2022-09-30 12:11
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Robert: About a year ago I built a new gaming PC and installed Windows 11 on it. A few days ago I installed this Samsung… Read More
Blog Directory > Life Blogs > Observations Blogs > RickRouse.com observations Blog >
Rickrouse.com Blog
rickrouse.com
Tags:
education
ditching macos
connect
roku
manual scans
ditching
slow
account virtually hackproof
antivirus app
disabling
Tech Tips, Techniques and Tutorials
2022-09-29 14:15
Does your Internet service occasionally go out due to storms or equipment failure? If so, you know how irritating it can be when you have to wait for a tech to come out and restore your serv… Read More
2022-09-27 15:24
Question from Curtis: I have my antivirus program set to run automatic scans on three nights each week (I read somewhere that three times a week is the best schedule to follow). My que… Read More
2022-09-27 13:40
Kodi is a hugely popular media player that runs on devices like Android TVs, phones, PCs, Firesticks, and more. You can use it as an app to stream content offline or to use local storage. Yo… Read More
2022-09-26 20:55
Do you have an iPhone that supports 5G cellular connectivity? If so, disabling 5G and forcing the device to use 4G LTE instead (if you don’t really need the extra speed provided by 5G… Read More
2022-09-26 19:37
Sometimes a new semester can bring a lot of stress, but there is always a way to make the school year successful. All you have to do is change some of your habits, and your productivity will… Read More
2022-09-21 19:39
Is there a Windows program (or two, or ten) that you’d really love to run but you just don’t want to ditch your Mac and buy a PC? Well guess what? You can easily run Windows prog… Read More
2022-09-19 19:53
A new report from the security firm Otto details a very serious data breach situation that’s playing out daily with millions of unsuspecting computer users, and it’s quite possib… Read More
2022-09-18 20:36
Did you know Google accounts are among the most frequently hacked accounts on the Internet? The reason hackers love to target Google accounts is simple… If someone manages to break in… Read More
2022-09-17 14:41
Question from Kathleen: I recently bought a Roku device and I’m enjoying it immensely. A co-worker told me she watches YouTube videos on her TV via the Roku but I looked through… Read More
2022-09-13 13:37
The security components of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a very important tool called Windows Defender Firewall. In a nutshell, this firewall helps protect the PC from Internet-base… Read More
2022-09-12 13:30
Are you wondering what you need to do in order to get your website on the front page of Google? Most website owners ask this question and are driven by this precise goal when developing digi… Read More
2022-09-10 19:55
Did you know some apps that run on Windows PCs have the ability to use your phone to make calls without you even knowing about it? Well, it’s true. If you have a smartphone linked to y… Read More
2022-09-08 13:31
There’s an old saying that goes something like “Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” While you can’t really do anything about th… Read More
2022-09-07 18:26
Do you ever feel like you really need to take a temporary break from seeing one your friend’s posts in your Facebook Newsfeed? For example, you might have a friend who generally posts… Read More
2022-09-05 15:09
If you send out a Substack newsletter you might be struggling to figure out the best way to grow your subscriber list. After all, it doesn’t matter how great your newsletter content is… Read More
2022-09-03 14:24
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. If you’re a frequent traveler you’re probably well aware of just how scarce electrical outlets can be at airports and hotel room… Read More
2022-09-03 14:13
New U.S. and state government programs aimed at expanding rural broadband Internet access have Internet Service Providers (ISPs) expanding into new areas, resulting in new high speed Interne… Read More
2022-09-01 15:26
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Jeannie: Hi, Rick. I need a little help with a Windows 11 issue if you don’t mind. When I had Windows 10 on my lap… Read More
2022-08-30 19:30
Gmail is one of the most popular email services out there thanks to all the cool and useful features it offers. One of the handiest Gmail features of all is the ability to quickly and easily… Read More
2022-08-27 19:31
Do you often receive photos and other files that were sent to you as attachments to Gmail messages? If so, it might be a good idea to save a copy of the important attachments in order to pre… Read More
2022-08-25 15:42
If you’re a LinkedIn user you probably access your account from more than one device. For example, you might log in at home on your desktop machine while also logging in at work on you… Read More
2022-08-22 18:20
Question from Troy: I have a three year old laptop that has a broken screen. The screen is smashed pretty good and it won’t light up at all. I checked and it would cost more… Read More
2022-08-22 14:52
If you use Facebook you’re probably aware that both the Facebook website and the mobile app collect all manner of data about you and use that info for marketing and other purposes. But… Read More
2022-08-21 21:11
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Like most of us who are living through the Internet age, chances are you receive gift cards via email on occasion. For example, you might re… Read More
2022-08-18 18:57
Well, an old familiar Facebook hoax is making the rounds again. This time around it’s being spread primarily via chat and instant messages, and unfortunately it seems to be spreading l… Read More
2022-08-18 18:53
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Do you travel often for either work or pleasure? If so, you probably worry about the possibility of a thief absconding with your laptop alon… Read More
2022-08-17 20:50
If you have a computer with Windows 11 installed on it there might come a time when you’ll need to provide someone with the ‘Product Key’ for your Windows installation. The… Read More
2022-08-15 11:36
I recently wrote this post explaining how to disable cellular data on your iPhone in order to avoid going over your monthly data limit. In a nutshell, turning off cellular data prevents your… Read More
2022-08-12 12:40
The Internet has spread its wings across the entire planet and is an indispensable part of our modern lives. For almost three decades, we have reaped the benefits of virtual information and… Read More
2022-08-11 13:50
If you use an iPhone you probably know there are two ways to access the Internet with your phone: Cellular Data and Wi-Fi. If you’re signed up for an unlimited data plan with your cell… Read More
2022-08-08 20:54
Question from Manuel: First of all, I really like your newsletter Rick. I’ve learned a lot from you. I have a question that I haven’t seen you address before. When I delete… Read More
2022-08-04 16:03
There’s a new email scam making the rounds right now and it’s catching a lot of Gmail users off-guard. As usual, the text of the email varies a bit, but the message conveyed is a… Read More
2022-08-01 14:36
Do you have a Google account? Chances are you do, even if you don’t realize it. Here are a few questions… Do you use Gmail? Do you sign into YouTube to watch videos? Do you use… Read More
2022-07-28 19:53
Question from Andy: I’ve been using Twitter for several months and I’ve become pretty active on there. I usually post at least a dozen tweets every day. The problem I have… Read More
2022-07-26 14:53
Question from Betty: Thanks for everything you do to help us, Rick. Your tips are wonderful. If you don’t mind I’d like to ask a question about my iMac. I’m always hi… Read More
2022-07-25 20:42
Question from Charise: I read that with all the hacking going on we need to check the strength of our passwords with an online password checker. I did a Google search for the term &ldq&hell…Read More
2022-07-22 15:07
Question from Marcie: My friend sent me some pictures and I was looking at them on my Windows laptop. After I closed everything out I saw that one of the pictures I looked at was cover… Read More
2022-07-22 10:00
Hello, and welcome… Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Friday, July 22, 2022 Topics covered in this issue… • Q&A: Which app do you recommend for def… Read More
2022-07-21 15:25
Question from Beverly: I received an email from Google saying my Gmail account was caught sending spam. They said I have to pay a $100 fine within 48 hours or my Gmail address will be… Read More
2022-07-19 15:05
If you use LinkedIn you’re probably used to seeing lots of available job notifications showing up in your feed. While some folks are actively looking for a new job and others are alway… Read More
2022-07-18 22:42
It’s no secret that Microsoft wants every Windows 11 user to sign into their PC with a Microsoft account. In fact, they have even designed Windows 11 in a way that prevents a few of it… Read More
2022-07-17 23:12
Question from Melvin: I need help with a glitch that’s affecting my Android phone. All of a sudden it started rotating the Home screen every time I rotate the phone (the same way… Read More
2022-07-15 18:40
Question from Eileen: I took some pictures with my new phone and downloaded them to my computer (HP desktop with Windows 11). All the photos look fine when I view them on the phone, bu… Read More
2022-07-12 20:54
Question from Mike: Can you explain the difference between ‘System Updates’ and ‘Software Updates’? Rick’s answer: I’ll be happy to do my best… Read More
2022-07-11 16:56
Question from Alex: I used to be able to plug my Android phone into my Windows laptop and copy the photos from the phone to the computer. However, I tried that this morning and when I… Read More
2022-07-09 17:29
Question from Emmett: I have a question about Zoom and I’m hoping you can answer it for me. My laptop has been giving me problems and I’m thinking of replacing Windows with Linux… Read More
2022-07-06 20:34
Question from Luella: My sister bought a new laptop a while back and after using it for a couple of days she decided she hates Windows 11. She was going to return it and buy a Mac but… Read More
2022-07-05 20:06
If you have a WiFi-enabled Windows PC there might come a time when you’ll need to switch your connection to a different WiFi network than the one your machine is currently connected to… Read More
2022-07-02 19:42
A while back I explained in this post how to quickly change the text size in your browser using your mouse wheel and the Ctrl key on your keyboard. In a nutshell, that procedure changes the… Read More
2022-07-01 17:35
Like other popular web browsers, Safari allows you to choose the default search engine you want to use when you search for something on the web with your Apple device. Safari comes pre-confi… Read More
2022-07-01 02:10
Social media has proven itself useful in aiding students’ learning and development. Even so, not many schools and other educational institutions use platforms like Facebook for educati… Read More
2022-06-30 20:34
Do you use the same computer for both work and home use? If so, keeping those activities isolated from one another could help prevent confusion and perhaps even embarrassment in the event th… Read More
2022-06-29 20:35
Question from Dharia: I recently bought my first Mac (well, a MacBook) and I have a question about it. I loved how I could open File Explorer in Windows by pressing the Windows and E k… Read More
2022-06-28 20:37
By now you’re probably familiar with how enabling ‘Dark Mode’ can make it more pleasant to use a device in a low-light environment. If you frequently peruse Facebook in a d… Read More
2022-06-26 17:12
Question from Mira: Hi Rick. You might think I’m not very bright after you hear my question, but I hope not lol. Anyway, I recently sent Facebook friend requests to several peopl… Read More
2022-06-24 13:05
Apple always aims to offer a fantastic user experience by delivering either big or small features that are powerful to its users. For Mac users, whether you are new to macOS or have been pla… Read More
2022-06-23 17:35
If you use a Mac there are probably times when you’d like to view (and use) two different apps at the same time. That would have been fairly difficult back in the days of small screens… Read More
2022-06-21 20:11
If you use Microsoft’s Bing search engine you’ve surely noticed the gorgeous photos they display every day on the site’s home page. In my humble opinion, all of those photo… Read More
2022-06-17 18:28
Question from Mark: I have a four month old Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop with a 32 inch ASUS gaming monitor connected and set as the primary display. I use the 32 inch screen for my game… Read More
2022-06-16 20:12
Question from Danny: I’ve been reading your newsletters for over a year now, and I always learn something I can use from them. I’ve read in several of your recent posts tha… Read More
2022-06-11 17:54
When a loved on passes on, there are many issues that the deceased’s loved ones must deal with, some of which must be dealt with in a hurry. While it’s far from the most importan… Read More
2022-06-10 13:23
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Aaron: I recently started shopping for a new desktop PC to replace my beloved Gateway that served me well for over a dec… Read More
2022-06-07 19:53
As I explained in this post, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in antivirus engine called Microsoft Defender. And truth be told, it actually does a pretty good job at keeping your… Read More
2022-06-02 18:15
Did you know that at least some of the apps on your phone are probably tracking your location even if the app doesn’t need location data in order to perform the task it was intended fo… Read More
2022-05-29 19:17
Question from Michael: I just bought my first Windows 11 PC and it came with a ‘Phone Link’ app that’s supposed to let you make calls and send texts from your compute… Read More
2022-05-27 17:50
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Regular readers of this blog know I’m a huge proponent of Battery Backup devices. Truth be told, they are absolutely essential if you… Read More
2022-05-25 14:31
Question from Sandy: Rick, I read your warning about getting Facebook Protect enabled on my account. I tried to find it on both my 6s Plus iPhone and tablet, but I never found it on ei… Read More
2022-05-24 18:20
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. You’re probably aware that lightning and power surges can damage electronic devices such as computers and TV sets. I’m… Read More
2022-05-23 14:52
Question from Michelle: I bought a new MacBook in December 2020 and I’m curious about which type of processor it has in it. I recently found out that Apple started putting differ… Read More
2022-05-21 19:11
Question from Randy: I have a two year old Mac desktop computer that runs great, but I heard Macs run a LOT faster if they have at least 16GB of RAM installed. I’d love to upgrad… Read More
2022-05-20 20:17
Have you ever really needed to access a website but you just couldn’t get it to load in your browser? I’m guessing we all have at one time or another. There are several things th… Read More
2022-05-18 14:53
Question from Joni: Hi, Rick. I have a question for you. Is there a way to block Instagram messages on Facebook Messenger? I do not use Instagram at all and I am getting a lot of messa… Read More
2022-05-13 18:33
Question from Evelyn: I have an Acer desktop computer with Windows 10 Home edition on it. Everything was working fine this morning but when I came back from lunch my web browser… Read More
2022-05-11 13:05
If you’ve been on Facebook recently you’ve probably seen lots of cool-looking photos that have been altered to look like drawings and other such adaptations. Unfortunately, this… Read More
2022-05-10 19:42
A while back I wrote this post explaining how to use Chrome’s native Task Manager to find out which Chrome processes could be causing the browser to operate slower than it should. That… Read More
2022-05-09 20:20
Question from Carmen: I just got a new Moto Android phone and I hate how it vibrates every time someone calls or when I get a notification of some kind. I don’t want my phone vib… Read More
2022-05-08 20:19
Question from Julia: I have an ASUS Chromebook C204 that I’ve had for a while. My husband (who is serving overseas and unavailable to help) said I might need to upgrade the RAM b… Read More
2022-05-07 22:54
It’s no secret that Facebook gathers all manner of data and info about their users, but most folks have no idea just how much data Facebook has about them, and how broad it is. And few… Read More
2022-05-06 13:21
Countless people send and receive sensitive information via SMS text messages every day. If you’re one of them you might be surprised to learn that the content of your texts are wide o… Read More
2022-05-05 20:25
There was a time when I used to keep every email I received that wasn’t SPAM because I mistakenly thought I might need to pull them up again at some point. But over time my thinking on… Read More
2022-05-04 20:43
Google Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser, and it isn’t even close. There are several very good reasons why Chrome is used by so many people, one of which is the stro… Read More
2022-05-04 18:57
If you’ve started noticing a lot of unusual and intrusive activity on your Mac, chances are you’ve fallen victim to some type of malware. One common type, in particular, is spywa… Read More
2022-05-03 19:49
Do you often find yourself using Google Maps to navigate to the same destination? If so, you probably do the following every time: 1 – Open the Maps app. 2 – Type the destination… Read More
2022-05-03 19:03
If you’re a music lover who has an iPhone, iPad or Mac, you most likely have a subscription to Apple Music that you listen to on your Apple device. But guess what? If you happen to be… Read More
2022-05-02 18:31
MacBooks are powerful devices, but their slim chassis can often lead to overheating issues. There are some ways to mitigate this from a hardware perspective, but there’s also some clea… Read More
2022-05-01 19:56
I published a “Quick Tip” for the April 29 issue of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter explaining how to set Firefox to always launch with the previously-used tabs open. That t… Read More
2022-05-01 19:00
Question from Michael: I just bought a Roku box I have the choice of connecting it to the Internet over Wi-Fi or with an Ethernet cable. Which one should I choose? The Roku box is clos… Read More
2022-04-30 19:03
Question from Margo: I bought a new laptop that included Norton for free for 6 months. I’ve had the laptop for a while now and the 6 months will be up in a couple of weeks. Will… Read More
2022-04-30 18:08
Question from Kenny: Hi, Rick. I have a problem that I need help with. I use Chrome as my main browser and it tends to load pages that have lots of photos at a snail’s pace. I kn… Read More
2022-04-29 20:20
If you use any of Apple’s services the company wants you to know they take your privacy very seriously. To prove it, they have updated the Apple website’s Privacy Page with detai… Read More
2022-04-29 20:01
iPhone users have been complaining for years that the Facebook app drains their phone’s battery much faster than it should. Well, after denying it for ages, Facebook has finally acknow… Read More
2022-04-28 22:07
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Question from Amanda: I bought a smart TV for my living room but the WiFi in there is too weak to maintain a solid connection. There&r&hell…Read More
2022-04-28 21:24
As you probably know by now, Facebook is a favorite hangout for scammers, tricksters and hoaxers. And as luck would have it, there’s another very irritating recurring hoax making the r… Read More
2022-04-27 19:31
Like it’s predecessor, Windows 11 has a popular feature called Autocorrect that monitors your typing and makes changes when it determines that you’ve made one or more spelling er… Read More
2022-04-27 16:03
Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Did you know that many burglars actually knock on the victim’s door or ring their doorbell before breaking into a home? Well, it&rsquo&hell…Read More
2022-04-26 17:46
A while back I wrote a post explaining how to find the warranty status of any Apple device. That method works well, but it can involve multiple, time-consuming steps in certain situations. H… Read More
2022-04-26 17:10
I have four different web browsers on my Android phone, and I use all of them at various times for different purposes. The browser I prefer for reading articles and blog posts is Chrome beca… Read More
2022-04-25 18:45
Question from Mark: Based upon your recommendation I bought a Brother laser printer about a year or so ago. The starter toner cartridge that came with the printer finally ran out so I… Read More
2022-04-25 15:32
If you use a Chromebook you probably know that you can copy and paste items just like you can with a Windows PC or Mac. But did you know you can also copy multiple items and then select the… Read More
Subscribe to Rickrouse.com
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!