Emma wants to know why her computer screen randomly flickers or goes completely black for a second
Now and then, while I'm typing or browsing, my Windows 11 screen will suddenly blink, flicker, or go entirely black for one or two seconds before coming back on. It’s incredibly disruptive. Is my monitor dying, or is Windows having issues?

Our answer
Hi Emma. While it certainly seems it could be a serious hardware failure,  this is a very common issue caused by a brief communication lag between Windows 11 and your graphics card. When the graphics software gets stuck or encounters a tiny error in the background, it freezes up, causing the screen to go black.

Thankfully, Windows has a secret "emergency reset" keyboard shortcut designed to fix this without forcing you to restart your computer.

Next time your screen flickers or acts up, press this combination all at once: Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B

The moment you hit those four keys together, your computer will emit a sharp beeping sound, and the screen will quickly blink once. This is completely normal. The shortcut tells Windows to instantly freeze, restart, and refresh your entire graphics subsystem from scratch. It takes less than two seconds, clears out the background digital issues, and usually stops the random flickering completely.

Sandy's computer fan never turns off
For the past month, my computer fan has not turned off, and my computer will only shut down if I do a hard shutdown by pressing the power button. The computer is also temperamental about going into and staying in sleep mode. Around the time that this problem started, I received a pop-up stating that my hard drive was full. I freed up some space, but the problem persists.

Our Answer
Hi, Sandy. The continuous fan noise and refusal to shut down normally usually mean a background process is completely stuck. It's working your system's processor so hard that it's generating constant heat, and it's refusing to let the computer cleanly turn off or stay asleep.

Because this started right when your hard drive maxed out, a critical system process or file likely got corrupted when it ran out of room to write data. Even though you've freed up space, that process is trapped in a permanent loop trying to read a broken file.

Here are three direct things you can do to break that loop and fix it.

First, let's look for the stuck program. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. If it's a small window, click "More details" at the bottom. Click the top of the CPU column so the highest percentage is at the top. Is there a single program constantly hogging 50% to 100% of your processor? If you see something like an antivirus scan or a browser process stuck up there, you can right-click it and choose End Task to see if the fan immediately calms down.

Second, we need to disable a Windows feature called "Fast Startup," which is the absolute number one cause of computers refusing to shut down or sleep properly. To do this, open your Control Panel and go to Power Options. On the left side, click "Choose what the power buttons do." Click the blue link at the top that says "Change settings that are currently unavailable." Then, go to the bottom of the screen, uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup," and save your changes. This forces Windows to actually turn off when you tell it to, rather than getting stuck in a half-asleep loop.

Third, let's have Windows repair any files that broke when the drive filled up. Click your Windows Start button, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. In the black box that pops up, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Let it run for about 10 minutes. It will search out any corrupted system plumbing and fix it automatically.

Once you've done those steps, click Start, then Power, and select Restart (do not use the physical power button this time). A true restart forces the system to completely dump its clogged memory and start fresh. Give those a shot and let me know if the fan finally quiets down.

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Five Windows 11 Features That Behave Like Spyware
Windows 11

We love technology, but we don’t love it when big tech companies decide that your private computer belongs to them. In the old days, you had to actually download something to get spyware; nowadays, Microsoft builds data-harvesting apps right into Windows 11 and calls them “features". If you want your computer to be your personal computer rather than a spyware-laden tracking device, it’s time to clean house. Below are five built-in Windows 11 features that act an awful lot like spyware. We’ll show you exactly how you can shut them down.

1. Inking & Typing Personalization (The Personal Keylogger)

Microsoft says this feature helps improve text prediction and handwriting recognition by learning your unique writing style.

The Spyware Behavior: In practice, this functions exactly like a keylogger. According to Microsoft’s own privacy statements, the operating system collects samples of what you type, write, or dictate and sends those snippets to the cloud. Sending physical text logs off your machine is a massive privacy risk.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization and turn Custom inking and typing dictionary off. Next, head back to Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback, find Improve inking and typing, and turn it off as well.

2. Find My Device (The Passive Beacon)

Find My Device periodically pings your current location coordinates back to Microsoft’s database so your PC can be tracked on a map if stolen. This might be helpful if your computer is stolen. What are the odds of that? In the meantime, Microsoft pings your computer – so Microsoft always knows where your computer is — and probably where you are too.

The Spyware Behavior: It runs silently in the background, updating your geographical movements without an active app window open.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Find my device and toggle it off.

3. Clipboard Cloud Sync (The Password Siphoner)

Windows has a handy “Clipboard History” feature ($Win + V$) that lets you copy multiple items. However, Microsoft includes an optional setting that automatically syncs whatever you copy straight to their servers.

The Spyware Behavior: Think about what you copy and paste: passwords, two-factor authentication codes, bank numbers, and private messages. If cloud sync is turned on, every piece of data you hit Ctrl+C on is instantly broadcast to the web for sharing with your “other devices.”

The Fix: Go to Settings > System > Clipboard. Look for Sync across your devices and make sure it is switched off.

4. Optional Diagnostic Data & Telemetry

During initial PC setup, Windows strongly nudges you to turn on “Optional” diagnostics under the guise of helping them fix system bugs and crashes.

The Spyware Behavior: This telemetry stream goes far beyond simple crash logs. Microsoft’s documentation admits it tracks your hardware IDs, the websites you browse, and deep app-usage metrics. Worst of all, their privacy policy states that what they collect is “subject to change” at any time, giving them legal flexibility to expand their data harvesting.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback. Switch Send optional diagnostic data to Off.

5. Start Menu “Search Highlights” (The Desktop Web-Tracker)

Your Start Menu isn’t just a way to find your local programs anymore. By default, Microsoft has hardwired it directly into the Bing search network.

The Spyware Behavior: Every time you open your Start Menu and type a search—even if you are just looking for a local file or a basic tool like “Notepad”—Windows instantly beams that text string across the internet to Bing. It tracks your local searches to feed you trending internet news, “search highlights,” and targeted web suggestions right inside your OS.

The Fix: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Search permissions. Scroll down to More settings and turn off Show search highlights.

A reminder!

Keep an eye on your computer after major Windows Updates! Microsoft has a sneaky habit of resetting these privacy toggles or introducing new ones under the name “Tailored Experiences.” It is always smart to revisit your Diagnostics & feedback menu once a month to make sure things stay turned off.  

How to Access Your Hard Drives’ S.M.A.R.T. Data on Windows 11
Windows 11

Accessing S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data allows you to check the health and predict potential failures of your hard drives and SSDs. While Windows offers some basic built-in tools, third-party software and manufacturer utilities provide much more detailed information.

Here’s how you can access S.M.A.R.T. data on Windows 11.

Windows 11 provides a quick, high-level check of your drive’s health, which relies on S.M.A.R.T. data.

Go to Settings.

Click on System in the left sidebar.

Click on Storage in the right pane.

Scroll down and click on Advanced storage settings.

Click on Disks & volumes.

Look under the drive you’re checking (normally you’ll check “Windows C” and “System”). You’ll see a short description and the drive status: “Healthy,” “Warning,” or “Bad.”  

The Free VPN Hidden Right inside Your Windows PC
Windows 10 / Windows 11 / Microsoft Edge

If you watch any video online or listen to a podcast, you’ve probably been bombarded by ads for paid VPN services. They love to use scare tactics—making it sound like a hacker is waiting behind every corner to steal your identity if you don’t fork over a monthly subscription fee.

Let’s be honest, if you are sitting at home on your private, password-protected home Wi-Fi network, you generally do not need a VPN.

However, there is one place where a VPN is an absolute must: public Wi-Fi. When you connect to the open, password-free networks at the airport, a coffee shop, the grocery store, or a restaurant, your device’s connection is wide open. Anyone else sitting on that same network with a cheap piece of snooping software can intercept the data flowing out of your laptop.

If you just want to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi without buying another subscription, the tool you need is already sitting on your computer. It’s built right into Microsoft Edge.

The Microsoft Edge “Secure Network”

Maybe you don’t like it and don’t use Edge, and that’s fine. But one thing is for sure: every Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer comes with Edge installed. That means if you are using a Windows PC, you have access to a free VPN when you find yourself needing or wanting to use an insecure public network.

Microsoft quietly partnered with Cloudflare (one of the largest internet infrastructure and security companies in the world) to build a free VPN right into the Edge browser. It’s called Secure Network.

Every single Windows user who logs into Edge with a standard, free Microsoft account automatically gets 5 GB of free encrypted data every single month.

While 5 GB isn’t enough to stream movies all day, it is more than enough to safely check your email, log into your bank account, buy a plane ticket, or do some online shopping while sitting at a coffee shop or waiting for a flight.

How to Turn It On

Because Microsoft hides this feature a bit, most users have no idea it exists. Here is how to find and activate it:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.

2. Click the three dots in the top right-hand corner.

3. Hover your mouse over More tools and select Secure Network from the slide-out menu.  Alternatively, you can just click the small Shield icon that appears next to your address bar.

4. Toggle the feature to On.

The “Optimized” Mode

When you turn it on, Edge defaults to an Optimized setting. This means the VPN is smart. It stays completely turned off while you are browsing safe, secure networks. But the second you connect to an open, public Wi-Fi hotspot, it automatically kicks in and encrypts your browsing data.

Even better, unlike commercial VPNs that pretend you are in Iceland or Japan—which often causes websites to lock you out or think you’ve been hacked—Edge routes your data through a local secure hub. Websites will still see you as being in your general region, so local news, weather, and maps still work perfectly.

It’s free, it’s already installed, and it solves the one real security headache the average browser faces on the road. Give it a try next time you take your laptop out of the house. 

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Save Money on Food & Cut Down on Waste…Let’s Eat!

Sometimes, perfectly good food gets tossed out just because it looks a little funny. Maybe a carrot has a weird shape or a pepper has a tiny bruise. It’s a shame to waste it, especially when it’s still fresh and tastes great.  And sometimes perfectly good food is tossed just because its getting near its “Best used by” date. It’s still good to eat, but it gets thrown away.

A few services are now making it easy to save that food, save some money, and/or get groceries delivered right to your door or pick up from a local shop.

You will need an Android or an iPhone to take full advantage of these special services – and they are available in the USA only (for now).

Let’s dig and see how it works.

Misfits Market & Imperfect Foods

These two companies teamed up to help cut down on waste. They source “ugly” produce—fruits and vegetables that stores won’t buy because they aren’t “perfect” looking—and deliver them to your home.

What you get

Boxes filled with fresh produce and pantry basics for less than you’d pay at a typical supermarket.

It’s convenient, the quality is high, and you’re keeping good food out of the landfill.

Learn more at misfitsmarket.com

Too Good To Go

This one is a little different. It’s an app that connects you with local restaurants, bakeries, and cafes that have extra food at the end of the day that didn’t sell.

What you get

You purchase a “Surprise Bag” through the app and pick it up at the shop before they close. It’s a great way to get a deal on fresh bread, pastries, or even a full lunch.

You help out local businesses, cut down on waste, and get a bargain.

Learn more at toogoodtogo.com

Flashfood: A Great Way to Save on Groceries

If you’re looking for another helpful tool to add to your list, Flashfood is a fantastic option. While some apps focus on “surprise bags” or produce boxes, Flashfood works directly with grocery stores to help them sell items that are nearing their “best-by” date.

What you get

You can browse real-time inventory from local grocery stores right in the app, picking out specific items like meat, dairy, produce, and bakery goods at a steep discount (often 50% off or more).

Unlike other services where you don’t know exactly what you’re getting until you pick it up, Flashfood lets you hand-pick exactly what you need for your weekly meals. It’s perfect for planning your groceries around what’s on sale.

How it works

You buy the items through the app, then head to the store’s designated pickup zone—usually near the customer service desk—to collect your order.

Learn more at flashfood.com

These three services—Misfits Market/Imperfect Foods, Too Good To Go, and Flashfood—all offer different ways to rescue great food while keeping a bit more money in your pocket.

Saving food doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re ordering a box for the week or grabbing a surprise bag from a local shop, it’s a simple way to make sure good food gets eaten.  

Take This for Example

The English language is strange. Whether other languages are as strange, I do not know; I'm only vaguely familiar with Spanish. I can say useful phrases such as, "Where is the bathroom?" "Where is the beach?" "Brush my teeth," and "Where is the dog?"

Anyway, let's get back to English, the only language I'm intimately knowledgeable about (though some of you will strongly disagree).

Let's take the word "take" for example. Apparently, we are a nation of takers. We are told to take a break, take a nap, and take a vacation. Then, once we have taken all of those, we are told to relax and take it easy. But using the word "take" like that is a huge linguistic leap. In fact, that kind of taking might be a logistical impossibility.

If you could really take a nap, or take a break, where would you take it from? Is there a lost-and-found bin somewhere where old breaks are stored? Is there a shelf at the store next to the hand lotion labeled "Breaks—Small, Medium, and Large"? I went looking for one yesterday, but all I found was a sale on lip balm. If I cannot find a break, I certainly cannot take one.

And then there is the nap. People tell you to "take a nap"...

Read the rest of this essay here. 

Why Is the Mouse Arrow Tilted?

Have you ever noticed that your Windows mouse pointer sits at a slight, quirky angle instead of pointing straight up? It’s actually a fix for a 40-year-old problem.

Back in 1981, engineers at Xerox created the first computer mouse. Originally, they designed the arrow pointing straight up.

However, computer screens back then had very low resolution. The pixels were so big and blocky that a perfectly straight vertical arrow blended right into lines of text, making it nearly impossible to find.

To fix this, the design team tilted the arrow to the left by about 45 degrees. The angle created a sharp, distinct silhouette that immediately stood out against text and layout lines.

When Microsoft built the very first version of Windows, it kept the tilted design. We have crystal-clear screens today, but that little angled arrow remains a permanent nod to the early days

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Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1185
Volume 23, Number 26
June 26, 2026

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