Don't-Miss Stories

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When water, coffee, or liquid spills on your laptop, do this

A water spill can seriously mess up a laptop. Soft drinks or alcohol can do much worse. Work quickly and you might be able to save it.

The truth about Windows 10's hidden drive partition

You may think there's free space in these hidden drive partitions, but think twice before messing with anything in these locations. We use a third-party disk utility to find out what's really in them.

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Excel pro tips: How to create, define, and use Named Ranges

Working with ranges in Excel can speed up your formulas and macros, or help you navigate through your spreadsheets. It’s also a more efficient way to manage processes within your worksheets. Here's how to set them up.

How to assign a nickname to your Android contacts

Tell Google to 'call my wife' or 'text my brother' by issuing the right voice commands to the Google app.

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How to turn on 'Ok Google' detection

Get an answer to any question that's on your mind, even if your phone's in sleep mode.

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How to zoom ahead in YouTube videos with a single key press

Two Chrome extensions give you video player controls for online video sites such as Netflix and YouTube.

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The hidden challenges of booting from a USB flash drive

Booting from a USB drive lets you get into your PC when its main operating system. But Windows and even your motherboard could work against you. Here's how to find out.

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How to send all calls from specific contacts to voicemail

If there's a certain someone you'd rather not talk to, you can automatically direct their calls to your voicemail inbox.

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How to change your passwords automatically with Dashlane and LastPass

It's a pain to change your passwords manually. These two password managers make it easier by doing it for you.

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How to stop ransomware: Backup can protect you, but only if you do it right

No one wants to give hundreds of dollars to extortionists. But if you take the right precautions beforehand, ransomware probably can't hurt you.

USB-C Explained: Why some devices are 5Gbps and others are 10Gbps

USB-C promises up to 10Gbps data transfer, but the first generation of USB-C devices aren’t as fast as they could be. Here's what to look out for.

Windows 10 File History offers a simple backup solution anyone can do

The File History feature lets you set up an external drive to back up your files automatically. You don’t need any extra software, and it’s very customizable.

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How to fill out and sign digital documents on Android

You can sign your life away right on your phone with these finger- and stylus-friendly apps.

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5 quick ways to recover storage space on an overstuffed iPhone or iPad

You'd be surprised at how quickly your iPhone or iPad can chew through storage, particularly the tiny 16GB model. If you're feeling jammed, try these easy ways to find a few gigs of breathing room.

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Your Facebook account's been hijacked. Here's how to recover it and keep it safe

Your Facebook account tells a lot about you and your social circle. You need to keep control of it.

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What to ask your doctor, lawyer, and accountant about protecting your personal data

Criminals file for fraudulent tax refunds using consumers' information. Law firms are being hacked. The trend is clear: People have to worry about the security of their third parties. Lessons for consumers on what they should do to check out their providers' security.

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7 ways to keep your dying Android phone or iPhone alive

So there you are, running from meeting to meeting on a particularly busy day when you suddenly notice your iPhone or Android phone’s battery gauge is deep in the red. These tips will help staunch the bleeding.

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How to use Readism for Chrome to better manage your online reading time

A new Chrome extension tells you how long it will take you to read that New Yorker article—and whether you can finish it before the afternoon staff meeting.