|
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1064 Volume 21 Number 19 March 1, 2024 Dear Friends, Welcome to Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1064. 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. Your gifts help us continue our mission to keep you informed, separate the truth from the hyperbole, and help you stay safer online. We provide support to thousands of people. Every week we help dozens of people via email at no charge. Thanks to donations, we do a lot more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the Web safely and help you get more out of your PC. Help us keep up the good fight with a small donation. After you donate, you will receive an invitation to become a Cloudeight Booster. Help us keep up the good fight with a small donation. Interested in making an automatic monthly gift? Visit this page. Help us keep helping you and helping you stay safe on the Web. Thank you so much!
Betty wants us to clarify what
resetting a computer does Resetting my Windows 11 computer seems like a good idea. But I am concerned about a sentence in your article that says: "When the reset is done, all your files and folders will be right where you left them, but you'll need to reinstall any programs you installed." When I went from Windows 10 to Windows 11, I didn't have to do a thing. All of my programs and files were right where I left them. I don't want to have to reinstall all my programs if I don't have to. If I'm misreading, please let me know. I don't know if it would be worth it to reset my PC if I have to spend hours or days reinstalling all my programs. Our answer All this is nothing new. It's the same in Windows 11 as it was in Windows 10. You should never do a reset unless your computer is barely functional or has so many problems that fixing them all would be impractical. There are other ways of speeding and fixing your PC rather than using Windows Reset. For instance, reducing the number of programs that start with Windows ( Task Manager > Startup apps). Having too many programs starting with Windows can sap your system resources and cause your computer to run more slowly or become unresponsive. You can also try repairing Windows system files by using SFC and DISM scans as we discuss on this page. We hope this helps you, Betty. Mike has a new
PC and has questions about opening files created
with MS Office Our answer Also, you can download free Office (MS 365) alternatives that work as well (or almost as well) as MS 365 without a fee or charge of any kind. See this page to read more about the alternatives. One of the alternatives is Microsoft 365 Online (Microsoft Office Online). We hope this helps you, Mike. ![]() Carmen is
looking for a good photo organizer Our answer Also, we've recommended a freeware program called FastStone Image Viewer, which is also an excellent photo organizer. To learn more about FastStone Image Viewer, see our article here. Both are good options - and both are free. We hope this helps you, Carmen. Elaine has a
question about OE Classic and paying for updates Our answer If you do decide to pay for another three years of updates and new versions, it would help us if you purchased through our affiliate link. Gmail is not an email program as Outlook.com is not an email program - Gmail and Outlook.com (Hotmail.com) are free Webmail accounts. I hope this helps you make a wise decision, Elaine.
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 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 connect to your computer and fix it while you watch 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! Get more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and or get your repair keys here.
Duke has hardware that requires Internet
Explorer... Do you have any experience with this? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Duke. Our answer Also, you do not need an extension to open Edge in Internet Explorer mode. Try this: Open Microsoft Edge. Click the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Go to "Default browser". Under "Internet Explorer compatibility", change the setting from "Default" to "Allow"/ Click Restart to apply the changes. Once you've enabled IE mode: Navigate to the website you want to open in IE mode. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Edge. Select Reload in Internet Explorer mode. Keep in mind that Internet Explorer mode is not a perfect emulation of Internet Explorer and that future versions of Edge may not offer this setting. The current version of Edge does. I hope running Edge in Internet Explorer mode solves your problem.
Valerie wants to
make Windows 11 look more like Windows 7 Our answer For instance, how would you like your Windows 11 Start menu to look like this?
Does that look familiar? While you won't be able to change every facet of Windows 11 to look/work more like Windows 7, you can change many things that will help ease your transition to Windows 11. Please see our article on making Windows 11 look and work more like Windows 7 and/or Windows 10 here. It's not free, but it is cheap ($4.99 for a lifetime license), and you can try it free for 30 days. We hope this helps you, Valerie. ![]()
Doris says
her husband's Windows 11 computer
won't boot
Our answer Turn off the computer - power it completely off (if it's not off already). Turn it back on. As soon as you see the HP logo screen turn it off ( you must do this the second you see the logo screen). Turn the computer back on again, again as soon as you see the HP logo screen turn it off again. Turn the computer on. The 3rd time you do this, the computer should boot into the recovery environment and you will see the Advanced Boot Menu options. From the Advanced Boot Menu, first try running Start-up repair. If that does not help, click on Troubleshooting and choose "Reset this computer": Choose the reset option to keep your files. Then reset the computer. This will install a fresh copy of Windows 11 while keeping all his personal files and folders (documents, pictures, music, etc.). When it's done all he will have to do is reinstall any programs he needs. We hope this helps your husband get his computer back up and running. ![]()
How to Create a Guest
Account and Why You May Want to A Guest Account on Windows is useful when you want or need to share your computer with someone else, but you don’t want them making any changes to your computer, seeing and/or accessing any of your personal information or files, and/or you don't want to grant them permission to install software or change any settings. By default, Windows 10 and Windows 11 do not have the Guest Account enabled. But everything you need to create a guest account is there. You can use an administrator command prompt and the Net User command to create a guest account on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. First, we called our guest account “BeMyGuest” – but you can call yours whatever you want (except “Guest” which is reserved for Windows). So, wherever you see “BeMyGuest” in the tutorial below, feel free to substitute whatever name you like for your guest account Let’s create a guest account on Windows 10 or Windows 11 1. On Windows 10, press Windows Key + X to open the “power menu” and click “Command Prompt (Admin)”. On Windows 11 type COMMAND in the taskbar search, press Enter, and click "Run as administrator" 2. Next we need to add a user account. So, type in the following command to create a new user. We're going to call the account BeMyGuest in Windows 10 and MyGuest in Windows 11. You can name your Guest account whatever you want, except for Guest – Windows reserves that name and you can’t have it! 3. In the command prompt at the prompt > type the following command and press Enter: NET USER BeMyGuest /ADD /ACTIVE:YES
In Windows 11 we type at the prompt > NET USER MyGuest /ADD /ACTIVE:YES
If you typed that correctly, you’ll see “The command completed successfully”. If you don’t see that, then make sure you leave a space between the account name (in our case BeMyGuest) and the forward slash/. 4. Now, because this is a guest account we don’t want to assign a password for a guest account. So, enter the following command at the prompt and press Enter: NET USER BeMyGuest * Note the space before the asterisk (above). We don’t want a password for his account so press Enter twice.
It works the same in Windows 11 - so the above applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well. You'll see your new account in Windows 10 under Settings > Accounts > Other users. Or on Windows 11 at Settings >Accounts > Family and other users.
From now on when you start or restart your computer, or sign out, you’ll see “BeMyGuest”, MyGuest, (or whatever you called your guest account) listed on the login screen at the lower-left corner along with your other accounts. When you have a guest using your computer log out of your account and click on the guest account to log in, no password is required. Your guests will be able to run apps and programs, browse the internet, play music. etc. However, they will not be able to change your system settings, see your account files, install or remove programs, or make any changes to your computer.
How to
Copy and Print Info from "About
Your PC" This tip was created in answer to a question from Rosa who wrote, “I would like to print the info about my computer. But when I go to “About your PC”, I can’t print it at all.” So for Rosa and everyone else who would like to print the information shown in “About your PC” on Windows 10 and/or Windows 11, this tip is for you. Most of the screenshots shown here are from Windows 11, but this tip works in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. First, you open “About your PC” by typing ABOUT YOUR in the taskbar search. Press Enter or click Open when you see "About your PC" appears in the search results. When About your PC opens you’ll see “About” at the top. The first category you’ll see is “Device specifications” and next to it (or beneath it) you’ll see a “Copy” button.
Above is a screenshot from Windows 11, and below is a screenshot from Windows 10.
Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 show “Device specifications” at the top with a “Copy” button that allows you to copy the information shown to the Windows clipboard. As you scroll down, you’ll see “Windows specifications” (on both Windows 10 and Windows 11), and on Windows 11 you’ll see “Support”. On both Windows 10 and Windows 11 there is a “Copy” button next to or beneath “Windows specifications” which allows you to copy that information to the Windows clipboard. If you’re using Windows 11 you can also copy information from the “Support” section.
To print the information from any of the categories, you can use Notepad, WordPad, or whatever word processor you have installed. Every Windows 10 and 11 PC has Notepad and WordPad. For this tip, we’re going to use Notepad. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, type NOTEPAD in the taskbar search and press Enter when you see Notepad appear in the search results. Press the “Copy” button next to (or beneath) “Device specifications”, then press CTRL+V and paste the text into Notepad. Next, under or next to “Windows specifications” click the “Copy” button and press CTRL + V to paste the information into Notepad. If you’re using Windows 11 you can press the “Copy” button next to “Support” if you wish, and use CTRL+V to paste the info into your Notepad file. When you do all of that, you’ll end up with something that looks like this which contains all of the information in “About your PC”:
Then, all you have to do to print your “About your PC” file is to press CTRL + P. And that’s all there is to print the information in “About your PC”. And if you choose, you can save your Notepad file – just give it a name and save it.
Why You
Should Never Download From Softonic We just received a request from someone who asked us for help getting rid of Softonic. Her request led us to write this post as a reminder to steer clear of Softonic when downloading or searching for software. While Softonic claims to have improved its practices, there are still many good reasons to steer clear of them when searching for software. Though Softonic claims to have cleaned up its act (and by this claim admits they’ve bundled software in the past) the potential for downloading bundled software from Softonic remains high. Softonic has a history of bundling software with the likes of toolbars, download managers, and other useless or harmful software, with other downloads, that install automatically without clear user consent. While they claim they’ve stopped this practice, users are still encountering bundled software. A high risk of malware: While Softonic says they scan for malware, there’s no guarantee they do. Reports of malware-laden downloads from Softonic persist. Softonic is famous for unclear licensing terms, making it difficult to understand if the software you download from Softonic is free for personal use or requires a paid license. And, though less concerning, Softonic has a reputation for offering outdated software. You might be downloading old outdated software from Softonic which may lack security updates. We strongly recommend that you not download anything from Softonic. When you search for software downloads, Softonic seems to appear near the top on the search results page. We recommend SnapFiles and MajorGeeks for downloading software. If you are searching for a particular software program or just browsing downloads, SnapFiles, and MajorGeeks are both great choices for clean, unadulterated, unbundled, clean software. ![]() 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. 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 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 to be done and we guarantee our work - you're either satisfied or we'll refund your money. We connect to your computer and fix it while you watch 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!!
Get
more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and/or get your
repair keys here.
Radiooooo: A Musical Time Machine Dive into the world of music through time and space with Radiooooo, a unique, fascinating, and entertaining website. Radiooooo is something different and unique. It’s nothing like your typical online radio station or streaming service. Radiooooo lets you choose a decade from the 1900s to the present and a country from anywhere in the world. As soon as you do, you’re transported to a specific era, experiencing the music that shaped that time and place. Radiooooo is not a cold machine-curated site. Radiooooo is curated by humans – yep like you and me. It has a distinctively human touch. Curators have carefully selected songs for each location and decade, ensuring you get a taste of the most popular and culturally significant music. Radiooooo does more than simply play music. Each song includes information about the artist, album, and even the person who “discovered” it for the site. The human touch is what makes this site so engaging. And helps you to learn more about the music you’re enjoying. Whether you’re a music history buff, a music explorer, or just looking for something new and unique, Radiooooo has something for everyone. It’s a fascinating way to discover hidden gems, listen to nostalgic favorites, and maybe even broaden your musical horizons. The website’s design is simple and visually appealing… with a vintage touch. Navigation is very intuitive, making it easy to switch between different locations and decades.
Radiooooo is a fun and educational experience for music lovers of all ages. It’s a free and easy journey into the eclectic world of music. Radiooooo is a place where you can travel through time and across borders to experience the power of music and sound. Before we send you off to visit Radiooooo you should know that Radiooooo does not offer features like creating playlists or personalized recommendations. Also, the selection of music might be limited for some specific countries or decades. Radiooooo is a fun, unique, and entertaining website that we think deserves a look and a listen – and maybe even a spot in your Favorites of Bookmarks. You don’t have to join anything to enjoy Radiooooo when you first visit the site just click “Continue in Basic Mode” and you’re on the way to a musical journey with no strings attached… except for maybe some violins Turn up the volume – or put on your headphones, and begin a musical journey by visiting our Cloudeight Site Pick – Radiooooo!
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. Thank you so much for your support!
A Little Reminiscing Just over 26 years ago (wow can you
believe it?) Darcy and I began our journey as we
dipped our toes into the nascent waters of a
brand new thing called the Internet. The waters
were pretty shallow then. There was not a lot
going on yet. No big gazillion-dollar ships were
sailing on it – just a bunch of people like
Darcy and me in our little rowboat – well…more
like a dinghy Read the rest of this essay here.
![]() THE ONLY CLOUDEIGHT-ENDORSED EMAIL PROGRAM OE Classic is the only Cloudeight Endorsed Email Program - Very Similar to Windows Mail & Outlook Express!! If you're looking for an email program that feels familiar and works much like Windows Mail & Outlook Express, OE Classic might be exactly what you've been looking for!! ![]() ![]() What is Ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that encrypts a victim's files or data, making it inaccessible. Attackers then demand a ransom payment in exchange for providing the decryption key to unlock the data. Here's a breakdown of how ransomware works: Infection: The user unknowingly installs ransomware through various methods like phishing emails, infected attachments, or malicious websites. Encryption: Once installed, the ransomware scans the victim's device and encrypts essential files like documents, photos, and videos. Ransom Demand: A notification pops up, informing the victim that their files are encrypted and demanding a ransom payment, often in cryptocurrency, to regain access. Pressure Tactics: The message often includes threats to permanently delete the files or leak them online if the ransom is not paid within a specific timeframe, creating urgency and fear. The severity of the impact depends on the type of data encrypted. For individuals, it can mean losing personal photos, documents, and other irreplaceable memories. For businesses, it can lead to disrupted operations, financial losses, and reputational damage. Using a good antivirus/antimalware application like Emsisoft, staying vigilant, and practicing safe online behavior are essential.
Sales of the following
products and services help support our newsletters, websites, and free
computer help services we provide. Windows 10 Customization: Make Windows 10 look and work the way you want it to. Learn more. MORE IMPORTANT STUFF!! Your InfoAve Weekly Members' Home Page is located here. Help us Grow! Forward this email newsletter to a friend or family member - and have them sign up for InfoAve Weekly here! Get our free daily newsletter! Each evening we send a short newsletter with a tip or trick or a computer-related article - it's short and sweet - and free.. Sign up right now.. We have thousands of Windows tips and tricks and computer articles posted on our Cloudeight InfoAve website. Our site has a great search engine to help you find what you're looking for too!! Please visit us today! Help us by using our Start Page. It costs nothing, and it helps us a lot. Print our Cloudeight Direct Flyer and spread the word about our computer repair service! If you want to help us by telling your friends about our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care service, you can download a printable flyer you can hand out or post on bulletin boards, etc. Get the printable PDF Cloudeight Direct Computer Care flyer here. ![]() We'd love to hear from you!! If you have comments, questions, a tip, a trick, a freeware pick, or just want to tell us off for something, let us know. If you need to change your newsletter subscription address, please see "Manage your subscription" at the very bottom of your newsletter. We receive hundreds of questions for possible use in IA news. Please keep in mind we cannot answer all general computer questions. We try to personally answer as many as we can. We can only use a few in each week's newsletter, so keep this in mind. If you have a support question about a service or product we sell, please contact us here. Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter! Get computer tips & tricks every night. Our daily newsletter features a computer tip/trick or two every day. We send it out every night around 9 PM Eastern Time (USA). It's short and sweet, easy to read, and FREE. Subscribe to our Cloudeight InfoAve Daily Newsletter, ![]() We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Thanks so much for your support and for being an InfoAve Weekly subscriber. Have a great weekend! Darcy & TC Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Issue #1064 - March 1, 2024 Not a subscriber? Subscribe to our FREE Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly Newsletter here. ![]() "Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly" newsletter is published by:: Cloudeight Internet LLC PO Box 733 Middleville, Michigan USA 49333-00733 Read our disclaimer about the tips, tricks, answers, site picks, and freeware picks featured in this newsletter. Copyright ©2024 by Cloudeight Internet |