GORGE COMPUTERSConsumer technology · Field guides

Topic

How To guides

Plain-English how to help from the Gorge Computers archive — 61 guides.

How ToHow to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Any AccountA password alone is no longer enough. Two-factor authentication adds a second check that stops most account takeovers — and it only takes a few minutes per account.September 20267 min read Phones & TabletsHow to Free Up Space on a Full iPhone or Android PhoneThe “storage full” warning always comes at the worst moment. Here is the safe order — check what is taking space, clear the easy wins, and avoid deleting anything you will miss.September 20266 min read How ToHow to Back Up Your Computer the Right Way (Step-by-Step)Most people think they have a backup… until they actually need it. Then they find out it wasn't set up right, wasn't updated, or never worked in the first place.March 20265 min read How ToHow to Speed Up a Slow Computer (Step-by-Step Guide)If your computer is running slow, freezing, or taking forever to load programs, you're not alone. Most slow computers can be fixed without replacing the entire system.March 20267 min read How ToHow to Choose the Right External Hard Drive (Without Getting Ripped Off)If you've ever tried to buy an external hard drive, you already know the problem: there are way too many choices, and half of them look exactly the same.March 20266 min read How ToHow to Install an SSD (Simple Beginner Guide)Upgrading to an SSD is one of the best things you can do for your computer. But a lot of people are nervous about opening their machine. It's easier than you think.March 20266 min read How ToHow to Keep Your Internet Working When the Power Goes OutStorm season in the Columbia River Gorge: keep your modem and router running in an outage, set up a phone hotspot, and protect your electronics.October 20267 min read How ToStill on Windows 10? Your Security Updates Now Run Through October 2027Microsoft extended free Windows 10 consumer security updates to Oct. 12, 2027. How to check you're enrolled, how to enroll, and what to plan next.October 20266 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Phone From Auto-Downloading Apps (iPhone & Android)Learn how to stop iPhone and Android from automatically downloading apps or app updates, including settings that re-download apps from your account.October 20264 min read How ToHow to Stop Windows 11 Update Restart Reminders (Without Breaking Updates)Windows 11 keeps prompting you to restart to finish updates. Use Active Hours and Windows Update restart settings to reduce interruptions safely.October 20263 min read How ToHow to Check If Your Windows 11 PC Is Using Secure BootLearn how to verify Secure Boot on Windows 11 using Windows Security or System Information, and what to do if it’s off.October 20263 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Browser From Saving Passwords (and What to Do Instead)Learn how to disable password saving in your browser and switch to a password manager so your logins stay secure.October 20263 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Smart TV From Tracking You (and What You Can’t Control)Learn which smart TV settings reduce tracking: ad personalization, data collection, app sign-ins, and account permissions—plus realistic limits.October 20265 min read How ToHow to Use Windows 11’s Built-In Backup (Without Overthinking It)Learn how to set up Windows 11’s built-in backup options (File History and OneDrive) and verify you can restore your files.October 20265 min read How ToThe Recovery Folder Every Computer Should HaveCreate a recovery folder before your computer fails, with device details, warranty notes, backup information, and safe account recovery reminders.October 20265 min read How ToThe Family Computer Setup That Prevents Most Everyday ProblemsA shared family computer works better when each person has their own account, browser profile, and basic file habits.October 20265 min read How ToThe Backup Test Most People Never DoA backup is only useful if you can restore from it. This simple test shows whether your backup can actually bring a file back safely.October 20265 min read How ToYour Photos Are in the Cloud — But Are They Actually Safe?Understand cloud photo syncing versus independent backups and protect irreplaceable pictures from accidental deletion.September 20265 min read How ToYour Computer Isn't Necessarily Old — Here's What to Check Before Replacing ItBefore replacing a slow computer, check startup apps, storage, resource usage, updates, and whether a compatible upgrade would help.September 20265 min read How ToWindows 11 Focus Sessions: A Built-In Way to Reduce DistractionsLearn how to use Windows 11 Focus sessions to reduce interruptions while working, studying, or completing important tasks.September 20265 min read How ToStop Losing Important Browser Tabs: How to Organize Chrome With Tab GroupsLearn how to organize Google Chrome tabs into groups so you can keep projects, research, and everyday browsing easier to manage.September 20265 min read How ToTurn Your iPhone Into a Document Scanner Without Installing Another AppLearn how to scan paper documents with your iPhone using the built-in Notes app.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Turn On Live Captions in Windows 11Learn how Windows 11 Live Captions can display spoken audio as text and how to turn the feature on.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Find Out Which Android Apps Have Used Your Camera or MicrophoneLearn how to check which Android apps have accessed your camera, microphone, and other permissions using the Privacy dashboard.September 20265 min read How ToWhy Your Phone Storage Is Full Even After Deleting PhotosLearn why deleting photos may not free phone storage and how to safely recover space on iPhone and Android.September 20265 min read How ToWhy Your Laptop Gets Slower Over Time (And What Actually Helps)Discover why laptops slow down and learn practical ways to improve performance before paying for upgrades or a replacement.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Give an App Permission to Access Your Photos, Read ThisLearn what photo access permissions mean on iPhone and Android, when limited access makes sense, and how to review app permissions.September 20265 min read How ToWhy Windows Keeps Asking You to Restart After an UpdateWindows keeps requesting a restart after updates? Learn why it happens, how to schedule restarts, and when repeated requests need troubleshooting.September 20265 min read How ToYour Computer Has Plenty of Storage, So Why Is It Still Running Slowly?Your computer can have plenty of free storage and still run slowly. Learn how RAM, CPU usage, startup apps, and hardware affect performance.September 20265 min read How ToTech for Dummies: How to Scan a Document With Your Phone—No Scanner NeededNo scanner? No problem. Learn how to scan forms, receipts and other documents using an iPhone or Android phone in this hands-on Tech for Dummies guide.September 20265 min read How ToYour External Backup Drive Should Not Stay Connected All the TimeLeaving your only external backup drive connected all the time can expose it to some of the same failures and malware as your PC. Learn a safer home backup routine.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Trade In an Android Phone, Make Sure You Can Sign Back Into GoogleBefore trading in or resetting an Android phone, verify Google Account access, two-step verification and backups so you do not lock yourself out afterward.September 20265 min read How ToYour iPhone Can Automatically Remove Location Data When You Share Some PhotosiPhone photos can include location information. Learn how to review sharing options and remove location metadata before sending a sensitive photo.September 20265 min read How ToWindows 11 24H2 Support Ends Next Month: How to Check Your PC and What to DoWindows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of updates October 13, 2026. Here’s how to check your version, update Windows, and back up first.September 20265 min read How ToWindows 11 Has an Energy Recommendations Screen—Here’s What It ChangesLearn what Windows 11 Energy recommendations can change, where to find the screen, and why you may want to review suggestions individually.September 20265 min read How ToTech for Dummies: Where Did That Windows Notification Go?Learn where missed Windows 11 notifications go, how to open Notification Center with Windows key + N, and why Do Not Disturb can make alerts appear quietly.September 20265 min read How ToWindows 11 Has a Cleanup Recommendations Screen—Check It Before Deleting Files by HandUse Windows 11 Cleanup recommendations to review temporary files, unused apps and other storage candidates before deleting files by hand.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Send Files From Android to a Windows PC Without a CableLearn how to use Google Quick Share to send files between Android and a compatible Windows PC without emailing them to yourself or using a cable.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Find an Android Notification You Accidentally Swiped AwayLearn how Android Notification history can help you find recently dismissed alerts, where to enable it, and why it cannot recover notifications from before it was turned on.September 20265 min read How ToTech for Dummies: How to Make the Words Bigger on Your iPhoneA simple step-by-step guide for making iPhone text easier to read, written for people who aren't comfortable changing phone settings.September 20265 min read How ToChrome Has a Built-In Safety Check—Here’s What It Actually ChecksChrome's Safety Check can flag browser updates, questionable extensions, unwanted notifications and old site permissions without requiring a third-party cleanup program.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Reduce iPhone Data Usage Without Turning Cellular Data OffLow Data Mode can reduce background network activity on an iPhone without completely disabling cellular internet access.September 20265 min read How ToWindows Can Lock Itself When You Walk Away: How Dynamic Lock WorksWindows Dynamic Lock can use a paired Bluetooth phone to automatically lock a PC after you move away from it.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Archive Android Apps Without Losing Their DataAndroid can remove the installed portion of an unused app while retaining its icon and app data, giving you a reversible way to recover storage.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Reset a PC, Make This Recovery ChecklistBefore resetting Windows, protect your files, find your BitLocker key, check account access, and make sure a reset is really the right recovery option.September 20265 min read How ToLost Your iPhone? Do These Things Before You PanicLost an iPhone? Learn how to use Find My safely, protect your device and account, avoid follow-up phishing scams, and think carefully before remote erase.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Back Up an Android Phone Before It BreaksCheck your Android backup before your phone is lost or damaged. Learn what Android backs up, how to check photos and apps, and why account recovery matters.September 20265 min read How ToFind Your BitLocker Recovery Key Before You Actually Need ItFind your BitLocker recovery key before you need it. Learn where Windows may store it, how to back it up, and why it should be kept private.September 20265 min read How ToShould You Install iOS 27 Now or Wait?Should you install iOS 27 right away? Here’s how to weigh security, backups, compatibility, and the benefits of waiting a few days.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Review Who and What You're Sharing With on an iPhoneUse iPhone Safety Check to review sharing with people and apps, connected devices, privacy permissions, and account access while considering personal-safety consequences.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Free Up iPhone Space Without Deleting All Your PhotosFree up iPhone storage with Optimize iPhone Storage while protecting your photo library and understanding the difference between iPhone and iCloud storage.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Whether Chrome Says One of Your Passwords Was CompromisedCheck Chrome and Google Password Manager for exposed, weak, or reused passwords and learn what to do when Password Checkup finds a problem.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which Android Apps Have Used Your Camera, Microphone, or LocationUse Android Privacy Dashboard to see which apps recently accessed your camera, microphone, location, and other sensitive permissions.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Change Your Default Browser in Windows 11Change the default web browser in Windows 11 through Settings > Apps > Default apps without uninstalling your other browsers.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Send Files Between Two Windows PCs Without a USB DriveTransfer files between nearby Windows PCs without a USB drive by using Windows Nearby Sharing over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Your Laptop Battery Health in Windows 11Learn how to generate a Windows 11 battery report, where to find it, what information matters, and when an aging laptop battery may need attention.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which Apps Can Use Your Microphone in Windows 11Review Windows 11 microphone permissions, understand app versus desktop-app access, and troubleshoot microphone problems without disabling everything.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which iPhone Apps Can Access Your Location, Camera, and MicrophoneReview iPhone app access to Location Services, the camera, microphone, and other private data using Apple’s built-in Privacy & Security controls.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Stop Websites From Sending Annoying Notifications in ChromeStop unwanted website notifications in Google Chrome by reviewing per-site permissions and learn what to do when browser alerts imitate security warnings.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Free Up Space in Windows 11 Without Guessing What to DeleteLearn how to safely free up storage space in Windows 11 using Storage settings, Cleanup recommendations, and Storage Sense before deleting files by hand.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Update Your iPhone: 5 Things to Check FirstiPhone updates are normally straightforward, but five quick checks make a failed or inconvenient update much less likely to become a serious problem.September 20265 min read