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Don't pull a Rudy Giuliani: Prevent butt-dialing with these 5 tips

Don't pull a Rudy Giuliani: Prevent butt-dialing with these 5 tips

I've done it, you've done it, and now the president's lawyer is guilty of it too -- I'm talking, of course, about butt-dialing. Butt-dialing, or "pocket-dialing" as it's called in politer circles, is the result of a perfect storm of bad smartphone habits that starts with forgetting to lock your device. Next you toss your unlocked phone into a pants pocket (often a rear one). Then, as you move around with your unlocked phone shifting in your pocket, taps and bumps combine with static electricity and a bit of moisture to fool your phone's touchscreen into thinking it's being pressed, pinched or zoomed.
From there, it's really just a crapshoot in terms of which app your phone opens or who it decides to call. In Rudy Giuliani's case, the former mayor's phone dialed a reporter Giuliani had recently spoken with. The call went to voicemail, capturing part of a chat between Giuliani and an associate.
Butt-dialing happens to everyone, so here are f ive ways to make sure it's not your behind on the line when it does. 

Forgetting to turn off your phone's screen before pocketing it is the first step to an accidental butt-dial. 

Angela Lang/CNET

Lock. It. Up.

If everyone would just remember to hit the power button to turn off their screens before pocketing their phones, we could leave butt-dialing behind us. But I get it -- the whole point of owning a phone is convenience. Thankfully, both iPhones ($500 at Best Buy) and Android phones have an auto-lock setting that can turn your screen off for you. iPhones will turn off their screen and lock the phone in as little as 30 seconds with no activity. Android phones have an even shorter option: 15 seconds.
Depending on how you use your phone, setting auto-lock to 15 or 30 seconds may be more trouble than it's worth. For example, if you read a lot of news or e-books you may find your phone screen going dim before you're finished reading the page you're on. But if you want to avoid the shame of pocket-dialing, you may want to try and adjust the time setting so it works for you.
Here's how to change the aut o-lock or sleep setting on your iPhone or Android:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Display or Display & Brightness.
3. Tap Sleep or Auto-Lock or Screen timeout (your phone may call it something slightly different).
4. Choose the shortest interval you feel comfortable with.

Google's new face unlock feature uses a combination of radar and infrared sensors.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Use a passcode, fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock

If you don't have a security lock on your phone, set one. Not securing your phone with a security lock can leave you vulnerable to crooks and snoops and makes your phone more likely to unlock itself in your pocket. Adding a passcode or requiring a fingerprint or facial identification to unlock your phone makes butt-dialing practically impossible, so long as you lock your phone before you pocket it. 

Here's how to set your phone to require a passcode, fingerprint or facial identification to unlock:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Security and lock screen or Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode.
3. If you already have a passcode, you may be asked to enter it.
4. Set your phone to require a passcode, fingerprint or facial identification to unlock.

If your digital assistant can be summoned from the lock screen it can also accidentally make calls without your knowledge. 

Nicholas Tufnell/CNET

Give your digital assistant a break when your phone is locked

Whether you use Siri on iPhone or Google Assistant on Android, it's quite possible your digital assistant is to blame for the occasional butt-dial. If your phone is set to always listen for "Hey, Siri" or "OK, Google," or you can summon either assistant with a button while the screen is locked, your chances of butt-dialing increase exponentially. All it takes is a misunderstood word or phrase or an errant button press and next thing you know your assistant is dialing out.
Here's how to restrict Siri to only respond when your iPhone is unlocked:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Siri & Search.
3. Next to Listen for "Hey Siri" turn the toggle off.
4. Next to Allow Siri When Locked turn the toggle off.
Here's how to restrict Google Assistant to o nly respond when your Android phone is unlocked:
1. Launch Google Assistant.
2. Tap the inbox icon in the lower left corner to open Assistant settings.
3. Tap your profile picture in the upper right corner.
4. Tap Assistant on the top menu bar.
5. Scroll all the way down to the Assistant devices section and tap Phone.
6. Next to Access with Voice Match turn the toggle off.
7. Next to Lock screen personal results turn the toggle off. 

Clear your recent call history to avoid butt-dialing the people you last spoke to.

Screenshot Clifford Colby/CNET

Practice good phone hygiene

As happened with Giuliani, your phone may pocket-dial the last person you spoke to. One way to make sure that doesn't happen is to clear your recent call history. You may especially want to do this if you've recently spoken with, shall we say, sensitive contacts, like your boss, an ex or a political journalist.
Also be sure you don't have anyone saved in your speed-dial or favorites folder to whom a butt-dial might result in negative repercussions. Basically, the easier you make it to call someone, the easier it is for your phone to accidentally call them.
If you have an Android device, you can take an additional step and make sure you have on-body detection turned off. The whole point of on-body detection is to keep your phone unlocked while it's on your person, which is simply an open invitation to butt-dialing.
Here's how to turn off on-body detection on an Android phone:
1. Open Setting s.
2. Tap Security > Smart lock
3. Enter your passcode.
4. Tap On-body detection.
5. Turn the toggle off.
Butt-dials aren't the only modern-day frustration vexing smartphone owners. As the sheer volume of robocalls continues to rise, wireless carriers are starting to address the problem themselves, but in the meantime there's still more you can do to protect yourself. If you're stoked about dark mode on your phone but salty more app developers haven't gotten onboard with it yet, at least Gmail has finally caught up with the dark mode trend. Finally, are you still trying to figure out the right combination of presses, taps and swipes to take a screenshot on your phone? Check out our guide to taking screenshots on any phone.

Originally published earlier this week.

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Encrypted messages don't always stay private. Here's what that means for you

Encrypted messages don't always stay private. Here's what that means for you

As a group of alleged conspirators recently learned, encrypted messaging isn't a guarantee that your private conversations will stay between you and the recipient. The FBI arrested six men on Thursday for allegedly plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. How did the feds get the information they needed? They read the group's encrypted conversations. 

To be clear, accessing the communications wasn't a highly technical effort. The FBI had a confidential informant who participated in the group message threads in which much of the conspiracy was laid out, according to a criminal complaint. That kept the FBI in the loop even when the group changed messaging apps to avoid detection. 

"Because the group still included [the informant], the FBI has maintained the ability to consensually monitor the chat communications," FBI special agent Richard J. Trask II said in the complaint.

The incident underscores a basic fact about encrypted messaging apps, like Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp. While they all offer a layer of privacy, there are plenty of ways for someone to access your messages from these services. 

That's good news and bad news. On the bright side, it means criminals plotting violence can't rely completely on encrypted messaging services to hide their plans from the police. While law enforcement has warned that encryption threatens to make their investigations into the worst criminals "go dark," this case is one example of how investigators can continue to read messages sent with encrypted services.

On the other hand, it means regular users who want to protect their data from hackers, creeps and foreign governments need to rethink what encrypted messaging really does for them. It isn't a magic wand. Here's what you should know about what encryption does -- and doesn't do -- to protect your privacy.

How does encrypted messaging work?

It's OK, most people don't have a handle on just what encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Telegram and Facebook-owned WhatsApp do. They look and act like regular text messaging tools. But behind the scenes, the services scramble up your messages as they travel across cellular communications systems and the internet to get to the intended recipient's phone. 

That means no one involved in sending the message -- including the encrypted messaging service -- can read your messages. Regular SMS messaging is sent in plaintext and doesn't have this layer of protection, so your SMS messages are vulnerable to interception at multiple points as they travel from your phone to the recipient's device.

Is my phone encrypted, too?

If you use an iPhone, the data on your phone is encrypted when the device is locked. On Android phones, users have to enable disk encryption themselves. Device encryption will protect your messages as long as the phone is locked.

Apple describes this form of encryption as essential to users' privacy. For one thing, it protects all the personal data on your phone if it gets stolen. Think private messages and photos, as well as access to your email account and financial information.

Like encrypted messaging, device encryption has been a sore subject with law enforcement. The FBI tried to get a court order in 2016 to force Apple to help it access encrypted messages on an iPhone used by an extremist shooter. After Apple refused, the agency was eventually able to access the data on the phone with another technique.

How can someone get my encrypted messages?

As the Michigan case shows, anyone you send a message can share it with a wider circle of people, regardless of whether it's sent on an encrypted service. The same goes for anyone who has the ability to unlock your phone, which disables device encryption. If you don't lock your device at all, anyone who gets your phone can access your messages.

Then there's hacking, which is used by law enforcement, as well as criminals and foreign governments, to target someone's phone with malicious software. Once the device is compromised, the malware can read messages on the device just like someone looking over your shoulder to watch you type. These tools are sophisticated, can be very expensive, and require someone to target you specifically. 

Another form of malware that can get your communications is called stalkerware. That's phone monitoring software that many people admit to using to spy on their partners or exes, and it usually requires the person to have access to your phone. There are steps you can take if you're worried your device has stalkerware.

Finally, there are your backups. Data on your cloud accounts might not be encrypted, and anyone who has the password could access your backed-up messages there. Some stalkerware works by accessing your phone's cloud backup. That's a great argument for using a unique, hard-to-guess password to protect your cloud accounts, and using a password manager.

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5 mistakes to avoid when buying a refrigerator

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a refrigerator

Buying a refrigerator is a big deal. If you make the wrong decision, you'll have to live with it for years, maybe even a decade or more. Don't freak out though. While it isn't everyday you shop for a large appliance, a little planning ahead of time goes a long way. This guide lays out the usual mistakes people tend to make when buying a fridge.

Not surprisingly, there are many pitfalls to avoid. On the list are things to consider before you step into the store, or click that buy button. One is choosing the wrong style and finish for your home's decor. Another is not thinking about capacity and your food storage needs. And sweating the details is important, too. Cantankerous interior drawers are never fun to live with. Are there compartments for cold cuts, cheese, dairy? Perhaps you don't care, but at least check before you commit.

Extras such as ice makers, water dispensers, and automatic water pitchers that you'll use every day can make a big difference, and even cameras and smarts are key factors too. And something that's a must-have feature for someone else might be a waste of money to you, so understanding what you're paying for matters.

Here are the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a refrigerator.

Think about what you want in a fridge before you buy.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Buying the wrong style

Refrigerators may be large boxes but they're far from monolithic. They come in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs. Each style has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Some fridge types generally cost less but won't offer many fancy features. Others tend to have all the latest bells and whistles plus a massive price and large size.

Buying the wrong style appliance could mean bad news. You might get stuck with a bloated bill, no frills at all, or something that won't fit where you want it. Here's a rundown of major fridge styles so you know what to expect

Top freezers

The classic fridge design, top freezer-style models have been around for decades. They have a main chiller section for fresh food and a smaller freezer compartment above it. If you need a lot of room to store frozen items this style of refrigerator isn't ideal. They're also pretty basic appliances and lack extras such as in-door water dispensers and automatic ice makers. The upside is they tend to be more affordable and more compact than other fridge styles.

Buy: If you want to save money, don't need fancy extras, and have a small kitchen

Don't buy: If you want high style, lots of storage and luxury features.

Bottom freezer

On average these refrigerators come in slightly larger sizes than top freezers. They have a reverse layout too with their larger freezer section on the bottom. The chilled section for fresh food sits above that. While bottom freezer models provide easier access to fresh items, frozen food will be tougher to reach. Even aided by drawer-style freezer doors, you'll still have to bend down to grab what you want.

Buy: If you want more room for frozen food than top freezers and easier access to fresh items.

Don't buy: If you can't stand bending down to reach frozen food.

Side-by-side

This style of refrigerator is all about compromise. Side-by-side models offer a balance between saving space and providing extra features. They're split down the middle with two doors, one for the freezer on the left and the other for the fridge on the right. Their doors are relatively narrow too since they don't swing out as far. Don't expect special drawers for quick drinks or easy access to kids' snacks. Side-by-side refrigerators do have lots of freezer and fridge storage. Some models also come with fancy add-ons such as in-door ice makers, water dispensers, and touch controls.

Buy: If you want ample storage and a handful of modern features, or if you have a narrow kitchen.

Don't buy: If you crave extra compartments for quick or kid-friendly access to drinks and snacks.

French door

A combination of side-by-side and bottom freezer models, French door refrigerators try to offer it all. They usually pack in the most advanced features including smart, connected functions and special compartments. French-door models are also the most popular fridge variety so they're available in the most colors and finish options. As a result, you'll pay top dollar for them too.

Buy: If you want all the bells and whistles you can get and have a big budget.

Don't buy: If you're hunting for a bargain.

Fridges are big and heavy so make sure it'll fit where you want it first.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Forgetting to check the fit

No matter what fridge style you choose, one massive misstep is not checking the fit. Make sure the new appliance will squeeze into the same spot as your current refrigerator. Do that by measuring the dimensions of your old unit. Then compare them with the new fridge you plan to purchase. Ideally the replacement appliance will be identical to or smaller than the current model. This is especially important if your current fridge lives in a recessed nook within built-in cabinets.

It's equally important to measure your counter depth. Some fridges can stick out far beyond your counters, jutting into your kitchen. If you have a kitchen island, measure how much clearance you have to open the fridge doors or walk past the fridge.

Don't forget to measure entry points too, such as your front door, hallways, basement doors, and so on. Anticipate the path a delivery person will take to avoid any unexpected issues or complications.

Decide how much storage space you need.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Not accounting for storage and capacity

No refrigerator owner is the same. Choose a fridge that fits your particular storage needs. Do you tend to keep lots of items on ice for long periods? Make sure to select an appliance with plenty of freezer space. In this case a side-by-side model is probably best. If the opposite is true then a big French-door fridge is likely more your speed.

Of course your prospective purchase might serve as secondary refrigerator. Scenarios for this are small apartments, second homes, and basement kitchenettes. Likewise if you already own a stand-alone fridge or freezer, price is probably paramount rather than storage space.

The right fridge color can make or break your kitchen decor.

CNET

Discounting color and finish

The appearance of the fridge you ultimately settle on is no small matter. Outside of its functions and features, a refrigerator's (or any large appliance) exterior can have a huge impact on a room's decor. Pick poorly and a fridge can clash with its surroundings -- giving your kitchen a random, even cluttered aesthetic.

Depending on the look you're going for, you may decide that your new refrigerator should match the color (and texture) of other nearby appliances. You could do the opposite too and select a fridge with striking colors or a retro-inspired design. As long as the rest of the room is neutral, your distinctive appliance will serve as a positive focal point.

For a deep dive on how to choose the color and finish of your new appliance, read our full guide.  

Little details such as how easy (or hard) it is to use interior drawers are important.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Letting the small things slip

Another trap you may fall into when shopping for a new fridge is not considering other, smaller factors. For instance you may overlook details about the interior. How easy is it to open and close the crisper drawers? Are there any sharp edges anywhere that could scrape or scratch knuckles or forearms?

New LG Instaview fridges now make clear ice spheres for fancy drinks.

LG

Sometimes a refrigerator will lack dedicated compartments for meats, cold cuts, dairy, or cheese. And if you'd like to have an ice maker, water dispenser, or autofill water pitcher, check if there's a water line nearby. It's best to know this information before you commit to the purchase. 

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Your Old Laptop Could Last Longer if You Try These Tips

Your Old Laptop Could Last Longer if You Try These Tips

Before you splurge on a shiny, new laptop, you may want to consider giving your current system some TLC. There's a lot you can do to take better care of that old laptop and stretch its lifespan as long as possible. 

Brett Pearce/CNET

The longevity horizon of a laptop is analogous to the longevity of a human: It partly comes down to responsible behavior, partly genetics and partly just dumb luck. There's no guarantee that anything you do can save it from dying young or failing to keep up with increasingly demanding tasks. 

And there's no guarantee that if you treat it like crap it won't last far longer than expected -- in 10 years you might find yourself cursing it. "Fail already you slow POS so I can justify buying a replacement!" That's the argument I had daily with my 7-year-old iPad. (Which I still use for some things despite having finally bought a new iPad Pro.)

It baffled me, for instance, when I learned that my friend's 7-plus-year-old Lenovo Yoga 2 13 still functions, and actually functions well. It's filthy, it's been knocked off precarious perches by flying cats, it sits baking in hot sunlight, endures summers with 90% humidity indoors, and its operating system hasn't been updated in... I don't think ever. She still hasn't filled up the 128GB drive. Recently she asked if she should upgrade to Windows 11 (from Windows 8.1). After picking my chin up off the floor, I pointed out that she probably couldn't; even if it meets the requirements, it would likely be even slower than it is now. 

But I have to report that it has finally gone to that great e-waste bin in the sky. Only because she dropped it one time too many. Time to recycle it.

I kept on using it, thinking the trackpad was just going bad, until it popped out completely and I realized the battery beneath it had swollen. Ah, the joys of the early ultrathin models! (This is a 2013 Samsung ATIV Book 9.)

Lori Grunin/CNET

Yet, in the interim, I've gone through at least two laptops, one with a battery that swelled and another with a wiring and broken plastic issue that rendered the display unusable. They exited this world in close to pristine aesthetic condition. And she had to return a Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13-inch after a year of working from home thanks to connectivity failures, though it already looked pretty beaten up.

Bottom line: It's a crapshoot.

Read more:  Do I Really Have to Upgrade to Windows 11 From Windows 10? What to Know

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Data backup is on my long, long list of "do as I say, not as I do" advice. But the longer you hold onto a laptop, the more irreplaceable files and information you'll accumulate on it. And the greater the chance it'll crumble into e-waste. So before you touch your laptop to address any issues -- including cleaning -- you should back it up. 

The unwritten rule is this: If you don't back up your laptop, it will experience a catastrophic failure. But if you do, then nothing will happen. Because that's the way the universe works.

No. Just no.

Lori Grunin/CNET

Coddle it

I don't mean sing it a lullaby before you put it to sleep every night, or even treat it gingerly. Just use some common sense when it comes to handling and storage. For example, don't think, "Awww, cute. Instagram it!" when your cat curls up on your laptop keyboard seeking attention or warmth. Think, "That cat is going to annihilate my MacBook's butterfly keyboard." 

Other simple practices include:

• Don't leave it sitting in hot sunlight.
• Keep animals and kids away. If you have to leave it unattended for a minute, shove it somewhere a little less accessible, or at least tilt the lid down partially so that the screen and keyboard are protected.
• Don't leave it hanging off the edge of a desk, couch, chair, ottoman and so on. This is a good policy for any object, frankly.
• Don't eat around it (she says, flicking pistachio shell pieces off the keyboard and digging flakes out from gaps).
• Wash or sanitize your hands before using it to minimize dirt and oils transferring. These can build up over the years.
• If you only use it sporadically, keep it in the most dust-free location available.
• When it's on or in sleep mode, don't cover it with fabric or leave it in any other environment where there's no airflow. (This goes triple for Windows 10 laptops, since Microsoft's default is to wake them to force updates, but not to make sure it goes back to sleep afterwards. Twice I've had laptops come close to overheating in bed with me because having current virus definitions is obviously more important than not setting me on fire.)
• Don't leave it charging 24/7. Note that depending upon the vintage or model of your system, leaving it plugged in may not cause any problems, but using it off-power periodically lets you spot-check incipient battery or electrical system issues. You can also use a utility to check how worn your Windows laptop battery is.
• Don't smoke around it. Nothing gunks up electronics faster.

You should also check the adapter cable periodically, especially if you've got pets. Run your fingers along it feeling for teeth marks. A chewed-through cable won't ruin your laptop -- they're designed to stop working if the insulation is punctured -- but it can get expensive replacing them. My cat, Iris the Destroyer, earned her name by chewing through two Dell AC adapters at $70 a pop (among other reasons). If you catch it early, you can reroute them for safety. Plus, it's not good for the animals.

If your cat likes to curl up on the keyboard, get a tilting laptop stand -- Felix will likely find an alternative space on your desk that's even less convenient -- or create a space near your desk where your cat can still supervise you and that mimics the radiating warmth of the keyboard.

Clean it

It's easy to ignore basic maintenance, especially if you use your laptop every day. You just stop noticing the crud after a while. But periodically taking a minute to examine entry points around keycaps, the keyboard surface, touchpad surface, speaker grilles, hinge, ports, vents and screen may save you some heartache (and money) in the long run. A filthy touchscreen can make it less responsive as well. 

But even if none of it poses a long-term health issue for your system, you don't want to wait until detritus builds up so much that it's almost impossible to get out or off. Keeping the fan vents clear and dust-free is especially important. 

Streamline it

Every now and then, take a pass through applications and files, as well as programs and services that run at startup, and jettison anything you don't need. Will doing that extend the life of the system? Probably not, except perhaps by reducing a fractional amount of heat generated by unnecessary processor activity. 

But at the very least, periodically weeding it can make it feel faster, just like cleaning out a room can make it feel bigger. And at best you will experience some real performance improvements, including improved battery life. It may also turn out that you don't need the memory or storage upgrades that you thought you did. And if you never bothered to uninstall the bloatware that came with your Windows system, try uninstalling it. A clutter-free Start Menu may improve performance a little.

The best way to make it feel like new is to freshen the operating system, which essentially reinstalls it while leaving your data and files intact, rather than wiping the drive and starting anew. In Mac OS you use Recovery Mode. Windows has a couple options: Refresh to reinstall the operating system while preserving your files; and Fresh Start, which refreshes the operating system but without all the bloatware that might have come with it initially.

At some point, you'll probably feel like the incremental approach isn't working for you anymore. Then it's time to consider wiping it off and starting from scratch: You'll need to reinstall the same version of the operating system and applications. This can be trickier, since it may require repurchasing old programs, recustomizing every aspect of the operating system or application behavior, debugging system glitches again and more. Plus, you run the risk of breaking something that was working fine before. 

That's software. What about hardware? Aside from upgrades, a laptop's hardware remains pretty static. There's no magic wand to wave that will make your trackpad feel five years younger. One exception is battery life: Changing your software settings can make a big difference to the battery's longevity. 

Here are some more suggestions:

An external hub can greatly expand the usability of an older system as well as reduce wear and tear on the connections.

Lori Grunin/CNET

Accessorize it

Using accessories such as an external keyboard, mouse or monitor -- even cheap ones -- may help save wear and tear on the built-in components and hinge. More important, once those components of a laptop start to get wonky, the system itself will still be usable if you can find external replacements for the devices.

If you're constantly moving between desktop locations, it's worth getting a dock or hub for those external devices. This will save wear and tear on the connections from constant plugging and unplugging. It also adds extra ports, which is another perk that will extend the useful life of your laptop. Here are some more suggestions:

Upgrade it

Because real upgrades always require some expense, this is probably one of the final steps you'll consider. But small, incremental upgrades can make a big difference. Not as many laptops support internal memory or storage upgrades as they used to -- replaceable batteries even less so -- but if you can, you should definitely take advantage of the option as you start to hit limits. That's one of the advantages of hanging onto an older laptop -- it's more likely to be upgradable. 

That's as long as you feel comfortable opening it up to stick things in. Before you start down this path, make sure to find an upgrade or maintenance guide for your particular system to verify that it supports your plan. You should also check that it doesn't require expensive nonstandard components, which will cost more than it's worth.

When I bought this inexpensive Asus UL30 in 2009, it was partly for its upgradability and removable battery. The display failed before I even got a chance to take advantage of that. (It was probably fixable, but wasn't worth it given the price.)

Lori Grunin/CNET

External upgrades can be easier and more practical, though in some cases they don't provide as big a boost. Or they may not make as big a difference as you thought they would. I secretly added a Netgear Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) USB dongle to a tech-challenged friend's laptop, which was equipped with pokey Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n). Speedtest showed that throughput doubled. Given how much time she spends online, that seemed to make it worth the money. 

She didn't notice any difference.

If you're running short on storage, an external drive is an obvious enhancement. Unless you only plan to use it to offload files you don't use often, you may want to avoid going too cheap. A slow external drive can be more annoying than uplifting. You can also potentially improve performance by booting from an external drive, though that depends on the connection and the drive speed.

Another possible performance upgrade -- only if you've got a newer laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 connection, though -- is to add an external graphics processor, aka eGPU, to boost speed in applications or games with heavy GPU usage. This can be a pricey upgrade, though, and the enclosure and the graphics card are frequently sold separately, which can obscure the true cost.

You may want to consider moving to a newer version of the operating system if you're not on it already. If your laptop supports Trusted Platform Module, or TPM -- it probably does if it's not really old or really low-end -- consider upgrading to Windows 11. Windows 11 adds almost nothing notable in my opinion, but it has a refreshed interface and surfaces features you might not have known were there, which can at least make your laptop feel like it's newer. 

I don't think an OS upgrade is a no-brainer, though. If your laptop's crumbling to dust, a newer version of the OS may not unequivocally improve things. And you also run the risk of losing the ability to run some applications. 

Case in point: In 2019, Mac OS Catalina (10.15) removed support for 32-bit applications. So if a program hasn't been migrated from 32 to 64 bit -- and there are good reasons why it may not have been -- the upgrade would actually be a step backward for you. 

Sticking with an outdated version of an operating system is widely considered to be bad hygiene, though, because you don't get the constant barrage of virus, malware and security updates that up-to-date systems receive.

Convert it

And finally, when you're at the end of your rope, you've got nothing to lose by replacing the operating system with something new altogether. If your laptop powers on and at least most of the keys work, there's a good chance it can be converted into a Chromebook, running Google's Chrome OS, to give it at least a little more useful life before it goes to live upstate on a retired laptop farm.

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5 mistakes to avoid when buying a refrigerator

5 mistakes to avoid when buying a refrigerator

Buying a refrigerator is a big deal. If you make the wrong decision, you'll have to live with it for years, maybe even a decade or more. Don't freak out though. While it isn't everyday you shop for a large appliance, a little planning ahead of time goes a long way. This guide lays out the usual mistakes people tend to make when buying a fridge.

Not surprisingly, there are many pitfalls to avoid. On the list are things to consider before you step into the store, or click that buy button. One is choosing the wrong style and finish for your home's decor. Another is not thinking about capacity and your food storage needs. And sweating the details is important, too. Cantankerous interior drawers are never fun to live with. Are there compartments for cold cuts, cheese, dairy? Perhaps you don't care, but at least check before you commit.

Extras such as ice makers, water dispensers, and automatic water pitchers that you'll use every day can make a big difference, and even cameras and smarts are key factors too. And something that's a must-have feature for someone else might be a waste of money to you, so understanding what you're paying for matters.

Here are the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a refrigerator.

Think about what you want in a fridge before you buy.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Buying the wrong style

Refrigerators may be large boxes but they're far from monolithic. They come in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs. Each style has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Some fridge types generally cost less but won't offer many fancy features. Others tend to have all the latest bells and whistles plus a massive price and large size.

Buying the wrong style appliance could mean bad news. You might get stuck with a bloated bill, no frills at all, or something that won't fit where you want it. Here's a rundown of major fridge styles so you know what to expect

Top freezers

The classic fridge design, top freezer-style models have been around for decades. They have a main chiller section for fresh food and a smaller freezer compartment above it. If you need a lot of room to store frozen items this style of refrigerator isn't ideal. They're also pretty basic appliances and lack extras such as in-door water dispensers and automatic ice makers. The upside is they tend to be more affordable and more compact than other fridge styles.

Buy: If you want to save money, don't need fancy extras, and have a small kitchen

Don't buy: If you want high style, lots of storage and luxury features.

Bottom freezer

On average these refrigerators come in slightly larger sizes than top freezers. They have a reverse layout too with their larger freezer section on the bottom. The chilled section for fresh food sits above that. While bottom freezer models provide easier access to fresh items, frozen food will be tougher to reach. Even aided by drawer-style freezer doors, you'll still have to bend down to grab what you want.

Buy: If you want more room for frozen food than top freezers and easier access to fresh items.

Don't buy: If you can't stand bending down to reach frozen food.

Side-by-side

This style of refrigerator is all about compromise. Side-by-side models offer a balance between saving space and providing extra features. They're split down the middle with two doors, one for the freezer on the left and the other for the fridge on the right. Their doors are relatively narrow too since they don't swing out as far. Don't expect special drawers for quick drinks or easy access to kids' snacks. Side-by-side refrigerators do have lots of freezer and fridge storage. Some models also come with fancy add-ons such as in-door ice makers, water dispensers, and touch controls.

Buy: If you want ample storage and a handful of modern features, or if you have a narrow kitchen.

Don't buy: If you crave extra compartments for quick or kid-friendly access to drinks and snacks.

French door

A combination of side-by-side and bottom freezer models, French door refrigerators try to offer it all. They usually pack in the most advanced features including smart, connected functions and special compartments. French-door models are also the most popular fridge variety so they're available in the most colors and finish options. As a result, you'll pay top dollar for them too.

Buy: If you want all the bells and whistles you can get and have a big budget.

Don't buy: If you're hunting for a bargain.

Fridges are big and heavy so make sure it'll fit where you want it first.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Forgetting to check the fit

No matter what fridge style you choose, one massive misstep is not checking the fit. Make sure the new appliance will squeeze into the same spot as your current refrigerator. Do that by measuring the dimensions of your old unit. Then compare them with the new fridge you plan to purchase. Ideally the replacement appliance will be identical to or smaller than the current model. This is especially important if your current fridge lives in a recessed nook within built-in cabinets.

It's equally important to measure your counter depth. Some fridges can stick out far beyond your counters, jutting into your kitchen. If you have a kitchen island, measure how much clearance you have to open the fridge doors or walk past the fridge.

Don't forget to measure entry points too, such as your front door, hallways, basement doors, and so on. Anticipate the path a delivery person will take to avoid any unexpected issues or complications.

Decide how much storage space you need.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Not accounting for storage and capacity

No refrigerator owner is the same. Choose a fridge that fits your particular storage needs. Do you tend to keep lots of items on ice for long periods? Make sure to select an appliance with plenty of freezer space. In this case a side-by-side model is probably best. If the opposite is true then a big French-door fridge is likely more your speed.

Of course your prospective purchase might serve as secondary refrigerator. Scenarios for this are small apartments, second homes, and basement kitchenettes. Likewise if you already own a stand-alone fridge or freezer, price is probably paramount rather than storage space.

The right fridge color can make or break your kitchen decor.

CNET

Discounting color and finish

The appearance of the fridge you ultimately settle on is no small matter. Outside of its functions and features, a refrigerator's (or any large appliance) exterior can have a huge impact on a room's decor. Pick poorly and a fridge can clash with its surroundings -- giving your kitchen a random, even cluttered aesthetic.

Depending on the look you're going for, you may decide that your new refrigerator should match the color (and texture) of other nearby appliances. You could do the opposite too and select a fridge with striking colors or a retro-inspired design. As long as the rest of the room is neutral, your distinctive appliance will serve as a positive focal point.

For a deep dive on how to choose the color and finish of your new appliance, read our full guide.  

Little details such as how easy (or hard) it is to use interior drawers are important.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Letting the small things slip

Another trap you may fall into when shopping for a new fridge is not considering other, smaller factors. For instance you may overlook details about the interior. How easy is it to open and close the crisper drawers? Are there any sharp edges anywhere that could scrape or scratch knuckles or forearms?

New LG Instaview fridges now make clear ice spheres for fancy drinks.

LG

Sometimes a refrigerator will lack dedicated compartments for meats, cold cuts, dairy, or cheese. And if you'd like to have an ice maker, water dispenser, or autofill water pitcher, check if there's a water line nearby. It's best to know this information before you commit to the purchase. 

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You Don't Have to Live With These Default Windows 10 Settings

You Don't Have to Live With These Default Windows 10 Settings

Windows 10 has been out of the spotlight since Microsoft launched Windows 11, its latest operating system, in October 2021. Windows 11 reached broad deployment earlier this year after a staggered rollout spanning half a year, meaning it's now ready for all compatible computers. (Here's how to download it if you're ready.) However, there are plenty of people who are unable to or uninterested in upgrading. And like any OS, Windows 10 has a few default settings that are less than ideal. 

Some are just annoying (you don't really need Cortana "getting to know you"), while others will actually slow down your device, show you tons of notifications and ads and collect more of your information than you might be comfortable with. As long as Windows 10 is still what's powering your computer, it's worth it to optimize your settings to make sure your PC is running the best it can.

You'll want to spend just a few minutes looking into these settings and potentially turning them off, for the sake of privacy, speed and convenience. Here are seven default settings that you can disable in Windows 10. (You can also check out some top Windows 10 tips and tricks and how to troubleshoot common Windows 10 problems.) 

File-sharing updates

A feature Windows 10 added is an optimized update delivery system that lets you download updates from other Windows 10 computers over the Internet (not just from Microsoft's servers). The catch is that your computer is also used as an update-sharing hub for other Windows 10 users.

This feature is turned on by default, but you can turn it off by going to Settings > Update & security > Advanced options > Delivery optimization and toggling off Allow downloads from other PCs. 

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Annoying notifications

The Windows 10 Action Center is a handy central hub for all of your notifications -- apps, reminders, recently installed programs. But notification overload is definitely a thing, especially when you add unnecessary notifications (such as Windows tips) into the mix.

To get your notifications under control, go to Settings > System > Notifications &actions. 

Turn off things like "Get tips, tricks and suggestions when you use Windows" or "Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested" as well as any unwanted notifications from individual apps.

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Start menu ads

Microsoft pushes its Windows Store apps -- so much so that you may be seeing apps you never downloaded in your Start menu. These suggested apps are basically ads. 

Turn off these pesky ads by going to Settings > Personalization > Start > Show suggestions occasionally in Start. For more information, check out our Windows 10 Start menu guide.

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Targeted ads from third-party apps

Microsoft is definitely keeping tabs on your preferences and browsing habits in Windows 10. You even have a unique advertising ID (tied to your Microsoft account), which the company uses to show you targeted ads. Oh, and Microsoft also shares this advertising ID profile with third-party apps from the Windows Store, unless you turn this information sharing off.

You can turn off sharing this type of info by going to Settings > Privacy > General and toggling off Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app activity (Turning this off will reset your ID).

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Cortana 'getting to know you'

Cortana, your adaptive personal assistant in Windows 10, gets, well, pretty personal with the information it collects about you, such as speech and handwriting patterns and typing history, which you may consider to be just a little creepy.

You can stop Cortana from "getting to know you," and clear that information from your device, by going to Settings > Privacy > Inking & typing and toggling the option off. 

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Apps running in the background

In Windows 10, by default, many apps run in the background (even if you don't have them open). These apps can receive information, send notifications, download and install updates and otherwise use up your bandwidth and your battery. If you're using a mobile device and/or a metered connection, you may want to turn this feature off.

To do so, go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and either toggle off Let apps run in the background or toggle off each app individually.

Screenshot by Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

All the syncing

Windows 10 is all about syncing. Everything (system settings, themes, passwords, search history) syncs across all your signed-in devices by default. But not all of us want our search history to sync between our phones and our computers, so here's how to turn syncing off.

To turn off settings syncing (including themes and passwords), go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings. You can turn off all settings syncing, or you can selectively turn off specific settings.

For more, check out the best Windows 11 features and how to use them and everything to know about upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11. 

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