Jean has problems connecting to her Wi-Fi
I am still struggling with this computer. I can now connect with Wi-Fi after a jillion futile attempts, but it connects when it wants, and some things still don't work right. So yes, I am ready to try what you said!

Our answer
Hi Jean. It sounds like your computer's wireless adapter is going bad. But there's an easy way to workaround that; it's easy to do and inexpensive too! Get yourself a USB Wireless (Wi-Fi) adapter. All you have to do is plug it into any available USB port, install the software that comes with it (if any) and connect to your Wi-Fi network. It's the easiest way to work around a wireless network adapter that is going bad. It takes less than 5 minutes to get a USB Wireless Adapter up and running. You don't even have to open your computer's case... and you can do it for less than $30.

Here's a Wireless USB adapter we found on Amazon that says it's for Windows 10 too.

[Jean wrote back: "Hi Darcy. You'll be happy to know that I got a USB Wireless Adapter as you suggested, and my computer is working fine now!! Thank you so much for the suggestion.. you saved me from having to buy a new computer!"]



Rob has problems with Reg Organizer after downloading a beta version
Hi , My name is Rob in Australia. I have been a premium member for many years and think that you do a wonderful job. However I have encountered a problem with one of your endorsed programs i.e.: Reg Organizer. I have been using version 7 for a long time and love it. However I let it upgrade to version 8 beta and hated it. I could not find any registry cleanup tool even though the help section stated that there was one. Have you assessed this new version?

Our answer
Hi Rob. Beta means the software is in a "testing" phase and may not be ready for primetime. We do not use beta software on our work computers. We have reminded our readers and friends often that they should only use beta versions on a machine that secondary computers (not their main computer), or use only if they are advanced users who are very experienced with using beta software.

With all that being said, you have a couple of options:

1.) Uninstall the beta version, reboot your computer, then install the normal (non-beta) version 7.8.
2.) Contact Reg Organizer - they have great tech support!

Here is link so you can reinstall the current, non-beta version:

http://www.chemtable.com/builds/cloudeightinternet/reg-organizer-setup.exe

Thanks for your long time membership, your support and your friendship! If you do opt to keep the beta version, let us know any progress you make with it in case someone else tries it and asks us about it.



Annie cannot boot her desktop computer after installing an update
My problem is that since I did the Windows 10 Creators Update I can't get into my desktop computer. I am using my laptop for now, but this is very difficult for me and only temporary. Every time I turn on my desktop PC I get a black screen, and then writing comes up with the following something about ... Pv4, and then that changes to .............Pv6. I have tried Googling, and going through your emails that I have on this laptop, but can't seem to find a fix for it. Please can you help me?

Our answer
Hi Annie. Please see our article entitled "What to do if Windows 10 Won't Boot". In that article, we cover several ways of booting a computer that won't start. If you have any questions after reading it, please let us know and we'll try to help.

In order for us to look at your PC we need to be able to have you boot up and connect to the Internet. So, let's hope one of the tips in that article will help you get your PC started and back up and running. Once you get it started and you're back online, we will be able to connect to your PC and help you.

Please let us know if this helps get your PC running again.

Bev wants to know about the new Geek Uninstaller
Geek Uninstaller has a new/better version. I looked at it tonight, but I don't want to put the wrong thing on this machine as TC has just cleaned it up. Could you do your explicit pictures of where and what the download is please? Bev.

Our answer
Hi Bev. We'll do better than pictures for you - we'll give you direct download links to the free version of Geek Uninstaller - two different ones.

First is the link to the correct download page. You want the free version (on the left) and in ZIP format (not 7z).

https://geekuninstaller.com/download

Or if you prefer, here is a direct download link (as of 7/24/2017) to Geek Uninstaller (FREE) Zip format.
https://geekuninstaller.com/geek.zip

Or you can get it at Snap Files at: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/geekuninstaller.html

Hope this helps!
 


Shari wants to know if she has to upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update
Hey Darcy. Is it absolutely essential that I update to Windows 10 Creators Update? I scrolled through what seemed to be reams of new things, NONE of which were of interest to me since I don't do social media, don't read news on-line through MSN, don't do just about most of the things that I saw. Do I really need to update to Creators Update? Shari

Our answer
Hi Shari. You not required to update now. But, you will have to upgrade to a newer version of Windows 10 before Microsoft ends support on the version you're using now. For instance, Microsoft stopped supporting the 1st released version of Windows 10 in May of this year. That means users of that version will no longer get important updates.

Here are the end of life dates for all versions of Windows 10 so far:

All dates are approximate except for Windows 10 Version 1507 for which the End-of-Life Date was May 9, 2017:

Windows 10 Version 1507 (original version) 5/09/2017
Windows 10 Version 1511 “November Update” September 2017
Windows 10 Version 1607 “Anniversary Update” March 2018
Windows 10 Version 1703 “Creators Update” September 2018

You can see our article about Windows 10 End-of-Life here:
http://www.thundercloud.net/infoave/new/end-of-life-dates-for-windows-10-versions/

So, let's say you're using Windows 10 version 1511 (known as the November update). You would need to update to a newer version of Windows by September 2017. If you are using version 1607 (Anniversary update) you would have to update to a newer version of Windows 10 March 2018.

You can find out what Windows version you're using, by doing this:

Windows Key + R
Type WINVER in the Run box
Press Enter.

Your current Windows version will show near the top.  



Libby wonders why Thunderbird labels InfoAve Premium as junk
Libby wants to know why Thunderbird is suddenly labeling InfoAve Premium as junk
Why is thunderbird marking the premium newsletters as junk? When i click on the box that says "Not junk", the email disappears. The mail comes to my ISP's webmail fine in the Inbox, but now on win 10 and Windows 7 it's labeled junk according to Thunderbird? Last week it was fine with your new email address. I have changed no settings.

Our answer
Hi Libby. First... Add our new address, cloudeight-news@thundercloud.net to your address book by clicking the little white star next to the name. See the screenshot below:

[Click here or on the image above to see a larger version.]

Since we set up Thunderbird for you, you don't have to worry about changing the settings shown in the screenshot below. We're including this screenshot for those who didn't have us set up Thunderbird. The screenshot shows the current settings so that mail that you want (good mail) does not end up in the Junk folder.


[Click here or on the image above to see a larger version.]

Colin's computer tech installed the wrong version of Windows 10
I recently had to have my C Drive replaced by a tech. When he handed the PC back to me it was complete with Windows Ten Pro OS which I didn't have before. I had Windows Ten Home Premium. I got that through the free upgrade from Windows 7. I am being asked to activate the OS through Settings but without a key I cannot do this. I really don't want to buy Pro and would rather revert back to Home Premium. Is there a way I can go to a Microsoft site and have them reinstall my original set-up as regards the operating system without the need of a key?

Our answer
Hi Colin. You could download Windows 10 Home Media Creation tool from here (click on the blue "Download tool now" button), and use the Media Creation tool to create installation media - either a DVD or USB drive. 

Then you could do a clean install of Windows 10 Home with the installation media. That would wipe the Windows 10 Pro version and replace it with Windows 10 Home. If you upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7, then your Windows 10 Home product key should be "hardwired" in your PC's BIOS. Keep in mind that doing a clean install would wipe all the data from your hard drive, so if you go this route, you should make sure you have good backups of your personal files (pictures, documents, music, videos, etc.).

However, this may be something that you should ask Microsoft. We are not sure what they'll do, but since this is not your fault you may end up with a key for Windows 10 Pro. Microsoft has been very accommodating to people who have lost their product keys due to computer failure or had problems with Windows activation due to malfeasance by computer techs. If you call Microsoft and explain what happened, you might end up with a product key for Windows 10 Pro. The worst that could happen would be that they would tell you how to get Windows 10 Home back on your PC - they will probably give you the same advice as we gave you above. But a phone call would be worth the effort. Microsoft answers quickly - and if they're busy they'll offer you a call back at time of your convenience. Our experience with calling Microsoft has always been positive.

You can contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support on the following telephone numbers, Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM (U.S.) Pacific Time and Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM (U.S.) Pacific Time: In the USA, call (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676) In Canada, call (877)568-2495.

Katy says she does not have Internet Explorer on Windows 10
I read your article about starting Internet Explorer but I do not have "iexplore" in either of the IE program files (regular or X86). I have "ieinstal" and "ielowutil"...so what do you do when you do not have "iexplore" and the system won't let you reinstall.

Our answer
Hi Katy. Internet Explorer is on your computer unless you took extraordinary (advanced) means to remove it. And if you did do that, it's pretty likely you'd be having at least some problems with Windows since Internet Explorer is part of Windows.

There is one thing we can think of that would cause you not to see iexplore.exe in the both program folders. You don't have "Show hidden files and folders" checked in Folder Options (File Explorer Option on Windows 10)

In order to run Internet Explorer (assuming you have not hidden it by turning it off ) you don't need to find it in the program folder. You can run it by opening run box (Windows Key + R) and simply typing iexplore in the run box and pressing Enter. If you've turned Internet Explorer off in Control Panel > Program & features > "Turn Windows features on and off" it won't start using that command.

You an also find it by typing iexplore in taskbar search (Cortana) and clicking on Internet Explorer when it appears in search results. You can also find Internet Explorer in Start > Windows accessories > Internet Explorer, (again) unless you turned it off in Control Panel > Programs & features > "Turn Windows features on and off".

One thing we can tell you: Internet Explorer is on every Windows 10 computer.

[ Katy wrote back: "Thank you! The turn Windows features on/off did the trick- I.E. was off! I don't usually use Internet Explorer but a work from home task needed to be done through I.E. I appreciate your quick response. Katy" ]

Bonnie asks about System Restore
In System Restore there are three types of entries – Windows Update, Automatic Restore Point, and System Image Restore Point. Does it make any difference which one I use to restore to a previous time? Thanks for all of your help!

Our answer
Hi Bonnie. Which is best depends on the date of the restore point. Let's say your PC started having problems on July 27, 2017. And the problems kept getting worse and worse. On July 30th you decide to do use System Restore to restore your PC to how it was before your problems began. You'd want to select a restore point before July 27, 2017... but you're always better off selecting the one that is closest to that date. Let's say you had one from July 25, 2017, one from July 12, 2017, and one from June 30, 2017. Your first choice should be July 25, 2017. It does not matter if it is a Windows Update restore point, a Windows Automatic restore point, or a windows System Image restore point. As long as it was created before your problems began and it's the most recent restore point prior to the date your PC problems began. We've found, through experience, that the older a restore point is the more likely it is to fail.

Here's some info on the types of restore points:

Windows Update restore points are created automatically by Windows before an update is installed.

Windows Automatic restore points are created by Windows on a schedule.

Windows System Image restore points are only created on Windows 10 computers using the image backup feature in Control Panel. It's been announce that the next new version of Windows 10 (called the "Fall Creators Update" or "Autumn Creators Update" depending on where you live) will do away with the legacy image backup feature in Windows 10.

Sylvia does not want to use Windows 10 Mail app
When I want forward something, say a picture to my mail program (Gmail), and click 'send to' I only have the Win10 email program choice. How can I make a folder choice of Gmail or Comcast?

Our answer
Hi Sylvia. There really is no easy way to set "Send to > Mail recipient" to open with Gmail. There are two extensions we have read about, but not used. Since these were recommended by a respected source, Lifehacker, we'll tell you where you can read more about them.

The first is called GmailDefaultMaker and you can read about it here.

The second is called "Mailto: For Chrome" (it works only if you have Chrome installed). You can read more about it here.

The easiest solution, however, is just setting up an mail program like Thunderbird. You can set up both your Comcast and Gmail accounts in Thunderbird, then set Thunderbird as your default mail program. That way, when you right-click on a picture and choose Send to > Mail recipient, Thunderbird will open and you can send with either Comcast or Gmail.

We offer an inexpensive Thunderbird set up service. We'll connect to your computer and set up Thunderbird with up to 3 email accounts, and configure it correctly for best performance and even set it up for using stationery. You can read more about our Thunderbird Set-up Service here.

Or you can choose to set up Thunderbird yourself, or choose another email program.  Once you have an email program set up on your PC, you can set it as default and it will open when you click "Send to > Mail recipient".



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Chrome Broken? Here’s the Ultimate Fix
For everyone using Chrome on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10

Over 1000 of you voted in our most recent browser poll; Chrome has left the other in the dust… as you can see by the graphic below.

Google Chrome’s percentage would be higher, but it seems some Chrome users are finding out that Chrome can break like any other program. If Chrome is not working correctly for you, and you’ve tried disabling extensions, clearing history and resetting it to no avail, here’s a tip that may work for you. We have used this tip when we repair Chrome on our own computers and when we work on computer with our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair service.

Remember, do this is only if you’ve tried everything else and nothing else works.

1. Export your bookmarks by following he instructions here. Save them to your desktop and give them a name you’ll recognize… you’ll need this file when your done re-installing Chrome.

2. Make sure you’ve enabled “View hidden files and folders” . Press Windows Key + R to open a Run Box. In the Run Box type CONTROL and press Enter.

3. In Control Panel, make sure you’re in Icon view, and find File and Folder Options (or File Explorer options in Windows 10) and tick the circle next to “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”.

   

4. Uninstall Chrome using Control Panel / Programs & features – or your favorite uninstaller such as Geek or Revo.

5. Find the folder called Google in C:\Users\***Your User Name***\AppData\Local. Right-click on it and delete it.

6. Restart your computer. This is an important step – don’t skip it.

7. Download and install Chrome from Google.

8. Import your bookmarks from the bookmark backup you made at the beginning of this tip.

9. Add your favorite extensions – but be careful – don’t install too many extensions, that can be bad for your browser's health.

Chrome should be as good as new – since it is new.

Simple Little Windows 10 Tips
Windows 10 / all versions

Peek at Your Desktop

Did you know if you click the very far right edge (to the right of the clock) you will go to your desktop? Indeed you will.

Now how would you like to peek at your desktop just by hovering over the far right edge of your taskbar?

Well, it’s simple to do.

For Windows 10 Creators Update (and newer)

If you’re using Windows 10 Creators Update [version 1703] or newer, right-click an empty space on your taskbar and choose “Taskbar settings”.

Under “Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at very right edge of the taskbar’, turn the switch to “On”. Once you do, you can peek at the desktop without actually going to the desktop. If you want to go to the desktop, you can click the Show desktop button at the very far right edge of your taskbar. Hint: You can get back to the desktop by pressing the Windows key and tapping the D key too.

Older versions of Windows 10

In older versions of Windows 10, right-click an empty area of your taskbar and choose “Properties”. Lo! Taskbar and Start Menu Properties appears. Now look near the middle of that dialog and you’ll see “Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar”. Check the box next to it. Once you do, you can peek at the desktop without actually going to the desktop. If you want to go to the desktop, you can click the Show desktop button at the very far right edge of your taskbar. Hint: You can get back to the desktop by pressing the Windows key and tapping the D key too.

Don’t forget to press “Apply”  “OK” to save your settings.

Upside Down Taskbar

How many of you remember Windows 98? Windows 95? How many of you remember accidentally dragging your taskbar to the right or left or top of your desktop. I started with Windows 95 (Darcy started with Windows 3.1). I can remember feeling lost when my taskbar ended up at the top of my desktop – it was upside down to me. Well, it wasn’t really… But you know Darcy and I work on a lot of computers and there are some folks who like their taskbar at the top or at the right or left edge of their desktop. It still confuses me but once I settle down, I get used to it.

If you’re brave, crazy, just want to be different, or want to try out the taskbar at the top or at the right or left edges, it’s easy to do – no more trying to grab the taskbar with the mouse and dragging it around – man, I used to hate that!

Windows 10 Creators Update [version 1703] and newer

If you’re using Windows 10 Creators Update [version 1703] or newer, right-click an empty space on your taskbar and choose “Taskbar settings”. Scroll down until you see “Taskbar location on screen”. Use the down arrow (see screenshot below) to choose Bottom, Top, Right, or Left.  Whatever you choose, that’s where your taskbar will now appear your screen.

For those using older versions of Windows 10

Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar and click “Properties”.  In the dialog that appears, look next to “Taskbar location on screen”. Using the down arrow at the right of the selection box you can choose where your taskbar appears on your screen – Bottom, Left, Right, Top.

Don’t forget to click “Apply/OK” to save you settings.

As for me, I’ll leave my taskbar right where it is — at the bottom. I’m old and set in my ways. I’m a centrist

How about some of that upside down cake, EB? Got any left, or did you and porky eat it all?

J Stands for Downloads
Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10: A tip for all major browsers

Y’all like simple tips, right? Here ya go. They don’t get much easier than this one.

Just last week, I downloaded a program I wanted to test. But things being busy, I forgot I downloaded it. Later in the week, I remember I downloaded a program I thought might be a candidate for our freeware pick of the week. But I simply could not remember the name of the program.  Looking in my download folders is a lost cause. I have several of them. There are hundreds of things in there ( I’m a slob – but in my defense, over 4 dozen of them are site backups that I keep on an external drive as well as “in the cloud”).

I could not remember the name of that program to save me. I didn’t even know the first letter. Now I could have opened up all 3 of my download folders and sorted them from newest to oldest… but I’m lazy, I tells ya.

I just fired up my browser (Chrome) and pressed the CTRL + J keys. And what to my bloodshot eyes should appear? All my recent downloads, including the program whose name I could not remember. As soon as I saw it, I recognized it.

Instead of wasting time and click monkeying around sorting my download folder to find it,  the old CTRL + J shortcut opened the recent downloads page from my browser and I found what I was looking for.

Next time you’re looking for something you downloaded but you can’t remember where or what it was, let your fingers do the walking: Press CTRL + J.  It works in all browsers, not just Chrome.

J stands for downloads; oh Jes indeed it does!

[ After all that, the program turned out to be a total waste of time. I wouldn’t recommend it even to my worst enemy. No, EB! I don’t mean you! You’re not my enemy, your my nemesis!]

Windows Cleanup... Windows 10 Style
Windows 10 Creators Update

This is another simple & easy Windows tip.

When it comes to cleaning up temp files and other garbage on your Windows PC we wanted to make sure you were aware of this method.

1. Open Settings ( Windows Key + I or click the Settings icon in Start or “All settings” in Action Center)

2. Click on “System” then click on “Storage” in the left pane.

3.  Scroll down until you see “Storage sense” then click “Change how we free up space”

Under “Change how we free up space”. Make sure the switches under "Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using” and “Delete files that have been in the recycle bin for over 30 days” are both turned ON .

After making sure both switches are turned “On”, click on the “Clean now” button to clean up temp files and recycle bin files immediately. As you can see above, I recovered 501 MB of disk space by doing this. That’s enough to store about 100 high-res photos.

Remember, this is just a quick tip for a quick cleanup. You can still use Windows Disk Cleanup and/or your favorite 3rd-party cleanup tool.

Tech Support Scams, Microsoft Support Scams: Scams Scams Everywhere!
All versions of Windows

We published this article in May 2017 – focusing then on the Microsoft support scams going around at the time. This is a big update to that post and we’ve included even more screen shots of Microsoft tech support scams and other tech support scams – the ones you are most likely to encounter.

But whether it’s a Microsoft support scam or any tech support scam, you need to know these kinds of scams abound- and sooner or later, you’re probably going to run in to one.

We receive at lest 2 dozen emails each week from folks who encounter these kinds of scams and are convinced their security software has let them down… and woe… now they’re infected. But it’s not true. Most support scams are carefully crafted advertisements cunningly created to make them appear to be warnings coming from your own computer or from Microsoft.

Because it seems these tech support scams are back in full vigor, we hope you’ll read this article, look that the images here, so that you’ll know, right away, when you’ve encountered one of these tech support scams. Remember: The actual warning you see may look a bit different [the most popular tech scam going around at the time of this writing what we call the “You-have-been-infected-with-the-Zeus-Virus” scam. We can assure you, the so-called Zeus virus is really awful sounding, but it’s a fake. It’s the current “virus-du-jour” of the tech support scammer clique.

In the past, most people who have run into the Tech Support or Microsoft Tech Support Scam have been contacted by scammers and warned by telephone that their computers are infected or compromised.

But lately, it’s been the fake “your computer is infected with **you name the non existent virus/Trojan** or the **your computer has been compromised and your personal information is at risk** popup that appear, seemingly out of nowhere, when browsing the web.

Just in the past week, we have had at least a dozen people who wrote to us and told us that they fell for or almost fell for a scam. The one that seems to trick the most people is the one we’re going to call the Microsoft Tech Support Popup Scam.

Most all of these fake “Your computer is infected” or “Your computer is compromised” or other dire warnings that pop up out of nowhere, are almost popups ads. They’re not viruses, or Trojans or malware. They’re ads that try to trick you into calling a phone number for support. They’re scams.

And regardless how many times the scam popups mention Microsoft or show the Microsoft logo, or how many times the ads refer to “Certified Microsoft Technicians” there’s a 100% certainty that they’re scams.

We have warned our readers about scams many times, but we are once again seeing more and more people losing a great deal of money to these criminals… and many times they’re being tricked because they see the Microsoft logo or Certified Microsoft Technicians on the fake warning, and that convinces them the warning is legitimate and they let down their guard and call the phone number and then allow the crooks access to their PC.

Please remember this!

Microsoft is never going show you a popup warning you that your computer is infected or compromised. Microsoft is never going to show you a popup with a telephone number and urge you to call Microsoft Support to fix or clean your PC. Never. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

No legitimate security software is ever going to tell you that your files are going to be deleted if you close a dialog or window… or tell you to call a phone number . Not even the worst legitimate security software would do that. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

For this post, we’ve collected a few of these fake warning popups, and we posted them at the bottom of this article online. Keep in mind, these are just a very few of the many variations of scam popups out there… there are hundreds of them. Some have different wording, slightly different colors, some look more realistic than others, but they all have the same mission: To get you to call a number so they “fix” the non-existent virus infections, computer problems or errors.

Please take a few minutes to read the rest of this article online and see some of the screenshots we've collected of these kinds of scams in action. We're hoping that by reading this and looking at the screenshots of these kinds of scams, you'll recognize a scam should you encounter one. And it's quite likely, if you spend any time at all browsing the Web that you will encounter one.

Read the rest of this article and view actual screenshots of these scams in action - so you'll know a scam when you see one!

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A Letter From Dad

Hey there fellas. This is your dad speaking... well, actually, writing. It's weird being old because you don't know how long you'll be young while your old. I think everyone tries to be as young as they can for as long as they can. There's not much benefit in being old, senile, and decrepit. So, ya just carry on as long as you can until you can't carry on. But who knows? Even when I've stopped carrying on, I might be living in my own world inside my head - a world no one else can see but me... who knows? You may one day think I'm senile, when I may young, dancing with some young ladies in a world that only exists in my head.  Who knows?

You're still both [reasonably] young. Your bright sparkle of youth, though, is fading like the bright green leaves of May turn dull and dusty in September. On the other hand, right after they turn dull and dusty in late summer, they burst forth in brilliant and vibrant autumn colors in October. That's right before they croak and fall unceremoniously upon the ground, where the either rot, float away on the wind, or get sucked up in some noisy leaf-sucker... or maybe just swept to the curb.

It's important while you both of your retain some sparkle of youth, that you gloat. You'll see. It won't be long before that one amazing morning you wake up and realize you're old and getting older. When young people look at you and snicker or, maybe worse, to even see you or acknowledge your existence.

And even worse, on that day, you'll face the realization there are things you'll never do again - mostly really fun stuff - because you either won't want to do them anymore because you don't have the vigor... or your old body won't accommodate you when you try to them. If you do push yourself, then you risk kicking the bucket smack dab in the middle of the action.

Yes! Laugh if you want. Getting old is not for the faint of heart or sissies. And it's not too easy for dreamers like me. Life, my dear boys, is a tough dusty road that winds through hilly countryside. It's full of hidden curves - and you never know when a curve in the long winding road of old age will be the last curve you'll ever nearly negotiate.

But who cares? The only ones who care are the ones who are still walking down the winding road of old age. The older you get the more the obituaries mean to you. More and more you see the names of people you knew long ago - maybe in high school - who you still picture looking like they did when you last saw them fifty-five years ago... and now here they are - dead. And you read the nice things said about them in the obit, which you know are not true.

"Bill Bartlett loved racing, sailing, and horses. He was a member of The First United Church, the Grange Society, and respected member of the community. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends..."

CoolTweak
Resize, watermark and share your photos with a single right-click

First, we think the developer could have spent a little more time on naming this application… CoolTweak sounds like a bad-news system tweaker. I think we would have named it “Right-handed Bunny” or “Your Right- Is Left”, “ImageMagic II”. But it’s CoolTweak, and the developer even has a snappy logo and cool “hip” web site. And the program’s installer is a gem. It gives you a quick tutorial after you install it. So, we give this snappy little app the grade of A for what it does and a D minus for its name. But then a rose by any other name…

Enough of this rattle and yammer. Lucky for us, the developer is not shy with words. So, we’re going to let him tell you what “CoolTweak” does. And keep in mind my friends, it does all of this with just a right-click on picture. Good stuff!

Take it away Mr. CoolTweak!

"Resize your pictures
Resizing and cropping your images gets really simple with CoolTweak. Downsize huge pictures from your camera in seconds to share them easily."""

"Watermark your pictures
CoolTweak makes easy to add a custom text or logo to all your photos before sharing them. Many cool options are available: set opacity, rotation, pattern repeat and much more.

"Share on social networks
Sending your files to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Google+ and 500px is no problem. A publishing windows guides you along the process so you can choose where and how the files are posted.

"Batch processing made easy
CoolTweak is just a click away, trigger your processing by right clicking any file or folder, that’s it. The app can handle recursive browsing to process files in sub folders.

"Edit photos metadata
Take control over title, author, GPS location and many more properties of your Jpeg photos. Edit one by one or an entire set with no effort thanks to CoolTweak Live editor…"

That’s a lot of stuff but it even does more that what’s in included above.  Also, CoolTweak, is very customizable — you can modify or remove any of the program’s presets, or even add  your own to them.

Since the program has built-in tutorials and timely reminders to save your settings and your work, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use the program “right out the box”. [NO EB. It does not come in a box. That’s just a metaphor. It means you can download and install it and use it right away without too much fussing around with instructions. NO that’s not a simile. If I said “It’s mean as an EB”  that would be a simile.  Ouch! Do not hit me!]

If you often find yourself resizing huge photos from your digital camera so you can email them… or if you upload a lot of photos to share on social media like Facebook or twitter… or if you often need to resize a single image or a whole  folder full of images on the fly… you should give CoolTweak a try. It will save you a whole lot of time.

Here’s some nifty screen shots for you…

After you install CoolTweak, you’ll be given a very classy walk-through of some of the program’s features. Above: CoolTweak shows you how to customize its preset right-click menu.

Above: More cool stuff  you can so with CoolTweak shown in the tutorial right after you install CoolTweak.

Above: The tutorial reminds you to save your customizations lest ye lose them.

Above: See? If you take this “tour” (tutorial) you’ll know everything! Ya think?

Above: We’re playing with some of CoolTweaks’ options. Notice options that come with CoolTweak – we hadn’t customized any settings yet. Note you can right-click on any picture, resize it, watermark it, share it on Facebook, Twitter and online photo sharing sites.

So, if you think you would like the convenience of being able to right-click on any picture and resize it, watermark it, and/or share it, then CoolTweak might be just the tool you’ve been looking for.

It’s free. There are no download tricks or bundled software/malware. Just good freeware.  

Visit the CoolTweak website to learn more about it – and/or download it. 

IMPORTANT: CoolTweak is a right-click menu enhancement. It’s not a program you click a shortcut on your desktop or Start menu to run. Once you install it, you can right-click a picture and CoolTweak is available from your right-click menu. See the image below:

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What does Windows as a Service mean?

It means that Microsoft will no longer release new numbered/named versions of Windows. Those of us like EB and me, who grew up with Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, would wait for a new version of windows to be released, then we'd upgrade our PCs and use the newest version of Windows. It was exciting sometimes - other times it more of an adventure. Windows ME, Vista and Windows 8 left us wishing we'd never upgraded. Anyway,  other than the service packs Microsoft (infrequently) released, we sometimes went years between new versions, upgraded security and new features.

Well, good old Microsoft says that this is no good anymore. In this new modern, rapidly changing world, we can't wait years between feature updates and updated versions. We need them twice a year. That's what they say. We think, that Microsoft's new world is based more on what Google and Apple are doing rather than wanting to get away from making billions of dollars on new numbered/named versions of Windows. Windows is not even the most popular OS anymore, Android is.

But anyway, Windows as a service means that when you buy a Windows PC or you install Windows 10, you're a registered Windows user. And you're entitled to all the new updates and upgrades that come along at no cost to you for the life of your device.

That's it in a nutshell. Of course, Microsoft would love to regale you with a more technical story. So for those of your who are interested, this is what Microsoft has to say about Windows as a Service. WaaS?

"...The Windows 10 operating system introduces a new way to build, deploy, and service Windows: Windows as a service. Microsoft has reimagined each part of the process, to simplify the lives of IT pros and maintain a consistent Windows 10 experience for its customers. These improvements focus on maximizing customer involvement in Windows development, simplifying the deployment and servicing of Windows client computers, and leveling out the resources needed to deploy and maintain Windows over time.

"Prior to Windows 10, Microsoft released new versions of Windows every few years. This traditional deployment schedule imposed a training burden on users because the feature revisions were often significant. That schedule also meant waiting long periods without new features — a scenario that doesn’t work in today’s rapidly changing world, a world in which new security, management, and deployment capabilities are necessary to address challenges. Windows as a service will deliver smaller feature updates two times per year, around March and September, to help address these issues.

"In the past, when Microsoft developed new versions of Windows, it typically released technical previews near the end of the process, when Windows was nearly ready to ship. With Windows 10, new features will be delivered to the Windows Insider community as soon as possible — during the development cycle, through a process called flighting — so that organizations can see exactly what Microsoft is developing and start their testing as soon as possible...."

There's even more from Microsoft here, if you'd like to read it. You want to read more, EB? Are you a masochist?

Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10!

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These products and services are recommended and endorsed by Cloudeight:

Emsisoft Anti-Malware- The best anti-malware you'll find anywhere. Great protection -- both proactive and reactive. Learn more here.

Reg Organizer-- A Swiss Army knife of PC tools. Easy for beginners to use -- with advanced features for experienced users too. Learn more here.

Cloudeight Direct Computer Care - Computer Repair Service-- And for computer repair, you can't beat our remote repair service. You never have to leave your home, take your computer anywhere or leave it with someone you don't know or trust. We can fix most computer problems and all you have to do is sit back and relax. Learn more here.

Thunderbird Email Setup - we'll set up Thunderbird for you - works great with Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Get the details here.

Windows 10 Customization - Make Windows 10 look and work the way you want it to. Get more info here.

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Issue #720
Volume 14 Number 41
July 28, 2017

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DISCLAIMER ABOUT THE TIPS & SOFTWARE RECOMMENDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER-- PLUS OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
 
All software recommendations we make in this newsletter are based on our own experience and testing of the programs that we recommend. This does NOT guarantee they will work on YOUR computer. We assume you will read the program documentation and use the program according to the instructions. We make no guarantees about any program recommended in this newsletter or its suitability for any particular purpose. We will not be responsible for any problems you may have. We do not and cannot provide support for any products other than our own Cloudeight products and we will not answer email concerning any product which is not a Cloudeight product. We urge you to use good judgment when downloading and installing software and to use a program only after reading the program's documentation. And, all Tips & Tricks in this newsletter have been tested by us on several different computers and were found to work as indicated. They may not work on yours. We make no guarantees. Anything we recommend you try and use at your own risk. We will not be responsible for any problems caused by any software programs recommended in this newsletter or any of the tips and tricks in this newsletter.. Readers' comments are their own and Cloudeight Internet LLC is not responsible for comments of our readers. All readers' comments, suggestions, questions, and tips and tricks sent to us become the property of Cloudeight Internet LLC. You understand that we may use your comments without your explicit permission.

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