About Gavin Phillips
Gavin is the Technology Explained Section Editor, co-host on the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.
VTech: Playing Loose With Your Children's Data
Hong Kong-based VTech updated terms and conditions following a large security breach in 2015, blatantly shifting the onus of responsibility onto parents and carers without a second thought.
5 Lost Features You Can Resurrect in Windows 10
Windows 10 is quite different and chances are you're missing a few familiar features. Did you lose Windows Media Center, DVD support, or classic games during the upgrade? We may have a solution for you!
How to Configure Windows 10 Privacy Settings During Setup
If you're installing Windows 10 for the first time, you may be unhappy with the assumptions Microsoft makes when selecting their Express Settings presets during installation. What liberties are Microsoft are taking with your privacy?
How to Troubleshoot Low RAM or Memory Leaks in Windows
Do you have 4 or more GB of RAM and does your computer still feel sluggish? You may suffer from a memory leak or shortage. We show you how to troubleshoot all your Windows (10) RAM issues.
Boost Your Skills with Free Microsoft Office Courses on edX
Kick-start your career in 2016 with free Office and programming courses from Microsoft, hosted at the online learning platform edX. We have compiled a selection of courses for advanced users and beginners.
Is It Time to Upgrade to Windows 10, Yet?
Microsoft really wants to you upgrade to Windows 10. But should you? To help you make up your mind, we argue both the pro and the contra, and offer careful advice. How will you decide?
How to Remove Hidden Personal Data in Microsoft Office
What does the metadata in your Office documents reveal about you? Find out what kind of information you might be revealing and how to remove it using the Document Inspector feature in Microsoft Office.
Windows 10 Can Auto-Remove Software Against Your Will
Windows 10 is uninstalling software it doesn't consider compatible. Have you been affected? We show you which applications you could lose and why.
Microsoft Continues Open Source Move with Live Writer
Microsoft continues its bold move into open source by transferring Windows Live Writer -- now Open Live Writer -- to the .NET Foundation. Does this herald the resurrection of many neglected niche applications?
The Complete Microsoft Office File Converter Guide
If you have ever converted a text file, like PDF to Word, you're familiar with the challenge. Sometimes it's as easy as printing, other times you need special tools. Enter this converter guide.
11 Frequently Asked Office 2016 Questions Answered
Office 2016 is looming and raises many questions. Do you have to buy a subscription, can you upgrade now, and can you go back to Office 2013? We compiled frequently asked questions and provide the answers.
9 New Office Online Features to Manage Documents & Collaboration
Office Online is Microsoft's free web based Office suite. Recent upgrades introduced novel Office 2016 features and improved OneDrive, Dropbox, and Skype integration. Let's explore the new options.
The 10 Best Free MMORPGs That Require No Download
Want to play an MMORPG without downloading or installing anything? Here are the best free MMORPGs to play in your web browser.
Why Microsoft Is Killing the Windows Control Panel
The Control Panel is being decommissioned. In Windows 10, the Settings app has adopted most of its features in a more stylish and mobile-friendly interface. Is that really necessary?
The Ultimate Windows 10 Activation & License FAQ
One of the big confusions surrounding Windows 10 concerns its licensing and activation. This FAQ will shed some light, explain what has changed with Windows 10 version 1511 (Fall Update), and translate activation-related error codes.
How to Automate Microsoft Office Tasks with IFTTT Recipes
IFTTT, the automation service that will complete an action once another condition is met, now has 50 task recipes for Microsoft Office. We show you how it works and offer a selection of recipes.
How to Visualize Your Data Analysis with Excel's Power Tools
Excel is killing it with its advanced data management features. Once you have used one of the new tools, you will want them all. Become a master of your data analysis with power tools!
5 Microsoft Office Plugins & Apps to Boost Your Productivity
Microsoft Office supports plugins and they can make your life better. We have compiled a selection of helpful productivity apps, mainly for Microsoft Word. They are easy to install in Office 2010 and up.
How You Could Have Upgraded to Windows 10 by Accident & What to Do
Windows 10 was accidentally auto-installed on Windows 7 and 8.1 machines without user consent. Microsoft apologized for the mistake. We analyze the events and show you once more how to NOT get Windows 10.
Automatic Updates in Microsoft Office 2016 Explained
Microsoft Office 2016 will be running an auto-update feature and a number of different servicing branches similar to Windows 10. Let’s explore what that means for your Office 2016 installation.