Here's how: A dozen technology tips, tricks and tweaks

Trying to figure out how to do something? The odds are, we have a detailed answer here on ZDNet. In this gallery, we spotlight 12 of our best and most popular how-to articles by our top contributors.

Want some very cool tricks (and helpful tips) for getting the most out of your Amazon Echo? You're in the right place. David Gewirtz has updated his original 2015 article with a dozen handy how-tos you're sure to use right away.

• Read: A dozen helpful Amazon Echo how-to tips and tricks

If you've spent years mastering the ins and outs of Windows Update, prepare to do some unlearning. Windows 10, with its emphasis on "Windows as a service," rewrites almost all the rules of updates and upgrades. Here's what you need to know.

• Read: FAQ: How to manage Windows 10 updates

Microsoft's much-hyped free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ended in 2016, right? Not exactly. The GWX tool may be gone, but other upgrade tools still work, and the end result is an apparently valid digital license. But those offers could end soon.

• Read: Here's how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade

Having trouble with your internet? Here's how to find out what's happening with your network connection.

• Read: How to check up and fix your internet connection

Are you a Windows power-user? You can get and install Linux Mint on your PC -- either to try it out or as a replacement for Windows.

• Read: How to install Linux Mint on your Windows PC

Got a pile of old drives that you need to wipe before sending them to Silicon Heaven? Or do you want to wipe a drive in a computer that you are selling or giving away? Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the job done.

• Read: How to securely erase hard drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs)

Doing a clean install of Windows used to be a tedious process that could take the better part of a day. With Windows 10 and cloud-based software and services, you can get the entire job done in an hour or less.

• How to set up a new Windows 10 PC perfectly in one hour or less

Apple is now offering to swap the battery in older iPhone's for $29. But will having this done speed up your device? We'll tell you in this helpful article.

• Read: How to tell if your iPhone battery needs replacing

A virtual private network can go a long way to make sure that your ISP -- or anyone else -- can snoop on what you do on the internet. If you want to learn how to use a VPN, this article is for you.

• Read: How to use a VPN to protect your internet privacy

One of the most confusing, intimidating parts of installing Linux for dual-booting with Windows is the disk partitioning required. We take you through the process, step-by-step.

• Read: How to: Disk partitioning for Linux and Windows dual-booting

Google Chrome is the browser of choice for many ZDNet readers, but it does have a habit of consuming a lot of system RAM. And sometimes it feels a bit sluggish. Fortunately, these problems are easy to fix. We show you how.

• Read: Make Google Chrome faster, reduce how much RAM it uses, and be more productive

Want to make sure you have a local or backup copy of all that mission-critical business and personal history in your Gmail archives? David Gewirtz takes you through an array of options in this helpful article.

• Read: The 2018 ultimate guide to Gmail backup