Computeractive

Computeractive is the UK’s best-selling computer magazine and your friendly guide to PCs, gadgets and the web! It includes regular news updates, project ideas, help and advice on popular reader queries, articles on anti-virus software, features on consumer rights, and a whole lot more to help you get the very best out of your computer. Get PC advice in plain English today – get Computeractive!

Computeractive

From the Editor

Microsoft lets you pause updates and skip reboots

LAUNCH WINDOWS APPS & MENUS FASTER

BT Mobile comes back from the dead for brand relaunch

Amazon delivers first items by drone in the UK

TOMORROW’S WORLD

IN BRIEF

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

Fire TV Stick rival goes bust, but Thomson boxes may survive

French protestors ‘bury’ Windows 10 to demand longer support

What ho, Jeeves! Virtual search butler retires after 30 years

Kids draw moustaches on their faces to beat porn age checks

Will your AI chatbot try to blackmail you? • Claude threatened to reveal an affair to avoid being switched off

Protect your tech • Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools

New tools • Use Brave’s Shred tool on Android phones

ScamWatch • Readers warn readers

Letters • Tell us what’s on your mind

Anthropic is creating the fire and selling the extinguisher

Anker nudges Toolstation to refund for faulty chime

Consumeractive • We stand up for your legal rights

Beelink sent me replacement fans for noisy PC

Grow Your Family Tree • News of your ancestor’s passing may have been reported in various publications. Follow Richard Holt’s advice to…

Best Free Software • Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing

SHOULD I PAY FOR…? • Choose the right version of software

What should I download? • We advise you which software and apps to use

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

Birmingham cable thieves

Minisforum X1 Lite • Balance of power

Samsung Galaxy A57 • Happy medium

Medion Akoya Signium 27 S1 • All together now

HP OmniBook X Flip 14 • Return to the fold

£300-£400 laptops

Hive Thermostat • The heat is on

How can I keep devices powered up when on the move? • We solve your buying dilemmas

Seagate FireCuda X Vault • Prime mover

EarFun Clip 2 • Fair hearing

reMarkable Paper Pure • Write on

A tablet-projector?

Buy It • Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

Win 1 of 2 AOC U27G4R gaming monitors

Computeractive 2025 Back Issue CD & USB Stick • Both the CD and Stick contain all 27 issues from 2025

HOW TO… Take notes and sync them between devices

Manage archived files with bookmarks and tabbed folders

Readers’ Tips • Handy hints and tips from your fellow readers

Browser Tips • Secret settings and the best extensions

AI Tips • Clever new tools and tweaks

What you should install this fortnight

Phone and Tablet Tips • Brilliant things to do on your device

Diagnosing device problems

Make Windows Better • Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better • Top tips for the best office programs

Master ChatGPT’s new image-generator • Run a club or society? Here’s how your tech can make it easier

Google app for desktop • Search the web without a browser and get summaries of your files

Why You MUST Use PASSKEYS • Passwords are officially doomed, so you need...