Sharon wants to get rid of Copilot-
Hi. Here is something this time you can help me with:  How in tarnation $%&^$% do I get rid of COPILOT?

Our answer
Hi Sharon. Assuming you don't have a Copilot PC, you can remove Copilot this way:

Open Settings (Window key + i )

Then click on Apps > Installed apps and find Copilot. Click on the 3 dots on the far right. You'll see "Uninstall" appear. Click on "Uninstall" to remove Copilot. See the screenshot below:

 

 

I hope this helps you, Sharon.

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Talk more, Type Less: How to Use Windows Dictation
Windows 10  / Windows 11

Voice recognition has come a long way. While still not 100% accurate, it’s reliable enough that you can use it to dictate recipes, emails, reminders, notes, essays, short stories, journals, and even angry letters to the editor!

To use the new and improved dictation feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11, press and hold down the Windows Key and tap the H key. Place your cursor in (almost) any text field and start talking. It works with many apps including MS Word, Notepad, WordPad, Gmail, Outlook, Outlook.com, etc.

Using Windows 10 Dictation

Use the Windows key shortcut Windows key + H to begin.  Click the “microphone” icon in the dictation bar.

When it’s done initializing, you’ll see “Listening” and then you can start talking. Here’s an example of Windows 10 Dictation being used with Notepad.

As you can see above Windows 10 Dictation is “Listening…” and you can see what I’ve dictated so far.  You can add punctuation by saying comma, period, semi-colon, exclamation point, etc.  And if you want a new line, say, “new line”. If you want a new paragraph, say “new paragraph”. You get the idea. The more you use Windows Dictation, the better it gets at understanding your voice.

When you’re done dictating just say “Stop dictating”.

Using Microsoft Speech Services (dictation) in Windows 11

Dictation gets even better, more accurate, and more fluid in Windows 11. It even gets a new name, “Microsoft Speech Services”.

But it works the same way it works in Windows 10.  Open Windows Speech Services in Windows 11 by using the Windows key + H shortcut.

We recommend that you click on the settings icon and turn on “Voice typing launcher”, and “Automatic punctuation” and select and adjust your microphone – and make sure your microphone volume is set at 80% or higher – you don’t want to have to yell, right?

Here’s Windows Speech Services opening in Windows 11. To begin voice typing, click the microphone icon, or as Microsoft puts it the “mic button”.

I put Windows Speech Services in Windows 11 through a difficult test using a poem by A.E. Housman. I’ll give Windows Speech Service an A-minus, it only made one major mistake… where it should have been “rose lipt maids” Windows Speech Services typed “rows left”. But “rose lipt” isn’t a common expression and I don’t want to be too critical because Windows Speech Services worked well. Even the spell-checker I’m using to write this doesn’t like the word “lipt”.

And, like Windows 10’s Dictation feature, you can use Windows 11 Microsoft Voice Services to type reminders, notes, recipes, journals, essays, stories, lists, emails, and more.

Here’s an email I wrote using Microsoft Speech Services…

Unfortunately (and predictably) Darcy ignored my email, and I didn’t get my raise. But I can’t blame that on poor dictation by Microsoft Speech Services!

When you first start using Microsoft Speech Services in Windows 11, it will ask if you want to contribute your voice clips to improve Speech Services. You can choose “Yes” to contribute your voice clips – or “No” if you don’t want to contribute. If you choose to contribute they won’t be linked to you, your computer, or your IP address – they’ll be anonymously added to the database of voice clips that will help make Windows speech services (dictation) even better. And the better it gets, the more talking and less typing you’ll do.

Save time. Talk instead of type. Windows dictation (Speech services) is better than ever and can save you a lot of time… whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11. All you have to do is take the time to learn to use it.  Once you do, you might find you’re a faster talker than a type!

Google Warns 2.5 Billion Users of Sophisticated AI Attack
Everyone who uses Gmail

A new Forbes report warns of a growing threat to Gmail’s 2.5 billion users: AI-powered phishing attacks. As AI voice technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, cybercriminals are leveraging it to create highly convincing scams. The report details how attackers are making phone calls while impersonating Google support, even spoofing caller ID to appear legitimate.

These “support agents” often claim the user’s account has been compromised or needs recovery. To reinforce the deception, they then send an email to the victim’s Gmail account from a seemingly authentic Google address, often including a fake recovery code. This multi-pronged approach, combining realistic phone calls and emails, poses a significant risk to Gmail users.

We hope you will all read the entire Forbes article Be prepared, not scared. We want to keep you safe!

Please read the original Forbes article here. 

Windows Key + K and Cast Away!
Windows 10 / Windows 11 and compatible Smart TV or Streaming device

Windows Key + K and Cast Away is an easy way to remember the Windows key shortcut that lets you cast your Windows PC to your TV. When you see the word “Cast” think “Broadcast”.

Let’s talk more about casting what’s on your TV’s screen to your TV.

Most modern Windows laptops and desktops support wireless casting, and most smart TVs have built-in support for screen mirroring or casting. If your TV is older, you might need a device like a Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Firestick, or other streaming device that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port. Also, both your PC and TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

How it works:

Windows uses a technology called Miracast to wirelessly transmit your PC screen to the TV. Think of it as a wireless HDMI cable.  

Here’s how to cast your PC’s screen to your TV

Turn on your TV and ensure it’s set to the input where your casting device (such as a Roku player, if you’re using one) is connected. If your TV has built-in casting, make sure that feature is enabled. 

Use the Windows key shortcut “Windows Key + K” to open the “Connect” quick action menu. (see the screenshot below):

Windows will scan for nearby devices that you can cast to. Select your TV or streaming device from the list. As you can see in the screenshot above that I have 2 TVs with Roku devices connected as well as one “smart TV”.

There are other optional settings such as”Duplicate” (mirror your screen) or “Extend” (use the TV as a second monitor). that you can access by clicking More cast settings” on the “Cast” settings menu.

If you have a compatible TV or an older TV with a compatible streaming device connected, your PC screen should now be displayed on your TV.

We think you’ll find casting your computer’s screen to your TV comes in handy for many things. And now you know how to cast away!

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.


 

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