Latest Software How-To Stories
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How-To
How to protect yourself from Amazon fraud
Many users — many scammers? If you don't want to fall victim to fraudsters and scammers on Amazon, you should pay attention to these important rules.
Tip
This scary AI recognizes passwords by the sound of your typing
British researchers have trained an artificial intelligence to recognize keystrokes by sound. A smartphone placed near a laptop served as the microphone.
How-To
10 extensions that turbocharge Windows Explorer
Explorer is by no means a perfect program. However, there are developers in the freeware and open source scene who are constantly introducing practical add-ons and additional functions for the file manager.
Tip
Brave browser: Do not save visited websites
The Internet browser Brave now offers a "Request Off the Record (OTR)" feature that hides your surfing from other users on your PC.
How-To
How to edit PDF files without any hassle
Need to make notes in a PDF, or perhaps correct a few typos or reorganize the pages? Here are the tools and tips you need.
How-To
Use Microsoft Office apps in your browser for free
You don't have to buy Word, Excel, and company or pay for a subscription. The Office programs are also available as free online versions that run directly in the web browser and are completely sufficient for most tasks.
How-To
Mastering PDFs: How to create, convert, and search
PDFs are very handy, but they have some quirks. Here's how to become an expert at handling them.
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How to turn off Microsoft Word's text predictions
Hate Microsoft Word's predictive text? Here's how to turn it off.
How-To
PC live images: Play games, repair issues, or try Linux – risk-free
If you want to try out something new on your computer, a live system is just the thing: Use one to start a Linux computer or a console game or turn your PC into a Chromebook.
Tip
7 must-know Steam tips to level up your PC gaming experience
Millions of people regularly use the Steam gaming platform. But there are some features that you probably don't know about yet.
How-To
How to use your browser as a password manager
The password managers of the major browsers were long regarded as narrow-gauge solutions for people who did not want to install separate tools. However, the current versions are catching up with the specialized programs.
How-To
21 Chrome tips to make browsing smoother and faster
Do you think Google Chrome consumes too much battery and works too slowly? Here are tips to make your browser faster and better.
How-To
10 must-know PC security tips that keep you safe online
Criminals are always finding new ways to steal confidential info and smuggle in malware. These tips can help keep you safe.
Tip
Microsoft OneDrive: How to edit images directly in the cloud
You can access your photos stored Microsoft's OneDrive via Windows Explorer. In addition to being able to view, share, and delete images, you can also edit them directly.
How-To
Your email account was hacked. What now?
Hackers hijack mail accounts to send spam unnoticed under someone else's name. But the intruders leave traces, and there are also ways to get rid of them again.
How-To
What is a zero day exploit? The most dangerous security attacks, explained
Zero-day gaps are software vulnerabilities for which no patch is yet available, although there is no time to lose. Nevertheless, you are not completely without protection.
How-To
How to install Ubuntu Linux the right way
Ubuntu 23.10 has been available for a few days. We show you how to install this Linux distribution on your PC and set it up according to your wishes.
Updated
Don't be fooled: Comcast's ‘10G’ doesn't mean what you think it does
Comcast says Xfinity offers 10G home internet, but the term "10G" is hazy and potentially misleading—especially because it has no relation to 5G for cell phones.
Tip
Don't click Google ads for software downloads. They're dangerous
Malvertising never goes away—it just changes tactics.
How-To
22 awesome open source programs that do everything you need
Open source software is available free of charge on the internet. There are solutions for almost every field of application with which you can work comfortably.
Tip
X (aka Twitter) used to be great for customer service. Here's where to go now
You once could use X to reach all kinds of companies for help. Lately I’ve been making more use of a different social media site instead.
How-To
How to use Stable Diffusion to create AI art on your PC
Hardly any other AI topic invites more experiments than image generators. However, they are not only available on the web, but also for your own (powerful) PC. We show what's needed for this.
Tip
How to import data from paper into Excel
You have a table on paper but need the data listed in Excel? There's a simple trick for importing.
How-To
The 5 most dangerous Wi-Fi attacks, and how to fight them
Your router is a popular target for hackers. But if you know how such an attack works, you can take protective measures beforehand to make it impossible for hackers to take over your Wi-Fi network, router, and home network.
How-To
Sick of Chrome and Edge? Switch to one of these 9 secure browsers instead
Chrome and Edge are not the only browsers for your computer.
How-To
Don't be scared: These simple UEFI BIOS tweaks make your PC better
The UEFI BIOS for motherboards have long been considered enthusiast territory only, but it's easy to tweak to improve your PC.
Updated
How to register your own domain name
Reserve a website name before someone else beats you to it. Here's how to do that using a domain name registrar service.
How-To
9 free AI tools that run locally on your PC
These clever AI tools can have a big impact by using elaborate models to tackle demanding tasks. The nine programs presented here have something in common besides AI: they are freely available.
How-To
50 programs that fix Windows problems with just a few clicks
All you need is the right software to quickly fix common Microsoft Windows headaches. Here are 50 ultra-handy tools.
How-To
Common tech knowledge debunked: 14 facts and myths
Experience at the PC protects you from many problems. But some seemingly proven tech knowledge is no longer valid: So what's true, and what's myth?
How-To
How to use SyncThing to sync files without the cloud
An in-depth guide to setting up SyncThing for free, cross-platform file sync.
Tip
Microsoft's free new developer app is handy for PC nerds, too
Microsoft has published a preview of the open source Dev Home app for Windows PCs. It's aimed at developers — but also contains some widgets that are interesting for home users.
Tip
Today I learned you can import Excel data from screenshots
If you come across a table on the web or in another source that you want to import into Excel, there's an import feature that does the work for you.
How-To
How to stop Chrome ads from using your browser history
Google has rolled out new ad integrity tools. Here's how to access them.
How-To
The best Linux backup tools: Don't put it off any longer
Although data backup is a rather annoying task, it's nevertheless necessary. We present tools that make backups particularly convenient and secure.
How-To
How to extend the trial period of software
Trialss help you try out all the features before buying software. With a few tricks, you can even extend the test period.
Tip
Chrome OS Flex is a strong Windows alternative for really old PCs
When using older PCs, working with Windows can be slow and tedious. Google's Chrome OS operating system is an alternative here.
How-To
This killer free software is like Windows search on steroids
DocFetcher searches your files and creates a full-text search index from them. This way it quickly finds all documents that contain a searched word. With our tips, you can get more out of the tool and outperform the Windows full-text search by a long way.
Tip
TinyWow: This free site makes editing and converting any file easy
The online service TinyWow offers features from very different areas, makes each immediately findable, and carries out the respective one-click task immediately and without installation.
How-To
How to put Chrome’s download notifications back at the bottom
Dramatic UI changes can be hard to adjust to. If Chrome’s new method for tracking downloads is throwing you off, here’s how to switch back.
Tip
Protect your privacy by changing these new Chrome settings
This newly launched set of controls helps you further avoid targeted ads—and is separate from your Google account settings.
How-To
Microsoft Word: 9 tricks and hidden features
Microsoft Word is by far the most widely used word processor, but it's not perfect. Some problems make everyday office life more difficult, some functions remain undiscovered. Read on for useful tips and tricks.
How-To
5 simple tips to make Gmail more secure
Our email services are full of personal information and it's important to protect it. Here are the tips to make your email more secure.
How-To
10 essential tips to make Google Chrome more secure
Are you aware of your browser's security settings? Here are the most important Chrome tips to help you surf more safely.
How-To
Windows 11: How to improve your security and privacy
We show you how Windows 11 keeps you safe and how to maximize your privacy.
Tip
How to control Windows PC volume with any keyboard
Use keyboard hotkeys for volume controls on any Windows PC.
Tip
How to fix common USB connection problems in Windows
Occasionally, problems can occur with USB connections. We offer solutions for fixing them in Windows 10 and 11.
How-To
Audacity turns your computer into a full-fledged sound studio – for free
The free Audacity software is all you need to edit audio, whether it's podcasts or music. Here's how the latest version works.
How-To
14 free tools: Obscure yet helpful software from Adobe, Microsoft, and more
Even big software makers like Adobe and Microsoft have free tools that offer astonishingly helpful functionality.
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