An International Association of Technology and Computer User Groups

An International Association of Technology and Computer User Groups

Jere’s Windows & Android Tips

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Jere's Tech Tips

Jere Minich, Advisor, Region 5 (AL, FL, GA, SC)

5/12/20

WINDOWS AND ANDROID TECH TIPS – This app translates text, voice, images, and more in 110+ languages

Has the internet truly made the world smaller? It’s true that the world wide web can instantly bring you closer to people from around the world. But in most cases, there’s one big hurdle to navigate before you can truly connect with someone from another culture: Language.

And sure, Google Translate and other web-based tools can help you bridge that gap, but even with phrases you find online, it’s not an instant solution. Nevermind how clunky it is when you’re trying to communicate with a native speaker face to face.

Go to this Mac World web page and get the facts. https://bit.ly/2WFriPG

MICROSOFT’S NEW BING WALLPAPERS APP WILL BEAUTIFY YOUR ANDROID PHONE – Bing may not be the most popular search engine on the planet, but the website is famous for publishing beautiful daily wallpapers. Now, you can add these wallpapers to your Android phone using the official Bing Wallpapers app and enjoy a new home screen every morning.

Go to this Review Geek web site and get the information. https://bit.ly/2zpnjhX

HOW TO GET BING’S DAILY PHOTOS AS YOUR WALLPAPER ON ANDROID – One thing that differentiates Bing from other search engines is its beautiful background images that change daily. If you’re a fan of the photos, Microsoft has an Android app that automatically downloads and sets the high-resolution image at your handset’s wallpaper every day.

To set Bing’s daily photos as your Android device’s background, download the official Bing Wallpapers app from the Google Play Store.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the steps. https://bit.ly/2L9COgM

HOW TO USE YOUR ANDROID SMARTPHONE AS A WEBCAM ON WINDOWS 10 – Webcams are difficult to find and expensive right now. If you’re already tired of the puny, integrated webcam on your Windows 10 computer, try using the camera on your Android phone instead. Here’s how it works.

Go to this How-to Geek web article and make it work. https://bit.ly/3bfbHeP

HERE’S HOW CONTACT TRACING WILL WORK ON IPHONES AND ANDROID PHONES – Google and Apple are working with public health organizations on contact-tracing apps, and this week, they provided details on how that will work. Here’s what to expect.

We all want to stop the spread of the coronavirus and end the pandemic crisis. Contact-tracing is one way to do this, and Google and Apple are working on a cross-platform contact-tracing system for iPhones and Android smartphones that will be available via official health apps.

This system has not yet rolled out. Google and Apple have only published an application programming interface (API) for it, which public health organizations can use to build apps. But Google and Apple this week provided details on what contact tracing might look like inside the health apps and at the OS level on iOS and Android. Here’s what to expect.

Go to this PC Magazine article and read all about it. https://bit.ly/2zohcdM

5/4/20

MAY SECURITY PATCH ROLLING OUT TO GOOGLE PIXEL, FACTORY IMAGES & OTAS LIVE – Ahead of the first Android 11 Beta later this month, the next stable update for the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 4 family of devices is rolling out. The May security patch contains the usual set of security fixes.

There are 15 issues resolved in the May security patch dated 2020-05-01 and 24 for 2020-05-05. Vulnerabilities range from moderate to critical, with the most severe relating to the media framework and a remote attacker possibly executing arbitrary code through a crafted file.

In the Android Security & Privacy 2018 Year in Review, Google notes that “no critical security vulnerabilities affecting the Android platform were publicly disclosed without a security update or mitigation available for Android devices.” Additionally, there was an 84% year-over-year jump in security patches during Q4 2018 compared to the prior year.

GOOGLE MESSAGES TOPS 1 BILLION INSTALLS ON ANDROID – It’s an impressive milestone as Google doesn’t require the Messages app with Google Mobile Services on third-party Android devices.

Google is celebrating yet another Android app that eclipsed 1 billion installs.

Android Police reports that, in recent days, the Messages app on the Play Store registered more than 1 billion installs less than a year after generating half as many.

It’s clear why this milestone approached faster than anticipated: Rich Communication Services (RCS). Google rolled out Chat, its RCS standard, in force over the last year. Chat arrived in the United States at the end of 2019, and Google continues pushing it into additional countries worldwide. Features enabled through RCS and Chat include a real-time typing indicator, large file transfers, and reliable group messaging. Android devices get pretty close to iMessage with the Messages app and this technology.

The Messages app does a lot more than just sending and receiving texts. Users can also trade stickers, share their location, and let Google Assistant insert contextual recommendations. It’s still not a total challenger to iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp, but Google’s Messages app finally does a lot of what Android users have always wanted.

Since it’s not required as a pre-installed app with Google Mobile Services, the Messages app’s milestone impresses even more than Gmail, Google Maps, and other in-house solutions to have reached the same figure. Hardware manufacturers don’t need to include it on third-party Android devices. In fact, Google and Android One partners such as Nokia are often the only companies that offer the Messages app right out of the box. Smartphones made by other companies can still use the app, but they’re required to open the Play Store, find the Messages app, and choose to install it.

The Play Store stops counting at 1 billion installs, and that means we’ll never know where the Messages app’s growth rate takes it next. But, with RCS activating next-generation features, it’s not hard to imagine Android users will continue flocking to it. Google found itself a simple communications app worth keeping around, finally.

THE BEST CHROME EXTENSIONS FOR ONLINE SAFETY AND SECURITY – Surfing the web these days can be a security nightmare, with various threats from malware to ransomware. These Google Chrome extensions can help keep you safe and secure.

Searching on the internet can be risky business these days, with malware, spyware, and browser-based trackers all trying to invade your privacy and security. But Chrome users can fight back by using the right extensions. You’ll find a variety of add-ons designed to ward off malicious code, protect your online privacy, and block intrusive ads. Let’s take a look at the best ones and see how they can enhance your Google Chrome experience.

Go to this Pc Magazine article and get the dope on Chrome extensions. https://bit.ly/35CzWCv

5/1/20

HOW TO CHECK THE NOW PLAYING HISTORY OF SONGS ON GOOGLE PIXEL – The Now Playing feature on a Google Pixel device shows the current playing song on the smartphone’s lock screen. However, there is also a way of seeing the history of played tracks. Here’s where it can be found.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and see the steps plus screenshots. https://bit.ly/3bVs6X4

USB 4 SPECS AND FEATURES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DOUBLE-SPEED USB – USB is one of tech’s ultimate success stories – a universal standard that has been the center of wired data and power transfer for 20 years now.

But things have got a little confusing over recent years with the USB 3.x standards having multiple cable types. That’s been made more confusing by having multiple connectivity standards as part of this, too.

This will be fixed with the incoming USB 4.0, which will use one standard connector and bring multiple connectivity standards together.

The USB 4 specification has now been published and will probably appear in devices in late 2020 or early 2021 – it usually takes around 18 months for devices to come to market once a new standard is published for the first time.

Over 50 companies are currently involved in the standard, especially those behind the USB Promoter Group – Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, ST Microelectronics and Texas Instruments.

Go to this Pocket Lint web page and read about the History of USB and what USB 4 will provide. https://bit.ly/2VUUiUr

WHAT IS CELL PHONE CONTACT TRACING? – Google and Apple just released software to let developers create contact-tracing apps and fight COVID-19. What does this do? We can explain.

Stopping COVID-19 before there’s a vaccine means preventing sick people from spreading it. While total lockdowns are one way to do that, South Korea and China have dramatically reduced infections in part by contact tracing, the practice of tracking those with whom infected people have come into contact.

Go to this PC Magazine article and read about how it will work. https://bit.ly/2KRvoP2

THE 10 BEST FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD SITES – Free ebook downloads are hard to find unless you know the right websites to visit. This article lists some of the best sites that offer free ebooks for you to read.

Go to this Make Use Of  web article and see the ten best FREE Ebook sites. https://bit.ly/2WmQRoC

10 WINDOWS TASK MANAGER TRICKS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW – Most Windows users only pull up the Task Manager when a program is frozen and they need to kill it. While it’s perfectly fine to use the Task Manager this way, you’re also overlooking some handy features if you never look deeper.

The Task Manager has seen some serious improvements since the days of Windows 7. Let’s look at the best Task Manager tricks for Windows 10 that you should know.

Go to this Make Use Of web article and see how versatile the Task Manager can be. https://bit.ly/3fjvNbc

4/26/20

MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR ANDROID: IS IT ANY GOOD? – If you’re curious about installing Microsoft Office Mobile, the following review should help you decide whether or not it’s right for you.

Earlier in 2020, Microsoft rolled out an Android version of what’s called a “unified Office” mobile app. The app includes Word, Excel, and Powerpoint all in one mobile application.

Previous to this rollout, you needed to install individual mobile apps for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Now you can get all three in one Microsoft Office app for Android or for iOS.

If you’re curious about installing Microsoft Office Mobile, the following review should help you decide whether or not it’s right for you.

Go to this Groovy Post web article and get more information. https://bit.ly/2KzIy3i

THESE PHONES CAN SURVIVE BLEACH SPRAY; YOUR BODY CANNOT – Medical and scientific authorities agree: don’t ingest or inject household disinfectants. If you’re worried about COVID-19 getting on your phone, though, check out how we cleaned these ultra-rugged devices.

Yesterday, President Trump suggested that doctors “inject” disinfectant to cure COVID-19, which is toxic and would severely hurt people, according to all medical authorities and the people who make Lysol. Bleach and human bodies aren’t compatible.

Disinfectants also can really harm your cell phone, unless they are ruggedized. I’m in the middle of reviewing Kyocera’s new DuraXV Extreme flip phone for Verizon, and I also have a Sonim XP3 flip for AT&T and Sprint. If you’re paranoid about cleaning your phone, these are some excellent choices, because the super-rugged devices can be scrubbed, hosed down, and even sprayed with a Clorox bleach-based cleaner. Take a look in this fun video:

Go to this PC Magazine article and video at the end of the article. Very good information. https://bit.ly/2W1sHzP

Video Only: https://bit.ly/2VAgByk

 

FREE ALTERNATIVES TO ADOBE’S BEST PRODUCTS (PREMIERE PRO, PHOTOSHOP, AND MORE) – Adobe is a staple of creative work in the modern world, with software covering everything from graphic design to video editing under its umbrella. It’s the first company many people turn to when wanting to break into any creative field. But while Adobe’s products are great, they don’t come cheap, and many people would be better off starting with the numerous free alternatives available today.

Adobe’s products are the cutting edge of their respective fields, so naturally, they’re expensive to produce which then, in turn, translates to a hefty price tag. But the vast majority of people don’t need the cutting edge. Even a lot of professionals don’t, so when you take just a step or two down in overall power, you can find some great free alternatives.

And the best part? We already did the research for you.

Go to this Review Geek web article and read the research. https://bit.ly/3bFadLM

HOW TO TURN OFF YOUTUBE NOTIFICATIONS ON iPHONE, iPAD, AND ANDROID – If you’re a YouTube fan, you might appreciate new channel recommendations or the odd notification when your favorite YouTuber posts a new video. If you’d prefer to disable these notifications, though, you can do so on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

Go to this How-to Geek web article and get the steps. https://bit.ly/2Vzx0mO

15 BEST ANDROID MULTIPLAYER GAMES – Android gaming has been steadily getting better. Before, we had simple puzzle games and we could invite our Facebook contacts to be our friends in games. Multiplayer games used to mean just leaderboards. There are now a ton of games that support actual multiplayer play, including real time co-op or PvP. In fact, most games these days have some sort of multiplayer element in it. If you’re looking for something to play with your friends, here are the best Android multiplayer games!

Go to this Android Authority web site and review the games. https://bit.ly/3536iWQ

THE BEST FREE-TO-PLAY GAMES ON ANY PLATFORM – It’s true that the games market is currently saturated with a lot of sub-par freemium games, especially on mobile. However, we have also seen many great free-to-play games launched in recent years. From battle royale games, to MOBAs, to spectacular indies, there is enough variety for even the most hard-to-please gamers. So if, you don’t want to spend any cash but want to enjoy some high-quality and entertaining titles, here are our picks for the best free-to-play games on any platform.

Go to this Android Authority web article and see the games. https://bit.ly/2Y50XwH

April 23, 2020

HOW TO DRAW IN MICROSOFT WORD – While Microsoft Word isn’t the best drawing tool, you can create basic drawings or scribbles in Word directly. Here’s how.

Microsoft Word isn’t essential software for graphics designers, and for good reason. It’s true—Microsoft Word isn’t best suited for drawing, but it does have some built-in drawing tools you can use, should you need to.

For simple drawings, you can draw in Word directly using shapes, lines, or pen tools. If you want to draw in Microsoft Word, here’s what you’ll need to do.

These instructions have been designed with Microsoft Office 2019 in mind. While the steps may work for older versions of Word, there may be some variations or missing features.

Go to this groovy Post web page and get the steps plus screenshots. https://bit.ly/3bzO6Xn

HOW TO BACKUP YOUR ANDROID PHONE OR TABLET – Backing up your Android device is much easier than it used to be. Here’s how to make sure your important data is saved and stored securely.

Backing up an Android device used to be a tedious task in the old days. Luckily, that is not the case anymore for Android 10, as setting everything up takes only minutes. Let’s see what the main points are.

Go to this Groovy Post web article and see the new backup steps with screenshots. https://bit.ly/2xV7SxP

ZOOM TIPS SECURITY UPGRADES AS DAILY USERS SURGE TO 300 MILLION – In December, Zoom was attracting a mere 10 million daily users. Now at 300 million, Zoom details plans to improve the video-conferencing service’s encryption standard.

The privacy and security concerns swirling around Zoom haven’t stopped users from flocking to the video conferencing service.

Go to this PC Magazine article and read about the latest updates to Zoom. https://bit.ly/2x9BmYu

VIVALDI BROWSER LAUNCHES ON ANDROID, ADDS INTEGRATED TRACKER BLOCKING – A compelling alternative browser, Vivaldi 3.0 adds integrated tracker blocking courtesy of DuckDuckGo, ad blocking, and a clock. Vivaldi for Android debuts, too, with many of the same features and secure syncing.

Among alternative browsers, Vivaldi is one of the more compelling ones, especially because of how minutely customizable it is. Today the web browser launches on Android and updates to Version 3.0, which adds web tracker blocking, built-in ad blocking, and a clock with timer capability.

Vivaldi’s something of an underground hit among web cognoscenti, and was a project of one of the Opera browser’s original founders, Jon von Tetzchner. In case you forgot, Opera innovated many browser features—things as basic as tabs and integrated search, not to mention more internal web technologies like CSS.

THE TWO WORDS MOTOROLA DOESN’T WANT YOU TO READ – Motorola’s getting tons of positive press for its new Android phone launch this week, but two critical words are curiously missing from the conversation.

Holy moly, have you heard? Motorola’s getting back into the high-end Android flagship game — and by most counts, its new top-of-the-line, $999 Edge+ phone is quite the creation.

Heck, just look at these excerpts from the scores of early-impression serenades published around these here intertubes:

“The Motorola Edge+ feels like a true 2020 flagship smartphone”

“A unique device that stands out from the pack”

“Motorola’s most powerful phone in years”

Well, my goodness. Kinda makes you want to run out and scream “Hello, Moto” whilst thrusting the phone high above your head, doesn’t it?

Go to this Computer World web article and get a look at one opinion. https://bit.ly/34Y6CpR

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR ZOOM BACKGROUND TO A FUN PHOTO OR VIDEO – People often use Zoom for work and conference calls, but it doesn’t have to be all work and no play. You can use an interesting photo or video virtual background during the call to liven things up!

Go to this How-to Geek web article and see how. https://bit.ly/3bzcOqx

HOW TO SHOW FILE EXPLORER’S PREVIEW PANE ON WINDOWS 10 – It’s easy to preview files without opening them in Windows 10 thanks to the Preview Pane feature in File Explorer. You can see thumbnails of most images, videos, audio files, and some text-based documents. Here’s how to turn it on.

Go to this How-to Geek web article and get the steps. https://bit.ly/3cJgEO2

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR SKYPE VIDEO CALL BACKGROUND – Skype now offers custom backgrounds. Rather than show everyone your office, you can choose any backdrop image you like. Skype will automatically detect and replace the background behind you with the image while you’re video chatting, just like Zoom can.

Go to this How-to Geek web article and get it. https://bit.ly/2Vv2Jp4

HOW TO MAKE VOICE AND VIDEO CALLS ON SKYPE – Skype has long been one of the most popular video-calling apps. Even better, it’s free and available on all major platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows. We’ll walk you through how to use it!

Go to this How-to Geek web article and get the info. https://bit.ly/354Wtrh

April 19, 2020

HOW TO HIDE SPECIFIC MOVIES AND TV SHOWS ON NETFLIX – Whether you’re sick of seeing shows or want to hide a show from your kids, Netflix allows you to hide them. Here’s how.

Sometimes you might be irritated with Netflix recommending specific titles to you. Or, perhaps you don’t want a certain title show up when you have kids around.

Whatever the case, Netflix allows you to hide titles from its enormous library of content. Here’s how it works.

Go to this Groovy Post web article and see what you can do, with screenshots. https://bit.ly/2XOYExM

HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN YOUR PHONE – When is the last time you’ve cleaned your mobile device? Let’s review how to clean your phone and other hand-held electronic devices.

We use our mobile devices for hours each day. In doing so, they can become a hotbed for germs both from us and others we come into contact with. Cleaning your smartphone and other devices is a relatively simple process, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get it clean. https://bit.ly/2VjzF3O

HOW TO UNINSTALL MICROSOFT EDGE FROM WINDOWS 10 – Whether you need to get rid of the beta version or it’s not your flavor, it’s easy to uninstall Microsoft Edge (Chromium version).

We showed you how to install the new chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser. While it is a much better browser than the legacy version, it might not be for you. The good news is, unlike the legacy version, you can uninstall it like any other app. Here’s how to do just and uninstall Microsoft Edge from your Windows 10 system.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get started on uninstall. https://bit.ly/2xxBBgg

HOW TO SKIP BACK AND FORWARD 10 SECONDS IN YOUTUBE AND OTHER APPS – Have you ever looked for quick 10-second Rewind and Fast Forward buttons in the YouTube app for iPhone, Android, or iPad? There are no visible buttons, but there’s a hidden trick. It also works on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and many other video apps.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and see how it is done. https://bit.ly/34PJ2eY

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work in browsers like Safari on the iPhone and iPad and Google Chrome on Android.

HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM MAP IN GOOGLE MAPS – You don’t need any special software to create a custom map for yourself or others. Google Maps is all you need, allowing you to add your own pinpoints, shapes, and directions to a custom map. Here’s how.

You’ll need to use Google Maps on your desktop to do this. If you’re having problems with a blank Google Maps screen, you’ll also need to clear your site data.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the facts. https://bit.ly/2wVchAq

GAMELOFT RELEASES 30 FREE CLASSIC GAMES FOR ANDROID IN A SINGLE APP – To everyone’s surprise, Gameloft’s classic mobile games are available once again

This story was originally published on Apr 15, 2020 and last updated 4 hours ago.

If you’ve been longing for the heady days of Block Breaker Deluxe and Gangstars 2 from the Gameloft of yore, it seems everyone’s sometimes-favorite mobile game developer finally heard you. Time and time again, people have asked when Gameloft would go back to its roots: creating quality clones that aren’t filled with in-app purchases, and it finally looks like a few of you’ve had your wish granted. In celebration of twenty years in the industry (and some questionable lifting of ideas), Gameloft has released a game collection app called Gameloft Classics: 20 Years. It brings with it a total of 30 classic games, but be warned, these titles are from the flip phone era, and so the titles currently available only cover Gameloft’s earliest releases.

Go to this Android Police web site and see the list of free games. https://bit.ly/2XLFEA8

10 GEEKY ZOOM BACKGROUNDS TO MAKE YOUR MEETINGS MORE INTERESTING – With Zoom, you can swap that bland home office wall for a customized background. For the nerds among us, here are some of the geekier options.

It used to be you downloaded fun images as wallpaper for your screen, but quarantine has created the best new use: green-screening your background in Zoom meetings.

Zoom calls them virtual backgrounds. In the settings, turn on Virtual Backgrounds, and pick a still image or video to run in the background. The more uniform the color behind you, the better the effect. Here’s a quick video rundown from Mashable:

Go to this PC Magazine article and see the new Zoom backgrounds. https://bit.ly/3bxWnL6

HOW TO FIND OUT WHEN YOU’RE GETTING YOUR STIMULUS CHECK – As it prepares to send or deposit the first round of stimulus checks, the IRS has released a ‘Get My Payment’ tool, where you can check the status of your money. Here’s how to use it.

The Internal Revenue Service is starting to deposit stimulus checks directly into people’s bank accounts; it’ll send money to over 80 million Americans in the first round. But if you’re still waiting, you can check the status of your payment on a new IRS website.

The “Get My Payment” tool went live on Wednesday, ahead of a scheduled April 17 launch. It’ll tell you when a direct deposit has been scheduled or show the status for paper checks sent through the mail. But if you want to expedite the process, you can use Get My Payment to register yourself for direct deposit. Here’s how the new tool works:

Go to this PC Magazine article and check on the payment. https://bit.ly/2RPCpns

 

HOW TO SIT PROPERLY AT YOUR COMPUTER TO AVOID BACK PAIN AND FATIGUE – You may have heard that sitting too much can be bad for your health but what’s exactly behind that idea and how can we fix it? With more people working from home and likely spending time in compromised postures, let’s look at how to sit properly at your computer to avoid pain, tightness, and fatigue.

Sitting sounds like an innocent and natural thing but as Dr. Kelly Starrett explains, there’s a lot to it, and most people don’t sit properly and create issues like pain, stiffness, and fatigue.

Sitting—like standing—is one of the most technically challenging things we do. Yet most of us are clueless when it comes to sitting well.

Sitting is an inevitable part of modern life and likely you’re doing more of it if you’re working from home. So let’s dive into the mechanics of how to sit properly to avoid pain, stiffness, and fatigue and we’ll also look at how to use an exercise ball as a great chair option and more.

Go to this 9 to 5 Mac web article and sit up straight. https://bit.ly/2Klr620

MISS YOUR FRIENDS? TRY THESE APPS FOR A VIRTUAL PARTY, TRIVIA NIGHT, OR GOSSIP SESSION – Feeling the fatigue of weeks and weeks of quarantine? Download one of these apps and breathe new life into your socially distant social life.

Getting pretty tired of staying inside all the time? You’re not alone. As the world continues to hunker down and weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to rapidly adapt to a new lifestyle where the closest we can get to a non-housemate is six feet. Thankfully, the internet helps us adapt quickly, with video calls becoming the new social norm. Here are the must-use apps and services to simulate a social life as best you can.

Go to this PC magazine web site and see the six apps. https://bit.ly/3csarWW

HOW TO USE IMMERSIVE READER MODE IN MICROSOFT EDGE – If you need to read an article online without distractions the new Microsoft edge had Immersive Reading mode for an ebook like experience.

We showed you how Reading View works in the Legacy version of Microsoft Edge. It allowed you to read web articles unencumbered by ads, toolbars, and other site distractions. But now with the Chromium version of Edge, we have a new name for it. Its name is: Immersive Reader mode. It generally works the same as the legacy version, but there are a few differences. Here’s a look at what you can expect.

Go to this groovy Post web articles and get the info. https://bit.ly/34FRbT7

11 THINGS YOU MUST DO WITH A BRAND NEW LAPTOP – Whether you’ve just bought a new laptop to replace an old one or upgraded to treat yourself, you should make some small investments in time to ensure the best experience down the road.

Here are the most important things to do when you get a new laptop, no matter which OS it runs.

Go to this Make Use Of web articles and see the list. https://bit.ly/2VeD4AX

HOW TO FIND A BOOK WITHOUT KNOWING THE TITLE OR AUTHOR – Do you want to find a book title when you can only remember the plot? It’s easy when you know how.

Sometimes you remember a book you read by its jacket. Sometimes by the actions of an obscure character. However, there are times when you can’t even remember the author or title. Everyone has book amnesia at times, so expect to see (or ask) a question like this one day:

“What was that book which had something about a puppet master as a murderer?”

In the old days, you could have asked the librarian. Today, you can go online and use these tips to find a book when you don’t know the title or author.

Got to this Make Use Of web article and get some neat hints. https://bit.ly/2xDFTlY

THE 10 BEST REVERSE IMAGE SEARCH APPS FOR IPHONE AND ANDROID – Search engines make it easy to find information or buy products, but what if you want to identify a picture you have? In these cases, reverse image search comes to the rescue.

This powerful feature allows you to upload an image to search instead of entering text. Let’s take a look at the best reverse image search tools available on your iPhone or Android device.

Go to this Make Use Of web article and see the Apps. https://bit.ly/3etCxTm

EXTERNAL DRIVE NOT SHOWING UP OR RECOGNIZED? 5 POTENTIAL FIXES TO TRY – Removable disk drives—either USB flash drives or external hard drives—should be easy to use. But in some cases, you may connect your drive to a Windows PC or another device with a USB port and find the external hard drive isn’t showing up.

This problem has several possible causes: partition issues on the external drive, using the wrong file system, dead USB ports, or driver issues in Windows. In a worst-case scenario, the drive itself may be dead.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and see the fixes. https://bit.ly/3ag0dHF

OFFICE 365 BECOMES MICROSOFT 365: LESS HERE THAN MEETS THE EYE – Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that, as of April 21, the “rented” version of Office known as Office 365 will henceforth be known as Microsoft 365.

Other than a bewildering array of new names and vague promises of future features, very little will actually change on that day.

Mostly, if you’re currently subscribed to Office 365, you’ll soon be seeing (and paying for) Microsoft 365.

Here’s a handy Google translation:

Office 365 Personal — the USD $70/year (or $6.99/month) version that’s tied to one individual — becomes Microsoft 365 Personal. The subscriber (i.e., one MS account) can run Office on up to five devices at a time: PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. They also get up to 1TB of online storage.

Office 365 Home — $100/year ($9.99/month) for up to six people — becomes Microsoft 365 Family. No, Microsoft doesn’t have a magic way to check whether the six individuals are really one family, however that’s defined these days. Each of the six “family” members will have a separate MS account, and each can run Office on up to five computers and mobile devices. Each member gets their own 1TB of cloud storage. (The primary subscriber holds the keys and can add members or boot them, at will.)

My Personal Notes:

  1. Don’t use CCleaner. 
    1. The popular system-cleaning tool now always runs in the background, nagging you and reporting anonymous data back to the company’s servers.
    2. Here’s what you should use instead.
    3. Windows has a built-in Disk Cleanup tool, and it works very well. Microsoft has been improving it, and it works even better in the latest versions of Windows 10
  2. Registry cleaners– do more harm than good especially on Windows 10.
    1. Microsoft does not support the use of registry cleaners. Some programs available for free on the internet might contain spyware, adware, or viruses. If you decide to install a registry cleaning utility, be sure to research the product and only download and install programs from publishers that you trust.
    2. Some products such as registry cleaning utilities suggest that the registry needs regular maintenance or cleaning.  However, serious issues can occur when you modify the registry incorrectly using these types of utilities. These issues might require users to reinstall the operating system due to instability.

WINDOWS 10 QUICK TIPS: 13 WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR PC – If you want to speed up Windows 10, take a few minutes to try out these tips. Your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

Want Windows 10 to run faster? We’ve got help. In just a few minutes you can try out this baker’s dozen of tips; your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

Go to this Computer World web site and get the tips. https://bit.ly/3bcH5vn

THE BEST FREE MICROSOFT WORD ALTERNATIVES – When you ask people what program they use to write a report or letter, odds are they’ll say Microsoft Word. It has been the go-to word processor for years, but now there are several outstanding—and free—alternatives.

Microsoft Word enjoyed a lengthy reign as the dominant word processor and is revered for its powerful, comprehensive abilities. But as more people started writing with more diverse purposes (think: freelance workers, remote workers, bloggers, etc), the need for more varied and affordable options grew, which is great! I think Word processors are beautiful pieces of software, and they are a vital tool across a variety of industries, so there should be lots of options for them. Luckily, I found plenty of Word alternatives with impressive feature sets that won’t cost you a cent.

Go to this Review Geek web site and get the facts about alternatives to MS Word. https://bit.ly/3bcJbLL

SLING TV’S “HAPPY HOUR ACROSS AMERICA” GIVES YOU FREE TV ACCESS EVERY NIGHT – Starting today, Sling TV has one of the best kind of deals you ask for—free TV for new customers. From 5 PM until midnight Eastern Time, you get access to 32 channels for absolutely free. And while you do need to sign up for an account, you don’t need to provide a credit card.

This latest deal is an expansion of Sling’s recent “Stay in & SLING” initiative and expands on the content the streaming company was already offering for free. During the “Happy Hours,” you get access to Sling’s Blue plan, which usually costs $30 a month. On the Blue plan, you can watch A&E, AMC, Bravo, CNN, E!, FOX News, FX, HGTV, HLN, MSNBC, TLC and more.

Sling didn’t say how long the Happy Hour initiative would last, but presumably, you’ll eventually have to pay to watch. For now, since you don’t have to provide a credit card, it’s hard to think of a reason not to take the free channels. Just make sure to sign up for an account at the Happy Hour link.

HOW TO ADD A PIN TO PROTECT YOUR NETFLIX ACCOUNT PROFILE – We have shown you how to restrict mature Netflix content from kids. And Netflix has added some new parental control features. One example of this is the ability to add a PIN to your profiles. The feature is called “Profile Lock” which adds an extra layer of security to your account. Here’s how to use it.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get the steps with screen shots. https://bit.ly/3baYNze

YOU CAN NOW WATCH SOME APPLE TV PLUS AND YOUTUBE ORIGINALS FOR FREE – APPLE’S DEDICATED STREAMING SERVICE – APPLE TV PLUS – IS REPORTEDLY OFFERING a bunch of original shows and movies for free streaming. YouTube is also doing the same for its YouTube Premium originals.

The move is likely prompted by the ongoing coronavirus crisis that has millions of people across the world locked in their homes.

Go to this Android Authority web site and get the facts. https://bit.ly/2XqCSQJ

HOW TO SHARE WI-FI PASSWORDS FROM ANDROID TO ANY SMARTPHONE – Starting with Android 10, phones running Google’s mobile OS can share Wi-Fi passwords between handsets using a QR code. All the recipient has to do is open the default camera app on their iPhone or Android device to scan the code and instantly connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Go to this How-to Geek web site and get the steps plus screenshots. https://bit.ly/2V3aGS9

HOW TO COMBINE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS – It’s difficult for two or more people to work on a PowerPoint presentation simultaneously, as Office doesn’t have the same collaboration features offered by Google Slides. One way around this problem is to combine PowerPoint presentations into a single file.

Merging two PowerPoints can be done by either importing the slides using the “Reuse Slides” option or by using the copy-and-paste method instead. These instructions are designed to work for the latest versions of Office, including Office 2016 and 2019, as well as Office 365 and Online. You may find the instructions vary for older versions of PowerPoint.

Go to this How-to Geek web site and see the procedure with screen shots. https://bit.ly/3a9endC

GOOGLE WILL REQUIRE SEAMLESS UPDATES ON DEVICES LAUNCHING WITH ANDROID 11 – Companies like Samsung have less than a year to get their act together.

According to a change recently made to Google’s Vendor Test Suite (VTS) spotted by our friends at XDA Developers, Google will require that all devices launching with Android 11 support seamless updates. More specifically, the VTS will check that devices running Android 11 and later support virtual A/B partition structures (which allow seamless updates), and fail if that support isn’t present. Since devices must pass the VTS to ship with Google’s apps, that effectively means that Android manufacturers will have to support seamless updates on devices that launch with Android 11.

Go to this Android Police article and read about this important update. https://bit.ly/2K4xJpj

ALL OF ANDROID 11’S NEW FEATURES (SO FAR) – From Google’s huge notification overhaul to hidden settings and toggles, now with DP2

It’s that time of the year. Android 11 is here — or, at least, the first early developer previews are. We’re continually combing through these new versions looking for changes, willing canaries in the Android coal mines so that you, our readers, can see what’s new without having to actually risk installing it on your own phone (if you don’t want to). Now that we’ve had some time to look around, here’s everything new we’ve spotted.

Go to this Android Police web page and read about Android 11. https://bit.ly/3epHlJw

HANGOUTS CHAT FOLLOWING REBRANDED GOOGLE MEET, BECOMING GOOGLE CHAT – I want to get off Mr. Bones’ Wild (Marketing) Ride

Google announced last year that the Hangouts service we know and love would be winding down, but two new business-oriented tools took its name ⁠— Hangouts Meet (video conferencing) and Hangouts Chat (room-based messaging). However, Hangouts Meet officially became Google Meet earlier this week, and now the Chat application will receive the same treatment.

After a few support documents were updated to reflect the new name, Google confirmed to The Verge that Hangouts Chat would become Google Chat, thus ending the use of the Hangouts name in any of Google’s enterprise products. That’s not to be confused with ‘Chat,’ which is what Google calls its implementation of the RCS messaging protocol. (https://bit.ly/2y57UD9) Google Chat was also a common nickname for Google Talk, which later became Hangouts. To quote Number Six, “all this has happened before, and all this will happen again.”

Google also told The Verge that “there will be no changes to the consumer (classic) version of Hangouts,” even though the company initially said (https://bit.ly/3cbD0HJ)  that classic Hangouts users would be transitioned off the service sometime after October 2019. At least for now, Hangouts’ stay of execution continues.

10 ANDROID 10 FEATURES YOU SHOULD BE USING ON YOUR GALAXY S10 OR NOTE10 – After a brief beta period, Samsung began updating its 2019 flagships to Android 10 in November last year. Now that the vast majority of S10 and Note10 users have received the update, let’s take a look at what’s new in Android 10 and what features Samsung users should start checking out.

Go to this Android Police web site and read/ see the ten changes. https://bit.ly/2JXUxaz

SWITCHING FROM PLAY MUSIC TO YOUTUBE MUSIC: GOOGLE’S STREAMING REVAMP IS ALMOST READY FOR PRIME TIME – It comes down to preference, but soon, you’ll have no other choice but switching

Even though Google stopped actively developing Play Music in favor of its new lovechild YouTube Music, a lot of people cling to the company’s first attempt at a music streaming service, including me. Granted, I’ve been paying the new platform occasional visits to see if it managed to become a worthy replacement for Play Music, but some concerns haven’t been addressed yet. With YTM receiving feature after feature lately, I’ve still decided to go hands-on with YouTube Music exclusively for a while to see if I’m able to switch to the new app in its current state.

Go to this Android Police web page and read about YouTube music. https://bit.ly/3edAd2F

HOW TO RIP YOUR MOVIE COLLECTION TO WATCH ANYWHERE – Stuck in quarantine? Now’s a great time to digitize those DVD and Blu-Ray discs

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has led many to search for projects that can be accomplished without leaving their home. Backing up your physical movie collection is certainly a worthy endeavor, especially in an era where fewer and fewer devices are shipping with disc drives. What’s the point in owning stacks of DVDs and Blu-Rays if you can’t watch them on anything but your TV?

In this guide, we’ll explain how to ‘rip’ your movie collection (e.g. back up the discs while removing DRM protection) to video files, so you can watch your favorite films on any of your devices. If you have a PC you can leave powered on, we’ll also show you how to create a media server, enabling you to stream content on-demand to your phones, tablets, and PCs. It’s like your own personal Netflix service, but with fewer junk shows and no monthly fee.

Go to this Android Police web article and follow the steps. https://bit.ly/3b4yNWi

HOW TO CONNECT YOUR LAPTOP TO YOUR TV FOR GAMES, MOVIES, OR AS A SECOND MONITOR – Sometimes your laptop screen just isn’t big enough. Here’s how to stream your favorite games and movies, or set up your TV as a second display for your PC.

If you’re like me, you watch a lot of movies and TV shows on your computer. It’s the ultimate media machine, capable of playing any file format and outputting to any device with the right cables. It’s also the ultimate video game system, able to play the widest library of games available with the biggest variety of controllers. It’s also where most of us spend the most time working, especially if you find yourself working from home a great deal lately. There’s just one catch: Most monitors (and all laptop displays) are smaller than the average TV. So why not just connect your laptop to your TV and watch or play anything you want on a bigger screen?

You can, and there are several different ways to do it. Not every method is suitable for every situation, though. Depending on where your TV is, where your computer is, how your home is set up, and what media you plan to consume, you need to consider exactly how to connect your laptop to your TV. If you want a second screen but are looking for something smaller than your TV, our guide to using your iPad as an extension of your computer can get you started.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get the steps. (4 different methods) https://bit.ly/3cfzdtg

GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BLUE LIGHT GLASSES – Staring at your monitor for hours at a time? Computer glasses might help. Here’s what you need to know.

As we spend more and more time at home and staring at screens, we’re becoming increasingly vulnerable to eye strain. You’ve probably already heard of blue light and how it can hurt your eyes, and maybe a pair of blue light blocking glasses caught your attention. But it’s important to understand that there are lots of options for reducing eye strain when staring at screens, and they go beyond just getting new lenses. Here’s what you should know about blue light, and some of your choices for reducing your exposure to it.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get the suggestions. https://bit.ly/2wCFDU2

April 8, 2020

HOW TO USE FILE EXPLORER WITHOUT A MOUSE ON WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10’s file manager is packed with keyboard shortcuts. You can launch File Explorer and use it entirely with your keyboard—without ever touching a mouse. It’s no Norton Commander, but it’s extremely keyboard-friendly.

Here it is:

To launch File Explorer from anywhere on your Windows system,

press Windows (logo key) +E.

HOW TO SET UP MONITORING TO ALERT ON WINDOWS HIGH SYSTEM USAGE – One of the more overlooked tools in Windows is Perfmon, otherwise known as performance monitor. This utility has many overlooked abilities, one of them being the ability to alert on various metric conditions. In this article, we explore how to properly use the alerting ability of Perfmon with a high CPU usage.

Go to this Cloud Savvy It web page article and see what you can do with screenshots. https://bit.ly/2XdSCX9

HOW TO EXPORT AN OUTLOOK CALENDAR AS A CSV FILE – There are times when it can be useful to see all of the events in your calendar at once. Outlook lets you export all of the events between two dates into a single CSV file. Here’s how it all works.

Want to know how many pointless meetings Chad from Marketing has invited you to in the last year? Wondering when the last time your supervisor had a one-to-one with you was? Maybe you just want to do some analytics on your time spent so you can see where the days go?

Whatever the reason, a spreadsheet that can be searched, sorted, and filtered—or pumped into an analytics app like Power BI—is often the best way to analyze data and find the information you’re looking for.

Outlook makes it easy to export your calendar into a comma-separated values (CSV) file that can be opened in Excel, Google Sheets, or any data analysis package.

TGo to this How-to Geek web site and see the steps with screen shots. https://bit.ly/2x7JqJa

HOW TO WORK EFFECTIVELY FROM HOME – Working from home can be daunting. Especially if you’ve never done it before. Here we’ll give you some tips on how you can be productive at home.

You know the feeling when everything you do just works? Feels like time stands still and you are more productive than ever, a so-called flow state. To increase the chances to enter that state there is a lot you can do and it helps if you can work without distractions. I will present a few ways that could help you to be as productive as possible when working from home, flow me… erm… follow me.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the techniques. https://bit.ly/39HmEVO

TO STOP HIJACKINGS, ZOOM WILL TURN ON THE ‘WAITING ROOM’ FEATURE FOR ALL USERS – Starting on Sunday, the company is also requiring passwords on everyone’s previously scheduled meetings to help prevent unwanted guests from infiltrating the video conferencing sessions.

To stop a wave of hijackings, Zoom is requiring passwords on all previously scheduled meetings, and also enabling the “Waiting Room” feature for whenever you host a video session.

The change will take effect on Sunday as the company’s video conferencing software has become the target of pranksters and racists, who’ve been infiltrating Zoom sessions to embarrass and harass unsuspecting users.

“If your attendees are joining via a meeting link, there will be no change to their joining experience,” the email says. “For attendees who join meetings by manually entering a Meeting ID, they will need to enter a password to access the meeting.”

Go to this PC Magazine article and read about Zoom protection and requirements.  https://bit.ly/3bZ4S1Y

THESE 17 MOVIES WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE EARLY TO HELP EASE YOUR CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY – The Call of the Wild, Onward, Bad Boys for Life, and more are available to rent or buy from streaming services way ahead of schedule.

Movie lovers cooped up at home because of the growing coronavirus threat are getting an unexpected but welcome treat from Hollywood studios: early video-on-demand (VOD) releases of some recent blockbusters, including some films still in theaters (the few that are open, that is).

Following the unprecedented closure of movie theaters around the globe to help curb the spread of COVID-19, movie studios have been frantically shuffling their schedules, postponing some of their biggest releases (such as No Time to Die, A Quiet Place 2, and F9) for months or even until next year.

But Hollywood isn’t only throwing out the rule book as far as their upcoming releases go; they’re also shattering the traditional three-month U.S. theatrical window when it comes to more recent and even current movie releases.

That means instead of waiting until (most likely) May to rent the hit horror movie The Invisible Man on iTunes or Amazon Prime Video, Universal went ahead and released it in mid-March, way ahead of schedule.

Read on for a list of big Hollywood movies that are coming early to VOD in the U.S., with more sure to follow:

Go to this Tech Hive article and see what is listed. https://bit.ly/2UZEJJi

10 BEST WORKOUT GAMES AND FITNESS GAMES FOR ANDROID – It’s important to work out. It helps you maintain good health, keeps the pounds off, and makes you feel good. However, working out is also quite boring. You’re basically doing something over and over again for a long time for benefits you don’t see for weeks. A lot of people pass the time with things like music, podcasts, or working out with other people. However, some may want motivation with a little more engagement. We can help with that! Here are the best fitness games and workout games for Android!

For the record, there is actually a whole genre of fitness games for mobile that has nothing to do with the player working out. They are usually simulators of some sort where you build a skinny person into a bodybuilder or you build a gym or some such thing. This is not a list of those types of games. Every game on this list requires, or at least encourages, the player to work out.

Achievement – https://andauth.co/kzBsFo

Burn Your Fat With Me – https://andauth.co/PJEGQO

CycleCast – https://andauth.co/i2YUZT

Fitness RPG – https://andauth.co/oPJyqz

Pokemon Go (and similar games) – https://andauth.co/NwcjGW

Walkr – https://andauth.co/EQBc5Z

Wokamon – https://andauth.co/KjlgEJ

Zombies, Run!  – https://andauth.co/gjiyeM

Zwift – https://andauth.co/qhXLC6

Fitness games on other gaming platforms – https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1304877726278670/?locale=en_US

25 BEST ANDROID TIPS TO MAKE YOUR PHONE MORE USEFUL – Apple Buys Popular Weather App ‘Dark Sky,’ Discontinues Android Version. Android is the most popular computing platform in the world, due in large part to its powerful open-source nature. Users have grown to love Android for the plethora of features and customization options, but sometimes it can all get a bit confusing. Google is always making tweaks and coming up with new features for Android, and OEMs like Samsung and LG can add their own stuff on top of that. It can be hard to keep up, so we’ve gathered the 25 best tips for your Android phone right here.

Go to this Extreme Tech articles and look over the list. https://bit.ly/3aHPR48

WHAT THE SPRINT/T-MOBILE MERGER MEANS FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS – T-Mobile is absorbing Sprint and becoming the ‘New T-Mobile.’ What does that mean for existing T-Mobile subscribers? Let us tell you here.

T-Mobile and Sprint are merging—finally. If you’re an existing T-Mobile customer, this isn’t going to affect you at all for now. Sprint, not T-Mobile, is having its network broken down and used for parts. Coming from the magenta side, you’re just going to see better coverage, better quality, and more 5G. T-Mobile hasn’t given nearly enough details about how the transition is going to work going forward, but we have some guesses.

Go to this PC Magazine article and real about the future of these two cell phone companies. https://bit.ly/2UHmV6G

SKYPE DITCHES ACCOUNT AND DOWNLOAD REQUIREMENTS, OFFERS LINK-BASED OPTION FOR FREE VIDEO CALLS – Microsoft has made some nice improvements to its Skype video call service. Starting today, users don’t need to sign up for an account or download software to join cross-platform video conferences. There’s also a simpler interface that allows users to start a video call in just one click.

Skype announced the changes on Twitter and on a new landing page today:

Easy video meetings with no sign ups or downloads

    Generate your free unique link with one click, share it with participants and enjoy unlimited meetings with Skype. Full set of features at your disposal. Your meeting link does not expire and can be used anytime.

These were some of the features that have made Zoom one of the most popular choices for the huge increase in video call use since the coronavirus pandemic has changed how people are working and communicating. However, Zoom has seen a barrage of security and privacy issues recently, so some have turned to other alternatives.

You can instantly create a free Skype meeting from any device on the new Skype page here.

If you do have the Skype app on your device, you can also look for the “Meet Now” option.

Introducing a simple, hassle-free way to connect with the important people in your life on #Skype, no sign-ups or downloads required. Learn about Meet Now: https://t.co/yOw6oBlFxx

 HOW TO RID A NEW PC OF CRAPWARE – A new Windows PC typically comes with software you don’t want. Here’s how to deal with it.

A brand-new Windows computer should be pristine out of the box. After all, you haven’t gummed it up yet with software, right?

Leave that to the computer manufacturers. They’ll gum it up for you with “free” software you don’t want. It goes by names like crapware, bloatware, or shovelware because computer makers shovel bloated digital crap by the barrelful onto new PCs. There’s a reason for that—crapware offsets the price of super-cheap PCs on retail shelves, even if it’s only by pennies.

Go to this PC Magazine web article and read the entire text before proceeding. https://bit.ly/2JCC7Ml

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PHONE WON’T TURN ON – Has your phone stopped turning on? Here are some troubleshooting tips that can help you get your iPhone or Android device running again.

After paying hundreds of dollars for the tiny computer in your pocket, it can be nerve-wracking to find it won’t turn on. Before you panic-buy a new device, run through a few of these troubleshooting steps to see if it still lives.

Go to this PC Magazine article and check out the phone. https://bit.ly/34cjisz

FBI RELEASES GUIDANCE ON DEFENDING AGAINST VTC HIJACKING AND ZOOM-BOMBING – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released an article on defending against video-teleconferencing (VTC) hijacking (referred to as “Zoom-bombing” when attacks are to the Zoom VTC platform).  Many organizations and individuals are increasingly dependent on VTC platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to stay connected during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The FBI has released this guidance in response to an increase in reports of VTC hijacking.

Go to this us-cert.gov web site and read the short list of information to protect yourself. https://bit.ly/2V1LbPR

8 WAYS TO FEEL BETTER AND GIVE BACK DURING YOUR COVID-19 QUARANTINE – Ease your own quarantine anxiety while helping first responders and those in need: 100 percent of the commission earned from purchases and signups in this post will be donated to charities battling the coronavirus crisis.

COVID-19 has many of us hunkering down in our homes for the foreseeable future, where we’re working from home, learning how to become home-school teachers, and recreating our social lives over video chat.

But the outbreak has also resulted in historic job losses, childcare and health concerns for those deemed essential workers, and anxiety about loved ones contracting the virus. If you’re sitting at home feeling helpless and wondering how best to help those in need, we’ve compiled a list of services you can purchase to improve your own quarantine experience while giving back.

PCMag earns a commission on select items purchased through our site. On this post, 100 percent of the commissions earned will be donated to NY Presbyterian Hospital and Feeding America (as will commissions earned on posts from our sister sites, Mashable and Offers.com). So get yourself set up with products and services that will help you survive social distancing knowing that your money is helping those in need.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and see the different services. https://bit.ly/2R5XNVi

ZOOM: RUSH OF WFH USERS EXPOSED SECURITY, PRIVACY FLAWS WE PLAN TO FIX – Growing from 10 million to 200 million users in a matter of months caught Zoom off guard, so it’s temporarily freezing development on new features to focus on security and privacy issues.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Zoom has seen daily user counts for the video conferencing service skyrocket to 200 million, up from 10 million in December.

Of course, popularity brings scrutiny. On Wednesday, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan pointed to the company’s insane growth as he apologized for falling short on expectations for privacy and security.

Go to this PC Magazine article and read about what Zoom is doing to keep you safe. https://bit.ly/2UFT0vZ

HOW TO USE MICROSOFT’S REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION – Do you need to remotely access and control another PC? Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection tool can get it done. Here’s how to set it up.

If you’re in front of your computer and need to access a different machine, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection tool will let you access everything from afar. As long as the computer is turned on and set up for remote connection, you can grab a file, open an application, troubleshoot a problem, or just work remotely.

Through RDC, you can remotely access multiple computers over the same network, whether they are elsewhere in your household or at the office. If you remotely log into your employer’s network through a VPN, you can also use it to connect to other PCs in your office or business.

Remote Desktop Connection is built into Windows but also exists as a Windows 10 Universal app in the Microsoft Store. If you want to access and control a computer from a non-Windows device, Microsoft’s RDC app is available for Mac, iOS, and Android.

Go to this PC Magazine article and see how this connection can be made with Android, iDevice or MAC. https://bit.ly/39EKTE5

HOW TO CHANGE THE DOWNLOADS FOLDER IN MICROSOFT EDGE – The new Microsoft Edge will place your downloads in your Downloads folder on your local drive by default. But you can change that location. Here’s how.

The new Microsoft Edge based on Chromium will save your downloads in the “Downloads” folder on your local C:\ drive by default. For a lot of users that makes logical sense. However, it might not be the best location for your system. Especially if you have multiple hard drives on your PC.

For example, you might have a local drive that’s short on storage space. Maybe you have a 256 GB SSD or low capacity NVMe m.2 drive to run the OS. But also have a larger drive in your PC where you want to store data.

Whatever the case, here’s a look at how to change the default download location in Microsoft Edge.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and see the steps to make that change.  https://bit.ly/39JXHZD

HBO IS MAKING HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF FILMS AND TV FREE TO STREAM WITHOUT A SUBSCRIPTION – Tired of friends telling you it’s time to catch up on David Simon’s beloved five-season crime drama The Wire? Tired of telling your friends they need to watch The Wire so you can discuss it, and having them say, “Eh, I don’t have HBO?” Either way, your moment has arrived. HBO announced Thursday that it will be making nearly 500 hours of its original series and licensed films available on its streaming platform free of charge, as of Friday, April 3. The content will be available through April 30 on HBONOW.com, HBOGO.com, and their associated apps.

Go to this Polygon web site and get the details.  https://bit.ly/349ePan

March 30, 2020

MICROSOFT HOME & FAMILY RESOURCES – Discover Microsoft tools and resources that can help you connect, work, learn, and play at home.

Go to this Engage Windows web page and see what resources are available. https://bit.ly/39s60te

HOW TO DISINFECT YOUR MOUSE AND KEYBOARD – You probably don’t clean your mouse and keyboard very often, but you should. It’s especially important if you share a computer with others. Right now, it could also prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Cleaning your computer peripherals takes virtually no time at all, and it can prevent you and others from getting sick. You can even use the same cleaning tools you use to disinfect your smartphone.

Go to this How-To Geek web site and get the procedures. https://bit.ly/2w5cbWw

HOW TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR ELECTRONICS – Coronavirus may have you wanting to dunk everything in a vat of bleach, but before you go that route, read our guide to getting your gadgets gleaming. Embrace your inner germaphobe and start scrubbing.

There is spring cleaning and then there is coronavirus cleaning. COVID-19 news has you aware of how many times a day you touch your face, but how about how many times a day you touch your phone and other devices?

You may want to dunk everything into a vat of bleach, but before you go that route, grab some microfiber cloths, cotton swabs, distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, and dish soap and read our guide to getting your gadgets gleaming—after you unplug or turn off, of course. We’ll show you how to disinfect your devices and give everything else a general cleaning.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get scrubbing. https://bit.ly/2UrMU1X

HOW TO VIEW SAVED WI-FI PASSWORDS – Are you connected to Wi-Fi on one device, but need the password to log in on another one? Here’s how to find Wi-Fi passwords in Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

You’re visiting a friend’s house and you need the Wi-Fi password, but they’re busy. Your laptop is connected from a previous visit, and you just need to connect your phone, so instead of bothering them, you can grab the Wi-Fi password from your already-connected device and type it in on your others. Here’s how.

Go to this PC Magazine web site and find out how. https://bit.ly/2JsC7OE

SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR SENIORS: TECH TO HELP THE ELDERLY THROUGH ISOLATION – The COVID-19 outbreak means we have to social distance and self-isolate, but what about our elderly loved ones? Here are some ways to continue caring for them, even when you can’t be near.

COVID-19 does not discriminate, but the elderly are particularly vulnerable should they contract it. It’s why we’re all social distancing and staying at home; even if we’re asymptomatic, we can still pass the virus to grandma on a quick visit.

But while digital natives are perfectly content to spend hours scrolling through TikToks, binge-watching Netflix, or playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons, older people might not be as well-versed in the technology that can keep them busy, connected to loved ones, and stocked up on life’s necessities.

If you have someone in your life you can’t visit but who depends on you for basic essentials and companionship, there are ways technology can help you safely care for them.

Go to this PC Magazine web site and read about all the different ways to stay connected. https://bit.ly/2UM4SeB

NEWS PUBLICATIONS REMOVE PAYWALLS – Last but not least, many news publications are removing their paywalls to make it as easy as possible for readers to stay up to date on the coronavirus pandemic. Some outlets are completely removing their paywalls, while others are removing paywalls specifically on coronavirus stories.

Below are some of the national sources doing so, but be sure to check your local papers as well.

12 TIPS TO TROUBLESHOOT YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION – Have a full house of social distancers working, gaming, streaming, and news binging, all at the same time? If you’re experiencing lags, the problem might be on your end. Before you call your ISP, try these easy router tips to get back online.

With the proliferation of smart home devices, online gaming platforms, and video-streaming services, maintaining a strong internet connection is more important than ever. If you’re experiencing lag while playing League of Legends, or it takes forever to download music, there’s a good chance the problem is on your end and not an issue with your internet service provider (ISP).

Before you schedule a service call with your cable company, check out our tips for troubleshooting your internet connection.

Go to this PC Magazine web site and check your internet. https://bit.ly/2xtXFrJ

HOW TO SEE WHO’S ON YOUR WI-FI – Is your internet sluggish? If you suspect a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi, these two apps can help you identify devices using your connection and help you boot them off.

Is your internet moving a little slower than usual? Are you seeing hints of devices you don’t recognize in Windows Explorer, or when you cast media to your TV? If you suspect a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi, here’s how to check (and boot them off).

“So someone’s watching Netflix on my internet,” you may say. “What’s the big deal?” Even if you have a little bandwidth to spare, you probably don’t want other people on your network, especially if it’s unsecured. If someone has access to your network, they have access to all the computers on that network, and that’s dangerous. They could access files you’re unknowingly sharing, they could infect you with malware, and in certain situations they could even steal your passwords and other personal information.

As a result, you should take care to make sure each device connected to your network is one you can trust. Thankfully, there are free tools that’ll help you see everyone on your Wi-Fi right now.

Windows users can download a free, portable program called Wireless Network Watcher (scroll down to the Zip download link below “Feedback” to get it), which will provide a list of every device currently connected to your network, so you can identify the ones that belong to you.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get all the information. https://bit.ly/2xtZAwr

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR WI-FI ROUTER’S SETTINGS – Here’s how to change a home Wi-Fi network’s name, password, and other elements.

Your router stores the settings for your home Wi-Fi network. If you want to change something on your network, you have to log into your router’s software, also known as firmware. From there, you can rename your network, modify the password, adjust the security level, create a guest network, and set up or alter a variety of other options. But how do you first get into your router to make those changes?

The process for logging into your router should be the same whether you use your internet provider’s router or you purchased your own router. It should also be the same whether you use a dedicated router or a combination modem/router supplied by your provider.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and read and check with screen shots. https://bit.ly/39tJD6B

10 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR WI-FI SIGNAL – Check out these quick tips to boost your wireless signal from your router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.

Browsing slowing to a crawl, the inability to stream, dropped Wi-Fi signals, wireless dead zones—every one of these problems is maddening in a world where getting online has become, for some, as necessary as breathing. (Well, maybe not that critical…but important.)

If you feel like your Wi-Fi has gotten sluggish, there are many tools you can use to test the speed of your internet. However, if the only way you can get decent reception is by standing next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and get the tips. https://bit.ly/2xzUsGQ

15 BEST ANTIVIRUS APPS AND BEST ANTI-MALWARE APPS FOR ANDROID! – Antivirus Android apps remain one of the most popular types of applications on Android. Generally, you don’t need an antivirus app if you play it safe, only download apps from the Play Store, and keep your security settings enabled. However, there are those who like to take a walk on the wild side and not do those things. There are a ton of really bad antivirus apps out there. Even if these apps aren’t necessary, it’s good to know the safe ones that don’t suck. Here are the best antivirus apps and anti-malware apps for Android. All prices are current as of June 2019. You can also check out the best antivirus apps on other platforms on our sister site DGiT by clicking here!

One final thing to note that a lot of antivirus apps on Android do literally nothing or a very bad job. Here’s a study that AV-Comparatives conducted with additional information about what antivirus apps are good and the ones that aren’t.

APPS AND GAMES YOU CAN GET FOR FREE WHILE STUCK AT HOME – The coronavirus outbreak is affecting all of our lives in one way or another. The biggest effect is that many people are now working from home or just stuck at home to stop the spread of the virus. Thankfully, many companies have been offering free access to games and apps to help keep you productive and entertained in these strange times.

Here’s a quick look at some of our favorite apps and games that are temporarily free during the coronavirus quarantine. We will update this post when and if more apps and services become available. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for more apps and games that are temporarily discounted (but not free).

Go to this Android Authority web site and get (temporary) free games and apps.  https://bit.ly/2WTWj42

WATCH THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD ACROSS THE US WITH THE WEATHER CHANNEL’S APP – If you’re looking to track the coronavirus as it inevitably spreads across the United States, there’s a new tracking tool within The Weather Channel’s Android app. The Weather Channel sources its info from local governments as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

It’s a useful tool but also a very sobering — and terrifying — look at how fast the virus is spreading. It clearly indicates that things are getting worse, not better, and that it’s only a matter of time before pretty much every state sees cases in at least the triple digits.

While I could use the app to track the coronavirus across the US at large, it’s pretty scary to see the numbers here at home. Considering Connecticut is the third-smallest state in the nation and we already have over 600 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, it’s scary to think about how larger, more densely-populated states are going to fare before this crisis is over.

If you already have The Weather Channel’s Android app, you can use it to track the coronavirus in your own area of the country now. If you open the app and don’t see the COVID-19 icon, you need to make sure you update to the latest version, which is 10.7.0. That update is live on the Google Play Store, so everyone should be able to get it.

Let this new tool to track the coronavirus remind you to stay home as much as possible, avoid close contact with other people, wash your hands numerous times each day, and follow all other regulations issued by your local government. Stay safe, all of you.

5 BEST VIDEO CONFERENCING APPS FOR ANDROID – Meetings are a lot easier than they used to be. There weren’t a ton of options, most of them were expensive, and video quality was always really trashy. However, video calls are as easy as pressing a button these days. There are a ton of video calling apps. However, video conferencing requires a little extra from consumer level video chats. You need apps that support a bunch of people with some other tools as well. It needs to be stable and reliable for business meetings. There are a few really good options in this space. Here are the best video conferencing apps for Android!

10 BEST DELIVERY APPS FOR ANDROID FOR GROCERIES AND MORE! – Delivery apps are nothing new. We’ve had them for years. However, the majority of delivery apps deal with food. There are some excellent apps for food delivery and we link our list of the best ones just below this paragraph. However, we also wanted to do a list with apps that just delivered stuff other than restaurant food.

A lot of these apps have their ups and downs. Don’t expect a flawless experience just yet. It’s a growing industry and they are still working out many of the issues. So, here are the best delivery apps for Android! We also have a list of the best food-oriented delivery apps here!

March 27, 2020

SLOW ANDROID PHONE? HERE’S WHAT WE RECOMMEND – After using an Android device for a year or two, you’re bound to start noticing a loss in speed and performance. This is totally normal, but it isn’t necessarily a death sentence for your phone. In fact, you can probably recover a good bit of speed by following just a few simple steps.

Go to this Review Geek web site and perform the step to speed up your Android device. https://bit.ly/2Jcpur5

THE 6 BEST GROUP CHAT APPS FOR TEAMS, COWORKERS, OR FRIENDS – Group chats are invaluable to any team, band, workplace, or clique. But if you want to avoid the hellfire of SMS group texts, then you and your friends need to agree on a single app. Here are a few of our favorites, along with some notes on why they might be right for you.

Go to this Review Geek web page and look into the 6 beast Chat Apps, because one might be just right for you. https://bit.ly/39kl9wy

GOOGLE SEARCH AND MAPS NOW SHOW ‘TEMPORARILY CLOSED’ BUSINESSES – Governments around the world are asking people to stay at home and for all but essential businesses to close their doors. Now Google has made it easier to find out which businesses are closed temporarily using Search and Maps. n an blog post last week, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said that a new “temporarily closed” option would become available for business owners. Pichai explained, “With so many disruptions to daily life, people are looking for more information about school or business closures. Based on data from governments and other authoritative sources, Google Search and Maps will now display if a place, like a school or local business, is temporarily closed.”

Read more of this PCMag article https://bit.ly/33QyviU

THESE COMMON HOME APPLIANCES CAN DRAMATICALLY SLOW DOWN YOUR INTERNET SPEED – This ZDNet article has some practical guidelines for improving your Internet speeds. https://zd.net/2QROjg3

GOOGLE SMART LOCK: THE COMPLETE GUIDE – Google Smart Lock can simplify your smartphone’s security and save you time. Are you taking advantage of all it has to offer for Android? Think fast: How many times a day do you pick up your phone to look at something? Unless you live in the tundra or have far more self-control than most, the answer probably falls somewhere between “quite a few” and “more than any sane person could count.” Assuming you keep your device properly secured, that means you’re doing an awful lot of unlocking — be it with your face, your fingerprint, or the code you tap or swipe onto your screen. Security’s important, but goodness gracious, it can be a hassle.

Learn how to set up Google Lock at this ComputerWorld webpage https://bit.ly/3dxep1C

HOW TO INSTALL POWERSHELL 7 ON WINDOWS 10 – Microsoft announced PowerShell 7.0 on March 4, 2020. It’s the latest major update to PowerShell, Microsoft’s cross-platform command-line shell and scripting language. Here’s what’s new—and how you can install it on your Windows PC.

The latest version, PowerShell 7, builds on the previous PowerShell Core 6.1. It continues to support cross-platform deployment and adds a slew of new features, cmdlets, and bug fixes.

Learn about some of what the more significant new features by reading this How-To Geek article https://bit.ly/3amzTwk

HOW TO CREATE AN INVISIBLE FOLDER ON YOUR WINDOWS 10 DESKTOP – Have you ever wanted to hide files right under someone’s nose? With this digital parlor trick, you can hide a folder in plain sight on your Windows 10 desktop. While there are certainly better (and more secure) ways to hide files, this quick tip is far more delightful.

Read this How-To Geek article to learn how to create the invisible folder https://bit.ly/3bsVDGQ

13 MEDITATION APPS TO HELP YOU FIGHT ANXIETY AND STRESS – It might seem counterintuitive, but the devices that drive you crazy can also help you get centered. These meditation apps are here to guide you.

Breathe in. Breathe out.
The state of the world is, in short, chaos. Your mental state does not have to be the same. It sounds counterintuitive, but the very device that is delivering anxiety-inducing news could be the thing that brings you a bit of calm. Meditation apps are a welcome window into a world of gentle bells, chirping birds, and encouraging words. Beyond the peaceful imagery, the ceasing of the mind’s worry with meditation can have tremendous health benefits, easing anxiety, depression, and pain and even improving immunity.

Go to this PC Magazine web site article and read on in calm. https://bit.ly/2WvoUwq

8 TIPS FOR BETTER VIDEO CONFERENCE CALLS – If you’re stuck at home because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, you can still get work done by collaborating over video. Here’s how to maximize your video chat time.

The COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak has caused dozens of tech conferences and conventions to be cancelled over the last few weeks. Now companies are closing down their offices and asking employees to work from home. If you have been affected, chances are most of your in-person meetings have been changed to conference calls.

Working from home might sound great at first but having to do all your own IT work can be a hassle. After all, the last thing you want is to have a technical issue right when it’s time to dial in; there’s no one to help troubleshoot your connection, and it can really get in the way of a productive afternoon.

Make sure everything is right before the call begins. Here’s how to prepare for video conference calls from home, or wherever you might be working from.

Go to this PC Magazine web site for more information and tips. https://bit.ly/3dhzxJ8

THE BEST WAYS TO VIDEO CHAT FROM WINDOWS, MAC, iPHONE, OR ANDROID – If you live far away from the people you care about, video chatting is the best way to feel more like you’re there with them in person. But there are so many video chat apps out there, many of which only work on certain platforms. How do you know which one to use?

If you’ve tried to set up an initial video chat with someone, you know the problem here. My parents are both iPhone users, but I’m an Android guy. All they know is FaceTime, but I don’t have access to that. Trying to get them to understand what they need to do to chat with me can be…less than fun.

(But seriously, how about cross-platform FaceTime, Apple? We’d all use it.)

Thankfully, we’re here to help. We tested a number of apps on Android, iPhone, Windows, and macOS to find the best one for any given situation. Let’s do this thing.

Go to this How-To Geek web site and find 6 different approaches to video chat. https://bit.ly/2Usddnp

March 21, 2020

MICROSOFT CONFIRMS HOW CORONAVIRUS WILL IMPACT WINDOWS 10 SECURITY UPDATES – The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, with a statewide ‘stay at home’ order in California, New York closing down non-essential organizations and widespread disruption to businesses across the U.S. and beyond. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for people to work from home in the U.K. and London has been left “eerily quiet” as a result. The coronavirus crisis touches every walk of life and IT is not exempt. Recognizing this, Microsoft has said that its “top priority” is the health and safety of employees, customers, partners and communities alike. To ease one customer burden during this public health emergency, Microsoft has confirmed it is extending security support for Windows 10, version 1709, until October 13, 2020.

Read more of this Forbes article https://bit.ly/3ad2Ryv

GOOGLE SUSPENDS CHROME UPGRADES AS COVID-19 IMPACTS SOFTWARE SCHEDULES – Google has stopped upgrading its Chrome browser and its Chrome OS operating system because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has not said when it would resume refreshing either.

“Due to adjusted work schedules at this time, we are pausing upcoming Chrome and Chrome OS releases,” Google said in a short statement posted Wednesday to its Chrome releases blog. “Our primary objectives are to ensure they continue to be stable, secure, and work reliably for anyone who depends on them. We’ll continue to prioritize any updates related to security, which will be included in Chrome 80.”

Read more of this ComputerWorld article at https://bit.ly/2WAFtaq

HOW TO SHARE GOOGLE PHOTOS – Google Photos is the almost-forgotten storage that every Google account holder has. Instead of using the limited 15GB of free Google Drive storage, y0u should be taking advantage of the unlimited photo and video storage that Google Photos has to offer.

Not only is this a great place to store your own photos and videos, but it’s perfect for creating joint photo and video collections. If you want to share your photos in Google Photos, this groovyPost article will show you how to do it. https://bit.ly/2J8crXs

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN STILL GET A FREE WINDOWS 10 UPGRADE – Microsoft’s much-hyped free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ended in 2016, right? Not exactly. You can still use Microsoft’s free upgrade tools to install Windows 10 on an old PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. No product key is required, and the digital license says you’re activated and ready to go.

Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ended almost four years ago, but no one told the people who run the Windows activation servers. As a result, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and claim a free digital license for the latest Windows 10 version, without being forced to jump through any hoops.

That upgrade is more important than ever now that support for Windows 7 has officially ended. And it could be a great relief to your budget if you’re required to work from home as a response to the coronavirus and you need to take an old PC out of storage and get up to speed quickly.

Read more about how to update your OS at this ZDNet article https://zd.net/3aePkqc

CHOOSE WHICH EVENTS OUTLOOK ONLINE AUTOMATICALLY ADDS TO YOUR CALENDAR – Outlook Online can detect when an email contains reservation or booking information and automatically adds the details to your calendar. This How-To Geek   article will show you how to turn the automatic feature on and choose what gets added to your schedule. https://bit.ly/3djYyDA

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR WI-FI ROUTER’S SETTINGS – Your router stores the settings for your home Wi-Fi network. If you want to change something on your network, you have to log into your router’s software, also known as firmware. From there, you can rename your network, modify the password, adjust the security level, create a guest network, and set up or alter a variety of other options. Find out how to  get into your router to make those changes with this PC Mag article.  https://bit.ly/2QC0UDV

SPACEX LAUNCHES NEW BATCH OF STARLINK SATELLITES, LOSES FALCON 9 DURING LANDING ATTEMPT – Things on Earth are getting a bit treacherous with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but SpaceX is still working on its plans for outer space. The company just completed its latest Starlink satellite deployment, bringing it tantalizingly close to flipping the switch for consumer connectivity. However, CEO Elon Musk confirms the Falcon 9 rocket failed to land on the company’s drone ship thanks to a malfunctioning engine.

The fog cleared just in time for the Falcon 9 to launch this morning from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, taking 60 Starlink internet satellites with it. The lift-off went perfectly, but we now know that one of the rocket’s nine engines shut down during the ascent. Luckily, the eight remaining engines compensated for the loss of thrust and got the second stage where it needed to be for release.

Read more of this ExtremeTech article   https://bit.ly/2UsxIjP

March 17, 2020

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD FROM HOME – Your local public library likely offers many free online resources: e-books, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, digital newspapers, online courses, and more. Even if your local library is closed, you may be able to sign up for a library card online.

Go to this How-To Geek web site and find out: How to get a library card online, How to Get Digital Access to Remote Libraries, and How to Download Free Public Domain E-books.  https://bit.ly/2WxXupF

HOW TO OPEN FILE EXPLORER WITH A KEYBOARD SHORTCUT ON WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 is packed with convenient keyboard shortcuts. One especially handy shortcut lets you open File Explorer in an instant from any application. This trick dates back to Windows 95, and it still works on Windows 10 today.

If you’d like to open File Explorer with a keyboard shortcut, press Windows logo key +E key, and an Explorer window will pop up.

HOW TO CONNECT TO ANYONE’S WINDOWS 10 WITH QUICK ASSIST – Quick Assist is a free built-in tool in Windows 10 that allows you to help out a friend or family member with their PC. Here’s how to use it.

Quick Assist is a Remote Control application to use if there is a need to remotely control a Windows 10 machine. It works without the need to reconfigure firewalls. Next time you need to remote in and help a friend or alike, just remember to ask them to start Quick Assist, and you are connected in no time. You know it is always there, no install needed like with Remote Desktop RDP.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get the procedure with screenshots. https://bit.ly/2Upz0fv

HOW TO BLUR BACKGROUND ON SKYPE VIDEO CALLS – Zoom is not the only video conferencing service that has been a spike in its usage as millions of people across the world work from home to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Skype, one of the oldest video calling services out there, has also seen a spike in its usage and it is being used by companies and colleagues for holding virtual meetings. Just like Zoom, Skype also offers an option to hide the background so that you don’t have to worry about cleaning your messy room before joining a video call.

Microsoft is using AI to offer a background blur feature on Skype. The good thing is that the feature works to detect your arms, hands, etc. as well so it should be a bit more reliable to use than Zoom’s virtual background which only works properly with one’s face.

Go to this iPhone Hacks web page and get the 2 steps. https://bit.ly/3aak5N1

It is not available for iPhones and Android, just Windows PC and MACs.

YES, GET MICROSOFT WORD FOR FREE: HERE’S HOW – As far as word processors go, Microsoft Word is still the king. But you don’t have to pay for the expensive Microsoft Office suite to use it. Here are all the ways to get Microsoft Word free.

Of course, MS Word is more than a simple word processor. It has a plethora of tools and applications, and even today, we keep discovering hidden Word features that make our lives easier. Whether it’s on a computer or on a phone, it’s the best software for creating, editing, and managing documents. And you can download Microsoft Word for free.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and get the different procedures for a free Word. https://bit.ly/2Up1ciQ

HOW TO TURN OFF ANIMATIONS AND MAKE WINDOWS 10 SEEM FASTER – Windows 10 fades and window animations are pure eye candy, but waiting for them to load can make your PC seem a bit slow. If you’d like an instant response, you can disable Windows 10’s animations for a snappier desktop experience.

Go to this How-To geek web page and get the steps. http://bit.ly/33n50F3

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEEP WEB AND DARK WEB – You’ve heard the terms Dark Web and Deep Web but did you know there is a difference? Here’s a look at the comparison between the two.

There are aspects of the internet, not nearly as familiar as others. Two of these, the so-called dark web and deep web, sound the same but are very different. Where one has mostly been designed for positive reasons, the other is much more nefarious. Here’s a look at the differences between the two.

Deep Web Vs. Dark Web

Before moving forward, understand that the deep web is just one part of the dark web. In general terms, the latter refers to any website or page that’s not registered with a search engine, such as Google or Bing. The former includes a mix of criminal enterprises and privacy tools. Each is mostly untraceable by individuals and governments alike.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2UeI334

WHAT IS AN IP ADDRESS? – An IP address is one of the most essential building blocks of the internet. It’s a unique identifier that computers use to transmit information across the web.

An IP address is one of the most essential building blocks of the internet. IP is an abbreviation for TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

This “protocol” is the method computers use to transmit information across the internet. It requires every device on the network to have its own unique identifier. This way, when you type a URL into a browser, that browser can determine what device on the internet contains the information (web page) you want. This unique identifier is an IP Address.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and update your understanding about IP. http://bit.ly/2TR24xk

HOW TO SAVE A WORD DOCUMENT AS A JPEG IMAGE FILE – Saving Word documents as JPEGs allows you to manipulate and reuse the content in different ways.

Here’s how.

Opening a Word document is easy—if you have Microsoft Word installed. If you don’t, or you want to convert your Word document to other formats, the process can be tricky. To get around this problem, you can convert your Word documents to JPEG images.

Not only will this allow your Word content to be accessible to anyone, but it’ll also allow you to edit it for use elsewhere. You’ll need to use a few workarounds to save a Word document as a JPEG image file—here’s how.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the steps. http://bit.ly/38UmFFi

February 22, 2020

THE BEST MICROSOFT ONENOTE ADD-INS AND TOOLS – To get the most out of OneNote, you’ll need to use the right OneNote add-ins and tools. Here are some of the best.

While Microsoft OneNote is designed for note-taking, you can extend its functionality further with OneNote add-ins. These extensions bring the best features and services from other apps, including some of Microsoft’s own.

To help supercharge your productivity, here are some of the best Microsoft OneNote add-ins and tools for you to try.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and see how you can improve One Note with add-ins. http://bit.ly/2RrQV4Y

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE NEW MICROSOFT EDGE BROWSER – The new Microsoft Edge is available now for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. Here are a few tips to get you started with the new browser.

Microsoft is officially launching the final version of its new Chromium-based Edge browser. If you’re already using Google Chrome, you’ll find the new Microsoft Edge to be straightforward and intuitive. But there are a few differences. And here we’ll show you some tips so you can start using Microsoft’s new browser.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get the facts. Screenshots included. http://bit.ly/2tTSbEX

TWO QUICK WAYS TO FREE UP SPACE ON WINDOWS 10 AFTER A FEATURE UPDATE – After installing the Windows 10 November 2019 Update use this guide to free up space by deleting the previous version from your device.

On Windows 10, every time you install a new feature update, a copy of the previous installation is kept in case something goes wrong and you need to rollback. However, even if the upgrade completes successfully and your device is working correctly, Windows 10 still keeps the previous version inside the Windows.old folder, which can be quite large taking valuable space on computer.

While the previous version will be deleted automatically after 10 days, if you have a device with limited storage, you can quickly free up space in at least two different ways using the Settings app.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to use the Settings app to delete the previous version of Windows 10 to free up storage space on your device.

Go to this Pure Info Tech website and see the procedures. http://bit.ly/3aN9lom

HOW TO ENABLE ENHANCED TRACKING PROTECTION IN FIREFOX – Mozilla Firefox has a new content blocking feature to protect your privacy online, and in this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable and configure the level of protection that’s right for you.

Firefox has a new privacy feature to block online trackers from collecting data about you when surfing the internet. Mozilla refers it as “Enhanced Tracking Protection,” and it’s a feature that allows to choose among three different levels of privacy, including standard, strict, and custom to prevent malicious and advertisement companies from collecting your activities and other valuable information using cooking and other storage mechanisms.

While the tracker blocking feature comes enabled by default using the “Standard” level that offers a balance of privacy and performance, the experience of tracking will be different depending on the option you select.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable and configure the tracking protection feature in Firefox for Windows 10 as well as for Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Linux, and macOS. (Microsoft Edge also includes a similar feature, which you can configure with these steps.)

Go to this Pure Info Tech web site and get the information. http://bit.ly/2RVqPpX

HOW TO MANAGE TRACKING PREVENTION IN MICROSOFT EDGE (MICROSOFT BROWSER) – One of the selling points of the new Microsoft Edge is its focus on privacy and tracking prevention. Here’s a look at what tracking is and how to manage the tracking prevention settings in Edge.

What is Tracking?

Websites use tracking mechanisms to collect data about your browsing, likes, clicks, and shopping habits to serve up personalized ads. In fact, trackers can collect data about you across multiple sites. Even ones you haven’t visited. That’s why it seems like ads for a product or service are following you around online. And some trackers can be harmful. Ones that are detected as crypto-mining or fingerprinting in the background. Not only do trackers have privacy implications, but they use up system resources.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2RreevO

HOW TO ADD LINE NUMBERS TO A MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT – Adding line numbers to a Microsoft Word document can help you point others to exact positions within it, especially in documents with multiple pages. Here’s how to quickly add line numbers in Word.

These instructions should work for recent Office versions (from 2010 onwards). Before you begin, note that Word will treat tables and text boxes as if they’re on a single line, regardless of how large they are.

Go to this How-to Geek article and find out with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2sWbT2u

January 22, 2020

MICROSOFT RELEASES ITS NEW EDGE BROWSER FOR WINDOWS AND MACOS – After months of beta testing Microsoft today is releasing its new Microsoft Edge browser for Windows, macOS, and mobile. You can download it now!

Microsoft today is releasing its new Chromium-based Edge browser. It’s available for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and macOS users. It has been available for beta testing for several months already and the company is officially rolling out the finalized version today.

The new version replaces the proprietary Edge browser that originally came with Windows 10. That version did not gain much traction among the Windows 10 community. Even though the company made the old version available on iOS and Android.

The New Microsoft Edge for Windows and Mac

The new Microsoft Edge is built on top of the Open Source Chromium project and it works a lot like Google Chrome. However, Microsoft has put its own twist on the browser. But if you’re a Google Chrome user you’ll have no problem diving right in.

The new Edge is cross-platform. It’s available for Windows 7, 8, and 10 and macOS. There are also mobile versions available for both iOS and Android. And Microsoft is also making a version available to Linux users later this year.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and read all about it. http://bit.ly/3au12hl

HOW TO INSTALL THE NEW MICROSOFT EDGE BROWSER – Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser is now available for Windows, macOS, and mobile. Here’s how to download and install it.

Microsoft this week is officially launching the final version of its new Edge browser. It’s based on the Open Source Chromium code as Google Chrome and is available on Windows 7, 8, 10, and macOS. It’s also available for Android and iOS with a version for Linux coming later this year.

The new Edge is going out to Windows 10 users automatically in a staggered rollout via Windows Update. But anyone can download and install it now.

Installing the browser is a straightforward process. However, there are a few advanced features you might want to note when installing it on your system.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and read about installing Edge on the PC and Mobile devices. http://bit.ly/2tp6Yrf

HOW TO MAKE WINDOWS 10 FEEL MORE LIKE WINDOWS 7 – Windows 7 is finally riding off into the sunset. On Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft’s Extended Support will cease, meaning you won’t get bug fixes or security updates, and Microsoft won’t provide tech support for computers running the now-outdated software. So it’s pretty critical to upgrade if you want to avoid malware and other issues.

Windows 10 is still available as a free upgrade from Windows 7, but it comes with a few changes and additional features that 7 loyalists may not like. With a bit of tweaking, though, you can make yourself feel at home.

Go to this PC Magazine article and tweak your PC to feel more like what was in Windows 7.  http://bit.ly/36amnsJ

January 12, 2020

HOW TO UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10 – After Jan. 14, those on Windows 7 will no longer receive technical assistance or software updates from Windows Update. It’s time to make the leap to Windows 10.

Would you use a 10-year-old smartphone? Probably not. But surprisingly, a great many people have chosen to continue using one piece of technology that’s been around for more than a decade: Windows 7.

I know, another How to “7 to 10”, so this one has some really easy steps to follow. Go to this PC Magazine article and read the article and get started. http://bit.ly/2NixWr1

YOU CAN STILL GET WINDOWS 10 FOR FREE WITH A WINDOWS 7, 8, OR 8.1 KEY – Microsoft’s free Windows 10 upgrade offer is over–or is it? There’s still a way to activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key, in addition to Microsoft’s accessibility offer.

Update: We originally wrote this article in 2016, but this upgrade trick still works in 2019! We tested it in early 2019 and, as the year draws to a close, many readers have told us it still works.

Go to this How-to Geek web site and get the what and how-to. http://bit.ly/37XKdcs

THE BEST WAYS TO PRINT PHOTOS FROM YOUR PHONE – Your phone has an amazing camera, and you’ve used it to capture some special moments. But let’s be honest, there’s nothing like a printed photo. Thankfully, there’s a ton of cheap and easy ways to print photos directly from your phone—no computer necessary.

Go to this How-to Geek web site and read about the different ways to get that picture in a printout. http://bit.ly/2FGiPn1

HOW TO VIEW SAVED PASSWORDS ON MICROSOFT EDGE – Can’t remember a website sign in password? It’s probably saved on Microsoft Edge, and here’s how to see it.

On Windows 10, the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge can save passwords for most websites and services you visit, so when you return, the credentials will fill in automatically for a quicker sign in experience.

However, sometimes you may need to remember the password because you simply forgot it, you need to change it, or you have to login to the same website on another device.

Whatever the reason it might be, Microsoft Edge Chromium includes quick access to view and delete saved passwords within the browser settings on Windows 10.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to view the password from a website you saved in the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web site and get the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/30eytzz

HOW TO RECOVER AN UNSAVED MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT IN SECONDS – The consensus is that most computer mishaps occur because of carelessness and an itchy trigger-happy finger. And when it comes to Microsoft Office, the lesson to save early and save automatically should be taught early.

Even with the right MS Office file saving etiquette in place, at times, documents disappear from the screen before you can hit the save button. If you suffer a Window blue screen, or even if your local power cuts out, your work will disappear from the screen.

Thankfully, a little Microsoft Office 2010 feature lets you almost instantaneously recover your lost document. Here’s how.

Go to this make Use Of article and see the screenshots and steps for recovery in MS Word 2010 and 2019. http://bit.ly/36QsuDu

12 UNNECESSARY WINDOWS PROGRAMS AND APPS YOU SHOULD UNINSTALL – Out of all the software on your computer, how many programs do you actually use regularly? Most people keep a fair amount of unnecessary software installed on their systems. While some of these apps are just outdated, others are downright malicious or dangerous.

Here are the unnecessary Windows 10 apps to uninstall. Go to this Make Use of web site and see the list. Then Uninstall them. http://bit.ly/2Njxs42

January 8, 2020

HOW TO CHANGE THE PAPER SIZE IN MICROSOFT WORD – Documents come in different shapes and sizes, like legal or brochure. In Word, you can change the paper size to fit the type of document you’re working on or change the default paper size for all new documents. We’ll walk you through it!

Go to this How-to Geek article and get the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2FrjxEz

10 WAYS TO TIDY UP YOUR PHONES AND PCS FOR THE NEW YEAR – Organize your phone, tablet, and computer with these quick and easy tips from productivity expert Jill Duffy. Investing just a little time here at the beginning of the year could make a big difference for all of 2020.

Many of us spend far too much time on our phones and PCs, and it doubtless got worse over the holidays. Sure, you could try to do the digital detox equivalent of Dry January to cut your screen time down, but for most people, that’s not a realistic option. One thing you can do is organize your devices, streamlining them so that you can at least get things done more quickly. And while you’re doing that, you might as well do all the other things you’ve been putting off, like backing up your photos and tightening up your security. Now that the holidays are over and we’re getting back to real life, it’s time to focus on being productive again, and cleaning up your devices is an excellent way to start.

Here are 10 recommended tidying tasks for your devices to start the New Year on the right foot.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get the list of things you can do to any smartphone and the PC. http://bit.ly/39Qw02D

HOW TO SAVE A WORD DOCUMENT AS A JPEG – There might come a time when you’d rather share a Word document as an image that anyone can open. Unfortunately, you can’t export a document as a JPEG, but there are a few other simple solutions. Here are a few.

Go to this How-to Geek article and get the workaround procedure to turn a Word Document into a Picture (JPEG) http://bit.ly/2Fsx7aP

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 5G AND 5GHZ WI-FI? – 5G and 5 GHz Wi-Fi are both used for wireless connectivity, but they don’t have anything else in common. Anyone referring to “5G Wi-Fi” actually means 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which is different from the 5G cellular standard.

Go to this How-To Geek article and learn the difference between these terms. http://bit.ly/35zYYAu

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR NAME ON WINDOWS 10’S SIGN-IN SCREEN – Whenever you sign in to Windows 10, your full name appears above the password entry. You can change your display name—your first and last name—so they appear differently on the login screen and in the Settings app.

Whether you use a local account or a Microsoft account, it’s easy to change the display name associated with your it in a few simple steps.

Go to this How-To Geek article and get the procedure plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2QxTUbE

January 7, 2020

10 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR WI-FI SIGNAL – Check out these quick tips to boost your wireless signal from your router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.

Browsing slowing to a crawl, the inability to stream, dropped Wi-Fi signals, wireless dead zones—every one of these problems is maddening in a world where getting online has become, for some, as necessary as breathing. (Well, maybe not that critical…but important.)

If you feel like your Wi-Fi has gotten sluggish, there are many tools you can use to test the speed of your internet. However, if the only way you can get decent reception is by standing next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.

Go to this PC magazine article and tune up your Wi-Fi signal. http://bit.ly/2SZPmfQ

WHEN WINDOWS 7 DIES, DON’T RELY ON MICROSOFT TO KEEP YOUR PC SAFE – Microsoft will probably deliver critical patches after it ends Windows 7 support in January 2020. But it’s not guaranteed, so users and organizations should upgrade to Windows 10 now.

When Windows 7 Dies, Will Security Support Die Too

On Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will retire Windows 7 and stop issuing security updates for one of the most-loved versions of its flagship operating system. But does this mean users and companies will stop using it? Hardly.

Microsoft stopped adding new features to Windows 7 when it ended mainstream support in 2015, and it has regularly been reminding users of the end-of-life deadline and inviting them to install Windows 10. Windows 10 adoption is growing quickly, but Windows 7 accounted for approximately 27 percent of desktop and laptops in October, according to Netmarketshare, which tracks usage of different technologies.

Given that more than 1.5 billion Windows devices are out there, at least 400 million devices are still running the soon-to-be-obsolete operating system. If Windows 7 continues to dwindle at the current pace, its share will reach 13 percent by 2021—but that’s more than 100 million devices.

The main concern will be security; hackers are always on the prowl for unpatched and insecure devices. And if a new vulnerability crops up in Windows 7, bad actors will immediately have millions of devices to attack and infect with malware.

It’s reasonable to assume that Microsoft will abandon Windows 7 users to the mercy of evil hackers when the OS’s end-of-life deadline arrives. But in reality, it’s more complicated.

Go to this PC magazine article and get a perspective and some facts if you are still running Windows 7. http://bit.ly/35uoDuz  (important information)

HOW TO FIX PRINTER SPOOLER PROBLEMS ON WINDOWS 10 – When your printer resists to print, it could be a problem that is preventing the print spooler from running correctly — Here’s how to fix the problem.

On Windows 10, it can be frustrating when trying to print and the document sticks in queue, and if you try to cancel the job, it’ll stay deleting forever.

Although there could be a lot of reasons why you can’t print, including connection problems or issues with the printer itself, typically, it’s a problem with the “print spooler” on Windows 10. This is a service that spools print jobs and handles interactions with the printer, and sometimes it’ll stop working, even after restarting your device and printer.

If you’re experiencing this problem, it’s possible to fix this particular printer issue by resetting the print spooler on your computer using the Services console or Command Prompt.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to fix the print spooler on Windows 10 to fix your printer.

Go to this Pureinfotech article and get the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2tw4YwW

HOW TO SEE WHAT’S TAKING UP SPACE ON A HARD DRIVE ON WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 includes a tool to quickly analyze and find out how the hard drive space is being used to help understand where to begin deleting files to free up space.

When your device’s hard drive begins to fill up, you’ll start wondering what’s taking up all the available space, and that’s when “Storage sense” will come in handy.

On Windows 10, many people know Storage sense as a feature to free up hard drive space. While this is true, it’s also a tool that you can use to analyze the content of a drive and figure out how space is being utilized to know where to start cleaning up files that you can’t remove using Storage sense.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to use Storage sense to understand how your PC storage is being utilized on Windows 10.

Go to this Pureinfotech article and get the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2QToIT0

HOW TO CREATE A FULL BACKUP ON WINDOWS 7 – Are you about to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7? Before you start the process, make sure to back up your files, apps, settings, and system. Here’s how to do it.

Windows 7 full backup process

Microsoft is set to end support of Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, which means that after that day your device will stop getting security and maintenance updates, and you’ll no longer be able to receive any kind of support from the company.

If you’re still using Windows 7, it’s now the time to upgrade to Windows 10, but before going through the process, it’s recommended to create a full backup that includes a copy of the installation as well as a copy of your settings, apps, and files, in case you need to roll back.

In the case that you’re moving to a new clean installation of Windows 10, it’s also recommended to create a backup of your files stored on Windows 7, which you can then restore in the new installation.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to create a full backup and a file backup to protect your installation and personal files before upgrading to Windows 10. In addition, you’ll learn the steps to restore your device if the upgrade presents any problems, and the steps to restore your files on Windows 7 on your new Windows 10 installation.

Go to this Pureinfotech article and get all the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2ZWW2g0

HOW TO UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10 FROM WINDOWS 7 – Are you still running Windows 7? It’s to upgrade to Windows 10. Here are the instructions that you’ll need to keep files and apps without issues.

Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade process

UPDATED 1/2: You can upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 using the in-place upgrade option without losing your files, instead of having to erase your device clean. You can perform this task using the Media Creation Tool, which is not only available for Windows 7, but also for devices running Windows 8.1.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 making sure you don’t run into issues during the installation.

(Microsoft will be ending support of Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, and here’s what you need to know. If you prefer to upgrade performing a clean installation, then follow these step-by-step instructions.)

Go to this Pureinfotech article and complete the procedure, steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2m0wU8y

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR GOOGLE MAPS PUBLIC PROFILE ON ANDROID – Google Maps is starting to turn into more of a social experience than just for navigation. Here’s how to keep your profile updated from the Android app.

Your public profile on Google Maps is something you should make sure to keep up-to-date. The reason is that Google Maps is becoming a social tool, just as much as it is a navigation service. And now Google allows you to edit your Google Maps profile directly from the Android app. Here’s how.

Go to this Groovy Post article and find the answers. http://bit.ly/36FWOAA

January 1, 2020

HOW TO MAKE THE SWITCH FROM WINDOWS TO LINUX – If you don’t want to upgrade from Windows 7 or are sick of Windows 10, read this PC Mag article on how to finally make the switch to Linux and install apps.  http://bit.ly/366JFAA

SENDING PHOTOS VIA EMAIL – Gmail will allow you to attach up to 25MB per Gmail message. An 8 x 10 high res photo would be about 7 MB.  If the files are larger than that, Gmail will automatically upload to Google Drive and share a link to the images in the message instead. Read more at this Cyn Mackley Tech Tip: http://bit.ly/2tfsLRs

SHARE PHOTOS WITH GOOGLE DRIVE – Learn to share your photos with Google Drive. Read Cyn Mackley’s Tech Tip here: http://bit.ly/2SJg8sV

SHARE PHOTOS WITH GOOGLE PHOTOS – Cyn Mackley’s Tech Tip will show you how easy it is to share them using Google Photos.  http://bit.ly/2SBWpez

December 1, 2019

HOW TO DISABLE WEB NOTIFICATIONS – Wishing you could receive fewer notifications from your browser? There are ways to control push notifications and block the pop-ups you don’t want.

How to Turn Off Browser Notifications
Interruptions on the internet take many forms, from pop-up windows and browser notifications to video ads and page overlays. Pop-ups are largely seen as a nuisance—they sit atop the web page you are on; re reading, with an ad, video, or message—but notifications have their benefits (in moderation).

Notifications appear in the browser, dropping down from the URL bar to ask whether or not a website can use your location or send you notifications. Autoplay videos are usually sent from specific websites and interrupt your browsing experience. Push notifications are sent from specific services—like Slack, Twitter, or Facebook—and temporarily display over whatever window you have open. Luckily, major browser makers have tools to make certain alerts less invasive.

Go to this PC Magazine article and find what you need to know to keep these notifications and pop-ups in check. http://bit.ly/32Zcc8Q

HOW TO CLEAN A COMPUTER SCREEN SAFELY AND EASILY – Can you read this line? Or is there a splash from a sneeze, or a greasy fingermark in the way?

Perhaps another portion of your screen is dirty. The chances are that you don’t clean your screen often enough. In fact, we’re willing to bet that you’ve been putting it off for a while…

Cleaning a computer screen isn’t as difficult as you might think it is. Here’s what you need to know about how to clean your display, what to use, and cleaning it safely.

Go to this Make Use Of web site and get the steps. Fantistic Advice. http://bit.ly/2Ou3Ssq

November 5, 2019

HOW TO MAKE CHROME YOUR DEFAULT BROWSER – With a market share of 64 percent on mobile devices and 67 percent for desktop/laptop so far in 2019, Google Chrome is the most installed web browser used today. Here’s how you can make Chrome your device’s default browser.

In this guide, we will show you how to set Chrome as the default web browser on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Note: To set Chrome as your default browser, you must download and install it first. Windows and macOS can download it from Google’s website while iOS and Android use its respected app stores.

Go to How-To Geek web page and get the procedures with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2oiEbRX

HOW TO SET UP DARK MODE ON YOUR FAVORITE APPS – Looking to give your eyes a break? Dark mode swaps white backgrounds for grays and blacks. Here’s how to enable dark mode in all your favorite apps.

We spend a good portion of our day staring at screens. US adults looked at mobile devices for an average of 3 hours, 35 minutes per day in 2018, according to eMarketer, which predicts that time spent on mobile will surpass TV in 2019.

All that bright light streaming into your eyeballs isn’t great. Blue light can disrupt sleep, confusing your brain about what time of day it is. Giving up mobile devices isn’t really an option for most people, though, so many of us opt for a dark mode, which swaps white backgrounds for grays and blacks.

Not all apps offer an official dark mode; some just have night themes that only work under certain conditions. Google Maps, for instance, has a night theme while navigating, but it doesn’t work in the full app.

Meanwhile, Firefox, Gmail, and the Windows 10 Mail app allow for custom themes on the web, but the mobile apps aren’t consistent. Below is a list of all the major apps with dark mode, and how to turn it on.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and see the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2on8Hue

WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE, FACEBOOK, OR APPLE – Are you still creating user accounts everywhere? Maybe you should stop and sign in with your Google, Facebook, or Apple account instead. It might just be more secure—and it’s definitely more secure if you’re not currently using a password manager.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the excellent advice on how to stay secure if you are not using a Password Manager. http://bit.ly/2oVyABu

HOW TO ENABLE DARK MODE ON OUTLOOK FOR ANDROID, iPHONE, AND iPAD – Microsoft has been rolling out a dark mode to its Office apps for over a year. This change has been available in Outlook for desktop and the web for several months, and now it’s live on Android, iPhone, and iPad. Here’s how to enable the theme.

The instructions for turning on Outlook’s dark mode is identical for all mobile devices. If you don’t see the option for the theme, check for an app update. Dark mode should be available on Android version 4.0.4 (345) and above. iPhone and iPad owners should have Outlook version 4.2.0 installed or newer.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the step plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2nhv6ZP

HOW TO ASSIGN TASKS IN GOOGLE DRIVE – When collaborating on files in Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, and Slides), it’s easy to lose sight of who’s working on specific parts of a project. With Google Drive, you can assign tasks to another collaborator on your team. For this guide, HTG uses a Google Docs file, but the process is virtually the same for either a Sheets or Slides file.

Read more at this How-To Geek webpage http://bit.ly/2MYRd0W

HOW TO CONNECT YOUR ANDROID DEVICE TO A PROJECTOR – Android devices are great, but their small size can sometimes be limiting. When you connect your device to a projector, you can share your screen with others for business or pleasure. Here are a few ways to do it.

If you don’t have a projector, you can also connect Android to a TV. Projectors are the better option, though, as they normally project a much bigger screen size than a TV, making them ideal for media playback or data presentations.

Read more at this How-To Geek webpage http://bit.ly/2JB8T0F

9 WAYS TO USE WINDOWS 7 (SAFELY) WHEN SUPPORT ENDS – With Microsoft’s support ending in January, IDG Insider’s Windows 7 Survival Guide for 2020 offers ways to protect your older machines that can’t or won’t be upgraded.

Read more at this IDG Insider webpage http://bit.ly/2C0qElG

HOW TO SHARE YOUR WI-FI CREDENTIALS WITH A QR CODE ON ANDROID 10 – One of the new features included with Android 10 may seem small, but it’s extremely convenient. A new Wi-Fi Sharing feature allows users to connect to your network by simply scanning a QR code.

Sharing your Wi-Fi network credentials using just a QR code is one of the more convenient new features in Android 10. It makes the process of getting your friend connected to your router a simple affair. It eliminates the tedious process of digging out the password from its secret hiding place every time someone comes over.

Here’s a look at how to use the new Wi-Fi sharing feature that’s now included with Android 10.

Go to this Groovy Post article and see what has to be done. http://bit.ly/2PllJ6T

DELETE THIS NEW BATCH OF CRAPPY ANDROID ADWARE APPS FROM YOUR DEVICE – While I’m willing to bet that you probably haven’t downloaded any adware from the Google Play Store recently, a new report from ESET indicates that various Android users have downloaded 42 different adware-filled Android apps more than eight million times in total. So, just in case, here’s what’s going on—and a list of all 42 apps you should remove from your phone if you were suckered into installing one.

Go to this Life Hacker web site and get started. http://bit.ly/2qFvcLU

HOW SAFE ARE PASSWORD MANAGERS? – A password manager stores all your passwords and automatically fills them in your web browser and mobile apps. But is trusting an app with your passwords and storing them all in one place a smart idea?

Yes, yes, it is. We recommend everyone use a password manager, which is far superior to other ways of keeping track of your passwords. Here’s why they’re a safe choice.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/31TDU6j

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR GMAIL ADDRESS ON THE FLY – Did you know you can customize your Gmail address and make it easier to read? It can also help you track who sends you messages. We’ll walk you through the process.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and read about how to Customize. http://bit.ly/2ouQfAk

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WITHOUT SCREWING EVERYTHING UP – When you move in the real world, you usually fill out a change of address form with the post office, and boom!—your mail appears at your new home. Changing your email address isn’t quite that simple. Whether you’re leaving an outdated service, moving to a new job, or simply want to get rid of the silly username you created in high school, here’s how to make the transition without any issues.

Go to this Lifehacker web page and get the steps. http://bit.ly/31OHoHa

October 6, 2019

HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM THEME FOR GOOGLE CHROME – Just like creating a custom theme on your PC, it’s nice to change things up on your browser from time to time. You have been able to change the Chrome theme for years. The Chrome web store is full of different themes you can install. But you might want your theme to be a bit more personal. With the updated Chrome 77, you can create your own customized version of a Chrome theme. Here’s how.

Note: To enable the option to create a custom theme, you need to make sure you’re running Chrome 77. To verify you’re running the latest version click the Menu (three dots) and then head to Help > About Google Chrome.

Learn how to create your custom theme at this groovyPost web page: http://bit.ly/2lQ77Qq

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY ONLINE – Identity Theft Is Serious

Identity crimes include scenarios like a hacker who steals your credentials to break into your accounts or assume your financial identity, or someone thousands of miles away from you who runs up charges on your credit card and takes out loans in your name.

If you need something else to keep you awake, the FTC describes identity theft scenarios in which a thief gets a credit card in your name, sends the bill to another address, and (of course) never pays. Or he uses your personal information to steal your tax refund or pretends to be you if he’s arrested.

Read more about ID Theft and ways to be safe at this How-To Geek web page: http://bit.ly/2ngo0Ek

WHAT IS A GIF, AND HOW DO YOU USE THEM? – Even if you can’t define the word “GIF,” you’ve definitely seen one before. They helped define the early internet, and they’re more popular now than ever before. But what exactly is a GIF, and how do you use them? Find out more at this How-To Geek web page: http://bit.ly/2lMRh9e

7 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON PEOPLE AND USERS – If you can’t imagine your life without social media, that’s a sign that you’ve fallen a victim to the evil power and impact of social networking. It also means that you’ve experienced one (or more) of the negative effects of social media on society.

Don’t pretend you’ve never heard of these. While social media can have a positive impact too, that doesn’t mean it’s all hearts and flowers. Unfortunately.

How Social Media Is Bad for You

Let’s explore the darker side of social media and exactly how (and why) it’s bad for you. You’ll be surprised to learn the negative effects of social media are both physical and mental. It can change your perception of the world and yourself, and not always for the better.

Don’t believe us? Then read on to find out some of the negative effects of social media. And if you recognize any of them as your own symptoms it may be time to consider stop using social media altogether.

Go to this MakeUseOf web page and get some insight. http://bit.ly/2mn2WLV

How to See How Much Time You’ve Spent on Facebook and Instagram – Facebook recently announced a rather unexpected feature: the social network giant is making it easier to keep track of how much time you’re spending on Facebook and Instagram.

To make use of this feature, you’ll need to use the mobile apps. And that’s where a significant caveat comes in: it only tracks how much time you spend on Facebook or Instagram on your phone. Any time spent on Facebook or Instagram in a normal browser won’t be counted.

So, that kind of makes it less useful. However, if you’re the kind of person who mainly interacts with Facebook or Instagram on your phone, then it can really help shed light on whether you might be addicted to your smartphone.

Go to this MakeUseof web page and see the procedure with screenshots.  http://bit.ly/2kYUZfx

HERE’S HOW TO RECOVER DELETED PHOTOS FROM WHATSAPP – Want to know how to recover deleted photos from Whatsapp? This article covers the easiest and fastest ways to get your images back.

Go to this MakeUseOf web page and discover the recovery procedures. http://bit.ly/2moFoGt

HOW TO USE SNAPCHAT: A COMPLETE BEGINNER’S GUIDE – No matter how much experience you have with Snapchat, the chances are you have some questions about how this social media platform works.

This guide is available to download as a free PDF. Download How to Use Snapchat: A Complete Beginner’s Guide now. Feel free to copy and share this with your friends and family.

Hundreds of millions of people now use Snapchat every month. Most of these users are under the age of 25 and have grown up navigating the ever-changing world of social media apps.

However, while most social media apps have a clear purpose and function, Snapchat is simultaneously a news source, instant messenger, public broadcast platform, selfie-taker, and #1 source of that dog tongue filter (add animations to your selfies). Honestly, even for its most experienced users, Snapchat can be pretty confusing.

To help, we have put together a single resource where you can learn exactly how to use Snapchat. Whether you want to send pictures of your breakfast to your best friend, participate in a location-based story, create a Bitmoji, or catch up on your favorite celebrities, this article will answer all of your questions…

Go to this MakeUseOf web page. http://bit.ly/2m6fmrG

HOW TO QUICKLY CREATE YOUR OWN CHROME BROWSER THEME – Chrome 77 makes it easy to create your own Chrome browser theme in just a few clicks. Choose your favorite colors for Chrome’s browser toolbar and set a snazzy background image right from the New Tab page.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and you will find the procedures. http://bit.ly/2m73Uf6

THE BEST TABLETS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES – As children grow, their interest in electronics grows with them. When you feel they’re ready, you might give them a tablet (if nothing else to keep their grubby hands off yours). Here are some of the best tablets for kids.

Go to this How-To Geek article and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2m79E8C

CAN YOU UPGRADE FROM WINDOWS 7 TO WINDOWS 10 FOR FREE? Here’s the answer. Is it still possible to upgrade to Windows 10 with a Windows 7 product key? Best answer: Yes, but proceed with caution, and here’s why.

The end of support for Windows 7 will happen on January 14, 2020, which means that after that day, Microsoft will stop offering support, including security and improvement updates, as well as phone support.

If you’re still running Windows 7, it’s recommended to upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible to continue receiving support. Although the Windows 10 offer to upgrade for free is over, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 using the Windows 7 product key.

As of the time of this writing, performing a clean installation of Windows 10, and using a legitimate Windows 7 (retail) license in the Activation settings page is confirmed to activate successfully. However, you should proceed with caution, because Microsoft no longer offers free upgrades, as such the company can stop devices from activating using this method at any time.

In the event that the product key doesn’t work, or you don’t have a legitimate license, the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 will cost you $139 to move to the Home edition or starting at $150 to jump to the Pro edition.

If you need help, you can use these instructions to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing your files. http://bit.ly/2m0wU8y

Or you can use these instructions to upgrade using a clean installation of Windows 10.

http://bit.ly/2mvaHQb (overwrites all other content on the hard disk.)

HOW TO USE FILE HISTORY TO BACKUP FILES ON WINDOWS 10 – File History in Windows 10 is the one feature you want to use to back up your personal files, and in this guide you get all the instructions on how to use it.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page. http://bit.ly/2kpRZsm

HOW TO BACKUP MICROSOFT AUTHENTICATOR ACCOUNTS ON ANDROID – You can now backup and restore your account stored in the Microsoft Authenticator app, and here’s how to use the feature.

Microsoft Authenticator is a great app for your mobile device that allows to sign in your account using two-factor authentication adding an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.

The only caveat with this app is that every time you upgrade to a new phone or reset your device you always have to re-enter all your accounts information. However, the app has received an update, which introduces the ability to back up your settings to the cloud to quickly recovery.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to backup and recover your accounts using the Microsoft Authentication app.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page  and see the steps. http://bit.ly/2musBT7

September 5, 2019

5 POPULAR FIREFOX EXTENSIONS YOU SHOULD REMOVE RIGHT NOW – Extensions add all sorts of new functionality to your browser that it doesn’t have out of the box. While we love add-ons, unfortunately they aren’t all trustworthy.

For every productivity-boosting extension, there’s a useless or malicious one that wants to track your habits, spam you with ads, or even hijack your browsing.

If you have any of the below Firefox extensions installed, we recommend removing them right away.

Go to this MakeUseOf article and get rid of Mozilla Firefox Browser extensions that are not in your best interest. http://bit.ly/2NoL9Q6

5 FASTEST AND FREE FILE-SHARING APPS TO TRANSFER LARGE FILES ONLINE – When you need to transfer a large file over the internet, try these websites and apps. From temporary sharing to a torrent-cloud hybrid, each has something a little different.

File transfer apps are often better than using email or a cloud storage provider like Google Drive. After all, you can simply create a link and share it with anyone, without worrying about permissions, giving out your own personal details, or constraining to file size limits. You can also share files anonymously with people in your vicinity, or share really large data faster through peer-to-peer technology.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and get the list of 5. http://bit.ly/2ZtT0y7

ALL THE USELESS WINDOWS 10 FEATURES MICROSOFT SHOULD REMOVE – It’s 2019, and Windows 10 has too many useless and annoying features. Don’t get me wrong: Windows 10 has gotten better and, overall, I love it compared to Windows 8. But some things just need to go.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and see what you can change if Microsoft chooses not to remove it from the Operating System. http://bit.ly/2ZlUFuC

22 HIDDEN CHROME FEATURES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER – Google’s Chrome browser has a ton of hidden little tricks you may not know about. Here are 22 tips that will make you a better Chrome user.

Browsers offer us a window into the magical world of the internet, and they do far more than you realize. It’s not just about visiting webpages anymore— browsers function as something of an operating system in their own right, which is really not all that far off with Chrome OS now powering Google’s Chromebooks.

While there is still plenty of debate over which web browser is the best, there’s certainly something special about the sleek, minimalist package known as Google Chrome. And the data shows that most users agree: According to Net Applications, most internet users are on Chrome, and it’s not particularly close.

One of the reasons for Chrome’s popularity is its clean, polished UI and its versatility. While Chrome’s abilities multiply greatly when you consider the near-bottomless library of extensions, there’s a bounty of stock functionality embedded all throughout Chrome’s guts that you may not even know about.

Check out the list below for tricks hidden inside Chrome that you really need to be using.

Go to this PC Magazine web article and get the tricks. http://bit.ly/2L88Jhe

HOW TO USE WINDOWS 10 DYNAMIC LOCK TO SECURE YOUR PC – Sometimes you walk away from your PC without locking it. The Dynamic Lock feature on Windows 10 automatically locks it when you walk away from it. Here’s how to set it up.

The Dynamic Lock feature was actually included a few years ago with the Windows 10 Creators Update. It’s a way to automatically lock your system when you (technically your phone) is out of range. It works with any phone that includes Bluetooth. It locks the PC after 30 seconds when you walk away with your phone.

Go to this Groovy Post article and get the setup with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2ZCqgDf

17 GOOGLE MAPS FOR ANDROID TRICKS THAT’LL CHANGE HOW YOU NAVIGATE – Google Maps is so ubiquitous that you probably don’t even worry about finding directions anymore. All you need is an address to get yourself anywhere in the world.

But as Google Maps has grown over the years, so have its features. There are some tricks hiding under the surface that’ll change the way you navigate.

This MakeUseOf article looks at both basic and advanced tricks to getting more from Google Maps navigation with your Android phone. Many of these work on iPhone, too.

http://bit.ly/2lPEIJY

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE ANY ICON IN WINDOWS 10 – While the default Windows icons get the job done, they aren’t particularly exciting. If you want to put a personal spin on your computer, changing Windows 10 icons is a great way to do this.

This MakeUseOf article shows you how to change icons on Windows 10, including program and folder icons. With a bit of work, you’ll have an all-new, unique, interface! http://bit.ly/2lYocHX

August 21, 2019

HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE – Over time, with some neglect and potential laziness, your Google Drive can accrue tons of files and become a mess to find anything.

Read this How-To Geek article on how to organize your Drive to find everything fast and make sure it stays in order. http://bit.ly/2MgOGjI

HOW TO DELETE YOUR TWITTER ACCOUNT ON iPHONE – Are you ready to part ways with Twitter? Read along for how to delete your Twitter account from iPhone, iPad, and the web.

Before you delete your Twitter account, you may want to download a copy of your information first. Learn how to do that here.

Twitter notes that you can restore an account for up to 30 days after it has been accidentally or wrongfully deactivated (deleted). If you think you may want to use your existing username or email with Twitter at some point in the future, you should change them before deleting your account.

If you’re ready to delete your Twitter account (or at least ready to delete it for 30 days) follow along with the steps below.

On the web (desktop)

  1. Click More in the left-hand sidebar
  2. Choose Settings and privacy, then select Account at the top
  3. At the bottom, choose Deactivate your account
  4. Read the “What else you should know” disclaimer, tap or click Deactivate
  5. Enter your password and follow the prompts to delete your account

HOW TO DISABLE ‘PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF’ IN MICROSOFT OFFICE – Microsoft Office is packed with enabled-by-default features, like “pick up where you left off.” Some people find this feature useful, but others…not so much. If you’re willing to make a couple of quick changes to the Registry, you can disable this feature.

Read this How-To Geek article to learn how to disable the feature: http://bit.ly/2Tvi0DQ

HOW TO CREATE DESKTOP SHORTCUTS ON WINDOWS 10 THE EASY WAY – Windows 10 still lets you create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and even websites. Desktop icons may a little out of fashion, but they’re still useful as part of a nicely organized desktop.

This How-To Geek article to create a shortcut to an application: http://bit.ly/2MZISuv

A QUICK AND DIRTY GUIDE TO RAM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – RAM is the short-term memory of your computer. It’s where your computer keeps track of the programs and data you’re using right now. You probably already know that more RAM is better, but maybe you’re looking to install more RAM now.

Shopping for RAM can be confusing, though. What’s the difference between DDR3 and DDR4? DIMM and SO-DIMM? Is there a difference between DRR3-1600 and PC3-12800? Is RAM latency and timing important?

Read on for explanations on the different kinds of RAM, how to read RAM specifications, and exactly how RAM works.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and learn about RAM. http://bit.ly/2ZIQghg

13 WEBSITES TO FIND PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET – In an era of booming social networks, it’s easier to find lost friends and colleagues than it ever was before.

The private world of yesterday is now an online world. Everyone with a search engine has open access to social networks, government databases, and public records.

If you’re looking for a long-lost friend, or maybe want to do a background check on someone, consider the following free resources to find people on the internet.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and find the free resources. http://bit.ly/2ZKWGwx

HOW TO SET UP A POP3 OR IMAP ACCOUNT IN MICROSOFT OUTLOOK – Microsoft Outlook can access any email account—not just Microsoft accounts—as long as you’ve got the right information. Here’s how to hook up your email account to Outlook, using either POP3 or IMAP.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get smart about setting up Outlook for any email program. http://bit.ly/33zfG3o

August 5, 2019

4 ESSENTIAL GOOGLE ACCOUNT SETTINGS TO CHANGE FOR BETTER SECURITY – From emails and documents to photos and notes—your Google account is your personal stash of important data. Have you done what you can to protect it from digital mishaps and malice?

At the very least, make these four basic changes from your Google Account page to protect your account and keep it easy to recover if the need arises.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and get these steps for protection. http://bit.ly/2KdYHMo

BUYING A NEW HARD DRIVE: 7 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW – All hard drives die. It’s normal to purchase a new one every few years, either to replace an old hard drive or to use as additional backup drives.

But which hard drive should you buy? What hard drive do I need?!

Hard drive shopping doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there’s a lot of room for error, so don’t be anxious! Just follow these guidelines and you won’t have to worry about buying the wrong hard drive.

Go to this Make Use Of web pages and read all about things to consider when buying a new hard drive. http://bit.ly/2ywjoML

HOW TO PRINT WEB PAGES WITHOUT ADS AND OTHER CLUTTER – Articles on the web come with advertisements and other clutter. If you print them, you often get all that junk. But you can cut out the ads and other extraneous elements with a feature built into your web browser.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and see how to get this advantage in 4 different browsers. http://bit.ly/2GxLQCa

HOW TO REBOOT YOUR ROUTER AND MODEM – If web pages aren’t loading or streaming video keeps buffering, resetting your router and modem is one of the first things you should try, as it can fix a slew of Wi-Fi or Internet connection problems.

This works just like rebooting your Windows PC when you’re having issues. The software on your router and modem will shut down and restart in a fresh state. When you restart your modem, it will reconnect to your Internet service provider (ISP). Some routers—especially older ones—can slow down over time as they run. This is a software problem, and a quick restart can fix it.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the steps with pictures. http://bit.ly/2OwucoO

HOW TO BACK UP YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT AND ACCESS IT OFFLINE – Even Gmail goes down occasionally. If you want to ensure offline access to your messages, here’s how to back up your account with an email client like Thunderbird

In a world where Wi-Fi is everywhere, it’s easy to think your email will always be available to you. But even Gmail goes down occasionally. Or your school or work could cut access to your inbox without warning. If you find yourself constantly getting stuck on a plane without Wi-Fi, it would be nice to at least have access to old messages.

If losing your email feels like missing an arm, consider backing up your inbox so you can access it when your web account is otherwise unavailable. You won’t be able to access new messages if the internet goes down, but you’ll be able to view your entire archive, which is sometimes all you need to keep working.

Go to this PC Magazine article and find out how. http://bit.ly/2K6UPvh

THE 8 BEST TOOLS TO TWEAK AND CUSTOMIZE WINDOWS 10 – What’s that? You don’t like the way Windows 10 looks and acts? We can’t imagine why—the operating system goes through extensive testing and is widely regarded as the most stable and enjoyable platform on the market.

Okay, we’re joking. If you want to change the way Windows looks and acts, keep reading. These are some of the best tools to customize Windows 10.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and see these tools and tweaks for Windows 10. http://bit.ly/2LIEQqn

July 18, 2019

WHERE TO PLACE YOUR ROUTER FOR THE BEST WI-FI SPEEDS – If your home Wi-Fi seems slow in some rooms, your router might not be in the best location. Wi-Fi doesn’t travel far—especially through metal and concrete. So, it’s important to determine the best place for your router.

This How-To-Geek article gives solid advice on Router Placement. http://bit.ly/2Sm3q0K

HOW TO FIND YOUR WINDOWS 10 PC HARDWARE AND SYSTEM SPECS – Whether it’s for troubleshooting or replacing a part, sometimes you need to know what’s under the hood of your Windows 10 PC. Check out our guide on how to find your PCs hardware specs.

There will be times when you need to know what’s under the hood of your computer. Maybe you want to install an NVMe M.2 SSD or add RAM to your laptop. You might need to know your Windows version or other system details to make sure you can run a software program. Or, maybe you need to troubleshoot a problem.

Whatever the reason, here’s our guide on how to find full system specs of your Windows computer. Either by using utilities built into Windows 10 or using a third-party app.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the procedures with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2JCkrRD

WHY WINDOWS SHIPPING THE LINUX KERNEL CHANGES EVERYTHING – Microsoft is changing. Once a closed, monolithic organization with open hostility towards open sourced software, they now appear to be embracing it.

Along with some recent changes in attitude, including open sourcing Visual Studio Code, Windows are starting to embrace Linux. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was an integrated virtual version of Linux within Windows.

A new version of WSL is on the way, and for some people, it’s going to change everything! Read more of this Make Use Of article: http://bit.ly/2JEqTaO

July 14, 2019

HOW TO DISABLE TOUCH SCREEN FEEDBACK CIRCLES ON WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 provides visual feedback when you tap your touch screen. By default, a transparent circle appears under your finger after you tap. Here’s how to disable these.

  1. Settings > Ease of Access > Cursor & Pointer. (To quickly open the Settings app, press Windows+I.)
  2. Ease of Access on the Windows 10 Settings pane.
  3. Scroll down to  “Change Touch Feedback” section.
    1. Tap the “Show visual feedback around the touch points when I touch the screen” toggle to “Off.”
  4. In the “Cursor & Pointer” pane,
    1. Tap the “Show visual feedback around the touch points when I touch the screen” toggle to “Off.”
  5. To re-enable touch feedback in the future, you can return here and tap the switch back to “On,” any time.

If you’re giving a presentation and you’d like the touch feedback to be more visible, enable the “Make visual feedback for touch points darker and larger” option here. The circles will change from light gray to dark gray. They will also be larger and more noticeable.

16 MICROSOFT WORD TIPS YOU NEED TO LEARN NOW – Think you know everything about Microsoft Word? Here are some hidden tricks and time-saving hacks you need to know about Redmond’s word-processing app.

Microsoft Word is the most ubiquitous word-processing program on the market; it’s intuitive even for the most technologically illiterate computer users and is backed by the powerful Microsoft Office suite.

Nudged by cloud-based programs like Google Docs, Word has evolved over the years with online subscriptions that offer access on multiple devices, as well as a free, cloud-based version of Word. But despite the competition, Microsoft’s software remains the go-to tool for producing important docs. And why not? It’s dependable, customizable, and has lots of baked-in functionality you may not have tried yet. Read on for some semi-hidden treats only power users know.

Go to this PC Magazine web page for all the tips with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2xK9OW8

HOW TO BACK UP YOUR LINUX SYSTEM – Don’t risk data loss. Back up your valuable data from the Linux command line. We’ll be using the rsync command for this, and we’ve even found some nice optional graphical interfaces for it.

There are many ways to accomplish making a backup copy of your files. We wanted to show you a robust, flexible, and reliable way to protect your data. We choose rsync because of its well-respected algorithms that calculate the differences between files in the source directory and the target directory. Only the differences between two versions of a file are transferred, not the whole file if that can be avoided.

When this efficiency is paired with its solid track record in performing file copies and directory synchronizations since the mid-1990s, rsync is a perfect candidate for creating backups from the Linux command line.

Additionally, there are independent software programs that act as a front-end for rsync. They provide graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to rsync which some people may find easier to use.

The simpler and faster it is to make a backup, the more likely you are to do so.

Go to this How-To-Geek web article and get the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2Sj7GOR

July 5, 2019

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE WINDOWS 10’S APPEARANCE – Windows 10 includes a bunch of personalization settings that let you change your desktop background, windows colors, lock screen background, and more. Here is what you need to know to get your computer looking exactly how you want it.

We’re going to be talking about the Personalization settings Windows makes available at Settings > Personalization, so you might as well go ahead and fire that up now. There are other ways you can customize your computer’s look, though, such as configuring folder options, or customizing the Start menu, Taskbar, Action Center, and icons however it makes sense to you.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the settings. http://bit.ly/32c5UDk

HOW TO MOVE GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR TO A NEW PHONE (OR MULTIPLE PHONES) – Two-factor authentication has become an essential security precaution for many people, but it can also be a source of anxiety. When you change or upgrade phones, Google Authenticator doesn’t migrate codes automatically—you need to do that manually.

Thankfully, it’s not difficult to move Google Authenticator codes from one phone to another, although, admittedly, it can be somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming. Google intended this, more or less, by design. It shouldn’t be too easy to retrieve authentication codes from anywhere except the device you’re using for your two-factor authentication, or the whole value of 2FA would be moot.

Nonetheless, here’s what you need to know to get Google Authenticator (and all of your authentication codes) from an old phone to a new one. Whether you’re jumping platforms or staying within your iOS or Android universes, the process is the same.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the procedure with screen shots.  http://bit.ly/2KYiv7R

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR LAPTOP’S TOUCHPAD GESTURES – Trackpads on laptops have essentially replaced the mouse as many users’ interface tool of choice, but I’ve never met a touchpad I truly liked. I’d rather use a $10 mouse just about any day of the week. They’re just so much easier to use and are far more precise.

However, your laptop’s touchpad does have one big advantage: gestures. With a swipe of your fingers you can switch between windows, adjust audio, and do just about anything else your heart desires. Here’s how to customize touchpad gesture shortcuts in Windows.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get the setup to make your Touchpad work for you. http://bit.ly/2YAKH46

HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN YOUR GROSS LAPTOP – Like any computer, laptops are dust and grime magnets. But a dirty laptop isn’t just a cosmetic nightmare—it can also cause poor performance and overheating. So, how can you clean your laptop properly?

Cleaning a laptop is arguably more tedious than cleaning a desktop. You have to clean the keyboard, the internals, the screen, and the case itself. Still, you can easily give your laptop a makeover in under one hour, provided you have canned air, some 90%-100% isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, and a microfiber cloth.

Go to this How-To-Geek web site and clean up your laptop. http://bit.ly/32ddjmf

HOW TO RESET CHROME SETTINGS TO DEFAULT – Sometimes, unbeknownst to us, adware, malware, and unwanted extensions change settings—like homepages and default search engines—and make it nearly impossible to change them back. When you reset a browser’s settings, it removes some of the guesswork and does it all for you.

What Settings Get Reset?

When you reset Chrome to default, a lot of data gets deleted, but not everything. While you’re signed into your Google account on Chrome, the following settings will revert to the default on all devices you’re currently signed in on.

Default Search Engine: Changes back to Google

Homepage and Tabs: The Home button—if you’ve enabled it—will disappear and any startup tabs will be cleared.

New Tab Page: Changes back to the default New Tab page with Google logo, search bar, and thumbnails of most visited sites.

Pinned Tabs: These will unpin and be removed.

Content Settings: This includes a site’s access to the camera or microphone, notifications, whether to block pop-ups, and so on.

Cookies and Site Data: All will be cleared.

Extensions and Themes: Will be disabled.

Some settings, like fonts, accessibility features, bookmarks, history, and passwords, will remain unaffected. If you’re looking to wipe your Google account completely, you can use our guide to delete all synced data in Chrome.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the easy steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2Xn7tuN

HOW TO RESET CHROME SETTINGS TO DEFAULT – Sometimes, unbeknownst to us, adware, malware, and unwanted extensions change settings—like homepages and default search engines—and make it nearly impossible to change them back. When you reset a browser’s settings, it removes some of the guesswork and does it all for you.

Read this How-To-Geek article to find out how to reset Chrome settings to default: http://bit.ly/2XjFyAK

July 2, 2019

HOW TO TRANSFER DATA FROM WINDOWS TO MAC (EASY-TO-FOLLOW GUIDE) – Switching from Windows to Mac? Windows PC and Mac have many differences, especially in term of apps, operating system (of course) and user experience. If you have never used Apple computer before, you might need to adapt to Mac’s keys, gestures, etc. But before you do that, there is something more important to do: transfer the data. This technobezz article will how you how to do just that. http://bit.ly/302VmEU

HOW TO TAG YOUR EMAILS FOR MAXIMUM SEARCHABILITY – The problem with keeping email in one large archive is finding specific messages again. So, people create one extra folder, and then two, and then loads! Use these techniques instead of folders to organize your archive.

Read this How-To-Geek article to learn how to tag your emails: http://bit.ly/2KQZQLi

HOW TO BACK UP YOUR PICTURES AFTER GOOGLE ENDS PHOTOS AND DRIVE SYNC – Android, iPhones, Windows 10, MACOS.

Starting July 10th Google will no longer sync your pics and vids from Google Photos to Google Drive. Here is a look at what’s happening and how to back up content from your phone or computer.

Google announced last week that it is decoupling Google Photos and Google Drive. The two will no longer automatically sync photos starting in July. This Groovy Post article  explains what is happening starting July 10th, when the change happens. Also, they show you how to back up your Google Photos from an Android or iOS device. Or, if you want to do it from a Mac or Windows computer, they show you that too.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the work around. http://bit.ly/2WZaCAw

WHAT IS PROTONMAIL AND WHY SHOULD YOU SIGN UP? (Android and iPhone Apps) – The big companies offer efficient email services in exchange for your data which is sold to advertising and other data brokers. If you are tired of being the product, check out an alternative.

Are you tired of hearing about data security breaches? Have you had enough of knowing that companies like Google, Facebook, and many others, continue to sell your private information to advertisers and make billions each year?

It’s time to consider ProtonMail, which promises both zero-access and end-to-end encryption to protect your data. Once only for CERN scientists, the Swiss-based email service is now used by millions of people across 150 countries.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and see what is available. http://bit.ly/2xbsihY

HOW TO UNINSTALL WINDOWS 10 APPS WITH REVO UNINSTALLER – Uninstalling individual Windows 10 apps piecemeal can be tedious and time-consuming. But our favorite uninstaller utility, Revo Uninstaller, now includes a section for them to make it easier.

Revo Uninstaller is one of our favorite utilities that has been around for quite a while. It’s the utility I recommend when you need to completely remove all traces of software on your computer. When you use an app’s default uninstaller, iTunes, for example, it leaves behind a lot of remnants of the app’s code and temp files. The leftovers take up space on your hard drive and sometimes conflict with other apps. This can lead to an unstable system.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2FvIEXw

HOW TO REMOVE TEMPORARY FILES ON WINDOWS 10 – Are you running out of storage space? Windows 10 has a few ways to remove those temporary files, and emptying recycle bin, wasting space on your PC.

Temporary files are usually referred to those files that apps store on your computer to hold information temporarily. However, Windows 10 has many other temporary file types, including those leftover files after installing a new version, upgrade logs, error reporting, temporary Windows installation files, and more.

Typically, these files won’t cause any issues, but they can grow rapidly using valuable space on the hard drive, which can be the reason preventing you to install a new version of Windows 10, or it can be the reason that you’re running out of space.

Fortunately, Windows 10 offers a few ways to safely remove temporary files on your machine using the Settings app and the Disk Cleanup tool.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to quickly delete temporary files on Windows 10 to free up space, or to reclaim storage space after installing a feature update, such as Windows 10 version 1903. ( and version 1809)

Go to this Pure Info Tech web site and get the steps with screenshots for two different ways to free up space. http://bit.ly/2KBn1K0

THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 10 – Are you a Windows user who’s wondering what the best antivirus is for Windows 10? It can get confusing; there are many options out there. How can you decide which Windows antivirus to use?

Make Use Of  uses data from AV-TEST to help you make your decision.

Go to this Make Use Of web site and get updated on anti-virus’. http://bit.ly/2Y7c99h

June 20, 2019

HOW TO REMOVE PERSONAL INFO FROM A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION BEFORE SHARING – It’s never a bad idea to remove your personal information from a file before sharing it. Office applications might store personal information in each file you create, meaning everyone that receives that file will have your information. Here’s how to remove it.

 

Go to this How-To-geek web site and get the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2XlyUch

6 WINDOWS APPS THAT AUTOMATICALLY ORGANIZE FILES FOR YOU – The only way to overcome information overload is to put everything in its place on arrival. But you don’t want to spend all your time organizing files on Windows 10. Why not take a smart and lazy approach! After all, the better organized your files, the faster you can retrieve what you need from them.

But how do you get started? We’ll show you some excellent apps that let you organize different types of files in Windows automatically.

Go to this Make Use Of web page and see the different apps. http://bit.ly/2WWj2ZO

HOW TO TURN YOUR PHONE INTO A WI-FI HOTSPOT – With a few taps, you can turn your smartphone into a source for internet that laptops, tablets, and other phones can use. Here’s how to turn your phone into a hotspot.

If you’re stuck in a situation where you need a Wi-Fi connection, but can’t get it anywhere else, chances are your smartphone can give you the boost you need. By setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can turn your phone into a source for internet that laptops, tablets, and other phones can use.

It may sound complicated, but you can be connected with just a few taps. Most of the major carriers offer tethering services, though your ability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot depends on your service plan and data allowance.

One thing to keep in mind: tethering eats up battery life in addition to data. Investing in a battery case is a good idea if you intend to use hotspot mode frequently. If you’re a business traveler who needs to be connected all day, consider a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot; we have a few favorites.

If you’re ready to tether, here’s how to turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and get the steps for iPhone or Android phone. http://bit.ly/2IuTwqB

HOW TO SEARCH ALL YOUR PC’S FILES IN WINDOWS 10’S START MENU (VERSION 1903) – Windows 10’s May 2019 Update finally adds the ability to search all your PC’s files directly from your Start menu. However, this feature is disabled by default. Here’s how to enable it for quicker, easier file searches.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the procedure with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2MYrCHL

HOW TO SEE WHICH APPS ARE USING YOUR WEBCAM ON WINDOWS 10 (VERSION 1903) – Your webcam’s light is on, but which applications are watching you? Windows 10 now has an easy, built-in way to find out. You can also see which apps have previously used your webcam—and the precise time they last accessed it.

This feature is new in Windows 10’s May 2019 Update. On older versions of Windows, you had to dig through complicated details about devices and running processes to discover which applications were recording you. It works for both USB webcams and the cameras built into laptops and tablets.

Go to this How-To-Geek web site and find the steps. http://bit.ly/2FlHtJV

WINDOWS 10 GIVING YOU A BLACK SCREEN AFTER LATEST PATCHES? DON’T PANIC! – The latest cumulative updates for some versions of Windows 10 contain a bug that’s causing some PCs to produce a black screen after they’ve been installed, potentially leading some users to worry that their system might be seriously broken – but fortunately, the cure is simple to apply.

Windows Latest reports that the problem can happen to those running the April 2018 Update as well as those on the October 2018 Update, although it apparently only affects a small number of those users. As mentioned, the issue crops up after getting the latest patches for the operating system and rebooting the PC post-installation.

Microsoft observed: “We are investigating reports that a small number of devices may startup to a black screen during the first logon after installing updates.”

Fix

Fortunately, all you have to do when confronted with said black screen is to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete together, click on the Power button (lower-right) and select Restart. Your PC will then reboot, and the desktop should then appear as per normal.

So this is hardly a huge problem, but nonetheless, it could cause some heart-stopping moments because the last thing you want to see post-patching is a blank screen rather than your desktop.

Microsoft says it’s working on a resolution right now, so hopefully, this isn’t a glitch that will hang around for too long.

WHAT IS USB-C? AN EXPLAINER – With so many Macs and Windows laptops now featuring the interface, it’s clear that the USB Type-C connector is here to stay. Here’s why that’s a good thing—and how to understand both its subtleties and where it’s headed.

Landing on a single standard to rule them all is an elusive aim in the realm of personal technology. At best, you end up in a format war, and one faction emerges victorious for a few years until an entirely new technology takes it out. VHS ate Betamax, then was ousted by DVD, which faded in the face of Blu-ray, a standard that itself knocked off its chief rival, HD DVD, and is now facing its own mortality at the hands of online streaming services.

But USB-C is different. And perhaps it’s even becoming as truly universal as its acronym (Universal Serial Bus) suggests.

USB Type-C ports are now found on all manner of devices from simple external hard drives to smartphone charging cables. While every USB-C port looks the same, not everyone offers the same capabilities. USB-C may be appearing everywhere, but it doesn’t serve the same functions everywhere.

Here’s a guide to everything USB-C can do, and which of its features you should look for when buying your next USB-C device.

Go to this PC Magazine article for the information. http://bit.ly/2L0ZfWv

iCLOUD FOR WINDOWS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MICROSOFT STORE WITH iCLOUD DRIVE UPDATES, MORE – In a post on the Windows blog, Apple and Microsoft today announced the availability of a new iCloud for Windows application. The new application is available in the Microsoft Store and allows users to access iCloud features such as iCloud Drive, Photos, and more.

iCloud has been available on Windows for a while now, but this marks the first time the app has been offered via the Microsoft Store. The new version also includes enhancements to iCloud Drive, which is now powered by Microsoft’s Cloud Sync Engine:

The new iCloud for Windows app introduces a new iCloud Drive experience for Windows 10 users powered by the same Windows technology that also powers OneDrive’s Files On-Demand feature, enabling users to be more productive offline on mobile devices and quickly share files on iOS.

Furthermore, Apple notes in an updated support document about iCloud for Windows that iCloud Drive on Windows 10 can initiate shared files and optimize files. You can also pin files and folders locally:

If you use iCloud for Windows 10, you can use iCloud Drive to initiate shared files or to optimize files. You can also pin files or folders locally so they don’t optimize back to iCloud, and access shared photo streams and improved iCloud Photo Library support.

Other than the improved iCloud Drive functionality, much of the iCloud experience remains the same for Windows users with today’s release. You can access iCloud Photos, use Shared Albums, keep Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Reminders synced, and more. You can also manage iCloud storage, and upgrade that storage, through iCloud for Windows.

This is, however, the first time that iCloud for Windows has been available through the Microsoft Store. This comes after Microsoft Office launched in the Mac App Store earlier this year.

Download iCloud for Windows via the Microsoft Store for free.

HOW TO SEE WHICH APPS ARE USING YOUR MICROPHONE ON WINDOWS 10 – Have you ever wondered which applications on your PC are listening to your microphone? A new feature in Windows 10’s May 2019 Update tells you, but it’s easy to miss. This feature works for both desktop apps and Store apps.

Go to this How-To-geek article on the web. http://bit.ly/2R90aFv

 FIVE AMAZON PRIME VIDEO FEATURES YOU’RE NOT USING – Amazon Prime Video offers a lot of content and the service includes cool things you might not know about. Here are some cool features to help improve your viewing experience.

Being an Amazon Prime member has several benefits. In fact, we’ve shown you several Prime features you don’t know about. Once you dig deeper into each individual service, like Prime Video, you discover more helpful features. If you are a cord cutter and an Amazon Prime Member, here are five features that will help improve your overall viewing experience.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2RdbIaF

June 5, 2019
HOW TO CREATE A POP-UP IN POWERPOINT – PowerPoint can pop up an image when you hover your pointer over a thumbnail image. This lets you keep a nice, clean slide, but also show your audience more information when you want to.

To find out how to do this, go to this How-To-Geek web page. http://bit.ly/2IjfPyb

FIREFOX TO BLOCK THIRD-PARTY TRACKING COOKIES BY DEFAULT – For now, the default blocking will only be switched on for new Firefox users. It will roll out for existing users in the coming months.

The latest release of Mozilla’s Firefox browser will now block third-party tracking cookies by default.

The privacy protection arrived Tuesday in Firefox 67.0.1. “When it comes to privacy, default settings matter,” Firefox product lead Peter Dolanjski wrote in a blog post. “We hope that the actions we are taking can ultimately compel change in the industry.”

The blocking will automatically occur for new users who download the latest Firefox release. You’ll notice the feature when you go to the browser’s preferences and check “Content Blocking.”

To read the entire article go to this PC Magazine web page. http://bit.ly/2WNZqe8

HOW TO USE GOOGLE CHROME’S HIDDEN READER MODE – Chrome 75 has a hidden “Reader” mode that strips web pages down to the bare minimum to make them easier to, well, read. But it’s not enabled by default—here’s how to get it now.

Google has been experimenting with this feature on and off in the desktop version of Chrome for years, but it’s now available with a hidden flag instead of an extra hidden command line option. We expect Google is gearing up to release it in stable form without any flags required.

Go to this How-To-Geek Web page to turn ON readers view if you use the Chrome Browser. http://bit.ly/2QOr1qe

HOW TO BACK UP ANDROID PHOTOS AND VIDEOS TO THE CLOUD – Your photos and videos are precious memories, and you don’t want to lose them. Here are four mostly-free services you can use to automatically backup your photos and videos and access them from anywhere.

If you’re like most people, your phone is your primary camera. As such, it contains highlights of your life or your children’s lives, and you don’t want to lose those memories. If your phone gets lost, stolen, or broken, all of your photos and videos may go with it. But there are a few services out there, most of which are free, where you can safely store your photos and videos in the cloud. One of the best parts about cloud storage is you can pull up those photos or easily share them from anywhere.

To see what four services you may want to use, read the How-To-Geek article found here. http://bit.ly/31f2Kyz

SKYPE SCREEN SHARING IS NOW AVAILABLE ON MOBILE – Despite Skype seemingly going out of fashion in recent years, the service has seen a number of improvements and changes. The latest feature comes in the form of screen sharing on mobile so that you can show your screen to whoever you’re calling. Have a family member who needs help to change a setting on their phone? Simply share your screen and show them how to do it.

There are lots of ways you can use the feature, and it’s about time that it came to mobile devices. All you need to do is tap the new “…” menu and select the screen share option. You can also turn on subtitles, add people to the conversation or turn on call recording here. This feature was tested on Skype beta users back in April.

Besides screen recording, Microsoft also says that the latest version of Skype streamlines and simplifies calls. Once in a call, simply tapping once will hide the call controls, while a double tap will hide everything that isn’t the person you are talking to. Simply tap again to bring it all back.

The latest Skype update is rolling out already on the Google Play Store, and you can check it out.

HOW TO CHANGE THE DESKTOP WALLPAPER ON A GOOGLE CHROMEBOOK – If you’re the new owner of a Chromebook, you might not like the default wallpaper. But Chrome OS allows you to change the background and even automatically change it daily.

Most people are not satisfied with whatever default wallpaper ships with their new computer or phone. Most people want to make it something more personal or visually appealing. In fact, it might be the first thing you want to change when you set up a new device. If you’re new to Chrome OS and have a Chromebook, you can change its default background, too. Go to this Groovy Post web page and get all the facts. http://bit.ly/2WHms6w

May 28, 2019
WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1903: IS IT SAFE TO INSTALL YET? – Microsoft is taking an extra cautious approach to the rollout of the latest Windows 10 feature update. Windows 10 version 1903 has just been released to the general public after a lengthy round of extra testing. Should you install the new update or wait?

After the disastrous rollout of Windows 10 version 1809, you should indeed be extremely wary of touching that hot stove. Microsoft had grown cocky after a handful of relatively trouble-free feature updates to Windows 10 and had even bragged about how quickly it was able to roll out those semi-annual feature updates. That hubris caught up with them in late 2018. Read more at this ZDNet article: https://zd.net/2X6UvC0

WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1903, MAY 2019 UPDATE, RELEASES — DOWNLOAD IT NOW (No more forced updates) – The May 2019 Update for Windows 10 (version 1903) is finally rolling out worldwide delivering a slew of changes and new features — Here’s how to get it.

Windows 10 version 1903, May 2019 Update, is officially available as a free update for compatible devices starting May 21, 2019. This is the seventh feature update rolling out the desktops, laptops, and tablets introducing a new set of features and improvements to enhance the productivity and security.

Microsoft first made available the May 2019 Update on April 8, 2019, in the Release Preview ring. Then on April 18, the official ISO file was made available in the MSDN website, and now, starting May 21, the final version is available to everyone.

However, unlike previous releases, the May 2019 Update will be different to previous rollouts, as this time around, Windows 10 will no longer force the feature update to device.

Instead, once it’s officially available, users will receive a notification, and only when you initiates the process manually, Windows Update will download and install the new version of automatically. If your device is running a release that is nearing to the end of service, then Windows 10 will try to install the feature update automatically.

Go to this Pure Info Tec web site and get the information. http://bit.ly/2Qrulrb

HOW TO CHECK IF WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1903, MAY 2019 UPDATE, IS INSTALLED ON YOUR PC – UPDATED 5/22: Windows 10 version 1903, May 2019 update, is the first semi-annual feature update available starting May 21, 2019, with an array of new features and improvements. However, as a result of upgrades being incremental, and they’re simply known as “Windows 10,” it’s difficult to know which version your device is running.

Although you won’t find a May 2019 update label anywhere, each release of Windows 10 receives a specific version number. In this case, the first major refresh for 2019 is known as “version 1903,” which also indicates the year and month of the feature update development completion. As an example, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update uses “version 1809,” and the April 2018 Update uses “version 1803.”

If you’re not sure which version of Windows 10 is installed on your computer, you can quickly check using the winver command and About settings page.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to know if you have the Windows 10 May 2019 update installed on your computer.

Go to this Pure Info Tech website and get the steps plus  screenshots. http://bit.ly/2HDscFX

EVERYTHING NEW IN WINDOWS 10’S MAY 2019 UPDATE, AVAILABLE NOW – Windows 10’s latest update is the May 2019 Update, which is version 1903 and was codenamed 19H1 during development. It features a light theme, speed improvements, and lots of polish. There are no crazy new features like My People or Timeline. And it’s out now.

Microsoft previously called this Windows 10’s April 2019 Update, but it was delayed. The stable update began rolling out to everyone on May 21, 2019.

Learn about the big changes for downloading 1903 as well as what’s new at this How- To-Geek article: http://bit.ly/2W0drpI

HOW TO MANUALLY INSTALL WINDOWS 10 1903 MAY 2019 UPDATE NOW (ANOTHER RESOURCE) – Microsoft released Windows 10 version 1903 “May 2019 Update” on Tuesday for non-Insiders. If you want to get it sooner than later, here is how to manually upgrade to the latest version.

Comments
Microsoft on Tuesday made the seventh Windows 10 feature update dubbed May 2019 Update or version 1903 available to non-Insiders. In addition to security and performance improvements, the update includes new features like a new light theme, Windows Sandbox for app testing, and the ability to pause updates (including Home versions).

Just like with other new feature updates, Microsoft will start rolling out version 1903 gradually via Windows Update. It will begin with newer devices first and then expand to others more broadly over the coming weeks and months. However, if you’re an early adopter (and not an Insider) here is a look at a couple of ways you can get it now.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2wotsXi

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DUCKDUCKGO – Unlike Google, DuckDuckGo is an internet search engine that promises to protect the privacy of its users. Here is a look at how the browser protects your data and what you can expect.

To become one of the largest companies in the world, Google has relied heavily on how it collects user data. In turn, it sells this information for marketing and other purposes. This data collection hasn’t set well with many over the years who have accused Google of being weak on privacy. When it comes to search, there’s an alternative. DuckDuckGo is an internet search engine that promises to protect the privacy of its users. In doing so, it has become a worthy Google competitor.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and read all the information about DuckDuckGo. How to Start Using this search engine in many different browsers, mobile devices and of course your PC, with lots of screenshots.  http://bit.ly/2WuhWrP

(PS: I have been using DDG for many years, and I  love it.)

Is DuckDuckGo for You?
I do not like giving away my personal information to services like Google, Bing, and Yahoo search engines. I decided to switch from Google search to DuckDuckGo for search engine purposes years ago to protect my privacy. I did it on my Laptop PC, iPad and iPhone.

HOW TO STOP ALL THE VOICE ASSISTANTS FROM STORING YOUR VOICE (GOOGLE, ALEXA, CORTANA, SIRI) – Voice assistants, like Google Assistant and Alexa, record what you say after the wake word to send off to company servers. The companies keep your recordings until you delete them. Some companies let you turn that behavior off: here’s how.

Voice Assistants Record You After Their Wake Word
Voice assistants work in a straightforward manner. They continually listen to everything you say, all day long. But the device in the room doesn’t have much intelligence. The only thing it can understand is its wake word: Alexa, Hey Google, Hey Cortana, and so on.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and find out How. http://bit.ly/2JGrASg

MICROSOFT: CONTROL AD PREFERENCES – Microsoft (as well as Apple and Google) uses your browsing, search, and other online history to choose which ads to show you in ad-supported services. And while you can’t control the fact that they are going to show you ads, you can control what types of ads they show you and whether or not they use your information to specifically target those ads to you. Read how to exercise some control with your Microsoft account at Tech Whisperer Cyn Mackley’s article: http://bit.ly/2X0B0Lk

May 19, 2019
11 TIPS TO SPEED UP WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 is faster than the previous versions of Microsoft’s OS, but you can still optimize its performance. Learn how to make your Windows 10 PC run faster with our tips.

As PC hardware continues to get faster, so does software, and Windows 10 is no exception. This is especially true of startup time: If you upgrade from Windows 7 or earlier, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how fast your machine is ready for action. But there are other performance factors to consider after you’re up and running, and even the latest, shiniest Windows version isn’t immune to slowdowns. We’ve compiled ten tips, many of which are perennial standbys in the Windows performance game.

The problem with many Windows speedup stories is that they tell you to turn off some of the operating system’s more fun features, such as visual animations. Most of our tips show you ways you can speed up your Windows 10 system without compromising its appearance and functionality. Most are also free, but some involve spending a little cash on software or hardware. For people with older, lower-power machines who want a speed boost but don’t care about extra goodies, a couple of the tips towards the end can boost system performance at the expense of some visual bling.

Note that you should beware of those “Speed Up Your PC!” ads for registry cleaners, which often lead to malware. Microsoft categorically does not support the use of registry cleaners for Windows 10.

Something that is recommended is keeping your OS version up to date. This seems perhaps a bit too obvious to include below as a separate step. Periodically head to the Settings app’s Windows Update section to see whether there are any security and reliability updates you should install. Do this even if you don’t want yet want a big feature update—you can delay those major updates in the same section of Settings.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and find some speed up items that are free and others that are easy on the budget. http://bit.ly/2Vzyhab  

THE BEST TUNE-UP UTILITIES FOR 2019 – The right app can make a lethargic PC feel new again. These are the best tune-up utilities we’ve tested for breathing new life into your older Windows PC.

Fast startup times and speedy operations are among the greatest joys of working and playing on a brand-new PC. After all, we all want our PCs to run at peak capacity, regardless of whether we have a budget laptop or a polygon-pushing gaming desktop. Inevitably, however, that out-of-the-box performance fades away. Eventually, every PC will slow down, either gradually or suddenly. That’s when tune-up utilities prove their worth.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and read the article about Tuneup Utilities and see their ratings for the top 9. http://bit.ly/2VPfSuS

31 POWER TIPS FOR CHROME THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR BROWSING INSTANTLY – Google Chrome is a fast and easy-to-use browser with a simplistic and minimalistic design. Many features have been added over the years to make your browsing experience easier and more enjoyable.

Today we’ll cover power user tips for making the most of Chrome’s features and some extensions that will expand Chrome’s functionality.

Go to this MakeUseOf web page and look over the 31 tips to see what you want to use. The tips can be downloaded as a PDF document for a look offline. http://bit.ly/2Jvnzjx

13 TINY PRODUCTIVITY TIPS THAT PRODUCE MASSIVE RESULTS – Experts spend years coming up with all-encompassing productivity plans to help you get more done. However, there are plenty of productivity tricks that only take a few minutes—or even just a few seconds!

Here are several that you should consider putting into practice. They’re small, but they’ll give you substantial results.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and look over the tips to see which one you want to use in the future. http://bit.ly/2QdQhpB

USING GOOGLE ASSISTANT ROUTINES TO AUTOMATE YOUR MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT (ANDROID USERS) – Google Assistant is fast becoming one of the most valuable and useful personal assistant services available to Android users today. The recent addition of Google Assistant Routines only adds to that usefulness.

The following new routines are now available in your Google Assistant mobile app:

Good morning

Bedtime

Leaving home

I’m home

Commuting to work

Commuting home

These are fixed routines. You can’t add or remove them, but you can customize each so that they perform multiple actions at once when you say the trigger phrase (also customizable).

In this article, we’ll look at how to set up Google Assistant Routines and how four easy routines can automate your daily life.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and read about how to assist your day with Android devices and Google Assistant. http://bit.ly/2VF3lWg

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MICROSOFT EXCEL – Microsoft Excel has been around for decades and many have used it since its release. But there are still others who are just now starting to use it. Whether for work, school, or personal use, it can be a little intimidating when you first begin. There are even classes for new Excel users both online and on campuses.

This guide is available to download as a free PDF.

This guide to Excel is for those who have never used it before, are struggling with it as a beginner, or just want the basics to then learn it on their own.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and get a great look at beginners Excel. The free PDF is a link on the web page, for offline use. http://bit.ly/2YEQSDx

5 GMAIL SEARCH TRICKS EVERY POWER USER SHOULD KNOW – It’s hard to feel like Gmail isn’t due a major overhaul. Many of Google’s other productivity apps—such as Calendar, News, and Keep—have been redesigned in the last 18 months. Surely Gmail is next?

When the upgrade eventually happens, Google will hopefully include some additional filters and inbox management tools. Until then, you’ll need to memorize a few search terms if you want to perform some “inbox gymnastics.”

Here are some useful search tricks every Gmail power user should know.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and take a look at the Gmail search tricks. They will help you find emails that are in your long list of past emails.  http://bit.ly/2JuQCns

SHOULD YOU CLEAR THE SYSTEM CACHE ON YOUR ANDROID PHONE? – Some Android phones store temporary files used for things like OS updates in a cache partition. You may have seen recommendations across the web suggesting that you clear this partition from time to time—but is that a good idea?

Read more of this How-To-Geek article at http://bit.ly/2VO2szD

DIGITAL ID IS COMING TO ANDROID, BUT NOT YET – The technology behind digital identification documents is now “reaching a level of maturity” that has allowed the Android Platform Security team to start preparing for its release, team leader René Mayrhofer said at Google I/O, but it’s not quite ready to make its debut in Android Q.

Mayrhofer described a range a possibilities for digital ID on Android—a driver’s license, travel documents, or even just a club membership card. The important part is that these sensitive documents would be stored securely on the phone and usable in the real world. Read more of this PCMag article at: http://bit.ly/2YE2fvP

HOW TO STOP ROBOCALLS ON iPHONE AND ANDROID – The US has a robocall problem. These are the calls made to your phone that deliver a prerecorded message that often wants you to do something. Sometimes it’s a message from a candidate running for office. Or a call from your bank advertising a new service. More worrisome are the scammy robocalls — posing, say, as the “IRS” — that intend to scam people out of their money. On May 14, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai proposed giving carriers like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile the authority to block some of these robocalls by default and allowing customers to block calls from unknown numbers. Read more of this   c|net article at: https://cnet.co/2JMHFoS

May 9, 2019
HOW TO CUSTOMIZE THE TASKBAR IN WINDOWS 10 – The Windows 10 taskbar works much like previous Windows versions, offering shortcuts and icons for every running app. Windows 10 offers all kinds of ways to customize the taskbar to your liking, and we’re here to guide you through what you can do.

We’ve taken a look at customizing the Start menu and the Action Center in Windows 10. Now, it’s time to tackle the taskbar. With just a little bit of work, you can tweak the taskbar to get it running just how you like it.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get about 14 different things you can do to customize the task bar. http://bit.ly/2DEW5Dn

HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUTUBE VIDEOS – Hours of footage is uploaded to YouTube every single second. What if you want to download it? In some circles, that’s considered a big no-no, but you have your reasons, right? Here’s how.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and see how you can download YouTube videos, even APCUG YouTube Videos, and use them Offline. http://bit.ly/2LgtQBp

14 TIPS FOR PUBLIC WI-FI HOTSPOT SECURITY – For many, public Wi-Fi hotspots are just too convenient to ignore. But that’s risky behavior, especially because it’s not that hard to make sure you’re secure. Some of the tips below involve common sense; the rest you can set up before you even leave the house or office. Make sure the next hotspot you connect to—be it in the café or in the sky—isn’t a security nightmare waiting to happen.

Go to this PC Magazine article and get those 14 tips. http://bit.ly/2fNwqzs

THE WINDOWS 10 SETTINGS GUIDE: HOW TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING – Windows 10 is a feature packed operating system. You have you a whole host of settings and tools to manage everything from updates to volume, and everything in between.

In fact, Windows 10 is the most feature-packed version of Microsoft’s operating system. Happily, you can (control) most of the features via the settings screen. Let’s look at what settings you can find, where, and how they can help you manage Windows 10.

Go to this MakeUseOf web page and get the facts with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2GJxgHe

HOW TO CHANGE THE DEFAULT SEARCH ENGINE ON MICROSOFT CHROMIUM EDGE – Microsoft is building a new Edge browser that is based on Google’s Open Source Chromium code. It’s an all-new redesigned Edge browser that will be shipping by default with Windows 10 later this year. If you’re an early adopter or just want to test out what’s coming, check out our article on how to install the new Chromium-based Edge on Windows 10.

And as you’d expect, the default search engine for the new Edge (and the old Edge for that matter) is Microsoft’s own Bing. However, if you would rather set it to Google or other privacy orientated engine like Duck Duck Go, you can. Here is a look at how to do just that using the new Chromium Edge.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and see how to change or add another search engine, with screen shots.  http://bit.ly/2V4LuN

MICROSOFT BLOCKS WINDOWS 10 MAY 2019 UPDATE ON PCS THAT USE USB STORAGE OR SD CARDS – Microsoft has published a support document today warning Windows 10 users that the impending May 2019 Update may not install on their systems if they use external USB storage devices or SD cards.

The OS maker cited problems with “inappropriate drive reassignment” as the main reason for blocking the May 2019 Update.

“Inappropriate drive reassignment can occur on eligible computers that have an external USB device or SD memory card attached during the installation of the May 2019 update,” the company said. “For this reason, these computers are currently blocked from receiving the May 2019 Update.”

Workaround: Users must remove any USB storage device and SD card and restart May 2019 Update installation

INCOGNITO MODE COMING TO GOOGLE MAPS AND SEARCH – Google first introduced Incognito Mode years ago with the release of the Chrome browser. Now, as part of a larger push to enhance consumer privacy, the search giant is adding Incognito Mode to both Google Search and Google Maps.

When Incognito Mode is engaged in Chrome, your activities aren’t stored in your browser history. It also disables cookies, which are used to identify and sometimes track individuals around the web and turns off browser extensions. It doesn’t hide your online activity, as a VPN would.

Incognito mode for Google Maps will be similar, Google CEO Sundar Pichai explained in a blog post. Once Incognito Mode is engaged in Maps, “you can search and navigate without linking this activity with your Google account,” he wrote. Read more of this PCMag article: http://bit.ly/2Jtwykf

WINDOWS 10 NOW REQUIRES 12-16 GB MORE STORAGE – Microsoft has raised Windows 10’s minimum storage requirement to 32 GB. Previously, it was either 16 GB or 20 GB. This change affects Windows 10’s upcoming May 2019 Update, also known as version 1903 or 19H1.

These details come from Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements web page. They were first spotted by Pureinfotech and brought to our attention by Thurrott.

Before this update, 32-bit versions of Windows required a minimum of 16 GB of storage on your device, while 64-bit versions of Windows required 20 GB. Now, both will require 32 GB.

It’s unclear exactly why Microsoft made this change. The May 2019 Update now reserves about 7 GB of your PC’s storage for updates, so it may just take more space in general.

Let’s be honest, though: You always wanted more than 16 GB of space for Windows 10. Microsoft wanted Windows 10, like Windows 8 before it, to function on tablets and lightweight laptops with a small amount of storage. Those lightweight devices often had a compressed operating system and had trouble upgrading to Windows 10.

While this seems like a big change, it really isn’t. You should have avoided devices with this paltry amount of storage because they wouldn’t have functioned well with Windows 10. Now, Microsoft is making it official. Microsoft’s PC partners can’t try to sell laptops and tablets with less than 32 GB of built-in storage anymore. That’s good news for shoppers.

If you have an existing PC with less than 32 GB of storage running Windows 10, we’re not sure what happens to your device. It may never receive an update to the May 2019 Update (version 1903.) That’s up to Microsoft.

WINDOWS 10’S YOUR PHONE APP GETS ANDROID NOTIFICATION MIRRORING – Microsoft is updating the Your Phone app in Windows 10. As promised, it’s getting Android notification mirroring so you can see all your smartphone’s notifications on your desktop. This app can also send texts and mirror your phone’s screen.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and read all about how the May Microsoft update to windows 10 will add this feature. http://bit.ly/2PxPuPT

HOW TO SCHEDULE AN EMAIL IN GMAIL – Google’s Gmail now allows you to schedule emails for delivery at a later time or date. Here’s how to use the email service’s latest feature.

Are you a night owl who hammers out email after email in the wee hours of the morning? Maybe you spring out of bed at 5 a.m. and start firing off messages to team members or spend your Sunday night catching up on email before the week starts.

That’s great—for you. But there are probably some people on your team who would prefer not to deal with after-hours emails. Even if you say something can wait until morning, many feel compelled to answer right away. Luckily, Google now lets you schedule emails in Gmail, so you can cross things off your to-do list without bothering your coworkers.

Previously, Chrome extensions like Boomerang and IFTTT were the only ways to perform this task. Now Gmail users no longer have to rely on third-party add-ons. Here’s how to schedule an email in Gmail.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and see the screenshots and procedure. http://bit.ly/2XUr6uX

HOW TO CHECK YOUR INTERNET SPEED – Don’t take your ISP’s word for it, put your connection to the test. The easiest way is to use Ookla Speedtest, but options abound. Here’s how to see if you’re getting what you pay for.

Is your ISP delivering the data speeds you were promised? Is there even a way to find out? Should you just take their word for it? The answer to these questions, respectively, are “we’ll see,” “YEP!,” and “HELL NO!” We can say that because you have access to free tools that will clock your own personal connection.

One major tip: before you run any of these tests, be sure to 1) turn off any downloads or uploads you have going on your system and 2) deactivate your VPN software for the duration of the test; both add a lot of overhead to the connection. You’ll get a more accurate reading if the only traffic to the internet and back is from the test you’re performing.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and read about the App.http://bit.ly/2Wdb9zA

6 ESSENTIAL APPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ON ANDROID AND iOS – Smartphone photography is a genre all of its own these days. However, even if you still use a proper camera to shoot photos, your smartphone could still prove to be useful.

There are apps for everything these days, and we have rounded up the essential apps for photographers on Android and iOS. All of which could help you up your photography game.

Go to this MakeUseOf web page and read about the apps. http://bit.ly/2J1JZIa

WHAT IS BLUETOOTH AND WHAT CAN I USE IT FOR? – Isn’t it funny how you can know that a thing exists, you use that thing, but that’s all you know about it? Bluetooth is definitely one of those them. You’ll be surprised at where that odd name came from, too. Read through to the end to find out.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and read all about it. http://bit.ly/2KQ11v7

HOW TO FIX MICROSOFT STORE PROBLEMS ON WINDOWS 10 – Here are three ways to reset the Microsoft Store to resolve issues, when it won’t open, keeps crashing, apps won’t update, or error codes appear.

On Windows 10, the Microsoft Store is the one-stop-shop to securely download additional apps, plus games and entertainment for all your devices.

Although the company is updating the experience frequently, you can encounter a lot of different issues, such as problems starting up the app, crashes, updates and apps stuck downloading, and a number of error code messages.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to reset the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 to fix the most common problems and get you downloading, installing, and updating apps in no time.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web site and get the 3 different procedures with screenshots.

http://bit.ly/2XvIqpO

HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS INSTALLING WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1903, MAY 2019 UPDATE – Use these tips to prepare and avoid problems during the installation of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update when it rolls out in late May.

UPDATED 4/10: Windows 10’s version 1903 (May 2019 Update) is the seventh major refresh that is becoming available for compatible devices in late May (starting April 8, the update will be available for testers in the Release Preview ring). However, before you restart your device to proceed with the installation, you want to be ready to avoid errors and problems.

Although it’s always recommended to install a new feature update to keep your system up-to-date with the latest security improvements and to take advantage of new features, these type of updates aren’t your regular monthly quality updates. Windows 10 version 1903 is a new version that requires a complete reinstallation, a process that many times brings up unwanted problems. In addition, during the early days, some errors and bugs are expected as testing a version of Windows 10 on every hardware configuration is very challenging.

In this guide, you’ll learn several tips to avoid problems and errors during the installation of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2VXoWKd

WHAT IS 5G? – AT&T, Verizon, and other carriers are starting to launch 5G networks this year. But what exactly is 5G, and how fast is it compared with 4G? Here are the facts we know so far.

This PC Magazine article does a great job of describing 5G. http://bit.ly/2GqbU1y

HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR MESSAGES IN GMAIL TO SEND LATER – Have you ever needed to send a message from Gmail at a specific time, but forgot to do it? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could compose a message or multiple messages and schedule them to be sent at a specific time? Particularly if you work with others across time zones. The Boomerang extension allowed it for years.

But now the feature is being baked into Gmail on the web or via the mobile app. Google recently announced the feature in a post that celebrates 15 years of Gmail.

It’s important to note that Google started a gradual rollout of this feature on April 1st (no joke) and not everyone has it yet. If you don’t see it yet, try logging out and back in or updating the app on your phone. Once you do have the feature, this Brian Burgess groovyPost article will show you what to look for and how to schedule your messages (with screenshots): http://bit.ly/2Iweo0K

MICROSOFT IS GETTING RID OF “CLUTTER” IN OUTLOOK, AND THAT’S WORRYING – At the tail-end of 2018, Microsoft announced that it would remove the Clutter feature from Outlook, leaving Focused Inbox to sieve out your less-important mail. We think that’s a potentially worrying change of direction for Microsoft.

Yes, on the one hand, you could argue that Focused Inbox competes directly with similar features offered by Gmail and that those only work in the Gmail client, so why not do it. But, you could also argue that, since Outlook has had both the Focused Inbox and Clutter features for a while (and they both have their advantages), there was no really good reason to ditch Clutter. Read more at this Rob Woodgate How-To-Geek article with screenshots: http://bit.ly/2DdWXPe

WHY IS GOOGLE CHROME USING SO MUCH RAM? HERE’S HOW TO FIX IT – If you’ve done any research at all into different browsers, you’re familiar with the fact that Chrome can be a bit of a resource hog. Glance at your Task Manager or Activity Monitor, and you’ll often see Chrome at the top of the list.

But why does Chrome use so much RAM, especially compared to other browsers? And what can you do to keep it in check? Find out more at this Gavin Phillips MakeUseOf article: http://bit.ly/2v7of5i

HOW TO UNINSTALL UNWANTED APPS ON ANDROID – Annoyed by an Android app that you can’t uninstall?

The app you’re trying to remove probably came preinstalled on your device. It might have been provided by the manufacturer, your mobile network, or as a part of Android itself.

Don’t be discouraged; you can still remove unwanted system apps from Android. It’s tricky, but not impossible. Read this Christian Cawley MakeUseOf article to learn  how to delete preinstalled apps. http://bit.ly/2UkfmiT

HOW TO DO A REVERSE IMAGE SEARCH FROM YOUR PHONE – Image Search is the ability to search on a term and find images related to what you typed. Most search engines offer it, and it’s great. But what if you have an image and want to know its origin? Or find similar photos? That’s a reverse image search.

Google’s reverse image search is a breeze on a desktop computer. Go to images.google.com, click the camera icon, and either paste in the URL for an image you’ve seen online, upload an image from your hard drive, or drag an image from another window.

But what about when you’re on a mobile device and want to do a reverse-image lookup? Find out about the options at this Eric Griffith PC Mag article: http://bit.ly/2X6XGJu

GOOGLE NOW LETS YOU USE YOUR ANDROID AS A PHYSICAL KEY – Google recently rolled out a new option that turns smartphones that are running Android 7.0 (Nougat) and later into hardware security keys for protecting Google accounts.

With this new feature, instead of carrying an additional hardware USB security key for logging in to your Google account, you can authenticate requests with prompts directly sent your Android phone instead. Read more of this Francis Navarro / Kim Komando article at: http://bit.ly/2DdWYCN

HOW TO CLEAN A COMPUTER KEYBOARD – From a simple chassis shakedown to removing all the key caps and the outer shell and giving certain bits a bath, these tips will help you banish that keyboard grime. Typing can be such a messy business. Whether you’re a gamer, a hard-working professional, or both, you’re bound to get your hands on something gunky prior to clicking and clacking away at your keyboard. When all that sludge and silt becomes too much, you’ll have to undertake that most thankless of PC tasks: cleaning your keyboard. Nasty!

The good news is that you can do it using tools you’ll find around your house. Learn how at this Gabe Grey PC Mag article: http://bit.ly/2VUEtdG

HOW TO CONVERT YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN TO A GIF – There will be times when you want to record the action on your computer screen and save it as a GIF so you can easily share it with others. Here are six free tools to get the job done.

People love viewing Graphic Interchange Format files online, more commonly known as GIF. Now, thanks to a variety of apps and services, creating those type of files is extremely easy. Recently, I’ve been in the hunt for a free application to convert things that are happening on my screen to GIF. I was surprised to discover lots of great tools, including the ones highlighted here.

Go to this groovyPost web page and get the different Apps that will save screen action. http://bit.ly/2P7mAWx

6 STEPS TO SOLVING YOUR STREAMING VIDEO PROBLEMS – Got buffering or other streaming video issues? This Tech Hive step-by-step guide will help isolate the problem.

Although cutting the cable TV cord can save you money, it also involves more potential points of failure. With cable or satellite TV, a technician hooks up one of their company’s set-top boxes, which in turn connects to your TV, and it generally just works. With streaming video, you must account for internet speed, Wi-Fi connectivity, the capabilities of your streaming device, and your individual streaming services, which have their own unique set of reliability issues.

All of this makes troubleshooting more complicated if you run into problems such as buffering or poor video quality. Instead of trying solutions willy-nilly, it’s best to walk through a series of specific steps to isolate the source of the problem. Consider this your ultimate step-by-step guide to dealing with buffering and other streaming-video issues:

Go to this Tech Hive web page and see the 6 steps to curing streaming problems. http://bit.ly/2UVQkuM

10 WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE THE WINDOWS 10 START MENU – Windows 10 finally brought back the Start menu, and it’s more customizable than ever. Here’s a quick rundown of all the different ways that you can make the Start menu your own.

Go to this How-To- Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots on how to customize your Windows 10 Start Menu. http://bit.ly/2UTGsSo

HOW TO CREATE AND PRINT LABELS IN WORD – If you’re looking to make customized labels, look no further than Microsoft Word. Whether for personal or professional use, Word provides a comprehensive feature set for creating personalized mailing labels. Here’s how to do it.

Go to this How-To- Geek web page and see how with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2VHMbb9

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO WINDOWS 10 PRIVACY SETTINGS – The Windows 10 April 1803 update brought forth a new smattering of privacy settings. The update landed in the final week of April 2018. Its worldwide roll-out is expected to complete during the coming months, so now is a good time to explore any changes to Windows 10 privacy settings and how they affect you.

This guide is available to download as a free PDF. Download The Complete Guide to Windows 10 Privacy Settings now. Feel free to copy and share this with your friends and family.

Go to this MakeUseOf web site and set up your privacy as you want it. The complete guide covers all aspects of this process. http://bit.ly/2VFdFOL

SEVEN GOOGLE MAPS ALTERNATIVES AND WHY THEY’RE BETTER – Even if you’ve used Google Maps for years, you may be missing out. Try out a few of these Google Maps alternatives and see if they might be better for your mapping needs.

Google Maps is an excellent navigation and mapping tool, but there are actually many Google Maps alternatives that are as good or better for a number of reasons. Your choice of mapping tool really depends on how you plan your trips, and how you use your maps. Do you like planning out your trips at home on your computer, or are you doing most of your trip planning and navigation from your phone?

The following list highlights the features and all of the pros and cons of each Google Maps alternative so that you can choose the perfect mapping tool for your situation.

Go to this groovyPost web page and see the other choices. http://bit.ly/2Dcc4IZ

23 GOOGLE SEARCH TIPS YOU’LL WANT TO LEARN – Most of us use Google every day, but many have likely only scratched the surface of the search engine’s power. Here’s how to become a Google search super sleuth.

It’s easy to take the common Google search for granted, but if you really think about it, you might appreciate it for what it truly is: crazy superhero magic.

Just by typing a few words, a single person can achieve near-instantaneous access to all of the world’s collected information. Want to know the capital of Moldova? (It’s Chisinau.) Who played the mean judge in Ghostbusters II? (Character actor Harris Yulin.) How long does it take Neptune to orbit the Sun? (164.79 Earth years!) Bam, boom, POW!

As long as you have a connected device, you have the power to know just about everything thanks to Google. There are, of course, other capable search engines out there, but only one service is a widely accepted verb.

While you probably use it just about every day, there may still be a lot you don’t know about the old dependable Google search. If you have ever struggled to get the results you want, here are some tips you can follow to improve your Googling abilities.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and see the extensive list on how to improve your Google Search powers. http://bit.ly/2UQFjew

HOW TO USE SPLIT-SCREEN ON ANDROID – Before you set your heart on any weird combination of apps to split your screen between, it’s worth bearing in mind that not all apps support split-screen mode on Android – the likes of Netflix, camera mode and certain games like Candy Crush need to be viewed in full-screen mode.

See how to set up split-screen mode for Android in this TechRadar article (with screenshots): http://bit.ly/2IlZ5rx

MICROSOFT PAID OUT MILLIONS IN BUG BOUNTIES LAST YEAR – The Microsoft Bounty Program paid out over $2m to security researchers for finding software bugs in its products in 2018 alone and now the company plans to extend its bug bounty program further with a number of improvements intended to better serve the security research community.

For starters, the Cloud, Windows and Azure DevOps programs will now award bounties upon completion of reproduction and assessment of each submission rather than waiting until the final fix has been determined. Read more of this TechRadar article at: http://bit.ly/2IlDxuY

HOW TO DISABLE THE GMAIL SMART COMPOSE FEATURE – The Smart Compose option in Gmail is a feature that uses AI to predict what you’re about to type before you type it. It analyses your writing patterns and automatically generates your frequently used phrases as you type. It is meant to help you compose your emails faster and finish sentences for you.

While you might find Smart Compose to be a helpful feature, often times it doesn’t give you the right text or writing style. Or, maybe you find the whole thing invasive or a bit creepy – “Why does Gmail know what I am about to type?” There are plenty of Gmail privacy issues users need to deal with already.

Whatever the case, whether you’re typing a message using Gmail in a browser or the app on your phone, learn how to turn off the Smart Compose feature at this groovyPost article: http://bit.ly/2WSwvC4

HOW TO SPICE UP GMAIL’S ‘SMART REPLIES’ WITH RANDOM POETRY – Chrome: Not all hacks have to make you a productivity wizard. Some only need to make you happy and add a little joy (or confusion) to those you email, too. At least, that’s the best way I can think of to describe the Chrome extension “Suggested poems for Gmail,” a brilliant little service that drops a literary bomb on Google’s normal suggested autoreplies in Gmail.

The extension is pretty simple. Install it, and generic Gmail autoreplies like “Great!” or “Sounds good,” which you’ll sometimes see suggested at the bottom of emails you receive, transform into something far more interesting. As the extension’s description indicates. “Once you install this extension, suggested replies in Gmail messages will be replaced with lines of poetic verse drawn from thousands of lines of public domain poems.” Use the suggested poetic verse or not, read more of this lifehacker article (with screenshots) at: http://bit.ly/2VxAYKb

HOW TO ADJUST YOUR GOOGLE CALENDAR TO START ON MONDAY – If it wasn’t for my Google Calendar I likely would miss every important meeting, deadline, and birthday—and I’m definitely not alone.

One thing I hate about it is that it defaults to a Sunday-Saturday view, which can make it slightly jarring to read, which is why I changed that view to Monday-Sunday instead.

Google has a number of built-in features for changing how your calendar looks, but the “Start week” one is by far Emily Price’s (Lifehacker contributor) fave. Read more (with screenshots) at: http://bit.ly/2VxCbBd

MICROSOFT SURRENDERS AND PC USERS WINS – MICROSOFT ABANDONS WINDOWS 10’S CONSTANT FORCED UPDATES – Windows 10 will no longer automatically install those big feature updates every six months. Home users can pause smaller updates, too. In fact, Windows will even let you pause updates after checking for them!

This is huge. It’s Microsoft’s biggest change in Windows strategy since the company released Windows 10. Microsoft is giving up on “Windows as a service” that is automatically updated outside of your control. Read more of this How-To-Geek article at: http://bit.ly/2VvDJMh

MICROSOFT CLOSER TO FINALIZING WINDOWS 10 1903 “MAY 2019 UPDATE” – Microsoft today released Windows 10 19H1 preview build 18362.30 to Insiders in the Fast and Slow rings. Microsoft is now releasing cumulative updates to May 2019 Update that bump the build number incrementally. This gets the company closer to the finalized release of Windows 10 version 1903. Read more of this groovyPost article at: http://bit.ly/2WOlWjk

HOW TO CHANGE THE DEFAULT FONT FOR WINDOWS 10 MAIL APP – The Windows 10 Mail app has been the default app for your email management since it was rolled out in 2015. And when composing email messages, the font is set at Calibri 11 point. That’s the same as Microsoft Office, but you can change the Office default font.

But until recently, there hasn’t been an easy way to customize the font for your messages in the Mail app. If you wanted to change the font style, you needed to change it each time you sent an email out. But a recently added new feature aptly named “Default Font” allows you to change the font style, size, and color for all your accounts.

Read more of this groovyPost how-to article with screenshots: http://bit.ly/2YROp9K

HOW TO FIX ANY WI-FI ISSUE ON WINDOWS 10 – On Windows 10, network connectivity is among the most common problems. You always will find comments and forums posts across the web complaining about slow Wi-Fi speeds, error messages like “Limited access”, “Unidentified Network”, and no internet access.

Although Microsoft is constantly releasing updates to improve the overall experience, it’s like a story that never ends. And this isn’t just a problem for Microsoft, companies like Intel and others, also have to deal with similar networking issues.

The good news is that if you’re having any networking issues, Windows 10 includes a feature that allows you to reset any network adapter to fix the most common connectivity problems — even slow Wi-Fi speeds on Surface and other devices. (You just need to know where to find it.)

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to reset the network adapters on your Windows 10 device.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page and see how you can reset your Wi-Fi network from your computer and maybe save some troubleshooting. http://bit.ly/2YHt82q

HOW TO UNINSTALL APPS ON WINDOWS 10 – The ability to uninstall apps is an essential feature available on virtually every operating system. If you’re using Windows 10, you can quickly remove unwanted apps that you acquired from the Microsoft Store or from a third-party source using the Settings app.

You can still use Control Panel using the Programs and Features page, but you won’t be able to remove Microsoft Store.

In this guide, you’ll learn the easy steps to uninstall apps and games on Windows 10 whether you’re trying to free up space, no longer need the app, or you’re just trying reinstall the app to fix problems.

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page and get the step with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2HPFwZm

TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION: WHO HAS IT AND HOW TO SET IT UP – Everyone is concerned about online safety. Here’s how to secure your online accounts, from Google to GoDaddy, with two-factor authentication (2FA).

In 2014, the Heartbleed exploit left everyone’s login information potentially up for grabs thanks to one itty-bitty piece of code, and in the past few years our security nightmares have only gotten worse.

What’s the average internet user to do? Well, you should definitely change your passwords—regularly! Passwords are a pretty laughable method of authentication and can be scooped up by scammers pretty easily, from sheer brute force to simple phishing

What you really need is a second way to verify yourself. That’s why many internet services, a number of which have felt the pinch of being hacked, offer two-factor authentication. It’s sometimes called 2FA, or used interchangeably with the terms “two-step” and “verification” depending on the marketing. Even the White House once had a campaign asking you to #TurnOn2FA. But what is it exactly?

Go to this PC Magazine web page and find out how to setup 2FA on site like: Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Yahoo, and 26 more sites. A treasure trove of info. http://bit.ly/2FW3GRc

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE JUNK EMAIL AND SAFE SENDERS IN OUTLOOK – Junk Email is the folder where Outlook sends mail it thinks is spam. You can customize Outlook’s spam filter to block or whitelist senders or domains, or crank up the automatic filtering and delete spam automatically. Let’s see how.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2FPp08g

HOW TO SELECT AND CLOSE MULTIPLE CHROME OR FIREFOX TABS AT ONCE – Closing browser tabs one by one is a pain. Chrome and Firefox let you select tabs on your address bar, and you can quickly close those tabs with a keyboard shortcut or your mouse.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the tip with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2O8hoS4

HOW TO USE MOZILLA’S FIREFOX SEND TO SHARE LARGE FILES SECURELY – it can be frustrating when you have a large media file(s) to send to a friend or colleague over the web. You can’t just simply attach a 1 GB file in an email and send it off. Email services put limits on the attachment size. And, depending on the company, the attachment size needs to be under 20 MB or less.

The good thing is there are third-party services out there that allow you to send large files like WeTransfer, for example. Or, you can share files via OneDrive, Dropbox, or other services. But Mozilla recently launched Firefox Send which a free file transfer service that allows you to share large files from any browser. And it’s super easy. Anyone can send files up to 1 GB in size, and with a  Firefox account you can send up to 2.5 GB worth of data. Not only that, but the service provides end-to-end encryption for secure file transfers.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2TPaDd4

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR DIGITAL LIFE FOR YOUR DEATH – Death is inevitable. Don’t make it harder on those you leave behind. Here’s how to let loved ones manage passwords, sensitive data, and social media profiles after you die.

Our own death is as somber as it is inevitable. But as we live more of our lives online, it’s more important than ever to make sure loved ones can access digital accounts when we’re gone. Don’t be the guy who locked cryptocurrency exchange customers out of $250 million after his death because only he knew the password.

There are a number of ways loved ones can request access to your accounts once you’re gone, but they don’t need that stress. Several online services allow you to designate legacy contacts or grant access after a period of inactivity. Here’s how to make sure that those you leave behind are able to manage your affairs when you can’t anymore.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and get started. http://bit.ly/2F80WwK

HOW TO BLOCK A NUMBER ON YOUR SMARTPHONE – Whether you have an iPhone or Android smartphone, here’s how to block annoying calls and texts on any phone.

There are all sorts of reasons to block a number: an ex who won’t stop calling, telemarketers who can’t take a hint, scammers, or an aunt who wants to check in and see why you’re still not married.

When your phone has buzzed one more time than you can take, you know it’s time to block that number. But how? Here are the steps to take by popular operating systems and carriers.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and get help. http://bit.ly/2T96snO

HOW TO CAPTURE SCREENSHOTS ON YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER – Sometimes you want to keep a copy of something you’re looking at on your computer or phone screen but it’s not a file that can be saved or website that can be bookmarked and replicated in exactly the same way. Read more of this Techlicious article at: http://bit.ly/2TYt1jI

STILL USING WINDOWS 7? MICROSOFT’S NEXT UPDATE IS CRITICAL – If you want to continue receiving Windows updates, then the next Windows. and Windows Server 2008 update is critical as it adds support for SHA-2 encryption. Without it, future updates can’t be downloaded.

Support for Windows 7 is set to end on Jan 14. 2020, but access to Windows updates may end in March if you don’t allow your Windows 7 machines to download and install Microsoft’s next patch.

As MSPoweruser reports, Microsoft needs to ensure that the operating system updates end users receive haven’t been tampered with.

So next month Microsoft is rolling out an update to add support for encryption for its oldest supported operating system. If you are a Windows 7 user and don’t install this critical update, wave goodbye to any future Windows patches.

The date to prepare for is March 12 which is when Microsoft rolls out the Stand Alone update for Windows 7. Just leave your desktop or laptop turned on and let Windows Update do its thing.

After that, you’ll be in a position to receive all remaining updates until next year. It’s also a chance to grab a few extra months to decide on which upgrade path to take. Do you want a new Windows 10 PC, are you considering a switch to Mac, or is Linux a possibility?

Info from PCMag – http://bit.ly/2GA7gR4

“OK GOOGLE” 21 USEFUL THINGS YOU CAN SAY TO YOUR ANDROID PHONE – With Google Assistant installed, you can say “OK Google” to issue any number of very useful virtual assistant commands. Here are 21 of the best “OK Google” commands available.

Step aside, Siri. Google Assistant is one of the most versatile, helpful virtual assistants you’ll ever use. To get started, all you have to say “OK, Google.” Many people who own an Android device don’t even realize how many voice commands are available to use. All you have to do is download Google Assistant, and you can say any of the following commands the enhance your day.

Go to this groovyPost web page and get the 21 commands with screen shots.

https://bit.ly/2DW8a6r

HOW TO REMOVE SKYPE FROM THE SYSTEM TRAY ON WINDOWS 10 – The Skype app included with Windows 10 now has a notification area icon. That’s great, but you can’t just right-click the Skype tray icon and close it like a traditional desktop app. Skype doesn’t give you a “Quit” option.

Microsoft’s modern Skype app doesn’t even appear in your list of startup programs, so you can’t disable it by managing your startup programs from the Settings app or Task Manager.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the procedure for dealing with Skype, including uninstall. https://bit.ly/2EkedmJ

WHAT IS GOOGLE VOICE AND HOW DO I USE IT? – If you’re using Google services like Gmail and Google Docs, you may have heard about Google Voice, but are unsure what it is. Google Voice is a free service offered by Google that provides you with a cloud-based phone number you can use from anywhere. The service includes free phone calls, free voicemail, and integration with mobile devices.

Go to this groovyPost web site to learn more. http://bit.ly/2BxTM40

HOW TO FIX AN ECHO OR GOOGLE HOME THAT WON’T CONNECT TO WI-FI – Congratulations, you have a new Google Home or Amazon Echo device! But for some reason, even though you’re confident you have the password correct, it won’t connect to Wi-Fi. The good news is, there are easy solutions to try.

Whether you have a new Google Home or new Amazon Echo device, setup should be easy. As long as you have the correct accounts created, the apps walk you through all the steps in a straightforward manner. But occasionally you might get hung up on connecting to Wi-Fi, even when you’re sure you have the password correct. Often, the problem isn’t your password but the network you’ve chosen or that your smartphone is trying to maintain a working internet connection.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and read the article with hints on how to fix this problem. http://bit.ly/2UXsgUX

DON’T CLICK “CHECK FOR UPDATES” UNLESS YOU WANT UNSTABLE WINDOWS 10 UPDATES – This Only Applies to Major Upgrades Every Six Months

As Microsoft revealed, only people who clicked “Check for Updates” got bitten by Windows 10’s file deletion bug. When you click the “Check for Updates” button, Microsoft gives you updates early, skipping a normal part of the testing process.

“We Encourage You Not to Click ‘Check for Updates’”

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s how Microsoft defended its performance after Windows 10’s October 2018 Update was found deleting some people’s files:

We intentionally start each feature update rollout slowly, closely monitoring feedback before offering the update more broadly. In this case the update was only available to those who manually clicked on “check for updates” in Windows settings.

In other words, Microsoft intentionally rolls out big updates like this slowly to Windows 10 users, checking for problems to ensure you’ll be safe. But, if you ever head to Settings > Windows Update and click “Check for Updates,” Microsoft throws that careful process out the window and installs the latest update on your PC without any further testing.

Go to this How-To-Geek web site to read more.http://bit.ly/2NEDIAI

Don’t Bother Manually Checking for Updates: Here’s some advice: Don’t go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update: and click “Check for updates.” Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates for you, anyway.

HOW TO UNINSTALL APPS ON WINDOWS 10 – The Settings app makes it dead simple to uninstall apps on Windows 10, and here’s how to do it.

The ability to uninstall apps is an essential feature available on virtually every operating system. If you’re using Windows 10, you can quickly remove unwanted apps that you acquired from the Microsoft Store or from a third-party source using the Settings app.

You can still use Control Panel using the Programs and Features page, but you won’t be able to remove Microsoft Store.

In this guide, you’ll learn the easy steps to uninstall apps and games on Windows 10 whether you’re trying to free up space, no longer need the app, or you’re just trying reinstall the app to fix problems.

How to uninstall apps using Settings

To remove a Microsoft Store or a classic (win32) application, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Under the “Apps & features” section, select the app (or game).
  5. Click the Uninstall button.
  6. Click the Uninstall button again. (If you’re removing a classic desktop program, continue with the on-screen directions to complete the process.)

Once you’ve completed the steps, the application will be removed from your computer.

If the app has the Uninstall button grayed out, then you’re trying to remove a built-in app that Windows 10 doesn’t want you to uninstall. You can still delete this app from your device, but you’ll need to go through a more complex process using PowerShell.

HOW TO PREVENT WINDOWS 10 FROM INSTALLING VERSION 1903 (APRIL 2019 UPDATE) – You can avert unwanted problems by delaying the Windows 10 April 2019 Update, version 1903, on your device until you’re ready, and in this guide, you’ll learn how to do it.

On Windows 10, devices receive two feature updates each year, which usually introduce new features, changes, and improvements to enhance the overall experience and security. The only caveat is that these updates (such as version 1903, April 2019 Update) are mandatory and they install automatically, and because during the early days upgrades may still have issues, they can negatively affect the user experience.

Although it may not always be the case, when a new release of Windows 10 becomes available, it may still contain bugs, new or existing features may not work correctly, and drivers may break as a result of compatibility problems with the new version, which is why it’s a good idea to defer an upgrade until you are sure that most problems are resolved.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to block Windows 10 from installing the “April 2019 Update” on your computer using the Settings app, Group Policy, and setting a metered connection (if you’re running Windows 10 Home).

Go to this Pure Info Tech web page to see the procedures with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2SFwjsf

HOW TO SHOW ALL MAIL AS PLAIN TEXT IN OUTLOOK – Reading mail in plain text can be a blessed relief from complicated formatting, not to mention being quicker to open and more secure than HTML-heavy emails. Here’s how to use plain text as the default in Outlook.

Before we get into how to do this, it’s worth noting that plain text has benefits and drawbacks, both for the sender and the receiver. The main drawback of plain text is that it has no formatting and no inline functionality like images or links. Virtually all of the mail you read will look at least a bit different if you read it in plain text, and some mail will be almost unreadable if it’s been heavily formatted.

However, there are benefits, too. Plain text is more secure because nothing is hidden. There can be no embedded tracking images and no hidden phishing URLs (because if the URL is visible in plain text, you’ll be able to see the whole URL, rather than whatever text the sender wanted you to see). For this reason, plain text emails you send are less likely to be viewed as dangerous or malicious by automated scanners because plain text simply can’t be as dangerous as HTML. (This doesn’t mean someone can’t send you a malicious link in plain text, but it’s much more difficult to trick you into clicking it.)

With that in mind, here’s how to read all messages in plain text, send all messages in plain text, and send just an individual message in plain text.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and see screen shots and steps for using Plain Text in Outlook email program http://bit.ly/2BBJcJs

GOOGLE’S NEW CHROME EXTENSION ALERTS YOU IF YOUR PASSWORDS HAVE BEEN LEAKED – We’ve reached a point where new data breaches are announced on what seems like a weekly basis. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the breaches and your password situation, but a new Chrome extension from Google is here to help.

The extension, simply called Password Checkup, monitors your login credentials (usernames and passwords) and then lets you know if they’ve been part of a data breach. Simple enough.

Of course, allowing an extension to read all your username and password information can raise privacy concerns. Google understands this, so it promises to keep all your information private and anonymous:

Password Checkup was built with privacy in mind. It never reports any identifying information about your accounts, passwords, or device. We do report anonymous information about the number of lookups that surface an unsafe credential, whether an alert leads to a password change, and the domain involved for improving site coverage. You can learn more about how Password Checkup works at https://support.google.com/accounts?p=password-checkup .

Once installed, you just need to let it do its thing. It will run in Chrome and let you know if something is wrong. You can also give it a click just to make sure everything is okay if you want, but a simple glance should let you know everything you need to know.

WHAT IS MICROSOFT SWAY, AND WHAT CAN I DO WITH It? – As part of Microsoft’s push towards cloud and mobile apps, it has invested in several cloud-only additions to the old Office apps with which you’re familiar. One of these is Sway, a friendlier alternative to PowerPoint.

Go to this How-To-Geek web site and get the facts about Sway. http://bit.ly/2GazCRL

HOW TO DISABLE RECOMMENDED EXTENSIONS IN FIREFOX – Firefox 65 now displays extension recommendations for users in the US. When you visit websites like Facebook or YouTube, you may see an extension “recommendation” in Firefox’s address bar. Here’s how to disable it.

Despite the name, this feature doesn’t show Firefox extensions recommended by a particular website. Instead, it shows add-ons recommended by Mozilla itself. Mozilla says its editorial team selects these extensions by hand. This isn’t advertising, and extension developers can’t pay for placement. As Mozilla puts it, “Firefox does not receive any compensation as a result of this process.”

That all sounds great, but we’re a little skeptical. Many browser extensions have gone bad over time, often after the creators sell them to a company that uses the extension to track its users’ data. Mozilla has previously recommended an extension that tracks browsing data on its blog. We’re not sure Mozilla should be encouraging average Firefox users to install these extensions.

If you’d rather not see these recommended add-ons, you can disable this feature.

To do so, click menu > Options in Firefox.

Scroll down in the “General” pane and find the “Browsing” section.

Uncheck the “Recommend extensions as you browse” option.

Firefox will stop recommending you extensions as you browse.

WHY IT’S DANGEROUS TO SHARE YOUR BIRTHDAY ONLINE – A birthday isn’t something you might think of as being private information you should keep secret. Almost everyone celebrates them on social media, and quite a few people post them on their profile. That’s a horrible idea; here’s why.

Alongside the model of your first car and your mother’s maiden name, your birthday is perhaps the most common security question asked on most websites.

It’s much easier for a hacker to find out your birthday than “the street you grew up on.”

When I upgraded to a new phone at a Verizon store, they asked me for two things: my phone number and my birthday. Nothing else.

Heck, if you were born in the USA and have a social security number, people can use your birthday and place of birth to guess your social security number. Social security numbers were linked to birth location up until 2011 when randomization began, so everyone born before then has a more predictable social security number.

Your birthday isn’t the only dangerous thing to share; identity thieves can also make good use of details like your birthplace and mother’s maiden name. And it’s tough to avoid sharing these details online.

See the full article at How-To-Geek. http://bit.ly/2Sgt8XU

HOW TO ENABLE (OR DISABLE) AND USE TOUCH MODE IN WORD – The interface of Microsoft Word is optimized for your mouse by default. However, those with touch-enabled screens may find it challenging to select commands using the more compact mouse mode. Enabling touch mode increases the size of your Ribbon, buttons, and menu commands so you can tap them better with your finger.

Go to this How-To-Geek website and see how to enable and use touch mode in Microsoft Word. http://bit.ly/2SfE5ss

HOW TO GET A SATELLITE VIEW OF ANY LOCATION USING GOOGLE EARTH – With Google Earth, you check out several satellite views of several locations, take virtual tours, measure distances, and view current weather patterns.

How would you like to check out a satellite view of your house, or any other location on Earth, right now and for absolutely free? Google Earth is an unbelievable resource that too few people even realize is right at their fingertips. Using Google Earth, you can see a satellite view of any location. Plus it comes with a multitude of built-in features that let you do things like: Get a satellite view of your house,  Take a trip of interesting locations,  Measure distances of any location on Earth, View how locations have changed throughout history, Monitor the weather.

Go to this groovyPost web page and find out how to do this really swell thing. (dated term) http://bit.ly/2GeA01x

HOW TO LOCK YOUR WINDOWS 10 PC REMOTELY – Android and Apple have long given people a way to track and disable your gadgets remotely. Microsoft has also joined the club by letting you track and lock your Windows PC using the “Find My Device” on Windows 10.

Find My Device uses your device’s location data to help you find it when it’s lost or stolen. You can use the same service to make sure that the device is locked so that no one can use it, and also to display information about how people can return it to you.

The device needs to meet a couple of requirements to use the feature. Read this How-To Geek post to find out how to enable “Find My Device” (with screenshots). http://bit.ly/2BcaUMm

STOP USING SKYPE & START USING ZOOM – Again, I am a bit disheartened to be saying this about a service I have long loved, by Skype is no longer on my favorites list. I used to be a huge enthusiast but then Microsoft got their grubby mitts on it and the Redmond virus is slowly degrading what was once a magnificent product that totally revolutionized the telecom industry.

The current MacOS version in particular, is a travesty. Don’t even get me started on it. As far as Windows is concerned, the day they scrapped the standalone desktop version in favor of the Windows 10 store app was the day I used bad words very liberally.

So, what are the alternatives? Well, thankfully you do have a lot of options when it comes to VOIP and video conferencing. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Facebook Messenger is actually quite good. So is Signal, and if you are an iOS user, Facetime kicks butt.

But my all-time favorite now is Zoom, which is earning rave reviews and plaudits from users. High-quality audio and video rarely dropped calls, and group chats are just a few of the great things about it. There is a browser extension and, of course, smartphone apps.

STOP USING GOOGLE SEARCH & START USING DUCKDUCKGO – Google has always been, is, and will continue to be “THE” search engine online. I don’t foresee any possible realistic scenario where someone is going to topple them from the throne. But that doesn’t mean you automatically have to drink their Kool-Aid. In fact, from a privacy point of view, you should NOT be using them.

Instead, use DuckDuckGo. There are many other similar privacy-focused search engines but I like DuckDuckGo (despite the silly name). The ironic thing about people who adamantly declare that they will never stop using Google is that they don’t realize that DDG uses Google’s search index. The only difference is that DDG strips out all the tracking first before delivering the results to you.

So, in other words, you are getting the same results but no adverts based on what you’ve just searched for. How is that a bad thing?

HOW TO SET DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES IN GOOGLE MAPS – Unless you work from home, Google Maps is fantastic at knowing where you need to be, and how long to get there. But you did the math on when to leave. Thankfully Google can tell you that now too.

Google Maps is excellent for finding directions to the places you need to go, even if that means making multiple stops. And Google is always improving the service, whether that’s adding commute features or helping you find Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.

The one downside has always been that unless you use the website, you have to figure when to leave on your own. In the Android app, Google historically provided an estimate of the travel time, but you did the math on what that meant for departure and arrival time. Now in its latest update, you can set either a depart time or an arrival time, and it will provide an estimate of the other end for you. That is, if you set a depart time it will give you an estimate of when you should arrive. And if you set an arrival time, you will receive an estimate on when you should leave.

Obviously, like most mapping features, this won’t be perfect. If you set a departure time for tomorrow, it can’t know about a wreck that may happen during the drive when it provides an estimated arrival time. Read more of this How-To Geek article, with screenshots: http://bit.ly/2Ba3nOs

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER? – When you power on a computer, it goes through a “boot up” process– a term that comes from the word “bootstrap.” Here’s what’s happening in the background—whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux system.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the facts that will explain the process in easy to understand terms. http://bit.ly/2RFndKD

HOW TO CAPTURE VIDEO CLIPS IN WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 has a secret, built-in tool that will help you with screen recording. Here’s how to record the screen on your PC.

How to Capture Video Clips in Windows 10

Screenshots are easy to take in Windows 10, since you have access to the nifty Print Screen button on your keyboard. Capturing video of your screen is a little more difficult, but Microsoft does make it possible through the use of a built-in video capture tool. It’s primarily configured to record PC gaming activities, but it can easily be used to record just about anything.

CAN ANYONE REALLY TRACK MY PHONE’S PRECISE LOCATION? – It’s the year 2019, and everyone willingly carries a tracking device in their pockets. People can have their precise locations tracked in real time by the government, advertising companies, and even rogue bounty hunters. It sounds like dystopian fiction—but it’s a reality.

We like debunking sensationalist stories, but this latest controversy is true. Your phone’s precise location can be tracked in several different ways.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and find out how Family, Advertisers, Government and Rogue Bounty Hunters can track your location. http://bit.ly/2QXWaWs

HOW TO CLEAN THE DUST OUT OF YOUR LAPTOP – If you’ve had your laptop for a year or two, it may be full of dust. Dust clogs fans, vents, and heat sinks, preventing your PC from cooling down properly. You can remove a good amount of this dust, even if you can’t open your laptop.

Dust build-up can prevent a PC from cooling down properly, and that heat can even cause hardware damage. Your laptop’s fans may also run at full blast, draining your battery. Your laptop may even reduce its performance to stay cool.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the procedure. http://bit.ly/2RklFXd

HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR PRIVACY ON ANDROID WITHOUT TEARING YOUR HAIR OUT – Android has grown over the last decade to become the most popular computing platform on Earth, and it’s an open source project. However, the version of Android you get on most smartphones is bundled with proprietary components, some of which plug into advertising services. It can seem intimidating, but you can gain some semblance of mobile privacy with a few quick tweaks.

Go to this Extreme Tech web site and get the procedures for six (6) different areas to preserve your privacy. https://bit.ly/2Hh40Lq

 HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR WINDOWS 10 LOCK SCREEN – The Windows 10 lock screen may seem like an obstacle, but it offers helpful information and customization options, from photos and apps to Cortana.

You can do a lot of cool things in Windows 10, but the first item that greets you when you fire up the OS is the lock screen. Clicking or tapping on it brings you to the sign-in screen where you log in to Windows. It might seem unnecessary, but it carries with it some tidbits that can be useful before you even launch Windows.

From the lock screen, you can view information from certain apps, including your calendar, the weather, and other helpful features. Those who have the Windows 10 Anniversary update and above can also chat with Cortana. And you can customize the screen with your favorite background image or slideshow. Go to this PC Magazine web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/2FqrkDN

OVER 1 BILLION LOGIN CREDENTIALS LEAKED, HERE’S HOW TO SEE IF YOU WERE COMPROMISED – A whole slew of usernames and plaintext passwords were leaked for a number of different sites—at 772 million and 21 million respectively, it’s the largest data leak in history. Here’s how to make sure your information is still safe

.This collection of email address and passwords—dubbed “Collection #1”—groups together several smaller breaches into a larger master file of sorts. This huge collection of data comes from several different sites, so your personal info may have been compromised from multiple different sources. That means your information could’ve been compromised multiple times—the same email address with different passwords.

(From How-To-Geek) Go to this  web page and see if you have been compromised. https://haveibeenpwned.com/

REMINDER: WINDOWS 7 FREE SUPPORT ENDS 1 YEAR FROM 1/14/19 – When Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 on Jan. 14, 2020, the company will no longer roll out security updates for the OS. ‘Enterprises’ businesses can pay for extended support until 2023.

Windows 7 Security – Windows 7 consumer users be advised: You only have one year left until Microsoft ends Free support for the OS. After Jan. 14, 2020, your PC will no longer receive security updates, and Microsoft’s customer service will stop providing technical support.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE STILL RUNNING WINDOWS 7 – Windows 7 has been a much-loved operating system but it has just one year of support left.

A decade after its release, Windows 7 is still a popular OS with a 37% market share, according to NetApplications. Such is its popularity, the newer Windows 10 OS has only just managed to catch up, despite being released more than three years ago.

However, with 14 Jan 2020 just under a year away, its high time Windows 7 users looked at that inevitable upgrade.

Go to this IT Pro web page and read about some strategies for moving on. http://bit.ly/2SYW56K

WINDOWS 10 HOW-TO: ED BOTT’S FREE TECH SUPPORT AND TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE – Windows 10 Upgrade survey finds half of users experience problems. Being a Windows expert doesn’t mean you have to memorize every shortcut and secret. You just have to know where to find those details when you need them.

That’s the point of this page where Ed Bott with ZDNet has collected the links he regularly uses to find information and download tools and utilities. These include essential information, troubleshooting tools, and download sites, as well as some of his most popular FAQ pages and tips.

Go to this page at ZD net and get the guide. https://zd.net/2DdKThp

HOW TO MAKE WINDOWS 10 TASK MANAGER OPEN TO A SPECIFIC TAB – Task Manager opens to the Processes tab by default but starting with Windows 10 1903 you will be able to set it to open to whichever tab you want.

Task Manager is the system monitoring tool that’s built into Windows. It allows you to monitor several aspects of the operating system and your computer’s hardware. It has received several updates and gotten more features over the years; namely with Windows 10. In fact, with build 1809 it got a couple of new columns that help you better monitor app power use.

While it is chock full of great system info, by default it opens to the Processes tab. That’s good if you are looking for an app or service to kill because it’s spiking your CPU and eating RAM. But you might be interested in a different tab such as Performance and want to make it the default. Starting with Windows 10 version 1903 you can set it to do just that. Here is a look at how you can make it open to the Processes tab or whatever tab you use the most.

Go to this groovyPost web page and get the procedure with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2AOMt7w

HOW TO USE READER VIEW IN YOUR DESKTOP BROWSER – Do you get distracted by all the ads, banners, and videos on web pages when all you want to do is read an article? Eliminate these distractions using Reader View in your desktop browser.

Many websites you visit bombard you with banners, ads, videos, and other distracting, unrelated stuff when all you want to do is read an article. But if you find all the extra stuff on web pages too distracting, you can go into “reader view” in your browser to simplify web pages for better readability. The ads, banners, videos, and other distracting items on the web page are removed, leaving you with only the content you’re interested in.

This updated article shows you how to use reader view in the desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox, Vivaldi, Edge, and Opera – with screen shots and steps. http://bit.ly/2TTySD0

HOW TO RECORD YOUR WEBCAM WITH VLC MEDIA PLAYER – VLC is a “must have” app for every computer user that is capable of a lot more than playing media files. Here’s how to use it to record your webcam.

VLC Media Player is a true gem of a program that every Windows user should have installed. The main thing it is known for is the ability to play virtually every media format you can throw at it. But there are a ton of other features you might not be aware of. For example, you can record your desktop, convert videos from one format to another, and a lot more. Today we’ll take a look at how to record your webcam using VLC.

Go to this groovyPost web page and follow the easy steps with screen shots if you want your web cam to become a recorder. http://bit.ly/2QT6aAt

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER? – When you power on a computer, it goes through a “boot up” process– a term that comes from the word “bootstrap.” Here’s what’s happening in the background—whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux system.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the facts that will explain the process in easy to understand terms. http://bit.ly/2RFndKD

HOW TO CLEAN THE DUST OUT OF YOUR LAPTOP – If you’ve had your laptop for a year or two, it may be full of dust. Dust clogs fans, vents, and heat sinks, preventing your PC from cooling down properly. You can remove a good amount of this dust, even if you can’t open your laptop.

Dust build-up can prevent a PC from cooling down properly, and that heat can even cause hardware damage. Your laptop’s fans may also run at full blast, draining your battery. Your laptop may even reduce its performance to stay cool.

Go to this How-To-Geek web page and get the procedure. http://bit.ly/2RklFXd

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR WINDOWS 10 LOCK SCREEN – The Windows 10 lock screen may seem like an obstacle, but it offers helpful information and customization options, from photos and apps to Cortana.

Windows 10 Lock Screen
You can do a lot of cool things in Windows 10, but the first item that greets you when you fire up the OS is the lock screen. Clicking or tapping on it brings you to the sign-in screen where you log in to Windows. It might seem unnecessary, but it carries with it some tidbits that can be useful before you even launch Windows.

From the lock screen, you can view information from certain apps, including your calendar, the weather, and other helpful features. Those who have the Windows 10 Anniversary update and above can also chat with Cortana. And you can customize the screen with your favorite background image or slideshow. Here’s how.

Go to this PC Magazine web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/2FqrkDN

HOW TO STOP WINDOWS FROM REOPENING YOUR PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS AFTER RESTARTING YOUR PC – When you shut down or sign out, Windows 10 remembers which applications you had open. It automatically launches them the next time you start your PC. You can disable his if you’d like to sign into a clean desktop.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/28TlFE4

GOOGLE RELEASES CHROME 71 WITH A FOCUS ON SECURITY FEATURES –There are quite a few updates on the security front in this new Chrome version; one of the most important is the one made to Chrome’s built-in ad filtering system for abusive ads and to detect shady mobile subscription forms.

Read this ZD Net article if you use Chrome as your Browser. https://zd.net/2Ee0j6R

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE THE NAVIGATION PANE IN OUTLOOK – The Outlook client comes with several different panes that you can show and hide. Each of these panes is designed to make it easier to find, see, and manage things in Outlook. How-To Geek takes a look at how you access them, and how you can customize them to your way of working, starting with the Navigation pane.

If you use Outlook for e-mail, go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/2EhXXnN

HOW TO ADD AN EXPIRATION DATE TO E-MAILS IN OUTLOOK (AND WHAT THEY’RE FOR) – Outlook lets you add an expiration date to e-mail you send or receive. Once the expiration date has passed the e-mail will be displayed with different formatting, and you can use Outlook’s built-in tools to manage expired e-mail automatically.

Expiration dates only apply in e-mails, not calendar events or tasks because those items have their own dates you can use for managing them.

If you use Outlook for e-mail, go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly2roVdJW

BEST WINDOWS 10 APPS – When Windows 10 was introduced by Microsoft, one of its biggest and best assets was the huge library of apps it offered customers across devices. Whether using a PC, Windows Phone, hybrid PC, laptop, desktop or even Xbox, the apps work in exactly the same way and this makes it probably the most flexible computing platform around.

If you like Apps on windows 10, go to this ITPro web page and see their opinion of 13 or more Windows 10 apps.  http://bit.ly/2zzBnme

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN OR SIGN OUT OF WINDOWS? – Windows does a lot of work in the background when you shut down, restart, or sign out of your PC. The process ensures all your work and application data is saved before the hardware powers off. But there are other things that happen. Go to this How-To Geek article and get the facts: http://bit.ly/2DMOmUO

HOW TO MAKE YOUR MOUSE POINTER EASIER TO SEE IN WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 offers a few ways to help you find your mouse pointer, which can be a problem on high-definition and laptop screens. Sometimes, just slowing down the speed it moves solves the problem, but you can also make it more visible and even have Windows locate it for you.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/2SfJPOz

HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM UNWANTED EMAIL – Chances are, your email inbox is a mix of important messages, Amazon Prime shipping notices, bill alerts, and other easy-to-ignore offers.

But spam creeps in. Sometimes you do it yourself—enter your email address to win that contest!—and sometimes others do it for you. Thanks for that blank-­of-the-month club email list, mom.

Luckily, there are easy ways to kill unwanted emails, and they don’t involve sending invective-filled rants to the sender. Go to this PC Magazine post and read about the different options for Windows, iDevices, etc. http://bit.ly/2P9ECWy

GOOGLE SAYS FASTER UPDATES ARE COMING: ALL ANDROID PIE PHONES INCLUDE PROJECT TREBLE – Android’s update situation is notoriously bad, with even flagship phones like the Galaxy series taking months for the latest feature updates to come out. Google hasn’t stood still on this though, and its hard work with Project Treble is starting to pay off.

This concerns Updates to all Android products. Read the article from How-To Geek to stay informed. http://bit.ly/2Q45hbT

HOW DO I OPEN A PORT ON WINDOWS FIREWALL? – Firewalls are there to protect you from threats on the internet (both traffic from the internet and from local applications trying to gain access when they shouldn’t). Sometimes, though, you’ll want to allow otherwise restricted traffic through your firewall. To do so, you’ll have to open a port.

When a device connects to another device on a network (including the internet), it specifies a port number that lets the receiving device know how to handle the traffic. Where an IP address shows traffic how to get to a particular device on a network, the port number lets the receiving device know which program gets that traffic. By default, most unsolicited traffic from the internet is blocked by Windows Firewall. If you’re running something like a game server, you might need to open a port to allow that specific kind of traffic through the firewall.

Note: This article shows you how to open a port on a particular PC’s firewall to let traffic in. If you have a router on your network (which you likely do), you will also need to allow the same traffic through that router by forwarding the port there.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screen shots. http://bit.ly/2A3U3dk

HOW TO FORWARD PORTS ON YOUR ROUTER – Although modern routers handle most functions automatically, some applications will require you to manually forward a port to that application or device. Fortunately, it’s really simple to do if you know where to look.

 What Is Port Forwarding?
There are plenty of projects we’ve covered that use your computer as a server for other devices. When you’re inside of your network, most things will work fine. But some apps, if you want to access them when you’re outside your network, make things significantly hairier. Let’s start by taking a look at why that is.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and see what how to Forward a Port to your router. http://bit.ly/2zXTdid

MICROSOFT RESUMES ROLLOUT OF WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1809, PROMISES QUALITY CHANGES – After a delay of more than five weeks, Microsoft has resumed the roll out of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. The company also promised sweeping changes in the way it approaches quality issues, including better communication with customers.

Microsoft has resumed the rollout of Windows 10 version 1809. The re-release of the so-called October 2018 Update comes more than five weeks after the company pulled the original installation files from its download servers and stopped its scheduled delivery through Windows Update just days after its initial debut on Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, the big question for anyone running Windows 10 is whether it’s safe to download the October 2018 Update. It’s hard to blame anyone for being skeptical, but it’s also a fact that this release, which is now running on just shy of six million PCs, is unquestionably the most heavily tested in the brief history of Windows 10.

Now that the update has been released publicly once again, Windows Update will eventually download it on your PC after a slow roll-out process that ensures it’s compatible with your PC’s hardware. Microsoft says the “Check for Updates” button won’t install it immediately.

To get the update now, you can download Microsoft’s Update Assistant tool. Run the downloaded tool and it will automatically upgrade your PC to the October 2018 Update. However, Microsoft recommends you avoid the tool and wait until the data “shows your device is ready and you will have a great experience.”

FIX: MY WEBCAM DOESN’T WORK ON WINDOWS 10 – Your webcam may not work on Windows 10 for several reasons. The usual troubleshooting steps apply, but Windows 10 has a new system-wide option that completely disables your webcam in all applications.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the 5 different fixes for a variety of problems with your Web Cam. http://bit.ly/2zSXIKY

HOW TO REMOVE VIRUSES AND MALWARE ON YOUR WINDOWS PC – This is an excellent article from How to Geek. http://bit.ly/2QFKNDx

THE EASIEST WAY TO FIX WI-FI ISSUES: MOVE YOUR ROUTER (SERIOUSLY) – Are there Wi-Fi dead zones in your house? Before you do anything drastic, you might be able to fix it by simply moving your router.

This sounds fake, because Wi-Fi seems like magic—something that can only be made better by wizards who understand its mysterious ways. But Wi-Fi isn’t magic. Your laptop and iPad connect to the Internet using a century old technology: radio waves.

And radio waves have limits. If you drive through a tunnel with the FM radio on, you’ll mostly hear a bunch of static. This is because the signal from the radio tower can’t reach you underground. There are barriers that block the signal.

The same principle applies to your Wi-Fi: barriers between your router and your devices make the signal worse. So the physical placement of your device makes a startlingly big difference in your signal across the house.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and read about it. http://bit.ly/2mYI90s

WHAT IT MEANS WHEN MICROSOFT STOPS SUPPORTING YOUR VERSION OF WINDOWS – Microsoft only supports each version of Windows for so long. For example, Windows 7 is currently in “extended support” until January 14, 2020, after which Microsoft will no longer support it. Here’s what that means.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and read the explanation. http://bit.ly/2Om2bv2

DOWNLOAD SKYPE FOR MORE FEATURES THAN WINDOWS 10’S BUILT-IN VERSION – Microsoft starts killing Skype Classic today, but two versions of Skype remain. Windows 10 includes a “Store App” version of Skype, which has fewer features than Skype for desktop, available for download from Microsoft’s website.

There are two versions of Skype for Windows:

“Skype for Windows 10” is included with Windows 10. It comes from the Windows Store. It’s a UWP app, which means it has various limitations, unlike old desktop apps. This is called a “Trusted Microsoft Store App” in the Start menu, and it has a Windows 10-style tile icon.

“Skype for Windows” is available for download from Microsoft’s Skype website. If you have Skype Classic installed, it will automatically install this version of Skype on your system soon. It has extra features, as it doesn’t have to deal with the limitations of the UWP sandbox. This is called a “Desktop App” in the Start menu, and it has the traditional Skype bubble icon.

Here’s where it gets confusing: Both Skype apps are based on the new Skype 8 code, and they’re very similar. But the downloadable version has more features. You can install both on your system at the same time, and you can even run them both at once, side by side.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps and full explanation. http://bit.ly/2yT9rJY

HOW TO SEE WHICH FACEBOOK ADVERTISERS HAVE YOUR PRIVATE INFO – It’s widely known that Facebook allows advertisers to specifically target groups of people, but did you know that you can see which advertisers are actively targeting you? You can—and it may blow your mind.

As part of Facebook’s attempt to be more transparent, you can easily find out which advertisers are showing ads using a contact list that contains your info. This info is gathered by the advertiser, then uploaded to Facebook as a way to control who the ads are shown to.

Here’s how to find that info on both the web and in the Facebook app. Go to this How-To Geek web page and find that information on the Web and in Mobile apps. http://bit.ly/2D0zEsO

HOW TO USE WINDOWS NARRATOR – Windows 10 contains several accessibility settings built in to make it easier and more inclusive for people who have difficulty using all the regular functions of their computers. Narrator is a screen-reading app for people with visual difficulties, but even people without those difficulties might find some of its features useful. Here’s how to enable and use Windows Narrator. Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the steps. http://bit.ly/2zgAe22

HOW TO PRINT A RANGE OF PAGES IN A MULTI-SECTION WORD DOCUMENT – When you print in Microsoft Word, you can print the whole document, the current page, or a range of pages. But what if you have a document with multiple sections, each of which has its own page numbering? There’s a nifty little trick you can use to specify a range of pages in a particular section, or across multiple sections. Let’s take a look.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the steps with great screen shots. http://bit.ly/2JoHlKD

WINDOWS REGISTRY DEMYSTIFIED: WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT – The Windows registry is a collection of several databases. There are system-wide registry settings that apply to all users, and each Windows user account also has its own user-specific settings.

On Windows 10 and Windows 7, the system-wide registry settings are stored in files under C:\Windows\System32\Config\ , while each Windows user account has its own NTUSER.dat file containing its user-specific keys in its C:\Windows\Users\Name directory. You can’t edit these files directly. Read more of this How-To Geek article at: http://bit.ly/2P1nxTO

RESEARCHERS EXPLOIT MICROSOFT WORD THROUGH EMBEDDED VIDEO – A group of researchers has found a way to infect computers via Word documents without triggering a telltale security warning. The attack exploits a feature that allows authors to embed video directly in Word files.

Office programs have been subject to embedded malware before, but usually come with warnings. Word macros are a good example. An MS Office document with an embedded macro must ask the user’s permission before it executes, notifying users that macros can be dangerous.

Researchers at online breach and attack platform vendor Cymulate found the vulnerability inside Word’s online video feature, which allows users to embed a reference to a remote video (such as a YouTube video) directly into a document, so that it can be played when opened. Read more of this Naked Security article at: http://bit.ly/2EOfe8Y

HOW TO USE MAILBOX CLEANUP TO PURGE YOUR OUTLOOK FOLDERS OF RUBBISH – Mailbox Cleanup in Outlook is a set of tools designed to get rid of rubbish from your mailbox. You can use it to review the size of your mailbox, clean out items automatically by size and date, and perform a few other functions. Lets go through them and take a look.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the procedure with screen shots.  http://bit.ly/2q5af9I

HOW TO UNINSTALL OR REPAIR A PROGRAM IN WINDOWS 10 – Sometimes apps can misbehave due to missing or corrupt files. Windows makes it easy to repair a program installation when this happens or even to uninstall the program from your system entirely if you’re no longer using it.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the procedure with screen shots on repair or uninstall a windows program. http://bit.ly/2OIz9dT

HOW TO DISABLE ALL OF WINDOWS 10’S BUILT-IN ADVERTISING – Windows 10 has a lot of built-in advertising. This isn’t just about the free upgrade offer: Even if you purchase a new PC that comes with a Windows 10 license or spend $200 for a copy of Windows 10 Professional, you’ll see ads in your operating system. You can, however, disable a lot of it.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the procedures for 13 different ads and popup’s you can control. http://bit.ly/2Jby2xm

HOW TO USE BATTERY SAVER ON WINDOWS 10 – You can use battery saver to extend battery life on your device, and here’s how you can use the feature.

On Windows 10, battery saver is a feature that helps to extend battery life of your laptop or tablet by limiting background activities (including fancy visual effects, such as transparency) and push notifications when the device is running low on battery.

Battery saver usually works automatically, but if you have specific requirements, it’s possible to enable and disable the feature manually, and you can even control how the feature should work.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to use and configure battery saver on Windows 10. Go to this pure info tech web page and get the steps for Enable, Configure and Disable battery saver in Windows 10. http://bit.ly/2EAIFv9

HOW TO USE NEW GMAIL ADD-ONS (LIKE DROPBOX) – Tired of spending time inserting images, pasting data, or attaching important documents into email? Google is looking to speed up the process for you with a series of new Gmail Integrations.

These new features are meant to help make things quicker and easier for people who spend a lot of their day searching for Dropbox files (or similar services) or copying and pasting links, which can admittedly get a little old if you’re doing it often enough. With Compose Actions, you can take care of most of these actions with special Chrome Extensions right from your Gmail message draft, with little fuss.

There’s a wide variety of new Compose Actions found in Gmail Add-ons, which come in the form of Chrome Extensions you can download straight from your browser. Right now, four integrations are up for grabs for all Gmail users, including Box, Dropbox, Atlassian, and Egnyte.

Here’s an example of how you can speed things up with the Dropbox for Gmail extension and Compose Action. It’s actually very easy to do. Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screenshots. http://bit.ly/2Scb0e6

HOW TO USE TOUCHPAD GESTURES FOR WINDOWS 10 – If you’ve used a touchpad in Windows 10, you’re no doubt aware of the basic single-finger tapping and two-finger scrolling gestures. Windows 10 also packs in some additional gestures you might not have tried.

Note: Some of these gestures only work with “Precision Touchpads,” so some of these gestures won’t work for you if you don’t have one. You can check whether your laptop has one by opening the Settings app to Settings > Devices > Touchpad.

Now, on to the gestures! Here are the gestures that Windows 10 supports:

  • Tap one finger on the touchpad: Select an item (same as left-clicking a mouse).
  • Tap two fingers on the touchpad: Show more commands (same as right-clicking a mouse).
  • Swipe up or down with two fingers: Scroll a page up or down.
  • Pinch or stretch out two fingers: Zoom in or zoom out (magnify or shrink).
  • Swipe up with three fingers: Show all recent activity and open windows via Windows Timeline.
  • Swipe down with three fingers: Minimize everything and show the desktop.
  • Swipe left or right with three fingers: Switch between all windows that are currently open (same as Alt+Tab).
  • Tap three fingers on the touchpad: Open Cortana/search.
  • Tap four fingers on the touchpad: Open Action Center.
  • Swipe left or right with four fingers: Switch between all virtual desktops.

It’s also possible that your touchpad supports additional gestures (or even the ability to create your own) through their own specialized settings app, so be sure to see if your system includes one!

HOW TO FIX YOUR PC’S SOUND IF WINDOWS UPDATE JUST BROKE IT – Windows Update keeps breaking things. Earlier this week, Microsoft released a buggy Intel audio driver that broke the sound on some PCs. If your PC suddenly can’t play audio, here’s how to fix it.

Update: Microsoft has released a new patch to resolve the problem. Windows Update KB4468550 now removes the driver automatically from systems that received it incorrectly. Which means that you should be able to check for updates and it will be fixed once the new patch is installed. If you don’t trust  Windows Update, you can also follow the instructions below.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the procedure. http://bit.ly/2NDi3sI

DON’T CLICK “CHECK FOR UPDATES” UNLESS YOU WANT UNSTABLE WINDOWS 10 UPDATES – As Microsoft revealed, only people who clicked “Check for Updates” got bitten by Windows 10’s file deletion bug. When you click the “Check for Updates” button, Microsoft gives you updates early, skipping a normal part of the testing process.

“We Encourage You Not to Click ‘Check for Updates’”

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s how Microsoft defended its performance after Windows 10’s October 2018 Update was found deleting some people’s files:

We intentionally start each feature update rollout slowly, closely monitoring feedback before offering the update more broadly. In this case the update was only available to those who manually clicked on “check for updates” in Windows settings.

In other words, Microsoft intentionally rolls out big updates like this slowly to Windows 10 users, checking for problems to ensure you’ll be safe. But, if you ever head to Settings > Windows Update and click “Check for Updates,” Microsoft throws that careful process out the window and installs the latest update on your PC without any further testing.

It is important that you read this How-To Geek article. http://bit.ly/2NEDIAI

WINDOWS 10 OCTOBER 2018 UPDATE (VERSION 1809): ALL THE NEW FEATURES AND CHANGES – Go to this PureInfoTech web page and get all the facts. http://bit.ly/2QKeYJ6

WINDOWS 10 NO LONGER SHIPS WITH BASIC PRINTER AND SCANNER DRIVERS – Microsoft removes the basic print and scan drivers from Windows 10. Now, they’re available through Windows Update.

Starting with the October 2018 Update, Windows 10 no longer includes inbox drivers for printers and scanners. However, it’s not the case that the operating system no longer supports these kinds of devices. Instead, the basic print and scan drivers are now available on-demand through Windows Update.

According to the software maker, this decision was made to reduce the footprint of Windows 10 and to free up space on devices.

The company also notes that this change should not impact most users. After installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809), if you have printers previously installed, the device will continue to work using the same driver.

If you connect a new printer after the upgrade, then Windows 10 will automatically download the correct driver from the Windows Update servers.

In the case that your computer doesn’t have an internet connection, then the operating system will install the Mopria-compatible service to send print jobs to the printer without the need to install the required driver. (Mopria is a wireless printing service designed to connect devices using a universal service, and it works in most wireless printers.)

Of course, you can always install the print or scan drivers manually, instead on relying on Windows Update or the Mopria service.

My Hint: Always go to the printer Manufactures home page and download the latest software for the driver. It may be better than the Driver that is on the CD included with the printer.

Example: Epson Driver for WF-3530

HOW TO USE THE NEW CLOUD CLIPBOARD ON WINDOWS 10 1809 – A new productivity feature in Windows 10 1809 is the Cloud Clipboard that lets you copy and paste more than one item at a time and sync to other devices.

There are plenty of new features included in Windows 10 1809. The new clipboard feature provides an interface where you can see the text and images you’ve saved. It also lets you pin frequently used items and allows a way to sync items on the clipboard between devices. Here is a look at how to turn it on and use it.

Go to this groovyPost web page and get the information. http://bit.ly/2CNrp46

HOW TO FREE UP TONS OF DRIVE SPACE AFTER WINDOWS 10 1809 UPDATE – Every time Microsoft releases a major feature update, it leaves a lot of system and upgrade files behind. In fact, it even leaves behind a copy of your old OS in case you want to revert to the previous version (within 30 days). However, those old files take up a lot of room on your drive – up to 20 GB or more. If your PC has limited storage, and you just upgraded to Windows 10 October 2018 Update, version 1809, you can reclaim drive space by deleting those files. Here’s how.

Note: Make sure everything is working and you’re happy with version 1809 before moving forward and clearing previous Windows installations or the Windows.old folder. Once you delete it, you can go back to 1803. It’s best to use the new version for a couple weeks first to be sure your apps and hardware are working correctly.

Go to this groovyPost article and get the steps with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2IVbwJc

HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOU WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FACEBOOK HACK – A few weeks ago, Facebook had to admit that up to 50 million accounts were accessed by hackers, and after an investigation, they’ve created a tool to let you know if you were affected.

For those that had no idea that this happened, essentially hackers abused a security hole in the “View As” feature on your profile that let you check whether your profile had private information visible to other people, friends, or the general public. Ironically this feature, designed to help you protect your privacy, had a huge bug that would actually temporarily log you in as the other user. Hackers then figured out how to harvest tons of information this way.

Facebook has now confirmed that hackers stole access tokens for “only” 30 million people, not 50 million. For 15 million of those people, the hackers were able to get phone number, email address, or both. And for 14 million more people, the hackers were able to get a lot more information, like username, gender, relationship status, religious, birthday, and a ton of other information including things you’ve searched for.

Go to this Facebook help center website and find out if you were hacked. It will open and tell you the answer. http://bit.ly/2Ce2DZL

WINDOWS 10 OCTOBER UPDATE DELETE YOUR FILES? THIS TOOL MIGHT RECOVER THEM – The Windows 10 October 2018 version 1809 upgrade hasn’t gone well for a bunch of users who lost documents and photos after updating.

Moving up to Windows 10 version 1809 may delete all the files in user folders. The folders remain, but the files within them are gone, leaving users in potentially a worse pickle than ransomware victims experience.

However, there is a chance that early Windows 10 upgraders who encountered this problem might be able to recover lost files by using the free version of Avast-owned Recuva recovery software.

Go to this web site and read the full article.

https://zd.net/2NzOkkn

WI-FI 6: WHAT’S DIFFERENT, AND WHY IT MATTERS – Wi-Fi 6 is the next-generation wireless standard that’s faster than 802.11ac. More than speed, it will provide better performance in congested areas, from stadiums to your own device-packed home. It’s coming in 2019.

You may be seeing Wi-Fi numbers on your phone, tablet, or laptop soon.

To understand all this, read the following How to Geek article on Wi-Fi. http://bit.ly/2Pz8oF8

HOW TO REPORT A PROBLEM OR SEND FEEDBACK ABOUT WINDOWS 10 – Windows 10 lets you tell Microsoft about problems you run into while using your computer and send in any suggestions for improvement to the OS. Here’s how to do it.

Previously only available to anyone in the Insider Program, the Feedback Hub app now comes pre-installed on any device with the Windows 10 Creators Update or newer. If you don’t have it, then head over to the Microsoft Store and download Feedback Hub so you can get started. Although there are a lot of mixed reviews on the Feedback Hub app, some of the backlash comes from people who don’t like having a separate app just for bugs and feedback and would prefer to use a web page instead. It’s actually a pretty decent app.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the steps plus screenshots.   – http://bit.ly/2ydA6Rp

MICROSOFT EXPLAINS WHY WINDOWS 10’S OCTOBER 2018 UPDATE WAS DELETING PEOPLE’S FILES – Microsoft halted the Windows 10 October 2018 Update because it was deleting some people’s files. Now, Microsoft has fixed the problem and explained what happened.

The problem was with the “Known Folder Redirection” feature. This is the feature that lets you move a known folder like C:\Users\Name\Downloads to D:\Downloads, for example. Other folders you can move include Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Videos.

There was just one problem: The code deleted these folders even if they weren’t empty. So, if you moved your Downloads folder to D:\Downloads but still had a C:\Users\Name\Downloads folder with files inside it, Windows 10’s October 2018 Update would remove the original folder and the files inside it.

Microsoft has now fixed this problem, and Windows 10’s October 2018 Update should stop deleting these “old” folders full of files.If you did experience data loss, Microsoft Support advises you call +1-800-MICROSOFT for help. Microsoft retail stores will also try to help, and may be able to aid you in recovering your deleted files.

The latest version of the October 2018 Update is now heading to Windows Insiders for additional testing before it rolls out to average Windows 10 users.

We recommend backing up your files to protect yourself against bugs like this in the future.

HOW TO RESET A TOUCHPAD TO DEFAULT SETTINGS IN WINDOWS 10 – If you accidentally change a touchpad setting, if your touchpad is acting up, or if you want a fresh start without customizations, you can reset your touchpad settings to the default in Windows 10.

Most laptops these days come with touchpads that do a lot more than click and scroll. They incorporate two, three, and even four-finger gestures to help navigate your Windows machine with ease. You can assign those gestures to features that open up Cortana, switch between active windows, and open your action center. In addition, you’re able to change the scroll sensitivity or whether or not to disable the touchpad when you connect an external mouse. If you’ve done a bunch of customizing and want to start over, or if you’re experiencing trouble, resetting to the default options can help.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the facts and procedures. http://bit.ly/2MxAZZf

 5 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR OUTLOOK MAILBOX SIZE – Is your mailbox full? Are you getting weekly or even daily messages from your system administrator saying you need to reduce the Microsoft Outlook mailbox size? This can lead to a lot of wasted time cleaning up your mailbox. Try these tips for a faster, more organized approach to keep your mailbox smaller and easier to work with.

Note: Although these techniques are most valuable to Outlook users running under Microsoft Exchange (including Office 365), you can still cleanup your Outlook mailbox size if you are running Outlook as a stand-alone (POP3) version. Reducing the size often improves performance.

Caution: Before starting these steps, take the time to backup your Outlook.pst file (stand-alone version) which is usually found under the Outlook Files folder in Documents.

If you need to reduce the size of Outlook, go to this softwarepro web site and get the 5- step plus valuable addition information. http://bit.ly/2xjBSyV

DISK CLEANUP IS GOING AWAY IN WINDOWS 10 AND WE MISS IT ALREADY – Microsoft quietly announced that Disk Cleanup is now deprecated, news that was buried at the bottom of a blog post about Windows 10’s Storage Sense. Disk Cleanup isn’t going away immediately but is on its way out the door.

Go to this How-To Geek web site and read all about it. http://bit.ly/2MAetyW

HOW THE NEW GOOGLE TASKS HELPS YOU MANAGE YOUR TO-DO LIST – Google has cleaned up their legacy tool Google Tasks and introduced a fresh look. The goal of Google Tasks historically has been to keep you organized with your to-dos. Adding tasks and managing lists are easy with this new task management app.

While it doesn’t rival the feature-rich Todoist, the minimalism of Google Tasks is being praised for its basic abilities.

Since the days of the old Google Tasks, Google has stepped things up. Eight years on, they’ve created something quite interesting.

The goal of the classic Google Tasks was to help organize tasks when inside your Gmail account. You could access the task list from the inbox and stay on top of your to-dos. The design was never award-winning. But Google never put their full attention on upgrading this.

Find out what has changed in Google Tasks at this MakeUseOf article: http://bit.ly/2xc4F9y

YOU CAN NOW INSTALL WINDOWS 95 AS AN APP – In 1995, the world was a very different place. Very few people had access to the internet, floppy disks were still a thing, and a Steve Jobs-less Apple was struggling. And then Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system that changed everything.

Windows 95 was the first desktop operating system many people used. And to that end, and given what had come before, it was a revelation. However, many versions of Windows have come and gone since, so what would it be like to use Windows 95 today?

You can now find out for yourself thanks to a Windows 95 app created by Slack developer Felix Rieseberg. This Windows 95 app is available on Windows, macOS and Linux, and is, as its billing suggests, Windows 95 in the form of a downloadable app.

Read more at this MakeUseOf article: http://bit.ly/2xjBEbm

USE READING MODE ON ANDROID OR iOS TO VIEW WEBPAGES CLUTTER-FREE – While you’re trying to get to the meat of an article while reading on your smartphone or tablet, it’s best done without distractions on the webpage.

When it comes to reading news and online articles on your phone, sometimes the pages can be overwhelming to look at. Most notably sites that have a ton of images, sidebars, ads, and other on-screen activity. Sometimes you just want to get rid of the excess and just read the text of an article. Here is a look at how you can read articles in a browser on your Android or iOS device distraction-free.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the steps plus screen shots for Chrome on Android and Safari on iOS. http://bit.ly/2Pd8TED

DOWNLOAD AND STORE MOVIES FROM WINDOWS 10 MOVIES & TV APP – While streaming movies and TV shows is great, sometimes you’ll need to download a movie or TV show you purchased from Microsoft for offline viewing.

Since Microsoft and Movies Anywhere have joined forces, the Movies & TV app on Windows 10 is much more attractive. It gives you another viable option for purchasing digital movies. Before the partnership, the movies you bought from Microsoft could only be viewed on Windows 10 devices. But now, movies you buy from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple, or Vudu will all sync in a central cloud-based digital locker.

While this allows you to view movies on different devices, sometimes you want a movie handy for times when you’re offline. And Microsoft allows you to download movies you’ve purchased. Here is a look at how to download your purchased movies and manage where they are stored.

Go to this Groovy Post web site and see with screen shots how to download movies to an external drive or thumb drive and use off line. http://bit.ly/2P4qfmT

HOW TO SET UP A VPN SERVER ON WINDOWS 10 – A virtual private network (VPN) is one of the most popular methods to access files and resources, such as applications, intranet websites, and printers using an encrypted connection from a remote location and through the internet.

Companies often use VPN to extend their private network to let employees access resources through a public network as if they were directly connected into the company’s network.

Windows 10 like other versions of the operating system has a feature called “Incoming Connection” that enables you to set up a VPN server to connect remotely to your home network to access your computer’s files and peripherals, and even other computers in the network.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up a VPN server on your Windows 10 computer without the need of extra software on the Home or Pro version of the operating system.

Also, at this pure info tech website, you can get step by step for the following:

How To:  find your IP address information, set up port forwarding on your router, set up a VPN server on Windows 10, allow VPN connections through the firewall, set up a VPN connection on Windows 10. http://bit.ly/2P80u53

HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS INSTALLING THE WINDOWS 10 VERSION 1809 (REDSTONE 5) – Windows 10’s version 1809 (Redstone 5) is the sixth major refresh that is becoming available for devices starting sometime in September (or October). However, before you click the “Install” button, you want to be prepared to avoid errors and problems.

Although when a new feature update releases, it’s recommended to install the new version to maintain your device and data safe and secure and get your hands in the new features and improvements, this type of updates are not your monthly cumulative updates. Windows 10 version 1809 is a new version that triggers a new installation of the operating system, which many times can cause problems. In addition, during the initial rollout, it’s expected that users will come across errors and bugs depending on the hardware.

In this guide, you’ll learn several tips to avoid problems and errors during the installation of the Windows 10 Redstone 5 update. Go to this Pure Info Tech web site and get the procedure with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2MxhuFg

WINDOWS 10 TIP: TURN YOUR PAID WI-FI CONNECTION INTO A SHARED HOTSPOT –If you’ve ever flown on an airline or stayed at a hotel that offers paid Wi-Fi access, you know the unpleasant decision you must make when you first connect: Do I enter my credit card details for this exorbitantly priced, excruciatingly slow connection on my laptop or on my mobile phone?

With a PC running Windows 10, you no longer must make that choice. If your device has a network connection, you can share that connection securely with up to eight other devices.

You’ll find all the options you need by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot. There are four settings to pay attention to here.

To begin sharing your network connection, flip the Mobile Hotspot switch to the On position.

Choose which connection you want to share. In the screenshot shown here, Wi-Fi is the only option, but you might find yourself in a location where you have multiple connections: wired, Wi-Fi, or even mobile data. ZDNet https://zd.net/2LDJnGb

CHOOSE HOW TO SHARE YOUR CONNECTION: OVER WI-FI OR BLUETOOTH – Change the connection name, replace the default random password with one of your own choosing, and customize the type of connection.

With those steps out of the way, you can connect to your Windows 10 PC as if it were any other access point.

FREE DOWNLOAD: WRITE IS A WORD PROCESSOR FOR HANDWRITING – Windows/Mac/Linux/Android: Love the feel of writing by hand, but wish you could use features like copy/paste and undo? Write is a free tool that lets you do just that.

If you’ve got a tablet with a decent stylus you’re going to want to see this in action, so watch the video on the web page.

The undo/redo dial is a neat way to bring that functionality to handwriting, and the ability to create links inside a written document is smart. You’ll need Write to edit documents you create, but anyone with access to a web browser can open the files.

On Hacker News this morning (8/28) – The app hasn’t been updated since 2013, but development isn’t dead: a major update is coming soon, according to the developer. If you’ve been looking for a way to take notes using your Windows or Android tablet, consider giving this a spin. Read more of this How-To Geek article at:  http://bit.ly/2oi1cl0

HOW TO DISABLE YOUR PC’S TOUCHPAD WHEN YOU CONNECT AN EXTERNAL MOUSE – While laptop touchpads can be useful—especially those that support gestures—they can also be annoying. They’re just too easy to accidentally hit when you’re typing. If you use an external mouse, it’s even more annoying because you don’t need the touchpad at all. Here’s how to disable the touchpad when you use an external mouse.

Go to this How-To Geek web site and see screen shots of how to disable the touchpad automatically and All Together. http://bit.ly/2wxYknF

HOW TO COMPRESS PDFS AND MAKE THEM SMALLER – PDFs can get big, especially if you’re adding lots of images and objects. If you’ve created a PDF that’s too big—maybe you’re trying to email it or maybe it just takes too long to load—here’s how you compress your PDF to a smaller size.

Whatever your reason, reducing the size of a PDF is a straightforward procedure regardless of what program you’re using. Below we’ll look at some ways you can effectively reduce the size of your PDF documents in Windows, macOS, and directly through your web browser.

Go to this How-To Geek website and get the steps for Windows or MacOS. http://bit.ly/2BZfXTn

TECHOPEDIA EXPLAINS ALGORITHM – An algorithm is a detailed series of instructions for carrying out an operation or solving a problem. In a non-technical approach, we use algorithms in everyday tasks, such as a recipe to bake a cake or a do-it-yourself handbook.

Technically, computers use algorithms to list the detailed instructions for carrying out an operation. For example, to compute an employee’s paycheck, the computer uses an algorithm. To accomplish this task, appropriate data must be entered into the system. In terms of efficiency, various algorithms can accomplish operations or problem solving easily and quickly.

HOW TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF A MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT – Word documents can get huge, unusually long, complex documents with loads of embedded images, fonts, and other objects. But it also seems like documents can grow out of hand for seemingly no reason at all. If you’re dealing with a huge document, here are some things you can try to reduce its file size.

When you’ve got a Word document that’s a bit too large, the first thing you’ll try is compressing the images in it. This is partly because sites like How-To Geek have written comprehensive articles explaining how to do this, and partly because, well, images always seem to bump up the size of a Word document beyond reason. You should still go ahead and follow the tips we wrote in that article because if you’ve got images, they’ll help you.

But if you haven’t got images, or you’ve followed those tips and need to reduce the file size more, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got a lot of tips to share, so we’ve broken them down into things that will help reduce the size of a Word document, things that might help, and some commonly-suggested tips with which you shouldn’t bother. Go to this How-To Geek web site and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2LDS2Ix

HOW TO USE WILDCARDS WHEN SEARCHING IN WORD 2016 – Word has a powerful search feature that lets you search for text, numbers, formats, paragraphs, page breaks, wildcards, field codes, and more. By using wildcards, you can search for just about everything in your document. Go to this How-to Geek web page and see 8 different features for searching in Microsoft Word 2016. http://bit.ly/2Mm5gPw

YOU CAN NOW TALK TO ALEXA USING CORTANA – You can now use Cortana to talk to Alexa, if you live in the US. Other countries are coming later.

To get started simply trigger Cortana and say, “open Alexa.” You’ll be prompted to sign into an Amazon account, as shown above, but after that you’ll be able to access Alexa from Cortana whenever you want with the same command.

Note that typing “open Alexa” will not work—you need to trigger this with a voice command.

You can also open Cortana using Alexa-compatible devices, but let’s be real: hardly anyone is going to do that. Microsoft has pushed Cortana hard, giving it some of the most prominent screen real estate known to humanity, but the voice assistant hasn’t really caught on in a big way. Maybe giving Cortana access to the most popular voice assistant on the planet will help, but it also might be too little too late: PC makers are already building Alexa into computers directly.

Still, if you’re an Echo user, you’ve got a compelling reason to open Cortana every once and a while. Give it a shot. http://bit.ly/2Brg6yN

HOW TO CONTACT GMAIL SUPPORT – Although you may not be able to directly contact Gmail support without subscribing to G Suite for businesses, there are a couple of ways to get the answers you’re looking for online. Let’s look at how you can get help with your Gmail issues.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get your Gmail concerns solved. http://bit.ly/2OSEhbl

HOW TO FIND AND RECOVER A LOST MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT – If you are trying to track down a missing Word document, these tips and tricks might be helpful.

You’ve been working on an important document in Microsoft Word, and now it’s missing. You’ve searched your default document location, your entire hard drive, and the Recycle Bin, but the Word document is still nowhere to be found. Is it gone for good? Do you have to recreate the document from scratch? No, at least not yet. You may still be able to locate and revive the Word document by taking certain precautions ahead of time and looking for the right files in the right places.

Go to this Tech Republic Article and get the facts. https://tek.io/2OO07wl

HOW TO REALLY STOP GOOGLE FROM TRACKING YOUR LOCATION – Even when Google Location History is off, your phone or tablet is still collecting your location data. Here’s how to really make sure it’s turned off.

Everyone should know that the services and app you use from Google aren’t really free. In exchange for creating a Google account and using Gmail, Google Maps, Google Docs, and even search itself, you agree to have your data collected. And one of the data metrics that’s collected is your location history. Here is a look at how you can really stop Google from tracking your location while using its services.

A recent report from the Associated Press reveals that even if you disable Google’s Location History on your phone, it’s not really stopping the search giant from tacking you. In fact, just today the company clarified its tracking policy. “We have been updating the explanatory language about Location History to make it more consistent and clearer across our platforms and help centers,” Google said in a statement to the AP.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and stop Google from tacking your location. Android Devices http://bit.ly/2Bq9Abh

HOW TO KEEP YOUR WINDOWS PC AND APPS UP TO DATE – We know, updating your PC is a hassle–but it’s essential. New security flaws are discovered on a regular basis, and most companies are pretty good about issuing fixes for those flaws as they crop up. Plugging those holes, however, depends primarily upon you making sure things are appropriately updated.

If you’re using Windows 8 or 10, Windows Update is a little more aggressive than it used to be. You no longer have the easy option of selecting which updates to download and install as you did in Windows 7. Though you can take some measures to prevent updates, Windows pretty much does it automatically. Still, it’s important to be aware of what’s getting updated and how to update things that fall outside the Windows Update purview, like third-party apps and some hardware drivers. And if you’re still using Windows 7, you need to make sure you’re taking the right steps to keep things up to date.

In addition to fixing security flaws, updates also come in the form of bug fixes and new features, both of which are also nice to have. We’re going to be talking about how to keep three major aspects of your PC up to date:

  • Windows Update has grown more insistent over the years in keeping itself up to date. In Windows 10, security updates are downloaded and installed automatically. You don’t get a choice in the matter. And that’s largely a good thing. Too many people just never bothered to keep up to date with security updates, and insecure PCs don’t just create a problem for the person who owns them. An unsecured PC connected to the Internet can become a problem for everyone. You do still have a little control over when Windows installs other, non-security updates, though.
  • Third-Party Apps. Keeping third-party apps up to date is nearly as important as keeping Windows itself updated. Unfortunately, how updates get installed is up to the people making those apps. Fortunately, there are some tools out there that can help you make the process a bit easier.
  • Hardware Drivers. By and large, keeping hardware drivers up to date is less a security issue than one of functionality. New driver updates tend to add bug and stability fixes or, in the case of things like video card drivers, better performance and functionality with newer games and apps.

Keeping Windows and your third-party apps up to date is arguably the most critical action you can take to help keep your PC and, by extension, yourself safe. So, let’s get to it. Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the steps and screen shots for Windows 7, 8 and 10. http://bit.ly/2MLq5A7

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS ARE BEING HACKED, LOCK YOURS DOWN NOW – Attackers are compromising Instagram accounts and locking out users, so take a moment to lock down your account.

A growing number of users are taking to Twitter and Reddit to complain about compromised Instagram accounts, and there seems to be a pattern. Here’s Karissa Bell, writing for Mashable:

It’s not clear how hackers are gaining access to these accounts, or if it’s the result of a coordinated attack. But Mashable has identified several commonalities among the hacking victims—like a changed handle and profile avatar (often to an animated character from a Disney or Pixar film), deleted bios, and a new .ru email address on the account. In most cases, the Instagram users did not have two-factor authentication enabled at the time of the hack, but it appears even this setting may not be enough to deter hackers.

The changed email addresses are a big deal because they make it hard to recover your account. With this in mind, we think prevention is key. Here’s our advice:

  • Change your password, particularly if you’ve been re-using one on various accounts. Set up a password manager so you can quickly generate random ones.
  • Enable two factor authentications on Instagram right now. Yes, some people have been hacked with this on, but it’s still better to have this on

These steps aren’t a guarantee, as Bell outlines in her piece, but it’s a start. Stay safe out there!

DISABLING LOCATION HISTORY DOESN’T STOP GOOGLE FROM TRACKING YOUR LOCATION on Android and iOS devices – Google users can disable location history on this page, but some Google applications keep track of your location even if you do. Here’s Ryan Nakashima, writing for the Associated Press:

Even with Location History paused, some Google apps automatically store time-stamped location data without asking.

For example, Google stores a snapshot of where you are when you merely open its Maps app. Automatic daily weather updates on Android phones pinpoint roughly where you are. And some searches that have nothing to do with location, like “chocolate chip cookies,” or “kids science kits,” pinpoint your precise latitude and longitude—accurate to the square foot—and save it to your Google account.

Google representatives told the AP this location tracking can be disabled completely by turning off the “Web & App Activity” feature; find that setting here. https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols

This is odd, because the “Web & App Activity” setting does not mention location at all and is even right beside the Location History toggle in the settings. But now you know, I guess, so go ahead and change the settings if this worries you.

7 WAYS TO CREATE STRONG PASSWORDS  

  1. Avoid the Obvious– Don’t make the mistake of creating passwords that are based on personal information, your login ID, or are simple to guess or locate.
  2. Make It Longer – One of the features of a strong password is that it is at least 8 characters in length and it should be a combination of mixed-case letters with the addition of numbers and punctuation where allowed.
  3. Vanity Plates – How many times have you been driving behind a car with a vanity plate? Were the characters cryptic but easy to decipher? Have you seen these plates?

Consider an easy to remember phrase that can be expressed without complete words and with a combination of mixed case letters as well as numbers and symbols:

Have some fun making up combinations of phrases that have meaning to you but that would not be easy for other people to guess.

  1. Song Lyrics – Think of a favorite song lyric, book, or poem. The more obscure your choice, the better. Next, create a password from a combination such as the 1st letter of each word of the phrase. Some hacker dictionaries have common songs and phrases built in, and so, you will want to strengthen your password by adding in other characters or personalizing the song in some way.

For instance: “Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose,” might become r1trNr2Xhavsn.

You want to avoid obvious geek phrases, of course, such as “Luke, I am your father” or “Beam me up Scotty.”

  1. Passphrases – Choose 5 or more random words and string them together to create a nonsense phrase. For greater strength, use a downloadable program such as Diceware that helps you generate word combinations from your throw of multiple dice.
  2. Blended Words – String together 3 or more totally unrelated words by breaking apart and re-combining the parts of each word. For instance, combining the words SPOON LIME PUPPY might result in SPOLIPUPP.
  3. Annoy Lurkers – Do use a password that can be typed quickly, without having to look at the keyboard. This makes it harder for someone to steal your password by looking at your keyboard (also known as “lurking” or “shoulder surfing”). Do not use keyboard sequences or characters found together such as QWERTY.

These 7 strategies will enable you to choose and create strong passwords that will help improve the security of your computer and other devices.

HOW TO MAKE OUTLOOK 2016 CLOSE A MESSAGE AFTER REPLYING OR FORWARDING – By default, Outlook keeps a message window open after you reply to or forward that message, meaning you have to manually it when you’re done. You can change that so that Outlook automatically closes the original message window as soon as you hit the “Send” button. Go to this How-to Geek web page and see how to make this work in Outlook 2016.http://bit.ly/2Mf4942

CCLEANER ROLLS BACK SKETCHY UPDATE, PROMISES NOT TO UNDO USER PREFERENCES IN FUTURE VERSION – Piriform, reacting to widespread backlash, rolled back recent changes to CCleaner that made it functionally impossible to prevent data collection. Read more of this How-To Geek article at: http://bit.ly/2AYGv6T

GOOGLE CHROME NOW USES NATIVE WINDOWS 10 NOTIFICATIONS – Google Chrome has been supporting push notifications for years now but it always used its own notification system in Windows 10. The search engine giant is now rolling out a new update for Chrome which adds support for native Windows 10 notifications. By integrating support for Windows 10 notifications in the Chrome browser, the company is also bringing the application to the Action Center. That means that any notifications displayed by Chrome will now show up in the Action Center, which will allow you to have better control over them. Read more of this BleepingComputer article at: http://bit.ly/2AZN8FN

MOZILLA FIREFOX 61.0.2 RELEASED WITH NEW AUTOMATIC RESTORE FEATURE FOR WINDOWS – A new feature for Windows will automatically restore a user’s browsing sessions after Windows restarts. This is particularly useful if Windows restarted your computer to install updates while you had Firefox open. “Adds support for automatically restoring your Firefox session after Windows restarts,” Mozilla announced in their release notes. “Currently, this feature is not enabled by default for most users but will be gradually enabled over the coming weeks.” You can also  disable the feature. Read more of this BleepingComputer article at: http://bit.ly/2KIGUJW

NEW WINDOWS 10 MAIL APP UPDATE LETS YOU DRAW YOUR EMAILS – Microsoft has just started rolling out a new update for Windows 10 Mail app that adds the highly-anticipated inking feature to the default Mail app in Windows 10 for everyone and allows users to draw and write on their email messages with a variety of tools.

The latest version of Windows 10 Mail app is 16005.10325.20091.0 and it began rolling out sometime the last week (article was written 8/7). The inking capabilities in Mail app should show up on all devices including the ones running Windows 10 April 2018 Update. Read more at t his BleepingComputer article: http://bit.ly/2MEe0fR

CCLEANER’S SKETCHY DATA COLLECTION FEATURE AUTOMATICALLY RE-ENABLES ITSELF – CCleaner’s latest version, 5.45, collects anonymized information about your system, then basically makes it mpossible for you to turn the feature off.

Give it a shot: head to Options > Monitoring, then disable “Active Monitoring.” Restart your computer and the feature will be enabled again. Sneaky, right? CCleaner, for their part, says all information gathered is entirely anonymous, and only used to help improve the program. They also say upcoming changes will give users more choice. Read their statement here.

This all might be true, but reverting settings like this after the user makes a choice still strikes us as sketchy.

CCleaner was long admired for being a reliable, free system cleaner without any gimmicks. We recommended it regularly, but that was a long time ago. These days when CCleaner isn’t being hacked to include malware it’s adding malwaresque features like this all on its own.

We could go on. It’s unfortunate, but happily software like CCleaner really isn’t really necessary in 2018. Our advice: uninstall CCleaner and forget about it. Thanks to Martin Brinkmann, writing for Ghacks, for pointing this latest problem out to us.

From Judy: Avast’s response: http://bit.ly/2O9nvEl

Here’s What You Should Use Instead of CCleaner
CCleaner just became worse. The popular system-cleaning tool now always runs in the background, nagging you and reporting anonymous data back to the company’s servers. We don’t recommend you upgrade to CCleaner 5.45. Here’s what you should use instead.

We haven’t been huge fans of CCleaner for a while now. CCleaner nags you to run it because the paid subscription can automatically run itself—you’re paying to disable the nags. CCleaner has even been hacked to contain malware.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and learn about a better cleaner, with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2LLrQ3L

QUICKLY LOAD THE CACHED VERSION OF ANY WEBSITE WITH THIS URL TRICK – Can’t get a particular page to open? Just add cache: in front of the URL and Google’s cached copy will open instantly. Nick Douglas, writing for Lifehacker, pointed this out and it’s kind of blowing my mind. It works in every browser, provided Google is set as the default search engine. Some sites block Google’s cache from working, but other than that this works. Cached pages are very useful when a given site is down, or even when a specific page has been deleted. Give this a shot next time you come across a 404 error, or otherwise can’t open a page you know used to work. It just might give you access to the information you were looking for. How-To Geek http://bit.ly/2OHbLK9

YOU CAN NOW SCHEDULE CUSTOM ROUTINES IN GOOGLE HOME – A few months ago, Google added a feature to Google Assistant called Custom Routines that allows users to create strings of commands that can be executed with just a single phrase. You can now schedule those commands. The new scheduling option is found inside the Routines menu, though it’s worth noting that it’s only available for new routines, not ones that were created before the feature was live. That means you’ll need to recreate your existing routines if you’d like to schedule them.

Learn how to schedule your routines at this How-To Geek web page (with screen shots): http://bit.ly/2LQlGQ5

HOW TO FIX ALL YOUR SAMSUNG PHONE’S ANNOYANCES – Samsung is the biggest manufacturer of Android phones in the world, but that doesn’t mean these handsets are perfect out of the box. In fact, most of these phones have several annoyances initially—here’s how to fix many of these.

Note: How-To Geek used a Galaxy S9, but the same rules should apply to most modern Galaxy devices.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the facts with screenshots. http://bit.ly/2LwQyE1

HOW TO CHANGE DOUBLE SPACES TO SINGLE SPACES IN MICROSOFT WORD – If you find yourself in possession of a Word document where someone has typed two spaces between every sentence and you need to change those to use just one space, Word makes it easy to do a find and replace that changes all instances with a single command. Here’s how to do it.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and get the simple procedure with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2v0zrAb

HOW TO CHANGE FILE ACCESS PERMISSIONS FOR WINDOWS 10 APPS – WIndows 10 1803 and above allows you to control which apps have permissions to certain files on your system.

With each new Windows 10 feature update, Microsoft improves privacy settings. Starting with Windows 10 1803 April Update there are more ways to control file access. You can restrict or deny UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app (not win32) access to the files stored in your Documents and Pictures libraries. You can even lockdown apps and deny permissions to the full file system.

UWP app = an app that will work on any Microsoft Product, such as a PC, smartphone, tablet, or Xbox One.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the procedure with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2uNrBe5

HOW TO ADD CHROME AND FIREFOX TO TIMELINE ON WINDOWS 10 – If you use Chrome or Firefox, you can use this extension to integrate the browser with the Windows 10 new Timeline feature.

Starting with version 1803 (April 2018 Update), Windows 10 introduced Timeline, which is an extension of Task View that allows you to resume activities (such as websites, documents, and apps) that you were working in the past.

The only caveat is that since Timeline became available, it’s been a feature mostly for Windows 10 applications like File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Office documents. In part because it’s up to developers to integrate this feature into their apps.

To overcome this limitation on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Dominic Maas, a developer at SoundByte, has created a handy extension that brings Timeline support to the two most popular web browsers on Windows 10, including the Vivaldi browser.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to get started with the “Windows Timeline Support” extension to list third-party web browsers activities in Timeline.

Go to this Pureinfotech web page and get the five easy steps. http://bit.ly/2LMprSq

HOW TO PAIR A SET OF BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS WITH YOUR FIRE HD TABLET – If you watch movies and listen to music and other audio from your Fire HD tablet, you might want to connect Bluetooth speakers for better sound.

Amazon recently released the Show Mode and Charging Dock that you can connect to your Fire HD 8 or Fire HD 10 to make it a portable Echo Show device. However, the audio experience through the tablet’s flimsy speakers leaves much to be desired. But you can connect external Bluetooth speakers to your tablet for a better audio experience. But you don’t need to be using Show Mode and using the charging dock. You might want to connect to speakers while sitting on the couch watching a movie and then take the tablet to a different room and connect a different set of Bluetooth speakers. Whatever your situation, here’s how to do it.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and learn how to pair up those speakers. http://bit.ly/2O1nWBe

HOW TO SYNC AND ACCESS OPEN TABS IN FIREFOX ACROSS DEVICES – Do you use Firefox on multiple devices? You can sync your tabs across devices using Firefox Sync and open them on any device.

With today’s on-the-go lifestyle, most people switch among several devices to stay informed and connected. Luckily, you can continue viewing the same web pages in Firefox across your devices by syncing your open tabs.

You can easily access a list of Firefox tabs open on each device and open any of those tabs on any of your devices.

Go to this Groovy Post web page and get the procedures to access open Firefox tabs in Windows, Mac, and Linux, and on iOS and Android devices with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2OaVi0O

INSTAGRAM DM NOW LETS YOU SEE WHEN YOUR FRIENDS ARE ONLINE (DM = DIRECT MESSAGE) – Instagram has out a new feature to let users see when their friends are on the platform and available to chat.

Detailed in a blog post, Instagram shared that users will now see a green dot in the bottom right portion of profile photos to indicate a user’s status.

When your friends are active on Instagram, you’ll see a green dot next to their profile picture in various spaces within the app, including the Direct inbox and your friend list when you share a post from feed.

The status indicator will only show up for your followers or users who you’ve chatted with in Direct.

Instagram notes that you can turn off the feature at any time.

You can easily hide your own status and turn off the ability to see when your friends are active in your settings.

Instagram hopes the new status feature will make it more fun to chat on the platform when users know if friends are immediately available.

Instagram is a free download from the App Store.

MICROSOFT WILL END SUPPORT FOR SKYPE ‘CLASSIC’ AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 – Microsoft is rolling out an updated release of Skype 8.0 to Windows desktop, iPad users and others in anticipation of version 7.0 ceasing to work after September 1.

Microsoft has made official the end date for the “Classic” version of Skype: September 1, 2018.

Microsoft is rolling out an updated version of Skype 8.0 for Windows desktop today, July 16, and will make this the replacement for Skype 7.0, aka the Classic version. After September 1, only Skype version 8.0 will work, officials said.

LATEST GOOGLE ASSISTANT UPDATE WILL ADD A VISUAL WALK THROUGH OF YOUR ENTIRE DAY – To make your busy lives simpler and to help you keep on top of everything on your daily to-do lists, Google has announced that, starting this week, Assistant will provide a “visual overview” of your entire day when you open the app.

Google Assistant will pull together personal information, appointments, reservations, scheduled meetings, reminders, and much more to offer a curated snapshot of what your day will look like.

Go to this TechRadar web page and read the short article that explains improvements to Google Assistant. http://bit.ly/2NsNeaz

PSA: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP FOR TWO-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION – Two factor authentication (2FA) is generally a great security tool. But if you have it enabled on your Apple or Google accounts, this could really come back to bite you in the worst way. Here’s what you need to know.

When is Two Factor Authentication a Problem?
Here’s the scenario: you have one phone and it gets stolen or lost. Regardless of whether it’s an Android phone or iPhone, you can use the available tracking tools to attempt to locate your lost or stolen phone.

But if it has been turned off, these services won’t be able to locate it. In a panic, you realize that you’ll need to remotely wipe the device. Then it happens: a request for the 2FA code that was sent to your phone. You know, the one you no longer have.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and read the article and prevent problems. http://bit.ly/2LqQEd3

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND SOMEONE’S LOST iPHONE OR SMARTPHONE – Smartphones go missing all the time. I’m pretty sure my sister loses hers the second Tuesday and third Thursday of every month. We’ve already looked at what to do if you lose your smartphone so let’s take a different perspective: what to do if you find someone’s smartphone and want to return it to them.

Editor’s Note: If you take an expensive smartphone home with you, and then get caught with it a few days later, you’re going to have a very hard time explaining to the police that you didn’t steal it, even if you had the very best of motives. And depending on where you live and where you found it, you might be guilty of theft by taking it home regardless.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and read the important information. http://bit.ly/2mrMnvj

HOW TO RECOVER YOUR FORGOTTEN YAHOO! PASSWORD – If you don’t use a password manager, those complex passwords can be pretty hard to remember. If you’ve forgotten your Yahoo password, you can’t really recover that same password, but it’s easy enough to recover your account by resetting your password to something new.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the procedure with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2L4Gcfo

HOW TO RECYCLE OR DONATE YOUR OLD PRINTER – Whether your trusty inkjet or laser has spit out its last page, or you’re just looking to upgrade, here’s how not to land your old printer in a landfill.

Donate, Recycle, or Sell Your Old Printer?
Whether your printer is a lightweight budget inkjet or a bulky workhorse laser, a single-function printer or a versatile all-in-one (AIO), the time will come when you’ll need to find a responsible way to dispose of it. Maybe it broke down for good; maybe you’ve simply replaced it with a better model. Whatever the reason why you don’t need your printer any longer, getting rid of it responsibly means making sure it gets refurbished and put back into service, or that its materials get into the right recycling streams. Here’s how to make that happen.

Go to this PCMag web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2NYdIlb

HOW TO USE THE SPIKE TO COPY AND PASTE BLOCKS OF TEXT IN “MICROSOFT WORD” – Need to quickly rearrange a document? Or copy pieces of one document into another one? Learn how to use the Spike to easily accomplish this in Word.

Do you know those spikes people poke papers onto when they’re done with them to store them? They’re common in restaurants. Once you’ve paid your bill, they poke it onto a spike with other paid bills.

Microsoft Word has a little-known feature called the Spike, but instead of storing pieces of paper, you can store blocks of text. Unlike the Windows clipboard, these blocks of text stay on the Spike until you want to paste them to another location in the current document or into another new or existing Word document. The Windows clipboard only stores one copied item at a time, unless you use a third-party tool to expand the clipboard’s capabilities.

The Spike is like the method of copying and pasting multiple blocks of highlighted text we discussed before. But you don’t have to select all the separate blocks of text and copy them at once when using the Spike.

Go to this GroovyPost web page and get the steps with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2Nqp14B

FIND APPS CONSUMING THE MOST BATTERY POWER IN WINDOWS 10 – Making sure your laptop battery last between charges is a constant challenge. Here is how to help save power by finding battery draining apps.

Making sure your laptop battery stays charged long enough to make it through the day is a constant struggle. Of course, there are many ways you can help save battery juice including the Battery Saver option in Windows 10. Another thing you can find out is which apps are consuming the most battery power. Here’s a look at how to find the battery draining culprits and stop them from running in the background.

Go to this groovyPost web page and see the screen shots and step for saving battery on your laptop. http://bit.ly/2ziJTbH

HOW TO RESET AN iPHONE OR ANDROID DEVICE – Before ditching your old gadget, you’ll want to wipe all traces of yourself and your data. Fortunately, Apple and Android phones and tablets offer built-in features through which you can erase all your personal information, applications, and other content. The process brings the phone back to factory conditions, so a new owner can’t retrieve any leftover information.

The steps for wiping your phone differ between an iPhone or Android phone but are still quite doable with either type of device.

Go to this PCMag web page and get the steps with screen shots on how to reset your  device before selling or giving away. http://bit.ly/2KViH4d

HOW TO SAVE EMAILS (AND OTHER ITEMS) AS FILES IN MICROSOFT OUTLOOK – You can save your Outlook emails, contacts, and appointments as individual files. Saving these items can help you access them more quickly and easily later. It’s a convenient way to back up or share certain messages, or just make them easily accessible.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and follow the procedures with screen shots. http://bit.ly/2L0woPr

HOW TO ENABLE WINDOWS DEFENDER APPLICATION GUARD FOR MICROSOFT EDGE – Windows 10’s “Windows Defender Application Guard” feature runs the Microsoft Edge browser in an isolated, virtualized container. Even if a malicious website exploited a flaw in Edge, it couldn’t compromise your PC. Application Guard is disabled by default.

Starting with the April 2018 Update, anyone using Windows 10 Professional can now enable Application Guard. Previously, this feature was only available in Windows 10 Enterprise. If you have Windows 10 Home and want Application Guard, you’ll have to upgrade to Pro.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2IRIJDx

REMINDER: THIRD PARTY GMAIL APPS HAVE FULL ACCESS TO YOUR EMAIL – Remember that “cool” free Gmail app you installed years ago and then forgot about? It probably still has access to your email, and actual humans might be sifting through them.

RELATED: How to Secure Your Gmail and Google Account

Douglas MacMillan, writing for The Wall Street Journal, re-iterated a problem we’ve been talking about for a while: free applications users give permissions to and then forget about. These apps have full access to your email, and they’re taking advantage.

Here’s MacMillan:

One of those companies is Return Path Inc., which collects data for marketers by scanning the inboxes of more than two million people who have signed up for one of the free apps in Return Pathʼs partner network using a Gmail, Microsoft Corp. or Yahoo email address. Computers normally do the scanning, analyzing about 100 million emails a day. At one point about two years ago, Return Path employees read about 8,000 unredacted emails to help train the company’s software, people familiar with the episode say.

Creepy, right? And that’s just one example MacMillan gives.

Think carefully the next time a “free” application asks for access to your Gmail account, or any email account for that matter. And if you haven’t scrolled through Google’s list of Apps with access to your account lately, you should. Immediately.

Seriously, do it now!

https://www.howtogeek.com/fyi/reminder-third-party-gmail-apps-have-full-access-to-your-email/

FIVE EASY WAYS TO RECOGNIZE AND DISPOSE OF MALICIOUS EMAILS – I suppose we all get our share of spam. Some more than others. But how do we differentiate between simple commercial spam and the types of emails that want to get us in trouble?

The unsolicited commercial spam email is generally easy to recognize, report, and discard, but what about more dangerous types of spam? How can you determine if an email contains a malicious link or attachment, or is trying to scam you out of money or your personal information?

And if you do discover you have malicious emails in your inbox, what then? Is reporting as spam and deleting the email enough?

Knowing what you are up against helps you determine what to do with all that spam—whether it’s simply a nuisance or a landmine waiting to detonate.

Go to this BlogMalwarebytes web page and get the facts. http://bit.ly/2KIW1qQ

WHAT ARE “CORE ISOLATION” AND “MEMORY INTEGRITY” IN WINDOWS 10? -Windows 10’s April 2018 Update brings “Core Isolation” and “Memory Integrity” security features to everyone. These use virtualization-based security to protect your core operating system processes from tampering, but Memory Protection is off by default for people who upgrade.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and turn on this important protection. http://bit.ly/2KuxYN6

FREE DOWNLOAD: MEASURE ANYTHING USING YOUR ANDROID CAMERA – Android: Measure is a free app from Google that uses your camera and augmented reality to measure any object. It’s really cool.

Sometimes you quickly want to measure something, but you don’t have a tape measure handy. The idea behind Measure is that you can use your phone instead: just open the app, move your phone around a little, then indicate which points you’d like to measure.

There’s a lot of elaborate math at work here, and it seemed to work great in our brief tests. Apple made an app with the same name for iPhone a while back, so check that out if you’re an iPhone user.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and watch a short video on how this app works. http://bit.ly/2KaxFD0

WHY EVERY APP PUSHES NOTIFICATIONS NOW, AND HOW TO STOP IT – If you want your notifications to work like they used to, only showing you things, you care about, you can get there. It just takes a little work.

We’ve written about how to turn off notifications everywhere, and you should absolutely learn about all the tools for your platform. Here are a few platform specific guides for stopping specific apps from showing you notifications:

  • How to Disable Notifications on Your iPhone or iPad
  • How to Disable Notifications on Android
  • How to Disable Notifications on Windows 10
  • How to Turn Off Annoying Mac Notifications

Turn off all notifications for any apps you don’t want notifying you about stuff. Be ruthless about it, because every notification you don’t want might obscure one you actually do.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and link to the Disable you want and see a Facebook sample. http://bit.ly/2yHVBfA

TECH TERM

MOUSETRAPPING – Mousetrapping is a technique used by some websites to prevent users from leaving or completely closing out the website. Methods used can include relaunching the website in a window that cannot be easily closed, refusing to allow the browser to navigate to a new/different URL, and/or launching an endless series of pop-up ads/windows.

WHAT IS A FILE EXTENSION? A file extension, or filename extension, is a suffix at the end of a computer file. It comes after the period, and is usually two-four characters long. If you’ve ever opened a document or viewed a picture, you’ve probably noticed these letters at the end of your file.

File extensions are used by the operating system to identify what apps are associated with what file types—in other words, what app opens when you double-click the file. For example, a file named “awesome_picture.jpg” has the “jpg” file extension. When you open that file in Windows, for example, the operating system looks for whatever app is associated with JPG files, opens that app, and loads the file.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and learn about file extensions. http://bit.ly/2KcPMeG

3 PROBLEMS WITH USB-C YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT – USB Type-C is clearly the future, but getting to the future isn’t always painless, and USB-C has a lot of problems. Here are a few things every new USB-C user needs to know.

Most new Android phones use USB-C, Apple’s laptops use this port exclusively, and it’s increasingly common to see at least one such port on new PCs. But not every USB-C port is the same, and not every USB-C cable you can buy works the same way. Read more of this How-To-Geek article at: http://bit.ly/2tnDOFN

HOW TO TURN OFF SMART REPLIES IN THE NEW GMAIL – If you live under a constant barrage of email requests, the availability of one-tap responses is probably useful. However, if you aren’t comfortable with Google scanning the words of every single email you receive, you might prefer to turn off the feature. Luckily, it’s easy to do. See how at this MakeUseOf web page: http://bit.ly/2JVDQii

HOW TO TURN OFF AD PERSONALIZATION IN YOUR GOOGLE ACCOUNT – Don’t want to deal with targeted ads? TechRepublic shows how to limit your shared personal data in Google.

Google is increasing transparency by giving users more control over customized ads, product manager Philippe de Lurand Pierre-Paul said in a blog post Thursday.

For the past decade, Google has made strides to be more transparent in how personal data is used to tailor ads. In 2009, Google released Ad Settings, giving users a defined location to control ads. The settings evolved in 2011 and 2012 with the additions of Why this ad? And Mute this ad, the post noted. In 2015, all these features were housed together within your Google account, creating a single point of access for security setting and personal information.

With Google’s new Ad Settings, you can now understand how your personal information is used in the ads you see. Additionally, Google is expanding the Why this ad? function to all services—including Search and YouTube—and nearly all sites and apps that allow Google to show ads, the post noted.

If you aren’t comfortable with Google having your personal data and tailoring your ads, see how to monitor and control your shared information, with three steps plus screen shots to limit targeted ads, at this TechRepublic web page. https://tek.io/2ygA917

HOW TO CHECK BLUETOOTH VERSION ON WINDOWS 10 – Depending on the Bluetooth adapter on your PC, you may have limited functionalities — PureInfoTech has the steps to tell the version of your adapter on Windows 10.

On Windows 10, Bluetooth is a short-range networking technology that allows you to connect compatible devices (such as headphones, speakers, mice, and keyboard) to your computer wirelessly.

Although for the most part, you never need to worry about the version of the Bluetooth adapter you’re using. Sometimes in order to use a specific feature, you must have a particular version that includes a specific technology. For example, starting with Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update), your device must have a Bluetooth 4.0 with Low Energy (LE) support if you want to use Nearby sharing feature to send files and links to nearby devices.

If you need to know the adapter version on your computer, you can quickly find out checking the company’s support website, or just checking your system information.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to quickly tell the Bluetooth adapter version installed on your Windows 10 computer. Go to this PureInfoTech web page and see the screen shots and find out your version of Bluetooth on the PC. http://bit.ly/2JVcEMz

HOW TO SEE ALL EXISTING USER ACCOUNTS ON WINDOWS 10 – If you need to see all the existing user accounts configured on your device you will learn how in this PureInfoTech guide.

On Windows 10, sometimes you may need to know the information about all the available user accounts configured on your device for a variety of reasons. Furthermore, other times, you may also need to know the hidden users accounts available on your system, such as the Administrator account, which usually is disabled by default.

If you need to see all the existing accounts, Windows 10 includes several ways to view this information using built-it tools and command line.

In this guide, you’ll learn four ways to see a listing of every account available on Windows 10.

  • How to see all Windows 10 accounts using Settings
  • How to see all Windows 10 accounts Computer Management
  • How to see all Windows 10 accounts using Command Prompt
  • How to see all Windows 10 accounts using PowerShell

Go to this PureInfoTech web page and see the screen shots and different methods. http://bit.ly/2K15wl5

MICROSOFT TO GIVE OFFICE 365, OFFICE.COM APPS A MAKEOVER – Following in Gmail’s and Apple’s recent redesigns, Microsoft is giving Office a makeover.

Over the coming months, Microsoft will begin rolling out changes to the interface of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Office 365 and Office Online (Office.com) users.

Key to the Office app redesign are an updated Ribbon, icon refreshes and new ways to more easily see changes coming to the Office suite.

Be aware of the changes coming in the future. Go to this ZDnet web page for more information. https://zd.net/2HVSYXb

MICROSOFT WON’T HELP WINDOWS 7 AND 8 USERS ON THEIR FORUMS ANYMORE – Microsoft is done answering your questions about Windows 7, 8, and 8.1—at least, on its official support forums.

The company announced in a post that Microsoft employees will no longer answer forum questions about older operating systems come July 2018. Microsoft Security Essentials, Internet Explorer 10, and Office 2010/2013 will also no longer see official forum support.

To be clear: users can still post questions, and other users can answer those questions. The only change is that no one employed by Microsoft will provide support.

NOT PHISHING: GOOGLE IS CHANGING ITS LOGIN SCREEN THIS WEEK – Google is tweaking its login prompt this week and you should take a quick look at the new design.

Slightly different login screens can prompt panic in savvy web user, who fear spear phishing and other attacks built around fake username and password fields. So, it’s worth knowing when a change is coming, however slight it might be.

Google announced the new login screen last week, and GSuite users should start seeing it on Thursday, June 14th. The rollout will take 15 days, meaning everyone will have this new design by July.

Slight aesthetic tweaks generally aren’t the most exciting news, even if this new login prompt nicely employs Google’s Material Design aesthetic. Just be aware the change is coming, so you don’t panic later this month while logging in. Stay safe out there! See the screenshot at this How-To-Geek web page: http://bit.ly/2JE4jwu

HOW TO CLEAR AN APP’S DATA AND CACHE ON ANDROID TO SOLVE COMMON PROBLEMS – You open an app, it immediately force closes. You open it again, it does the same thing. There’s clearly a problem here—but simply clearing your app data and cache might prove to be a pretty easy fix.

Just like any other operating system, Android stores certain app data that saves your preferences, logins, and the like. That’s why you can just fire up Facebook or Instagram and not have to log in every time. But sometimes, this data can become corrupt and cause problems.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and see the screen shot and steps for Android. http://bit.ly/2MjHSyD

WINDOWS USERS ATTACKED VIA CRITICAL FLASH ZERO-DAY: PATCH NOW, URGES ADOBE – Advanced hackers have demonstrated that you really don’t need browsers to exploit Flash Player vulnerabilities on Windows. Office does the job just fine.

Adobe has released an update to address a critical flaw affecting Flash Player that is actively being exploited, otherwise known as a zero-day flaw.

Adobe is urging users to update from Adobe Flash Player 29.0.0.171 to the patched version, 30.0.0.113. It also addresses three other flaws.

Go to this Adobe website and download the update. https://adobe.ly/2y4LQrC

IS CHROME YOUR FAVORITE BROWSER? – Unwanted software, which consists of adware, browser hijackers, fake system optimizers, & tracking software, continue to be a major problem for computer users of all types. Even worse, many of these programs have crossed the line from being just a nuisance to now performing click fraud, credential theft, or installing miners.

What many people do not know is that Google Chrome includes a tool created by ESET called the “software_reporter_tool.exe” that periodically scans a computer for unwanted software, and if detected, prompts the user to remove it. The unwanted software that is scanned for are programs that inject ads, install unwanted extensions, performs browser hijacking, and other unwanted browser modifications. Learn to perform a manual scan at: http://bit.ly/2l4dLij

THE BEST PLACES TO FIND FREE AUDIOBOOKS (LEGALLY) – Audiobooks are great for commutes, long trips, and dull tasks. Here are a number of places you can download Audiobooks legally, and for free. And they’re not all public domain stuff.

Many of the audiobook sites you can find on the internet let you download classic books in the public domain for free, but some sites have better quality books than others. We’ve rounded up some of the best of those sites, plus some ways you can get other kinds of audiobooks for free, too.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and you will find 9 different resources for free audiobooks. http://bit.ly/2LjUyE2

WHAT IS A SIM CARD (AND WHAT COMES NEXT)? – A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is a chip inside most modern cellular phones that stores information your phone needs to communicate with your carrier’s cell towers. SIM cards come in different sizes and if you were to remove the SIM card from your phone you wouldn’t be able to text, call, or access anything on the internet.

SIM cards have been on the scene since 1991.

What’s stored on a sim card? – A SIM card stores an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, which is a unique 15-digit number identifying the card on carrier’s mobile network.

A SIM card is also capable of storing SMS messages and the names and phone numbers of up to 500 contacts, depending on the memory size of the SIM card you have.

If you have to change phones for whatever reason, you’re able to transfer your contacts via the SIM card painlessly. Most SIM cards contain between 64-128 KB of storage.

Most modern phones do not store that kind of information on SIM cards.

The first thing you should do if your phone or SIM card is stolen is report the theft to your carrier. They can then block that SIM card from being used at all.

Call your carrier and ask them to add a security PIN to your account. That way, anybody who talks to them to make account changes (including you) must provide the PIN number first.

The next-generation SIM technology is called an Embedded-SIM (eSIM). It’s a non-replaceable chip soldered directly to your device’s circuit board and contains something called “Remote SIM Provisioning,” which allows customers to remotely activate the e-SIM on their devices. Right now, Google’s Pixel 2 and the Apple Watch 3 (along with some cars), are the only real consumer tech using eSIMs, but that’s expected to change quickly. Read more at this How-To Geek web page: https://goo.gl/cKWKYS

WHY VIRUSES ON ANDROID AREN’T REALLY AN ISSUE – It’s commonly suggested that Android has a “virus problem.” But, while there are viruses and malware on Android, it’s not really something you need to be concerned about—as long as you pay attention to what you’re doing.

Android itself is a pretty secure operating system—a statement that has only gotten truer over the last few years. Right out of the box, all mainstream Android phones feature a locked bootloader to prevent access to the system partition. Optional “sideloading” of non-approved apps is also disabled by default.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and get into the discussion. http://bit.ly/2HgQAtG

HOW TO CLEAR YOUR CACHE ON ANY BROWSER – It’s not always a straightforward process, but it’s always a good thing to do on occasion.

The browser history—a list of every page you’ve visited online and the time you were there—is a standard of modern computing. And it can lead to trouble; it’s practically a cliché. Think of the romantic “comedies” where the girl finds a guy’s browser history (because it’s always the guy’s) and he’s in scalding hot water.

For most of us, sharing a PC is normal (sadly, setting up multiple user accounts is not) and handing off a smartphone to someone isn’t unheard of. It doesn’t matter if you’re encrypting your emails, using Tor and VPNs while browsing to stay anonymous, or if you wear a false moustache at your desk: if someone has access to your devices, they can see where you’ve been.

A browser can and will hold your history indefinitely. The goal is to help you find your way back to a perhaps-forgotten corner of the Internet you visited once upon a time. The reality is, it can be used against you by significant others, friends, bosses, subordinates, teachers, even the authorities. It doesn’t even matter if you never stopped to look at the contents; these days, simply visiting can be impetus enough for outrage, blackmail, or whatever you fear most in reprisal.

Go to this HomeBT web site and save some storage space on your device. http://bit.ly/2kNdKij

WHAT’S THE LATEST VERSION OF MICROSOFT OFFICE? – Office 2016 is the latest version of Microsoft Office for both Windows PCs and Macs. If you subscribe to Office 365, you’ll always receive updates to the latest version of Office. If you buy a traditional single system license, you have to purchase each new version to receive it.

If you use Microsoft Office, go to this How-To Geek web page and find out the latest version your using and how to update. http://bit.ly/2JaffGd

BOUGHT YOUR FIRST AMAZON ALEXA? HERE’S HOW TO SET IT UP – An Amazon Echo device with Alexa is designed to make your life easier. But before you begin, here are the essential steps to get started.

The era of intelligent home assistants is well and truly here. Do you want to switch your lights on and off with a voice command? Do you want a particular song played when the mood hits you? Or do you just like showing off fancy tech to your friends? Then you will probably enjoy buying an Alexa from Amazon.

Go to this groovyPost web page and find out how to set up The Various Features of Alexa. http://bit.ly/2sB97eI

REBOOT YOUR ROUTER TO AVOID RUSSIAN MALWARE, FBI WARNS: What you need to know. In some cases, a full factory reset may be required.

Your gateway to the Internet may be the portal that foreign hackers are using to snatch your data. The FBI recently issued a security notice warning that all home and small office routers should be rebooted after Cisco’s Talon group discovered sophisticated Russian-linked “VPNFilter” malware infecting at least 500,000 networking devices.

Here’s what you need to know about VPNFilter and the FBI’s guidance to reboot your router—which might not even safeguard against the malware completely.

Go to this PCWorld web page and read all about it. Do it now. http://bit.ly/2xqaMty

WHAT IS A WI-FI HOTSPOT (AND ARE THEY SAFE TO USE)? – A Wi-Fi hotspot is really just a wireless access point. Typically, they are public locations where you can access the internet through Wi-Fi on your mobile devices. They are convenient, but there are also some security issues to be aware of when using them.

Technically, there’s nothing distinguishing a Wi-Fi hotspot from any other wireless access point. You could consider the wireless router in your home to be a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, when we talk about hotspots, we’re usually talking about the public, physical locations where you can sign on to Wi-Fi (often for free). They’re usually provided by businesses like coffee shops and hotels but are sometimes provided as a public service. To connect to a hotspot, the only thing you need is a device with wireless connectivity, whether that’s a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

Go to this How-To Geek web page and read about the plus and minus of using a HotSpot. http://bit.ly/2xukoTR

HOW TO USE READING VIEW IN MICROSOFT EDGE – The Reading View in Microsoft Edge removes ads and unnecessary images, simplifying pages for reading. It’s great for reading long articles, where you don’t want all that clutter distracting you.

Safari pioneered this type of reading view, but other browsers like Firefox and Edge have started to adopt it. You can use Reading View in the desktop version of Edge, but Microsoft has yet to add it to the mobile version of the browser.

Go to this How-to Geek web page and see how you can use Readers View in Microsoft Edge Browser. http://bit.ly/2H2UAOl

 

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