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Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1015 Volume 20 Number 21 March 24, 2023 Dear Friends, Welcome to Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1015. 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 friends and family. ![]() If you're not getting our InfoAve Daily newsletter, you're missing out on a lot of good stuff! It's free and it only takes a few seconds to sign up. We'd love to have you with us. Visit this page to sign up for our Cloudeight InfoAve Daily Newsletter. It's springtime and time to get your computer ready for spring & summer. With our Spring Cleanup service, we'll make that EASY for you. We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it and get it ready for spring & summer. Here's what we'll do for you:
You'll get all of the above for just $30. After you purchase our Spring Cleanup Special you'll be presented with a special opportunity to save $25 on a Cloudeight Senior Pass! We're offering this special for a limited time only! Get more information and/or get your spring cleanup here! *Note: Our Spring Cleanup Service does not include repairs.
Sandy asks about OneDrive, the
Cloud, and browser home pages Our answer OneDrive is a Microsoft product/service. It backs up your Windows user folder (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Music, Videos, Favorites, etc.) in the "Cloud". It's closely tied to your Windows computer. It makes it easy to access all your user folders on any Windows device. You can also install OneDrive on Android devices by downloading the OneDrive app from the Google Play Store and signing into OneDrive using your Microsoft account credentials. You can also install OneDrive on Apple devices such as iPhones or iPads by downloading the OneDrive app from the Apple App Store and signing into your Microsoft account. OneDrive comes with 5 GB of free space. You can purchase more space, or if you purchase a Microsoft 365 (Office) subscription you'll get 1 TB of OneDrive space free. According to Apple, when you set up iCloud, you automatically get 5 GB of free storage. You can use that space for your iCloud backups, photos, videos, documents, and more. If you need more space, you can upgrade to iCloud+. We highly recommend OneDrive to back up your Windows computer - if you have enough storage space - you can easily access your personal files and folders from any Windows computer - or if you get a new Windows computer - once you sign in to OneDrive - all your personal files show up your new computer. As for duplicate home pages in your browser (and thanks for using our start page!) here's how to fix that. In the Edge address bar, type or copy & paste the following: edge://settings/startHomeNTP and press Enter. Under "Open these pages" remove one of the links to https://thundercloud.net/start/ by clicking on the 3 dots to its left and choosing "Delete" from the menu.
We hope this helps you, Sandy.
Richard says his new computer won't
allow him to use his Gmail address Our answer We are sorry that we can't be of more help but this is something you'll need to investigate by trying to log into your account by going to the Gmail login page at https://www.gmail.com/. Also, if you use an Email program on your computer, you may have to re-set up your Gmail account in it.
Debbie wants a good ad blocker but
cannot find one on our website I'll also need to set up a spring clean on 2 of my computers. Doing that next. I so appreciate you both! Our answer The site search on our website is very easy to find. Just visit https://thundercloud.net/infoave/new/ and the search box is near the top right.
As for our number one choice for a free ad blocker, we recommend uBlock Origin. You can read our full recommendation here. That article contains download links too. We hope this helps you, Debbie. We look forward to "seeing" you soon for your spring clean-ups.
Cheryl has questions about Windows
11 security settings
When I click on Settings, this is what comes up: Do I need to turn any of this on?? The bottom one (Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist) was on by default.
Thank you for your time. Our answer Keep in mind, Windows 10 had the same settings options, and Core isolation/memory integrity was turned off by default. So, since Microsoft is supporting Windows 10 until 10/14/2025 and since there are hundreds of millions of Windows 10 users, Microsoft may be (again) blathering. As I said, my settings are the same as yours and I'm just going to leave them alone.
We hope this helps you - or at least gives you some peace of mind, Cheryl.
We gladly help everyone who writes every day by answering their questions and helping to solve their computer problems. Please help us continue to do that! 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 making a donation right now. Interested in making a monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us keep helping you! Thank you so much for your support! ![]()
Des wants our opinion of Ashampoo
WinOptimizer 18.
Audrey has major problems with her
shortcuts I can find no help on the Google website. The only advice offered was to reinstall Chrome, which I am hesitant to do if I can avoid it. So I’m sorry I have to bother you. I’ll be very surprised if you don’t have a simple answer which will make me say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Kind regards to you both, Audrey. Our answer For example, to create a correct shortcut for Chrome, open File Explorer, navigate to your C: drive > Program Files > Google > Application > and right-click on Chrome.exe and choose "Send to" > "Desktop (create shortcut)". But first, make sure you delete all the shortcuts that don't work correctly before you do this. After you've removed all the incorrect shortcuts to websites on your desktop... create new ones. To create website shortcuts on the desktop using Chrome, open the page you want to create a shortcut to, click on the 3 dots in the top right corner, and click "More tools" > "Create shortcut". Do this with all the pages you need a correct shortcut for. I'm not sure why you're getting that Google apps page. But if you do need to uninstall Chrome, make sure you save your bookmarks. Because uninstalling Chrome correctly requires you to also delete a folder in a hidden directory called AppData\Local. If you decide to remove Chrome and reinstall it, let me know and we'll help you with that. We hope this helps you, Audrey. So the ball is back in my court! Maybe I’ll have to stop being lazy and do it the long way. We wrote back. to Audrey... Choose > New shortcut. (The URL was omitted from this newsletter to save space) And paste the entire URL into the "location" box. Then click "Next". Under "Type a name for this shortcut" type the name of your bank and click "Finish". Now try your bank shortcut.
Can you suggest something relating to CLIPBOARD management: something free or inexpensive, something that displays a simple list of clipped data that I can manage? Appreciate your help and your weekly newsletters which I have touted on my website many times. Thank you, Richard. Our answer --------------------------------- Ditto is a lightweight and easy-to-use clipboard manager that allows you to save and access multiple clipboard items. It supports various data formats, including text, images, and files.
Read more about and/or download Ditto from the Microsoft Store here. ClipClip ClipClip is a feature-rich clipboard manager that allows you to organize and store text, images, and files. It also includes a built-in editor that allows you to edit and annotate your clips. Read more about and/or download ClipClip here. ------------------------------------ CopyQ CopyQ is a powerful clipboard manager that allows you to store and organize clipboard items, including images, text, and HTML. It also includes a scripting feature that allows you to automate tasks and extend its functionality.
Read more about and/or download CopyQ from here. Please note, we have not tested these clipboard managers and are only recommending them because they are all free clipboard managers and appear to be free from any malware or bundled applications. We hope this helps you, Richard.
It's springtime and time to get your computer ready for spring & summer. With our Spring Cleanup service, we'll make that EASY for you. We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it and get it ready for spring & summer. Here's what we'll do for you:
You'll get all of the above for just $30. After you purchase our Spring Cleanup Special you'll be presented with a special opportunity to save $25 on a Cloudeight Senior Pass! We're offering this special for a limited time only! Get more information and/or get your spring cleanup here! *Note: Our Spring Cleanup Service does not include repairs.
How to Show Hidden Files, Folders,
and Drives By default, Windows hides certain files, folders, and drives. But many times, the Windows tips we write and the ones you see online assume you can “see’ hidden files, folders, and drives. Some files and folders in Windows are automatically marked as hidden because Windows doesn’t want you messing around with them. But, leaving them hidden hinders your ability to make changes that can enhance your Windows experience. As we’ve mentioned, many tips and tricks you find online assume you can view hidden files. For example, if you need to access the AppData folder in your users’ directory, you’ll need to unhide hidden files, folders, and drives. And we think it’s a good idea that you be able to see all files, folders, and drives on your computer, and here’s an easy way to do it. Windows 10 1.) Open File Explorer (Windows key + E is a great shortcut). 2.) Click on the “View” tab at the top. 3.) Tick the box next to “Hidden items”.
4.) Close File Explorer. Windows 11 1.) Open File Explorer (Windows key + E ). 2.) Click on “View” at the top.
3.) Tick “Show” in the drop-down menu. 4.) Click on “Hidden items”. 5.) Close File Explorer. That’s it! From now on, you will be able to see all your files, folders, and drives including the ones that Windows was previously hiding from you.
Five Rules for Safe Downloading 1. Use Good Security Software: Using a good antivirus/anti-malware is your first line of defense. We
use and highly recommend
Emsisoft Anti-Malware (and antivirus). Emsisoft provides immediate
warnings if you click something you shouldn't have. Emsisoft is the only
program we have seen that helps users avoid installing PUPs and
hijackers by warning them right away. Plus, Emsisoft is an excellent
anti-malware and anti-virus tool - it always scores well in reliable
tests performed by independent antivirus testing labs. If you get a popup offering a download that you didn't ask for, don't
click anything; press the ALT+F4 keys to close the popup. Many sites like CNet, File Hippo, and many others, use deceptive
practices including strategically placed, large and small green download
buttons which download software all right, but not the software you
intended to download. Sites like Softonics and Brothersoft are even
worse. They bundle good, clean freeware in their own malware bundler
which they euphemistically call a "download manager". When possible, we
suggest you use www.snapfiles.com
for downloading. Snapfiles is our number one safe site for downloading
software. We use Major Geeks
sometimes too. If you click to download something, and something looks or feels
amiss, stop the download. It might be that you clicked on a deceptive
download button or an ad instead. No software program or app is worth
messing up your computer. Again, we cannot stress this more... THINK
BEFORE YOU CLICK! Our rule of thumb: If we start installing a program that offers to install anything other than what we wanted, we cancel the installation and delete the installer. No one needs to put up with software download and installation trickery.
How to Customize the Windows 11
Start Menu Most people loved the list-style start menu from Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. But Windows 8, with its large tiled menu, was a flop, and Windows 10 tried a hybrid of Windows 8’s tiles and Windows 7’s program list menu. Still, many folks opted out of the Windows 10 menu and installed ClassicShell, OpenShell, or one of the many other apps that made Windows 10’s Start menu look a whole lot more like the Windows 7 Start menu. Then, along came Windows 11, with its version of a hybrid menu which we rather like, but some people don’t. But you can customize the Windows 11 Start menu and make it quite functional and more the way you want it. Get an alphabetical Start menu showing a list of all installed apps First, you can easily find an alphabetical “List” style menu by clicking on “All apps” in the top-right corner. This shows all of your installed apps/programs in an alphabetical list.
Customizing the Windows 11 Start menu Besides displaying your installed apps and programs in the old tried-and-true alpha listing, the Windows 11 Start menu is very customizable. Here are some things you can change… Here are some of the things you can do to customize the Windows 11 Start menu. What a drag it is … The Windows 11 Start menu does not show your apps and programs in alphabetical order. You can drag them into any order you want them. If you’re like us you’ll want the programs you use most at the top. So drag the app/program icons around to further customize the Windows 11 Start menu. Make it just the way you want it Right-click on the Start menu, to access “Start settings” which will give you a lot of control over how the Windows 11 Start menu looks and works.
In the screenshot above, you can see that you can opt to see more apps/programs on the Start menu (More pins), Default (default pins & recommendations), and “More recommendations”. If you’re like us, you’ll want to choose the “More pins” option to display the most installed apps and programs. More Ways to Customize the Windows 11 Start Menu Choose which folders appear along the bottom of the Start menu by turning the switch next to them “On” to show that particular folder and “Off” to hide it.
The folders you’ve turned on will show up as icons along the bottom (right side) of the Start menu as you can see in the screenshot below. Your username will appear at the bottom left.
Oh, and one more thing… If you want to customize the color of your Start menu… just click on “Changing Start menu color” or just go to Settings >Personalization > Colors
Still don’t like the Windows Start Menu? And if, after all of this, you still find yourself yearning for a Windows 7 or Windows 10-style Start menu, see this post. ![]() Want more tips, tricks, and information? We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks, and more on our InfoAve website. Subscribe to our free InfoAve Daily newsletter.
HiBit Uninstaller 2023 We featured HiBit Uninstaller for the first time in June 2018 when it was first introduced. We revisited it in 2019 after discovering more interesting features had been added. But after downloading and installing it again four years later we are even more impressed. The developer has added several new useful features. And so, now, we think HiBit Uninstaller deserves to be featured again as a Cloudeight Freeware Pick.
Revisiting HiBit Uninstaller The developer has added many new features and has made the uninstaller utility even better. There’s a Windows Store App remover which makes uninstalling all those pre-installed Windows Store Apps a piece of cake plus a Windows Updates Manager, System Restore Manager, Browser Extension Manager, Context Manager, and more. The Context Manager, for instance, makes it easy to add or remove entries from your context (right-click) menu. How to access all the tools in HiBit Uninstaller You can access over a dozen great Windows utilities by clicking the arrow next to “Tools” at the top-right of HiBit Uninstaller. First and foremost, it’s a GREAT uninstaller HiBit Uninstaller wouldn’t be HiBit Uninstaller if it wasn’t for its superb uninstaller feature. One of the best features of the uninstaller, other than it thoroughly removes programs/apps and leftovers, is that you can uninstall more than one program at a time. Just select the programs you want to uninstall, right-click on one of the selected items, and choose “Uninstall selected”. And should you have a particularly stubborn program that doesn’t seem to want to be uninstalled, you can use Hibit Uninstaller’s “Force removal” feature. Plus, if you want to know more about the program you can view its installation folder or search for more information about it online. Over a dozen useful Windows tools are included in HiBit Uninstaller HiBit Uninstaller has become our free uninstaller of choice. Not only our uninstaller of choice but our freeware utility of choice. HiBit Uninstaller replaces several other apps & utilities. What’s not to like about that?
Control browser extensions, system restore points, and more… HiBit Uninstaller is a great freeware program and the newest version adds a lot of new features and an even better uninstaller that we think is the best free uninstaller when it comes to cleaning up the detritus most uninstallers leave behind.
HiBit Uninstaller is a great solution for uninstalling Windows apps and software and it’s also a treasure trove of useful Windows tools. What’s not to like about HiBit Uninstaller? HiBit Uninstaller is what great freeware should be: no nags, no ads, no games, and no tricks. We use HiBit Uninstaller often and you should too. It’s an amazing Windows uninstaller and utilities bundle that is free of malware, badware, and developer tricks. And it works great with Windows 10 or Windows 11. You can read more about HiBit Uninstaller and/or download the portable version or the installer here.
It's springtime and time to get your computer ready for spring & summer. With our Spring Cleanup service, we'll make that EASY for you. We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it and get it ready for spring & summer. Here's what we'll do for you:
You'll get all of the above for just $30. After you purchase our Spring Cleanup Special you'll be presented with a special opportunity to save $25 on a Cloudeight Senior Pass! We're offering this special for a limited time only! Get more information and/or get your spring cleanup here!
Beautiful Morning Read the rest of this essay here.
We gladly help everyone who writes every day by answering their questions and helping to solve their computer problems. Please help us continue to do that! 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 making a donation right now. Interested in making a monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us keep helping you! ![]() ![]() What does "Refresh" mean?
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