No matter how much you reduce, reuse, and recycle, the simple fact is that sometimes you just need a new laptop. Whether it’s for new features, greater performance, or your old one suddenly died, a new laptop can be an exciting upgrade—and it doesn’t have to be eco-unfriendly. In fact, there are many great laptops out there that span the spectrum of environmental impact, some better than others. Sure, the bamboo laptop didn’t exactly catch on, but you don’t have to go that far to be green. From power consumption to build materials to repairability, here are some of the most important factors to consider if you’re looking to buy a laptop that’s eco-conscious. Factor #1: Build and packaging materials One of the more obvious ways a laptop is made more eco-friendly is the use of recycled materials in its construction. Some companies use post-consumer recycled plastics, others use recycled ocean-bound plastics, and yet others use post-industrial recycled materials like carbon fiber from the aerospace industry. You’ll find these in the typically plastic elements of a laptop, such as the keycaps, adapters, peripherals, and in some cases the chassis covers. There are also low-carbon materials used in some laptop manufacturing. Low-carbon aluminum production reduces carbon emissions by using renewable energy to power the smelting process. Biodegradable materials, like castor beans, are also being used instead of traditional plastics in some designs. Packaging is important, too, with a gargantuan quantity of cardboard used in the shipping and delivery of new laptops. Using recycled cardboard or cardboard alternatives can make a big difference. Closed-loop material manufacturing ensures that manufacturers reuse or recycle as much of their e-waste as possible. A more human-friendly aspect to the choice of build materials is how and where those materials are sourced. Many precious metals used in the construction of modern electronics are sourced from war-torn countries, which is why eco-friendly laptop manufacturers are part of organizations like the Responsible Business Alliance, which help ensure their supply chains are regulated for environmental and human rights protections. Factor #2: Energy efficiency Dell and other manufacturers use labels such as Energy Star, 80 Plus, and EPEAT to highlight laptop efficiency. Dell and other manufacturers use labels such as Energy Star, 80 Plus, and EPEAT to highlight laptop efficiency.Dell Dell and other manufacturers use labels such as Energy Star, 80 Plus, and EPEAT to highlight laptop efficiency.Dell Dell Energy efficiency is an important component in how eco-friendly any device is, but it’s especially true for laptops, which are one of the more powerful portable devices we use regularly. High-powered gaming laptops with top-tier GPUs often blow through their (large) batteries very quickly, drawing tens or even a hundred-plus watts during intense gaming sessions. By contrast, compact and efficient Chromebooks and other high-efficiency ultrabooks sip power throughout the day, with their much-more-modest batteries lasting for upwards of 20 hours sometimes. Although leaner, lower-power laptops are typically more energy-efficient, you can still find impressive efficiency in powerful laptops. Apple’s M-series MacBooks show incredible efficiency and super-long battery life without compromising on power and performance. For more general advice on eco-friendly laptop buying, look for models that have an Energy Star rating. That means they’ve been independently certified to use between 25 to 40 percent less power than conventional laptops thanks to efficient components and power management. You can use the Energy Star search tool to find particularly efficient laptops and other electronics, if you want direct recommendations. Similarly, EPEAT certifications give grades to laptops based on how eco-friendly they are, and you can use the EPEAT Registry search tool to find all electronics that have an EPEAT rating. Look for manufacturers who have strong environmental policies, too. For example, Lenovo has taken significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint. If that’s important to you, make sure to research how each laptop brand handles its environmental impact before buying. Factor #3: Repairability Framework laptops are designed to be as modular and repairable as possible. Framework laptops are designed to be as modular and repairable as possible.Framework Framework laptops are designed to be as modular and repairable as possible.Framework Framework One of the most exciting eco-friendly trends in recent years has been the push for greater repairability and upgradeability in electronics, whether it’s RAM, storage, or even batteries. And then you have laptop manufacturers that take it a step further, like Framework laptops that have incredibly modular designs that even allow you to replace the CPU and GPU. Some components aren’t so easily replaceable, including displays and CPU/GPU coolers, but certain laptop manufacturers are doing what they can to make repairs and replacements easier. This kind of user-centric upgradeability and repairability is at the heart of many modern laptop designs, and it’s often done by holding the system together using screws and removable fasteners. Eco-unfriendly laptops tend to use resin and glue instead, which make laptops harder to take apart and near impossible to put back together. iFixit is a great resource that tears down and grades electronics—including but not limited to laptops—by their repairability and how easy it would be for someone to fix or upgrade different parts. Repairability is an important eco-friendly factor because simple repairs can extend laptop lifespans by multiple years. Otherwise, a broken keyboard or battery could render an entire laptop useless even though the rest of it is perfectly fine. Factor #4: How you use it You probably can’t turn a high-powered laptop into an ultra-lean efficient machine, but you can be more efficient with how you use it. From utilizing more efficient power plans to turning down the screen brightness to closing down applications and browser tabs you aren’t using, there are many behavioral changes you can adopt to improve your laptop’s efficiency, lifespan, and power consumption. If you’re a gamer, you can try playing at a lower resolution or turning down graphical detail settings to reduce how hard your laptop has to work. Upscaling algorithms like Nvidia’s DLSS, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS can all boost frame rates without additional power draw. More on this: DLSS vs. FSR vs. XeSS: Upscaling, explained Frame generation is another AI-powered feature that goes a step further, boosting FPS by creating additional frames in between frames. (Sadly, as of this writing, the list of compatible games is relatively short.) You can also try to avoid using your laptop when it’s particularly hot or cold, as that can degrade components—especially the battery—more quickly and lead to reduced lifespan. Factor #5: The afterlife The final stage in any laptop’s life is when it gets sent to silicon heaven. While traditionally we end up dumping old laptops in landfills or handing them off to unsuspecting relatives who don’t know better, you have more eco-friendly options these days. Donating your laptop to an organization like Computers With Causes or Computer Aid is a great way to pass along an unwanted device that still has some life left in it. Alternatively, if you’re looking to upgrade, you should look into trade-in schemes by Dell, Apple, Samsung, and other laptop manufacturers, which can get you money off your next purchase. If your laptop is truly dead and would be of no use to anyone, make sure you don’t trash it. Not only is it illegal in many states, but there’s a lot of useful metal and other components that can be recycled. Some laptop manufacturers have their own recycling programs, so check those out if you don’t mind the shipping process. Alternatively, stores like Best Buy have in-house recycling for laptops and other electronics. They’ll ensure that your laptop is stripped for parts, with useful metals and materials extracted before the rest is trashed. Whichever disposal method you use for your laptop, make sure you completely wipe it first. Securely zero-fill erase the SSD (or drill a hole if it’s an HDD) to make doubly sure that your personal data and information can’t be reclaimed or recovered. Read...

Back on Patch Day (July 9, 2024), Microsoft released KB5040427, a cumulative update that brought important changes and fixes for Windows 10, closing several security vulnerabilities in the operating system. We highly advise installing it if you haven’t already. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro However, some users who installed the cumulative update are reporting serious problems, according to Windows Report. The issue is that computers are getting stuck in a constant cycle of blue screens and reboots. One affected person writes: Windows 10 Update 2024-07 Cumulative Update Version 22H2 for x64-based systems (KB5040427) causes frequent laptop reboots. It also resets the laptop to a clean blue screen, it looks like it is factory reset. Every time the laptop restarts, it asks you to log into a drive. I have tried to troubleshoot the Windows update but no error is displayed. I have paused the Windows update for 7 days. Other users confirm this or similar problems: constant reboots, freezes, etc. Users are also reporting similar problems on Reddit. Incidentally, patch KB5040442 causes similar problems for Windows 11. Microsoft is currently investigating the problem. The affected operating systems Windows 11 version 23H2, Windows 11 version 22H2, Windows 11 version 21H2 Windows 10 version 22H2, Windows 10 version 21H2 Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008. How to resolve the issue Apparently, the problems with KB5040427 only occur when BitLocker encryption is enabled on the device, according to Microsoft in this support document. Affected users should enter the recovery key. Windows should then start with the BitLocker recovery screen and work again. You can retrieve the recovery key by logging into the BitLocker recovery screen portal with your Microsoft account. (Microsoft explains how to find your BitLocker recovery key on this page.) KB5040525 is also causing problems An even more recent update—patch KB5040525, which is still optional and currently available as a preview for Windows 10 22H2—is also causing problems for Windows 10 users: memory issues and application crashes after installation. As there’s currently no need to install this update and it isn’t automatically installed by Windows yet, simply ignore it and don’t install it manually. Read...

Back on Patch Day (July 9, 2024), Microsoft released KB5040427, a cumulative update that brought important changes and fixes for Windows 10, closing several security vulnerabilities in the operating system. We highly advise installing it if you haven’t already. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro However, some users who installed the cumulative update are reporting serious problems, according to Windows Report. The issue is that computers are getting stuck in a constant cycle of blue screens and reboots. One affected person writes: Windows 10 Update 2024-07 Cumulative Update Version 22H2 for x64-based systems (KB5040427) causes frequent laptop reboots. It also resets the laptop to a clean blue screen, it looks like it is factory reset. Every time the laptop restarts, it asks you to log into a drive. I have tried to troubleshoot the Windows update but no error is displayed. I have paused the Windows update for 7 days. Other users confirm this or similar problems: constant reboots, freezes, etc. Users are also reporting similar problems on Reddit. Incidentally, patch KB5040442 causes similar problems for Windows 11. Microsoft is currently investigating the problem. The affected operating systems Windows 11 version 23H2, Windows 11 version 22H2, Windows 11 version 21H2 Windows 10 version 22H2, Windows 10 version 21H2 Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008. How to resolve the issue Apparently, the problems with KB5040427 and KB5040442 only occur when BitLocker encryption is enabled on the device, according to Microsoft in this support document. Affected users should enter the recovery key. Windows should then start with the BitLocker recovery screen and work again. You can retrieve the recovery key by logging into the BitLocker recovery screen portal with your Microsoft account. (Microsoft explains how to find your BitLocker recovery key on this page.) KB5040525 is also causing problems An even more recent update—patch KB5040525, which is still optional and currently available as a preview for Windows 10 22H2—is also causing problems for Windows 10 users: memory issues and application crashes after installation. As there’s currently no need to install this update and it isn’t automatically installed by Windows yet, simply ignore it and don’t install it manually. Read...

Most people who use the Home Edition of Windows 10 and 11 are unlikely to be aware that their computer also comes with a Microsoft encryption tool. On many computers, it’s even activated by default. But Microsoft’s “BitLocker” hard drive encryption has always been one of the functions defining the Pro version of the operating system. Officially, this also applies to Windows 11; Microsoft even lists BitLocker device encryption first in its Home vs. Pro comparison. So what’s this all about? If you type the term “BitLocker” into the search field in the Home version, the Start menu shows a hit with the corresponding app icon. However, the subtle difference to Windows Pro is that the Home version lacks the addition “manage” and BitLocker does not start. It’s hard to imagine that the function could actually be available. But that’s actually the case, just under a different name. Microsoft always emphasizes that BitLocker is reserved for Windows Pro. However, the Home versions also offer data encryption, just with a slightly different name: “Device encryption.” Microsoft always emphasizes that BitLocker is reserved for Windows Pro. However, the Home versions also offer data encryption, just with a slightly different name: “Device encryption.” Foundry Microsoft always emphasizes that BitLocker is reserved for Windows Pro. However, the Home versions also offer data encryption, just with a slightly different name: “Device encryption.” Foundry Foundry Before we go into the tool called “Device Encryption” in the Home version, let us briefly explain why this function is extremely important. Unlike logging on to the PC, encryption effectively prevents any unauthorized access. Without this protection, you could simply remove the drive and gain access to the stored data. If the data is encrypted, this is not possible. This function is therefore particularly important for laptops, as mobile computers are more easily stolen or accidentally left lying around somewhere. Further reading: Master these Windows 11 features to supercharge your efficiency System requirements for device encryption To be able to use device encryption, four requirements must be met: Firstly, the PC must have a modern UEFI (instead of the previous BIOS) and secondly, an up-to-date TPM chip (Trusted Platform Module). Both of these have been standard for many years. In addition, the device must support the “Modern Standby” (S0) power-saving mode. You can check whether your computer is able to do this as follows: Open the command prompt with administrator rights, type in the command powercfg /a and press the Enter key. If the response “Standby (S0 low power state) … available on this system” appears, the third requirement is also met. If “Standby (S0 Low power idle) is not supported by the system firmware,” please check the manufacturer or device-specific UEFI menu to see whether it can be activated there. get windows 11 pro for cheap for full bitlocker access Windows 11 Pro Fourthly, the Secure Boot option must be available and switched on. Because this requires settings to be made in the UEFI, you may have to search for them before device encryption is ready to start. So don’t give up straight away. For the final compatibility check and correct configuration, type: msinfo in the search and input field of the taskbar and start the system information by right-clicking as administrator. Check whether the entry “Support for device encryption” at the bottom says “Requirements met.” If not, Windows will display the cause of the error when you move the mouse over it. The missing “PCR7 binding” is often cited. The above-mentioned prerequisites are hidden behind this; a targeted Google search often helps. More information can be found in the box “Problems with device encryption.” Confirm that the Trusted Platform Module is activated before proceeding.   Confirm that the Trusted Platform Module is activated before proceeding.   Foundry Confirm that the Trusted Platform Module is activated before proceeding.   Foundry Foundry An activated TPM chip (Trusted Platform Module) in version 2.0 is one of the prerequisites for using Windows device encryption. You can check whether TPM is activated in your computer’s UEFI by typing the command: tpm.msc again in the input field. If it says “The TPM is ready for use” under Status and “2.0” after the specification version, everything is correct. Otherwise, activate the component in the UEFI; Microsoft describes the procedure for important device manufacturers. After the UEFI changes and the reboot, type tpm.msc again and start the setup wizard on the right with “Prepare TPM.” Also switch on Secure Boot in the UEFI. Status of device encryption, differences to BitLocker Device encryption is switched on in the Windows Settings app. The prerequisite for operation is that you log in to the computer with a Microsoft account. Device encryption is switched on in the Windows Settings app. The prerequisite for operation is that you log in to the computer with a Microsoft account. Foundry Device encryption is switched on in the Windows Settings app. The prerequisite for operation is that you log in to the computer with a Microsoft account. Foundry Foundry The next step is to check in the Settings app under “Privacy and security” (Windows 11) or “Update and security” (Windows 10) whether device encryption is already switched on. If not, activate it using the slide switch. Important at this point: Device encryption only works after logging in with the online account at Microsoft, not with a local Windows account. BitLocker in Windows 10 and 11 Professional offers a whole range of settings and can be configured in detail using the operating system’s group policy editor. Microsoft provides a detailed explanation online. There is also the “BitLocker to go” function for encrypting USB sticks and other removable data carriers. The Home Edition does not offer any of this; here, device encryption can only be switched on or off. However, the “economy version” with its key length of 128 bits reliably fulfills its actual purpose, namely to securely protect your data from unauthorized access. Tip: You can recognize that device encryption is activated and working by the (open) lock symbol next to the drives in Windows Explorer. The command line tool managebde.exe shows more details — including whether encryption is running and to what extent the data is already encrypted when the function is switched on. This process can take up to two hours. For the Windows partition, call up the status display using the following command in the command prompt with Administrator: manage-bde -status c: The conversion and protection statuses are particularly important. Please do not be surprised that “Unlocked” is noted behind Lock status — after all, you have logged on to the computer and thus automatically unlocked your data. Note: Please note that the control parameters mentioned for the command line tool only apply to the BitLocker version for the most part, despite the tool having the same name. Problems with device encryption The most common problems occur during setup, i.e. before you even use device encryption in Windows 10/11 Home. The causes usually lie in incorrect UEFI settings and missing system requirements. Some hurdles can be overcome with a little web research, but if the hardware is really incompatible, the only solution is to encrypt your data with Veracrypt instead of Windows. The box below describes more about this alternative tool. Other problems occur suddenly and unexpectedly. The author has experienced this himself twice: Once Windows demanded the recovery key after a UEFI update, once the backup of the Windows drive via a live system failed. It is important not to panic, but to investigate the causes and look for solutions. Protect data and unlock again in an emergency While the setup process, including the hardware check and any changes in the UEFI, can be somewhat tedious, the device encryption then works completely in the background without you noticing anything. This is because the operating system automatically unlocks access to the hard drive when you log on to the computer — so you don’t need to do anything extra. Conversely, the data is immediately encrypted again when you log off or switch off. However, this protection only makes sense if you have provided your Microsoft account with a sufficiently secure password. This is mandatory anyway, and a second factor (2FA) further increases the level of protection. Tip : It’s quicker and more convenient to log in via Windows Hello than by typing in a long password: using a (hardware-based) PIN, fingerprint sensor or facial recognition via the camera. If you don’t have a fingerprint sensor or camera, you can use USB Logon to configure a USB stick for logging in and out. Any particularly good protection tends to increase the risk of locking yourself out at some point. In the case of device encryption, for example, if the mainboard or PC breaks, because encryption and decryption is linked to the TPM chip on the board. To prevent this from happening, Windows generates a 48-digit “recovery key” when activating device encryption and BitLocker and saves it in your Microsoft account. Because any unforeseen unlocking requires the recovery key, check whether it is available. Also save it in a password manager or print it out and keep the printout in a safe place. To check, log in https:// account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey at Microsoft and copy the key(s) to the Windows clipboard. Because each partition is encrypted separately, several partitions may be displayed on one computer. The abbreviation OSV (Operating System Volume) refers to the system drive, FDV (Fixed Data Volume) to other data drives. Alternative Veracrypt Veracrypt is more flexible than the device encryption integrated in Windows. The tool can also be used to encrypt individual partitions, folders, files and mobile data carriers such as USB sticks. The Home edition of Windows does not offer this very important function. In addition, Veracrypt does not recognize the strict system requirements of Windows internal encryption. Veracrypt is easy to use. The Veracrypt encryption software is more flexible than the Windows-internal device encryption, and the system requirements are significantly lower. The Veracrypt encryption software is more flexible than the Windows-internal device encryption, and the system requirements are significantly lower. Foundry The Veracrypt encryption software is more flexible than the Windows-internal device encryption, and the system requirements are significantly lower. Foundry Foundry Two tips: Before installing the software, please make sure that Windows’ own device encryption is deactivated using the status command manage-bde -status c: (see previous page). In addition, create a backup of your unencrypted data, for example with R-Drive Image. Read...

By now you’ve probably heard of the CrowdStrike outage. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid any personal headaches from this widespread incident, you surely know someone who was affected. The good news? Microsoft has released a recovery tool to help IT workers get around the PC crashes that resulted from the CrowdStrike update, hopefully alleviating recovery times. Quick context: CrowdStrike is a US cybersecurity software supplier that sells security infrastructure to huge corporations. While you probably don’t work with CrowdStrike’s software directly, there’s a good chance it’s humming away somewhere within the systems of the company you work for. Last Friday, CrowdStrike pushed a faulty software update that caused Windows machines all over the world to crash and get stuck in an infinite reboot loop. This brought entire industries to a sudden and catastrophic halt, including international airlines, banking, and even hospitals. The actual CrowdStrike bug was patched soon after it first occurred, but affected computers need to be manually restored. With over 8 million Windows computers impacted, the recovery is tedious, to say the least. Microsoft is working around that with a downloadable tool that can be loaded onto a bootable USB flash drive, the same sort of tool you’ve probably used to install a fresh copy of Windows. IT managers should be able to download and install the tool using any Windows machine that’s currently still working. The Verge reports that this recovery tool should be able to patch Windows so it can boot without restarting the PC fifteen times. (Yes, that was a proposed solution at one point.) Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The immediate fallout of the CrowdStrike disaster seems to be contained, but it’ll certainly be a black eye on the company’s reputation for the foreseeable future. CrowdStrike’s publicly traded stock price went from over $350 last week to $267 at the time of this writing Monday morning, blowing away tens of billions of dollars in value. And it sure isn’t doing Microsoft any favors, either. It’s hard not to associate the CrowdStrike issue with Windows when it resulted in the return of the infamous Blue Screen of Death. Windows Read...

Last Friday, there was a worldwide IT system outage that took down millions of computers around the world. It was so catastrophic that it’s been labeled as the largest IT meltdown of all time. Due to a faulty update pushed by cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike, numerous Windows systems crashed and couldn’t boot back up due to an infinite loop of blue screens, restarts, and more blue screens. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro The problem has since been largely resolved, but the impact is still being felt as the CrowdStrike incident caused outages in air traffic control, hospitals, emergency services, freight dispatch, and more. However, some companies were reportedly unaffected for one curious reason: they weren’t using modern software, instead running their computers on Windows 95 or even older systems. One US airline wasn’t affected thanks to 32-year-old operating system While almost every flight in the US had to be cancelled due to the CrowdStrike incident, at least one airline was able to avoid the outage—Southwest Airlines reported no problems with its operations. According to reports, large parts of Southwest’s systems are based on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1. The latter is over 32 years old and therefore more than just a little outdated. Windows 95 is no longer up to date either, but the airline doesn’t seem to care. I really think Southwest Airlines could have been nicer about this. pic.twitter.com/pGysfTRdzj— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) July 19, 2024 In the meantime, an alleged tweet from Southwest Airlines made the rounds, saying: “Well, well, well. Look who needs ol’ Southwest Airlines now because all of our systems run on a single Commodore 64 in a warehouse in Arlington. Go to hell.” However, it’s now known that this tweet was a fake. Nevertheless, the message went viral. Saarland and Russia were also spared It isn’t only US airlines that don’t seem to want to keep up with the times when it comes to modern software. In Saarland, for example, only a few systems are said to have been affected by the outages, as the authorities also rely on outdated Windows versions. There are also likely to have been few system failures in Russia, as the country has not received any American products since the start of the war in Ukraine. The CrowdStrike update was also not installed on their systems, as reported by Business Insider, among others. Luck in misfortune In general, outdated software versions and IT systems are considered to be particularly vulnerable when it comes to system breakdowns and hacking attacks. In this particular case, however, companies that rely on outdated software were exceptionally lucky. Above all, the CrowdStrike incident shows how closely interconnected the world’s systems are and how fragile they can be. A single vulnerability or error is enough to affect millions of people around the world. Security Software and Services, Windows Read...

When Windows 11 was launched three years ago, Microsoft promised a number of new features to make working in front of the computer a little easier. For example, you can create virtual desktops with Task View, share your screen with Multitasking, and get help working more efficiently with Focus Sessions. The classic old cut-and-paste feature has also been transformed into a powerful library where you can collect text and images. Get Windows 11 Pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro Many of these features are easy to miss, and in this guide, we’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to be more efficient when working in Windows 11. Feature #1: Activity View Use multiple desktops Foundry Foundry Foundry Windows 11 has a nifty feature called Task View that creates virtual desktops. For example, you can create a work-related desktop with shortcuts to Word and Excel — and a leisure-related one with Netflix and Spotify. HOW? Click on the Activity view, the icon with two squares at the bottom left of the Taskbar. You will now see a window at the bottom of the screen and initially there is only Desktop 1. To create another one, click on New Desktop. This will create Desktop 2. To switch between desktops, just click, of course. You can also hover over the Task View icon to view thumbnails of your desks. Customize your desks Foundry Foundry Foundry You decide which programs are displayed on each desktop. HOW? Open the programs you want to use and click on the icon Activity view. The programs will now appear at the top and right-clicking will open a menu where you can select Show this window on all desktops or Move to > Desktop 1. You can also right-click on your desktops to rename, move, or close them. Remove the Task View icon If you don’t use virtual desktops, you can remove the Task View icon in the Taskbar. HOW? Right-click in the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Switch off the Task View using the slider on the right. Feature #2: Multitasking Split the screen Foundry Foundry Foundry If you have a large screen, it is useful to split the screen area so that you can have several programs or folders open at the same time. You can do this with a feature called Multitasking. HOW? Drag an application to the left or right edge of the screen and it will automatically fill half the screen, and you can then choose what fills the other half. You can also do the same by pressing the Windows key together with the right or left arrow. If you instead drag the program to one of the corners, the screen is divided into four equal parts. The boundary between the programs is shown by a thick line when you rest the mouse cursor over them and moving the line changes the size. … and do it at lightning speed Windows 11’s latest updates also include a feature that makes multitasking faster. HOW? Rest your mouse cursor on the icon next to the cross at the top right. You will now see thumbnails showing the different screen sharing options available and you can choose the one that suits you best. Use window groups Windows 11 also has a feature called Window Groups. This means that the group of programs or windows you have created above can be managed together. HOW? Split the screen as above and rest your mouse cursor on any icon at the bottom of the Taskbar. As you can see, the icons form a group and you can right-click to minimize or close an entire group. Remove window sharing Foundry Foundry Foundry If you find the window sharing feature annoying, you can switch it off. HOW? Open the Settings and select System > Multitasking. Switch off all window sharing with the slider next to Snap windows. If you only want to use certain parts of the multitasking feature, press the down arrow and switch off the features you do not want to use. Feature #3: Clipping Use many clipboards To cut and paste in Windows, you can use menus and hotkeys in each program, but the easiest way is to take advantage of Windows’ universal keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C (copy), Ctrl+X (cut), and Ctrl+V (paste). Windows 11 has a smart clipboard history that allows you to see and use old clipboards. HOW? Press the Windows+V and a list of your recent clipboards will appear and you just need to click on the one you want to paste. The first time you do this, you need to activate the function. Save clipboard Foundry Foundry Foundry Clipboards that you use frequently (for example, your address or phone number) can be saved in the clipboard history. HOW? Use the pin icon to the right of your clipboard to save it. Press it again to stop saving. Of course, you can also delete the clipboard from here. To do this, press the three dots to the right of a clipboard and select trash. With the Clear all button to empty the entire list — except for what you have saved yourself. Emoji and special characters The clipboard history also contains shortcuts to emoji symbols, gif animations, and various special characters, for example, and you use them in the same way. HOW? Press the Windows+V and you will see a row of icons at the top. Below the first one, you’ll see the most recently used ones, and then you’ll find emoji symbols, gif animations, other emoticons and symbols. The last icon shows your clipboard. If it’s just emoji you’re after, there’s a little shortcut. If you press the Windows key together with a dot, the emoji menu opens directly. Sync the clipboard – or skip it Foundry Foundry Foundry If you want, you can synchronize your clipboard history between your computers, so you can access them on any device you’re logged into. If, on the other hand, you find the whole feature unpleasant, you can remove it. HOW? Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and enable/disable Clipboard history using the slider on the right. Also choose whether to synchronize it between different devices. Feature #4: Focus Sessions Help to focus … Foundry Foundry Foundry If you want to work more efficiently, you can use Focus Sessions, which is a smart timer. The idea is to work efficiently for a period of time that you decide in advance, for example two hours. Once this time has elapsed, Focus Sessions will notify you that you are done. By default, there are two short breaks inserted every hour, as this is considered to make work more efficient. HOW? Open the program Clock and select Focus Sessions in the menu on the left. Press the button Get started and enter the amount of time you want to focus. Select the Start the focus session and a timer will start. Minimize the clock and focus on your job. When it’s time to take a break or stop working, a message will appear on the screen — and you’ll hear a beep. Set concrete goals You can use Focus Sessions to set daily goals. HOW? At the top right, your daily progress is shown and you can click on the pencil at the top right to set your daily goal — for example, six hours of focused work. Use the to-do list Focus Sessions can be paired with the Microsoft To Do list — if you want to work on tasks from here. HOW? You can find your To Do list under the heading Tasks. Click on a task to use it in your focus session and right-click to get more options, such as marking it as completed. Use the plus icon to add new tasks. Working with music Foundry Foundry Foundry If you find that music or background sounds make it easier to focus, you can connect Focus Sessions to the Spotify music service. HOW? Choose the service Install Spotify and follow the instructions. Quick start Focus Session Instead of taking the detour via the Clock app, you can quick launch your focus session via the Taskbar. HOW? Tap the clock at the bottom right of the screen and select Focus. This opens a small window showing your focus session. Powerful clock The Windows Clock app can do more than display the time. HOW? Open the Clock app. You’ll now see five tools in the menu on the left: Focus Sessions. Help to focus on a task. Timer. A digital egg timer. Alarm. A digital alarm clock. Stopwatch. A digital timer clock. World clock. Show the time in other countries. Windows Read...

Cybersecurity firm behind global outage says it continues to focus on restoring all impacted computers. Read...

This story was inspired by some unsolicited tech advice from the TSA. Coming home from a recent vacation, my wife left her phone at airport security. After a frantic race back from the gate, we were able to get the phone back without issue, along with a tip from the agent who was holding onto it: Put an emergency contact on the lock screen, so whoever finds your phone knows who to call. There are actually a bunch of ways to do this, which I’ll explain shortly. But the incident also brought to mind a broader point about how to deal with lost or stolen devices, both before and after the fact. If you have any trips coming up, it’s worth taking a few minutes to know your options. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get more tech tips every week. iPhone users: Set up Family Sharing If you’re traveling with a partner and both of you have iPhones, setting up Family Sharing lets you use Apple’s Find My app to play a sound, enable “Lost Mode,” or remotely trigger a factory reset on the other person’s devices. (Family Sharing also has other benefits, like being able to share some subscriptions.) Set it up under Settings > Your Name > Family Sharing, or view Apple’s documentation for more details. Family Sharing alone does not share your device’s location with family members. If you want to do that, head to Settings > Your Name > Find My, then enable “Share My Location” and choose the family member you want to share with. Get familiar with ‘Find My’ Apple, Google, and Microsoft all offer “Find My” utilities to help locate and remotely lock a lost device. Now’s a good time to make sure you’re using them. Apple: The Find My app should be installed by default, but if not, you can grab it from the App Store. You can use the app to find iPhones, iPads, Macs, AirPods, Apple Watches, AirTags, and other devices connected to Apple’s Find My network. (There’s also a web version at at icloud.com/find, but you’ll need access to your phone or an other Apple device to get past the two-factor authentication prompt.) Google: Install the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store, or use the web version. While you can’t view your partner’s devices this way, the app has a handy “Guest Mode” that anyone can temporarily log into. Use it to find Android devices, WearOS watches, earbuds with Fast Pair support, and other devices that support Google’s Find My Device network. Unfortunately, the app can’t track a lost Chromebook. Microsoft: On your PC, head to Settings > Update & Security (in Windows 10) or Privacy & Security (in Windows 11), then select “Find My Device” and make sure it’s turned on. You can then use Microsoft’s Find My Device website to locate or lock down your laptop. Enable lost mode All three of the “Find My” tools above allow you to mark your device as lost. This prevents the device from being used until you sign back in, you can also set a custom message with contact information, so whoever finds the device can get it back to you. This feature is called “Lost” mode for Apple devices, “Secure Device” for Android, and “Lock” for Windows PCs. Add emergency info “Find My” apps may be useful once you’ve realized your phone has gone missing, but you can also add emergency contact info that anyone can proactively look up from your lock screen. On iOS: Head to Settings > Emergency SOS > Set up Emergency Contacts in Health. Hit “Edit” and fill out the emergency contact field. On Android: Varies by phone, but try looking under Settings > Safety & Emergency or About Phone > Emergency Information. On Samsung phones, you can also tap your name at the top of the Contacts app to fill out emergency contact info. Once set up, whoever finds your phone can hit “Emergency” from the lock screen to find your alternative contact info. Consider a lock screen contact Unfortunately, emergency contact info is a bit buried on both iOS and Android, so someone who finds your phone may not know where to find it. Besides, you might prefer to list your own email address instead of someone else’s phone number as a recovery option, especially if you’re traveling abroad. For those reasons, consider putting an alternative contact directly on the lock screen itself: On iOS: Set up a lock screen widget with customizable text, such as Lock Screen 16 or Any Text. Here’s a helpful step-by-step guide. On Android: Varies by phone, but if you search for “Lock Screen” in Settings, you should find an option to add whatever text you like — no third-party apps needed. Gone for good? If you can’t get your device back and are worried about unauthorized access, you can use another device to remotely erase the lost one and sign out of your accounts. This is especially important on tablets or computers where you might not have set up a lock screen. Google’s and Apple’s Find My apps offer an “Erase” function to wipe your devices from afar. Note that Apple says not to do this if you have an AppleCare+ plan with theft and loss coverage, as you’ll need to file a claim and get it approved before erasing the phone. This Google web page lets you remotely log out of your account on any device, including Chromebooks. The AppleID website lets you log out of your Apple account on any device, including non-Apple devices (such as Roku players where you signed into the Apple TV app). Lastly, consider reporting the device’s IMEI number to the police, which may be necessary if you have theft and loss coverage. You can look up that information on the AppleID website, or by clicking the “i” next to your phone on Google’s Find My Device page. Back up your data Does your phone have any data that you’d miss if it disappeared forever? Consider this a friendly reminder to have a backup solution in place, at the very least for your photos. This, of course, is an article unto itself. This column first appeared in Advisorator, Jared’s tech advice newsletter. Sign up to get more tech tips every week. Security Software and Services Read...

If you’re looking to save some dough on a computer display, it’s a great time to hunt for monitor deals thanks to Amazon’s Prime Day and competing sales events from other retailers. I’ve scoured the web for the best deals on the best screens. PCWorld constantly reviews the latest monitor models with the newest tech. We also hunt for the best values if you don’t need all the bells and whistles. You can trust us to not just find the biggest discounts, but the discounts on the monitors that are actually worth buying in the first place. Prime Day starts July 16, but we’re already seeing deals pop up all over the web on gaming monitors, standard office models, and the elusive and expensive upgraded OLEDs. Read on for the best monitor deals at the best prices I could find, and check out our Prime Day 2024 deals hub for great sales in other tech categories.First published on July 12, 2024. Last updated on July 16, 2024. Prime Day 2024 deals on OLED monitors Corsair 27-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor, $749.99 ($250 off at Amazon) Gigabyte 49-inch OLED Ultrawide gaming monitor, $949.99 ($150 off at Amazon) Samsung 34-inch OLED ultrawide gaming monitor, $799.99 ($400 off at Amazon) LG 45-inch OLED ultrawide gaming monitor, $1199.99 ($500 off at Amazon) Alienware 34-inch OLED ultrawide gaming monitor, $699.99 ($400 off at Dell.com) OLED monitors are the cream of the crop for gamers, and at the moment you can’t get any bigger than Gigabyte’s 49-inch super-duper-mega-ultrawide. But for a good balance between size and utility, I think I’d prefer the 45-inch LG model, if only because its 21:9 aspect ratio and lower resolution is much easier for gaming PCs to handle. If you want to upgrade to OLED for as little cash as possible, the Alienware ultrawide is just $700, with the Samsung monitor at the same size only $100 more and offering USB-C connectivity. Prime Day 2024 deals on gaming monitors MSI 24-inch IPS 1080p 180Hz gaming monitor, $89.99 ($20 off at Amazon) Acer Nitro 27-inch IPS QHD 180Hz gaming monitor, $169.99 ($120 off at Amazon) Acer Predator 27-inch IPS 4K 160Hz gaming monitor, $299.99 ($150 off at Amazon) Gigabyte 34-inch VA 3440×1400 ultrawide 144Hz gaming monitor, $296.99 ($104 off at Amazon) Acer 34-inch ultrawide VA 100Hz gaming monitor, $189.99 ($90 off at Newegg, use coupon code FANDUA5458) I’m an ultrawide fanboy, so if I was on a budget I’d gobble up that Gigabyte 34-inch VA monitor in a hurry. It’s already a budget favorite, and it’s more than $100 off at the moment. Acer has an alternative that’s even cheaper, but its lower refresh rate will probably turn some gamers off. Acer’s 27-inch options are great if you want to focus on speed at WHD resolution or detail with the slightly slower 4K version. Prime Day 2024 deals on office monitors Dell 27-inch 4K IPS USB-C monitor, $269.99 ($100 off at Amazon) Dell 34-inch ultrawide IPS USB-C monitor, $374.99 ($125 off at Amazon) LG 27-inch 1080p IPS monitor, $99.99 ($30 off at Amazon) Dell 27-inch 1080p VA monitor, $99.99 ($20 off at Dell.com) MNN 15.6-inch USB-C portable monitor, $70.19 ($20 off at Amazon) Dell is a go-to for low-cost, high-quality monitors, and during this sale they have a variety of options. A 4K USB-C monitor is great for an office setting, especially if you’re using a laptop, but you can also add a cheap second display for as little as $100. I’d go with the LG on that one for the better IPS screen. For boosting productivity on the go, that portable monitor is a fantastic deal. More great Prime Day 2024 deals  PCWorld covers a wide range of tech deals every Prime Day, so make sure to check out some other best deal roundups that may be of interest, and see our top picks for the best monitors of 2024 for more PCWorld insights..  Best Amazon tech deals across PCWorld’s top categories PC computer deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Laptop deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 SSD and storage deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 USB flash drive deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Thunderbolt dock and USB-C hub deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Office chairs and standing desks: Best of Prime Day 2024 PC keyboard deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Battery charger deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Laptop bag and backpack deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 Chromebook deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 iPad, Galaxy Tab and Kindle deals: Best of Prime Day 2024 FAQ 1. What size of monitor should I buy? Monitor size depends on personal preference and location.  A 24-inch monitor is fine for a desk that is around 24 inches deep, or less. Its small size will still be sufficient because the monitor is closer to you. Most people, however, will want to go with a 27-inch monitor. The added size will make the monitor easy to see. This also opens up a wider range of 4K monitor options, as 4K is very rare on a 24-inch monitor. Larger monitors, such as a 32-inch widescreen or 34-inch ultrawide, are great for deep desks and people who want an immersive experience. Monitors this large can serve as a TV replacement in a small room.  Displays of even larger size, such as 42-inch or 48-inch HDTVs, are best for home theater setups or an unusually large office. You’ll want to sit four to six feet away from a display of this size. 2. What display input is best? (HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. USB-C) USB-C is the best display input for most people. It works by bundling DisplayPort into USB-C, so offers all the same features as DisplayPort. Yet it retains the features of USB-C including optional support for Power Delivery to charge external devices. This is why we recommend a USB-C monitor for most people. DisplayPort is generally second-best. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI. This input is particularly common on desktop computers.  HDMI comes in third due to lower resolution and refresh rate support. This is improved by HDMI 2.1, but this feature remains hard to find and often adds to a monitor’s price. All three of the options above handle 1080p at 60Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate available today. It’s also important to buy a monitor that has an input compatible with your PC. 3. Are all monitors compatible with Windows and MacOS? Modern monitors are compatible with all recent versions of Windows and MacOS. They’re plug-and-play, which means the monitor should display an image without the need to install driver software or mess with Windows or MacOS settings. Monitors Read...