These are the articles I consider my best and most important articles — the ones I refer people to the most.
Most Important
Not sure where to start? Start with these three articles, beginning with the article I consider the most important:
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Internet Safety: 7 Steps to Staying Safe OnlineOnline security is critical. Here are the key steps you can take to keep yourself safe on the internet.2023-01-04 - #2374 |
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Why Is “Back Up First” Your Recommendation for Everything?Nothing protects you and your data like a complete, recent backup, even when it might not be obvious. That's why I harp on it so much.2021-12-23 - #33048 |
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How to Back Up WindowsUsing free and included tools, here's how to back up Windows and all your data in eight easy steps.2023-11-22 - #30103 |
Particularly Timely
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Should I Update to Windows 11? (May 2025 update)The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is getting closer. Do you need to upgrade to Windows 11?2025-05-10 - #135037 |
By Category
Protect Yourself
Protect Your Data
- Why Is “Back Up First” Your Recommendation for Everything?
- How To Back Up Windows 10
- How Do I Back Up My Computer?
- How To Use Cloud Storage Safely
Protect Your Computer
- 8 Steps to Securing Your Router
- What Security Software do you Recommend?
- How Do I Remove Malware from Windows 10 or 11?
- How to Remove PUPs and Other Unexpected Things From Your Computer
- Will Using an On-Screen Keyboard Stop Keyloggers?
- How to Avoid Ransomware
- How Do I Make Sure Windows is Up to Date?
- How Do I Fix Windows Update?
Protect Your laptop
Protect Your Online World
- A One Step Way to Lose Your Account … Forever
- 12 Steps To Keep from Getting Your Account Hacked
- Please Set Up and Maintain Account Recovery Information
- Is Using the Cloud Safe?
- Your Six Strongest Practical Password Techniques, Ranked
- How Long Should a Password Be?
- Why is It So Important to Use a Different Password for Everything?
- Why Password Managers are Safer than the Alternatives
- My Email Is Hacked, How Do I Fix It?
- Facebook hacked? What you need to do NOW
- What are my Lost Hotmail Account and Password Recovery Options?
Windows & Networking
- Where can I download Windows?
- How should I set up my home network?
- How do I best extend my wireless network for laptop access?
Performance
- Where’s my disk space going?
- Why is my machine slowing down?
- How do I find out what program is using all my CPU?
- How Do I Tell Which Program Is Using So Much Memory?
Opinion
- Embracing the Most Important Attitude
- The Most Important Skill You Can Improve
- If I Had to Do It Over…
Patronage
Best of Ask Leo! by email
Hopefully, you’ve signed up for Confident Computing, my weekly newsletter. I recommend you also sign up for The Best of Ask Leo!. Once a week you’ll get a full Ask Leo! article from the archives in your inbox. More information here.
All Articles by Date
I’ll warn you: there’s a bunch! Almost 6,000! You’ll find the full list – with most recent articles at the top – right here: All entries (by date).
Another view that might be useful is the full list of categories under which the articles are organized. You’ll find that here: All Categories.
