How-To Geek

Microsoft is about to roll out patches to prevent the easiest way you had to skip signing into a Microsoft account during Windows 11’s setup, and if that seemed like a gentle nudge, it’s likely just the beginning. You’ve probably used these tricks before, or at least read about them: disconnect the network, run a command, or drop a patched ISO on a USB and roll right past the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) screens. Microsoft calling this out as “skipping critical setup screens” is partly true, but it seems like a convenient way to keep you locked into OneDrive, Office 365 trials, and a steady stream of telemetry that the company can use.

If you're deep in the CRT hobby like I am now, you've probably realized that when you try to share your hobby online, your screens don't quite look right on camera. This is nothing new, and happens because of the fundamental way CRTs work.

One of the major selling points of the Pixel phones is their AI features. However, I'm not a big fan of AI features on a smartphone. If you're like me, then keep reading to find out how to turn off all the annoying AI features on your Google Pixel phone.

With lossless audio coming to Spotify Premium, this high-fidelity audio option is now available to most music streaming subscribers on big services. That's great in principle, but is it worth sacrificing your bandwidth, storage space, and paying a premium to have access to lossless media?

If you're customizing your mechanical keyboard with aftermarket keycaps, it helps to understand their shapes (aka keycap profiles) so that you can pick the right ones. Here’s a quick crash course on everything you need to know about keycap profiles.

Have you ever seen the term “optical character recognition” or OCR and wondered what it meant? Well, I’m here to help you understand what OCR is. It’s very possible that you’ve used OCR and didn’t know it. You might have even used it today. Here’s everything you need to know about optical character recognition.

We’ve all picked up weird habits with our phones over the years. Little routines that made sense at the time, passed down like tech folklore. “Close your apps to save battery.” “Never charge overnight.” “Let your battery hit zero before plugging it in.”

The arrival of HDR was a revelation, and for a long time TVs struggled to reach the brightness needed to make this new video standard shine, but now thanks to a relentless brightness war, even entry-level TVs can reach heights only high-end sets could dream of before.

Android phones and tablets are at just as much risk as any other device for snooping, surveillance, and cybercrime. To help you combat these dangers, we’ve put together the best VPNs for Android so you can surf more securely.

On the first day of 2026, the Steam Beta for Chromebooks will end. This means you will no longer have the option to play Steam games on your Chromebook with official support. If you're not a Chromebook user, this might not sound like much of an issue. After all, who plays video games on a Chromebook?

One of the most famous read-later apps, Pocket by Mozilla, shut down permanently in October. The app was known for its ease of use, sync, and interface, leaving many loyal users shifting to similar apps.

In today’s market, the average new car price has soared well beyond reach for many buyers, making affordable options harder than ever to find. But one model still stands as a reminder that value and practicality can coexist, even in 2025. It’s the last new car in America you can buy for under $20,000, a rare find in an era of rising prices and disappearing budget-friendly vehicles.

Whether you want to restrict data inputs, ensure consistency, or avoid errors, data validation in Microsoft Excel is the tool for you. It can also serve as a vital safety net if you plan to share your workbook with people who are new to Excel or unfamiliar with your spreadsheet.

I like to purchase and download MP3s directly on my phone, but this is a challenge with video game soundtracks. Why, when buying music in a browser has been around for decades, is this still a problem?

Want to add a little unpredictability to your Python code? The random module is the quickest way to do it. From generating numbers and shuffling lists to simulating real-world randomness, it's one of those small but useful modules every Python programmer should know. Let's dive in!

As the automotive world charges toward electrification, one icon continues to roar defiantly against the current. The Ford Mustang remains America’s last great muscle car standing, a living link to the golden age of V-8 power, rear-wheel drive, and unfiltered performance. While its rivals have either gone electric or disappeared altogether, the Mustang carries the torch for traditional American muscle.

Multiview is one of the best features to hit some of our favorite streaming services. It allows users to watch multiple sports or news stations simultaneously. While this technology is still slowly arriving for more services, Amazon recently introduced a new immersive and customizable viewing experience for Prime Video. I hope YouTube TV copies it, and fast.

This was another busy week in tech, with the big release of Ubuntu Linux 25.10, Synology walking back its hard drive compatibility restrictions, Microsoft testing a new Start Menu for Windows 11, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Call it escapism, call it wanderlust, call it living vicariously through the lives of kick-ass covert spies and kung-fu masters—our love for action movies is primal.

If you regularly use speakers on your PC and feel like something’s missing, there’s a good chance it’s the bass. That’s because true, full-bodied bass requires a specialized speaker called a subwoofer, and without one, you’re seriously missing out.