AskBob's Best of 2025 - Part One

Your Favorite AskBob Stories of 2025

As always, there were some key concepts that dominated the year in tech. Security... Privacy... Artificial Intelligence... Those phrases, along with tips, tricks and computer troubleshooting advice also popped up often in the most popular items published here during 2025. Whether you're a long-time reader, or a recent subscriber, I'm sure you'll enjoy reviewing the first installment of my "Top Ten" list below. Part Two will be arriving soon...

1. New PC? Do These 12 Things Now...

Setting up a new computer is something to get excited about. It’s tempting to open the box, plug it in, start it up, and just begin exploring. But a new PC requires some initial fine-tuning in order to optimize performance and avoid problems later on. Here is my list of things you should do to a new desktop or laptop PC as soon as it comes out of the box. If you've recently purchased a new PC, or you're planning to get a new computer because Microsoft says yours is "obsolete", then you'll want to follow the steps below to get the most from your new computer.

2. [RECOMMENDED] 10 Free Software Programs

If your computer is new, or you're looking to spiff up your current model, it's a good idea to remove all those non-essential programs that came preloaded, and then install the best freeware for everyday computing. Here are some of my top free software recommendations for your computer. There are thousands of free programs available online. But there are only a select few that I consider essential, and I download them to every new computer. From security to web browsing, to graphics, productivity, and troubleshooting, here are ten of the most popular and useful free downloads.

3. Windows 10 is Obsolete, And I Feel Fine!

The official end of support for Windows 10 might sound like the beginning of a digital apocalypse. Microsoft has been preparing users for the big shift to Windows 11 for years, and now, with the October 14 2025 "end-of-life" date having come and gone, the alarm bells are ringing everywhere. The official line from the nice folks at Microsoft has been “Upgrade now or risk disaster!” But if you’re a level-headed, safety-minded computer user, the reality is far less dire. Yes, Windows 10 is technically obsolete, having been around since July 2015. But in that time, it has received 14 major feature updates, and hundreds of patches to improve stability and security. I'm sticking with Windows 10. Read on to learn why, and if you should, too.

4. Turbocharge Your Browser (Chrome and Edge tips)

Google's Chrome browser is the most popular, with a dominant worldwide market share. Perhaps you've been using it for years, but there's always a new trick to discover. And now that Microsoft Edge is built on the same Chromium codebase, they look and work much the same. Read on to learn about some awesome, advanced, and semi-secret features of Chrome, Edge (and other Chromium-based browsers) that can make them even more useful. If you want to improve your browser savvy, boost your productivity, or just score a few geek points at your next gathering, try some of these Chrome and Edge browser tips, and commit them to memory. If you feel generous, you might even share this page with your tech-challenged friends.

5. 12 Identity Theft Mistakes (how many have you made?)

According to a report produced by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity theft affected over 15 million U.S. consumers last year, with losses over $23 billion. Spikes have been noted in 'new account fraud' and 'account takeover fraud' -- two of the most damaging types of ID theft. Read on for my tips on avoiding fraud and identity theft, and see if you've made any mistakes that can make it easier for scammers to victimize you. Identity theft is one of the most traumatic non-violent crimes to which one can fall victim. When a crook uses your good name to commit fraud or robbery, the impact on your reputation, employability, and credit is severe, and can last for years. It's even possible to find yourself arrested for crimes you did not commit. Avoiding certain common mistakes is your first line of defense.

6. Here's Why You Should X-Ray Your Computer

Do you know what's going on under the hood of your PC or Mac? Most people don’t, and most of the time they don’t need to know. But there are occasions when a detailed inventory of a computer’s components comes in handy. Read on to learn some surprising reasons why you SHOULD know what's going on inside your computer, even if you're NOT a techie. These software tools will let you “x-ray” your PC, so you can see what's inside without touching a screwdriver. Why would you want to know what's inside that plastic and metal box you call a computer? I can think of several good reasons. Here are a few of them...

7. What is the Worst Place to Buy a Smartphone?

Three armed men entered a Verizon phone store in a Cleveland suburb. After restraining an employee with zip ties, they grabbed some cash, merchandise and left. One suspect was quickly captured. And then, the real robbery began. Or perhaps I should say, it continued. Buying a smartphone today can feel like a minefield. With dozens of outlets, ranging from mobile carrier stores to big box retailers, to online marketplaces, and trade-in options, the choice can directly affect how much you pay, the warranty you get, and the headaches you may face later. The question is: What are the BEST and WORST places to buy a smartphone? To find out, let’s compare the main buying channels. Read on to see why retail phone stores are not a great place to buy a phone, and other pitfalls to avoid.

8. [TIP] Try These Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Check out these handy Windows 10 and 11 keyboard shortcuts that can save time, wrist motions, and for some people, carpal tunnel pain. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of two or more keys (or a key and a mouse button) that, when pressed simultaneously, perform a task that would normally require moving the mouse around, clicking, and possibly navigating sub-menus. There's even a useful super-secret keystroke that very few people know! There are 100 or more Windows keyboard shortcuts built into the operating system, and some are new with Windows 11. Here are some keyboard shortcuts you should know, and try for yourself.

9. Did AI Write That? Here’s How You Can Tell!

In the last few years, artificial intelligence has gone from a sci-fi curiosity to a tool that writes news articles, business reports, social media posts, and even poetry. But as AI writing becomes more common, so does the question: How can you tell if something was written by AI instead of a human? While it’s not always easy to be 100% sure, there are certain clues you can look for. It turns out there are some tell-tale signs. Here are some of those signs to look for when detecting AI-generated text.

10. 17 Signs Your PC May Be Obsolete

An AskBob reader says: 'Our home computer is about five years old, and one friend says it's already obsolete. He says it will soon be unsupported, and advises us to buy a new computer with a faster CPU, more memory, bigger hard drive, larger monitor, and a new operating system. Do I really need to do all that? Can you give me some of the pros and cons of upgrading versus buying a new computer?' Sure, check out my list of reasons why your PC might be obsolete, or in need of some upgrades.

I hope you enjoy reading (or re-discovering) each of these, and of course, leave your own comments! If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for AskBob Updates, or forward this to a friend who would enjoy it. See Part Two of AskBob's Best of 2025!