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We both wish you and those you love, a very happy Easter. This weekend, as on all major holiday weekends, we are publishing a review edition of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Publishing a review edition on major holidays gives us some extra time to spend with our families and friends. We hope that you and those you love will be able to spend some time together this Easter weekend and that you all remember the reason for the season. And more than anything else, Easter is a time for hope and new beginnings. May you all have a blessed and Happy Easter. We'll be back next Friday with a brand-new edition of InfoAve Weekly. Happy Easter!

Andrew wants to format a flash drive
Dear Darcy & TC. In the past, you have recommended Puran File Recovery to recover deleted files on a USB memory stick. I have found this software invaluable; thank you for your recommendation. However, I now wish to securely delete all data on a USB memory stick so that all items are irrecoverable (even when using file recovery software) in order to pass the memory stick on to friends or my children. Can you please recommend a suitable software program that will permanently erase all the data on the memory stick but that will not damage the stick?

Thank you in anticipation of your most valued advice and too for your treasured weekly and daily newsletters. Andrew

Our answer
Hi Andrew. Thanks for your nice comments. You don't need a program to format a flash drive or any drive. You can use Windows File Explorer.

Here's how to format a USB flash drive using File Explorer:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E)

2. Click on This PC from the left pane.

3. Right-click on the flash drive and select the Format option.

4. Use the "File system" drop-down menu and select the NTFS option.

5. In the "Allocation unit size" leave it set to default.

6. In the "Volume label" field, you can type in a descriptive name for example "16GB_Flash" (no quotes), or just leave it blank.

7. Under the "Format options" section, select the Quick format option. Unless the person you're giving it to is a forensic expert, Quick Format is fine. If you don't want to take any chances uncheck "Quick Format". This will set up a full format (which takes a lot longer) but any data that was on the drive will not be recoverable.

8. Click the Start button

9. Click the Yes button.

Once the format is complete the drive will be empty and ready to use.
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Andrew wrote back: "Dear TC. Thank you for your prompt reply and excellent advice and information. Your help and assistance are much appreciated and greatly valued. Thank you so much for being there and for your vast knowledge that you are kindly prepared to share with others. Please take care and keep safe. Best wishes, Andrew

Rhonda's keyboard does not have a Caps Lock indicator
My keyboard does not have a caps lock indicator. Some time ago I had an app that sat in the system tray and indicated the status of the caps and Num lock. It has disappeared and I can't remember what it was called. Do you know a safe app for a visual caps lock indicator?

I do like your newsletter and your useful information. Thanks, Rhonda

Our answer
Hi Rhonda. I spent some time looking around for something that would do what you need it to do. I found one and tested it on my laptop -even though I have a Caps lock indicator. The program worked well and you don't even have to install it - just click to run it. It will alert you when the Caps lock key is on as well as NumLock and Scroll Lock keys are on. You can also configure it just to show when Caps Lock is on and nothing else if that's how you want to configure it.

The program is called Caps Lock Indicator and you can read more about it and/or download it here.

We hope this works for you.

Dick gets a notification to check drive C:\ every time he starts Windows
Hello wonderful folks. For some reason, my PC wants to do a disc check on “C” every time I start it up. I tried a couple of suggestions that I found on Google, and I thought I followed the instructions to the letter, but they did not work. Hopefully, you have seen this problem pop up in the past and have a safe and easy solution to give this old man. I know you are always so very busy but if you get a spare minute could you help me? Thank you so much in advance.

Our answer
Hi Dick. Thanks for your nice comments and your confidence in us.

Your problem may be nothing more than a Windows error it could also be the result of an improper shutdown or serious file system errors on your hard drive.

The first thing you should do is this: Open an administrator command prompt... Type CMD in the taskbar search and click "Run as administrator" when it appears in the search results.

At the Command Prompt type, CHKDSK /F and press Enter. You'll see a message that you cannot run CHKDSK while Windows is running. I will ask if you want to run disk checking at the next startup. Press Y for YES. And then restart your PC.

If that does not correct the problem. Open an administrator command prompt (as above) and in Command Prompt type chkntfs /x c: and press Enter. The command must be entered exactly as shown.

We hope this helps you with your problem, Dick.

Heinz wants to change the display name on one of his Gmail accounts
When sending e-mails out on my office computer in my G-mail account, the return address shows up as "Jake --------- > ----xxx---@gmail.com"
Jake was the Adjutant prior to me taking over. How do I delete his name and show mine? I have searched Gmail info on the computer - possibly as "user" but can't delete it. Heinz

Our answer
Hi Heinz. Here's how to change your display name in Gmail.

1. On your computer, open Gmail.
2. In the top right, click Settings. See all settings.
3. Click the Accounts and Import or Accounts tab.
4. Under "Send mail as," click Edit info.
5. Enter the name you want to show when you send messages.
6. At the bottom, click Save changes.

That should do it!





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Debbie is looking for fonts
I am using Windows 10. I'm looking for script and handwriting-type fonts. I'm hoping you can steer me in the right direction. Where can I find nice fonts without getting infected with malware? I would really like free fonts, but I want them to be from safe sites without risking getting infected. Thanks, Debbie.

Our answer
Hi Debbie. You're in luck. We just posted a new tip on our InfoAve website that lists 3 safe sites from which you can download nice fonts for free. Additionally, we show you how to install, find and preview fonts on Windows 10.

Visit this page to see our 3 site picks for fonts as well as how to install and preview fonts on Windows 10.

I hope this helps you, Debbie!

Sue needs to clear her backup drive but she's having a problem
Hi, I have gained so much insight from you in all these years and am so grateful you are still here for us! I have a question about File History and backups. My external drive is full (hopefully with backups) and now I need to delete most of it so I can continue to back up. I've tried a couple of things that I found on the internet which haven't worked, I get an error: "Could not clean up File History data. Element not found". Is there another way I can get rid of these files and not have to mess with having to repair Win 10 which was a suggestion?

Thanks so much, I always feel you'll have the answer :)

Our answer
Hi Sue. You can right-click on the external (backup) drive and choose Format. Do a quick format on the drive, then set up File History again on that drive. You might need to reset File History for it to work correctly again.

If you do need to reset File History, see this page.

We hope this helps you, Sue.
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Sue wrote back: "Oh my gosh, TC, thank you so very much!! Of course, formatting!! Thanks for the link as well. Honestly, I hope you and Darcy know just how very much you are needed & appreciated, and how you have saved our hair from being pulled out and our computers from being invaded. You consistently smarten us up for scams and safe downloads. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll be making a donation today! Sue."

Our Spring Donation Drive is Underway!

Make a small donation and help us to keep on helping you!

Our annual spring donation drive is underway. Sales of our products and services help keep the lights on at Cloudeight.  But 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 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 to help you stay safe too.

So, if you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please consider helping us with a small donation. 

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Rest Your Mouse! Handy Keyboard Shortcuts for Your Favorite Browser
Windows 10, and Windows 11 / Most popular browsers

Keyboard shortcuts are great for those who don’t like using a mouse. They can also save you time. So, we’ve put together this list of browser shortcuts that work with most popular browsers. So even if you’re a mouse lover, isn’t it time you gave your mouse a rest?

* Shift+Escape opens the browser’s task manager. (Chrome and Chromium-based browsers like Edge) 

* Ctrl+B toggles the bookmarks bar on and off.

* Ctrl+L to move your cursor to the address bar.

* Ctrl+K moves your cursor to the address bar to enter a Google search.

* Ctrl+T opens a new tab.

* Ctrl+N opens a new window.

* Ctrl+Shift+T opens the last closed tab.

* Ctrl+Shift+N opens a new window in “Incognito Mode.” (Chrome & Chromium-based browsers like Edge only)

* Ctrl+Tab cycles through open tabs; Ctrl+Shift+Tab reverse cycles through open tabs.

* Ctrl+J opens Downloads.

* Ctrl+W closes the current tab.

* Ctrl+R refreshes the current page.

* Ctrl+H opens the browser’s History.

* Alt+Home loads your homepage.

* Ctrl+1 through 9 switches to a particular open tab position.

* Ctrl++, Ctrl+-, and Ctrl+0 Enlarges, reduces, and restores default text sizes, respectively.

And did you know…

You can use the up/down arrow keys on your keyboard to scroll up or down a web page when browsing, instead of using your mouse. Indeed, you can. And, if you want to scroll up and down on a large page you can click the Page Down button on your keyboard, and it will scroll in increments until you get to the bottom. You can use the Page Up button to go back up to the top. If you want to go back to the top of the page from anywhere on the page – just hit the “Home” key.

If you are a bottom feeder, like TC, you can get to the bottom of the page quickly from anywhere on the page by pressing the “End” key.

Use these keyboard shortcuts and give your mouse a rest – because even a mouse needs rest you know.  

Make Sure It’s Broke Before You Spend Time Fixing It
Windows 10, Windows 11

Here are two quick and easy tips that we are sure you'll use... "maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon. And for the rest of your life…” 

Anyone who uses a computer knows they will have problems from time to time. It’s expected. It’s the nature of the beast. We’re here to remind you that if you start having computer problems, the first thing you should do is make sure there’s something really wrong with your computer before you set sail on a long, time-consuming voyage to fix it.

Here are two things you should always try as soon as you notice something’s not right with your computer:

1. Restart your computer.

As silly and simple as that sounds, restarting your computer can correct a lot of minor temporary errors and put your computer back on track. It won’t work every time, but it’s the first thing you should try if something isn’t right with your computer.

And… if restarting it does not work, we have one more simple thing you should do before you go off searching for help and fixes.

2. Shut down your computer completely and wait a few minutes...

Make sure all power is off and all power lights are off. Wait five minutes and then turn your computer back on. 

You’ll find the second method may be successful if simply restarting your computer doesn’t work.

Now, we’re not here to convince you that these two simple tricks will fix all your problems and assuage all your computer woes – they won’t. But many times restarting your computer or shutting your computer down and waiting for a few minutes before restarting can correct many minor, yet annoying errors. And since it does not take much time or effort to try one or both of these tips, there’s no reason not to give them a try. We’ve seen restarting and shutting down the computer and waiting a few minutes before powering it back on, work many times on our own computers and other folks’ PCs as well.  

And this trick also extends to other electronic devices – tablets, smartphones, streaming devices, etc. Sometimes the best fix is the simplest – just restart the device. It works more often than you think.

Exploring the File Explorer in Windows 11
Windows 11

File Explorer in Windows 11 takes some time to get used to since it’s a radical change from File Explorer in Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. The File Explorer in those versions of Windows was essentially the same as the old Windows Explorer included in earlier versions of Windows.

The File Explorer in Windows 11 is quite different. Icons now replace words for Cut, Copy, Delete, etc. Here’s a screenshot.

Notice the icons near the bottom – and the yellow-highlighted “Show more options” above them. This presents an uncluttered menu that contains most of the basic functions and tasks – instead of the long menu presented in Windows 10 which can be quite cluttered depending on how many programs you installed that add themselves to the right-click menu.

Windows 11 will show a menu much more like Windows 10 when you click on “Show more options”, including the duplication of the Cut, Copy, Rename, Share, Delete, and Rename functions.

The File Explorer in Windows 11 looks quite different than in previous versions of Windows, but the “full menu” is still there, it just requires an additional click.

Copy to and Move to

In the screenshot above, you can see that “Copy to folder” and “Move to folder” are shown on the secondary menu. They are not there by default. Those of you who like having “Copy to” and “Move to” on the right-click menu will be happy to learn our tutorial on how to add “Copy to” and “Move to” to the right-click menu on Windows 11.

And don't forget. You don't have to update to Windows 11 right now. You can safely keep on using Windows 10...

We hope this helps those of you who will be updating to Windows 11. If you’re using Windows 10 and don’t want to update to Windows 11 – or your computer does not meet the requirements for Windows 11 – you can continue to use Windows 10 safely until October 14, 2025.  

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

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Easy Context Menu - Quickly and Easily Remove Right-click Context Menu Items

Last week, Lynn asked us a question that we had not heard for a while – she wanted to know how to remove some of the programs from her right-click context menu – she was tired of scrolling down a long list just to get to “Rename” and “Delete” which are the two items she uses most.

There are a lot of programs that can help with paring down the list of items on the right-click context menu – you can even remove items by editing the registry. But few people consider editing the registry easy or fun – and we found many of the context menu editors complicated.  

Because of Lynn’s question, we went on a search for an easy-to-use context menu editor. We found a free program that’s extremely easy to use — so much so that removing items from the right-click context menu is as easy as this:

Highlight the item you want to remove and click “Delete”.

The program is called “Easy Context Menu”. You can download the zip file from here. 

Once you download it, unzip the file, and open the folder inside. Then click on EcMenu or EcMenu64 (if you have a 64-bit computer click on EcMenu64 – if you’re not sure click on EcMenu).

Once you open the program, press Ctrl-X (or choose “File” > “Context menu cleaner”) to open the Context Menu Cleaner. Highlight the item you want to remove from your right-click menu and click “Delete”.

If you want to delete several items at once, highlight multiple items by holding down the SHIFT key while you click on the items you want to remove. Then, when you have all the items you want to remove from your right-click context menu selected, click on the Delete button on the left side. That’s it.

Context Menu Cleaner has many other features as well. You can read more about it and all its features here. 

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Easter Reflections

Raindrops, a yellow tulip, a white carnation, and a brand-new navy-blue blazer. I was eleven years old on that Easter Sunday – all those years ago – and I remember it so well. My mom had died the autumn previous, and I felt alone in the world – although I shouldn’t have. My grandparents, as distraught as they were, became, in many ways, my parents.

Looking back, I can now see that my grandparents were traditionalists. They had deeply entrenched traditional values and they practiced them and held them in high regard. But back then I didn’t label them anything – they were my grandparents – they together were the lighthouse that guided me through a dark and stormy time in my life. Because my grandparents considered traditions important, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday were special occasions. And so, they were special to me also… when I was a child.

I can remember going to church on Palm Sunday and each person upon entering the church was given a palm frond. And if I close my eyes, I can smell the Easter Lilies that lined the entryway and the altar. I can see the churchgoers waving their palm fronds. I can hear the congregation and the choir singing “The Old Rugged Cross”. And… I can remember singing along.

It seems like yesterday and it seems like it was another lifetime...

Please read the rest of this essay here.  

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What are the four most important things you can do to keep yourself safe on the Internet?

Some so-called geeks will tell you to install browser add-ins like safe site toolbars so you can let someone else decide what is safe and what is not. Some will tell you to install a firewall because the Windows firewall is no good. There is an endless supply of questionable and bad advice out there, and we know it's really difficult to figure out who to believe.

Here's something that will help you. What is the motivation of the geek or tech writing the newsletter? To inform you or to scare you into reading an article. We subscribe to numerous newsletters, and a couple of the more popular ones seem to live by click-baiting - that is by using headlines to lure you into clicking a link to read an article. We see this every day - and it's a shame because they take advantage of the very people they profess to want to help.

Sometimes, it's not easy to find interesting computer-related topics to write about that will appeal to most readers... but there's no reason to stoop to fear-mongering and click-baiting.

The headline of this back-to-basics tip might be considered to be click-baiting, but it's not. We really are going to tell you the four most important things you can do to stay safe on the Internet and you don't have to jump through hoops or click a link to read them, because here they are - in order of importance:

1. Always Use Strong Passwords
2. Be careful when clicking links. Think before you click
3. Never click links in an email if you're not sure who sent it... and never click links in an email that comes from a bank, credit card company, or other financial institution that asks you to verify a password or your account. Think before you click.
4. Always use good security software that protects you from all manner of malware: Pups, ransomware, scamware, Trojans, viruses, et. al. We recommend Emsisoft.

Those are the four... now go and be safe!

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