How To Schedule Cleanup Process in Windows.

Regularly scheduling cleanup processes in Windows is essential for maintaining optimal system performance and managing storage efficiently. This guide provides step-by-step instructions along with various methods to automate cleanup tasks, ensuring your system stays clutter-free.

Schedule Disk Cleanup with Task Scheduler.

Task Scheduler is a powerful built-in tool in Windows that allows you to automate various tasks, including cleanup processes. By creating scheduled tasks, you can ensure that cleanup routines occur regularly without manual intervention.

Step-by-step Guide:

Step 1: Press 'Windows key + S', type 'Task Scheduler', and select it from the search results.

Step 2: In the right-hand pane, click on 'Create Basic Task'.

Step 3: Provide a name and description for your task, then click 'Next'.

Step 4: Choose the trigger for your cleanup task (e.g., Daily, Weekly), and click 'Next'.

Step 5: Specify the start date and time for the task, and click 'Next'.

Step 6: Select 'Start a program'  as the action, and click 'Next'.

Step 7: In the "Program/script" field, enter the cleanup command (e.g., 'cleanmgr.exe' for Disk Cleanup). Add any arguments needed, like '/sagerun:1' for automated cleanup. Click 'Next'.

Step 8: Review your settings and click Finish.

Note: Test the task manually before relying on the scheduled run. You can set multiple triggers or conditions for more customized scheduling. 

How To Delete a Scheduled Task on Windows.

If you want to disable or delete the created scheduled task from Task Scheduler then you can follow these steps. 

Step-by-step Guide:

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler and in the left-hand pane, expand the 'Task Scheduler Library' to find the task.

Step 2: Right-click on the task you want to delete and select 'Delete' from the context menu.

Note: If you do not want to delete the task permanently then you can also disable them by selecting 'Disable' from the context menu.

Step 3: Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Deleting a task removes it permanently. Ensure you want to delete it before confirming. You can also check the task's status in the 'Active Tasks' tab before deleting or disabling the task.

Cleanup Process Using Storage Sense in Windows.

Storage Sense is a built-in feature in Windows 10 and 11 that automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files. This method is user-friendly and requires minimal configuration.

Step-by-step Guide:

Step 1: Press 'Windows key + I' to open Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to System > Storage.

Step 3: Click on 'Configure Storage Sense or run it now'.

Step 4: Toggle the switch to turn on Storage Sense. Choose the frequency and action for temporary file cleanup.

Step 5: Click on 'Advanced settings' to fine-tune cleanup options.

Storage Sense can automatically free up space by deleting temporary files, system-created files, and items in the recycle bin.

By following these methods, you can effortlessly schedule cleanup processes in Windows, ensuring your system remains optimized and clutter-free. Regular automated cleanup contributes to improved performance and efficient storage management.

How To Record Computer Audio on Windows 11.

Whether you're creating a podcast, capturing in-game sound effects, or saving an online lecture, the ability to record computer audio is a valuable skill. On Windows 11, we can record computer audio using a built-in recorder application or by using third-party software like OBS Studio or Audacity. In this guide, we will explore how to capture Audio from a Windows 11 computer using these tools.

Record Audio Using Built-in Sound Recorder on Windows.

In this method, we are using a built-in default application called Sound Recorder of Windows 11. Follow the steps to record computer audio:

Step 1: Click on the Start menu, search for "Sound Recorder," on Windows 11, and open the app. Search for "Voice Recorder" if you are using the old version on Windows.

Step 2: Press the red color record button to record audio. It will record your computer as well as sound from your microphone at the same time. You can choose the device which you want to record from the drop-down option present in the bottom-left corner.

Step 3: When you start recording, you will see two options one to "Stop Recording" and "Pause Recording" to temporarily stop the recording. You can choose your action based on your requirements.

Step 4: You can view all your recorded files on the left sidebar and right-click on the recording to see the folder location in which they are saved.

Tip: You can change the Recording format (AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV) and the Audio quality from settings. (alert-success)

Audacity to Record Computer Audio on Windows.

Audacity is a third-party software that we can use to record audio from our mic or from the system.

Step 1: Download and Install Audacity on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Open Audacity go to Audio Setup > Host and set the recording device to "Windows WASAPI" in the drop-down menu. 

Step 3: Open the Audio Setup again to select the "Recording Device" (eg: speaker or headphones). From the drop-down select one which contains the word "loopback" at the end. 

Step 4: Click the red record button to commence recording. Play the computer audio during the recording.

Step 5: Hit the stop button when done. Save your recording in a preferred format and location.

Record Audio Using OBS Studio on Windows.

OBS Studio is an open-source video recording and live streaming software but we can use them for our audio recording purposes also. Here are the steps to do so:

Step 1: Download and Install OBS Studio on your Windows Computer.

Step 2: Open OBS Studio, go to "Settings," and configure audio sources under the "Audio" tab. Add your desktop audio source.

Step 3: Return to the main screen, click "Start Recording," and play the computer audio.

Step 4: Click "Stop Recording" when finished. Locate and save your recording in the designated folder.

I hope that your requirement of recording Computer Audio will be fulfilled by one of the methods we have explained above. Choose one that is convenient for you to use.

How To Find Mac Address on Windows, macOS and Linux.

MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) in a device, providing it with a distinct digital identity on a network. Comprising twelve alphanumeric characters, the MAC address is often expressed as six pairs of two characters separated by colons or hyphens (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).

Here we show you the different ways to find the MAC Address of your laptop on various operating systems like Windows macOS and Linux. 

Find the MAC Address on Windows using CMD.

It is easy to find the MAC Address on a Windows laptop using the Command Prompt (CMD). Below are steps you can follow:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter.

ipconfig /all

3. Look for the network adapter you're interested in; it might be labeled as a "Wireless LAN adapter" for Wi-Fi or an "Ethernet adapter" for wired connections.

4. In the information displayed, find the "Physical Address." This is your MAC address. It usually appears as six pairs of alphanumeric characters separated by hyphens or colons (e.g., 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E).

Now you've successfully retrieved the MAC address of your Windows computer using the Command Prompt.

Find MAC Address on macOS.

You can find the MAC Address on a macOS device in the network settings. Below are the steps to follow:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen. Select "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.

2. In the System Preferences window, locate and click on "Network."

3. Choose the network connection for which you want to find the MAC address (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.

4. Once you've selected the network connection, click on the "Advanced" button in the lower-right corner.

5. In the advanced settings, go to the "Hardware" or "Ethernet" tab. Here, you will find the "MAC Address" or "Hardware Address." 

Find the MAC Address on Linux.

To discover the MAC (Media Access Control) address on a Linux system, you can use the command line. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Launch the terminal on your Linux system. You can usually find it in your applications menu or use a keyboard shortcut like Ctrl + Alt + T.

2. In the terminal window, type the following command and press Enter.

ip link show

3. Look for the network interface for which you want to find the MAC address. Common interfaces include eth0 for Ethernet and wlan0 for Wi-Fi.

4. In the output, find the line labeled "link/ether" followed by the MAC address. 

Alternatively, you can use the following command specifically for the MAC address.

cat /sys/class/net/<interface>/address

Replace <interface> with the name of your network interface (e.g., eth0 or wlan0).

Frequently Ask Questions.

Q: What is the Use of MAC Address?

Answer: The primary use of a MAC address is in network communication. It serves as a hardware address for devices to interact within a local network, facilitating the delivery of data to the intended recipient. This address is crucial for device recognition, enabling routers and switches to forward data accurately to the designated device. 

Q: What is the difference between a MAC Address and an IP Address?

Answer: A MAC Address is a hardware-level identifier assigned to a device's network interface, while an IP Address is a logical identifier assigned to a device on a network. MAC Addresses operate at the data link layer, and IP Addresses operate at the network layer of the OSI model. While IP addresses handle global communication, MAC addresses manage local network communication, making them essential for the seamless functioning of networked devices. 

Q: Is the MAC Address visible to others on the internet?

Answer: No, the MAC Address is typically not visible beyond the local network. When data leaves the local network and travels through routers, the source MAC Address is replaced with the router's MAC Address.

Q: Why might I need to know my device's MAC Address?

Answer: Knowing your device's MAC Address is useful for network troubleshooting, configuring network settings, implementing security measures such as MAC filtering, and ensuring proper device recognition on a network.

Q: Can two devices have the same MAC Address?

Answer: No, each MAC Address is unique. The probability of two devices having the same MAC Address is extremely low due to the large address space available.

Q: Does the MAC Address change when switching networks?

Answer: No, the MAC Address remains constant for a specific network interface. It only changes if the user manually modifies it or if the device undergoes hardware changes, such as a network card replacement.

7 Best Free Wi-Fi Network Scanners.

Network scanners help you check which devices are connected to your router and find out if anyone is hijacking your internet. It helps you in checking the network for which devices are connected to it, the strength of the channel, and the IP address of the devices. It also helps you to know how much secure a network is.

Here is the list of the best seven free Wi-Fi network scanners that are going to help you in scanning your network. 

1. Advanced IP Scanner. 

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Easy access to network shares.
• Remote control via RDP and Radmin.
• Mac Addresses Detection.
• Switching on/off computers remotely.
• Export scan result to CSV.
• No installation required.

Despite billing itself as an ‘advanced’ tool, Advanced IP Scanner (AIS) doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The best thing about Advanced IP Scanner is that it is not loaded with unnecessary options that most users will never use, but focuses instead on scanning your network for any connected devices. It’s fairly quick, especially compared with rival Windows programs, and its interface is clear and easy to understand, making it as suitable for beginners as it is for advanced network administrators.

Advanced IP Scanner is “the first choice for every network admin”, this tool is easy to use and an excellent option for anyone who’s curious about the devices that connect to their Wi-Fi. When it works, the remote access feature is exceptional, and there’s a portable version of AIS, too.

2. Fing.

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Fast and accurate identification of all devices connected to any network.
• Find intruders, Wi-Fi thieves, and unknown devices on your network.
• Run speed tests, rate ISPs, and find the best providers in your area.
• Recognize all devices, get an IP address, MAC address, device name, model vendor.
• Port scanning, device ping, traceroute, and DNS lookup.

Fing is a rare beast: a mobile app that outperforms equivalent desktop programs. Available for Android and iOS, it’s a smart tool with a clean look that’s perfectly suited to mobile use. When we connected two mobile phones, a smart speaker, a games console, and a computer to a network, Fing instantly recognized each device, giving its name and allocating it an appropriate icon.

Fing is the perfect mobile network scanner. It lacks a few of the extra features you find in some desktop PC tools, but it gives you everything you need to perform a quick, thorough network check without having to boot up your computer.  

3. Wireless Network Watcher. 

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Wireless Network Watcher scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are connected to your network.
• The following information is displayed: IP address, MAC address, the company that manufactured the network card, and optionally the computer name.

Wireless Network Watcher keeps things very simple, and that’s fine with us. Clicking the Play the play button to run a scan and see every device that’s connected to your network, along with the usual information such as its IP and MAC address.

The ace up its sleeve, however, is that it notes the first and last time a device was detected and keeps an overall Detection Count, which is sure to please anyone who worries about unauthorized devices using their internet connection.

Wireless Network Watcher is a simple utility that’s ideally suited to the casual user, but it lacks power for those who need advanced features. It’s a great tool for checking what, and who, is connected to your network, but that’s about its limit.

4. Angry IP Scanner. 

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• It scans local networks as well as the Internet.
• IP Range, Random or file in any format.
• Exports results in many formats.
• Extensible with many data fetches.
• It provides a command-line interface.
• It runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, possibly supporting other platforms as well.

Angry IP Scanner is an open-source and cross-platform network scanner designed to be fast and simple to use.

We’re not sure what has made Angry IP Scanner so cross, but during the time we spent with them, we found it to be thoroughly pleased. The scanning network is quick and the results page is fairly clear when the results are in, the tool even tells you how long it took and how many hosts are ‘alive’. Elsewhere it’s less intuitive, but it’s unlikely to put off advanced users, for whom we’d suggest the tool is really designed.  

5. Dipiscan. 

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Dipiscan lets you save a text file of the results.
• It has an easy to use interface.

Dipiscan is another streamlined network scanner in the same vein as Wireless Network Watcher. Its attractive layout feels a lot more modern, and we like the dedicated Export button, which lets you save a text file of the results.

Performance is excellent, and you won’t struggle to find your way around the tool-although some of the tabs gathered along the top border on the advanced.

Dipiscan is a fast and capable network scanner, but if you’re already using something like Angry IP Scanner then it is better to stay with those network scanner.

6. SoftPerfect Network Scanner.

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Fully supports both IPv4 and IPv6 discovery.
• Performs a ping sweep and displays live devices.
• Detects hardware MAC addresses, even across routers.
• Discovers writable and hidden shared folders.
• Detects internal and external IP addresses.

SoftPerfect is a fast, highly configurable IPv4/IPv6 scanner that can streamline many of your network support procedures. It has a well-designed interface, lightweight and portability coupled with an extensive range of options and advanced features make SoftPerfect Network Scanner an invaluable tool, whether you are a professional, or a general user interested in computer security.

SoftPerfect Network Scanner can ping computers, scan ports, discover shared folders, and retrieve practically any information about network devices via WMI SNMP, HTTP, SSH, and PowerShell.

  

7. NetSpot.

[ DOWNLOAD ]

Key Features:

• Collect live Wi-Fi data from all surrounding networks.
• See channel info, transmit rate, vendor, security type, band, etc.
• Customizable signal levels and noise charts display changes in real-time.
• Discover mode is ideal to locate Wi-Fi issues in a specific area.
• Save historical data per each AP for the latest review.
• Create any number of snapshots within each zone to quickly compare Wi-Fi configurations.

NetSpot is a perfect helper for network security specialists in location and eliminating rogue access points, detecting unauthorized workstations, avoiding cross-channel interference, and getting rid of false-positive intrusion alerts. With NetSpot one can also check the security settings (Open, WEP, WPA/WPA2 Personal/Enterprise), non-broadcasting SSIDs, and WiFi signal strength. With all this work done well the wireless signal is less likely to spill outside, where a war drive can get their hands on it.

With its advanced collection and visualization of data, NetSpot provides its users with a comprehensive and complete WiFi site survey solution.  

31 Useful Google Assistant and Google Home Voice Commands You Should Know.

We all know about Google Assistant, a virtual personal assistant by Google. Now, Google Assistant is available for all Android phones and Google Home and even iPhone users can get the advantage of Google Assistant by installing it on the device.

Google is always adding new amazing voice commands to Google Assistant to provide a better user experience and make your tasks much easy. It can help you in reading your messages, makes calls, book tickets, help in communicating in other several languages and more other activities.

Here I am listing 31 useful Google Assistant voice command which you can try on your Android device or on your Google Home.  

#1. Play Mickey’s, Game Show. 

To celebrate 90 years of Mickey Mouse say: “Hey Google, play Mickey’s Game Show” and answer a host of trivia questions about the cartoon rodent and his chums.

#2. Receive polite responses.

In an attempt to make us more pleasant to our digital devices, Google Assistant is now specifically listening for “please” and “thank you”, rewarding you with politeness in return.

#3. Get flight prices.

Tell Google Assistant to “show me flight to [destination]” and it displays a list of airlines and costs, then ask you for dates and offers to email you price changes.

#4. Perform actions hands-free.

Google Assistant is now integrated with Google Maps for Android and iOS, so you can use your voice to navigate, respond to texts and control your music.

#5. Auto-add punctuation.

Dictate messages to Google Assistant and it will now detect the context and the tone of your voice, automatically adding commas, full stops, and question marks.

#6. Keep track of your health.

Add the health-tracking app Lifesum to Google and say “talk to Lifesum”, then add meals (“add a large dinner”) and track your weight (“I weigh 80kg).

#7. Hone your trivia knowledge.

HQ Trivia now lets you practice between live games using Google Assistant. Say, “OK Google, get me ready for HQ” and you’ll be asked 12 questions by HQ University.

#8. Translate in real-time.

Ask Assistant to be your interpreter (“be my [language] interpreter”) – naming one of 26 languages – and it now translates real conversations in real-time.

#9. Enjoy a continued conversation.

Activate Continued Conversation in the Google Home or Google Assistant app and don’t have to say “Hey Google” every time you want to ask a question – it will pick up on follow-up queries.

#10. Play a Harry Potter game.

Say “Talk to Wizarding World” and Google Assistant will ask you three Harry Potter-related questions in a new Warner Bros quiz.

#11. Keep up with football.

Google Assistant’s new Sports Facts skill keeps you up to date with the latest football info. Simply say, for example, “what are the Premier League standings”.

#12. Listen to a kids’ story.

Google Assistant can now read stories to you. Say, “Hey Google, tell me a story” and listen to tales such as Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood.

#13. Discover data about you.

Google Assistant’s new setting helps you understand the data it uses. Launch the Assistant or Home app, go to settings and tap Your Data In The Assistant to see commands you’ve issued, and turn functions on and off.

#14. Get help with your boiler.

If your hot water or heating is in trouble, say “OK Google, talk to Boiler Support” and this British Gas-powered service will ask you questions and put you in touch with an engineer if you need one.

#15. Pick a random number.

Say “Hey Google, give me a random number”, and after a jazzy sound effect, the Assistant will do just that. Good for picking a horse or lottery numbers, perhaps? 

#16. Get the latest flight info.

Use the travel-planning app Triplt with Google Assistant to get the latest on your flights. Connect the Triplt action via Google Assistant and say: “OK Google, talk to Triplt”.

#17. Listen to your messages.

Google Assistant can now read messages from third-party apps such as WhatsApp. With app notification access switched on, say “Hey Google, read my messages”.

#18. Send Reminders to other phones.

Add people to your Families group (families.google.com)and you can ask Google Assistant to send reminders to their phones, either at particular times or when the person reaches a certain place.

#19. Keep Assistant quiet.

Google now lets you turn off speech output, so responses appear on an Android phone but aren’t spoken aloud. Say “OK Google” and tab the Explorer icon, then your profile picture and select Settings, Assistant before tapping Speech Output under ‘Voice and Speech’ and choosing Hands-Free Only.

#20. Find Tile-tagged items.

If you’ve fitted Tile tracking tags to your bag, wallet, keys or other easily losable items, you can now use your Google Home speaker to discover where they are.

#21. Move your music around.

If you have more than one Google smart speaker and have assigned a room to each device, you can choose where your music plays. Say “Hey Google, move the music to [room]”.

#22. Read a bedtime story.

Parents can record a tale and a message at mystorytime.com which their kids can then playback via Google Assistant by saying, “Hey Google, talk to My Storytime”.

#23. Delete your last request.

If you accidentally trigger Google Assistant into action, you can cancel your most recent voice command by saying, “Hey Google, that wasn’t for you”.

#24. Get regular updates.

Google Assistant can offer regular updates on the weather, a fun fact or anything else. To set it up, simply say “Send Daily” when the Assistant tells you something.

#25. Book a ride.

Say, “Hey Google, book a ride to “followed by your destination, and Assistant will provide current waiting times for taxi firms such as Uber, together with prices.

#26. Make Duo video calls.

Ask Google Assistant to connect you on Android’s Duo call [name of person]”. Confirm the call and the duo will appear on the screen.

#27. Watch All 4 TV shows.

With All 4’s new skill, you can stream your favorite Channel 4 shows via your Chromecast and a Google Home or Home Mini. Say, “OK Google, play [show name]”.

#28. Have a continued conversation.

Turn on Continued Conversation in Google Assistant’s settings and you can keep chatting without asking another question until you say “thank you” or “stop”, or cease talking for a while. 

#29. Pick a new voice.

Google has launched six Google Assistant voices. Go to Settings, Preferences, Assistant Voice (in Home, find it under More Settings), then preview each one.

#30. Hear a classic story.

Say, “Hey Google, tell me a story” to listen to classic tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. For a fun, Disney story says: “Hey Google, talk to Mickey Mouse Story Time”.

#31. Send and create cards.

Say, “Hey Google talk to Greetings Cards” to select a greeting and add a personal image to a card to send to a friend. If you use Google Home, the card will also be sent on your phone.

We are going to add more such voices to this list in the future and if you also know any such useful command then you can share it in the comment section below, we will love to add them too.