Five Ways to Close Your Browser Quickly
Windows 7, Windows 8x, Windows 10

This tip is for those using Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox or Opera browsers.

We had a someone ask us a question today about how to close a browser quickly when one encounters a scam advertisement or tech support scam pop-up.  And that reminded me to remind everyone how to close a browser that has become unresponsive or when you click something malicious and suddenly you’re faced with a tech support scam popup or other malicious popup.

1. Use CTRL+F4

We’ll do the easiest one first. If you just want to close the current tab (the one you’re viewing), just press CTRL+F4.  This is a quick and easy way to close the tab you’re viewing. This may come in handy if you can’t close the tab normally.

2. Use ALT+F4

If your browser is frozen or you have run into malicious scam popup, you may not be able to close the tab. In this case, while you’re browser is open and you’re looking at it (it’s in focus) try using the ALT+F4 keyboard shortcut.

3. Use Task Manager

If neither of the above works for you, try opening Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) and look in the processes tab. You can right-click on any browser process and choose “End process”. Keep in mind there may be several processes running for the same browser. You need right-click on each and choose “End process”.

4. Use Taskkill

Even easier is to use Taskkill. Open a command prompt:

— On Windows 7, type CMD in the start menu search and click on CMD when you see it appear at the top.

— On Windows 8, right-click on the start button and click Command prompt.

— On Windows 10, type CMD in taskbar search and press Enter.

At the prompt in the Command prompt window, type the following (remember these commands must be typed exactly as far as spacing goes – they are not case sensitive though).

To close all instances of Chrome type:

Taskkill /im chrome.exe /f

To close all instances of Firefox type:

Taskkill /im firefox.exe /f

To close all instances of Microsoft Edge type:

Taskkill /im micosoftedge.exe /f

To close all instances of Internet Explorer type:

Taskkill /im iexplore.exe /f

Keep in mind when you close your browser using ALT + F4 or Taskkill when you reopen your browser, most browsers will attempt to restore the tabs that were open when the browser was forced to close. If you’re trying to get away from a tech support scam or other malicious popup or advertisement, the last thing you want to do is let your browser restore the tabs that were open. If you allow that, you’re likely to find yourself caught in a never ending circle. So don’t allow your browser to restore the tabs that were open when you forced your browser to close.

5. Restart your computer

Finally, you always have the option to restart your computer if you run into something bad on the internet. That will close all open programs. Again, remember, if you force your browser to close or you restart to get away from a problem you’ve run into on the Web, don’t allow your browser to recover the pages that were open when you forced the browser to close or restarted your computer to force the browser to close.

Now you know what to do the next time you run into a tech support scam popup that tells you your computer has 9 million viruses and if you close the scam ad all your files will be erased – and telling you to call 1-800-XXX-MMMM to fix your computer. You will know what to do — right? 


Windows 10 File Explorer Tips and Tricks
Windows 10 (all versions)

File Explorer is the default file browser in Windows 10. Prior to Windows 8, we all knew it as Windows Explorer. Most of us use File Explorer every day. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use with File Explorer that you may not already know.

Hide the Ribbon

If you want File Explorer to look more like the old Windows Explorer, or if you want to see more files and folders in File Explorer, you can quickly hide (or show) the File Explorer Ribbon.

Open the File Explorer and use the CTRL+F1 keyboard shortcut to show or hide the File Explorer ribbon. it’s just that easy!

Above: Windows 10 File Explorer with the ribbon

Above: File Explorer without the ribbon.

Open Websites from File Explorer

Many people don’t know this, but you can use File Explorer to open a Website.

Try it right now! Open the File Explorer, press Ctrl+F3 to go to directly to the address bar and type Google.com, then press Enter.

Keep in mind the site will open in your default browser.

Rotate Pictures and Set Your Desktop Background With File Explorer

You don’t need to open a picture file with your default image viewer or Photos app to rotate it. You can change a picture’s orientation right inside of the File Explorer.

And,  you can also set any photo as your Windows desktop background using Picture tools in the File Explorer. 

To rotate a picture, select it, click the Picture Tools tab. (Note: the Pictures Tools tab won’t appear unless you have chosen a picture file.)

You can rotate it right or left.  You can also set any picture as your desktop background.

4 Ways to Close File Explorer

Almost everyone knows you can close File Explorer by clicking on the X in the top right corner. You can also close File Explorer or any active window by using the Alt+F4 shortcut. But not too many people know you can also close File Explorer by double-clicking on the folder icon at the very left edge of the File Explorer title bar.

And if you’ve changed your File Explorer to open to "This PC" instead of "Quick Access" (you can learn how to do that here), you can close File Explorer by double-clicking on the PC  icon at the far left of the title bar.

And here’s a way to close File Explorer that very few people know. You can close File Explorer by using the Ctrl + w keyboard shortcut.

Some Useful File Explorer Shortcuts

Here are some less familiar shortcuts you can use in File Explorer

Ctrl + Shift + N – create a new folder

Ctrl + F3 –  jump to the file path in the File Explorer address bar

Alt + Enter  – open file or folder properties

Shift + Delete – permanently delete files

Shift + F10 – open the context menu

Microsoft to Give Windows Users More Control Over Installing Windows 10 Version Updates
Windows 10 (all versions)

While reading the Windows blog this morning,  I came across this article posted on April 4, 2019, in which a Microsoft Windows vice president writes that Microsoft is going to offer more control to all Windows users when it comes to installing feature updates such as the May 2019 Update also known as  Version 1903.

According to Mike Fortin, Corporate Vice President, Windows, beginning with the May 2019 update, Windows users will have more control over when it is actually installed while Windows Update will continue to install monthly cumulative updates and patches automatically.

Here’s what Mike Fortin writes on the Windows Blog post…

Improving the Windows 10 update experience with control, quality and transparency

While regular updates are critical to keeping modern devices secure and running smoothly in a diverse and dynamic ecosystem, we have heard clear feedback that the Windows update process itself can be disruptive, particularly that Windows users would like more control over when updates happen. Today we are excited to announce significant changes in the Windows update process, changes designed to improve the experience, put the user in more control, and improve the quality of Windows updates.

In previous Windows 10 feature update rollouts, the update installation was automatically initiated on a device once our data gave us confidence that device would have a great update experience. Beginning with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, users will be more in control of initiating the feature OS update. We will provide notification that an update is available and recommended based on our data, but it will be largely up to the user to initiate when the update occurs. When Windows 10 devices are at, or will soon reach, end of service, Windows update will continue to automatically initiate a feature update; keeping machines supported and receiving monthly updates is critical to device security and ecosystem health. We are adding new features that will empower users with control and transparency around when updates are installed. In fact, all customers will now have the ability to explicitly choose if they want to update their device when they “check for updates” or to pause updates for up to 35 days...

Read the entire article here.

According to the latest information we’ve found, it looks like the May 2019 Update won’t be rolling out until late May. But that’s unofficial. There is no official word from Microsoft about the official release date of Windows 10 Version 1903 (May 2019) update as yet.



What to Do If Your Windows 10 Computer Crashes
Windows 10 (all versions)

We recently had one of our subscribers write and tell us that their Windows 10 computer crashed. They took it to BestBuy and had it fixed. They paid BestBuy $200 to do a Windows 10 Reset. They could have done it themselves in less than an hour and saved $200. Don’t let this happen to you. 

Windows 10 gives users many more ways to recover from computer disasters than any previous version of Windows. Windows 10 Reset, for instance, gives Windows 10 users the option to reinstall Windows without losing any personal files. 

Reset your computer using the Advanced Boot Menu 

If your computer won’t boot into Windows, there’s a good chance you can boot to the Advanced Start Menu (learn how here) in Windows 10.

Once you’ve booted to the Advanced Boot Menu you can click on “Troubleshoot” and reset your PC from there.

From the Troubleshoot menu, click on Reset this PC.

Resetting your Windows 10 computer gives you a choice of keeping your personal files or removing everything and then reinstalling Windows 10. You’ll need to reinstall any programs that didn’t come with Windows. But Microsoft makes this easier by leaving a list of programs that were removed by the reset in a text file that is left on your desktop after the reset process has completed.

Reset your computer using a Windows 10 USB or DVD

If you can’t boot to the Advanced Boot Menu,  you can boot your computer using Windows 10 installation media – either DVD or USB flash drive. If you don’t already have a bootable Windows 10 USB or DVD, learn how to make Windows 10 installation media here.

Once you’ve booted into Windows 10, you can get to “Reset this PC” from Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > “Reset this PC”.  Read more about doing a Windows 10 Reset from the Windows 10 Settings menu here.

If your computer is running poorly and/or Windows 10 features seem to be missing, not working or slow to load, resetting Windows 10 will almost always help. Resetting Windows 10 will keep all your personal files, but you’ll have to reinstall all the programs you installed that didn’t come with Windows 10.  

Another option: Try a Windows 10 repair installation

If you have Windows 10 installation media you have another repair option. And that option is to perform a Windows 10 repair installation.  We explain how to do a Windows 10 repair install here.

But wait!

Before you reset your PC or do a repair installation… read this!

Before you resort to resetting or doing a repair installation of Windows 10, always try this tip first.

1. Type CMD in taskbar search.

2. When you see Command Prompt appear, right-click it and choose “Run as administrator”.

3. At the prompt type:

SFC /SCANNOW

and press Enter. (Note there is a space between SFC and the slash.)

SFC (System File Checker will take some time to run. It will tell you when it’s done. When it’s done, do not close the Command Prompt window.

4. When SFC is done, type the following  at the prompt in the Command Prompt window:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth

Be certain you copy and paste that command – or be very careful and type it exactly as shown – including the spaces.

DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. You can use DSIM /Online/ Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to scan the Windows image for component store corruption and perform repair operations automatically. It can take from 10 minutes to over an hour to run .. depending on the speed of your PC and how many errors are found.

Running these two commands in this order can fix many Windows problems and the risk level is zero.

If you’re having serious problems with Windows 10, the information in this tip just might save you some money and time.
>


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A Trio of Excellent Free Word Processors

One of the questions we get asked most often is: “Can you tell me where to find a good free word processor?”

We can. And not only can we recommend one, but we can also recommend three really good word processors.

The three word processors we are going to recommend are stand-alone word processors that are not part of an office suite. So, if all you need is a good word processor, that’s all you’ll get.

If you need to open or work with MS Word Doc and/or Docx files, or if you need to save your work in Word .doc or .docx format, you can download one of the many free “MS Office” alternatives such as Open Office, Libre Office, and others. These free office suites are great if you need some or all the functionality of the programs that come with an office suite.

But what if you don’t or use Excel or PowerPoint or any of the other programs that come with MS Office or the free MS Office alternatives? What if all you really need is a good word Processor? One that can open Word documents and save files as Word documents that even your friends with Microsoft Office 2019 can read? How about a word processor that not only opens and saves documents in MS Word format but can also edit and save files in PDF format?

So step right up, because today you’re in luck if you’re searching for a good word processor. That’s right! Today we are featuring three free word processors that don’t require you to download a lumbering 300 MB office suite just to get the word processor. And all of these word processors open and save documents in several different formats including MS Word.
We’ll start with the one you already have, but probably don’t use.
——————

Microsoft WordPad

The venerable old WordPad isn’t the same WordPad you remember from Windows 95, 98, Windows XP or Windows Vista. Nope. It’s grown up to be quite a nice word processor that can open Microsoft Word .doc and .docx files as well as Open Office files, text files and more. And while it can’t save files in MS Word format, it can save files in RTF (rich text) format which can be opened in most any word processor – including MS Word.

WordPad is already on your computer. To open it on Windows 7 or Windows 8, press Windows Key + R and type the word WRITE and press Enter.

If you’re using Windows 10, just type WordPad in taskbar search and press Enter.

Above: MS Word .docx file open in WordPad.

Once WordPad is open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose “Pin to taskbar”. That way, you’ll always have a shortcut to WordPad handy.

——————

AbleWord

AbleWord is a free word processor and PDF reader/editor all in one. It’s easy to use, has a familiar interface, and plenty of features. AbleWord opens, creates and edits MS Word .docx and .doc files. AbleWord can also save Word documents as PDF and PDF documents as Word documents, so it’s also a free DOCX to PDF or DOC to PDF converter.

Here’s some info from the developer:

“Edit PDF files as simply as Word® documents

There are a few free Word Processing packages available for Windows but none come close to the features offered by AbleWord. It is highly compatible with popular document formats including .DOC & .DOCX but AbleWord can also open and save as a PDF which makes it a very useful tool to have.

AbleWord can read and write the following file types:

Microsoft Word® (doc, docx)
Adobe® PDF (pdf)
Rich Text (rtf)
Plain Text (txt)
HTML (html, htm)

AbleWord is very simple to install and use, it is commonly used as a PDF Editor and also for converting PDF to Word®. But it’s also a splendid Word processor and supports most of Microsoft Word® features.”

Above: MS Word .docx file open for editing in AbleWord.

AbleWord is free for home and business use. The download is small, and the installer is clean. Great program.

You can read more about and/or Download AbleWord from here.

—————-

Jarte 6.2

Jarte is a Windows word processor that can read and save your word processing gems in Word format in .doc or .docx format. You’ll need to install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack if you want to save in .docx format. But that’s no big deal because when you try to save a document as .docx, Jarte gives you a link to download it. Once you install it, reopen Jarte and you’re in business.

Jarte has a lot of features; here are a few of them

Fully compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. It works on both 32-bit and 64-bit computers.

Tabbed interface to provide easy access to open documents

Opens files with file extension RTF, file extension DOC, and file extension DOCX

Fast startup

Compact screen size

Can be run directly from a pluggable USB flash drive

High-quality spell checker with custom user dictionary

And much more.

And for those who have problems with their eyesight, Jarte offers this:

"...Jarte has become a particularly popular word processor for the blind community due to its special screen reader mode. When Jarte detects the presence of a running screen reader program it starts in screen reader mode with an interface that is specifically designed to maximize accessibility via screen reader programs. An example of Jarte’s screen reader friendliness is its pop-up menu driven spell check feature which directs the screen reader to audibly spell out misspellings and spelling suggestions. Jarte Plus also provides an optional audible notice when it detects a misspelled word has just been typed. Jarte is committed to being a great word processor choice for the visually impaired..."

Above: MS Word .docx file open for editing in Jarte.

We first recommended Jarte back in 2011, 2013, 2017  and we’re recommending Jarte again here in 2019. Jarte has been updated regularly. It still one of our favorite free word processors.

You can read more about and/or download Jarte from here.





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You Can Change the World

You may not be rich and powerful, but you can change the world. But you have to leave something of yourself behind. It’s not hard and it’s something everyone can do.

I don’t want to seem morose, but I’ve been thinking a lot about how the world will be when I’m not here anymore. I am sure the world will go on without even taking notice of my demise – but that’s not exactly what I’m talking about. What will I leave behind? Will I leave something behind that would not have been if I had not have been?

I see so many people saving money, accumulating wealth, saving for retirement or to leave money to their children and grandchildren. But is that all our lives are meant to be. Is that all we really want to leave behind.

Money was here before we were born, and it will certainly be around for a long time after we’re gone. So leaving money behind is not leaving something of ourselves behind. We didn’t really make it. I want to leave something behind that wasn’t here when on the day I was born; something that wouldn’t have been here if I had not been born.

I certainly have not lived a perfect life and I’m sure some will be glad to see me gone. That is how it is with many of us, I’m afraid. But one thing I know for sure: I’m leaving a lot of things behind that were not here the day I was born.

Anyone who, like me, has children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren…leave behind something that would have never been here had we not been born. So if you have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, you are leaving something behind.

But that’s not really enough. While your children are part of you and came from you, they don’t let others inside your head and your heart so they can know you even though you’ve passed away.

I have children and grandchildren and I love them all very much. I will leave them behind when I die. So the world has been changed because I was here.

Billions of people change the world by having children, but very few change the world by leaving a part of themselves behind...

Read the rest of this essay here.

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What's the first thing I should do if I start to have problems with my computer?

This will be, mercifully, one of the shortest answers you'll ever see written by TC.

The first thing you should do if you start having computer problems is:

Restart Your Computer.

If that does not work, shut down your computer - make sure it's powered off and no power lights are on. Wait five minute. Turn your computer back on.

That's it. You'd be surprised how many PC problems that  one or the other of these quick tips will fix.

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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.

Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Issue  #812
Volume 16 Number 28
May 3, 2019

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