Preston Gralla

Contributing Editor

Preston Gralla is a contributing editor for Computerworld, a blogger for ITworld, and the author of more than 45 books, including NOOK Tablet: The Missing Manual (O'Reilly 2012) and How the Internet Works (Que, 2006).

From Kin to Clippy — the worst Microsoft products not named Windows

From Kin to Clippy — the worst Microsoft products not named Windows

In an alternate world, we'd all be using Windows Phones, listening to music with Zunes and listening to advice from Clippy. This is not that world.

Handy Outlook keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Handy Outlook keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Speed up your email, contacts, and calendar tasks with the help of keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Outlook for Windows or macOS.

OneNote vs. Evernote: A personal take on two great note-taking apps

OneNote vs. Evernote: A personal take on two great note-taking apps

Evernote and Microsoft OneNote have taken different approaches in their quest to be the best note-taking app. Here’s where each one shines.

Ethics — what ethics? For Microsoft, it’s full speed ahead on AI

Ethics — what ethics? For Microsoft, it’s full speed ahead on AI

Microsoft's quickly embraced all things AI, even as many in the tech industry raise concerns about the inherent dangers of the technology. The company doesn't care.

Will Bing and Edge become the center of the Microsoft universe?

Will Bing and Edge become the center of the Microsoft universe?

Microsoft is in the middle of rolling AI tools into as many of its products as it can. Its efforts, if successful, could rejuvenate Bing search and the company's Edge web browser.

Here’s how Microsoft plans to reap billions from AI

Here’s how Microsoft plans to reap billions from AI

The company hopes to steal search revenue from Google, help businesses build their own chatbots and AI tools, and incorporate AI-enhanced productivity tools across its product lineup.

How to preview and deploy Windows 10 and 11 updates

How to preview and deploy Windows 10 and 11 updates

Microsoft’s ‘channels’ for Windows Insider Previews and new Windows releases are confusing for everybody. Here’s help choosing the best method of testing and updating Windows 10 and 11 for yourself or your business.

It’s déjà vu all over again as governments put Microsoft in their crosshairs

It’s déjà vu all over again as governments put Microsoft in their crosshairs

Facing lawsuits, fines, and new regulations, Microsoft is playing defense on several fronts.

Excel for Microsoft 365 cheat sheet

Excel for Microsoft 365 cheat sheet

Learn to use the best new features in Excel for Microsoft 365/Office 365 in Windows.

How Microsoft became tech’s top dog again

How Microsoft became tech’s top dog again

After a lost decade in which it flailed and lost its prominence in the world of tech, Microsoft is again on the rise — thanks to ChatGPT and the company's focus on AI.

Feds to Microsoft: Clean up your security act — or else

Feds to Microsoft: Clean up your security act — or else

The US government, worried about the increasing role of rival nations in cyberattacks and cybercrime, looks poised to force tech companies to do more about security.

Bing’s AI chatbot came to work for me. I had to fire it.

Bing’s AI chatbot came to work for me. I had to fire it.

When used for business, the chatbot embedded in Microsoft's Bing search engine is a bit sycophantic and fails to complete most tasks. Still, it shows real promise.

As Microsoft embraces AI, it says sayonara to the metaverse

As Microsoft embraces AI, it says sayonara to the metaverse

Just two years ago, Microsoft execs were hailing the metaverse as a game-changer — just as they’re talking up AI now. Well, how did that turn out?

Windows 12 and AI: a coming boon or boondoggle?

Windows 12 and AI: a coming boon or boondoggle?

Microsoft is making a heavy push into AI and promising it will radically change how Windows works. But is that more hype and hope than reality?

How to protect your privacy in Windows 11

How to protect your privacy in Windows 11

Windows 11 gathers more information than some people would like. Here are several steps you can take to keep that information private.

How Microsoft is helping Ukraine’s cyberwar against Russia

How Microsoft is helping Ukraine’s cyberwar against Russia

Microsoft's efforts to aid Ukraine aren't just altruistic; by fending off Russian cyberattacks, the company is helping its customers, too.

This lawsuit against Microsoft could change the future of AI

This lawsuit against Microsoft could change the future of AI

With ChatGPT, artificial intelligence and what it can do is suddenly all the rage. But an intellectual property lawsuit against Microsoft could undermine the future of AI before it gets off the ground.

Handy PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Handy PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Whether you’re creating a presentation or giving one, you can do it more efficiently with the help of keyboard shortcuts in the Microsoft PowerPoint desktop app for Windows or macOS.

Did Microsoft make a bad $69B bet on Activision Blizzard?

Did Microsoft make a bad $69B bet on Activision Blizzard?

The company's plans to buy the gaming rival have already generated US government pushback. Could that unwelcome distraction slow Microsoft's recent progress?

5 things Elon Musk could learn from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

5 things Elon Musk could learn from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

The way Satya Nadella turned around Microsoft when he became CEO could not be more different than how Elon Musk has treated Twitter since taking over.

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