[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-detail-128894-en":3,"doc-seo-128894-105":31,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":92},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",{"doc_id":7,"user_id":8,"nickname":9,"user_avatar":10,"doc_module":4,"category_id":11,"category_name":12,"doc_title":13,"doc_description":14,"doc_content":15,"file_id":16,"file_url":17,"file_type":18,"file_size":19,"view_count":20,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":21,"is_downloadable":21,"audit_status":21,"page_count":22,"language":23,"language_code":24,"site_id":25,"html_lang":24,"table_of_contents":26,"faqs":27,"seo_title":28,"seo_description":14,"update_tm":29,"read_time":30},128894,687207024478,"Liam","https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_a8503ba1806abce46bf441b54a3ca4cd",6,"Technology","Computeractive - Issue 740 - 15–28 July 2026","Computeractive Issue 740 (15–28 July 2026) delivers a curated mix of tech guidance and reader-focused features for Windows users and everyday device security. Highlights include recommendations for “boring but useful” free programs that can cover tasks Windows 11 can’t, plus practical coverage on scammers targeting accounts, subscription-related consumer questions, and advice for protecting your tech. The issue also addresses failed repairs through Consumeractive and provides accessible navigation tips for shortened URLs.","IS YOUR SD CARD A FAKE?  \nOurs was–how we checked p74  \nThumbs down for new Captcha? page 49  \nADD STREAMING TO OLD SPEAKERS  \nWe found the perfect solution p62  \nISSUE 740 ❘ 15–28 JULY 2026  \nLearn something new in every issue  \nGET THE  \nBEST PHONE SIGNAL  \nHome Abroad Outdoors Anywhere!  \n􀀳  \n􀀳  \n􀀳  \n􀀳  \np60   \nThat Does What  Windows 11 Can’t  \nYou need ALL these programs to  \n improve any modern PC or laptop p 50  \nWELCOME  \nFrom the Editor  \nEDITORIAL  \nContent Director Marc Chacksfield Group Editor Daniel Booth Deputy Editor Robert Irvine Production Editor Graham Brown Art Editor Katie Peat  \nContributors Keumars Afifi-Sabet, Stuart Andrews, Dinah Greek, Richard Holt, Jonathan Parkyn, Nik Rawlinson  \nAdvertising Manager Alexandra Thomas Subscriptions Sarah Lowry, Henry Massey Head of Production Stephen Catherall Senior Production Manager Lawrence Brookes  \nINTERNATIONAL LICENSING AND SYNDICATION  \nComputeractive is available for licensing and syndication. Contact us at [licensing@futurenet.com](licensing@futurenet.com) or view our [available content at www.futurecontenthub.com](available content at www.futurecontenthub.com).  \nHead of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw  \nONWARD RESALE & PERMISSIONS  \nThis publication may not be resold or otherwise distributed, whether at, below or above face value. Nor can this publication be advertised for sale, transfer or distribution.  \nPERMISSIONS  \nMaterial may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. Send requests to editor@ [computeractive.co.uk](computeractive.co.uk).  \nLIABILITY  \nWhile every care was taken preparing this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information or any consequence arising from  \nit. All judgments are based on equipment available to Computeractive at the time of review. Computeractive takes no responsibility for the content of external websites whose addresses are published in the magazine.  \nSUBSCRIPTIONS  \nFor any enquiries and orders, email [help@magazinesdirect.com](help@magazinesdirect.com), [go to magazinesdirect.com](go to magazinesdirect.com). Manage your subscription online with MyMagazine. Visit [www.mymagazine.co.uk/FAQ to view frequently asked](www.mymagazine.co.uk/FAQ to view frequently asked)[ ](www.mymagazine.co.uk/FAQ to view frequently asked)questions or [log in at www.mymagazine.co.uk](log in at www.mymagazine.co.uk)  \nFULL SUBSCRIPTION PRICES  \nUK £77.74, Europe €144, USA $163, Rest of the world £125  \nHOW TO ORDER PAST ISSUES  \nTo purchase single past issues (print format only) visit: [magazinesdirect.com](magazinesdirect.com) (click on ‘Single issues’ tab)– or [email: help@magazinesdirect.com](email: help@magazinesdirect.com).  \nMagazinesdirect.com is owned and operated by Future Publishing Limited.  \n© Copyright Future PLC 2025. All rights reserved Images from Alamy and Getty Images  \nComputeractive is a registered trademark. Neither the whole of this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publishers  \nDistributed by Marketforce  \nGPSR EU RP (for authorities only) eucomply OÜ Pärnu mnt 139b-14 11317 Tallinn, Estonia  \nhello@eucompliancepartner.com  \n+3375690241  \nOne of the biggest mistakes you can make is to install software that’s no better than the tools and apps built into Windows, especially if they charge you for the privilege. Indeed, we’ve often revealed which programs you no longer need because Windows now offers their best features.  \nBut this issue’s Cover Feature takes the opposite angle. Robert Irvine recommends 25 free programs that perform tasks Windows can’t. Many are the ‘boring but useful’ jobs that the increasingly AIobsessed Microsoft doesn’t seem interested in. Yes, Copilot is getting more useful, but most people would prefer improved tools  \nfor editing PDFs, searching files and installing updates. Our suggestions do these an","cbCaimc17dIYCPjk","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaimc17dIYCPjk","pdf",44248390,4,1,76,"English","en",105,"# Contents\n## 6 News\n## 10 Question of the Fortnight\n## 11 Protect Your Tech\n## 12 Letters\n## 14 Consumeractive","[{\"question\":\"What is the main focus of Computeractive Issue 740?\",\"answer\":\"The issue emphasizes practical Windows-related software recommendations and tech guidance, alongside security and consumer advice.\"},{\"question\":\"Which scam topic is covered in “Protect Your Tech”?\",\"answer\":\"Scammers logging into a reader’s Argos account are highlighted.\"},{\"question\":\"What question does the “Consumeractive” section address?\",\"answer\":\"It covers whether someone can sue a local computer shop for a failed repair.\"}]","Computeractive - Issue 740 - 15–28 July 2026 | PDF",1786005586,192,{"code":4,"msg":32,"data":33},"ok",{"site_id":25,"language":24,"slug":34,"title":13,"keywords":35,"description":14,"schema_data":36,"social_meta":87,"head_meta":89,"extra_data":91,"updated_unix":29},"computeractive-issue-740-1528-july-2026","",{"@graph":37,"@context":86},[38,54,69],{"@type":39,"itemListElement":40},"BreadcrumbList",[41,45,49,52],{"item":42,"name":43,"@type":44,"position":21},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":46,"name":47,"@type":44,"position":48},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":50,"name":12,"@type":44,"position":51},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/technology/",3,{"item":53,"name":13,"@type":44,"position":20},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/computeractive-issue-740-1528-july-2026/128894/",{"url":53,"name":13,"@type":55,"author":56,"headline":13,"publisher":58,"fileFormat":61,"inLanguage":24,"description":14,"dateModified":62,"datePublished":63,"encodingFormat":61,"isAccessibleForFree":64,"interactionStatistic":65},"DigitalDocument",{"name":9,"@type":57},"Person",{"url":42,"name":59,"@type":60},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-08-31","2026-08-06",true,{"@type":66,"interactionType":67,"userInteractionCount":20},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":68},"ViewAction",{"@type":70,"mainEntity":71},"FAQPage",[72,78,82],{"name":73,"@type":74,"acceptedAnswer":75},"What is the main focus of Computeractive Issue 740?","Question",{"text":76,"@type":77},"The issue emphasizes practical Windows-related software recommendations and tech guidance, alongside security and consumer advice.","Answer",{"name":79,"@type":74,"acceptedAnswer":80},"Which scam topic is covered in “Protect Your Tech”?",{"text":81,"@type":77},"Scammers logging into a reader’s Argos account are highlighted.",{"name":83,"@type":74,"acceptedAnswer":84},"What question does the “Consumeractive” section address?",{"text":85,"@type":77},"It covers whether someone can sue a local computer shop for a failed repair.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":53,"og:type":88,"og:title":13,"og:site_name":59,"og:description":14},"article",{"robots":90,"canonical":53},"index,follow",{"doc_id":7,"site_id":25},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":93},[94,98,102,106,111,114,119,124,129,132,136],{"id":21,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":95,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":97},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":48,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":99,"show_sort_weight":100,"slug":101},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":20,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":103,"show_sort_weight":104,"slug":105},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":107,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":108,"show_sort_weight":109,"slug":110},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":11,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":12,"show_sort_weight":112,"slug":113},50,"technology",{"id":115,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":118},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":120,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":121,"show_sort_weight":122,"slug":123},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":125,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":126,"show_sort_weight":127,"slug":128},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":127,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":130,"show_sort_weight":127,"slug":131},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":133,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":134,"show_sort_weight":133,"slug":135},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":137,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":47,"category_name":138,"show_sort_weight":107,"slug":139},19,"General","general"]