Teddie wants to know if a link is safe
TC, I found this website that has the Quicken Medical Expense Manager software on it. Is this a safe place to download the program? https://quicken-medical-expense-manager.software.informer.com/

I found the exe file on my old computer and copied it to my new computer. It required downloading a couple of Windows NET files, but it is still not able to read a file. I know you're a Windows guy, but I've learned to trust you for Internet safety and would like your help deciding if this is a safe website.  Teddie.

Our answer
Hi Teddie. Though it looks like a Quicken site, it is not. I would strongly advise against downloading anything from that link. While the website itself (Software Informer) is a well-known catalog, using it to download discontinued software like the Quicken Medical Expense Manager is like buying a used car that’s been sitting in a swamp for 15 years—it might look okay on the outside, but it's dangerous once you try to run it.

Here are the three big reasons why that site—and that specific download—is a bad idea:

 

It’s a "Malware Magnet". Software Informer doesn't actually make the software; they just host links to it. Because this Quicken program hasn't been supported by the actual company (Intuit) since roughly 2008, hackers often upload "modified" versions of the installer to these third-party sites. These versions can look perfectly normal, but actually install hidden spyware or ransomware that can lock up your computer.

 

Even if the download were "clean," the software itself is ancient. There are no security patches.

 

Modern software gets regular "patches" to fix holes that hackers use to get into your system. This Quicken program hasn't had a patch in nearly 20 years.

 

32-Bit Vulnerability: This software was designed for Windows XP. Running it on a modern Windows 10 or 11 computer creates a massive security gap that makes it much easier for viruses to bypass your computer's built-in defenses.

 

Sites like Software Informer are notorious for having "Fake Download" buttons. You might think you're clicking "Download Quicken," but you're actually clicking a clever ad that installs a "PC Cleaner" or a "Browser Extension" that tracks everything you type—including your bank passwords.

 

If you are trying to manage your medical expenses, don't risk your entire computer's safety on a "zombie" program.

 

If you use the current version of Quicken, you can create a "Medical" category that does everything the old program did, but with 2026-level security. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth, Teddie.

Kim says OneDrive has hijacked her computer

My computer has been hijacked by OneDrive.  I'm normally very careful not click on any pop-ups, but OneDrive notified me that it needed to back up my computer.  I'm sorry to say I clicked on it.  It started the backup, and it took forever.  Then told me that there "wasn't enough space".

 

It has now taken control of my documents folder, with me unable to open what used to be the documents in there.  To make a long story short, I'm considering a complete reset of my computer.  Just wondering if that might fix my issue. I'm running Windows 11 on an Acer computer.  By the way, you both have been my go-to for computer help for many years.  Love to read everything you share with us all.   Thank You! 

Our answer
Hi Kim. Thanks! OneDrive is a legitimate program from Microsoft - it can't hack your computer.

When OneDrive backs up your computer, and you didn't buy a subscription plan, it gives you 5GB of backup space free. Once that is full, the backup stops because you're out of space. But the files are still on your computer - they were not moved anywhere - files were copied to OneDrive, not moved to OneDrive. So you have the files in two places. If you choose to "move" the files, then 5 GB of your files will be missing from your computer and available only from the OneDrive folders.

 

Before we tell you how to fix this, we will tell you that we both back up our computers using the paid version of OneDrive. because it's the best backup we've found. It makes it super easy to restore your files if something happens to your current PC or if you get a new one. To get your files back, all you need to do is log in to your OneDrive account, and all your files will be back instantly.

 

Now, here's how to get rid of OneDrive and get rid of the OneDrive folders and OneDrive.

 

#1 Turn off the "Folder Backup"

 

Before you delete anything, you have to tell OneDrive to stop "protecting" (backing up) your folders, or it will try to take your files down with it.

 

Click the OneDrive (cloud) icon in your taskbar (bottom right).

 

Click the Gear icon (Settings) > Settings.

 

Go to the Sync and backup tab and click Manage backup.

 

Toggle OFF Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

 

Note: OneDrive might tell you your files will stay in the OneDrive folder. This is normal. We will move them back in the next step.

 

#2  Move your files back to the right folders on your PC

 

When you turned off the backup, your files didn't automatically jump back to your local folders; they are likely still sitting inside the C:\Users\[YourName]\OneDrive folder.

 

Open File Explorer. (Windows key + E)

 

Navigate to your OneDrive folder.

 

Inside, you’ll see folders named Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

 

Cut and paste the contents of those folders back into your "real" local folders (the ones with the PC icon under "This PC").

 

#3  Unlink and Uninstall

 

Now that your files are safely back in the right folders and no longer syncing, you can stop the connection.

 

Go back to OneDrive Settings > Account.

 

Click Unlink this PC. This signs you out and stops the syncing engine entirely.

 

Delete OneDrive:  Open your Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps. Find Microsoft OneDrive and click Uninstall.

 

#4 Removing the extra Folders

 

If you still see the "OneDrive" shortcut in the sidebar of your File Explorer, here's a tip. Restart your computer.

 

Once uninstalled, it usually disappears after a restart.

 

If it lingers, it’s just a "ghost" folder. Since you've unlinked your account, you can right-click any OneDrive-related folders that aren't disappearing and select Delete (as long as you've confirmed your files are safely in your local folders).

 

I hope this helps you, Kim.

Terry has a pop-up he can't get rid of

Hi Guy & Gal. I recall a fan having a nagging pop-up supposedly from Norton that she couldn't get rid of. I had one last week, thought I deleted it, only to have it reappear again. Would you help me find the solution you gave her? Thanks a lot, Terry.

 

Our answer

Hi Terry. Clear your browser history and cache, and make sure you don't have any malware extensions.

 

If you need help clearing your browser's history and cache, here's a tutorial. 

 

Don't forget that Norton periodically comes from the Adobe Reader installer if someone is not careful when installing it.

Hope this helps, Terry. 

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 cleaning up malware and viruses - to cleaning up your computer and optimizing it -- and more. We can do just about anything need done and we guarantee our work - you're either satisfied or we'll refund your money.

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.

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Julia has a feeling an email is a scam

I received an email from a Cloud Drive Accounts Re: Project Review. I have a feeling this is a scam, but I wanted to be sure first. They were saying my account information was outdated, they needed updated payment information, etc., or all my account info would be erased. This isn't related to anything Cloudeight, is it?

 

Our answer
Hi Julia. I can assure you it has nothing to do with Cloudeight - I have never even heard of a company called Cloud Drive. That subject line has "SCAM" written all over it. Scammers love to put "Re:" (which stands for "Regarding" or "Reply") at the start of a subject line even if you’ve never spoken to them before. They do this to trick your brain into thinking you've been in contact with them before and supposedly trust them."Project Review" is a classic corporate-sounding phrase designed to make you think you’ve forgotten to respond to something and someone is waiting for your reply. Because it doesn't name a specific project, it’s a "fishing" tactic—they’re hoping you’ll click just to find out what the email is all about.

I would delete that email immediately, as it is almost certainly a scam email.

Betty has sound problems on her HP computer
My problem is the audio. It's really garbled. I'm old and technology-challenged. I am retired, so I'm home most of the time, just not early in the morning.  I am using an HP computer and Windows 11.

 

Our answer

Hi Betty. This is a comprehensive tutorial, so it covers just about all possible scenarios. I tried to make it a step-by-step tutorial and easy to follow, but if you have questions, just let me know:

 

Troubleshooting audio on an HP computer with Windows 11 involves a mix of standard Windows fixes and HP-specific tools. This guide starts with the most common "quick fixes" and moves toward more advanced technical solutions.

 

Before diving into settings, rule out the basics:

 

Physical Connections: Ensure headphones or speakers are fully plugged in. If using a USB hub, try plugging directly into the computer.

 

Many HP laptops have a dedicated mute key (usually F11) with an LED. If the light is orange, the audio is muted.

 

Volume Mixer: Click the Speaker icon in the bottom-right taskbar. Ensure the slider is up and the "Select sound output" (the arrow next to the volume bar) is set to your intended device (e.g., "Realtek Audio" for internal speakers).

 

HP provides a built-in hardware tester that works outside of Windows, which is the fastest way to tell if your speakers are actually broken.

 

Open the HP Support Assistant app (pre-installed on most HPs).

 

Select your device and click Fixes & Diagnostics > Audio Check. This tool will automatically reset your audio services and test the hardware.

 

UEFI Hardware Test:

 

Shut down your computer.

 

Turn it back on and immediately tap the Esc key repeatedly until a menu appears.

 

Press F2 for System Diagnostics.

 

Select Component Tests > Audio > Speaker Test.

 

If you don't hear anything here, your speakers likely have a hardware failure and need repair.

 

If the hardware test passed, the issue is software-related.

 

1. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

 

Find Audio and click Run. Windows 11 will attempt to restart audio services and check for driver conflicts.

 

2. Update or Reinstall Drivers (The Most Common Fix)

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

 

Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.

 

Right-click Realtek Audio (or your specific driver) and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically for drivers."

 

If that fails: Right-click the device again, select Uninstall device, then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall a fresh copy of the driver upon reboot.

 

3. Disable "Audio Enhancements."

Sometimes Windows 11 processes "glitches" in the sound on HP hardware.

 

Go to Settings > System > Sound.

 

Click on your active output device (e.g., Speakers).

 

Scroll down to Audio enhancements and set it to Off.

 

Also, ensure Spatial sound is turned off.

 

Phase 4: Advanced Service Reset

If the audio icon has a red "X" or says "No Audio Output Device is installed":

 

Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

 

Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

 

Right-click each one and select Restart.

 

Ensure the "Startup Type" for both is set to Automatic.

 

I hope this tutorial helps you solve your audio troubles. If not, let me know, and we'll go from there.

Deanna says a Windows update caused her a lot of trouble

I am having trouble with the latest update from Microsoft. It won't let my printer or my internet phone connect to the internet. My provider (Sparklight) spent almost an hour trying to find out why, but no luck. I think it must be my latest update, as that is when it happened. Is there a way to remove the latest Microsoft update? I have looked for info to do this, and it just confuses me, so PLEASE help me. Thanks.

 

Our answer
Hi Deanna. A Windows update would not affect your phone. The internet connection comes from your provider and is broadcast by your router; neither has anything to do with a Windows update.

Here are the instructions on how to uninstall the most recent update(s). I've included instructions for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

For Windows 11

Right-click the Start button and click on Settings.
On the left-side menu, click the very last option: Windows Update.

In the main window, click on Update history (it has a small clock icon).

Scroll all the way to the bottom and click Uninstall updates.

Find the most recent update at the top of the list. Click the Uninstall button next to it.

A small box will pop up asking if you're sure; click Uninstall again.

Wait: The computer may need to restart. Let it finish—it might stay on a "Working on updates" screen for a few minutes.

For Windows 10

Right-click on the Start button and click on Settings.

Click on Update & Security.

On the main screen, click View update history.

At the very top of the page, click the blue link that says Uninstall updates.

A new window will open with a list. Look for the update with the most recent date.

Right-click that update and select Uninstall.

Click Yes when it asks to confirm.

Wait: Follow any prompts to restart the computer.

I hope this helps you, Deanna.

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Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Controlling Text with the CTRL Key
Windows 10 / Windows 11

This tip will work in any email program like OE Classic, Thunderbird, Outlook,  and with most webmail applications like Gmail and Outlook.com. It also works in word processors such as Microsoft Word and many others.  And they’ll also work in WordPad, but WordPad is being discontinued.

If you want to make a sentence or word bolded, highlight the word or sentence and press CTRL + B. See?

If you want to underline a sentence or word, highlight the sentence or word you want to underline and press CTRL + U. See?

If you want to italicize a word or sentence, highlight the word or sentence and press CTRL+ i … See?

If you want to make a word or sentence bold and italic and underline, just highlight and press CTRL+B, CTRL+ i, and CTRL+U. SEE?

If you want to go to the beginning of a document or email, press CTRL+Home.

If you want to go to the end of a document or email, press CTRL+End.

If you want to find a word in a document, press CTRL+F and type what you’re looking for into the search box that appears.

If you want to make a hyperlink (a link to a website), highlight the word or phrase and press CTRL+K. When you press CTRL+K, a dialog will appear, type or paste the website address (URL) into the address field, and voila! You have a link to a website. See?

And if you want to create a new document, press CTRL+N.

There are many more tricks like this.

CTRL+C copies the selected text. CNTL+V pastes the copied text. If you accidentally make a change or delete something you didn’t mean to change or delete,  press CTRL+Z right away; it will undo or redo whatever you’ve done. And if you want to undo CTRL+Z, use CTRL+Y. 

Many tricks don’t use the CTRL key – like pressing Home to go to the beginning of a line and pressing END to go to the end of a line. But today we’re all about controlling text using the CTRL key.

Drag and Drop Fonts to Install Them
Windows 10 and Windows 11

Back in the old days, installing and viewing fonts in Windows was a daunting proposition, but no more. Windows 10 and Windows 11 allow you to drag and drop fonts to install them. Plus, all installed fonts are displayed in a clean and uncluttered window, and you'll see all your fonts just the way they'll look when you use them. No more guessing which font might look right for your project.

Here's a screenshot from Windows 10 showing the "Drag and drop to install" feature.

And in the same dialog, you can scroll through all your fonts and see exactly what they look like.

And here's the same dialog in Windows 11...

You can find the Drag & Drop font installer and preview all your fonts this way:

1. Right-click your desktop
2. Click "Personalize."
3. When the "Personalization" settings app opens, click on Fonts in the left pane. That's it!

Check Your Hard Drive for Errors 
Windows 10 / Windows 11

Windows 10 and 11 let you scan your hard drive(s) for errors while you use your computer – and it’s easy to do.

Let’s check your Windows drive (usually C:\) for errors.

Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E). On the left pane under This PC, right-click on your C:\ drive, and click “Properties”. (Windows 11 users note: You will need to click on “Show more options” to click on “Properties.”) When the “Properties” dialog opens, click the “Tools” tab, and then click the “Check” button.

Above: Windows 10. Below: Windows 11.

Once you click the “Check” button, the following dialog will appear. It will tell you if you need to scan the drive for errors. If you don’t (as below), it will also tell you that. Even if it says, “You don’t need to scan this drive,” you can still scan the drive if you want to. Just click “Scan drive.”

You can scan any hard drive using this tip.

How to check your hard drive(s) using the Command Prompt.

1.) Type CMD in the taskbar search.
2.) In the search results, click “Run as administrator”.
3.) Type the following command at the prompt and press Enter. (Make sure you leave a space before the slash.)

CHKDSK /SCAN

Windows will scan your drive…

Above Windows 10: Below Windows 11.

When the scan is finished, Windows will tell you if further action is required. As you can see, I don’t need to do anything more. My drive is fine. Yay!

Now you know how to check your hard drives for errors!

And a couple more things…

If drive errors are found, you can fix them by following the instructions displayed on the screen.

You can use this tip to scan any drive, not just the Windows drive ( usually Drive C:\).

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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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.

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Thank you so much for your support!

 

Four Browser Extensions We Love

Browser extensions “extend” the functionality of your browser. While too many can bog down your browser, the right ones can make a big difference in your browsing experience. Here are four extensions we use and recommend, along with a short description and a download link for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. 

1. uBlock Origin (The “Silence the Noise” Tool)

If you only install one thing today, make it this one. Unlike some “ad blockers” that actually sell your data or let some ads through, uBlock Origin is completely free, open-source, and incredibly lightweight.

uBlock Origin (and uBlock Origin Lite) strip away those blinking, blinding banners, pop-ups, and—best of all—those annoying 30-second ads before YouTube videos.

It makes pages load faster because your computer doesn’t have to download all that advertising “junk.”

Download Links

uBlock Origin Lite for Chrome

uBlock Origin for Edge

uBlock Origin for Firefox

2.  Dark Reader (Save Your Eyes!)

Ever open a website at night and feel like you’re staring directly into the sun?  Dark Reader fixes that instantly by giving every website a “Night Mode.”

Dark Reader transforms bright white websites (such as Wikipedia or news sites) into dark gray or black backgrounds with white text.

You can adjust the brightness and contrast yourself. It’s a lifesaver for those of us who are getting older and have trouble reading the black text on bright screens.

Dark Reader for Chrome

Dark Reader for Edge

Dark Reader for Firefox

3.  OneTab (For those who don’t like closing tabs)

We’ve all been there: you start with one tab, and an hour later, you have 30 open, and your computer is starting to slow down.

Once you install OneTab and you click the OneTab icon, it instantly “shrinks” all your open tabs into a single, neat list on one page.

We like it because it saves up to 95% of your computer’s memory (RAM) instantly. Whenever you want to go back to a page, just click it from the list. It’s like a pause button for browsing.

OneTab for Chrome

OneTab for Edge

OneTab for Firefox

4. Grammarly Free Version (A Digital Proofreader)

Even the best writers make typos. Grammarly sits quietly in the corner of your browser and watches while you type emails, Facebook posts, or comments.

Grammarly underlines spelling and grammar mistakes in red. Just hover your mouse over the word, and it suggests the fix.

We love it because it works inside almost every website and many online apps. It will help you make sure your writing is the best it can be.

Grammarly for Chrome

Grammarly for Edge

Grammarly for Firefox 

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Ode to Winter

Winter is death incarnate. Its bleak, sullen skies and early sunsets stir up a morose soup that seeps deep into my soul sadly and lingers there. I can’t digest it. I can’t shake it. I can’t get rid of it. The darkness is everywhere. Even the melancholy morning sun mourns and yearns for spring. But in our eternal disregard of the brutal truths written on the sad but truthful pages of The Book of Our Lives, we pay no attention to it. Spring and its soft breezes of light and life are eternally far away – winter hasn’t even really been born yet.

Winter, borne on the dying breath of autumn, is shallow and tenuous at first, so ethereal and nebulous that we don’t even notice that life is being slowly drained from the world around us...

Read the rest of this essay here. 

What is the BIOS?

Think of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) as the "Wake-Up Call" for your computer.

Before Windows even starts, the BIOS is the very first thing that turns on when you push the power button. It’s a tiny piece of software stored on a chip on your motherboard, and it has one main job: To make sure the hardware is ready to work.

But before you get too engaged with the BIOS, consider this: 

UEFI is the modern, faster, and much smarter replacement for the old BIOS. While we still use the word "BIOS" because it’s a habit that’s hard to break, almost every computer made in the last 10 years actually uses UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

So BIOS and UEFI both refer to the same thing...it's the wake-up call for your computer that runs before Windows starts to make sure all your computer's necessary hardware is working.

Sales of the following products and services help support our newsletters, websites, and free computer help services we provide.

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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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Have a great weekend... be safe!

Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1165
Volume 23 Number 16
February 6, 2026 

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