Tashreef Shareef-Author

Tashreef Shareef

Author

May, 2021
Bachelor's in Computer Science
Windows, Android, Microsoft
  • 651
    articles
  • 355
    Features
  • 71
    Lists
  • 225
    Guides

About Tashreef Shareef

Tashreef's fascination with consumer technology began in the school library when he stumbled upon a tech magazine, CHIP, which ultimately inspired him to pursue a degree in Computer Science. Since 2012, Tashreef has professionally authored over a thousand how-to articles, contributing to Windows Report and How-To Geek. He currently focuses on Microsoft Windows content at MakeUseOf, which he has been using since 2007.

With hands-on experience building websites and technology blogs, he brings practical developer insights to his technical writing. You can view his complete work portfolio at itashreef.com.

You might also stumble upon his short how-to video explainers, simplifying complex topics. Beyond writing, Tashreef enjoys creating short explainer videos, gaming, and exploring animated shows.

Latest

Cmder web page open on a BENQ monitor
This old-school Windows terminal still does a few things better than Microsoft

Portable, Unix tools and aliases, this classic terminal outshines Microsoft's own.

3
Defragment and optimization drive in Windows 11 Start menu on a HP Pavillion laptop
Your SSD is slowing down, and Windows has been quietly hiding the fix

Speed up your sluggish SSD with this hidden Windows fix.

10
Windows File Explorer and the Advanced system settings dialog open on a BENQ Monitor
Windows has another giant hidden file — but this one you should probably leave alone

This huge hidden file is keeping your PC running.

3
Custom apps on the Edge panel on a Galaxy phone.
I turned Samsung's Edge Panel into the most useful part of my phone

Samsung's Edge Panel is criminally underused.

Firefox focus browser open on a Galaxy Z Flip 6
I didn't think I'd ever leave Chrome until I tried this lightweight browser

This lightweight browser might just replace Chrome for good.

3
FlyPhotos app logo open in FlyPhotos on Windows 11 and a HP laptop
Windows Photos was slowing me down — this free replacement fixed that instantly

Fly through your photo's library with this open-source app

9
Other storage option in Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
I finally figured out what was eating my Android storage — and the culprit wasn't what I expected

The sneaky culprit eating my Android storage shocked me

7
Tubi app in ChatGPT on a Android phone-1
I asked ChatGPT to find me a free movie and didn't expect this

ChatGPT's free movie pick blew my mind.

2
Installed apps section on the Windows 11 Settings app
You don't need a bigger SSD if you do this with your storage

Free up SSD space without spending a dime.

Obsidian and Microsoft Word apps open on a BENQ monitor
I stopped using Microsoft Word and write everything in Markdown now — this is my setup

Why Markdown replaced Word in my writing workflow.

7
Process Explorer open on a HP Pavillion laptop
I replaced Task Manager, Startup apps, and Event Viewer with three better Microsoft tools

Task Manager is fine. These are better.

1
PowerToys, Listary, DropIt, TeraCopy, RaiDrive Mount app icons on Windows 11 desktop and a HP pavillion laptop
Windows File Explorer annoyed me a lot less after I found these 5 tools

File Explorer sucks less with these 5 tools.

3
Docker installation wizard on HP pavillion laptop
If you've ever installed WSL or Docker on Windows, check this folder right now

WSL and Docker are quietly eating your disk space.

5
Kate editor open on a HP Pavillion gaming laptop running Windows 11
I replaced Notepad++ with this lightweight editor and never looked back

Kate is what Notepad++ wishes it could be

Device Manager open on a HP Pavillion gaming laptop (2)
I had no idea what USB standard my laptop ports actually used until I found this in Device Manager
USB

Your laptop's USB version is hiding in Device Manager

1
Ad Guard app open on a HP laptop
I didn't know my ISP could see every website I visit until I checked this setting
DNS

Your ISP sees more than you think.

6
Microsoft Office 365 Online open on a HP Laptop
I stopped paying for Microsoft 365 six months ago and still don't miss it

The free Microsoft 365 web version is enough

1
StoryPad app home screen timeline on a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6-2
This open-source Android journal app laid out my entire year on a timeline, and I love it

One timeline view changed how I journal.

1
Super-Productivity app home screen on a Galaxy Z Flip 6
I found a powerful Android to-do app that collects absolutely zero data — and it's free and open-source

Powerful, private, and free—my new favorite todo app.

Windows 11 Add VPN dialog open on a HP Pavillion laptop
I replaced my paid VPN app with a feature Windows already had — and it works perfectly
VPN

Windows had a free VPN hiding all along.

9
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