Latest Software How-To Stories
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How-To
Find storage space for Microsoft Flight Simulator with the free WinDirStat tool
Microsoft Flight Simulator and Call of Duty: Warzone each require 150GB+ of storage space to play. WinDirStat can help.
How-To
How to use Photoshop Blur Gallery for Bokeh effects and more
Photoshop Blur Gallery tools, plus three Effects tabs for Bokeh, Motion, and Noise, offer many options to fine-tune or transform your images.
How-To
7 ways your kids can have ‘recess’ while distance-learning from home
Distance learning may still be the unfortunate reality this fall, but there are ways for your kids to socialize with their friends and classmates, and get some exercise.
How-To
Photoshop Blur filters: What they are and how to use them
Photoshop Blur filters are designed primarily for retouching images—to soften, haze, cloud, fuzz, or distort specific areas of a picture or the entire image. Here's how to use them.
How-To
Photoshop Shapes: What they are and how to use them
How to access, use, edit, create, convert, and download Photoshop Shapes.
How-To
How to back up your Google Photos library and keep your metadata
If you want to create a full backup of your Google Photos library, you're going to lose all of your metadata. Here's how to keep it intact.
Tip
How to stop website notifications in Chrome
If you never want websites to send you notifications in Chrome, here's how to turn off notification prompts forever.
How-To
Photoshop Styles: What they are and how to use them
Photoshop styles are works of art that can be applied to text, objects, vector shapes, illustrations, or photos. Here's how to access and use them.
How-To
Microsoft Word reads to you: How to use the Speak and Read Aloud commands
Can Microsoft Word read to you? Yes, it can. The Speak feature was incorporated into Microsoft Office back in version 2003. Here's how it works.
Smart Mobile Tricks
11 quick ways to clear space on an overstuffed Android phone
Zap cached app files in a single tap, clear the Downloads folder, delete unneeded offline maps, take charge of music downloads, and more.
How-To
How to share large video files on Android
Videos sent directly through text message or a chat app often end up tiny, blurry, and difficult to view—here's how to share them in all their glory.
How-To
Outlook organization tips: 5 ways to tame the email pile
These helpful tips can help you cut through inbox clutter and organize Outlook.
Max Productivity
Meet DATEDIF(), Excel’s secret Date & Time function that’s still handy
DATEDIF(), which means Date + Dif, is a compatibility function left over from Lotus 1-2-3 that Microsoft adopted in Excel version 2000. It's fallen off current Excel menus, but you can still use it. Here's how.
How-To
How to edit PDFs in Microsoft Word
For light PDF users, everything you need is in a tool you use every day.
Max Productivity
6 ways to manage emails and control spam in Outlook
Blocking senders, setting rules, and other ways to keep the email pile safe as well as sane.
How-To
Microsoft Excel: Why your spreadsheet is so slow
When Microsoft Excel complains it "cannot complete this task with available resources," or it's "Out of memory," here's what to do.
Updated
How to improve your writing using Editor for the online version of Word, Chrome, or Edge
Microsoft's Editor feature for Word for the Web (the online version of Word) provides simple, easy-to-parse grammar and spelling suggestions. Here's how to improve your writing with Editor for Word Online, Microsoft Edge, or Google Chrome.
How-To
Excel: How to create simple and dependent drop-down lists
Drop-down lists in Excel let you create a list of valid choices that you can select for a given field. We'll show you how to use tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, and table styles.
How-To
Funny Zoom trick: Wear a celebrity’s face to your next meeting
Using Zoom with Snap Camera, you can wear a celebrity's face to your next video meeting like Donald Trump, Joe Biden, or Joe Exotic. Create a virtual background to sell it even more!
Updated
How to make a funny Zoom background to entertain your friends and coworkers
A Zoom background hides your clutter and can entertain your friends and coworkers. Here's how to do it, with either a still image or video.
How-To
Best funny Zoom background trick: Put yourself in a looping video so you can skip the meeting
This Zoom background trick is handy: Record a video of yourself that you can loop as a virtual background, so you can duck out on the meeting.
How-To
How to use animated GIFs as backgrounds in Zoom video
Here's how to use your favorite animated GIFs as a background in Zoom video.
Max Productivity
10 pro tips for creating Excel macros
Excel macros save you time and headaches by automating repetitive tasks, and you don’t have to be a programmer to write one. Use these tips to make macro recording a cinch.
How-To
Photoshop tips to boost your skills: Scratch Disk, Image Fill, Masks, Brushes, Vignettes
These Photoshop tips start with managing your Scratch Disk, then dive right into Content-Aware Fill, Clipping Mask, Brushes, and Vignettes.
How-To
How to use your Android phone as a webcam for video conferencing and virtual meetings
If you need a webcam in a pinch, here's how your Android phone can pitch in.
How-To
How to share your Android phone’s mobile connection by tethering or hotspot
If you need to get Wi-Fi on your laptop in a jiffy, your Android phone can help.
How-To
How to set up Zoom video for dual monitors and screen sharing with PowerPoint
If you want to set up dual monitors for sharing presentations with Zoom video, your job isn't done just yet. Here are some further tweaks you need to do.How-To
How to look fresh and professional in videoconferences and web meetings
Working remotely? Your videoconferencing look could be scarier than you realize. These simple tips will help you look your best.
Updated
How to set up a VPN in Windows
Step-by-step instructions for configuring the built-in VPN client in Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Updated
Excel formulas: The most popular functions and tools, with examples
Excel has over 475 formulas in its Functions Library, but we've selected the most popular, from date and time functions to mathematics and simple data manipulation.
Max Productivity
Word macros: Four examples to automate your documents
Use these step-by-instructions on Word macros to turn complex procedures into one-click wonders.
Updated
How to use Windows’ Your Phone app to connect your phone to your PC
We'll walk you through how to use Windows 10's Your Phone app, from basic setup to its ability to show texts and notifications, remotely interact with your Android phone's screen, and even place calls.
Max Productivity
How to get special characters using Alt key codes or the Word Symbols library
Alt key codes give you access to hundreds of special ASCII characters, from accent marks to tiny icons. We show you how to use the Alt codes and also Word's Symbol library.
How-To
How to create Excel macros and automate your spreadsheets
Excel macros are like mini-programs that perform repetitive tasks, saving you a lot of time and typing. Here's everything you need to know to start programming macros yourself.
How-To
How to use, modify, and create templates in Word
Word templates provide the design consistency that any organization (or individual) needs to look professional. Here's how to use pre-made templates or create your own.Tip
Tip: You can still upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free
Windows 7 went end-of-life today, but you can still take advantage of Microsoft's offer of a free Windows 10 upgrade, even though it officially ended years ago.
How-To
Windows 7 is dead: How to stay as safe as possible after the security updates stop
Windows 7 is officially end of life, meaning it will no longer receive security updates. If you're going to keep using it, here's how to stay as safe as possible.
Max Productivity
Your Excel formulas cheat sheet: 22 tips for calculations and common tasks
Save this for the spreadsheet jocks in your office—we'd bet even the experts don't know all of these formula tips.
How-To
How to work with Microsoft Word’s cursive, script or handwriting fonts
Microsoft Word offers a variety of cursive and handwriting fonts. For this story, we'll discuss the ones available in Windows 10.
Updated
How to remove your login password from Windows 10
Sure, you can remove your password from your Windows 10 PC, as long as it's in a very safe place. Here's how.
How-To
7 free GIMP scripts and plug-ins for filters, brushes, textures and more
Some of GIMP’s greatest assets are the plug-ins and scripts created by numerous independent programmers. We'll find some good ones for you.
How-To
8 tips to help you get started with Paint.net
DotPDN's Paint.net is a free photo-editing software program with a lot to offer. It has the basic skill set to edit your photographs, it’s intuitive, and it’s easy to use.
How-To
GIMP basics: Best tips and tricks for beginners
GIMP has matured into a truly incredible photo-editing program. If you’re coming by way of Photoshop, however, use these tips to ease the transition.
How-To
If you’re not seeing the new Google Assistant on your Pixel 4, here’s how to fix it
Even of you have the Google Pixel 4, the new Google Assistant might still be in hiding. Here's how to find it.
How-To
Photo editing basics: 6 tips for polishing and perfecting finished images
Make your digital images even better by using photo editing software to polish and perfect the finished images. We cover basic tips for getting started.
How-To
Excel: Top 10 tips for beginners
If you're just getting started using Microsoft Excel, these tips will help you create a spreadsheet and write a formula.
How-To
How to collaborate on Microsoft Office files in G Suite
G Suite lets you edit Docs, Sheets, and Slide files with other collaborators, and you can do the same with Microsoft Office files. Here’s how to get started.
Tip
Android 10: Ten essential tips for overlooked features
The latest version of Android is packed with new features, but some are quite subtle, so let's point them out.
How-To
How to save money and scan your photos digitally using your phone and Google PhotoScan
School photos and wedding photographers now offer you the rights to digital images for an additional fee. But using Google PhotoScan and your smartphone, you may be able to create your own digital images, for free.
How-To