This weekend, you can buy one Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Repair Key at the regular price or $50  - and we'll give you one free. You can give the second key to mom or anyone you like - or keep it for yourself. This is the lowest price we've ever offered on our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service. Don't miss out. Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Repair Keys never expire - they are good until you use them! Offer valid through Monday May 15, 2017 only.

Get more information and/or take advantage of this special offer by visiting this page.

~ OR ~

Buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Season Ticket on Sale...
And we'll give you a Cloudeight Direct Computer Repair Key FREE!

For a limited time, when you buy a Cloudeight Direct Season Ticket at $20 off regular price, we'll give you a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Single Repair Key  - FREE. You can give the free repair to your mom or anyone you like. Our Cloudeight Season Ticket is good for unlimited computer repairs for one full year from the date you first use it. It's like having insurance for your computer. And during this sale, when you buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Season Ticket at $20 off regular price, we'll give you a single repair ticket you can give to mom, a friend or anyone you like. Offer valid through Monday May 15, 2017 only.

Get more information and/or take advantage of this special offer by visiting this page.



Here are some important links for you: Here are some important links for you:

• Do you have a question or suggestion for our newsletter? Submit it here.
• You can read and search over 2000 Computer tips and tricks from our Cloudeight InfoAve Web site.
• Do you have a question or comment about one of our products or services? Contact us.
• Are you having problems with your computer?? Visit this page to get information about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care services. We can fix your computer!
• Emsisoft Anti-Malware provides the best overall malware & virus protection for your computer - we use it and we recommend it. Please visit this page to learn more about Emsisoft products - and our special Emsisoft discounts.
• Would you like to receive our InfoAve Daily Tips & Tricks newsletter?  It's free. You can subscribe here.
• If you'd like to help support our newsletters and our Web site, please consider becoming a Cloudeight Booster. Our boosters get freebies and special offers. Make a donation and join the Cloudeight Boosters today!
• Your Cloudeight InfoAve Premium Newsletter home page has links to the last several issues of Cloudeight InfoAve Premium newsletter. Visit our Cloudeight InfoAve Premium home and catch up some or our back issues.

This weekend, you can buy one Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Repair Key at the regular price or $50  - and we'll give you one free. You can give the second key to mom or anyone you like - or keep it for yourself. This is the lowest price we've ever offered on our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service. Don't miss out. Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Repair Keys never expire - they are good until you use them! Offer valid through Monday May 15, 2017 only.

Get more information and/or take advantage of this special offer by visiting this page.

~ OR ~

Buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Season Ticket on Sale...
And we'll give you a Cloudeight Direct Computer Repair Key FREE!

For a limited time, when you buy a Cloudeight Direct Season Ticket at $20 off regular price, we'll give you a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Single Repair Key  - FREE. You can give the free repair to your mom or anyone you like. Our Cloudeight Season Ticket is good for unlimited computer repairs for one full year from the date you first use it. It's like having insurance for your computer. And during this sale, when you buy a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Season Ticket at $20 off regular price, we'll give you a single repair ticket you can give to mom, a friend or anyone you like. Offer valid through Monday May 15, 2017 only.

Get more information and/or take advantage of this special offer by visiting this page.

Linda wants to know if choosing an antivirus is just a matter of personal preference
I have a question regarding the best anti virus programs to us, including also Malware programs. I'm currently using McAfee along with Malware Bytes and Super Anti Spyware. I'd like to know the difference between McAfee Anti virus and your anti virus (Emsisoft). I know it's probably a matter of taste, isn't it? But I want the best one out there for my computer. I appreciate your advice and comments. Linda K.

Our answer
Hi Linda. Choosing a browser is a matter of personal taste, but choosing an antivirus is not. It is a matter of choosing what protects you best.

We spent a lot of time testing antivirus/antimalware before selecting Emsisoft as our choice and our recommended security software. We also stay current with the latest independent antivirus testing labs - and we're convinced that Emsisoft offers the best overall protection. Emsisoft is always near the top - or at the top - of antivirus test results. Additionally, Emsisoft is also a top-of-the-line anti-malware, anti-adware, anti-hijacker, and it also protects you against PUPs and most forms of ransomware. Because Emsisoft is such a complete solution, you do not need any other security programs such as the ones you list.

We hope this helps you with your antivirus program choice.



Gene doesn't want to use a password to log in to Windows 10
I tried to disable the password needed to start windows 10. I now have 2 accounts, one has a pin password and the 2nd one has a password that must be used. Is there a way to disable all passwords needed to start windows 10?

Our answer
Hi Gene. You cannot disable the password/PIN log in requirement if you're using a Microsoft account (@hotmail.com, @outlook.com, @live.ca, @live.com, @msn.com). You can disable passwords only in local user accounts.  A local user account is the type of account you used on Windows XP and Windows 7. 

When you log in with a Microsoft Account you'll have a lot of features that are not available if you're using a local account, but that does not mean you have to use a Microsoft account to use your PC. If you don’t use or care about Windows Store apps, or if you have one PC and don’t need access to your data from anywhere else but your home, a local account might work fine for you. A local account will still let you access you PC and most of the features of Windows 10. If you’re interested in the some of the new features that are part of Windows 10, you will probably want to keep your Microsoft account(s) so you can take advantage of them.

If you choose to keep using a Microsoft account or accounts, you'll need to use a password, PIN, or Picture password to log in.

You can create a new "local" account in Settings > Accounts >"Sign in with a local account instead." 



Hope this helps you, Gene.



Martha wants to know if hackers can watch you with your own Web cam.
I've read that web cams can be activated by hackers. This sounds like a hoax to me. Could hackers somehow turn on my web cam and watch me and see things in my house? Is this is true--or just another viral internet hoax. What do you say?

Our answer
Hi Martha. Not only is it true that web cams can be activated remotely, it's happened many times and even some famous people have had their privacy invaded. One young lady filed charges against the man who activated her web cam on her laptop in her bedroom. There are several ways this can happen, but normally it usually happens by the victim being tricked into clicking a link in an email and downloading spyware/malware on the computer giving the attacker control over the computer's web cam. It can be activated without the users knowledge. Sometimes the cam can be activated without the "web cam active" light being lighted.

It's not likely to happen if a user has good antivirus / antimalware installed. However no software  is 100% foolproof. We've written articles about this before and we recommend putting a tiny piece of electrician's tape (opaque) over the camera lens. If you're concerned about the tape's sticky substance harming your lens you can put small piece of paper between the tape and the lens.

This is not something that happens very often. But it's important to know it's not a hoax, it probably happens more than we like to think. And remember to always make sure you're protected

Covering the lens is a good option, but having a good antimalware/antivirus like Emsisoft installed is essential. Someone spying on by you using your own web cam is possible, but not very likely. It just makes good sense to understand the risks and always use the best safe computing practices.



Geraldine wants to know how to uninstall Windows 10 Creators Update
Wasn't sure where to send my question. Would you tell me how to uninstall Windows creator update? It doesn't allow my Print Shop vs. 22 or 23.1 to work or reinstall. Do I need to have you do this? I do have a repair key. Thank you, Geraldine

Our answer
Hi Geraldine. No, you can do this yourself -- it's easy to do, but you can only do it for a limited time. You can uninstall Creators Update and go back to the previous version of Windows as long as you do it within 10 days of installing Windows 10 Creators update. If you wait too long  you won't have the option to uninstall the Creators Update. So, here's what you need to do, as soon as possible:

Open Settings and go to Update & security. Next, click on "Recovery" (it's on the left side). In Recovery, if see an option to "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10" click the "Get started" button under it. Windows will ask you a few questions (which you don't have to answer) and Windows 10 Creators Update will be removed and Windows will roll back to the previous version of Windows 10. 

If you don't see "Go back to the previous version of Windows" at all, or you see it, but it says "This option is no longer available because your computer was upgraded more than 10 days ago" then you can't uninstall (rollback) Windows 10 Creators Update.

So, if you have not waited too long, rolling back to the previous version of Windows is pretty easy. But there's no guarantee. Most of the time everything goes smoothly, but every PC is different.
 


Gay gets a Chrome "Critical Update" download warning on her screen
Hello. I was just on my computer, when it flashed across that I needed to download now, a critical update for Chrome. I have never seen this before, since you installed chrome for me, do i do this critical update, whenever it decides to flash on my screen again?

Our answer
Hi Gay. We are not aware of Chrome ever flashing any warnings about updates at all. We would advise you to be skeptical and cautious. The safe way to update Chrome is by clicking on the "Settings" icon in the top right corner. Then click "About" > "Google Chrome". See the screenshot below:

As soon as the "About" dialog opens, Chrome will instantly and automatically check for updates.

If Chrome finds that there is an update available, it will automatically download it.  All you have to do is restart Chrome to install the update(s).  To do that, just click the "Relaunch" button in the "About" dialog (see below): 

Your question is an excellent one, Gay. There's no telling what that was flashing across your screen, you were wise not to click on it. There's a safe way to check for updates and install updates for Chrome. And that's by following the simple steps above.

One Year Emsisoft License With FREE Installation & Set-up
Some of you still aren't using Emsisoft... so we're making you an offer you can't refuse! If you're not yet using Emsisoft, here's your chance to get the best protection you can buy and we'll install it and set it up for you FREE. See this page for all the details.

Help us by making a small donation
Don't need any of the products or services we offer right now? Please consider making a small donation. We would appreciate it very much! Visit this page if you would like to help us with a small donation. Thank you! 

To Find Out What's Slowing Down Chrome - Use Chrome's Task Manager
Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (all versions) + Chrome browser

Since each open tab runs it its own sandbox to enhance Chrome's stability. It's hard to see how much RAM and CPU resources each open tab and installed extension is using. If you open Windows Task Manager, you will see multiple instances of Google Chrome running, but it doesn't tell you what they are.

Luckily, this simple tip will show you how to use Chrome's built-in task manager to show you how much memory and CPU resources each open tab and installed extension is using. Here's how to access Chrome's built-in task manager. First make sure Chrome is open and in focus (on top of other windows). Now press SHIFT+ESC. You'll see Chrome's task manager open. It will show you how much RAM and CPU resources each open tab and installed extension is using. And all are clearly labeled.

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If one of the tabs or extensions seems to be hogging an excessive amount of resources, you can terminate the process (tab or extension) easily. Just highlight the tab or extension you want to terminate by clicking on it, then click the "End process" button at the bottom of the Chrome task manager.

Is Scanguard Getting Scammier?
For All Windows Users

Several of our Cloudeight subscribers recently wrote about Scanguard - asking if it was legit and better than other antivirus and one-click fixes. Well, it seems Scanguard has found new ways in its attempts to legitimize itself, including, some suspect, of owning or controlling a web site called TheTopTenAntivirus.com. It supposedly an antivirus testing site, but just like its suspected owner, in reeks with the stench of scam.

Hmmm... there's no end to the chicanery, is there? The more people who are lured by Scanguard the more money they have to advertise, buy domains, and persuade other unsuspecting trusting souls into jumping into the Scanguard scum pond.

It is our opinion that Scanguard is a scam. Others have followed this rabbit down the hole and found alleged seamy links between Scanguard and sites like TheTop10AntiVirus. These so-called antivirus rating sites, are not legitimately rating antivirus programs by effectiveness, but appear to be rating them by how much they pay to be rated - or worse - may actually be owned by some of the companies who make the programs they rate. At best this is a serious conflict of interest and it misleads anyone who is not familiar with legitimate antivirus rating sites and protocols, which would be a majority of those who casually browse the Internet.

These kinds of sites, some possibly owned by cyber criminals and/or scammers, who are trying to entice you to buy Scanguard and its "cousins"...