clutter Archives

The best browser setting you’ve never checked

Every day is full of choices. I’m not sure we need 30 flavors of chips lining grocery store aisles, but it’s nice to have options when it comes to tech. The trick is knowing what you can customize.

Take your browser and all those tabs. Whether you hate clutter and want to start fresh each time, or you like everything exactly where you left it and want all your tabs to reopen when you turn on your computer … both are possible.

Too many tabs?

Ever pause in the middle of a project and look up at a dozen browser tabs? Yeah, me too. Makes sense that you’d want to be able to take a break and come back to all your tabs open. (Just know this can slow down your computer a bit depending on how many tabs are open.)

Other people prefer a blank slate. You can direct your browser to open up to one specific page or a few URLs you always use.

Steps for Chrome

To open Chrome with a new tab:

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots, then Settings.
Click On startup and select Open the New Tab page.

To open Chrome and continue where you left off:

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots, then Settings.
Click On startup and select Continue where you left off.

Steps for Safari

To open Safari with a new window:

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Tech help scam uses a name you know: the Geek Squad

Is your computer running at a snail’s pace? Before you drop a chunk of cash on a new one, clear out some space from the hard drive. Tap or click here to remove the clutter that’s slowing you down.

Sometimes, the problem runs deeper than that. Your computer might not even turn on, or it’s performing erratically. That’s when you may need to reach out for help.

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No more messy cabinets

Under-sink pipes? Not a problem. This under-sink cabinet organizer works around the pipes, and it’s 20% off.
If you’re a tea drinker like I am, grab a tea organizer station so you can toss the bulky boxes. The white one is on sale for $5 and holds nine types of teas and sweeteners.
Organize cutting boards, cookie sheets and other items that’d otherwise lay flat with this rack, now 20% off.
Free up space with spray bottle hangers, on sale for under 10 bucks.
Clear plastic storage bins (20% off for a pack of four) can help you organize the clutter in your cabinets.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

My favorite way to scan on iPhone: Use the Notes app. Pro tip: Choose the option to Scan Documents instead of Take Photo or Video. This keeps your phone from putting a duplicate copy in your Photos app. Less clutter that way!

How to erase unsightly objects from your photos

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Is your perfect selfie ruined by distracting background clutter? Don’t delete it just yet! Get my quick photo-editing tips, in one minute.

How to clean up junk files on your Android

Unless you’re a professional photographer, there’s not much need to carry a camera. Your smartphone is quite advanced and can be used for anything from point-and-shoot images to full-on photoshoots. That said, the pros can work wonders with a phone camera.

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Tired of all the junk in your inbox? Create a burner email address

Though texting someone is more convenient than opening your email app and composing a message, email carries a formality. It’s still the king of professional correspondence, especially in an office setting.

Do you CC or BCC? Knowing the difference and the proper time to use each is important. Tap or click here for a rundown on these email tools and avoid committing a digital faux pas.

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Upgrade for the aux: Tired of cables? This adapter lets you go wireless with CarPlay so you don’t have to clutter your console with a three-foot USB cord. Love that.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Smart trick to clean out your cluttered camera roll once and for all

Is your camera roll out of control? You might be able to keep yourself ahead of the game by taking things one day at a time. This simple trick can help clear out extra space on your device and improve its performance, all without wasting too much time or energy.

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Windows gotchas: How to avoid the top 5 most common mistakes

When was the last time you checked your computer’s available storage? Too much clutter slows everything down. Here’s a quick tip to find out how much storage is on your PC.

Next time you install a new program, don’t fall for some developers’ tricks to sneak in software you don’t want or need. Do this one step before installing any programs on your computer.

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How Amazon, Target and Walmart will pay you for old stuff

Several online platforms help sell your old stuff. Tap or click for a few options that are better than Craigslist.

But most people aren’t aware that their favorite retailers can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Many offer superior trade-in value for your stuff. Chances are, you’ll be able to get rid of your clutter without venturing further than your local shopping center.

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Best ways to remove duplicate photos on Windows, Mac and Android

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Is your phone’s photo gallery clogged with duplicate photos? Use these one-minute tricks to clear out the clutter.

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How to bring in more income in the new year by selling your stuff

Are you new to the neighborhood or want to connect with your community? Try joining a buy nothing group. Neighbors pass around items for free, which is a great way to save money on things you need and establish rapport. Tap or click here for safe ways to get free stuff from next door.

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Tech cleanup: Files and folders taking valuable storage from your PC

It happens. The longer we keep our devices, the more cluttered they become.

Open your phone’s app tray for a great example. How many are sitting there that you haven’t opened in months or years? This clutter isn’t just annoying — it can be dangerous, too. Tap or click to delete apps you’re not using.

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Finally! How to see ONLY posts from friends and family on Facebook

Facebook is an excellent tool for keeping in touch with family and friends. But the longer you spend on it, the more cluttered it becomes. You might not realize it, but every group, page or event you join will add posts to your feed.

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How to get that like-new computer speed back

Your PC is likely full of files and programs you seldom or never use. There are apps you used once or twice before forgetting about them. Then there are registry files, failed downloads and bloatware that sneaks onto your computer without your knowledge. In addition to taking up storage space, all that clutter slows your computer down.

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Computer a mess? Your 5-step quick plan to clean it up

Digital junk piles up too quickly. Look no further than your phone and all those blurry photos and old screenshots in your gallery. What you don’t see are the invasive tracking cookies saved in your smartphone.

Tap or click for a short privacy how-to everyone should read.

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Easily remove old files on your PC with these tools

There will come a time during the life of your PC that you will run out of space — no matter how large the hard drive is. Old files can easily clutter the most spacious hard drive, and you’ll need to clear them out to make room for new stuff. This will not only increase storage space but also improve the performance of your PC.

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Best program to clean up your browser’s cookies, tracks and more

Does it ever seem like clutter in your home takes on a life of its own? It grows, expands and claims more space. Of course, junk can’t grow on its own. Someone is adding more stuff to your closets, spare room and garage. That is until a good spring cleaning clears out the clutter.

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