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Today though, Google is more than just a search engine; it’s become a verb that we use every day, and this has been ingrained in the psyche of internet users. Billions of people visit Google’s pages and rely on its algorithms to deliver fair and balanced search results based on their queries. As much as it’s the web’s most popular search engine, it’s not the best from a privacy standpoint because it harvests user data and private information, which is big business right now....

Not all motherboards are created equal, however. Before you rush to purchase a new motherboard, you’ll need to consider the layout most appropriate for the computer you’re building. This typically comes down to three options: ATX, Micro ATX and Mini-ITX, but which is best? This guide should help you decide. Size and Design The three major motherboard standards (ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX) are all quite similar in how they operate....

The death of the optical disc has been swift, and most computers don’t even ship with an optical drive as standard anymore. Still, there are plenty of legacy devices that work just fine if you can convert your current digital content into physical form. Warning! Watch Out for PuPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) This article focuses on CD and DVD burning software, but “free” almost always comes with another payment type....

However, coming up with a bunch of random complicated passwords can also backfire when you simply can’t remember them all. So how do you stay on top of your security and keep all your important data safe? We have a few good password tools for you to explore. Use a Password Manager One of the less complicated ways to stay on top of your security is using a password manager....

Clearing Up the Meaning of “Modem” The word “modem” is short for modulator/demodulator. It refers to a device used for dial-up internet, where data is sent over the same copper telephone lines that voice calls use. The modem takes the ones and zeroes that represent the data packets sent over the internet and turns them into sound frequencies over copper wire. It also does the reverse, listening to the sounds coming from the internet and turning them back into binary code....

Hmmm, of course I have a license! The product key was valid and it had activated fine over the Internet when I first installed it, so I wasn’t sure exactly why I was getting this error. Anyway, after playing around with a couple of possible solutions, it’s now running without the error message popping up. In this article, I’ll list out the various steps I tried to solve the issue and hopefully it will work for you....

But what if you don’t have a second monitor lying around? If you have a spare HDTV lying around with an HDMI input, you can hook it right into your computer and use it like you would a monitor. If you’ve done this, you may have run into a frustrating problem with this process, however, and rest assured you’re not alone. Even with the TV set to the correct resolution, you might end up with a picture that is cut off on your TV screen....

A quick Google search for “what is bandwidth” will turn up two different definitions from the dictionary, neither of which is correct. This article will explain what bandwidth is, how it is measured, and how much you need for different tasks. What Is Bandwidth? Bandwidth is defined as the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted through a specified connection within a specified period of time. This definition is most often used to refer to download and upload speeds given by an internet service provider, or ISP....

It used to be that whenever you booted up your Windows operated computer, it would seek out and execute a batch script called autoexec.bat. Anyone with knowledge of Power DOS could use a text editor to modify this script in order to add their favorite programs to boot up, along with the Windows operating system. This made it so that everything you wanted to use was already loaded once the computer booted....

In this tutorial, you’ll show you how to change the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI on your Microsoft Windows 10/11 PC. But before you do that, you may want to consider using the One-Time Boot Menu instead. How to Use the One-Time Boot Menu The best way to change the boot order in Windows is to use your PC’s One-Time Boot Menu for one-off instances. That involves pressing a specific key—such as Esc or F12—immediately during the startup boot sequence....

For example, you may see simple names like Airport WiFi or funny ones like FBI Surveillance Van 4, which are SSIDs for those specific networks. From the list, you can identify your network’s name and join to connect to the internet. Most router manufacturers set default router SSIDs like NETGEAR_XXXX or Linksys_XXXX. If you’re on a home WiFi network, you can opt to leave it as it is, or personalize it with a name of your choice....

If you’ve got a notion to combine your Switch with your PC somehow, we’ll walk you through the different options and possibilities that are out there. Connect Your Switch to a Monitor If all you want is to play your Nintendo Switch games on your computer’s monitor, you don’t need to connect it to your PC. Most modern monitors have HDMI connectors and are likely to have more than one....

Buckle up! We’re going to dig into the multitude of ways you can customize Windows 10. The Absolute Basics: Wallpapers & Themes Windows 10 comes with some pretty attractive desktop wallpapers. Most people are probably pleased enough with the standard choices. However, changing your wallpaper is also the easiest way to make the system feel like your own. You can use any picture you like as a wallpaper, but to get the best results you should use an image that matches the native resolution of your screen....

Depending on what version of PowerPoint you’re using, there are different ways to insert a YouTube video into your presentation. Learn how to embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint and why you might want to do it in the first place. Why Add YouTube Videos to Your PowerPoint Presentations You want your audience to enjoy a presentation and also learn new information from it. The best formula for a well-balanced PowerPoint presentation is to mix your media, including text, images, charts, and videos....

We’ll go through a few ways you can export or download Gmail emails. You can import them into apps like Outlook or Thunderbird or online email services like Yahoo or ProtonMail. You also can create a Gmail backup to store on your hard drive or in a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. How to Use Google Takeout to Download All Emails You can easily download a single email in Gmail as a ....

You can find and change the location of Steam’s screenshot folder to any folder you want and make it easier to access. How to Find the Steam Screenshot Folder Just click F12 in a game to take a screenshot. Steam automatically saves screenshots to a specified folder. You’ll hear a soft clicking sound, almost like the shutter of a camera. A message will appear in the bottom-right corner of the screen telling you that a screenshot has been saved....

Often, it’s your PC’s various software components that cause the issue, not your app itself. You can use a few solutions to fix those components and get your app running properly. Restart Your Windows 10/11 PC When your app fails to launch, the easiest fix to apply is to reboot your PC. Doing so usually fixes many minor problems on your system, possibly resolving your application error. Make sure you save your unsaved work before rebooting your PC....

Unfortunately, a large number of users have reported receiving an error message preventing a successful Windows update. It is a scary and frustrating position to be in, but it’s quite easy to fix. Here are six ways to fix the “Windows could not configure one or more system components” error. What is The “Windows Could Not Configure One Or More System Components” Error? As far as error messages go, “Windows could not configure one or more system components....

But rarely, you may have to work your way through several advanced fixes to sort things out. Before you start, however, you must identify the problematic device driver behind the “System Thread Exception Not Handled” BSOD. Identify Problematic Driver Whenever you run into a “System Thread Exception Not Handled” BSOD error, you’ll see the failed system (.sys) driver file listed right next to it. Several drivers that trigger the error include:...

You could get a Windows 10 activation error if your copy of Windows is counterfeit, installed on multiple PCs, or if you’re using a pre-owned computer and don’t have your product key. Why Am I Getting a Windows 10 Activation Error? Review this section to identify why you’re getting an activation error in Windows 10. Your Copy of Windows Is Installed on Multiple Computers If you’re using a pre-owned computer, it’s possible that the seller used the product key on more computers than Microsoft allows....