Windows & Android Tips

“HELPING MEMBER GROUPS HELP THEIR MEMBERS”

Judy Taylour, Speakers Bureau Member

11/8/22

HOW TO BACK UP A MACHINE THAT WON’T BOOT – You need to boot to back up, but you can’t boot. What then? Here’s the scenario: all is well and you’re getting lots of work done on your computer when all of a sudden, it crashes. No idea why — it just crashes. What’s worse, it won’t reboot. Maybe it just hangs on boot, maybe it says the drive isn’t found, or maybe there’s something else interfering. To make matters worse yet, you stand to lose all that work you were doing because it hasn’t yet been backed up. Your most recent work seems to be locked inside a hard drive you can’t access. There may be a way to back it up before dealing with the crash. Learn how…
How to Back Up a Machine That Won’t Boot – Ask Leo!

WINDOWS 11 NOW HAS CAMERA OPTIONS IN THE QUICK SETTINGS – As videoconferencing apps keep becoming more common, you need to keep your computer’s camera feed looking sharp. Now, you can quickly change your camera’s settings with a new, handy toggle on Windows 11. Read more… Windows 11 Now Has Camera Options in the Quick Settings (howtogeek.com)

MICROSOFT EXPERIMENTS WITH ADS IN THE WINDOWS 11 START MENU – Microsoft is experimenting with injecting ads into the Windows 11 start menu experience in an attempt to get us to use more of its products and services. Read more… Microsoft Experiments With Ads in the Windows 11 Start Menu | PCMag

SPEC SHOWDOWN: THE ORIGINAL IBM 5150 VS. TODAY’S PCS – Just for kicks, let’s compare the specs of the 1981-vintage computer that inspired the birth of PC Magazine to some modern-day desktops. Spec Showdown: The Original IBM 5150 vs. Today’s PCs | PCMag

NORTONLIFELOCK MERGES WITH AVAST TO FORM NEW COMPANY CALLED ‘GEN’ – NortonLifeLock has settled on a new company name after merging with antivirus provider Avast two months ago: Gen. The full name is actually Gen Digital. But the company is already promoting(Opens in a new window) itself as Gen through marketing materials and on its website. The term doesn’t exactly connote cybersecurity or antivirus. However, the newly merged company selected the name to underscore its focus on protecting “digital life.” “We’re all a part of a new generation, regardless of age. It’s not Gen X, Y or Z, it’s Generation Digital,” says CEO Vincent Pilette, who was previously the head of NortonLifeLock. But despite the new name, all the separate brands will continue to live on. “Yes, nothing will change on that front. The company name and logo change won’t impact their consumer brands,” a spokesperson for Gen told PCMag.
NortonLifeLock Merges With Avast to Form New Company Called ‘Gen’ | PCMag

5 SIGNS YOU NEED A NEW LAPTOP – You might to shocked to learn that the most reliable Chromebooks have an honest-to-goodness expiration date. Once that date is reached, it’s trash. The Chromebook will not get any more patches or updates. Take a look at the clear-cut signs buying a new laptop is in your immediate future. 5 signs you need a new laptop (komando.com)

LOGITECH MOUSE NOT WORKING? 11 FIXES TO TRY – Logitech is one of the world’s most popular computer peripheral makers, and millions of their mice are connected to computers everywhere. So it’s no surprise that many people have issues with their Logitech mice from time to time. Usually, these glitches are rare and easy to resolve. Just follow the troubleshooting tips, and you’ll be clicking away in no time. Logitech Mouse Not Working? 11 Fixes to Try (helpdeskgeek.com)

HOW TO FACTORY RESET WINDOWS 11 REMOVING EVERYTHING – If you plan to get rid of your computer or have to fix problems, the “Reset this PC” feature with the remove everything option can help, and here’s how. How to factory reset Windows 11 removing everything – Pureinfotech

HOW TO DISABLE STARTUP APPS ON WINDOWS 11 – Here are four ways to prevent apps from running automatically on startup on Windows 11. How to disable startup apps on Windows 11 – Pureinfotech

HOW TO CREATE BOOTABLE WINDOWS 11 USB INSTALL MEDIA – Here’s the process to create a bootable USB drive to perform a clean install of Windows 11.
How to create bootable Windows 11 USB install media – Pureinfotech

WHY DO SMARTPHONES NO LONGER COME WITH REMOVABLE BATTERIES? – There are several reasons, learn about them here.
Q&A: Why do smartphones no longer come with removable batteries? (ricksdailytips.com)

7 WAYS TO GET A SECOND OPINION AFTER A CLEAN ANTIVIRUS SCAN – Do you always get a warm, fuzzy feeling after your latest malware scan responds with “Scan complete. No malware found!“? Most folks do, and I must admit that I feel pretty good about those kinds of reports myself. But I’m going to share a little secret with you…
7 ways to get a second opinion after a clean antivirus scan (ricksdailytips.com)

HOW TO VERIFY THAT A LINK IS SAFE BEFORE YOU CLICK ON IT – As you probably know, the Internet is home to a lot of scammy and fraudulent websites. While there is no 100% fool-proof method for detecting every single dangerous website you might encounter, there’s a very easy way to find out with a high degree of certainty whether a given page is safe to visit. Here’s a little reminder for you…How to verify that a link is safe before you click on it (ricksdailytips.com)

HOME INTERNET CHEAT SHEET: YOUR GUIDE TO BROADBAND BASICS AND BEYOND – Home Internet Cheat Sheet: Your Guide to Broadband Basics and Beyond – CNET

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DATA BREACH AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF – If you find your data has somehow been compromised, you need to act fast. Here’s what to do. What to Do After a Data Breach and How to Protect Yourself (makeuseof.com)

5 COMMON SMARTPHONE SECURITY MYTHS, DEBUNKED – Virtually everyone has a smartphone, but that doesn’t mean they understand the security in place on devices. Here’s the truth about mobile security. 5 Common Smartphone Security Myths, Debunked (makeuseof.com)

THE BEST 8 WAYS TO FIX BLACK SCREEN ON WINDOWS 10/11 – Discover 8 ways to fix the black screen on Windows 10/11 if you encounter it. The Best 8 Ways to Fix Black Screen on Windows 10/11 (makeuseof.com)

8 WAYS TO STOP YOUR LAPTOP FROM MURDERING YOUR BACK – Use these tips to skip the neck and back pain. 8 Ways to Stop Your Laptop From Murdering Your Back (howtogeek.com)

10/2/22

WINDOWS 11’S TASKBAR IS GETTING ITS TASK MANAGER SHORTCUT BACK – Windows 11’s 2022 update just came out, but Microsoft has already begun testing upcoming updates. An all-new Insider Preview was just released, and it carries a handful of additions, including a neat new taskbar shortcut to quickly access your Task Manager. Now, after updating to the latest 25211 Insider build, right-clicking on your taskbar won’t just get you a “Taskbar settings” button. Above it, you’ll also see a new “Task Manager” button that will get you to the newly-redesigned Windows Task Manager. Windows 10 and earlier versions had the same right-click shortcut, but it hasn’t been available on Windows 11’s redesigned taskbar until now. Windows 11’s Taskbar Is Getting Its Task Manager Shortcut Back (howtogeek.com)

BRUSHING SCAMS: HERE’S WHY YOU’RE GETTING RANDOM PACKAGES – Across the United States and other countries, millions of people are surprised to receive packages they never ordered. In most cases, the source is a scam called “brushing.” Here’s why you’re getting free loot. Brushing Scams: Here’s Why You’re Getting Random Packages (howtogeek.com)

DID YOU GET AN EMAIL SAYING YOUR PERSONAL INFO IS FOR SALE ON THE DARK WEB? – Before you act, read this Consumer Alert from the FTC.
Did you get an email saying your personal info is for sale on the dark web? | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov)

RICK’S TECH TIPS – This post only applies if your PC is running Windows’ native Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

Do you depend on Windows’ native Microsoft Defender security app to protect your PC from malware?

If so, you’ll be happy to know that Microsoft also provides native ransomware protection with both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Note: If your PC has a third-party antivirus program installed on it, you won’t need to do this because that security app already has ransomware protection built-in. In a nutshell, Windows’ ransomware protection locks down key folders to prevent malware from accessing and altering the files contained within them.

By default, not every folder on the hard drive or SSD is protected from ransomware when ransomware protection is enabled, but you have the option of manually adding any folder on any drive to the protected list. More on that later…

How does ransomware work?

If ransomware successfully attacks your PC the malware will encrypt all the photos and other important files on the hard drive or SSD and demand that you pay a ransom in order to obtain the decryption key.

If you refuse to pay the ransom your files will be lost forever.

And even if you do pay the ransom there’s a good chance that the hacker will simply keep your money and never send you the decryption key – in which case your files will still be lost forever!

Protecting your files against ransomware…

The best defense against ransomware is to get into the habit of creating frequent backups of your PC’s hard drive or SSD but having Windows Defender’s ransomware protection enabled adds a powerful extra layer of security to your PC’s file system.

The problem is, even though Microsoft Defender has ransomware protection built in, it is disabled by default. That means unless you manually enable it, your critical files will still be at risk of being encrypted by ransomware.

Luckily, it’s very easy to enable Microsoft Defender’s ransomware protection and add additional folders to the protected folder’s list. Just follow the steps below.

First, let’s enable ransomware protection on your PC…

1 – Search Field > Start typing the phrase virus & threat protection and click Virus & threat protection after it pops up in the list of search results.

2 – Scroll down to the “Ransomware protection” section and click the Manage ransomware protection link.

3 – Toggle the “Controlled folder access” setting to On.

Congratulations! Microsoft Defender’s native ransomware protection is now enabled on your PC.

Now it’s time to check to see which folders are currently being protected against ransomware…

1 – Click the Protected folders link.

2 – Click Yes in response to the “User account control” dialog.

3 – Review the list of protected folders to see which folders are currently being protected against ransomware.

4 – (Optional) If you want to add a folder on any attached drive to the protected folders list simply click Add a protected folder and then navigate to the folder you wish to add and click Select Folder.

Note: You can add as many folders as you want to the protected folders list.

That’s it. You’re done! Ransomware protection is now enabled in your PC’s Microsoft Defender app and your selected folders are now being protected.

Bonus tip: If you ever suspect that your Windows PC is infected with malware, this post has step-by-step instructions for getting rid of it.
How to enable ransomware protection in Windows 10/11 (ricksdailytips.com)

ONLINE PRIVACY IS A MYTH: WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO ABOUT IT – We all want to recover (and maintain) our online privacy. There are lots of features and industries built around fighting for privacy, from private-browsing modes and tracker blockers to private VPNs. But online privacy is a myth—and offline privacy might be one, too. Myths are stories (or narratives) that are often foundational to a society’s beliefs. The myth of online privacy is like that: Privacy feels foundational in our society. To the extent we accept we don’t have privacy online, it feels like something we’ve lost—something that we can perhaps recover with the right software tweaks, behaviors, or perhaps regulations. When you think about it, the myth of online privacy is even beneficial to those industries that benefit from the lack of it. We all might agree that there’s no privacy online, but leave us to a search engine, and we’ll search an endless list of everything that comes into our minds, including potentially sensitive topics like medical questions. Police even dig through those search histories to look for criminals. Online Privacy Is a Myth: What You Can and Can’t Do About It (howtogeek.com)

WHAT IS RFID, AND IS IT REALLY A SECURITY CONCERN? – RFID is a technology that surrounds us every day. It’s in our credit cards, passports, and some of the products we buy. Even many of our pets have RFID chips in them! RFID is essentially a form of electronic bar tag — one that can be much smaller. A nearby reader can use radio waves to read the RFID tag without any visual contact.
What Is RFID, and Is It Really a Security Concern? (howtogeek.com)

STOP CHANGING YOUR (STRONG, UNIQUE) PASSWORDS SO MUCH – Good cyber hygiene means creating new, robust passwords every few months, right? Not so fast. Federal guidance that likely fell under the radar for many of us says you can cool it with the frequent passcode changes. Last week, I wrote the words “Another reason to use password managers is they make it very easy to change passwords into something stronger, which you should do frequently.” Because that’s the advice everyone gives about passwords, along with make them strong and unique to every service and account you create. Thankfully, I had our resident security expert, Neil. J. Rubenking, read the story before it published. He pointed out that the “should do frequently” part is now outdated advice.
Stop Changing Your (Strong, Unique) Passwords So Much | PCMag

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FORGET YOUR ANDROID PHONE’S PIN, PATTERN, OR PASSWORD – Android normally secures your device by demanding a PIN, pattern, or full password. Your phone isn’t useless if you forget the unlock code — you can bypass it and get back in. As Google tightens security, this has become more difficult on modern versions of Android. But there’s always a way to make your phone usable again, as long as you remember your Google account’s username and password. What to Do If You Forget Your Android Phone’s PIN, Pattern, or Password (howtogeek.com)

9/22

WINDOWS 11 22HA UPDATE; 8 BEST NEW FEATURESW – Microsoft just released the first major update to Windows 11. It includes some useful and highly requested new features, though it’s not a complete revamp. That’s to be expected after all the huge changes Windows 11 brought when it came out a year ago. Microsoft is calling this new version the Windows 11 2022 Update, though it appears as Version 22H2—for 2022, second half—in system settings. All the new features have already appeared in prerelease software as part of the Windows Insider program. In fact, that program lets you see features being considered for builds even farther out than 22H2. If you’re not an Insider, here’s an overview of the most interesting features in the update. Windows 11 22H2 | PCMag

10 WAYS TO SHUT DOWN AND RESTART A WINDOWS 11 PC – Often, a quick PC restart is all you need to resolve issues that randomly crop up with Windows 11 and the applications that run on it. Troubleshooting aside, you’ll encounter many instances requiring you to shut down and restart your computer—e.g., after a Windows update. If you use a Windows 11 PC, you have multiple ways to perform a system reboot. Although you probably won’t need them all, it’s always better to know about alternative methods should the situation. 10 Ways to Shut Down and Restart a Windows 11 PC (helpdeskgeek.com)

HOW TECH CAN HELP REDUCE THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF EVERYDAY TASKS AND CHORES – If you constantly worry about household chores but neglect them because you’re busy or tired, these apps can help reduce the stressful mental burden. How Tech Can Help Reduce the Overwhelming Feeling of Everyday Tasks and Chores (makeuseof.com)

FACEBOOK PICTURES NOT LOADING? 10 WAYS TO FIX – Facebook is one of the oldest, and most widely used social media platforms. We always expect it to be available, just a click away, ready to work, and display everything on our News Feed. But Facebook isn’t free from bugs and glitches, so sometimes we can’t post comments, send messages, or view images. It can be frustrating when Facebook fails to load images in the News Feed, and they appear as empty or black boxes. These are also known as broken images and broken can be fixed. Facebook Pictures Not Loading? 10 Ways to Fix (online-tech-tips.com)

SHIELD YOUR INTERNET HISTORY: HOW TO CLEAR YOUR CACHE ON ANY BROWSER – Don’t let your internet history fall into the wrong hands. It’s a good idea to delete your browser history and internet cache on occasion. Here’s how to do it on the desktop and mobile. Shield Your Internet History: How to Clear Your Cache on Any Browser | PCMag

SHOULD YOU PLUG A UPS INTO A SURGE PROTECTOR? – In the quest for the ultimate combination of battery backup and surge protection, the UPS-in-surge protector question has been asked for years, with no clear-cut answer. Many recommend plugging a UPS into a surge protector; yet, many others don’t. But which is correct? Read on to find out.
Should You Plug a UPS Into a Surge Protector? (howtogeek.com)

10 TECH TERMS YOU’RE SAYING WRONG (AND HOW TO PRONOUNCE THEM CORRECTLY) – These days most people share funny memes and GIFs with friends and family, but how often does someone say “JIF” or “me-me” out loud when referring to one? If that’s you, you’re saying it wrong. Tech terms, brands, and products often have weird names or words. For example, when you clear the cache on your computer, do you pronounce it as “cash-ay” or “cash”? Only one of those is correct. With that in mind, here are ten popular tech terms or brand names you’re saying wrong and how to say them right. 10 Tech Terms You’re Saying Wrong (And How to Pronounce Them Correctly) – Review Geek

8/22

WHAT IS FLASH STORAGE? – If you’ve been shopping for an SSD or using memory cards for cameras, you’ll probably encounter the term “flash memory.” But what is flash memory and how does it work? We’ll explain. What Is Flash Storage? (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO VIEW AND CLEAR ACTIVITY HISTORY ON A WINDOWS PC – How to View and Clear Activity History on a Windows PC. The Activity History feature on your Windows PC is used to record all the things that you do on your system. It tracks the apps and services you use, files you open, and websites you browse on to provide more personalized experiences and relevant suggestions. While Activity History has its uses, due to privacy reasons many users might want to disable the feature. This post will go on to demonstrate how to view, clear, and even turn off your Activity History altogether on your Windows PC. How to View and Clear Activity History on a Windows PC – Make Tech Easier

3 WAYS TO QUICKLY CONNECT BLUETOOTH DEVICES IN WINDOWS 11 – In Windows 10, WIN + K gave quick access to your wireless displays and devices. Many people used it to connect to paired Bluetooth accessories. (Hi, that’s me.) Whether a headset or a mouse, it took minimal effort. In Windows 11, the shortcut is gone. Oh, its husked-out shell exists—hitting WIN + K brings up wireless displays you can connect to. But the useful part for most people has been stripped out. To connect to your paired Bluetooth devices, you must instead navigate a longer, more circuitous route to the Windows Settings app. (Microsoft doesn’t care about muscle memory or repetitive stress injuries, apparently.) This process now involves a discrete window you have to close out after you’re done, too. It may seem like a small thing, but similar to hearing the drip of a leaky faucet, it causes much irritation over time. I’m not the only person who finds this annoying, either—not if the comments on PCWorld’s YouTube channel are any indication. The solution (kind of)… How to quickly connect to Bluetooth devices in Windows 11 | PCWorld

HOW TO PROGRAM AN ARDUINO WITH A RASPBERRY PI – Running a program on an Arduino is easy, but have you tried doing it with a Pi? The Raspberry Pi is powerful enough to be a standalone computer and is also good enough to program a microcontroller. This process is cut up into two parts: how to install the Arduino IDE and how to use the IDE on the Raspberry Pi. While it’s possible to program the Arduino through Platformio, doing it this way should be much simpler for someone new. How to Program an Arduino with a Raspberry Pi – Make Tech Easier

HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR PHONE – Looking to save money by holding onto that phone you’ve already paid off? You’re not alone. In recent years, Americans have been bucking the trend of switching to a new phone every couple of years, in part due to the rising costs and minor improvements in flagship phones. Here are the easy ways to extend the life of your smartphone.
How to Extend the Life of Your Phone – Techlicious

US CHIPS ACT: WHAT IS IT, AND WILL IT MAKE DEVICES CHEAPER? – The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, usually shortened to just the CHIPS Act or H. R. 4346, is a bill that received bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and Senate. The final iteration passed in the House on Thursday, with 243 votes in favor and 187 votes against, and is awaiting the signature of President Joe Biden before it becomes law. The main centerpiece of the CHIPS Act, and where the acronym comes from, is the “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Fund.” The bill sets aside more than $52 billion in subsidies to “support the development and adoption of secure and trusted telecommunications technologies, secure semiconductors, secure semiconductors supply chains, and other emerging technologies.” That money is intended to fund the construction of semiconductor fabrication plants, or ‘fabs’ for short, in the United States.
US CHIPS Act: What Is It, and Will It Make Devices Cheaper? (howtogeek.com)

10 HIDDEN WINDOWS 10 FEATURES YOU SHOULD BE USING – Even if you’ve been using Windows 10 for a while, there are likely more than a few non-obvious features you’ve never tried before. We’ve picked ten of them, and each one will help you get the most out of your PC.
10 Hidden Windows 10 Features You Should Be Using (howtogeek.com)

CAST AWAY: HOW TO CONNECT YOUR ANDROID PHONE TO YOUR TV – These days, most people have a smart TV loaded with apps. However, there are still times when you’re watching something on your phone and want to share it with the room, or just see it on a bigger display. Like iPhone users, those with Android devices have their options. If you’re looking to connect your Android phone to the TV, you can do so through the built-in Cast feature, a third-party app, or a cable hookup. Let’s break down your choices, from the simplest solution to the most complex.
Cast Away: How to Connect Your Android Phone to Your TV | PCMag

7/6/22

A GUIDE TO EVERY TROUBLESHOOTER IN WINDOWS 11 – Windows 11 brings over some old troubleshooting favorites from Windows 10, while adding some brand new ones into the mix. Here’s what they all do. A Guide to Every Troubleshooter in Windows 11 (makeuseof.com)

WINDOWS, MACOS, CHROME OS, OR LINUX: WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM IS BEST? – You don’t have a great many choices when it comes to your computer’s operating system, but the choice that you make can have wide-ranging consequences. The five OSes included here are your most viable options. That’s not a huge number, but these operating systems differ distinctly in strengths and weaknesses. Four come from commercial tech giants, while one, the Linux-based Ubuntu, is a free and open-source option. Windows and macOS are generally the most powerful in terms of hardware and software selection as well as interface conveniences and utilities, while Chrome OS is more lightweight and runs on inexpensive hardware. But why run just one operating system? Read more at Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux: Which Operating System Is Best? | PCMag

DOES HIBERNATING MY PC SAVE MORE ENERGY THAN SLEEP? – Windows has two main options for shutting down your PC without really shutting it down—“Sleep” and “Hibernate.” There are some key differences between these two modes, but which one actually uses the least electricity? Let’s find out – Does Hibernating My PC Save More Energy Than Sleep? (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO REMOVE ADWARE ON AN ANDROID PHONE – It shouldn’t be surprising that Android devices are the targets of threats like adware and other Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs). After all, there are millions of apps on the Google Play Store, servicing billions of monthly active users globally. And, as we have noted with Mac virus trends, platforms with rising popularity tend to attract threats. Read more at How to remove adware on an Android phone | Malwarebytes Labs

FAREWELL, BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH? – Hardcore fans of Windows XP may differ, but I believe Windows 10 and 11 are the most stable versions of the operating system to date. Still, it’s not unheard of for the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to appear when Windows encounters an unexpected error. The good news is that you’ll never see a Blue Screen of Death on Windows 11. The bad news is, they changed the color of the BSOD. On a Windows 11 system, it’s the Black Screen of Death. But it’s not all bad — read on for the latest news on the BSOD and what to do if it happens to you… Farewell, Blue Screen of Death? (askbobrankin.com)

HACKERS WANT GOOGLE ACCOUNTS. GIVE YOURS THIS SECURITY CHECK NOW! – Your Google account is one of the most important things on your devices, especially if you’re a Gmail user. Here’s a simple way to ensure yours doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. Hackers want Google accounts. Give yours this security check now! (komando.com)

10 HIDDEN GMAIL FEATURES YOU SHOULD BE USING – Most people only use their email inbox to send and receive messages. There are a lot of secret tricks you can use to speed up your workflow, though. 10 of the best Gmail tips and tricks you should be using (komando.com)

FIRST LOOK: WINDOWS 11’S NEW SOUND RECORDER APP – Windows’ sound and voice recording app has long been very basic, but Windows 11’s updated recording app adds some new nice-to-have features. For starters, it’s now called Sound Recorder, replacing the Voice Recorder moniker in previous Windows versions. It’s more than a name change, too. The app, though still simple, gets a new look in addition to new features. Read more here First Look: Windows 11’s New Sound Recorder App | PCMag

HOW TO FIX WINDOWS + SHIFT + S NOT WORKING ON WINDOWS – Windows 10 and 11’s Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut allows you to take screenshots without opening any apps. When this keyboard combination stops working, you can’t take screenshots using this method. There are many reasons the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work. Read more here How to Fix Windows + Shift + S Not Working on Windows (helpdeskgeek.com)

WINDOWS TASK MANAGER WON’T OPEN? 10 FIXES TO TRY – If you notice anything unusual with your PC, the first thing you probably do is open the Windows Task Manager. You can then quickly shut down CPU-intensive apps or stuck processes and get things working correctly again. But what if you can’t get to it? If you attempt to open the Task Manager, but it doesn’t show up, crashes, or you see a “Task Manager not responding” or “Task Manager has been disabled by the Administrator” message, you’ve got a potentially severe problem that needs fixing. We will show you how to do that in Windows 10 and 11. Windows Task Manager Won’t Open? 10 Fixes to Try (helpdeskgeek.com)

HOW TO SHARE WI-FI NETWORK CONNECTIONS IN WINDOWS 11 – When someone asks you to share your PC’s Wi-Fi connection, what do you do? You can hand them the Wi-Fi password so they connect their device directly to the network. Or, you could share your PC’s internet using the Windows “Mobile hotspot” feature that converts your computer into a makeshift router. If you don’t remember the network’s security key, we’ll show you how to find saved Wi-Fi passwords in Windows. This tutorial also covers steps to set up and use mobile hotspot to share your computer’s internet. How to Share Wi-Fi Network Connections in Windows 11 (online-tech-tips.com)

6/20/22

HOW TO LINK AND SYNC YOUR ANDROID PHONE WITH WINDOWS 11 – By linking your Android phone, you can intercept phones calls, text messages, and more on your Windows PC. Learn how here How to link and sync your Android phone with Windows 11 | ZDNet

HOW LONG WILL MICROSOFT SUPPORT WINDOWS 10? – Windows 10 won’t go away until 2025, but the fine print says you must keep your PC up to date in other ways to avoid being cut off from support. Not everyone is a fan of the new version of the OS, and there are certainly reasons you may not want to upgrade to Windows 11. Now that Internet Explorer is officially gone, you may be wondering when Windows 10 will experience that same fate. During its announcements of the Windows 11 rollout, Microsoft reiterated that Windows 10 would remain supported until October 14, 2025. The company put it in writing, too, in a blog post(Opens in a new window) that confirms the date. This applies to both Home and Pro versions of Windows 10. How Long Will Microsoft Support Windows 10? | PCMag

5 WAYS TO TRANSFER FILES FROM ONE COMPUTER TO ANOTHER – Need to transfer files from one PC to another? This article shows how to do that quickly and easily, using both hardware and software. 5 Ways to Transfer Files From One Computer to Another (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO LIMIT BATTERY CHARGE TO A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE IN WINDOWS 11/10 – The latest Apple macOS versions detect whether you’re using the laptop on AC power for extended amounts of time. It automatically limits the maximum battery level to 80% to extend your battery life. Neither Windows 10 nor 11 have this feature at the time of writing, but if you want a similar option to make your battery last longer on your Windows laptop, you have a few options. How to Limit Battery Charge to a Certain Percentage in Windows 11/10 (helpdeskgeek.com)

10 WAYS TO CONTROL ONEDRIVE SYNC ON YOUR PC – OneDrive is a powerful and valuable cloud storage service offered by Microsoft. The service is free for 5GB of storage, and it is included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions for 1TB per user. But what if you want to save space without deleting files? Or you’re trying to avoid extra internet charges? Read this article for the things you can do with OneDrive to make the most of it. 10 Ways to Control OneDrive Sync on Your PC (makeuseof.com)

GOOGLE ASSISTANT NOT WORKING? 13 THINGS TO TRY – Is Google Assistant not working when you say “OK Google”? Unfortunately, there are many things that can make Google Assistant stop working. This article covers 13 fixes that are most likely to get your Google Assistant working again. It starts with the simplest fixes and works through to the more in-depth solutions, so start at the top and work your way down. Google Assistant Not Working? 13 Things to Try (online-tech-tips.com)

MICROSOFT DEFENDER HAS ARRIVED ON ALL YOUR DEVICES… BUT IT’LL COST YOU – You’ll need to subscribe to Microsoft 365 before you can enjoy Defender outside of a Windows system. Microsoft Defender has been putting up some solid results lately, and now you can enjoy its coverage on more devices than ever before. The Redmond giant has brought its antivirus to solution to Android, macOS, and iOS devices, so you can stay safe no matter what you use. Read more at Microsoft Defender Has Arrived on All Your Devices… but It’ll Cost You (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO ENABLE THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE POWER PLAN IN WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 2018 update introduced Windows users to the ultimate performance power plan. It goes a step further than the High-Performance power plan and allows you to really squeeze performance out of your machine. It’s available on Windows 10 and 11 Pro for Workstations but isn’t available by default on Windows 10 and 11 Home and Pro. You can still enable it though, and here, you’ll learn how. Before that though, let’s talk about what the Ultimate Performance power plan is and what it does for your PC.
Read more at How to Enable the Ultimate Performance Power Plan in Windows 10 (makeuseof.com)

YOUR PHONE CAN DOUBLE AS A PC – Phones have become increasingly more powerful over the years. Nowadays, even a low-end smartphone has more power than a standard PC or laptop from a decade ago. So why can’t you use your phone in place of a computer? The good news is you can. There are several ways to use your phone as an alternative to a traditional computer and plenty of reasons you should consider doing so. Phones are far more portable, you’re likely to always have one with you, and if your phone meets all your computing needs, it may even save you a few hundred dollars. Read more at Your Phone Can Double as a PC – Review Geek

WHY YOU SHOULD USE GOOGLE ASSISTANT FAMILY BELL – Google Assistant has many features that are perfect for families, especially those with smart speakers and displays. “Family Bell” allows you to schedule announcements to keep your house running smoothly. This article shows you what it can do. Why You Should Use Google Assistant Family Bell (howtogeek.com)

THE MOST USEFUL WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS – Windows may be designed for touchscreens, but thanks to a slew of Windows keyboard shortcuts it’s easy to bypass touch and use a just keyboard and mouse. These shortcuts let you do things on your computer by using keys instead of clicking on drop down menus and can save you a bit of time and effort. This article has some good ones to remember, along with several important carry-overs you may remember from earlier versions of Windows. The Most Useful Windows Keyboard Shortcuts – Techlicious

THESE HIDDEN BANDWIDTH VAMPIRES ARE EATING UP YOUR DATA CAP AT HOME – If you’re laboring under the burden of an ISP-imposed data cap, tracking down the “bandwidth vampires” using up all your precious data will save you from overage fees and hassles. This article shows where to look. These Hidden Bandwidth Vampires Are Eating Up Your Data Cap at Home (howtogeek.com)

12 TIPS FOR FASTER BROWSING WITH GOOGLE CHROME – Google Chrome is the most popular desktop browser in the world, with more than 60 percent market share. It’s fast, secure, and loaded with features that make your browsing more efficient. Beyond the multitude of extensions available through the Chrome Web Store that let you run programs within Chrome (check out our favorite Chrome Browser Extensions), there are many things you can enable and use that are built into Chrome that you might not be aware exist. Find out what you may be missing in our list of tips that will help you work smarter with Chrome. 12 Tips for Faster Browsing with Google Chrome – Techlicious

CTRL+SHIFT+T IS THE MOST USEFUL KEYBOARD SHORTCUT, IF YOU’RE CLICK-HAPPY – This key combination can reopen a browser tab you accidentally closed in Google Chrome plus more tips. Ctrl+Shift+T Is the Most Useful Keyboard Shortcut, if You’re Click-Happy Like Me – CNET

HOW TO USE WINDOWS SPEECH-TO-TEXT FOR HANDS-FREE TYPING – Just like you would ask Google Assistant or Siri to accomplish tasks on your phone, you can also talk to your Windows PC to get things done hands-free. While you can use basic commands to perform simple tasks like opening files and navigating within applications, the built-in speech-to-text feature opens up another level of productivity. For example, you can dictate emails, take voice notes, and write reports just using speech-to-text. Read how to use this Windows feature at How to Use Windows Speech-to-Text for Hands-Free Typing – Techlicious

4/26/22

HOW TO ENABLE RANSOMWARE PROTECTION ON WINDOWS 11 – On Windows 11, you can enable the “Controlled folder access” feature to protect your files against ransomware attacks, and in this guide, you will learn how. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is your default security solution to protect your computer against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and many other types of malware. However, you probably didn’t know that the anti-malware solution also includes an option to protect your files from ransomware, but you need to enable the feature manually. How to enable ransomware protection on Windows 11 – Pureinfotech

HOW TO SET UP A GUEST ACCOUNT ON WINDOWS 11 – Worried about what visitors might find on your PC? Make them a guest account on Windows 11 and fret no more. Creating a guest account on Windows 11 isn’t as easy as it was in previous versions of Windows However, that does not mean you cannot create any at all. This article has two methods of creating a guest account in Windows 11 that will help you set up a temporary account in no time. How to Set Up a Guest Account on Windows 11 (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO SWITCH FROM MICROSOFT ACCOUNT TO LOCAL ACCOUNT ON WINDOWS 11 – On Windows 11, you probably use a Microsoft account, but you can always switch to a local account, and in this guide, you will learn how. A Microsoft account is the default type when setting up a new user on your computer because it provides better security, integration with Microsoft services, and easy files and settings synchronization across devices. However, this is not an account type that everyone wants since many users don’t like the idea of large companies handling their information or using cloud services. How to switch from Microsoft account to local account on Windows 11 – Pureinfotech

YOUR PHONE IS FILTHY AND YOU SHOULD BE CLEANING IT – Did you know your iPhone or Android phone is one of the dirtiest things you touch every day? You probably wash your hands after touching something dirty, but then grab your dirty phone. It’s time to do something about that. Find out how dirty your phone is and how to clean it. Your Phone Is Filthy and You Should Be Cleaning It (howtogeek.com)

HERE’S HOW TO DECODE THE NUMBERS IN WI-FI ROUTER NAMES – When you’re shopping for a new Wi-Fi router you’ll certainly notice they have elaborate number-packed names. Read this article to learn how to decode what those numbers mean. Here’s How to Decode the Numbers in Wi-Fi Router Names (howtogeek.com)

IS FAST CHARGING BAD FOR BATTERY LIFE? – Fast charging is becoming a standard feature on smartphones, electric vehicles, laptops, and other gadgets. It’s convenient as it lets you juice up your device or car in less time than you would conventionally have to wait. But as much as fast charging is impressive, does it have any negative effects on battery life? And are fast chargers bad for your phone? This article breaks it down for you. Is Fast Charging Bad for Battery Life? (makeuseof.com)

3/22/22

HOW TO FIX WINDOWS UPDATE WHEN IT GETS STUCK OR FROZEN – For the most part, Windows Update works silently in the background. It downloads updates automatically, installs the ones it can, and saves others to install when you restart Windows. But sometimes it breaks and stops working. Here’s how to fix Windows Update when it gets stuck or frozen. This can happen on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, but it’s become especially common with Windows 7. Sometimes updates will error out, or sometimes Windows Update may just get stuck “searching for updates” forever. Here’s how to fix Windows Update. How to Fix Windows Update When It Gets Stuck or Frozen (howtogeek.com)

WHAT IS GRAPHENEOS, AND HOW DOES IT MAKE ANDROID MORE PRIVATE? – Using a modern smartphone comes with some privacy and security concerns. GrapheneOS aims to solve some of those problems. It’s a custom version of Android that puts privacy and security above all else. Custom ROMs are not as prevalent in the Android world as they used to be, but there are still some solid ones kicking around. GrapheneOS is one such ROM. Let’s look at this privacy and security-focused take on Android. What Is GrapheneOS, and How Does It Make Android More Private? (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO START YOUR ANDROID PHONE IN SAFE MODE – Safe mode has been a staple for troubleshooting system problems in computing devices for decades. Unsurprisingly, it comes in handy when your Android device is acting up as well. Booting your Android phone in safe mode disables third-party apps from running. Safe Mode helps you diagnose any issues with your Android operating system, helping you pinpoint the source of the problem. How to Start Your Android Phone in Safe Mode (helpdeskgeek.com)

5 WARNING SIGNS YOUR SSD IS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN AND FAIL – Worried your SSD will malfunction and break down and take all of your data with it? Look for these warning signs. 5 Warning Signs Your SSD Is About to Break Down and Fail (makeuseof.com)

GOOGLE PHOTOS UPDATES ITS LIBRARY AND SHARING TABS TO MAKE PHOTOS EASIER TO FIND – Google Photos is getting a pretty significant layout change that should make it easier to find the photos and albums you’re looking for in the library and sharing tabs. Google Photos updates its library and sharing tabs to make photos easier to find – The Verge

HOW TO STOP MICROSOFT EDGE FROM OPENING AUTOMATICALLY – Microsoft Edge—the stock web browser in Windows 11 and 10—sometimes launches even if you have a different browser set as default. It could load alongside the operating system at startup, preload various background-related processes during the login phase, or show up on its own after a restart. This post details multiple ways to stop Microsoft Edge from opening automatically on your PC. If you use Edge on a Mac, you will also learn to prevent the browser from loading without permission in macOS. How to Stop Microsoft Edge From Opening Automatically (helpdeskgeek.com)

CHECK YOUR PHONE! MORE BAD APPS CAUGHT HIDING IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE – The official Google Play Store is the only place you should download applications for your Android devices. Third-party stores don’t have a robust vetting process and often harbor dangerous malware. But what happens when the official app store is also a source for spreading malware? Inadvertently becoming infected with malicious applications is a real threat. Google has security checks in place, but cybercriminals have become more crafty in circumventing detection. Read on to see what security researchers discovered and how you can keep your Android devices free from malware. Check your phone! More bad apps caught hiding in the Google Play Store (komando.com)

FACEBOOK IS BANNING PEOPLE WHO MISSED AN EMAIL NOTICE – DID IT HAPPEN TO YOU? – Your credit card details are always in danger of being stolen by hackers and scammers. But while they can cause a lot of personal damage with it, your social media login information could be more valuable to them. Of the most valuable online accounts to criminals, a hacked Facebook account can regularly sell on the Dark Web for around $65. An associated Instagram account can easily fetch upwards of $45. So, to protect users from getting hacked, Meta rolled out a function to some users called Facebook Protect. But it’s not exactly going according to plan. Read on to see how Meta secures accounts so well that the owners can’t even get in. Facebook is locking people out of their accounts – Did it happen to you? (komando.com)

HOW TO CHECK HOW MUCH FREE GOOGLE STORAGE YOU HAVE LEFT – Go to this page, and you’ll see a breakdown of how much storage you’re using and how it’s been divided between Google Drive, Gmail, Google Photos, and your device backup. (Note: how the page looks may vary, depending on the type of Google account you have.) How to check how much free Google storage you have left – The Verge

WINDOWS 11 “UNSUPPORTED HARDWARE” WATERMARK IS COMING, HERE’S HOW TO REMOVE IT – Those with an unsupported system that Microsoft deems unable to run Windows 11, but install it anyways, will soon see a watermark on their desktop wallpaper and in the settings menu. It reads, “System requirements not met. Go to settings to learn more.” Both have been spotted in the latest Windows 11 Release Preview update ahead of the full release that’s coming soon. It’s worth noting that the watermark is not as obnoxious in the latest Windows 11 Release Preview, nor will it be this big in the official release, but it’s still present. Furthermore, you’ll see a small notification in the settings menu, stating, “System requirements not met.” Read more at Windows 11 “Unsupported Hardware” Watermark Is Coming, Here’s How to Remove It – Review Geek

HOW TO PASSWORD PROTECT YOUR USB DRIVE: 7 EASY WAYS – Learn the best ways to password protect your USB drive and keep your files secure. Windows—Mac—Linux How to Password Protect Your USB Drive: 7 Easy Ways (makeuseof.com)

CAN YOU TURN ON AN ANDROID PHONE WITHOUT THE POWER BUTTON? – Many Android phones have methods to wake up the screen without a power button if the phone is already on, but what if the phone is off? Is it possible to turn on a phone without a functional power key? Find out how at Can You Turn On an Android Phone Without the Power Button? (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO GET GOOGLE DOCS TO READ TO YOU – “Can Google Docs read to me?” This may be a question you’re pondering. Perhaps you wanted to know how your letter would sound when read. Or, maybe you require text-to-speech as an accessibility option. Whatever your needs, getting Google Docs to read to you is fairly simple. All you need is a tech tool to get started. How to Get Google Docs to Read to You (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO FIX AN UNRESPONSIVE WINDOWS 11 TASKBAR – Even though Windows 11 brings many improvements, its taskbar is not only a downgrade over Windows 10, but it is also prone to issues such as the taskbar disappearing, appearing blank, or being unresponsive. Whatever the issue related to the taskbar, the following solutions will help fix the issue of the Windows 11 taskbar not working. How to Fix an Unresponsive Windows 11 Taskbar – Make Tech Easier

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR PHONE IS TAPPED: 7 WARNING SIGNS – How can you tell if your phone is tapped? Like it or not, most of us have grown used to our phones being spied upon—not at least by governments! But other parties can tap into your smartphone. This includes hackers, your employer, an ex-partner, or even the press. They might be listening to your calls, reading and sending messages and emails, or altering information on your interface. But how do you know if your phone is tapped? Learn how to tell if your cell phone is tapped. How to Tell If Your Phone Is Tapped: 7 Warning Signs (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO ENABLE END-TO-END ENCRYPTION ON FACEBOOK MESSENGER – Meta’s Messenger app is one of the popular instant messaging apps available. Messenger is feature-rich, but end-to-end encryption has been missing on the platform for far too long. However, Messenger now includes an end-to-end encryption feature. The only caveat is this feature is not enabled by default. This article will show you the two ways you can use to enable end-to-end encryption on Messenger. How to Enable End-to-End Encryption on Facebook Messenger (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO EXTEND YOUR WINDOWS LAPTOP’S BATTERY LIFESPAN WITH A BATTERY CHARGE THRESHOLD – Over time, all lithium-ion batteries tend to lose their ability to hold their charge. This goes double for your laptop, which requires high-power output and often becomes hot in a poorly ventilated environment, which causes faster degradation. So, what can you do to increase your laptop battery lifespan? Find out here How to Extend Your Windows Laptop’s Battery Lifespan With a Battery Charge Threshold (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO TURN A PICTURE INTO WALLPAPER ON ANDROID (AND MAKE IT FIT) – We all have memories or just pretty images that we’d quite happily be reminded about every single day. What’s the best way to do this? To set them as your background, of course, on your computer or Android phone. It used to be a bit fiddly setting images as your Android wallpaper because instead of cropping images that were too wide, it would sprawl them across your several home screens. Nowadays, a wallpaper stays stationary by default, and Android has a quick and easy way of cropping it down to size. Let’s see how to turn any picture into wallpaper with and without cropping. How to Turn a Picture into a Wallpaper on Android – Make Tech Easier

WHAT IS REDDIQUETTE? 6 THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T DO ON REDDIT – Before you jump right into Reddit with the rest of the world, there are a few rules that all Redditors should do their best to abide by that are known as “Reddiquette.” While it’s not exactly a guarantee, following these rules can help you have a more pleasant Reddit experience, as you’ll avoid mishaps with moderators and other users. This list includes some of the things you’ll want to keep in mind. What Is Reddiquette? 6 Things You Shouldn’t Do On Reddit – PrintlabStudio.Co

8 WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE WINDOWS TERMINAL – Microsoft launched Windows Terminal in 2019. It’s an incredible command-line tool that brings Command Prompt, PowerShell, Azure Cloud Shell, and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) under the same hood and is also profoundly customizable. This guide will help you tweak Windows Terminal in different ways to make the most out of it. 8 Ways to Customize Windows Terminal – Make Tech Easier

HOME THEATER WIRING: WHAT ARE ALL THOSE CONNECTIONS? – A home theater system can bring a cinematic experience into your home, but the TV’s back panel can be daunting. With so many connections and types of cables, how do you know what to plug in where? It’s simpler than it seems. How-To Geek Home Theater Wiring: What Are All Those Connections? (howtogeek.com)

6 WAYS EVERYONE CAN STAY PROTECTED ONLINE IN 2022 – Despite knowing all the dangers of the internet, we often forget just how easy it is to fall into scams or not take our internet safety seriously enough when browsing. This is how thousands of people have their sensitive data and money stolen online every month. So, how can one truly stay safe online in 2022? Let’s find out. 6 Ways Everyone Can Stay Protected Online in 2022 (makeuseof.com)

2/26/22

WHAT TO DO IF GMAIL IS NOT WORKING? 11 QUICK FIXES – This article covers troubleshooting fixes for several Gmail issues on mobile devices (Android and iOS) and desktop computers. What to Do If Gmail Is Not Working? 11 Quick Fixes (online-tech-tips.com)

HOW TO AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT CURRENCIES IN GOOGLE SHEETS – If you work with different currencies, it can be a huge pain to look up all the currency conversion rates for a specific day. Fortunately, if you plan on working within Google Sheets, you can use a built-in function that automatically retrieves and updates the current exchange rate. Let’s find out how you can easily convert currencies in Google Sheets. How to Automatically Convert Currencies in Google Sheets – Make Tech Easier

HOW TO FIND OUT WHY MY WINDOWS 11/10 COMPUTER CRASHED – Your computer will freeze every once in a while, especially if you’re running Microsoft Windows 10/11 or an older version of Windows. All computer crashes are recorded by your operating system, which can help you understand what needs to be fixed. However, the key is to know where to look for these records. Read more at How to Find Out Why My Windows 11/10 Computer Crashed (helpdeskgeek.com)

WHY YOU SHOULD DELETE YOUR YOUTUBE HISTORY OFTEN (AND HOW TO DO IT) – Good news: You can delete some or all of your YouTube watch history to better curate your recommended video feed. Here’s more on why you should do it often—and how to do it in a few quick steps. Why You Should Delete Your YouTube History Often (and How to Do It) (lifehacker.com)

HOW TO ATTACH A FOLDER TO AN EMAIL – Do you want to attach an entire folder to an email instead of individual files? If so, you’ll have to first turn your folder into a ZIP file, as email services don’t allow attaching folders to email. Find out how to do this at How to Attach a Folder to an Email (howtogeek.com)

10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WI-FI ROUTER SPEED – Internet connection too slow? These simple router tweaks could make a world of difference on your home Wi-Fi network. 10 Ways to Improve Your Wi-Fi Router Speed (makeuseof.com)

WHY IS WINDOWS CALLED WINDOWS? – You’ve probably heard the name a million times: “Microsoft Windows.” But how did the operating system get that way, and why isn’t it named after something else—like doors or ceilings? HowToGeek explains. Why Is Windows Called Windows? (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR WINDOWS PC ON PUBLIC WI-FI – Hackers have several tricks up their sleeves to get into computers connected to public Wi-Fi connections, but there are ways to defend yourself. Find out how at How to Protect Your Windows PC on Public Wi-Fi (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO SHOW ALL TASKBAR CORNER OVERFLOW ICONS IN WINDOWS 11 – Hiding icons creates a clutter-free taskbar, but you might want to show all icons in the taskbar corner overflow. If that’s the case, you’ll need to make some changes to your settings. If you want to show all taskbar corner overflow icons in Windows 11 read this article How to Show All Taskbar Corner Overflow Icons in Windows 11 (groovypost.com)

Same URL, How to Block Internet Access to Apps in Windows 11, How to Enable and Use Screen Savers on Windows 11, How to Clean Boot Windows 11, and more.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/show-all-taskbar-corner-overflow-icons-windows-11/?utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly+Tech+Update+%7C+Week+03%2C+2022%20-%207431684

HOW TO MATCH COLORS WITH THE EYEDROPPER IN MS POWERPOINT – Using this nifty tool, you can pinpoint the precise color (and hex code) you need to match various items in your slideshow. Maybe you inserted an image and want to use a color from it for your font. Or maybe your company logo uses a certain shade that you need to match exactly. You can even step outside the bounds of PowerPoint and grab colors visible in other applications! Learn how to use the Eyedropper tool at How to Match Colors With the Eyedropper in Microsoft PowerPoint (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE TABS ON ANDROID – Mobile browser tabs aren’t super visible, which makes it easy to have dozens of tabs open on your phone. It can be annoying to sift through these tabs and close them. We’ll show you how to automatically close old tabs on Android. It’s very easy for browsers on Android to end up with a bunch of tabs open. Some links will open in new tabs without you realizing it. Apps will take you to the browser then leave the tab behind when you return. Tabs open in the background don’t use a ton of resources, but it’s still a messy situation. Read more at How to Automatically Close Tabs on Android (howtogeek.com)

WI-FI 7: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW FAST WILL IT BE? – Although Wi-Fi 6E still feels bleeding edge at the start of 2022, a demonstration of the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 standard showcased transfer speeds might make Ethernet cables obsolete. Wi-Fi 7 is a new specification for Wi-Fi devices currently in the works. It’s based on the draft 802.11be standard, published in May 2021, that has not yet been finalized or approved by the FCC. Let’s take a look at the proposed spec and what it promises. https://www.howtogeek.com/782023/what-is-wi-fi-7/

DID YOU KNOW? YOU CAN DRAG AND DROP BROWSER LINKS TO YOUR DESKTOP – In at least four major browsers—Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari—on Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can easily drag and drop a shortcut link to a website straight to your desktop. Find out how to do it at https://www.howtogeek.com/776449/did-you-know-you-can-drag-and-drop-browser-links-to-your-desktop/

HOW TO SCREENSHOT ON WINDOWS 10 – By taking a screenshot, you can capture an image of your entire display—or just an area of it. Windows 10 has a variety of built-in tools for easily capturing a screenshot, and we’ve also got some even more powerful third-party tools to recommend. You can also take a screenshot with the Windows key+Print Screen (saves in Pictures>Screenshot folder). Read more at How to Screenshot on Windows 10 (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO TAKE A SCREENSHOT ON WINDOWS 11 – In Windows 11, as in previous versions of Windows, you can copy an image of your entire screen into the clipboard (a temporary storage area for copying and pasting) by pressing the Print Screen (PrtScn) key. Sometimes, the Print Screen key will be labeled “PrtScn” or “PrtScrn” on your keyboard. On desktop keyboards, you’ll usually find the Print Screen key to the right of the F12 key, along the topmost row of keys. On laptop keyboards, you might need to press a function (“Fn”) key while pressing the Print Screen key to make it work. Find out more at How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO ANNOTATE SCREENSHOTS WITH WINDOWS 10’S SNIP & SKETCH – You will find several tools for taking screenshots on Windows 10, but very few to annotate them. Snip & Sketch is a feature-rich option built into Windows that lets you annotate the screenshots besides taking them. Snip & Sketch is an improved version of the Snipping Tool and makes it easy to annotate on screenshots. We’ll dive into detail on how to annotate screenshots using Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch tool. Read more at How to Annotate Screenshots with Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch (howtogeek.com)

RICK’S TIPS – 5 AWESOME YOUTUBE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS – Most popular websites provide a set of keyboard shortcuts for getting things done a little faster, and YouTube is no exception. If you enjoy watching YouTube videos on a laptop or desktop computer, give these handy shortcuts a try:

1 – Want to pause the video you’re watching? Just press the Space Bar. When you’re ready to resume watching just press the Space Bar again.

2 – Want to rewind the video you’re watching by 10 seconds? Press the J key.

3 – Want to fast-forward 10 seconds? Press L.

4 – Want to start the video over at the beginning? Press the Home key.

5 – Want to mute the sound? Press M.

It might take a little practice to commit these shortcuts to memory, but if you spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos on your computer it’ll be worth it. https://www.ricksdailytips.com/

SEARCH YOUTUBE LIKE A PRO WITH THESE 5 HIDDEN TRICKS – YouTube provides a platform for anyone to upload content and share it with the world. The video-sharing platform has grown to become a streaming service, search engine and social media platform, standing alongside the most prominent sites of these types. Whether you’re browsing or creating content, YouTube has some features you may not know about. From shortcuts to short-form video to a dark mode, you can do a lot more than click and type. Searching YouTube is as easy as typing in a word or two, but did you know there are more ways to find content? You can focus on live events or eliminate parodies. You can make playlists or narrow down your search to a specific time. We’ll show you how to do all this and more. Read more at Search YouTube like a pro with these 5 hidden tricks (komando.com)

HERE’S WHAT AMAZON KNOWS ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU USE A RING DOORBELL – What does Ring know about you? Amazon is well-known for its affordable prices and fast shipping. Its Ring doorbells are popular security systems that collect information about everything within earshot — including your private conversations and activities. When you use Amazon’s Ring doorbell, you have to sign in using your name, email, physical address, and phone number. If you choose to log in with your Facebook account or another third-party login, Ring’s parent company, Amazon, also collects information from that third party. Amazon’s Ring Privacy Policy explains the information you use from third-party services like Facebook and PayPal is collected. What info exactly, and what is it used for? Find out at Here’s what Amazon knows about you when you use a Ring doorbell (komando.com)

1/22/22

USE AN ANDROID? MAKE THIS QUICK CHANGE NOW TO SECURE YOUR PHONE – While some corners of the country are vehemently debating the dangers of 5G mobile technology, a much older mobile signal poses an actual threat to Android and iOS phones. As technology moves ahead with better delivery, coverage and download speeds, the spectrum will inevitably become too crowded or outdated to accommodate them all. Before 5G, 4G, and LTE, the most common mobile connections were 3G and its predecessor, 2G. Read more at Use an Android? Make this quick change now to secure your phone (komando.com)

GOOGLE VOICE FOR PERSONAL ACCOUNTS IS GOING THROUGH SOME MAJOR CHANGES – Google Voice has survived the company’s regularly scheduled ‘spring cleaning’ for over a decade now, and while it’s gone through several refreshes and iterative updates, it’s largely retained its identity, even while other voice and messaging apps that have been released have met their untimely end. Read more at Google Voice for personal accounts is going through some major changes (chromeunboxed.com)

WINDOWS 10 VS WINDOWS 11: ALL THE MAJOR CHANGES – Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest Windows release, and with it comes a lot of promises and changes from Microsoft. From a fresh, modern look to brand-new features, Windows 11 is quite a bit different than Windows 10. While most of these differences are cosmetic, there are some notable changes that Microsoft has implemented in its new OS. This article takes a look at the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 10 vs Windows 11: All the Major Changes (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO CREATE A GUEST ACCOUNT ON WINDOWS 11 – An easy way to share your computer is to use a dedicated guest account. They can have their own space without access to your personal stuff. We’ll show you how to create a guest account in Windows 11. How to Create a Guest Account on Windows 11 (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO OPEN A WEBSITE WITH A KEYBOARD SHORTCUT ON WINDOWS 10 OR 11 – The first thing you’ll want to do is launch your browser of choice and create a bookmark of the website you would like to create a shortcut to. We’ll be using Google Chrome in this example, but the process of creating bookmarks is similar in Edge and Firefox.
How to Open a Website With a Keyboard Shortcut on Windows 10 or 11 (howtogeek.com)

21 HIDDEN SMARTPHONE SUPERPOWERS– An Android phone or iPhone can help you scan documents, get better sleep, alert loved ones of an emergency, and more. Here’s how.
21 Hidden Smartphone Superpowers – Consumer Reports

LEARN ABOUT GOOGLE CHROME’S NEW “QUICK DELETE” FEATURE ON ANDROID 12 – Android 12 saw the introduction of new privacy features from Google, empowering users to have more control over their data. In line with that, Google launched a nifty “quick delete” feature to delete your recent search history in Google Chrome. Here’s how you can find and use it to delete the last 15 minutes of your history on Android. Learn about Google Chrome’s new “quick delete” feature on Android 12 – Tech News for You

HOW DO YOU CHECK A SITE IS SECURE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE? – Shopping online or checking your bank account via your Apple or Android device? Here’s how to check the site you’re visiting is real. How Do You Check a Site Is Secure on Your Smartphone? (makeuseof.com)

GOOGLE IS BUILDING AN AR HEADSET – Meta may be the loudest company building AR and VR hardware. Microsoft has HoloLens. Apple is working on something, too. But don’t count out Google. The search giant has recently begun ramping up work on an AR headset, internally codenamed Project Iris, that it hopes to ship in 2024, according to two people familiar with the project who requested anonymity to speak without the company’s permission. Read more at Google is building an AR headset – The Verge

EASIEST WAYS TO CONNECT YOUR SMARTPHONE TO YOUR TV – The line between your various gadgets is blurring by the day. You can connect your tablet to your surveillance system and your smart speaker to your refrigerator. You can see who’s at the door from your computer and adjust the thermostat from your phone. Wouldn’t it be great to bring the content from your smartphone to your big-screen TV? It’s possible. You can livestream video from your phone to your TV, view files and photos and also play games. Virtually anything you can do on your phone can be cast to your TV. Here’s how.
Easiest ways to connect your smartphone to your TV (komando.com)

SLEEP VS. SHUTDOWN: WHAT’S BEST FOR YOUR LAPTOP? – You’ll agree that your laptop is a device you can’t do without, so it’s essential to keep it running at its optimal level. That also includes how you power it down when not in use. So should you let it remain in sleep mode, or is it better to shut it down altogether? Let’s explore both these low-power states and find out what’s best to use and when.
Sleep vs. Shutdown: What’s Best for Your Laptop? (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO ADD MORE ETHERNET PORTS TO YOUR ROUTER – To expand your range of Ethernet ports you first need to buy an Ethernet switch. This switch will be connected to any of the spare ports on your router. From there you can connect additional devices to the switch. You can add more than one switch to your router but for efficiency, you should avoid daisy-chaining switches. Learn more at
How to Add More Ethernet Ports to Your Router (howtogeek.com)

USE THIS HIDDEN KEYBOARD COMBO TO FIX YOUR FROZEN COMPUTER – Having your PC suddenly freeze in the middle of working is frustrating. Next time you need to fix a frozen computer and don’t want to restart, there’s a little-known shortcut that might help you recover from one common cause. Let’s look at a handy keyboard shortcut you probably don’t know about, then discuss a few more quick tips for getting your frozen computer running again. Use This Hidden Keyboard Combo to Fix Your Frozen Computer (makeuseof.com)

RANSOMWARE AND PHISHING AND MALWARE, OH MY! COMBATTING 2021’S SCARIEST SECURITY THREATS – Look back at some of the biggest security breaches from 2021 and some tips for staying safe in 2022. Ransomware and Phishing and Malware, Oh My! Combatting 2021’s Scariest Security Threats | PCMag

6 SIGNS YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR PC’S POWER SUPPLY – Computers are expensive devices and you should take extra care of yours to ensure it lasts. While processors, GPUs, RAM, and storage drives are important PC parts, there’s one crucial item that they all depend on: the power supply unit (PSU). PSUs are crucial because they deliver each part’s electrical needs. If a PSU fails catastrophically, there’s a chance that it could destroy your computer. So how do you know if your power supply is about to give out? These are the six signs you should look out for.
6 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your PC’s Power Supply (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO USE THE WINDOWS 11 SNIPPING TOOL – Microsoft intended to phase out the tool for a time, it has now switched tracks and instead merged it with the Snip & Sketch tool. The resulting app has a cleaner UI and is packed with more capabilities than ever before, becoming the best way for taking snapshots of your screen. How To Use the Windows 11 Snipping Tool (helpdeskgeek.com)

HOW TO CLEAR CACHE AND COOKIES IN GOOGLE CHROME – When you visit a website, it will sometimes save (or remember) certain information. Cookies save a user’s browsing data (with their consent) and cache helps webpages load more quickly by remembering images, videos, and other parts of the webpage from the last visit instead of needing to re-render everything with each visit. Find out more at How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Google Chrome (howtogeek.com)

A BASIC SMART HOME DOESN’T NEED TO BE COMPLEX OR EXPENSIVE – Smart homes are probably the closest we can get to the futuristic dwellings seen in science fiction. The technology powering all of this can be quite complex but putting it all together doesn’t necessarily need to be. You can also put a half-decent smart home together without bankrupting yourself. Find out how at
A Basic Smart Home Doesn’t Need To Be Complex or Expensive – Review Geek

LISTEN, YOU DON’T NEED THAT MANY BROWSER TABS OPEN – If you want to be constantly buried underneath a mountain of browser tabs, that’s your choice. But I think you can do better, and I’ll try to explain why. Browser tabs are a blessing and a curse. It’s handy to have multiple pages open at once, but it can easily get out of hand. You probably have this very page open among a dozen other tabs right now. Are they all really necessary, or are you hoarding? Listen, You Don’t Need That Many Browser Tabs Open (howtogeek.com)

STOP SHARING YOUR REAL PHONE NUMBER WITH EVERYONE – How many people and companies have your phone number, if you had to guess? Maybe a hundred? Think again. No matter how long you’ve had your phone number, it’s never too late to start being more discreet with it. Here are a few ways to do just that. Stop sharing your real phone number with everyone (komando.com)

WARNING: THESE ARE THE TACTICS SCAMMERS USE TO FOOL OLDER PEOPLE ON THE PHONE – While scammers have embraced the digital age to target victims through social media, fake websites and landing pages, don’t think that they forgot their roots. A simple phone call is still an effective tool for criminals to practice their crooked trade. Did you know that your phone has built-in tools to silence spam calls? These types of calls can range from annoying to downright dangerous. You can set it up whether you have an Android or iPhone, so these calls are blocked and sent to voicemail. Warning: Tactics scammers use to fool older people on the phone (komando.com)

12/15/21

WINDOWS 11’S DEFAULT COMMAND LINE CATCHES UP TO MAC AND LINUX – Microsoft is making a significant change to its command-line experience in Windows 11, as the company is changing the default to Windows Terminal. This creates an experience that’s more competitive with Mac and Linux. Read more at
Windows 11’s Default Command Line Catches up to Mac and Linux (howtogeek.com)

ANDROID USERS NOW HAVE AN OFFICIAL APP TO TRACK AIRTAGS – Apple has given Android users an official means to detect and track AirTags with its new Tracker Detect app. With Apple’s AirTags sometimes being used for nefarious purposes, Android users have been asking for a way to detect them that doesn’t require using a different smartphone. The new Tracker Detect app allows them to do just that, but some users are disappointed with the app’s limitations.
Android Users Now Have an Official App to Track AirTags (lifewire.com)

LISTEN, YOU DON’T NEED THAT MANY BROWSER TABS OPEN – Browser tabs are a blessing and a curse. It’s handy to have multiple pages open at once, but it can easily get out of hand. You probably have this very page open among a dozen other tabs right now. Are they all really necessary, or are you hoarding?
Listen, You Don’t Need That Many Browser Tabs Open (howtogeek.com)

GOOGLE CHROME WILL HELP YOU TRACK PRICE DROPS – Google is bringing some cool shopping features to its Chrome browser. The company is adding a price tracker and the ability to search for products with your phone’s camera on mobile and the ability to see what’s in your shopping cart from the new tab page on a desktop.
Google Chrome Will Help You Track Price Drops (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO INSTALL OR UNINSTALL THE GOOGLE CHROME BROWSER – Largely based on Google’s open-source Chromium, Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Installing and uninstalling Chrome on each operating system takes just a few steps.
How to Install or Uninstall the Google Chrome Browser (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO QUICKLY SET UP LIBREOFFICE WRITER TO RUN LIKE MICROSOFT WORD – One of LibreOffice Writer’s best features is that you can customize it. If you’re used to Microsoft Word’s settings and layout, making LibreOffice Writer look more like Word is a good idea. This guide will teach you how to do that in five easy steps.
How to Quickly Set Up LibreOffice Writer to Run Like Microsoft Word (makeuseof.com)

YOUR ANDROID PHONE WON’T CHARGE? 7 TIPS AND FIXES TO TRY – Here are a number of fixes to try if your Android phone is not charging.
Your Android Phone Won’t Charge? 7 Tips and Fixes to Try (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO MAKE CHROME USE LESS RAM – You may not believe it, but Google Chrome actually has gotten less RAM hungry over the years. Still, it’s something people notice, and it can be a problem. What is it about Chrome that makes it use so much memory, anyway? How to Make Chrome Use Less RAM (howtogeek.com)

ANDROID USERS NOW HAVE AN OFFICIAL APP TO TRACK AIRTAGS – Apple has given Android users an official means to detect and track AirTags with its new Tracker Detect app. With Apple’s AirTags sometimes being used for nefarious purposes, Android users have been asking for a way to detect them that doesn’t require using a different smartphone. The new Tracker Detect app allows them to do just that, but some users are disappointed with the app’s limitations. Android Users Now Have an Official App to Track AirTags (lifewire.com)

LISTEN, YOU DON’T NEED THAT MANY BROWSER TABS OPEN – Browser tabs are a blessing and a curse. It’s handy to have multiple pages open at once, but it can easily get out of hand. You probably have this very page open among a dozen other tabs right now. Are they all really necessary, or are you hoarding? Listen, You Don’t Need That Many Browser Tabs Open (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO ADD OR REMOVE OPTIONAL FEATURES IN WINDOWS 11 – If you feel Windows 11 is a little light on features, learn how to enable a few more here How to Add or Remove Optional Features in Windows 11 (makeuseof.com)

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO DECLUTTER YOUR ANDROID PHONE WITHOUT REGRETS – Are you getting overloaded with files, apps, and notifications? Here’s how to create a clutter-free Android phone. 3 Simple Steps to Declutter Your Android Phone Without Regrets (makeuseof.com)

INDOWS 11’S BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH IS TURNING BLUE AGAIN –“Microsoft has made a lot of changes in Windows 11, and a lot of them make sense. One that made almost no sense, though, was changing the blue screen of death (BSOD) to black. Thankfully, Microsoft is changing it back to blue, so when your PC crashes, you’ll at least feel at home.” Read more at Windows 11’s Black Screen of Death Is Turning Blue Again (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO TURN ON LIGHTS WITH YOUR ALARM – It’s easier to get out of bed when you have a gentle light nudging you awake, but you can’t always count on that. We’ll show you a few ways to automate some morning lighting along with your alarm. Let’s start with something you may already have—an Android phone. The Google Clock app features a “Sunrise Alarm.” In the span of 15 minutes, the screen will slowly transition from black to red, to orange, to yellow, gradually getting brighter as well. The Sunrise Alarm is part of the Google Clock’s “Bedtime Mode” suite of features. Here’s how to use Bedtime Mode on Android. Google Clock is available for all Android phones and tablets in the Play Store. Prop your Android phone up on your bedside table and you’ve got a nice sunrise alarm clock. How to Turn On Lights With Your Alarm (howtogeek.com)

HOW TO FIND ALL ACCOUNTS LINKED TO YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS – As your email ages, it begins to accumulate a lot of junk. The reason? You’ve signed up with plenty of websites using your email as you go about your day. Many businesses and websites make things easier for users to log in with a single sign-on (SSO), a feature that lets you use your email account login to sign up with other services. It’s a go-to for most, but what follows is a trail of seemingly unstoppable spam emails, often from shady sources. No need to hire a private detective, read this instead: How To Find All Accounts Linked to Your Email Address (helpdeskgeek.com)

YOU SHOULD TRY DUCKDUCKGO’S NEW TRACKER PROTECTION ON ANDROID, NO MATTER WHAT BROWSER YOU USE – We all know that the internet isn’t a “private” place. When you search for something on Google or download a new app, there’s an understanding that some of your data is likely going somewhere. That said, what’s especially creepy about the state of our privacy online is how invisible tracking can be. You can think you’re doing one thing online, when a whole other website or company is secretly watching your every move (and yes, I recognize the irony here). If you’re on Android, DuckDuckGo wants to help. Read how at You Should Try DuckDuckGo’s New Tracker Protection on Android, No Matter What Browser You Use (lifehacker.com)

MORE HELPFUL NAVIGATION, GROCERY, AND DINING FEATURES ADDED TO GOOGLE MAPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS – Now that Black Friday is out of the way, families around the globe are looking forward to the Christmas season. With the global pandemic still posing a constant threat, the holidays are yet again going to be carried out in strange, new ways. Luckily, Google Maps has been there at every turn, providing new and innovative tools for navigating, checking busyness times, and assisting users with picking up groceries with no contact to prevent exposure to COVID-19. Continuing those trends, Maps is adding several new features to help you get there faster, more efficiently, and with less potential for danger as you and your family wrap up 2021 and look toward the new year. Read more at
More helpful navigation, grocery, and dining features added to Google Maps for the holidays (chromeunboxed.com)

GETTING “YOUR INTERNET ACCESS IS BLOCKED”? 10 WAYS TO FIX – Sometimes when you try to access a website, your browser runs into a “Your internet access is blocked” error with an ERR_NETWORK_ACESS_DENIED error code. There are a few quick fixes you can try to regain internet access. You could encounter this error for several reasons. In some cases, it could be as simple as a driver misbehaving. However, it could also be your antivirus program’s firewall blocking internet access to suspicious websites, or an external factor such as websites being blocked by the network administrator. Here are the 10 ways Getting “Your Internet Access is Blocked”? 10 Ways to Fix (helpdeskgeek.com)

HOW TO ENABLE TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION ON YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT – Your Facebook account is a huge target for hackers for a lot of reasons such as targeting you for identity theft, harassing your Facebook friends in your name, and many others. There are several things you can do to lock down your account such as choosing a strong, yet easy to remember password, but to really to secure your Facebook account from hackers you need to enable Two-Factor Authentication. How to enable Two-Factor Authentication on your Facebook account (ricksdailytips.com)

HOW TO PLAY ANDROID GAMES ON WINDOWS 11 – Windows 11 supports Android apps, which means it supports Android games, too. That may be even more important to you. Now you can play your favorite mobile games with a mouse and keyboard on your PC. This isn’t the first time Andrid games have been available on Windows PCs. The BlueStacks emulator has made this possible for a while, but it came with some big trade-offs in performance. Windows 11 enables Android apps and games to run natively, which is a far better solution. As of early November 2021, running Android apps and games in Windows 11 is in beta. There are a handful of things you’ll need in order to start gaming, find them at How to Play Android Games on Windows 11 (howtogeek.com)

7 MYTHS ABOUT THE INTERNET BUSTED – How many myths do we encounter every day? The myths surrounding food, behavior, animals, and even science and technology. This applies to the internet as well. Every day, we hear myths about how the internet harms our privacy or security, and often, people tend to believe them. It turns out we can also be just like these people sometimes. Let’s take a look at the truth behind seven famous internet myths and see how many of them seem genuine to you as well. 7 Myths About the Internet Busted (makeuseof.com)

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ZERO-DAY SECURITY HOLES? – A zero-day vulnerability is a bug in a piece of software. Of course, all complicated software has bugs, so why should a zero-day be given a special name? A zero-day bug is one that has been discovered by cybercriminals but the authors and users of the software don’t yet know about it. And, crucially, a zero-day is a bug that gives rise to an exploitable vulnerability. Learn more at Why Are There So Many Zero-Day Security Holes? (howtogeek.com)

YOU CAN NOW COPY AND PASTE BETWEEN ANDROID AND WINDOWS – Anyone who uses Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard on Android is in for a treat, as the keyboard now supports copying and pasting between Android and Windows, which is extremely useful to have. The SwitftKey app has been updated to version 7.9.0.5, and the primary new feature is the ability to copy and paste text between your Android smartphone and a Windows PC. Copying and pasting can go both ways, so you can move text from Android to PC or from PC to Android. Read more
You Can Now Copy and Paste Between Android and Windows (howtogeek.com)

6 TIPS FOR DOING YOUR OWN TECH SUPPORT FOR MOST ANY TECH PROBLEM – Rick (Rick’s Tips) I often hear from readers how much they hate having to contact “Tech Support” when an issue arises with their computer or one of their other gadgets. As you probably know, calling Tech Support is usually about as much fun as having a tooth pulled without an injection of Novocain. Well, truth be told, the Tech Support experience is intentionally designed to be frustrating because most companies would rather have you resolve the issue on your own instead of contacting their Support personnel. Read more at 6 tips for doing your own Tech Support for most any tech problem (ricksdailytips.com)

LAPTOP SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY? NOTE THE CONTEXT – Does the computer shut down randomly or only when you do specific things? If it shuts down under heavy use only, that may point to heat issues or overclocking problems. If it only happens when particular applications are open, it may be a software issue. If the computer shuts off with a blue screen of death, that’s different from the power being cut out without warning. The specifics of the shutdown are essential when it comes to tracking down the cause. Read more at Laptop Shuts Off Randomly? 10 Possible Fixes (helpdeskgeek.com)

HAVE THIS PHONE? RUNNING YOUR BATTERY TO ZERO COULD DISABLE A FEATURE YOU USE MOST – Mobile phones are our lifeline to the outside world and loved ones. With many things dependent on them, most of us can’t afford the struggles when the battery dies. But when it does happen, a quick recharge will have you texting in no time. Some Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro owners have been reporting their devices stopped working when the battery died; the phone will completely lock them out when the battery is fully drained. Read more at
Have this phone? Running the battery to zero could disable critical feature (komando.com)

WINDOWS 10 IS A SECURITY DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. HOW WILL MICROSOFT CLEAN UP ITS MESS? – “In less than four years, Microsoft will draw the final curtain on Windows 10 after a 10-year run. That news shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The end date is defined as part of Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle Policy, and it’s documented on the Microsoft Lifecycle page: “Microsoft will continue to support at least one Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel until October 14, 2025.” When a Windows version reaches its end-of-support date, the software keeps working, but the update channel grinds to a halt: [There] will be no new security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support. Customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product or service. Paid programs may be available for applicable products.” Read more at Windows 10 is a security disaster waiting to happen. How will Microsoft clean up its mess? | ZDNet

5 WINDOWS PC MAINTENANCE MISTAKES THAT CAN BREAK YOUR COMPUTER – While it’s important to clean your Windows PC occasionally to clean junk and free up space, it’s possible to go overboard with it. If you go beyond basic cleaning with the tools built into Windows, you run the risk of breaking something. Let’s look at some dangers of going too far with Windows cleaning, and what you should know about these operations. 5 Windows PC Maintenance Mistakes That Can Break Your Computer (makeuseof.com)

9 EASY-TO-USE ARDUINO MODULES FOR BEGINNERS – If you’re new to Arduino, these beginner-friendly modules are great to start learning with. 9 Easy-to-Use Arduino Modules for Beginners (makeuseof.com)

5 WAYS ERGONOMIC KEYBOARDS CAN BOOST YOUR HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY – A good ergonomic keyboard can save you from pain in your hands and wrists, and even boost your productivity. Find out how by reading this article. 5 Ways Ergonomic Keyboards Can Boost Your Health and Productivity (makeuseof.com)

HTTPS vs. VPN: 5 Reasons You Do Need Both – HTTPS is fantastic for keeping you safe, but it does have a few weaknesses which a VPN can cover. Explore why you need both a VPN and HTTPS combined with this article. HTTPS vs. VPN: 5 Reasons You Do Need Both (makeuseof.com)

HOW TO SILENCE SPAM CALLS WITHOUT DOWNLOADING ANY APPS – “Our smartphones do many fabulous things, from calls (both voice and video) to texting, pictures, game playing and so much more. They nowadays tackle what most of our computers can. So, what do you do when you want to stay safe and protect yourself? That is simple. What you need to do is watch everything you download to your phone and who you contact. Read this article for ways to help stop the spam.” How to silence spam calls without downloading any apps (komando.com)

RICK’S QUICK TIP (Rick’s Daily Tips – Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips! (ricksdailytips.com) – Three ways to open a Command Prompt window in Windows 10/11- “If you’ve been using Microsoft Windows for a while, you’re probably familiar with the ‘Command Prompt’ window.

If not, it’s a very handy tool that allows you to execute numerous powerful (and incredibly useful) DOS-style commands right from the Windows command line.

Most people tend to open a Command Prompt window the same way every time, even though there are multiple ways to do it – and each way is the best way at times, depending on the situation.

This tip explains Rick’s three favorite ways to open a Command Prompt window in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1 – The first method is handy if you already have a “File Explorer” window open. If so, simply type cmd into File Explorer’s address bar and then press the Enter key.

2 – The second method is great if you’re used to doing most things via the keyboard. Simply press the Windows key and immediately type cmd, then press the Enter key.

3 – The third method is for folks who use primarily use their mouse for navigation. Simply right-click on the Start button and then select one of these options (depending on which options are available in your particular version of Windows):

Windows Powershell
Windows Powershell (Admin)
Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal (Admin)

That’s all there is to it. Now you know three different ways to quickly open a Command Prompt window.”

5 CYBERSECURITY MYTHS THAT MAKE YOU MORE VULNERABLE TO ATTACKS – The impact of a cyberattack is far from pleasing, and no one in their right senses would want to be a victim. There’s a tendency to live in denial, believing that you can’t be attacked by cybercriminals. This denial thrives on some myths about cybersecurity. If there’s one thing that cyberattacks of recent times have reenforced, it’s the fact that no one is exempted from being attacked. This article identifies some cybersecurity myths and debunks them.
5 Cybersecurity Myths That Make You More Vulnerable to Attacks (makeuseof.com)

POSTAGE STAMP-SIZED ROBOT CREATED USING RASPBERRY PI MICROCONTROLLER – “The smallest Raspberry Pi robot yet, and unlikely to be beaten. The Raspberry Pi single-board computers have allowed the creation of small robots, but one avid maker has taken robot miniaturization to the extreme. Read more at Postage Stamp-Sized Robot Created Using Raspberry Pi Microcontroller | PCMag

HOW TO QUICKLY SPOT A FAKE FACEBOOK PROFILE – “As you surely know by now, there are numerous crooks, spammers and scammers using Facebook to perpetrate scams and hoaxes on innocent people. Fake profiles typically take one of two forms. Read about them at How to quickly spot a fake Facebook profile (ricksdailytips.com)

HOW TO SAFELY ACCESS THE INTERNET WHILE YOU’RE ON VACATION – “Using the Internet while you’re away from home is risky business unless you know how to do it safely. Virtually every vacation destination on the planet has hackers and scammers waiting in the shadows for the opportunity to steal the money and identities of as many unsuspecting victims as possible. Read how to stay safe at How to safely access the Internet while you’re on vacation (ricksdailytips.com)

WINDOWS 11 KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS: THE ULTIMATE LIST – “Get stuff done faster using these keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11.” Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts: The Ultimate List (techpp.com)

HOW TO UNLOCK FM RADIO ON YOUR SMARTPHONE – “Many smartphones (particularly Apple devices) no longer ship with FM radio receivers. Surprisingly, some high-end Android phones with FM radio receivers lack a dedicated radio app to access content from local stations. Some reports suggest that manufacturers leave out FM radio on smartphones and their flagship devices because smartphone users barely listen to radio stations. It could also be a strategy to drive the adoption and usage of music streaming apps. The point is: you can listen to local and international radio stations whether your device has an FM radio receiver or not. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to listen to FM radio on your smartphone.” How to Unlock FM Radio on Your Smartphone (helpdeskgeek.com)

WINDOWS 10 COMPUTER NOT SHOWING UP ON THE NETWORK? 6 BEST FIXES – “Some users seem to be running into a network discovery problem after upgrading Windows 10 where one or more computers connected to the network don’t show up. Microsoft removed the HomeGroup function with Windows 10 v1803, and this could be a possible reason for the problem. The upgrades aren’t the only possible cause, though. An issue with your network settings or adapters can also lead to your computer not showing up on the network. Fortunately, there are a few easy fixes you can try to address this issue.” Find them at Windows 10 Computer Not Showing Up on the Network? 6 Best Fixes (helpdeskgeek.com)

THIS CLEVER PERSON USED A RASPBERRY PI TO MAKE AN ELECTRONIC NOSE – “People use Raspberry Pis to make a ton of creative and unique gadgets, but this one might take the cake. Or rather, smell it. Creator Luis Rodriguez Mendoza was inspired by trained sniffing dogs at the airport then wondered whether low-cost gas sensors could do the same thing.” Read more at This Clever Person Used a Raspberry Pi to Make an Electronic Nose – Review Geek

PROTECT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT FROM HACKS – “Armed with the right information, someone could file a claim using your name, have your benefits sent to them. But there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.” Make sure you set up a Social Security account./JT
Protect your Social Security account from hacks – Cyn Mackley

WHY YOU SHOULD USE ANDROID APPS IN WINDOWS 11 – “It’s finally possible to run Android apps on Windows PCs. But why bother? If you’re skeptical about Android apps in Windows 11, we’ll explain why you should give it a try. Technically, Windows 11 is not the first time Android apps have been able to run on Windows. Emulators like BlueStacks have made it possible for years, but Windows 11 makes the experience, well, good. That doesn’t mean you know what to do with it, though.” This article can help. Why You Should Use Android Apps in Windows 11 (howtogeek.com)

FACEBOOK RECOVERY INFORMATION – “Facebook – a valuable communication tool that you wouldn’t want to get locked out of. Cyn takes you through the steps with screenshots.”
cebook recovery information – Cyn Mackley

HOW TO FIND HIDDEN APPS ON ANDROID – “There are many reasons why someone might want to hide an app—and Android has plenty of ways to do it. What if you want to do the opposite, though? Is it possible to find apps that have been hidden?”
How to Find Hidden Apps on Android (howtogeek.com)

WINDOWS 11 GETS NEW MEDIA PLAYER APP – Soon coming our way! “A new Media Player app is now available for download as a preview on Windows 11 for all the devices enrolled in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program. The app includes a brand-new interface that follows the Windows 11 trend, and it’s been built to play videos and music files stored locally on your computer.” Windows 11 gets new Media Player app • Pureinfotech

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