Mira Bakker
Microsoft Specialist
Mira supports businesses with Windows and Office deployments and resolves activation, licensing and error code queries daily.
Writes about
- Office
- Windows
Articles by Mira Bakker
- Office
Install Office with a product key: the whole route
One route from the key in your inbox to a working copy of Word: redeeming, the naming muddle, the 32 and 64-bit trap, and the account you cannot skip.
Last updated: 8 August 2026 - Office
Repair Microsoft Office: pick the right repair first
Quick Repair or Online Repair? The choice decides whether you lose five minutes or most of a lunch break, and there are faults neither one will ever fix.
Last updated: 8 August 2026 - Windows
Reinstall Windows and keep your licence intact
A digital licence lives on Microsoft's servers, not on your disk, so there is nothing to back up. The real question is which route keeps your files and programs.
Last updated: 8 August 2026 - Office
Transfer Outlook to a new PC: mail, settings and contacts
Most people never need to export a .pst at all. What you have to do depends on your account type, and on the signatures, rules and settings that travel with nothing.
Last updated: 8 August 2026 - Office
Transfer Office to a new PC: the four routes
When transferring Office, your licence type determines everything. Subscription, retail, OEM or work licence: each type has its own route, and for one of them it simply cannot be done.
Last updated: 8 August 2026 - Office
How to Create an Automatic Table of Contents in Word
Creating a Word table of contents: use heading styles and the References tab. Step-by-step guide for insertion, updating with F9 and fixing common errors.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Fix Windows Update error 0x80070643
Fix Windows Update error 0x80070643? See which update fails and fix it specifically: enlarge the recovery partition for KB5034441, reset components, SFC and DISM.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
How to find your Windows product key: where is your key stored?
Find your Windows product key with a command, the sticker or your digital licence. Three methods with the exact PowerShell and cmd commands.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Restoring your Windows licence after a hardware change
Restore your Windows licence after a hardware change: link your Microsoft account, use the activation troubleshooter and slmgr, and fix error 0xC004C008.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Linking Your Windows Digital Licence to Your Microsoft Account
Linking your Windows digital licence to your Microsoft account via Settings lets you reactivate Windows after a hardware change without a product key.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Activate Windows with slmgr: which commands do you use?
Activate Windows with slmgr using commands such as /ipk, /ato, /dli and /xpr. See the complete overview with steps, KMS activation and error codes.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Fix Windows activation error 0xC004C003
Windows activation error 0xC004C003 points to a blocked product key. Discover the causes and fix the error using the troubleshooter or a new licence key.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Check and enable TPM 2.0 in Windows 11
Check Windows 11 TPM 2.0 using tpm.msc, Get-Tpm or Windows Security and enable the module in the UEFI via Intel PTT or AMD fTPM. Follow the step-by-step guide.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Enable Windows 11 Secure Boot in UEFI
Enable Windows 11 Secure Boot: check status with msinfo32, convert disk to GPT using mbr2gpt, and turn on Secure Boot in UEFI firmware.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
How to install Windows 11 with a local account
Setting up a Windows 11 local account without a Microsoft account? Three working methods in 2026, plus why oobe\bypassnro is blocked and how to bypass it.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Windows
Upgrading Windows 11 Home to Pro: how does it work?
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro via Settings or the Microsoft Store, keeping your files. Follow the step-by-step plan with product key and checks.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP: which should you use?
VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP compared: search direction, syntax, error handling and availability by Excel version, so you know straight away which function to choose.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Embedding fonts in PowerPoint so they look right everywhere
Embed fonts in PowerPoint via File > Options > Save to keep your typography consistent. Steps for Windows and Mac plus troubleshooting and alternatives.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Outlook search not working: how to repair the search function?
Outlook search not working? Check indexing status, restart Windows Search, and rebuild the search index. Steps for classic and new Outlook.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Outlook not connecting to server: solutions and fixes
Outlook not connecting? Turn off Work Offline, check connection status, repair the account and rebuild the OST file.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Office activation fails with error 0xC004F074: solution
Office error 0xC004F074 means no KMS server is reachable. Fix it with time sync, DNS flush, and ospp.vbs commands. Complete step-by-step guide.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Microsoft 365 vs Office 2021: which should you choose?
Microsoft 365 vs Office 2021: the difference comes down to subscription versus one-off purchase, updates, devices and storage. Compare the options and choose what fits.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Excel #REF! error: fix and prevent it
The Excel #REF! error occurs when a formula references a deleted cell or column. Fix it with Ctrl+Z, find all errors with Ctrl+H, and prevent breakage using tables and named ranges.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
Excel #SPILL! error: how to fix it
Fix the Excel #SPILL! error: locate the blocking cell, clear merged cells and tables, and keep space free so your dynamic array spills correctly.
Last updated: 12 July 2026 - Office
How to Create a Pivot Table in Excel
Creating an Excel pivot table in five steps: prepare your data, insert via Insert, drag fields into the four zones, select the calculation, and refresh after changes.
Last updated: 12 July 2026