Chris Hoffman
Contributing since August, 2010
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2888articles
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About Chris Hoffman
Chris Hoffman is the former Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. 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.
Articles he's written have been used as a source for everything from books like Team Human by Douglas Rushkoff, media theory professor at the City University of New York's Queens College and CNN contributor, to university textbooks and even late-night TV shows like Comedy Central's @midnight with Chris Hardwick.
Starting in 2015, Chris attended the Computer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for five years running. At CES 2018, he broke the news about Kodak's "KashMiner" Bitcoin mining scheme with a viral tweet. A wave of negative publicity ensued, with coverage on BuzzFeed News, CNBC, the BBC, and TechCrunch. The company's project was later reportedly shut down by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In addition to his extensive writing experience, Chris has been interviewed as a technology expert on TV news and radio shows. He gave advice on dark web scans on Miami's NBC 6, discussed Windows XP's demise on WGN-TV's Midday News in Chicago, and shared his CES experiences on WJR-AM's Guy Gordon Show in Detroit.
Chris also ran MakeUseOf's email newsletter for two years. Nearly 400,000 subscribers received the newsletter complete with a handwritten tip every day.
Latest Articles
How to Prevent the Windows Key, Alt+Tab, and Sticky Keys From Ruining Your Gaming
Windows is designed for desktop use, not gaming.
No, Disabling IPv6 Probably Won't Speed Up Your Internet Connection
Windows, Linux, and other operating systems all have built-in support for IPv6, and it's enabled by default.
How to Easily Encrypt Files on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
You can hide files on any operating system, but hidden files can be accessed by anyone with access to your PC or its storage.
Use These Tools To Change Settings Removed From Ubuntu and GNOME
In 2005, Linus Torvalds said, "I don't use GNOME, because in striving to be simple, it has long since reached the point where it simply doesn't do what I need it to do.
How to Disable or Reassign The Caps Lock Key on Any Operating System
For most people, Caps Lock is only an obstacle to avoid while typing.
It's Time: Why You Need to Upgrade to an SSD Right Now
It's time to upgrade to an SSD if you're still using a mechanical hard drive in your computer.
The Windows Store is a Cesspool of Scams -- Why Doesn't Microsoft Care?
Microsoft's Windows Store is a mess.
How to Hide Files and Folders on Every Operating System
A hidden file or folder is just a normal file or folder with a "hidden" option set.
Understanding the Load Average on Linux and Other Unix-like Systems
Linux, Mac, and other Unix-like systems display "load average" numbers.
How to Reset a Windows Program to Its Default Settings
If a program isn't working right, just reinstalling it won't necessarily fix it.
Be Prepared: Create a Recovery Drive for Windows, Linux, Mac, or Chrome OS
Computers don't come with operating system installation CDs anymore.
How to Sync Any Folder to the Cloud With Symbolic Links
The big cloud storage services -- Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and others -- all have the same problem.
How to Install Hardware Drivers on Windows Without the Bloat
Use the drivers Windows provides and you won't have to worry about bloatware.
How to Back Up and Migrate Your Linux Configuration Files
Linux applications store their settings in hidden folders inside each user account's home folder.
What is "Other" Storage on an iPhone or iPad?
Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your computer, open iTunes, and you'll see a large amount of space used by "Other" storage.
What's the Difference Between Main, Restricted, Universe, and Multiverse on Ubuntu?
Ubuntu provides four different software repositories, all of them official -- Main, Restricted, Universe, and Multiverse.
How to Find Your Computer's Uptime and Installation Date
"My computer's been running for 100 days without a reboot!" "I haven't reinstalled Windows in five years!" Geeks love to brag about this stuff.
What is a Windows Domain and How Does It Affect My PC?
Windows domains are typically used on large networks -- corporate networks, school networks, and government networks.
Yes, You Can Use Electronics During Takeoff and Landing: What You Need to Know
Regulatory agencies in the US, Canada, and Europe now allow you to use electronics during takeoff and landing.