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Jeanne asks about updating to Windows 11
Thank you for the help that you have given me in the past. I now have another question. My computer keeps wanting to upgrade to windows 11. How do I know if my Windows 10 computer can be updated to windows 11? Thank you for your help and God bless you.

Our answer
Hi Jeanne. Thanks so much!

If your computer is up-to-date you will have an item in the Start menu called "PC Health Check". It's a Microsoft tool. You can run it and it will tell you if your computer is capable of running Windows 11 - and it will also tell you if your computer can't run Windows 11 and why it can't.

If your computer can run Windows 11, remember you don't have to upgrade. If you choose to stick with Windows 10. it will be supported until October 14, 2025 - which gives you well over three years to upgrade to Windows 11 should you decide to do so.

If you don't see PC Health Check in your Start menu, you can download it free from Microsoft here. Just download it and run it and it will tell you if your computer can run Windows 11 and if not, why not.

Elaine wants to know how to create a shortcut to a website on her desktop
Hi, I used to be able to right-click on a page and create a shortcut on my desktop. I cannot do that now and don't know why, is there any other way to do it. Many thanks, Elaine.

Our answer
Hi Elaine. With most browsers, you can drag the site's icon or lock icon that appears before the URL in the address bar to the desktop to create a shortcut to that page.

Or... you can right-click on your desktop and create a shortcut to any page or program. Right-click > New > Shortcut . Under "Type the location of the item" paste the URL to the website, for instance, https://thundercloud.net/start/ then give it a name.

Or... if you use Chrome, you can click on the Settings icon (3 vertical dots) in the upper right corner, click "More tools" >"Create shortcut" and a shortcut to the page you're on will be placed on your desktop.

We hope this helps you, Elaine.

Robert wants to know how to make a web page (browser window) stay the size he wants it
I have forgotten which key to hold to get a web page to stay where I stretch it with the pointer. I could not find it in your tips section. I'm having a hard time getting it to stay. Thanks, Robert.

Our answer
Hi Robert. Just drag the edges or the corners of the windows to the size you want. When the window is the size you want it, hold down the SHIFT key and click the X in the top-right corner. The next time you open it - it will be the size you set.

We hope this helps you, Robert.

Uwe wants to know about proxy settings
How should my proxy settings be set? Should they be enabled or should they be disabled? I happened to see my settings and "automatically detect settings" is "on" and "use setup script" is "off". Is that the way the setup should be? I guess I'm on sure what all this proxy business means and if it would impact my browser. Please advise. Thanks.

Our answer
Hi Uwe. Unless you set up a proxy server, you don't use a proxy. Unless you have some specific reason for changing these settings in your browser you should not change them. The default settings are the way they should be set up unless you have some overriding reason to change them - for instance, you've set up a proxy server or are using a proxy server.

Automatically detect settings should be left selected. Unless you have written a connection script - which you most likely do not have not since you're asking this question So, you should not change any settings. If you do change these settings there is a good chance you won't be able to access the Internet.

We hope this helps you.

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Rose is going to donate a computer and is trying to wipe the personal info from it
Hi Darcy or TC. I am donating a small laptop that has Windows 10 on it. After reading a Cloudeight tip, I did the Windows 10 reset to wipe the hard drive and reinstall Windows -- but it has been stuck on 21% for about five hours now. I am going to let it run all night. My question is if it is still on 21% would I wreck anything by shutting it down and restarting the reset? Thanks again for all your great help. Rose

Our answer
Hi Rose. No, you would not wreck anything since you have another computer - so even if the old computer wouldn't boot you could always create a Windows 10 or Windows 11 installation disk and do a clean install of the operating system on the old computer - a clean install would also wipe out all your personal files. If you need instructions for creating a Windows installation disk, just let us know.

I can tell you that if you use Windows 10 reset to wipe your files it can take hours and hours and hours, because not only does it wipe the files from your hard drive, it overwrites the drive with gibberish so that no files can be ever be recovered. And it's only after it completes all those tasks does it reinstall Windows.

We hope this helps you, Rose.

Marilyn is having problems with our Start page
I have for many years had Cloudeight as my home (start) page, but for some time now I've experienced difficulty in being to use it until minutes after clicking to open it. At the bottom left-hand corner is the message Waiting for rss.bloople.net… It takes anything up to 5 minutes, (timed) for the page to load beyond the main Cloudeight identity. No search bar, world news, etc. This then requires that I sit & wait for several minutes before I can search. What is bloople.net & why does it take that length of time to load half a page. Is there anything I can do to avoid bloople? Perhaps a silly question as I don't know its relevance to the internet. Late afternoon there's a slight improvement & evenings are better, so why the difference? Thanks in advance for any response you can offer, Marilyn.

Our answer
Hi Marilyn. You are still seeing the original "Home page" that we changed about 10 days ago because of problems with the RSS news feed server (rss.bloople.net) that displays the updated news content on the page. The news server was having problems...so we switched feed servers for the news items. We did that about 10 days ago.

The next time you visit our start page, press the F5 button to refresh the page so you're seeing the most recent version of the page. It might also be helpful to click your browser's history. Open your browser press CTRL + H to open the history dialog. Most browsers allow you to clear the browser's history from there.

Please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks for using our Start page.

Click on each of those three categories (or choose which ones for which you want to turn autofill on) one at a time and turn the slide the switches to the on position. See the example for the "Passwords" section below.

Microsoft Edge

1. Click on the 3 horizontal dots icon at the top-right corner of Edge.

2. Click "Settings" from the menu.

3. In "Settings" click on "Profiles".

4. Select your profile.

5. In your profile, one at a time, click on Passwords, Payment Info, and/or Addresses and more and turn the switches to "On".

We hope this helps you, Suzanne.

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

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

Quickly Find the Answer or Tip You're Looking For
All Windows Users

Almost everything that appears in our newsletters can be found on our Cloudeight InfoAve website. Our site has a site search feature, powered by Google, that makes it a snap to find the tip or trick you're looking for in just a few seconds.

Here’s how easy it is to use our site’s search feature:

1. At top of the page, notice on the right-hand side near the top, there is a search feature (highlighted in yellow below).



2. Here is a close-up for you:

3. In the search box type what you're looking for and click the “Search InfoAve” above. As an example, below, we’re going to search for how to set a "browser home page”.

In less than 1/2 of a second (0.39 seconds to be exact) we found several Cloudeight articles on how to set up a browser home page. Below, you can see one of the articles our site search found in a fraction of a second.

So, the next time you need to find a tip or other computer-related information quickly, just visit our Cloudeight InfoAve Web site and use our site search. You'll find what you're looking for in a jiffy... we tells ya!

Three Quick Windows 10 and Windows 11 Tips for You
Windows 10 and Windows 11

1.  Take a Snippet of what’s on your screen without any 3rd-party software

Press Windows Key + Shift + S to open the snipping bar. Drag the cursor over the area you want to capture. The area you snipped will be saved to your clipboard. You can then paste it into MS Paint (type PAINT in taskbar search to open PAINT), or into your favorite image editor. Then give your snippet a name and save it in PNG or JPG format.

2.  Pause Windows updates until a more convenient time

To temporarily delay updates for your device:

1. Right-click on the Start button and click “Settings”.

2.  a. Windows 11: In Settings click on Windows Update.
     b. Windows 10: In Settings click on “Update & Security” then choose Windows Update

3. Select “Pause updates”

Remember though, that once you reach the pause limit (5 times - 35 days), you’ll need to install the latest updates before you can pause again. 

3.  A quick way to find your Windows username and system (computer) name

Type CMD in taskbar search.

When Command Prompt appears in the search results press “Enter”

When the Command Prompt opens type WHOAMI (that’s Who Am I, all one word) at the prompt and press Enter.

You’ll see your system name (computer name) and username displayed like this:

system name/username

How to Create an Administrator Command Prompt Shortcut
Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11

Thanks to Bernie L. for asking the question that led to this tip.

While Windows 10 tries to encourage you to use Windows PowerShell and Windows 11 puts Windows Terminal front and center, most Windows users are more familiar and more comfortable with the good old Command Prompt.  The Command Prompt is a powerful and handy tool for most Windows users. But many commands and functions require elevated privileges – i.e. running it as administrator.

This tutorial will show you how to create a Command Prompt desktop shortcut with administrator privileges… so all you have to do is click it to run any command even those which require you to run them as an administrator.

Let’s get started!

Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and click “New” > “Shortcut”. Under “Type the location of the item” enter the following:

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe

Then click “Next”…

Give your shortcut a name… we suggest you name it Command Prompt.

Right-click the shortcut now on your desktop and choose “Properties”.

In the Command Prompt Properties dialog, click the Advanced tab.

In the “Advanced Properties” dialog, tick the box next to “Run as administrator”. Then click “OK”.

Click “Apply”, “OK” in the Command Prompt Properties dialog and then close the dialog

Now you have a handy desktop shortcut that will open a Command Prompt with administrator privileges. 

Want the new shortcut on your taskbar and/or Start menu. No problem! Just right-click your new shortcut and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start.

Note to Windows 11 users.

When you right-click items (as above) you’ll need to choose “Show more options” in the right-click menu to get to “Properties” and “Pin to taskbar”, and “Pin to Start”.

Want more tips, tricks, and information?

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

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Now available: Reg Organizer 8.82

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 8.82.

Save $14 on Reg Organizer right now!

Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10!

The Magic Online 8 Ball

First, before you think this is some kind of new tribute to Darcy – AKA Eightball, it’s not.

While she earned the nickname “Eightball” as a teenage pool shark -and made a lot of money at it too – this eightball is the real Magic 8 ball. Or as the label on the old box says… THE MAGIC EIGHT BALL.

Yep! This online eight ball is descended from the old Magic Eightball that gives you answers to your most perplexing questions. It can even offer up predictions and give you advice!

So, is the online 8 ball as good as the original Magic Eight Ball that you held in your hand and shook to display answers and predictions?

Here’s what our site pick says about that…

Try our online Magic 8 ball Magic 8 ball

To look at it simply, a Magic 8 ball online is a fortune telling tool that has made its way into popular culture as a game or novelty item. It is designed to bring an actual billiard ball to mind, being black, shiny and round, and featuring a number 8 – but also a circular section where you can see your answer. If you are familiar with the game of pool, it is easily recognizable as a giant version.

To look at it simply, a Magic 8 ball online is a fortune telling tool that has made its way into popular culture as a game or novelty item. It is designed to bring an actual billiard ball to mind, being black, shiny and round, and featuring a number 8 – but also a circular section where you can see your answer. If you are familiar with the game of pool, it is easily recognizable as a giant version.

Online Magic 8 ball vs. Magic eight ball

So is there any difference in having an online Magic 8 ball versus a classic, original Magic eight ball toy? The short answer is no. The online Magic 8 ball have the same outcomes from as the Magic eight ball. It is incredibly random and based on an RNG algorithm.

However; if you want to know if these outcomes are truly random, think carefully and only ask the question once. There is a general understanding that if you put the same question into it several times, the outcome will change and you will not experience the same result…

A Magic 8 ball fortune teller

The original idea for the toy’s predecessor dates back to a man named Alfred Carter, whose mother was a clairvoyant and fortune teller…

So, there you go. I asked the magic 8 ball if Darcy was going to give me a raise soon and the magic 8 ball said…”YES”! Yay for me…

Then I asked the magic 8 ball if I would be rich soon. And here’s what the magic 8 ball said…

So, I guess I will just have to wait and see!

Do you have a question you need an answer to? Do you want to know the future? Do you need help deciding? We can’t guarantee you’ll get the answers or predictions you want – but we think you’ll have a great time playing with the magic online 8 ball.

Visit the magic online 8 ball right now!

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.

Today's essay is one of our favorites from the past - we hope you enjoy reading it again!

Leave the Candle Burning

He left the candle burning, just as she had asked him to do. Though it had been seven years since she went away, every evening at nightfall he would light a candle. Every night while he tried to sleep through his pain and his loneliness, the candle flickered silently casting dancing shadows upon the walls in the quiet hours.

He lit the candle again, wiped a tear from his cheek, and fell into bed exhausted. Yet he knew that this night, like most other nights, sleep would not come.

He lay awake watching the ballet of shadows – again. Some nights he’d listen to the wind breathing in the boughs of barren branches of the tree she had planted outside their bedroom window -one spring day long ago and now, so far away. Other nights he’d watch the shivering shadows dance while a concerto of raindrops, rhythmically pounded on the roof and ran in little rivers and rivulets and raced to the ground below. He’d watch the silver shimmer of the rain and think lonely thoughts in the quiet hours.

He left the candle burning.

He was always thinking – as if thinking would ease the loneliness or fill his empty days... 

Read the rest of this essay here.

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Always Tell the Truth

Not many of us want to give out personal information to Websites. I think by now, we're all a little gun shy when it comes to answering questions like:

"What was the name of your first school?"

"Where did you mean your spouse?"

"What was your first phone number?"

"In what city did you get married?"

"What model was your first car?"

"Where was your grandmother's maiden name?"

"Where was your father born?"

When you sign up for an online account sometimes Websites will ask you security questions, that they can use down the road to prove the person logging in to the site is really you. It's really a good thing. It protects you. Not many hackers would know your grandmother's maiden name was Ramsey. Or that your father was born in Bleakmold, Kanas. So, if you have your username, password and the answer to your security question at the ready, you'll be able to log into your account.

But what happens is, there's always a part of us that doesn't want to give out this kind of information, so instead of saying grandmother's maiden name was Ramsey, you said it was Pocahontas. It's cute and clever, but what if a couple of years from now you want to log in to your bank account and the bank asks you to answer your security question? Are you going to remember you fibbed and said her maiden name as Pocahontas? Nah. You won't remember. And if you don't remember you will go through a lot of hassle trying to get into your account.

So, our Back to Basics tip of the day is always tell the truth when setting up an account that asks you to set security questions. They are generally for your own good and they do a good job of keeping hackers with stolen passwords from accessing your account(s).

Keep Mark Twain in mind when setting up your online accounts: "If you always tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

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Cloudeight Stationery works great with OE Classic!

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OE Classic Email program. The email program that is most like Outlook Express. We can even set it up for you. Get more details here.

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.

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