HACK YOUR OWN

GET A
READ AND SEND EMAILS
PASSWORDS page 74 WHEN YOU’RE OFFLINE
But first do this when you’re ONLINE p35

GRIP!
It’s how we check ours are safe
UARY 2025
ISSUE 701 ❘ 15 – 28 JAN

Stop phones
slipping from
your grasp
NO MORE
every issue
Learn something new in CRACKED SCREENS
ft – page 21
We’ve ad it with Microso
p60

Why You MUST Bin

YOUR OLD
ROUTER
Switch to a new model that’s
FASTER,, SAFER & BOOSTS
FASTER
YOUR HOME WI-FI p50
 Connect all your devices
 Get your maximum speed
 Block Wi-Fi hackers
 No more dead spots
Do you really need Wi-Fi 7?
7?
PLUS
MAKE YOUR LAPTOP
USE A VPN ON
BATTERY LAST LONGER p62 YOUR SMART TV
Change these settings now p38 Watch shows from the US (or anywhere!)
WELCOME
EDITORIAL
Content Director Marc Chacksfield
Group Editor Daniel Booth
From the Editor
Deputy Editor Robert Irvine
Production Editor Graham Brown I suspect that Wi-Fi routers are one of the Robert Irvine makes this point in his
Art Editor Katie Peat last devices we consider replacing for a Cover Feature. He starts with the five
Contributors Keumars Afifi-Sabet, Judith Batchelor, Dinah
Greek, Jonathan Parkyn, Nik Rawlinson, Andy Shaw new model. There are so many phones and most compelling reasons for upgrading,
ADVERTISING
laptops released every month – as well as then recommends the best models for
Advertising Manager Alexandra Thomas thousands of cheapish refurbished models both Wi-Fi 6 and 7. More importantly, he
MARKETING AND CIRCULATION now available – that choosing one doesn’t explains which of those is right for you
Subscriptions Sheri Taubes feel especially risky. If you don’t like what (and why you shouldn’t bother with
PRODUCTION you bought, simply try another. Wi-Fi 6E).
Head of Production Stephen Catherall But there’s a greater perceived risk that If I had £660 to spare, I’d buy Asus’s
Senior Production Manager Lawrence Brookes
switching routers will mess up your home ROG Rapture GT-BE98 router (page 56), if
INTERNATIONAL LICENSING AND SYNDICATION
network, or bring little benefit at great only to impress my kids with what Robert
Computeractive is available for licensing and syndication.
To find out more contact us at [email protected] or expense. This is a shame because it’s calls an “upside-down robot spider”.
view our available content at www.futurecontenthub.com. arguably the single biggest improvement Daniel Booth
Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw
you can make to your home computing. [email protected]
ONWARD RESALE
This publication may not be resold or otherwise
distributed, whether at, below or above face value. Nor p35
can this publication be advertised for sale, transfer or
distribution.

PERMISSIONS
Material may not be reproduced in any form without the p74
written consent of the publisher. Please address such
requests to [email protected].

LIABILITY
While every care was taken preparing this magazine, the
p60
publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy
of the information or any consequence arising from
it. All judgments are based on equipment available to
Computeractive at the time of review. Computeractive
takes no responsibility for the content of external websites
whose addresses are published in the magazine.
p50
SUBSCRIPTIONS
For any enquiries and orders, email
[email protected], go to magazinesdirect.com.
Manage your subscription online with MyMagazine. Visit
www.mymagazine.co.uk/FAQ to view frequently asked
questions or log in at www.mymagazine.co.uk

FULL SUBSCRIPTION PRICES

UK £77.74, Europe €144, USA $163, Rest of the world £125

HOW TO ORDER PAST ISSUES

To purchase single past issues (print format only) visit:
magazinesdirect.com (click on ‘Single issues’ tab) – or
email: [email protected].
Magazinesdirect.com is owned and operated by Future
Publishing Limited.

© Copyright Future PLC 2024. All rights reserved

Images from Alamy and Getty Images p38 p62
Computeractive is a registered trademark. Neither the whole
of this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by
any means without the written permission of the publishers
THIS ISSUE IN NUMBERS HOW TO USE
Distributed by Marketforce
29% SNIPCA URLs
Average sales, Jan-Dec 2023 52,670
copies per issue. Proportion of Brits who We use snipcas to turn long URLs
don’t know how to that are hard to type into ones that
delete data from are short and simple. They aren’t
old devices – p7 websites themselves, which means
18 ½ they won’t be recognised if you type
0 hours them into Google. Instead, you need to
How many of the Kindle Battery life of type them into your browser address
Scribe’s AI tools are the OnePlus bar, then press Enter. Doing this will
available in the UK - p25 Pad 2 - p24 take you to the correct website.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 3

 Contents
15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

6 News Microsoft to fix 24H2 flaw that Net costs

blocks security updates
p10
10 Question of the Fortnight By how much
will your broadband bills rise in 2025?

11 Protect Your Tech

Malware hidden in ‘concatenated’ ZIP files

12 Letters Forcing Amazon to pay ‘e-waste’

bills will lead to higher prices

14 Consumeractive Can Adobe remove

features from software I’ve paid for?

16 Grow Your Family Tree

Search Ancestry’s new RNLI records

18 Best Free Software

UniGetUI 3.1.5 Dell Latitude 7455
21 Named & Shamed Awful ads in p22
Microsoft 365’s PDF reader app

Reviews
22 Dell Latitude 7455
Long-running laptop goes the distance

23 Apple Mac mini M4

Apple’s mini PC provides quick bytes

24 OnePlus Pad 2
Android tablet offers peak performance

25 Amazon Kindle Scribe

Ebook reader shouldn’t be written off OnePlus Pad 2

26 Netac ZX20L 2TB p24

pxx
Portable SSD breaks the speed limit

28 Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo

Bird feeder with video earns its wings
Bose SoundLink Flex
Bluetooth speaker is audio dynamite

29 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Popular game reaches new heights

30 Buy It/Competition
Win a Majority Snowdon TV soundbar

4 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 SAVE
Subscribe now! 35%
See page 58 for our special subs offer

Workshops & Tips Stay on message

p35
35 
How to… Read and send emails
when you’re offline

38 
Prolong laptop battery with
Windows 11 Energy Saver

40 R
 eaders’ Tips
Block website clutter using AdGuard

42 Browser Tips Combine the New Tab

and Tab Search buttons

44 Phone and Tablet Tips

Enhance your video calls in WhatsApp

46 Make Windows Better Type uppercase

on touchscreen keyboard using Shift CO
47 Make Office Better Instantly add
Why You MUST Bin FEATVER
UR
P50 E
bullet points to indicate paragraphs
YOUR OLD
ROUTER
48 In the Club
Create and share a digital notebook

49 What’s All the Fuss About?

Google’s dashcam data
Switch to a new
50 COVER FEATURE model that’s FASTER
FASTER,,
Why you must bin your old router
An ageing router puts all your connected SAFER & BOOSTS
devices at risk. We explain why you need a
faster, safer and more versatile model
YOUR HOME WI-FI
60 Get a grip
How to ensure you don’t keep dropping Gripping technology
your slippery new devices
p60
62 Use a VPN on your smart TV

Get a
Get the best VPN for your TV and watch
films and series from anywhere in the world

64 Problems Solved

GRIP!
Is OneDrive reliable in the long term?

71 Reader Support Why can’t I add my

Yahoo account to Thunderbird?

72 Jargon Buster

74 Easy When You Know How

Robert Irvine tries to crack his own
passwords

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 5

 News The top stories in the world of technology

Microsoft to fix 24H2 flaw

that blocks security updates
M
icrosoft is working physical media
on a fix for a flaw such as CDs
in Windows 11 24H2 or USB sticks
that prevents some PCs between 8 October
from downloading security and 12 November
updates. 2024 may be unable to receive
It confirmed in December critical security patches in
that computers updated using future, leaving them
vulnerable to attacks.
WHAT WE THINK Microsoft acknowledged
the problem on its ‘Known
In terms of features, version Issues’ page (www.snipca.
24H2 is the best Windows com/53398), explaining that
11 update yet. But it’s also affected computers “might Plagued with problems AutoHDR turned on. This
had more problems than remain in a state where The problem is the latest of feature expands the colour
any other major update. It’s they cannot accept further many that have plagued 24H2 range of games and makes
likely these have deterred Windows security updates”. since its release on 1 October. them brighter.
many people from upgrading It advised users planning to Within a few days of the Microsoft advised users
to 11, which would explain install 24H2 via a disc or stick update, Microsoft said to turn off AutoHDR for all
Windows 10’s recent revival to instead download it from computers with Intel’s Smart or individual games in the
(see box below). Once its website. Sound Technology Audio Graphics section of Settings.
again we wonder whether To do so, visit www.snipca. Controller driver on Other problems Microsoft
Microsoft truly appreciates com/53397 then click the 11th-generation Core has admitted include not
the scale of the disaster Download Now button under processors were prone to being able to change the time
coming in October, when it the ‘Windows 11 Installation crashing. It also said some PCs zone on your computer; Disk
axes support for one billion Assistant’ heading (see with Western Digital SSDs Cleanup reporting the wrong
computers. In the meantime, screenshot above right). might repeatedly crash. amount of space available to
we’ll reveal ways to fix Computers that installed In addition, gamers be removed; and the built-in
these 24H2 problems in our 24H2 at any point using this reported colours looking camera not working when you
next issue – out Wednesday method or through Windows inaccurate after installing have object- or face-detection
29 January. Update aren’t affected by 24H2. Microsoft admitted this features enabled.
the bug. flaw affected computers with The company has released
several updates to fix some of
these problems, but many
WINDOWS 11 USE FALLS FOR SECOND SUCCESSIVE MONTH remain.
The proportion of Windows analysts StatCounter (www. being used on roughly one Other bugs users have
computers running Windows snipca.com/53400), show that billion of the world’s estimated reported include the mouse
11 has fallen for the second Windows 10’s market share 1.6 billion Windows computers, cursor vanishing in browsers
successive month, having risen rose during the same period even though Microsoft plans to when trying to type text into
for most of 2024. from 60.95 to 62.70 per cent. end support in October. a box, and computers not
It peaked in October at 35.58 This followed six months of Despite Windows 11’s recent appearing in network lists,
per cent, but fell to 34.94 per consecutive decline where fall, it’s still considerably more meaning you can’t share files
cent the following month, Windows 10 fell from nearly popular than a year ago, when and printers between them.
then 34.14 in December. 70 per cent. it was running on 26.54 per Have you suffered from any of
The figures, from industry It suggests Windows 10 is cent of computers. these problems? Let us know:
[email protected]

You’ll like this… but not this…

Windows PowerToys Run is getting a “major Scammers have stolen £100m from the
refresh” in 2025 (www.snipca.com/53373) NHS in past five years (www.snipca.com/53404)

6 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

Marx Bros, Mickey Mouse and IN BRIEF

Popeye all enter public domain FIRST COPILOT+

MINI PC LAUNCHED
Asus has released the

E arly appearances by the

Marx Brothers, Mickey
1
Mouse and Popeye are now
first mini PC that meets
Microsoft’s Copilot+
requirements, which means
available to download from it’ll run AI tasks smoothly.
the Internet Archive. The NUC 14 Pro AI (pictured
They’re among the videos, below) is powered by an Intel
songs and books published in Core Ultra 9 processor, and
1929 that entered the public measures 34x130x130mm
domain on 1 January. (HxWxD). Prices haven’t
This means they’re out of been announced, but they’re
copyright and free to likely to be at the top end
download without permission of the mini-PC range. Visit
or any need to pay royalties. Asus’s site for details:
One of the most significant 2 www.snipca.com/53374.
is Disney’s first ‘Silly
Symphony’ cartoon, The
Skeleton Dance ( 1 in Cocoanuts (pictured below), the musical The Hollywood
screenshot). It was one of the in which the Marx Brothers Revue – featuring Singin’ in
first cartoons to be fully made their film debut. the Rain – and the books A
synchronised with sound. Other notable releases Farewell to Arms by Ernest
Also available is Mickey include Alfred Hitchcock’s Hemingway and The Seven PLUSNET AXES STATIC
Mouse’s debut as a talking first sound film Blackmail, Dials Mystery by Agatha IP ADDRESSES
character, in the cartoon The Christie. Plusnet axed static IP
Karnival Kid, while he wears For links to these and more addresses for new customers
gloves for the first time in releases read the Internet just before Christmas,
The Opry House. Archive’s blog: www.snipca. though the company says
The first comic strips com/53382. You’ll find existing customers will still
featuring Popeye are free to download options for each have access to them “for
download, as is The item on the right of its page 2 . the foreseeable future”,
priced £5. Read how Plusnet
subscribers reacted at
Nearly a third of UK adults don’t know www.snipca.com/53375.

how to wipe old data TOMORROW’S

WORLD

A lmost a third of adults in

the UK don’t know how
to erase data from old devices,
versions at
Christmas.
More than
EngineAI, the Chinese
makers of the new PM01
according to research from two-thirds of UK robot, are proud of its
the data watchdog. adults (71 per “owl-like” waist that can
A survey from the cent) agree that rotate 320 degrees. We’re
Information Commissioner’s erasing personal more impressed by how it
Office (ICO) found that 29 per information is can stand upright from lying
cent of people are unable to important, but 24 per cent said: “Erasing your personal flat on its back, bending its
wipe files, photos and videos think it’s too difficult. information from an old spine at an angle that would
from phones and computers Most people (84 per cent) device doesn’t need to be make our coccyx pop. Watch
they no longer use. say they would try to wipe difficult, and it means that at www.snipca.com/53376.
Three-quarters of people personal files before disposing your data can’t be accessed by
have kept at least one old of a device. Young people are anybody else, either by
device, with a fifth saying they the least concerned, with 14 mistake or for malicious
did so because they were per cent of those aged 18-34 purposes such as fraud.”
worried about their personal saying they wouldn’t bother, For the ICO’s advice on
information being accessed. compared with only four per wiping data visit www.
It published the survey to cent of over-55s. snipca.com/53379.
emphasise the importance of Suzanne Gordon, the ICO’s
How do you wipe data from
deleting personal data from Director of Public Advice and old devices? Let us know:
devices replaced by newer Data Protection Complaints, [email protected]

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 7

 News
IN BRIEF US Government ‘might ban
EXTEND AIRTAGS
BATTERY TO 10 YEARS
TP-Link routers’ over hack risk
A new gadget called the
TimeCapsule claims to
extend Apple’s AirTags
T he US government is
considering a ban of
TP-Link routers over concerns
battery from one year to 10. they pose a risk to national
Made by US firm Elevation security. Investigations by
Lab, it works by replacing the three US Departments –
standard CR2032 cell battery Justice, Commerce and
in the AirTags with two AA Defense – are ongoing, sources
batteries (pictured below). told the Wall Street Journal.
It costs $19.99 (£16) and is At least one office within
listed on Amazon UK, though the Commerce Department It’s also one of the biggest revealing that a botnet of
was unavailable at the time has requested documents router manufacturers in the hacked TP-Link routers was
of writing this: www.snipca. from the company, the UK, competing with the likes used to steal passwords in a
com/53368. newspaper reported. of Asus, D-Link, Linksys brute-force attack.
TP-Link, which is based in and Netgear. In August, the House Select
China, has grown to supply One source said the Committee on the Chinese
over 300 US internet service routers typically come with Communist Party (CCP) urged
providers with routers. Its security flaws, which the an investigation into the
products are used by several company resists fixing company. It warned that
US government agencies, when told about them. the ability of the Chinese
including the Department The investigation follows a government to carry out
MORE AMAZON TVs WORK of Defense and Nasa. Microsoft report in October cyber-attacks using routers
WITH HEARING AIDS like TP-Link’s is “significantly
Amazon is adding support for alarming”.
ASHA hearing aids to more
WHAT WE THINK TP-Link has denied any
of its Fire TVs, including the This story may have been using and reviewing. As it connection with the CCP
Omni Mini-LED and Omni leaked to the press to force stands, we don’t think there’s and said there’s “no evidence
QLED ranges. The former will TP-Link to take its security an urgent risk to UK consumers, to suggest our products are
also get Dual Audio, which flaws more seriously. We hope so we’re happy to recommend more vulnerable than those
lets viewers stream shows it does the job because the the routers in our Cover of other brands”.
to their ASHA devices while company makes outstanding Feature (see page 50). We’ll The National Cyber Security
others listen through the routers that we want to keep let you know if this changes. Centre hasn’t commented on
TV’s speakers. Read more at the risk in the UK.
www.snipca.com/53370.

THE WORLD’S Interpol: stop calling dating

GONE MAD!
fraud ‘pig butchering’
This is Jeran Campanella,
whose belief that the Earth is
flat took him to Antarctica in
December. He was hoping to
I nterpol has called for the
media to stop referring to
online dating and investment
them into paying money
into fake investment schemes,
often involving cryptocurrency.
record the Sun setting, but – fraud as ‘pig butchering’ Interpol says the term
surprise, surprise – it stayed because it “dehumanizes ‘romance baiting’ should be
in the sky for 24 hours, thus and shames victims”. adopted when describing (www.snipca.com/53367).
proving our planet is round. The term comes from the fraud that takes place through Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting
He admitted he was flat scammer’s tactic of ‘fattening dating apps. It said this phrase executive director of police
wrong, probably up’ the victim, much like is already being used by services, said: “Words matter.
to the dismay preparing a pig for slaughter. law-enforcement agencies We’ve seen this in the areas
of the 164,000 They spend weeks or even and online safety experts. of violent sexual offences,
subscribers to months talking to the victim It said that this “places domestic abuse, and online
his channel: by email or on dating apps the spotlight squarely where child exploitation. We need
www.snipca. and social media. it belongs: on the actions to recognize that our words
com/53372. Once they’ve gained their of the perpetrators, rather also matter to the victims
victim’s trust they try to con than those of the victims” of fraud.”

8 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

Google suggests ways to fix IN BRIEF
its search monopoly PRESS BUTTON TO
SKIP SKY TV ADVERTS

G oogle has said that tech

companies like Apple
and Mozilla should be able to
Sky Glass and Stream
viewers who pay to skip
adverts can now do so by
offer several different search pressing a ‘Skip ads’ button
engines across their browsers that appears on screen.
and devices, giving users more Previously, they could only
choice than using only fast-forward them. However,
Google’s search tool. it works only for Sky’s own
The proposal is in response channels, not on other apps.
to the US Department of manufacturers like Apple and browser companies like Apple It’s part of an update that also
Justice saying in November Samsung to ensure its search and Mozilla will “continue to adds Apple AirPlay support,
that Google must sell Chrome engine was the default on offer Google Search to their letting you stream from your
in order to break the their devices. users and earn revenue from Apple devices to a Glass TV.
company’s monopoly in Google slammed the ruling that partnership” while For info on skipping ads visit
online search. as a “radical interventionist allowing them to have www.snipca.com/53357.
Google’s search engine agenda” that would “break a “multiple default agreements
accounts for about 90 per cent range of Google products – across different platforms APPLE ADDS 360-DEGREE
of all online searches globally. even beyond Search – that (eg, a different default search VIEWS TO MAPS
Government lawyers said people love and find helpful in engine for iPhones and iPads) You can now use Look Around
that Google’s ownership of their everyday lives”. and browsing modes”. on the online version of Apple
Chrome – along with the However, the company was Google also said that Maps, letting you explore
Android operating system for always likely to counter with browsers should be able to cities in 360 degrees – like
phones and tablets – allows it its own proposals in a bid to change their default search Street View in Google Maps.
to guide users towards its own reach a compromise. engine every 12 months. Currently, it works only for
search engine, without giving In a blog post (www.snipca. It plans to appeal the ruling Edinburgh and London in
them the choice of others. com/53361), Google’s VP of ahead of a hearing in April, the UK, though it’s available
They claim Google broke regulatory affairs Lee-Anne and will submit a full revised for other major cities around
the law by paying billions to Mulholland wrote that proposal on 7 March. the world (see www.snipca.
com/53364). Zoom into a
map then click the binoculars
Journalists to Apple: scrap AI tool that icon (see screenshot).

creates fake news

A n international journalist
body has called on
Apple to remove its new AI
Apple has yet to
comment.
“It is essential
tool after it created a false to us that our audiences can danger to the public’s right
headline claiming murder trust any information or to reliable information on PAY MORE FOR ADOBE
suspect Luigi Mangione had journalism published in our current affairs (www.snipca. PHOTOGRAPHY PLAN
shot himself. name and that includes com/53358).” The monthly cost of Adobe’s
Mangione was arrested notifications,” the BBC added. He added that AI tools 20GB Photography plan,
following the murder of Now Reporters Without can’t decide facts because which includes Photoshop,
healthcare insurance CEO Borders, a Paris-based group they work with probabilities, Lightroom and Lightroom
Brian Thompson in New that defends press freedom not truth. Classic, will rise from $9.99
York in December. Apple and supports journalists, Apple’s tool also inaccurately to $14.99 (about £11.90)
Intelligence, launched in called on Apple to scrap its summarised a story in on 15 January. Existing
December, summarised a BBC tool. November claiming Israeli subscribers can avoid the
news story with the false Vincent Berthier, head of prime minister Benjamin increase by switching to the
headline ‘Luigi Mangione the organisation’s technology Netanyahu had been arrested. $120 (£95) annual plan. The
shoots himself’ (pictured). and journalism desk, said: As well as summarise news, 1TB stays the same at $19.99
The BBC complained to “The automated production of Apple Intelligence creates text a month or $239.88 a year
Apple, claiming its news false information attributed to and images based on your (£15.90/£190). Read more at
service “is the most trusted a media outlet is a blow to instructions – see www.snipca. www.snipca.com/53355.
news media in the world”. the outlet’s credibility and a com/53359 and page 45.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 9

 Questionof
Question ofthe
theFortnight
Fortnight
By how much will your
broadband bills rise in 2025?
New Ofcom rules simplify increases but you might still get a shock

A
nswering this question
in recent years meant THE FACTS
waiting for the latest
inflation rate to be announced. • Ofcom has banned
Internet and mobile providers mid-contract price hikes
used this as the base for that are linked to inflation,
increasing their prices, and following large increases
then added their own figure recently
– usually 3.9 per cent. In 2022 • Most providers have
and 2023, as inflation soared, responded by announcing
customers were clobbered flat-rate increases in
with the biggest increases ever ‘pounds and pence’, with
– over 14 per cent at their peak. £3 a month being the
This will end in 2025 as most common increase
Ofcom’s ban on inflation- • In percentage terms
linked price hikes comes into this could lead to bigger
effect. All contracts signed Media O2 waited until November percentages, whether or not increases for many
after 17 January must state to confirm its increase, raising linked to inflation. customers than linking
future increases in “pounds prices by £3.50 (broadband) The new flat-rate increases to inflation
and pence” to give customers and £1.80 (mobile). make it much easier to work
a clearer idea of how much Sky has always been the odd out what you’ll be paying.
extra they’ll be paying. one out. It has never linked You no longer have to find out pay. The lower your bills, the
the rate of inflation, add it to higher percentage a flat rate
your provider’s basic increase, of £3/£1.50 will be. Some
Ofcom’s changes are meant then remember what you’re customers on cheap mobile
currently paying to work out a contracts face a double-digit
to make price rises easier to percentage. increase – over 40 per cent in
But calculating this will tell the case of one reader (see
understand, not to reduce them you whether you’ll pay more page 13).
in 2025 than you would have Also, as with most industry
Many consumer campaigners rises to inflation, sticking with under the old pricing policies. regulation, there will be
applauded this move when fixed-price increases. In We don’t yet know December’s unintended consequences.
Ofcom announced it last year, recent years of high inflation inflation rate, but in November Don’t be surprised if providers
but some industry analysts that led to increases lower it was 2.6 per cent. Adding compensate for lost revenue
pointed out that come April than the industry average. this to 3.9 per cent gives us by increasing prices of extra
2025 it would actually lead to Last year, for example, Sky 6.5 per cent. features that fall outside your
higher percentage increases raised prices by 6.7 per cent Applying that overall main contract.
for many customers. And – below BT (7.9 per cent), increase to the UK’s average Remember though that
that’s precisely what will TalkTalk (7.7 per cent), broadband bill of £30 takes it Ofcom’s changes are meant to
happen. Vodafone (7.9 per cent) and to £31.95 – less than the £33 make price rises easier to
The most influential Virgin Media (8.8 per cent). you’ll pay once the new understand, not to reduce
provider is BT. It was the first Virgin’s increase was always flat-rate increase is added. But them. Firms are still allowed
to respond to Ofcom’s ban, larger because it used the RPI by contrast a £3 increase in to increase prices during your
saying in January 2024 it rate of inflation (rather than 2023 would have seen prices contract as long as these are
would increase mobile (EE) CPI), which is usually higher. rise by less than that year’s explained in pounds and
and broadband prices by £1.50 Sky hasn’t announced its 14.4 per cent inflation-linked pence.
and £3 respectively. That set price increase for 2025, but it increase. This angers customers just
the benchmark, and TalkTalk will still have to follow Whether you face bigger as much as the size of the
and Vodafone soon followed Ofcom’s rules because they percentage increases is down increase itself. Calls to ban this
with the same increase. Virgin also ban increasing prices by to how much you currently next are sure to intensify in 2025.

10 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

Protect your tech
Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools
WATCH OUT FOR...

Malware hidden in ‘concatenated’ ZIP files

What’s the threat?
Scammers are delivering malware by
hiding it inside ZIP files emailed as 2
attachments. They’re using a technique
called ‘concatenation’, in which they 1
combine two ZIP files into a single archive.
One contains malware, while the other is
harmless content. This makes it difficult
for software to detect and block the threat.
The attack was detected by cybersecurity 3
firm Perception Point, which spotted
malcious ZIPs attached to emails as a
seemingly harmless RAR file. It said that
whether the malware infects your PC Perception Point said the scammers attachment you weren’t expecting. Note
partly depends on which software you claim the files come from WeTransfer that this scam uses ‘We Transfer’, while
use to open it. 7Zip, for example, shows ( 1 in our screenshot) and use the subject the real name is WeTransfer (no space).
only the safe part of the archive, leaving line ‘Shipping Notice’ 2 to suggest it’s an Clicking a legitimate link will take you to
the malware undetected and free to infect important email from a courier about a https://wetransfer.com.
your computer. However, opening the delivery. It says you need to read the Couriers do send genuine emails, but
files with WinRAR can expose the malware. “shipping documents” in the files before make sure they have tracking numbers
Windows File Explorer, meanwhile, the “shipment” can proceed 3 . that you can verify on their site. Also,
either opens the file or reveals only part if you use 7Zip, consider switching to
of it, depending on how the attackers How can you stay safe? WinRAR to stay safe from this particular
built the specific file that you receive. The usual advice applies – never open an threat.

New tools Acronis True Image

for Windows 11
ScamWatch
Readers warn readers

Acronis has updated its because it means True Netflix payment ‘failed’
True Image backup and Image will securely I’m a Netflix subscriber, though given
cloning software to back up systems that the amount of dross on it I might
work with Windows 11 have been encrypted not be for much longer. Anyway, I
version 24H2, which is with BitLocker. received a text message saying my
the latest build of the It comes a few weeks account had been suspended
operating system. after Microsoft started because a payment had “failed”. I
True Image 41736, to make 24H2 available knew this wasn’t true because I was
released on 16 to more computers (see actually watching Netflix at the time
December, contains Issue 699, page 6). The the message popped up on my
security and bug fixes, subscription version of phone! I was supposed to tap a link to
as well as error True Image updates update my payment information, but I
messages that are itself automatically, was never going to fall for that old
easier to understand but if you bought the con. I checked my bank account for
(see www.snipca. program as a one-off good measure and saw that all my
com/53277). purchase you’ll have to payments were up to date. Here’s
This will please both Windows 11 update it yourself in the settings. If you what the text message looks like:
Home and Pro users, though only the don’t have the program you can buy it www.snipca.com/53138.
latter will benefit from True Image at the discounted price of £24.99 from John Coles
being updated to work with the latest the Computeractive Software Store: Warn your fellow readers about scams
version of BitLocker. This is vital www.snipca.com/53278. at [email protected]

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 11

 Letters
Tell us what’s on your mind

Google will launch a things you’re not interested in. It seems

rival to ChatGPT like a relic from when computers were
I’ve been extremely impressed simpler, and we all needed a big signpost
by ChatGPT search and agree saying, ‘Start here!’.
that it’s the biggest challenger to Joe Stephens
Google for years (‘Question of the
Fortnight’, Issue 700, pictured right). My internet goes down
I love how you can ‘talk’ with it to get at 2.47am every night
what feels like human responses. My advice to anyone thinking of
But what you don’t speculate on is switching to full-fibre broadband
how Google will respond to the threat is to only do so if you’re unhappy with
posed by ChatGPT. It seems obvious to your speed. Otherwise, leave it until the
me that it will have to launch its own Why I never use the Start menu copper cables are shut off and you have
chat-based search tool to compete. The I share your distaste for Microsoft no choice.
‘AI overview’ results that Google gives cluttering the Start menu with I rang my ISP (BT) at the end of
currently are useless compared with the ‘recommended’ tools and websites that October to renew my contract, and to
question-and-answer method offered are little more than adverts (see Issue haggle for a new one. I was offered £13
by ChatGPT. This is the future of search, 700, page 6), but I don’t understand why off, which I accepted.
not typing something into Google and anyone uses the Start menu at all. It’s The lady in the call centre then
scrolling for ages looking for a relevant always seemed redundant to me. I can’t mentioned upgrading to full-fibre. I told
website. help but wonder why so many people still her my circumstances were difficult
John Seymour rely on it when there are faster, simpler because the wire comes from the pole to
ways to get things done. the corner of the house, then goes around
We don’t need Windows 11 Lite Everything I need is already at my the back and in through the wall into our
I understand Peter Starkey’s fingertips without it. I’ve pinned all my airing cupboard and down into the
frustration with Microsoft most-used programs to the taskbar, middle room of the house.
claiming that TPM 2.0 is a “non- created desktop shortcuts for the rest, The lady said this was no problem
negotiable” part of modern computing and set up several keyboard shortcuts to because the engineers would run the new
(Star Letter, Issue 700), but I disagree that open my favourite apps and folders. cable from the pole to the corner of our
the company should make a ‘Lite’ version If I need to search a file I press house and test the wiring. So I agreed to a
of Windows 11. Microsoft is already Windows key+E and start typing in File new two-year contract. How wrong I
addicted to releasing multiple versions of Explorer. If I need to open an app or find was! The engineer (a contractor, not
its tools, often with confusing names that a program’s files, I type into Windows’ Openreach) drilled a hole through into
don’t really explain what makes them search bar or the Run command box. the front living-room wall nearest to the
different to the standard edition. Outlook I press Alt+F4 to turn off my PC rather pole. He then ran the new wire through
is the obvious example. I could try to list then opening the Start menu. and placed a small box on the wall
all the different versions, but I don’t want Whenever I do open the Start menu, behind the TV, then placed the router and
to lose the will to live. normally as the result of a clumsy click, it phone nearby.
A ‘Lite’ version of Windows 11 for feels chaotic. It’s just too distracting. It’s He then placed a relay disc next to the
computers that can’t upgrade to the full like going to a library to study and finding computer in my middle room. I now have
operating system is a messy compromise. yourself surrounded by flashing neon two extra plugs connected to my mains.
It might give the wrong impression to signs and people handing out flyers for Every night the broadband goes down at
people running Windows 10 that they’re
upgrading to a more advanced system. I
What’s the Issue…?
?
still think Microsoft will buckle under
mounting pressure and prolong support
for Windows 10. I’m finally ready to ditch Chrome CA SAYS In Issue
Scott Reed for Brave, so can you remind me 692, page 62.
when you ran a Cover Feature on it?
Computeractive is a member James Day When was your Cover Feature
of the IPSO (Independent Press
Standards Organisation) which on free phone apps for editing
regulates the UK print and digital
news industry. We abide by the
CA SAYS Yes, in Issue 686, page 50. photos?
Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding Dawn Rigby
the highest standards of journalism.
I recall a feature last year on fake
If you think that we have not met those standards and
want to make a complaint, please contact editor@ and dangerous items you should CA SAYS In Issue 689 - read it and the
computeractive.co.uk. If we are unable to resolve your
complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO
never buy on Amazon. When was that? features above on our new 2024 Back
or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or Stephen Hall Issue CD: www.snipca.com/53179.
visit www.ipso.co.uk.

12 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/computeractive
@ComputerActive
www.x.com/ComputerActive

2.47am for two or three hours. BT puts

this down to a faulty electric socket, but STAR LETTER
researching on the internet it seems other
people are affected in the same way.
Michael Kendrick Forcing Amazon to pay ‘e-waste’
Not using Kaspersky is bills will lead to higher prices
common sense Anyone happy about the
Several readers have written Government’s plan to make
recently saying they’ll continue to Amazon and eBay pay for recycling
use Kaspersky because they think it’s electronic waste should be aware that
unfair to punish the company because of it’ll lead to higher prices for goods
Vladimir Putin’s actions. They miss the (Issue 700, page 8). These companies
point, and it has nothing to do with will pass the cost straight on to us. This
Kaspersky being a private company. No will make the bargain tech that many
company is truly ‘private’ in countries people on low incomes rely on more
like Russia or China where the government expensive.
has total control. It’s common sense to not I’m one of millions in the UK who difference without simply driving up
support companies in countries where survive on a low income and can only the cost of goods.
your data can be put at risk. afford to buy cheap refurbished laptops There should also be more emphasis
David Maurice from the big tech retailers. Even an on repairability. I’ve often reluctantly
increase of 20 per cent would mean chucked away devices because they
How can I print text I’d struggle to afford these, and I bet weren’t flexible enough to be repaired.
messages? prices will go up even more as a result Apple is the biggest culprit. It thinks it
Barely a week passes without some of these new rules. makes the perfect device every time,
new innovation in technology, but I’m not blind to the problem of and that the public shouldn’t be
are there any limits? I recently exchanged electronic waste. I’d soon start noticing allowed to tinker with them. It’s an
text messages on a legal matter (texting if people tossed unwanted laptops over attitude of sickening arrogance.
seems to have taken over from emailing my garden fence. But a better solution So by all means cheer on the
for many people) and I wanted to keep a is to make devices that last longer in prospect of Amazon and eBay
copy – either printed or a PDF. the first place, and for manufacturers to adding to the UK’s recycling bill.
I couldn’t find a print option in my support them for longer. Lowering VAT But don’t then moan when
phone’s menu, and searching online on repairs, or even offering tax credits prices go up as a result.
found various complicated methods or for recycling, would make a genuine Arthur Mansfied
suggestions to take screenshots and print
those. This is a reasonable option for a The Star Letter writer wins a Computeractive mug!
few short messages, but even then it’s
something of a workaround.
In the end I captured screenshots, but CA SAYS Paul’s right – this is something what I’m paying by a staggering 44.33 per
it’s not satisfactory for an extended that should be a lot easier. Robert Irvine cent! It’s time I looked for a new supplier.
exchange where some messages take up found it just as difficult in Issue 656’s Ray Rolt
more than a single screen. Am I missing Easy When You Know How column (page
something obvious or is this something 74). He tried printing screenshots, but Helicopters are
the tech giants need to think about? they came out ridiculously large. He had Bing’s Waterloo
Paul Denyer more success using the ‘SMS Backup & I had to chuckle at
Restore’ app (www.snipca.com/45560), the recent letters
which copies messages to Google Drive, revealing that Bing’s AI
from where he could print his text Image Creator (www.
conversation. If anyone else uses other snipca.com/52985)
methods, please let us know. imagines women fighting during the
English Civil War and World War 1. I
My O2 bill is going up by 44% wanted to see what it would come up
So Richard Groom feels aggrieved with if I typed ‘British soldiers Battle of
that his O2 phone account is rising Waterloo’. The results seemed accurate
by (only) 26 per cent (Star Letter, Issue enough, but then something at the corner
699). Well, I too have an O2 account of the image caught my eye. Now, I’m no
which is also rising by £1.80 in April professional historian, but I’ve watched
2025. However, I’ve had my O2 account enough Dan Snow and David Starkey
since it was transferred from TalkTalk (at documentaries to know that helicopters
£2.50 a month), and my current monthly weren’t used during the Napoleonic wars.
cost is £4.06. A rise of £1.80 increases Colin Troughton

Views expressed don’t necessarily reflect those of Computeractive Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 13
 Consumeractive
We stand up for your legal rights

Can Adobe remove LEAD Is Currys in

features from software CASE breach of its Xmas
returns policy?
I’ve paid for? I bought a Dell computer on 17

In 2014, I bought Adobe

Q November from Currys as a
Christmas present for my son.
Q Lightroom photo-editing
software for £71.80, but it
Currys said it would take back unwanted
presents until 23 January. It became
recently removed some important faulty a few days after being opened, but
features. To access these tools you now when I asked Currys for a refund it asked
have to subscribe, even though they are to repair it first. Does this mean it’s
some of the most important features of ignoring the Consumer Rights Act (CRA)
the program. Is Adobe allowed to do this? or its Christmas refund period?
David Ross Ann Jones

The short answer is probably yes. Currys isn’t breaching either the
A When you buy software you’re
actually buying a perpetual licence
been using Lightroom for 10 years, which
a judge would probably say means he’s
A CRA or its Christmas returns offer.
The terms of the latter, which
to use it. But you don’t actually own it. got his money’s worth. runs until 23 January for purchases made
This means the developers can remove Companies are also allowed to change between 30 October and 24 December 2024,
features unless they haven’t stated this in the availability of features so they require state it will only accept returns for a refund
their terms and conditions, and Adobe’s a paid-for subscription – though again, a if the unwanted goods are unused, have
terms do say this. The only part of the judge could rule this has happened too the original packaging and can be resold
software you own is any disk it came soon after a program has been released. as ‘new’. If Ann’s son has used the PC, then
installed on. Adobe has been changing its business Currys can legitimately refuse a refund.
It’s possible that a judge may decide a model from perpetual licences to a However, it still has to abide by the
company has acted unfairly by removing subscription since announcing Creative CRA. If fewer than 30 days had passed
tools too soon after releasing the software Cloud in 2011. It released its final licence since purchase Anne could have demanded
to the public, and order it to refund for Lightroom (version 6) in 2015, and a full refund. But that deadline has
customers. But Adobe released the first stopped supporting it two years later. You passed, so Currys can attempt to repair
version of Lightroom in 2007, and we can now only use Lightroom by subscribing. or replace the PC, though not both. If one
think it can’t be expected to maintain all It plans to do the same for its PDF reader of these fails then Ann can insist on a
its features indefinitely. Also, David has Acrobat in 2025. refund.
CASE CLOSED CASE CLOSED

CASE UPDATE

PDF Guru refunds reader after we explain the law

PDF Guru (www.pdfguru. money as a chargeback, service for the first time or
com) has resolved Mary but stopped this when PDF renewing a contract.
Twentyman’s case (see Issue Guru challenged it. Mary PDF Guru told us one
698) by giving her a full refund complained to PDF Guru, of the reasons it hadn’t
of £49.99 for a subscription she didn’t but she said it refused to responded to Mary was
realise she’d signed up to. listen. That’s when she it couldn’t track down her
Mary thought she’d paid £1.99 last August emailed us. account. It seems she’d
as a one-off payment. She needed the We asked PDF Guru, based in Cyprus, paid for the download with a different
software to access a file. But when she checked to reconsider her case, explaining that email address to the one she contacted
her September bank statement she saw that under the Consumer Contract Regulations the company on. Now this is resolved
a year’s subscription had been taken. she had 14 days to cancel the subscription. the company has closed her account and
Her bank initially agreed to return the This applies whether you’re signing up to a refunded her.

14 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Contact us so we can investigate your case
Email: [email protected]
Please include your name, phone number and address.

Can I get refund for ChatGPT Plus subscription?

I was trying to help my sister-in- for at least two years’ subscription was an accidental purchase, it
Q law, who lives in Tunisia, pay
for a $20 (£16) one-month
rather than a month.
Annette said her bank has
wasn’t unauthorised. Another
potential problem is that the
subscription for ChatGPT Plus (www. refused to help her because the money has come from an English
snipca.com/53276), but instead the payment is still pending. It told bank account for a ChatGPT
company took over £550 from my her she must contact ChatGPT’s account used by a different name.
NatWest account. The bank won’t help owner OpenAI to cancel the payment. We’ve contacted both Annette’s bank
me get it back. Have I lost my money? Banks will often refuse to help if a NatWest and the Financial Ombudsman
Annette Deschenes payment is still pending. The reason is for clarification on whether she can
because once it’s listed in your account claim a refund for an accidental, rather
Hopefully not, but it might take summary, it’s been approved by both you than unauthorised, transaction. It would
A some sorting out. It appears
Annette’s husband logged into
and your bank. Also, the bank has no
idea if you’ve received either goods or
help if her sister-in-law doesn’t use
ChatGPT Plus until the matter is resolved.
his sister’s paid-for ChatGPT account, services already. We’ve also emailed OpenAI asking it
then – using her card – inadvertently paid The main problem is that while this to investigate.
CASE ONGOING

My ISP isn’t giving A

It doesn’t
sound like it.
What complicates
things a little is that
me promised BrawBand
actually claims he could
BrawBand isn’t signed
up to Ofcom’s voluntary
speed – what get up to 900Mbps,
but “guarantees” a
Broadband Speeds
Code of Practice
should I do? minimum of 450Mbps.
He’s clearly getting
(www.snipca.
com/53273). If it was,
I signed up for broadband with nowhere near that. The company has he could have asked the company to cancel
Q Scottish company BrawBand
(www.brawband.co.uk). I’m
asked John to attach an Ethernet cable or
move his router to see if they improve his
his contract without a fee for leaving early.
Instead, if BrawBand can’t resolve this and
paying £36 a month for 450Mbps, but speed. It also asked him to try different won’t let him leave, he’ll have to report
often it reaches just 148Mbps. I’ve sites to check his speed. it to the Ombudsman Services (www.
contacted them, but they’re not being If these don’t work, then BrawBand ombudsman-services.org). It belongs to
much help. Am I getting a fair deal? would be in breach of contract by not this under the business name Highland
John Hyland delivering the promised speed. Network Ltd.
CASE ONGOING

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE

Majority replaced whole surround-sound system

I’ve noticed you’ve started speakers that weren’t working properly. But me in Cambridge as
reviewing audio products from then the soundbar started to make strange it happens. Excellent
Majority, so I thought I’d tell you noises. I again asked for a replacement, but service.
about my positive experiences this time Majority said they would send me Richard Groom
with the company. Last August, I bought the a brand new system. This arrived within few
Majority Everest surround-sound speaker days and has worked perfectly since. Contact
system (www.snipca.com/53274, pictured), At every stage of my query the support
which comes with a soundbar, subwoofer team were courteous and apologetic. It
Majority
and detachable speakers. helps that they’re based in England, near • Email [email protected]
I had a few problems with the speakers. Has a company impressed you with its • Online form
I told Majority that the sound wasn’t customer service? Please let us know: www.majority.co.uk/support
consistent, and they promptly replaced the [email protected]

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 15

 Grow Your
Family Tree
If your ancestor volunteered to save lives at sea, follow
Judith Batchelor’s advice to…
Search Ancestry’s new RNLI records
I
n celebration of the Royal National
Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) 200th
anniversary, Ancestry has made
records dating from 1824 to 1989 available 2
for free at www.snipca.com/53222.
Some of the most interesting records
are the medals and awards given to 1
lifeboatmen. Ancestry’s medal books
include the name and rank of an
individual, as well as details of the
incident that led to an award. Henry Freeman was paid a pension of £12 after retiring as Coxswain Superintendent
We searched for Henry George Blogg of (see screenshot below). of £12 ( 1 in our screenshot above) which
the Cromer Lifeboat Station in Norfolk, We also searched for Henry Freeman, a was paid until his death in December
who’s the most decorated lifeboatman in lifeboatman at the Whitby Station, North 1904. His widow was granted a gratuity
RNLI history and therefore appears in Yorkshire, who attracted fame as the only of £5 the following year 2 .
many medal books and honorary survivor of the Whitby lifeboat disaster of
presentation records. For example, he 9 February, 1861. Henry’s pension record Browse record books and
was awarded a second service clasp on reveals that he was employed as the RNLI memorial
his gold medal for his role as coxswain Coxswain Superintendent from You can also look through records
in rescuing survivors of the Dutch oil December 1874 until his retirement in without searching for individuals. Click
tanker Georgia on 15 December 1927 October 1899. He was awarded a pension ‘Record type’ on the right in the ‘Browse
this collection’ section (see screenshot
below), then scroll down. You’ll find crew
cards, honorary presentation books,
medal books, service books and more.
The service records don’t include the
names of personnel, but they do give
information on wrecks in date order,
with the weather conditions, and often
the number of people saved.
Henry George Blogg was honoured for rescuing survivors of the Dutch oil tanker Georgia in 1927 If your ancestor died trying to rescue
others, they might be commemorated on

Your Genealogy Problems Solved

the RNLI Memorial, which is situated in
Poole, Dorset. Search for names on the
RNLI’s website: www.snipca.com/53223.
My late father did a carpentry www.library.wales. For example, trade Also search the RNLI journal The Lifeboat
apprenticeship some time between 1946 directories for Cardiff might help you (www.snipca.com/53224), including the
and 1950. We’ve lost his apprenticeship identify a carpentry business in the area lifeboat station and ancestor’s surname.
papers, so I was wondering if you knew where your father could have served his
anywhere we could find a copy, or more apprenticeship. It’s also possible that your
information. He lived in Cardiff, but I don’t father’s apprenticeship was mentioned in
know where he did his training. a local newspaper – search these for free
Helen Hare at https://newspapers.library.wales.
Have a genealogy question for Judith?
You could try contacting the National Library Email [email protected] with
of Wales to see if it has any useful records: ‘Grow Your Family Tree’ in the subject line. Select an RNLI book in the ‘Record type’
dropdown menu

16 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701 Next issue: Analyse the UK’s 1974 boundary changes
,,vama
00 DESKTOP MONITORS
IIYAMA PROLITE 92SERIES

-
-- --
USB-C DOCK

--- -- =-

DESKTOP MONITORS
I
SEEKING A SMARTER SOLUTION FOR YOUR WORKSPACE?
Meet the 24" and 27" monitors of the 92 series.

With an integrated USB-C dock, these monitors handle power, data, video, and audio transmission through a single
cable, all without compromising quality. The IPS display offers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, perfect f or
both work and leisure.
 Best Free Software
Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing
SOFTWARE UPDATER

UniGetUI 3.1.5
www.snipca.com/53369
What you need: Windows 10 or 11

In our ‘Never miss another software update’ Cover Feature in fetching operations. As we mentioned in
Issue 697 (read it on our new Back Issue CD and USB stick – Issue 697 (page 55), if software installation
see page 34), we recommended UniGetUI as the best way to fails you can usually solve the problem by
install and update thousands of programs using package choosing to update or install as an administrator.
managers. The software itself has now been updated to make UniGetUI has also added the useful option to delete
it friendlier and faster to use. desktop shortcuts, which are often added without your
UniGetUI now displays logos next to its search results on permission when programs are installed or updated. Click
the Discover Packages tabs, and for software listed on its the Settings cog in the bottom-left corner of the main
Software Updates and Installed Packages tabs. This makes it window and select ‘Updates preferences’. Tick the box to
easier to identify programs from their icons as well as their ‘Ask to delete desktop shortcuts created during an install or
names, though not every entry has a logo. These icons are upgrade’. Click ‘Manage shortcuts’ to exclude specific
downloaded once, then stored locally, so UniGetUI doesn’t shortcuts from the deletion.
need to retrieve them for every search or scan, and are Finally, UniGetUI now supports an additional package
resized and compressed to take up minimal drive space. manager – Vckpg. This is maintained by Microsoft, which
The program now uses an updater called UniGetUI uses it to distribute C/C++ libraries and is really only of
Elevator, which feels more reassuring than the previous interest to developers. You can therefore deselect it in the
‘GSudo’ tool, and has improved the reliability of its package- Package Managers list in UniGetUI’s Settings.

1 UniGetUI now shows 2 The Software Updates 3 When an installation fails in 4 To ensure UniGetUI itself
program logos next to their tab is the most important UniGetUI, you can usually fix remains updated to the
entries in its lists to make in UniGetUI, but it’s also this by updating the program latest version, click the
them easier to recognise. It worth checking the Installed as an administrator. Either Settings cog in the bottom-
also tells you the package Packages tab. This reveals right-click the software left corner. Select ‘General
name and ID, the number every package installed on and choose ‘Update as preferences’ and tick ‘Update
of the software’s newest your computer and lets you administrator’ or click the UniGetUI automatically’.
version and the relevant quickly uninstall any software shield button on the top You can also install early
package manager. you no longer need. toolbar. pre-release versions.

18 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

PRIVACY TOOL
SHOULD I PAY FOR…?
O&O ShutUp10++ Choose the right version of software
www.snipca.com/53360
What you need: Windows 10 or 11
BootRacer Premium
Following its appearance www.snipca.com/53366
in your top 20 programs Price: £39.95 Free trial period: N/A
of 2024 (see our Cover What you need: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or 11
Feature in Issue 700),
O&O ShutUp10++ has BootRacer is a once-popular tool we’d completely forgotten
been updated with even about until we read about its latest update (to support
more ways to disable Windows 11 24H2). It helps speed up your PC’s boot time by
potentially unwanted identifying and disabling unnecessary programs that run
features in Windows 10 on startup. BootRacer is still free for personal use, but its
and 11. These include Premium version offers plenty of extra features. Helpfully,
the new AI tools Microsoft is increasingly pushing on users. you can try ‘80 per cent’ of these without signing up for an
On both the Current User and Local Machine tabs, you’ll find account or entering payment-card details, to decide
a new Windows AI section that lets you switch off Microsoft’s whether it’s worth upgrading.
AI assistant Copilot and controversial Recall feature (see The Premium options include Quick Tweak (see
screenshot). If you’re using Windows 11, you can also disable screenshot), which lets you disable Windows settings that
AI-powered options in Microsoft Paint, such as Image Creator compromise your system’s performance and privacy –
and Cocreator. Other new settings let you disable the Phone much like O&O
Link app and prevent your PC from connecting to mobile ShutUp10++
devices. O&O ShutUp10++ now better detects which version (see left).
of Microsoft Office you’re running so you can switch off data Ultimate Service
collection and ‘connected experiences’. Optimizer
detects and
VIDEO CONVERTER disables ‘useless’
hardware and
Any Video Converter services that are
running in the
Free 9.0.6 background,
www.snipca.com/53365 while Explorer
What you need: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or 11 Startup Delay
stops Windows waiting to launch important tools each time
Any Video Converter you start your PC.
(AVC) was your fifth-most BootRacer Premium also scans your startup programs
downloaded program of for malware, but to remove them you need to buy
2024, and continues to UnHackMe from the same developer, which is a bit of a rip-
evolve and improve. The off. In any case, the built-in Windows Security deals with
latest update adds an these threats for free.
Additional Content Other Premium options relate to the style of the ‘finish
Library (see screenshot), screen’ BootRacer displays after testing your boot speed,
which lets you install AI so are hardly essential. You also get a lifetime of updates
models for tools such as the ‘Speech to Text’ converter and and ‘bonus packs’. Commendably, the price of the program
AI Audio Splitter. Some of these models are only available in is a one-off payment, rather than an auto-renewing
AVC’s paid-for editions, which have now been merged with subscription.
the free one. This means that if you decide to upgrade to the
Pro or Ultimate version (priced from £31 a year), you won’t OUR VERDICT: Don’t pay for it
need to download a separate program but can simply unlock Although BootRacer Premium offers several advantages
the relevant options. AVC Free now supports more than 20 over the standard program, you can get most of the
video and audio formats, so will automatically detect most features for free from other system-optimisation software.
files you add to it. To stop you losing your conversions and Any tool that cuts your PC’s boot time is always welcome,
edits, a useful new feature alerts you to unsaved content but £40 is still a lot to spend.
when you switch to a different tool or close AVC.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 19

 Best Free Software

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use
What’s the best software for
What’s the best producing a charity magazine?
alternative to Q
My local
charity group
Pinnacle Studio? produces a
quarterly magazine.
I’ve been using Pinnacle Studio 12 video-editing We do this using an old
Q software since 2008. The latest versions of this
program are too complicated so I want to try
computer that now
needs upgrading to
something new, but no software I’ve tried seems to offer Windows 11. This will
Pinnacle’s full-screen Storyboard view. It lets me see a cause problems with
whole page of clips, allowing me to delete or edit them in the old software we use (Adobe Indesign/Illustrator/Photoshop).
seconds, re-arrange the order, add soundtracks and more. Can you suggest the best alternatives?
Is there another program that offers this type of view? Keith Brushett
Richard Malin
For free alternatives try Scribus (www.scribus.net) for
The Storyboard view has fallen out of fashion these A desktop publishing, Paint.NET (https://getpaint.net)
A days in favour of the more powerful but complex
Timeline view. However, there’s still one that we
for photo editing, and Inkscape (https://inkscape.org)
for vector illustrations. However, if you can afford it, spend
recommend: Movie Maker – Video Editor (www.snipca. £159.99 on Serif’s Affinity suite (www.snipca.com/53215). This
com/53213). It offers a cut-down ad-supported free version offers direct replacements for the three Adobe programs you
that has everything you need. First, click ‘Add clip’ ( 1 in our mention in the form of Affinity Designer, Photo and Publisher
screenshot) to import your video clips (you can also add (shown in our screenshot). They’re available as free trials.
titles and credits here). Now drag and drop the clips into
the desired running order, though if you have more than
eight clips click ‘Arrange clips’ 2 to view them together, How can I move apps to
making them easier to rearrange.
You can trim or split clips using options on the ‘More tools’
a spare drive?
button 3 . Click ‘Transitions’ to apply one of three effects I want to move
(Fade, Wave or Wind) between clips, and choose ‘Edit
soundtrack’ 4 to insert a music track or record a voiceover.
Q old apps from
the Windows
When you’re finished, click Save Video to save your movie 11 main drive to my 1 3
in HD format. The Pro version (£16.49) removes all ads, lets spare drive. I can’t see
you work on more than one project at a time, outputs an option for doing this 2
movies in 4K and unlocks additional features, including using the Apps page in
over 30 transition effects. Windows’ Settings. Is
there a program that
can do this for me?
Tony Pelham 4

The option in Windows Settings only works with apps

4 3 A installed from the Microsoft Store. To get round this,
use the free program Steam Mover – click the link
2
below the Download heading at www.snipca.com/53216. Click
the three horizontal dots to the right of Steam Apps Common
Folder ( 1 in our screenshot) then select the folder containing
the apps you want to move. You’ll see the programs it contains 2 .
Now click the dots to the right of Alternative Folder 3 to select a
1 folder on the drive. Select the app to move, then click the right-
pointing arrow button 4 .

20 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701 Email us your questions at [email protected]

Named & Shamed
Keumars Afifi-Sabet puts the boot into tech villains,
jargon-spouting companies and software trying to trick you

SOFTWARE WARNING!
Awful ads in Microsoft 365’s PDF reader app

M
any smaller 1 2
developers make
money by cramming
their apps with adverts. I
totally get this because they need to find a
way to compete with the big boys. But
there’s no excuse for companies as huge
as Microsoft.
And yet what’s that lurking at the top
of screenshot 1 ? It’s taken from the
PDF reader in the Android version of
the Microsoft 365 app (www.snipca.
com/53246). When you’re working on
PDFs on small phone and tablet screens,
the last thing you need is a full-width
banner advert.
I have no idea which newsletter it’s
asking me to subscribe to, and I don’t
care. I just want to edit my PDF. But in
the interests of research I tapped it and
was redirected through several sites, all Clicking this advert reveals misleading Use the excellent MJ PDF instead - it’s free
headlines and moronic news stories and has no ads
containing misleading headlines and
moronic news ‘stories’. It’s the kind of mysteriously we didn’t see them in the use the excellent Android app MJ PDF
trash Microsoft should be ashamed of iOS version of the app. (www.snipca.com/52749, see screenshot
promoting. These ads appear even if Perhaps I’m getting too upset though, 2 ). It’s free and lets you see your PDFs in
you Microsoft pay for extra PDF features, because there’s no need to use Microsoft’s high quality without polluting your
such as converting capabilities – although PDF reader anyhow. Instead, you should screen with hideous ads.

WHAT ARE THEY KEUMARS’ VILLAINS OF THE FORTNIGHT

TALKING ABOUT?
Russian hacking gang Akira
WHAT THEY SAY
Mozilla on its new logo (pictured) When William Knight warning
www.snipca.com/53149 founded the delivery firm businesses to
“The flag symbol highlights our activist Knights of Old in 1865 he take such threats more
spirit, signifying a commitment to ‘Reclaim had just one horse and a seriously. He said the
the Internet’. A symbol of belief, peace, cart. By 2023, it had ransom demand (up to
unity, pride, celebration and team spirit – expanded to 400 trucks $5.3m, around £4.2m)
built from the ‘M’ for Mozilla and a pixel and 900 staff. Then in was “financially
that is conveniently displaced to reveal March that year it was attacked by prohibitive” and they couldn’t
CREDIT: Facebook/Knights of Old

a wink to its iconic Tyrannosaurus rex Russian cyber-gang Akira, which guarantee the hackers would unlock
symbol.” paralysed its IT system and demanded their system anyway.
a ransom. Six months later, unable to It’s thought in the past few years
WHAT THEY MEAN recover, the company went bust. Akira has stolen $42 million from 350
Yes, we know it looks awful too, but using Paul Abbott, group director of KNP firms and organizations worldwide,
such pompous language at least makes which owned Knights of Old, recently wrecking thousands of lives. Let’s
us feel clever. spoke to The Times about the attack, hope they don’t survive 2025.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 21

 Reviews
New products tested by our experts New products tested by our experts

LAPTOP ❘ £1,316 from Dell www.snipca.com/53211

Dell Latitude 7455

Keep on running

Dell’s Latitude 7455 is a pricey Copilot+ in Issue 688), which

laptop, but for that you get a fast uses the slightly less
processor, an eye-catching screen and powerful X Elite
an exceptional battery life. X1E-78-100 processor.
It’s built around the Qualcomm The Latitude runs
Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 chip, around 11 per cent faster
backed up by 16GB of RAM and a 512GB than our current
SSD. Be aware that as with all the favourite laptop, Dell’s
Snapdragon Copilot+ laptops we’ve Inspiron 14 Plus (£799
reviewed recently, they run a different from www.snipca.
version of Windows 11 Home than laptops com/51831, see page
that use Intel or AMD processors. It 30), which uses an
doesn’t work with some security programs, Intel Core Ultra 7
games and professional creative software, 155H chip. However,
including Adobe Premiere Pro. having an Intel processor means the OLED panels. And for an IPS screen it’s
Inspiron can run the standard version of surprisingly bright, capable of a dazzling
Windows 11, which is compatible with all 400cd/m2. Its 2560x1600-pixel resolution
The longest battery Windows software.
Where this new Dell laptop comes
is generous for a 14in screen, making it
look sharper than the display on the
life we’ve ever seen into its own is in the staying power Inspiron, which has a lower resolution of
of its battery. It keeps going longer than 2240x1400 pixels.
should see you through any laptop we’ve ever reviewed. In tests The Latitude is, however, a little light
that simulate office work it lasted for on ports, with two USB-C, one USB 3.2
two working days over 19 hours, which is a phenomenal and an audio jack. There’s no HDMI port,
result. That should get you through a so if you want to use it with a monitor
To see what is and isn’t supported, visit couple of days of work without having you’ll need a USB-C hub.
https://windowsonarm.org, then scroll to plug it in.
down and check the second column in It has a sleek appearance, with a SPECIFICATIONS
the list of software (anything other than cool-to-the-touch aluminium case and a Twelve-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-
‘Not supported’ means it’ll work fine). lightly brushed metal finish. The keys 100 processor • 45 TOPS • 16GB RAM • Qualcomm
The X Elite X1E-80-100 has the (pictured below) are average size, but Adreno graphics • 14in 2560x1600-pixel IPS screen •
512GB SSD • Wi-Fi 7 • Bluetooth 5.4 • 2x USB-C ports
highest specifications of any Snapdragon generously spaced, so typing doesn’t feel • 1x USB 3.2 port • 1x microSD slot • Windows 11 Home
processor we’ve seen to date. However, cramped. The trackpad is also a pleasure • 17x314x224mm (HxWxD) • 1.44kg • One-year
in benchmark tests that push the to use, and was responsive to our taps warranty www.snipca.com/53211
processor to its limits, it produced results and gestures.
that were remarkably close to those we The screen is based on IPS technology,
saw with the Asus Vivobook S 15 (£899 which definitely helps prolong battery VERDICT An impressive laptop that
from www.snipca.com/51051, reviewed life compared with more demanding offers nippy performance levels and a
battery that keeps on going
★★★★★
ALTERNATIVE
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
£799 Surprisingly
decent Windows
performance for
the price, but the
screen and battery
life are inferior

22 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 HOW WE TEST
Computeractive is owned by Future PLC,
MINI PC ❘ £799 from Apple www.snipca.com/53229 which employs a team of specialist
technical reviewers. You’ll often read

Apple Mac mini M4 references to our benchmark testing,

which is a method of assessing products
using the same criteria. For example, we
Small systems go test the speed of every PC and the battery
life of every phone and tablet in exactly
the same way. This makes our reviews
authoritative, rigorous and accurate.
It isn’t only Windows PC manufacturers Future PLC also owns the magazines
that have their eyes on the growing Maximum PC, PC Pro and T3, and the
popularity of mini desktop computers. websites Laptop Mag (www.laptopmag.
Apple also has an interest, having sold com), TechRadar (www.techradar.com)
the Mac mini since 2005. This latest and Windows Central (www.windows
model is built around Apple’s M4 central.com). This means we can test
processor, which has proved immensely thousands of products before choosing
popular in MacBooks and iPad Pros, the most relevant for Computeractive.
and has finally made its way to this
redesigned tiny Mac. and comes with 16GB of RAM and a FAIR AND IMPARTIAL
256GB SSD. That’s a tad light on storage Our writers follow strict guidelines to
for our liking, so we’ve opted to test the ensure the reviews are fair and impartial.
The smallest Mac 512GB SSD here, which costs £200 more. The manufacturer has no involvement in
That’s an expensive upgrade, but you our tests.
ever is beautifully made, can’t change internal components
yourself later on. OUR AWARDS
lightning fast and The mini’s M4 chip outperforms the We award every product
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS in our current that gets five stars our
cheaper than ever favourite Windows mini PC, the Geekom Buy It! stamp of approval.
A8 (£899 from www.snipca.com/53229, It means we were
Before we go on, it’s worth stating the see page 32) in benchmark tests that push extremely impressed by the product, and
obvious. Apple’s computers use their own the processors to their limits. And while we think you will be too.
operating system, called macOS, which it can’t compete with specialised gaming
Every product that gets a
takes some getting used to if you’re more PCs, we were pleasantly surprised by how
four-star review is given the
familiar with Windows. Switch to a well it handled 3D games.
Recommended award. We
macOS computer now and expect to That said, you get more for your money
highly recommend these
spend a good amount of time relearning with the Geekom A8, which comes with
products, although they just fail to meet the
how to do even quite basic tasks, such as 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. Apple will
high standard of our Buy It! winners.
copying files from one place to another. build you a Mac mini with the same RAM
However, there’s probably never been and storage but will charge you an PRICES
a better budget Mac than this, if you’re eye-watering £1,799 for it. We suspect Our reviews contain a link to the best price
thinking of making the leap. Apple most people will live with less. we found online at the time of press.
calls the redesigned mini its “smallest As well as being fast, Apple’s M-class
computer ever”, and it measures only chips are exceptionally power-efficient,
127x127x50mm, easily fitting in the which means it generates little heat and
palm of your hand. requires minimal cooling, and therefore VERDICT Apple’s new mini PC is
The base Mac mini model costs £599 stays silent in operation. attractively priced, incredibly fast
As you’d expect from Apple, the unit and gorgeously designed, but gets
is beautifully designed. The aluminium expensive if you want extra storage
case is robust and stylish. It lacks any
standard USB ports, but comes with five
★★★★★
USB-C (two at the front, three at the back, ALTERNATIVE
pictured left), an HDMI and a Gigabit Geekom A8 £899 Get
Ethernet port. much more for your money
with this Windows mini PC,
SPECIFICATIONS which isn’t quite as
10-core Apple M4 processor • 16GB RAM • 512GB fast but has
SSD • Wi-Fi 6E • Bluetooth 5.3 • 1x Gigabit Ethernet
port • 5x USB-C ports • 1x HDMI port • 1x 3.5mm
more RAM
headphone jack • macOS Sequoia • 50x127x127mm and storage
(HxWxD) • One-year warranty www.snipca.com/53229

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 23

 Reviews
TABLET ❘ £419 from OnePlus www.snipca.com/53247

OnePlus Pad 2
And then two come at once

If you’re looking for a decent Android

tablet, you’re spoiled for choice at the
moment. In Issue 700, we reviewed the
12.3in Honor MagicPad2 (£400 from
www.snipca.com/53150) and hailed it as
our new favourite Android tablet. Here,
we look at a subtly different alternative,
the OnePlus Pad 2, which has a slightly
smaller 12.1in screen but otherwise
rivals the MagicPad 2 in most areas.
They have similar components. The
Pad 2 is built around the Qualcomm
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, while the Although slightly smaller, the Pad 2’s aren’t perfect. And if you want to use it
MagicPad has a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The screen has a higher 3000x2120-pixel for video calls, this one is very much up
cheaper 8s is newer, but it lacks some of resolution (compared with 3000x1920 to the job.
its predecessor’s features. For one thing it pixels). This makes everything slightly We were impressed by the MagicPad 2’s
has a less powerful graphics chip and one sharper, though the difference isn’t easy battery life, which lasted 18 hours in our
fewer performance core, opting instead to make out with the naked eye. The video-playback test. That’s an excellent
for one extra efficiency core (three in MagicPad’s screen is also a tad squarer, result, but the Pad 2 is even better,
total). This slows overall performance but which is ideal for working on documents managing an additional half hour.
boosts battery life. Both devices have and browsing websites, but means That’s not a massive leap, but given its
12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. you get wide black bars at the top and more demanding processor still comes as
bottom of the screen when you’re a pleasant surprise.
watching films and TV series. So which tablet should you opt for?
An impressive tablet OnePlus’s Oxygen OS operating The Pad 2 is better for gaming, while the
sytem is one of the better Android MagicPad offers better overall Android
with excellent screen, variants, with a taskbar that makes it performance. If you’re not interested in a
easier to run apps in split screen or as tablet for playing games, we’d suggest
long-lasting battery resizable floating windows. OnePlus basing your decision on price. Both
and great gaming sells an optional keyboard with a
trackpad (£104), which is handy if you
models have been available at generous
discounts recently, and at the time of
performance want to use the tablet for creating
documents and spreadsheets.
writing the MagicPad had dropped from
£500 to £400, making it better value. But
The Pad 2 has plenty of connection if the Pad 2 has a similar price drop, we’d
Yet despite having one fewer options, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and a happily recommend that instead.
performance core, the MagicPad ran USB-C port that’s capable of transferring
12-per-cent faster than the Pad 2 in our data at a nippy 5Gbps. The port also
tests. However, in gaming tests the Pad 2 supports 67-Watt fast charging, though VERDICT This is one of the best
came out on top – and even outperformed OnePlus doesn’t provide a charger, so Android tablets around with fast
more expensive tablets from Apple and you’ll need to buy this separately. performance levels and a durable
Samsung. Both the 13-megapixel rear-facing battery, but shop around for the best
(pictured left) and 8-megapixel front- price
facing cameras are surprisingly good,
capturing detailed, well-exposed photos
★★★★★
and video, even when lighting conditions ALTERNATIVE Honor MagicPad2
£400 A very similar tablet with a
SPECIFICATIONS slightly larger screen
Eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor – albeit with lower
• 12GB RAM • 256GB storage • 12.1in 3000x2120- resolution – and
pixel IPS screen • 13-megapixel rear camera •
8-megapixel front-facing camera • Wi-Fi 7 • Bluetooth
marginally superior
5.4 • Android 14 • 195x269x6.5mm (HxWxD) • 584g • Android performance
One-year warranty www.snipca.com/53247

24 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

EBOOK READER ❘ £380 from Amazon www.snipca.com/53343
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPECS
Amazon Kindle Scribe Mobile
Writes and wrongs
security
hardware
What is it?
While the new Amazon Kindle (£95 from Most smartphones and tablets now
www.snipca.com/53137, reviewed in have security hardware built in. These
Issue 700) was a little underwhelming, are components that let banks know
the changes made to the latest version they can trust the apps you have
of the Kindle Scribe are – at first glance, installed on your device, and lock away
at least – more likely to get your pulse personal data, such as passwords and
racing. As with the original 2022 version payment-card information in wallet
(£330 from www.snipca.com/53347, apps. It might also encrypt the data on
reviewed in Issue 649), this new Scribe your phone so it can’t be accessed if
comes with a stylus and lets you make your device is stolen.
notes as you read.
Amazon has stoked a lot of hype in the can’t scribble directly on to books, but How does it work?
US about the Scribe’s new AI tools, which when you start making a note, a text In most mobile devices, this hardware
the company says improves handwriting box opens to surround the area you’re is built into the main processor. On
recognition and summarises any notes writing in. This expands as you need the iPhone, for example, a section of
that you make. it, while the text of the ebook you’re the processor is
reading flows around it. You can also cordoned off from
simply draw a box on the page, then fill the rest of the
It has a great screen that with your scribbles. device and works
There is also the option to just use independently for
and comes with note- this e-reader as a notepad. Alternatively, security tasks. Most
taking stylus, but where Amazon offers a growing range of books
that you can write directly into, such as
Android phones
work the same way.
are the AI tools? planners and diaries.
This is all well and good but the upshot
However, Google’s
Pixel phones (such as
is that the Scribe is pricey (£380 for the the Pixel 9, pictured) use a completely
The disappointment for British cheapest 16GB version), which is separate processor for these tasks.
customers is that these AI tools aren’t equivalent to the US prices despite
available in the UK, and there are no lacking those new AI tools. Therefore, we What are the specs?
plans to add them. That doesn’t mean think the UK version of this release is Google’s security chip is called the Titan
they’ll never arrive, but it’s a glaring disappointing and overpriced. We prefer M2 and is found on its Pixel devices.
omission at this stage. the Kindle Paperwhite (£160 from www. On iPhones, the security area on
That said, there are benefits to be had snipca.com/52730, reviewed in Issue Apple’s M4 chips is called the Security
from the new Scribe. It comes with a 698), which is much better value Enclave. On Android phones that use
Premium Pen stylus, which is better than for money, even though it doesn’t also Qualcomm Snapdragon processors,
the device that accompanied the 2022 work as a notebook. it’s called Qualcomm Secure Execution
version – and you had to pay £30 extra Environment (QSEE). They all perform
for it back then. a similar job, but Google’s system is
Screen size is the same at 10.2in across VERDICT A decent Kindle if you want a probably the most secure, because
the diagonal, and maintains the same large screen and note-taking functionality, malware would have to physically
high resolution – namely, a pixel density but it’s overpriced for what you get leave the dedicated security processor
of 300dpi, which is very sharp. The bezel and access the main Titan M2 chip to
around the edge of the screen is now
★★★★★ expose any sensitive information.
white plastic, which makes the whole ALTERNATIVE
fascia look more like paper. Kindle Paperwhite Can I change it later?
It’s the note-taking function that really £160 A smaller, No. Manufacturers might update the
sets it apart from the other models. You cheaper ebook firmware on a processor to make it
reader with a faster or more secure at a later date, but
SPECIFICATIONS similar- quality you can’t make any tweaks of your own,
10.2in 300ppi E Ink touchscreen • From 16GB storage
• Wi-Fi 4 • USB-C charging port • 230x196x5.8mm
screen, but you can’t and you can’t swap it for a different
(HxWxD) • 433g • One-year warranty www.snipca. scribble notes on it model.
com/53343

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 25

 Reviews
PORTABLE SSD ❘ £146 from Amazon www.snipca.com/53308

Netac ZX20L 2TB

Take a drive

This external SSD comes with a USB-C

port that means you can connect it to
almost any PC, laptop, phone or tablet.
We’re reviewing the 2TB version here,
but if you want to sacrifice some capacity
to save money, it’s also available with
1TB (£86 from www.snipca.com/53309), We also tested the drive by editing 4K
512GB (£57 from www.snipca.com/53310) With the right kind video stored on it, which is about the
and 256GB (£43 from www.snipca. most challenging task you can ask of
com/53311). This large capacity for a of connections this an SSD, because it requires the drive to
portable SSD makes it ideal for high- shift a lot of data around quickly. Here,
demand use such as video editing, external SSD is lightning the difference between both machines
photo editing and gaming
Bear in mind that you’ll need a very
fast and handles tough was barely noticeable.
The engraved design aids heat dissipation
specific type of USB-C port – called USB tasks with ease by increasing the surface area. As a
3.2 Gen 2x2 – on the connected device consequence the ZX20L warmed up
to get the top quoted speeds of 20Gbps. during use, but never became hot.
Check your laptop or PC’s manual or 50g and measures just 9.2x102x30mm
specifications. If your other device has (HxWxD), so is light enough to carry around
a different port standard – such as and small enough to fit into your pocket. VERDICT A fast external SSD that will
Thunderbolt 3 or 4, or USB 4.0 – the It’s designed as a plug-and-play, connect to any USB-C device, but is
SSD will only manage 10Gbps transfer easy-to-use device, so doesn’t have many particularly fast with models that have
rates at best. extra features. It arrives pre-formatted so USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standard
It certainly looks distinctive, with shard can be used with pretty much any type
patterns on an aluminium alloy shell, and of device.
★★★★★
feels both light and robust. It weighs around We tested it with a Windows laptop ALTERNATIVE Netac
that has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port and a US9 £66 A smaller
SPECIFICATIONS MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt ports. thumb drive SSD
Available in 2TB, 1TB, 512GB and 256GB capacities • Our results showed that the ZX20L was with two types of
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector • Speeds up to
20Gbps • No software included • 9.2x102x30mm
significantly faster with the Windows USB connection for
(HxWxD) • 50g • One-year warranty www.snipca. machine, where it excelled in both greater flexibility
com/53308 reading and writing files.

WHAT SHOULD I BUY? We solve your buying dilemmas

What’s the best soundbar for my TV?

I want to buy a soundbar – headphone socket. Can either of these be
Q such as the Saiyin DS6305
(£40 from www.snipca.
used to connect to the soundbar?
Peter Miller to the Saiyin DS6305, because it comes
com/53312, pictured) or the Creative with an optical cable.
Sound Blaster GS3 (£50 from www. We’ve taken a look at your TV’s Check around the back of your TV
snipca.com/52533) reviewed in Issue
696.
A specifications and manual, and
it has more ports than you think.
and download the manual if needed
from LG at www.snipca.com/53314.
The connections offered by these The two you’ve listed are easily accessible You’ll find guidance about the ports
soundbars are USB-C, Bluetooth, on the side of the TV, but around the on page 23. If all else fails, however, you
optical and auxiliary. My TV is an LG back, next to the aerial socket, you should could connect a soundbar’s auxilliary
32LH3000 and doesn’t seem to have find another panel with more ports, port to the headphone socket.
any of these connections, though it including an optical digital audio port. Do you need advice on what you should buy?
does have composite video as well as a This would be the easiest way to connect Email us at [email protected]

26 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Reviews
VIDEO BIRD FEEDER ❘ £370 from Birdfy www.snipca.com/53289

Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo

Top seed

This bird feeder might seem incredibly larger birds in the frame. The species-
expensive at first glance, but as well recognition system can also sound an
as delivering food to your feathered alarm if a squirrel visits the table,
friends, it notifies you when they arrive though we found our local squirrels
and films them as they eat. What’s pretty much ignored it. camera, the Birdfy Feeder 2 Pro offers a
more, the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo can Power for the Wi-Fi connection more affordable single-camera alternative
access a database of birds to identify and cameras comes from a solar panel (see below).
each visitor, collating the information that works well even on overcast days,
into daily lists of species. And with a so you should never have to recharge
pair of cameras, it captures footage the batteries. VERDICT Expensive but an incredibly
from more than one angle. The main camera’s picture quality is fun way to keep an eye on the birds that
The main camera, located centrally, has excellent, and while images from the visit your garden
a useful pan-and-zoom function that can secondary camera weren’t quite up to
follow birds around the feeder for the that standard, they’re still perfectly
★★★★★
best shot. The secondary side camera has acceptable. Both record in Full HD ALTERNATIVE
a wider-angle lens, which helps to fit resolution rather than 4K, which won’t Birdfy Feeder 2
be sharp enough for some. Pro £260 A
SPECIFICATIONS This may be expensive for a bird feeder, cheaper alternative
1080p video resolution • 2x rechargeable battery
(one in each camera) • Unlimited online recording
but enthusiasts will find it a delight. The with a single
for 30 days • 300x267x300mm (HxWxD) • 1.46kg • dual cameras add a unique perspective, camera
One-year warranty www.snipca.com/53289 but if you can live without the second

SPEAKER ❘ £119 from Amazon www.snipca.com/53294

Bose SoundLink Flex

Music to your ears

This is one of the best Bluetooth speakers sound rich, and bass – although not
we’ve ever tested. It’s a small, portable delivering as much impact as a large- (£90 from www.snipca.com/53297,
unit with an IP67 protection rating. In sized party speaker – has solid depth reviewed in Issue 697) has many of the
simple terms, that means it won’t break and dynamism. same features, but offers better value for
if used in dusty or dirty environments, It suffered some distortion at its money and a longer battery life.
and can survive being immersed in up to very highest volume settings, but most
one metre of water for 30 minutes. That people won’t need to turn it up to those
makes it perfect for when you’re kinds of levels, which are incredibly VERDICT An excellent Bluetooth
pottering around the garden or enjoying loud. It connects to a smartphone via speaker with exceptional sound quality
a beach holiday. an app, which you can use to adjust the that you can use outside without any
Most importantly, music sounds sound with an equaliser and change worries
superb. Individual instruments were volume levels.
distinct and vocals came through crystal The build quality is impressive, with
★★★★★
clear. High frequencies are delivered smooth, curved corners, a rubbery body ALTERNATIVE Ultimate
with delicacy and finesse, mid-ranges and beautifully finished speaker grille. Ears Wonderboom 4
Battery life lasts 12 hours when playing £90 A slightly cheaper
SPECIFICATIONS at 50-per-cent volume and it charges speaker with similar
12-hour battery life • USB-C charging port • IP67
ingress protection • Bluetooth 5.3 • 90x201x52mm
from a USB-C port. features and a longer
(HxWxD) • 590g • Two-year warranty www.snipca. However, it has stiff competition. We battery life
com/53294 think the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

28 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Reviews
GAME ❘ £70 (Standard) from Steam www.snipca.com/53352
DO I REALLY NEED...
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 An AI-powered
Sky high voice recorder?
What is it?
We know that Microsoft A recording device
Flight Simulator has called Pocket
always been popular with (pictured) made by
Computeractive readers, but US firm Openvision
it’s typically been aimed at Engineering.
aviation enthusiasts rather Slightly
than casual gamers. The last smaller than a
version, released in 2020, took the smartphone, it records conversations
simulation to new levels of realism, and analyses them using AI.
with data from Bing Maps allowing
virtual pilots to fly around the world What does it do?
in extraordinary detail. What there was Paired with an app on your smartphone,
less of, however, was an actual game it transcribes conversations you’ve
that could give those who don’t recorded, whether over the phone or
obsess about flaps and face to face. It gives you a summary,
ailerons more of a reason to letting you identify who said what and
pick up the software. focus on key sections.
That’s been fixed in this
new version with the What’s the catch?
addition of a career mode. Deluxe and Premium For once it isn’t the price – the Pocket
This encourages you to fly a Deluxe versions, with the only costs $79 (around £63) and lets
series of missions in a range most expensive Aviator you record 200 minutes of conversation
of different planes. These start small, with edition costing £200 and offering 125 a month for free. However, it’s already
simple tourism and local delivery tasks, aircraft and 160 airports. sold out on the manufacturer’s website
but grow to include firefighting, search The 2024 edition presents its world in at www.openvision.engineering.
and rescue, helicopter transport, air incredible detail, with higher-resolution
ambulance, agricultural aviation, graphics available if your PC can handle So can I do without it?
mountain rescue (pictured top), them. To make this possible without You’ll have to, until more become
skydiving and aerial construction filling your hard drive with destinations available. Check back in a couple of
missions. Each require a distinct set of you may never visit, the software streams months.
skills and familiarity with different types the landscape from the ‘cloud’ as you
of cockpit and aircraft. In the process play. This is great if you have a decent
you’ll progress through your career from broadband connection but those with NEXT ISSUE
freelance pilot to owning your own plane. slower connections will struggle. Make
At the time of writing, the career sure your PC matches the system On Sale Weds 29 Jan
mode was still experiencing a few requirements listed below left, otherwise
glitches that may prevent you from your experience may be disappointing.
Chuwi Hi10 X1
completing missions. However, it’s still
A 10in tablet that
a fun and interesting way into the
runs Windows 11
software for many. VERDICT A new route into this game and is cheaper
You can of course just stick to the makes things more interesting, though than you’d
basics – taking off, cruising and landing a its basic simulation elements remain GMKtec expect
selection of aircraft at an airport of your NucBox G6
choice. In the standard edition (£70) you
★★★★★ A sub-£200 mini
have 70 aircraft and 150 airports to ALTERNATIVE Microsoft PC that’s great
for browsing and
choose from. These increase through the Flight Simulator 40th
office work
Anniversary Edition £30
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The previous version is
64bit Windows 10 or better • AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or now discounted from These and much more...
Intel Core i7-6800K or better • Minimum 16GB RAM
• Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 970 or better •
£70 if your PC can’t Subscribe to Computeractive at
50GB minimum storage space • Broadband network handle the latest release www.getcomputeractive.co.uk
speed of 10Mbps www.snipca.com/53352

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 29

 Buy It Find out which other products we liked.
Buy our 2024 Back Issue CD:
£18 from www.snipca.com/53179

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

LAPTOP DESKTOP PC APPLE iPAD P
DRRIC
OP E
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus Palicomp AMD Cobra Apple iPad 10.9in
£799 from www.snipca.com/51831 £400 from www.snipca.com/43515 £309 from www.snipca.com/53386
Tested Issue 683 Tested Issue 643 Tested Issue 646

This laptop has the same processor

(Intel Core Ultra 7 155H) as our previous The price of the 10th-generation iPad,
favourite (Acer Swift Go 4), but manages This fast PC is a mouth-watering released in 2022, has fallen far enough
to squeeze more speed out of it. It also bargain, with 16GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD that it’s better value than earlier models.
comes with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a six-core processor – though it If the John Lewis price above has
and a 14in 2240x1400-pixel screen. lacks USB-C ports and built-in Wi-Fi. expired, get it for £329 on Apple’s site.
Excellent value overall.
ALTERNATIVE Wired2Fire Ultima WS ALTERNATIVE iPad mini 7 The 2024
ALTERNATIVE Acer Swift Go 14 Still a Home Office Workstation Blisteringly version of the mini improves the colour
fast and powerful laptop, with a great fast PC, powered by an overclocked accuracy on the 8.3in screen and has a
14in screen. £1,099 from www.snipca. eight-core processor and 1TB SSD. more powerful processor. £499 from
com/49733 £656 from www.snipca.com/41500 www.snipca.com/52573

ANDROID TABLET APPLE iPHONE ANDROID PHONE

Honor MagicPad2 Apple iPhone 16 Google Pixel 7a

£400 from www.snipca.com/53150 £799 from www.snipca.com/53387 £329 from www.snipca.com/53388
Tested Issue 700 Tested Issue 695 Tested Issue 660

With a larger screen (12.3in) than the

Galaxy Tab S9 (below) and a similar
performance for less money, Honor’s
MagicPad2 is a superb new tablet. The This is the best new iPhone for years, A cheaper version of Google’s flagship
OLED screen has a strikingly sharp boosted by a processor that’s as fast as phone, this uses AI to add clarity to
resolution, and yet battery life is a more expensive models. The screen is photos, and lasts an impressive 10
mighty 18 hours. excellent, while the new Camera Control hours. Has a fast processor and 8GB
button gives lots of ways to take photos. RAM to supercharge performance.
ALTERNATIVE Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Has a much brighter screen than its ALTERNATIVE iPhone 14 Now ALTERNATIVE Nothing Phone 2a Don’t
predecessor, making it ideal for watching discounted to £599 (128GB), this be put off by the odd name. This has a
TV. Also has a faster processor, speeding remains a speedy phone with great distinctive design, superb camera and
up tasks. £599 (128GB) from www. features and an impressive camera. decent battery life. From a UK company
snipca.com/50039 £599 from www.snipca.com/52411 too. £319 from www.snipca.com/49930

30 15 - 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Buy It
Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award
MINI PC EBOOK READER SECURITY SOFTWARE

Geekom A8 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Norton 360 Premium

£649 from www.snipca.com/51157 £160 from www.snipca.com/52730 £19.99 from www.snipca.com/33247
Tested Issue 689 Tested Issue 698 Tested Issue 629

This tiny machine (37x112x112mm) Norton has always performed

doesn’t have much room for ports, strongly in our antivirus tests,
but makes up for it with a 2TB SSD, a The sixth version of the Paperwhite regularly making the top three.
fast processor and an SD card slot for has a larger screen (7in), faster page Owned by US firm NortonLifeLock,
adding storage. It comes with 32GB turns and longer battery life (12 weeks it’s available at a discount on our
RAM, as does a slightly slower model – up from 10). Its glare-free finish Software Store. Use the link above
that’s typically around £250 cheaper means you can easily read it in bright for a 10-device, two-year licence.
and has only a 1TB SSD. Take your pick. sunlight, and its 300ppi resolution Other versions are available, including
makes text a joy to read. Norton 360 for Gamers.
ALTERNATIVE GMKtec NucBox M7 Pro
Has an older processor, but comes with ALTERNATIVE Kobo Libra Kobo’s first ALTERNATIVE Bitdefender Total
plenty of ports and room to add a colour e-reader, with over 4,000 tones to Security Another top performer that
graphics card. £440 from www.snipca. make illustrations and photos leap out. we’re offering at a discount. £19.99
com/52858 £200 from www.snipca.com/50192 from www.snipca.com/41141

WEBCAM PC MONITOR SOLID-STATE DRIVE

Logitech C925e Business Philips 27E1N1600AE Corsair MP600 Pro LPX 1TB
Webcam £200 from www.snipca.com/51687 £84 from www.snipca.com/52658
£60 from www.snipca.com/50751 Tested Issue 692 Tested Issue 630
Tested Issue 608

Despite the name, this webcam is also An affordable 27in monitor with a In our tests, this M.2 SSD hit speeds
great for home users. Its standout sharp resolution, impressive image of 7,364MB/s and 6,870MB/s when
feature is automatically adjusting itself quality and a sturdy build. It has an reading and writing data – astonishingly
to keep your picture looking sharp. It HDMI port, a USB-C port and two USB fast scores. It’s compatible with the
offers a 78-degree field of view, which 3.0. The hefty base means you can new PCIe 4.0 standard, which is twice
is fine for everyday video chats with one raise and tilt the monitor easily using as fast as PCIe 3.0. The 1TB model
person in front of the camera. just one hand. costs £89; 2TB costs £160.

ALTERNATIVE Creative Live Cam Sync 4K ALTERNATIVE Asus ROG Strix XG27ACS ALTERNATIVE Crucial MX500 500GB
Affordable 4K webcam with high- Another excellent 27in monitor with As fast as an SSD can get in the
quality video that can also capture 1440p resolution and a fast refresh traditional 2.5in SATA format, this
voice from a distance. £38 from rate aimed at gamers. £229 from is a great-value upgrade. £70 from
www.snipca.com/51577 www.snipca.com/49898 www.snipca.com/37304

32 15 - 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Buy It

COMPETITION

Win 1 of 6…
Majority Snowdon
TV soundbars
With an impressive 120W speaker Bluetooth connectivity, you can To enter this competition,
and a built-in subwoofer, the Snowdon immerse yourself in a spectrum of answer the question at www.snipca.
TV soundbar provides an audio sound and enjoy your favourite songs com/53155 and submit your details
experience that can’t be provided from any phone or Bluetooth device. by midnight Tuesday 28 January.
alone by your television. Tailor your Alternatively, you can connect your Good luck!
audio between music, movie or device via the AUX port and play
dialogue and adjust treble and bass music directly from an MP3 player You can buy the Majority Snowdon
settings with the supplied remote to or audio device. TV soundbar for £52.95 from
create a sound quality that makes any You can mount it to your walls for a Amazon (www.snipca.com/
room feel cinematic. stylish fit, bringing big-screen audio to 53307). For more Majority
It has a range of ports and features your living space. Once it’s installed, products, including DVD players,
to enjoy your own music and sit back, relax and use the remote radios and speakers, visit www.
streaming services. Using the control to enjoy your perfect TV audio. majority.co.uk.

PRINTER SMART TV ROUTER

Epson EcoTank ET-2830 Amazon Fire TV 50in Asus RT-AXE7800

£250 from www.snipca.com/51715 Omni QLED £230 from www.snipca.com/52957
Tested Issue 676 £500 from www.snipca.com/52542 Tested Issue 665
Tested Issue 694

This has recently risen in price from A fantastic 50in QLED screen with 4K This router has Wi-Fi 6E, so will be
£180, but it’s still better value than the resolution that produces vibrant tones in capable of the fastest possible speeds
ET-1810 because it adds copying and bright sunlit images and pale, subtle on the 6GHz network over the next
scanning to its functions for £79 more. shades in more atmospheric scenes. It few years. It has five Ethernet ports and
Print quality is great, especially for provides access to all the streaming also a USB 3.0 port to connect a hard
photos, which have crisp details, vivid services you need, and offers voice drive or NAS drive.
colours and realistic skin tones. control through Alexa.
ALTERNATIVE Synology WRX560
ALTERNATIVE Epson EcoTank ET-1810 ALTERNATIVE TCL 32SF540K Our previous favourite remains an
Not the fastest printer, but comes with Budget TV with a 32in Full HD excellent choice, delivering speeds of
enough ink for 4,500 mono and 7,500 screen (1980x1080 pixels) and two up to 791.5Mbps. Add more units to
colour pages. £140 from www.snipca. HDMI ports. £135 from www.snipca. set up mesh Wi-Fi. £210 from
com/52191 com/52100 www.snipca.com/52051

Issue 701 • 15 - 28 January 2025 33

Computeractive 2024
Back Issue CD & USB Stick
Both the CD and Stick contain all 26 issues from 2024

LE NOW!
ON SA

Buy the CD from us at Buy the Stick from us at

www.snipca.com/53179 www.snipca.com/53180
 Pull Out
& Keep

Workshops & Tips Issue 701

14 pages of easy-to-follow workshops and expert tips

35 R
 ead and send emails 40 Readers’ Tips PLUS
when you’re offline 44 Phone & Tablet Tips 47 M
 ake Office Better
42 Browser Tips:
38 M
 aster Windows 11’s Search the web using 46 M
 ake Windows 48 In the Club: Create a
Energy Saver feature ChatGPT Better digital notebook

HOW TO...
Read and send emails
when you’re offline by Nik Rawlinson

What you need: Gmail; OneDrive; Thunderbird Time required: One hour

I
t’s easy to forget how novel it is to be online the cloud. Thankfully, the latter of those is
around the clock. For most of us, broadband easily solved, as leading email providers like
has only been a reality for the last couple of Google’s Gmail and Microsoft Outlook have
decades, yet we now feel lost without an offline modes which, if set up in advance of
internet connection. No more streaming TV, no any problems, give access to your messages
music-service subscription, and in many cases whether you’re online or off, at home or away.
no email — as our inboxes increasingly live in Here, we explain how to make the most of them.

Set up Gmail for 1

1 offline access
Gmail isn’t enabled for offline 3
use by default: you need to opt in by
first logging in through a browser. You’ll
need to be using a Chromium-based
browser, which shouldn’t pose too much
of an issue, since almost every browser
is built using Chromium code. The only
notable exception is Firefox. The only
Enable Gmail’s 2
offline mode
other requirement — aside from a Gmail while you still
account — is that you’re not using it in have an internet
connection
incognito or private browsing mode.
Log into Gmail, then click the cog top But how much of your inbox do you email you’d like to download. The default
right to open its settings sidebar. Click need? If you’ve upgraded your Google is 30 days, but you can change this to
the ‘See all settings’ button, then click account through Google One (https://one. seven days or 90 days in the dropdown
Offline on the toolbar. Here, tick the box google.com) and opted for the Premium menu next to ‘Sync settings’. We think
next to ‘Enable offline mail’ ( 1 in our plan, your inbox might stretch to 2TB, 30 days 2 is a fair compromise for most
screenshot). which is bigger than many hard drives users, who will probably only be offline
If you intend to work with your email or SSDs. Downloading that much data for a few hours at a time.
offline when you’re not connected to the would not only be time-consuming: in You can save space over the longer term
internet, you’ll first need to make sure many cases it would be impossible. by opting to ‘Remove offline data from
you have a copy stored on your computer. Gmail therefore asks how much of your my computer’ in the Security section

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 35

 below these options. Do this and all your
downloaded messages will be deleted
when you log out of Gmail (if you don’t
want this to happen, simply don’t log
How I manage my email offline
out – close the browser window instead). I only ever access my email through a browser when I’m not on
However, it also means that next time my regular computer. At all other times, I use Thunderbird, which
you log into Gmail your computer will I’ve installed on my Linux, Windows and macOS machines, or the
have to repeat the potentially time- email software built into my iPad, iPhone and Android devices.
consuming process of downloading The division between my online and offline worlds has therefore
the last seven, 30 or 90 days’ worth become so blurred that I’d be hard-pressed to tell you when I
of messages from your mailbox. We’d had a live connection and when I didn’t. However, after writing
therefore recommend taking the this article, I’ve now turned on offline mode for Gmail on my main
alternative option, to ‘Keep offline data work machine, just in case I should ever need a fallback.
on my computer’ 3 . Nik Rawlinson
When you’ve made the appropriate How do you manage your email offline?
choices, click Save Changes. Gmail Please let us know: [email protected]
will warn you that offline mode isn’t
recommended for shared devices (see
screenshot below) because anyone else start downloading a copy of your email won’t be able to open the attachment
who uses your Windows login will be from the server. Don’t immediately go in the browser. Clicking it will throw
able to access your Gmail inbox every offline as you probably won’t have access up a warning that the file couldn’t be
time they’re using your browser. to all your messages. If possible, give it previewed, accompanied by a Download
a few hours to finish setting itself up button (see screenshot below left). Click
before first using it. the button to save the attachment to your
If you have several Gmail accounts, computer.
only the one for which you set up offline When you write a new email or reply
mode will be synced to your computer. to an email in your inbox, clicking send
However, you can repeat the process for won’t immediately dispatch it to the
any other accounts you have if you need recipient. However, nor will it throw up
to keep them all updated for use when an error message on account of being
you lose your network connection. offline. Instead, the message will be sent
to an Outbox in the sidebar – beside that
Download attachments you’ll see a number indicating how many
2 from Gmail
Gmail will now be synchronised
unsent messages it contains. The next
time you go online, Gmail will spot the
Gmail will warn you not to use offline mode
on a shared device to the browser that you used to set it up waiting emails and send them.
(if you have several browsers on your
If you’re happy to continue, click OK PC, the others won’t have access to Delete your
and Gmail will reload, then advise
you to create a bookmark for offline
your inbox). The next time you’re away
from your network connection, open
3 downloaded inbox
It’s quite possible that you’ll
access (see screenshot below). This the browser you used to set up Gmail only want to use offline mode for a short
makes a lot of sense, because if you and open your inbox by clicking the period – for example, during a holiday.
usually go to Gmail by clicking links bookmark you just created. You should In that case, you’ll want to remove all the
from elsewhere, those links will be now be able to open and read any emails downloaded data from your computer
inaccessible when you’re offline. Press that arrived before you went offline. when you get home so you can reclaim
Ctrl+D to create a new bookmark, Any that have an attachment – like the space. This is easy. Make sure you
then click OK to dismiss the box that a bill sent as a PDF – will show a have an internet connection then open
appeared when Gmail reloaded. thumbnail of the attachment at the the browser you used to set up Gmail’s
In the background, Gmail will now bottom of the email, as usual, but you offline mode. Visit www.gmail.com
and click the cog icon to open Settings.
Click ‘See all settings’, then click Offline.
Untick the box next to ‘Enable offline
email’, then click Save Changes.

Manage your
4 Outlook email offline
First of all, it’s important to
make a distinction between the Outlook
software that may be installed on your
Creating a bookmark lets you go straight to When you’re offline you can download computer, and the online email service
your inbox when you’re unable to follow links attachments but not view them in your email at www.outlook.com, because they work

36 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Read and send emails when you’re offline

very differently.
If you use Outlook (software) to
manage your email from either
Managing your email using software
www.outlook.com or another email When email first went mainstream, we to sync messages to local storage, however.
provider, you can set it up to download didn’t live in an always-on, broadband To do this in Thunderbird, click the cog in
copies of your messages to your computer world. Most home users dialled into the the sidebar to open settings, click Account
so they’re available without a network internet a couple of times a day to Settings, then click ‘Synchronization &
connection (many programs do this download new messages and send any Storage’ for the account you want to check
automatically – see box right). that had been written since they’d last ( 1 in our screenshot). Make sure ‘Keep
Offline access is automatically gone online. Email programs like messages in all folders for this account on
enabled in Outlook for Windows, but Thunderbird and Turnpike were coded this computer’ is ticked 2 .
you can turn it off (and on again) by specifically to enable this fractured way Email programs built into iOS, iPadOS,
opening Settings and clicking General, of working. and Android devices will usually sync
followed by Offline, then clicking the Very little has changed. Thunderbird is recent messages to their internal storage.
slider next to ‘Enable offline email, still with us and has been joined by a wide However, mobile devices are sometimes
calendar and people’ ( 1 in our selection of similar third-party email set to only download attachments when
screenshot below). programs, all of which can be used to they are required – not only to save space
You can also set which of your online download a local copy of any incoming on the device, but to avoid downloading
folders Outlook synchronises to your messages, and store outgoing messages large amounts of data on a metered
PC and – as with Gmail – how many until you next go online. This is usually connection. If you think you’re going to
days’ worth of content it synchronises. their default way of working, so you don’t need an attachment when you don’t have
To do so, first click Settings, followed by need to do anything other than install an internet connection, make sure you
General, Offline, then ‘Folders to save’. them and provide your login details. download a copy so you already have it
Now use the ‘Folders to save’ dropdown It’s still worth checking they are set up to hand.
menu to select either Default, ‘Default
and favourites’, or ‘Default, favourites
and recently used’ 2 . The second of these 2
is the standard option, and the ‘Default’
folders group includes your inbox, sent
folder, drafts, archive, deleted messages,
and emails you’ve snoozed.
Still within the Offline section of
Outlook’s settings, you can then tap 1
‘Days of email to save’, and select seven, Make sure your
30, 90 or 180. The default is seven. Bear Thunderbird is set
in mind, of course, that the more emails to sync messages
from the server
you tell it to store on your local drive, the
more space it will consume.
college or other organisation running before you make any changes. If you
Use the Outlook web Microsoft Exchange Server, you can think you might need it, act now. Log
5 app offline
If you don’t use the installed
also set this to work when you have no
internet connection.
into your inbox then click the cog at the
top right. Now click Options followed
Outlook software but do log into your As with Gmail, you need to be online by General (or simply click General on
mailbox at www.outlook.com to manage when you set it up, so it’s no good the left), then Offline Settings. Tick ‘Turn
an account provided by your school, waiting for your broadband to go down on offline access’ and if you see a warning
that the website is requesting space on
your drive, allow it access.
1 As with Gmail, you shouldn’t enable
this kind of offline access if you share
your Windows login with someone else
because they will be able to view the
contents of your email account via the
browser.
Once enabled, offline mode gives you
browser-based access to the last three
2 days of content in your inbox, drafts and
any folders you’ve accessed within the
last few days – up to a maximum of 20
folders in total (18 recent, plus inbox and
drafts). Attachments aren’t available in
Click this slider in Outlook to switch on Offline mode, then select which folders to sync offline mode.

Next issue: Auto-type passages of text using short commands Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 37
 Workshop
Prolong laptop battery with
Windows 11 Energy Saver
What you need: Windows 11 (24H2)
Time required: 20 minutes

I f your laptop battery isn’t lasting as

long as it should or you’re worried
that your desktop PC is using more
control how background processes
work, reduce your screen’s
brightness and set what programs
power than you’d like, Windows 11’s can and can’t do when you’re not
improved Energy Saver feature might using them. Here, we’ll explain how
help. It’s only available on the latest you can use it to get the right balance
version of the operating system between performance and energy-
(24H2), replacing the old Battery usage. We’ll also explore Windows’
Saver tool. Energy Saver lets you other energy-saving options.

STEP Press Windows key+I to open Settings, then click

1 System 1 . Scroll to the bottom of the main pane,

click About, then check your operating system 2
version in the ‘Windows specifications’ box 2 . Ideally, you’ll
see 24H2 beside the Version header 3 . If you’re running an
earlier version, such as 24H1, you’ll need to update Windows
to use Energy Saver. Click Windows Update 4 then ‘Check
for updates’. If one is available, download and install it.

3
1

1
2

4 5 1

STEP Next, click System 1 then click ‘Power & battery’. Now STEP One of the most energy-sapping components in a

2 click ‘Energy saver’ 2 to expand that section. You can

turn on the slider next to ‘Always use energy saver’ 3 so
3 laptop is its screen, which is backlit by a constant light
source. Reducing this light’s brightness level will
that Windows uses the most energy-efficient settings the entire prolong battery life. To do so, switch on the ‘Lower screen
time. Alternatively, use the ‘Turn energy saver on automatically brightness when using energy saver’ option 1 . If you find this
when battery level is at…’ dropdown menu 4 to specify at which makes it difficult to see your screen in bright sunlight, you can
stage these settings should apply. For example, if you have a always turn it off again.
laptop, you could set it to prioritise performance until the
battery was down to, say, 20 per cent 5 (at which point energy-
saving would kick in).

38 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 1

1
2
STEP Energy Saver’s other benefits – such as improved

4 management of background programs and disabling STEP Scroll up to Power Mode and click the header to
transparency effects – are automated, so you don’t need
to turn them on. However, there are other changes you can
5 open this section. Use the two dropdown menus to
specify how Windows should behave when running
make to reduce your computer’s energy needs. Click ‘Screen, on mains power 1 or battery 2 . Your three options are ‘Best
sleep, & hibernate time-outs’ 1 to open that section, then use power efficiency’ (choose this for both if you want to use less
the dropdown menus beside ‘Turn my screen off after’ 2 and energy), Balanced or ‘Best performance’. When set to Balanced,
‘Make my device sleep after’ 3 to reduce the amount of time Windows will constantly adjust the settings according to what
your PC should be inactive before it shuts down the screen, you’re doing, while ‘Best performance’ will always prioritise
then goes to sleep. speed and performance over saving energy.

STEP Towards the top of the ‘Power & battery’ 2

6 screen, you’ll see the ‘Energy
recommendations’ section. Click this and
work your way through the settings to reduce your
energy use further. Some of these – such as the sleep
and display settings – we turned on in Step 4, which
is indicated by the green ticks 1 . Other options,
such as dark mode 2 , can be enabled here.

STEP When Energy Saver is active, Windows

7 shuts down some background processes.

To customise this function, click Apps 1 ,
followed by ‘Installed apps’, then the three dots to the
right of the program whose settings you want to adjust.
Click ‘Advanced options’ if that appears on the menu
(it’s not available for all programs), then choose an
option from the ‘Background app permissions’ menu 2
– ‘Power optimised’ 3 lets Windows decide, while
2 Never 4 stops a program updating in the background
if you’re not actively using it.
1 3

Next issue: Block spam using an AdGuard email alias Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 39
 Readers’ Tips
TIP OF THE FORTNIGHT

Block website clutter using AdGuard 1

I’ve been using AdGuard (www.snipca.com/52253) to block

adverts ever since I read about it in Issue 695 (page 38). I find it
more effective than any other ad-blocker. But what I love is how
it can also remove other annoying clutter from web pages.
First, click AdGuard’s icon ( 1 in our screenshot) then ‘Block ads 3
manually’. Move your cursor over the page and you’ll see page
‘elements’ (boxes, icons and so on) highlighted in green. Click 4
an element you want to block. I hate those ‘pay monthly’ offers
on shopping sites, so I always block those 2 . You can then move
the green slider 3 to make the blocked area bigger if you want.
Click ‘Preview’ to see what the page would look like without
this element, or Block if you’re happy to proceed 4 . It will 2
disappear, and should also vanish from other pages on that site.
Darren Ashby

Darren wins a copy of our 2024 Back Issue CD Buy it from us at www.snipca.com/53179

EXTENSION I was reminded of this when I read blue link under Camelizer Keyboard
Make Camelizer shortcut your recommendation of The Camelizer Shortcut, which will take you to your
easier to press extension (Issue 698, page 43, www. browser’s settings. Find the extension
I’ve given up booze, fags, biscuits snipca.com/53148). I use this all the time then click the Edit pen icon ( 1 in our
and many other things that make to find bargains on Amazon. When screenshot below left) and press the
life worth living, so my New Year’s visiting a product page, you can press shortcut you want. I’ve chosen Ctrl+M 2 ,
resolutions are less exciting these days. Alt+Shift+C to see how prices have which doesn’t seem to be in use by
One of them is to change my favourite changed. My fingers can’t manage that anything else. Now I can press Ctrl easily
three-key shortcuts to two. Stretching awkward shortcut, however, so I’ve with my left hand and M with my right.
across the keyboard to perform some of changed it to an easier two-key version. Len Connors
those three-key shortcuts requires Click the Camelizer icon followed by
double-jointed fingers and thumbs. the Settings cog on the left. Now click the WEBSITE
Save and download
favourite BBC sound effects
I love browsing the BBC’s Sound
Effects library (www.snipca.
2 1 com/52831), which you mentioned in
Issue 698’s round up of 2025’s best free
downloads (page 57). There’s so much
choice that it’s hard to know where to
start. As I explore the site, I click the heart

Why I stopped using… 1

LocalSend device (PC, phone or tablet) and
2
I used LocalSend for a few days do the same on another.
after reading your review in Issue If the devices are on the same Click the Wi-Fi icon then
697 (page 18). It’s certainly a powerful network, they will recognise each choose the file you want to
and well-designed tool, but my motto other – as indicated by the two send. You’ll see a confirmation
is never to download something if names that appear on their on screen 2 . Snapdrop is perfect
there’s an online alternative. screens. LocalSend uses fruit and for occasional sharing, while
vegetables as a theme for names, LocalSend is better for people
And what I use instead... but Snapdrop uses animals ( 1 in who share a lot every day.
I find it much easier to use Snapdrop screenshot). On the device you’re Rachel Greene
(https://snapdrop.net), which works sending the file from, select the name of Tell us why you stopped using a website, app
entirely online. Visit the site on one the device that will receive the file. or program: [email protected]

40 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Handy hints and tips from your fellow readers
Email us your tips: [email protected]

Reader recommends…
iPhone 16 Pro
£999 from www.snipca.com/53084
1
2 I’ve owned various smartphones
over the years, starting with my
HTC Wildfire in 2010. They’ve all been
mid-range devices, and until recently
icon ( 1 in screenshot above) beside clips I I’d never had an iPhone. available (and steering away from
like to create a list of favourites. I can A few years ago I bought an iPad and Google) the iPhone seemed ideal.
then play them to decide which I prefer. I found it extremely useful – certainly It has a 5x zoom, which is excellent,
remove those I don’t want, then click not the culture shock I’d expected. So and I attended a brilliant free photo
‘Download all favourites’ 2 . I use these to when thinking about replacing my session at my local Apple shop. I’m very
create audio stories for my grandchildren. then-current Huawei Mate 20 Lite pleased with my choice. It’s not cheap,
One thing I haven’t worked out is how phone, I considered an iPhone. but it’s a pleasure to own.
to create folders for different types of I like taking photos but never seem to Hugh Tattersall
favourites. I suspect it’s not possible. Can have my camera with me when I need
Want to recommend hardware or software
anyone confirm this? it. So I wanted a phone that’s good for to fellow readers?
Mo Saunders photography. Looking at what was Email [email protected]

BROWSER
Stop Brave showing provide it I have to dive into my phone’s
recently visited websites Contacts list and scroll through in a panic
Brave claims its browser “offers looking for my own details while
the best of all worlds: security, 1 somebody drums their fingers on the
privacy, and performance”, but if you counter or smiles in resignation.
close it then right-click its taskbar icon, I wanted a quick way to locate my
it shows a ‘recently closed’ list of websites number on my iPhone and eventually
you’ve visited. This seems to happen came up with this method. Find a photo
even if you’ve set the browser to clear on your phone that has a plain or neutral
everything on exit. background and trim it into a square.
I see this as a serious security flaw, 2 Now use the phone’s Edit function to
but you can fix it in Windows Settings. open ‘Mark Up’ then tap ‘Add Text’ to add
Press Windows key+I to open Settings, your mobile number across the picture in
then click Personalisation. Next click SOFTWARE bold clear text ( 1 in our screenshot below).
Start on the left ( 1 in our screenshot Add Audacity labels to make Download the free app Widgetsmith
below) then turn off the slider next to songs easy to identify (www.snipca.com/53133), then select
‘Show recently opened items…’ 2 . In response to previous queries ‘Home Screen’ and ‘Photo’ to turn this
Incidentally, in the past few months about converting records and tapes photo into a widget for your home screen
I’ve been trying out the Mullvad browser to digital files, there’s a trick in Audacity 2 . Bingo! Your phone number is now
(https://mullvad.net/en) with a view (www.audacityteam.org) that makes it clearly displayed on your phone’s home
to replacing Brave. It’s relatively new easier. You can use its ‘Add label’ feature screen. Widgetsmith is for iPhones only,
and doesn’t have a strong following on the master track to identify, say, Song but similar apps are available on Android
at the moment, but I’m interested to see 1, Song 2 and so on. Then go to ‘Export – or if you have a Google Pixel phone,
how it develops. Audio’, select Multiple Files ( 1 in our you can simply create a widget for
John Parry screenshot above) then split the files Contacts if you prefer.
based on your labels 2 . You can then Roger Peacock
choose how to name the files, and
Audacity will export each labelled section
1 2
2
as an individual track. This means you
don’t have to cut and paste sections.
Morvyn Finch

APP
Turn your phone number
into a widget
1 I’ve had the same mobile number
for 15 years but for some reason I
can never remember it. When asked to

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 41

 Browser Tips
CHROME increases the risk of clicking it
Combine the New Tab and accidentally when you want to open a
Tab Search buttons new tab.
The New Tab button is one of the The experiment is available in Chrome
most important options in any 132, released on 14 January (so might not
browser. Without it, you’d either need be there yet if you’re reading an early
to open every new web page in a new subscription copy of this issue). To try it,
window, or rely on the keyboard type chrome://flags into the browser’s
shortcut Ctrl+T. address bar and press Enter to load the
In contrast, the Tab Search button, Experiments page. FIREFOX
which Chrome tucks away in its top-left Find the experiment Tabstrip Combo Delete all traces of a site
corner, is easy to overlook. That’s a shame Button ( 1 in our screenshot below), then from your history
because it provides a useful way to list all select Enabled in its dropdown menu 2 All browsers let you delete specific
your open and recently closed tabs, as and relaunch Chrome. You’ll now see the entries from your browsing history,
well as search their titles and URLs to new combo button next to your active tab to prevent nosy parkers from seeing you
find specific web pages. 3 . The ‘New tab’ option is on the left and visited those websites. But if you viewed
To address this discrepancy, Google is ‘Search tabs’ on the right. several pages on a site over a long period
trying an experiment that combines the To separate the buttons again, go back of time, and want to keep the details
New Tab and Tab Search options into a to the Experiments page and choose private, the deletion process isn’t as
single ‘combo’ button. This means you’re Default or Disabled in the dropdown simple – unless you clear your entire
more likely to use Tab Search, but also menu for Tabstrip Combo Button. history.
You can either scroll through your
history and remove those pages
individually, or type the name or
domain of the site into the History
3 search box to filter and delete matching
entries. Firefox offers a much easier
method that deletes all pages from a
specific site from your history in one go,
2 along with cookies and cached data.
Click the three-line menu button in
the top-right corner of the browser and
choose History, then Manage History – or
press Ctrl+Shift+H on your keyboard.
When the Library window opens, find a
page from the site you want to remove
1 from your history.
Right-click its entry and select Forget
About This Site (see screenshot above).
Click ‘Forget’ to confirm and Firefox will

WORKSHOP Add ChatGPT to Chrome’s search options

2
1 1

2
1
2 3

1 Click the three-dot menu in Chrome’s

top-right corner and choose Settings
then ‘Search engine’ 1 – or just go straight
2 Click the Add button next to Site Search
and type ChatGPT in the Name box 1 .
Enter @chatgpt in the Shortcut box 2 and
3 Click ‘Add’ to save the details, and
ChatGPT will be added to your list of
Site Search options 1 . Now, when you
to chrome://settings/search. Click https://chatgpt.com/?q=%s&hints=search type the shortcut @chatgpt in Chrome’s
‘Manage search engines and site search’ 2 in the URL box 3 – you can copy these address bar and press Space, the browser
under the name of your default search details from our Pastebin account at will switch to that search tool 2 .
engine. www.snipca.com/53356.

42 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Secret settings and the best extensions

BEST EXTENSION FOR… Telling sites not to track you

OptMeowt Sell Enabled option (see screenshot). It also

Chromium tells you which domains have received the
www.snipca.com/53353 signal, so you can see the servers that track
As we reported in Issue 700 (page 7), your data in the background, and whether
Mozilla will soon ditch the ineffective ‘Do they’ve responded. Additionally, OptMeowt
Not Track’ request from Firefox in favour opts you out of Google’s Topics feature,
of Global Privacy Control (GPC). This which was originally intended to replace
also asks participating websites not to third-party cookies.
share or sell your data, but carries more
legal weight than Do Not Track. Brave If you don’t like that, try…
and DuckDuckGo also support GPC, GPC Enabler
but Chrome, Edge and other Chromium Chromium
browsers don’t, which is where OptMeowt www.snipca.com/53354
comes in. This extension also sends a Global Privacy
This extension sends the GPC signal to Control signal towebsites, but works entirely
websites when you switch on its Do Not in the background.

delete all data relating to that website, which case they’ll be positioned above January), but in the meantime you can
including the pages you viewed, cookies the feed) or instead of it. add the new AI-powered search engine to
it implanted, cached images and content To activate widgets in Edge, click the Chrome and other Chromium browsers.
preferences. ‘Page settings’ cog in the top-right corner The official ChatGPT Search extension
It won’t remove your bookmarks or of a New Tab page, and switch on the new (www.snipca.com/53351) sets ChatGPT
password for the site, or stop it being ‘Show widgets’ option ( 1 in our screenshot as your browser’s default search engine.
added to your history in future. below left) – this will also enable ‘Show Type a search query in the address bar
content’. Switch off ‘Show feed’ if you ( 1 in our screenshot below) and press
EDGE don’t want to see MSN content. Enter to open the answer in a new
Display widgets on your Between two and four widgets will now ChatGPT tab (you’ll need to be signed
New Tab page appear on the page, containing links you into your free OpenAI account).
In Issue 700 (page 42), we explained can click for more information. Click the ChatGPT will automatically search the
how to customise your MSN three-dot icon in the corner of a widget web based on what you ask. If its initial
(formerly Start) feed on Edge’s New Tab to hide it or personalise its content, or results don’t provide relevant and recent
page, to make it show more relevant click ‘Manage widgets’ 2 to choose new information from cited online sources,
content. Since then, Microsoft has added widgets to display. you can search again manually by
a new option that displays widgets on the clicking the Search button 2 .
New Tab page, rather than the full MSN CHROMIUM To search with Google instead of
experience. Search the web using ChatGPT ChatGPT, type !g into your address bar
Similar to the Dashboard feature before your search query. You can restore
recently introduced by Vivaldi (see Issue your previous search engine by disabling
699, page 42), these widgets show you ‘Will ChatGPT’s search tool kill Google?’, or uninstalling the extension.
useful information including the weather we asked in our ‘Question of the Alternatively, keep your current search
forecast and traffic updates for your Fortnight’ in Issue 700 (page 10). We’ll be engine and add ChatGPT to Chrome’s list
detected location. You can either use taking a closer look at that topic in our of search options – see our Workshop
them in tandem with your MSN feed (in Cover Feature in Issue 702 (on sale 29 opposite to learn how.

1
1

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 43

 Phone and Tablet Tips
ANDROID & iOS
Check if photos were
edited using AI
Over the past year, Google
Photos has added several AI
tools to its mobile app. These include
Magic Eraser, which deletes unwanted
people from shots, and Magic Editor,
which moves and resizes elements, and
adjusts the background and lighting.
The results achieved by these tools are
so impressive you may have forgotten you
used AI to edit a photo – or fail to spot ‘Digital source type: Edited using
when a picture someone shares with you generative AI’.
has been enhanced with AI. To improve Another addition to Google Photos has
transparency, and to comply with its own nothing to do with AI, but is arguably just
‘AI principles’ (www.snipca.com/53221), as useful. It lets you flip photos with a
Google now tells you when AI edits have single tap, so that left-facing subjects
been applied in Google Photos. look right instead – and vice versa.
Swipe up on an image to see its Details Press the Edit button below a picture,
panel and, if it has been AI-enhanced, choose Crop and tap the new Flip icon (to internet connection. The picture quality
you’ll see a new ‘AI info’ section below the right of Rotate – see screenshot will be upgraded automatically, so you
the ‘Backed up’ details (see screenshot above). Your photo will instantly be don’t need to tweak any settings.
below). This will include the information: flipped – tap the icon again to undo. It has also added 10 new video effects
‘Credit: Edited with Google AI’ and to make your chats more interesting and
ANDROID & iOS fun. Tap the Effects (magic wand) icon in
Enhance your video calls the top-right corner and choose from
in WhatsApp filters including Puppy (which gives you
In Issue 700 (page 44), we wrote a dog nose and ears – pictured above),
about the improved video-call Underwater and Karaoke (which places
features in Facebook Messenger. The a microphone in front of you).
messaging app’s Meta stablemate, Additionally, WhatsApp now lets you
WhatsApp, has now been updated with start a video call with selected members
its own video-calling enhancements. of a group chat, rather than bothering
Like Messenger, WhatsApp now supports everyone. Tap the camera button to
high-resolution video calls, provided all start a video chat, choose the people
participants in a chat have a fast enough you want to talk to and press ‘Call

BEST NEW APPS What you should install this fortnight

PeerTube TPTV Encore ReSubs

Free Free Free*
Android www.snipca.com/53226 iOS www.snipca.com/53228 Android www.snipca.com/53264
iOS www.snipca.com/53227 Talking Pictures TV has been showing classic This app helps you keep track of all your
PeerTube is an open-source, non-profit British series and films on its Freeview subscriptions, so you always know when
alternative to YouTube, which lets you channel since 2018. the next payments are due and can budget
watch videos from hundreds of independent Its new app lets you accordingly. Choose
services without any watch its vintage from its catalogue
ads or tracking. Its programmes on of subscription
new mobile app demand on your services, and add
invites you to specify iPhone or iPad, and your own, then
your interests to on Google/Android organise them into
discover relevant TV and Fire TV categories and
content, or you can devices. It’s not yet enable reminders.
simply browse available for Android Pay 99p a month to
videos in its Explore phones and tablets, remove ads and
feed and search for and doesn’t offer live view “subscription
them by subject. streaming. trends”.

*Contains in-app purchases

44 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Brilliant things to do on your device

[number] of people selected’. to iOS 18.2, then open the and Starry Night.
The new features are rolling out gradually, new Image Playground app Type a detailed
so you may not have them all yet. from your Home screen or description of the image
App Library. It can also be you want to create, and
ANDROID & iOS installed from the Apple Image Playground will
Report police sightings App Store (www.snipca. work its AI magic.
in Google Maps com/53251) on compatible Alternatively, tap the
Google Maps has removed its feature for devices. Person button (see
reporting speed traps on your route, Select either Animation screenshot left) to generate
and replaced it with a more generic or Illustration as your visual style. Each an image using a photo of someone
option for reporting sightings of the option offers different visual approaches (they must be labelled with their name
police. This feature has long been – Animation produces more playful and in the Photos app). Tap the plus sign (on
available in Google’s other navigation cartoon-like results, while Illustration iPhone) or photos button (on iPad) and
app, Waze, and allows you to alert creates more detailed and artistic images. select Choose Photo or Take Photo to use
other drivers to the presence of law- You can also choose from a variety of a picture of something else. Tap ‘Done’ to
enforcement officers on or at the side themes, including Adventure, Fantasy save the result.
of the road.
Some users will
miss the more
BEST APPS FOR... Amateur astronomers
specific ‘Speed
traps’ option, but Stellarium Mobile
the new one Free*
covers more Android www.snipca.com/53252
reasons for the iOS www.snipca.com/53253
police to be Stellarium detects your location to identify
monitoring traffic. all the celestial objects visible in your local
For example, they night sky. These include stars, constellations,
may be dealing planets and passing satellites. Tap an
with an accident or emergency, checking object to learn more about it, and switch
or rerouting vehicles, or investigating between different ‘sky cultures’ including
criminal activity. Chinese, Norse and Inuit. Pay £19.99 to
To share your sighting of the boys in unlock Stellarium’s advanced tools.
blue, tap the Report button while viewing Best For Exploring the night sky
your route in Google Maps’ navigation
mode. Select ‘Police’ (see screenshot NASA
above) and once your report has been Free
verified by Google, a marker will be Android www.snipca.com/53265
added to the map. iOS www.snipca.com/53266
NASA’s much-improved app is packed
iOS/iPadOS with space-related news, photos, videos
Create your own images and podcasts, and information about
using Apple’s new AI tools its past missions and upcoming events.
In December, Apple gave many You can find out when and where to
iPhone and iPad users an early look out for the ISS, view live footage
Christmas present by introducing a slew from the station and watch interesting
of new AI features through its iOS 18.2 documentaries on the ad-free NASA+
update. The ‘AI’ stands for Apple streaming service.
Intelligence as well as artificial intelligence, Best For Space news and videos
and requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later, or
an iPad with an A17 Pro or M1 processor. Ouranos
Sadly, this rules out devices from before Free*
2021, but if you own a compatible model, Android www.snipca.com/53255
there are lots of new tools to try. One of iOS www.snipca.com/53254
the most interesting is Image Playground, Avoid astronomical disappointment by using
which uses AI to generate images from Ouranos to plan your stargazing excursions
text prompts and using photos in your (even just to the back garden). It tells you
library. It’s available as a dedicated app, whether tonight will be good or bad for
and is also integrated with iOS tools visibility, based on cloud cover, moon phase
such as Messages and Notes. and other meteorological conditions.
To try Image Playground on a supported Best For Stargazing forecasts
iPhone or iPad, make sure you’ve upgraded
*Contains in-app purchases

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 45

 Make Windows Better Expert tips for every version

WINDOWS 10 & 11
WINDOWS 10 & 11
Pin your tabs in
Notepad alternative
If you find Notepad in Type uppercase on touchscreen
Windows too basic for
your needs, replace it keyboard using Shift
with Notepad++, which has more If you occasionally Windows 10 you can press Shift to
advanced tools and features. The latest need to type in see uppercase letters, but these
version (8.7.2) lets you pin your tabs at capital (uppercase) disappear after you type a single letter.
the far left of the top bar, making them letters on a physical keyboard but You can instead double-press Shift to
easy to open with one click. don’t want to keep turning Caps Lock keep typing in uppercase, but you first
First, download Notepad++ by clicking on and off, you can do so by pressing need to activate a setting.
the green button at www.snipca. down the Shift key as you type. They’ll To do so, press Windows key+I to
com/53206 (avoid fake ‘download’ return to lowercase when you release open Settings then click Devices.
buttons which are just adverts). Now the Shift key. Now click Typing on the left ( 1 in our
click the pin icon in a tab and it’ll turn On touchscreen keyboards in screenshot), then scroll down to the
blue, indicating it’s been pinned ( 1 in our ‘Touch keyboard’
screenshot below). Unpinned tabs will heading and switch
always be to the right of these 2 . 2 on ‘Use all uppercase
letters when I double-tap
Shift’ 2 . This keeps
uppercase letters selected
1 until you tap Shift again.
1 This option is turned
on by default in
Windows 11 touchscreens,
so there’s no setting to
2 activate.

Windows key+I to open Settings, then WINDOWS 10 & 11

WINDOWS 11 click ‘Time & language’ on the left ( 1 in See updates and downloads
Revert your PC’s time our screenshot below left). Now click in Microsoft Store
to old format ‘Date & time’ followed by the ‘Show time There’s a new ‘Updates
Microsoft recently changed how and date in the System tray’ dropdown and downloads’ page on
the time and date appears in menu. Untick ‘Show abbreviated time the Microsoft Store to
Windows 11’s system tray, at the and date’ 2 and tick ‘Show seconds in make it easier to see your recent
far right of the taskbar. For the date, only system tray clock’ 3 (though note that downloads and pending updates. Open
the day and month are now shown (for this uses more power). The change will the Store app on your computer then
example, 03/25). For the time, only the take place straight away. click the cloud/download icon at the
hour and minute is shown, with AM and If you don’t see AM/PM, click ‘Language bottom left ( 1 in our screenshot below).
PM removed. & region’ 4 then Regional format’. Click You’ll see pending updates at the top 2 ,
This is Microsoft’s new default but you ‘Change formats’ then pick a ‘Short time’ with ‘version notes’ explaining what’s
can revert to the previous format. Press and ‘Long time’ that shows AM/PM. new. Click ‘Update all’ 3 to install them.
In the section below you’ll see all recent
updates to your apps 4 .
2
3

3 1

1 4

46 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

Make Office Better Top tips for the best office programs

MICROSOFT WORD

Instantly add bullet points to indicate paragraphs

You can instantly add bullet 1 2
points to the start of multiple
paragraphs, making it easier
to jump to specific points in a long
document. You simply need to
highlight every paragraph, then press
Ctrl+Shift+L.
Word uses line breaks in a document
to determine where one paragraph
ends and another begins. That means if
you’re using double line breaks, Word
will place a bullet point where the first
line break is (see screenshot 1 ), which the ‘Find and Replace’ box then type Click ‘Replace All’ to confirm and the
clutters the page. ^p^p in the Find field and ^p in Replace. double line breaks will all become
To avoid this, press Ctrl+H to open To type ^ (called a caret) press Shift+^. single 2 .

any subsequent search you make

2
overriding the filter you chose.
First, select the cells you want to add
filters to, including the headers. Go to
Data in the menu and choose AutoFilter.
Now, click Data then AutoFilter (or press
Ctrl+Shift+L). Small dropdown arrows
will appear next to each column header.
1 Click these arrows to filter your data
based on criteria such as ascending/
descending order, background colour,
or cell content.
1
2 In our example, showing expenses for
staff costs, we’ve chosen to filter the
spreadsheet so it only shows results for
Adam ( 1 in our screenshot below), hiding
ONLYOFFICE those for Dave and Sally. We then click LIBREOFFICE CALC &
Edit tools using a touchscreen OK. If we now tick ‘Lock’ 2 , anything we MICROSOFT EXCEL
OnlyOffice 8.2, released in late search for in the box above 3 will apply Calculate how many days
October, adds touchscreen only to the cells as we’ve just filtered them. have passed since a date
support for every tool in the suite So, if we then clicked the Cost dropdown You can use the TODAY
– documents, PDF forms, presentations arrow and searched for £435, it would function to work out how
and spreadsheets. It means you can edit show us only instances of Adam being many days have passed
on any device that has a touchscreen, paid that amount, not any other. Nor since a specific date. Click the cell where
including PCs and laptops, using your would it show an instance of Dave or you want the result to appear, then type
fingers as well as your mouse. Sally also earning that amount. =TODAY()-XX, replacing XX with the
For example, we pressed cell B4 to cell containing the date. In our example,
highlight it ( 1 in our screenshot above), we typed =TODAY()-B2 ( 1 in our
then long-pressed it to bring up the screenshot above).
right-click menu 2 . 3 If your result is another date rather
than a number, you need to change how
LIBREOFFICE CALC Calc or Excel handles dates. Right-click
Lock your search filters in the cell with the formula, then choose
spreadsheets Format Cells followed by the Number
The latest version of LibreOffice 2 tab. In Excel, select General in the
Calc (24.8) adds a Lock option Category menu 2 followed by OK. In
when using AutoFilter, which Calc, select Number followed by General,
keeps your search filter activated when 1 then OK. Alternatively, in either type
you search your spreadsheet. This stops =TEXT(TODAY()-XX, "0").

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 47

 In The Club
Run a club or society? Here's how your tech can make it easier

Create and share a digital notebook

S haring a physical notebook with club
members would be impractical, but
there are plenty of programs that let you 1 4
create and send digital notebooks. One of
the best is Obsidian, which offers enough 3
clever tools in its free version to make it a
real asset to your club. We’ll explain how
to write and link notes, then categorise
them using tags.

Set up folders and add notes

First, download it from https://obsidian. 2 Create a
md, then launch it and click the purple note, name
Create button to create a new vault it, then see
it in Graph
(Obsidian’s name for a notebook). view
This acts as your main notebook. Type
a name for your notebook then click Enter, and Obsidian will turn what you’ve to the ‘Commercial’ version, which costs
Browse and choose somewhere on just typed into a clickable link. $50 (about £30) per user per year (https://
your computer to save its files. Next, obsidian.md/pricing). Thankfully, you
click Create again and a Welcome page Add tags and share can also share it for free through Apple
will open. Delete the text from it, then your notebook iCloud, Google Drive or OneDrive.
start adding your own. You can also categorise your notes by To share your notebook, find the folder
Now you can create folders for your tagging them with keywords. Place your for your Obsidian vault on your PC (this
club. Click the ‘New folder’ icon ( 1 in our cursor where you want the tag to appear, contains all your notes and files). If you
screenshot above right) then type a name. then type it preceded by a hashtag, for can’t find it, launch Obsidian and check
Next, right-click a folder then select ‘New example #event. To search for a hashtag, its location at the top left of the program’s
note’ 2 and type a name for it in the main click the magnifying glass icon at the top home page, under the name you chose
pane where it says Untitled 3 . left. Obsidian will show all notes that for your notebook. Alternatively, open the
As you add notes, they will appear on contain it. Start menu, right-click Obsidian and
the right in a ‘Graph view’ 4 , which Another way to categorise your notes is select ‘Open file location’. Now drag and
shows how your notes are linked. Linking to bookmark them. Click the ‘Bookmark drop the folder into your cloud-storage
notes lets you switch between them easily the active tab’ icon ( 1 in our screenshot folder on your PC.
without having to search. below right) then give it a title 2 . You can Once the storage service has uploaded
To link one note to another, type click the Bookmarks icon at the top left 3 the folder, you can give other people
[[XXXX]] ( 1 in our screenshot below), to see all your bookmarks. There’s also an access to it. If someone makes a change to
replacing XXXX with the name of the icon for creating groups of bookmarks 4 . a notebook, you’ll need to upload the
note you want to link to – or select one If you wanted to share your notebook updated version to the cloud so others
from the dropdown menu 2 . Now press through Obsidian, you’d need to upgrade can download it.

1 4
1
2
2

Linking notes makes them easier to find and open You can categorise your notes by bookmarking them

48 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701 Next issue: Create a timeline for volunteer tasks
What’s All the
Fuss About...
Google’s dashcam data
It’s using footage from some devices to update Google Maps

What is it?
Google has said it routinely collects
“short, silent” footage from dashboard
cameras (dashcams) in cars for use with
its mapping services (see www.snipca.
com/53272).

Google’s spying
on us again, then?
It’s an understandable conclusion to
come to. After all, Google doesn’t exactly
have the best track record at respecting
your location privacy, as we explained
in our recent ‘Stop Google Maps spying
on you’ feature (Issue 696, page 62 –
buy a back issue from www.snipca.
com/53285). However, Google explains Yes, I’ve heard of them. personal info, such as identifiable faces,
that it’s not collecting dashcam footage But what about Geopost? car-number plates and so on.
from the general public. It’s a French company that owns a range
of international parcel-delivery firms. In How well does that work?
So where is it getting the the UK its most recognisable brand is We don’t know yet, but we’ll aim to
footage? DPD. Presumably, this means that DPD find out. Google also claims it doesn’t
From official business ‘partners’, vehicles fitted with dashcams will share publish any of the dashcam footage
specifically Geopost and Nextbase. You their footage with Google. it requests, and that all videos are
may know the latter – it’s a Reading- erased after they have been used. That
based maker of affordable dashcams But what about Nextbase sounds reassuring enough, but we’re
you’ll find at Amazon, and on the shelves dashcams? still a little uneasy about it. It has the
at Halfords, Currys, Argos and so on. Thankfully, Nextbase isn’t just potential for a privacy scandal that
The most recent model we recommend is indiscriminately taking footage from its would stretch well beyond the pages
the Piqo 1080P (£79 from www.snipca. users and sharing it with anyone who of Computeractive.
com/53284). asks nicely. In fact, the manufacturer is
only granting Google access to clips Why does Google want this
captured by users who have already footage, anyway?
joined Nextbase’s Road Safety Club. To keep Google Maps “fresh and up to
date”. It might, for example, request
What’s that? dashcam video of a stretch of road where
It’s an initiative for volunteers who want it thinks the speed limit or road signage
to help improve safety on UK roads by has recently changed. It can then check
sharing information about pot holes, this in the dashcam footage and update
road-layout changes and so on, in return Google Maps accordingly (as pictured
for exclusive benefits, such as discounts left).
and free extended warranties (see www.
snipca.com/53275). Crucially, you need So, overall, it’s a good thing?
to opt into Google’s dashcam-sharing Ultimately, if you use Google Maps as
scheme via the MyNextbase Connect app your in-car navigation system and you
before any footage is shared with either want to avoid being caught out by speed
Nextbase or Google. cameras in an area where the speed limit
has recently changed, then yes. Even
What about footage of me better is the fact that, on this occasion,
recorded by other drivers? it doesn’t appear to come at the cost of
Google is using dashcam footage to help update Good point. Google claims it uses your personal privacy. Unless you happen
elements like speed limits and road signs “cutting-edge technology” to help blur to be a DPD driver, of course.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 49

 COVER FEATURE

Why You MUST Bin

YOUR OLD
ROUTER
An outdated Wi-Fi
router puts every
device you connect to
your home network at
risk. Robert Irvine
explains the benefits
of switching to a faster,
safer and more
versatile model

Y
our router is the gateway online no matter where you are in updated their router’s firmware (www.
between the internet and all your home. snipca.com/53336).
the devices connected to your Yet many of us pay little attention to Upgrading your router will not only
home network – whether this essential piece of hardware, and stick improve the speed and security of your
wirelessly or through Ethernet cables. with old routers that are long past their home network, but allow you to benefit
This means it’s essential that your peak performance. A survey by from all the recent advances in Wi-Fi
router is as fast, reliable and secure Broadband Genie last year found that 89 technology – and there have been many.
as possible, enabling you to quickly get per cent of UK web users have never The router supplied by your ISP, or that
you bought 10 years ago, may still do its
job, but switching to a new model will
WHAT YOU CAN DO move your network into the fast lane.
In this feature, we tell you why you
• Protect your network against hackers •D
 irect your signal precisely to the should ditch your old router, and what
and malware appropriate hardware you should buy to future-proof your
• Boost your Wi-Fi signal to eliminate all •P
 revent network congestion and wireless network. We explain the
dead spots interference advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi 6
• Connect all your devices to your •C
 heck which versions of Wi-Fi your and 7 (and 6E), as well as the differences
Wi-Fi network PC supports between them, and demystify technical
terms such as beamforming.

50 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Why You MUST Bin
YOUR OLD
ROUTER
5 REASONS YOU MUST BIN YOUR ROUTER

1It’s vulnerable to hackers

Over the past year, routers have
frequently been targeted by hackers or
from the manufacturer; its built-in
storage may be almost full; and external
factors such as dust, heat and knocks
Wi-Fi 6 routers (and newer) also offer
improved ‘beamforming’ – a signal-
processing technique that focuses radio
found to contain security flaws that leave may have damaged its components – and sound waves to improve the quality
them vulnerable to attacks. In November, including the all-important antennas. of the signal. Beamforming allows your
DrayTek fixed critical flaws in more than All these factors can make your router router to detect where each device on
700,000 of its routers (www.snipca. much slower and less efficient than when your network is located. Rather than
com/53268), and earlier in the year Asus you bought or received it, giving you a broadcasting data in all directions, it
patched vulnerabilities in 21 models good incentive to upgrade. can direct its signal to the appropriate
(www.snipca.com/53267). hardware, ensuring a faster, more reliable
Serious flaws were also discovered in
routers from D-Link (www.snipca.
com/53271) and
3 It can’t support all
your devices
We now connect more devices than
connection, fewer dead zones and less
interference and congestion.

Netgear (www. ever to our Wi-Fi networks. These

snipca.com/53270) include phones, tablets, laptops, TVs,
– though these were streaming sticks, smart
discontinued models doorbells, security cameras,
such as the WNR614 smart speakers, and heating
(pictured right). Worst of and lighting systems.
all, in April it was reported Older routers will struggle
that unpatched to provide a strong signal to all
TP-Link routers were these gadgets simultaneously,
being bombarded especially if they’re using the
with botnet and same band and channels. Not
malware attacks (www. only are Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
snipca.com/53269), and routers (and newer) compatible
US authorities are now with more recent devices, they
investigating the company also use a technology called
(see page 8). orthogonal frequency
Although division multiple access
The Netgear WNR614 was found
manufacturers are to have six serious security flaws (OFDMA – see screenshot
usually quick to release below) to sub-divide their
security updates that fix these flaws, your channels. This lets them direct fast
router is unlikely to receive them if it’s signals to many devices all at once.
reached its end-of-service support. As we’ll explain later, Wi-Fi 6E and 7
Old and discontinued models are easy (802.11be) routers are particularly
Control your router from your phone or tablet
targets for hackers, who exploit their versatile because they offer a 6GHz band using the manufacturer’s app
vulnerabilities to infiltrate your home on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
network, spread malware and steal
sensitive data.
What’s more, older routers don’t
These tri-band models let you connect
hundreds of devices and enjoy high
speeds with no congestion.
5Itfeatures
lacks customisable
Old routers, especially those supplied
support Wi-Fi Protected Access Version 3 by ISPs, are usually pretty basic in
(WPA3). Developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance terms of the settings you can tweak to
in 2018, this encrypted security protocol make the most of your Wi-Fi. For
helps protect the data sent to and from example, they may lack options to set up
devices over your network. guest networks, change your DNS server
(to block ads and trackers), install a VPN,

2Itsunreliable
signal is slow and
Most old routers are either Wi-Fi 4
use Quality of Service (QoS) settings to
prioritise internet traffic for specific
devices and services, and manually
(802.11n) models, which use the 2.4GHz OFDMA divides Wi-Fi channels to deliver fast upgrade the router’s firmware.
and/or 5GHz bands, or Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), speeds to multiple devices Not all new routers offer all these
which works over 5GHz. The 2.4GHz features, and some older models do,
band has wider coverage, while 5GHz is
faster and provides more channels.
Regardless of your router’s band, the
4 Its Wi-Fi coverage is limited
A new router is almost certain to
offer a wider Wi-Fi range than your
but the latest hardware is typically
more flexible. It’s also more likely
to have a mobile app that lets you
strength, range and reliability of its signal current one. This means its signal will control and configure your router
can deteriorate over time due to problems reach more areas of your home, and you from your phone or tablet. Netgear’s
with the device itself. Its firmware may be won’t have to deal with Wi-Fi dead zones app for its Nighthawk routers (pictured
outdated and no longer receiving updates (or black spots). above) is one example.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 51

 UPGRADE TO A WI-FI 6 ROUTER
The cheapest way to boost your Wi-Fi
signal and security – and to escape
the limitations of ISP routers – is to
upgrade your home network to Wi-Fi 6.
Offering theoretical speeds of up to
9.6Gbps, compared with the 3.5Gbps
of Wi-Fi 5 and 600Mbps of Wi-Fi 4, this
will significantly improve the
performance of your wireless
connections to all your devices.
Although Wi-Fi 7 offers higher
maximum speeds of up to 46Gbps, even
the fastest broadband in the UK (from the
London-only internet provider Community
The TP-Link Archer AX55
Fibre, www.snipca.com/53286) ‘only’ strikes the perfect balance
achieves average download and upload between price and performance
speeds of 3Gbps. This means opting for a
Wi-Fi 7 router is currently overkill, not to Which Wi-Fi 6 router
mention expensive. should you buy?
More importantly, Wi-Fi 6 routers are GOLD AWARD
compatible with a wide range of phones, TP-Link Archer AX55
tablets, laptops, TVs and other smart £70 from www.snipca.com/53287
devices. The first Wi-Fi 6-enabled The TP-Link Archer AX55 (also known
products were certified by the Wi-Fi as the AX3000) offers the perfect
Alliance as far back as 2019, allowing balance between price and performance,
them to benefit from the standard’s faster making it the ideal upgrade from your old The AX55 includes four Ethernet ports and a
speeds, reduced congestion via OFDMA router. It’s one of the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 USB 3 port for external storage
(see page 51) and improved security routers you can buy and among the
through WPA3. So if you’ve bought a smallest too. and settings. With the ability to handle
Wi-Fi-enabled gadget in the past few Measuring 165x261x135mm (HxWxD), four independent data streams, it can
years, there’s a very good chance it it will sit neatly on any shelf, desktop or deliver speeds of more than 574Mbps
supports Wi-Fi 6. Amazon’s latest Fire TV counter and its soft rubber feet won’t over its 2.4GHz band and 2.4Gbps over
Stick 4K (www.snipca.com/53300, damage your furniture. You can rotate the the 5GHz band. It’s this combined
pictured below) is one example of a Wi-Fi AX55’s four antennas to spread its signal 3,000Mbps that gives the AX55 its
6 device – the more expensive 4K Max in multiple directions, and its air vents alternative AX3000 name.
supports Wi-Fi 6E, but the cheaper HD keep it cool even when lots of devices are In our tests, the TP-Link Archer AX55
model is limited to Wi-Fi 5. demanding data. proved to be a reliable and competent
Wi-Fi 6 also offers lower latency, which As well as dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the router, achieving better speeds and
improves responsiveness in online games router includes four additional Ethernet coverage than many pricier Wi-Fi 6
and video calls, and can extend battery ports to provide wired connections, and a routers. Within a 15-feet range, it
life through a technology called Target USB 3.0 port for connecting an external delivered an impressive 823.7Mbps, and
Wake Time (TWT). This reduces power hard drive or NAS. If you need to extend its maximum range extended to 110 feet
consumption on devices that connect to your Wi-Fi further in the future, the – though with a significant drop in
your Wi-Fi intermittently, such as smart AX55 supports TP-Link’s OneMesh performance to around 15Mbps.
doorbells and alarms, and frees up system for creating a mesh network. The Archer AX55 is a winner if you
bandwidth for hardware that’s You can use TP-Link’s Tether app don’t need the higher performance (or
‘always-on’ such as smart TVs. (www.snipca.com/53288) to set up your price) of Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 devices but
Older devices with Wi-Fi 5 or new Wi-Fi 6 network, and the browser- want an affordable, well-designed router
Wi-Fi 4 won’t offer all based interface to tweak the router’s that will distribute data to all your
the benefits mentioned advanced settings. For extra security and devices for years to come.
above, but they will privacy, the AX55 lets you install a VPN
connect to a Wi-Fi 6 and comes with TP-Link’s HomeShield SILVER AWARD
router. Wi-Fi 6 is software to protect you against malware Asus RT-AX86U
backwards-compatible, and cyberattacks, as well as a two-year £225 from www.snipca.com/53292
which means it supports warranty. You can also control it using The Asus RT-AX86U (aka AX5700) is a
hardware that uses older your voice by linking it with Alexa or Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that delivers
wireless standards. Google Assistant. amazing speeds and impressive
Inside it has a 1GHz dual-core customisation options, and is particularly
The new Amazon Fire TV processor, 512MB of RAM and 128MB of suited to online gaming. Although it’s
Stick 4K supports Wi-Fi 6 flash storage for the router’s firmware considerably more expensive than our

52 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Why You MUST Bin
YOUR OLD
ROUTER
Check which Wi-Fi your PC supports
If you’re not sure whether your computer Wi-Fi versions you can use. If you see
supports Wi-Fi 6 or 7, there’s a quick way 802.11ax 2 , your PC supports Wi-Fi 6 and
to find out. Type cmd into the Windows 6E, while 802.11be means it will also work
search box and click Open below with Wi-Fi 7. Don’t worry if you only have
Command Prompt. 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
Now type netsh wlan show drivers because Wi-Fi 6 is backwards-compatible.
( 1 in our screenshot) and press Enter To find out which Wi-Fi standards
to see a list of drivers installed for your your other devices use, you’ll need
wireless adapter. Look to the right of to check their specifications on the
‘Radio types supported’ to see all the manufacturers’ websites.

The Asus RT-AX86U delivers impressive

Wi-Fi speeds around your entire home
2
Gold Award winner, it’s the best
standalone Wi-Fi 6 router for your
whole household.
The main draw of the Asus RT-AX86U
is its performance. Its signal passes
effortlessly through walls and between BRONZE AWARD USB 3.0 port and four Ethernet ports,
floors to provide a fast, reliable Linksys Hydra Pro 6 but it lacks extra security software for
connection to all your devices, no matter £169 from www.snipca.com/53290 protecting your network.
where they are in your home. In our Aimed at those who want a modest and You can use the Hydra Pro 6 as the host
tests, it achieved a superb peak speed of unobtrusive Wi-Fi 6 router, the Linksys router in a mesh network by connecting
929.7Mbps within a 15-feet range, and Hydra Pro 6 (aka MR5500) is a small Linksys Velop Wi-Fi extenders using the
maintained an impressive 250Mbps networking wonder. At 240x230x90mm company’s mobile app. This app also
connection at 75 feet. (HxWxD), it’s about the same size as a makes the router easy to set up and
Design-wise, the router measures paperback book, though its two external configure, and includes parental controls
325x242x100mm (HxWxD) and is antennas (it also has an internal one) add and the ability to set up a guest network.
intended to stand vertically, with vents at another 104mm to its height when In our tests, the Hydra Pro 6 achieved
the front and along the top to keep it cool. pointing straight up. an excellent speed of 841Mbps within a
You can rotate and aim its three external It’s a dual-band router that mixes 15-feet range, falling to 123.1Mbps at 75
antennas to achieve the strongest signal elements of more expensive and budget feet and with few noticeable dead spots.
possible, and these are augmented by models. Its 2.4GHz band can deliver It’s ideal for mid-sized homes, and is
an internal antenna. speeds of up to 574Mbps, while its regularly discounted on Amazon to as
Also inside the RT-AX86U are 1GB 5GHz band provides up to 4.8Gbps. A little as £80.
of RAM and 256MB of flash storage. high-performance
It’s powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core 160MHz data
processor and offers four Ethernet ports channel caters The Linksys Hydra
and two USB 3.0 ports. for data hogs, Pro 6 is a compact
The router is easy to set up using while advanced but high-performing
the Asus Router app (ww.snipca. beamforming lets it Wi-Fi 6 router
com/53293) or web interface and justifies tailor its signal to
its comparatively high price with the multiple receiving
inclusion of Trend Micro’s AiProtection devices.
Pro software. This protects your networks The Hydra Pro 6
against malware, hackers and botnets, has a 1GHz dual-core
and you get a lifetime of free security processor, 512MB of
updates to combat the latest and future RAM and 256MB of
threats. The RT-AX86U itself is covered storage. Like our Gold
by a two-year warranty. Award winner, it has a

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 53

 SHOULD YOU BUY A WI-FI 6E ROUTER?
Most new routers from the past few years Wi-Fi 6E routers like this
are Wi-Fi 6E models, which – as we Asus model have notable
pros and cons
explained on page 51 – means they’re able
to support the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz
bands. The latter is comparatively pictured right, see page
uncongested and has almost twice as 33), is one of the cheaper
many high-bandwidth channels as 5GHz, examples, priced at £230.
so you’re unlikely to experience That additional band is
interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks. also one of Wi-Fi 6E’s main
If it’s hard to get a reliable connection shortcomings. Higher
to your router on the 5GHz band, the ‘fast frequencies mean shorter
lane’ created by Wi-Fi 6E’s 6GHz band range, and the 6GHz
will speed up your browsing, streaming, frequency is so high that its
gaming, downloading and other online coverage is limited to
activities considerably. Although Wi-Fi 6 connections in the same room or
and 6E have the same features and the next one. Once you’re outside
theoretical speeds, that extra band the 6GHz range, the router
enables superior performance. automatically switches to 5GHz. This isn’t only Wi-Fi 6E devices can use its 6GHz
However, there are several caveats a problem with Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems, band. These are typically higher-end
about upgrading to a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E such as the Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro (www. phones and tablets – including the latest
router. For starters, they’re more snipca.com/53302), which extend your iPhones and iPads – and gaming laptops.
expensive than Wi-Fi 6 models, both signal’s reach by letting you connect extra For all those reasons, you may be better
because they’re newer and offer the units, but it limits the potential of Wi-Fi off skipping Wi-Fi 6E and either settling
additional 6GHz capability. Our current 6E standalone routers. for a cheaper Wi-Fi 6 router, or – if you
‘Buy It!’ recommendation, the Asus More importantly, Wi-Fi 6E isn’t have the money and performance
RT-AXE7800 (www.snipca.com/52957, backwards-compatible, which means demands – upgrading to Wi-Fi 7.

READER OFFER!
Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro
for just £49.99! ADD A
DISC FOR
Your PC almost certainly came with Windows
11 Home. But did you know it’s easy to
£5.95
upgrade to Windows 11 Pro to get advanced
features like BitLocker drive encryption?

There’s need to install a new version of

Windows – just take your new Professional
key, go to System, Activate, then select
‘Change Product Key’.

To upgrade, visit www.snipca.com/50563

and click the red Buy Now button on the right.

JUST SO YOU KNOW…

This offer can be used by one person only, and expires at midnight
on 28 January, 2025. It’s a lifetime licence for one computer.

54 00 – 00 Month 2023 • Issue xxx

 Why You MUST Bin
YOUR OLD
ROUTER
UPGRADE TO A WI-FI 7 ROUTER
Wi-Fi 7 offers significant advantages over HP’s Spectre X360
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, and is undoubtedly the convertible laptops are
future of wireless technology. It provides among the few that
support Wi-Fi 7
theoretical speeds of up to 46Gbps –
nearly five times those of its predecessors
– so it can easily handle 8K video
streaming, immersive AR and VR, and
advanced smart-home systems. With a
Wi-Fi 7 router, you’ll be ready to enjoy the
benefits of multi-gigabit broadband when
it becomes widely available.
Another big advantage is support for
Multi-Link Operation (MLO). In the past,
your connected devices could only use
one Wi-Fi band at a time. For instance, if (pictured below) is the best option, available in that room or location.
your laptop connected to the 5GHz band, because it gives you all the benefits of For wired connections, the RS300
it couldn’t also connect to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 7 without breaking the bank. provides five Ethernet ports – three are
band. With Wi-Fi 7, devices can send and Despite its relatively low price, the 2.5Gbps (with one reserved for your fibre
receive data across different bands as well RS300 offers surprisingly good broadband cable) and two 1Gbps – as well
as different channels simultaneously. Not specifications – its 6GHz band achieves as a USB 3.0 port for external storage. It’s
only does this increase throughput or maximum speeds of 5.9Gbps, which can not as stylish as many Wi-Fi 7 routers,
speed, it also reduces latency and gives combine with the other bands to deliver but its compact size (249x150x102mm,
you a much more reliable connection. up to 9.3Gbps. That’s actually modest for HxWxD) means you can place it anywhere.
Like Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 supports the Wi-Fi 7 but more than adequate for home Setup is straightforward through the
super-fast 6GHz band, but doubles the users and even small businesses. Nighthawk mobile app – just scan a QR
maximum bandwidth for channels from The router can cover areas of up to 185 code to identify and connect to the
160MHz to 320MHz. This lets you square metres and support up to 100 router. The rest of the process is mostly
potentially connect more than 200 devices, which again is likely to surpass automatic, while you can configure
devices without them clashing. the needs of most households. It creates a advanced management features, such as
Wi-Fi 7 routers are backwards- single network that merges the three port forwarding, through the web
compatible, which means they’ll work frequency bands and automatically interface.
with devices that use Wi-Fi 5, 6 and 6E, connects your devices to the fastest band In our tests, the RS300 achieved
although only those that support Wi-Fi 7 excellent speeds of over
will get all their benefits. Current 1Gbps within a 15-feet
examples include the iPhone 16 and range, and we were
Google Pixel 9 series, Samsung Galaxy able to download
S24 Ultra and HP’s Spectre X360 100MB files at 140MB/s
convertible laptops (pictured above – literally in the blink
right), with more on their way soon. of an eye. As with any
Although Wi-Fi 7 routers are still quite standalone router, no
expensive, they’re getting cheaper as new matter which version of
models become available, so you can Wi-Fi it supports,
choose one that best suits your future performance drops as
needs. They’re a better long-term you move further from
investment than a Wi-Fi 6E model – for it, but the RS300 held
the reasons we explained opposite. up well. Even in the
most distant room, it
Which Wi-Fi 7 router managed 718Mbps over
should you buy? its 6GHz band.
GOLD AWARD If you’re thinking of
Netgear Nighthawk RS300 ditching your old Wi-Fi
£285 from www.snipca.com/51974 5 or 6 router, the
Netgear has an eclectic selection of Wi-Fi Nighthawk RS300 will
7 routers, ranging from the dual-band fulfil your networking
Nighthawk RS200 (priced £200) to the needs for years to
quad-band Orbi 970 mesh router (from come. It’s the best-value
£800). The tri-band Nighthawk RS300 ‘true’ Wi-Fi 7 router
(see box on page 56)
On the back of the Nighthawk
The Netgear Nighthawk RS300 is the best- are five Ethernet ports and a you can buy at the
value Wi-Fi 7 router you can buy USB 3.0 port moment.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 55

 SILVER AWARD The TP-Link Deco
TP-Link Deco BE65 Pro BE65 Pro mesh
router spreads
£580 from www.snipca.com/53313 Wi-Fi throughout
A mesh system is the perfect solution for your home
spreading high-speed internet
throughout a large or thick-walled home, and 180Mbps at 75
eliminating dead spots and catering for feet away. Because
every wireless device. Although the you can place its
TP-Link Deco BE65 Pro (pictured right) is nodes wherever
twice the price of our Gold Award you want, its signal
winner, it’s comparatively cheap for a will cover every
Wi-Fi 7 mesh router, with some rival corner of your
three-unit models exceeding £1,000. house and garden.
Its three nodes are identical – plastic
with a flat white finish and measuring BRONZE AWARD
107mm in diameter and 180mm tall. Asus ROG
The top of each node has a circular ring Rapture
with ventilation to cool the internal GT-BE98
components, while at the bottom there’s £666 from
a single LED. On the back of each unit www.snipca.com/53315
you’ll find a WPS button, a 2.5Gbps Resembling an upside-down robot
Ethernet port, two 5Gbps ports and a spider, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98
USB 3.0 port. (pictured below) is as off-putting in its
You configure and control the Deco appearance as it is in its high price, but
BE65 Pro through TP-Link’s Deco app it’s one of the most powerful and versatile routers you can buy. With
– there is a web interface too, but it’s quad-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4GHz, two 5GHz
rather basic. This lets you set different The Asus ROG and 6GHz bands) and a top speed of
network names and passwords for Rapture GT-BE98 24.4Gbps, it’s the fastest Wi-Fi 7
its combined 2.4GHz and 5GHz offers quad- router we’ve seen so far.
band Wi-Fi and
band and the separate 6GHz band. incredible speeds The GT-BE98 is built like a tank,
Usefully, you can specify which weighing more than many laptops
devices connect to which band – so (2kg) and measuring 221x350x350
Wi-Fi 6E and 7 gadgets always use (HxWxD), before you extend its eight
6GHz, for example – and also which threatening-looking antennas. It’s
node they use. The app provides access to powered by a 2.6GHz quad-core processor,
lots of other features too, includes 2GB of RAM and 256MB
including security scans, of storage, and has a large top
parental controls, guest vent and nanocarbon-coated
networks and much more. heatsink to keep it cool.
In our tests, the Deco BE65 Pro The four Wi-Fi bands are
performed exceptionally well, achieving complemented by 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps
speeds of 1.85Gbps within close range, Ethernet ports that you can use either
for high-speed broadband connections
or wired connections to a laptop and
Should you buy a budget Wi-Fi 7 router? other devices. You also get two USB
ports (3.2 and 2.0) for connecting
Some Wi-Fi 7 routers are devices. That’s not to say external drives.
considerably cheaper than they’re rubbish routers Bonus features, which you can access
our three award winners – their theoretical through the app, include subscription-
– for example, the TP-Link performance will still free network security through Trend
Archer BE3600 currently far exceed the upper Micro’s AiProtection Pro, a VPN with
costs only £100 on limit of your broadband a choice of nine protocols and free
Amazon (www.snipca. connection. parental controls. You can even use the
com/53317, pictured). However, in the GT-BE98 as part of a mesh network by
They may seem like a bargain, longer term, as you connecting other Asus devices.
but the low price is because they’re dual- acquire more Wi-Fi 7 devices In our tests, it effortlessly hit speeds of
band rather than tri-band (or quad-band) that can take advantage of a 6GHz 2Gbps on its 6GHz band, even when we
like ‘proper’ Wi-Fi 7 routers. network, the router’s shortcomings will moved our test laptop 25 feet away. Even
This means they only use the 2.4GHz become more apparent. You would be on the 5GHz band, it reached nearly
and 5GHz bands, not the 6GHz one that better off buying our Gold Award-winning 1Gbps. For most home users, a router
allows Wi-Fi 7 to deliver blazing speeds, Wi-Fi 6 model – or saving your money for of this price and power will be overkill,
avoid congestion and support hundreds of a true, tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router. but it certainly unlocks the full potential
of Wi-Fi 7.

56 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Why You MUST Bin
YOUR OLD
ROUTER
SAVE MONEY ON A NEW ROUTER
Buy a refurbished router
As we explained on page 51, older routers Is your old router obsolete?
are less likely to receive security and
software updates, which can render them Your old router will continue patches). For example, the
unsafe and slow. But many refurbished to work past its end-of-life Asus RT-AC52U (pictured),
models are still supported by their and end-of-service dates, which we reviewed back in
manufacturers, are in excellent condition but because the manufacturer 2015, is no longer updated.
and come with a one-year warranty, may not patch security flaws TP-Link has a new page
helping you save money at minimal risk. beyond those dates, it could for End of Life Products at
Amazon Renewed (www.snipca. leave your network vulnerable www.snipca.com/53330, which
com/53318) sells cut-price routers from to hackers without you even realising. lists the end-of-service dates for
brands including TP-Link and Netgear, as That’s why it’s important to check its Home Networking and Smart Home
well as unlocked devices from ISPs. At whether your device is still receiving devices. Recent additions include the
the time of writing, the store had several updates from the manufacturer. Archer AX6000, which we reviewed in
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E models, including the If you have an Asus router, check the May 2020.
three-year-old TP-Link Archer AX1800 company’s ‘End-of-life product list’ at Netgear lists end-of-service routers at
for £46 (www.snipca.com/53318 – www.snipca.com/53329 to see if your www.snipca.com/53331, and highlights
pictured below). We even spotted a Wi-Fi device is no longer eligible for firmware those with security vulnerabilities at
7 model, the TP-Link BE19000 Tri-Band updates (it may still receive security www.snipca.com/53332.
(www.snipca.com/53319), though this
still cost a pricey £510.
Other good places to try include Ask your ISP for a free router
Pacetech, which specialises in If you’re still using the same old router
refurbished TP-Link routers (www. – or smart hub – your ISP gave you
snipca.com/53320), and eBay’s Home when you signed up, you may be
Network Wireless Routers section (www. eligible for a free upgrade. This will
snipca.com/53321). With the latter, click help you avoid compatibility issues
the Condition dropdown menu and when switching to a third-party
choose ‘Certified – Refurbished’. This will router, though you’ll still suffer your
show you items in ‘like-new’ condition, ISP’s router restrictions.
which have been professionally checked, As a rule, internet providers only
cleaned and refurbished by the offer existing customers new routers
manufacturer or an authorised provider. when they extend their contracts or Unlike the BT Smart Hub 2, the EE Smart Hub
Plus supports Wi-Fi 6
We saw a TP-Link Archer BE550 tri-band change to a more expensive plan. But if
Wi-Fi 7 router for just £180 (www.snipca. your Wi-Fi signal is slow, unreliable and Hub Pro (www.snipca.com/53326),
com/53322) that costs £300 new. doesn’t reach most of your home, there’s which it includes with its fastest (and
no harm in asking for an upgrade. priciest) broadband bundles and as an
If your BT phone service has been add-on for Full Fibre customers.
migrated to Digital Voice, you should have Virgin Media will usually upgrade you
received a Smart Hub 2 – if you didn’t to its new Hub 5 only if you switch to one
already have one. However, this only of its Gig1 Fibre broadband packages, and
supports Wi-Fi 5, so is now out of date. Sky’s Max Hub is only available with its
Much better is the EE Smart Hub Plus Wi-Fi Max add-on. But if your ISP-issued
(pictured above right), which supports router is very old and no longer receives
Wi-Fi 6. You may have been offered this security updates, the company is legally
router when your BT broadband service obliged to replace it under the new
was moved to EE, but if not, it’s worth ‘Product Security and Telecommunications
Save money on a router by buying a requesting one. In September, EE Infrastructure Act’ and Telecoms Security
refurbished model from Amazon Renewed launched a new Wi-Fi 7 router, the Smart Act (see www.snipca.com/53325).

NEXT ISSUE On sale Wednesday 29 January

ON SALE
Weds
29
PLUS Jan
Why you must use It’s now free for 
• Wipe data from old phones

ChatGPT
You need to do more than factory-reset
EVERYONE them
– learn how it’ll 
• Don’t upgrade to Windows 11 24H2
Skip the problems but still get the
improve your life features

Subscribe to Computeractive at www.getcomputeractive.co.uk

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 57

 Get a
GRIP!
Modern devices – especially phones – are so
slippery that it’s getting harder to hold them
firmly. Daniel Booth explains how to add grip
so you don’t keep dropping them

R
ecent figures show one in 10 especially when grabbing them quickly
Brits own a smartphone with a off a table or from your pocket.
cracked screen. They haven’t You need to decide whether to buy a
2
been juggling them while drunk slim case that adds grip but doesn’t
(well, some may have). It’s more likely provide much protection from falls, or
they’ve slipped through their fingers. something bigger and heavier that does.
That figure doesn’t surprise us because Whichever you choose, look for one made 1
we’ve noticed that phones – and other from pure silicone, which has a ‘sticky’
handheld devices – have become harder texture that’s easier to grasp. They’re also Select your phone on Apple’s site, then order
to grip in recent years. It’s not that we’re (mostly) cheap and come in many colours. the results from lowest to highest price
growing clumsier. The fault lies with You could type ‘silicone phone case’
manufacturers who prioritise sleek glass into Amazon and browse the results, but The cases in both ranges are slim. If you
designs over making devices easy to hold. you’ll have 10,000 to wade through, and need something bulkier and more
This change began in 2010 with the many cases are from obscure brands. rugged, look at the Defender cases from
iPhone 4, which was Apple’s first phone That said, some of these are cheap US firm OtterBox. These are made from a
to ditch plastic and use glass on the front enough (under £10) to take a gamble on. combination of polycarbonate and
and back. You could say it was the start of A more forensic method is to research synthetic rubber, which is close to the
a slippery slope. All manufacturers now which case you need on a manufacturer’s grippiness of silicone – visit its Amazon
favour glass for its ‘premium’ feel, which site or their specific Amazon store. For store at www.snipca.com/53324. You’ll
naturally means they can charge more example, visit www.snipca.com/53304 to pay more for this protection though –
for their products. see silicone cases on the prices are typically
Glass is also more resistant to scratches Amazon store of South around £40.
than plastic, works better with wireless Korean firm Spigen.
charging and is easier to recycle. But this Apple also sells silicone Buy a TPU
comes at the expense of grip. Glass is cases for iPhones, and has phone case
smooth and glossy, offering hardly any done so since version While silicone cases are
friction against your hand and surfaces. seven, released in 2016. easy to grip and cheap
There are ways to improve a phone’s Visit www.snipca. (iPhone cases aside),
‘grippability’ though, as we’ll explain. com/53342 then pick your they also attract dirt and
phone on the left ( 1 in don’t offer the best
Buy a silicone phone case our screenshot above protection from drops.
Manufacturers might think adding a right). Click the top-right You may prefer a case
phone case ruins their beautiful design, filter to see the cases listed made from thermoplastic
but it’ll help make your phone less in price order from lowest polyurethane (TPU),
slippery. These cases have textured or to highest 2 , but prepare which combines the
Spigen’s TPU Liquid Air cases
rubberised surfaces that add friction, yourself: the cheapest is offer an ideal balance of grip flexibility of rubberised
making devices easier to grasp – still a hefty £35. and protection cases with the toughness of

60 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

textured plastic, offering a better balance from Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel comics Confusingly, LoveHandle calls them
between grip and protection. and Star Wars. Thankfully, there are also ‘grips’, but they’re straps to you and me.
Again, consider a Spigen case. Visit plenty of plain designs – they’re at the More important is that they’re lighter and
www.snipca.com/53323 to see its top of this page: www.snipca.com/53327. less bulky than PopSockets. They work
Liquid Air cases, which are made almost We think black or clear grips will suit with most phones and cases and don’t
entirely from TPU and all cost under most readers. interfere with wireless charging.
£20 – including its model for the iPhone Your choice of grip largely depends As with PopSockets, there are plenty of
SE (www.snipca.com/53341, pictured on the phone you’ve got. If you own an sparkly and colourful straps you might
below left). iPhone 12 (released 2020) or later, look find too garish (we certainly do), but we
If you don’t find anything you like from for a grip that works with Apple’s found a more tasteful plain black strap in
Spigen, look for a case in the Commuter MagSafe technology. These connect to the Pro range. This costs £26 by itself
range from US firm OtterBox: www. the magnet on the back of the phone. (www.snipca.com/53333, pictured below
snipca.com/53303. These have an inner There’s a separate section for MagSafe left) or £32 with a mount that attaches
TPU layer for absorbing impact and a grips on the site (www.snipca. the phone to a flat surface such as a wall
hard polycarbonate outer shell. com/53328) – prices start at £29.99. or car dashboard (www.snipca.
If you have an older iPhone or an com/53334). There’s also a Pro strap that
Buy a collapsible phone grip Android device, you’ll need a grip that works with MagSafe-compatible iPhones.
If you’re not keen on cases, try a uses adhesive to stick to the back. Return If you’re keen on a mount but want
grip-enhancing accessory instead. The to www.snipca.com/53327 then click something cheaper, consider Sinjimoru’s
most popular options are PopSockets, ‘Product type’ at the top and tick Phone S-Grip (£12.99 from www.snipca.
which are rubberised circular grips that Grip. This will remove all MagSafe grips com/53335), which can be adjusted to
attach to the back of phones. You expand from the results. There’s also a colour prop up your phone.
them when needed, and they fit snugly menu to refine your results. These grips
into most hands or between fingers are much cheaper than MagSafe – you
(pictured below), reducing the strain of can buy a plain black model for £10.99.
holding a large or heavy phone. When
you don’t need the grip, just push it down Buy a phone strap
flat, and your phone will slip easily If you can buy one without sniggering,
into your pocket. try a LoveHandle phone strap (www.
PopSockets are particularly popular lovehandle.com), which sticks to the
with young people. Visit www. back of your phone or case with adhesive.
popsockets.co.uk and you’ll see why:
there are lots of colourful, quirky designs,
many of them branded with characters

Aster’s grippy tape comes in circles, squares

and rectangles

Buy grip tape

The cheapest option of all is to buy a roll
of textured tape that you can cut to size
and stick to the back of your phone.
PopSockets expand to fit snugly between LoveHandle’s strap attaches to the back of There’s loads of choice on Amazon, but
your fingers your phone for pre-cut tape, consider this £7.99 pack
from Aster (www.snipca.com/53340,
pictured above), which comes in squares,
Choose a phone made of plastic rectangles and circles. You can also buy
circular tape to stick to the back of
You could of course skip cases, grips ‘glastic’, which is Samsung’s informal collapsible grips like PopSockets. This
and tape entirely and just buy a plastic term for a plastic back with a matte finish. pack gives you nine for £5.99: www.
phone, avoiding the slipperiness of glass. Most phones in Motorola’s Moto G range snipca.com/53338.
They’re considered less premium by are plastic, including the G8 Power (£125 These tapes could also work for other
manufacturers, which means they’re from www.snipca.com/53350). slippery devices, such as mice, ebook
normally cheaper than glass equivalents. Finally, for a more environmentally readers and earbud cases. But a better
Nokia’s XR20 costs £177 renewed on friendly phone, buy the Fairphone 5, choice is this £8.95 pack from Pulsar
Amazon (www.snipca.com/53346), with which is made from recyclable plastic. (www.snipca.com/53339). Its anti-sweat
a 6.67in screen and 4GB RAM. Samsung’s It costs a lot more than the other two material is aimed at serious gamers who
Galaxy A32 is also available renewed, for options though – £479 from www.snipca. need fast mouse reactions, but you don’t
£117 (www.snipca.com/53349). It uses com/53345. have to be zapping zombies to benefit
from their grippiness.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 61

 Use a VPN on your
WHY YOU NEED A VPN ON YOUR TV
Watch TV shows
from other countries

SMART TV
The main reason to install a VPN on your
television is to watch TV shows, films and
sporting events that aren’t available to
stream in the UK. By selecting VPN
servers in other countries, you can access
the regional versions of streaming
services using valid IP addresses. These Watch shows and films from the US –
often have different and larger libraries
than we have over here, giving you a or anywhere else – by installing a VPN on
greater choice of viewing.
You’ll also be able to install smart TV
your smart TV. Robert Irvine explains the
apps that are unavailable in UK app stores
due to geographical licensing restrictions.
benefits and recommends the best services
Visit the excellent website Stream With
VPN (www.streamwithvpn.com, see
screenshot below) to discover which
shows and films you can only watch on
overseas streaming services.
Some services detect and block VPNs to
prevent you from watching geo-restricted
content, or may deduce your real location
when you sign up with your personal and
payment-card details. However, the best
VPNs – which we’ll reveal later – are able
to fool Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, (HBO) Max
and more into thinking you’re accessing
them from the US and other countries.

and audio playing on your screen and useless. If you suspect your anonymity
matches it against a massive database has been compromised, because you’re
to identify what you’re watching. This seeing personalised ads, you can simply
Stream With VPN reveals which shows and includes TV shows and films on switch to another server to evade tracking
films are only available in other countries streaming services, digital channels and and reset your profile. If certain apps
even DVDs and Blu-rays. The data is then don’t load properly when you access
A VPN will also customise the home shared with device manufacturers and them through a VPN, you can whitelist
screen on your TV or streaming device to sold to advertisers so they can show you them to disable the VPN’s encryption.
show content relevant to the country ads based on your perceived interests
you’re pretending to be in. For example, by and location. WHICH VPN SHOULD YOU INSTALL
choosing a US server you’ll be able to unlock Although you can usually switch off ON YOUR TV?
more than 130 ‘live’ channels on a Google ACR in your smart TV’s settings, it’s If you have a Google/Android TV or Fire
TV- powered set, including blockbuster better to use a VPN. This will encrypt TV, you can install a VPN from its built-in
films and classic TV series. See our ‘Easy your internet connection to stop your TV app store. However, for Samsung Tizen
when you know how’ column in Issue spying on your viewing activities and and LG WebOS TVs, you’ll need a service
689 (page 74) for our experience with collecting data about you to target you that supports Smart DNS. While this
using a VPN to watch these channels. with ads and ‘recommendations’. doesn’t give you the encryption and
Some VPNs block tracking cookies privacy of an actual VPN, it lets you
Stop your smart TV spying on you and adverts at a network level to make switch your location to another country
Many manufacturers of smart TVs and watching TV a more private and less to access geo-restricted content.
streaming devices use automatic content annoying experience. This is particularly Whereas a VPN directs all your internet
recognition (ACR) to analyse your useful if you visit websites in your smart traffic through a different server, Smart
viewing habits. This privacy-invading TV’s browser, because it stops them DNS only diverts your DNS (Domain
technology is often turned on by default, gathering information about you to Name Server) information. Although this
or you may have inadvertently agreed to build a profile of your interests. won’t encrypt your internet traffic, it’s
allow it when you set up your TV. Most TV apps have hidden trackers, enough to fool streaming services. Smart
ACR takes a small sample of the video which an effective VPN will render DNS also slows your connection far less

62 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

than a VPN.
For Roku and other TV systems that
don’t support VPNs or Smart DNS, you
can install a VPN on your router. Some
VPNs offer dedicated router apps to make
this easier to set up.
Here are the best VPNs you can
currently install on your smart TV.

GOLD AWARD ExpressVPN lets you easily connect to 24 NordVPN’s kill switch disconnects you when
ExpressVPN servers in the United States you lose the VPN’s protection
www.snipca.com/53378
ExpressVPN is our favourite VPN for smart more expensive than rival services, priced You also get AES-256bit encryption,
TVs because it’s packed with useful features at £10.32 a month. However, if you sign reliable DNS leak protection and a kill
and is compatible with a wide range of up for a two-year subscription, this is switch (see screenshot above). NordVPN’s
models. So, no matter what kind of screen reduced to £4.04 a month – plus you Meshnet feature (www.snipca.com/53380)
you’re watching, the service has you currently get four months for free (see lets you securely share data between
covered. It’s incredibly easy to set up and www.snipca.com/53377). devices, and is used by some people
use, which makes it ideal for VPN novices. to bypass Netflix’s password-sharing
ExpressVPN boasts over 3,000 servers SILVER AWARD restrictions.
in 105 countries, including 24 in the US NordVPN
(see screenshot above right), so you won’t www.snipca.com/53381 BRONZE AWARD
have to worry about geo-blocks getting in NordVPN is slightly cheaper than Windscribe
the way of your viewing. It lets you access ExpressVPN, but not quite as easy to use, www.snipca.com/53384
all the top streaming services, including priced from £9.89 a month or £2.69 a The Windscribe app for smart TVs is basic
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max month if you pay for two years. Its cheapest compared with ExpressVPN and NordVPN,
and Peacock, without your encrypted plan, Basic, offers enough features for and it can’t compete with their choice of
connection being flagged as suspicious. most VPN users and lets you use it on up servers and locations. However, it has the
Privacy-wise, ExpressVPN is one of the to 10 devices – including smart TVs. Paying major advantage of a completely free
most secure VPNs, thanks to AES-256bit extra for the Plus or Ultimate plans gives plan, which gives you a generous 10GB of
encryption and a choice of protocols. It you an ad and tracker blocker, anti- data a month (see screenshot below) once
also includes an ad blocker, password malware protection, and other privacy you confirm your email address – enough
manager, powerful kill switch that and security features that ExpressVPN to stream a few HD films or a TV series
disconnects you from the internet when includes with all its plans (which is why on a service outside the UK.
you lose connection, built-in speed test it deserves our Gold Award).
and advanced leak protection to stop your NordVPN is able to unblock all the
activities being tracked. main streaming services, including
You can install the ExpressVPN app from Netflix in the US, Canada, Australia and
your TV’s app store, or – if your set doesn’t Japan, through its network of more than
support VPNs – use its MediaStreamer 5,500 servers in 59 countries. Like
Smart DNS service. Alternatively, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, NordVPN’s
ExpressVPN can be installed on your router. SmartDNS service offers some of the
The only catch is that ExpressVPN is benefits of a VPN on unsupported TVs. Windscribe’s free plan gives you 10GB of data
and several US servers

What can you watch with a VPN? If that isn’t enough, Windscribe’s
unlimited paid-for Pro plan is a
Oppenheimer (2023) Secrets and Lies (1996) reasonable $9 (£7.23) a month, or $5.75
The multi-award- Director Mike Leigh’s films are curiously (£4.62) a month if you commit for a year,
winning biopic absent from UK streaming services, but and unlocks its full selection of servers in
about the inventor this and many others can be found on US 69 countries. But unlike other VPNs, you
of the atomic Netflix and Max. get several US servers for free. We also
bomb (pictured) is like Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. feature,
available on Netflix Psycho (1960) which blocks ads and trackers.
in Australia and Alfred Hitchcock’s groundbreaking horror You can install Windscribe’s app
New Zealand. film isn’t available on any UK service, but directly on Google/Android and Amazon
can be streamed on Paramount+ in the US. Fire TVs from the relevant app store. If
Lost (2004) your TV isn’t supported, you can either
US streaming The Twilight Zone (1959) use the Smart DNS feature, set up a VPN
service Hulu has all six seasons of this Amazon’s Freevee service hosts the first profile on your router (Pro version only)
cult series, about the survivors of a plane five seasons of the classic science-fiction or create a secure hotspot on your PC –
crash on a mysterious island. series, but only in the US. see www.snipca.com/53383 for more
information.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 63

 Problems Solved
Our experts solve all your tech problems

PROBLEM OF THE FORTNIGHT

Is OneDrive reliable in the long term?

Is Microsoft’s OneDrive 1
Q reliable for long-term
storage? Recently, I powered
up an old Windows 10 PC for
the first time in three years to extract
any useful files before scrapping it,
but I found that I could no longer
access its OneDrive folder.
I could see all my files in File
Explorer, but none of them opened,
and according to an error message that
appeared, the OneDrive ‘cloud file If you visit the OneDrive website and log in, you should find all your files in the ‘My files’ folder
provider’ wasn’t running. I tried a
complicated multi-step recovery understand the system. However, it unavailable to your other devices.
process, but predictably it failed. would be wrong to think OneDrive is If you log in at www.onedrive.com
Now I realise that years ago all these inherently unreliable – or at least any using your Microsoft credentials,
files may have gone straight to more so than other major online-storage you should find all your original files
OneDrive rather than into local drive tools. (just click ‘My files’ on the left – see
folders, so there were no local copies. We don’t have any details of your screenshot 1 ).
It’s not a major problem because I Windows 10 or OneDrive setup, or of the We suggest you try resetting OneDrive
have backups of them elsewhere, but it recovery procedure that failed, but the before relaunching it. To do this, first
could have been a disaster. I’ve had basic idea behind a cloud service such as press Windows key+R to open the Run
several Windows PCs since that one OneDrive is that your original files are box, then type %localappdata%\
and each has had a different folder always available online, which means on Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /
structure, leading to a very confusing a Microsoft server somewhere. Then, reset and press Enter or click OK 2 .
OneDrive configuration. Is the lesson depending on how OneDrive is set up on Alternatively, you can copy and paste
here to store valuable files anywhere your PC, it will sync all or some of those the command from our Pastebin page
other than in online storage? files to your local storage. at www.snipca.com/53074. Now
John Hudson We suspect that after three years restart your computer.
offline, the OneDrive tool on your PC Finally, when deciding where to
Microsoft’s constant tinkering needed to update itself before it could store your most valuable files, the
A with folder structures and
naming in various versions of
sync. For some reason this process went
wrong, but this won’t have affected your
best advice is to keep them in as many
places as possible. It’s sensible to keep a
Windows certainly hasn’t helped users original files in the cloud or made them local copy of files that are important to
2 you, as well as your own backup,
which ideally you would keep in a
different location to the main drive.
Equally, entrusting those files to a cloud
service such as OneDrive is a useful
backup – and one you don’t have to
worry about managing personally.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that
Microsoft won’t shut down OneDrive
some day, but that’s not likely to
happen any time soon. What’s more,
it wouldn’t happen overnight. A
company of Microsoft’s size would
probably warn of its intentions years
in advance – so you’d have plenty of
Reset your OneDrive folder by pasting this command into the Run box time to retrieve your files.

64 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 Email us your problem and we’ll try to help:
[email protected]

Would payments using my Motorola phone be secure?

I need a new mobile phone, achieve it via a combination of hardware
Q specifically one I can use
to tap and pay. I had decided
and software, or only through software.
From the user’s perspective, a
to buy the new Motorola G75 (pictured), hardware-based solution is always better,
but looking at the phone’s specification because it tends to be more secure and
on Motorola’s website, I noticed it said may even be faster in everyday use.
‘NFC Non-eSE’. I had no idea what ‘eSE’ However, a purely software-based
meant so I looked it up, and apparently it security system that meets the payment-
means Embedded Secure Element. So if service provider’s safety framework will
the G75 lacks this, does that mean my also be reliably secure.
NFC payments won’t be encrypted? In It seems the Motorola G75 relies on Mid-price phones such as the Motorola G75
use software to secure contactless payments
other words, are my payment-card software-based security rather than
details safe on this phone? I’ve never hardware. That’s what the slightly cryptic actually stored on the phone itself.
seen this caveat on any other ‘non-eSE’ part of its NFC specification Instead, Google Pay uses something
manufacturers’ phones. means. Software security is the cheaper called ‘host card emulation’, while
Malcolm Samuels option, and it’s common in phones in storing your details securely on its
the low-to-mid price range. Not all servers. Neither your phone nor the
As a rule, any phone that manufacturers provide so much detail recipient of your payment ever sees
A supports modern contactless
payments, such as Google Pay,
on their specifications pages, which is
probably because it doesn’t really
your real card details because Google
Pay generates a ‘virtual’ card number
must do so securely. This is a requirement matter very much. for each new transaction, adding yet
set by the service provider (Google, in So in short, yes, you can make another level of security to this type
this case). The payment service is less electronic payments securely using this of payment. You can read more about
worried about exactly how manufacturers phone. What’s more, if you’re using how this works on Google’s website, at
implement this security, but they can Google Pay, your card details are not www.snipca.com/53077.

Why won’t my Windows 10 PC update?

As an avid Computeractive 2022, and the last Quality Update 2
Q reader from your earliest days,
I’d appreciate any help you
was in August 2023. When I click
‘Check for updates’, it says: “We
can give me. I’m having trouble couldn’t connect to the update
updating my Windows 10 PC. service. We’ll try again later, or you
I have Windows 10 Pro version 22H2, can check now. If it still doesn’t
but a message in Windows Update tells work, make sure you’re connected
me it’s not up to date and that my to the Internet.”
device is missing important security I tried using the Windows
and quality fixes. When I view the update Update Troubleshooter but it couldn’t
history, it says 22H2 was installed in identify the problem. I’ve also
searched online but to no avail.
1
Can you help?
Richard Weldon Choose this option to install the update tool to a
spare USB flash drive
When your PC is having
A trouble updating automatically,
you can use Microsoft’s free
screenshot 1 ) to copy Windows 10 to a
USB stick 2 .
media-creation tool to update manually. Now restart your PC with this
This usually works where other methods stick plugged in. When the tool asks
fail. Visit www.snipca.com/53075 and, which type of installation you want,
under ‘Create Windows 10 installation choose ‘Upgrade: Install Windows and
media’, click the Download Now button. keep files, settings, and applications’,
Solve your Windows update problems by Work through the steps, choosing the then follow the instructions to
using Windows 10’s media creation tool ‘Create installation media…’ option (see complete the upgrade.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 65

 Problems Solved
Where are my old Microsoft games?
Is Apple’s new 1
Passwords app
safe to use?
I’ve just updated my iPhone
Q to iOS 18, and it seems I
now I have an app called
Passwords (pictured below 1 ). This
sounds very useful, but as I’m not
very technically minded, I don’t
know how safe and secure this
would be. Can you advise?
Jacqui Lyons

The iPhone’s system

A software – iOS – has long
been able to store passwords Once you’ve downloaded your XP games from Winaero’s site, select the file and click Extract
for everything from your favourite
websites to your Wi-Fi network. After a recent update to my versions of Windows.
You were probably already using
some or all of those features without
Q Windows 11 Home PC, all my
Windows 7 games, including
Click the link ‘Download Windows 7
Games for Windows 10, Windows 8 and
even realising it. The new Passwords Solitaire and Chess Titans, have Windows 8.1.’ followed by Download
app simply brings all that data disappeared. I think Microsoft is pushing Games, then right-click the downloaded
together in one place 2 , and makes it me to download the current equivalents, ZIP file and choose Extract All (see
much easier to access and manage. but they’re not as good as the originals. screenshot 1 ) to expand the contents,
It’s long overdue. Is there anywhere I can get the old ones? then select a destination folder for the
Is it safe? Well, it’s at least as safe John All extracted files 2 . Finally, double-click the
as any other modern password- ‘Windows7Games_for_Windows_11_10_8.
management tool. In fact, as Apple These ancient Microsoft games exe’ file and follow the instructions to
has tight control over every aspect
of its hardware devices and iOS, its
A have never been part of
Windows 10 or 11, so we can
select and install your favourite games.

products and services are among the only assume you’ve either upgraded from
most secure in the industry – so we’d Windows XP or 7 recently, or you were
have no qualms about using the new using clever tricks to get the old games 2
Passwords app. working in later versions of Windows.
1 Apple introduced For those who still have an old
a new Passwords Windows XP computer, there are ways to
app in iOS 18 copy old games to later Windows versions
and hack bits of code to make them work.
It isn’t easy, however, and you haven’t
mentioned that you still have an XP PC
lying around. So a much easier option is
2 to download Winaero Tweaker from
www.snipca.com/53078. Its developers
did all the hard work for you years ago to …then choose where you want to save your
make all these games available in later extracted files to

Q: How can I connect my PC to my

router wirelessly?
A: Issue 690, page 65 – find it on
The app makes it
our 2024 Back Issue CD
easier to access
and mange your Buy it from
passwords www.snipca.com/53179

66 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 How do I update browser extensions?
You regularly talk about
Q the importance of keeping
Windows and programs up
1
to date, and I generally follow your
advice. I say ‘generally’ because, where
possible, I tend to hold off for a week
or two, just to see if the latest updates
cause problems for others. Do you
think that’s a good idea, or am I
putting myself at risk by waiting?
That aside, I recently had one of
2
those random middle-of-the-night
thoughts: do I need to update the
extensions I’ve added to Chrome? I use
only a handful, but most aren’t made
by Google.
Douglas North Switch on ‘Developer mode’ in Chrome’s Manage Extensions window to update manually

Our answer to your first The second question is one we don’t If you want to chivvy it along, you
A question is that, generally,
waiting a little before
think anyone has asked us before, and
it’s certainly interesting. The answer is
can force it to check manually at any
time. First, open the Chrome menu
performing updates isn’t a bad idea, that there’s no need to worry about (three dots, top right) then click
and for precisely the reason you state. extension updates, because Chrome Extensions followed by Manage
However, if an update is marked as handles them automatically. When the Extensions. Next, at the top right, click
‘critical’ (or similar), you should act on browser is open, it checks every few to flip the ‘Developer mode’ slider to its
it as soon as possible. Not applying an hours to see if any extensions have on position ( 1 in our screenshot).
urgent Windows fix, for example, could updates pending, and applies them Finally, near the top left, click the
leave your PC at serious risk. in the background. Update button 2 .

1 2
Where’s All Clear Apple’s
calculator
The AC button
turns into a

button gone on my
app has the backspace key
familiar AC as soon as you
button when type a number
Calculator app? you open it

Perhaps I’m going mad but the

Q Calculator app on my Apple
iPhone seems to have lost its All
Clear (AC) button. To be more precise,
the AC button is there at first (see
screenshot 1 ), but disappears when I
type a number. Instead, it’s replaced by
an arrow with a cross in the middle 2 ,
which works like the Backspace key
on my PC’s keyboard.
I find this infuriating. I assume this
happened when I updated my phone
recently, but I don’t understand why change this very common and familiar change the behaviour of the iPhone’s
anyone would want this. Is there any layout. However, we suppose it might built-in Calculator app, and for now, it
way to get the AC button back? argue that a Backspace key gives you seems to have decided that a disappearing
Ed Brooks more control over what you’re deleting, AC button is the best way forward.
because you can remove one digit at a Thankfully, you can still perform the All
You’re not going mad – this is a time rather than all of them. This Clear function by long-pressing the new
A change Apple made through an
iOS update. You’d have to ask
backspace feature isn’t new, but in the
past you used it by swiping the screen.
Backspace-style button. Yes, it takes a
moment longer, but it’s better than
the company why it felt the need to The bad news is that only Apple can having no AC button at all.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 67

 Problems Solved
1
Why does Skype Switch off
these two

keep popping up
sliders to
stop Skype
running in the
on my PC screen? background

I had to reinstall Microsoft

Q Office recently after some files
became corrupted. This was
successfully done, but now I’m plagued
by a ‘Skype for Business’ pop-up. I’ve
never installed Skype on my computer
and it’s not listed in my installed
programs, and yet it pops up every time
I launch Windows. I can close it by
clicking the cross in the corner of its
window, but it’s a temporary reprieve.
When I searched my C drive, I found
references to Skype, but I can’t delete
the files.
I love your magazine, incidentally –
it’s my favourite fortnightly read.
Ken Knight Settings. Next, click to select the
2
General tab and then, in the right-hand
Skype for Business is actually pane under ‘Start Up and Close’, click
A part of Office Professional Plus,
which as we can see from the
both sliders to their Off position (see
screenshot 1 ). Now click the Settings
screenshots you sent us, is installed on button on the same screen. This will
your system. Microsoft has seemingly open the Startup page in Windows
worked hard to make Skype one of its settings 2 , where you can switch the
most hated programs by making it Skype slider to Off.
behave in the way you describe. Finally, back in Skype, click the menu
There are several things you must button again and choose ‘Sign out’, then
do to stop this annoying program confirm by clicking ‘Sign out’ once more.
appearing at every opportunity. First, Finally, right-click the Skype icon in the
while logged into Skype, click the notification area at the far right of the Open Windows’ Startup settings and switch
menu button (three dots, top left), then taskbar and choose Quit Skype. off Skype to stop it opening automatically

Did mistreatment break my USB cables?

For several years I’ve left a over time, shorten their lives. Additional
Q USB cable attached to a power
extension that includes USB
factors might apply in a car, such as
fluctuating temperatures and humidity
sockets. Similarly, in my car I leave a levels. The best practice is to detach
USB lead attached to an adapter that cables between use and store them
sits in the 12V (cigarette lighter) outlet. somewhere cool and dry.
Recently, both leads failed in the same In the real world, however, these
month and will no longer charge my are not particularly serious problems.
mobile phone or other items. Buying high-quality braided cables
Is it a mistake to leave USB cables such as the pictured Anker examples
permanently attached in this way? (starting at £8 for two, www.snipca.
Chris Witts com/53076) might extend life a little,
but getting several years’ of use from a
There’s a theoretical answer couple of USB cables you use regularly
A and a real-world one. In
theory, leaving USB cables
is more or less what we’d expect.
That both cables failed within a month
permanently attached could expose of each other is likely to be nothing Even high-quality cables such as Anker’s
them to unstable voltages that might, more than coincidence. have a lifespan of a few years’ regular use

68 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

 ?? WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN...
AirTags and Tiles?
I’ve been thinking about Google to guard against people using
Q buying some electronic
trackers, such as AirTags or
them for nefarious purposes, such
as stalking.
Tiles, to put in our holiday luggage. In contrast, Tiles are not tied to
Last year, one of our suitcases went Apple’s or any other manufacturer’s
missing during a flight, and although products and have their own apps
it eventually turned up some weeks for Android and iOS devices.
later, it was frustrating – and I was Unlike AirTags (at least at the
curious to know where it had gone. moment), Tile products are available
I have an iPhone, so I suspect in various designs (pictured left) for
AirTags are the best choice for me, but different uses, such as attaching to keys,
I’m wondering if there are any luggage and wallets. The basic location
advantages to buying Tile tags instead. Tiles come in various designs for different functionality is much the same, though.
Also, is it actually fine to put these uses, and work with iOS and Android phones We should also say that, globally,
things in my luggage? I assume it must the Tile Network is smaller than Apple
be allowed, otherwise airlines would designed by Apple for use with its own Find My, simply because so many
warn us against doing so. Find My network and Find My app, more people own and carry iPhones
Greg Peel which is available only for iPhones, iPads than devices that have the Tile app
and other Apple products. installed. So broadly speaking, it’s
The simple answer is that AirTags connect to Apple’s vast easier to find a lost AirTag than a
A AirTags (pictured
right) are best for
‘ecosystem’ of devices. You can’t use
AirTags with an Android device,
wayward Tile.
As for using trackers in your luggage,
owners of Apple devices, though newer Android phones it’s perfectly fine. Both AirTag and Tile
while Tile is best for will alert users if they detect an use Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), which
anyone else. That’s unknown AirTag (or other has no impact on flight safety.
because AirTags were tracker) travelling in their Want to know the difference between
AirTags work only with Apple vicinity. This is a basic safety technical terms? Email noproblem@
devices but have a global reach feature enabled by both Apple and computeractive.co.uk

What’s File Locksmith on my right-click menu?

Recently, I was right-clicking a no use for it, however, you can hide it
Q folder to pin it to my Start menu
when I spotted something called
2 from the right-click menu. To do this,
first right-click the PowerToys icon in the
File Locksmith on the menu. I hadn’t notification area of the taskbar ( 1 in our
noticed this before, so I suspect it’s a screenshot), then choose Settings 2 . Next,
1
recent addition. click File Locksmith, look for the option
Is this a new feature Microsoft has to Enable File Locksmith, then click to
added to Windows? Or is it something I To deactivate PowerToys tools, click this icon switch the option to its Off position.
should be worried about? Needless to say in the Notification Area and select Settings
I didn’t click it, but it’s there every time I ON SALE
right-click anything.
Barry Simmons
over the years, so it’s possible that at
some point you followed our suggestion Next Issue Weds
29 Jan
to install it and have since forgotten about
This is a Microsoft addition of it. Or perhaps you installed PowerToys • Why can’t I watch live TV on
A sorts, but it’s not something the
company has added to Windows.
for some other feature and were simply
unaware of File Locksmith’s existence. •C
my Fire Stick?
 an I continue to safely use
It’s part of the company’s popular If selected, this option shows which my old PC?
PowerToys suite of free tools. Either you processes are using the current file or •H
 ow do I get multi-room
or someone who uses your computer has folder, so you can find out what might be TV? ...And many more
installed it, which is why this option – ‘locking’ something you’re trying to move
and possibly one or two others – now or delete, for example. Subscribe to Computeractive at
appears in your right-click menus. In other words, it’s perfectly safe www.getcomputeractive.co.uk
We’ve covered PowerToys many times and nothing to worry about. If you have

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 69

 READER OFFER! LOWE
S
EVER T-
PRICE
!

Norton 360 Premium

10 devices, 2 years
We’re delighted to announce our lowest-ever price for
Norton 360 Premium. For just £19.99, you’ll protect
10 devices for two years. Available both for new customers
and existing Norton users wanting to renew.

WHAT YOU GET

 eal-time malware protection
R
 ecure VPN
S
 5GB PC Cloud Backup
7
PLUS Monitors the dark web for
your personal information

Norton is made by NortonLifeLock Inc – a standalone

company dedicated to consumer cyber safety.
It has always performed strongly in Computeractive antivirus
tests, so we highly recommend it.

10 devices for two years NOW ONLY £19.99

*

Normally £179.99
Buy it from our Software Store at www.snipca.com/33247
*while stocks last
Problems Solved
Reader Support
Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips?
Email [email protected] and we’ll do our best to help

Why can’t I add my Yahoo the details below:

account to Thunderbird?
I took your advice and Protocol: IMAP
Q downloaded Thunderbird for
mobile (Issue 698, page 55)
Server: imap.mail.yahoo.com
Security: SSL/TLS
because I already use Thunderbird with Port: 993
my Yahoo email account on my desktop Authentication: OAuth 2.0
PC. While setting it up on my phone, Username: your yahoo email address
however, I tried to log in but received the
message ‘Oauth 2.0 is currently not Leave all the other settings as they are
supported with this provider’. I have no and tap Next. The app will ask you to sign Office 2024 Home is a better option than
idea what this means. Can you help? in using your Yahoo account credentials. sticking with Office 2013 – you can buy it for
£109.99 from the Computeractive store
Paul Cumbleton Do this, then continue with the steps
until you get to the ‘Outgoing server We also agree that switching to Office
You may receive this message settings’ screen, then enter the details 2024 Home would be a better option,
A if you’re trying to configure
your Yahoo email as a POP3
below. Finally, tap Next and follow the
remaining steps to complete the process.
particularly as Microsoft no longer
supports Office 2013 with updates and
account in the Thunderbird mobile app. patches, making it a security risk. On the
Have you tried setting up your Yahoo Server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com Computeractive store, Office 2024 Home
account as an IMAP email instead? Security: SSL/TLS currently costs just £109.99 (www.snipca.
According to the app’s developers Port: 465 com/52838, pictured above) – £10 off the
(www.snipca.com/53160), this could Authentication: OAuth 2.0 official price.
solve your problem. Username: your yahoo email address
Make sure you have the latest version of Are eSIMs restricted to
the Thunderbird app installed. Begin Why didn’t you recommend just one device?
setting up your account as before, buying Office 2024? When I upgraded my phone
entering your email address when Your answer to Chris Maiden’s Q recently, I was asked if I wanted
prompted, then tap the down arrow next
to ‘Configuration found’ and tap ‘Edit
Q question in Issue 698, page 67
(‘How do I make Office 2013
to switch to an eSIM, so I was
eager to read your feature on the subject
configuration’ (see screenshot below). On work with Windows 11?’) suggested the in Issue 697 (page 62). I opted against it
the ‘Incoming mail server screen’, enter ‘nuclear option’ of uninstalling and because sometimes I switch the physical
reinstalling Office. This will only work if SIM in my phone to my iPad and my
he has the original installation media and mobile router while travelling in our
a licence that lets him install on another campervan. As I understand it, an
PC. I’m surprised you didn’t suggest eSIM is limited to one device. Can you
buying Office 2024 Home (assuming he confirm this? I don’t think the article
only needs Word, Excel and PowerPoint). pointed this out.
If he has managed with Office 2013 until Stephen Knight
now, 2024 should last him just as long.
Ian Thow As far as we’re aware, sharing

You’re correct. To uninstall

A eSIMs between devices isn’t
currently possible in the UK. We
A and reinstall Office 2013 you
would need the original
mentioned in the article that you can
transfer an eSIM from one device to
installation media (CDs or DVDs), along another, but that’s usually only when
with a disc drive to install them and the upgrading from an old phone and is part
original licence number to activate the of the initial setup for the new device. In
product. We should have pointed this your case, we’d suggest sticking with a
Tap ‘Edit configuration’ to set up your Yahoo out in our original response to Chris physical SIM card, because you can
account using IMAP in Thunderbird mobile Maiden’s question. continue to use it between devices.

Issue 701 • 15 – 28 January 2025 71

 Jargon Buster
4K Video with a resolution of at C/C++ Code that developers use EPUB A file format used by many Latency A measure of the delay in
least 3840x2160 pixels. to simplify programming tasks. popular ebook readers. exchanging data between devices
and web servers and on networks.
7z A format for compressing files Cache A temporary space for eSIM A virtual SIM card that’s built
into an archive format. storing information. Can be into a phone, making it easier to LED Light-emitting diode. An
memory used on a computer change network. electronic device that emits light.
8K Video with a resolution of processor, or space on a hard drive Used on almost all electronic
7680x4320 pixels. Currently the used by a web browser. Ethernet A standard used for devices, and to provide the
highest resolution available. almost all wired computer networks. backlight for some LCDs.
cd/m2 Candela per square metre.
Administrator Someone who can Standard unit of brightness. Exchange server Microsoft’s M.2 A standard specification for
make changes to a computer that business system for managing internal PC expansion cards and
will affect others who also use it. Clean install An operating system emails, calendars, contacts and connectors.
installation that overwrites all tasks.
AES-256bit Advanced Encryption other content on the hard drive. Mesh Wi-Fi Wireless network
Standard. A form of encryption File path Shows the location of a system that uses multiple,
based on a key length of 256 bits. Clone A feature found in some file within Windows. connected routers to stretch Wi-Fi
backup programs that makes an exact further than a traditional router.
AR Augmented reality. Lets you copy of a drive on to another drive. Firmware Basic software stored
view the real world on a screen on hardware, such as a processor, MicroSD card A small type of
and add virtual elements. Cookie A small text file stored on to control its operation. memory card. Can be converted to
your computer by a website. Used SD size using an adapter.
ASHA American Speech- to store browsing preferences, Flash storage A data-storage
Language-Hearing Association. website log-in details and so on. device that includes flash memory MicroUSB A miniature version of
with an integrated USB interface. USB, often found on smartphones,
Bandwidth A measure of how Copilot+ An enhanced version tablets and portable hard drives.
much data can be transferred of Microsoft’s Copilot AI tool. Full HD Resolution of 1920x1080
through a connection at one time. Also used to classify Windows pixels. Nanocarbon Carbon-based
11 computers with a neural materials with structures at the
Beamforming A technique for processing unit (NPU) that can Geo-restricted Content such as nanoscale, typically ranging from
microphones to pick up on specific perform over 40 trillion operations TV programmes and films that’s 1 to 100 nanometres (billionths of
sources of sound and reduce per second (TOPS). intended to be watched only in a a metre).
background noise. specific country. Much US-made
Core Units on a processor that content can’t be legally watched NAS Network-attached storage. A
Benchmarking Comparing carry out program instructions. outside the US, for example. hard drive attached to a network
software and products with an that can be shared with other PCs.
accepted standard. CR2032 Small, round cell battery GHz Gigahertz. A measure of
used in many devices, including how many instructions a chip can NFC Near-field communication.
BIN Compressed binary files, watches, calculators and LEDs. process per second. 1GHz is equal A technology that allows two
typically CD and DVD backup to 1,000MHz. devices to communicate by being
image files. Cryptocurrency A digital currency touched together or placed near to
not backed by any country. The Gigabit Ethernet A very fast each other.
BitLocker Security feature in most popular is Bitcoin. networking standard that can
Windows 10 and 11 Pro that transfer data at up to 1,000Mbps. OLED Organic light-emitting
encrypts drives. You need a Dark mode Showing white text diode. A thin-film organic light-
password to unlock them. on a black background. HDMI High-definition media emitting diode used in computer
interface. A type of connection that displays and television screens.
Blue screen of death Technically DCI-P3 A colour space that has a transmits high-definition video and
called a ‘Stop error’, this is shown wider spectrum than sRGB. audio signals. Open source Software that can
when your PC crashes. be modified by anyone, rather
DNS Domain Name System. Hotspot A public area covered by than just by the employees of the
Bluetooth Low Energy A type of A technology that associates a Wi-Fi network that allows you to company that created it.
Bluetooth technology designed computers with their addresses on access the internet, either free or
to consume less power while not the internet. for a fee. Package manager A program
sacrificing signal strength. that helps automate the process
dpi Dots per inch. A measure of IMAP Internet Message Access of installing, updating, configuring,
Botnet A group of infected printed image quality, or the size Protocol. A method for email that and removing software packages.
computers connected together an object will be shown on screen. lets the user manage messages
via the internet, and used to infect stored on a remote server. Performance core Processors
other PCs, send junk email and Domain These are used to designed for heavy-duty computer
perform other criminal tasks. identify one or more IP addresses. IP67 International Protection work.
marking. The ‘6’ denotes that a
Brute-force attack A method Efficiency core Processors used device is resistant to dust, general POP3 Post Office Protocol 3. A
of breaking encryption by simply for background tasks that run dirt and sand. The ‘7’ indicates that system for remotely accessing and
guessing all possible passwords constantly but don’t require much it can be placed underwater for 30 retrieving email from an ISP. Most
until the right one is found. processing power. minutes at depths of up to 1m. email programs and ISPs use POP3.

72 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701

Port forwarding Choosing which SSD Solid-state drive. Storage USB 2.0/3.0/3.1/3.2 Faster Whitelist A list of allowed
computer in your network a router that, unlike a hard drive, uses no successors to USB. websites, email addresses and
should connect to. moving parts. applications used by security
USB-C A new connector that’s software to ensure you only visit
PowerShell A Windows tool for Static IP address An IP address reversible, letting you plug it in safe websites and download safe
automating commands. that stays the same every time upside down. programs.
you go online, unlike dynamic IP
Protocol (VPN) Set of rules that addresses. Vector Graphics that are rendered Widget A small program such
define how data is sent over a as smooth lines so they can be as a calendar that runs on the
VPN. Subwoofer A special type of enlarged to any scale without a Windows desktop.
speaker designed to reproduce loss of quality.
QR code Quick Response code. deep bass sounds only. Even Wi-Fi 7 Faster successor to Wi-Fi
A barcode that can be read using on a stereo system, only one VESA Video Electronics Standards 6, with an estimated maximum
smartphones. subwoofer is required because Association. A standard mount for speed of around 46Gbps.
human ears cannot detect the attaching monitors on to stands,
RAM Random-access memory. direction of bass frequencies. walls and PCs. WPS Wifi Protected Setup. An
The computer’s working area, easy way to make a wireless
used for data storage while the PC Thunderbolt A very fast port for VGA Video Graphics Array. connection between a device and
is switched on. connecting external storage to a An older standard socket for your router by pressing the WPS
computer. Can be used to connect connecting a monitor to a PC. button on both.
RAR Roshal Archive. A format for monitors, a network and more.
storing compressed files. VPN Virtual private network. Write Save data to a hard drive.
TPM Trusted Platform Module. Keeps all internet communication
Read To access data saved on a A computer chip that stores keys safe and private. Zero-day vulnerability A
computer. which encrypt data on your hard previously unknown software flaw
drive. VR Virtual reality. Computer- that can be exploited by malware
Refurbished A second-hand generated simulation of a three- or hackers before it’s fixed.
device that has been repaired by Transition A way of joining two dimensional object or environment
its manufacturer so that it can be video clips together or moving that you can interact with by ZIP file A file that contains
resold and reused. from one clip to another. wearing a headset. compressed documents or files.
 Easy when you
Know How
Hoping his accounts are secured with something
stronger than ‘123456’, Robert Irvine tries to…

Crack his own passwords

O
ne of my favourite annual Robert tested
the security
traditions is the round-up of
of his hashed
the most commonly used (and passwords using
therefore weakest) passwords. Although 1 the online tool
this list always contains the same CrackStation
predictable entries, I’m still curious to
see if there are any new trends.
According to password manager 2
NordPass, which compiled the top 200
most used passwords of 2024 (www.
snipca.com/53257), UK web users remain
most partial to ‘qwerty’, ‘123456’ and of
course ‘password’. The top of the global
list is much the same, though further
down I spotted quirkier logins such as letters, numbers and special characters huge list of leaked logins into its folder
‘aaaaaaaa’, ‘superman’ and ‘princess’. that I’d have no hope of remembering – along with your hashed passwords.
NordPass also provides details of how myself. This was praised as ‘strong’ with You then run Hashcat in PowerShell
long these passwords would take to crack, an estimated crack time of centuries. using complicated commands, and… well,
typically less than one second. One notable that’s as far as I got. Following a series
exception is ‘tinkle’, which would apparently of baffling red error messages, Hashcat
foil hackers for up to two minutes – crashed my PC and triggered the dreaded
enough time for them to go for one. Blue screen of death. Me-ow!
This made me wonder how long my After I restarted, I tried the simpler
own passwords would withstand an All that hashing and and safer option of using an online tool
attempt to crack them if they were stolen to test my passwords. The best I found
or leaked in a data breach. Websites and salting makes me think had the unfortunate name CrackStation
apps are supposed to encrypt our (www.snipca.com/53262), but thankfully
passwords and save the scrambled results of corned beef it was much friendlier than Hashcat. It
as ‘hashes’, but unless those passwords compares your unsalted hashes against
are ‘salted’ – by adding random data those in its enormous (15-billion entry)
before they’re hashed – hackers can use database, to try and extract the encrypted
decryption tools to crack them. Such is passwords.
my understanding, anyway – all that Reassured by these results, I now put I pasted the hashes from the text file
hashing and salting makes me think of on my white hat (www.snipca.com/53259) into CrackStation, ticked ‘I’m not a robot’
corned beef. and approached the cracking process like and clicked Crack Hashes ( 1 in our
To discover how secure my passwords a real hacker. I pasted my test passwords screenshot). The tool instantly decrypted
are, I first tested them using Bitwarden’s into the online tool MD5 Encrypt/ the three passwords from the NordPass
Password Strength Testing Tool (www. Decrypt (www.snipca.com/53260), list, but the more complex ones I’d created
snipca.com/53258). Unsurprisingly, most which hashed them using the MD5 myself were ‘Not found’ and therefore
passwords from the NordPass list were algorithm favoured by many websites. I uncracked 2 .
deemed ‘very weak’ and confirmed to then copied the (unsalted) hashes into That doesn’t mean they’re completely
take less than a second to crack – again, Notepad and saved them as a text file. secure, as their hashes may have
‘tinkle’ took longer. Next, I tried using the free password been exposed in recent breaches –
I then tried my Gmail password, which cracker Hashcat (www.snipca.com/53261) CrackStation’s homepage worryingly
combines two words, a number and a to test whether my hashed passwords says: ‘Last modified: May 2019’, though
punctuation mark. Bitwarden told me this could be cracked. The name made it sound I’m sure its methodology is still sound. At
was ‘good’ and would take 10 days to crack. like a cute kitty, but the reality was very least I’m confident they won’t appear on
Not bad! Finally, I pasted a password I’d different. Hashcat involves downloading this year’s naughty-password list.
generated using Bitwarden’s own generator a 7z archive containing binary files, Need help with your passwords? Let us know:
– a long mix of upper- and lower-case extracting its contents and copying a [email protected]

74 15 – 28 January 2025 • Issue 701 Next issue: Robert tries to spring-clean his PC with Bloatynosy