Our Commitment
WindowsTechies is committed to providing accurate, trustworthy, and helpful content about Windows systems. This editorial policy outlines our standards for content creation, fact-checking, updates, and corrections to ensure you can rely on the information we publish.
Content Creation Standards
Expert Authorship
All WindowsTechies content is created by our team of Windows experts, each with 8-30+ years of hands-on experience:
- Lance Cobain (Founder & Editor-in-Chief): 30+ years with Windows (since MS-DOS), software developer and Windows technician
- Mike Torres (Security Specialist): 10+ years in cybersecurity and security consulting
- Jamie Chen (Troubleshooting Expert): 8+ years in technical support and system administration
- Derek Armstrong (Performance & Tech Specialist): 20+ years in performance optimization, programming, SEO, marketing, and AI
Every author writes within their area of expertise. We don’t publish content on topics our team hasn’t personally worked with or thoroughly researched.
Content Types
We publish several types of content, each with specific standards:
Educational Guides (70% of content)
- How-to articles with step-by-step instructions
- Troubleshooting guides for common Windows problems
- Explainer articles about Windows features and settings
- All procedures are tested on actual Windows systems before publication
Product Reviews (15% of content)
- Minimum 2-4 weeks of real-world testing per product
- Testing on multiple systems (various Windows versions and hardware)
- Hands-on evaluation, never based solely on marketing materials
- Honest assessment of pros and cons, regardless of affiliate potential
Comparison Articles (10% of content)
- Side-by-side comparisons of similar products or solutions
- Based on hands-on testing of all products compared
- Clear criteria for evaluation and scoring
- Transparent about testing methodology
Trust Pages (5% of content)
- About us, editorial policy, privacy policy, etc.
- Reviewed and updated quarterly
- Written in plain language for accessibility
Testing & Verification Process
How-To Guides
Every how-to guide follows this process:
- Initial Research: Review official documentation and reliable sources
- Hands-On Testing: Follow the steps on actual Windows systems
- Multiple Scenarios: Test on different Windows versions when applicable (Windows 10, 11)
- Documentation: Take screenshots and notes during testing
- Peer Review: Second team member reviews for accuracy
- Publication: Only publish after successful testing
Software Reviews
Our review process typically takes 2-4 weeks and includes:
- Installation Testing: Install on clean Windows system, note process and requirements
- Daily Use: Use the software in real-world scenarios for minimum 2 weeks
- Performance Testing: Measure impact on system performance (CPU, RAM, disk usage)
- Security Assessment: Review privacy policy, check for bundled software, scan for malware
- Feature Evaluation: Test all major features and claims
- Value Analysis: Compare pricing to alternatives and assess value for money
- Support Testing: Contact customer support with test questions
- Final Assessment: Write honest review based on hands-on experience
Fact-Checking
All technical claims in our content are verified through:
- Primary Sources: Official Microsoft documentation, technical specifications
- Hands-On Testing: We verify claims by testing them ourselves
- Expert Review: Team members cross-check each other’s work
- Source Citations: We cite sources for statistics and third-party information
- Update Validation: When updating existing content, we re-test procedures
Independence & Integrity
Editorial Independence
WindowsTechies maintains strict editorial independence:
We DO:
- Test all products ourselves before reviewing
- Give honest assessments, positive or negative
- Recommend products based on merit and testing
- Update reviews when products change significantly
- Clearly disclose affiliate relationships
We DON’T:
- Accept payment for positive reviews
- Allow sponsors to influence editorial decisions
- Publish “reviews” without hands-on testing
- Hide negative findings to preserve affiliate relationships
- Accept free products without disclosure
Conflicts of Interest
We disclose potential conflicts of interest:
- Affiliate Links: Clearly disclosed on every page with affiliate links
- Review Products: Some products are provided free for review (always disclosed)
- Sponsored Content: We don’t currently accept sponsored content; if we do in the future, it will be clearly labeled
- Team Investments: Team members don’t hold significant financial interests in companies we review
Content Updates & Maintenance
Update Schedule
Quarterly Updates (every 3 months):
- All pillar pages (major comprehensive guides)
- All trust pages (this policy, about us, etc.)
- Top-performing guides and reviews
Annual Reviews (yearly):
- All cluster articles (supporting guides)
- All comparison roundups
- All product reviews (if product still exists)
Immediate Updates (as needed):
- When Windows releases major updates affecting content
- When errors are discovered or reported
- When products change significantly (pricing, features)
- When better solutions become available
Update Transparency
All updated articles show:
- “Last updated” date at the top of the article
- Brief update note if changes are significant
- Preserved original publish date for transparency
Content Retirement
We may retire content when:
- Information becomes obsolete (old Windows versions)
- Better guides supersede older content
- Products are discontinued
- Traffic and usefulness decline significantly
Retired content is redirected to current, relevant alternatives when possible.
Corrections Policy
Error Reporting
We welcome corrections from readers:
- Email: corrections@windowstechies.com
- Response Time: We review reported errors within 2-3 business days
- Verification: We verify all reported errors against official sources and testing
Correction Process
When we discover or are notified of an error:
- Immediate Assessment: Evaluate severity (critical, important, minor)
- Quick Fix for Critical Errors: Update within 24 hours for security issues or dangerous misinformation
- Research & Verification: Confirm the correct information
- Update Content: Make necessary changes
- Transparency Note: Add correction note if error was significant
- Notification: Thank the person who reported the error (if they provided contact info)
Significant Corrections
For significant factual errors, we add a correction note at the top of the article:
Correction (January 20, 2025): An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated [wrong information]. The article has been updated to reflect that [correct information]. We apologize for the error.
Minor corrections (typos, formatting, minor clarifications) are made without special notation.
User-Generated Content
Comments & Feedback
Currently, WindowsTechies doesn’t have a public commenting system. User feedback is welcomed via:
- Email: feedback@windowstechies.com
- Social media (when launched)
We may add comments in the future. If we do, they will be moderated according to these guidelines:
Allowed:
- Constructive feedback and questions
- Additional tips or alternative solutions
- Respectful disagreement or corrections
Not Allowed:
- Personal attacks or harassment
- Spam or promotional content
- Misleading or dangerous technical advice
- Offensive or inappropriate language
Diversity & Accessibility
Writing Standards
We strive to make our content accessible to all users:
- Plain Language: Avoid unnecessary jargon; explain technical terms when used
- Clear Structure: Logical organization with descriptive headings
- Step-by-Step: Numbered lists for procedures, don’t skip “obvious” steps
- Visual Aids: Screenshots and diagrams to support text (where helpful)
- Inclusive Language: Gender-neutral language unless referring to specific individuals
- Accessibility: Alt text on images, proper heading hierarchy, sufficient color contrast
Beginner-Friendly Approach
We write for all skill levels:
- Never make readers feel bad for not knowing something
- Explain the “why” behind recommendations, not just the “how”
- Provide context for technical concepts
- Offer both quick fixes and detailed explanations
- Link to prerequisite knowledge when needed
Quality Assurance
Pre-Publication Checklist
Before any article is published, it must pass:
âś… Technical Accuracy: All procedures tested and verified âś… Fact-Checking: All claims sourced or verified âś… Clarity: Clear, concise, beginner-friendly language âś… Completeness: No missing steps or unexplained assumptions âś… SEO Optimization: Proper headings, meta descriptions, alt text âś… Brand Voice: Matches WindowsTechies tone and style âś… Peer Review: Reviewed by second team member âś… Legal Compliance: Affiliate disclosures, copyright compliance
Ongoing Monitoring
After publication, we monitor:
- Reader feedback and questions
- Error reports
- Traffic and engagement metrics
- Changes to Windows or reviewed products
- Industry best practices and new information
External Sources & Attribution
Source Standards
We rely on reputable sources:
Primary Sources (preferred):
- Official Microsoft documentation
- Technical specifications from manufacturers
- Our own hands-on testing and research
Secondary Sources (when appropriate):
- Established tech publications (CNET, PCMag, TechRadar, etc.)
- Academic research and studies
- Industry expert analysis
We Avoid:
- Unverified user forums as sole source
- Unreliable or clickbait websites
- Outdated sources without verification
- Marketing claims without independent verification
Attribution
We properly attribute information:
- Direct quotes are clearly marked
- Statistics cite their source
- Screenshots show the source application
- Link to original sources when referencing their work
Advertiser & Affiliate Relationships
Clear Disclosure
We participate in affiliate programs (see our Affiliate Disclosure for details). This relationship does not influence our editorial standards:
- All reviews are honest and based on testing
- We recommend products based on merit, not commission rates
- Negative reviews are published even for high-commission products
- Editorial and business decisions are separate
No Pay-for-Placement
We do not:
- Accept payment for specific product placements
- Guarantee positive reviews
- Allow affiliates to review content before publication
- Remove negative content in exchange for payment
Privacy & Data Ethics
We respect reader privacy:
- Minimal data collection (see Privacy Policy)
- Transparent about analytics and cookies
- No selling of user data
- Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations
Contact & Feedback
Questions About This Policy
For questions about our editorial standards:
- Email: editorial@windowstechies.com
- Response Time: 2-3 business days
Report Errors or Issues
- Errors: corrections@windowstechies.com
- Feedback: feedback@windowstechies.com
- Privacy Concerns: privacy@windowstechies.com
Our Team
Learn more about our team: Meet the WindowsTechies Team
Policy Updates
This editorial policy is reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. Significant changes will be noted with an update date.
Last Updated: January 20, 2025 Next Review: April 20, 2025
By publishing this editorial policy, WindowsTechies commits to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and user service. We hold ourselves accountable to these principles in every article we publish.