• How to Make ChatGPT Photos Look More Realistic (and less AI)

    How to Make ChatGPT Photos Look More Realistic (and less AI)

    ChatGPT’s AI photos can look almost too perfect—smooth skin, flawless lighting, and sterile symmetry that no real camera ever captures. If you want images that feel authentic, candid, and human, you’ll need to put the imperfections back in. Here’s how to nudge ChatGPT toward realism by adding the natural flaws of real photography.

    1. Why do ChatGPT photos sometimes look too perfect?

    • AI defaults to polished stock-photo aesthetics—everything smooth, symmetrical, and flawless.
    • Real photos have imperfections like blur, uneven lighting, wrinkles, blemishes, and background noise.
    • The trick is telling ChatGPT to add back those imperfections for a more believable result.

    2. How can I write prompts that make photos look more realistic instead of staged?

    • Use words like “candid photo,” “editorial style,” “shot in natural light.”
    • Add context: “taken at a busy street corner” or “captured mid-laughter.”
    • Request flaws: “slightly off-center,” “imperfect framing,” “motion blur.”

    3. How do I add natural imperfections like skin texture or focus blur?

    • For skin: say “visible pores,” “wrinkles,” “realistic skin texture.”
    • For focus: ask for “slightly blurred background,” “shallow depth of field,” or “out-of-focus foreground.”
    • For lighting: request “uneven shadows” or “soft natural light with imperfections.”

    4. How do I use photography terms to make AI images feel authentic?

    • Mention lenses: “50mm lens, f/1.8 aperture, shallow depth of field.”
    • Ask for style: “editorial fashion photography,” “photojournalistic style.”
    • Suggest environment: “grainy film texture,” “slightly underexposed,” “warm color cast.”
    • These cues help the AI mimic how real cameras capture reality, flaws and all.

    5. How can I make ChatGPT always add natural flaws to photos?

    • Use Custom Instructions so ChatGPT always bakes realism into your photos. Example:
      • “When generating images, make them candid, imperfect, with skin texture, subtle flaws, and natural light.”
    • This way, you don’t have to rewrite realism cues every time—you’ll consistently get less polished, more human-looking results.

    How to make ChatGPT photos look authentic instead of AI-perfect

    If ChatGPT’s photos look too polished, it’s because they’re designed to be flawless by default. By adding candid prompts, specifying natural imperfections, using photography language, and setting custom instructions, you can dial back the perfection and get images that feel lived-in, authentic, and unmistakably human.

  • How to Stop ChatGPT Always Agreeing With You (and be more critical)

    How to Stop ChatGPT Always Agreeing With You (and be more critical)

    If you’ve noticed ChatGPT nodding along to everything you say, you’re not imagining it. The model is designed to be polite and helpful—but that can sometimes make it feel like a yes-man sycophant. The good news: with the right prompts and settings, you can get ChatGPT to be more critical, more balanced, and even challenge you by default. Here’s how.


    1. Why does ChatGPT always agree with me?

    ChatGPT often feels too agreeable because of two main factors:

    • It’s designed to be polite and helpful. By default, the model avoids confrontation and tries to support your goals rather than contradict them. This makes it feel friendly—but not always useful when you want critique.
    • It reflects its training data and user preferences. Most users prefer cooperative answers, so the model has learned to favor agreement over argument unless told otherwise.

    2. How can I get ChatGPT to be more critical of my ideas?

    If you want sharper feedback, you need to ask directly. Try prompts like:

    • “Play devil’s advocate and argue against my idea.”
    • “List three flaws in my reasoning.”
    • “What would a critic say about this?”

    Go deeper by asking ChatGPT to:

    • Identify hidden assumptions you may not have noticed.
    • Challenge your reasoning by walking through your logic step by step.
    • Look for flaws in how you arrived at your conclusion, not just in the conclusion itself.

    3. How do I make ChatGPT give honest, blunt feedback?

    You can nudge ChatGPT into dropping the politeness by setting the tone:

    • Use cues like: “Be direct,” “Review this like a critic,” or “Be candid.”
    • Ask for feedback as if it came from a reviewer, editor, or debate opponent.
    • Don’t worry—ChatGPT won’t be rude. It’s still safe and constructive, just more straightforward.

    This works well when you want less flattery and more actionable feedback.


    4. How do I make ChatGPT be more balanced?

    Instead of one-sided answers, you can push ChatGPT to weigh alternatives:

    • Ask it to explore multiple options and then rank them from strongest to weakest.
    • Use the “5 Whys” technique: ask why five times in a row to drill down into causes and reasoning, then have ChatGPT reframe or rework the idea based on that deeper analysis.

    This gives you a more nuanced, balanced view instead of an echo of your own thinking.


    5. How do I make ChatGPT always challenge me using custom instructions?

    If you want ChatGPT to push back by default, set up Custom Instructions:

    1. Open ChatGPT settings → Custom Instructions.
    2. In the “How would you like ChatGPT to respond?” field, add something like:
      • “Always play devil’s advocate with my ideas.”
      • “Whenever I share reasoning, identify hidden assumptions and flaws.”
      • “Challenge my conclusions, even if you agree with me.”

    This way, you don’t have to keep prompting it—the model will always push you to think harder.


    How to make ChatGPT less agreeable and more useful

    ChatGPT defaults to politeness, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with yes-man answers. By:

    • Asking for critique,
    • Setting a direct tone,
    • Exploring alternatives, and
    • Using Custom Instructions,

    you can turn ChatGPT into a reliable sparring partner that challenges your ideas, improves your reasoning, and gives you more honest feedback, instead of acting like a digital sycophant.

  • View Your Safe Senders List in Outlook 2016, 2013, and 2010

    If you’ve ever had important emails go straight to your Junk folder, Outlook’s Safe Senders List is the fix. By adding trusted senders and domains to this list, you make sure their messages always land in your inbox. Here’s how to find, view, and manage your Safe Senders List in Outlook 2016, 2013, and 2010.


    1. What is the Safe Senders List in Outlook?

    The Safe Senders List is part of Outlook’s built-in spam filter. Any email address or domain you add to this list will never be treated as junk. This is useful if:

    • Emails from your boss, client, or a newsletter keep landing in Junk.
    • You want to whitelist an entire company domain (like @mycompany.com).
    • You need control over which senders bypass Outlook’s spam filter.

    2. Where is the Safe Senders List in Outlook 2016, 2013, and 2010?

    To find your Safe Senders List:

    1. Open Outlook.
    2. Click the Home tab.
    3. In the Delete group, click Junk → Junk E-mail Options.
    4. Go to the Safe Senders tab.

    Here you’ll see all the addresses and domains you’ve marked as safe.


    3. How do you add a safe sender email or domain in Outlook?

    From the Safe Senders tab:

    • Click Add.
    • Type in the full email address (someone@example.com) or just the domain (@example.com).
    • Click OK.

    Tip: Adding a domain whitelists everyone from that domain—use it only for trusted companies or organizations.


    4. How do you remove an entry from the Safe Senders List in Outlook?

    If you’ve added the wrong email or no longer trust a domain:

    1. Go to the Safe Senders tab.
    2. Select the entry you want to remove.
    3. Click Remove.

    This puts Outlook’s spam filter back in control for that sender.


    5. How do you make sure emails aren’t treated as spam in Outlook?

    Adding addresses to the Safe Senders List is the first step, but here are a few more tips:

    • Check your Blocked Senders list—sometimes trusted senders end up there by mistake.
    • Mark emails as “Not Junk” when you find them in your Junk folder. Outlook learns from this.
    • Keep your Safe Senders List up to date, especially if clients change their domains or emails.

    Managing your Safe Senders List in Outlook 2016, 2013, or 2010 is the best way to ensure important emails never get lost in spam. By adding trusted addresses and domains—and reviewing your list regularly—you’ll stay in control of your inbox.

  • Quickly move email messages to folders in MS Outlook

    If your Outlook inbox is overflowing, moving emails into folders is one of the fastest ways to get organized. Instead of dragging messages one by one, Outlook gives you several tools to sort, move, and automate filing. Here’s how to do it quickly.

    1. How do you move multiple emails into a folder quickly in Outlook?

    The simplest way is to select multiple messages and move them together:

    • Sort by sender or subject: Click a column heading (like From) to group related emails.
    • Select multiple messages: Hold down Shift to select a range or Ctrl to pick individual emails.
    • Move them: Right-click → Move → choose your folder, or drag them all at once.

    This method is great for one-time cleanups.


    2. What is the keyboard shortcut to move emails to a folder in Outlook?

    Instead of clicking through menus, use the keyboard:

    • Select the email(s) you want to move.
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + V.
    • A dialog box will appear—pick your folder and press Enter.

    Once you get used to this, it’s much faster than dragging.


    3. How can I use Quick Steps in Outlook to move emails with one click?

    If you often move messages to the same folder, Outlook’s Quick Steps feature saves clicks.

    1. Go to the Home tab → Quick Steps group.
    2. Click Create New.
    3. Choose Move to folder and pick your destination.
    4. Give it a name (e.g. “Move to Finance”) and assign a shortcut if you like.

    Now you can file messages with a single click (or keypress).


    4. How do I set up a rule in Outlook to automatically move emails to a folder?

    For true hands-off inbox management, use Rules:

    1. Right-click a message → RulesCreate Rule.
    2. Choose conditions (e.g., From this sender or Subject contains).
    3. Tick Move the item to folder and select the folder.
    4. Save the rule.

    From now on, Outlook will automatically file those emails as they arrive.


    5. What are the best tips for organizing Outlook folders and moving emails faster?

    • Favorites: Pin your most-used folders to the top of the navigation pane for quick access.
    • Search folders: Create a search folder (e.g. Unread Mail) to find messages across all folders without moving them.
    • Clean Up tool: Use Home → Clean Up to remove redundant replies before filing.

    You don’t have to waste time dragging messages around in Outlook. With shortcuts, Quick Steps, and Rules, you can file emails in seconds—or let Outlook do it automatically. Try combining these methods to keep your inbox under control with minimal effort.

  • Quickly Fix the ‘local print spooler service is not running’ error

    Quickly Fix the ‘local print spooler service is not running’ error

    Few things are more frustrating than hitting “Print” and seeing the error:

    “The local print spooler service is not running.”

    This problem is common in Windows 7/8/10 but thankfully it’s fixable. Here’s how to get your printer working again.

    1. What Is the “Local Print Spooler Service Is Not Running” Error?

    The Print Spooler is a small Windows service that manages print jobs. Instead of sending documents directly to the printer, Windows stores them in a queue (the spooler) and processes them in order.

    If the Print Spooler service stops or crashes, you’ll see this error. That means Windows can’t send jobs to your printer until the spooler is running again.


    2. How to Restart the Print Spooler Service

    The quickest fix is simply restarting the Print Spooler:

    1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
    2. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
    3. Right-click it and choose Restart.
      • If “Restart” isn’t available, click Start instead.

    Now try printing again.


    3. Set Print Spooler to Start Automatically (or Reinstall It)

    To prevent the error from coming back:

    1. In the same Services window, right-click Print SpoolerProperties.
    2. Under Startup type, select Automatic.
    3. Click Apply, then OK.

    If the spooler still refuses to start, it might be corrupted. In that case, reinstall it by:

    • Opening Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.
    • Unchecking Print and Document Services, rebooting, then re-enabling it.

    4. Restart print queue in Windows

    Sometimes, the spooler service won’t restart because of stuck print jobs or corrupted files. To clear them:

    1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and stop the Print Spooler.
    2. Open C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
    3. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
    4. Start the Print Spooler service again.

    This wipes the print queue and removes corrupted jobs.


    5. Reinstall Printer Drivers in Windows

    If none of the above fixes work, the problem may be your printer drivers.

    1. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
    2. Right-click your printer → Remove device.
    3. Download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
    4. Reinstall the printer.

    With fresh drivers, the spooler service should run smoothly again.

    The “local print spooler service is not running” error is annoying, but it usually comes down to a stopped service or corrupted print jobs. Restarting the spooler, clearing the print queue, or reinstalling drivers almost always solves it.

  • How to easily open RAR files in Windows 7/8/10

    How to easily open RAR files in Windows 7/8/10

    You’ve probably seen a file ending in .rar and wondered why Windows won’t open it. That’s because RAR is a compressed archive format (like ZIP), but unlike ZIP, it’s not natively supported by Windows. Don’t worry—opening RAR files is easy once you know which tool to use.

    1 – Old Windows Versions and RAR Files

    Windows has long supported .zip archives without any extra software. You can double-click a ZIP file and browse the contents like a folder.

    But RAR files are different. They were developed using a proprietary compression algorithm, and Windows 7, 8, and even 10 don’t include built-in support. That means you’ll need a third-party app to extract them.

    2 – The Best App to Open RAR Files on Windows 7 (and Later)

    One of the easiest (and free) tools to use is 7-Zip.

    • Website: https://www.7-zip.org/
    • Cost: Free (open source)
    • Why use it: Lightweight, secure, supports RAR, ZIP, and dozens of other archive formats.

    3 – How to Extract a RAR Archive in Windows 10

    1. Download and install 7-Zip
    2. Right-click the .rar file.
    3. In the menu, hover over 7-Zip.
    4. Choose one of the following:
      • Extract Here → unpacks files into the same folder.
      • Extract to foldername → creates a new folder with the extracted files.
      • Open archive → lets you browse inside the RAR before extracting.

    That’s it—your files are now ready to use.

    4 – Using RAR in Old Versions of Windows

    If you’re still on Windows 7 or 8, you might wonder if it’s worth installing extra software just for RAR files. Honestly, unless you need to open a RAR someone sent you, it’s better to stick with ZIP.

    Why?

    • Windows already supports ZIP out of the box.
    • Most tools let you compress into ZIP as easily as RAR.
    • Sharing ZIPs avoids the “What do I need to open this?” problem for friends or coworkers.

    RAR is fine for extracting files, but for creating and sharing, ZIP is the universal choice.

    5 – What About WinRAR? (And Why to Avoid It)

    You might hear about WinRAR, since it’s the software originally designed for RAR archives. It works well—but here’s why many people skip it:

    • It’s not free. WinRAR is paid software, though it lets you keep using it after the trial (with constant nags).
    • 7-Zip does the same job without cost or limitations.
    • For simple extracting, WinRAR is overkill.

    Unless you have a very specific reason to use it, 7-Zip is the better option for most Windows users.

  • How to Copy Fonts from One PC to Another

    How to Copy Fonts from One PC to Another

    Got a font you love on one computer and want to use it on another? Whether you’re moving to a new machine or just keeping your design setup consistent, copying fonts in Windows 7, 8, or 10 is simple—but there are a few things you need to know first.

    1 – Where Are Fonts Stored in Windows 7/8/10?

    All installed fonts are stored in a single folder:

    C:\Windows\Fonts

    This is Windows’ central font directory. Any file here is available system-wide. To open it quickly, press Windows + R, type fonts, and hit Enter.

    2 – Find a Font File in Windows

    If you know the name of the font you want:

    1. Open the Fonts folder (C:\Windows\Fonts).
    2. Scroll or search by font name.
    3. Right-click the font → Open file location.

    This shows you the actual .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) file on your system.

    3 – How to Copy a Font to a New PC

    You have two options depending on how many fonts you want to move:

    • Copy a single font
      1. Find the font file (see above).
      2. Copy it to a USB stick or cloud folder.
      3. On the new PC, double-click the file → click Install.
    • Copy all fonts at once
      1. Go to C:\Windows\Fonts.
      2. Select all fonts (Ctrl + A) and copy them.
      3. Paste them into a folder on your USB stick or cloud drive.
      4. On the new PC, copy them back into C:\Windows\Fonts (or select them all → right-click → Install).

    ⚠️ Note: Copying every font can be overkill. Many are system fonts that already exist on the new PC. Usually, it’s easier to just copy the few you actually need.

    4 – App Not Picking Up the New Font?

    Sometimes your new font won’t show up right away:

    • Restart the app (Word, Photoshop, etc.).
    • If that fails, restart Windows.
    • Check for duplicates—two fonts with the same name can confuse Windows.

    5 – Are You Allowed to Copy Fonts? (Font Licensing)

    Here’s the tricky part: not every font can legally be copied.

    • Free fonts (like Google Fonts or Font Squirrel) are usually fine to move between personal devices.
    • Commercial fonts (like those bought from Adobe, Monotype, etc.) often have strict licenses—usually tied to one user or one device.

    If you’re moving to a new PC, check the font’s license terms. Sometimes you can install it on multiple devices you personally use. In a workplace, you may need extra licenses.

    👉 Best practice: If you’re decommissioning the old computer, remove the font from it after installing on the new one to stay compliant.

    Copying fonts between Windows PCs is easy—just grab the .ttf or .otf file and install it on the new machine. But always remember to respect licensing rules. Fonts are software too, and moving them without permission can create legal issues.

  • Add a great new font in Windows 7/8/10

    Add a great new font in Windows 7/8/10

    Adding a font in Windows? We know. Sometimes the default fonts just don’t cut it—whether you want a stylish script for invitations, a quirky font for a school project, or something professional for design work. Luckily, Windows makes it pretty straightforward to install and use new fonts. Here’s everything you need to know.

    1 – Where are fonts Stored in Windows 7/8/10?

    All the system fonts are stored in a single folder:

    C:\Windows\Fonts

    This is the central location where Windows looks for installed fonts. Once a font is placed here, it becomes available to all applications on your computer (Word, Photoshop, browsers, etc.).

    Tip: You can open this folder quickly by pressing Windows + R, typing fonts, and hitting Enter.

    2 – What Font Types does Windows support?

    Windows supports several font formats, but the most common ones you’ll see are:

    • TrueType (.ttf) – The standard, works in almost every app.
    • OpenType (.otf) – More advanced, supports extra features like ligatures; also widely supported.
    • PostScript (.pfb + .pfm) – Older Adobe format, not as common these days.

    For most users, sticking to .ttf or .otf fonts is easiest and safest.

    3 – How to install a new font in Windows 7/8/10

    Method 1: Double-Click

    1. Download and unzip the font file if it’s in a ZIP folder.
    2. Double-click the .ttf or .otf file.
    3. In the preview window that opens, click Install.

    Method 2: Copy to Fonts Folder

    1. Download the font.
    2. Right-click the file and choose Copy.
    3. Navigate to C:\Windows\Fonts.
    4. Right-click inside the folder and choose Paste.

    That’s it—the font should now be available system-wide.

    4 – App not picking up the new font?

    If you’ve just installed a font but can’t find it in Word, Photoshop, or another program, try these fixes:

    • Restart the app – Most programs only load fonts when they start.
    • Restart Windows – Some apps (especially older ones) need a reboot before recognizing new fonts.
    • Check for duplicates – If two fonts have the same internal name, Windows may ignore one.
    • Make sure you installed for all users – If you only installed the font for your user account, another account on the same PC won’t see it.

    5 – Where to get new fonts for Windows

    You don’t have to settle for the defaults—there are thousands of free and paid fonts online. Some popular sources include:

    • Google Fonts – Free, open-source fonts, easy to browse.
    • DaFont – Huge collection of free fonts (check license terms).
    • Font Squirrel – Hand-picked free fonts with commercial licenses.
    • Adobe Fonts – Premium fonts, included with Creative Cloud.

    Always check licensing if you’re using fonts for commercial projects.

    Adding fonts in Windows 7, 8, or 10 is easy—once you know where they’re stored and how to install them. Whether you’re designing, writing, or just customizing your desktop, the right font can make all the difference.

  • Five ways to fix your Netflix recommendations

    Five ways to fix your Netflix recommendations

    Does it feel like Netflix used to know you, but now your home screen is full of random shows you’d never watch? You’re not alone. Over time, shared profiles, autoplay, and old viewing history can confuse the algorithm. The good news: you can reset your Netflix algorithm, clean up your history, and fix bad Netflix suggestions so your recommendations feel fresh again.

    In this guide, we’ll cover five practical ways to improve Netflix recommendations, from hiding junk viewing history to rating shows with thumbs-up and thumbs-down. Do these steps once, and Netflix will relearn your real taste.


    1. How do I hide unwanted shows from my Netflix viewing history?

    Sometimes your recommendations go wrong because someone else used your profile—or maybe you regret binging a random reality show at 2am. Luckily, Netflix lets you hide titles from your history so they don’t influence your recommendations.

    1. Go to Netflix.com in a browser (not the app).
    2. Click your profile icon → AccountViewing Activity.
    3. Find the show or movie you want to hide and click Hide from Viewing History.

    Bonus: When you hide an episode, Netflix asks if you want to hide the whole series—choose yes if you never want it messing with your recommendations again.


    2. How can I stop Netflix recommendations from being ruined by other people?

    Sharing a profile is a recipe for algorithm chaos. If one person watches Downton Abbey and another watches SWAT, Netflix tries to find middle ground—and your suggestions become nonsense.

    The fix: give everyone their own profile.

    • You can have up to five profiles per account.
    • Add a PIN lock so kids, roommates, or freeloaders can’t wander into your carefully tuned profile.
    • After creating new profiles, go back to step 1 and clean up your viewing history.

    This way, your recommendations stay true to your taste.


    3. How do I remove freeloaders or unknown devices from my Netflix account?

    When scrolling through viewing history, do you see shows you don’t recognize? It might be a forgotten TV at an Airbnb, an old roommate, or even your ex still signed in. That’s enough to throw off your recommendations.

    Here’s how to kick them off:

    1. Go to Account → Manage Access and Devices.
    2. Look for devices you don’t recognize.
    3. Sign them out individually—or hit Sign out of all devices for a full reset.
    4. Change your password before signing back in on your own devices.

    After this, go back to Viewing Activity and hide any shows they polluted your list with.


    4. How do I improve Netflix recommendations by rating shows with thumbs up or down?

    Netflix recommendations improve dramatically when you give feedback. Most people skip the thumbs, but they’re your best tool to “teach” the algorithm what you like.

    • Go to Account → Viewing Activity → Ratings.
    • Review the shows you’ve rated thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Remove or adjust any that don’t reflect your taste.
    • After watching something, don’t ignore the thumbs. Even better: give a double thumbs-up to shows you love.

    Investing a few minutes here pays off with smarter, more accurate suggestions.


    5. How can I stop Netflix autoplay from messing up my recommendations?

    Autoplay can generate false signals—like when previews start playing or the next episode rolls automatically. Netflix might think you’re interested, even if you’re not.

    To fix this:

    1. Go to Account → Profiles → Playback settings.
    2. Uncheck Autoplay previews and Autoplay next episode.
    3. Watch only what you choose while retraining your recommendations.

    You can always re-enable autoplay later, once Netflix has learned your real preferences again.


    How to Reset Netflix Recommendations the Right Way

    To reset your Netflix algorithm, you need to:

    • Clean up your viewing history.
    • Separate profiles and lock them down.
    • Boot out freeloaders and unknown devices.
    • Rate shows decisively with thumbs-up/down.
    • Turn off autoplay while retraining the algorithm.

    Do this once, and your Netflix home screen will feel like yours again—showing you the movies and series you actually want to watch.

  • Delete or change a saved password on Chrome

    Delete or change a saved password on Chrome

    Chrome is great at remembering passwords, but what a pain when it keeps suggesting the wrong one.

    1 – How to Open the Chrome Password Manager on Desktop and Mobile

    On Desktop the easiest way is to copy and paste this into the address bar:

    chrome://password-manager

    On Android or iOS tap the three dots then “Password Manager”

    2 – How to Delete a Saved Password in Chrome

    It will ask you for the DEVICE password (your normal computer/device login password). That can be confusing – you don’t need to know the website password to delete it – just the DEVICE password. Then click the three dots beside the saved entry and click remove/delete/trash-bin – it depends on your device.

    3 – How to Edit a Saved Password in Chrome

    Click the eye and enter your device password as before, but click the pencil icon (or the word ‘edit’) to change the password to the correct one.

    4 – How to Remove a Site from the “Never Saved” List in Chrome

    Did you tell Chrome to NOT remember the password and now you want it to?

    Scroll down to the section “Never Saved” (sometimes under ‘Settings’ within password manager).

    Find the site in the list.

    Click the X next to it to remove it.

    Next time you log in on that site, Chrome will prompt you to save the password.

    5 – How to Manually Add a New Password to Chrome Password Manager

    If for some reason Chrome is saving the one you want, you can always add it manually. Follow step 1; then click ‘add’.