How-To Geek

Syndicate content
We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 1 hour 12 min ago

China's first real gaming GPU is here, and the benchmarks are brutal

10 hours 53 min ago

I've always argued that we desperately need competition in the GPU space, which is why I was very happy when Intel broke into the GPU market—even as it only made mid-range and budget cards.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Outlook settings that instantly make your inbox cleaner

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 23:00

Is your Outlook inbox so packed that important emails slip through the cracks, leaving you feeling overwhelmed? If so, you’re not taking advantage of features that help keep everything under control. Here’s how you can filter out the noise, surface what truly matters, and keep your inbox organized.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why 1TB of storage is no longer enough for a gaming laptop

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 22:00

If you’re shopping for a gaming laptop, don’t overlook storage. With games taking up more space than ever, it’s one of the most important specs to consider. NVMe drives are fast but pricey, and skimping here can quickly blow your budget. So, how much storage do you really need?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pretend it’s 1998 with this functional AOL Instant Messenger clone

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 21:14

Instant messaging apps today just don’t have the same charm as the OGs. Some are a bloated mess of read receipts and stickers, while others are super minimal and boring. Inspired by AOL Instant Messenger, a 15-year-old UI designer wanted to change that. He built a throwback to early messaging apps, complete with a Windows 98-inspired theme.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the 2026 Toyota RAV4 might finally outshine the Honda CR-V

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 20:00

The compact SUV segment has been dominated for years by recognizable names, but in 2026 the battle for supremacy may finally be tightening. Toyota’s latest RAV4 update brings a suite of refinements that could give it a real edge over the Honda CR-V, long considered the benchmark for practicality, reliability, and overall value in this crowded category. As both models evolve, buyers now have more to consider than ever before.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why your Android phone isn't charging at full speed (and how to fix it)

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 19:00

So, you bought an Android phone that promised a rapid charging time up to some amount like 80%, but when you plug it into a charger you see a message like "slow charging" or "fully charged in two hours." That's not what you signed up for, so what gives?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows features secretly eating up your storage: How to reclaim GBs now

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 18:30

We often blame third-party apps or our growing pile of files when storage runs low, but Windows itself can quietly eat up far more space than you’d expect. If your system drive keeps filling up unexpectedly, built-in Windows features are often the real cause. Here’s how to reclaim gigabytes of storage in just minutes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Kia’s small sedan is stylish, practical, and one of America’s cheapest cars

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 18:15

The Kia K4 rolls into its second year with barely a tweak from the 2025 model—and a price that still feels just right.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best PC upgrade I made in 2025 wasn't a graphics card

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 18:00

As someone who works from home and plays a lot of PC games, I spend countless hours at my desk. I try to stay active outside work, but I still end up sitting for long stretches.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to run Photoshop on Linux

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 17:30

Linux operating systems have become increasingly popular over the last year, as Windows 10 reached end-of-life, unwanted AI features and buggy updates pushed people away from Windows 11, and Linux distros became more user-friendly.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This new engine technology could be the lifeline that saves gas cars

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 17:16

Everyone loves a turbo. The sound, the rush as the power kicks in, and the feeling in the seat of your pants as the wheels struggle to grip—it's a unique experience! That said, the venerable turbocharger has its issues. Now, however, a new electric take on the turbine could give it a new life in the 21st century,

Categories: IT General, Technology

Protect your files: Secure sharing with OneDrive links

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 17:00

CLoud services are an important part of our day-to-day lives, but a careless mistake can result in you accidentally sharing sensitive files or documents with the wrong person, or accidentally exposing a file to the entire internet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I hated working on my laptop until I bought this $67 accessory

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 16:30

I'm not a huge fan of laptops, and while there are many reasons for that, perhaps my biggest problem is the lack of screen real estate. Even 18-inch laptops just don't give me enough space to work efficiently.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped losing Google Drive files after learning these search tricks

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 16:15

As Google Drive fills up, finding the file you need can get frustrating. Basic search either misses what you’re looking for or throws back too many results, making it hard to narrow things down. I used to struggle with this, too, but after learning a few search tricks, I can now find files in seconds.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I bought the cheapest $5 smart bulbs from TEMU so you don't have to

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 16:01

When smart bulbs first hit the market, I wanted in. However, the prices made that hard to justify. If you wanted something that works with Google Home, you had to pay around $30 a piece for something like the Philips Hue, and that was (and still is) a tough pill to swallow.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons all phones should have two USB-C ports

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 16:01

It's been years since flagship phones ditched the headphone jack, yet I can't stop thinking how nice it'd be if they'd replace that old jack with a second USB-C port. Some gaming phones already offer this feature, and it's a standard thing for handheld PCs, but mainstream smartphones from brands like Apple and Samsung need to adopt the dual-port design.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Kindle, here's why I prefer to read eBooks on my phone

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 16:01

This isn't a story I expected to write. As a longtime eReader owner, I never saw the appeal of reading books on a phone. Yet I've slowly transformed into someone who reads books on their phone almost every day (and my wife does, too). Here's why I ditched by eReader and decided my smartphone was the better option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Think you need a high-end PC to learn coding? Think again

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 15:30

While you might think you need a high-powered machine to learn to code, your current machine or even an older laptop will likely be all you need to get started. Here's why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Discover the SUV with the cheapest maintenance - and 5 close rivals

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 15:00

Maintenance and repair costs are one of the biggest factors that affect long-term vehicle ownership, but few shoppers research them until it’s too late. In 2025, one SUV stands out above the rest for having the lowest average maintenance costs in its class, making it an ideal choice for buyers who want peace of mind and minimal expense over years of ownership. Whether you’re commuting daily, shuttling families, or hauling gear on weekend trips, lower upkeep means more savings down the road.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How (and why) I use my Android phone as a wireless mouse

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 14:30

The idea of using your Android phone as a mouse or keyboard might sound gimmicky, but it actually works pretty well. With the right software, your phone becomes a wireless trackpad that's always on hand when you need to deal with awkward setups or when your regular devices let you down.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker