Issue #902
Volume 18 Number 13
January 22, 2021
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #902. Thank you very much for subscribing and for being a part of our Cloudeight family. We appreciate your friendship and support very much! Please share our newsletters and our Website with your family and all your friends.
Our newest Cloudeight Endorsed Email Program - Very Similar to Windows
Mail & Outlook Express. Stationery works great!
Read more about OE Classic here!
Sonja wants to know our opinion of Norton with LifeLock
Just wondering if you have an opinion on using Lifelock with their
antivirus connection with Norton. Thanks!
Our answer
Hi Sonia. First of all, LifeLock has been sued several times for false
advertising. No software in this world can prevent identity theft.
Norton is overkill - it puts tentacles everywhere, it comes with a VPN
that you can't turn off (you can only remove it with special program),
it's expensive, and with all that being said it does not protect your
computer any better than many other security programs.
NortonLifeLock advertises "as low as $9.99" a month, but costs you
$11.99 a month after the first year - and all the while you'll be
prompted to upgrade to a "better" version of NortonLifeLock which has
plans that cost up to $349.99 a year.
On several independent antivirus testing sites, NortonLifeLock's
antivirus protection rating was about the same as Microsoft Defender
which comes with Windows 10 and doesn't cost anything.
NortonLifeLock can slow down your PC, is expensive, and offers no better
protection from viruses and other malicious software than Microsoft
Defender and many other antivirus programs.
Here are a couple of the lawsuits lost by LifeLock.
Lawsuit: LifeLock Misrepresents
Identity Theft Protection Services
FTC to begin issuing refund
checks stemming from $31 million LifeLock settlement
We continue to recommend
Emsisoft. It costs less than $30 a year and offers the best
protection from the malware threats that you're most likely to encounter
on the Web.
We hope this helps you make a wise decision, Sonja.
Bea Jae wants to know how to install our stationery for OE
Classic
I just installed the OE Classic email program I read about in your
letter. I am interested in installing some of your stationery, but not
sure how to go about it. I see there are a couple different areas where
stationery is available on your page. I would appreciate some
instructions. Thank you.
Our answer
Hi Bee Jae.
Please see this page for instructions on where to download our
stationery pack (approximately 280 stationery), how to install it, and
how to use it.
Let me know if you need any more help.
Linda wants to know how to export contacts from her iPhone to
her Windows PC
Do you know of a safe service to transfer iPhone SE 2020 contacts to a
PC or print them out? I know you can do it through iTunes, but I think
it's complicated.
I say it over and over, but you all are a life saver for us I don't know
what we would do without you! Actually, that reminds me to go and donate
again to you!
Our answer
Hi Linda. I have an iPhone, so I can teach you how!
First, log in to your iCloud account on your computer by going to
https://icloud.com.
As soon as you log in, you will see a lot of big icons for pictures,
contacts, etc. So, click on Contacts.
Now, look in the lower left corner of your screen, and you will see a
"gear" icon. Click that, choose Export vCard.
You can download your photos from here too.
Hope this helps you, Linda.
Ron asks about Infiniti Kloud
A friend who is almost totally computer illiterate wrote tonight and
asked me about a USB backup gadget called InfinitiKloud. I had never
heard of it and haven't seen any articles from you folks about it. So, I
told her not to do anything until I had a chance to check into it- with
you, that is. Here is a link to their ad- seems like a lot of hype to me
for not much space and a pretty good chunk of change. The link-
https://tinyurl.com/y5te3d6u
What do you think? I'm going to suggest that she subscribe to your
newsletters. Ron.
Our answer
Hi Ron. It borders between a gimmick and scam - like PhotoStick.
Infiniti Kloud is supposed to back up all your pictures on an overpriced
64GB USB flash drive. I checked the reviews at Amazon, and it showed 3
stars which is not great, but when I checked it out with Fakespot, a lot
of the good reviews appeared to be fake or manipulated, Fakespot's
adjusted rating was 2 stars -which is really poor. This seems to be a
clone of another product we don't recommend - PhotoStick.
Both are just way overpriced USB flash drives that don't get very good
actual reviews. If you're friend has Windows 10 and an eternal drive (a
1 TB external drive is about the same price as "Infiniti Kloud". You can
set up File History which comes with Windows 10 and backup ALL your
personal files (Pictures, Documents, Music, Videos, Favorites, etc.)
Not sure why anyone would want to invest in very overpriced USB 64GB
flash drive.
Hope this answers your question, Ron.
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Rhonda's keyboard does not have a Caps Lock indicator
My keyboard does not have a caps lock indicator. Some time ago I had an
app that sat in the system tray and indicated the status of the caps and
Num lock. It has disappeared and I can't remember what it was called. Do
you know a safe app for visual caps lock indicator?
I do like your newsletter and your useful information. Thanks Rhonda
Our answer
Hi Rhonda. I spent some time looking around for something that would do
what you need it to do. I found one and tested it on my laptop -even
though I have a Caps lock indicator. The program worked well and you
don't even have to install it - just click to run it. It will alert you
when the Caps lock key is on as well as NumLock and Scroll Lock keys are
on. You can also configure it just to show when Caps Lock is on and
nothing else if that's how you want to configure it.
The program is called Caps Lock Indicator and
you can read more about it and/or download it here.
I hope this works for you.
Gayle does not want to use PayPal
Hi Again. I want to purchase your SeniorPass but I do not want to use
PayPal. I just want to use my credit card But when I try to buy a
SeniorPass it only gives me the option to use PayPal. Is that my only
option?
Our answer
Hi Gale. You don't have to use PayPal, you can use any credit or debit
card. PayPal in that case is just our credit card processor.
When you click the Buy Now button at
https://thundercloud.net/direct/2018/senior/ you'll go to a page
with the item name "SeniorPass" and the price - and a big blue
"Continue" button. When you click "Continue" you'll see this...
All you have to do is click "Pay with Debit or Credit Card" and you'll
be able to skip using PayPal and use your credit or debit card. When you
do this, PayPal acts only as a credit card processor for us.
We look forward to helping you soon.
Betty is ready to start streaming
I'm getting ready to start streaming and get away from my awful TV
provider who keeps raising my bill every single month. I have bought a
Roku and need a better router. There are so many options that I don't
know which way to turn. What would be a good choice without breaking the
bank?
Our answer
Hi Betty. Good question. The type of router depends on how far the
router is from the Roku device and other devices you're using. All
brand-name routers are good and most show how many square feet they
cover right on the box. If you need to cover devices in several rooms in
a large house you may want to look at a mesh router system.
Here's a Netgear router with a
range of 1500 square feet for around $80.
Here's a 3-piece TP-Link mesh
router system that covers over 5000 square feet for around $150.
Just about any router you buy will be rated for up to 1 Gbps - faster
than any ISP currently provides.
We hope this helps you make a good choice, Betty.
MaryLee has a problem with Microsoft Edge
I've been having trouble updating Edge. I was just going to search
Cloudeight for instructions on this and found your article about
running
SFC and DISM. So I followed instructions; it took about half an hour
to get to 8%. Three hours later, it's stuck at 8%. I think I'll have to
use my Repair Key, which I purchased when you first made them available.
Our answer
Hi MaryLee. You don't have to use a repair key to fix Edge. All you need
to do is reset it.
See this page to learn how to reset Microsoft Edge.
Once you do that, close and reopen Edge. Then type (or copy/paste) this
into the Edge address bar...
edge://settings/help
It will tell you if your Edge browser is up to date and if not, give you
the option to update it.
DISM/SFC scans are for finding and fixing or replacing Windows system
files. If the scans stop when running them, you might want to close all open
programs before running them again.
We hope this helps you. MaryLee.
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.
During this global crisis, we are offering a special telephone hotline service to all SeniorPass holders. There are reports of many COVID19 scams targeting seniors. If you are approached by a scammer or encounter something suspicious, you can use our hotline to discuss your situation with us. We check into it for you and do all we can to help you.If you currently have a SeniorPass, all you need to do is contact us. Send us your telephone number and a brief message/a> describing your problem and we'll call you back during normal business hours.
If you don't yet have a Cloudeight SeniorPass and you'd like to know more about our SeniorPass, please see this page.
Please note: Currently, our telephone hotline service is only available to SeniorPass holders in the United States due to international call restrictions.
Using the End and Home Keys
Windows 10 (all versions)
Darcy reminded me this morning to remind you about the End and Home keys and how handy they are and how much time they can save. But it seems that many people don’t know they even have End and Home keys on their keyboards or how those 2 keys can save you time.
First of all, you’ll have to locate the End and Home keys on your keyboard. There are so many different keyboard layouts so he location of the Home and End keys varies between laptops and desktops and even between computer manufacturer and model.
We’re going to show you a couple of places to look. But keyboards vary, so you may have to look closely at your keyboard to find the End and Home keys.
Here are 2 examples:
Once you find the Home and End keys on your keyboard…
The Home key takes to the top of a web page or document; the End key takes you to the bottom of a web page or document. In some programs, you will need to use CTRL+Home and CTRL+End to move to the top or bottom of a document. And some laptop keyboards require you to use the fn key + CTRL + Home or fn key + CTRL+ End key to access Home and End keys.
Anyway, using the Home and End keys (or CTRL+Home and CTRL+End) saves you time by taking you directly to the top or the bottom (or the end) of a webpage or document instantly.
If you want to get to the top or bottom of a page or document quickly, this is a little trick you won’t forget.
Preparing to Sell or Give Away a Windows 10 Computer
Windows 10 (all supported versions)
It’s the time of year when people get new computers and don’t know what to do with their old ones. Well, lots of things come to mind: You can give it to a church or school, you can give it to a relative or a friend, you can sell it.
If you’re going to be giving away or selling your Windows 10 computer, you’ll be glad to know that you don’t need to download any third-party software to wipe your personal information from your computer before you give it away or sell it. Now we’re not saying that this would pass NSA, CIA, or FBI forensics scrutiny, but for most of us ordinary souls this method will work great.
Here’s what you need to do:
1. Right-click on the Windows 10 start button & click Settings.
2. In Settings > click on Update & Security.
3. In Update & Security > click on Recovery.
4. In Recovery under Reset this PC” > click on “Get started”.
5. When you click on “Get started”, you’ll have two options:
a. Keep my files – Removes apps and settings but keeps
your personal files.
b. Remove everything – Removes all of your personal
files, apps, and settings.
6.Click on Remove everything.
7. Windows will ask if you want “Just remove my files” or “Remove files and clean the drive”. Since you’re not keeping the computer, choose “Remove files and clean the drive” Selecting this option completely wipes the C:\ drive and then reinstalls Windows 10. After you do this, when you give the computer away or sell it, it’s like a computer that has never been used.
Once you click on “Remove files and clean the drive” Windows will
warn you and ask you to confirm you want to proceed with this operation.
After you confirm that you want to do this, Windows will start the
process of wiping the drive and reinstalling Windows 10. This could take
a few hours – but you don’t have hang around while this is being done;
it’s automatic. When Windows has wiped the drive and reinstalled Windows
10 it will be like a new computer. Whoever you give it or sell it to,
will set up time zone, language, user accounts, etc. – Just like they’d
do with a new computer
.
So. now you know what to do if you’re planning to sell or give away a
Windows 10 computer… and how easy it is to do it.
How to Easily Find Your Wireless Password in Windows 10
Windows 10 (all supported versions)
It’s been a while since we covered recovering wireless network passwords, but since Christmas was last week, a lot of folks got a new computer, a new tablet, a smartphone, an Amazon Fire, a smart thermostat, a Roku player, a smart TV, or other internet-connected devices, and you’re going to need to know your WiFi network password.
And if you’re like most people, you set up your wireless network quite a while ago and you don’t remember your WiFi password.
If you got a new tablet, smartphone, streaming video player, etc., or you just need to find your wireless password, we’re going to show you how the quick and easy way.
Just follow these simple steps:
Press Windows Key + i to open Settings (or open
Settings from your start menu). Click on “Network & Internet”. In
“Network & Internet” settings, look on the right side and you’ll see the
following options.
Click on “Change adapter options” (see above). And you’ll see the “Network Connections” dialog appear (see below):
Right-click on the WiFi network you normally connect to (see image above) and then click on Status in the drop-down menu (see image below) which appears:
In the Wi-Fi Status dialog, click on the Wireless Properties button (see screenshot below):
In the Wireless Network Properties dialog, click on the Security tab at the top (see image below):
In the Wireless Network Properties Security dialog, tick the box next to “Show Characters” and your password will be shown to you unencrypted – in plain text.
And that’s all there is to it!
You can also find your wireless network password
using a command prompt.
See our article here to learn how.
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.
Now available: Reg Organizer 8.60
If you purchased or renewed Reg Organizer through Cloudeight within
the last 12 months, you're entitled to a free version upgrade to Reg
Organizer 8.60.
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Reg Organizer
- A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10!
Check Your Router and Make Sure It’s Hacker-free
You’re doing everything right – using good security software, a strong Wi-Fi network password so you’re safe, right. Well– most likely.
Hackers are nothing if not innovative and they can break into a router using what’s known as DNS-hijacking. And if your router is compromised, so are all the devices connected by it. And let’s be honest – the chances that your router has been compromised are quite slim. But, since it takes only a few seconds to make sure, we’re going to provide you with a link to a website where you can check your router to be sure it hasn’t been hijacked.
Before we do that, again we want to make sure you understand that it is very unlikely your router has been compromised – our motto is always to present things in an honest, non-scary way. We don’t like tech sites that scare people to get viewers/readers.
So, take a few seconds to make sure your router is clean and uncompromised; we’re pretty sure you’ll find that is.
Check your router by going to this site and clicking the “Check your router” button.
Above are my results. You will notice that my ISP and DNS say “Google”. I use Spectrum as my ISP, but you’d never know it. That’s because I use Google’s Public DNS servers.
So, are you ready?
Check your router by going to this site and clicking the “Check
your router” button.
Meandering Thoughts
I love to write, sometimes I don’t write so well, but that
doesn’t stop me from writing. It’s kind of like golf, I guess. Some
people like to play golf regardless of how poorly they play.
Writing essays is one of the kinds of writing I like best – much to the
dismay of some.
But be thankful all ye who find my essays boring, badly written, or
lacking! I used to love writing poetry, so it could be even worse.
I wrote poetry long ago when I was an idealist and I really believed I
could do incredible things and change the world. Most college kids think
that way and thinking that way is fertile soil for poetry.
I said to the sun, you are no fool,
As he danced in the glimmering, shimmering pool.
You play while it’s warm,
And you hide from the storm,
And run quickly away when it’s cool.
Cute huh? Ah, the foibles of youth – so much stuff springs forth from
the fecund soil of youth. But that soil loses its nutrients quickly.
Once you get a job, join the workforce, and start paying your own
bills…that fertile soil of youth turns stony and barren.
Alas, times change, people change, and now apparently poetry changed
too. I have no idea...
Read the rest of this essay here.
What is portable software?
Imagine a gym bag or carry-on suitcase with a handle loaded with
software. Imagine lugging it with me everywhere you go. That's what
portable software is. You can lug it around with you. NO! That's not
what it is. No lugging needed. Portable software does not have to be
installed, so you can take it with you and run a programs or programs
from a USB flash drive. No can do with installed software...portable
software only, please.
Most of the software most of you use is installed software. That's the
kind you install, and it adds a shortcut to your desktop and maybe to
your start menu and task bar - and that adds things, sometimes quite a
lot of things, to your registry. And somehow many of you have the
opinion that portable versions are ersatz versions of the real software,
but that's not true - in fact, there are many good reasons to opt for the
portable version over the installed version whenever you have such a
choice.
Now you want to know why? Good, we are going to tell you why. The first
thing we'll point out is that if something doesn't install, it doesn't
bundle things in its installer. And anytime you can feel pretty
confident about putting a program on your computer without having to sit
like an armed sentry waiting to see what crazy software the installer is
going to try to sneak unto your computer without your knowledge If you
don't pay attention to these kinds of bundled installers, you're going
to have a mess - a big mess - that's not going to be easy to get rid of.
You'd think it would be illegal to ruin someone's computer, but there's
no law we know of against software bundling because in the tiny print of
the 5000-word EULA there's probably legalese saying that if you install
this software you are agreeing to everything and you can't come back at
the software manufacturer even if your computer ceases to function.
And the second reason you should choose portable over installed software
is that portable software makes no changes to your registry, adds no
shortcuts to your start menu, taskbar or desktop. And best of all, in
order to uninstalled portable software, all you have to do is
right-click on it and choose "Delete" and it's gone, gone, gone I tells
ya!
And the final reason why portable software is better than installed
software is, it never helps itself to a place in your Windows startup
programs list, like so many installed software programs do.
For those reasons and more we probably haven't even thought of, we
always choose portable versions over installed versions when we have a
choice. There are exceptions of course, but for most applications a
portable version offers all of the features and none of the drawbacks.
A portable version runs when you click it (or its shortcut if you made
one), and it's uninstalled when you right-click it and delete it. It
doesn't make any changes to your computer and you can even put it on a
flash drive and take it with you.
So, then next time you have a choice between a portable version and a
version that comes with an installer, choose the portable version. We
think you'll be happier, and your computer will be happier too.
There are even sites devoted to portable software. One of them, for example, is www.portableapps.com .
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With hope and prayers, may you and your loved ones stay safe and well.
Your friends at Cloudeight,
Darcy and TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #902
Volume 18 Number
13
January 22, 2021
Not a subscriber? Subscribe to our FREE Cloudeight InfoAve
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