Ben Stegner-Senior Editor

Ben Stegner

Senior Editor

February, 2014
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (Grove City College)
Windows Tips, iPhone Tips, Gaming Culture
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About Ben Stegner

After joining MUO in 2014 and earning a degree in Computer Information Systems, Ben left his IT job to go full-time with the site in 2016. He joined the editorial team in 2017 and has climbed the ranks since then.

As a writer, his specialties include Windows, Android, Gaming, and iPhone explainers and how-tos. He's been mastering Windows since 2009, got his first Android phone in 2011, and has used an iPhone daily since 2020. His work has been viewed over 100 million times.

Now, as a Senior Editor at MUO, Ben leads the Devices and Home segments, leading by example by writing dozens of high-quality articles each month.

Outside of work, Ben loves experiencing new video games, exploring music, learning new information, and enjoying time with friends. While MUO is his home, he also wrote briefly for Nintendo Life and has contributed to various company blogs.

Latest

Snagit laptop screenshot cursor.
This forgotten Windows customization adds way more personality than I expected

A small change to something you look at all day.

Conversations in Google Messages on a Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Your group chats might be terrible without you even realizing it

An easy-to-miss upgrade can silently downgrade your chats.

Mint Mobile SIM Protection Number Lock with SIM cards on table
I've had this $15/month phone service since 2020 and it rocks

Don't pay too much for mobile service just because everyone else does.

HDMI ARC port with others on the back of a Samsung TV
Please stop using old HDMI cables

That old cable is limiting what you can do with your modern display.

15
Betterment Website on Android Phone
This scam notification reminds me that nothing is safe

A little skepticism goes a long way.

1
Google Pixel 9A in hand with emergency and SOS stickers
Your phone’s emergency features can do more than call 911

Prep these features now for an emergency that hopefully never happens.

2
Setting up a clean boot on Windows 11
I removed these Windows startup apps and my PC finally felt fast

Not every app deserves a place in the startup queue.

8
Windows Snipping tool running on Windows 11.
The built-in Windows screen recorder is so good that you won't need another

The tool you already have meets all your screen-recording needs.

3
1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 on an iPhone 14 Pro Max and car keys for size reference
I almost lost my entire digital life, so I built a disaster plan

Make sure your accounts are handled after you're gone.

1
iA Writer Website Shown on iPhone Next to a Pen
This is the only Markdown editor I’ll ever use on Windows

I've written over a thousand articles across three Markdown editors; here's my current one.

Computer screen showing Registry Editor in Windows 11's Start menu
These 6 Windows settings affect performance more than hardware upgrades

Tweak a few settings before you upgrade your hardware even further.

8
battery charging percentage on smartphone.
Why your phone battery drains even when you’re not using it

Your phone does a lot, even when it's in your pocket.

4
TP-Link Deco Mesh router beside Wi-Fi repeater
The hidden reason your Wi-Fi is slow might be the extender you bought to fix it

They sound like a great solution, but are usually a headache.

11
iCloud Custom Mail Domain Showing on iPhone
I used this hack to get my own email domain for practically free

Get a custom @ for almost nothing.

9
Spectrum Cable Modem on Couch
Stop paying a monthly fee for the terrible router your cable company gave you

Don't pay endlessly for a product that's not even good.

2
Basket on Top of Toilet Tank
Your toilet keeps running at random times because of this $10 rubber part

An easy fix will save you so much wasted water.

Fireflies AI Site on Smartphone
Please stop inviting bots to your online meetings

We don't need to be recorded by five notetakers.

2
ces logo at ces 2026.
MakeUseOf's CES 2026 Best in Show: Headphones, rollable laptops, and multi-screen smartphones
CES

It's a bumper year for shiny new tech at this year's edition of CES.

TickTick Sidebar Panel Open on Phone With Paper Clips
I've been using unread emails as a task list for too long — I'm switching to this

From a fragile setup to a solid system.

1
Windows PC Manager webpage on browser window
5 ways you're accidentally destroying your Windows installation

Don't let overzealous cleaning, neglect, and other mistakes mess up your PC.

8
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