RBRunbook
Field-tested tech guides

Fixes that actually explain why, not just what to click.

Plain-English fixes for real tech problems. Every guide on Runbook is written from a real, reproduced problem, tested step by step, and kept current as software changes.

20Guides published
3Categories
100%Independently tested

All guides

Updated July 2026
Dev ToolsNetworkingOperating Systems
Networking

How to Fix ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR in Chrome Without Reinstalling

A step-by-step way to diagnose ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR by isolating clock, extension, antivirus, and server causes instead of guessing.

Beginner10–15 min
Operating Systems

How to Recover an Unsaved Word Document After a Crash

Where Word actually stores AutoRecover and temp files, and the exact folders to check when the recovery pane doesn't show your document.

Beginner5–20 min
Networking

How to Set Up SSH Key Authentication and Disable Password Login

Generate an SSH key pair, install it on your server, and safely disable password authentication — with the ordering that prevents lockouts.

Intermediate15–20 min
Networking

How to Fix Wi-Fi That Connects But Has No Internet Access

A structured way to tell apart router, modem, DNS, and IP-address problems when Wi-Fi shows connected but nothing loads.

Beginner10–15 min
Operating Systems

How to Free Up Space on a Mac When "Other" Storage Is Huge

What macOS actually counts as System/Other storage, and the specific folders worth cleaning versus the ones you should leave alone.

Beginner15–25 min
Dev Tools

How to Set Up a Reverse Proxy with Nginx for a Home Server

Set up Nginx as a reverse proxy so multiple self-hosted apps on different ports are reachable through clean subdomains, with HTTPS via Certbot.

Intermediate30–40 min
Networking

How to Fix "This Site Can't Provide a Secure Connection"

How to read the certificate details behind this Chrome/Edge error to find the real cause in under a minute, plus what each error code actually means.

Beginner5–10 min
Dev Tools

How to Schedule a Python Script: Cron vs Task Scheduler vs launchd

Working examples for scheduling Python scripts with cron, Windows Task Scheduler, and macOS launchd, plus the environment-variable issue that breaks most jobs.

Intermediate15–25 min
Operating Systems

How to Recover Files from a Corrupted USB Drive Without Paid Software

Free, built-in tools to diagnose and recover data from a USB drive that shows as corrupted, unreadable, or asks to be formatted.

Beginner15–30 min
Operating Systems

How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication Without Locking Yourself Out

The correct setup order for two-factor authentication, why authenticator apps beat SMS, and where to actually store backup codes.

Beginner10 min per account
Operating Systems

How to Fix a Slow External Hard Drive on Windows

The USB mode, power policy, and file-system settings that commonly throttle external hard drive speed on Windows, checked in order of likely impact.

Beginner10–15 min
Dev Tools

How to Migrate a WordPress Site to a New Host Without Downtime

A step-by-step WordPress migration sequence that keeps your old site live and serving traffic until the new host is fully verified and DNS has propagated.

Intermediate1–2 hours
Dev Tools

How to Set Up a Local Development Environment with Docker Compose

A working docker-compose.yml for a typical app + database + cache stack, plus the volume and networking details that trip people up first.

Intermediate20–30 min
Networking

How to Fix "Too Many Redirects" Errors on Your Website

How to trace a redirect loop using curl, and the specific CDN/CMS/.htaccess conflicts that cause ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS most often.

Intermediate15–20 min
Operating Systems

How to Back Up Your Phone Photos Automatically Without Paying for Cloud Storage

Set up automatic photo backups to a computer or home NAS using tools that already exist on your phone and computer, with no subscription.

Beginner20 min setup
Operating Systems

How to Diagnose and Fix High CPU Usage on Windows 11

A structured process for finding what's actually driving high CPU usage on Windows 11 — including causes Task Manager alone won't reveal.

Beginner15–20 min
Dev Tools

How to Set Up Git Properly for a New Developer

The essential Git configuration steps beyond installation — identity, SSH keys, line-ending settings, and default branch — that prevent common early mistakes.

Beginner10–15 min
Operating Systems

How to Fix Bluetooth Devices That Keep Disconnecting

The specific power-management and interference settings behind Bluetooth devices that randomly disconnect, with separate fixes for Windows and macOS.

Beginner10–15 min
Operating Systems

How to Password-Protect a Folder Without Third-Party Software

How to actually encrypt a folder using built-in Windows and macOS tools, and why simple "hide the folder" tricks don't provide real protection.

Beginner10–15 min
Networking

How to Set Up a Personal VPN Server Instead of Paying for One

Set up your own WireGuard VPN server on a cheap VPS in about 20 minutes, with the tradeoffs versus a commercial VPN service explained honestly.

Intermediate20–30 min