Articles tagged: Featured
I Gave AI My Search History and Here’s What It Told Me
I was listening to a podcast recently in which one of the hosts described giving ChatGPT the history of the questions he had asked it and then asking it to build a profile on him based on that. It was interesting, of course, but it got me to thinking... why not use internet searches as ... Read more
How to Securely Wipe the Windows System Drive
Reformatting the system drive takes a little more effort than other drives. Here are three ways to get it done.
How Do I Get Rid of OneDrive?
Some people just want it GONE. I'll show you how to get rid of OneDrive.
How Do I Fix “The App You’re Trying to Install Isn’t a Microsoft-Verified App”?
"The app you’re trying to install isn’t a Microsoft-verified app" message is the result of a simple setting you can change.
8 Ways You Can Increase Internet Speed in Windows
Internet speed: we all want it. Here's how to improve yours.
Passkeys and Disaster Planning
Passkeys are new, convenient, and secure. I'll review how they affect your disaster planning. (Not very much.)
How Do I Transfer Purchased Software to My New Machine?
Transferring installed software to a new machine isn't as easy as we might like. I'll list the options.
10 Ways to Make Windows 10 and 11 Faster
Computers slow down for many reasons. I'll review some of the steps you can take to speed yours up again.
How to Back Up Windows
Using free and included tools, here's how to back up Windows and all your data in eight easy steps.
Why Does My Phone Charge Slowly on Some Chargers?
Why do some chargers work faster or slower than others? We'll take a look at some basic electrical concepts to understand what to look for in a charger.
Why Can’t I Talk to a Real Person?
There are many reasons you're more likely to be directed to online and self-help resources than talk to a real person.
Why Are There So Many Files?
Your computer likely has many more files on it than you realize. That's quite normal.
How Websites Remember You: Diving into Cookies & More
Websites remember that you signed in previously both as a convenience and as a way to make using the site possible.
How Should I Keep Recovery Codes Secure?
Recovery codes protect you against account loss. The issue? Where to store them safely.
How to Avoid Losing Data No Matter What
Another day, another story of data loss. The frustrating thing is that it doesn't have to happen.
Should I Disconnect My Backup Drive When I’m Not Backing Up?
Some people disconnect their backup drive when not backing up because they fear ransomware. I explain why that's a Really Bad Idea.
What Is and Is Not Spam
Understanding what is and is not spam is important to make sure you get what you want and improve spam filtering for everyone.
How Do I Free Space in Outlook.com Without Losing Emails?
To avoid running out of space in your Microsoft/Outlook.com account, you can archive email messages to your PC.
No, Don’t Write Down Passwords
The world's largest magazine dispensed some bad tech advice. Here's why I so strongly disagree.
How Do I Use Two Google Accounts at the Same Time?
It's possible to use more than one Google account at the same time, though it's easy to lose track of which one you're in.
How to Fix Windows Not Recognizing USB Device
A checklist to resolve Windows not recognizing USB devices.
What I’ve Learned Answering Questions for 20 Years
It was 20 years ago today I started having something to say.
How Can I Avoid Losing My Business Email Account?
Losing your business email account can have dire repercussions. I'll show you how to protect yourself.
Why Can’t I Upload a Backup Image to the Cloud?
Uploading backup images sounds good until you do the math.
Dealing With Proprietary Backup Formats
If your backup program writes to a proprietary format, you may not be able to access it decades from now. I'll discuss how to prepare.
Can’t I Just Delete My Hacked Account?
Deleting an account you don't have access to is kind of the same as deleting an account you don't own.
Is Using a Shared Wi-fi Hotspot Safe?
Free accessible Wi-Fi is almost ubiquitous, and most systems are set up to use it safely. There are a few things to pay attention to in order to stay safe.
If I Leave a Service Like LastPass, Does My Data Remain Online?
When you leave a service, or if your information is stolen from that service, there may be steps you need to take.
How Do I Move Email to an External Hard Drive?
The Outlook.com/OneDrive space limitation has many people looking for ways to download and preserve emails offline.
What Is a Passkey?
Passkeys are a new form of authentication that promise to be both easier and more secure.
The Problem With OneDrive Backup
OneDrive's backup function is broken. I'll explain why and what to do about it.
Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer
When free services seem to change arbitrarily, it's easy to wonder if they're paying attention to their customers. They probably are -- just not the ones you think.
Can I Still Use LastPass Safely?
Selecting another password manager is now the common recommendation. I'll review what you can do if you elect to keep using LastPass.
Is It OK to Leave a Thumb Drive Inserted All the Time?
Leaving a flash drive or USB thumb drive plugged in all the time runs a small risk of prematurely wearing it out. We'll look at why, and what to do.
Will AI Crack Your Passwords?
We're seeing AI associated with many things. Cracking your passwords is now on the list.
Don’t Use Windows Built-in Image Backup
The Windows 7 Backup and Restore tool is still present in Windows 11, but that doesn't mean you should use it.
Why is My Outlook.com Email Suddenly Full?
Microsoft made a confusing change to how storage is allocated between Outlook.com and OneDrive.
What’s the Best Password Manager for 2024?
The best password manager is the password manager you'll use (within reason, of course).
Is AI Taking Over the World?
AI isn't about to enslave humanity -- at least not any time soon -- but it's definitely here and changing the world in both positive and negative ways.
Running CHKDSK When CHKDSK Won’t Run
Normally, you can request CHKDSK be run on the system drive at the next reboot. If that doesn't work, there is another way.
Why You — Yes, You — Are a Target of Hackers
Even if your bank account is zero or you're just not that interesting, hackers are still after your accounts. Here's why, and what you can do.
How Should I Back Up When Traveling?
Backing up while on the road can be a challenge. I'll review what's practical and how to keep your data safe.
What Encryption Software Do You Recommend?
There are many different tools for encryption. The right one depends on what you're attempting to accomplish.
Why Is It Important to Have Different Passwords on Different Accounts?
Using a different password for every login is crucial -- and it doesn't have to be difficult.
How to Use Cloud Storage Safely
Cloud service providers often give us lots of storage we can use for cloud backup. How to use it safely, however, isn't always obvious.
Just What Is Common Sense?
'Common sense' is frequently suggested, often missing, and rarely defined. I'll take a look at some of what I feel are the characteristics of common sense.
