A good gaming chair is a well-considered investment for many, as it usually costs a little more than a normal office chair. However, it also fulfils many functions that go beyond just sitting and scores points with its ergonomics and stylish lighting, for example.

But what should you do if you are no longer happy with your gaming chair? Take it apart, dispose of it and forget about it? Not necessarily, because perhaps your gaming chair would benefit from an upgrade.

To get the best out of your gaming chair, we have selected some interesting accessory options. Unless otherwise stated, most of the products should be suitable for all common manufacturers.

Further reading: Why a great gaming setup needs more than just a powerful PC

Option 1: Neck, lumbar or seat cushion for more ergonomics

Most gaming chairs are already very ergonomic and, in addition to a shape adapted to the spine, also have other aids. These include a good neck cushion that supports the head if you want to lean backwards.

The manufacturer Noblechairs, for example, offers a comfortable cushion made of memory foam that adapts to the shape of the head and can be attached to the chair with a drawstring. This is available for just $35.

You should also provide optimum support for your lower back if you are sitting for long periods of time. A separate lumbar cushion is recommended here if the gaming chair does not already have a function. The Razer brand offers a high-quality memory foam cushion that should fit any chair. However, to be on the safe side, check the dimensions in case your chair is narrower or wider than the gaming chairs from Razer.

Last but not least, there’s the part you actually sit on. The seat of many gaming chairs is made from materials that are both comfortable and supportive. However, if you still find that it becomes uncomfortable or causes pain, an orthopedic seat cushion can help. Cushions for the armrests can also help you to adopt a better posture when typing.

Option 2: Footrest, new castors and mat for more support

If you look at the lower part of a gaming chair, you will notice room for improvement. Firstly, the legs should always be at right angles to the floor, but this is not always the case.

If the height adjustment doesn’t help because the chair doesn’t fit your height perfectly, you should get a footrest. These are available from Secret Lab, for example, although they are a little expensive, or cheaper on Amazon with a warming cover that also helps against cold feet in winter.

If you are annoyed that the gaming chair only has cheap plastic castors or makes a lot of noise when rolling, you can usually replace them. However, make sure you buy the correct diameter so that the castors fit when you attach them.

It may also be a good idea to get a floor protection mat to prevent further wear and tear on the floor or castors. As a rule, these are also non-slip and do not have to look as boring as normal carpets, but can be provided with a wide variety of designs such as those from Sharkoon.

Sharkoon

Sharkoon

Sharkoon

Option 3: A chicer look thanks to personalized patches, covers or LED lighting

If you also value the look, you can personalize your gaming chair even further than just during the ordering process. At Backforce, for example, you can order personalized patches that you can apply to any chair with a fabric cover.

Speaking of covers, if you’re not happy with the color of your gaming chair, you can also get a cover for it. This protects the chair from stains or damage caused by cat claws.

If you prefer a more colorful look, you can also equip your gaming chair with additional LED lighting, if this is not already available. You can use conventional light strips from Amazon and stick them to the side of the chair for a cool lighting effect.

Chernishev Maksim / Shutterstock.com

Chernishev Maksim / Shutterstock.com

Chernishev Maksim / Shutterstock.com

Option 4: Extra gadgets such as a cup holder or controller hanger

If you don’t have much space at your desk, you can outfit your gaming chair with places to store drinks, controllers, or headsets. The DXRacer brand, for example, offers a built-in cup holder for its chairs, although this is compatible with only specific models.

The manufacturer, Thrustmaster, also offers a wild-looking design that allows joysticks to be mounted directly on the armrests of the gaming chair. This makes you feel like you’re in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon or something. Again, make sure that the seat mount is compatible with your chair.

On June 25th, Microsoft released KB5039302 for Windows 11, a patch that brings a few small improvements for users, which are fully described in the official changelog.

This patch distinguishes between changes that Microsoft is gradually rolling out to users and improvements that the software company is rolling out to everyone in one fell swoop.

The gradual rollout changes

First up, this update adds a new “Game Pass” recommendation card to the Settings home page. The change affects both Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, but is usually only displayed if you’re logged in with your Microsoft account and actively playing.

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Windows 11 Pro

Emoji 15.1 support is also a new addition. Windows now supports the Unicode symbol-like shapes for various family constellations, plus several brand-new emojis (namely horizontal and vertical head shaking, phoenix, lime, brown mushroom, and a broken chain).

The “Show desktop” button is also back in the taskbar by default. To change this, right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings to adjust the taskbar behavior.

This patch also incorporates some minor changes to File Explorer. Microsoft writes the following:

You can now create 7-Zip and Tape Archive (TAR) files via the context menu. If you right-click on a file, you can use the Compress to file option to compress it using tools such as gzip, bzip2, and others.

There is also a new compression wizard in the additional options. It helps you to select additional formats and add details. You can use different compression types to add many files to archives in other TAR formats. You can also change the compression level and select the data types to be stored in each archive.

It’s now also possible to copy files from the Windows Share window. Simply click on the new Copy button.

This update also marks the start of the rollout of the new Account Manager in the Start menu. When you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, you’ll see an overview of your account benefits. This feature also allows you to easily manage your account settings.

The immediate rollout changes

In contrast to the previous changes, there are a few minor changes that are rolling out right away to everyone who installs the update.

Among other things, Microsoft is fixing a problem with the Snipping Tool, which only recorded distorted sound while recording video. Other bug fixes concern the safe ejection of USB devices.

To install this Windows 11 update, you can select “Check for updates” on your PC or contact the usual Microsoft sharing channels.

Microsoft has made a questionable change in Windows 11 that takes away your freedom of choice for OneDrive backups.

Without prior notice or explanation, Microsoft now force activates the automatic folder backup with OneDrive feature when you set up a new computer, all without asking you for permission.

When you set up a new Windows computer while connected to the internet and using a Microsoft account, you usually see OneDrive on your desktop. The app synchronizes data from folders—such as images, documents, music, and videos—which can be useful in certain cases.

Related story: Microsoft blocks popular method to install Windows 11 without an account

In the worst-case scenario, however, you may set up Windows and immediately be confronted with a desktop that’s cluttered with files and folders. This is likely to cause all kinds of frustration.

Previously, you had to explicitly activate automatic folder backups, and Microsoft would ping you with recurring notifications to remind you of the feature if it wasn’t enabled.

Now, however, Microsoft seems to have assumed that everyone wants OneDrive backups activated by default, thus forcing it on without exception. You may not even realize it until you set up a new computer and suddenly see all your old files again.

How to deactivate OneDrive backups

If you don’t want your Windows computer to back up everything on your desktop—or in other folders—to OneDrive, you can deactivate it:

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Windows 11 Pro

Right-click on the OneDrive icon at the bottom right of your taskbar notification area. (If you can’t find the icon directly, you may need to expand the field by clicking the little arrow.) Then, go to the settings gear icon and select Settings.

Click the Sync and backup section in the left sidebar, then select Manage backup. Now deactivate all the folders that you don’t want backed up to OneDrive, then confirm the changes.

If you have an older version of OneDrive with the classic tabbed interface, go to the Backup tab and click Manage backup and then Stop backup. You will need to confirm the setting again.

Alternatively, you can uninstall OneDrive altogether if you don’t want to use automatic backups at all. This would be the simplest solution, but Microsoft might not like it at all.

More on this: The best Microsoft OneDrive tricks you should know

In September 2023, Microsoft announced the surprising end of their free text editing program. For many, WordPad was a simple but useful alternative to Microsoft Word—but it will no longer be offered in future versions of Windows.

Windows 11 24H2 will mark the final end for WordPad, as the AI features of that Windows version will delete legacy features like the free text editors. The update is due to be released this fall.

You’ll likely be better off switching to other free apps such as LibreOffice, but it just won’t be the same. If you find that you still prefer WordPad and want to keep using it, here’s a method you can use.

How to get WordPad back in Windows 11

It’s not that difficult to bring WordPad back to Windows 11. All you need is the appropriate files from an older version of Windows before 24H2, one that still supports WordPad. (The folder for WordPad should still be present in 24H2, but without the wordpad.exe.)

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Windows 11 Pro

On a Windows computer of your choice with Windows 11 version 23H2 or older, enter this file path in the address bar of Explorer:

C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories

Here, you’ll see three things: WordpadFilter.dll, wordpad.exe, and a localization folder (e.g., en-US).

Copy all three to a USB stick or external data drive. Take it to the computer that no longer has WordPad, then paste everything into any folder. It doesn’t matter where, but we recommend choosing a permanent location and creating a new folder called WordPad.

After everything is pasted, right-click on the wordpad.exe file in the folder and select Show more options. Go to Send to and then Desktop (create shortcut) to create a shortcut.

Copy the newly created shortcut and go here in Explorer:

C:\Program Files\Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Program Files

Paste the shortcut there and rename it if necessary.

Next, open the Start menu, click All apps, and scroll down to find WordPad. Now you can pin it to the Start menu or the taskbar. (This last step is necessary because WordPad won’t appear in the search results if it was installed this way.)

You should also specify in the app settings that WordPad can be used to open documents. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and select WordPad from the list. For example, you can open all RTF documents with WordPad.

Further reading: The best open source apps for Windows

Is this method safe for WordPad in Windows 11 24H2?

Installing WordPad in Windows 11 is safe because you’re using official Microsoft files. However, you should be aware that WordPad won’t receive any feature or security updates in future versions of Windows.

So, if the app becomes buggy or incompatible with other elements over time, you will have no choice but to give up WordPad. It’s also possible that documents from newer Microsoft Office versions will no longer be able to be opened with WordPad at some point.

Until then, however, you can at least keep using and making the most of this free text editor for now with this method.

Keep reading: These Windows features are disappearing soon

Amazon recently announced that this year’s Prime Day will take place on Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17. Prime Gaming members can once again look forward to a number of offers.

But there’s already a lot to get in the run-up to Prime Day. With Prime Gaming, you can get a total of 15 PC games completely free of charge from now until July 16.

Here’s an overview of all the free titles with their respective launch dates:

• Deceive Inc – available now
• Tearstone: Thieves of the Heart – available now
• The Invisible Hand – available now
• Call of Juarez – available now
• Forager – from June 27
• Card Shark – from June 27
• Heaven Dust 2 – from June 27
• Soulstice – from June 27
• Wall World – from July 3
• Hitman: Absolution – from July 3
• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood – from July 3
• STAR WARS™: Knights of the Old Republic™ II – The Sith Lords – from July 3
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge – from July 3
• Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX – from July 3
• Samurai Bringer – from July 3

Which Prime Gaming titles are worthwhile?

Which of these games are worthwhile depends on your own taste, of course. Hitman is always a fun, murderous puzzle!.

The action game Soulstice could also be worthwhile. Even though the title was somewhat under the radar at the time of its release, you get action-packed battles and an exciting setting in which two sisters have to prove themselves in boss battles against fantasy creatures.

For fans of the old school, there’s also Call of Juarez and Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. The acclaimed game series from Techland delights with an intense western experience, including duels with classic shooting irons.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II is also highly recommended if you like old-school role-playing games. The ‘Star Wars’ setting is of course also a plus point, as you can wield a lightsaber as a Jedi or alternatively attack your enemies with laser pistols.

How do I get the free games?

To get all the free games, you need a Prime subscription that is valid for this period. (Head here for a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial.) Then all you have to do is go to the Prime Gaming page and pick up free codes for the titles shown until the end of the promotion.

You can then redeem the codes on popular gaming platforms such as Steam, Epic, or the Amazon Games app.

Everyone knows the CAPCHA tests on websites where you either have to click on numerous pictures of cars, traffic lights, or bicycles, enter confusing combinations of numbers and letters or simply click to confirm that you’re not a robot. There used to be so many of these tests that it was downright annoying, especially if you needed several attempts.

But have you ever asked yourself whether a robot or an AI could also pass these tests? How does the CAPTCHA know that it was filled in by a human? And what does the term even stand for? Let’s clear up this mystery.

What does CAPTCHA stand for?

The word CAPTCHA stands for “completely automated public Turing Test to tell computers and humans apart” and is therefore a term for an automated, public Turing Test to distinguish humans from computers.

The term Turing Test was coined by Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist who wanted to use certain methods to test whether machines can think and act like humans. Turing tests can also be used to test AIs for creativity and awareness.

CAPTCHAs have been around since 2000 and are deliberately designed to sound similar to “capture,” as they are primarily used to intercept and filter out bots on websites, for example to avoid spam or prevent automated purchases by bots.

How does a CAPTCHA test work?

CAPTCHAs are usually quite simple, but always require you to fulfil a task. Sometimes you have to recognize certain letters and numbers that have been distorted and enter them manually. In other cases, you have to recognize certain patterns on pictures such as the existence of traffic lights, bridges, or animals.

The tests are always randomized. After reloading the website, a different task should appear each time. This is intended to avoid repetition, which would make it easier for bots to circumvent the system.

It used to be difficult for computers to solve CAPTCHAs, as certain algorithms had to be built in to reliably recognize patterns. However, the constant progress in the use of artificial intelligence has now made it possible for bots to solve these tests easily.

ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com

ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com

ninefotostudio / Shutterstock.com

So, how does Captcha know that I’m not a robot?

This brings us to the previous question of how CAPTCHAs can still work today, even if they’re generally used less frequently than in the past.

There’s a simple solution to this: moving the mouse. Modern CAPTCHAs use movement tracking to track the movement of the cursor. When a person moves the mouse, the route of the cursor is practically never the same. The movement is never the same speed. Bots, on the other hand, automatically click on CAPTCHA boxes or images in a perfect straight line (for example, from bottom to top directly to the box). Websites can recognize this and block access.

Occasionally, you may have to click on a box that says “I am not a robot” and then solve a more complex CAPTCHA with images again. This is because your mouse movement might’ve been more “robotic.” So next time, try a little more swerving to make it clear that you’re a human.

Windows 10 continues to enjoy overwhelming popularity as an operating system, not least because many users prefer its features and designs to Windows 11.

In addition to the changed taskbar, Start menu, and many other new features, many users also don’t like the new File Explorer in Windows 11. Fortunately, there is a simple trick to bring back the old design from Windows 10.

Further reading: How to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10

How to get the Windows 10 File Explorer in Windows 11

This simple trick does not require you to make any complicated changes to registry entries or anything else. In fact, it’s so simple that a Reddit user called The_Blank_Spot discovered it more or less by accident.

To open the old File Explorer, all you have to do is go to your PC’s Control Panel and then switch to System and Security. There, select Windows Tools, which will automatically display the Windows File Explorer interface.

Windows 11 Pro

If you now leave the Windows Tools area again and click on any drive or folder in the left-hand window area, you will see the old File Explorer again. The new File Explorer from Windows 11 opens in parallel, allowing you to easily compare the two versions.

You can also the classic File Explorer first, and then its Windows 11 counterpart by right-clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar. This procedure does not affect the stability of your system, nor does it completely replace the modern File Explorer in Windows 11.

It is currently not entirely clear in which Windows 11 versions this procedure works. Some users have commented that the trick did not work for them in Windows 11 Pro 23H2, although we’re seeing it on an updated laptop with Windows 11 Home installed. However, it could also be a hidden legacy system in Windows 11 that has been retained in favor of better functionality.

Why the old File Explorer is better

All well and good, but why would you even want to go back to the classic File Explorer? There’s an equally simple reason.

Microsoft introduced a controversial change with Windows 11’s big 2023 update and abolished an important function of File Explorer. Since then, it has no longer been possible to drag and drop files into the address bar.

Many users sorely miss this option and could now get a piece of the old File Explorer back with the trick described here.

Further reading: Windows 11 power tip – How to use the old task manager

Before PC users can enjoy everything Windows 11 has on tap, they must first enter an e-mail address that’s linked to a Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, you’ll be asked to create one before you can start setting it up.

A frequently used trick to circumvent this block is a small but ingenious step. By entering a random e-mail address and password, which doesn’t exist and causes the link to fail, you end up directly with the creation of a local account and can thus avoid creating an official account with Microsoft.

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Windows 11 Pro

Many users prefer this method, as a local account promises more control over their own data and more privacy. However, without a Microsoft account, some useful functions are also lost such as account backup or special features for apps like Copilot.

This common method no longer seems to work, as Microsoft has apparently patched this bug. Instead of skipping the account link, you’re led into a kind of continuous loop that doesn’t end until you have entered the correct email address.

Previously, it was possible to cut the Internet connection in the Task Manager before creating an account. Microsoft has since removed this workaround. As a result, many people who previously used this method are now forced to enter a working Microsoft account email address and password or use other methods.

Bypassing Microsoft account restrictions

Another method of bypassing the account lockdown still exists. You simply have to enter OOBE\BYPASSNRO in the command prompt during the Windows 11 setup process, which allows you to skip the connection to the Internet and thus also the link to a Microsoft account.

However, it’s questionable how long this option will remain available. It seems that Microsoft is aiming to make the use of Windows 11 dependent on a Microsoft account. In combination with the increased calls for Windows users to finally switch to Windows 11, this appears to be a controversial combination.

This article originally appeared on PC Welt and has been translated from German to English.

Just a few weeks after an extensive attack on Eventim, another report of stolen accounts on a ticket site has emerged.

As Bleepingcomputer reports, there’s been a huge data leak at Ticketmaster and now millions of customers are at risk of their personal data being sold illegally online.

According to the report, a hacker known as ShinyHunters has put up the personal and financial information of a total of 560 million Ticketmaster customers for sale on the hacker forum BreachForums — and he’s asking $500,000 USD for it.

The data reportedly includes full customer names, private addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, as well as information on ticket sales, orders, and credit card numbers.

The estimated time period of this data goes back to 2012, but also affects Ticketmaster’s current databases.

Ticketmaster data allegedly about to be sold

ShinyHunters told BleepingComputer that there are already some interested buyers, one of them allegedly Ticketmaster itself. He didn’t answer the question of when and how the data was stolen, but there are clear indications that the data is genuine. (Ticketmaster has not yet officially confirmed the authenticity of this data.)

According to statistics, Ticketmaster’s website has over 116 million users worldwide every month. The last data hack on the company took place in 2018, when around five percent of all Ticketmaster data was stolen. British customers in particular were affected.

Further reading: How to check if your email address is being misused

How do I know if I am affected?

It isn’t yet possible to say for certain how many people have actually been affected by the Ticketmaster data leak. As a precaution, however, you should check whether you still have access to your account and you should also change your password.

We’re still waiting for a statement from Ticketmaster to be able to assess the next steps. In the meantime, see our guide on how to protect your digital accounts from hackers.

On May 29, Microsoft began rolling out an unscheduled update for Windows 11. Patch KB5037853 is currently still optional, but the changes are expected to be applied to everyone during June’s Patch Tuesday.

The new features in Windows 11’s patch KB5037853 include:

• Account management improvements
• Sharing updates
• Personalization options

What’s changing in Windows 11 account management

Windows 11 now provides a page called “Add linked devices” in the settings under Accounts. There you can see and manage all PCs and Xbox consoles that are linked to the system.

However, this option is only available for the Home and Pro editions if you sign in to Windows with your Microsoft account.

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Windows 11 Pro

The new Account Manager is now in the Start menu for easier management of account settings. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows, you can get an overview of your account benefits here. In the Start menu, you can also enter an email address to recover your account.

You can now also save your sound settings and transfer them to another device. This is in the settings under Accounts, then Windows backup. There you need to tick the box next to “Save my settings” and also activate the boxes next to Personalization and “Other Windows settings.”

With the new update, it’s also possible to sign in to your Microsoft account in the Windows Backup app. This app saves backups to your account.

Changes to sharing in Windows 11

The new update also brings additional features for sharing under Windows 11, like preventing you from accidentally closing the Windows sharing window when you click outside the window.

It’s also now possible to send emails to yourself via the Windows sharing window. (You’ll receive the email at the email address in your Microsoft account.) You can also create QR codes for website URLs and cloud files directly from the Windows sharing window.

Other features in the update

Once the patch is installed, you can use the mouse to drag files between breadcrumbs in the File Explorer address bar. This makes it easier to navigate under Windows 11. The update also simplifies operation via voice input in apps and on the web.

Last but not least, the KB5037853 update for Windows 11 fixes a few bugs. The complete list of changes can be found on the corresponding support page.

When Windows 11 arrived on the market in October 2021, it was supposed to revolutionize the popular operating system. Unfortunately for Microsoft, many users still prefer Windows 10 as the better option for their everyday PCs and refuse to switch.

Indeed, the numbers for Windows 11 are continuing to decline and Windows 10 continues to dominate.

Microsoft doesn’t like this, of course, and is using various methods to urge users to switch to Windows 11. In addition to the threatening messages about the end of support for numerous Windows 10 versions and the pop-ups on Windows computers that still aren’t running Windows 11, there’s now yet another clue.

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Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft recently updated its official support page to further emphasize the disadvantages of Windows 10 compared to Windows 11.

Hanging over everything is the notice that “support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025” and “Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows 10.” This would leave the system vulnerable to malware attacks and other threats.

In other words, Microsoft is emphasizing that switching to Windows 11 is the safest way forward. When comparing the two operating systems, Microsoft explicitly emphasizes the advantages of Windows 11 for things like backing up and restoring data.

Of course, personal preferences—like the Windows 10 interface or the gaming optimizations in Windows 10—are ignored. The increasingly controversial AI features and ads in the Start Menu are also cause for hesitation when switching to Windows 11.

Further reading: Hey, everyone: It’s time to switch to Windows 11

Continuing to use Windows 10 costs money

Is the switch to Windows 11 inevitable? Not quite.

Microsoft offers a solution if you prefer Windows 10 (or you’re stuck with Window 10 because your PC isn’t eligible for Windows 11 due to not meeting its hardware requirements).

You can opt for the “Extended Security Updates” program, which guarantees further security updates but no feature updates. Unfortunately, Microsoft is going to charge quite a bit for this option, especially for companies.

Microsoft will charge $61 USD per device in the first year after support ends. From the second year onwards, that’ll climb to $122 USD. Then, in the third year, a whopping $244 USD. Companies with a certain number of employees or more will inevitably incur costs.

There’s currently no ESU program pricing plan for private users, but you can assume that you’ll be able to use Windows 10 until the end of 2028 at the latest—if you’re willing to accept additional costs.

All in all, Microsoft wants to convince users of Windows 11. Statistics show that Windows 10 had already achieved an adoption rate of 85 percent around five years after its release. Windows 11, on the other hand, currently only has an adoption rate of around 26 percent.

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Windows 11 Pro

On June 26, 2024 Facebook will change its privacy policy with regard to generative AI features such as Meta AI. From that point on, posts and photos from all users will be read by the AI to help train them and improve services such as the AI Creative Tool. Meta is currently providing information about this on Facebook.

Private messages will not be affected, only public texts and images. Nevertheless, many users may be sceptical about this new regulation due to data protection concerns or for personal reasons.

Meta emphasizes that every user has the “right to object.” We explain below how you can object to the use of your data.

What do the new Facebook guidelines mean?

Firstly, an explanation of the specific consequences of the policy. Anyone who does not lodge an objection automatically consents to the use of their data by Meta. This means that Meta may use all information shared with the public to feed and train its AI models with the data. This is intended to teach the AIs to generate better texts and images.

The following content is then affected:

• Public posts on Facebook
• Posted photos and captions
• Messages to AI chatbots from Facebook

Meta cites “legitimate interest” as the legal basis for the new regulation and therefore assumes that the use of the data will help both the company and the user. For example, by enabling Facebook to make better suggestions or improve services such as the AI Creative Tool. AI can also be used to moderate posts on Facebook.

Whether you also see these improvements as an advantage and want to help train Meta’s AI services is up to you.

How do I object to the new policy?

In order to prevent your data from being used by Meta, you must expressly object. This can be done using a specific form that can be found on this Facebook help page.

Enter your place of residence, your email address, and a reason for the objection. Possible reasons could be concerns about data protection, a general concern about the use of AI, or the belief that the use of your data will be helpful neither for Meta nor for you as a user.

Meta is obliged to review the objection and assess it in accordance with applicable data protection laws. But beware: Even if the objection is upheld, Facebook may still use a small portion of your data for AI training, for example when other people share content from you or mention you in posts.

The use of user data for AI training was already foreseeable toward the end of last year. However, the new regulations are now coming into effect for the first time. You still have until the end of June to submit an objection in order to be exempt.

Further reading: I changed these 11 Facebook settings, and you should too

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

Many people need to learn how to use a smartphone properly. After all, these all-rounder devices require regular maintenance and important updates in order to stay protected against wear and tear as well as attacks.

Turning your phone off completely protects it

Surprisingly, this includes a very basic function that not many people do: switching off the smartphone completely. According to security experts at the NSA, this alone helps to protect the device from some hacking attacks. It is now not only common to gain access to smartphones via malicious links, but also via so-called zero-click exploits.

This involves bypassing the smartphone’s security features step-by-step. Starting with a missed call, then the first installed files, which gradually allow access to the system and tap into information. This usually goes unnoticed, but can fortunately be prevented by completely rebooting the device.

So how often should I turn off my phone?

The simple answer from security experts as to how often a phone should be turned off completely is: at least once a week. In the best case scenario, however, you should remember to reset our phone even more often. This is because, in addition to eliminating the security risk, it also allows the smartphone’s operating system to run all functions smoothly.

By the way: To see how long your device has had to go without switching off, you can easily check the system settings. On Android devices, this can usually be found under “Device” and then “Status.” The uptime is displayed there in hours.

Further reading: Does fast charging hurt your phone battery?

Editor’s note: This article originally published on May 17 but was updated with additional links and context.

The default pasting behavior of Microsoft Word is a nightmare, and has been forever. If you want to add a text or image using the standard option, you can easily mess up the entire formatting in the text if a completely different font suddenly appears. The horror!

After many years of complaints, Microsoft is finally listening to user feedback and changing the default behavior when pasting in Word. From now on, the source’s formatting will no longer be automatically retained. Instead, “Merge formatting” will be the new default for everyone, as Microsoft explained in a blog post this week.

This means that after the update, newly pasted text will take on the font size, font type, and color of the text written in Word. However, special features such as lists or italicized elements will be retained. If you want these elements to be automatically adapted to the Word text, you must select the option “Keep text only”.

How do I change the default behavior for pasting in Word?

To change the default behavior in Word, go to “File,” then “Options,” and finally “Advanced”. There you go to the sub-item “Cut, copy, and paste” and find the option “Paste from other programs.”

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Windows 11 Pro

You can now choose whether you would prefer to revert to the old version with “Keep original formatting”. Or you can select “Keep text only” if you prefer, which removes all formatting whatsoever.

The option is integrated from Word for Windows 2405, Build 17624.20000. However, it is not available for the web version or for Word for Mac.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.