2019-11-16 12:00
Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a huge fan of free software. In fact, I download, test and write about free programs and apps all the time. That being said, installing free… Read More
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Tech Tips, Techniques and Tutorials
2019-11-15 18:43
Have you ever taken a look at all the programs that are actually installed on your PC? If you have, you were probably a bit surprised that there are so many of them. You might also be surpri… Read More
2019-11-15 16:22
Are you a blogger who takes your own photos or creates your own graphics for use in your blog posts? If so, you’re probably concerned about other bloggers or webmasters stealing your i… Read More
2019-11-14 20:46
As you probably know, several major retailers have recently had their computers hacked and their customers’ personal and financial data stolen, leaving hundreds of thousands of pe… Read More
2019-11-14 12:48
Question from Wanda: For the past few mornings the birthday notifications have been missing from my Facebook Newsfeed. The first thing I always do when I get on Facebook is wish all my… Read More
2019-11-14 11:45
If you’re like most folks you’ve probably already started planning your Christmas shopping, and chances are you have at least a couple of people on your list who are pretty hard… Read More
2019-11-13 18:22
Question from Lamar H.: I recently bought my first Mac, and I really like it. So far I’m adjusting to the differences between Windows and Mac OS pretty well, but one thing is rea… Read More
2019-11-13 16:29
Well, the Christmas shopping season will soon be switching into high gear. Christmas morning is only about a week away, and if tradition holds these last few shopping days will turn out to b… Read More
2019-11-13 11:41
Question from Laurie F.: My son has been begging me for an iPhone 11 every day since it was released. I finally gave in and got him one for his birthday. My own phone was starting to h… Read More
2019-11-12 20:50
Question from Richard G.: Hi Rick. I hope you can answer a question for me. I have a old Gateway LX6810-01 desktop PC that came with a 640 Gig hard drive. The hard drive died and I wan… Read More
2019-11-12 13:19
Question from Barbara: I recently learned that every email I send with my iPhone includes a line that says “Sent from my iPhone”. There are times when I’d rather not… Read More
2019-11-11 15:26
Question from Sue: Yesterday I started getting emails from several websites that I mostly infrequently use or don’t use at all, such as Microsoft, Walmart, and Instagram. But now… Read More
2019-11-09 13:36
Question from Oliver: I just read your article about replacing a hard drive with an SSD and I have a question about it. I remember hearing that upgrading the graphics card in a compute… Read More
2019-11-08 03:44
Question from Carol: I have a blog and my web host recently installed a free Let’s Encrypt security certificate on it for me. I can now access the blog with https: in the URL ins… Read More
2019-11-07 19:56
Question from Bill: I received a notice from Twitter saying they had removed one of my tweets for being against their Rules and Policies. After thinking about it I realize that tweet w… Read More
2019-11-05 13:41
If you’re a blogger you probably know how important it is to keep your blog free of broken links. And if you do, there’s a good chance that you have a plugin titled “Broken… Read More
2019-11-04 13:23
Question from Melvin: I have a “health and wellness” blog that I’ve been writing for over four years now. It runs on WordPress. I write several new posts each we… Read More
2019-11-02 13:44
Question from Claude: I was looking at the various options for buying Microsoft Office on Amazon the other day and I saw they’re selling Microsoft Office that runs on Macs. That… Read More
2019-10-30 19:15
It used to be that hackers targeted online retailers a lot more often than local “brick-and-mortar” establishments, but that’s no longer the case. In fact there are actuall… Read More
2019-10-28 13:18
Have you ever wished you could block all the distracting junk from the Facebook window so you could concentrate entirely on your Newsfeed? Facebook’s user interface seems to get &ldquo&hell…Read More
2019-10-24 13:14
Question from Ramie: I downloaded a photo last night with Chrome and while I was retrieving it from the Downloads folder I noticed there’s a file named setup.exe in there. I have… Read More
2019-10-23 18:31
Facebook asks for some pretty sensitive information when someone signs up for an account. For example, among other things they request our address, phone number and birthdate. Many folk… Read More
2019-10-22 14:27
Question from Larry: I was digging around in my basement yesterday and found my old 1990s era Gateway computer with Windows 3.1 on it. Just out of curiosity I hooked it up and was surp… Read More
2019-10-21 13:59
Apple’s Macbook Pro line of laptops are considered by many to be the cream of the crop because of their unique blend of power, durability and ease of use. Well, the New 13″ Apple… Read More
2019-10-18 12:14
Emails scams are certainly nothing new, but there’s one making the rounds via email right now that I’ve never seen before. And unfortunately, this one will brick your PC if you f… Read More
2019-10-16 12:39
Question from Peter: Lots of programs that I’ve downloaded to my Mac in the past failed to run because they weren’t “approved” by Apple (whatever that means). T… Read More
2019-10-14 12:20
Question from Leslie: It seems like Microsoft is really pushing customers to sign up for a subscription to Office 365 instead of buying a copy of Office 2019. Do you think they’r… Read More
2019-10-10 14:06
Free giveaway hoaxes are nothing new to Facebook, and several of the most annoying ones seem to pop up over and over again. Unfortunately, one of the most enticing giveaway hoaxes ever is cu… Read More
2019-10-10 11:59
Question from Cara G: I installed a new plugin on my my WordPress and now my blog won’t load at all. All I get is an error message. To make matters worse I can’t even get t… Read More
2019-10-09 09:54
Every now and then it helps to be able to view your system’s hidden files and folders, especially when troubleshooting a sticky Windows issue or trying to track down a stubborn malware… Read More
2019-10-08 13:49
Did you know YouTube maintains a list of every search you’ve ever made via YouTube’s search box? And did you know they also maintain a list of every video you have ever watched o… Read More
2019-10-07 13:01
Question from Gail: I’m getting ready to buy a new computer and my friend said I need to buy a Mac because Microsoft designed Windows 10 to be nothing but a spy tool. First of al… Read More
2019-10-03 12:30
Question from Keenan: I got a really nasty message from a someone I was friends with on Facebook. This message was so bad that I instantly blocked him because I don’t even really… Read More
2019-10-02 13:11
Question from Tina: Our church hosted a gospel music festival over the weekend and I videoed the performances of eight groups, each of which sang several songs each. There was a consid… Read More
2019-10-01 12:30
Question from Earnie: I’ve been following you on Facebook for a long time Rick, and I’ve learned a lot from the great info you post. One post that really helped was the one… Read More
2019-09-26 12:06
Question from Jimmy B.: A few days ago my iPhone started telling me my phone has a virus every time I open Safari. The warning message says I need to call Apple at the number it listed… Read More
2019-09-25 13:19
Question from Nina P.: Hi Rick. First, I want to thank you for sharing all the beautiful picturess with us every morning. They really start my day off on a positive note! Now, a questi… Read More
2019-09-23 14:04
Question from Gene: Rick, is there any way to block app invites from just one friend on Facebook while still allowing other people to send them to me? I read your post explaining how t… Read More
2019-09-21 12:42
Question from Leslie: Hi Rick. I hope you won’t mind answering a question for me. I recently bought a new new 27″ iMac and I absolutely love it except for one small problem… Read More
2019-09-20 10:44
Question from Eric: I received a hand-me-down ASUS Zenbook UX305 with Window 10 from my daughter. I like it a lot but there’s one thing about it that drives me nuts. The Power bu… Read More
2019-09-19 13:24
Question from Ingrid P.: Do you know when Microsoft is planning to release Windows 11? If memory serves they have always released a new version of Windows every 3 years or so and it&rs&hell…Read More
2019-09-18 01:58
Question from George L.: I know your site is mostly about computers but I hope you can answer a question about my audio gear. I have an older Sony stereo system that I’d love to… Read More
2019-09-16 11:50
Question from Kenny: About six months ago I bought a Toshiba laptop with Windows 10 on it. Everything worked great until three days ago when Chrome started failing to load certain webs… Read More
2019-09-13 12:32
Question from Delaney G.: Hi Rick. I want you to know that I just found your site and literally spent two hours reading your tips. I really like the way you explain things in simple te… Read More
2019-09-11 12:08
Like it or not, the future of Windows computers lies in Windows 10. After all, Windows 7 is scheduled to officially be abandoned by Microsoft in January 2020. Windows 8.1 will be around for… Read More
2019-09-10 12:41
Question from Elaine: Hi Rick. I’m hoping you can help me. I joined your Rick’s Tech Tips group on Facebook a couple of months ago to make sure I didn’t miss any of y… Read More
2019-09-09 11:47
Does it seem like your email inbox receives more junk and SPAM messages each and every day? If so, it probably takes quite a while for you to wade through all those emails and read the impor… Read More
Scam Alert: Don’t Fall For Scammers Soliciting Fraudulent ‘Hurricane Dorian Relief’ Donations!
2019-09-07 12:40
Horrible events like Hurricane Dorian tend to bring out the best in humanity. Millions of generous individuals and companies have already donated billions of dollars in relief funds for vict… Read More
2019-09-04 12:30
As you probably know, Facebook scams and hoaxes take many forms. Whether they show up in your newsfeed or arrive in your Messenger inbox, the results are always the same… Lots of folk… Read More
2019-09-03 13:24
Question from Sylvia: I’ve been wanting to get a keyboard to use with my iPad. The thing is I want a really good quality keyboard but I can’t afford to spend a lot on it. I… Read More
2019-09-02 12:47
Question from Angie L.: I’m trying to find a specific photo of a family member that I liked on Facebook a couple of years back. The problem is I can’t remember who posted t… Read More
2019-09-01 13:46
It’s no secret that Apple has always opposed allowing third-party repair shops to service Apple products. As a result, third-party shops weren’t allowed to use genuine Apple part… Read More
2019-08-29 19:25
A very dangers scam is making the rounds again, and it’s one that you really need to be aware of. It works something like this: You receive a phone call from someone who claims to work… Read More
2019-08-29 13:14
The Internet is a haven for legions of scammers who use it to deliver all manner of fraudulent “offers” to potential victims. One of the most dangerous scams you’re likely… Read More
2019-08-27 21:09
Question from Mary: Hi Rick. I need some advice on the best way to scan pictures. I learned yesterday that I may have an opportunity to access some old family photographs that are… Read More
2019-08-27 14:53
Question from Ken F.: I know that Bluetooth is the wireless signal that connects smartphones to speakers and other portable devices. What I’m curious about is why did they choose… Read More
2019-08-26 12:26
Do you depend on Microsoft’s native Windows Defender security app to protect your Windows 10 PC from malware? If so, you’ll be happy to know that Microsoft recently added ransomw… Read More
2019-08-26 10:01
External hard drives used to be expensive luxuries that transferred data between the PC and the drive at a relative snail’s pace. But thankfully, that has all changed thanks to th… Read More
2019-08-22 12:23
Question from Debbie: Rick, I edited a photo today and then I tried to save it, but Windows won’t let me save the edited file. Every time I try to save the photo I get the follow… Read More
2019-08-20 14:40
If you’re a blogger you surely know how important it is for your blog posts to rank well in Google. After all, traffic is the engine that drives all success in blogging, and there&rsqu&hell…Read More
2019-08-20 11:03
Question from Sheila T.: I recently saw an ad for a Microsoft Surface laptop that said it comes with Windows 10 S. The ad didn’t give any details about this version of Windows 10… Read More
2019-08-19 12:53
It’s no secret that smart phones have literally changed the way most of us live our lives. They allow us to make phone calls and use the Internet from most anywhere, and the list of de… Read More
2019-08-19 10:35
You probably already know that Amazon is the world’s largest book retailer by far, but did you also know that you can buy or rent your textbooks from them as well. You’… Read More
2019-08-18 11:00
Question from Michael S.: I’ve noticed that every computer I’ve ever owned starts out running lightning fast when I first take it out of the box, but before long it starts… Read More
2019-08-17 18:54
Would you enjoy the convenience of logging into your Windows 10 laptop or desktop computer with a quick touch of your finger? Windows 10 now has a feature called Windows 10 Hello that adds f… Read More
2019-08-15 12:22
Do you lock your PC every time you leave the room to keep prying eyes from seeing what you’re working on or to prevent others from messing with your computer? If you only use a compute… Read More
2019-08-14 14:22
A new scam that’s targeting Apple customers recently started making the rounds. As usual, there are several variations of the scam, but they all work something like this… You re… Read More
2019-08-13 15:07
If it seems like the scammers and hoaxsters never take a break from Facebook, it’s because they really don’t. At any point in time there are numerous scammers sitting around tryi… Read More
2019-08-12 12:07
If you’ve been using an iPhone for a while you probably know that you can check the health of your phone’s battery by selecting an option on the Settings screen. This battery hea… Read More
2019-08-11 11:59
Question from Don H.: For a while now I’ve been using an HP laptop and an Epson VS240 projector to display presentations to my Art History students. The laptop’s hard drive… Read More
2019-08-10 19:26
Question from Pete L.: Several of my Facebook friends use “Facebook Live Video” to broadcast all kinds of stupid stuff, and the invitations to view their videos are filling… Read More
2019-08-09 12:30
Question from Mark: I have a very important question for you, Rick. How much is Facebook’s cut of all the money that’s donated to charity to honor someone’s birthday?… Read More
2019-08-09 10:00
Question from Adam J.: I read an article the other day that discussed the advantages and disadvantages of building your own computer from scratch as opposed to buying one off the shelf… Read More
2019-08-07 21:30
Do you enjoy the retro sound of music played from a good old fashioned vinyl record? Or do you have a stack of old LPs and “single” records that you’d love to transfer onto… Read More
2019-08-07 16:00
A while back I wrote a post that explains how to force a Desktop shortcut to always “Open as administrator”. As an example I mentioned a shortcut that I had created that quickly… Read More
2019-08-07 02:42
Email scams have been making the rounds ever since email first burst onto the scene back in the early days of the Internet. There are countless ways for scammers to use fraudulent emails to… Read More
2019-08-06 21:40
Virtually every release of a new major Windows version includes a slew of new Windows shortcuts, and Windows 10 is no exception. In fact, Windows 10 was provides dozens of them for you to us… Read More
2019-08-05 14:10
I’m often asked whether free antivirus programs are as effective at protecting a Windows PC from virus infections as their “paid” counterparts. And I must say, that’s… Read More
2019-08-04 19:00
Adware, viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware and rootkits are everywhere these days, and keeping our PCs free of malware is a constant struggle. Regardless of how diligent we are at pr… Read More
2019-08-02 12:26
Question from Gabrielle H.: I have a question about Facebook that I’m hoping you can can answer for me. Whenever I post something on my Facebook page and people share that post… Read More
2019-08-01 13:37
Question from Stella H.: Our state will be observing its annual back-to-school “Tax Free Weekend” starting this Friday. I know that certain items can be purchased tax-free… Read More
2019-07-31 14:20
If you use an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch you know how handy Siri can be at times. But what you might not know is Siri is constantly snooping on your conversations, and that even includes fa… Read More
2019-07-30 13:19
Do you have an account with the giant financial services firm Capital One? If so, there’s a good chance that some very sensitive information about you was recently compromised in a mas… Read More
2019-07-29 17:00
It seems that fraudsters are all over the Internet these days, and many of them spam us with messages that turn up in our email inboxes on a daily basis. And they’re pretty good at pro… Read More
2019-07-29 13:06
If you use Gmail as your email provider you probably realize how important it is to prevent hackers from accessing your Gmail account. Once a hacker is logged into your Gmail account he/she… Read More
2019-07-25 21:01
Security firm Kaspersky (the makers of Kaspersky Antivirus products) has just reported that the number of computers infected with Password Stealing Malware was up 60% during the first half 2… Read More
2019-07-24 01:13
Today’s Daily Deal features this extremely affordable HP 2019 14″ Laptop with Windows 10. If you’re looking for a good back-to-school laptop that won’t break your bud… Read More
2019-07-23 21:15
Want to make sure you never miss one of my daily tech tips? Sign up below and you’ll receive an email every evening featuring links to my latest tips along with a tech-related product… Read More
2019-07-23 16:34
Question from Kyle: A while back I read your post about enabling Clipboard History on a Windows 10 computer. I followed your instructions and enabled it and I immediately fell in love… Read More
2019-07-22 13:09
Question from Jill: Hi Rick, I’ve just joined your Rick’s Tech Tips Facebook group and already have learned so much! I have a Facebook question. I don’t know if it is… Read More
2019-07-22 10:00
A while back I wrote this post that explains how to convert an unused internal hard drive into an external USB 3.0 drive. That has turned out to be one of the most popular posts I have ever… Read More
2019-07-19 13:21
Do you write a blog that’s still serving its pages to your visitors’ web browsers in a non-secure (i.e. unencrypted) state? If you’re not sure, it’s very easy to find… Read More
2019-07-18 19:03
Question from Kristen A.: The hard drive in my laptop has stopped working and I need to take it somewhere to have it fixed. I’ve been taking your advice about creating regular Sy… Read More
2019-07-18 13:32
Have you ever used the ultra-popular FaceApp “digital aging” app that’s taking the world by storm right now? If so, there’s something you should know… The Term… Read More
2019-07-16 18:00
If you run a blog, chances are you’re concerned about it getting hacked and infected with malware. And in this day and age, that is a very valid concern. Hackers and scammers are const… Read More
2019-07-15 12:57
Question from Michael: The power supply in my computer has gone bad and I need to replace it. I looked on Amazon and a couple of other sites and there are so many brands to choose from… Read More
2019-07-14 17:55
If you have ever posted a birthday wish to a Facebook friend’s Timeline only to find out that he/she had passed on, you know how embarrassing it can be. Even worse, it can often b… Read More
2019-07-13 12:56
I’m often asked if it’s really necessary to put a password on a Wi-Fi connection instead of just leaving it as an open network. The reason they usually give is they want to make… Read More
2019-07-12 13:45
As you probably know, unused online accounts are at risk of being hijacked by hackers who can then use them to do malicious things in your name. That’s one of the reasons why I wrote t… Read More
2019-07-11 16:44
Question from Audrey: Hi Rick! Is there anyway to block someone from tagging me on Facebook? Also, how do I prevent them from posting things to my Timeline? Rick’s answer: … Read More
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