Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly
Issue #1118
Volume 22 Number 21
March 14, 2025
Dear Friends,
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IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR COMPUTER READY FOR SUMMER!
It's springtime and it's time to get your computer ready for summer. With our new Spring Checkup, Cleanup, and Optimization service, we'll make that EASY for you.
We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it, and get it ready for summer.
Here's what we'll do for you:
- We'll connect to your computer and check all installed programs and browser extensions
- We'll do a deep scan for malware.
- We'll check your Windows settings for best performance and privacy
- We'll optimize your startups.
- We'll clean temporary files and junk files and give your PC a good spring cleaning.
- ALL FOR JUST $20
Gerry wants to know whether to update
Java
Good morning! I just saw a Java update
message. I checked on Task Manager and I
do have Java on my computer, though I
don't know for what it is used. Do I
need to install or uninstall? Thank you
for your trusted help always and enjoy
your day. Gerry
Our
answer
Hi Gerry. Thanks so much. I have no way
of knowing what programs - if any - you
have on your computer that require
Java...but some older programs still use
it. Java continues to be updated and
supported so if you're not sure, you
might want to go ahead and let it
update. If you uninstall it and a
program or app on your PC needs Java to
function, that program/app won't work
correctly. Plus it won't hurt your PC to
allow Java to update.
I hope this helps you, Gerry.
Sharon
N. wants to know about
replacing Microsoft
Publisher
Good morning, I'm
hoping one of you might be
able to help me. I
have received notice from
Microsoft that as of October
2026, Microsoft Office Suite
will no longer include
Publisher. I use
Publisher for picture albums
I create as Publicity Chair
for my golf organization. I
create each page in
Publisher, then assemble it
into an album using
screenshots of the
individual pages.
Our answer
Hi Sharon. This
is kind of a nuanced
answer since I don't
know which version of MS
Publisher you have. But
in either case, you have
at least 18 months to
find a replacement - and
you may not need to find
one at all.
Hello. I would like to know what you think of the NoScript for Firefox extension add-on. I'm thinking of installing it, but not until I hear from you. It's supposed to protect me from Trackers and Fingerprinting. Thanks for any info you can give. Regards, Michael P.
Our
answer
Hi
Michael. While
NoScript
sounds like
a grand idea
it can break
websites.
JavaScript
by itself is
not a threat
and many
sites use
JavaScript
to provide
site
navigation
and other
important
features.
Blocking
JavaScript
in many
cases would
break sites
that use it.
Because
NoScript
blocks
JavaScript
by default,
it can break
many
websites
that rely on
it for
functionality.
This can
lead to:
> Broken forms
> Non-functioning interactive elements
Plus, users must then manually allow scripts from specific domains, which can be tedious.
Hi Darcy & TC, I have two old computers that I want to recycle so I need to erase the hard drives. I can't remember the program that does that. I know you've been asked this question many times but if you could remind me of this, it would be most helpful. Thanks. Daniel
Our answer
Hi
Daniel. If the
computers have
Windows 10 on
them you
don't need a
third-party
program.
All you
have to do is
follow our
tutorial on this
page. It's a
step-by-step
tutorial that's
easy to follow.
Once you
complete that
process, all
your data will
be removed and
there'll be a
fresh copy of
Windows
installed but
not yet set
up... so that
whoever acquires
that computer
will be able to
set it up like a
new computer and
none of your
data will be
recoverable.
We can fix your Windows computer... check out our low prices here!
Our answer
Hi
Leora. No, you
should not have
more than one
OneDrive account
showing.
> Select "Settings."
> Go to the "Account" tab.
> See if you have multiple accounts listed. If so, unlink the one you don't need.
Select "Close OneDrive."
Open the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
Type
Our answer
Hi
Sharon. In Windows
11, defaults are set
by file type. So I
can't give you a
list because there
are thousands of
file types,.
Right-click on the
file you're trying
to open, click on
"More options" then
"Properties" and
tell me what type of
file you're trying
to open. The file
type is the
extension ... such
as .htm (web page),
.jpg (image), .docx
(Word document),
.pdf (Portable
Document Format),
etc. I can't tell
you what the default
program should be to
open the file you're
trying to open until
I know what the file
type is.
I want to use Gmail as my browser's home page but I would like to know how to set up an additional home page. I am the secretary for an animal rescue shelter and I'd like our animal shelter home page to open as well as my Gmail page. Can I have two pages open at the same time when I start Chrome? Is that possible? Thanks, Marsha.
Our answer
Hi Marsha.
Yes, you can set as
many homepages as
you want. However,
keep in mind, that
the more pages you
have open when you
open your browser,
the slower it will
be. I would not
recommend you have
more than two or
three pages opening
when you start your
browser.
Here is a page that shows you how to set a home page in your browser and how to add additional home (or start) pages. You can have your browser open your Gmail page and the animal shelter home page whenever you open your browser.
We hope this helps you, Marsha.
Now available: Reg Organizer 9.40
If you purchased or renewed Reg Organizer through Cloudeight within the
last 12 months, you're entitled to a free version upgrade to Reg
Organizer 9.31. Works great with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Save $14 on Reg
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Reg
Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows
10 and Windows 11.
Use These Shortcuts In Your
Browser and Save Time
Windows 10 /Windows 11 (most popular browsers)
Most of these shortcuts work in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other browsers. The best way to find out if they work in your browser of choice is to try them. They’ll either work, won’t work, or will perform a different function than described.
Keyboard shortcuts are time savers. They can save you the time of hunting down a dialog box or menu item. The only problem with keyboard shortcuts is… remembering them. The best way to remember them is to use them. We don’t expect you to remember all of these keyboard shortcuts, but you might want to commit to memory the ones you find the most useful. It will save you time — we tells ya!
Ctrl + P – Print the current page
Ctrl + S – Save the current page
Ctrl + O – Browse files and folders on your computer
F5 – Reload the current page
Esc – Stop page loading
Ctrl + F5 – Reload the current page (ignore cached content)
Ctrl + D – Bookmark the current web page
Ctrl + Shift + D – Save all open pages as bookmarks in a new folder
Alt + Click on a link – Download link
Ctrl + F – Open the browser’s search box
F3 – Find the next match for your input in the search box
Shift + F3 – Find the previous match for your input in the search box
F11 – Open page in full-screen mode
Ctrl + + – Make the text larger
Ctrl + – – Make the text smaller
Ctrl + 0 (zero) – Return text to normal size
Ctrl + Shift + B – Toggle the bookmarks bar
Ctrl + H – View browser history
Ctrl + J – View Recent Downloads
Ctrl + R — Refresh the page
Shift + Esc – View the browser’s task manager
Ctrl + Shift + Delete – Open the Clear Browsing Data Dialog
F1 – Open the browse help page in a new tab
Ctrl + U – View the current page’s source code
Windows 10 / Windows 11
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.
11 Windows Shortcuts
You Should Know
Windows 10 / Windows 11
The world gets more complicated every day. But we’re minimalists and big fans of saving time and making things as simple as possible. Nothing makes your computer simpler to use than keyboard shortcuts. But we’ve noticed that many people don’t use them. Why not? Unlock some features and save some time by using these 11 Windows keyboard shortcuts. All of these shortcuts in work in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
1 > Lock Your Computer / Hide your Screen
Whether you’re leaving your computer for a few minutes or want to hide what’s on your screen quickly using the Windows key + L shortcut is a great way to lock and hide your screen. Remember that this shortcut only works if you use a password or PIN to log into your computer.
2 > Quickly Show Your Desktop
Using the Windows key + D shortcut will instantly bring your desktop into focus without disturbing any running programs or anything you’re working on.
3 > Search Your Computer
Use the Windows key + S shortcut to quickly open up the Windows search dialog. Interestingly, the Windows key + Q shortcut does the same thing.
4 > Open a Print Dialog
Want to print something on your screen without fumbling around looking for a “Print” button? Use the Windows key + P shortcut to open up a print dialog.
5 > Quickly Close a Program
To quickly close a program you’re using, press the CTRL key plus the F4 key. This shortcut really comes in handy if you’re browsing the web and you run into a tech support scam or other kinds of malicious websites. Using the ALT + F4 shortcut will immediately close your browser.
6 > Quickly Undo a Mistake
Have you ever accidentally typed over something you wanted to save or even accidentally deleted an entire page? We’ve all been in a situation when we’ve deleted something we wanted to save or typed over something wanted to keep. Use the CTRL key + Z shortcut to restore whatever you deleted.
7 > Show the Hidden Taskbar Icons
Windows automatically hides some program icons in the notification area section of the taskbar (the area near the clock). You can show these icons quickly by using the Windows key + B shortcut. Press the Windows key + B and you’ll see this…
Just click the little highlighted arrow to see the hidden icons on your taskbar. You really don’t need to use the Windows key shortcut to get here, but if you don’t know that little arrow exists, now you know and you know what it is for.
8 > Select All
If you need to select all items in a folder, just highlight one item and use the CTRL+A shortcut to select them all. Quick and easy!
9 > Open the Hidden Windows Start Menu
Use the Windows key + X shortcut to open the hidden Windows start menu…the one that looks like this:
You can also open this menu by right-clicking on the Start button.
10 > Open the Windows Emoji Panel
If you’re a fan of emoji then you should know that Windows has, what we call, an Emoji panel that you can access by using the Windows key + period key shortcut, And you can also use the Windows key + ; (semi-colon) key to open the Emoji panel.
If you want to know more about the Emoji panel and you’re
using Windows 11
see this page. And if you’re using Windows 10 –
check out this page.
11 > Tell Microsoft What You Think
If you’re logged into Windows with a Microsoft account, you can make a suggestion, issue a complaint, or just tell Microsoft what you think by using the Windows key + F shortcut to open the Windows Feedback Hub.
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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Find Out What Kinds of Breadcrumbs You’re Dropping – Visit the Cover Your Tracks Website
Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Cover Your Tracks Website
When you visit a website, it’s like asking a store for something. Your computer, tablet, or phone, sends a “Hey, can I see this?” message. But here’s the thing — a lot of websites have sneaky code that makes your device automatically ask other, hidden stores for things too.
These hidden stores are most often ad companies and trackers, and every time your device asks them for something, it’s giving away little clues about you. Think of it like dropping breadcrumbs: your time zone, what kind of phone or computer you have, and what programs you’re using. Some of this stuff is necessary for the website to work right, like telling it what language to show you. But a lot of it is just being scooped up by these same ad and tracking companies.
A few breadcrumbs might not seem like a big deal. But when these companies gather up all those little clues, they can build a pretty good picture of who you are. They can guess things like what you like to buy, where you live, what you believe, and how much money you make. And as long as they can connect all those clues back to you, they can keep following you around the internet.
They do this by using things called “cookies” and “browser fingerprinting.” Cookies are like little tags they stick on your device to remember you, but cookies are usually easy to delete.
Browser fingerprinting is sneakier; it’s like figuring out who you are based on all the unique details of your device and how you use it. So basically, even if you delete your cookies and try to hide, they can still often figure out it’s you.
Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Cover Your Tracks website gives you a chance to see how well your browser protects you from tracking and fingerprinting…
Here’s what EFF has to say…
Test your browser to see how well you are protected from tracking and fingerprinting:
How does tracking technology follow your trail around the web, even if you’ve taken protective measures? Cover Your Tracks shows you how trackers see your browser. It provides you with an overview of your browser’s most unique and identifying characteristics.
Only anonymous data will be collected through this site.
Want to learn more about tracking? Read how it works with our guide.
Do you want to see what kinds of breadcrumbs you’re dropping as you interact with the websites you visit? Visit EFF’s Cover Your Tracks website right now.
IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR COMPUTER READY FOR SUMMER!
It's springtime and it's time to get your computer ready for summer. With our new Spring Checkup, Cleanup, and Optimization service, we'll make that EASY for you.
We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it, and get it ready for summer.
Here's what we'll do for you:
- We'll connect to your computer and check all installed programs and browser extensions
- We'll do a deep scan for malware.
- We'll check your Windows settings for best performance and privacy
- We'll optimize your startups.
- We'll clean temporary files and junk files and give your PC a good spring cleaning.
- ALL FOR JUST $20
Most of us think back on the past as a simpler, less complicated time. When we let our thoughts drift back to our childhoods – no matter how old we are – most of us imagine a more beautiful world, a more peaceful time in our lives. I do not know if this is really so, but it seems to me that most of us look upon the past that way. Maybe the song “The Way We Were” sums it up well:
“But it’s the laughter
We will remember,
Whenever we remember,
The way we were…”
Maybe some sort of filter in our heads that brandishes the painful moments, the less desirable moments, the bad and sad moments, the embarrassing moments, and when filtered we are left believing the past is preferable to the present. And, I think that’s a good thing, really. We have enough problems with today without having the ones from our pasts intermixing with the ones from now and making things worse. No thanks. Today’s troubles are sufficient for today. So it’s the laughter, we remember whenever we remember the way we were and that’s a good thing.
So it seems to me that the Internet, which is a product of human endeavor, is a reflection of all that is good and all that is bad in us. So I am not sure when I look back on the Internet...
What is a QR Code and what does QR stand for anyway?
Here's more information about QR codes than you ever wanted to know :-)
QR stands for "Quick Response" code.
It's a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store various information, including text, URLs, contact information, images, and even payment details.
It's made up of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background.
It can be read quickly and easily by smartphones and other devices with built-in cameras.
How it works:
Generating a QR code: You can create QR codes using online generators or apps.
Scanning a QR code: Point your device's camera at the QR code.
Decoding the information: The device's software reads the pattern of squares and decodes the information stored in the code.
Taking action: The device then displays the information or performs the action associated with the code, such as opening a website, downloading a file, adding a contact, or making a payment.
Here's a QR code you might want to scan :-)
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Reg Organizer: Reg Organizer is the Swiss Army Knife of Windows tools. It's far more than just a registry optimizer and cleaner... it's a Windows all-in-one toolkit. Reg Organizer helps you keep your computer in tip-top shape and helps you solve annoying Windows problems. Reg Organizer works great with Windows 10
and Windows 11! Get more information about Reg Organizer (and get our special discount prices) here.
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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.. be safe!
Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1118
Volume 22 Number 21
March 14, 2025
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