👁️📢 Your eyes only: If you have sensitive pics like your driver’s license on your phone, set up a locked folder in Google Photos. Open the Google Photos app > Utilities > Set up Locked Folder. Follow the on-screen directions to finish up.
7 tips and tricks to make Windows 11 more useful
You may want to check out a few changes in Windows 11. They can help you maintain focus or provide faster ways to get things done. You can even play around with some settings to make the new Windows feel like past versions. We’ll go through some of them to help you get started.
This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, Dell. Read to the end to see how Dell can help you find the right tech to get the job done.
1. Customize quick settings
The notification center in Windows 11 contains quick settings, which gives you easy access to commonly used settings and apps. You can add or remove quick settings to your liking:
- Press Win + A to open quick settings.
- Select the Edit quick settings icon.
- Select the Add button to add a quick setting or press the pin icon on the quick setting you want to remove.
- Select Done.
Third-party developers are adding features to Windows 11. We’ve compiled a list of applications that should interest Windows power users. Tap or click here to check out these five utilities.
2. Focus assist
Focus assist lets you choose which notifications you want to see or hear and when. The ones you don’t choose go to the notification center, where you can view them whenever you want:
- Select Start > Settings > System > Focus assist.
- To see and hear fewer notifications, select either Priority only or Alarms only.
3. Title bar window shake
You can grab a title bar and shake it to minimize all but that one window, helping to improve focus. It comes disabled by default, but you can enable it.
Go to Settings > Multitasking and toggle on Title bar window shake.
Hidden features to try now on your Windows PC or Mac
I’m often asked if the latest Mac or Windows update is ready for prime time. Unfortunately, most of us have dealt with enough buggy software that we’re hesitant to hit “install” on a significant upgrade.
If you haven’t jumped up to macOS Monterey or Windows 11, I can safely say it’s time. Before you update, take one important step and make sure you have enough space for it. Tap or click here to see how much storage is available on your computer.
Don't cancel this after a loved one dies
It’s typical to cancel credit cards, utilities, and subscriptions after someone passes. But a common mistake is pulling the plug on this too soon.
💦 Hackers targeted the largest water company in the U.S.: American Water, serving 14 million people in 14 states, shut down certain systems and paused operations when they realized hackers were inside. No word yet on what the hackers were doing in there. I’m sure they were thirsty for corporate secrets and how to take them down. This is why I keep gallons of water at home, just in case.
Work in one of these 10 fields? Scammers are targeting you
Scammers often have preferred targets. Whether a susceptible senior or someone who left their account exposed, they usually have the tools to rip them off.
But it’s not always about age or how tech-savvy you are. Sometimes working in a specific industry could put a target on your back.
5 utilities to take your Windows PC to the next level
Windows 11 launched in October of 2021 as a free upgrade for eligible users, with rollouts continuing into 2022. You’ll also find it pre-installed on newer machines.
More than half a year into the launch of the new OS, people are still discovering ways to get more out of Windows as Microsoft and third-party developers launch new tools and features. We previously covered utilities geared towards power users, including greater customization and organizational options. Tap or click here for more.
6 ways to simplify using Windows 11
Windows 11 launched last October as a free upgrade for eligible users with rollouts continuing into this year. People with newer machines had priority but there were ways to skip ahead in the line. The transition from Windows 10 to 11 hasn’t exactly been seamless, from hardware requirements to various bugs.
5 best Windows 11 utilities to get more out of your PC
Windows 11 has been out since early October, and users are learning their way around the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. While you may not be eligible to upgrade just yet, be patient and check out some of the things you can look forward to.
Why does rebooting your computer almost always fix it?
People and computers can be very similar in some ways. After a long day, energy runs low and completing certain tasks become more difficult.
Sometimes the best thing to do is shut down and rest. Computers are the same way. When a computer is in use, applications are starting and shutting down all the time. After a while, it can really overload your computer’s memory.
5 free Windows 10 downloads you'll love
You already know just how many third-party programs like photo editors, games and productivity tools are available for PCs. Many of these programs can enhance your computer and open up improved functionality.
What you might not know is many of the most useful programs out there don’t cost a cent to use or download. Tap or click here for a free registry cleaner.