How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 47 min 10 sec ago

I thought my PC was throttling, but this overlooked BIOS setting was the real problem

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 20:00

The BIOS is something many people just choose to ignore entirely. That's okay, I guess—your PC should usually work even if you never set foot in the BIOS/UEFI. But some BIOS tweaks can really improve your computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 overlooked features you won't get from a cheap cordless drill

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:45

There's nothing wrong with wandering down to Harbor Freight and picking up a cheap cordless power tool like a drill, especially if you only plan on using it occasionally around the house. That said, there are several reasons why a more expensive model is the better route, including these often-overlooked features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 4 commands I run in PowerShell solve the Windows network problems I run into most

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:30

Last week, my internet started acting up. It wasn't completely down, but web pages were loading slowly, and my video meetings kept having connection problems. I rebooted my mesh network and modem, but the problem kept coming back. At that point, I knew it was time to dig a little deeper.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Someone already fixed the Pixel 11's most disappointing feature

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:20

It’s no secret that the leap from the Pixel 10 series to the Pixel 11 series is pretty minimal. One of the few genuinely new features is the “HiLight” LED notification light on the back of the Pro models. Unfortunately, Google heavily limited what it can do, but that’s not a problem for the Android community.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The luxury SUV that makes Germany's base models harder to justify

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 19:01

BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz may be the default names that come to mind when you're shopping for a luxury SUV, but their base models don't always offer the value their badges suggest. The 2026 Acura RDX takes a different approach, giving every buyer a 272-horsepower turbocharged engine and a useful list of standard equipment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gmail's buried Android features turned my inbox into a productivity machine

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 18:50

The Gmail app can be a treasure trove for all your work, personal, and social emails, but it's not always neat. My inbox easily gets flooded with emails from work, subscriptions, and personal commitments. The good news is that the fixes are hiding in plain sight.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sennheiser's new wireless earbuds have batteries you can replace

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 18:35

If you hate the thought of replacing your wireless earbuds every few years as the batteries wear out, you now have an easy-to-buy solution. Sennheiser has introduced the Momentum True Wireless 5 with user-replaceable batteries in both the buds and the case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Lexus hybrid is a luxury bargain hiding in plain sight

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 18:00

A new luxury car gives you the latest technology and styling, but it also comes with one unavoidable problem: depreciation. A four-year-old Lexus hybrid can offer much of the comfort, efficiency, and premium equipment buyers want from a luxury car while costing substantially less than it did when new.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Excel isn't slow—you just built a workbook that takes forever to load

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 17:30

Search for "how to fix a bloated Excel workbook," and you'll find plenty of familiar advice. But the real problems are often hiding in places you never think to look. Here's where to check before you assume the problem is Excel itself.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 self-hosted tools that could replace paid services this weekend (August 21 - 23)

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 17:00

Are you ready to take your homelab to the next level? This weekend, I'm showing you three unique projects to try out in the homelab, from simplifying your Docker experience to replacing Canva. Here are the projects you should try before Monday rolls around.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The US says you can play GTA 6 for four days if you reenlist with the Army

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 16:54

How determined are you to play Grand Theft Auto VI? If you're in the right U.S. Army unit, you only need to commit to years of military service. Soldiers in the Georgia-based 9th Brigade Engineering Battalion have been offered a four-day pass to play Rockstar's upcoming blockbuster game if they reenlist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Assistant is dying next month, but Gemini is still missing these features

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 16:45

Google Assistant’s retirement was announced well over a year ago, but the official end date is now in sight. For better or worse, Gemini will be the company’s last digital assistant standing on September 4th. It’s had plenty of time to get up to speed with Assistant—here’s what’s still missing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You're using USB drives wrong

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 16:15

It’s easy to dismiss USB drives as little more than inexpensive portable storage devices that you can plug into practically anything.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why a Cheap Yellow Display should be your next ESP32 purchase

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 16:00

Cheap Yellow Display, or CYD for short, is a catch-all term for an affordable microcontroller and touchscreen combination. These devices include everything you need to get started with ESP32 projects that depend on a display, offering a larger footprint than a standalone microcontroller but an easier onboarding for many projects.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pixel 11 is here—now's the time to buy the Pixel 10

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 15:30

Google's new Pixel 11 lineup is here, but despite having a new processor, it's not exactly a generational leap. It's a fairly modest upgrade, and although it's far from a bad phone, the value isn't there, especially when the Pixel 10 still offers most of the same features and capabilities. That's why last year's model could actually be a much better buy for most people.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Inside Honda’s solid-state battery breakthrough

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 15:15

Electric vehicles are clearly the future of the automotive industry, as brands have essentially all begun their march towards carbon neutrality. However, range anxiety and slow charging have all been barriers to the average person making the switch to an electric vehicle. However, solid state batteries (SSBs) may be the solution.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Raspberry Pi builds make everyday hobbies better (August 21 - 23)

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 15:00

Are you ready to spend some time soldering and setting up projects on your Pi this weekend? Then today's post is for you! Below, I talk about building a custom turntable with a Pi Pico, designing a custom OBD-II dashboard for your car, and building a tabletop game soundboard.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Photos' hidden sharing feature replaced texting photos to my family entirely

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 14:45

Like most people, the way I mainly share a photo with friends and family is by texting it to them. This works fine if you just quickly want to share a moment. However, it's a very fragmented situation, and there is a better way—more than one, in fact—built into Google Photos.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 3D prints make my kitchen more functional without a renovation

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 14:30

More than perhaps any room in your home, the kitchen begs for 3D printed solutions. It’s an area that’s ripe with opportunities for custom optimizations—especially if you’re restricted by space. My kitchen can always use more functionality, and these five prints help.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pi-hole can enforce bedtime internet shutoffs—here's how I set it up for my family

Thu, 08/20/2026 - 14:15

If you have kids, managing their screen time can be a constant battle. It can be difficult to enforce the rules because it's easy for them to pick up a phone or tablet without you realizing. If you have Pi-hole set up, you can use it to shut down their internet access when it's time for bed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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