Windows 8.1 is a major update to the Windows operating system that was released in October of 2014. It includes a number of new features and improvements, including a revamped modern interface that makes it easier to access your devices and files. One of the most important changes in Windows 8.1 is the addition of an app drawer that allows you to easily access your apps and files without having to open them from the Start screen....

The RavPower 5-in-1 FileHub is a nifty little device that can do a lot. It’s a travel battery, file sharing hub, and photo dump all in one. Plus, it’s ultra-lightweight and easy to take with you on your travels. The FileHub comes with a built-in battery that can give you up to six hours of power when you need it most. It also has a built-in file sharing hub so you can easily share files with other devices nearby....

When you’re living in a world where everything is connected, it’s hard not to love the Romo. It’s a telepresence robot that walks and talks like a human, but it’s even more quirky because it doesn’t have any arms or legs. The Romo was designed by engineers at Texas Instruments and was first introduced in 2013. It cost $2 million to develop and was only available to employees of the Dallas-Fort Worth area....

There are a few things you can do to increase Wi-Fi connectivity and calibrate your monitor. First, make sure your router is properly configured. Second, make sure your computer is up to date with the latest security patches. Third, execute computer-based prank tasks to improve Wi-Fi performance. Finally, be sure to keep an eye on your internet connection and use an app like Speedtest to measure its performance. Once a week we share reader problems and three solutions; this week we’re looking at increasing Wi-Fi connectivity, how to calibrate your monitor, and how to sneak in a good prank or two at work....

If you’re like most people, you probably rent your cable modem from your cable company. But if you’re willing to invest in a little bit of gear, you can save $120 a year by buying your own modem. Here’s how: Check to see if your municipality offers a broadband service. If so, you may be able to get a discounted cable modem from your cable company that way. If you don’t live in a municipality that offers broadband, or if you can’t find a discounted cable modem, there are several options for purchasing your own modem....

As the world becomes increasingly connected, it’s important to be secure in your online banking and email accounts. Untrusted computers can be a threat to your privacy and security, so make sure you’re using a secure connection whenever possible. Here are some tips to help keep your online banking and email safe: Use a strong password: A strong password is one that you can remember and use consistently. Make sure you use at least 8-10 characters long, including at least one letter and one number....

In October 2011, there are some great how-to geek articles to check out. Here are five of the best: How to Make a Customizable Keyboard for Your Mac: This tutorial from Lifehacker shows you how to make your own keyboard that’s customized just the way you want it. How to Sync Your iPhone with iTunes: If you’ve ever had trouble syncing your iPhone with iTunes, this tutorial from Lifehacker will show you how to do it easily and quickly....

Windows 7 and Vista are two of the most popular operating systems on the planet. They’re both well-rounded and offer a lot of features, but they can be tweaked to your liking. Here’s how to do it. Open the Start menu and type “cmd” (without the quotes). This will open a command prompt window. Type “netstat -an” to see all active network connections in your system. This will show you which networks are connected, as well as their status (connected, disconnected, or unavailable)....

Virtual reality headsets have been in development for decades, but they have yet to become a consumer product. There are several reasons for this. First, virtual reality headsets require a high-powered computer to function, which is not always available or affordable. Second, the technology is still new and some people are unsure about its safety. Finally, virtual reality headsets are often expensive and not everyone can afford them. .. CES 2015 was packed with different virtual reality headsets, and it feels like we’ve been on the cusp of consumer VR for years....

There are many compression tools on the market, but which one is the best for you? Here are five factors to consider: The size of the tool. A small compression tool can be used on a small area, while a large compression tool can be used on a large area. The type of compression. Manual or automatic compression. Manual compression is more difficult to use than automatic compression, but it can be more effective because it’s more consistent....

There are many file compression formats available, but the best one for your specific needs may be the ZIP format. It is widely used and has a lot of features that make it an ideal choice for files that need to be stored quickly and easily. Additionally, ZIP files are easy to extract and use, making them perfect for online storage or sharing. It’s time to compress some files, so what format do you use?...

If you’re like most people, you probably have a Start button on your desktop. But if you want to make your own Start button without using any memory, there are a few things you need to do. First, create a new file called “startbutton.cmd” in your C:\Windows\System32 directory. This file will contain the following code: net start “C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe” -k netsh wsockopen -d “C:\Windows\System32\W3SVC” -s 0x8000 -o pipe -w user1 user2 Next, open up the “startbutton....

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to have to unlock your computer just to start the screensaver. Windows has a built-in feature that can automatically start the screensaver when your computer is locked, but it’s not always reliable. Here’s how to make Windows start the screensaver immediately when locked. .. Are you one of those people that loves to see the screensaver come on when you get up from your computer?...

Organizing your ebook collection can be a daunting task, but with Calibre it’s easy to get everything in one place. Calibre is a free software ebook organizer that lets you create custom folders and collections for your books, articles, and other files. You can also add keywords to each file to help organize them. To start organizing your ebook collection, follow these steps: Choose the type of ebook you want to organize: books, articles, or videos....

If you’re like most Android users, you probably spend a lot of time on your home screen. But what if you want to quickly get to screens within an app? You can use Activity shortcuts! Activity shortcuts are quick ways to get from one screen in an app to another. To use them, first open the app you want to use the shortcut in. Then press and hold on the home screen of the Android device, and release when you see a list of options appear....

If you’re like most people, your computer is a workhorse that you rely on every day. But over time, it can start to feel a little bit stale. Maybe the icons on the desktop are starting to look a little dated, or the performance isn’t what it used to be. In this article, we’ll show you how to refresh and reset your Windows 8 or 10 PC in order to easily reinstall it....

Windows 8 is a new operating system from Microsoft that many people are switching to. However, there are some things you may want to do before you make the switch, such as remove Windows 8, understand Linux file permissions, and disable scan and fix popups in Windows. To remove Windows 8, first open the Start screen and type “windows update.” Click on the “Windows Update” icon that appears on your desktop....

If you’re selling your PC, it’s important to remove the product key before you do so. Doing so will help protect your PC from being sold or used without your permission. To remove the product key, follow these steps: Open the Start menu and type “cmd” (without the quotes). Type “netstat -an” and press Enter. Look for a line that says “Ports: [port number]” and change it to “Listeners: [number].” For example, if the port number was 3389, then the line would say “Ports: 3389 Listeners: 10....

If you’re a Windows user and have ever had to reset your password, you know how frustrating it can be. But if you don’t have an install CD, there are a few ways to reset your password without one. The first way is to use the Windows Password Reset utility. This utility can be found on the Start menu or the Control Panel. To use it, open it and click on the Reset button....

data security is one of the most important aspects of any business. It’s not just about protecting your information, but also about protecting your people. You need to make sure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, and that it’s properly encrypted. You also need to make sure that you’re abiding by the company’s privacy policies and that you’re taking steps to protect your customers’ data. With the use of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and netbooks, most of us do everyday tasks online, such as purchasing goods and banking....