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Nancy asks about Google Voice
You have so much knowledge about everything computer, so you're my go-to on a recent discovery(it's new to me!!) What do you know about Google Voice? Is it safe? I think that it is free for personal use. Appreciate any info you have. Just seems like someone on a computer (me) who needs to send a text and doesn't have their phone at the time could use this program.

Suzanne asks about HTTP ERROR 500
I have a problem with a web page. It keeps giving me this each time:

HTTP ERROR 500. What does that mean?

I use Microsoft Edge. I have used this website for a long time now, but it won't open, and I get the same error message each time. Thanks for any help you can give me. Suzanne

Our answer
Hi Suzanne. An HTTP ERROR 500 (also known as 500 Internal Server Error) is a generic error message that indicates something has gone wrong with the website's server, but the server couldn't be more specific about what the exact problem is.

Think of it as the server saying, "I ran into an unexpected problem that prevented me from showing you the webpage, but I can't tell you why or what's wrong."

This is not a problem with your computer or your browser. It's a problem with the website's server. So you'll just have to wait and hope the site's administrators fix the problem soon.

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Michael says our start page won't open in the Opera browser

Hi Guys. I have been using Firefox for years, but I am trying out Opera, and it doesn't want to load your start page. Any suggestions? Thanks for all you do. Michael.

Our answer
Hi Michael. Opera is a Chromium-based browser like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and many others. Opera has been around for well over a decade; it's not a new browser.

Anyway, I checked our websites using Opera and found them to open, work, and look like they do in Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers. Here are screenshots of my tests...

So, I cannot tell you why it's not working for you, but it's not a problem with Opera or with our websites.

Beverly says she's got a Trojan

I was checking a phone number on whitepages.com when my computer locked, and on my screen, there was a message telling me to contact Microsoft that I had a Trojan on my computer. I did not do that, but now my computer is still locked up I am unable to use that computer. I do have Emsisoft on it. I'm now using my iPad to contact you. Thank you

Our answer
Hi Beverly. You don't have malware, Trojans, or viruses. This is a tech support scam. Here's what you need to do.

With the warning on your screen, press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open Task Manager. Look for any browsers running in Processes. Look for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, etc. Right-click on any that are running and choose "End task". Then, while still in Task Manager, click on "Startup apps" and make sure you don't have any browsers starting with Windows. If you see any, right-click on each and choose "Disable". Restart your computer. Then open your browser... if you see a message that your browser was closed unexpectedly and asking if you want to reopen the tabs that were open...make sure you say NO.

Now, open your browser from a shortcut or Start menu and press CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE and clear your browser's history & cache. See this page for more info.

I hope this helps you, Beverly.
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Beverly wrote back: "Thank you for the help, my computer is now working fine. Your help was greatly appreciated. Beverly."

Patty has a beta icon on her new computer's taskbar
Hi. I just purchased a new computer, a 2025 HP Omnibook. On the taskbar, there's a "Beta" icon. When I did a Google search, it implied I am using a "Beta" Win 11?

Our answer
Hi Patty. If you're seeing a "Beta" icon on your new Windows 11 computer's taskbar, it means your computer is currently running a pre-release or test version of Windows 11.

This happens when your computer is enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, specifically in the Beta Channel.

It's unusual for a brand-new computer purchased from a retailer to come pre-installed with a Windows Insider (beta) build. This usually occurs if:

1. You (or someone who set up the computer) intentionally enrolled it in the Windows Insider Program. This can be done through the Windows Settings.

2. It's a refurbished or used computer that was previously enrolled in the program and not properly reverted to a stable public build before you received it.

3. It's a developer machine or a machine intended for testing from the manufacturer, though this is not common for new computers intended for consumers.

If you didn't intend to be on a beta version of Windows, you might want to unenroll your device from the Windows Insider Program.

To check to see and unenroll:

1. Go to Settings (Windows Key + I).

2. Choose Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.

3. Here, you'll see which channel you're on (it should say "Beta Channel").

You'll likely see an option to "Stop getting preview builds." If you select this, you usually have two main choices:

1. "Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases": This is the safest option. Your computer will stop receiving Insider builds and will revert to the next stable public release of Windows 11 when it becomes available. You won't lose your files or apps.

2. "Unenroll this device immediately" (or similar phrasing): This typically involves reinstalling the current stable version of Windows 11, which will likely wipe your data. This is generally only recommended if you're comfortable with a clean install.

Since it's a new computer, the best thing to do (probably) is to unenroll it to get onto the current public (consumer)release of Windows 11. However, if you have spent a lot of time importing files from your older computer and installing programs, you may want to choose option #1: "Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases" - that way, you won't undo anything you've done.

I hope this helps you, Patty.

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

You Need More Than One Email Account
And Why At Least One of Them Should Be a Webmail Account
A tip for everyone who uses email

We have been fortunate to have worked with many people, helping them with their computers – whether it be a quick checkup, optimization and cleanup, computer repairs, both simple and complex, or assisting them in removing malicious browser extensions and malware. Over the last few months, we’ve noticed that a substantial number of people still rely solely on the email account provided by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Those of you who use email addresses that end in @att.net, @charter.net, @cox.net, @twc.com, @rr.com, @comcast.net, @bellsouth.net, etc. are using ISP email addresses.

EVERYONE should have at least one alternate email address

Email has become an essential part of our lives, and having a single email account is no longer enough. There are many reasons why everyone should have more than one email account, with one of them being a webmail account.

A webmail account is an email account that you access through a web browser, such as Gmail, Hotmail, Outlook.com, etc. Most webmail accounts are free. We’re here to tell you that having at least one webmail account is essential.

One of the most significant advantages of a webmail account is that you can access it from any device with an internet connection. This means that you can check your emails on your desktop, all-in-one, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, making it easy to stay connected while on the go.

Another reason why having a webmail account is important is that it offers more storage space. With a webmail account, you can store your emails in the cloud, freeing up space on your device. This can be especially helpful if you have multiple devices and want to access your emails from all of them.

Webmail accounts come with more features than traditional email accounts. For example, Gmail provides superior and accurate spam filtering. You’ll find that most webmail providers offer features such as advanced spam filtering, automatic sorting, and integration with other applications, making it easier to manage your emails.

Webmail allows you to control your email, rather than allowing your ISP to delete and censor email based on whatever criteria they decide to use to filter junk mail and to censor/delete mail based on rules only they know. Once an ISP decides to block or censor an email, you lose control. With a webmail account, some emails may go into your spam folder, but you can move emails from the spam folder to the inbox by marking them as “not spam” or “not junk,” and you, not your ISP, control your email. Unlike ISP email services with arcane censorship and incomprehensible mail blocking, webmail does not block or delete emails based on arcane rules.

And the most important reason is that webmail frees you from your ISP. If you’re using Comcast (Xfinity), for example. All your mail depends on you using Comcast as your ISP. If you switch ISPs, you cannot take your Comcast (or other ISP) email address with you. But with a webmail account, you have access to your email, and all you need is an internet connection; you’re not bound to your ISP with the “email tether”. And if you get a new computer and you have a webmail account, your email comes with you to your new computer, new smartphone, or new tablet.

And even if you plan to stick with your ISP forever, having more than one email account is essential. And at least one of those should be a webmail account. Whether you choose Gmail, Outlook.com/Hotmail, or Yahoo for your free webmail account(s) is up to you.

If you have just one ISP email account, we hope you’ll take our advice, sign up for a webmail account, and start using it. Webmail accounts have many excellent features:

They free you from your ISP.

They allow you to get your email from any Windows device, Apple device, Android device, or Linux device, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

You can get a free Gmail account here.

You can get a free Outlook.com/Hotmail.com account here.

You can get a free Yahoo.com account here.

How to Use Storage Sense to Clean Up Your Windows PC
Windows 10 and Windows 11

There are dozens of free and paid programs that you can download to clean up your Windows computer. Windows even comes with Disk Cleanup, which was supposed to be deprecated by Microsoft some time ago but wasn’t. Of course, then there are PrivaZer and BleachBit as well as the popular (but not popular with us), CCleaner – which we most strongly do not recommend.

Somewhere, along the way, Windows Storage Sense has been forgotten. So, we’re going to remind you about the benefits of Windows Storage Sense. We’ll cover Storage Sense in Windows 10 and the more streamlined Storage Sense in Windows 11.

Windows 10 Storage Sense

Right-click the Start button and choose Settings. In Settings, choose System > Storage./p>

If you have not done so already, turn on Storage Sense by sliding the switch to the “On” position.

If you want to run a quick cleanup, click “Configure Storage Sense or run it now”.

Windows 10 Storage Sense - Cloudeight InfoAve

Under “Temporary Files,” make sure you check the selection box next to “Delete temporary files my apps aren’t using”. And then check to make sure you have “Never” selected under “Delete files in my downloads folder if they haven’t been open for more than:”. You can easily clean up your Downloads folder manually.

Storage Sense - Windows 10 - Cloudeight InfoAve

Next, under “Free up space now”, click the “Clean now” button.

Windows 10 Storage Sense - Cloudeight InfoAve

That's all there is to using Storage Sense in a basic cleanup. If you’re an advanced user and like to tinker with settings, you can fine-tune Storage Sense and customize it to your liking.

Windows 11 Storage Sense

Right-click the Start button and choose Settings from the menu. Then click on System > Storage. Yep! Just like Windows 10.

When Storage opens, click on “Storage Sense”…