How-To
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How to make CC emails stand out in Outlook
Most Outlook emails are just to hold important information. If you want to keep track of those emails, you should really use Outlook's color-coding feature.
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Microsoft Defender is causing slow VLC startups. Here's the fix
A bad Microsoft Defender update is quarantining VLC's cache, causing severe startup delays. Here's how to fix it.
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This free Windows app makes file conversion ridiculously easy
File Converter turns images, videos, audio, and documents into new formats without having to open another app.
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Custom GPTs in ChatGPT are going away. Here’s how to save yours
Used for everything from oft-repeated prompts workflows to role play, custom GPTs in the ChatGPT app will soon be “retired,” but there are ways to keep yours going.
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This free Photoshop alternative runs right in your browser
Photopea gives you many of Photoshop’s best editing tools without an install or subscription. It packs layers, masks, PSD support, and other powerful editing tools into a free web app.
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Get a daily iPhone briefing with one simple Apple AI prompt
iOS 27 lets you build iPhone Shortcuts using natural-language prompts. Here's how to create a one-tap daily digest and which AI model works best.
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This hidden VLC feature lets you stream thousands of free TV channels
A little-known VLC feature lets you open supported video and audio streams straight from a URL. Pair that with the IPTV-org GitHub project and you instantly have thousands of free TV channels.
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How to reinstall Windows and give your PC a fresh start
Is your computer starting to feel sluggish? Want to try a fresh start? Here's how to reinstall your Windows operating system without losing any files.
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This free PowerToys command bar replaces several Windows search features
Microsoft's PowerToys includes a Command Palette that lets you search Windows settings, install apps via Winget, and open the registry.
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Gmail's hidden trick: One inbox, endless custom addresses
Plus addressing lets you sort mail with filters and keep your inbox organized. It’s also a great way to spot who's leaking your email.
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A cheap adapter can add USB-C to your old PC
Here's how to add USB-C ports to an older Windows PC, from cheap USB-A adapters to more powerful PCIe expansion cards for desktops.
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Revisit gaming's lost art with this free archive of old manuals
Browse scanned manuals for classic games from Atari, Nintendo, PlayStation, and more. This site lets you revisit the nostalgic art and helpful tips packed into those classic instruction booklets.
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AI agents don’t need better prompts. They need better goals
From Meta Muse and Gemini Spark to ChatGPT Work and Claude Cowork, a new class of AI agents needs a different prompting style than regular AI chatbots do.
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Google Earth's flight simulator now works right in your browser
The flight simulator in Google Earth is now available directly in your web browser, no download or subscription required.
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The Windows dictation tool every writer should try
Voice Typing lets you write with your microphone and even handles punctuation commands. Open it with Win + H to dictate emails, notes, rough drafts, and more.
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Keep hackers out of your WhatsApp account with these 3 steps
Changing these settings can make all the difference for protecting your WhatsApp conversations.
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Windows 11 can auto-adjust your monitor's refresh rate to save power
Windows 11's Dynamic Refresh Rate saves energy by lowering your screen's refresh rate when you're not gaming. Here's how to enable it.
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How well do you know the world? This site makes geography trivia fun!
Country Wheel serves up facts about a random nation, from its language and currency to its food and weather.
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Is your USB port slowing down your Wi-Fi adapter? Here's the answer
Wi-Fi USB dongles promise high speeds, but can your USB port keep up?
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This website is a rabbit hole of pure internet nonsense
The Useless Web makes it easy to stumble across strange, funny, and completely unnecessary sites. It’s a blast.
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Never defragment your SSD. Do this instead to keep it in tip-top shape
Unlike HDDs, SSDs can be harmed by defragmentation. Here's what to do instead to keep your drive running well.
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Claude Fable 5.1 sometimes guesses rather than searches. Here's the fix
As smart as it is, Claude's most powerful model occasionally neglects to check its facts when set to low effort levels.
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How to reorder PDF pages quickly and easily
You can reorder PDF pages with this free drag-and-drop tool–no online service required!
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This Windows security trick auto-locks your PC when you leave
Dynamic Lock watches for your phone to leave Bluetooth range, then locks Windows. It provides a useful safety net when you forget to lock your PC.
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Windows could lock you out of your PC. Save your recovery key now!
If you lose your BitLocker recovery key, Windows can lock you out of your files permanently. Here's how to check and save yours now.
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Whatever happened to Minesweeper and 3D Pinball on Windows?
Windows used to ship with a bunch of iconic games that you could play straight after installation. Here's why they're gone and what happened.
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Building a new PC from old parts? Don't reuse these components
Not every old PC part deserves a spot in your new build. Here's how to tell what's safe to reuse and what to replace.
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The Google Docs backup trick everybody should know
Google Docs’ version history is a safety net to recover old drafts, track changes, and undo rewrite regrets. Use it to roll back unwanted changes when a rewrite goes wrong or something important disappears.
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This website lets you relive the ’90s, from channel surfing to AIM
I Love the 90s lets you flip through old TV channels, chat AIM-style, and stream '90s hits.
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I got ChatGPT to stop its annoying follow-up questions with one prompt
Tired of "Want me to…" and "If you like…" teases at the end of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini responses? This prompt stops them in their tracks.
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3 Gmail features that save you from embarrassing email mistakes
Schedule messages, stop accidental sends, and put limits on sensitive emails. Gmail’s built-in tools can help you control your sent emails more effectively.
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I was skeptical of this $19 laptop cooling pad. Now I use it daily
A cheap USB cooling pad solved my laptop overheating problem. Its adjustable stand and phone holder are nice bonuses, too.
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Don't like your Windows network name? Here's how to change it
Give your Windows network profiles better names with these 3 simple methods.
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Google's free Sqoosh tool takes the guesswork out of image compression
Reduce image file sizes for websites, emails, and cloud storage while guaranteeing your photos still look sharp.
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This free tool shows whether police near you use Flock cameras
Atlas of Surveillance makes it easy to see what surveillance technology your local police department uses. It’s a free database that shows where automated license plate readers and other surveillance tech is being used.
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Windows 11 quietly backs up your files to OneDrive. How to stop it
Windows 11's default OneDrive backup gives Microsoft access to your files. Here's how to disable it and back up locally instead.
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Pump up the summer jams with the perfect poolside radio station
Poolsuite brings endless-summer vibes to your browser with upbeat music and a playful throwback look. It blends hand-picked music with retro graphics and a tongue-in-cheek vacation vibe for that ultimate poolside feeling.
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You can run multiple monitors off one DisplayPort cable. Here's how
Multi Stream Transport (MST) turns a single DisplayPort cable into a multi-monitor setup. Here's what you need and how it works.
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Hackers want your nudes. Here’s how to keep your privates, private
Sexortion is an old concept, but the FBI’s latest warning about it is new.
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This hidden Windows 11 setting runs Defender scans you missed
If your PC is off during a scheduled Windows Security scan, it'll get skipped. Use this simple registry tweak to force scans afterwards.
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This free app lets you grab text from anywhere on your screen
Use NormCap to extract words from photos, scanned documents, videos, and more.
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My AirPods were killing my ears. These $14 tips changed everything
I wear my AirPods every day, and these $14 silicone tips completely changed how comfortable they are.
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Track your screen time without giving up your privacy
ActivityWatch is a free app that tracks your computer use while keeping all of your data locally on your device.
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Stop packing your laptop charger. Bring this one instead
For years, we've become accustomed to bringing our laptop charger with us on trips. Consider swapping it out for a far more useful USB-C GaN charger instead, which can charge smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
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I found a prompt that keeps AI agents from taking tasks too far
Worried about AI agents like ChatGPT Work having too much freedom? This prompt prevents them from going further than you intended.
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Tired of the 'Try the new Outlook' button? Disable it with this tweak
Here's how to permanently remove the "Try the new Outlook" toggle from classic Outlook using a simple registry edit.
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This free tool lets you run Windows apps on Linux
Wine's compatibility layer lets thousands of apps work on Linux distros.
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Don't want AI in your browser? Firefox now lets you shut it off
Firefox offers a kill switch to disable translations, chatbots and other AI features with a single click.
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There's a one-click way to email an open Office file. Most people miss it
Skip drafting emails and attaching files manually. Enable the one-click Email button in Microsoft Office's Quick Access Toolbar instead.
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