Latest Smart Tech How-To Stories
SEE SMART TECH STORIES BY CATEGORY
How-To
First-person-view drone racing: Five essential tips for beginning pilots
It's part video game and part action sport. First-person-view drone racing lets you fly at up to 70 mph in seemingly impossible places.Hassle-Free PC
This website helps you find cheap items to get free Amazon shipping
This site makes finding filler items on Amazon a breeze.
Hassle-Free PC
HTTPS errors: What to do when your PC freaks out
Connection errors are annoying, but they usually require a simple fix.Updated
8 nifty Chromecast tricks for Android and iOS users
Controlling your new Chromecast also goes beyond the Chromecast app itself. There are dozens of Android and iOS apps that'll work hand-in-hand with Chromecast. All you need to know is which button to tap. Learn how to find videos with your voice, "cast" your screen to your TV, share your Chromecast with guests, and more.
How-To
How to make Cortana search with Google instead of Bing in Windows 10
Windows 10's Cortana uses Bing for web searches by default with no official option to change it, but there are ways to get Cortana to embrace Google.
World Beyond Windows
Installing Linux on a Chromebook: What you need to know
Installing Linux on a Chromebook isn't difficult–if you know what you're doing.World Beyond Windows
How to find out if your PC is compatible with Linux
Can your PC run Linux? Probably. But here's how to find out for sure.Hassle-Free PC
The easiest way to wirelessly get videos from your PC to your tablet
Basically, BitTorrent Sync is the answer for everything.Max Productivity
4 ways to make Evernote smarter and safer
These pro tips cover checklists, IFTTT hacks, and other productivity boosters.
World Beyond Windows
Dual-booting Linux with Windows: What you need to know
Windows 10 or Linux Mint? You can have it both ways, but there are a few tricks for doing it right.How-To
How to install Linux on a PC with Secure Boot enabled
Installing Linux isn't as easy as it used to be, thanks to the Secure Boot requirements enforced by recent versions of Windows.
World Beyond Windows
How to install closed drivers, media codecs, and other forbidden stuff on Linux PCs
Linux is famous for its open-source nature, but sometimes you just need to use proprietary drivers or codecs. Here's how to do so on many of the top Linux distros.
Answer Line
When Wi-Fi doesn’t work, try these things first
Wi-Fi problems could be caused by your computer or your router, or some interaction that's gone awry. Here's how to identify and fix the problem.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.World Beyond Windows
How to use PPAs to install bleeding-edge software in Ubuntu and Linux Mint
PPAs are a great way for Linux users to install software that's unavailable in central repositories, but carry some risks you need to be aware of.
Hassle-Free PC
Stream music from your PC to almost any device with this free tool
Stream What You Hear provides an easy way to stream music from your PC to your phone or TV.Security Measures
5 steps to keep your smart home from being hacked
Security researchers needed just 5 to 20 minutes to hack most smart-home devices. Learn how to keep real hackers at bay with these five strategies.Security Measures
How to prevent mobile malware in 3 easy steps
Mobile malware tends to loiter in a few "bad neighborhoods" online that you should stay out of anyway.Hassle-Free PC
3 surprisingly easy PC repairs you should do yourself
You could pay someone to take care of these repairs for you, but you'd be surprised how easy they are with a little patience.Answer Line
How to install two or more operating systems on one PC
Sure, you can run Windows and Linux, or two versions of Windows, all on the same PC. Just follow these steps to do it right.Answer Line
What to do if someone steals your IP address
Maybe there's weird activity on your home network. Maybe your ISP's asking about illegal online dealings. That's when you need to check your IP address.
World Beyond Windows
Don’t forget one of Linux’s best features: How to use multiple workspaces
Just as Windows 10 is finally adding virtual desktops, many Linux environments are hiding workspaces by default. Here's everything you need to know to start using one of Linux's best features.World Beyond Windows
How to stop Ubuntu from sending your desktop searches to online retailers
Sick of seeing shopping results for the movie "The Terminator Theme" when you search Ubuntu for "Terminal"? Here's how to disable those annoying online search results.Updated
How to remove the dangerous Superfish adware preinstalled on Lenovo PCs
Lenovo has been preloading new consumer PCs with Superfish adware that injects ads and hijacks the secure HTTPS encryption of every site you visit. Eradicating the threat isn't easy, but here's how, complete with a new automated tool.Answer Line
How to protect your wireless router from malware
Your PC and your phone aren't the only devices that can catch an infection. The router that connects them to the Internet may also be vulnerable.
Answer Line
How to connect your laptop to your HDTV without HDMI
It's easy to connect a laptop to an HDTV–unless your laptop doesn't have the right port.
Hassle-Free PC
Wi-Fi triage: 5 common solutions to your wireless woes
Lost your Wi-Fi network? Can't get a proper signal? Before you call your ISP try these easy DIY fixes.Smart Mobile Tricks
How to teach contact names and relationships to Siri and Google Now
Help Google Now and Siri sift through your contacts faster by by assigning special names and relationships to your most important or frequent contacts
Answer Line
Take precautions when using public Wi-Fi networks
When you take your laptop to a library or café, you take a risk. But if you know what you're doing, you can minimize that risk.Hassle-Free PC
Three security-boosting steps to perform on every router
If you haven't done this with your router yet, do so STAT to make sure it's nice and secure.How-To
Travel safely with your tech: How to prevent theft, loss and snooping on the road
All your pricey electronics are juicy targets for hackers and sticky-fingered thieves. Here's how to reduce your risks while traveling.Smart Mobile Tricks
Shhh! 3 ways to keep your pre-Lollipop Android phone quiet
There's no official silent mode for KitKat and earlier phones, but there are some workarounds and apps you can try.Hassle-Free PC
Don’t throw it out! 5 handy uses for a secondary PC
Tossing out old PCs is such a wait. Put secondary computers to work instead with one of these five different uses.
Hassle-Free PC
How to find free Internet for your laptop while traveling
A solid Internet connection isn't always available on the road. Here's three ways to stay connected almost anywhere.
Answer Line
If Windows virtual memory is too low, you can increase it, but there are trade-offs
Virtual memory can expand your PC's capabilities, but it will also slow it down. Understanding the swap file will help you make the right decision.How-To
How to open files in desktop apps from Google Drive on the web
Google's latest 'blend online with offline' trick is automatically opening Google Drive files from the web with your desktop apps.Hassle-Free PC
Make Chrome’s New Tab page beautiful and more productive with these extensions
Tired of looking at the default new tab page in Chrome? Try these three extensions to spruce up their look.How-To
Build a hellacious PC with Intel’s Devil’s Canyon and AMD’s dual-GPU graphics monster
Combining Intel's fastest processor with AMD's beefiest graphics card melted our faces–in both gaming performance and sheer power usage. Join us as we build the beast.How-To
How to install the Windows 10 Technical Preview on a Mac
Get Microsoft's beta operating system on a virtual drive or right on your hard drive.How-To
It’s cheap and easy to make your own portable hard drive from an old PC drive
An external enclosure is all you need to give your old storage a new lease on life.How-To
How to use Microsoft Word’s works cited tools: Sources, footnotes, and more
From bibliographies to footnotes and beyond, here's everything you need to know to use Microsoft Word's works cited tools.World Beyond Windows
Netflix on Linux: How to get it today, and why it’s such a pain
Netflix on Linux is a hassle for two reasons sure to set open-source aficionados on edge: Microsoft and DRM. But you can get around it.How-To
How to ditch Google for more privacy and fewer ads
Tired of targeted ads? Protect your user data with these alternatives to Google, Gmail, Chrome, and Google Drive.
Answer Line
A router and an extender: When your laptop doesn’t know which to use.
Sometimes, you need two or more access points to spread your Wi-Fi throughout the house. But that can confuse a computer.Hassle-Free PC
Two Google scheduling tricks to keep you organized in the fall
The fall is always a big period of adjustment. These two tools baked into Google can help by keeping your academic, professional and home lives organized.How-To
6 powerful Google Drive features you’re probably not using
Don't overlook these little-known features of Docs, Sheets, and Slides.Hassle-Free PC
Not sure you want to buy a Chromebook this fall? Try out Chrome OS in Windows first
Chromebooks are still a drop in the bucket of PC sales overall, but there's no denying they are growing in popularity. If you're not sure you want to buy in just yet, Google offers a way to test drive Chrome OS in Windows 8.1.How-To
How to switch Chrome channels to test new features before they’re cool
Chrome's newest features aren't available to the typical installation. But there's a way you can get them early, before the public knows about them.
How-To
How to fix your Internet connection in Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu's networking should work out of the box with NetworkManager, but sometimes things go wrong. Here's how to get back online.Hassle-Free PC