How-To Geek
Stop fighting with Windows 11 bloat: The one-tool solution for custom installs
Windows 11 comes loaded with a bunch of different apps and features that I neither want nor use. Normally, after a fresh install I spend quite a bit of time just getting rid of things. This application let me create my own Windows 11 ISO that cuts the bloat before I even install it.
12 apps for getting more out of your Galaxy Watch
Your Galaxy Watch can do far more than track steps and show notifications. It can be your productivity partner, complete wellness companion, and even an entertainment device. Here are over ten hand-picked apps (and games) to help you get the most out of your smartwatch.
Used office PCs are the new Raspberry Pi (at half the price)
When it first arrived on the scene, there really was nothing else like the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. Here was a full PC capable of running a desktop operating system that fit in the palm of your hand. It wasn't long before people discovered all sorts of other uses for these little computers, beside being disposable educational tools.
Don’t forget about your garage when creating your smart home
If you use your garage to park your car, charge your power tools, or store things you’d rather not keep in your house, you might be missing out on some useful smart home upgrades. Here are some accessories you can add to your garage, and the best ways to use them.
The Linux lsusb command has 5 secret uses you should know
Your Linux command line is filled to the brim with commands you can use to learn about and use your device more effectively. Recently, I figured out a few handy uses for the lsusb command. Here's what I found.
Thousands of people are ditching long board games for Go Viking
Go Viking was designed to capture the most dangerous question in tabletop gaming: do you push your luck, or return home while you still can?
4 unexpected ways I use Home Assistant (that aren't for my smart home)
As the name suggests, Home Assistant was designed for smart home automation. It's a powerful tool for automating all the smart devices in your home. To my surprise, some of the best ways that I use Home Assistant have nothing to do with my smart home at all.
Your car could have a deadly defect even if it runs fine
National Vehicle Safety Recalls week is March 2nd through the 8th here in the United States, raising awareness of the importance of checking for open recalls on our vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) organizes the campaign, which coincides with the spring-cleaning season, but it's good practice to check for recalls on your car year-round.
January brought major updates to these 6 Linux distros
With so many Linux distros out there, and each maintaining unique and not-always-consistent release cycles, it can be hard to keep up with what's new. To keep you in the loop, here are some of the major Linux releases from January 2026.
OpenClaw is a look into an AI-powered future that we're not ready for yet
The entire internet has been buzzing about this new AI assistant OpenClaw, but is it really worth the hype? OpenClaw definitely delivers on the AI-powered future that I’ve wanted for a long time, but it comes with some negative side effects that you might not realize up front.
I set up a $20 download station for my mobile devices and I'm not going back
Wi-Fi is convenient and it's everywhere. Maybe it's because I grew up with only wired networks for my early years of computing, but I've always felt that Wi-Fi is a big compromise. The best Wi-Fi technology is, of course, pretty great, and in day-to-day use I have no complaints. However, there are still many things that the humble Ethernet cable is just so much better at doing.
One Piece's groundbreaking announcement marks the end of an era for anime
For almost 27 years, One Piece fans have joined Monkey D. Luffy on the voyage of a lifetime as he searches for the fabled treasure of Gol D. Roger. The long-running animated adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga series has been a mainstay of the medium, surpassing 1100 episodes, releasing 15 movies, and now having been brought into the realm of live-action with a hit Netflix adaptation in 2023. If you love anime, One Piece is instantly recognizable, no matter whether you have seen the series or not.
Ghost devices are haunting your Home Assistant server—here's how to clean them up
Your Home Assistant server may be haunted. Not by actual ghosts, but by ghost devices and entities that show up in Home Assistant even after the device or integration has been removed. The good news is that you can bust those ghosts without needing to wear an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on your back.
How to use the EXPAND function in Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel's dynamic arrays are a game-changer for automatic updates, but their unpredictable size can ruin your dashboard's formatting. Using the EXPAND function, you can lock your layouts in place and keep your spreadsheets looking ship-shape. Here's how.
4 tips to keep your phone's screen smooth and clean
There’s a secret layer of protection on your iPhone or Android phone's screen that keeps fingerprints and smudges at bay. It’s called an oleophobic coating, and it’s something you probably won't think about until it's gone. Let’s keep that coating in tip-top shape.
Build your own "private Discord": 5 self-hosted alternatives that put you in control
There is an idea that if you want powerful features and a huge audience, like the kind you find on Discord, you just have to surrender your data and tolerate the constant upselling. Just because something is self-hosted or open-source does not mean it is automatically difficult to use, complex to set up, or somehow lacking in essential features.
I cancelled Netflix and Audible after buying a NAS, and I'm never going back
I’ve had a NAS for about 10 years now and have heavily used one for the past half a decade. With my NAS, I’ve been able to cancel many subscriptions to save money, including Netflix, Audible, and more.
5 new Netflix movies to watch in February
Netflix's 2026 slate is jam-packed with films and shows that will keep you entertained throughout the year. If you're looking for an enticing update this month, Netflix has you covered with new movies spanning comedy, action, and drama.
Your USB dongles are secretly slowing down your PC
Modern computers, laptops in particular, have really slashed the number of ports you get for plugging in peripherals. Following the example of MacBooks, some slim and light Windows laptops have just a pair of USB-C ports, forcing you to use a USB dongle hub to connect more than one thing, or dock your laptop with a desktop setup.
These 3D printer mistakes are wasting your money
3D printing can be anything from a fun hobby to a serious business. No matter what sort of 3D printing you do, there's always a cost involved. The costs range from small to quite large, but whatever you're spending it's always better to avoid wasting money when you don't have to.


