Newsletter Archives
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Browser security and privacy — with the right extensions
INTERNET
By Lance Whitney
Each browser offers its own settings for security and privacy, but you can often control these options better via third-party extensions.
Managing your online privacy and security is always a challenge, especially as you browse different websites where you shop, bank, invest, and sign in to accounts personal or professional.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.20.0, 2023-05-15).
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How to manage your browser cookies
INTERNET
By Lance Whitney
Browser cookies can be helpful or harmful, depending on how and why they’re used in your browser. The key lies in taking control of them.
You probably already know that Web browsers use cookies to save certain information. Over the years, cookies have developed a bad rep because many websites and advertisers use them to track your online activities for the purpose of sending you ads and other targeted content.
But cookies can also help you by storing key details at websites that you frequently use. The trick here is knowing which cookies are good and which are bad, and how to manage them in general.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.16.0, 2023-04-17).
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How to take advantage of the Photos app in Windows
WINDOWS
By Lance Whitney
The Photos app in Windows 10 and 11 will help you view and organize all the photos and videos scattered across your PC and other devices.
After years of shooting photos and videos, you may have thousands of them stored on your phone and your computer. And now you want to be able to access them all, preferably in one single spot.
Designed for Windows 10 and 11, the built-in Photos app is a free and convenient way to manage and view all your photos and videos, no matter where they’re located.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.12.0, 2023-03-20).
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How to take screenshots in Windows 11
WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
The ability to take a screenshot in Windows can come in handy, both for personal and professional reasons.
Maybe you’re documenting a certain process. Perhaps you need to share an image of an error message. Or maybe you’re making certain changes in Windows and want to capture the before and after. I take screenshots to supply images for the articles I write.
Whatever the reason, Windows 11 (and 10) provides several methods to take a screenshot of an app or window.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.08.0, 2023-02-20).
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How to choose and use the best PowerToys for Windows 10/11
WINDOWS
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft packs a lot of cool tools into its free PowerToys offering. Here are some of the best.
Microsoft’s latest incarnation of PowerToys has been around for a few years. Geared for Windows 10 and 11, PowerToys aims to add more features and flexibility to Windows.
But now there are more than 15 individual tools in PowerToys. How do you know which ones are worth trying? Let’s check out what I think are the best of the bunch.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.05.0, 2023-01-30).
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How to set up a local account in any edition of Windows 11
ISSUE 20.03 • 2023-01-16 WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
Yes, there is a way to create a local account in Windows 11, if you know the right tricks.
With Windows 11, Microsoft has certainly made it more difficult to use a local account, especially if you’re running Windows 11 Home edition. But difficult doesn’t mean impossible. There is one clever way to sneak past Microsoft’s restrictions and create a local account in any edition of Windows 11.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.03.0, 2023-01-16).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
Is it time to move to Windows 11?
ISSUE 19.50 • 2022-12-12 WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft is increasingly aiming its latest enhancements at Windows 11 instead of Windows 10. Does that mean it’s time to jump ship to the newest version of Windows?
I’m in the market for a new primary laptop and face a choice of outfitting it with Windows 10 or Windows 11. A few months ago, I might have gone with Windows 10, but now I’m shooting for Windows 11. The irony is that I’ve been critical of Windows 11, specifically because of the dumbing down and inflexibility of the Start menu, Taskbar, and certain other features. So why am I opting for Windows 11?
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.50.0, 2022-12-12).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
Windows 11 22H2: Which new features stand out?
WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft has beefed up Windows 11 with its first major update. Among all the changes, which ones are worth the upgrade?
Since its debut in October 2021, Windows 11 has proven to be a controversial addition to Microsoft’s lineup. Though it boasts several improvements over its predecessor, the new operating system has turned off many people with its strict hardware requirements, its dumbing-down of the Start menu, and its lack of flexibility and customization.
With Windows 11 finally sneaking past the one-year mark, Microsoft has released its first major update for the OS. Known as Windows 11 22H2, the annual update offers a bevy of incremental changes and enhancements. Though no single change is earth-shattering by itself, collectively the improvements beef up the new version in subtle but useful ways.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.46.0, 2022-11-14).
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How to use your Gmail account for more than just Gmail
ISSUE 19.42 • 2022-10-17 SOFTWARE
By Lance Whitney
With the Gmail website or app, you can add access to non-Gmail accounts.
Those of you who have a Gmail account likely use the Gmail website or app to view and work with your Google email. But both the site and the app are more versatile than you may think. With either one, you’re able to add a non-Gmail account, such as one for Outlook or Yahoo. Here’s how this plays out.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.42.0, 2022-10-17).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
How to use Vivaldi for your email and calendar
ISSUE 19.37 • 2022-09-12 SOFTWARE
By Lance Whitney
Beyond its role as an alternative browser, Vivaldi will help you access your email, contacts, and calendar — all in the same place.
Those of you in search of a simple but effective desktop email and calendar program probably tend to look at dedicated programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, and even Windows Mail. But instead of turning to separate programs for these features, you may want to consider one that integrates directly with your Web browser. And for that, Vivaldi is worth checking out.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.37.0, 2022-09-12).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
Thunderbird: A worthy alternative to Microsoft Outlook
SOFTWARE
By Lance Whitney
If you find the Outlook email client too cumbersome or complicated, Thunderbird is a simpler yet robust email program worth trying.
I’ve used Microsoft Outlook as my desktop email client for many years. That’s partly because I come from a corporate IT background with a company that was a Microsoft shop. And it’s partly because I subscribe to Microsoft 365, so Outlook is part of the package and integrates with the other Office apps.
But that doesn’t mean I’m a huge fan of the program.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.34.0, 2022-08-22).
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Choosing the right email program
SOFTWARE
By Lance Whitney
Whether you use a Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, or Android device, there are a number of options for email clients other than the usual suspects.
The email program you use depends to a large degree on the type of device or operating system you use. On a Windows PC, you may turn to the default Windows Mail client, or to Outlook if you subscribe to Microsoft 365. Those of you who own an iPhone or iPad will likely fire up the built-in Mail app. And most Android users probably stick with Gmail.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.28.0, 2022-07-11).