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Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1033 Volume 20 Number 39 July 28, 2023 Dear Friends, Welcome to Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1033. 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.
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!
Elaine has problems with
Windows 11 Sleep mode
I am using Windows 11. I have an Acer PC. Ever since I installed Windows 11, when my pc goes to sleep and I wake it up, the window is reduced in size. I have to twice click the box in the upper right-hand corner to get the window back to size. I have done everything I have found online and the problem still exists. I've turned off Snap, and unchecked all kinds of things. The problem is also there if I have "never go to sleep" selected. It's not a problem so much as it's annoying. One time someone said it was a Dell computer problem and to contact Dell. So, I tried finding a solution on the Acer help website, thinking it might be an Acer PC problem, but couldn't find anything. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Our answer
Hi Elaine. First,
what window is not opening all the way? A browser
window? A program windows. Windows 11 opens to the
desktop by default. It sounds to me like you have a
program opening when you restart Windows 11. If you have
"Restartable apps" turned on, then the programs you had
open when you restarted your computer will reopen, but
there's no way to force those programs to open full
size. The solution is to turn off "Restartable
apps". You can turn it off by going to Settings >
Accounts > Sign-in Options. Turn the switch next to
“Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them
when I sign in” to “Off”.
Windows 10 and Windows
11 "sleep" has always been rife with problems. We
stopped using "Sleep" long ago. I just leave my computer
running and just dim the screen after 10 minutes of
inactivity. Not sure what you mean that your "Never
sleep" in power options doesn't work. When you
right-click on your Windows 11 start button, and choose
"Power options" do you see "When plugged in, put my
device to sleep after" set to "Never"?
When you use sleep
mode, you need to make sure Wake Timers are set
correctly or a lot of different things can wake your
computers. We don't even get into Wake Timers on our
site because we don't recommend using Sleep at all. You
can try turning off Wake Timers completely and see if
that helps.
Open Control Panel
(type Control in the taskbar search and press Enter).
When Control Panel
opens change the view in the top-right from Category to
Large icons.
Click on Power
Options...click on "Change plan settings"...
In Edit Plan Settings,
click on "Change advanced power settings".
Scroll down until you
see "Allow wake timers" Make sure they're both set to
"Disable". Then click Appy/OK.
Wake timers allow
certain programs to wake up your computer.
We hope this helps
you, Elaine.
Claude's keyboard is not
working correctly Our answer
I had an old Dell laptop that lasted 9 years, but I had to
replace the keyboard on it twice.
I hope this helps you, Claude.
Erik has problems with
Microsoft Edge Our answer
I suggest you try this...
After the repair operation has been completed, be sure to restart
your computer. After restarting, try Edge and see if the problem has
been resolved.
We hope this helps you, Erik. --------- Erik wrote back: "Thanks, TC I did it ..Edge is Ok again. had tried the same thing before, but my mistake was that. I forgot to reboot the PC afterward. Many thanks..."
Richard says Comcast
rebooted his router and now some programs are gone
I have a SeniorPass for repairs. Recently Comcast came in and rebooted the router and I lost almost all of my programs, like Gmail and Google. And now I can't access my printer. I really need help with restoring these programs.
Our answer
Hi Richard. Rebooting a router, or even getting a new
router has nothing to do with programs installed on your
computer. A router is merely a radio device that allows
your computers and other devices to connect to the
internet wirelessly.
Google is a company, not a program - like Microsoft is a
company. I think you mean Google Chrome. That's a
browser made by Google. You can download it free from
www.google.com/chrome
Gmail is not a program, it's a web app that you access
with a browser. You can access Gmail at
www.gmail.com.
I'm thinking when your router was changed/fixed your
wireless printer was disconnected. It might be easier
just to reinstall your printer. If you have the
installation software just install the printer as you
did when it was new. If you don't have the software, let
me know the brand and the model of your computer, and I
send you a link so you can download it.
I hope this helps point you in the right direction,
Richard. If not you can use your SeniorPass and set up
an appointment for us to connect to your computer and
fix whatever needs to be fixed.
Don't have a Cloudeight SeniorPass? It's a great deal. Learn more here. Our Cloudeight SeniorPass is a great deal. You get unlimited support for one full year from the date you first use your SeniorPass. We can help keep your computer running well, fix all kinds of computer problems, clean up malware, and a whole lot more. Our SeniorPass is like having insurance for your computer. And it's only $99 for an entire year.Get your SeniorPass today for just $99. It's just like having insurance for your computer - only better! To learn more about our SeniorPass, please see this page. Eberhard wants to know about a program that displays all hardware & software details about a computer Some time ago you recommended a program that would rummage around the bowels of a computer, identifying hardware, peripheral equipment, properties, status, model #s, etc., - practically everything about your set-up, except maybe your Dentist’s name – and I forgot/lost the link for this fabulous program. If I remember correctly, it operates remotely, not requiring any download. You two are doing such a great and much-appreciated job, always keeping us informed and up to date, I’m almost embarrassed to ask this question: Assuming my incoherent description is sufficient to allow you to identify this program, could you please let me know the proverbial ‘missing link’? I would be most grateful. Thank you, Eberhard.
Our answer
Hi Eberhard, Thanks so much for your nice comments.
You can get all the info without installing a program. Press the
Windows key & tap the R key to open a Run box. In the Run box
type msinfo32 and press Enter.
It opens by showing a system summary with a lot of information
about your computer and operating system. You can get a lot more
detailed info about your computer's hardware resources,
components, and software environment by expanding the categories
in the left pane (see below)l
We hope this helps you!
Darlene got a new computer and
now needs to move her files from the old PC to the new one
You have been my go-to for years. I have just purchased a new LG laptop with Windows 11. Being lots older than when I could figure everything out by myself, I'm needing help. Is it possible to move all my files from my old Dell computer (Windows 10) to my new laptop? Can you do it for me? And what would it cost? Thanks for any help you can give. Darlene
Our answer
Hi Darlene. We can help you move your documents, pictures,
music, videos, and other personal files from one computer to the
other. It will require that you have an external hard drive. If
you don't already have one you'll need to purchase one. You can
get a brand name 1 TB hard drive from Amazon for $45
here. You can get a 1 TB external hard drive
from Walmart for $50.
You will need a Cloudeight Direct Computer Care key ($50) -
you can get that here.
Once you have the external hard drive and the Cloudeight
Computer Care key, you can set up a session to have us copy the
files for you. To schedule a session, we'll need a phone
number, the days/times that work best for you, and your time
zone. You can reply to this email or contact us at
https://thundercloud.net/contact.htm. You'll need to allow
up to 90 minutes for the session depending on how many files
need to be transferred.
If you have more questions or need more help, let me know.
Damie was scammed by a tech
support scam
I have a SeniorPass. Yesterday, 7/19/23, my internet provider came and installed a new Wi-Fi router as one they installed in 2018 died. All was fine until I turned on my desktop computer and clicked on MSN, my home page. The Popup came on the screen blaring out, over and over, that my computer was locked down. Looked like it came from Microsoft Security. I did not call the number provided to me I googled Microsoft Technicians and after speaking to them and they were on my computer doing whatever after they instructed me to go to the Apple App Store and install the ANYDESK app was not really sure I was speaking to MS so I lied and got off the phone. I called my Credit Union and they put a hold on my account so no one could withdraw any funds. I need to have the computer checked for Tiny Home Trojan, which they told me was on my computer and just generally checked and remove anything that does not need to be on it. I am somewhat of an invalid and don't go out so should be home just about any time. I have an iPad and an iPhone... I would like to have iPad cleaned also. I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Our answer
Hi Damie. You were scammed. Microsoft was not on your computer.
The worst thing you can do when you need help from Microsoft is
to search for "Microsoft Support". This is where the scammer
thrives.
All you need to do is clear your browser's history and cache and
remove Anydesk.
You should never let anyone on your computer unless you are 100%
sure you know who they are. Searching for Microsoft Support
leads you to page after page of scammers all of them knowing you
are desperate.
If you gave your credit or debit card number to anyone, and you
were charged anything, you need to contact your bank and file a
fraud charge and get your money back.
We have written many articles about this --- for instance
this one.
Also, if you have a good antivirus/anti-malware installed and
you do (Emsisoft) you don't need to worry about Trojans. And
just so you know, there is no such thing as a "Tiny Home
Trojan". Those criminals were trying to scare you.
We do not work on or clean up any Apple products, so I cannot
help with your iPad or iPhone.
I can clean up your Windows computer. All you need to do is set
up an appointment for me to do that for you.
To set up an appt... I'll need the following information:
1. You time zone.
2. The days and times you're available.
3. Your phone number.
Just reply to this email with that info and I'll get you on the
schedule ASAP.
------- Note from TC & Darcy... We connected with Damie and cleaned and optimized the computer. We found no evidence that the scammers did any damage. Damie acted quickly and prevented the criminals from infecting her computer.
We can fix your Windows computer... check out our low prices here!
Google’s Inactive
Account Manager What Happens to Your Gmail and Google Account(s) If Something Happens to You? We have written about Google’s Inactive Account Manager before, but this is important stuff and so we wanted to make sure you’re aware that you have this option and to encourage you to take advantage of it. Although we don’t like to think about the inevitable, we will all eventually escape the charades of Microsoft and go to that big, happy computer in the sky. We shall all break free of our earthly coil. And if that should happen unexpectedly, what happens to all the stuff you left behind in your Google Account(s), like Gmail, Google Docs, Google Photos, YouTube, and other Google services? And even if it happens expectedly — what if you’re not able to make such trenchant decisions? Eh? And what if you just get tired of computers, smartphones, tablets, the Internet, Microsoft, and all things electronic and technical and decide to hermitize in SW Marzan Apana and spend your days watching the sunrise and scorpions crawling up your leg and ants swimming in your cereal bowl? What happens to all the information you left behind on your Google account(s), eh? Google has an interesting feature called Inactive Account Manager. It lets you decide what to do with all the data in your Google Account(s) should something happen to you. You can give a friend or spouse or lover or whoever access to your account(s) should you no longer be around or capable or available to access them. Or, if your smart, like TC, you’ll just have Google delete your account upon your demise. Heaven knows I don’t want any of my friends or partners looking at my accounts and discovering the foibles of my worldly existence in the flesh! But what happens to your data is your choice. Setting up Google’s Inactive Account Manager for each Google Account you own is a wise idea. You can remain in control of your data even while you’re floating around the pearly gates — or if you end up like EB, crossing the River Styx. We’re going to give you a quick pictorial guide to setting up Google’s Inactive Account Manager, so you’ll control what happens to your Google Account(s) in case you pass on or decide to give up computers and live in the woods with the woodland fairies. Yes, that’s correct! You can remain in control of your data, even after you’ve left this crazy world simply by using Google’s Inactive Account Manager. Let’s get started. Visit this page and log in to your Google Account’s Inactive Account Manager. Here are some screenshots to guide you along – but you’ll find that Google prompts you each step of the way. EB yells at me when I get too wordy, so I’ll try to say it with pictures!
You’ll have a chance to confirm your plan. That’s it. Get started now by going to your Google Account’s Inactive Account Manager.
Don’t Let Drivers Drive
You Crazy We’ve lost count of how many driver updater programs are available, but it’s a lucrative enterprise for dishonest software distributors. WinZip has joined the likes of Slimware Utilities with a new driver updater program – we’re guessing anyway to trick you into downloading something you don’t need is OK as long as you can profit from it. As we’ve mentioned, dozens of times, driver updater programs are not only not necessary, they can cause serious problems by installing drivers that are either the wrong drivers or installing new drivers that are not necessary. We can’t begin to tell you the number of computers we’ve worked on where “new” drivers were installed when not necessary. If your hardware is working correctly, you don’t need to update your drivers. A driver updater program is nothing but an accident waiting to happen. But because a driver updater program sounds like a fantastic idea, many people download them on purpose. But most people get driver updaters as they often come bundled with freeware distributed by unscrupulous software developers or download sites. We’re reminding you to beware of driver updater programs. If you have one installed, now is a good time to uninstall it. Our rule of thumb is this: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If your hardware works as it should, you don’t need to update your drivers. Never Search for Drivers Using a Search Engine Last week, we were helping a lady via email. She had an HP printer and downloaded the drivers for it. She searched for “drivers for my HP (model number) printer”. She immediately found the drivers for her printer and downloaded them. When she was installing the drivers she got a message that the drivers were not compatible with Windows 10. So she thought her HP printer was not compatible with Windows 10. So, she went out and purchased a new Epson printer. During our email exchanges, I sent her the link to the drivers for her model HP printer from the official HP site www.hp.com. The software/driver installation package on HP’s site noted the drivers were compatible with Windows 10. But the lady had already purchased the new printer and decided to stay with it. Upon further investigation, I was able to learn she searched for the drivers and ended up downloading them from one of the web’s most infamous download sites: Softonics. Softonics is a well-known distributor of bundled software, malware and is notorious for its shady download practices. We’ve written about Softonics before. She learned a costly lesson and we decided we needed to cover this topic again: Never search for drivers for your hardware. Don’t open a Google (or any other search engine) search and type in “Drivers for HP XXXX printer” or “Drivers for a Radeon model XXXX graphics card” or “Drivers for Epson XXXX printers”, etc. Always go to the manufacturer’s website, and then search for drivers for your hardware. In other words, go to https://www.hp.com/ or https://www.epson.com/ or https://www.amd.com/en/support (for Radeon video/graphics). Go directly to the hardware manufacturer’s website. Once you’re on the manufacturer’s website, then you can safely search for drivers for your printer or hardware components. Remember! If you just remember this one tip, it will save you a lot of trouble down the road. Don’t be fooled and don’t be tricked. Don’t let drivers drive you crazy.
A Simple but Very
Useful Gmail Tip for You Do you have an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com email account? Yes? Good! We have some tricks for you too! In an age where personal privacy is being attacked from every direction, Gmail, (Yes, that’s right, Gmail) offers its users a way to find out who is sharing or selling their email address. And if you use Gmail, you should be using this trick. Let’s say you want to sign up for email updates from Home Depot and McDonald’s (I’m just sayin’ now). You may want updates from Home Depot and McDonald’s (maybe they’re having a BOGO?), but you sure don’t want Home Depot or McDonald’s sharing or selling your email address, right? People with large lists of email subscribers can make oodles of money by selling email addresses to others. We’re not saying Home Depot will sell your info to Menard’s, Lowe’s, or anyone else. And we’re not saying that Micky D’s is going to sell your information or share it with Burger King or Longhorn Steakhouse (heaven forbid) or anyone else. We’re just saying, OK? And sometimes you don’t even want to sign up for email updates, but stores ask for your email address at checkout. Let’s use Ace Hardware for example (and again, we’re not saying Ace Hardware is doing this – we’re just sayin’). Let’s say you buy something at Ace Hardware and, as part of the checkout process, they ask for your email address. And you give them your Gmail address. So, what’s the trick? OK. Let’s go back to sayin’. Let’s say you do sign up for a Home Depot credit card or to receive email updates from Home Depot. For this tip, let’s say your name is Wembly Mingler III (I’m sorry) and your Gmail address is WemblyMinglerIII@gmail.com. When you sign up for a Home Depot Credit Card or you sign up to receive their email alerts use WembleyMinglerIII+HomeDepot@Gmail.com. See? Lucky for us, Gmail automatically ignores any characters that follow a plus sign. So, if Home Depot is sharing your email, you’ll start seeing emails from other places addressed to WemblyMinglerIII+HomeDepot@Gmail.com, and then you’ll know for sure that Home Deport sold or shared your email address. Gotcha! One more example…. we’re sorry about this Wembly. Let’s say you sign up for updates from McDonald’s — because you want to know when McDonald’s is giving away Big Macs or large fries. Instead of giving them your WemblyMinglerIII@Gmail.com address, you give them WemblyMinglerIII+McDonalds@Gmail.com. Then, down the road, if you start seeing emails from Ruth’s Chris or Taco Bell showing up addressed to WemblyMinglerIII+McDonalds@Gmail.com you’ll know Micky D’s has been selling or sharing your email address. Gotcha, Micky! This trick has other uses too. Let’s say you’re the president of a Wembly’s Chess Club. And you want a way to sort all the emails about your chess club quickly. You could create a WemblyMinglerIII+Chess@Gmail.com to easily keep track of and find all those chess-related emails with a simple search. If you have an Outlook.com and/or Hotmail.com Address, here’s a tip for you… Do you have an Outlook.com or Hotmail.com address? You can use this tip with any Outlook.com or Hotmail address too! WemblyMinglerIII+HomeDepot@Outlook.com WemblyMinglerIII+McDonalds@Outlook.com WemblyMinglerIII+Lowes@Hotmail.com WemblyMinglerIII+Chess@Hotmail.com Bonus Tip #2 – For any email address Did you know that email addresses are not case-sensitive? WEMBLYMINGLERIII@gmail.com is the same as WemblyMinglerIII@Gmail.com and the same as WEmBlyMInGLerIII@gMAil.cOM or WEmBlyMInGLerIII@COMCAST.net or WEmBlyMInGLerIII@spectruM.com or WEmBlyMInGLerIII@hotmail.cOM or WEmBlyMInGLerIII@hotmail.com, or WEmBlyMInGLerIII@PRotONmail.me? In any case, lowercase & uppercase are meaningless when it comes to email addresses and website URLs. Try it and see! htTps://wWw.THUNDERclouD.net/STaRt/ 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.
Microsoft Designer Lets You Create Professional Looking Designs in Minutes
Microsoft Designer is a new AI-powered graphic design tool from Microsoft that helps you create amazing designs and visuals in minutes. To use Microsoft Designer, you simply start by entering a brief description of what you want to create. For example, you could say “Create an invitation for Darcy’s housewarming pool party at her new mansion” or “Create an invitation to TC’s 39th birthday party.” Microsoft Designer will then generate a variety of different design options for you to choose from.
Once you’ve chosen a design, you can customize it further by adding your own text, images, and colors. Microsoft Designer also offers a variety of design tips and suggestions to help you create the perfect visual. Here are some of the key features of Microsoft Designer: AI-powered design suggestions: Microsoft Designer uses AI to generate design suggestions based on your preferences. This can help you save time and create stunning visuals without having to be a professional designer. A variety of design templates: Microsoft Designer offers a variety of design templates for different types of projects, such as social media posts, invitations, and infographics. This makes it easy to start designing, even if you’re unfamiliar with graphic design software. A simple and intuitive interface: Microsoft Designer has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, even for people unfamiliar with graphic design software. Free to use: Microsoft Designer is free for anyone with a Microsoft account. If you don’t already have one you can sign up for one free. If you’re looking for a way to create stunning visuals without having to be an artist or a professional designer, then Microsoft Designer will be a great asset to you if you need to create professional-looking designs. It’s easy to use, powerful, and free. More about Microsoft Designer:
If you want to make stunning designs and graphics or just want to see what Microsoft Designer can do. you’re just one click away! Visit the Microsoft Designer Website right now and explore your artistic side.
Don't have a Cloudeight SeniorPass? It's a great deal. Learn more here. Our Cloudeight SeniorPass is a great deal. You get unlimited support for one full year from the date you first use your SeniorPass. We can help keep your computer running well, fix all kinds of computer problems, clean up malware, and a whole lot more. Our SeniorPass is like having insurance for your computer. And it's only $99 for an entire year.Get your SeniorPass today for just $99. It's just like having insurance for your computer - only better! To learn more about our SeniorPass, please see this page.
The Gift From
Maryanne 2023 Read the rest of this short story 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! Thank you so much for your support!
All About Pipes and
Tildes Hey EB, hand me my pipe, I have some new pipe tobacco I want to try.
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