Latest PCs & Components How-To Stories
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Tip
Ask a PC expert: Is air cooling or liquid cooling better for your CPU?
PCWorld's CPU guru Gordon Mah Ung breaks down the pros, cons, and common misconceptions about air coolers and closed-loop liquid cooling.
How-To
5 Windows display tricks to help you focus
When you're trying to focus on a specific task, the right display settings can make a big difference. Automate dark mode, cut down on blue light, dim secondary displays and more with these tips.
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How to partition a hard drive
Partitions allow you to segment a single drive for separating programs from files or installing a second OS.
How-To
How to disable your laptop touchpad
Does your laptop touchpad get in the way while you type? Here's how to turn it off.
Updated
How to remove malware from your Windows PC
Has malicious software taken your PC hostage? Our malware-removal guide will help you clean out your PC and restore it to a pristine state.
Updated
How to transform your laptop into a gaming powerhouse with an external graphics card
With a little bit of research and elbow grease (or a Thunderbolt 3 dock), an external graphics card setup lets you upgrade your laptop for a fraction of the cost of a new gaming PC.
How-To
The ultimate guide to proper SSD management
From file management to housecleaning, these tips and tricks will help you get the most out of your supercharged storage.
How-To
How to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp
After following these simple instructions, you'll be able to dual-boot your Mac into Windows.
How-To
Use Windows 10’s individual display scaling to perfect your multi-monitor setup
Want to boost the scaling on your 1080p monitor by a little and your 4K display by a lot? With Windows 10 that's an easy fix.
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What to do when your laptop’s touchpad stops working
The touchpad built into your laptop no longer responds to your fingers. Here's what to do about it.
How-To
4 ways Android Messages for web is better than Apple Messages on the Mac (and 4 ways it’s not)
Google has finally launched Android Messages on the web, letting users send and receive texts from their PC. But is it better than Apple's Messages on the Mac?
How-To
How to upgrade your laptop’s RAM
You can significantly improve your laptop PC's performance by adding RAM, especially if you're running a 64-bit version of Windows.
Updated
How to find your motherboard’s Spectre CPU fix
Finding and installing Spectre CPU firmware updates for DIY PCs is complicated and involves updating your motherboard BIOS. Here's how.
How-To
How to test how much Spectre and Meltdown hurt your PC’s performance
Six steps to find out how much performance you lost from the Meltdown and Spectre patches
Updated
How to build the best free PC security software suite
By combining the best free PC security software available, you can fortify your PC against all manner of attacks.
How-To
Easy fixes for six common laptop problems
You don't need to be an expert to fix these problems yourself. Just follow our step-by-step guide.
How-To
How to use Miracast to mirror your device’s screen wirelessly on your TV—even 4K
Everything you need to know to figure out device support between newer and older devices, and setting it up with Windows or Android devices.
How-To
How to stream PC games anywhere
Streaming PC games lets you play them anywhere. Here's how to set up your home and devices for streaming, and how to use the Steam In-Home Streaming and Nvidia GameStream services.
How-To
How to switch from Mac to PC, part 6: Which Mac users should do it
Switching from Mac to PC is a big deal, and some people should—and others shouldn't. Here's what to consider if you're on the fence.How-To
How to buy and install a closed-loop liquid cooler—it’s not as scary as you think
Sealed all-in-one liquid-cooling systems are safe, effective, and easy to install. Here's how to buy and install a closed-loop liquid cooler.
How-To
Switching from Mac to PC, part 5: Gaming is a serious business
When you switch from a Mac to a Windows PC, one of the undisputed advantages is the bottomless trove of games. Here are pointers to the best resources.How-To
How to share Steam games with family and friends
With Steam's Family Library Sharing you can share your games library with others. Just be careful who you share with.How-To
How to back up your Steam games
Steam lets you re-download your purchased games, but sometimes it's easier to keep a local back up.
How-To
How to change where Steam installs your PC games
C:// isn't your only choice for storing Steam games if you have multiple drives attached to your PC.
How-To
Pimp your PC with an RGB lighting kit
How to set up a PC lighting controller, deck out your case with LED light strips and an RGB fan, and use lighting controller software to mange the show.
How-To
How to install Linux on a Chromebook
The Crouton project makes it simple to install a full Linux desktop operating system on a Chromebook.
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
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.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.
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How to connect your PC or laptop to any TV
Given a relatively recent PC or laptop, you can connect it to just about any TV with an input.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.Updated
How to set up your new Chromebook the right way
Follow these tricks for getting yourself up and running with the right apps, settings, and offline tools.
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.
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Why you should cover up your laptop’s webcam
A lot of high-profile people recommend covering up your laptop's webcam, but is it really necessary? We take a closer look.How-To
7 ways to save money when you build a PC
Building a PC doesn't have to break the bank. These tips and tools will help you keep the cost of a new DIY computer as low as possible.How-To
8 tech dangers every novice can avoid with these tips
Tech novices are easy targets for malware, phishing, and sleazy salespeople. Protect the novices you know with these tips to help them be smarter about buying and using their tech devices.
Updated
8 critical things to do immediately with a new PC
Set up your new computer the right way by performing these crucial tasks.How-To
7 things I learned once I built my first PC
There's always a first time for building a PC, and the guides can only go so far when it gets to specific details for each part. Read on for seven things I wished I'd known before I started.Answer Line
Do you have bad RAM? Here’s how to find out
Defective RAM can cause all sorts of problems. If you're wondering why your PC isn't behaving, a RAM diagnosis may be in order.Answer Line
How to control your kids’ computer and Internet use
Children and teenagers have legitimate reasons to go online, but if they're not controlled, they can wreak havoc—sometimes without trying.Hassle-Free PC
How to turn your screencast into a GIF with Recordit
Because sometimes an animated GIF really is worth a thousand words.Hassle-Free PC
How to know if your PC is ready for virtual reality
With Oculus Rift on preorder and HTC Vive coming soon, the big question is whether your PC will be up to the VR task. The Rift compatibility tool will tell you—and you don't need to preorder anything to use it.Answer Line
When you can’t create the Windows 10 Recovery Drive, try these three fixes
If you're running Windows 10, you need to create a Windows 10 Recovery Drive. But sometimes, instead of a bootable flash drive, you get the error message "We can't create a recovery drive on this PC." Try these workarounds.Hassle-Free PC
Easily share a web page on your next tech support call with Shove for Chrome
Sometimes tech support calls require a little Shove to get going.How-To
How to replace your PC’s motherboard
You can't avoid the work of replacing your PC's motherboard, but you can avoid the worst hassles. This guide will make it as painless as possible.
How-To
How to liquid-cool your graphics card in 20 minutes
Closed-loop liquid cooling can be yours for cheap, but read this first to make sure you and your GPU are up for it.Answer Line
When a CD or DVD is stuck or the drive won’t open
Maybe the disc is stuck. Maybe the door is stuck. Try these things first to see if you can fix it.
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A multi-monitor USB adapter lets you add a display even if you lack a spare video port
When you need to get serious work done, the more monitors the merrier. And if you don't have a spare VGA, DVI, or HDMI port, you can still use USB.World Beyond Windows
How to use Nvidia Optimus to switch active GPUs and save power on Linux laptops
Nvidia's power-saving Optimus technology is available on Linux, but the experience is far from smooth out of the box. Here's how to fix it.Answer Line