BirdGuard for Windows 11

Guides

Practical guides to keeping security and privacy in Windows 11 under control. No jargon and no need to install anything.

Privacy 3 min read

Advertising ID in Windows 11: what it is and how to turn it off

The advertising ID lets apps tailor ads to your activity. Here is what it means and how to turn it off in Windows 11.

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Privacy 4 min read

Diagnostic data in Windows 11: what is sent and what you can limit

Windows sends diagnostic data to Microsoft. We explain the difference between required and optional data and where to limit it in Windows 11.

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Security 4 min read

Firewall in Windows 11: public and private networks without the confusion

The Windows 11 firewall has separate profiles for domain, private and public networks. We explain what they mean and why you should keep the firewall on.

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Privacy 3 min read

Which apps have access to your microphone and location

In Windows 11 you can control access to the microphone, camera and location for each app separately. We show where to find it and how to restrict it.

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Security 4 min read

ClickFix: when a website convinces you to run a malicious command yourself

ClickFix is a scam that gets you to paste and run a forged command in the Run dialog. We explain how it works and how not to fall for it.

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Startup and performance 4 min read

What starts with Windows and how to check it

Startup programs, services and scheduled tasks slow down boot and sometimes hide unwanted software. We show where to find them in Windows 11.

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AI agents 4 min read

AI agents on your computer: everything they can do

AI assistants that work directly on your computer launch programs and change files. What that means for security and how to keep an overview.

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Security 4 min read

Is your password in a leaked database? How to find out without giving it away

Passwords from data breaches circulate for years. We explain how to check whether your password is in a leaked database and why the whole password does not need to be sent.

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Security 4 min read

Ransomware: how to prepare so it does not catch you off guard

Ransomware encrypts your files and demands a ransom. We show what you can do in advance: backups, controlled folder access and basic caution.

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Security 3 min read

Is Microsoft Defender running properly? A quick check in five steps

Defender can be silently turned off or limited by another program. See where in Windows 11 to verify real-time protection and tamper protection.

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Privacy 3 min read

Who is using your camera and microphone right now, and how to tell in Windows 11

Windows 11 shows camera and microphone use only discreetly. We show where to look, how to find the last use and what to do about a suspicious app.

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Startup and performance 4 min read

Where did the disk space go, and how to tell a disk is ageing

A full disk slows the computer down and an ageing disk can fail without warning. We show where in Windows 11 to see used space and what the disk's status says.

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Security 4 min read

SmartScreen warning on an installer: how to verify the file is fine

SmartScreen also warns about new or unsigned programs. We explain what the warning means and how to verify the source and checksum of a file.

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Security 3 min read

System restore point: how to create one before you change something in Windows

A restore point lets you return system settings to the state before a change. We show how to turn it on, create one by hand and when it pays off.

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Security 4 min read

An unknown device on your home network: how to find it and what to do

Someone you do not know, or a device you forgot about, may have joined your home Wi-Fi. We show how to find the device and secure the network.

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Want to have this under control automatically?

BirdGuard watches these settings for you and offers every fix with a preview and an Undo button. We are preparing version 1.0.