How To Remove Internet Explorer From Your Windows PC

You would think that, because Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Edge preinstalled, you'd be able to ditch Internet Explorer. But you'd be wrong. Because Internet Explorer 11 comes preinstalled on Windows 10 -- and no, you can't uninstall it.

But you can turn it off. This Control Panel hack works in previous versions of Windows, too. Here's how to do it:

1. Right-click the Start menu icon and click Control Panel to open the Control Panel.

2. If your Control Panel is in Category view (look at the upper right corner, you should see View by: followed by Category, Large icons, or Small icons), go to Programs > Programs and Features. If your Control Panel is in Large icons or Small icons view, go to Programs and Features.  

3. On the left side of the Programs and Features window, you should see a link with a blue and yellow shield next to it that says Turn Windows features on or off. Click this link to open the Windows Features window. 

4. In the Windows Features window, find Internet Explorer 11 and uncheck the box next to it. A warning window will pop up notifying you that turning off Internet Explorer 11 might affect other Windows features and programs -- click Yes to continue. Click OK. 

5. Once Windows turns off Internet Explorer 11, it will ask you to reboot your PC. You can choose to either Restart now or Don't restart, in which case the changes will be made when you restart your computer in the future.

DONE!

You Can Unlock Your Windows 10 PC With A Samsung Phone

Much like Apple’s Handoff feature, Samsung’s Flow app lets you switch between different devices seamlessly. It originally only worked on Samsung phones and tablets, including the Windows 10-based Galaxy TabPro S, but an update means you can now use your smartphone to unlock any PC running the Windows 10 Creators Update.

You can also use Flow to perform other useful tasks, such as checking notifications across devices, and replying to messages directly. 

 

Samsung revealed it was planning to make this change back in February and estimated the feature would roll out in April. In the end it took quite a bit longer to arrive, but it's here now, and setting it up takes seconds.

The process uses Bluetooth and Windows Hello, and you'll need a Samsung phone running Marshmallow or higher, or Samsung tablet running Nougat or higher.

Download the latest version of the Flow app on your PC/tablet and phone from here. In the app on your PC, select your phone and click the Pair link. Confirm the passcode on both devices and the Bluetooth pairing will complete. Click 'Register device' and enter your Windows PIN. Confirm the passcode on both devices again, and enter your PIN once more. That's it, you're all done.

[Update: Flow is finally back up on the Windows Store]

What To Do To Keep Your PC Dust Free and Clean

Have you ever cracked open someone’s PC only to be horrified at the amount of dust and debris that’s taken up residence inside? It’s not a pretty sight. Worse yet, dust buildup can hamper performance. In extreme cases, those dust bunnies that sneak into a PC can even damage a system’s hardware.

A little bit of dust isn’t going to hurt things, but if left unchecked, a few particles eventually turn into a whole bunch of particles and before you know it, your heatsinks are caked with debris. This prevents precious airflow from reaching toasty components, like your GPU and CPU, which heat up faster and throttle more often. That’s not good. 


So what should you do? As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or if you prefer, the best offense is a good defense. Either way, the point is to prevent dust from entering into your system in the first place. The best way to do that is with dust filters.

Many modern cases ship with dust filters. If you’re in the market for a new enclosure, look for one that does, such as Fractal Design’s Define R5, NZXT’s S340 Elite, be quiet!’s Dark Base Pro 900, and so forth. There is no shortage of options, so shop around.

If your case doesn’t have fan filters, or doesn’t have enough of them, add them yourself. Magnetic air filters typically run about $8 to $10. The magnets are in the frame of the filter for easy installation, and no, you don’t have to worry about them destroying your data.

You can also make your own. Old pantyhose and nylon socks work well, and you can cut and stretch them to fit as needed. Whatever you use, just remember to clean them every now and then, otherwise the dust buildup on the outside will prevent cool air from entering your case.

If you smoke, avoiding lighting up inside your house, especially anywhere near your PC. The dirtiest looking systems tend to be those that are owned by smokers.

You should also keep your system elevated, if possible. The closer it is to the floor, the more it will collect debris that gets kicked up from foot traffic.

Finally, it’s a good idea to clean your PC on occasion. How often depends how quickly dust tends to accumulate. Pet owners, for example, may need to need to clean their systems more frequently, maybe every week or so, versus every month for others.

This doesn’t have to be a deep cleaning. A few strategically placed blasts of compressed air will do the trick. For best results, turn off and unplug your PC, and bring it outside. This way the dust won’t just settle back inside your house.

Be sure to hold the can of compressed air upright. If you tilt or shake it, the contents inside will turn to liquid, which you don’t want to spray all over your hardware. You can also give yourself freezer burn.

Finally, don’t use a vacuum. Static can build up on the plastic nozzle, which you don’t want discharging on your pricey parts.