Featured Articles - The Best of How-To Geek

How to Run a Linux Program at Startup with systemd

Need to launch a Linux program at boot? The systemd software provides a way to do it on any Linux distro with systemd—which is most of them these days, including Ubuntu. We’ll walk you through the process of creating an in…

Dave McKay Sep 9th

The Best New Features in Android 11, Available Now

After months of beta testing, the final release of Android 11 is here. This latest version of Google’s operating system features quite a few exciting features for users. Here are the features you should care about….

Windows 10’s Settings App Is Really Pushing Microsoft Edge

Do you use Edge as your default browser? Why not? You should switch back right now. That’s the message you’ll soon see every time you open Windows 10’s Settings app, courtesy of Microsoft.

Chris Hoffman Sep 8th

How to Insert Emoji in Microsoft Word Documents 📝

Emoji work basically anywhere these days, including in Microsoft Word documents. Jazz up your documents with colorful emoji icons that work on all modern operating systems, including Windows 10, macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android, …

Chris Hoffman Sep 8th

How to Stop Dropbox from Opening at Startup on Windows or Mac

Dropbox is a handy way to synchronize files across devices via the cloud. By default, Dropbox starts whenever you turn on your Windows PC or Mac, but sometimes you might not want it to. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t laun…

Benj Edwards Sep 8th

Why Netflix Asks “Are You Still Watching?” (and How to Stop It)

When you go on an extended tv viewing session on Netflix, you’ll sometimes be interrupted by a prompt that asks if you’re still watching the show. Here’s why Netflix keeps bugging you.

Vann Vicente Sep 8th

Where You Should Splurge When Building a PC (and Where You Shouldn’t)

Building a PC on a budget is a delicate balance between price and performance. How much should you spend on the motherboard and CPU, and what about the graphics card? Which parts are worth spending some extra cash on?…

How to Manage Startup Programs on Ubuntu Linux

Many applications automatically set themselves to start when you sign into your Linux desktop. You might want to add your own favorite programs to the startup process, too. Here’s how to control what Ubuntu starts when you si…

Chris Hoffman Sep 7th

How to Set the “Do Not Disturb” Auto-Reply Message on iPhone

If you have “Do Not Disturb” enabled on your iPhone and someone sends you a text message, they may receive an “Auto-Reply” message as a response. Here’s how to configure that message and decide who gets to see it….

Benj Edwards Sep 7th

OLED Screen Burn-In: How Worried Should You Be?

OLED displays are beautiful to look at and expensive, but you might be surprised to learn they can suffer from “burn-in” or permanent image retention. How prevalent is this issue, and should you worry about it?…

How to Set Up and Use the Google Assistant “Bedtime” Routine

When you’re tired and ready for bed, the last thing you want to do is drag yourself through the usual nighttime routine of turning off the lights, muting your phone, and setting an alarm. Use the “Bedtime” routine in the Goog…

Joe Fedewa Sep 6th

How to Disable Screen Time Notifications on a Mac

Screen Time on Mac is a handy way to keep track of your app usage and restrict content for children, but its notifications can be annoying. To turn them off, you can disable notifications or simply disable Screen Time itself….

Benj Edwards Sep 6th

Why Aren’t Mirrorless Cameras Smaller?

The mirrorless camera was originally heralded as the smaller, lighter, more convenient alternative to the DSLR. However, if you look at the latest mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, and (to a lesser extent) Sony, that hasn…

How to Schedule Announcements on Google Assistant Speakers and Displays

Having a few Google Home and Nest smart speakers and displays around your house can be great for home automation. With “Family Bell,” you can have the Google Assistant play scheduled announcements at designated times. We’ll s…

Joe Fedewa Sep 5th

How to Paste a Phone Number into the iPhone’s Phone App

If you use an iPhone and see a telephone number in a note or on a website, you can often tap it directly to place a call. But if that special link doesn’t show up, you can also “Copy” the phone number and “Paste” it directly …

Benj Edwards Sep 5th

Why I Loved Microsoft Bob, Microsoft’s Strangest Creation

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Windows 95, and people have a lot to say about it. My favorite part of Windows 95 was an infamous program called Microsoft Bob. It was a massive failure, but I loved it anyway….

Where’s the ‘Task Manager’ on a Mac?

If you’re a veteran of Windows, you’re probably familiar with using Task Manager to deal with applications that freeze or checking memory usage. On a Mac, those tasks fall to a Force Quit dialog or a utility called Activity M…

Benj Edwards Sep 4th

30 Essential Windows Key Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10

The Windows key made its first appearance in 1994, and it’s still an essential tool for Windows 10 power users. Here are the most important Windows key keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10 you should know about….

Marshall Gunnell Sep 4th

6 Mistakes People Make When Buying a TV

With next-generation consoles right around the corner, and ultra-high-definition HDR content in plentiful supply, 2020 is a great time to buy a new TV. Before you do, though, here are six mistakes to avoid….

How to Check Your Local Air Quality Index on Android

Depending on where you live, air quality can be a daily concern. Wildfires, pollen, and pollution can affect the air quality in your area. Here’s how to check the Air Quality Index on your Android phone or tablet….

Joe Fedewa Sep 3rd

How to Launch a Terminal Window on Ubuntu Linux

If you’re using Ubuntu Linux, you’ll often see articles recommend you run commands. To do this, you need to type these commands into a Terminal window. Here are several ways to open one—including a quick keyboard shortcut…

Chris Hoffman Sep 3rd

How to See Which Program Is Using All Your CPU on Mac

If your Mac is suddenly feeling very sluggish and unresponsive, it’s possible that a runaway application is consuming a large percentage of your CPU’s processing power. To find out, we’ll use a built-in macOS utility called A…

Benj Edwards Sep 3rd

Should You Use a Lens Adapter with a Mirrorless Camera?

Mirrorless cameras aren’t the future, they’re the present. If you’re switching from an older DSLR, though, the obvious thing to do is just buy an adapter so you can keep using your old gear.

Harry Guinness Sep 3rd

The Ultimate Defense: What Is an Air Gapped Computer?

When reading about cyber-security, you’ll probably see talk about “air-gapped” computer systems. It’s a technical name for a simple concept: A computer system that’s physically isolated from potentially dangerous networks. Or…

6 Tips to Make Your Samsung Watch More Google-y

Samsung Galaxy watches are, arguably, the best smartwatches for Android phones. However, they lack one major thing that people who use Android love: Google. There are a few ways you can make your Samsung watch a bit more Goog…

Joe Fedewa Sep 2nd