Thanks to your gifts, we do a lot more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the Web safely, provide you with suggestions for safe, free software and websites, and help you get more out of your PC.

Please Help us keep up the good fight with a small gift.

Interested in making an automatic monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us keep helping you... and helping you stay safe on the Web.

Marty wants to upgrade his Windows Version... but wonders which version
The time that the upgrade takes is not a major issue or concern for me - so having said that, based on your experience and knowledge of both the 2004 and the 20H2 versions, would you recommend one over the other?

I know every PC is different and what may have been trouble free for one person could be problematic for another - so just like in life “there’s no guarantees”.

Should I just ask myself “do ya feel lucky?” - and go for 20H2, or take the time for 2004?

Any last thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, since Windows Update is set to give me version 2004, if you think I might just as well go straight to 20H2, do you have a link or info as to how I could bypass that 2004 since those files are already downloaded. Thanks again. Marty.

Our answer
Hi Marty. I would do the 2004 update because it's a bigger leap to jump to 20H2 from 1909 than it is from 2004. Most people consider version 20H2 just a service pack for version 2004 - and not a huge jump at all.

No matter what you choose to do now, the next update, Windows 10 Version 21H1 will be a major version update and it will be coming out next spring.

I think, based on what I've seen, most of the version 2004 bugs have been addressed. It's about time since it's been out since May 2020.

Of course, no one can guarantee you anything - and neither can Microsoft.
If you do decide to go to version 20H2, you can go to the following page and click on the Update Now button.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!



Nancy wants to clean out her inbox
I have a question; I have not been diligent about clearing out my Gmail inbox. Is there an easy way to delete unwanted emails without losing the ones I want to keep?

I am tired of trying to delete one by one. It's very tiring. I know I should have done it every day but as I said I have not been diligent about it. During the summer months I have been busy outside. No excuse, I guess.

I know if anyone can help me it's you two. Thanks. Nancy

Our answer
Hi Nancy. If you want to clean out your inbox, you can select all emails displayed or all emails in your inbox and archive them. This will remove all the emails from inbox while keeping copies of them. See the screenshot below...

Google gives you plenty of space to archive emails. To give you an idea how much space Google gives you, we have nearly 400,000 emails archived, and we are only using a small percentage of our available space.

We hope this helps you, Nancy.

Linda does not like PayPal
I do not use PayPal. I had a real problem with them when I ordered through them. The item never arrived. They did not help me at all. They told me to contact the merchant and would not even take a report. So, how do I renew my Emsisoft virus protection through you without using PayPal?

Our answer
Hi Linda. All credit cards require an online credit card processor, and we use PayPal. You don't have to have a PayPal account to buy products from us.

A credit card processor is not responsible for filling an order, so you would have to contact the merchant. However, if a merchant does not fill an order, you can request refund at PayPal and they, most all the time, side with the buyer. So, when you use PayPal, you are very well protected.

Again, it is not PayPal’s responsibility to take a report.

If you want to pay for your Emsisoft renewal by regular mail, you can do so by sending check in U.S. fund or a money order in U.S. funds to:

Cloudeight Internet LLC
PO Box 73
Middleville, MI 49333

If you decide to pay by regular mail, let me know, so I can be sure to watch for your order.



Peter wants to know what he can use to replace Picasa
Now that Picasa is being phased out, can you recommend an alternate photo handling program (preferably free)?

Our answer
Hi Peter. Google replaced Picasa with Google Photos. Since you're already using Gmail, you have a Google account - have you checked into Google Photos? You can access it from your Gmail account. While in Gmail, click on the square 9-dot icon in the top-right corner - then click "Photos". See the screenshot below...

Google Photos is easy to use.

Also, Windows 10 comes with a nice Photos app that many people never use. It automatically scans your computer for images and organizes them. While we wrote the following article some time ago the Photos App has not changed much. If you're interested in learning more about Windows 10 Photos App see our article here.

We hope this helps you, Peter.

The Best Computer Care and Repair - Anywhere!

We can fix your computer while you watch. You never have to leave your home. Just sit back, relax, and watch us work. Get PC service from folks you trust at the best prices you'll find anywhere.

Mildred is curious about Windows updates
I'm puzzled. I see so many people asking "should I download the latest versions of Microsoft updates or wait?" Even you have mentioned doing it. Why not have it set to have it downloaded automatically? Your thoughts? Thanks, Mildred

Our answer
Hi Mildred. Great question. We always recommend downloading Windows updates. But there are two kinds of updates.

There are cumulative updates which include bug fixes, security patches, and critical updates. These are usually released once a month and are essential to keeping your computer safe and secure.

Since Microsoft has a long history of releasing cumulative updates that aren't ready for prime time, they cause some users significant problems. So, we have recommended that Windows 10 users - who have had problems with updates in the past - delay the update for seven days or longer until Microsoft has had time to address any problems with the update.

But there's nothing wrong with updating automatically - we both update automatically. However, some people have had significant problems with their computers after updating and for these people pausing for seven days (or longer) is not a bad idea - it gives Microsoft a chance to fix any glitches that some folks have had to deal with. The important thing is that update gets installed within a reasonable amount of time.

The other kind of update is the Windows 10 version update (feature update). These are released twice a year. Each version is supported for 18 months, so there is a lot more leeway when it comes to the time you have to install these kinds of updates.

I hope this helps you, Mildred.

Carol wants to know what happens if she doesn't download the Windows 10 May 2020 update (version 2004)
What happens if you don't download the May 2020 update? I haven't gotten it yet. You have all the answers if I want to know something. Thanks! Carol

Our answer
Hi Carol. The May 2020 Update is Windows 10 version 2004. The previous version, Windows 10, Version 1909 (November 2019 Update), is supported by Microsoft until May 11, 2020. So, if you're using that version you don't need to do anything until next spring. It is entirely your choice.

You can find your current Windows version by typing Winver in taskbar search and clicking on it when it opens, or you can right-click your start button and click "Run". In the run box type WINVER and press Enter.

And remember, you can always update to the current version of Windows 10 by going to this page and clicking on the "Update now" button.

We hope this helps you, Carol.

Mary wants to download music and videos
Hi. there have been with you for many years and I love your newsletters. I was wondering if you know of a free site that I can download music or videos? I did have a video downloader, but it seems to have stopped working. Do you know of another free site or program that I could use? I would love to hear back from you. Thanks, Mary.

Our answer
Hi Mary. Thanks so much for your kind words!

A while ago we recommended a program called Free Video Downloader for YouTube. I tested it then and it worked well and there's no malware or bundled software with it. I just re-tested it this morning and it hasn't changed.

You can download videos or just save the music from music videos. It's easy to install and use.

Read more about (and/or download) Free Video Downloader for YouTube here.

Sandy wants to know why she didn't get the current version of Windows 10
I just received a major Windows feature update. I did Winver and I have Windows 10 version 2004. Isn't there a 2020 version?

I know I never received the last major update as I had 1909 or something like that. But I thought I would get the latest version. Should I download the latest and where is the safest place to download the newest version of Windows?

Our answer
Hi Sandy. Windows 10 20H2 (October 2020) update is not currently being forcefully or automatically pushed out yet, at least not on a wide scale, and not to those using version 1909 (November 2019 Update).

If you want to update to 20H2 (and it's a minor update from version 2004) you can go to this page and click the Update now button.

Most people, using Windows 10 version 2004, say the upgrade is more like a service pack than a version update and takes only a few minutes to install. However, remember, your results may vary.

There are not many new features in version 20H2, it's mostly a service pack with a lot of fixes. Version 2004 is supported until October 2021, so you have plenty of time to decide.

Dianne is worried about a notification she received
This morning before I logged, there was a notice on my pc saying a package from Amazon today all day. It disappears when I log in. I ran Emsisoft with full scan but came up with nothing.

I have been getting phishing emails to my Outlook account, but my Amazon account is with Gmail.

I do have a tablet that I don't use, and it may have some power left. also, it is not protected with any antivirus as that Emsisoft expired. Could this compromise my main PC? I do not have them synced with each other.

Our answer
Hi Dianne. Your tablet would not affect notifications on your main PC. I think it was just a Windows notification toast (a popup). You can prevent these easily and here's how:

1. Type Notifications & Actions in taskbar search.
2. Press enter or click "Open".
3. In Notifications & Actions, under "Get notifications from apps and other senders” turn the switch to "Off".

4. Close settings.

We hope this helps you, Dianne.

Attention Cloudeight SeniorPass Holders! Announcing our new SeniorPass Telephone Hotline Service

Don't have a Cloudeight SeniorPass? It's a great deal. Learn more here.

Rebooting is the First Step in Troubleshooting
Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (al versions)

No matter what version of Windows you're using, one thing remains constant: If you suddenly start having problems with your Windows computer, no matter what they are, the first thing you should try is rebooting.

Whether you’re having problems with installing a program, running a program, opening a folder, opening a file, or your computer is running like Granny Gertrude in a senior potato sack race, rebooting is the first thing you should try.

Why? Because you might spend hours trying to figure out what is wrong and never find a thing. Before you waste time looking through tips, tricks or Googling for the answer, you might find that rebooting will fix whatever ails your computer.

Rebooting flushes your memory cache, reloads all Windows system files and gives your computer a fresh start. Everything’s reloaded, memory is cleared, and that, my friends, can make a world of difference.

So before you waste hours of time trying to figure out a problem, save your time and the frustration of trying to find a solution to a problem that may be solved by something as simple as restarting your computer. We’ve learned this lesson the hard way, many times. We’ve wasted time looking for solutions to problems that seemed to disappear after we rebooted. And, often, in the frustration of the moment, when your computer seems destined for oblivion, simply restarting it might take care of whatever was wrong. Of course, if it the problem keeps recurring, even after you restart your computer, you’re going to have to dig down and find the source of the problem and fix it. But save all that work for later. The first step in troubleshooting is rebooting.

How to Open Programs Pinned to Your Taskbar with Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows 10 (all versions)

If you’ve pinned program icons to your Taskbar to create a shortcut, you don’t have to click the icons to open them.

You can use the Windows Key + a number key to open them. The programs on your taskbar are “numbered” from left to right. So, the first icon is #1 and the next one to its right is #2, and so on.

To open a program pinned to your taskbar, hold down the Windows key + the number key that corresponds to the location of the pinned program icon on your taskbar. For example, Windows key + 3 will open the third program pinned to the Taskbar. On my computer, the 3rd pinned program icon from the left happens to be Firefox. So, on my laptop, Windows Key + 3 opens Firefox. Irfanview is the ninth pinned program icon on my taskbar. So, if I hold down the Windows key and press the number 9 key, Irfanview opens.

How useful this tip is, depends on how you use your computer. But learning new things is always useful, right?

How to Show (and Print) a List of All Running Processes on Your Computer
Windows 10 (all versions)

First, let's open a command prompt with administrator privileges. Type Command in taskbar search, press Enter, then click “Run as administrator” in the search results.

In command prompt, at the prompt, type:

tasklist

and press Enter:

As you can see (above) you’ll get a list of all processes running on your computer. You can scroll through the list and see every process that is running on your computer at the time you ran the command.

If you want to print a list of processes, it gets a little more complicated. You can save the file to any drive or folder you want to… but remember, spacing is important and you must know the complete file path. The simplest way to do this is to just to save it to the root of the C:\ drive… with the following command

Tasklist >C:\running-processes.txt

Want more tips, tricks, and information?

We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks, and more on our InfoAve web site.

Subscribe to our free InfoAve Daily newsletter.

Our special annual pass for computer repair for our friends 60 or older. See this page for more information.

VOMA: The World’s First Virtual Online Museum of Art

VOMA (Virtual Online Museum of Art) is truly an amazing experience. It is the world’s first virtual immersive online art museum, and you can visit it using any internet-connected device or using your PC and your favorite browser.

VOMA features paintings and artwork from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, Musée d’Orsay, and more. VOMA also features digital-only original.

VOMA is a work-in-progress and is not 100% complete. But it is already an amazing experience in immersive virtual web development and well worth a visit.

You can use your mouse or the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the site. If you have a touchscreen device, you can “pinch” to resize the images. There are navigation symbols on the virtual “floor” of the museum to guide you and help you move through the museum. Each exhibit has small i (information) near it so you can learn more about any artwork you’re interested in. To view a painting or other artwork just click on it… you can zoom in and out using your mouse or touchscreen.

Click or tap the circles on the floor to move around the museum.

Click on any painting or artwork to get a close-up view.

Click the circled “i” near each painting to reveal more information about each painting or work of art.

Visit VOMA right now and visit an art museum right from the comfort of your own home! 

Introduction

This year, with the pandemic raging across our country, many of us are choosing to forego our traditional Thanksgiving gatherings while others are altering their usual Thanksgiving plans.

I like to think if we all can get our families safely through this Thanksgiving, next year we all be thankful for being careful this year. And next Thanksgiving may well be one the best Thanksgivings ever. Sometimes you don’t miss what you have until it’s gone…

This Thanksgiving, I’d like to tell you about my best Thanksgiving ever…it is one that has lived in my memory for decades...

My Best Thanksgiving 

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of myself as a young boy, watching the Thanksgiving parade on television, my mom busy in the kitchen preparing our Thanksgiving dinner, and the feeling of love all around.

I was nine years old. I remember a gray, cold, and cloudy day. I remember the steamy windows that cooking made. I remember big swirling snowflakes in the air. It is Thanksgiving Day, and it would be my best Thanksgiving Day ever. 

It would be THE Thanksgiving Day to which I would compare all future Thanksgiving days.

And it was also to be my mom’s last Thanksgiving, although I didn’t know that then. 

I can still see my dad in his chair, reading the morning newspaper, my sister, all of seven years old, helping my mom in the kitchen. And I can see myself, in my innocence, unaware of the precious memories that were unfolding.

And as I remember that Thanksgiving Day, I feel the warmth of the love that only family can provide.

Life seemed so simple then. My entire world consisted of a tiny house...

Read the rest of our Thanksgiving essay here. 

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!

When you support us with small gift, you help us continue our mission to keep you informed, separate the truth from the hyperbole, and help you stay safer online. Plus, our computer tips make your computer easier to use.

Did you know that we provide support to thousands of people? Every week we help dozens of people via email at no charge. The questions and answers you see in our newsletters are from the email answers and help we provide to everyone free of charge.

Thanks to your gifts, we do a lot more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the Web safely, provide you with suggestions for safe, free software and websites, and help you get more out of your PC.

Please Help us keep up the good fight with a small gift.

Interested in making an automatic monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us keep helping you... and helping you stay safe on the Web.

Sales of the following products and services help support our newsletters, websites, and free computer help services we provide.

Cloudeight Direct Computer Care: Single Keys, SeniorPass, or Season Tickets - always a great deal. Cloudeight Direct Computer Care is like having PC insurance. Get more information here.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware:  Emsisoft is the only Cloudeight endorsed and recommended Windows security program. It provides users with a complete antivirus, antimalware, anti-ransomware, anti-PUPs solution. We offer single Emsisoft licenses and multi-computer licenses at discount prices. Also, we offer our exclusive Emsisoft with Cloudeight installation & setup. Get more information here.

Thunderbird Email Setup: Thunderbird is a great email program that you can use with your Gmail and Outlook.com (Hotmail) webmail accounts as well as with your Internet provider's email. We'll set it up correctly you. Our set up includes configuring up to 3 email accounts and setting up Thunderbird to use stationery (if desired). Our Thunderbird Email Setup Service is always a great deal. For more information visit this page.

Reg Organizer: Reg Organizer is the Swiss Army Knife of Windows tools. It's far more than just a registry optimizer and cleaner... it's a Windows all-in-one toolkit. Reg Organizer helps you keep your computer in tip-top shape and helps you solve annoying Windows problems. Reg Organizer works great with Windows 10! Get more information about Reg Organizer (and get our special discount prices) here.

SeniorPass - One year of Cloudeight Direct Computer Care - unlimited sessions! Get more information here.

Windows 10 Customization: Make Windows 10 look and work the way you want it to. Learn more.

Your InfoAve Weekly Members' Home Page is located here.

Print our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Flyer and spread the word about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair services.  Get our ready-to-print flyer here.

Help us Grow! Forward this email newsletter to a friend or family member - and have them sign-up for InfoAve Weekly here!

Get our free daily newsletter! Each evening we send a short newsletter with a tip or trick or a computer-related article - it's short and sweet - and free. Sign-up right now.

Print our Cloudeight Direct Flyer and spread the word about our computer repair service! If you want to help us by telling your friends about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care service, you can download a printable flyer you can hand out or post on bulletin boards, etc. Get the printable PDF Cloudeight Direct Computer Care flyer here.

• InfoAve Weekly Subscribers' Home Page. You'll find the last few weeks of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly archived on this page.
• To change your subscription address, see "Manage your subscription" at the bottom of this newsletter.
• Submit your questions, comments, and suggestions for possible inclusion in our newsletters here. This form is for questions, comments, and suggestions for this newsletter. This form is not for product support, stationery questions, or general questions concerning our products or services.
• Submit your Windows tips and tricks here.
• Send us your suggestions and recommendations for future freeware picks and/or sites of the week
• Follow us on Twitter
• Find us on Facebook
• Help us by using our Start Page.  It costs nothing, and it helps us a lot.
• We have thousands of Windows tips and tricks and computer articles posted on our Cloudeight InfoAve website. Our site has a great search engine to help you find what you're looking for too! Please visit us today!

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.
• SeniorPass - One year of Cloudeight Direct Computer Care - unlimited sessions! Get more information here.
• Reg Organizer-- A Swiss Army knife of PC tools. Easy for beginners to use -- with advanced features for experienced users too. Get more info.
• Cloudeight Direct Computer Care - Our world-class remote computer care & repair service: You can't beat our prices or our 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. See our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care home page for more information.
• Thunderbird Email Setup:: Let us set up Thunderbird for you. Thunderbird works great with Windows 8 and with all versions of Windows 10. Get more details here/a>.
• Windows 10 Customization: Make Windows 10 look and work the way you want it to. Learn more.
• Your InfoAve Weekly Members' Home Page is located here.
• Print our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Flyer and spread the word about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair services.  Get our ready-to-print flyer here.

We'd love to hear from you!

If you have comments, questions, a tip, trick, a freeware pick, or just want to tell us off for something, let us know.

If you need to change your newsletter subscription address, please see "Manage your subscription" at the very bottom of your newsletter.

We received hundreds of questions for possible use in IA news. Please keep in mind we cannot answer all general computer questions. We try to personally answer as many as we can. We can only use a few to in each week's newsletter, so keep this in mind. If you have a support question about a service or product we sell, please contact us here.

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter! Get computer tips & tricks every night. Our daily newsletter features a computer tip/trick or two every day. We send it out every night around 9 PM Eastern Time (USA). It's short and sweet, easy-to-read, and FREE. Subscribe to our Cloudeight InfoAve Daily Newsletter!

Print our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Flyer and spread the word about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair services. Get our ready-to-print flyer here.



We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Thanks so much for your support and for being an InfoAve Weekly subscriber.

With hope and prayers, may you and your loved ones stay safe and well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your friends at Cloudeight,

Darcy and TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #893
Volume 18 Number 4
November 20, 2020
 
Not a subscriber? Subscribe to our FREE Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Newsletter here.

Subscribe to our Cloudeight InfoAve Daily Newsletter!

Share Us on Facebook!
We'd love for you to share us with your family and friends on Facebook. Help us by sharing us on Facebook!




"Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly" newsletter is published by:

Cloudeight Internet LLC
PO Box 73
Middleville, Michigan USA 49333-0073

Read our disclaimer about the tips, tricks, answers, site picks, and freeware picks featured in this newsletter.

Copyright ©2020 by Cloudeight Internet