Newsletter Archives

• How to choose and use the best PowerToys for Windows 10/11

  Posted on January 30, 2023 at 02:44 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  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).

  Windows Newsletters, PowerToys, Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11

• How to set up a local account in any edition of Windows 11

  Posted on January 16, 2023 at 02:45 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  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.

  Windows 11 local account, Newsletters, Windows 11

• Is it time to move to Windows 11?

  Posted on December 12, 2022 at 02:45 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  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 Newsletters, Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11

• Windows 11 22H2: Which new features stand out?

  Posted on November 14, 2022 at 02:43 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  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).

  Windows 11 Feature updates, Newsletters, Windows, Windows 11

• How to use your Gmail account for more than just Gmail

  Posted on October 17, 2022 at 02:45 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  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.

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Software AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Email Clients, Gmail, Software

• How to use Vivaldi for your email and calendar

  Posted on September 12, 2022 at 02:45 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  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.

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Software AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Calendar, Contacts, Email, Web Browsers

• Thunderbird: A worthy alternative to Microsoft Outlook

  Posted on August 22, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  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).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Software AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Mozilla, outlook, Software, Thunderbird

• Choosing the right email program

  Posted on July 11, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  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).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Software Android, Apple, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Email Clients, Windows

• How to use two-factor authentication the right way

  Posted on May 9, 2022 at 02:43 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  SECURITY

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Two-factor authentication is still one of the best ways to protect your accounts. But there are right and wrong ways to use it.

  More websites and companies now offer two-factor authentication (2FA) to better protect your logins and accounts. The idea is to use a second form of authentication so that you’re not solely dependent on your password. The goal is to prevent your account from being accessed and compromised in case your password is ever leaked or stolen. And here’s how that can happen.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.19.0, 2022-05-09).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Security AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Multi-factor Authentication, security

• 5 free utilities to help you get more out of Windows 11

  Posted on April 4, 2022 at 02:45 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 19.14 • 2022-04-04

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  You can squeeze more features and flexibility out of Windows 11 with the right utility programs.

  You’ve just upgraded to Windows 11. And maybe you like certain aspects of it but wish the new OS offered more capabilities. In many ways, Windows 11 is a minor upgrade to Windows 10, with visual changes and some new or redesigned features. But otherwise, it’s still the same old Windows with the same limitations and constraints.

  One way to make Windows 11 more robust and flexible is through a good utility program. An array of utilities is available that will enhance or improve the OS in both significant and subtle ways. Among the vast number of utilities out there, I’ve come up with five free ones: Microsoft PowerToys, ThisIsWin11, Files, BeWidgets, and Winaero Tweaker. Let’s check them out.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.14.0, 2022-04-04).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Windows 11 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Essential utilities, utilities, Windows 11

• 11 settings to tweak on a new Windows 11 PC

  Posted on February 21, 2022 at 02:45 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 19.08 • 2022-02-21

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  There are a bunch of settings you should configure before you fully dive into Windows 11.

  Let’s assume you’re running Windows 11 on a new or upgraded PC. Before you fully start working, playing, and hopping online, there are several key settings and features you should review, configure, or enable. By doing so, you’ll feel more at home with Windows 11. Among the settings to check are the Start menu, Taskbar, battery power, universal clipboard, and Windows Hello options.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.08.0 (2022-02-21).
  This story also appears in the AskWoody Newsletter 19.08.F (2022-02-21).

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Windows 11 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Settings, Windows 11, Windows 11 Settings

• Two solid replacements for the kludgy Windows 11 Start menu

  Posted on December 13, 2021 at 02:43 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Don’t like the Windows 11 Start menu? Both Start 11 and StartAllBack will bring the menu back to more traditional and usable style and functionality.

  In its fervor to push out Windows 11, Microsoft made some key changes to the new OS — some good and some bad. On the bad side of the fence is the new Start menu. Dispensing with the familiar list and tile layout in Windows 10, Microsoft pared down the menu into a single box that shows only your pinned and recommended apps.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.48.0 (2021-12-13).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Windows 11 AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Start menus, Windows 11
• « Older Entries