How-To Geek

Dual-booting Windows and Linux can work well, but Windows rarely cooperates. Updates, security features, and default power settings can each disrupt a shared setup. Here are four ways Windows causes trouble for Linux installs, and what you can do about each one.

A Raspberry Pi has long been a popular option for home projects because these single-board computers are highly customizable and have traditionally been relatively low-cost. As the prices of Raspberry Pi models rise, you may be looking for alternative options. You may be surprised to learn that your old Samsung phone may make an excellent Raspberry Pi replacement for some projects.

In addition to power tools, Ryobi offers a wide selection of outdoor power equipment. If you've ever considered one of its electric lawn mowers, you're probably wondering whether it can actually mow 1/2 or 3/4th of an acre like Ryobi promises on the box. After briefly testing an 18V and upgrading to a more capable 40V mower, I measured and tested it myself.

Are you looking for some fun hardware-based projects to try with your Raspberry Pi this weekend? Well, then I have the projects for you! Today, I'll show you how to make an internet radio with a tuning knob, a home intercom system, as well as a backyard scoreboard for get togethers.

Buckle up for October, people, as Netflix revs up to drop a bunch of big returning shows on us, including new seasons of The Diplomat (October 15), Kristen Bell and Adam Brody's Nobody Wants This (October 22), and a new Lupin(!) heist on October 23. There's also a highly anticipated documentary from Judd Apatow about comedy great Norm Macdonald (October 16).

Ethernet cables seem like the most straightforward thing in the world. Plug one in, get steady internet. But then, you have these little caveats, such as having to worry about whether a cable is too long and what that means for your connection ... the caveats that make Ethernet more mysterious than it perhaps needs to be.

I've used Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 for years, so I'm well aware of how difficult they are to replace. But I've also watched free, open-source alternatives quietly get better, and today's options are much more convincing than they were a few years ago. And with Microsoft 365 Personal costing $9.99 a month, there's a pretty good reason to see what else is out there.

I started tweaking my Android Auto settings because I was getting a little tired of the small annoyances. My car screen felt cluttered; some things kept popping up when I didn’t need them, and I honestly couldn’t remember turning on some settings in the first place.

There are many open-source alternatives to Microsoft Excel, but popular Linux options like LibreOffice Calc and Gnumeric are strictly GUI apps. So what’s out there for the command-line fan who needs to crunch numbers? Let’s find out!

If you have a RIDGID wet/dry vac, you have a multipurpose tool that can do many tasks with various attachments and accessories. You don't need to buy specialized equipment when you already have a tool that does the job just fine. I've used my RIDGID vac for many tasks and realized its full potential and advantages over buying specialized tools.

Our phones spend much of the time idle, but they can't get up to too much during that time, because it's vital that they make it through the day. That's why many tasks are saved for overnight while we're asleep. But just what is your phone getting up to while your face is buried in a pillow?

The holiday travel season will soon be upon us, which means now is the time to start ensuring you can make the most of it, by spending quality time with friends and family, as well as remaining productive for work. The issue is, that being connected and having access to the internet isn't always feasible when on the go, which is why investing in a compact router that's travel-friendly is the new must. Luckily, Amazon's top-rated compact router is a rare 25% off ahead of its Prime Big Deal Days, but it's selling out fast.

Homelabbing is a weird hobby. You start with some old PC you already have, and before you know it, your house is full of gadgets plugged into the wall, each with one weirdly specific job. But a single mini PC can handle all those jobs and more, while keeping your setup remarkably simple and more cost-effective to run.

A major win at an awards show is a good reason to put a movie on your radar. However, what you feel like watching can change from week to week. You may want an emotional story that lingers after the credits roll, and other times, you crave a high-tension, heavy-action thriller.

Windows ships with familiar graphical tools, but they aren't always the quickest way to get things done. If you know your way around a terminal, these three small command-line utilities can replace File Explorer navigation, Task Manager, and Notepad for many everyday jobs, and all three install in seconds through winget.

Laptops are getting more expensive, making it increasingly difficult to find one that delivers a genuinely premium experience without crossing the $1,000 mark. The new Dell XPS 13 changes that, bringing premium hardware to a laptop that starts at just $699.

Mobile web browsers have come a long way. Chrome for Android started with simple tabs and sync, but now it has many of the features you'll find in the desktop version. In fact, if you know where to look, there's an extra feature that not many people take advantage of.

If you install Windows 11 on your machine and don't activate it, you'll be locked out of surprisingly few features. While most of the regular stuff will keep working indefinitely, you will miss out on a handful of customization options. Aside from missing features, you'll also get a few bonus "features," such as the permanent "Activate Windows" watermark in the corner of the desktop.

There might soon be a time when seeing "no service" on your phone is a thing of the past. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are forming a joint venture that aims to eliminate U.S. cellular dead zones.

Some of my favorite 3D prints serve no practical purpose and yet are entirely captivating. Optical illusions fall firmly into this category, challenging your perception, inspiring wonder, and hopefully teaching you a few things in the process.