Windows 11 Operation Tips and Issues Log; Dark mode (including Chrome on Android)

Last updated on  24 Mar. 2025
Chronological Order

5th Feb. 2025
Today (which perhaps was there yesterday too but I am not sure), I started facing a problem of slow PC operation on Windows 11. Saw that the disk activity light was almost constantly on. Task Manager showed "windows modules installer worker" as the CPU hog.
Net browsing indicated that it could be related to Windows Update. I recalled that I had a partially done optional update which I later realized I don't need.
To fix that, I followed general instructions on Troubleshoot Windows Update in this video (around 1st half of video, IFIRC): How to Fix the Windows Modules Installer 100% Disk Issue [Guide], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nony1q7F5oQ , around 4 mins, Jun. 2024.
Key action that seems to have fixed the issue for me: As admin, search Troubleshoot -> Choose Troubleshoot Settings -> Other troubleshooters -> Click on Run button for Windows Update. That brought up another 'Get Help' window which took some time to show its contents (seems like online stuff), where I chose "I can't download, install or uninstall an update". That came up with a permission prompt for running Windows update automatic diagnostic. I chose Yes. It took quite some time to do the work but eventually reported that it fixed the problem. The almost always on disk activity light issue was not there anymore and the system had become fast (responsive).
---------
15th Feb. 2025
Showing folder hierarchy in Windows 11 File Explorer:
In the left pane of File Explorer, right click near the dividers (horizontal lines) and outside of selection area of entries (drives/folders) or scroll to bottom of left pane and right click in area below the last entry. In the popup menu that is shown, choose "Show all folders" and/or "Expand to current folder".
--------

18th Feb. 2025
To enable WinMerge in Context Menu:
In WinMerge program: Edit -> Options -> Shell Integration -> Choose 'Register shell extension for Windows 11 or later'
Also confirm that 'Explorer' -> Add to Context Menu -> is checked.
The above procedure worked for me on 17 Feb. 2025 with recently downloaded and installed WinMerge ... Version 2.16.44.0 .. X64

==================
If USB backup devices like 1 TB ext. disk or Extreme pen drive do not show up as 'Connected to USB 3.0' in Settings->Bluetooth & Devices -> Devices , then if on a metered Internet connection switch off the metered button (make it unmetered) for some minutes. After this time, the device(s) will be shown as 'Connected to USB 3.0'. Now the metered Internet connection switch can be put on again.
==================

13 Mar. 2025, updated on 24 Mar. 2025


Very useful Win shortcuts that I have tested and work:

Open or close the Start menu: Win
Open Quick Link menu: Win + X
Open search: Win + Q OR Win + S
Open the Run dialog box: Win  + R

Open File Explorer: Win  + E
Open Terminal: Win + X (Quick Link menu) followed by i 
    [Mouse right-click on Start button + click Terminal is easy way using Mouse]

Open Task View: Win + Tab

Open Snap Layouts: Win + Z
Snap window down: Win + Alt + Down arrow (Sometimes needs to be done twice)
Snap window up: Win + Alt + Up arrow (Sometimes needs to be done twice)
Snap window left: Win + Left arrow
Snap window right: Win + Right arrow
Restore snapped/max window: Win + Shift + Down arrow

Stretch desktop window to top and bottom: Win + Shift + Up arrow

Minimize active window: Win + Down arrow (Sometimes needs to be done twice)
Maximize active window: Win + Up arrow (Sometimes needs to be done twice)
Minimize all windows: Win + M
Restore minimized windows: Win + Shift + M
    [If window is in group, it may first have to be 'restored from snap (group)'
    before Maximize or Minimize keyboard shortcuts work.]

Open Settings: Win  + I
Open the Windows 11 action center: Win + A
Open notification center and calendar: Win  + N
Open Settings -> System -> About : Win + Pause

Lock the computer: Win  + L

Display and hide the desktop: Win + D
Temporarily peek at the desktop: Win  + comma (,)

Full screen screenshot (saved to Pictures/Screenshots straightaway): Win + PrtScn
Like PrtScn: Win + Shift + S

Open the clipboard history: Win + V

Open the sound output page of quick settings: Win + Ctrl + V
Mute or unmute the microphone in supported apps: Win + Alt + K

Open the emoji panel: Win + Period (.) OR Win + Semicolon (;)

On Screen Keyboard: Win + Ctrl + O 

Magnifier on: Win + '+'
Zoom in/out : Win + '+' / Win + '-'
Magnifier off: Win + Esc

Toggle Contrast theme: Left Alt+left Shift+Print screen

============
Refs:
-------------------

22 Mar. 2025

How to Enable Excel Dark Mode? 2 Easy Methods, https://www.simonsezit.com/article/excel-dark-mode/

Foxit PDF Reader dark mode: File -> Skins -> Dark Mode AND View -> Night Mode. Ref: https://lightpdf.com/dark-mode-pdf-reader.html
------------------

24 Mar. 2025
For some programs, dark mode comes into play via Windows Settings → 'Accessibility' → 'Contrast themes' and a dark contrast theme being chosen. But that messes up Windows 11 dark theme!
Solution may be to use shortcut key of toggling the contrast theme: Left Alt + Left Shift + PrtScn
=================

How to Enable High Contrast Mode in Windows 11, https://winaero.com/how-to-enable-high-contrast-mode-in-windows-11/ 
Covers the topic in detail including File explorer, Powershell, free app stuff related to it.
================

Based on above:  chrome://flags -> "Darken websites checkbox in themes setting"

Comments

Post a Comment