UP

Productivity

What does it mean to use technology productively? Which apps and gadgets make your work easier? How to personalize the computers and other gadgets you’re using?

tutorial How to enable or disable the Light Mode in Windows 10

How to enable or disable the Light Mode in Windows 10

Windows 10 May Update introduces a new feature called the Light Mode. What it does is change the appearance of certain Windows interface elements from black and other colors to white. In other words, the Light Mode whitens your Windows 10. This mode looks surprisingly good, and many users may prefer it instead of the Dark Mode or the default Windows 10 theme. If
tutorial 5 things you can do from File Explorer's File menu

5 things you can do from File Explorer's File menu

Most Windows 10 users browse the files and folders on their PCs and devices, using the File Explorer app created by Microsoft for this purpose. The app is built into the operating system and itțs found at one click away, on the taskbar. However, many users do not know all its features and capabilities, so they never use it as productively as they could.
tutorial Stop Windows 10 from promoting apps on the Start Menu

Stop Windows 10 from promoting apps on the Start Menu

Microsoft's decision to show advertisements in Windows 10's Start menu appears to be universally disliked. So you just bought a new computer with Windows 10, for the first time, and you open the Start menu to find that it looks like the Disney channel?!? Having already paid for a Windows 10 license or a Windows 10 PC, it is not unreasonable to be bothered
tutorial The fastest way to remove Windows 10 bloatware

The fastest way to remove Windows 10 bloatware

Windows 10 has accustomed us to bloatware being bundled all the time, even when we make a clean installation. No longer is bloatware a lousy approach of various hardware manufacturers, but it is also Microsoft's thing now. While researching for ways to get rid of Windows 10 bloatware quickly, we found a helpful tool that does that, called Windows 10 Debloater. It runs PowerShell
tutorial How to configure and test the webcam in Skype

How to configure and test the webcam in Skype

Skype is one of the most used video conferencing apps in the world. People use its apps on a multitude of devices, from Windows laptops and PCs to Android smartphones, to iPhones and iPads. One of Skype's essential features is its ability to make video calls. However, before you do that, it is best to make sure that your webcam is working well before
tutorial How to make a bootable USB drive with Windows, Ubuntu or FreeDOS

How to make a bootable USB drive with Windows, Ubuntu or FreeDOS

Recently, we needed to install Windows and Ubuntu on several computers. For the ones that needed Windows 10, we could have used the Media Creation Tool offered by Microsoft. However, for non-Microsoft operating systems, that doesn't work. We wanted a tool that was able to create a bootable USB memory stick with Windows, but also with Linux or other operating systems such as FreeDOS.
review Review Logitech MK850 Performance: Good quality multi-device peripherals!

Review Logitech MK850 Performance: Good quality multi-device peripherals!

Do you type on multiple computers and devices? Do you want fewer cables on your desk and prefer using a wireless keyboard and mouse? Then, you should consider the Logitech MK850 Performance wireless keyboard and mouse kit. This combo's superpower is that you can use it with up to three different devices wirelessly, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you are curious about this kit,
tutorial Set the Windows 10 update schedule, and when it restarts the PC

Set the Windows 10 update schedule, and when it restarts the PC

  Windows 10 Home users do not have much control over what updates are pushed to their PCs by Microsoft. However, users can choose when to reboot their computers or devices to install the pending operating system updates. In the newer versions of Windows 10, there is a small yet helpful feature named Active hours, that controls when Windows 10 reboots and updates itself
review ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 review: Tall and mighty!

ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 review: Tall and mighty!

When you hear the words "Mini PC" you never think of a beast that is 14.4 inches tall and weighing 12.78 pounds, without the power charger. ASUS Mini PC ProArt PA90 is not small, and it is not light either. Everything about it is imposing and powerful, from the processor inside the system to the cooling system, and its design. If you are looking
tutorial How do I open Terminal on Mac? (3 ways)

How do I open Terminal on Mac? (3 ways)

The Terminal app is an emulator used to type commands on your Mac. macOS has a UNIX-based core and the Terminal allows you to travel from the outer world of macOS to the inner world of UNIX. Because this app is mainly used to change settings and to solve technical problems, the average Mac user does not really have many reasons to access it.
tutorial How to use Snip & Sketch to take screenshots in Windows 10

How to use Snip & Sketch to take screenshots in Windows 10

Snip & Sketch is a Windows 10 screenshot tool that Microsoft has introduced with the October 2018 Update. In the future, it is going to replace the Snipping Tool, but so far both apps continue to exist in Windows 10 until Snip & Sketch reaches feature-parity with the Snipping Tools or it outperforms it. Here is how to open Snip & Sketch, the keyboard
tutorial Test your HDD or SSD and check its health status

Test your HDD or SSD and check its health status

We recently had the misfortune to find out that a computer owner's worst nightmare is a failing hard disk drive. It is not because you need to buy a new one, but because you face the risk of losing some or even all of the data you stored on that hard drive. Moving on from the initial apocalyptic perspective, as the life expectancy of
tutorial 8 ways to start the Skype app in Windows 10

8 ways to start the Skype app in Windows 10

Skype is one of the pioneers of making video and voice calls over the internet, and it has become popular over the years while enjoying its share of controversies too. When you use a Windows 10 PC or device, Skype is built-in, installed, and ready to make your calls and chats. Also, there are many ways to open this app, including methods you might