How-To Geek - We Explain Technology

How to Fix a PC Stuck on “Don’t Turn Off” During Windows Updates

The “Getting Windows ready, Don’t turn off your computer” message appears while Windows is installing updates. Windows will normally finish the installation process if you give it time—but, if it’s been hours, you may just need to restart your PC.

The Best In-Wall Smart Light Switches

If smart bulbs aren’t your thing (although we tend to love them), then smart light switches might be more up your alley. Here are the best in-wall smart light switches you should consider if you want to take your lighting game to the next level.

What Is An ISO File (And How Do I Use Them)?

An ISO file (often called an ISO image), is an archive file that contains an identical copy (or image) of data found on an optical disc, like a CD or DVD. They are often used for backing up optical discs, or for distributing large file sets that are intended to burned to an optical disc.

How to Rotate Your PC’s Screen (or Fix a Sideways Screen)

Windows can rotate your screen without any extra software. This is especially useful if you have a desktop monitor that rotates. Many PCs have hotkeys that can rotate your screen, too, and these are easy to accidentally press.

The Best Couch Co-Op Games For the Xbox One

Sometimes you just want to chill with the competition and play a game together. If you want to get some co-op action going on your Xbox One, we have the games for you.

How to Round Off Decimal Values in Excel

If you don’t want to show decimal values in Excel, you can simplify your numerical data using the ROUND functions. Excel offers three functions: ROUND, ROUNDUP, and ROUNDDOWN. Let’s take a look at how they work.

The 5 Best Handheld Vacuums For Cleaning Up Quick Spills

Vacuum cleaner options are vast and wonderful. You can buy a heavy bag on wheels, a stick vacuum cleaner, or something even smaller than that. If you’re after a handheld cleaner, we’ve checked out the best.

How to Archive Your Data (Virtually) Forever

You may very well be the king of backing up your data regularly, but archiving your data is a completely different ball game. Here’s how you can archive your digital files and keep them around for generations to come.

7 Great Lumbar Cushions For Supporting Your Back While You Work

When sitting, it’s important to keep your back well supported. After all, it’s a fundamental part of your body and skeletal structure. One great way of protecting it is through the use of a lumbar support pillow. Here’s our top picks.

8 Things You Might Not Know About Chromebooks

Chromebooks have come a long way since the original Cr-48 back in 2010, and are now more powerful (and mainstream) than ever. If you’re curious about Google’s web-centric operating system, here are some things you may not know.

14 Apple TV Remote Tips and Tricks You Should Know

The Apple TV remote is a simple piece of gadgetry, but it packs a punch considering that each button can do multiple things. Here are some Apple TV remote tips and tricks that you should know in order to take your Apple TV game to the next level.

The Steam Link Is The Best Living Room Companion For PC Gamers

If you’re a PC gamer with even a passing interest in a living room setup, you should grab a Steam Link. This gadget is the ideal way to extend your sessions to the big screen.

The Best Rugged Flash Storage Drives

People who frequently travel with important or sensitive data need some way to store it—preferably on a medium that can take a beating. These flash drives and storage drives fit the bill.

Why Every App Pushes Notifications Now, and How to Stop It

Are you exhausted from all your notifications? You’re not alone: notifications aren’t what they used to be.

Android Messages for Web: What It Is and How to Use It

Android users have long been able to send texts from their computers with third-party tools like Pushbullet or MightyText. But Google is taking this function native with a new feature called Messages for Web. Here’s what it’s all about.

What’s the Difference Between the Fire 7, 8, and 10 Tablets?

Amazon’s Fire Tablets offer some of the best bang for your buck you can get in a tablet today, but there are more differences to these tablets than just the size. Here’s a breakdown of what you get with each.

What Makes a Cine Lens Different From Regular Lenses?

Good camera lenses don’t come cheap, but if you’re window shopping on Amazon or B&H Photo, you might notice some extreme outliers: cine lenses (or cinema lenses) designed specifically for filmmakers. While you can get a Canon 50mm f/1.8 for $125, the Canon 50mm T/1.3 cine lens is a cool $3,950. So, what sets this cine lens apart? Let’s find out.

How “Windows Sonic” Spatial Sound Works

Microsoft added “Windows Sonic” spatial sound to Windows 10 back in the Creators Update. Windows Sonic for Headphones is disabled by default, but you can enable it for virtual surround sound. This option is available on the Xbox One, too.

Which Smart Lock Should You Buy?

There are a handful of smart locks to choose from, but not all are created equal. Here’s what you should know about the different kinds of smart locks and which ones you should consider buying.

The Most Durable Lightning Cables For Your Charging Needs

The design of the Lightning cable connector is an improvement over past plug types, but the cables are still prone to wear and tear. We’ve rounded up the most durable Lighting cables so you can get more mileage out of them.

The Best Game Controllers for Android

If you’re looking to kill some time with a game on your phone, you don’t have to sit around and tap away on the screen. If you want the best gaming experience on mobile, you need to add a controller.

How to Create and Work with Multilevel Lists in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word lets you easily create and format multilevel lists in your documents. You can choose from a variety of formatting options, including bulleted, numbered, or alphabetized lists. Let’s take a look.

The Best Video Players for Android

If you have local videos stored on your Android phone, there’s no shortage of ways to give them a watch. But that doesn’t mean all options are created equally—these are the best video apps for Android.

The Best Windows-Powered Ultrabooks

Windows still rules the roost in terms of PC users and utility. If you’re looking for a new thin-and-light laptop (and macOS and Chrome just won’t cut it), these are the best available today.

How to Use the Ping Command to Test Your Network

The ping command sends packets of data to a specific IP address on a network, and then lets you know how long it took to transmit that data and get a response. It’s a handy tool that you can use to quickly test various points of your network. Here’s how to use it.

How to Fix All of Windows 10’s Annoyances

Windows 10 starts as a very annoying operating system. The Start menu is full of games like Candy Crush, advertisements are all over the place, and useless icons like People litter the taskbar. Here’s how to eliminate all those annoyances.

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The Colors Of The Rainbow Were Identified And Set As They Are Now By?

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No Commercial Interruptions: Why The World Cup Feels More Modern Than the NFL in the Netflix Age

Soccer isn’t a technologically advanced game, but in one way it feels more modern than the four major sports in North America: you’re not being constantly being interrupted by commercials. Read More »

Edge Will Aggressively Block Ads on Android and iPhone

Microsoft is adding an adblocker to the mobile version of Edge, meaning anyone who wants to block ads will simply need to toggle a setting. Read More »

Apple Will Fix Your Sticky or Busted MacBook Keyboard For Free

Apple is offering to repair faulty MacBook keyboards, free of charge, after over a year of intense criticism. Read More »

Free Download: Measure Anything Using Your Android Camera

Android: Measure is a free app from Google that uses your camera and augmented reality to measure any object. It’s really cool. Read More »

Microsoft Nintendoes What Sony Nintendon’t

Microsoft and Nintendo are best buddies. Okay, not really, but Nintendo did put an ad today in which Xbox and Nintendo Switch owners share some Minecraft adventures. Read More »

Quickly Add Trello Cards From the Gmail Sidebar

Turn any email into a card in Trello, in just a couple of clicks. It’s simple using the sidebar in Gmail. Read More »

Your Favorite PC Games Might Be Watching You Play (Just Like Mobile Games Always Have)

Game studios are using analytics software to monitor in-game activity and if determine if ads are effective. Some gamers are creeped out by that, which is prompting publishers to stand down. Read More »

Make Ubuntu Look Like macOS Mojave’s Dark Mode

If you’re a Linux user who likes the look of the dark mode coming in macOS Mojave, you’re in luck: there’s a GTK theme just for you. Read More »

Microsoft News is a Clean App For Browsing and Reading News on Mobile, Offers Dark Mode

Microsoft News is a clean, fast way to browse a variety of headlines, and even offers a dark mode. It’s brand new today on Android and iPhone/iPad. Read More »

Brace Yourself: Video Ads Are Coming to Facebook Messenger

Messenger is one of the cleaner Facebook products, but that’s about to change: autoplaying video ads are coming to the service. Read More »

Why Does Apple Promote the Latest macOS on Unsupported Devices?

The Mac App Store aggressively promotes free operating system upgrades, even on older computers that can’t install them. Why? Read More »

macOS Makes Unencrypted Thumbnails of Your Encrypted Files

Your Mac is always making thumbnails and previews for Quick Look, and those same previews cache information you might prefer to keep secret. Read More »

Text From Your Computer With This New Android Feature, Rolling Out Now

Messages for Android will soon allow you to text from your computer. The feature is rolling out this week, according to Google. Read More »

Enable Dark Mode in High Sierra, Sort Of

Excited for Dark mode in macOS, but not ready to install the Mojave developer beta? You can enable an experimental version right now in High Sierra. Read More »

iOS 12 Will Share Precise Location Data For 911 Calls

Your iPhone will soon share accurate location data when you call 911, allowing emergency workers to know exactly where you’re calling from even if you can’t tell them. This is a new feature in iOS 12, which is coming later this fall. Read More »