Windows - Frequently Asked Questions

This document provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Windows.

What version of Windows do I have?

See: Windows - Determining Version

Is my version of Windows 32-bit or 64-bit?

See: Windows (Vista, 7, 8, &10) - Determining 32-bit or 64-bit Versions

What is a file system and what is the difference between NTFS and FAT?

See: File Systems Overview

What is Safe Mode and how do I boot Windows into Safe Mode?

See: Windows - Booting into Safe Mode

How do I uninstall a program?

See: Windows 7 & Vista - Uninstalling a Program or Windows XP - Uninstalling a Program

How do I keep Windows secure from viruses and malware?

Because of the number of computers with Windows installed, virus and malware distributors often target Windows in order to have the most effect. Because of this, it is very important that Windows computers be properly secured. This is most easily done by activating Windows Defender, which is installed on all copies of Windows 10. Please see Windows Defender - Enabling Antivirus Threat Protection & Windows Firewall for instructions.

In addition to having a working anti-virus program, Windows computers need to be updated on a regular basis to remain secure. See Windows - Using Windows Update for directions on how to keep Windows up-to-date.

Will my older programs work with newer versions of Windows?

See: Windows 7 - Application Compatibility Issues or [Link for document 5175 is unavailable at this time]

How to I adjust the system time on a Windows computer?

See: Windows 7, 8, & Vista - Changing the System Date and Time or Windows 2000/XP - Changing the System Date and Time