How-To Geek

Chris Hoffman-Former Editor-in-Chief

Chris Hoffman

Former Editor-in-Chief

Contributor Since August, 2010
Expertise
Windows, computer hardware, Cloud & Internet
  • 2882
    articles
  • 8
    News
  • 2857
    Features
  • 17
    Guides

About Chris Hoffman

Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He oversees all How-To Geek's content to ensure it's as accurate and in-depth as possible. Since 2011, Chris has personally written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than one billion times---and that's just here at How-To Geek.

With over a decade of writing experience in the field of technology, Chris has written for a variety of publications including The New York Times, Reader's Digest, IDG's PCWorld, Digital Trends, and MakeUseOf. Beyond the web, his work has appeared in the print edition of The New York Times (September 9, 2019) and in PCWorld's print magazines, specifically in the August 2013 and July 2013 editions, where his story was on the cover. He also wrote the USA's most-saved article of 2021, according to Pocket.

Chris was a PCWorld columnist for two years. He founded PCWorld's "World Beyond Windows" column, which covered the latest developments in open-source operating systems like Linux and Chrome OS. Beyond the column, he wrote about everything from Windows to tech travel tips.

The news he's broken has been covered by outlets like the BBC, The Verge, Slate, Gizmodo, Engadget, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, ZDNet, The Next Web, and Techmeme. Instructional tutorials he's written have been linked to by organizations like The New York Times, Wirecutter, Lifehacker, the BBC, CNET, Ars Technica, and John Gruber's Daring Fireball. His roundups of new features in Windows 10 updates have been called "the most detailed, useful Windows version previews of anyone on the web" and covered by prominent Windows journalists like Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley on TWiT's Windows Weekly. His work has even appeared on the front page of Reddit.

Art

Latest Articles

Two RAM modules near a computer case.
RAM
How to Test Your Computer's RAM for Problems

Are you having computer problems? You should test your RAM.

RAM being removed from a Lenovo laptop showing its motherboard and other components.
RAM
How to See How Much RAM Is In Your PC (and Its Speed)

Don't want to open up your computer to see how much RAM is installed?

ASUS Chromebook 12 C223NA
chromebooks
How to Enable Developer Mode on Your Chromebook

Flip the switch to install Android APKs, access the root system, and more.

A TV and a color wheel in the center with the HDR10+ symbol.
Hardware
What is the HDR10+ Standard?

Dolby Vision isn't the only game in town.

Open laptop displaying a Windows boot error screen with a boot icon and warning alert in front, at the center of the screen.
Backup & Recovery
What to Do When Windows Won't Boot

What happens when nothing works?

Google Pixel and iPhone.
Android
What to Do if You Can't Receive Text Messages From iPhone Users

You can probably blame iMessage for it.

Microsoft Word open on a Mac.
office 365
How to Install and Use Add-ins for Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office allows you to add more functionality through add-ins.

The Settings app on the 'About' page.
Windows 10
How to Find Out Which Build and Version of Windows 10 You Have

Service packs are a thing of the past.

img_5ad91bb7c33c9
Linux
How to Move Ubuntu’s Launcher Bar to the Bottom or Right

You can now move the Ubuntu desktop's launcher bar from the left side of your screen to the bottom or right instead.

A Windows 10 desktop background.
Windows 10
How to Disable the SmartScreen Filter In Windows 10 or 8

A little extra safety.

The Terminal open on Ubuntu.
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Launch a Terminal Window on Ubuntu Linux

A way to open the Terminal for any occasion.

An HP printer on a desk.
Windows 10
How to Manage a Printer in Windows 10

Control Panel is still useful.

The Google Maps app.
Google Maps
How to See How Busy a Store Is Right Now with Google Maps

Know before you go.

Windows Terminal open with an Ubuntu VM running in WSL
Windows 11
How to Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11

Linux is easier to install than ever on Windows 11.

A Windows 10 desktop.
Windows 10
How to Disable the Lock Screen on Windows 10

Get that pesky Windows lock screen out of the way.

The Netgear Nighthawk RAX300 router on a bookshelf.
Hardware
How to Kick People Off Your Wi-Fi Network

Want someone off your Wi-Fi? Here's how to kick their devices from your network.

A router.
Windows 10
How to See All Your Saved Wi-Fi Passwords on Windows 10

Windows remembers the passwords of every Wi-Fi network you've ever connected to. Here's how to see them.

An iPhone with a third-party email app installed.
iPhone & iPad
How to Free Up Space Used By Your iPhone or iPad's Mail App

Apple's Mail app doesn't provide a lot of control over how much storage it uses.

The lock screen of a Linux PC.
Windows 10
How to Install and Use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10

You can use BASH on Windows 10, but WSL is so much more than just that.

A mouse with green lighting on a table.
Windows 10
How to Change the Mouse Pointer Color and Size on Windows 10

More colors than you know what to do with.

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