Chris Hoffman
How-To Geek
Eugene, OR, United States
Contact Chris
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Chris:
How to Remove Bing Chat “Discover” Button in Microsoft Edge
As promised, Microsoft added the new Bing AI Chat to Edge. The Bing icon lives in the top right corner of the Edge browser window, and Microsoft has made it annoyingly difficult to disable. We’ll show you how to turn it off. → Read More
How to Print Text Messages From Android
Text messages pretty much only live on your Android phone. However, there may come a time—whether it’s for a court date or personal records—that you want a physical copy. Printing a text conversation isn’t as simple as it sounds, but we’ll walk you through it. → Read More
Android 14: Release Date and Everything Else We Know
Google is already working on Android 14, the big version update for 2023. The yearly release cycle means there’s always goodies on the horizon for Android users. Here’s what we know. → Read More
How to Change Startup Programs on a Mac
The more startup items you have enabled, the slower your Mac will start up. Don’t need these apps to open at login on your Mac? You’re better off getting rid of them and launching them only when you need them. Here’s how to see which apps open at login on your Mac and how to make changes. → Read More
How to Use Bing AI Chat in Google Chrome
Microsoft is testing an advanced AI version of Bing, partially based on ChatGPT technology, called “the new Bing.” It’s normally locked to Microsoft Edge, but there are hidden ways to use it in Google Chrome as well. → Read More
Using Your Real Email to Sign In? Your Privacy Is at Risk
Many people use their primary email to sign in to practically everything. That’s a privacy nightmare, and you might be shocked to see how easily someone can use it to effectively stalk you and violate your privacy. → Read More
You Can Install and Use Windows 11 Without a Product Key
Long gone are the days of requiring a valid product key to install Windows, but what happens if you never activate Microsoft’s latest desktop OS with a license? Here’s what you need to know about installing and running Windows 11 without paying a dime. → Read More
4 Reasons Your LED Bulbs Burn Out Prematurely
The allure of LED lights is that they last for tens of thousands of hours. If yours are burning out prematurely, here are some of the likely reasons why. → Read More
Windows 12: Release Date and Everything Else We Know
Microsoft is reportedly working on a new version of Windows to replace Windows 11. In fact, Microsoft has already shown off a prototype new Windows desktop design that could be part of Windows 12 “Next Valley.” Here’s everything we know. → Read More
How-To Geek’s Best of CES 2023 Award Winners
CES is the big tech event that kicks off the new year, and we’re in Las Vegas to take it all in. We’ve dug through the announcements and navigated the show floor to find our favorite products of CES 2023. → Read More
Marques Brownlee Is Right: 5G Sucks Right Now
5G was going to be amazing. Do you remember the hype? 5G was supposed to be faster than many home internet connections and available basically everywhere. The reality is that 5G often seems to be worse than 4G LTE. → Read More
What Is the Latest Version of Windows 11?
The latest version of Windows 11 is the 2022 Update, version “22H2,” which was named “Sun Valley 2” during development. Microsoft says it will release major updates once per year, and this is the first major update Microsoft has released since the initial launch of Windows 11 in 2021. → Read More
How to Set Up Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account
Windows 11 normally requires a Microsoft account when you set it up, but you can bypass Microsoft account creation and use a local account instead. Here’s how to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account or convert an existing Microsoft account to a local account. → Read More
How to Install Windows 11’s 2022 Update (22H2)
Windows 11’s 2022 Update arrived on September 20, 2022. Named 22H2 during development, this update is packed with features like File Explorer tabs (coming soon), automatically generated captions for any audio content, enhancements to Snap Layouts, and performance and battery life improvements. → Read More
How-To Geek Is Hiring a Full-Time Associate Commerce Editor
We’re hiring once again: This time for a full-time Associate Commerce Editor to help keep our buying guides up-to-date and work with our new reviews team to turn their expertise into actionable advice. Want to throw your hat in the ring? Then read on to find out more! → Read More
Why You Should Buy a Hybrid Instead of an Electric Car
Are you in the market for a new car? Gas prices are rough and electric cars can be expensive, but there’s good news: Hybrid cars aren’t just less expensive—they may actually be better than fully electric cars in today’s world. → Read More
Microsoft Edge’s Annoying New Sidebar Includes MSN Games
Microsoft just can’t stop itself from adding new “browser features” to Edge. Once a streamlined tool for browsing the web, Edge now even includes built-in loans. The latest feature is a sidebar designed to push Microsoft’s online services, including Bejeweled-style Match 3 games. → Read More
How-To Geek Is Hiring a Full-Time Editor and Writer
We are currently hiring a full-time editor to work with freelance tech writers, edit articles before publication, and write some of their own awesome pieces for How-To Geek. Want to throw your hat in the ring? Then read on to find out more! → Read More
You Can Now Buy an Xbox Series X Console Without the Hunt
It’s been tough to get your hands on an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 console since their release in 2020. But, just like now is a great time to buy a GPU at its retail price, you should know Xbox Series X console availability has improved dramatically. → Read More
Online Privacy Is a Myth: What You Can and Can’t Do About It
We all want to recover (and maintain) our online privacy. There are lots of features and industries built around fighting for privacy, from private-browsing modes and tracker blockers to private VPNs. But online privacy is a myth—and offline privacy might be one, too. → Read More