Chris Hoffman

Contributing since August, 2010

2888

articles

Page 98

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

Windows 10

How to Use and Configure Windows 10’s Gestures on a Laptop Touchpad

Windows 8 had trackpad edge swipes that opened the charms bar and did other things desktop users didn't care about.

Aug 31, 2015

Features

13 Things You Can Do With the Google Settings App on Any Android Device

Google automatically added the Google Settings app to nearly all Android devices back in 2013.

Aug 28, 2015

Features

How to Prevent Your Local Searches From Being Sent Over the Internet

All modern operating systems -- from smartphones and tablets to desktops and laptops -- automatically send your local searches over the Internet and provide web results.

Aug 26, 2015

Windows 10

How to Disable the “Get Office” Notifications on Windows 10

Windows 10 doesn't include Microsoft Office, but it does include regular advertisements encouraging you to download it.

Aug 25, 2015

Windows 10

How to Install or Upgrade to Windows 10 on a Mac With Boot Camp

Apple now supports Windows 10 in Boot Camp.

Aug 24, 2015

Windows 10

How to Upgrade a Linux Dual-Boot System to Windows 10

If you're a Linux user, there's a good chance you've installed Linux alongside an existing Windows 7 or 8.

Aug 24, 2015

Features

How to Opt Out of Personalized Ads on Any Smartphone, Tablet, or PC

Modern mobile operating systems -- Apple's iOS, Google's Android, and Microsoft's Windows 10 -- all provide a unique advertising identifier to apps you use.

Aug 23, 2015

Features

What is Swapfile.sys and How Do You Delete It?

Windows 10 (and 8) include a new virtual memory file named swapfile.

Aug 22, 2015

Features

Zombie Crapware: How the Windows Platform Binary Table Works

Few people noticed at the time, but Microsoft added a new feature to Windows 8 that allows manufacturers to infect the UEFI firmware with crapware.

Aug 19, 2015

Windows 10

How to Organize and Add Shortcuts to the All Apps List on Windows 10

Windows 10's All Apps list functions a bit differently than the All Programs list in Windows 7.

Aug 16, 2015

Windows 10

15 Things You Can Do With Cortana on Windows 10

Cortana is one of Windows 10's most visible new features.

Aug 15, 2015

Windows 10

You Don't Have to Pay $20 a Year for Solitaire and Minesweeper on Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with the Microsoft Solitaire Collection, a solitaire game that requires you to watch 30-second-long full-screen video advertisements to keep playing.

Aug 13, 2015