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Person playing games on a PC while using Elgato streaming accessories.
6 must-have apps for PC gaming

If you play games as much as I do, you'll need these applications

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There are apps for PC users and then there are apps for gamers. If you've just got yourself a new gaming PC, then you might be wondering what apps you should install first. From being able to talk to your friends online, to overclocking your PC, and using your phone to control your PC, here are the 6 applications I will always install on my gaming PC.

Nvidia 40 series laptops on green stripes on a black background
How to improve game performance using Nvidia Profile Inspector

Nvidia's Profile Inspector lets you optimize your games at the driver level

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Every gamer wants to get more power out of their graphics cards. While some might turn to overclocking or using mods to make their games look better, Nvidia users have a free optimization tool called Nvidia Profile Inspector that can improve game performance. This third-party program allows you to customize all of your games individually instead of creating profiles, giving all of your games the slight boost they need without needing to overclock your GPU.

Screenshot of Wallpaper Engine library
18 best wallpapers on Wallpaper Engine worthy of your PC

Wallpaper Engine is home to the most stunning live wallpapers on Windows. Here are the ones worth your attention

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Building a new PC and setting everything up just how you like is satisfying. You've installed your favorite apps and games and are ready to let it rip. But you might still be using the same old default Windows wallpapers and calling it a day. Wallpaper Engine is one of the best wallpaper apps on Windows that can give your desktop a full makeover with its limitless collection of high-quality live wallpapers.

Render of a generic Intel Core CPU on a motherboard
What is Intel Turbo Boost and how to take advantage of it

Intel's Turbo Boost improves your PC's performance by scaling your CPU clock speed to meet your needs

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Intel's Turbo Boost technology is a great performance-boosting feature if you want to get the most out of your CPU, offering a quick and easy way to improve your PC’s performance without needing to overclock anything. This feature, which is only available for Intel CPUs, lets your CPU adaptively change its clock speed when running intensive programs and then lower it when it's not needed.

An image showing the login page of discord on a MacBook Air's display.
How web apps took over the desktop

Whether you've noticed it or not, apps on your PC have slowly been turning into websites

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Applications on the desktop have been changing over the last decade, whether you've noticed it or not. Since the mid-2010's, we've seen an explosion in the number of companies, small or large, turning to the technologies of the web to build applications that would traditionally be native on your desktop. Even in some enterprise settings, businesses are surrendering native clients in favor of slick Javascript-powered experiences on the desktop. Everything from Slack to the new Outlook to Discord has fallen victim.

Microsoft Windows 11 on a tablet computer
Score massive savings with 87% off Windows 11 Pro for a limited time

This essential upgrade brings improved productivity, security, and gaming features to your PC.

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If you're looking to upgrade or need a copy of Windows 11 Pro for a new PC build, then you're going to want to grab this deal while you can. StackSocial is offering a monster discount on a Windows 11 Pro license that knocks 87% off the $199 retail price, bringing it down to just $24.97 for an extremely limited time. What's great is that you'll be able to use this license on up to two devices.

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Don't miss these limited-time Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro deals

Get lifetime access to Microsoft's very best software packages for a fraction of the price.

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Despite plenty of open source and web app alternatives, Microsoft's software suites are still some of the most popular available today. In fact, over a billion people worldwide regularly use some sort of Microsoft product. And it’s no mystery as to why: Windows runs all the best applications and has the widest hardware support -- and Office is simply the most comprehensive productivity suite available today.

Frame saved from the Sora OpenAI video generated of a Tokyo woman walking
OpenAI's Sora isn't the end of the world... yet

OpenAI's new Sora video model isn't the end of the world just yet, though what the future may hold isn't clear.

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Sora is the world's first true text-to-video algorithm, in that it can generate footage indistinguishable at a passing glance to real-life footage. It has massive ramifications when it comes to the spread of misinformation, but none of that is going to be a problem... yet.

Entering the Microsoft Store on a windows computer
Best productivity apps for Windows

Boost your efficiency on Windows with these top productivity apps

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Staying productive with Windows takes more than determination, especially considering the continuous distractions. Our guide spotlights the best productivity apps for Windows, each chosen to ramp up your efficiency at work and in life. These apps, great for task management and team collaboration, are your secret to a productivity boost. They're perfect for everyone — professionals, students, or just casual users — and they meld perfectly with Windows, offering intuitive yet powerful ways to tackle daily tasks. Let's explore these apps and see how they can reshape your daily routine into something more streamlined, efficient, and productive.

Person using Microsoft Office on Surface device
Microsoft Office deal slashes 86% off, dropping the price to just $30 for a limited time

Save big on Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac during this stellar deal that drops prices to their lowest yet.

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Microsoft Office is a staple in many homes and offices, and for good reasons. The software suite has been around for three decades and has evolved to offer some of the most powerful productivity tools available. While it has spawned a variety of clones, there is no substitute for Office. Although it can be costly, you can now save quite a bit thanks to this extremely limited time deal that knocks 86% off.

Side by side comparison of the ARM64 and X64 version of CPUZ blurred with the CPUZ logo.
CPU-Z now runs natively on Windows Arm PCs

CPU-Z launches Its first ARM64 version for Windows, making it easier to find detailed specs of Arm-based PCs.

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CPU-Z, a well-known system information tool by CPUID, has recently introduced its ARM64 version for Windows ARM64 PCs. This release represents a significant shift for CPU-Z, aligning with the increasing adoption of ARM-based devices in the computing sector.

Monitor of a computer running Windows 11 with VirtualBox open running Windows XP
How to set up a virtual machine in Windows 11

Windows 11 presents some major challenges when running older programs, but using a virtual machine is a good way to run them

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Windows 11 brought many major changes but at the cost of older software. Video games and apps that worked on previous versions of Windows may not run as expected on Windows 11. Most applications designed for Windows 10 work just fine on a Windows 11 computer, but there are a staggering number of programs from Windows 8 and earlier that simply won't work.

Text reading Windows 11 screen recording over a window with light shining through
Best screen recorders for Windows without watermark

Here's our favorite screen recording software that doesn't place a watermark over your capture.

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If you are looking for the best screen recorders without a watermark, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will introduce you to some of the most popular and reliable screen recording software that can capture your screen without leaving any annoying marks or logos. Whether you want to record gameplay, tutorials, webinars, or business presentations, you will find a suitable option for your needs. We will also be comparing the features, pros, and cons of each screen recorder, so you can make the most informed decision.

How to run a virus scan on Windows 11
How to run a virus scan on Windows 11

Secure your Windows 11 system against viruses using Windows Defender

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With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, it's essential that your Windows 11 system remains impervious to malicious software. Whether you're using a great laptop or a PC, viruses can easily infiltrate your system, compromising your computer's integrity and performance. Running a virus scan is not just a recommended practice; it's a critical step in safeguarding your digital life.

A laptop showing code.
Open Source Software Licensing: Why it matters

We've all used open-source software, but licensing is more important than you think.

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Open-source software is essential to the functioning of our modern internet. It's essential to all our modern technology. Open-source tools form the simple and functional building blocks that help power everything from TVs to ChatGPT, and it's almost impossible to overstate the importance of the open-source movement in making software development accessible.

Screenshot of Handbrake running in Windows 11 with the Handbrake logo overlaid on top
HandBrake 1.7.0 adds AMD and Nvidia AV1 encoding support

The new release improves the video conversion speed as well

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If you regularly convert video files, you likely already know the benefits of HandBrake. The open source video transcoder is free and available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Assuming you’re not working with copy protected files, you can use HandBrake to process a wide array of multimedia. Even though HandBrake 1.6.0 debuted less than two years ago, the latest version is now available, and it comes with a slew of new features.

Person smiling using Luminar Neo
Huge sale knocks 73% off this Luminar photo editing software bundle

A chance to get a lifetime license for Luminar Neo and some added bonuses, at a fraction of its original price.

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With smartphone cameras getting better each year, more and more people are getting into the hobby of photography. While smartphones can take some pretty good photos, there's always room for improvement, especially when it comes to what the sensor can capture and also the device's editing software.

Norton 360 Deluxe for 3 Devices w/ VPN and Dark Web Monitor
Protect your devices with 80% off Norton 360 Deluxe on Prime Day

This fantastic deal for Norton 360 Deluxe 2023 comes with a VPN, cloud backup, and dark web monitoring.

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Norton remains at the top of the antivirus and digital security industry, protecting all your devices with its Norton 360 Deluxe edition. Whether you use Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS – its annual plan will protect up to 3 devices at once.

Wi-Fi router with DD-WRT software on a laptop
DD-WRT vs. OpenWrt: Which open-source router firmware should you pick?

Installing a custom firmware on your router gives you more control and longer support than the stock firmware.

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Somewhere between the device in your hand and the server where this article is being stored, there is a router. Physically, a router is mostly a compact computer with software specifically tailored to directing network traffic to the proper device. Routers have also inherited some other tasks like such as preventing unwanted traffic from entering your local network with a firewall, deciding which type of traffic should be prioritized with a QoS, and making the internet wireless with Wi-Fi support.

Computer, tablet, and phone with UPDF on the screen.

There’s no denying that Portable Document Format files (PDFs) are a crucial part of functioning in an online world. Be it for professional, personal, or creative projects, PDFs allow users to send and access documents regardless of their operating system. They also allow creators to preserve document formatting for optimal viewing.

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