News that Geeks Care About

How to Open EPUB Files on Windows 10 (Without Microsoft Edge)

Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser drops support for EPUB eBook files. You’ll need a third-party EPUB reader application to view EPUB files on Windows 10, and we have some good free options to choose from...

Chris Hoffman 7h ago

What Is Smishing, and How Do You Protect Yourself?

You’re probably familiar with email-based phishing, where a scammer emails you and tries to extract sensitive information like your credit card details or social security number. “Smishing” is SMS-based phis...

Wi-Fi 6E: What Is It, and How Is It Different From Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 hardware is finally arriving on the market, and you’ll be seeing more and more of it released throughout 2020. But people are already talking about something new: Wi-Fi 6E, which promises to reduce Wi-Fi congest...

How to Add Custom Ringtones to an iPhone from macOS Catalina

Creating your own iPhone ringtones isn’t as easy as it should be, but it’s still relatively straightforward. You can do it using the new Music app in macOS Catalina, which replaces iTunes.

Tim Brookes 2d ago

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Icky AirPods

Your AirPods are probably gross. Earwax, sweat, dirt, and grime all get caked on the buds and in the charging case. It’s helpful to clean them regularly, but you have to be careful not to damage them. Here are a few way...

Microsoft Is Testing Ads in WordPad on Windows 10

Microsoft can’t stop inserting advertisements into Windows 10. The latest experimental advertisement appears in WordPad. It’s a banner inviting you to use Office’s web apps instead of the included WordPad ap...

Chris Hoffman 3d ago

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About inodes on Linux

The Linux file system relies on inodes. These vital pieces of the file system’s inner workings are often misunderstood. Let’s look at exactly what they are, and what they do.

What Is a GaN Charger, and Why Will You Want One?

Gallium Nitride (GaN) chargers were everywhere at CES 2020. This modern alternative to silicon means smaller, more efficient chargers and power bricks are on the way. Here’s how it works.

How to Stream the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Without Cable

If you’re looking to catch the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards before you watch the Oscars, there are plenty of ways to stream it. Without having to pay a huge cable bill, here are some of the best services to choose f...

Kennedy Maring 5d ago

What Does “IKR” Mean, and How Do You Use It?

IKR is an abbreviation for the phrase, “I know, right?” It’s rhetorical and indicates that you agree with someone’s opinion or observation.

How to Create and Use Memoji and Animoji on an iPhone

When you think of playful camera filters, Snapchat is probably the first app that comes to mind. But did you know that you can create your own interactive avatars using your iPhone or iPad?

PSA: Watch Out for This New Text Message Package Delivery Scam

We’ve been trained to expect and look out for spam emails. But now, scammers are sending realistic-looking text messages (like the one above) posing as shipping and package delivery companies such as FedEx....

How to Upgrade From Windows 7 to Linux

If you’re still using Windows 7 because you just don’t like Windows 10, that’s understandable. But there’s an alternative upgrade path: You can install Linux on your PC for free, and you’ll have ...

How to Set a Maximum Frame Rate in NVIDIA’s Drivers

At the beginning of 2020, NVIDIA released new GeForce drivers with a highly requested feature. You can now cap your PC’s framerates—either for all games on your PC or just for specific games. Here’s how....

Chris Hoffman Jan 16th

How to Secure Your Windows 7 PC in 2020

Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 7 with security updates. In other words, Windows 7 is now just like Windows XP—an older operating system that will gradually accumulate unpatched security holes. Here’s ho...

Microsoft’s New Chromium-Based Edge Browser Is Now Available

Microsoft’s new Edge browser is now finished and available for download. This new browser is based on Chromium, which forms the basis of Google Chrome. Windows 10 users will also get the new Edge browser automatically ...

Chris Hoffman Jan 15th

How to Upgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 7 for Free

Windows 7 is dead, but you don’t have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft has quietly continued the free upgrade offer for the last few years. You can still upgrade any PC with a genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8 li...

Windows 7 Dies Today: Here’s What You Need to Know

Microsoft released Windows 7 in October 2009. Now, more than a decade later, it’s being retired. Your Windows 7 PCs will keep working, but Microsoft is no longer issuing security patches as of January 14, 2020....

RIP Windows 7: We’re Going to Miss You

More than a decade after its release, Windows 7 support ends on January 14, 2020. Let’s look back at what made Windows 7 so awesome and why it’s a great operating system we’ll remember for the rest of our l...

Sanity Returns: How USB4’s New Logos Will Simplify Shopping

Buying the right USB cable can be confusing, thanks to obscure naming schemes that are hard for even techies to remember. This will change this year when the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) introduces simpler labeling for USB...

Best of CES 2020: All the Best Things We Saw This Year

It might seem like CES 2020 just started, but How-To Geek’s editorial team has been running all over Las Vegas for the past week, checking out the latest and greatest product announcements. After careful deliberation, the...

How to Stream the 77th Annual Golden Globes Without Cable

As the 77th annual Golden Globes Awards approach, you may be wondering how to watch it without paying a cable bill. These streaming services are the best way to watch the awards show tonight if you cut the cord....

Kennedy Maring Jan 5th

How New Emoji Are Born (and How to Propose Your Own)

Anyone can think up and submit an emoji. If you’re willing to do the leg work, your own emoji could become a part of every messaging app, social platform, and operating system in the world. Here’s how to become pa...

What Is “Project Connected Home Over IP” for Smart Homes?

Project Connected Home over IP is a new industry group announced by Apple, Google, Amazon, and the ZigBee Alliance. The group will create a new unifying standard for smart home devices, and that’s a big deal. Here&#821...