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Sharon lost Edge
Edge got deleted from my (Windows 10) PC. Is there any way I can get it back? I love your website. I always look forward to Fridays to see what you have to say. Keep up the good job!

Our answer
Hi Sharon. Thanks so much. Are you sure you didn't just lose the icon for Edge?

Click on the Start button, scroll all the way down to the "M's" and look for Microsoft Edge. Then, right click it and choose "Pin to Taskbar".

Let us know if that works for you.

Sharon wrote back: "As always you are right! I didn't have the apps on. Did what you said and there it is... Thanks for all your help. You guys are great. Sharon"

Gene keeps getting Windows Defender Notifications
I keep getting requests for adding Windows Defender Notification icon every 5 minutes for the last week daily. I now slide it off to the right out of the screen so I can continue using the computer. How do I stop it from insisting to get me to allow it to be installed. I've had nothing but trouble with Defender on my cell phone and I don't see any need for it on my computer. Can it be stopped? I'm relying on TC's expertise now! Or do I have to go to top boss EB?

Our answer
Hi Gene. EB the top boss, eh? Dictator is more apt! Be that as it may, the following should solve your problem:

The best way to deal with Notifications is the way we do it - just turn them off:

Settings > System > Notifications & actions. Turn them all off by turning off "Get notifications from apps and other senders", or turn off notifications for apps individually by scrolling down the page.

Also, in Settings go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off Windows defender security center - or better yet turn off all background apps (at the top). This does not remove anything from your computer, nor does it turn off Windows Defender protection. If you turn off all background apps you can still run the app/program. You may have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Let us know if this helps you.
 
Gene wrote back: "It actually worked! I thank you TC. It kept appearing all the time I was following your instructions, but after I rebooted it stopped! Gene"

Susan is having big problems with Firefox
I really hate to bother you with another problem but whenever I try to open FF a dozen or more windows open causing flickering and using up almost 100% memory until I end it in Task Manager. I can't look up how to uninstall and save my bookmarks etc. Can you please tell me so I can do this myself

Our answer
Hi Susan. We're going to show you how to fix your problem without reinstalling Firefox.

Do this. Right-click on your Firefox shortcut. Choose "New Private Window":



When Firefox opens it will open to a Private browsing page. Click on Help (at the top) and click on "Troubleshooting information".



In Troubleshooting, on the right side of the page you'll see "Give Firefox a tune up"



Click on Refresh Firefox

You'll see this:



Click on "Refresh Firefox". This will not remove your bookmarks, but it will reset Firefox.

We hope this helps you, Susan. 

Sydney has a 5-year-old Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair key and wants to know if it's still good
I knew I purchased a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key a few years ago and, thankfully, have never had to use it because your hints have helped me keep my computer running smoothly. I checked today to see how old it is and was surprised to find it is dated July 5, 2013. My question is - do these ever expire?

Our answer
Hi Sydney. Thanks for the nice comments. Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair keys never expire. They are good until you use them. We are glad we have been able to help you keep your computer running well. Thanks for your support and your kind words!

Rea has a problem: A driver updater program
I want a Direct Care key. This darn thing keeps popping up telling me I need to update 10 drivers and I just can't get rid of it so could fix that or tell me how to get rid of it. I try to live with it but it comes on invariably every time I start a new page.

Our answer
Hi Rea. Sorry to hear about your computer troubles. Driver updater programs are on the same plane with malware. While maybe not quite as insidious, they can be just as damaging and certainly as annoying. Driver Updater programs constantly tell you there are new drivers available for your computer.. They may be new drivers that are actually for your hardware, but more often they are not the correct drivers or they are not necessary. Many times installing unnecessary drivers using one of these types of programs may cause serious problems with your PC.

You should never update any drivers on your computer unless you're having a problem with a hardware device. If everything is working well and to your satisfaction, one of the worst things you can so is update drivers for hardware that is working well. The old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies!

We be glad to help you get rid of it, but here's some advice. If you don't have an uninstaller program, download the free version of Geek Uninstaller. You don't have to install it, just unzip it and click on Geek to run it. Look for "Slimware Utilities" in the list of programs and if you see it remove it. Slimware Utilities is a software bundle that includes a program called Driver Updater. Look through the list you see in Geek and uninstall any program you see that begins with Driver. You may see Slimware Utilities listed as well as Driver Updater even though Driver Updater is part of is junkware bundle.

After you uninstall all the programs with the name Driver - and Slimware Utilities using Geek Uninstaller, then restart your computer. If that does not fix you problem, we can connect to your computer and check some other things for you.

You can download Geek Uninstaller (Free version) from here.

Let us know if you need more help, Rea.

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How to Put Command Prompt Back On Your Right-Click Menu
Windows 10 Creators Update (v 1703) and all newer versions of Windows 10

Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, decided that everyone who uses Windows 10 is geeky and therefore would much rather have PowerShell on their Windows 10 "power menu" than Command Prompt. Well, PowerShell is very powerful and there's a library of scriptlets you can use with it, but when it comes to most users, Command Prompt is going to be use much more often - that's because most tips you'll find for Windows will tell you to open a Command Prompt or Command Prompt (Admin).

If you press Windows Key +  X or your right-click your Windows 10 start button, you'll see what geeks like to call the Power Menu. And if you have Creators Update or newer and you haven't modified that menu, you'll probably see Windows PowerShell is already there

.

If you would rather see Command Prompt and Command Prompt (admin) there instead of Windows PowerShell, do this:

Right-click an empty area of your taskbar and then choose "Taskbar settings"

In Taskbar settings, click on "Themes" (in the menu on the left) and under "Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the start button or press Windows key + X" turn the switch to Off

Close the setting Window and right-click the start button or press Windows key + X and you'll see that Windows PowerShell has been replaced with Command Prompt:

And someday, if you turn into a PowerShell geek, you can flip the switch and put Windows PowerShell back on the menu. Or leave Command Prompt on your right-click menu  and use open PowerShell when needed by typing PowerShell in taskbar search and open it from there. If you're like most people, you're going to use Command Prompt a lot more than PowerShell... right?

Some Really “Quick” Tips for Windows
Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 

Quick Change
Want to change the name of a desktop icon, folder, file etc.? Click whatever you want to rename, then click the F2 key and make your change!

Quick View
To view properties menu of a file, folder, etc., highlight it and click Alt + Enter. Highlight My Computer (This PC) and click Alt + Enter to view System Properties.

Quick Print
Click Control + P to open the Print Dialog.

Quick Downloads
While using your favorite browser, press CTRL + J to view recent downloads.

Quick Desktop
Press Windows Key + D to go right to your desktop. Press Windows Key + D again to go right back to where you were.

Quick History
While using your favorite browser, press CTRL + H to view your browser history.

Quick File Explorer (Windows 8x and Windows 10) or Windows Explorer (Windows 7)
Click the Windows Key + E to open File Explorer or Windows Explorer  in a flash!

Quick-Lock Your Computer
(This tip only works if you have more than one user account on your computer and your account uses a password)

Click the Windows Key + L to lock your computer. You’ll need to type your password to log back into your user account.

Quick Run 
Press and hold down the Windows key and tap the R key to open a run box.

What to Do When Program Windows Cover Your Taskbar
Windows 10

Note: This tip was written for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) and newer versions of Windows 10. But this fix will work on other versions of Windows 10 as well.

While working on computers with our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care remote computer repair service recently, I’ve notice several times where open programs would obscure the taskbar. We would go through a complicated fix to keep the taskbar on top. But today, we discovered a super easy way of fixing this annoying problem – and if you have this problem too, we're going to show you how to fix it in less than 1 minute.

First, we’ll show you what we mean by a program window covering the taskbar:



As you can see, my taskbar is partially covered by an open Notepad window. If you ever encounter this on your PC, here’s the easy fix.

Right-click on the taskbar (the part you can see) and click “Taskbar settings”.



Scroll down until you see “Taskbar location on screen”. Mine is set to “Bottom” because I like the taskbar at the bottom – I’m a Windows traditionalist. Click the down arrow at the right (see above).

Choose a different taskbar location from its current location from the options on the left side.



After the taskbar changes location and you verify that it has, then change the setting back to your original setting. I switched mine to “Top” and once it move to the top, I immediately switched it back to how I like it at the “Bottom” of my screen.

After doing this, everything was back to normal and program windows no longer cover my taskbar.

See? The Notepad window no longer covers my taskbar and all is well. Sometimes, the best fixes are the simplest fixes.

If you’re not using Windows 10 Fall Creators Update you can still use this tip, but to access taskbar position settings do this:

a.) Right-click a blank area of your taskbar

b.) Choose "Properties"

c.) Next to “Taskbar location on screen” choose any location that is different from its  current location. Click OK. As soon as your taskbar moves to the new position, change it back to your preferred location and click Apply/OK.



Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users: This tip should work for you as well.

Make Text Hyperlinks Easily Using the CTRL+K Shortcut
Windows 7, Windows 8x, Windows 10

Here’s a tip that will come in handy for those of you who often use text to create hyperlinks. For instance let’s say you want to make the following line of text into a link that people can click to visit a web site, your Facebook page, your blog, whatever...

 Here’s an example:

Visit Our Cloudeight InfoAve Premium Home Page Here!

You can turn any text into a hyperlink in any program that supports hyperlinks like:  Gmail, Word, Thunderbird (and most other email programs) and many (but not all) word processors.

You can use the slow method of underlining the text and using the program’s “insert hyperlink” dialog. Or you can just highlight the text you want to make a link and press CTRL+K. This brings up the “insert hyperlink dialog” where you can type or paste the URL (web address) to the site you want to open when someone clicks the text link.

Choose a word or sentence you want to make a hyperlink. For instance, “click here to see great pictures” or “click here to see my blog” or “click here for to read my essay” … you get the idea.

a.) Highlight the text you want to make into a link.

b.)  Press the CTRL+K keys and type or paste the URL to the site you want people to go to when they click your text link.

Here… we'll show you exactly what we mean - we made a little animation for you.

Remember this works on Gmail, Outlook.com, and works in MS Word (and most word processors), and it works in Thunderbird, Windows Mail App, and other email programs too.

Try it  -- you'll like it!

Want more computer tips & tricks?

10 Ways to Open Settings on Windows 10

Laptops in the Dark: Let There Be Light

We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks and more on our InfoAve web site.  Come see for yourself! 

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SeniorPass: A Great 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 one low price. With our SeniorPass you'll get the best 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. You'll get one full year of computer care and get help with almost any computer problem whenever you need it. We're here to help you.

Computer care & repair for one full year just $99!  Check out our SeniorPass offer right now!

Get your SeniorPass and/or get more information here.

 Our Favorite Download Sites

When it comes to keeping you safe, steering you away from download sites that thrive on tricking you into download parasitical download bundles (are you reading this CNet - Download.com and, how about you, Softonics?). Installing software bundles teaming with adware, browser hijackers, backdoors, search engine hijackers, and even worse, is a really good way to not only harm your computer - but a good way to toss away your privacy - and maybe even sanity. These download bundles contain other software - we call them parasites - that try to trick you into clicking "Yes" or "OK" thus  giving them permission to install their garbage on your PC. It's bad enough playing whack-a-mole with download buttons and links, but it's really bad if you keep clicking next > next > next when you install software and don't read the dialogs as they pass by.

One of the best things we can do to keep you safe is to keep you away from download sites that prey upon your trusting nature and count on you being in hurry when you download and install software. So today, we're going to tell you about the only two major download sites we trust.

We download a lot of software - particularly freeware. We have to. We’re always testing new software trying to find good software to recommend to you.

But these days downloading software, especially freeware, is a bit like playing Russian roulette. There are so many software download installers that try to sneak unwanted 3rd-party junkware and worse by unsuspecting users, that you must be constantly vigilant when you install any software you’ve downloaded – particularly freeware.

But it’s not enough to be vigilant when you install software that you’ve downloaded, you have to be extra careful where you download it from. Unfortunately, the world’s most popular download site (CNet's Download.com ) has decided to make even more of a crap shoot out of downloading by taking clean freeware and bundling it in its own installer. And the worst download site in the world, Softonics doubles down on CNet's game with even worst bundles of garbage (see our article about Softonics here).

So, if you like to download software we’re going to tell you the two sites from which we generally download – after we make a simple suggestion. Whenever possible, we always try to download from the software developer’s site - the program's homepage, so-to-speak. That does not guarantee that we (or you) will always get clean software, but it does give us a better chance than downloading from sites who care more about getting their garbage installed on your computer and making money than they care about you or integrity and/or clean downloads. But no matter where you download, take our advice – and always be careful – even developers who offer clean software sometimes love to play Whack-a-Mole with the download links.

Here they are – in order – our two favorite software download sites:

SnapFiles

Our favorite download site – by far – is SnapFiles. The site’s developer has been around as long as we have – that’s a long time! –  and we’ve come to trust his reviews and his site.  On SnapFiles programs that that may try to install 3rd-party software  are noted  so you can be watchful when you install. They have a section dedicated to freeware and one dedicated to trialware. If you're looking for freeware, be sure to browse only in the freeware section on SnapFiles.

Here’s some info from the site owner:

What makes us different from other download sites?

• We download and test EVERY program before listing it.
• We create the screenshots.
• If it’s not working for us, it will not be listed.
• If it appears to be a waste of your time, we won’t list it…

If we have any doubts as to the integrity of the software and/or author, we will not list it.
Unlike most other software download sites, we actually download, install and review every single program before it is listed on the site. We use our years of experience to bring you the products that appear reliable and worth your time. If it’s not working for us, we won’t list it. If it appears to be a waste of your time, we won’t list it…

Adware & Bundle Policy
All products you find at Snapfiles.com are carefully selected and constantly monitored.
Please refer to our Adware policy for additional details.

If you are looking for a trustworthy download site where the reviews are accurate and where software bundles are clearly identified, you’ll want to make a trip to SnapFiles and take a look around - they have a great selection of freeware.

MajorGeeks

Another download site we use occasionally is MajorGeeks. And while we don’t use MajorGeeks nearly as much as SnapFiles, it’s still a good download site and worthy of mention here. MajorGeeks does not do as good of a job of notifying users when applications contain bundled software, but the download links are easy to find and the reviews are generally trustworthy.

Here’s some information from the owners of MajorGeeks:

MajorGeeks is a small, home-based software download site where all the software is handpicked and tested by just two people. We lean heavily towards freeware, but we gladly post high-quality shareware. We do not automate anything, and we reject 95% of submissions. While most websites brag about having hundreds of thousands of software titles to download, we brag about having fewer than 10,000. The intention is to give you a place to go where you can find the top 1% of software, and we try only to add software that we consider to be four stars or better. We have no employees, no offices, and no social life. We live for this stuff and hope you appreciate the difference.

How we test for software:

1: We Google it and look into the software and company reputation. Sometimes we can eliminate a program right here.

2: If it passes step 1 then we need to scan it with multiple virus scanners using VirusTotal, for example.

3: Last is the most important and unique step at MajorGeeks for software we’re comfortable listing. We use VMWare Workstation to test the software safely. We want to see if it does what it promises, is fairly priced if shareware and is worthy of a 4 star or better rating. If we have time we write a mini review with our thoughts and post that first under MajorGeek says. We will also grab screenshots at this point if needed.

Here is a video explaining it better.

If you need further assistance, please visit our Boot Camp for how to use te (sic) website, check out our must have free downloads list or for personal help, stop by our Support Forum and ask for help. We believe you will find our forums friendly to newcomers.

The Software Awards Scam is a classic example that still applies today. A lot of those big websites will do whatever they have to do to get traffic from authors. We have even seen sites offer to remove negative reviews for authors to trade for traffic. Can you imagine? Please, be careful who you trust.

If you’re looking for a decent and trustworthy download site, give MajorGeeks a try.

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

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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of InfoAve Premium. Thanks so much for your support and for being a Premium subscriber.



Have a great weekend and the best new year ever!

Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Issue #794
Volume 16 Number 11
December 28, 2018

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