This obscure Microsoft Excel tool imports PDF data without mangling it
I don’t use Microsoft Excel all that often, so it remains a bit of a mystery to me. I can enter text and create graphs and that’s basically it. That’s why I’ve set myself a…
obscure
Optimize your SSD’s speed with this obscure Windows setting
One of the things that Windows does behind the scenes is run TRIM on an SSD in your PC. TRIM keeps the SSD in top shape and helps it run at optimal speed. This is…
Meet Sdelete, the obscure Microsoft tool that wipes data for good
When you delete a file from your computer, it’s not really gone. In fact, it can often be recovered with the right tools. That’s where Sdelete comes in. Sdelete is short for Secure Delete and…
Why I care about CPU cache as a PC gamer: The obscure spec, explained
It’s easy to look strictly at the type of CPU and GPU you have when evaluating the kind of performance you’re likely to get in PC games. But beyond that lies another important stat, the…
I made a ‘paranoid PC’ to dodge hackers. Its secret? An obscure Windows feature
In the 1990s, a colleague took me to “Snake Alley,” Taipei’s red-light district, for a night of drinking with “entertainers” and some of their very muscled, serious friends. A good time was had by all,…
15 obscure Windows 11 tricks for PC power users
You might think that simply having upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 means you’re getting the latest and greatest Windows experience. But the fact is there are many hidden features within Windows 11 that…
Nagle’s Algorithm: The obscure router setting that can hurt PC gamers
Even if your network knowledge runs deep there’s a high chance you haven’t heard of Nagle’s Algorithm. Named after its creator, John Nagle, this algorithm plays a part in the efficient operation of your router’s…
20 obscure Windows features everyone should know about
Windows PCs are incredibly powerful and flexible, and that’s true even before you install any apps. As it turns out, Windows itself is chock-full of useful features that few people actually know about. If you’re…
Beyond Chrome: Switch to these 6 obscure browsers for better security
There is always room for improvement: The manufacturers of the three major browsers Chrome, Edge, and Firefox have been working on the settings for data protection and security for years. New features are constantly being…