Our PC should be in the best possible state to perform better. There are PC health checkup tools that can help you find problems and fix them easily to better your PC’s performance. In this guide, we show you different ways to check Computer Health in Windows 11/10.

You can check Computer Health in Windows 11/10 in the following ways:

1. Using the PC Health Check app
2. Using Windows Security
3. Generate a WiFi History or WLAN Report
4. Using Performance Monitor
5.  Using SleepStudy tool

Let’s get into the details of each one.

1] Using the PC Health Check app

Microsoft introduced the PC Health Check app when it announced the Windows 11. It is installed through updates automatically. If not, you can download it from Microsoft. It was introduced to check if your Windows 10 PC is compatible to run Windows 11 or not. Along with the compatibility check, it provides the data on your PC health. If already installed search for PC Health Check up in the Start menu and run it.

Read: How to test Hard Drive speed or check up Hard Disk Health on a Windows computer.

2] Using Windows Security

The other way to check the health of your PC is through the Windows Security app on your PC. It has a ‘Device performance and health’ option to do so.

To check your Windows PC health using Windows Security,

• Search for Windows Security in the Start menu and launch it.
• Click on the Device performance and health tab on the left side.
• Then, it will check the health of your PC and show the status.

The health report it shows covers Storage Capacity which shows the status of disk space for important tasks such as Windows updates, Battery life, Apps and software, and Windows Time service.

Read: What is Windows Device Performance & Health section?

3] Check WiFi Network Health

To generate a WiFi History or WLAN Report, you will first need to launch a Command Prompt, to begin with. Search for ‘cmd’ and then right-click on what appears. Choose “Run as Administrator“. Now, you need to enter the following command:

netsh wlan show wlanreport

Press Enter and the system will generate the report in an HTML format.

You will be able to view the report here in File Explorer:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\WlanReport\wlan-report-latest.html

The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder, and if you want to access it, you will have to click on the ‘View’ tab and click to tick mark on “Hidden items“.

Clicking on the HTML report file will make it open in your browser.

You can now see the connectivity details of the last three days of your WiFi usage. The red circle indicates an error. Selecting it gives you more info about the error. It is an interactive report and moving the mouse cursor will deliver you more information about the item.

Read: Free software to monitor System Performance & Resources

4] Using Performance Monitor

The Performance Monitor comes built-in on Windows. It lets you monitor and study how applications are running on your PC. Using this Performance Monitor, you can check the health of your PC.

To check the health of your PC by using the Performance Monitor:

• Click on the Start menu and type Performance Monitor.
•  On the Performance Monitor window, expand Data Collector Sets and then System
• Right-click on System Diagnostics as well as System Performance and select Start
• It will generate the reports that you can access in the Reports section of the Performance Monitor under the dates on which they are generated.

Read: How to Run Computer Performance Benchmark Test on Windows?

 5] Using SleepStudy tool

The SleepStudy tool provides first-level information about the causes of the activities that occur during the modern standby session. Each SleepStudy report concludes with the information on system battery configuration along with the name and manufacturer.

To run SleepStudy-

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator from the Start menu
• Type powercfg.exe /SleepStudy and press Enter
• The built-in powercfg.exe command-line tool will run and creates an HTML file named Sleepstudy-report.html.
• You can check your PC health on that HTML page.

These are the different methods using which you can check the health of your Windows PC or laptop.

Now read: Tips to maintain Windows in good running condition

How can I check the condition of my laptop?

You can check the condition of your laptop using Microsoft’s PC Health Checkup tool, Performance Monitor, Windows Security, or the SleepStudy. Any of these tools can deliver you information regarding your PC status, battery health, storage status, etc.

Read:

How do I open Health check in Windows 11/10?

On the Microsoft Windows 11 web page, there is a PC Health Checkup tool available to download and check the compatibility of your PC with Windows 11. You need to download and run it to check your PC’s health on Windows 11/10.

Also read: Things that can damage your Computer and shorten its life.

Mar. 23 --

THURSDAY, Jan. 3 (HealthDay News) -- The highly contagious norovirus, often called the stomach flu, can be passed from one person to another through contact with commonly shared items such as computer keyboards and computer mice, U.S. health officials report.

The virus, which is common in winter and is the most frequent cause of outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States, is often contracted in schools, at work and on cruise ships.

On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on a norovirus outbreak at a Washington, D.C., elementary school last February in which some of the victims picked up the virus from contaminated computer equipment.

"There is evidence that shared objects and surfaces help transmit disease," said Dr. Shua Chai, a CDC epidemiologist and co-author of the report, published in the Jan. 4 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"This is the first time that we have demonstrated that keyboards and computer mice can be a source of transmission of norovirus," he added.

Of the 314 students and 66 staffers at the D.C. school, 103 came down with the illness -- 79 students and 24 staff members. To find the sources of contamination, samples were taken from various surfaces around the school. In one first-grade classroom, a computer mouse and keyboard tested positive for norovirus, according to the report.

The virus can live on surfaces for several days, Chai said. To prevent infection with the virus, people should wash their hands after using shared objects, and computer keyboards and mice should be disinfected regularly with diluted bleach, he said.

"In addition, people who are ill should stay home for one to three days after they have had their last symptom, because they continue to shed the virus and can still contaminate objects," Chai added.

One infectious disease expert said norovirus is a common infection, second only to the common cold.

"These outbreaks are extremely common, and they occur in a variety of settings," said Dr. Pascal James Imperato, distinguished service professor, chairman of the department of preventive medicine and community health, and director of the master of public health program at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, in New York City.

Most outbreaks are food-borne, Imperato said. "A smaller percentage are due to person-to-person contact, and an even smaller proportion are water-borne," he said. "Outbreaks in schools account for about 12 percent of all the outbreaks."

Contamination of surfaces such as computer keyboards is fairly common, Imperato added.

Norovirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea that can last for several days. The virus is usually not serious, and most people get better without treatment. However, it can be life-threatening to infants, older people and those with weakened immune systems.

In New York City, an outbreak of norovirus has been ongoing since November. Some 500 infected people have been showing up each day at emergency rooms around the city, health department officials said.

"The best way to stop the spread of norovirus is to wash your hands regularly with soap and stay home from work or school if you are sick," Dr. Sharon Balter, director of enteric disease for the New York City Health Department's Bureau of Communicable Disease, said in a prepared statement. "Norovirus is common at this time of year and is not serious for most people, but it is important to take these steps to keep others from getting sick."

Imperato agreed. "Hand-washing remains the foundation of preventing the spread of norovirus," he said.

More information

For more on norovirus, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCES Shua Chai, M.D., epidemiologist, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; Pascal James Imperato, M.D., distinguished service professor, and chairman, department of preventive medicine and community health, and director, master of public health program, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York City; news release, New York City health department; Jan. 4, 2008, CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

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Do you experience dry, burning eyes? Headaches that just will not go away? Are you sick of staring at the computer screen? Well you could be suffering from what the doctors call computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS is a temporary condition caused using a computer or staring at a screen for a long time period. In this day and age where most people work on computers for long hours, it is a condition that ails most of the urban workforce. We talked to Dr Prakash Nayak, an expert ophthalmologist about the issue.

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a condition that affects your eye and vision and is everpresent in today’s urban population who spend all days on their laptops or computers. Your eyes have to work a lot harder when you view the computer screen. Working on computers have exceptional characteristics and is visually demanding that make individuals susceptible to various vision-related conditions. CVS presents visual symptoms, which may be temporary and disappear with resting your eyes; however, if you do not seek treatment, these symptoms may worsen with time.[1]

Symptoms

Some common symptoms are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and pain around the neck–shoulder region. Other symptoms are double vision, discomfort in your eyes, fatigue, and itching in your eye, eye redness, and eye tearing. Usually, the symptoms are temporary and disappear after one ceases to use the computer; however, some symptoms may continue for a longer time. [2,3]

Causes And Risk Factors

Causes

There is a difference between reading a printed page and viewing a computer screen. This difference exists as the letters on the computer screen are less defined and not as sharp as those in print. Moreover, the contrast between the letters and background is less and the glare and reflections from the screen make it difficult to view and read print on a screen. Different distances and angles result in aggravating the issue. Even minor vision problems can turn into major ones because of protracted computer use. The specific viewing distances that exist when viewing a computer screen may be unsuitable even for those who already have prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. In fact, along with eye conditions, the posture we use while using laptops can result in muscle spasms or pain in the neck, shoulder or back.

Some causes contributing to computer vision syndrome are listed below.

• Poor lighting


• Glare from the screen


• Improper distance between you and screen


• Poor seating posture


• Lack of correction of any vision problems


• Combination of several of the abovementioned factors


• Lack of blinking when reading computer print can cause dry eyes, which can be a

Risk Factors

Almost everyone who works in an office works on computers. People who spend two or more continuous hours in front of the screen are at a greater risk of developing CVS.

Some of the risk factors for computer vision syndrome are listed below:

• Exceeding a time limit of >2 h a day on a computer


• Close distance between you and your computer


• Using a poor angle while viewing your screen


• Using a bad posture while on your computer


• Having minor eye problems that you may leave uncorrected


• Having glasses with a wrong number


• Avoiding taking breaks when using the computer


• Have dry eye, which worsens CVS


• Certain medications such as antihistamines (medicines used mostly for treating allergies) increase your risk of dry eye


• Having certain diseases such as autoimmune (your own immune system attacks your body) diseases or thyroid diseases can increase your risk of dry eyes, contributing to CVS.[3]

Prevention

CVS can be kept at bay by following a few simple precautions. If symptoms persist, one should contact a professional ophthalmologist. The prevention of CVS can be performed by environmental modifications and self-care of eyes, and the following measures can be undertaken to prevent CVS.

Environmental modifications

Lighting - Use a glare reduction filter to minimize glare of your computer. Reduce blue light using special lens tints and coatings. Using drapes, blinds, or shades, or repositioning your screen can help to adjust the amount of light falling on your screen. Cleaning your screen can help decrease glare and Improve the clarity of your screen.

Positioning - Improving the workstation and physical ergonomics to increase comfort can prevent musculoskeletal problems.

Distance - Distance of at least 35–40 in from your screen should be maintained.

SELF EYE CARE

Take breaks after working for >2 h at a time on the computer, and get an opinion from an optometrist if you have recurrent symptoms

The application of lubricating eye fluid and artificial tears can be applied to your eyes to treat dry eyes if advised by your doctor

You should check your eyes if you have a computer-related job, to identify and treat any eye-related issues

Use corrective glasses if advised by your doctor to avoid deterioration of your eye symptoms.

If you suffer from any medical conditions such as diabetes or eye diseases, you should approach your ophthalmologist at the earliest to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.[1,2]

Diagnosis

Initially, your detailed examination will be taken to identify your symptoms, health issues, if any, any medications that you are taking or any other factors that may be causing your CVS symptoms.

A visual acuity test may be performed to identify how much of your vision has been affected.

Refractive testing may be conducted to identify what lens power you may require. Comprehensive eye testing that will involve checking how your eyes work together and focus. Your doctor may use a device called an ophthalmoscope to view the back of your eye.

In certain cases, your doctor may advise some blood tests, if you have any disease contributing to your CVS.

Other conditions that are listed below may mimic the CVS symptoms.

• Refractive errors


• Dry eye syndrome


• Blepharitis (inflammation of your eyelids)


• Allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation or infection of the membrane that covers your

• Lagophthalmos (incomplete ability to close your eyelids)


• Presbyopia (gradual loss in your ability to focus on objects that are nearby) [2,3,4]

Treatment

There are many things that are within your control that can be performed to avoid computer vision syndrome. You can wear zero power (if you do not have corrective glasses) anti-glare glasses or use an anti-glare screen. Blinking constantly helps too because it replenishes the tear film in the eye. If you do have dry eyes, you can use artificial tears. Taking frequent breaks is advisable to prevent eye strain. Ideally, you should take a 15 min break for every 2h you use the computer. Some other things you can do include placing the computer screen at a comfortable angle (15°–20°below eye-level as measured from the centre of the screen).

Seating position and posture is equally important. You can sit on a comfortable chair with an adjustable back and keep your feet on the floor.

In certain cases, specially designed lenses, lens tints, or coatings may be advised to suit the screen and enhance your comfort and visual abilities.

If eyeglasses or lenses do not solve the CVS problem, vision therapy program may be required. In this program, which is called visual training, a set of activities to enhance your visual abilities will be provided. These activities help to train your eyes and brain to work effectively in a co-ordinated manner. These activities involve eye exercises to help Improve focusing of your eyes, correct any deficiencies in your movement of your eyes, and reinforcing your eye–brain connectivity and co-ordination.[2,3]

Lifestyle/management

Certain steps to modify your lifestyle and environment can be followed to protect your eyes from computer vision syndrome, which are listed below.

• Blinking regularly when working for prolonged periods on the computer


• Increasing the moisture or humidity in the air when at home or at work, particularly when using the computer


• Wear sunglasses that cover your entire eye, especially when outdoors to protect your eyes from the sun and dry winds


• Consuming nutritional supplements that are rich in essential fatty acids as they can help Improve your eye health. You should consult your doctor before starting any supplements


• Increase your fluid intake to ~8–10 glasses of water per day and avoid becoming dehydrated.[5]

Do’s

• Do limit your screen time


• Do avoid glare from the computer


• Do get your eyes checked regularly, especially if you have a computer-related job


• Do blink often especially when staring at the computer for long time periods


• Do rest your eyes for at least 15 min after working for 2 h on the computer


• Do follow the 20-20-20 rule when using the computer. This indicates that after 20

• Do adjust your viewing angle such that any reference material and your computer screen is ~4–5 in below your eye level


• Do adjust your computer screen to avoid any glare from falling on the screen

• Don’t stare at the screen for an extremely long time


• Don’t work on the computer in very bright or dimly lit environment [6]


• What to eat & What not to eat

Prognosis And Complications

Prognosis

Usually, the symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome are temporary and disappear with rest and when you stop using the screen. However, if you fail to act on these symptoms of CVS, your eye symptoms may worsen, leading to decreased visual acuity even after stopping screen usage. This can lead to the worsening of eye symptoms and additional eye-related complications.[5]

Complications

Computer vision syndrome may cause the following complications

• Tired eyes


• Sensitivity to bright light


• Blurry vision


• Irritated or burning eyes


• Difficulty in focusing and then refocusing at varied distances


• Lack of quality sleep


• Keratitis (inflammation of your cornea, the part that covers your pupil and iris)


• Superficial punctuate keratitis (inflammation of the cornea because of multiple reasons)


• Optical decentration in the eye glasses (incorrect placement of your eye lenses in your spectacles).[4,5]

References

1. Lo KY, et al. Malays Fam Physician. 2008;3(3):128-130.


2. Computer Vision Syndrome. AOA. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/healthyeyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y. (https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computervision-syndrome?sso=y)


3. Computer Vision Syndrome. Cedars Sinai. Available at: https://www.cedarssinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/computer-vision-syndrome.html. (https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseasesand-conditions/c/computer-vision-syndrome.html)


4. Computer Vision Syndrome. The Eye Practice. Available at:

5. Computer Vision Syndrome. Health Jade. Available at: https://healthjade.net/computer-vision-syndrome/. (https://healthjade.net/computer-vision-syndrome/)


6. 6 Tips to Help Combat Computer Vision Syndrome. Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/computers-and-blurry-vision-5-fixes-for-your-techinduced-eyestrain/. (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/computers-and-blurry-vision-5-fixes-for-your-techinduced-eyestrain/)


7. Eating to See- Vision, Screen time and Nutrition. Nutri-Facts. Available at: https://www.nutri-facts.org/en_US/news/articles/eating-to-see-vision-screen-timeand-nutrition.html. (https://www.nutrifacts.org/en_US/news/articles/eating-to-see-vision-screen-time-and-nutrition.html)

Mary Alvord, Ph.D., a psychologist in Maryland who teaches mental health professionals about telehealth, Jay Shore, Ph.D., a psychiatrist and director of telemedicine at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Henderson offer these pros and cons for online therapy.

Pros

Circumvents mental health stigma. “For people whom stigma is a concern, especially if they live in a tight-knit community, parking their car outside a counseling center or therapy office can really violate their privacy,” says Henderson. “But online therapy is really discreet and can protect people’s privacy and confidentiality in ways that in-person [therapy] simply cannot.”

Convenience and safety. If you’re unable to travel safely during bad weather or can’t take time out of your workday to travel to and from a mental health professional’s office, a virtual visit can be a good substitute.

Sense of intimacy. Dr. Shore says some patients may prefer their familiar at-home surroundings versus an “artificial clinic environment.” Henderson echoes these sentiments. “In some ways, video is more intimate than being in the same room because we’re in each other’s space,” she says. “You might be in my office, but it’s in my home, so it feels like you’re in my home just as I am in your home. That really bridges a gap, as opposed to being on my turf when you come into my office.”

Similar outcomes. In-person and video visits hold the potential to deliver similar results, according to Dr. Shore. Henderson agrees: “We see just as much, if not more, improvement in online therapy settings. Apples to apples, in-person therapy versus telehealth, there’s really no difference between which one is more effective.”

Easier access. For people who live far from the nearest therapist’s office or counseling center, online therapy can provide a readily available alternative.

Little to no wait time. A virtual appointment may be able to begin on time while an in-office appointment may be delayed by paperwork and other bureaucratic hurdles.

Cons

Nonverbal communication. A therapist may not pick up on a patient’s nonverbal cues during a virtual appointment. Dr. Alvord explains that much of our communication is nonverbal. However, Henderson points out that the proximity of the camera lens during video appointments can provide more visual communication through facial expressions than in an in-person appointment where a greater physical distance exists between the therapist and the client.

Limited effectiveness for some. Certain patients, such as some children or people with autism spectrum disorder, may not respond well to virtual therapy, Dr. Alvord notes. Individuals with dementia or other cognitive issues also may not do well in virtual sessions without modifications, such as a caregiver being with the patient, explains Dr. Shore.

Technology. Some people’s homes may not be equipped with high speed internet service, or the patient may not be comfortable with technology, making virtual therapy difficult or even impossible to carry out.

Insurance coverage. In some cases, your health insurance provider may cover an in-person therapy session but may not cover a virtual session. Such policies are constantly changing, though, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speak to an agent at your insurance company to confirm what your coverage currently includes.

The Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science that allows students to pursue one of the following options:

• General Option
• Bio-Cheminformatics Option
• Cybersecurity Option
• Data Science Option

General Option

Computer Science is the study of the design and use of computer systems. The goal of the computer science curriculum is to provide students with the tools to identify those problems that are best solved by means of a computer and to design and implement effective, economical and creative solutions.

The curriculum’s required courses deliver students a strong foundation in both the software and hardware aspects of computing, as well as the mathematics and science that underlie the discipline. The electives in the later years allow students to study a particular area of computer science in greater depth.

Bio-Cheminformatics Option

The Bio-Cheminformatics option provides an opportunity for Computer Science majors to broaden their knowledge base to the disciplines of biology and chemistry, and to learn, design, and implement computer science tools relevant to the disciplines. The option requires Genetics course and an additional course from Biological Sciences or Chemistry department. It also requires two computer science courses related to bio-cheminformatics, such as Data Mining, Machine Learning, and Visualization.

Cybersecurity Option

The Cybersecurity degree option for Computer Science is launched in the spring of 2021.

The scale and quantity of cybercrimes have been increasing through the years. The ever-evolving cyber attacks are demanding a more highly skilled cybersecurity workforce than ever. The Computer Science - Cybersecurity Option trains advanced cybersecurity professionals and prepares them for lucrative jobs in the cybersecurity industry.

The Cybersecurity Option includes a full degree in Computer Science with four required and two elective courses in the cybersecurity field. These courses teach networking, databases, cryptography and its applications, software security, network security, and digital forensics.

The Cybersecurity Option at UMass Lowell is ideal for students who have an interest in ethical hacking and cyber defense.

Data Science Option

The continuing explosion in “Big Data” is revolutionizing industry and research. Companies are responding by looking for data scientists—information technology experts capable of analyzing and extracting useful patterns from lots of data. The Data Science option allows Computer Science majors to gain the additional knowledge necessary to become a data scientist. The option consists of 4 required and 2 elective courses. The courses cover a range of topics, including Linear Algebra, Data Mining and Machine Learning, Databases, Natural Language Processing, Visualization and Big Data systems. The Data Science option is ideal for students who have an interest in statistics and data mining. Data Science option students will also satisfy all requirements needed to receive a minor in Mathematical Sciences.

The Data Science option satisfies Mathematics minor requirements for Computer Science students. Note that the reverse is not true, i.e. a Mathematics minor is not an automatic Data Science option.

View all the complete Degree Pathways.

For more information, contact the Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences.

It can be surprisingly hard to find decent analogies when you’re teaching electronics basics. The water flow analogy, for instance, is decent for explaining Ohm’s law, but it breaks down pretty soon thereafter.

Hydraulics aren’t as easy to set up when you want an educational toykit for your child to play with, which leaves them firmly in the thought experiment area. [Steve Mould] shows us a different take – the experimentation kit called Spintronics, which goes the mechanical way, using chains, gears, springs and to simulate the flow of current and the effect of potential differences.

Through different mechanical linkages between gears and internal constructs, you can implement batteries, capacitors, diodes, inductors, resistors, switches, transistors, and the like. The mechanical analogy is surprisingly complete. [Steve] starts by going through the ways those building blocks are turned into mechanical-gear-based elements. He then builds one circuit after another in quick succession, demonstrating just how well it maps to the day-to-day electronic concepts. Some of the examples are oscillators, high-pass filters, and amplifiers. [Steve] even manages to build a full-bridge rectifier!

In the end, he also builds a flip-flop and an XOR gate – just in case you were wondering whether you could theoretically build a computer out of these. Such a mechanical approach makes for a surprisingly complete and endearing analogy when teaching electronics, and an open-source 3D printable take on the concept would be a joy to witness.

Looking for something you could gift to a young aspiring mind? You don’t have to go store-bought – there are some impressive hackers who build educational gadgets, for you to learn from.

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