New year, same you. And that’s OK! You don’t need to makeover your entire life to have a good 2024.

But I can tell you firsthand it’s totally worth it to spend a few minutes cleaning up your tech life. Keep reading for steps to banish junk mail, make your phone less annoying and improve your cybersecurity. You got this!

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I remember my parents saying, “Kim, stop wasting the film.” Oh yes, the days of putting film in a camera, taking up to 36 pictures and then waiting for it to get developed to see if any shots were good. Those days are long gone.

Today, the average American takes around 20 photos every single day. And I bet many of those are three shots of the same thing. So, how do we tackle the deluge of doubles? 

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You’re cruising along when, suddenly, your computer starts misbehaving. Webpages are lagging, programs are slow to open, and then (uh oh), the blue screen of death or a spinning wheel.

It could be any number of things, but there’s a chance your trusty hard drive is giving out. “Kim! My files!” Yes, I know that’s what’s on your mind. But stay calm. There are ways to make sure your data remains safe and sound.

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Multitasking can feel overwhelming when working from home. You’ve got work and personal tabs open at once, not to mention all the new work-related programs you must use. Worse still is if you share a computer with family. But you can separate work-from-home programs by using multiple desktops.

Before you even think about optimizing your onscreen efficiency, you’ve got to set up your home office. Tap or click here for the 10 things you need to work from home.

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If you’re not getting texts on your computer, I’m about to change your life. It makes replying to your aunt’s 500-word text essay or your kid’s money bag emoji much easier. Most of us type so much faster on a real keyboard.

You can do it on Windows and Mac. Let me walk you through it.

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Entertaining guests? They’ll want access to your Wi-Fi, but it’s a pain to give out your login repeatedly. Get tech smart. Post a QR code in your home that automatically signs in guests on your home network. 

Now, if a hacker gets into your home network, they can access your personal information. Should you set your home Wi-Fi network to public or private? The answer might surprise you.

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There are some tech tricks that you only know if someone clues you in.

Take the humble USB cord. If you’re constantly plugging in the wrong way, here’s the secret: The symbol on one isn’t just branding or decoration. That symbol will point up if you’re plugging in horizontally. If you plug a cable vertically, the USB symbol will face you.

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Connecting your Google account to multiple devices gives you access to services like Gmail and Google Maps, no matter where you are. But be careful to check this when selling your phone or giving away your laptop. Here’s how to remove devices from your Google account.

It’s not just limited to devices. Many Big Tech companies let you use your credentials with them to log into third-party apps and services. They usually explain that it will “enhance your experience” or something along those lines. While convenient, you should keep an eye on this feature.

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One way to fix PC problems is to reboot. That’s the most common solution IT professionals will tell you to begin with. But you may have to ring up the help desk if your computer’s still acting up after restarting it.

You know what that means: long wait times that put your patience to the test. Luckily, there’s a free tool you can use. Use this site to determine how long the wait time will be before you call.

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Many factors, including speed, appearance, ease of use, privacy and customization options can determine your choice of search engine. Some people stick to the default search engine included with their browsers. But it would be best if you took the time to choose a search engine that works best for you.

You may want to put privacy ahead of everything else, or you’ll pick the one with the best search filters. We’ve rounded up four options to get you started. Tap or click here to check out our comparison between Google, Startpage, DuckDuckGo and Bing.

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No matter how long you’ve been using computers, it feels great to discover a new shortcut that makes life easier.

The Windows key is a relative newcomer to keyboards, where many standard keys date back to typewriters. Here are seven Windows key shortcuts you’ll use daily.

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Tech problems can be pretty complex, which makes them hard to describe over the phone. A built-in Windows tool you may not know about helps both parties to find a solution more effectively. Steps Recorder boosts long-distance understanding.

This guide explains how this native feature works and how it can make your life easier. You’ll be able to record your steps before encountering a tech issue. By reproducing how you got there, your technician can help you find a solution more quickly.

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Bandwidth is a hot commodity, even more so when living in a rural area or a region with notoriously lousy internet service. But sometimes your slow internet is caused by your ISP. Tap or click here to see if your ISP is throttling your speeds.

If your ISP isn’t the problem, what is? Where can you go for the answers you need if you’re at home and noticing a lag?

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No matter your device, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in.

Here are surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked and what you can do to fix or prevent it, brought to you by sponsor TotalAV. Your best defense against viruses, keyloggers and other malware? A solid security suite.

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If you’ve ever tried self-diagnosing a slow PC, you’re already familiar with bloatware and other software installed on the computer.

What’s the best way to clean up your PC? Doing it by hand is one option, but you risk deleting something foundational and wasting time. Automation is one option that solves both problems. All you need is the right software.

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Your phone knows a lot about you. It tracks your movement, browsing habits, downloads, and more. Here’s a trick to know when your phone’s camera or microphone is being used.

You must also worry about social media apps, voice assistants, and smart TVs from listening and recording what you have to say. Tap or click for steps to put a stop to it.

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Taking a screenshot on your iPhone is as easy as pressing two buttons. But what if you wanted to save an entire webpage to view it later? Here’s a trick to avoid taking dozens of screenshots.

Taking full-page screenshots on your computer is even easier. If you want to capture the entire screen, you can use quick keyboard shortcuts or built-in programs. We’ll show you precisely what to do.

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Many computer users feel the need to keep their devices up to date with the latest hardware. After all, if you don’t have the latest components or accessories, your laptop or desktop computer might not be compatible. Tap or click here for seven laptop maintenance steps you should do regularly to keep yours happy.

An excellent example of this is Windows 11. Your system must meet a few strict requirements before installing the operating system. So, if your computer didn’t make the cut, you might have opted to buy a new one that does.

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When was the last time you checked your computer’s available storage? Too much clutter slows everything down. Here’s a quick tip to find out how much storage is on your PC.

Next time you install a new program, don’t fall for some developers’ tricks to sneak in software you don’t want or need. Do this one step before installing any programs on your computer.

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We all love Universal Clipboard, an Apple-exclusive feature that allows you to share a copied chunk of text between your iPhone and Mac.

Did you know that Windows 10 and 11 users can do the same on Android? It’s true. You should give it a shot if you’re not already doing it. Tap or click here for seven things you didn’t know your Android could do.

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