Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - A weekly computer publication featuring tips, tricks, website & freeware picks, answers to your computer questions and more!

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium
Issue #762
Volume 15 Number 31
May 18, 2018

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for subscribing and for being a part of our Cloudeight family. We appreciate your subscription and your support very much!

SeniorPass is available now at a special introductory price!
A Very Special Deal for Our Friends 60 and Older!

With our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care SeniorPass, our friends age 60 and older get one full year of unlimited computer care and repair for the special introductory price of just $79. Computer care anywhere - any time you need it!

SeniorPass is valid for unlimited computer care & repair sessions for one full year starting with the first time you use it. The clock does not start ticking until you use your SeniorPass for the first time. A great deal!

Having SeniorPass is just like having insurance for your computer. And talk about affordable! Right now, our SeniorPass is available for just $79. You can get help with almost any computer problem whenever you need it. We're here to help you.

THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND TO GET A SENIORPASS AT THIS SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE.

Get your SeniorPass and/or get more information here.

A comment from Lindsay
Hi all. Just a comment from Australia about Windows 10. For the first time since the inception of Windows 10, the 1803 version (April 2018 Update) is the first to be hassle free for me. I forced the update on 3 PCs. Windows 10 on my wife's laptop came by normal Windows update. With problems encountered with previous updates, this time, at last , I hit the jackpot. I look forward to your newsletters and enjoy their informative content. Best wishes, Lindsay

A comment from Bill
How nice of your guys to keep us older folks in mind with your new SeniorPass . What a great idea! Thanks to both of you for this offer.

A comment from Theresa
I got my SeniorPass yesterday. I want to thank you both for this offer. You're practically giving these away to us seniors. It's nice to know that someone is looking out for us. Cloudeight has always taken good care of senior citizens with great advice. Now SeniorPass is my insurance. Thanks so much for SeniorPass. Theresa.

A comment from Liz
Just wanted to thank TC for coming to the rescue last week. My computer was freezing and programs weren't opening. TC connected to my computer and within 45 minutes he found the problem and fixed it. All is well again. Thanks so much, TC! Liz

A comment from Jack
Hello all. Today May/10/2018 I had the pleasure of Darcy installing Shampoo Pro and Thunderbird E-Mail on my computer. Let me tell you who are a tad afraid of using the chat line with Darcy at the helm it’s a no brainer. Darcy takes you through each step with ease and after a couple of question he starts to do her magic.

A comment from Gail
I just wanted you to know what a great time I had with Darcy during the repair session this a.m. I also wanted to report that I am adopting her! I feel so much better now that things are actually working. Wow! I purchased a new computer because my other one died and what a mess I found myself in. I couldn't find anything, still trying to get used to the keyboard and the look of the screen display but at least thanks to Darcy I am now able to move around a bit. It will take awhile for this old gal to become comfortable but the way Darcy clicked and clacked away was incredible!

I have learned so much from Darcy and TC and I so appreciate the explanations they give me and all the advice. I also have Emsisoft back and am happy about that. Thanks again Darcy, you are absolutely the best and you put my mind at ease. Still struggling with Facebook but I can work through that. Gail

A comment from Hope
Dear Darcy. I'm so glad we were able to hook up, for a minute I didn’t think it was going to happen. It was amazing to watch you “literally run” thru my PC ,remove, uninstall and even install ! And all this amidst my many bloopers! Feels so much better to have it all cleaned up and to know it is safely backed up. Really appreciated your time and patience, and what you do for us, and at the same time to be able to have such complete confidence in your services. Thanks again so much. Hope.

A big Cloudeight "Thank you!" to Lindsay, Bill, Theresa, Liz, Jack, Gail, Hope and everyone who wrote to us last week. We appreciate your kind words and your support very much! EB & TC

Cloudeight Direct Computer Care computer repair keys are always a bargain. Get more information here.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

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 3400 Computer tips and tricks from our Cloudeight InfoAve Web site.
Do you have a question or comment about one of our products or services? Please 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.
Please help us by making a donation; help us keep helping you. If you'd like to help support our newsletters and our Web site, please consider making a donation. Anyone who makes a donation is invited to join our Cloudeight Boosters. Our boosters get freebies, special offers and more. Make a donation and join the Cloudeight Boosters today!
Our 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 on back issues of this newsletter.

Greg says all of a sudden when he clicks a link in Thunderbird he gets a "Chrome is unresponsive. Relaunch now?" message.
All of sudden when I click a link in my email ( I use Thunderbird ) I get a message that says "Chrome is unresponsive. Relaunch now?" But my Chrome is updated and it works fine for everything else except for clicking links in my email program. Is this a problem with Chrome or with Thunderbird? Do you know how to fix it?

Our answer
Hi Greg. It's not Thunderbird's fault - this happens with other email programs too, including Outlook; your problem is a common one. I (TC) have encountered it before and I've never had a problem with Chrome. Luckily the fix is easy.

Close Thunderbird. Next, right-click on your Thunderbird shortcut, click on "Properties", then click the Advanced tab. Next, tick the box next to "Run as administrator" and click OK..

Then click "Apply", "OK" in the main properties dialog. Reopen Thunderbird - this time you may see an User Account Control popup asking if you want to allow the program to run.. Allow it. Thunderbird will open and you should no longer get the "Chrome is unresponsive..." message; your links should open normally in Chrome.

Hope this helps you, Greg.
Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Lynn wants to know why Microsoft would put out updates with known issues
I surely am mystified as to why Microsoft with put out updates with known issues in the first place. Shouldn't these updates be thoroughly checked and made close to perfect by their own developers before sending them out to the public? I have noticed that in past Microsoft operating system updates, there have been updates sent out with "known issues" and fixes for these issues have never been available even on the Microsoft help pages no matter how long you wait or how hard you search. Business as usual?

Our answer
Hi Lynn. Microsoft depends heavily on its “insiders” who are supposed to be average computer users who are willing to help Microsoft test updates. How many “insiders” there are, I don’t know but it has to be in the millions. The problem is many of these “testers” are people who just want to try new versions of Windows and don’t really participate or provide Microsoft with timely or relevant feedback.

Another problem Microsoft has is that there are so many Windows PC’s made by many so different computer manufacturers – all with different hardware, and all with varying degrees of quality. Apple, for instance, doesn’t face this problem as it controls the hardware. Microsoft (except for Surface tablets) doesn’t control the hardware. Additionally, there are Windows computers out there that are not kept up well and some just teeming with malware and all kinds of people using of one-click fixers and registry cleaners that don’t work.

To a small degree we run into this problem when we recommend freeware programs. We test all the freeware we recommend on 3 or 4 different computers. If we find the programs work well and as described, we recommend them. Although we do our best to ensure that the freeware programs we recommend work well, inevitably someone will write and tell us the program doesn’t work for them.

Microsoft is following the examples set by Apple and Android in that they are giving away new versions of the operating system that we know as Windows 10. In the past you had to buy new versions of Windows — Windows 95 > Windows 98 > Windows ME > Windows XP > Windows Visa > Windows 7 > Windows 8... every few years. Windows 10 Microsoft changed everything. Now when a new “version” of Windows comes out – you don’t have to pay for it, but you also don't have much of choice. You either install it or you have to jump through hoops to keep it from installing. Eventually you’ll have to install a newer version of Windows 10 or the version of Windows 10 you’re using will reach its “End-of-life” -- and if that happens, you’ll be using an unsupported version of Windows which carries serious security risks.

In general, we agree with you: Microsoft needs to test updates more thoroughly. To do that, they have to have "insiders" who actually test the operating system updates and give Microsoft tough and honest feedback rather than no feedback at all or Microsoft fans who just tell MS what it wants to hear.

We can't think of any worse publicity for Microsoft than to come out with a new Windows 10 version that has as many flaws as Version 1803 appears to have.

And all that being said, keep in mind that millions have updated to Windows 10 Version 1803 without any major problems. We've updated a few of our computers to Windows 10 Version 1803 (April 2018 Update) and had no problems at all. So, while many people are reporting serious problems with the April 2018 Update, a majority are not.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Kathy wants to know how to fix an exasperating problem with Google Chrome
About 5 months ago, I started having a problem with downloading documents in Chrome. I get repeated, never ending starts & no finishes. It's like watching a card shark deal a fast hand! The only way to stop this problem is to close the browser. Downloads are fine in IE. What do I change to enable Chrome to function properly.

Our answer
Hi Kathy. Like everything else in this world, Chrome breaks too. We've had to completely remove Chrome on our computers and reinstall it. Sometimes it's the only way to fix Chrome. Luckily we have a tutorial that gives you two options to fix Chrome. If Resetting Chrome does not work for you, you'll have to completely uninstall it (but not the normal way) and then reinstall it. If you have to completely remove Chrome from your computer, you'll need to make sure you backup (export) your bookmarks or you'll lose them.

To make it really easy for you do this, it's all covered in one Cloudeight Tutorial which you can read here:

Please let us know if this helps you.

Kathy wrote back: "Got it! Underlined each step before proceeding to the next. There were a couple of steps that had me scratching my head, but figured them out. No more fast shuffle, never-ending downloads. Many thanks for the help. Look forward to your newsletters. Kathy"

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Dennis wants a cheap or free duplicate file finder to find duplicate photos
I've got two 1-terabyte external hard drives attached to my computer, so space isn't the problem. The problem is that I know many of my photos are duplicated. I'd like to get rid of the dupes but without paying an arm and a leg (as a retiree, $15 is an arm some months) is there any software that will do that for me?

Our answer
Hi Dennis. You do have plenty of space. A typical digital image is normally between 5 and 10 MB per picture. Using that as a guide, you can store 100,000 to 200,000 pictures on a 1 TB Drive. So unless you're dealing with hundreds of thousands of pictures, you're right - space is not a problem.

The problem with digital images is they come from digital cameras. Most of the time, unless you changed the name when you saved the pictures from you camera, pictures are named by the camera and usually aren't very descriptive. For example: DSC_471922. There is a possibility that pictures can be different but have the same name. Duplicate file finders are not recommended if you have pictures you cannot replace. Different digital pictures can have the same name and the same file size.

There are many free duplicate file finders, but many come bundled with useless software you don't want on your computer. We don't recommend any duplicate file finders because there are so many bundled with malware or useless software and the few that aren't, may not be accurate and you may lose irreplaceable pictures. With that being said, there is one that seems to be highly recommended by sites we tend to trust. It's free, it's not bundled with any other software, and according to reviews we've read, it lets you see the images side-by-side before deleting the duplicate. Keep in mind we have not tested it. If you're interested, it's called Anti-Twin. It works on Window 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. It's free for home (private) use. You can read more about Anti-Twin here. If you decide to use Anti-Twin please write back and let us know what you think of it.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Jerry wants to know why we don't mention Reg Organizer when it comes to uninstallers
HI you all, I am a big fan of Reg Organizer, but you don't seem to give it much credit ? You keep pushing geek uninstaller BUT Reg O. has a super one too. Is this true? I think Reg O needs more push from you guy and gal. Is the uninstaller as good as geek? Maybe better ? Plus everything else it does... Jerry..

Our answer
Hi Jerry. Indeed, we agree: Reg Organizer has a great uninstaller - especially if you also trace the installation with Reg Organizer. And we also recommend Reg Organizer for because it has so many great tools - like its uninstaller. But answering questions about removing programs, we try to recommend a free uninstaller since we know not everyone can afford to buy software. Reg Organizer not only has great built-in uninstaller, but it has many other great features built in. But Reg Organizer is not free. However we do offer it at a substantial discount.

For those who want a good free uninstaller we recommend Geek Uninstaller. It's definitely not as thorough as Reg Organizer's uninstaller, but does a decent job. Revo Uninstaller is also a good uninstaller too, but it's also not free. And for a dollar or two more than you'd pay for Revo Uninstaller, you can get Reg Organizer - which has an uninstaller as good as Revo plus many other great features too.

To those who aren't familiar with all the great features of Reg Organizer, take a look at this page:

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Thelma's husband encounters the Microsoft tech support scam and pays $700
Hi Darcy. I just wanted to tell you what happened to John's (husband) computer this morning. When he turned it on it said he was being violated, and had 4 foreign hackers , that had destroyed his firewall. So he called Microsoft and got a name of a man who represents Microsoft and for $700. bought 3 years of service. John said this person went through his whole computer, and took out a lot of bad stuff and cleaned it all up. I was just wondering what you thought of all of this, and what should we do in a case like that if our Computers are hacked like that. John said he pays Emsisoft when they tell him it's time. So I guess Emsisoft did not catch the hacker. Just interested what your take on all this is. The man gave John his phone number and told him to call if he has any more problems. I guess it's a service that catches hackers...? I really don't know what to make of it, and what to do if that should happen to my computer also??

Our answer
Hi Thelma. He encountered a Microsoft tech support scam ad. And that is all that was: An advertisement, albeit a scam ad. It is a variation no the same scam ads that we have written about over and over. These scams have been going on for years.

First, you need to contact your bank or credit card account immediately, tell them you were scammed, and put a charge back/reversal on that charge and change your credit card or bank account as the scammers can now access your account. so, all this was a hoax. If you see an ad like this, simply close it and careful what web sites you visit as ads come from websites. Antivirus programs cannot protect you from a fake ad and a fake ad cannot do anything other then fool people into calling a phone number.

They are not Microsoft; you were scammed into thinking they were, Microsoft would NEVER tell you to call them.

I need to get on John's computer and roll back any of the things they did - it's quite likely they installed software that will allow these scammers to connect to him and possibly steal valuable personal information from your computer.

If you are not getting our newsletters, we hope you will sign up as we have written many articles to warn our members how to recognize a scam. You can sign up for our Cloudeight InfoAve Premium weekly newsletter here: http://thundrecloud.net/infoave/join.htm . You can sign up for our daily tips & tricks newsletter here: http://thundercloud.net/start/subscribe.htm . Both of our newsletters are free.

We have covered the Microsoft tech support scam and other similar scams many times. Here are some of the articles we've written:

http://www.thundercloud.net/infoave/new/tech-support-scams-microsoft-support-scams-scams-scams-everywhere/

http://www.thundercloud.net/infoave/new/microsoft-is-never-going-to-tell-you-that-your-computer-is-infected/

http://www.thundercloud.net/infoave/new/tag/windows-scams-call-microsoft-scam/

You can show the email I sent to you to your bank or credit card company to help process the chargeback so you can get your money back. The prices these criminals charge are outrageous. A brand new computer runs as low as $300 and for $700 you can get a new, really nice high-end computer. Paying $700 for a fake repair is a lot of wasted money.

And finally, neither Emsisoft nor any other security software can prevent you from calling a phone number you see in an advertisement.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Karen's friend has problems with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update
A friend of mine had the Windows 10 spring update installed. Now she cannot use any of her browsers.
Her go-to browser is Firefox. When we tried to bring up anything the browser took forever to load...it was worse than when I had dial-up! We would have liked to uninstall the browser and reinstall it. But that would mean using Edge, and it isn't working either. Got any great ideas? We are assuming the problem was caused by the spring update because everything worked fine prior to that. I have not yet received that update on my own computer (thank goodness) which is why I am making the contact. Thanks.

Our answer
Hi Karen. The best thing for your friend to do is go back to the previous version of Windows (Windows 10 Fall Creators Update - Version 1709) while you still can - you have 10 days after a version update to do this without losing anything. So, time is really of the essence:

Open Settings ( Windows key + i )
In Settings click Update & Security and in the menu on the left click "Recovery"
In the "Recovery" section, find "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10", click the "Get started" button.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Going back to the previous version of Windows this way means your friend won't lose any programs, personal files, or settings. And everything should work as it did before installing the April 2018 Update (Version 1803). Keep in mind, it is still wise to make sure your friend has backups of all her personal files.

Your friend will still have the option to update to Windows 10 later on, after Microsoft has had a chance to address the bugs in the update, by visiting this Microsoft page and using the Upgrade Assistant.

If it's been more than 10 days since your friend updated, then the option to go back to the previous version of Windows 10 will not be available. In that case, there are a few other things your friend can try:

1. Install another browser like Google Chrome or Opera (either can be easily uninstalled later if your friend does not want them.

2. Open Internet Explorer and see if it works. It's in the Start menu in Windows Accessories.

3. If Firefox can be opened, try resetting it by clicking on Help > Troubleshoot information > Refresh Firefox

Hope this helps!

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

George wants our advice on using an image backup on another computer
HI. I read an article in an online newsletter explaining how to create an image backup on one computer and use it on another computer. Is this true? It seems it would be a time saver if I'm using Windows 10 now and I get a new Windows 10 computer. What is your take on this?

Our answer
Hi George. This is problem we run into a lot. Misinformation abounds on the Internet. Anyone who tells you that you can make an image backup on one computer and use it on another computer is wrong.

That fact that you're using Windows 10 now and the new computer you're buying will also have windows 10, isn't the problem. The problem is the hardware. Unless two computers - your current one and the new one - have exactly the same hardware, you could be in for some very unpleasant surprises. We agree, it would be nice if you could create an image backup and, down the road get a new computer and use that image backup on it and your computer life just hums right along without a hitch.

Our advice? Don't use create an image backup on one computer and try to use it on a different computer. It would most likely not end up with you being very happy. Here's our advice. Keep good backups on an external hard drive. When you get a new computer, copy your files and folders to your new computer and reinstall your programs on your new computer. The results will be much more predictable that trying to use an image backup made one computer on a different computer.

Image backups are great if you have to replace the hard drive on your current computer or if you need to format your hard drive. An image backup includes the operating system, all your programs, all personal files and folders, all device drivers, and more. It is a mirror image of your hard drive - essentially a clone - although technically clones and images are different.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

An Offer You Can't Refuse!

If you're not using Emsisoft we're going to make you an offer you can't refuse. For the price of a one-year Emsisoft license, we'll connect to your computer, remove your old antivirus, double-scan your computer for any malware/viruses, install and configure Emsisoft and give you a one-year license for Emsisoft.

How can you refuse this offer? If you're not using Emsisoft - now is the time to switch.

See this page for more information.

Some of the Changes in Windows 10 April 2018 Update (Version 1803): Part I
Windows 10

We have been running Windows 10 version 1803 (April 2018 Update) on our non-critical computers. Other than the new Timeline feature(which we’ll cover in-depth later) and more user options when choosing graphics options, most of the changes in 1803 are under the hood.

Today, we’re going to cover some of these changes.

In the screenshot below, on the left you can see the Windows 10 Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update) Settings > System Menu. On the right, Windows 10 Version 1803 (April 2018 Update) Settings > System menu. You’ll notice that Microsoft has moved Sound out of the Control Panel and into Settings. Also they’ve added the Apple-inspired Focus Assist.