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How-To
How to enable Windows Sonic virtual surround sound in the Windows 10 Creators Update
The Creators Update's built-in Windows Sonic spatial sound feature is supposed to improve your headphone audio experience
Hassle-Free PC
How to use Night Light in the Windows 10 Creators Update
The Creators Update brings a built-in way to adjust your screen's color temperature and make it easier to sleep after a late-night computer session.
How-To
How to use Start menu folders in the Creators Update
Start menu folders have arrived on Windows 10 to pack more apps into a smaller space.
How-To
How to free up storage space automatically with Storage Sense in the Creators Update
The Storage Sense feature in the Creators Update automatically dumps the contents of your Recycle bin and temporary folders.
Hassle-Free PC
How to prevent installation of apps from outside the Windows Store
A new feature in the Windows 10 Creators Update helps you keep third-party apps off a PC.
Answer Line
How to reclaim file permissions and ownership in Windows
Malware or network issues can sometimes change file permissions or disown you. If you're getting a "you don't have permissions" error, here's how to fix it.Hassle-Free PC
How to remove or change the signature in Windows 10 Mail
WIndows 10's Mail app includes a "sent from Windows 10 Mail" signature by default. Here's how to change that or remove it.
How-To
Switching from Mac to PC, Part 4: How to keep your iPad and iPhone in the mix
Incorporating your iPhone and iPad into your new life with Windows is easy.
Answer Line
How to have Windows re-open active windows and programs on reboot
Jackie P. wanted to be able to reboot her PC and have it automatically open whatever was open when she closed it. Though the solution isn't perfect, it's close!Max Productivity
3 Windows 10 apps that will boost your productivity today
Manage your notes, projects, and passwords more efficiently with these tools.Answer Line
How to re-enable delete confirmation for Sticky Notes
In Sticky Notes once you click "don't ask me again" it won't, so here's how to fix it.
Updated
Windows 10’s native Mixer support makes PC game streaming dead simple
The Windows 10 Creators update offers native support for PC game broadcasting, using Microsoft's Mixer service. What it lacks in users and features, it makes up for in sheer ease of use.
Smart Mobile Tricks
6 easy ways to keep your Android phone secure
There are plenty of ways to keep your Android handset safe from the most common security threats, all with a minimum of effort. Read on to learn about the right passcodes, security settings and other safeguards.
Max Productivity
3 IFTTT alternatives for task automation
These tools streamline simple tasks and complex workflows to help you reclaim precious time.
Answer Line
4 ways to bolster your online privacy
Total online privacy is almost impossible, but these steps will get you a lot closer to being as anonymous as possible.
Updated
How to rescue your PC from ransomware
Ransomware is a serious headache. Don't negotiate with e-terrorists. Be a hero and rescue your hostage PC.
How-To
How to install Windows on an external drive
If you install Windows to an external drive, USB 3.1 can make it almost as fast as an internal drive.Hassle-Free PC
The three laws of smart PC backups
Creating a solid backup strategy is easier than you think. Here's how to back up your PC the right way.Updated
Three privacy tools that block your Internet provider from tracking you
The government may soon allow your ISP to sell your browsing data. Here's how to fight back.
Tip
How Delivery Optimization in Windows 10 Creators Update helps avoid data overage fees
Part of the Windows 10 Creators Update includes a feature called Delivery Optimization, which will help you avoid re-downloading the same patches and app updates over and over across the multiple PCs in your home.
Hassle-Free PC
How to keep a private stash of bookmarks in Chrome
Hush for Chrome lets you stash some bookmarks that can only be used in incognito mode.
How-To
Microsoft OneNote for beginners: Everything you need to know
OneNote is the Great Organizer of Microsoft programs, ready to take almost any kind of content and make it available across multiple platforms. Here's how to get started.
How-To
How to transform your smartphone into a real-world Star Trek tricorder
Move over, James T. Kirk. The sensors lurking in your smartphone can transform it into a full-blown tricorder rival with the right apps.Max Productivity
3 tools that easily unsubscribe you from emails
Email subscriptions can quickly overwhelm your inbox. Use these services to clean up the mess.Hassle-Free PC
How to create an icon-only bookmarks bar in your browser
Maximize the space on you bookmarks bar by removing the text.How-To
How to use Process Explorer, Microsoft’s free, supercharged Task Manager alternative
Microsoft's Process Explorer is a powerful utility that makes the built-in Windows Task Manager obsolete. Here's how to use it.Hassle-Free PC
How to use the Skype Chrome extension to quickly add Skype call links to calendar entries
The Skype extension for Chrome lets you add call links to your calendar entries on Google and Outlook.com.
Max Productivity
4 of the best Windows 10 app launchers for increasing your productivity
Add one of these to your desktop to more quickly open programs, find important files, search the web, and more.
Max Productivity
3 Windows text expanders that take the tedium out of typing
These apps let you easily insert commonly used phrases and sentences with just a few keystrokes, saving you time and effort.Hassle-Free PC
How to jazz up your Firefox new-tab page with the upcoming Activity Stream feature
Try Activity Stream before it's built in to Firefox later in the year.
Answer Line
When cell phone disaster strikes, you have some options
Your cell phone is lost, stolen, or down the toilet. Don't wait until disaster strikes to prepare for the worst. Here's what you can do.
Updated
Excel logical formulas: 12 simple IF statements to get started
This is where the number-crunching fun starts. Learn the ins and outs of the logical formulas that represent the heart of Excel.Hassle-Free PC
Skype like a boss with these hidden chat commands
Skype has several powerful slash commands you should know about.Answer Line
How Babelsoft Media Preview reveals less-common file types in Explorer
Babelsoft Media Preview is the answer for revealing less-common multimedia files that Windows Explorer's own Preview tool doesn't support.Hassle-Free PC
How to use Mentions in Windows 10’s Mail app
Microsoft recently rolled out its Mentions feature to the Windows 10 Mail app. Here's how it works.Hassle-Free PC
How to force Cortana to use your default browser
A little program called EdgeDeflector lets you pair Cortana with the browser and search engine of your choosing.
Hassle-Free PC
Three steps to make managing passwords easier
Dealing with passwords will probably never be painless, but you can at least simplify the process.
World Beyond Windows
How to easily keep your cloud files private with Rclone
Want to use Google Drive or Dropbox storage and still keep your data private? The Rclone command-line tool adds a reassuring layer of security.
Max Productivity
How to make Word custom bullet points to enhance your documents
Word's built-in bullet points can give boring reports a bit of bling, but you can do even more by creating custom bullets from an image file. Here's how.Hassle-Free PC
Quickly scan your Gmail inbox with website favicons
Gmail Sender Icons is a handy Chrome extension that puts each sender's website favicon in the subject line.Updated
4 ways to block political posts on Facebook
Maybe you've made a political post or two (or more) on Facebook, or maybe you're trying to hide from them. Here's how to silence the noise.Hassle-Free PC
Three ways to restrict OneDrive uploads in Windows 10
Sometimes you need a break from the cloud when your internet connection isn't the greatest.Updated
Chromebook power tips: How to work smarter online and offline
Bet you don’t know everything Chrome OS can do. Here’s what it offers, from keyboard shortcuts to Chromecast capers—and a surprising amount of offline productivity.Hassle-Free PC
How to show the taskbar on only one display in Windows 10
Taskbars across all displays are great, but if you want to keep things simple, try putting the taskbar on only one monitor.
Max Productivity
Why extracting images from Word is so hard, with 3 decent workarounds
Extracting images from Word is not a simple cut-and-paste proposition. We explain why it's so hard and show you the pros and cons of the workarounds.
How-To
How to switch from Mac to PC, Part 1: What’s driving me to do it
A 20-year Mac veteran decides it's finally time to switch to a Windows PC—and he's taking us on his journey, step by step, starting with what drove him to bail on Apple.Smart Mobile Tricks
5 alternative (and easier) ways to unlock your Android phone
You can set your Android phone to unlock itself when it's in your pocket, while you're near a certain location, when it hears your voice, and more.Answer Line
How Windows Explorer can help you find duplicate files
Sure, you could buy a utility to ease the task of finding duplicate files or organizing your multimedia, but Windows Explorer is quite good at it in its own right.Max Productivity
3 great email app alternatives to Windows Mail: Mailbird, eM Client and Inky
Windows 10's default Mail app isn't the best option for unruly inboxes. Try one of these instead.Hassle-Free PC