer need, such as old installers or videos you’ve backed up. Empty the trash only after checking it. Don’t delete unfamiliar system folders or download a mystery “PC cleaner.” If you’re wondering where files went, see What Is a Download?.

4. Disable unnecessary startup apps

Some apps launch every time you sign in, even when you rarely use them. In Windows, go to Settings → Apps → Startup; on a Mac, go to System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions. Turn off apps you recognize and don’t need immediately. Leave your antivirus, backup, and device-management software alone unless you know what it does.

5. Install normal Windows or macOS updates

Updates can fix bugs and improve reliability. In Windows, open Settings → Windows Update; on a Mac, check System Settings → General → Software Update. Save your work and restart when prompted. Avoid third-party “driver update” sites promising instant speed boosts.

6. Check for unwanted software and malware

Unexpected pop-ups, browser redirects, or unfamiliar programs may indicate unwanted software, but slowness alone does not mean you have a virus. On Windows, open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Quick scan. See our step-by-step Windows virus scan guide and guide to fake virus warning pop-ups. Never call a phone number shown in a scary browser alert.

7. See whether it’s actually the internet

If websites and streaming are slow but programs open normally, your computer might be fine. Test another website, try another device on the same Wi-Fi, and check your connection. Our Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide can help distinguish connection issues from a slow computer.

8. Check whether it gets hot

A computer that overheats may deliberately slow itself down to protect its components. Set a laptop on a hard surface instead of a blanket, make sure vents are clear, and listen for a fan running unusually loudly. Turn it off if you notice a burning smell or swelling. Don’t open the computer or block its vents.

9. Back up your important files

If a computer is slowing dramatically, freezing more often, making clicking or grinding noises, or failing to start, back up your photos and documents before attempting aggressive fixes. You can use an external drive and a reputable backup service. See our simple 3-2-1 backup guide. A backup is especially important before a repair shop replaces a drive.

10. Decide whether a hardware upgrade or replacement makes sense

Older computers with mechanical hard drives can often feel substantially faster with an SSD, if the model supports an upgrade. More memory can also help when you regularly run out of RAM, but not every laptop can be upgraded. Get an estimate before buying parts. A computer that no longer receives security updates may be better replaced than upgraded. Our laptop buying guide can help you avoid paying for features you won’t use.

A quick way to narrow it down

• Slow only when starting up? Try steps 1, 4, and 5.
• Slow only online? Start with step 7.
• Slow with lots of tabs open? Try step 2.
• Freezing, making strange noises, or losing files? Back up first, then seek help.

When to get help

If your computer keeps crashing, won’t update, won’t boot reliably, or remains painfully slow after these checks, a trusted technician can inspect its storage drive, memory, and cooling system. Don’t pay someone who appeared in an unsolicited pop-up to “repair” your PC.

The No Panic Tech takeaway: Most slow-computer troubleshooting starts with simple, reversible steps. Restart, check what’s running, confirm you have free space, and protect your files. You may not need a new computer at all.

You meant to click a tab, but clicked its little X instead. The webpage disappeared. In many cases, you can bring it back with one keyboard shortcut.

A tab is one webpage inside your browser window. If that word is unfamiliar, start with our simple guide to web browsers.

Watch the shortcut

See the quick reminder, then follow the written steps below.

Watch on YouTube · Subscribe to NoPanicTech

Try this first on your computer

• Windows, using Chrome or Microsoft Edge: press Ctrl + Shift + T.
• Mac, using Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari: press Command (⌘) + Shift + T.

Click inside your browser first. Hold down Ctrl (or Command on a Mac), keep it held while you hold Shift, then tap the letter T once. Release the keys. The plus signs mean “press these together”; you do not press a plus key.

The browser should reopen the last tab you closed. In Chrome, you can repeat the shortcut to bring back earlier closed tabs, one at a time.

Reopen a closed tab in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari

Fast answer: On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + T; on a Mac, press Command (⌘) + Shift + T. This shortcut works in current desktop versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Press it again to reopen additional recently closed tabs, where supported.

Using a phone? In Chrome for Android, open the three-dot menu and choose Recent tabs when available. In Safari on iPhone, open the tab overview, then touch and hold the + button to see recently closed tabs. Menu locations may vary by browser version.

Would you rather use a menu?

Chrome: click the three dots near the upper-right corner, open History, and look under Recently closed. Select the page or window you want to reopen.

Safari on a Mac: use History → Reopen Last Closed Tab in the menu bar at the top of the screen. For an earlier tab, look under History → Recently Closed.

What if you closed the whole window?

Open the browser again. In Chrome, look in the History menu for a recently closed window; it may show a number of tabs. In Safari, try History → Reopen Last Closed Window. Recovery depends on what the browser still remembers.

If the page does not come back

Open your browser’s History and look for the website’s name. You can also type the website address again or search for the page. A closed tab and a deleted browsing history are different things.

Chrome does not keep a record of visited sites after an Incognito session ends, so its normal history cannot recover those visits. Reopening a webpage also does not guarantee that an unfinished message or form will return. Check the page before continuing.

A simple habit for next time

If a page matters, save it as a bookmark or favorite before closing it. For a long message, consider writing it in a document you can save, then copying and pasting it into the website.

Need larger, easier-to-read webpages? See how to make text bigger. If you are still stuck, send us a question and include your browser and device.

Official instructions

• Google: Chrome keyboard shortcuts and restoring closed tabs and windows
• Microsoft: Edge keyboard shortcuts
• Apple: Safari shortcuts and recently closed tabs and windows
• Google: Incognito browsing

Instructions checked October 9, 2026. This guide covers desktop browsers; phone and tablet menus differ.