Most Popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025

Most Popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025

Windows 11 gained plenty of flashy AI headlines in 2025, but the real productivity boosts came from small, practical features. These are the underrated tricks that quietly save you time, battery, and frustration every single day.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor  

December 31, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version.

How often do you think, “I know that file exists, but where did I put it?” 

Or stare at a spinning cursor while one misbehaving app hogs your CPU during a meeting? Meanwhile, your laptop battery drains faster than your patience.

The most popular Windows 11 Cool Tips of 2025 are not gimmicks. 

Editing file metadata for instant search, taming apps with Task Manager’s Efficiency Mode, and mastering Airplane Mode for battery and network sanity are simple habits that pay off all year long.

Most Popular iPhone Cool Tips of 2025

Most Popular iPhone Cool Tips of 2025

Three iPhone features quietly reshaped how people communicate, collaborate, and customize their devices in 2025. If you use your iPhone every day for work or life, these Cool Tips explain why these changes matter and how to use them well.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 30, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Most iPhone updates add polish. 

A few change behavior. 

In 2025, Apple crossed that line. 

Visual strain dropped, phone calls became searchable, and event planning finally stopped feeling like a workaround. 

These were not headline features, but they became the most read and shared iPhone Cool Tips on OneCoolTip.com for a reason.

🚀 Top Microsoft 365 Cool Tips of 2025 - OCT Newsletter 12-29-2025

 Top Microsoft 365 Cool Tips of 2025 - OCT Newsletter 12-29-2025

Welcome back to work! 

This week's One Cool Tip Newsletter features essential Microsoft 365 tips to streamline your workflow. 

From creating stunning presentations with Sway to utilizing Version History for safer collaboration, these tips are designed to enhance your productivity and minimize errors. 

Don't miss our scam alert to protect your credentials and explore future tech developments. 

Stay informed and elevate your digital life! 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Microsoft365 #Productivity #Cybersecurity

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Most Popular Microsoft 365 Cool Tips of 2025

Most Popular Microsoft 365 Cool Tips of 2025

Two small Microsoft 365 habits can prevent big mistakes, and one overlooked presentation tool can make your work look far more polished in minutes. If you create slides, collaborate on documents, or live in Excel, this trio will pay you back fast.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 29, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

 

Have you ever sent a deck that looked “fine” but not impressive, restored a file only after hours of rework, or discovered an Excel model was quietly showing old numbers? 

The most popular Microsoft 365 Cool Tips of 2025 are not flashy tricks. 

They are workflow upgrades that reduce rework, improve output quality, and lower the chance of decisions based on stale data. 

Mastering Google Gemini: 3 Essential Features You Need Now

Mastering Google Gemini: 3 Essential Features You Need Now

Unlock the full power of Google's AI with these hidden productivity, privacy, and comfort settings. Try these Top 3 Cool Tips for Google Gemini in 2025.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 28, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version.

Are you getting the most out of your AI assistant, or are you just scratching the surface? 

Many users treat Google Gemini like a simple search engine, missing out on powerful tools designed to protect your privacy, save your eyes, and customize your workflow. 

If you are ready to move beyond basic prompts and take control of your AI experience, these three features are game-changers.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try these Top 3 Google Gemini Cool Tips in 2025.

About the Features

Google Gemini has evolved significantly throughout 2025. 

Beyond smarter answers, the platform now offers robust features that cater to how we actually work and live.

Here are the three top, most popular Google Gemini Cool Tips of 2025:

• Dark Mode isn't just aesthetic; it is a necessary feature for reducing eye strain during late-night brainstorming sessions.
• Temporary Chats bring an "incognito" mindset to AI, ensuring your one-off questions don't clutter your history or train the model.
• Gemini Canvas provides a dedicated workspace for writers and coders to collaborate side-by-side with AI, moving beyond the linear chat format.

What You’ll Gain

• Reduced Eye Strain: Work comfortably in low-light environments.
• Enhanced Privacy: Ask sensitive or random questions without leaving a digital trail.
• Streamlined Creation: Draft long-form content and code with precision editing tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

1. Enable Dark Mode (Web & Mobile)

PC:

1. Open the Gemini app in your Chrome browser, gemini.google.com. 
2. Click on the "Menu" icon (three lines) in the top right corner.
3. Select "Settings."
4. Toggle the "Dark theme" switch on or off.

Mobile Devices

1. You can switch between a dark theme and light theme in Gemini Apps. 
2. By default, the color scheme for the Gemini app matches the color scheme of the device you’re on.
3. In the Gemini mobile apps, you can switch between dark and light themes when you update your device’s theme settings.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

2. Use Temporary Chats

Web/Desktop

1. Open your web browser and navigate to gemini.google.com.
2. On the left-hand side menu, look for the "Temporary Chat" option. 
3. You’ll see a clear on-screen confirmation that you are in a temporary chat, and your conversation will not be saved. 
4. You can begin your prompt.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

3. Master the Canvas Interface

1. Go to gemini.google.com
2. Select the "Canvas" button located below the text input box.
3. Enter your prompt or instructions in the Canvas workspace. For example, "Tell me about One Cool Tip"
4. Gemini generates text based on your prompt.
5. Use the editing tools within Canvas to modify the generated text. 
6. You can:
7. Change the tone: Adjust the style and voice of the text (e.g., formal, informal, humorous).
8. Adjust the length: Increase or decrease the length of the text to fit your specific needs.
9. Refine the content: Make specific edits to improve clarity, grammar, and style.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Focus: Canvas separates the "chatting" from the "doing," making it easier to refine long documents.
• Health: Dark mode significantly reduces blue light exposure.
• Security: Temporary chats prevent clutter and increase data privacy for sensitive topics.

Cons:

• History Limitations: You cannot retrieve a Temporary Chat once closed.
• Mobile Parity: Canvas features are most powerful on desktop; mobile versions are improving but limited.
• Learning Curve: Users must learn to "highlight and ask" in Canvas rather than just chatting.

Feature Access

Dark Mode & Temporary Chats: Available to all users (Free and Advanced) globally.

Gemini Canvas: Initially an Advanced feature, Google began rolling this out to broader audiences in early 2025.

Score

Criterion Score (0–10) Justification

Value 9

These features solve major pain points in privacy and usability.

Usability 8

Toggles are easy to find; Canvas requires a slight shift in habits.

Wow Factor 8

Canvas feels like a true collaborative partner rather than a chatbot.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent

These three features transform Gemini from a simple chatbot into a personalized, professional workspace.

Key Takeaways

Mastering Gemini requires more than just good prompting; it requires setting up your environment. 

By utilizing Dark Mode for comfort, Temporary Chats for privacy, and Canvas for deep work, you build a tool that works for you.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Gemini Customization Suite (Dark Mode, Temp Chat, Canvas).
• Platform(s): Web, Android, iOS.
• Quick Benefit: Personalized, private, and focused AI interaction.
• Access Type: Free (Dark Mode/Temp Chat), Freemium (Canvas).

Try It Yourself

Go to Gemini right now, type "Open Canvas," and ask it to help you draft an email to your team. 

Highlight a sentence and ask Gemini to "rewrite this to be more polite." 

You will see the magic of side-by-side editing immediately.

READ MORE

• Unleashing Your Inner Creator: How to Use the New Canvas in Google Gemini
  
• Tired of Eye Strain? Google Gemini Has a Solution
  
• Why Gemini's Temporary Chats Are a Game Changer for Smart Professionals
  
• MORE Google Gemini Cool Tips

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#GoogleGemini #AIProductivity #GeminiCanvas #PrivacyTech #FutureOfWork @GeminiApp @sundarpichai 

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip 

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Top 2025 ChatGPT Cool Tips You Should Know

Top 2025 ChatGPT Cool Tips You Should Know

Three 2025 ChatGPT features quietly changed how people work across Apple devices, the web, and teams. If you use ChatGPT even occasionally, these tips can save time immediately and unlock capabilities many users still overlook.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 27, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Most people think they know ChatGPT because they type prompts into a box and read answers. 

The reality is that ChatGPT has crossed a threshold where it behaves more like an assistant platform than a single tool, especially when paired with Apple devices, Projects, and the new ChatGPT-5 model. 

Here's a Cool Tip: Discover the impactful and most popular ChatGPT Cool Tips in 2025.

If you have not revisited how you use ChatGPT in the past few months, you are almost certainly leaving productivity on the table.

🎁 Tech Gift Returns: Smart Tips That Save Time (and Money)

🎁 Tech Gift Returns: Smart Tips That Save Time (and Money)

Got a tech gift that’s not quite right?

Before you return it, read these Cool Tips.

1. Check the Electronics Return Window: Tech items often have shorter return periods than other purchases. Phones, laptops, and tablets may have 14–30 days, even when the store advertises longer returns for non-tech items.
2. Back Up, Then Sign Out Everywhere: Before returning any device, back up your data, sign out of all accounts, and disable device-locking features. Stores may reject returns if security locks are still enabled.
3. Confirm the Reset Is Truly Complete: After a factory reset, power the device back on. It should land on the “Hello” or setup screen with no account prompts. If it does not, the reset was not complete.
4. Photograph Serial Numbers First: Take a quick photo of the serial number, IMEI, or box label before returning the item. This protects you if a refund is delayed or a return is disputed.
5. Watch for Restocking Fees: Some opened electronics carry restocking fees of 10–20 percent. If the device is defective, say so clearly. Many retailers waive fees for faulty hardware.
6. Cancel Bundled Trials and Subscriptions: Tech gifts often activate free trials automatically. Cancel any subscriptions and unlink the device from your account before returning it to avoid surprise charges later.
7. Let Software Updates Finish: Do not return a device mid-update. Incomplete firmware updates can cause devices to fail basic testing and delay or block refunds.
8. Consider Store Credit Instead of Cash: Store credit sometimes avoids restocking fees and may come with extended return flexibility. If you plan to replace the item anyway, credit can be the better option.
9. Keep Packaging Until the Refund Clears: Hold onto boxes, receipts, and tracking numbers until the refund posts. Electronics refunds can take one to three weeks.
10. Missed the Return Window? Pivot Quickly: If the return period has passed, consider warranty exchanges, trade-in programs, or reputable buyback services. You may recover more value than expected.

Quick Takeaway

• Returning tech is different from returning clothes or books. 
• A few extra minutes checking settings, accounts, and policies can save hours of frustration later.
• Read the Return and Exchange Policies for these major retailers:

• Best Buy
• Costco
• Newegg
• Sam's Club
• Target
• Walmart

Before you head back to the store or click that return button, pause and run through this checklist once. 

It takes five minutes and can be the difference between a smooth refund and weeks of back-and-forth.

Bookmark this Cool Tip, share it with anyone sorting post-holiday returns, and make it part of your tech routine. 

A smarter return today means more money, fewer headaches, and a better upgrade tomorrow.

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Returns #gifts #TechReturns #SmartShopping #ConsumerTech

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip 

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Have Fun with Toy Theater

Have Fun with Toy Theater

A surprisingly powerful collection of free, browser-based games and creative tools that turn quick breaks into brain-boosting play.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 26, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Do you remember the simple joy of playing a game just for the fun of it, without battling pop-up ads or in-app purchases? 

Whether you are a teacher looking for a safe classroom activity, a parent needing a fun and educational game for their child, or just someone who enjoys a classic game of checkers, the modern web often feels cluttered and expensive.

Here's a Cool Tip: Have Fun with Toy Theater.

iOS 26 Finally Shows When Your iPhone Will Finish Charging

iOS 26 Finally Shows When Your iPhone Will Finish Charging

With iOS 26, Apple stops guessing games and tells you exactly how long your iPhone needs to finish charging. iPhone users can see a time-based charging estimate instead of relying on battery percentages alone. It is a small change that makes everyday charging far more predictable.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 25, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

You plug in your iPhone at 41 percent and glance at the clock. 

Will it hit 80 percent before you leave? 

Is ten minutes enough, or do you need to change plans?

Until iOS 26, iPhone charging was mostly guesswork. 

Battery percentages told you how full your phone was, not how long it would take to finish charging. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use iOS 26 to Estimate Your Charging Time.

iOS 26 now adds a charging time estimate that reflects real-world conditions.

Browse Smarter With Multi-Tab Context in Microsoft Edge

Browse Smarter With Multi-Tab Context in Microsoft Edge

Your browser tabs already know more than you think. Microsoft Edge’s new Copilot Mode uses multi-tab context to help you research, compare, and decide faster without hopping between windows.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 24, 2025

Subscribe - Read the Newsletter Version

Have you ever finished a research session with ten tabs open, three notes half-written, and a lingering sense that you missed something important? 

Browsing today is less about finding information and more about connecting it across tabs, documents, and moments of attention.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Microsoft Edge Copilot for Multi-Tab Context.

Multi-tab context inside Edge is where Copilot can understand what you are viewing across multiple open pages and respond as if it were sitting beside you, following along.

Feature Explanation

Multi-tab context is part of Copilot Mode in Microsoft Edge. 

When enabled, Copilot can reference the content of multiple open tabs at the same time rather than treating each page as an isolated query.

In practical terms, this means Copilot can compare articles, summarize differences between products, extract themes from several sources, or answer questions that require awareness of more than one webpage. 

The browsing session becomes a working set of context instead of a pile of disconnected links.

Why it matters: modern browsing is multi-source by default. Decisions are rarely made from a single page. 

Multi-tab context reduces cognitive load and cuts down on copy-paste workflows that break focus.

What You’ll Gain

With multi-tab context, you can:

• See patterns across tabs without manual comparison.
• Ask better questions using your actual browsing context.
• Reduce tab switching and note juggling.
• Turn browsing into structured research.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft Edge/Desktop (Windows 11, macOS)

1. Open Microsoft Edge and ensure you are signed in with a Microsoft account.
2. Click the Copilot icon in the top-right corner of the browser.
3. Enable Copilot Mode if prompted. 
4. Open multiple related tabs such as product pages or articles.
5. In the Copilot panel, ask a question that references multiple tabs. Example: “Compare the pros and cons across my open tabs.”

fig. 1 - Browse Faster With Multi-Tab Context

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Faster synthesis across sources, especially for research.
• Fewer manual notes and comparisons.
• Natural language queries reduce friction.
• Strong fit for business and academic workflows.

Cons

• Requires trust in Copilot’s interpretation.
• Performance depends on page structure and readability.
• Not all users will want AI awareness across tabs.
• Feature availability varies during rollout.

Feature Access

• Browser: Microsoft Edge with Copilot.
• Accounts: Microsoft account required.
• Platforms: Windows, macOS.
• Status: Currently rolling out.
• Subscription: Free with Edge; some advanced AI features may require eligible Copilot plans.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Directly improves how people research and decide online.

Usability 8

Natural prompts work well, though discoverability could improve.

Wow Factor 7

Powerful but subtle rather than flashy.

Total: 24/30  👍 Good

A practical productivity upgrade that quietly changes how browsing works. Compared to single-page AI summaries, multi-tab context feels closer to real thinking.

Key Takeaways

Multi-tab context turns browsing sessions into working knowledge. 

Instead of juggling tabs, you let Copilot connect them. 

The result is faster understanding with less mental overhead.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Multi-Tab Context in Copilot Mode.
• Platform(s): Microsoft Edge with Copilot.
• Quick Benefit: Smarter answers across open tabs.
• Access Type: Free, currently rolling out.

Try It Yourself

Open three related tabs today and ask Copilot a question that requires comparison. 

Share what surprised you in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip Newsletter, and pass this Cool Tip along to your team, family, and friends.

READ MORE

• “Hey Copilot” on Windows 11: Hands-Free Help That Actually Saves Time
  
• Copilot Notebooks Arrive for Microsoft 365: Save Smarter Prompts, Get Better Results
  
• Microsoft 365 Copilot vs Microsoft Copilot: What’s the Difference?

Stay Connected with One Cool Tip

👍 Like and Share: Help others discover OneCoolTip.com!

📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

💡 Support the Site: Chip in through TIPJAR to keep the Cool Tips coming.

Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

X (Twitter): @OneCoolTip

Threads: @onecooltip

Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#MicrosoftEdge #CopilotAI #BrowserTips #ProductivityTools @MSEdgeDev @Copilot @Windows 

#TechTips #OneCoolTip @onecooltip 

Copyright © 2008-2025 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved