Essential webcam privacy tips for your PC

And a marvelous keyboard shortcut combo  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Tello logo]()​ I've been playing with a lot of laptops lately, and here's one big thing I've learned: Webcam privacy is a big deal. Premium laptops often have physical privacy shutters and webcam disconnect switches. This is clearly a must-have feature on business laptops, too That's no surprise. After all: Who wants someone looking at them through their webcam? We all want control. That's a critical thing I'm sharing this week: Essential webcam privacy tips and everything you need to know about how to protect your visage. But that's just scratching the surface of what you'll find in Windows Intelligence this week. Don't miss a supremely useful yet little-known keyboard shortcut combo for renaming files in the fastest possible way. You'll find all that good stuff in this week's Things to Try section below. Now let's get to it! [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 2 minutes ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 30 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. Existing "AI PCs" may not get Windows 11's future AI features ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 11 is getting some transformative AI-powered upgrades later this year. Now, a file buried in Windows suggests those features may not come to the existing Intel-powered "AI PCs" being sold today. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Windows 11 is reportedly getting an "AI Explorer" that will transform the desktop experience later this year. But Microsoft still hasn't publicly announced its "AI PC" plans, despite the fact that Intel-powered "AI laptops" are on the shelves today. - A file buried in Windows appears to say the feature may require the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite hardware that Microsoft will supposedly use to power the Surface PCs it will unveil next month. - This would be a huge blow to existing Intel-based "AI PCs," but not a huge surprise — Intel's current NPUs appear significantly slower than the hardware that's coming soon. - Or, this may not be the case! For now, we still have to parse leaks and dig through buried parts of Windows to guess what's going on. Hopefully, we'll have more clarity after Microsoft's event on May 20. 📌 READ MORE: See [the system requirement report](, or check out [the slow-looking AI performance of Intel's current hardware](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Windows 10 PCs are getting pop-ups about Windows 11 ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 10 PCs are starting to receive pop-ups about upgrading to Windows 11. These are popping up even on Windows 10 PCs that can't run Windows 11. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Windows 10 will stop getting security updates after October 14, 2025 — unless you keep paying for them. In the run-up to the big day, Microsoft is encouraging people to upgrade. - A full-screen pop-up is starting to appear on Windows 10 PCs, encouraging switching to Windows 11. - Can't upgrade to Windows 11 on a particular PC? The pop-up thanks you for using Windows and encourages you to get a new Windows 11 PC. - You'll be able to keep paying for security updates after the October 14, 2025 end-of-support date, but Microsoft hasn't announced pricing for consumers yet. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [what's going on with the pop-ups](=). (A reminder: Many Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11 with a quick trick — take a look at [my upgrade guide](=) for the details.) --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Copilot may auto-launch at boot — and become a window ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Microsoft is on a mission to make the Copilot AI impossible to ignore. A change in testing will make Copilot automatically launch at boot on some PCs, but there's also some good news. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Microsoft is testing this tweak, so it may never arrive on your Windows PC. Also, Copilot will only launch at boot on widescreen PCs — presumably because they have more room for that sidebar. - The auto-start feature will be optional: You can turn it off from Settings > Personalization > Copilot if you see it in the future. - Copilot may also be able to function as an old-fashioned window you can move around on your desktop in the future — not just a sidebar. - Another change in testing will make Copilot open when you swipe from the right on a touchscreen — currently, that swipe action shows your PC's notifications. 📌 READ MORE: Consider [the Copilot-at-boot changes](=). SPONSORED MESSAGE Unlimited phone plan for just $25/mo 👏 [Bird with shocked look on its face]()​ Wish you didn’t have to flush $40, $50, even $60 or more down the toilet on your phone bill each month? Thankfully, there’s a ~savvy~ alternative that the Big Cell Carriers don’t want you to know about: Introducing the [Tello UNLIMITED plan](). For a jaw-dropping $25/month, you can score the same great cell features you love: unlimited calls and texts, and unlimited data with 35GB of high-speed data on the same great 4G LTE/5G network. ​[Save up to 50% (or more) on your phone bill]() with Tello: 🎁 Freebies: Hotspot, international calls to 60+ countries, eSIM, Wi-Fi calling, and more 🤝 Month-to-month flexibility: Upgrade or downgrade whenever you want, for free! 🤩 Prepaid: No long-term commitment, no contracts, no strings attached. Ever. ➜ [Save yourself (or your family) a fistful of cash and switch to Tello today!]() [​​​SAVE MONEY WITH TELLO​​​​ ➜]() * Available for U.S. phone owners only. ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Take control of your PC's webcam Webcam privacy is a big deal. That's one big thing I've learned from getting my hands on a pile of laptops lately. Premium laptops often have physical privacy shutters and webcam disconnect switches, and this is clearly a must-have feature on business laptops. ➜ Whether your laptop has these fancy features or not, there are ways to cut your webcam off for more privacy — and even see a list of the Windows apps that have been watching your webcam. ⌚ You can check out these various features in a minute or so. 💻 These tips work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Learn [everything you need to know about webcam privacy](=) in my latest Computerworld column. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Rename files with two little-known keyboard shortcuts Do you know the fastest way to rename files in Windows? There's no need to right-click in File Explorer! These keyboard shortcuts will deliver a massive productivity boost for your file-renaming experience. ➜ One keyboard shortcut in this combo is fairly common, but the second one is rarely spoken of — and is especially awesome. ⌚ You can try these out in just 5 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. First, open a File Explorer window with some files in it. Select one of the files. You can quickly rename one file by pressing F2, typing a file name, and pressing Enter. To quickly rename multiple files in the folder, one by one, press F2, type a file name, and then press Tab. File Explorer will save the file's name and jump to the next file, and you can keep naming files and pressing Tab to quickly name them one by one. [Renaming files with F2 and the Tab key.] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Hide your cluttered system tray — completely I have a love-hate relationship with the little switch I'm covering here. But I love finding off-the-beaten-path options Microsoft sneaks into Windows, and I dislike system tray clutter, so I'm going to share it. ➜ On a Windows 11 PC, you can completely hide all the junk applications that end up in your system tray, giving your PC a much cleaner taskbar. ⌚ You can try this out in 5 seconds. 💻 This feature is only on Windows 11. Here's how: - Right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." - Click "Other system tray icons" in the Settings window that appears. - Toggle off "Hidden icon menu." Now, that ^ arrow will vanish from the system tray on your taskbar, hiding all the applications running in the background from your taskbar. [The "Hidden icon menu" option in Windows 11's Settings app.] You can choose which icons appear on your taskbar from the window. The cluttered grab bag of app icons remains hidden — at least until you flip this switch again. Is that a good thing? Well, you won't necessarily know what's running in the background, so it could be inconvenient — on the other hand, it is so much cleaner! ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[Review: Hardcore Software by Steven Sinofsky](=) - Inside details from the person who gave us Windows 8. - ​[Microsoft Starts Testing App Recommendations in the Windows 11 Start Menu]() - Windows 10's Start menu had something similar. - ​[YouTube Starts Cracking Down on Third-Party Ad-Blocking Apps]( - Google's battle continues. - ​[From the Editor’s Desk: Think (Premium)](=) - Paul Thurrott argues we're not focused on the real problems with Windows. - ​[Microsoft is Adding a Designer Button to the Windows 11 Photos App]( - The button opens a website. - ​[Mozilla Firefox 125 is Now Available](=) - Another update for a solid browser. ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE Print in amazing quality With wireless setup, a customizable touchscreen, and self-healing Wi-Fi, the [HP ENVY Inspire 7955e]() has it all. Snag one for $60 off, plus 3 months of HP Instant Ink, today! [​EXPLORE HP ENVY]() ​ [And Just for Funsies...] New Windows laptops often come with a "Copilot" key on their keyboard that launches Microsoft's AI chatbot experience. Under the hood, this key harkens back decades to classic key from decades ago. Basically, rather than inventing a totally new "scan code" for the Copilot key to send to Windows, pressing the Copilot key sends a Windows+Shift+F23 keypress. That's right: F23. Modern keyboards only have the F1 through F12 row —and they sometimes don't even have that. IBM's first Model M and Model F keyboards in the '80s had a whole additional row of F keys — F13 through F24 — above the F1 through F12 row. [An IBM Model M keyboard with a 122-key layout.] Image by James R. Maynard III, via Wikimedia Commons By the way, those classic IBM Model M keyboards are still in demand! I've known [people who still swear by the Model M keyboard, even though it's nearly 40 years old today](. But, in my experience, most people who swear by a Model M keyboard don't have the 122-key layout model with the F13 through F24 keys. (Thanks to [Tom's Hardware](=) for first reporting this.) Until next time... See you next week! We're nearly a month out from Microsoft's big announcements about the future of Windows, AI, and PC hardware, so it's an exciting time in the wide world of Windows PCs. 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]() Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Windows Intelligence, Android Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? 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