How-To Geek

Large airports are a potential security nightmare. There are random, unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks everywhere, charging ports that could be compromised, and more people than you could ever hope to count. I'm also basically always in a rush when I'm in an airport.

Running old CD-ROM games on modern Windows isn't too hard if you know how to manage Windows' compatibility software. But what if you have a Linux desktop and don't want to leave your old Windows games behind?

Sometimes you want to laugh, sometimes you want to cry, and sometimes you want a movie so intense that you grip the arm of your couch so hard you nearly rip the upholstery off. If the Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong UFC fight on Saturday isn't the kind of thrill you're after, these three thriller movies on Paramount+ might do the trick.

DLSS 5 isn't due for an official release until sometime later this year, but an unfinished version that slipped out with NBA 2K27 has allowed the RenoDX modding community to get it running with dozens of games.

Location access is one of those permissions that everyone should take seriously. Not every app that requests it truly needs it. You may not think a mobile payments app like Google Wallet needs location access, but it actually enables some helpful features.

If you've decided to try Linux, you might have trouble leaving Windows. Maybe your favorite game only runs on Windows, or you need a Windows program for your work. Maybe you think dual-booting Windows and Linux is too much trouble. There are ways to get started with the Linux terminal that can run within Windows.

Z-Wave has a reputation for reliability, which makes it a popular choice for critical smart home devices such as smart locks and alarm systems. The trouble is that if you make some common mistakes, your Z-Wave devices can respond far more slowly than they should.

I cut the cord pretty early in the streaming game. Back then, I got my first broadband connection (4Mbps!) and was still using satellite TV to watch movies and TV series. After subscribing to Netflix, I canceled that contract and enjoyed years of paying a fraction of that fee to access a massive library.

Ever wondered what happens when you wrap your phone in tinfoil? I decided to try it out to see if there’s any truth—or benefit—to the idea.

I've used both Windows and Linux for years now. To the disappointment of many of you, Windows mostly won the tie-breaker. It's not like I admire Windows a lot. Rather, fully switching means I have to give up a smooth desktop, a vast software collection, a no-headache gaming experience, and the comfort of "it just works."

You don't need expensive equipment, years of experience, or a shelf full of specialized gear to get into a new tech hobby. With a computer or phone and a little curiosity, you can start building things, exploring the world, or making something of your own this weekend.

I've always had a saying. The best Linux laptop is, as a matter of fact, a Windows laptop. Linux laptop projects such as System76 are lovely, but most people are better off just buying a regular Windows laptop and putting Linux on it. To that effect, a second-hand Surface Go might just be the best cheap, tiny Linux laptop you can get. Here's why.

I've used Excel for decades, and I'm perfectly comfortable using it for things it wasn't really designed to do. But when my data started behaving like a database, I decided to see what would happen when I used a tool that's actually built for the job: Grist.

Needing subtitles to follow a conversation on screen feels so normal today. That's because it isn't a hearing problem for most people. It was built for a setup you likely don't have. However, you can increase the volume for just the dialogue; you just have to know what to press.

There are many preconceptions about 3D printing, among them the idea that 3D printer owners spend all of their time making fidget toys and other useless bits of plastic. While there’s a grain of truth to this, many outgrow the tchotchkes and move on to printing solutions instead.

When we think of powerful apps, we normally think of massive, complex programs like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office, but an app doesn’t have to be a heavyweight to pack a lot of power. These three open-source apps I always keep on my computers prove it.

I'm fairly selective about what I install on my Windows PC. There are plenty of popular apps I've consciously never installed, and a few I've tried and deliberately got rid of. In every case, though, the reason is the same: I don't see a good enough reason to give them space on my computer.

Google Pixel phones are jam-packed with useful features, and sometimes it's hard to keep track of everything. A prime example is the new Pixel "Screen Reactions" feature in Android 17, the first green screen tool for reaction videos built directly into a phone.

For years, if you wanted powerful and capable tools for any job, you needed a big 18V or 20V tool. Or at least that was the assumption. If you still think you need a massive 18V tool for big jobs, think again. Milwaukee's M12 Fuel (12V) ecosystem punches far above its weight class and can handle just about anything, whether that's in the shop or around the house.

I'm not going to lie; I was a massive fan of Windows Aero when it debuted with Windows Vista, and I continued to rave about the famous translucent glass UI in Windows 7, which is my favorite version of Windows to this day.