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

Update drivers to fix Bluetooth and stop your PC crashing

Facebook to ban false vaccine claims

Make Amazon pay to collect old products, insist MPs

Govt downgrades 2025 gigabit target

IN BRIEF

Type quick ‘actions’ into Chrome to bypass Settings

‘Mute’ & ‘unmute’ are words of the year

New UK watchdog to give you more control over your data

Young people continue to switch off the BBC

Will online shopping kill the Saturday post? • Royal Mail wants to deliver more parcels and fewer letters

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

Letters • Tell us what’s on your mind

Consumer active • We stand up for your legal rights

Grow Your Family Tree • Want future generations to continue your research? Nick Peers reveals the best ways to…

Best Free Software • Will Stapley recommends new programs that won’t cost you anything

WHAT SHOULD I DOWNLOAD? • We tell you what software & apps to use

ExifTool • Will Stapley reveals why this powerful Command Prompt tool needs to be respected

Named & Shamed • Jonathan Parkyn puts the boot into tech villains, jargonspouting companies and software stuffed with junk

Zoostorm Ryzen 5 Pro 4650G

Apple iPad Air (2020)

Reviews

HP Neverstop Laser 1202nw

Crucial P5 2TB

Apple iPhone 12

Google Pixel 5

Fitbit Versa 3

On Sale Mon 4 Jan

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

Win 1 of 5 • devolo WiFi ac Repeater+

HOW TO… Run PC tasks automatically using batch files

Share files with a group of people in one click

Record TV shows on YouView using your phone

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

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

Make Windows Better • Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better • Top tips for MS Office & LibreOffice

Have a Skype chat with 100 members • Run a club or society? Here's how your tech can make it easier

Microsoft Pluton • How your computer will avoid spectres and meltdowns in future

GET YOUR FASTEST EVER WI-FI IN 2021 • Suffering with slowWi-Fi upstairs?Want to banish blackspots for good?Will Stapley reveals the tricks he used to supercharge hisWi-Fi, and howyou can do the same

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Best new software you should’ve downloaded in 2020 • Despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus, this has been a bumper year for software. Will Stapley reveals the 12 new and updated tools that you should install now to improve your computing in 2021

Open all your old office files • Having trouble opening an old document or spreadsheet? Jonathan Parkyn explains how to access vintage file formats safely

Problems Solved • Our experts solve all your tech problems

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

Sync his OneDrive files and folders • As he hops between coffee shops looking for decent Wi-Fi and muffins, Daniel Booth tries to…