From the Editor

The first item I bought on Amazon was

Is courier to blame for not leaving parcel in my safe place?

LEAD CASE

How can I stop IObit taking my money?

Q I subscribe to IObit Pro, but it

The Range refunds reader despite not having to

We’re pleased to say The Range has refunded

Do Amazon’s electrical items have 12-month warranty?

Q I buy many electrical items from Amazon

Why does Sky say I can’t get more than 20Mbps?

Q Earlier this year, I switched from BT

Findmypast quickly cancelled my subscription

I’ve used Findmypast for many years to research

Windows updates

You’ll now have a clearer idea of what Microsoft installs on your PC

ULTIMATE HACKS FOR AMAZON

Enhance your Amazon experience by unlocking amazing discounts, accessing hidden features and removing device restrictions. Robert Irvine reveals 22 of the most useful secret tricks

RUN WINDOWS 10 SAFELY (even if you’re online!)

Determined to stick with Windows 10, despite support ending last month? Jonathan Parkyn explains what you must do to keep using it safely

Subscriptions we’ve cancelled in 2025

Tech firms are increasingly locking you into contracts for services you can get cheaper (or free) elsewhere. Three Computeractive writers tell you what they’ve recently cancelled and what they’ve moved to

Will my software licences still work in Windows 11?

PROBLEM OF THE FORTNIGHT

How do I stop my MiFi switching off?

Q I live quite far from my elderly

Can I brighten my Android phone’s alarm clock?

Q My Pixel 9a phone now runs Android

How can I quickly download all my Google photos?

Q I want to transfer all my snaps

How do I clear out my Outlook inbox?

Q I’ve been using Outlook for many years,

How do I free up space on my hard drive?

Q I often see a message telling me

How can I make the video of my dog’s rescue act less blurry?

Q I have a very special video of

Can I connect my PC and monitor using USB-C?

Q I’m planning to buy a new PC

Can I still use my old Nook ebook reader?

Q I have an old Nook BNRV350 ebook

Smartphone storage specifications?

Q It seems to me that phone manufacturers

Can I stop my printer wasting money and ink?

Q When my old Epson printer gave up

Reader Support

Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips? Email editor@computeractive.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help

Jargon Buster

1080p High-definition video: 1920x1080 pixels. 2K A screen

Transfer files by scanning codes

Looking for a new way to copy files between his PC and phone, Robert Irvine tries to…

O2 causes fury by raising prices by more than expected

O 2 will raise prices in April 2026

VODAFONE AND THREE ALSO HIKE MID-CONTRACT INCREASES

Vodafone and Three have announced mid-contract price increases

Amazon warns users to stop using illegal Fire TV Stick apps

A mazon will soon start warning Fire TV

BT customers to get satellite broadband from Elon Musk’s Starlink

B T has teamed up with Starlink to

NEW USB STICK THE SIZE OF A CUFFLINK

SanDisk has launched a USB stick so small

UPDATE POWERTOYS TO DISABLE LIGHT SWITCH

Microsoft has released a PowerToys update that turns

TOMORROW’S WORLD

Made by Oxford University scientists, this is a

COMPARE APPS IN REVAMPED APPLE STORE

Apple has revamped its online App Store to

USE AFFINITY PHOTO FOR FREE ‘FOREVER’

Canva has made its entire Affinity suite free,

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

This is the Empire Family, who have ‘fled’

HIBP adds biggest ever stash of stolen emails and passwords

H ave I Been Pwned (HIBP) has added

Windows 10 error says you’re unsafe even with extended support

M icrosoft has admitted that a botched update

Humax confirms Freely recorder – and it might arrive by Xmas

H umax has confirmed that its Freely TV

NEW SMART TVs YOU CAN MAKE ‘DUMB’

Mitchell & Brown has announced new smart TVs

Louvre used ‘Louvre’ as video password, report into theft reveals

T he Louvre Museum in Paris reportedly used

UK VISITS TO PORNHUB PLUMMET

Pornhub has said visits from people in the

EUFY RELEASES NEW HYBRID SECURITY CAM

Eufy has released what it claims is the world’s

CHROME TO WARN ABOUT HTTP SITES

From October 2026 Chrome will warn you when you’re

How did 239 malicious apps end up on Google Play Store?

It’s part of a huge rise in malware targeting Android devices

Fake LastPass ‘have you died?’ emails

What’s the threat?

New tools

Scam warnings on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp

Never heard of ‘royalmail’!

Readers warn readers

Letters

Tell us what’s on your mind

Search Coroners’ inquest records

For information on how your ancestors died, follow Richard Holt’s advice to…

Your Genealogy Problems Solved

I’ve just discovered that cousins of my mother

Glow 25.14

www.snipca.com/56896 What you need: Windows 10 or

FlyOOBE 1.50

www.snipca.com/56373 What you need: Windows 10 or

Tor Browser 15.0

www.snipca.com/56897 What you need: Windows 10 or

SHOULD I PAY FOR…?

Choose the right version of software

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use

SOFTWARE WARNING!

Avoid fake FlyOOBE Windows 11 workarounds

WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

WHAT THEY SAY Nvidia on its AI PC

Michael Ogbeide-John and Bilal Jama

These two charming 18-year-olds planned to take on

Wired2Fire AMD R8845 Mini PC

Specs appeal

Apple iPad Pro M5

Chip with everything

HP OmniBook 5 14in (2025)

LAPTOP ❘ £799 from Argos www.snipca.com/56856

Canon Maxify BX110

PORTABLE PRINTER ❘ £227 from Amazon www.snipca.com/56910

Headphone jacks

What are they? Headphone jacks are electrical connectors

FiiO QX13 Phone Headphone Amp/DAC

HEADPHONE AMP ❘ £202 from Amazon www.snipca.com/56867

What’s the best Chromebook under £250?

We solve your buying dilemmas

Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD

PORTABLE SSD ❘ £110 from Amazon www.snipca.com/56880

Anker Nano Power Bank 10K

POWER BANK ❘ £40 From Amazon www.snipca.com/56885

TCL P7K 65in QLED 4K

SMART TV ❘ £500 from Amazon www.snipca.com/56891

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

HOW TO...Access cloud storage through File Explorer

What you need: ExpanDrive Time required: 30 minutes

Workshop

Access remote computers using AnyViewer

Readers’ Tips

TIP OF THE FORTNIGHT Make MiniTool shut your

Browser Tips

Secret settings and the best extensions

AI Tips

Clever new tools and tweaks

Phone and Tablet Tips

Brilliant things to do on your device

BEST NEW APPS

What you should install this fortnight

Make Windows Better

Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better

Top tips for the best office programs

In The Club

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