I've been helping family members with their tech for years now, and I've noticed something: most tech problems aren't actually hard to solve. They just seem intimidating because nobody explains things in plain English.
So here's my collection of tech tips that every beginner should know. No jargon, no assume-you-know-this stuff. Just practical advice that works.
1. Take Screenshots on Any Device
This is probably the most useful tech skill that nobody talks about. Screenshots let you save information, share what you're seeing, and troubleshoot problems.
Windows: Press Windows + Shift + S. It opens a tool that lets you select exactly what you want to capture.
Mac: Press Command + Shift + 4. Same thing — select the area you want.
iPhone: Press the side button + volume up button at the same time.
Android: Press the power button + volume down button (varies slightly by phone).
2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords (The Right Way)
I know, I know. You've heard this a thousand times. But here's the thing — you don't need to remember 50 different passwords. You just need a password manager.
My favorite is Bitwarden. It's free, open-source, and works everywhere. Here's how to use it:
- Download the app or browser extension
- Create one master password (make it good — you only need to remember this one)
- Let the app generate and save passwords for every site
- Log in with one click
Your passwords are encrypted, synced across devices, and you never have to remember them again.
3. Clear Browser Cache When Things Act Weird
Is a website not loading right? Is it running slow? Is it showing an old version of a page? The fix is usually simple: clear your browser cache.
Here's how on each browser:
- Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac)
- Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + Delete
- Safari: Command + Option + E, then Command + Option + Delete
Select "Cached images and files" and hit clear. Problem solved.
4. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Work Faster
Let me save you hours of time with these three shortcuts:
- Ctrl + Z (or Command + Z on Mac): Undo anything. Made a mistake? Hit this.
- Ctrl + Tab: Switch between browser tabs super fast
- Windows + D (or Command + F3 on Mac): Instantly show desktop
These seem small, but using them hundreds of times a day adds up to real time savings.
5. Back Up Your Stuff (Before Disaster Strikes)
I learned this the hard way. Lost photos, documents, everything in a computer crash. Don't be me.
The easiest backup solution:
- Cloud backup: Use Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive. Set it to automatically sync your important folders.
- External drive: Buy a cheap external SSD and copy important files there monthly.
If you only do one thing from this list, make it this one.
6. Close Tabs You're Not Using
Those 47 tabs you have open? They're slowing down your computer. Each tab uses memory, even if you're not looking at it.
Quick tip: if you need to save tabs for later, use the bookmark function or an extension like OneTab. It compresses all your tabs into a list and frees up memory.
7. Update Your Software
I know updates are annoying. They pop up at the worst times and take forever. But here's the thing — most updates include security fixes that protect you from hackers.
Set your devices to update automatically. Yes, it might occasionally cause issues, but the alternative is much worse.
8. Use "Incognito Mode" for Quick Privacy
When you use incognito or private browsing mode, your browser doesn't save your history, cookies, or form data. It's useful for:
- Logging into multiple accounts (like two Gmail accounts at once)
- Using someone else's computer
- Searching without affecting your results
It's not total privacy — your employer, internet provider, and the websites themselves can still track you — but it's useful for everyday situations.
9. Restart Your Device Regularly
This sounds obvious, but so many people don't do it. Restarting your computer or phone clears the memory, closes stuck programs, and fixes weird glitches.
If your device is acting slow or strange, try a restart before you panic. It fixes more problems than you'd think.
10. Be Careful With Public WiFi
Public WiFi at coffee shops and airports is convenient, but it's not secure. Anyone on the same network can potentially see what you're doing.
If you need to do anything sensitive — banking, shopping, entering passwords — wait until you're on secure private WiFi. Or use a VPN (I use NordVPN, but there are free options too).
The Bottom Line
Tech doesn't have to be complicated. Most of the problems we face have simple solutions — we just don't know about them.
Pick one or two tips from this list and start using them today. Once they become habit, add more. You'll be surprised how quickly you go from "tech confused" to "tech competent."