Google’s ChromeOS platform sure has come a long way.

From the early days, when ChromeOS was little more than an experimental “browser in a box,” to today — with the platform powering first-class hardware and supporting a diverse range of productivity applications — Google’s once-crazy-seeming project has turned into one of the world’s most intriguing and rapidly expanding technological forces.

I’ve been covering ChromeOS closely since the start. I lived with the first Chromebook prototype, the Cr-48, and have used Chromebooks as part of my own personal computing setup in varying capacities ever since. I write about the field not only as someone who’s studied it professionally from day 1 but also as someone who has used it personally that entire time, up through today.

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Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsGoogle’s ChromeOS platform sure has come a long way.From the early days, when ChromeOS was little more than an experimental “browser in a box,” to today — with the platform powering first-class hardware and supporting a diverse range of productivity applications — Google’s once-crazy-seeming project has turned into one of the world’s most intriguing and rapidly expanding technological forces.I’ve been covering ChromeOS closely since the start. I lived with the first Chromebook prototype, the Cr-48, and have used Chromebooks as part of my own personal computing setup in varying capacities ever since. I write about the field not only as someone who’s studied it professionally from day 1 but also as someone who has used it personally that entire time, up through today.To read this article in full, please click here

Tech gear is a perennially popular holiday gift. If you’re the proud owner of a new phone, tablet, or computer — or you provide tech support for family and friends with new devices — we’re here to help.

Check out and share these stories, which can help you get the most out of a new Android device, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, Mac, or Windows PC.

Android devices

The smart way to switch to a new Android phone

Here’s how to transfer data, apps, contacts, and more from your old Android phone to a new one, along with tips for a smooth transition.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsTech gear is a perennially popular holiday gift. If you’re the proud owner of a new phone, tablet, or computer — or you provide tech support for family and friends with new devices — we’re here to help.Check out and share these stories, which can help you get the most out of a new Android device, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, Mac, or Windows PC.Android devices
The smart way to switch to a new Android phone
Here’s how to transfer data, apps, contacts, and more from your old Android phone to a new one, along with tips for a smooth transition.To read this article in full, please click here

When it comes to modern technology, every second counts.

It may sound silly, but it’s true: A second is the difference between an interaction on your phone feeling instantaneous and feeling just a touch too slow. And particularly with how frequently we tend to repeat common mobile tech tasks — switching apps, opening menus, firing up our cameras, and so on — all of those seconds can add up fast.

The good news: Android has no shortage of hidden shortcuts that can help you save time and get stuff done more efficiently. All you have to do is learn how to use ’em.

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Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsWhen it comes to modern technology, every second counts.It may sound silly, but it’s true: A second is the difference between an interaction on your phone feeling instantaneous and feeling just a touch too slow. And particularly with how frequently we tend to repeat common mobile tech tasks — switching apps, opening menus, firing up our cameras, and so on — all of those seconds can add up fast.The good news: Android has no shortage of hidden shortcuts that can help you save time and get stuff done more efficiently. All you have to do is learn how to use ’em.To read this article in full, please click here

Welcome to the futuristic-sounding year of 2024 — that time of year when people set New Year’s resolutions and get started on them.

If you subscribe to our Cool Tools newsletter at The Intelligence, you’ve seen me talking about something smaller and stronger than resolutions: habits. They’re the key to lasting change.

In the spirit of New Year’s, I’d like to go beyond just a list of resolutions to consider for your PC; I’d also like to share some concrete habits you can use to achieve success, too.

Let’s stay in touch! My free Windows Intelligence newsletter delivers all the best Windows tips and tricks straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 value) just for subscribing!

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsWelcome to the futuristic-sounding year of 2024 — that time of year when people set New Year’s resolutions and get started on them.If you subscribe to our Cool Tools newsletter at The Intelligence, you’ve seen me talking about something smaller and stronger than resolutions: habits. They’re the key to lasting change.In the spirit of New Year’s, I’d like to go beyond just a list of resolutions to consider for your PC; I’d also like to share some concrete habits you can use to achieve success, too.Let’s stay in touch! My free Windows Intelligence newsletter delivers all the best Windows tips and tricks straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 value) just for subscribing!To read this article in full, please click here

The Windows 11 2022 Update has been released, but behind the scenes, Microsoft is constantly working to improve the newest version of Windows. The company frequently rolls out public preview builds to members of its Windows Insider Program, allowing them to test out — and even help shape — upcoming features.

Skip to the builds

The Windows Insider program is divided into four channels:

The Canary Channel (new in March 2023) is where platform changes (such as major updates to the Windows kernel and new APIs) are previewed. These changes are not tied to a particular Windows release and may never ship at all. Little documentation is provided, and builds are likely to be very unstable. This channel is best for highly technical users.
The Dev Channel is where new features are introduced for initial testing, regardless of which Windows release they’ll eventually end up in. This channel is best for technical users and developers and builds in it may be unstable and buggy.
In the Beta Channel, you’ll get more polished features that will be deployed in the next major Windows release. This channel is best for early adopters, and Microsoft says your feedback in this channel will have the most impact.
The Release Preview Channel typically doesn’t see action until shortly before a new feature update is rolled out. It’s meant for final testing of an upcoming release and is best for those who want the most stable builds.

The Beta and Release Preview Channels also receive bug-fix builds for the currently shipping version of Windows 11. See “How to preview and deploy Windows 10 and 11 updates” for more details about the four channels and how to switch to a different channel.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsThe Windows 11 2022 Update has been released, but behind the scenes, Microsoft is constantly working to improve the newest version of Windows. The company frequently rolls out public preview builds to members of its Windows Insider Program, allowing them to test out — and even help shape — upcoming features.Skip to the buildsThe Windows Insider program is divided into four channels:
The Canary Channel (new in March 2023) is where platform changes (such as major updates to the Windows kernel and new APIs) are previewed. These changes are not tied to a particular Windows release and may never ship at all. Little documentation is provided, and builds are likely to be very unstable. This channel is best for highly technical users.
The Dev Channel is where new features are introduced for initial testing, regardless of which Windows release they’ll eventually end up in. This channel is best for technical users and developers and builds in it may be unstable and buggy.
In the Beta Channel, you’ll get more polished features that will be deployed in the next major Windows release. This channel is best for early adopters, and Microsoft says your feedback in this channel will have the most impact.
The Release Preview Channel typically doesn’t see action until shortly before a new feature update is rolled out. It’s meant for final testing of an upcoming release and is best for those who want the most stable builds.

The Beta and Release Preview Channels also receive bug-fix builds for the currently shipping version of Windows 11. See “How to preview and deploy Windows 10 and 11 updates” for more details about the four channels and how to switch to a different channel.To read this article in full, please click here

It’s time to face the fact that the days of proprietary, platform-dependent software and services are over. They had to end. Macs, iPhones, and Windows systems coexist in today’s enterprise, which means IT decision-makers need software and services that work across all the platforms and are genuinely compatible.

Why compatibility matters

Put simply, Apple’s steady cadence of software updates means the best way to prepare your business for any new features is to ensure that at least a sub-set of people at your company are already running the software betas.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsIt’s time to face the fact that the days of proprietary, platform-dependent software and services are over. They had to end. Macs, iPhones, and Windows systems coexist in today’s enterprise, which means IT decision-makers need software and services that work across all the platforms and are genuinely compatible.Why compatibility matters
Put simply, Apple’s steady cadence of software updates means the best way to prepare your business for any new features is to ensure that at least a sub-set of people at your company are already running the software betas.To read this article in full, please click here

If there’s one thing I always remember these days, it’s that my malleable mammal memory sure ain’t what it used to be.

As (I think) I’ve said plenty of times before, my brain stopped storing new stuff somewhere around 2014. These days, I rely on a complex system of carefully crafted reminders — both virtual and physical — to make sure I never forget anything important.

And yet, I just realized I’d forgotten about one of Android’s most useful remembering functions. In fact, it’s entirely possible I’d never even noticed it at all up until just recently, when I happened to stumble onto it over the holidays. (I’d tell you for sure, but — well…y’know.)

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsIf there’s one thing I always remember these days, it’s that my malleable mammal memory sure ain’t what it used to be.As (I think) I’ve said plenty of times before, my brain stopped storing new stuff somewhere around 2014. These days, I rely on a complex system of carefully crafted reminders — both virtual and physical — to make sure I never forget anything important.And yet, I just realized I’d forgotten about one of Android’s most useful remembering functions. In fact, it’s entirely possible I’d never even noticed it at all up until just recently, when I happened to stumble onto it over the holidays. (I’d tell you for sure, but — well…y’know.)To read this article in full, please click here

More than any other platform, Google’s ChromeOS is in a constant state of evolution — and if you blink for a minute, you’re bound to miss some promising new possibility or progression.

For those of us who rely on Chromebooks for work, that’s fantastic. It means there’s always something new to learn, uncover, and consider and always some intriguing new way to get stuff accomplished.

So behold: the most useful ChromeOS-related tips and tidbits from these Googley-scented quarters in recent months. Catch up while you can and make sure you’re making the most of your work and/or personal technology for the coming year — and if you’re still hungry for even more one-of-a-kind knowledge, come check out my Android Intelligence newsletter next to get three bonus tips this second and gooey Googley goodness in your inbox all year round.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsMore than any other platform, Google’s ChromeOS is in a constant state of evolution — and if you blink for a minute, you’re bound to miss some promising new possibility or progression.For those of us who rely on Chromebooks for work, that’s fantastic. It means there’s always something new to learn, uncover, and consider and always some intriguing new way to get stuff accomplished.So behold: the most useful ChromeOS-related tips and tidbits from these Googley-scented quarters in recent months. Catch up while you can and make sure you’re making the most of your work and/or personal technology for the coming year — and if you’re still hungry for even more one-of-a-kind knowledge, come check out my Android Intelligence newsletter next to get three bonus tips this second and gooey Googley goodness in your inbox all year round.To read this article in full, please click here

A Windows launch isn’t the end a process — it’s really just the beginning. As with Windows 10, Microsoft continually works on improving Windows 11 by fixing bugs, releasing security patches, and occasionally adding new features.

In this story we summarize what you need to know about each update released to the public for the most recent version of Windows 11 — currently version 23H2. For each build, we’ve included the date of its release and a link to Microsoft’s announcement about it. The most recent updates appear first.

The easiest way to install updates is via Windows Update. Not sure how? See “How to handle Windows 10 and 11 updates” for full instructions. Note that Windows 11 version 23H2 is being released as a phased rollout and may not be available to you in Windows Update yet.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsA Windows launch isn’t the end a process — it’s really just the beginning. As with Windows 10, Microsoft continually works on improving Windows 11 by fixing bugs, releasing security patches, and occasionally adding new features.In this story we summarize what you need to know about each update released to the public for the most recent version of Windows 11 — currently version 23H2. For each build, we’ve included the date of its release and a link to Microsoft’s announcement about it. The most recent updates appear first.The easiest way to install updates is via Windows Update. Not sure how? See “How to handle Windows 10 and 11 updates” for full instructions. Note that Windows 11 version 23H2 is being released as a phased rollout and may not be available to you in Windows Update yet.To read this article in full, please click here

Want your Windows 10 PC to run faster? We’re here to help. By tweaking some of the operating settings, your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

And if you’re already running Windows 11, we’ve got you covered there. Check out our top ways to keep Windows 11 devices chugging along smoothly.

Here’s our list of tips for Windows 10.

The top ways to speed up Windows 10

Change your power settings

Disable programs that run on startup

Go to a previous restore point

Use ReadyBoost to speed up disk caching

Shut off Windows tips and tricks

Stop OneDrive from syncing

Use OneDrive files on-Demand

Turn off search indexing

Clean out your hard disk

Clean out your Registry

Disable shadows, animations and visual effects

Disable transparency

Update your device drivers

Turn on automated Windows maintenance

Kill bloatware

Defrag your hard disk

Disable Game Mode

Shut down and restart Windows

You may notice that that last tip is the most tried-and-true way of (hopefully) smoothing out any problems in Windows 10. There’s a reason it’s effectively an internet meme.

To read this article in full, please click here

Read MoreComputerworld Operating SystemsWant your Windows 10 PC to run faster? We’re here to help. By tweaking some of the operating settings, your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.And if you’re already running Windows 11, we’ve got you covered there. Check out our top ways to keep Windows 11 devices chugging along smoothly.Here’s our list of tips for Windows 10.The top ways to speed up Windows 10

Change your power settings

Disable programs that run on startup

Go to a previous restore point

Use ReadyBoost to speed up disk caching

Shut off Windows tips and tricks

Stop OneDrive from syncing

Use OneDrive files on-Demand

Turn off search indexing

Clean out your hard disk

Clean out your Registry

Disable shadows, animations and visual effects

Disable transparency

Update your device drivers

Turn on automated Windows maintenance

Kill bloatware

Defrag your hard disk

Disable Game Mode

Shut down and restart Windows

You may notice that that last tip is the most tried-and-true way of (hopefully) smoothing out any problems in Windows 10. There’s a reason it’s effectively an internet meme.To read this article in full, please click here