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Tips & Tricks

Tips & TricksTutorials
March 25, 2018

How to Remove Ads From the Windows 10 Lock Screen

I've discovered I have a new passion in life, and you know what it's all about? Helping people remove as much of the ads and sponsored content from Windows 10 as possible, assuming, of course, that that's something they want to do to begin with. And so today, a very quick but essential tip... how do you remove the"helpful" facts and/or links that appear on the login page? Here's an example: No, Windows 10. Bad. Stop trying to get my attention. These icons visually pollute the lock screen image, and in many cases, Microsoft uses them to sway consumer behavior - something they've clearly grown fond of doing since people accepted free Windows 10 upgrades. Solution If Windows 10 isn't doing what you want, beat…
Matt Refghi 0
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Personal StoriesTips & Tricks
July 28, 2017

Microsoft: Edge Is Better Than Your Browser

So there I was, browsing the web with Chrome as I always did, when I noticed a new pop-up in Windows 10. Take a look at this: Microsoft Edge is safer than Chrome. Now, as much as I like Windows for its simplicity, I have to express my total and utter disgust at this type of tactic. This is basically the corporate equivalent of a kindergardener pointing to another child and boasting how much better they are than them, in an attempt to increase their own popularity amongst the rest. And you just know that they're using the fact that their dad is the principal to more easily get away with it. See, that's the thing... if Microsoft actually had any ounce of fairness in their…
Matt Refghi 0
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Tips & Tricks
June 25, 2012

How to Pin a Batch File to the Taskbar in Windows 7

One of my favorite features in Windows 7 is the taskbar, as it combines the convenience of Vista's Quick Launch, while organizing windows in a more intuitive manner. I've grown accustomed to dragging program shortcuts into it, and having them remain there permanently. That is, until this morning. For some reason, I discovered that Windows wouldn't let me drag a batch file to the taskbar. In DOS, OS/2, and Microsoft Windows, batch file is the name given to a type of script file, a text file containing a series of commands to be executed by the command interpreter. Even when I right-clicked the file, I didn't see the typical "Pin to Taskbar" shortcut. Seeing as batch scripts can execute programs within themselves, I was surprised they were being blocked.…
Matt Refghi 16
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Tips & Tricks
December 16, 2011

Using Google Alerts to Fight E-mail Spam

I was recently reminded of the existence of a particular Google service, one which I had completely forgotten. To my surprise, it turned out to be a significant discovery, as the product can be used to improve one's privacy on the web, while reducing spam. The service, Google Alerts, allows users to choose specific search queries that they'd like to monitor. When new results appear in one of these queries, the user can be automatically notified by e-mail. Here are some suggested uses, according to Google: monitoring a developing news story keeping current on a competitor or industry getting the latest on a celebrity or event keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams All very interesting, sure - but what does it have to do with privacy,…
Matt Refghi 0
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Tips & Tricks
May 8, 2011

Pasting Text Without Formatting In Google Chrome

As part of my regular use of Gmail, I often find myself pasting text from web into my e-mails. Since the Gmail editor supports rich-text, pasting generally includes the formating, which, most of the time, simply does not make sense within the e-mail. For years, I have been using a trick to get around this - one which involved using the almighty Windows Notepad. By simply pasting the text into Notepad, and then copying it from there, I make sure the formating is not brought over. This works because Notepad itself does not support formating. As useful as this trick is, I often found myself wondering whether there were better options available. A few days ago, as I was writing an e-mail to a prospective client, I…
Matt Refghi 6
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