Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 030125
Here in our part of the Earth, we have reached what’s known as “meteorological spring” as opposed to real spring, also known as “astrological spring”. It matters not, since spring doesn’t arrive here until mid-April Besides all that, it’s Saturday 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 – 030125
Mary Ann encounters a scam
Our Acer computer has a pop-up warning from Windows Defender. The message says that Windows Defender has been locked down. We had a trial version of the Emsisoft, but I think it just ran out. We do have a Cloudeight SeniorPass for this computer. Can you help us? I am afraid that something is attempting to hijack this PC.
Our answer
Hi Mary Ann. This is a scam. It’s not something on your computer, it’s a scam ad that appears in your browser. It’s not from Windows Defender at all it’s from an ad that wants to make you believe it’s Windows Defender. But the fact is, it’s not even called “Windows Defender” anymore, it’s called Microsoft Defender. They tell you your computer is “locked down” trying to scare you into calling a phone number or clicking a link for help. It’s just a scam and it can’t hurt your computer unless you call the phone number or link shown in the ad and allow the scammer to access your computer remotely.
No antivirus can protect you from ads like these. You should install a good popup blocker like uBlock Origin to prevent this from happening to you in the future.
You should also clear your browser’s history and cache to prevent this from recurring. Here is our tutorial on clearing your browser’s history and cache. This tutorial covers Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.
If you need more help or have more questions, please let us know, Mary Ann.
Eldad asks about OAuth2 email authentication.
Hi. I read in your Infoave Weekly newsletter about OE Classic will comply with Gmail authentication requirements – OAuth2 – in due course. My question is: Do you know something similar about Mozilla Thunderbird? I’ve been using this email client for years, and want to continue using it. Thanks, Eldad.
Our answer
Hi Eldad. OE Classic currently supports OAuth2.
Thunderbird has supported OAuth2 for a couple of years, so all current versions of Thunderbird already support this authentication method.
If for some reason your Gmail was not set up using OAuth2, you can easily set it up again without losing anything. When you set up your Gmail account in Thunderbird, you will see a Gmail sign-in page appear where you can sign in to Gmail with your username and password. Then the authentication details from Gmail are passed to Thunderbird – it’s automatic. But you don’t have to do this unless you have problems and we don’t think you will.
Doris asks about RealPlayer and Movies & TV on her Windows 10 PC
I have RealPlayer on my Windows 10 desktop computer. There is also the “Movies & TV” app installed. When I download a video to Real Player the video also goes to the program Movies & TV, which is fine. My question is, I would like to save the videos to a Thumb Drive but I can’t find any way to do that from either RealPlayer or Movies & TV. Can I do that and if so How. I’m not that computer-smart. Thank you for your help.
Our answer
Hi Doris. RealPlayer is outdated and unnecessary. Besides that, many security apps consider it a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). We suggest you download and install a free media player called VLC from here. Once you install it, you can make it your default media player for all media types. See this page for instructions on how to save any file you have open in VLC to your computer.
We hope this helps you but if you need more help, please let us know.
Please help us to keep on helping you!
This week we gladly helped dozens of people solve their computer problems by email quickly and free of charge.
Make a small donation and help us help you!
If you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us with a donation. Even the smallest gift is appreciated. Every donation helps us to provide useful information that helps you with your computer as well as helps us to keep you safe on the Internet. We offer free help to thousands of people every year… and we offer an honest and inexpensive computer repair service too. We do everything we can to help you with your computer and keep you safe too.
So if you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us by donating right now.
Interested in making a monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us to keep on helping you!
Thank you so much for your support!
Kathy says Chrome does not open correctly.
When I open Google Chrome it comes up in the bottom corner of my screen. I have tried everything to make it come up full screen but nothing works. I even tried reinstalling Chrome. Can you help? Thanks so much. Kathy.
Our answer
Hi Kathy. Can you grab a corner of the window and drag it up? I am not sure what you’re seeing.
You can also try right-clicking on your Chrome shortcut, clicking on “Google Chrome” > “Properties” >”Run” > “Maximized”– See the screenshot below.
One more thing, uninstalling Chrome and reinstalling it does not usually fix problems like this because there is a folder in C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Google that has to be manually deleted before you reinstall Chrome. This folder contains all your settings, extensions, history, etc. So if none of the above works, you can uninstall Chrome, delete that folder, restart your computer (you must restart your computer before reinstalling Chrome), and then reinstall Chrome. If you do this you’ll lose your bookmarks so you might want to save them before you do this if they’re important to you. You can learn how to save your Chrome bookmarks here.
Let us know if this helps you, Kathy.
—–
Kathy wrote back. “Thank you so much! My Chrome is now opening full size. I appreciate you guys so much. You are always so helpful. Kathy”
Dick asks about Chromebooks
I need you to put your heads together, not too close though, and help me decide something.
I was watching one of the home shopping channels and they had an HP Chromebook for a pretty good price, which included a new printer and a few other goodies. I don’t need the extra goodies but it’s the first time I have considered a Chromebook. I have a Dell All-in-One Windows PC in my office with Emsisoft in it. A Chromebook seems like a perfect little companion computer to have next to me, in my family room to have readily available for looking up info, etc. Doing a small bit of research a Chromebook does not need an antivirus program as it does not get a virus. Also, it’s mentioned that you don’t need a big hard drive as it uses the Cloud.
Now, this is all I have found out about Chromebooks except that they are made by several companies. The HP seems like one of the best and most inexpensive. If you have a few minutes, in your busy schedule, could you let me know what you think of Chromebooks, which one might be the best one, at the best price? Also, what is your opinion on them not needing an antivirus program? Amazon seems to have a good selection at some pretty good prices. It’s just amazing that both of you are there for us, to help us through the computer gargle we read. Of course, you need donations to do this. I’m sure you like to go to the grocery store just like we do.
Our answer
Hi Dick. Thanks so much for your support and your nice comments.
Chromebooks are perfect for doing research, browsing the web, searching for things, online shopping, etc. They’re great as long as you don’t mind using Web apps for everything since you really can’t install programs on a Chromebook.
As far as what brand of Chromebook to buy, think of it this way…Chrome OS is an operating system, like Windows is an operating system. HP, Dell, Acer, and others offer computers using the Windows operating system and computers with the Chrome operating system. So, just about any major brand that you like would be just fine. Chromebooks don’t need as much RAM as Windows PCs, so while 4GB of RAM is not enough for a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, it’s plenty for a Chromebook.
Most computer manufacturers now offer “Chromebooks”… so whatever brands you trust for Windows PCs you can also trust for Chromebooks.
Since you don’t install apps directly on the Chromebook but use them from the Cloud, then antivirus software is not essential. But as Chromebooks evolve, that could change.
We are not sure if this helps you much, Dick, It seems like you had it pretty well thought out before you wrote.
————
Dick wrote back: “Thank you so much TC. You confirmed some of the things I was curious about concerning Chromebooks. You and Darcy are so good to us computer folks. We appreciate you being there for us so I’m going to be there for you. I’m heading to the donation page right now. Dick”
Terry says Microsoft Edge tells him our site is dangerous
Microsoft Edge says you are a dangerous site because your Certificate is not valid – it’s self-signed. I know you are safe. How can I get that junk removed? I trust you and have since you and I met in the 1990s! AND, fabulous news, I root for you all the time. Cheers and Happy Spring, Terry
Our answer
Hi Terry. Thanks for your nice comments and your long-time support.
It appears that you have a bad extension installed in Edge or you’re using a security program that isn’t working correctly. A site can’t “Self-sign” a certificate.
When you do some investigating, here’s what Edge says about Thundercloud.net…
So, Terry, whatever extension you’ve installed in Edge or whatever security program you’ve installed on your computer – is giving you incorrect information. If you’ve not installed something, then you’re ISP may be using some kind of filter that’s not working properly. A website cannot “Self-sign” a security certificate, it would make no sense. A site security certificate has to be issued by a trusted certificate authority – sites can’t just make one up and sign it themselves.
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Colin wants a narrower left margin in Gmail
G’day Darcy and TC. Is there any way I can reduce the space taken up in Gmail by that left-hand pane with Categories, Labels, etc.? It takes up a third of my screen. Best regards, Colin.
Our answer
Hi Colin. Open Gmail in your browser and look near the top left corner. Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon that appears right before the Gmail logo.
Once you do, you’ll see the names of the folders and labels are then replaced by icons thus reducing the size of the margin on the left of the Gmail window. See?
If you want to change back to the wider margin and show the full names of folders & labels, just click the icon again.
We hope this helps you, Colin.
Dianne wants to know why she has to sign out and sign back in to see the new items she saved to her desktop
Thanks for this tip, and the many others you have provided over the years. I work on posters and have had to redo some of my work because of an update. I often save my work on the desktop so it is easier to find but lately, my work does not show up on the desktop. I have to sign out of Windows and then sign back in and then the items are there. What would cause this problem?
Our answer
Hi Diane. Thanks so much for your kind words. Your problem is not an uncommon one. And you’ll be glad to learn that you don’t need to restart or sign out of Windows to refresh the desktop. You can do it more quickly and without signing out or restarting. You can refresh the Windows desktop in several ways.
Method 1: Using the keyboard shortcut
Click on the Windows desktop (not on an icon) to make sure it’s in focus. Press the F5 key on your keyboard. This will refresh the desktop, updating any icons or files that have changed or been added.
Method 2: Using the right-click menu
Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop (not on an icon). Select “Refresh” in the context menu that appears. This will refresh the desktop and update any changes.
Method 3: Using Task Manager
Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu, or press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard to open Task Manager directly. In Task Manager, select the “Windows Explorer” process. Click the “Restart” button at the bottom right corner of the Task Manager window. The desktop will temporarily disappear and then reappear. It will be refreshed and updated.
We hope this helps you, Dianne.
Les asks what password managers we recommend
Could you give me your recommendation for a password storage program, please? There are many programs on offer and as I highly respect your advice I am looking to you. Regards, Les.
Our answer
Here are the three password managers we use and recommend. All have free versions which have some restrictions (I use the free version of LastPass & Bitwarden). Darcy uses the paid version of RoboForm. You can read more about each by clicking the links below. Even the paid versions of these password managers are very reasonable, but you may find the free versions adequate for your needs, as I do.
We hope this helps you make a good choice, Les.
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Marie says her Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar/Start menu search do not work...
I am running Windows 11. The start menu does not open at all and cannot type anything in the taskbar search. I have no idea how to correct this could you possibly help? Thank you, Marie.
Our answer
Hi Marie. Try this first. Turn off your computer using the power switch… and leave it off for five minutes. Make sure there are no power lights on. Then turn on your computer. Now see if your Start menu works.
If that does not work, try this…
Type CMD in the taskbar search and press Enter
When Command Prompt appears in the search results click on “Run as administrator”
When the Command Prompt opens, type the following at the prompt…
SFC/ SCANNOW
and press Enter. Make sure you type it exactly as shown. The System File Checker takes from five to ten minutes to run. It will scan for missing/corrupted Windows files and try to replace any it finds. After the scan is complete. restart your computer and try your Start menu.
Still not working? Make sure your computer is up-to-date. Type Windows Update in the taskbar search and press Enter. When Windows Update opens click on “Check for updates” and make sure your computer is up to date. If updates are installed and your computer has restarted, then try your Start menu.
More solutions…
If the problem started recently – say within the past 2 weeks, try using System Restore. Type RSTRUI in the taskbar search and press Enter. This will start System Restore. Select “Choose a different date” and click “next”. If there is a restore point available with a date that precedes the date your Start menu problems began, select it, and restore your computer back to that date. You won’t lose anything except any programs you installed after that date.
The one solution that we’re sure will work is resetting Windows 11. A Windows 11 reset completely removes your Windows installation and reinstalls Windows but keeps your personal files and folders. After a reset, you’ll need to reinstall any programs that did not come with Windows. A reset will fix your problems, but it is also the most time-consuming and work-intensive solution of all the possible solutions we’ve presented. If nothing else works for you, then we suggest you bite the bullet and follow the instructions on this page to reset your Windows 11 computer.
We hope this helps you, Marie.
Debbie wants “Copy to” and “Move to” back on her right-click menu
Many years ago you told us how to add” copy or move” to the right-click menu. I loved it and now I got a new computer (Windows 11) I no longer have that option. Is there any way to add “copy to” and “move to” to the right-click menu on Windows 11? Please keep up the great work you guys do. Thanks so much, Debbie.
Our answer
Hi Donna. Thanks so much. You’ll be happy to know that you can add “Copy to” and “Move to” to the Windows 11 right-click menu. But since Windows 11 tries to consolidate the right-click menu, you’ll have to expand the right-click menu to see “Copy to” and “Move to”. It’s not hard, it’s just an additional step you’ll need to use with Windows 11.
See this page to learn how to put “Copy to” and “Move to” on the Windows 11 right-click menu and how to find it after you do.
And keep this email handy. Every time Windows 11 has a major update, you’ll need to put “Copy to” and “Move to” back on the right-click menu and major updates will remove them.
PS: For those who are using Windows 10 and who are reading this in our newsletter, you can learn how to add “Copy to” and “Move to” to your Windows 10 right-click menu by visiting this page.
——–
Debbie wrote back: “Wow! That worked great! You guys are the best! Debbie.”
Steve asks about OpenDNS
Hi. I’m curious about OpenDNS. Is it really as good as it claims?
Our answer
Hi Steve. We wrote about OpenDNS in 2013 (see this page). But that was nine years ago and as with computers and the Internet, nine years is a long time.
I just reviewed OpenDNS again and it looks to me like they’ve decided to be your guardian or censor depending on how you look at it. Parental controls are fine as long as you decide what is appropriate and not someone else. Having someone else decide what’s appropriate never works out. The only free OPEN DNS service that you don’t have to sign up for is the free service where OpenDNS decides what you’ll see and what you won’t see. The free version with no sign-up is kind of like having someone else decide what books you can read and which books you’ll never see. Maybe you don’t want to see “Adult content” but who defines “adult content” for you? You or someone else? The free, no sign-up Open DNS option, decides for you… and is that ever a good idea?
We’ve tried several DNS services including OpenDNS, Google Public DNS, and Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS. I think Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS is the fastest, most private, and best. It’s also fairly easy to set up and you don’t have to give them any information or sign up for anything. We reviewed Cloudflare back in 2018 when it first came out. Today, I went back and took another look – and also set it up on the computer I am using. Again I was impressed.
So, if you want to know what DNS services do and/or if you would like to take a look at an alternative to OpenDNS, take a look at this article.
Don’t need any of our products or services right now?
Please help us to keep on helping you!
This week we gladly helped dozens of people solve their computer problems by email quickly and free of charge.
Make a small donation and help us help you!
If you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us with a donation. Even the smallest gift is appreciated. Every donation helps us to provide useful information that helps you with your computer as well as helps us to keep you safe on the Internet. We offer free help to thousands of people every year… and we offer an honest and inexpensive computer repair service too. We do everything we can to help you with your computer and keep you safe too.
So if you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us by donating right now.
Interested in making a monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us to keep on helping you!
Thank you so much for your support!