How-To Geek

If you're looking to get away from Microsoft Word, and Microsoft, or if you're just looking to support a free and open-source project, there are a dizzying array of solid options out there. Here are four that are great all-rounders, and that can run on most PCs or laptops with an issue.

Computer-generated graphics (CG) have revolutionized what filmmakers can do these days. It seems the only limit is your imagination (and budget), because there are no practical challenges you need to overcome.

If you're on the lookout to add a subwoofer to your sound system, chances are you're mainly seeing active subwoofer options, and few if any passive ones. It seems that every subwoofer these days wants to be strong and independent!

Shopping for a new laptop can be exciting, but it's also confusing. With countless models and cryptic naming schemes full of letters and numbers, it can be quite overwhelming. Instead of decoding these arbitrary names, here’s what to focus on instead.

Have you used the Linux terminal and wished there was a way you could go back to previous commands without retyping everything? Modern shells let you do exactly that with command-line editing.

You probably already know that voice assistants are quietly recording everything we say to them. However, Google's Gemini app is getting a privacy tweak that you’ll want to know about—and it’s not bad news.

Kids love summer because they are out of school and have infinitely more free time. However, parents often dread it for a simple reason: they have to keep kids entertained, often for long stretches of time. That means watching kids’ shows together, many of which can be mind-numbingly awful.

The Sony LinkBuds Fit, released back in October, are now getting a fresh update with a brand-new pink color option. If you want new wireless earbuds in a fun pink color, now's your chance.

The Fairphone is very unique in the Android ecosystem. A phone that goes against most widely established conventions and goes out of its way to be more modular and repairable. Now, the Fairphone 6 is here, and it's better than ever.

The HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is now on sale with a big discount, giving you $400 off its original price. This means the 2025 model, which usually costs $949.99, is now priced at a much more affordable $549.99 on Best Buy.

Microsoft has developed countless fantastic features for Windows over the years, but for some reason, they usually don’t wind up included by default. Instead, you have to download a separate program called PowerToys to get access to them. Some of them are so great they definitely need to be added to Windows as stock features.

It's a known fact that Microsoft is really into shoving its services down people's throats. I haven't seen attempts at doing so that are as blatant as this one, though. Microsoft will, after all, allow you to continue updating Windows 10 past its EOD date, if you agree to do a little something.

Tired of all the mainstream movie formulas? Sick of yet another superhero film or predictable romantic comedy? So are lots of people, but at the same time, you're probably not keen to jump in at the other extreme and indulge in experimental arthouse movies.

Paper-like screens are regularly pitched as an eyestrain-reducing alternative to LCD or OLED. And, when it comes to reading, I have to agree. But I see a lot of people doing weird stuff on their E Ink monitors and tablets, like watching YouTube videos or browsing the web. So, I decided to take this absurdity to the extreme by loading up Minecraft on my BOOX eReader.

iPhone users are getting unexpected push notifications from the Wallet app promoting Apple’s new movie, F1: The Movie. These ads, which offered a limited-time Fandango discount for two tickets, don't really have any good reason to be pushed to you.

Have you deleted the empty inetpub folder from your Windows installation drive, thinking it was of no use? If so, you should restore it using the PowerShell script that Microsoft has shared, as this folder is very important for your device’s security.

Last month, it was discovered that Google was working on some big changes for the Phone app. Now that Android 16 is available, we're getting our first look at what those changes look like—and I'm very excited about it.

Windows Recall, a "privacy-focused" AI tool for Copilot+ PCs designed to make it easier to retrace your digital steps if you forgot what you did the day before, is going to receive a major update: a homepage.

1080p (Full HD) has been the standard display resolution for a long time. It’s had a good run, but its time is up. I upgraded both my monitor and TV this year, and I haven’t looked back. Now, I’m convinced it’s time to ditch 1080p for good.

Xfinity Mobile, Comcast Business Mobile, and NOW Mobile customers are being moved to premium data plans that use Quality of Service Class Identifier (QCI) 8. This upgrade will give users a better experience when connected to the cellular network, with faster speeds and less delay.