🌐 Clear out old extensions: Unused browser extensions can slow things down or quietly collect your data. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions. On Safari, go to Settings > Extensions. Remove anything you don’t need.
🌐 Share Wi-Fi from your laptop: On some networks or on an airplane, you can only connect one device. Quick fix? Turn your laptop into a hotspot. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot. On Mac, head to System Settings > General > Sharing > Internet Sharing and switch it on.
📊 Set a data limit on Windows: On a capped data plan? You can add a warning so you don’t go over. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Data usage, select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, then hit Enter limit. Choose a Limit type (like Monthly), enter your cap and click Save.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want to reopen that tab you just closed? Hit Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) or Command + Shift + T (Mac). Magic.
Control app access on Windows: On your PC, choose which apps can use your camera or mic. Go to Settings > Privacy & security, then scroll to App permissions. Tap Microphone, then toggle off any apps you don’t need using it.
📝 Need to brush up? Microsoft offers free online training for its Office programs, including video tutorials, interactive guides and practice exercises.
Finders keepers: Looking for a file? Hit the Windows key and start typing its name. That’s it. On a Mac, hit Cmd + space bar and start typin’. So simple and saves so much time.
Adjust text size on Windows: When you set up Windows 11, it picks the text and icon size for your screen. To change it, go to Settings > System > Display. Under Scale & layout, check your Display resolution, then try different Scale percentages (like 100% to 200%) until it feels right.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Press Ctrl + Shift + T to reopen the last tab you closed in your browser. Love that.
💻 Clean up your new PC: A new Windows 11 computer usually comes loaded with bloatware that eats up system resources. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Scroll through the list, tap the three-dot menu next to anything you don’t want, and click Uninstall.
🎙️ Voice typing on Windows: Press Windows key + H to activate voice typing anywhere you’d usually type, like in MS Word. You can speak punctuation (“period” or “question mark”), or click the Settings icon and toggle on Automatic punctuation to have it added as you talk.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Press Command + T (Mac) or Ctrl + T (Windows) to open a new tab in your browser without touching your little mouse.
🖼️ Add borders to screenshots: Using the Snipping Tool in Windows 11? You can automatically add borders. Open the tool, click the three-dot menu > Settings, then scroll down and toggle on Add border to each screenshot. Click the arrow next to it to choose the border Color and Thickness.
What’s the passkey? You can view and manage them right from your PC. Head to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys to see a list. Use the search bar to filter by app or website name. Don’t need one anymore? Click the three dots next to it, and select Delete passkey.
📝 Better writing with Windows 11: Want fewer spelling mistakes? Windows 11 has a built-in autocorrect feature. Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing, then toggle on Autocorrect misspelled words. You can also turn on Highlight misspelled words to underline anything it couldn’t fix.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Use Alt + Tab (Windows) or Command + Tab (Mac) to jump between open apps.
🧮 Windows math shortcut: No need to open the Calculator app. Just press the Windows key, type your equation into the search bar (like 10 15 – 5), and you’ll see the answer instantly (145). FYI: You can include spaces between numbers or leave them out. Either way works.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Press Command + Shift + 5 on Mac to open the screenshot and screen recorder menu. For Windows, hold the Windows Key + Shift + S for the Snipping Tool. Lovely.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Use Ctrl + L (Windows) or Command + L (Mac) to instantly highlight the URL (or address) bar in any browser.
Not now, Microsoft: Don’t let a surprise Windows update crash your workflow. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update. Then, choose how long you want to pause it. Think carefully, because once that time’s up, it’ll install before letting you pause again.