{"id":13847,"date":"2026-09-01T15:22:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T15:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advisorator.com\/members\/?p=13847"},"modified":"2026-09-01T15:33:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T15:33:17","slug":"why-i-just-completely-wiped-my-computer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advisorator.com\/members\/2026\/09\/01\/why-i-just-completely-wiped-my-computer\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I just completely wiped my computer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The pure catharsis of a full factory reset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plus: An easy privacy setting, fun photo tools, and Labor Day tech savings<\/h3>\n\n\n
Jared Newman<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>September 1, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hey there! I\u2019m Jared Newman, a longtime tech journalist, and you\u2019re reading the free edition of Advisorator, my weekly tech advice newsletter.<\/em> Did someone share this newsletter with you? Sign up<\/a> to get it every Tuesday.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last call for Advisorator’s membership sale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hey folks, just a heads-up that my Advisorator membership sale<\/a> ends this Sunday night. Sign up before then to get your first year for $37.50<\/a>, which is 25% off the regular price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re currently reading the free edition, which I do try to make as substantial as possible while also running a sustainable business. News, quick tips, app recommendations, and deals are all included in the newsletter you’re getting now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For paying members, I typically write one in-depth feature or guide each week. These cover topics like using a password manager<\/a>, opting out of unwanted emails<\/a>, and running a home media server<\/a>. I also run a community forum<\/a> for answering questions, discussing the latest newsletters, and occasionally sharing some extra time-sensitive deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your support means a ton and allows me to operate this newsletter without any advertisers or sponsored content. Pick a plan below to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Annual: $50<\/s> $37.50 for one year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Monthly: $5 per month<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thanks again for hearing me out. I promise to be less annoying about memberships after this week, at least for a while. Now, onto the newsletter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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News in brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meta settlement:<\/strong> The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has agreed to an $18 billion settlement and a slew of product changes<\/a> after dozens of states accused the company of violating child privacy laws and allowing teens to get addicted<\/a>. For teenage users, the changes<\/a> will include two-hour time limits, warnings after 15 minutes of continual use, no notifications from midnight through 6 a.m., an optional non-algorithmic feed, and no more extreme makeup filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portion of the fine and some additional changes (including a one-hour default time limit) are contingent on TikTok and YouTube agreeing to similar restrictions. They’ll likely follow along to avoid lawsuits of their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More notable news and reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n