2022-02-13 20:31
Here’s a quick question for you… If you had to connect a new computer or other device to your WiFi network, would you be able to enter the network’s password (aka network… Read More
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Tech Tips, Techniques and Tutorials
2022-02-12 15:20
Question from Janet: A while back my sister wanted to buy a game for my daughter to play on her tablet so I let her enter my credit card info into Google Play and buy it. But now with… Read More
2022-02-11 17:43
Question from Earl: I hope you don’t mind but I need help with something. I’m 78 years old and my fingers are stiff and in almost constant pain from arthritis. I can use a… Read More
2022-02-10 19:24
Question from Denise: I recently started a new job and the IT folks said I can connect my personal laptop to their network but only if it has something called Secure Boot enabled? Can… Read More
2022-02-09 16:45
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. If you do a lot of traveling you know how cumbersome it can be carrying a bulky (and heavy) laptop backpack along with your other belongings… Read More
2022-02-08 17:26
Question from Jim: I have a TracFone Motorola Moto G smartphone and at least twice a day I get a notification that says this: Launch Device Pulse I’ve tried everything I can thin… Read More
2022-02-07 17:15
Question from Roland: I have a laptop that’s provided by my employer for business use. I have a question about also using it at home for personal use. I’m allowed to t… Read More
2022-02-06 21:00
Question from Jamie: For the most part I like how Firefox blocks pop-ups but there’s one site that I really love that opens every link you click in a pop-up window. Is there any… Read More
2022-02-05 15:49
Question from Roger: I’ve heard that people are getting emails about an Equifax settlement in relation to the time they were hacked. I’m confused because I thought that hap… Read More
2022-02-04 15:37
Like most folks these days you probably enjoy the convenience of being able to pull up to an ATM and withdraw a little cash when you need it. But it’s a pretty good bet that you aren&r&hell…Read More
2022-01-31 18:08
Question from Barry: Rick, I desperately need to create a System Restore Point for last Monday. What happened was I downloaded a couple of torrent files last Tuesday and now my Windows… Read More
2022-01-31 15:41
Question from Megyn: Hi, Rick. I have a very good friend who I love dearly. We’re also friends on Facebook, and every once in a while she’ll post something that I consider… Read More
2022-01-30 20:20
Note: The links on this page are affiliate links. A couple of people have asked me if buying a refurbished (or renewed) computer on Amazon instead of a new one is a wise move, and my answer… Read More
2022-01-29 15:45
Question from Danny: I recently bought a Dell desktop computer and it’s driving me crazy. Every time I try to install a new program a stupid “User Account Control” bo… Read More
2022-01-29 14:31
Question from Amanda: The screen stopped working on my 5 year old Windows laptop so I decided to give a Chromebook a try. I really like it a lot but for the life of me I can’t fi… Read More
2022-01-28 19:50
Do you have one or more working, but no longer needed Apple products sitting around just collecting dust? If so, did you know that you can easily sell them and get a decent price without the… Read More
2022-01-28 19:00
Have you ever needed to capture a screen shot of an entire web page only to be frustrated because the entire page wouldn’t fit on the screen? I sure have, and it’s pretty frustra… Read More
2022-01-27 15:44
The scammers just never seem to take a break from Facebook, and one of the most enticing scams of them all is making the rounds yet again. It’s basically just a variation of the old &l&hell…Read More
2022-01-27 14:38
Most homes no longer have land-line telephone connections these days due to the proliferation of cell phones. While switching to cell service only can be a good move, it often creates a prob… Read More
2022-01-26 16:15
If you use Facebook on your smartphone, chances are you access it via Facebook’s mobile app. Do you frequently notice that your phone’s battery charge is evaporating faster than… Read More
2022-01-26 15:00
Question from Elliot: About two years ago I bought a wireless keyboard/mouse combo to make it easier to use my laptop. I hate those trackpads and small keyboards! I was typing an email… Read More
2022-01-25 20:38
For the most part, the Windows operating system has improved greatly over the years, generally getting better and more reliable with each major update. But unfortunately a couple of major fr… Read More
2022-01-25 18:21
One of the most irritating things about using a Windows PC is having to wait for it to boot up into a usable state after we turn it on. To their credit, Microsoft has tweaked newer versions… Read More
2022-01-24 15:55
If you’re like most Internet users, your email inbox probably contains several old messages that contain the usernames and passwords for some of your online accounts. As you probably k… Read More
2022-01-24 15:28
Soon after Windows 10 was released Microsoft made a very useful upgrade to the Clipboard via a new tool called Clipboard History. In days of old the Windows Clipboard was limited to storing… Read More
2022-01-23 19:45
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Dale: I have always kept ReadyBoost enabled on a flash drive to speed up my Windows computers. I’ve heard people s… Read More
2022-01-23 18:12
A while back I received an email from a gentleman asking how he could play his stack of vintage DOS games on his Windows 7 laptop. In my answer I explained how he could download and install… Read More
2022-01-22 20:00
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. A while back I had an opportunity to check out and review an awesome 4 port USB compact wall charger from Anker. I was so impressed with tha… Read More
2022-01-22 19:02
Question from Ed: I have a Lenovo IdeaPad Z570 laptop that came with Windows 7 preinstalled. The hard drive died and I had to replace it and my co-worker recommended that I install Lin… Read More
2022-01-21 15:40
Your iPhone’s keyboard has a feature called Predictive Text that analyzes your words as you are typing and tries to predict what you are going to type next. When you first get a new iP… Read More
2022-01-21 14:54
Facebook offers budding and established businesses alike a top-notch platform to market their goods and services. Its robust algorithm can increase brand reach and awareness and effectively… Read More
2022-01-20 19:01
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Adrien: I have a three year old custom-built desktop computer that’s in need of some upgrades. I plan to replace t… Read More
2022-01-20 17:28
Question from Brenda: Hi, Rick. I have a question for you, and I know the answer is probably pretty simple. All I need to know is how can I capture a screenshot on my iPad? I’ve… Read More
2022-01-19 18:32
There’s a very dangerous telephone scam that pops up every now and then, and right now the scammers are back to working it pretty hard. It’s called the “One Ring” pho… Read More
2022-01-19 17:19
Question from Bailey: Microsoft says my 6 year old HP laptop won’t run Windows 11, but it’s running Windows 10 just fine. I read online that people have installed it on com… Read More
2022-01-18 15:55
iPhone users started complaining about their phones’ horrible battery lives almost as soon as the first iPhone was released. In response, Apple developed a comprehensive strategy for i… Read More
2022-01-18 15:01
Question from Martha: About three or four times a month I get a call from the number (205) 595-XXXX. (I blanked out the last four digits to protect the caller in case everything is on… Read More
2022-01-17 16:12
It’s no secret that Facebook is a favorite venue for crooks and scammers to seek out potential victims, but it’s certainly not the only place where they hang out. There’s a… Read More
2022-01-17 16:05
Question from Bill: I hope you can help me with a Windows issue, Rick. When I click the Start button and search for something it always gives me a bunch of results from the web right b… Read More
2022-01-16 15:32
Question from Liz: I recently found out that everyone who looks at my Facebook can see my profile picture. I don’t like that because I don’t want all the stalkers and scamm… Read More
2022-01-15 15:25
Question from Angie: I have an older Dell desktop computer that came with Windows but was long ago converted into an Unbuntu Linux machine. I love this computer dearly and I don’… Read More
2022-01-15 14:43
Question from Margaret: Hi, Rick. I have a question for you about my options for getting a new computer. What are your thoughts on having someone build a custom computer for me vs. buy… Read More
2022-01-13 15:37
Question from Keith: I always ‘eject’ my USB flash drives before removing them from the computer because I heard that not doing that could cause the drive to get corrupted… Read More
2022-01-12 17:36
If you’re like most folks you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what will happen after you pass away. After all, that isn’t the most pleasant of topics. But… Read More
2022-01-10 16:06
Did you know YouTube has a handy ‘Picture-In-Picture’ feature that allows you to watch a video in the corner of the screen while you’re doing other things with your machine… Read More
2022-01-09 15:07
Question from Lawrence: I’m getting ready to take my first trans-Atlantic flight in over 20 years to visit family in Italy. I’m hoping to be able to use my laptop to play s… Read More
2022-01-08 16:08
Question from Gretchen.: My daughter started college this fall and she’s living on campus. When she received her dorm assignment they also gave her a list of rules that she must… Read More
2022-01-08 15:47
Question from Patty: We have a special election coming up in my area and I keep getting those voting reminder messages from Facebook in my Newsfeed. I always vote and I don’t nee… Read More
2022-01-07 16:55
Question from Joanie: I got my first iPhone a few weeks ago. It’s a used one that my sister gave me after she bought a new one. It seems to be ok but last night it froze up on me… Read More
2022-01-06 18:36
Question from Ronald: I recently bought my first computer with Windows 11 on it. I guess it’s ok overall but there are a few things that irritate me, one of which is how it force… Read More
2022-01-05 19:13
Do you have a large collection of irreplaceable photos stored on your phone? Photos that you’d hate to lose if your phone should ever go belly-up, or get lost or stolen? If so, there&r&hell…Read More
2022-01-04 15:30
If you do a lot of traveling you have probably found yourself stuck in a hotel room with a weak WiFi signal on more than one occasion. Several variables control the strength of the WiFi sign… Read More
2022-01-04 14:35
These days most everyone is familiar with Windows’ sleek Graphical User Interface (i.e. GUI) and how it allows us to do most anything with a click or two of the mouse. But those who st… Read More
2022-01-03 19:14
I love writing about great free software that makes using computers, tablets and smart phones easier to use, more secure and more user friendly. And I must admit, my favorite software progra… Read More
2022-01-03 17:28
Question from Cecille: My son is wanting a gaming computer for his birthday. The one he has been looking at is over $900. I mentioned this to my friend and she suggested that I look in… Read More
2022-01-01 19:29
Question from Kevin: I hope you can help me with a Gmail problem, Rick. I subscribe to several email newsletters (including yours), and almost all of them always end up in the “P… Read More
2021-12-31 14:16
Question from Linda: I hate it when a website I’m visiting pops up a little box asking me to let them know my location. I always click “Don’t allow” every time… Read More
2021-12-30 16:40
I receive dozens of questions every week via the Tech Q&A page on my blog, and many of those questions are about printer issues. They often go something like this: “I need hel… Read More
2021-12-30 15:08
When using Microsoft Windows, there are times when we need to find the entire path to a file’s exact ‘location’ on the hard drive (i.e. the file’s pathname). For exam… Read More
2021-12-28 15:52
Recent Windows versions are quite aggressive at tracking the things you do with your PC, both locally and online. And as you might expect, Windows 11 does it big time. For example, your Wind… Read More
2021-12-27 15:51
Question from Carrol: The other day there was a man on the news talking about new routers that use something called WiFi6. To be honest I didn’t really understand what he was tal… Read More
2021-12-26 17:04
Question from Rita: When I first got my iPhone the websites I viewed in Safari loaded real fast. But lately I’ve noticed that they’re loading a lot slower than they used to… Read More
2021-12-25 15:43
Question from Nancy: I have a big problem Rick, and I really need your help. I tried logging into LastPass this morning and it wouldn’t let me. Every time I try it says my master… Read More
2021-12-24 16:40
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Are you a “hunt-and-peck” typist who enjoys using your computer with the lights turned down low? If so, you probably have troubl… Read More
2021-12-22 14:28
In order for your computer to work perfectly, it’s important to keep it clean and organized. You have to take care of the data that’s stored in it, as well as where it is. J… Read More
2021-12-21 15:45
In Windows 7 (and earlier versions) we could easily boot our computers into Safe Mode by repeatedly pressing the F8 key when Windows first started loading. Starting with Windows 8, Micr… Read More
2021-12-21 15:31
As you probably know, Gmail is the most popular email service on the planet. In fact, every month over a billion people worldwide use Gmail to send and receive gazillions of emails. There ar… Read More
2021-12-18 20:20
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. If you’ve been checking out the latest laptops and desktop computers you’ve probably noticed that most of them no longer come wi… Read More
2021-12-18 20:00
As you probably know, the scammers of the world are getting sneakier by the day. One of the latest scams that’s making the rounds right now consists of a mostly blank email with a line… Read More
2021-12-17 20:40
I frequently receive requests for help from people who have been swindled out of large sums of cash by people they met on the Internet. Unfortunately, in the vast majority of those cases the… Read More
2021-12-16 15:47
As you probably know, the scammers of the world are getting more creative and more brazen by the day. Unfortunately, the Internet has made it far too easy for fraudsters to target victims in… Read More
2021-12-14 15:39
If you’ve recently started using Windows 11 you’ve probably noticed that the little “Show Desktop” icon that used to be located beside the Start button is no longer t… Read More
2021-12-13 21:24
Question from Karla: I bought a new Acer laptop a couple of months ago and I didn’t realize it had Windows 10 S on it. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I just fou… Read More
2021-12-11 17:30
By default, any Facebook user who can see your profile can view your friend list as well. With Facebook privacy being talked about in the news almost daily, many users are now hiding their F… Read More
2021-12-09 21:23
Given how small the iPhone is, its internal components can be particularly vulnerable to damage. In the worst cases, hardware damage on iPhones can cause screen dysfunction, charging problem… Read More
2021-12-09 20:00
If you’ve been using computers for a while you probably know that a hard drive or SSD failure, a horrible virus infection or some other catastrophic event can result in data loss. If t… Read More
2021-12-08 15:07
As you probably know, Windows 11 has been out for a while now and it’s quickly gaining traction in the marketplace. But here’s a little secret… Windows 10 is still very mu… Read More
2021-12-06 19:00
If you’ve been using Facebook Messenger for more than 10 minutes you’ve probably received an instant message that begins with something like: “Please send this to all your… Read More
2021-12-06 14:53
If you’ve recently started using Windows 11 for the first time you’ve probably noticed that Microsoft has drastically changed the look and layout of the Start Menu. Personally, I… Read More
2021-12-03 20:49
Question from Tina: I currently use the Google Authenticator app on my phone to retrieve the Two-Factor Authentication codes for logging into my online accounts. I’m getting read… Read More
2021-12-01 19:46
Question from KellyAnne: I just bought a new computer with Windows 11 on it. One of the first things I did while setting it up was install FastStone Image Viewer on it because that&rsq&hell…Read More
2021-11-30 19:20
A while back I wrote a post explaining how to delete your entire search history that Google has collected and stored since the moment you began using their service way back when. Severa… Read More
2021-11-30 16:31
Crowdfunding has been around for a while now, and truth be told, they have been really helped a lot of people out of some really unfortunate jams and done lots of good for the world in other… Read More
2021-11-28 21:45
Question from Marla: My 7 year old HP laptop quit on me the other day so I’ve been shopping around for a new laptop. I noticed almost immediately that Apple’s MacBooks are… Read More
2021-11-25 14:25
Have you recently updated your Mac to macOS Monterey only to have it start freezing up on you? If so, you know how frustrating it is. Many reasons can lead to this problem, and the purpose o… Read More
2021-11-24 16:30
Question from Naomi: I hate the ‘Stories’ thing that Facebook places at the top of my newsfeed. Is there any way to remove it or am I just stuck with it? Surely there&rsquo&hell…Read More
2021-11-22 19:27
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Andie: I have a gorgeous photo of a sunrise over Lake Michigan as my desktop background. The problem I’m havi… Read More
2021-11-18 23:23
Running a business has its ups and downs. Sometimes things are good and other times, not so much. While some things may be out of control, stay on top of whatever you can control. With most… Read More
2021-11-18 14:24
Now that the holiday season is upon us folks are looking for great deals on computers and other expensive items. And with supply chain issues causing wide-spread shortages many Christmas sho… Read More
2021-11-16 19:12
There are millions of applications in the market, and each one is unique from the other. Many industries and consumers give rise to the higher demands of applications. The goal for every dev… Read More
2021-11-15 23:18
Technology has impacted every facet of life, and the education system is not exempted. In this modern age of growing technology and connectivity, tech gadgets have penetrated classrooms and… Read More
2021-11-12 20:15
Question from Melanie: I read an article about Windows 11 SE and they said it was meant to be Microsoft’s alternative to Chromebooks. That sounds exactly like what I’m look… Read More
2021-11-10 20:26
Are you an investor who uses the Robinhood app and/or any of the company’s related services? If so, there’s a good chance your name, email address and potentially other sensitive… Read More
2021-11-08 15:21
Question from Rhonda: I have a question for you. How can I keep a YouTube video playing in the corner of my computer screen even when I’m working with other programs? I subscribe… Read More
2021-11-06 19:05
I’m often asked if viruses and other forms of malware can infect Apple Mac devices. Although these machines are far less susceptible to malware and attackers than Windows, they can sti… Read More
2021-11-02 13:37
It’s clear that for the most part Windows 11 is simply Windows 10 with a fresh new coat of paint. While I actually like a few of the minor changes Microsoft has made with the new Windo… Read More
2021-11-01 17:00
Question from Marsha: I have a question about Windows licenses and I know you’ll probably be able to answer it. I received an email from a man who said he has collected over 1,00… Read More
2021-10-29 13:46
Question from William: Every time I check for new Windows Updates on my Windows 10 Lenovo laptop it tells me there are a couple of driver updates available as “optional” up… Read More
2021-10-27 13:07
Question from Ellen: I need to purchase a new laptop. What are your thoughts on an SSD drive vs a regular hard drive? Costco has two HP computers going on sale both with 12GB of memory… Read More
2021-10-26 20:00
Question from Rod: I received a flyer in the mail from Xfinity saying everyone in my area now has the option to upgrade our Internet service to 1200Mbps with virtually no increase in t… Read More
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