fixes Archives

Easy tricks to speed up your slow computer

Picture this: Your phone is barely a year old and running at a snail’s pace. You blame the manufacturer and mumble something about planned obsolescence. Before you go off on a rant, check out our guide to the top seven reasons your phone is running slow.

Can you brew a pot of coffee in the time it takes your PC to boot up? Are web pages taking forever to load? You may think it’s time for an upgrade but don’t shell out all that money until you try these fixes to breathe new life into your machine.

1. Did you try turning it off and turning it back on again?

Let’s start with the most basic fix. If your computer is bogged down, turn it off and restart it. Why does it work? Shutting down your computer clears your RAM and closes extra programs and processes running in the background.

2. Disable unnecessary startup programs

Operating systems often come with many preinstalled startup programs, many of which you’ll never use. Downloading additional programs only adds to the bloat.

Most apps don’t need to start every time you boot your PC. Why not just open them when using them?

Here’s how to disable startup apps through settings in Windows:

Open Settings through the Start menu or search for settings in the taskbar.
Select Apps, then Startup.
Click on the slider next to each app to disable or enable it.
Each app has a description showing its impact level. You can disable high-impact apps to speed up your PC.

Don’t stop there! Here are more default settings to change.

3. Uninstall bloatware and other software that’s not needed

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Update your PC! Patch Tuesday fixes 98 flaws

Keeping your devices updated is important. Developers release patches and fixes that improve your phone or computer’s performance and protect it against the latest threats.

Here’s a surprise for iPhone users — you can get the latest updates early if you take this simple step. Tap or click here to learn how to stay ahead of the pack.

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Hello, problem – meet your solution

🛠️ I love an easy fix. These are worth having around when you need ‘em.

Your hair sheds. Get a pack of easy drain clog removers ($8 for a 9-piece set).
If your old charging cables are starting to fray, slap on some cord protectors to keep ‘em going (4-pack for under $5).
The car is a sticky mess. Put coasters (33% off a 4-pack, $6) in your cup holders for easy cleaning. So many colors!
Your plant babies are looking sad. Try this leaf shine spray from Miracle-Gro (under $9).
Fall boots looking dingy and water-spotted? Reviewers say this suede and leather brush is a miracle worker (35% off, $6.49).

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

Restart Chrome: That’s the easiest way to update. The latest patch fixes a zero-day flaw. Translation: Hackers know about it, so update your Chrome browser now.

Excel error codes? Here's the fix

Open/download audio

Do you use spreadsheets a lot? I bet you’ve seen your fair share of error codes. Try these easy one-minute fixes.

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Update your Windows PC now to patch 2 zero-days, 119 other flaws

It’s been six months since Microsoft began rolling out Windows 11, and as usual, it’s been a work in progress. This is normal for a new operating system as developers work out the bugs and release updates.

One of the most significant changes with Windows 11 is the new Apple-like interface. The taskbar was also overhauled to make it easier to find your most-used apps. More changes coming to the new OS include automatic framing, background blur and background noise suppression. Tap or click here for details.

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Here's why your Google Photos app keeps crashing

The war between iPhone and Android smartphone users will likely never see an end, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It all comes down to your preference, and there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a phone running on iOS or Android operating systems.

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Amazing finds to fix things

⭐️ With these kinds of discounts, there’s no reason to keep putting off your to-do list.

Cover the annoying gap between your stove and counter with these easy-to-clean silicone covers (48% off a 2-pack, $8.48).
Repair broken window and door screens in a jiffy with this waterproof mesh tape (45% off, $8.29). So smart!
Cover up chips and scratches on your wood furniture, baseboards and more with these markers (13 assorted colors; 53% off, $7.49).
Restore the grout in your bathroom, kitchen or wherever with these paint and sealant markers (25% off, $8.99).
Pumice stone to get rid of those nasty toilet stains (7% off, $13.99).
This Sleek Socket cord kit will help you hide the ugly cords hanging down from your lamps or TV (27% off, $24.95).

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

Update Chrome! New security vulnerabilities put millions at risk

One of your first lines of defense against hacks, bugs and viruses is to keep your devices and software updated. Developers push updates and patches as they discover issues. Sometimes patches fix a flaw that is causing problems for users, and other times it’s a preemptive measure done before anything can be exploited.

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This Chrome change makes it easier to tell which sites can access your webcam and mic

If you want the most up-to-date security and privacy features, you should check out Chrome’s latest and greatest update. Google Chrome 92 just hit the scene. It introduced fixes for some pretty severe security flaws.

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Can’t make your iPhone screen rotate? 6 easy fixes

When you think the features on your gadgets couldn’t get any better, they do. Technology is always advancing, whether it’s an upgraded screen on a new smartphone or a massive update to an app.

When the advances work, they’re great. When they fail, it can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. Even the most user-friendly devices can have glitches that come up from time to time. We saw it recently with the iOS 14 update, which caused iPhone battery issues for some users.

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Popular security software is crashing Windows - here's the fix

Most operating system and application updates come with new features that make the products better, or patches to fix what’s broken. Take Microsoft, which regularly updates Windows 10 with new features and updates to patch flaws and remove bugs.

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