Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 010624
Here we are… the first edition of Bonus Questions and Answers for 2024. As we begin a new year together, we wish you all the very best in the new year. It’s the first Saturday of the new year – and time for another edition of Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers.
Sometimes the best tips and tricks are hidden in the questions and answers we publish. And rarely do we post questions and answers on this website. Today, we’re featuring some of the questions and answers from past issues of our InfoAve Weekly newsletters.
These questions & answers were selected at random from past InfoAve Weekly newsletters.
Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 010624
Anne doesn’t want to have to use a Windows password
I am using Windows 10. How can I avoid typing a password at Windows startup?
Our answer
Hi Anne. If you sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, you need to use a password or PIN. Your password/PIN helps keep your account safe and secure…not only from others who might have physical access to your computer but also protects your computer from unauthorized remote access. For security, you should not remove the password from your account. You can use a PIN instead of a password, which is much better than no security at all. See this page to learn how to set up a PIN to log into Windows 10.
If you’re using a local account and not a Microsoft account you can log in without a password or PIN — see our tutorial on this page.
Our advice is if you don’t want to use a password, use a 4-digit PIN to log into Windows for your safety and security.
Daniel’s email notification always shows one unread message in the inbox even though there are none
Hello to both of you. Always happy to read your posts every day. I learned many things from you. A big thank you. Here is my problem: The blue email envelope in the taskbar has the number 1 circled on the envelope. So that means I have an email. The problem is that even though I have no messages in my email, I still can’t make the 1 on the envelope disappear. I shut down my computer for 10 minutes and the problem is still there. What can I do to make it go away? Do you have an idea for me? Regrettably, we are unable to send you a photo. Because a picture is worth a thousand words. I am French Canadian so excuse my English, I did the best I could. Yours. Daniel.
Our answer
Hi Daniel. Your English is better than many Americans 🙂 I’m going to be doing a lot of “guessing” here since I don’t know what mail program you are using. I’m going to guess that you’re using the Windows Mail app.
Is the Mail App Icon pinned to the taskbar?
Do you have the “Show People on the Taskbar” Enabled?
Do you have Settings > System > Notifications turned on?
If you have the mail app pinned to the Start Menu, unpin it.
Try opening the mail app and selecting the settings icon.
Select “Notifications” in the list and then “Turn OFF show notifications.”
Right-click on the taskbar and choose “Taskbar settings” and turn the switch next to “Show badges on taskbar buttons” to the “Off” position.
Open Settings >Personalization >Lock Screen
Turn OFF “Get fun facts & tips …..”
Under “Choose which apps show quick status on the lock screen” make sure nothing is selected. If some are make sure to deselect them.
In Settings >Accounts > Sign-in options > Privacy… turn off “Show account details such as my email address on the sign-in screen”.
If you use Gmail and or Outlook.com/Hotmail log into your account(s) on the Web and make sure you have no unread messages there.
Open the Mail app and then sync both accounts and restart Your PC
After the restart pin the mail app to the taskbar again.
Since I’ve never seen this problem before, I’m just going through everything I would try if I were working on your PC. I know it seems like a lot of “stuff” but I’m covering everything I can think of that would cause the number 1 to appear on the mail icon if you do not have any unread emails.
We hope this helps you get the circled number one off the mail icon in your taskbar, Daniel.
—————
Daniel wrote back: “Hi TC. You’re the best! I knew I could count on you guys. The problem was solved when I synchronized my two email accounts. I often invite my friends on Facebook to be part of Cloudeight. (Merci beaucoup.) Again a big thank you for your help.
Best wishes, Daniel.”
Sheryl’s Hotmail font is too small
Hello. The font in my inbox in my Outlook (Hotmail) account is so small that I can’t read the titles of the emails. Can you help? Thank you so much! Sheryl.
Our answer
Hi Sheryl. The font size is easy to change, you can make it as large as you want in two seconds. See this page to learn how.
Let us know if that page helped you.
—–
Sheryl wrote back: “This helped, and it was super easy to do! Thanks so much for your help, it is much appreciated! Warmly, Sheryl”
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Bernie has seen a huge increase in spam emails
Greetings: I have two things to say.
#1 I converted to Windows 11. It went swimmingly, even easier than getting a haircut. An unexpected result is a sudden increase in speed. I don’t ever recall this machine behaving with such speed.
#2 Under the general heading of the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed is the name of the Lord: the amount of crap that comes to my email address is accelerating. A couple of weeks ago, I tried to set up some new filters to cut back on the more repetitive offenders but all that accomplished was an increase in the garbage from the ones I tried to filter out plus several new ones. It takes some minutes every day to individually erase emails. As far as I’m concerned, the G mail filter is a waste of time. My kingdom for a horse that would remove all the crap each day.
Our answer
Hi Bernie. First, thank you so much for your long-time support and friendship.
I’ve noticed that both of my Windows 11 computers are much faster than Windows 10 – even the five-year-old ASUS. I think this is what most people would experience and that’s why I’d advise anyone who has a computer that supports Windows 11 to upgrade.
But spam… oh spam! As far as spam goes, once spammers get your email address, there’s virtually no way to stop it.
The only comparison we can make is we used Gmail and we get virtually no spam in the inbox, but quite a bit in the spam folder. We check the spam folder once or twice a week to make sure that no legitimate email was sent there. And thankfully, very little “good” email is ever put into the spam folder. We use Gmail to check mail on our personal accounts because the spam filter is so good. But everyone’s experience is different.
I have a personal Gmail account and I’m very careful where I use it. As I said once the wrong spammer gets your email address they’ll sell it to other spammers.
The only way you’re going to control spam at this stage is to create a new email address (maybe whatever it is now 2@) and tell your contacts you’re changing your email address and then be very careful where and how you use that email address.
I’m sorry I do not have a panacea for spam – if I did I wouldn’t be sitting here answering emails or writing newsletters, I’d be in Tahiti, living on the beach, drinking cocktails with umbrellas in them, and watching the sunset over the pacific, from my waterfront mansion. Alas, I’m sitting on the cusp of winter, in a bland, boring little town, old and broke 🙂
Mona wants to cast her computer screen to her TV
I have been scanning family photos that have been in albums, as well as 35 mm slides, in an effort to preserve our family history for our children. Now that I have them on my computer, is it possible to show these photos on our ‘smart’ TV? It would be nice to show them to visiting family members without having to gather around my small screen computer. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Our answer
Hi Mona. If you want to cast your computer screen to your smart TV do this:
On your computer, right-click the Start button and click ‘Settings’. Then go to ‘Connected devices’ and click on the ‘Add device’ option at the top. The drop-down menu will list all the devices to which you can mirror media and content. Select your smart TV and the laptop screen will start mirroring media and content to the TV.
We hope this helps you, Mona.
Cathy wants to know how to pass on passwords
I came across this question. When a spouse is the one who pays the bills online and he or she has all the passwords and that spouse passes away. And there’s no access for the living spouse to get the passwords. How can the living spouse start paying the bills online without the passwords?
Our answer
Hi Cathy. A password manager like LastPass www.lastpass.com or Bitwarden www.bitwarden.com can save passwords on multiple computers and the only thing you need to know to use it is the master password you create. If both of you know the master password then either of you can access the passwords. The nice thing about password managers is they can automatically log you into sites you need to log in to.
Both LastPass and Bitwarden have free versions. And both work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
We hope this helps you, Cathy.
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Glenda is worried about a flaw in Google Chrome she read about
What is the deal in the news about a critical update for Google Chrome? It talked about something like hackers. Is it true and what do I need to do if it is true?
I know I need to put the other two computers with you as you said but we were going to wait until after the holidays.
My anxiety is really high after reading this. I am very paranoid, about everything I have going on.
Our answer
Hi Glenda. It seems there’s always a threat with something -with Chrome, with Windows, etc. With Chrome, it’s easy to stay updated. Just click on the 3 vertical dots icon at the top-right corner, then click “Help > About Google Chrome”. Chrome will check for and install any updates available. If an update is available, the update will be installed. And Google will tell you to Relaunch Chrome. If no updates are available, it will tell you that too.
It would be a good idea to check Chrome right now to see if updates are available. And it’s a good habit to get into to check it every week since it only takes a few seconds to do.
We hope this helps you, Glenda.
Keith sometimes has trouble opening certain websites
Hi Guys, I have an issue with my Windows 10 desktop PC. Sometimes when I try to open a webpage I get the following error message – Hmmm… Can’t reach this page – try running Windows diagnostics. Usually, 15 to 20 seconds later the page will open, it is so frustrating. Please help. I am using Microsoft Edge as my default web browser. Many thanks as always for the tremendous service you provide for all Cloudeight subscribers. Best wishes, Keith
Our answer
Thanks so much, Keith. We appreciate your nice comments.
If your connection problems happen only with a particular site, then it’s most likely the website. If you get “page cannot be displayed” or “can reach this page” and you see it often on different pages, it’s almost always a problem with your Internet connection. It could be your ISP, it could be your router or modem, it could be your wireless adapter or Ethernet adapter. In some cases, it may be a browser extension or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) you have installed. I had a lady the other day whose connection was flaky because she was using Express VPN and didn’t even know it.
Here are the steps you need to take…
1. Make sure you don’t have anything installed on your computer or browser (like a VPN) that could affect your connection. VPNs are all the rage now as people futilely try to find privacy on the internet. VPNs have their place but not all are good ones. So, if you have VPN installed try turning it off. If you have one installed in your browser turn it off.
2. Call your ISP and have them check your connection and equipment. They can check your equipment from their office.
3. If they find no problems with your connection and equipment and you’re using a wireless connection, it might be your wireless adapter. If it is, you can fix it yourself for $15-$30 by purchasing a USB Wireless adapter that plugs into a USB port. See this page for more info. If you don’t use Wi-Fi there are also USB Ethernet adapters available.
We hope this helps you or at least gets you pointed in the right direction, Keith.
Phil wants to know if Reg Organizer works on Windows 11
Could you tell me if your “Reg Organizer” works with Windows 11, or will be made to work with it shortly (and if that’s the case would there be a free upgrade for Windows 11?)? Regards, Phil
Our answer
Hi Phil. Just about any program that works on Windows 10- including Reg Organizer – will work with Windows 11. Keep this in mind… Windows 11 is not an all-new version of Windows. Until a few months before its release, it was supposed to be released as Windows 10 Version 21H2. They didn’t decide until late in its development to call it Windows 11. Windows 11 is Windows 10 with a prettier(?) face and more built-in security.
Reg Organizer works just fine on Windows 11 as does just about every other program that worked on Windows 10. See our Reg Organizer page here.
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Rita wants to move on from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge
Where should I go to download Edge and then change my browser from Internet Explorer to Microsoft Edge?
Our answer
Hi Rita. You’re using Windows 10, so Microsoft Edge is already installed on your computer. It’s in your Start menu, and a shortcut to Edge is most likely on your taskbar. If you can’t find it, type EDGE in the taskbar search and click “Open” when Microsoft Edge appears in the search results.
To set Edge as your default browser, do this:
1. Right-click on your start button.
2. Click “Settings”.
3. Click “Apps”.
4. Click “Default apps”
5. Click “Web browser” and select Microsoft Edge from the drop-down list.
That’s it! We hope this helps you, Rita.
Peggy wants our opinion of Ninite
Could you share your opinion of Ninite?
Our answer
Hi Peggy, We have a very poor opinion of Ninite.com.
First, we’re not sure why anyone would want to install a lot of programs at once. We believe that each program you install should be installed thoughtfully and carefully – we can’t think of one good reason for mass-installing software unless it’s in a corporate setting with one administrator.
Furthermore, a quick look at Ninite’s websites shows they really don’t update their website very often. They’re still offering the outdated Microsoft Security Essentials as well as other out-of-date or unnecessary programs such as Spybot Search and Destroy.
You should install programs with forethought and care – one at a time – not mass-install a bunch of programs at once.
So we can’t think of one good reason why anyone would want to use Ninite.
Brenda is looking program she thought we recommended
I have been with you for years and couldn’t do without all your tips and tricks. I have just had a new computer and am in the throes of putting everything back where it was and how I like it. I have always used a little program called The Sage a dictionary aid that I am sure I downloaded from you many years ago. However, I cannot find it anywhere. Can either of you two help in any way, I would be most grateful, I thought The Sage was a wonderful little program. Kind Regards, Brenda.
Our answer
Hi Brenda. I searched all our tips and we never recommend anything called Sage dictionary. Since we generally favor online apps when possible (PDF editors, file converters, etc.) as they use very few resources and take up very little disk space, We are more inclined to recommend an online dictionary. But since you asked, I did find a reliable site from which you can download The Sage Dictionary. You can download the Sage Dictionary from Major Geeks here
Any of the links on that page will work for you except the Android link…since you’re using Windows. And now that I see that the Sage Dictionary now offers an Android version – that tells me the developers are keeping the program updated.
Keep in mind we have not tested the Sage Dictionary but the reviews look good.
We hope this helps you, Brenda.
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Don uses PowerToys to resize photos
About a year ago, I lost my ability to send resized photos via email…I wrote and asked you about it but you didn’t know how I was resizing images.
I just installed Windows 11 and also installed the Win 11 version of Power Toys and when I installed it I remembered how I resized photos. Say you are in Windows Explorer and want to send a photo to a friend. The photo is very large. With PowerToys, you can just right-click on the photo and pick the size you want. PowerToys is also available for Windows 10.
Our answer
Hi Don. I often forget about Power Toys – they are constantly being updated and expanded. I never use it for image resizing since I use FastStone Capture 90% of the time – and PaintShop Pro or IrfanView. So, perhaps that’s why when you mentioned resizing images we didn’t mention Power Toys since the aforementioned are more robust. I don’t think I would have ever thought about using Power Toys to resize images. As we often tell people – use what works for you.
I can see why it would be convenient for a lot of folks since all you have to do is right-click on a picture and choose “resize”. And I just took a look at the latest version of Power Toys and it’s quite nice. The one thing I don’t like is the preset sizes…You can add preset sizes but I prefer custom resizing…. still for many people Power Toys Image Resizer might be just what they’re looking for. So, thanks to your email we’ve written an article about it so everyone can share. Thanks for writing and reminding me about Power Toys! Anyone interested can read our article about Power Toys for Windows 11 and Windows 10… here.
Eileen asks about Norton 365 with Lifelock
I’m helping another friend who has Norton Lifelock/Norton 360 virus protection which expires in February of next year. I read something just the other day on one of your pages about Norton and how they’ve been sued for false advertising and of course, I can’t remember what page I read it on. Do you have any of the latest info on them that I can forward to her?
Our answer
Hi Eileen. Norton was not sued, Lifelock was sued several times before Norton purchased it. Norton is very careful not to cross the line of saying Lifelock protects you from hackers and identity theft in all cases. It does mislead by saying a VPN stops malware and identity theft – it does neither. Norton with Lifelock starts at $9.99 a month for one computer for the first year, but over time gets exceedingly costly. Additionally, Norton’s antivirus component is not rated the highest – and its malware protection is lacking.
Here’s one article – just one of many – where we discuss Lifelock’s misleading advertising.
We hope this helps you, Eileen.
Nancy wants the best/easiest way to transfer files/folders between two computers
What is the best way to transfer my documents, downloads, photos, etc., from my old computer to my new computer? Is there a way to do it? I’m sure you have addressed this in the past probably, but, if and when, I no longer remember. Or can you lead me to a page with directions? With past computers, I “thought” there was a program to do that and it came with a new computer, but there was none with my Craft computer. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Our answer
Hi Nancy. Thanks so much. Yes, there are programs you can buy to transfer programs and files/folders from one PC to another, but when used incorrectly they can be disasters so we don’t recommend any of them.
Here is the best way to do it manually.
1. First you’ll need an external hard drive. An inexpensive 1 terabyte would be adequate for this.
2. Plug the external drive into a USB port on your old computer and copy the entire C:\Users\Your Username folder to the external drive.
3. Unplug the external drive from the old PC and plug it into the new one.
4. Open the folder on the external drive.
a. Open the documents folder – select all the files inside it (CTRL+A).
b. Open the documents folder on the new computer and copy the files you selected on the external drive to the Documents folder on the new PC.
Repeat a and b with the Pictures folder, Music folder, Video folder, and Favorites folder.
One thing to remember is that you should never just copy the documents/pictures/music/etc. folders on the external folder to the corresponding folders on the new PC. If you do you’ll have a mess where clicking “Documents” opens a folder with another folder called “Documents” inside for example. Always open the folder on the external drive, select all the files/folders inside, and copy them to the corresponding folder on the new PC.
We hope this helps you, Nancy. If you have any further questions or need more information, just let us know.
Rona gets an hourglass icon when clicking a blank area on her desktop
Hi Darcy & TC. I am really sorry to be bothering you with my problem so near to the holidays, but this is causing me much frustration. There is a small section of my computer screen where my mouse changes to an hourglass and will not respond to what I am trying to do. I have tried several fixes to try and make it work properly, but nothing has helped. It also happens when I use the scrolling pad on my laptop. Can you suggest something for me to try – it happened once while I was typing this. Thanks in anticipation.
Our answer
Hi Rona. A cursor only turns into an hourglass when you click on a shortcut to a program, file, setting, hyperlink (web shortcut), etc. If you’re clicking on a black area of your desktop and getting an hourglass then there’s some kind of shortcut there even if you cannot see it. I’m not sure about hovering over an area of your desktop, but even though you can’t see anything there, obviously there has to be.
Try this…
Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and uncheck “Show desktop icons”… this will hide all your desktop icons.
Now, right-click on your taskbar and choose Toolbars and select “Desktop”. You’ll see a desktop toolbar appear in your taskbar on the right side near the notification area.
Now go back to your desktop to the spot where you were getting an hourglass and see if you still get it. If not, look at your taskbar and click the “Desktop” toolbar you created above. You’ll see a list of all the shortcuts on your desktop. Remove any you don’t want or need by right-clicking on them (one at a time) and clicking “Delete”. Keep in mind, deleting shortcuts from your desktop does not delete the program, file, etc. does not delete the associated file/program/folder. Just be careful you don’t delete any pictures or folders or documents you saved to the desktop… only shortcuts.
Now you can remove the desktop toolbar by right-clicking the taskbar, clicking on Toolbars, and removing the checkmark next to Desktop. Then right-click on your desktop and click “View” then select “Show desktop icons”.
If that doesn’t work, use File Explorer, navigate to C:\Users\Your Username\Desktop, and open the desktop folder. See what is in that folder you can delete. Remember deleting shortcuts from your desktop does not delete the associated program, file, etc. Just be careful you don’t delete any pictures, folders, or documents you saved to the desktop… only shortcuts.
We hope this helps you, Rona.
——
Rona wrote back: “I am so grateful to you TC for such a quick response and I am happy to say the problem now seems to be solved.
Thank you again… Rona”
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I was doing a update on one of my computers and when I reboot it goes do 30 % and stops. What can I do?
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