How-To Geek
Windows 11’s Start menu keeps getting worse. Open Shell fixes it
I've never been a fan of how Windows 11 handles the Start menu or search. I've covered those frustrations before, but it still comes down to the same issue. I want Windows to adapt to how I work, not force me into a layout and workflow that feel less efficient.
5 Raspberry Pi projects I'd totally do if I had the time
If you have a ton of time on your hands, then I really hope you make these Raspberry Pi projects for me. I want to make them myself, but I just don't have the time, however cool or useful they are.
Don't upgrade your GPU until you've tried this $7 app
Guess what? GPUs are really, really expensive right now. I know, shocking, right? I kid, but it's true that graphics card prices have been on a rapid rise ever since the ongoing RAM shortage started. And no, it doesn't look like the prices will improve anytime soon.
It's been 10 years since the death of smartphone headphone jacks—here's what we gained from it
It's been roughly 10 years since headphone jacks were stripped from nearly all of our smartphones. On one hand, this was a tragedy—but it's one that occurred for a good reason. More than one, actually. In some ways, our phones are better off for having kissed this beloved port goodbye.
You don’t need a Lexus to get luxury—just look at the Crown Signia
If you’ve been eyeing a Lexus NX but don’t want to splurge, the Toyota Crown Signia quietly steps up as a surprisingly roomy and practical alternative. Toyota has been blurring the line between mainstream and premium, and the Signia is its boldest move yet—stylish, calm, and effortlessly upscale.
Why the PC gaming obsession with GPU undervolting is a complete waste of time
GPU undervolting has become a favorite pastime for many enthusiast PC gamers. For years, we've been told that a simple undervolt drastically lowers temperatures and power consumption while also resulting in quieter operation, but the truth is that, in most situations, running your GPU at its default settings is completely fine.
3 presence-based Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (March 20 - 22)
Presence detection can make your Home Assistant automations feel much smarter. Instead of relying on basic motion sensors, you can track your location to a specific room and even determine exactly where in the room you are. These weekend projects tackle presence detection in different ways.
3 excellent Prime Video documentaries to watch this weekend (March 20 - 22)
The treasure trove that is Prime Video's library of weird and wild documentaries never ceases to impress—and offer a nice jolt to my weekend viewing sessions.
How ADB helped me unlock my Fire TV Stick's full potential
The Android Debug Bridge allows you to run all sorts of terminal commands on Android devices remotely. Since Amazon's Fire TV Sticks run Android at its core, here's how I unlocked a few "hidden" features of my Fire TV with ADB.
In honor of Chuck Norris, here's where you can stream his best movies and TV shows
Chuck Norris, the legendary action star and martial artist, has died at the age of 86. Norris' family revealed that he passed away yesterday morning after being hospitalized in Hawaii.
3 eye-opening Netflix documentaries to watch this weekend (March 20 - 22)
Netflix has quietly become one of the best places to scroll your way into some fascinating documentaries and docuseries. And just as with finding a good movie or series to binge, the challenge with docs isn’t finding something interesting—it’s deciding where to start.
This Mercedes-Benz is one of the cheapest luxury SUVs in 2026
Luxury SUVs are often associated with high price tags, making them feel out of reach for many buyers. But in 2026, not every model wearing a premium badge demands a premium budget. One Mercedes-Benz SUV stands out as one of the most affordable entry points into the luxury segment, offering the brand's signature refinement at a surprisingly accessible price.
Windows 11 just broke Microsoft accounts for some PCs
Just days after reporting that some systems couldn’t access their C: drives due to a buggy Samsung app, Windows devices are now greeted with ‘You’ll need the Internet for this’ error across Microsoft’s own apps. This time, the issue is directly tied to Windows 11’s March Tuesday patch update (KB5079473). What was supposed to be a routine security fix has instead triggered a bizarre sign-in error.
5 settings making your Linux PC less secure
Think your Linux PC is secure just because it’s Linux? Well, I hate to break it to you, but Linux—while it might be more secure than Windows—is not invulnerable. The architecture is solid, the open-source model helps, and yes, the threat landscape is smaller. But none of that matters if you've left the wrong settings unchecked. Here’s a quick look at five common settings that people leave enabled (or disabled) that are making their Linux PCs less secure.
3 more exciting 3D printing projects you should try this weekend (Mar 20 - 22)
Warm up those print beds, the weekend is here! That means it’s time to extrude some filament in the pursuit of some exciting new 3D printing projects. This week’s projects all rely on additional parts from elsewhere, but there’s plenty of value to be had from them.
Why bad router placement is tricking you into buying a $300 mesh network
If your Wi-Fi connection is constantly disappointing you, there's one commonly recommended fix: setting up a mesh system. But that's going to cost you some money, and you might not even need one.
I finally fixed annoying notifications in Android Auto—here's the 5 settings I changed to do it
Let's be honest: Notifications on Android Auto can be super annoying. Between lengthy group messages and random app alerts, it's easy to get overwhelmed while driving. The good news is that there are ways to fine-tune exactly how and which notifications appear on your Android Auto screen.
Stop the notification overload: This 1-click Windows trick locks in my focus for hours
When we think of the Clock app, we see it as nothing more than a way to check the time or set alarms. But beyond its obvious purpose, it includes a hidden feature, Focused Sessions, that can help you stay focused. If you’ve missed this feature until now, try it out and work with fewer distractions.
Here are 5 apps I always install when I set up a Linux desktop
If you use modern technology regularly, there are doubtless certain apps difficult to imagine going without. In the world of Linux distributions, there's no universal default set of apps, so you sort of have to forge your own path. After countless Linux desktop setups, here are my software essentials.
Stop guessing which local LLMs run on your PC—this open-source tool can tell you
Local LLMs can give you a lot of the features of popular AI chatbots without the privacy concerns. The trouble is, not every computer is capable of running every model. The good news is that you can easily find the most capable models that will run on your PC or Mac using a free and open-source tool.


