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We all know that sooner or later our computers are going to start having problems. We can help you with any computer need -- from diagnosing and fixing Windows problems - to setting up a wireless network for you - to safeguarding by creating an image-based backup (the only kind that really works when you really need it to work) - to cleaning up your computer and optimizing it -- and more. We can do almost anything you need done and we guarantee our work - you're either satisfied or we'll refund your money.

We will connect to your computer via the Internet and fix any problems you may be having. You can watch us work and chat with us while we do. If you have any computer questions you'd like to ask we'll be glad to answer them for you. We don't just fix your computer, we explain what we're doing and why we're doing it and we are right there with the entire time. Since we've started we've helped hundreds of you with your computer problems and we've received dozens of referrals and testimonials from our readers and customers.

We offer many other computer services too! If you have a problem with your computer - we can fix it!

Sue has a lot of computer problems and is considering a factory reset
I have a lot of problems with this desktop. I think it needs to be reset to the way it was when I bought it (a factory reset). What do you think?

Our answer

Hi Sue. You can do a Windows 10 or Windows 11 Reset and keep all your files (documents, music, pictures, etc.). A Reset completely removes Windows and all apps and programs and reinstalls a fresh, clean copy of Windows so your computer will be like new. It's a lot easier to Reset and keep your files than it is to do a factory reset which wipes out everything. If your computer is running poorly it's almost certainly because Windows has corrupt operating system files. A Windows 10 or Windows 11 Reset will wipe out Windows and the problems you're having and still allow you to keep your files. Your computer should run like new after the Reset.

Here is our tutorial on how to Reset Windows 10 / Windows 11 and keep your personal files.

Darcy and I have both done Resets and found it works very well.

Rolande wants to know how to restore deleted Gmail addresses
Can we restore old deleted Gmail email addresses — if so how do I do that?

Our answer
Hi Rolande. Whether you can restore a deleted Gmail account depends on how recently you deleted it and how you deleted it. Here are some things you can try.

If you deleted your Gmail account within the past 2 months:

Visit the Google Account Recovery page at https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/7682439?hl=en.

Enter the Gmail address you deleted.

Follow the on-screen instructions to answer security questions and complete the recovery process.

If you can successfully answer the questions, you'll be able to regain access to your Gmail account and all its data.

If you deleted your Gmail account more than 2 months ago:

Unfortunately, Google may not be able to restore your account permanently. However, there is a small chance that it might still be available for recovery.

You can still try contacting Google Support directly and explain your situation. They might be able to help you retrieve your account, depending on the specific circumstances. You can reach Google Support through this form: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6236295?hl=en

We hope this helps you recover your Gmail address(es), Rolande.

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Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10 and Windows 11!

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

Spice Up Your Sticky Notes with Links, Pictures, and Emoji
Windows 10 and Windows 11

Did you know that you can add links, pictures, and emoji to Windows Sticky Notes? You can. And you can also add links and bulleted lists, and change font styles (Bold, Italic, Strikethrough).

Here’s a cute sticky note that includes a picture of one of my heroes…

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips - Sticky Notes

How to open the Sticky Notes app in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The easiest way first. Type “Sticky Notes” (without the quotes) in the taskbar search and press Enter. Or choose Sticky Notes from your start menu. HINT: If you use Sticky Notes often, you can create a taskbar shortcut by opening Sticky Notes, right-clicking its icon in the taskbar then choose “Pin to taskbar”.

How to add a picture to your sticky note

OK, first, keep in mind that, any image you add will be added to the top of your sticky note. HINT: Compose your sticky note text first and then add the image last.

Then, when you’re ready to add the image to your sticky note, click on the picture icon at the bottom. When you do Windows 10 File Explorer will open. Select your image and add it to your sticky note.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips - Sticky Notes

Above Sticky Notes in Windows 10; below Sticky Notes in Windows 11

Sticky Notes - Windows 11- Cloudeight InfoAve

Inserting Emoji into your sticky note

Type your sticky note and format it any way you want. Then press the Windows key and tap the period key/dot key (or semi-colon key) to open the Emoji pad (or Emoji panel as geeks like to say). Then just click on the Emoji you want to add. You can add as many as you want.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips - Sticky Notes

Take Ctrl of Your Computer and Save Time with These Ctrl Key Shortcuts
Windows 10, and Windows 11

We are going to remind you how handy Ctrl key shortcuts can be and why you should use them whenever you can to save yourself time. And what’s more basic than time? We either have too much of it or not enough of it.

So let’s save some time and use the Ctrl key to help you take control of your computer.

OK ready? Let’s go!

Let’s say you’re reading a page on the Web and you’re looking for a particular word. Do you:

a.) Scan the page manually for the word?

b.) Use the browser’s search feature in the browser toolbar?

c.) Press Ctrl+F to open the page search dialog?

d.) None of the above.

The answer is C.

If you’re looking for a word on a page in your web browser, word processor, text editor, PDF viewer, and many others, just press Ctrl+F to open the “Find” dialog. Just remember F stands for Find. Sure, you can use the program’s search feature too, but why? CTRL + F is faster.

If you’re on a page you want to print, do you search for “print” on the toolbar, look for printer icons, or just press Ctrl+P? Right! You press Ctrl+P to print the page. It’s the fastest way to print.

Let’s say you’re using your browser and you want to open a new window. Do you just click the browser’s shortcut to open a new browser window? Nah, just press Ctrl+N. Same thing if you’re using an email program and you want to open a new window to compose an email.

If you’re working on a document and you want to save it, you can press CTRL+S instead of clicking ‘File’ and ‘Save’. If you want “File” “Save as” – Ctrl+S/ works in many applications.

If you want to view your browser’s history, use Ctrl+H. And if you want to view a list of downloads, while your browser is open press Ctrl+J.

Let’s review.

(Note: Ctrl key shortcuts are not case sensitive – for this post, we are using capital letters, but lowercase letters work just as well.)

Ctrl+F = Find something on a page – in a browser, text editor, PDF editor, eBook, etc. To remember this easily, think F = FIND.

Ctrl+P = Print the document you have open. Whether it’s a web page, a Word doc, a PDF file, a text file, etc. Think P = PRINT.

Ctrl+N = Opens a new window in the program that’s running. Think N = NEW.

Ctrl+S = Saves the document you’re working on. Think S = SAVE.

Ctrl+H = Shows your browser’s history. Think H = History

Ctrl+J = Shows a list of downloads in your browser. Think J=? I give up! J=Downloads! Junk?

And let me not fail to mention:

Ctrl+A = Select All

Ctrl+X = Cuts the selected item or text

Ctrl+C = Copies the selected text or item

Ctrl+V = Paste

Ctrl+Y = Reverses your last “Undo”

Ctrl+Z = Restores a deleted file instantly when used immediately after deleting a file.

How to Fix a Printer That Has Stopped Printing
Windows 10 & Windows 11

How to fix a printer that has stopped working - Cloudeight InfoAve We get a lot of emails asking us how to fix a printer that was printing and suddenly stopped printing for reasons unknown. It may have stopped printing due to a power outage, a Windows update, an internet connection problem, or something else. While frustrating, it usually can be fixed by reinstalling your printer the same way you would if it were a new printer.

Before we get started, we want to point out that most printers with touchscreens have a test mode. So most printers, even one that is not connected to a computer, will print using its touchscreen. That’s the printer’s test mode; it has nothing to do with printing things from your computer.

OK… So Let’s Get Started!

First, unplug your printer from its power supply.

Next, type PRINTERS AND SCANNERS in the taskbar search. Press Enter when you see Printers & Scanners appear in the search results. In Windows 10, find your printer in the list and click on it, then choose “Remove device”. In Windows 11, the default printer shows at the top. Click on the “Remove” button.

Restart your computer – this is an important step – don’t skip it.

Once you have done the steps above, go to the printer manufacturer’s site. For instance, www.hp.com. You’ll need to know your printer’s model number. When on the manufacturer’s site, search for the full installation software for your printer model. For example, search for “Installation software for HP Envy 5565 Printer”.

Once you find the full installation software for your printer brand and model, download it to your computer, but do NOT install it yet.

Plug the printer into its power source and run the installation software you downloaded above. If this sounds familiar, it is. It’s exactly how you set up your printer when it was new.

If you cannot find the printer’s installation software – let us know, and we’ll help you find it. NEVER search for “Printer drivers” or “Printer installation software” because if you do that you’ll almost always end up with a bunch of fake sites trying to get you to download malware.

Want more tips, tricks, and information?

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We've helped hundreds and hundreds of you with your computers since we started our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service! If you're having computer problems - we CAN help you!

We connect to your computer and fix it while you watch

We offer many other computer services too! If you have a problem with your computer - we can fix it!

Get more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and/or get your repair keys here.

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

105 Weird Facts That’ll Blow Your Mind

These weird facts are truly astonishing.

Cloudeight Site Pick

While searching for a fun site pick to start the year, I happened to stumble upon Parade’s “Can You Believe It?! 105 Weird Facts That’ll Blow Your Mind”. And I’ve got to tell you that some of these 105 facts are hard to believe, but I suppose most of them are true.

For instance, did you know that a strawberry is not a berry but a banana is? Originally, the Eiffel Tower was going to be erected in Barcelona, but the project was rejected because citizens thought it was an eyesore.

Let’s do a few more…

A type of jellyfish is considered biologically immortal. They don’t age and will never die unless they are killed.

You’re not allowed to swear if playing in Wimbledon. Because of this, line judges have to learn curse words in every language.

There are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on every beach in the world.

Humans cannot walk in a straight line without a visual point. When blindfolded, we will gradually walk in a circle.

Canada eats more macaroni and cheese than any other nation in the world.

We only gave you seven of the 105 weird facts. You’ll have to discover the rest of them for yourself.

If you like trivia or learning weird things, then Parade’s list of 105 Weird Facts will be right up your alley. By the way, the phrase “right up your alley” is believed to have originated from the world of bowling. When someone says something is “right up my alley,” they mean that it is well-suited to their skills or interests, much like a perfectly aimed ball in a bowling alley… like our site pick today called “105 Weird Facts That’ll Blow Your Mind“.

Take a trivia trip and have some fun learning new things. Visit our site pick right now.

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Essays , Rants, etc.

Thoughts On Faith

Almost all of us who have children have had the common and amazing, experience of teaching a child to ride a bike.

Before I get rolling, let’s clarify the word “bike”. Long ago, unfortunately, the word “bike” was an unambiguous word that meant bicycle – the kind with two wheels, a bell, streamers, and usually a kid perched upon its seat. But now it can mean – and often does – a group of men and women, roaring down the road, two-by-two, in lines of “bikes” a half-mile long. Most of them decked out in black leather accouterments. Many with wallets hanging from chains. Why is that I wonder? Anyway, other than misusing the word “bike”, it’s all well and fine with me – to each his own.

I want to emphasize, though, that in my world a motorcycle is not a bike. Motorcycles are fine – if you like them, but they’re not bikes. And I don’t like “bike weeks” either, because bike weeks should be reserved for bikes – the bikes with streamers and bells on the handlebars and kids – or wannabe kids – on the seat.

I digress. If you’ve had the experience of teaching a child to ride a bike – or if you remember your own experience...

Read the rest of this essay here.

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What is the easiest way for cybercriminals to steal your identity, spread malware, and entice you to visit malicious websites?

A. Software Bundling
B. Hacking
C. Spam/Phishing Email
D. None of these

If you answered "C", you're correct. You get an A! Spam/Phishing emails are number one when it comes to bringing malicious files and websites to your computer. And stealing your identity and your money.

According to Security outfit F-Secure, spam email is still the most popular means for cyber-miscreants to spread malware and entice people to click links to malicious websites.

According to F-Secure's analysis of spam emails, almost half of all spam emails (46 percent) are pushing dating scams, about one-third of them (31 percent) contain links to malicious websites and approximately a quarter of them (23 percent) have malicious attachments. Eighty-five percent of these malicious attachments are one of five file types: .ZIP, .DOC, .XLS, .PDF, and .7Z (7-zip compressed file).

F-Secure noted that while spam has been a vector for viruses and malware for decades, as computer operating systems and security software become more efficient at protecting users from exploits and vulnerabilities, spam has gained more popularity over the past few years and it now is the number one way malware and links to malicious web sites are spread.

As we've been warning you for over two decades... Never click links in suspicious emails or spam emails. And always THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK.

And... don't open attachments directly in an email unless you were expecting an attachment, you know what it is, and you're sure you know who sent it.

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Have a great weekend... be safe!

Darcy and TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1057
Volume 21 Number 11
January 12, 2024

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