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The Ed Bott Report

Get outspoken insights and expert advice on the products and companies that define today's tech landscape, from a source who knows these technologies inside and out.

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He has served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books, including Windows 10 Inside Out (now in its 4th edition) and Windows 11 Inside Out (scheduled for publication in 2022).

Latest Posts

The best free PC antivirus software

Yes, you really can get third-party antivirus software for free. Before you install one of these packages, check out our recommendations.

April 11, 2023 by Charlie Osborne in Security

How to get started with Mastodon

Now that Twitter is under new (and controversial) management, a decentralized open-source alternative has seen surprising growth. Here's how the Fediverse works and how you can get started.

January 2, 2023 by Ed Bott in Social Media

This free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works. Here's why -- and how to get it

More than six years after Microsoft’s free upgrade offer officially ended, people are still reporting successful Windows 10 upgrades from older machines. Here’s the latest extremely unofficial report.

December 21, 2022 by Ed Bott in Windows 10

Yes, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. Here's how

Microsoft's much-hyped free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ended years ago, right? Not exactly.

December 20, 2022 by Ed Bott in Enterprise Software

When will Microsoft end support for your version of Windows or Office?

"Set it and forget it" is no longer an option for the software that runs your business. For Windows 10, the support clock runs out sooner than you might expect. Here's what you need to know.

December 19, 2022 by Ed Bott in Enterprise Software

You've got Mastodon questions, I've got answers

Mastodon has been attracting Twitter expatriates at a brisk pace. If you've set up an account on this federated social media network, you're probably wondering just how things work. I've been gathering questions from Mastodon newcomers and have some answers here.

December 12, 2022 by Ed Bott in Social Media

Did your TV streaming bill just go up again? Here's why I chose YouTube TV

It's time to assess your options.

December 7, 2022 by Ed Bott in Video Streaming Services

Where do tech pros go for tech support? Here are their top 4 fix-it strategies

If friends and family call you first when they have a tech problem, you need to know where to find reliable answers. I asked some colleagues who do tech support for a living to share their secrets.

November 23, 2022 by Ed Bott in Innovation

Will using a VPN help protect you from malware or ransomware?

There are plenty of good reasons to use a VPN, especially when traveling. But be sure you know exactly where that protection starts and stops.

November 11, 2022 by Ed Bott in VPN

I cut my video streaming bill in half, and so can you

You're spending too much on video streaming services. Here's how to cut your bill dramatically, without cutting out the TV shows you love, in five steps.

November 1, 2022 by Ed Bott in Video Streaming Services

Does disk encryption slow down your PC?

Disk encryption is a powerful security precaution. Is there a downside to it? Here's what you need to know.

October 26, 2022 by Ed Bott in Security

The ultimate Windows troubleshooting trick

If you're bumping into annoying Windows problems, the solution might be easier than you think. Skip the clean install and try an in-place Windows repair installation. It's fast and easy, and the results can be nearly miraculous.

October 21, 2022 by Ed Bott in Windows

How to improve your Windows laptop's battery life

The computer maker that sold you your laptop says its battery will last for 8 hours or more. You're probably never going to see real-world numbers anything like that, but you absolutely can improve battery life with a few simple tricks.

October 20, 2022 by Ed Bott in Productivity

You reset your Windows PC and ended up with Home edition. Here's how to get your Pro upgrade back

When you reset a PC that originally shipped with Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home edition, the activation process might restore that edition. Fortunately, it's easy to restore your Pro upgrade.

October 20, 2022 by Ed Bott in Windows

When you die, what happens to your online accounts if your family can't unlock your phone?

As our lives move increasingly online, our finances and history are hidden behind password-protected accounts. Here's how to get your digital affairs in order so your next of kin can sort things out after you're gone.

October 19, 2022 by Ed Bott in Productivity