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 4 min ago

Stop waiting for the Steam Deck 2: The Legion Go S is here

6 hours 23 min ago

Now that the Steam Deck is starting to show its age, gamers are searching for upgraded handhelds that can fill the void of a not-yet-realized "Steam Deck 2." For me, the Legion Go S is that handheld, and it's just generally a great platform for on-the-go PC gaming.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix shows to watch in December 2025

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 23:01

Nothing spells cozy like kicking back and snuggling up with your favorite, binge-worthy shows during the holiday season. Netflix is lending a helping hand to this comfort with its December lineup of new and returning shows for your holiday watch parties.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Discord Checkpoint is the end-of-year recap you never knew you needed

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 22:22

Discord has finally introduced its own version of the popular annual recap feature with the rollout of Discord Checkpoint for 2025 activity. This is the first time the platform has given users a comprehensive, personalized look back at their yearly habits, and the results are interesting.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Netfix has hidden fireplace scenes for your favorite shows—here's how to find them

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 22:00

If you're tucking into Stranger Things or Wednesday on Netflix this holiday season, you may dream of visiting Hawkins or Nevermore Academy. The trouble is, the risk of encountering monsters in those places is pretty high. That's why the safer option is to stream Netflix's fireplace scenes from those shows and other popular worlds like K-Pop Demon Hunters. You can enjoy the festive vibes from the comfort of your home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You only need a ZIP code to sign up for this new carrier

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 20:35

Handing over your personal information to sign up for a mobile carrier is expected, but what if it didn’t have to be that way? If you’re tired of your data being misused by the company that keeps you connected, then a new startup wireless service might be right up your alley.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Microsoft Excel tricks you probably didn't know

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 20:01

Whether you're a novice or professional, there's always room to improve your Excel workflows. There may be a powerful feature you've overlooked, for example, or a useful trick that you've simply never encountered. In any case, here are some hints and tips that greatly boosted my spreadsheet expertise.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If Windows search drives you crazy, these 3 apps are a much better choice

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 20:01

On macOS, you can instantly look up files and launch apps with Spotlight search. Even many popular Linux distros offer snappy search bars like Spotlight. But on Windows, there is no central interface to search for every file, setting, and app. File Explorer takes forever to load searches, the Start search doesn’t always give relevant suggestions, if at all. Most of the time, it just plugs into Bing web results or displays ads for Microsoft products. We can’t fix Windows search, but we can replace it with a better option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Does a VPN really slow down your internet? I measured it

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 19:30

Are you using a VPN and wondering why your internet connection feels slower than it used to? I wondered the same thing, so I set out to measure just how much a VPN affected my internet speed at home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Alpine Linux just got updated (and still supports 32-bit)

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 19:12

A Linux distribution known for its security and stability, Alpine Linux, has released version 3.23 with several improvements and upgrades to its package base. It's the first major point release since May, and it carries on support a wide range of computer architectures.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Stranger Things—this other Netflix sci-fi thriller is smarter and darker

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 19:00

Even after some divided reviews of the first batch of its insanely anticipated fifth and final season, Netflix’s crown jewel, Stranger Things, is still a cultural phenomenon. The iconic thriller/sci-fi series’ latest season sits at around 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. For fans who’ve been along for the ride since 2016, its mix of big coming-of-age emotions and even bigger monsters, all dripping with '80s nostalgia, is like comfort viewing at this point.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Canonical released a dedicated Ubuntu Pro app for Windows

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 19:00

Canonical just made a massive announcement for anyone using Linux on Windows, Ubuntu Pro is now available for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), and the best part is that it is still free for personal use. If you’re a developer or a power user who relies on WSL to get work done, this is a huge deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one feature has me excited for Samsung's One UI 8.5 release

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 18:42

Earlier this week, we learned all about Samsung's highly anticipated update to One UI 8.5 (based on Android 16) thanks to a huge leak, and one feature in particular caught my attention. Samsung is gearing up to release a new setting that'll stop apps from blowing up your phone with ads.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How Audi’s new compact sedan compares to the BMW 3-series

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 18:30

Audi’s newest compact sedan is reshaping one of the most iconic rivalries in the luxury market, and it’s aiming straight at the BMW 3-Series. With the arrival of the 2025 A5 sedan, the competition has become more intense than it’s been in years. The latest model introduces a sportier character, sharper driving dynamics, and a level of refinement that puts real pressure on its German counterpart.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the easiest way to access your Home Assistant smart home remotely, no subscription

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 18:00

Home Assistant is amazing because it’s free, but it’s not always the easiest platform in the world to use. Though you can choose to pay for remote access by signing up to Home Assistant Cloud or go it alone with VPN access, there’s actually another easy way to add remote access to your smart home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft is accidentally blocking M365 app downloads

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 17:37

Microsoft is currently investigating a serious service issue preventing customers from downloading Microsoft 365 desktop applications directly from the service homepage. The company has tagged the problem as an "Incident," which means it’s a critical service issue with noticeable user impact.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why a RISC-V board is my most exciting purchase of 2025

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 17:30

I've been using Raspberry Pi devices and similar single-board computers for years. They all have in common their ARM processors, just like most desktop computers are x86-64 processors, but I'm getting an SBC with a RISC-V chip.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If your power bank has this port, it's probably time for a replacement

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 17:00

Power banks are the easiest gadget to neglect. You charge them, stick them in a drawer and then only pull them out when you need to travel or when the power's out. Which is why it's easy to miss when your power banks are outdated or no longer suitable to have your back when you need them most.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Americans are embracing a surprisingly popular vehicle once more

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 16:35

After years of obsessing over SUVs that take up more space and sip more gas, Americans are rediscovering the minivan.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $32K SUV has more power, tech, and trims than popular rivals

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 16:30

The mid-size SUV world is packed with big names like the CR-V, Highlander, and the sharp-looking Santa Fe, plus solid picks like the Volkswagen Atlas. But while everyone’s been busy checking out the usual favorites, one underrated contender has quietly leveled up.

Categories: IT General, Technology

An introduction to property-based testing using fast-check and JavaScript

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 16:15

Have you ever seen "NaN" appear on a badly coded website? Or been perplexed by a persistent bug, only to find out that it's some quirk with the language? The problem is partly to do with your assumptions and probably an incomplete test suite. I will explain what property-based testing (PBT) is and how it solves these problems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker