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Carol is having driver issues with her computer
My PC is an HP Pavilion 590- model5QA68AA #. It is updated with the latest 11 updates. When I start my PC, it will be blank, then after a bit, it will start up. How do I fix this problem? I get this message: "Program Compatibility Assistant. A driver cannot load on this device. Driver: HWiNFO64A.SYSHWiNFO64A.SYSA security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You'll need to adjust your settings to load this driver."

Our answer
Hi Carol. Here are 2 suggestions for you:

#1. Uninstall the Problem Program HWINFO

If you don't know what the program is or don't use it, you can remove it. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and look for HWINFO. Click on the 3 dot to the far right and choose "Uninstall". Restart your computer.

#2. Turn off Core Isolation > Memory Integrity

Type WINDOWS SECURITY in the taskbar search and press Enter. In Windows Security, look for Core Isolation > Memory Integrity and turn the switch under it to "Off". (This does not normally put your computer at risk - this setting was turned off by default in Windows 10.) Restart your computer.

Hope this helps you, Carol.

Patt has 2 questions about Emsisoft & McAfee
1. I purchased Emsisoft for multiple computers. Unfortunately, not the version that helps get rid of previous programs, in my case, "McAfee". I thought I could just delete that program, and I found out I couldn't. Because my husband's laptop also has a McAfee program, I have not tried to install Emsisoft on his computer. Can I pay or purchase an addition to Emsisoft to get rid of "McAfee??

2. When I first start my computer, I get the following:
"Cloudeight/Emsisoft...We have added capabilities to protect you from malware-distributing websites and phishing attempts. To enable, please install the Browser Security extension in your browser (Edge Chromium). Don't Install/Later/Install Now." Is this really from you? Do I need it, as I mainly use Chrome as my browser? Do you recommend I install it? Love your Newsletter. Thoroughly read them all!

Our answer
Hi Patt. Thanks so much.

It's easy to remove McAfee completely if you use the free McAfee uninstall tool. You can download it for free from here. Click the link that says "Download exe". Once you've downloaded it, just click on the file you downloaded to run it - follow the on-screen instructions. When the tool is done removing McAfee, reboot your computer and McAfee will be completely removed.

Yes, the message you're getting is from Emsisoft asking if you want to install the additional browser security extension (free), which adds another layer of protection. We use it and recommend it.

I hope this answers your questions and addresses your concerns. If you have any more questions, just let me know.

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Linda has questions about her Android phone

Hi, Darcy and TC. I love all the great tips and problems you solve, and I love your newsletter. I have a Samsung 24, a Droid phone, and I am wondering if there is a free safe app out there that will clean my phone of any junk and viruses. I use settings and optimize every day, and it is always ok, but the other day, something popped up, not from optimize, that said I had viruses. I want something safe to double-check. Thanks so much, Linda.

Our answer
Hi Linda. Thank you for the kind words!

You can breathe a sigh of relief because your Samsung Galaxy S24 does not actually need a third-party antivirus app. The pop-up you saw telling you that your phone has viruses was a fake... just a bad-guy scare tactic, usually triggered by a sneaky advertisement on a website you were browsing. These fake alerts are designed to cause you to panic and download unnecessary apps or, worse, trick you into giving up your personal information.

Your phone is already safe because Samsung builds a powerful, free virus scanner directly into your settings. Since you already use the optimization settings every day, you are just one tap away from it. To find it, go to your phone's Settings, tap on "Battery and device care" (it might just say "Device care"), and look for the option called "Device protection." Inside that menu, you will see a button that says "Scan phone." Samsung partners with security experts to run this feature, and it will thoroughly check every single app and file on your phone for real threats completely for free.

If you ever want a second opinion, just to be certain, you do not need to pay for anything. The official Google Play Store on your phone has a built-in safety net called Google Play Protect. You can find it by opening the Play Store app, tapping your profile picture in the top right corner, and selecting "Play Protect." Running a scan will double-check your phone against Google's entire security database.

Between Samsung's built-in scanner and Google Play Protect, you have great tools available already on your phone, without having to download any extra junk apps that will just slow your device down. You are doing a great job taking care of your phone, so keep doing exactly what you are doing and ignore those nasty internet pop-ups.

Please let us know if you need anything else.

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Darryl has a folder and isn't sure what it is or if it's safe to delete
I noticed on my Windows 11 computer, I have a folder called System Backup(32). What is it, and can I delete it?

Our answer
Hi Darryl. That folder you found is a leftover file directory from a backup utility on your computer. It is not an official Windows 11 system folder, which means the computer does not require it to run properly. It was most likely created by a third-party backup program, an external hard drive software, or a recovery tool provided by the manufacturer of your computer. The number 32 usually means it's an older 32-bit software program.

You can safely delete this folder, but you should do a quick check before you drop it in the recycle bin. Open the folder and look at the dates on the files inside. If the files are months or years old, it is just wasted space, and you can throw them away. However, if the files have today's date on them, it means a backup program is actively using that folder right now, and deleting it might interrupt your current backup schedule.

If you decide you want to get rid of it but feel a little nervous about deleting it permanently, just right-click the folder and choose the Rename option. Change the name to something like "Test Delete" and leave it alone for a week. If your computer and all your programs run perfectly fine for a few days, you will know for sure that it is safe to right-click it and delete it for good.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brenda asks about open source apps
On YouTube, they often mention open source apps. What are they, and are they safe?

Our answer
Hi Brenda. Basically, open source apps are programs where the creators make the original code completely public and free for anyone to use or modify. Instead of being locked away by a big corporation, the software is usually built and maintained by a global community of independent developers. You probably already use some without realizing it, like the Firefox web browser or the VLC media player. They are generally very safe, and often actually safer than regular corporate software. Because the code is completely public, thousands of independent security experts can inspect it daily. If there is a security flaw or a privacy issue, the community usually spots it and fixes it immediately, whereas flaws in private software can sometimes go unnoticed for years.

The only major safety rule to keep in mind is to always download them directly from their official, verified websites or official app stores. Because the code is free, scammers will sometimes copy a popular app, infect it with malware, and host it on a sketchy website to trick people. As long as you grab it straight from the official source, it is perfectly safe to use.

Hope this helps clear things up, but let me know if you have any other questions.

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Joyce asks how to stop Windows from downloading and updating drivers
Hi. I seem to remember you having something in a Newsletter about Windows wanting to install drivers. Well, I am getting these update notices for me to install drivers, and it seems you had a way of fixing it. Please, if you do, help! Thanks. Joyce.

Our answer
Hi Joyce. For something as insignificant as a mouse driver, I wouldn't worry about it. If it's something major like a sound or graphics driver, it may be worth stopping Windows from installing drivers and only installing drivers from the manufacturer's site when necessary.

Here are the instructions on how to stop Windows from downloading and installing drivers automatically - it was written for Windows 10 but works the same in Windows 11.

I hope this helps you, Joyce.

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Let’s Make Those Nearly Invisible Scrollbars Easier to See
Windows 10 / Windows 11

By design, Windows 10 and 11 make scrollbars nearly invisible until you hover over them. While this is supposed to be a cool GUI feature, it makes scrollbars harder to see, and many find it annoying. You’ll be glad to know it’s easy to make scroll bars more visible in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

2. In Windows 11 >Settings > Accessibility, look under “Visual effects”. Next to “Always show scrollbars,” turn the switch on.

Under Ease of Access, locate the “Simplify and personalize Windows” section and turn the switch next to “Automatically hide scroll bars in Windows” to “Off”. See the screenshot below.

And that’s all there is to making scrollbars easier to see and your Windows a little less “cool” but more functional.

You’re Invited! (You’re invited to have your email account hacked, that is!)
A warning for everyone

Have you received a digital invitation lately? Maybe a beautiful email asking you to join a lovely gathering, a party, or a cookout? Before you click that “RSVP” button to say yes to the potato salad, hold your horses!

There is a massive wave of phishing scams making the rounds right now. Scammers are doing a masterful job of impersonating popular online invitation services like Paperless Post, Evite, and Punchbowl.

Here is what you need to know to keep your computer—and your email account—safe.

Most scams try to scare you into clicking a link (like threatening to shut down your bank account). But this one plays on your good nature and curiosity. The scammers are using lovely, polite subject lines to get you to lower your guard. Watch out for emails with subjects like:

They look polished, they look professional, and worst of all, they often look like they came from a friend, a family member, or someone from your church.

These fake invitations look exactly like the real thing. They steal the logos, colors, and layouts of the real company. But the moment you click that “View Invitation” or “RSVP” button, the trap springs.

You don’t have to be tech-savvy to beat these guys. Just use these simple rules of thumb:

The folks at Evite and Paperless Post want you to know that their systems have not been breached. The hackers are just copying their brands. They recommend never entering your email credentials to open a card and contacting the host through another method if you’re unsure whether an invitation is genuine.

This is serious stuff. We know of several people who were locked out of their Gmail accounts because a hacker hijacked their accounts and used them to send a massive amount of spam. After that, they had to jump through hoops to get their Gmail accounts back. It’s best just to avoid the hassle in the first place.

Do You Have a Smart TV? It’s Smarter Than You Think!
Everyone with a smart TV

To put it bluntly, ACR is the technology your TV uses to watch you while you watch it. It acts like a built-in “Shazam” app for your screen, constantly identifying exactly what you’re watching.

Every few seconds, ACR takes tiny acoustic or visual “fingerprints” (snapshots of pixels or sound clips) of whatever is currently playing on your screen. It matches those snippets against a massive database to recognize the specific movie, show, video game, or commercial you are watching.

The most important thing to know is that ACR does not care where the video is coming from. It tracks you equally whether you are using:

1. The “Helpful” Reason: It allows your TV to suggest other shows you might like based on your viewing habits.

2. The Real Reason (Money): It tracks your habits to target you with highly specific advertisements. For example, if ACR catches you watching a football game, the ads on your TV’s home screen might suddenly switch to fast food, beer, or sportswear. TV brands make an immense amount of money by bundling this data and selling it to advertisers.

Most privacy experts strongly recommend turning ACR off. It doesn’t affect your TV’s ability to stream your favorite shows; it just stops the manufacturer from cataloging your daily viewing habits.

Because TV brands know people don’t love being tracked, they rarely call it “ACR” in the settings menu. They hide it behind deceptive names.

Samsung: Go to Settings > Terms & Privacy > Privacy Choices and uncheck Viewing Information Services.

LG: Go to Settings > All Settings > General > System > Additional Settings and turn off Live Plus.

Roku TVs (TCL, Hisense, etc.): Go to Settings > Privacy > Smart TV Experience and uncheck Use info from TV inputs.

Sony (Google TV): Go to Settings > Device Preferences > Usage & Diagnostics or look for Samba Interactive TV and toggle it off.

Amazon Fire TV: Go to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings and disable Device Usage Data.

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Back in January 2017, Microsoft officially retired its classic video editing app, Windows Movie Maker, leaving a lot of everyday PC users in the lurch. It certainly wasn’t Hollywood-grade software, but its simple, drag-and-drop design meant absolutely anyone could cut, splice, and edit home videos without a steep learning curve.

Microsoft tried to replace it with a basic “Video Editor” tucked inside the Windows Photos app, but it fell completely flat. Then, in 2021, Microsoft bought Clipchamp and made it the default video editor for Windows 11. While Clipchamp is decent, it is a heavy web-based app that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – and it uses a ton of RAM.

The Good News: Movie Maker is Back!

If you miss the good old days of Windows Movie Maker, you can actually run it on Windows 11 right now. Thanks to a clever preservation effort by a user named @skylerdagirl (and spotted by Windows Latest), Windows Movie Maker version 6.0 is available as a completely free download via the Internet Archive.

The downloadable installer file has been thoroughly tested and runs smoothly on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why Switch Back?

Nostalgia isn’t the only reason to grab this classic download. According to performance tests, this lightweight version of Windows Movie Maker uses a whopping 97 percent less RAM than modern Clipchamp.

If you are trying to edit video clips on an older laptop, a budget PC, or a weaker machine, going back to the classic Movie Maker will give your system a massive performance boost. It is fast, efficient, and just as easy to use as you remember.

You can download an updated version of Windows Movie Maker that will work on Windows 10 and Windows 11 from the Internet Archive.

Keep the Fire Burning

He left the candle burning, just as she had asked him to do. Though it had been seven years since she went away, he would light a candle every evening at nightfall. Every night while he tried to sleep through his pain and his loneliness, the candle flickered silently, casting dancing shadows upon the walls in the quiet hours.

He lit the candle again, wiped a tear from his cheek, and fell into bed exhausted. Yet he knew that this night, like most other nights, sleep would not come.

He lay awake watching the ballet of shadows – again. Some nights he’d listen to the wind breathing in the boughs of the barren branches of the tree she had planted outside their bedroom window – one spring day long ago… and now, so far away. Other nights he’d watch the shivering shadows dance...

Doxing is when someone finds and publicly shares private personal information about you online, without your permission, usually intending to harass, embarrass, or harm you.

This information can include things like your home address, phone number, workplace, or even details about your family. It's essentially taking someone's "docs" (documents/personal info) and "dropping" them online for everyone to see.

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