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Brenda gets a white square covering part of her screen
When I turned on my laptop computer this morning, I had a white square in the top left-hand corner of my screen. It measures 4X5-3/4 inches. I have tried to restart my computer, and I have tried changing my background under Personalize Your Device. Nothing gets rid of it. Do you have any suggestions?

Our answer
Hi Brenda, if you've noticed a strange, blank white box taking up a corner of your desktop lately, you are definitely not alone.

According to reports, a growing number of Windows 10 and Windows 11 users are waking up their computers only to find a stubborn "white window" blocking parts of their screen. This glitch usually pops up right after starting up, restarting, or unlocking your PC. Because the window covers a pretty big chunk of your desktop, it can be incredibly frustrating since it completely blocks you from clicking on anything underneath it.

The good news is that it isn't permanent. You can read more about what's causing this issue and find the step-by-step fix by visiting this page.

I hope this helps you, Brenda!

Buji wants to know what we think of a new AI-Powered office suite
What do you think of the new WPS AI-Powered Office Suite "free" download? Is it risky to use? Thanks!

Our answer
Hi Buji. The basic office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives) is completely free, runs fast, and handles Microsoft files perfectly. It even organizes everything into convenient browser-like tabs.

However, the "free" tag on the new AI features is a bit of a catch. It works on a credit system—you get a small handful of free credits to try the AI out, but once those run out, the AI features lock up until you pay for a premium subscription. The free version also includes sidebar advertisements.

It's a good free alternative to Microsoft Office for standard document editing, but if you are downloading it solely for a free AI assistant, you are better off just using a web-based AI tool.

Have we helped you with your computer or helped you by answering your questions? Would you like to help us?

Mary wants to know if Lotus software will run on Windows 10
Will my Lotus WordPro and Lotus 1-2-3 work on Windows 10?

Our answer
Hi Mary. If you are using the older, classic DOS or Windows 3.1 versions of Lotus 1-2-3, they will not run natively on Windows 10. To have the best chance of success, you need Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition (specifically version 9.8). This was the final 32-bit version ever released, which allows Windows 10 to attempt to read it. It's not made to run on Windows 10, but you might be able to make it run if you can have or can find or have the Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition version 9.8.  But even if you find that version, you'll have to put up with some major glitches. And, unfortunately, this is not something I can help with as I'm not familiar with Lotus software at all. For those using Windows 11, you'll run into even bigger roadblocks.. 

We can fix your Windows computer... check out our low prices here!

Ted has questions about iDrive and OneDrive
I have a question: I have both OneDrive and iCloud, so my system and files are backed up. However, I would like my files on my computer as well. Is there a way to do that?

Our answer
Hi Ted. Both OneDrive and iCloud have settings that allow you to keep copies of your files permanently on your computer’s local drive, rather than just keeping them in the cloud to save space. I don't use iCloud or any Apple product, so I'll include a link to Apple's support page telling you how to keep copies of your files on your computer.

Here are 2 ways you can set OneDrive to download everything locally.

 

OneDrive uses a feature called Files On-Demand. When it's turned on, files appear to be on your computer, but they only download when you open them. You can easily turn this off or force a permanent download.

 

 Method 1: Download everything at once Recommended)

 

1. Open File Explorer Windows) or Finder Mac).
2. Locate your OneDrive folder on the left sidebar.
3. Right-click on the main OneDrive folder or select specific folders inside it.
4. Click "Always keep on this device".

 

What happens next: You will see the icons next to your files change from a blue cloud to a solid green circle with a white checkmark. This means the files are fully downloaded and available even if you are offline.

 

 Method 2: Change the global setting in Windows

 

1. Click the OneDrive icon (the little cloud) in your system tray bottom right corner near the clock.
2. Click the Gear icon Settings) > Settings.
3. Go to the Sync and backup tab and click Advanced settings.
4. Under "Files On-Demand", select Download all files.

 

Now for iCloud.  See this Apple support page to learn how to keep a copy of the file stored on iCloud on your computer.

 

Before you trigger the downloads, make sure your computer has enough local hard drive space.

 

If you have 500 GB of files in the cloud but only 256 GB of storage space on your physical computer, your drive will fill up, and your computer will slow down significantly. You can check your available storage space in Windows under Settings > System > Storage.

 

Hope this helps you, Ted.

Joy bought a Samsung tablet and wants to know how to stay secure using it on Public Wi-Fi
Hi TC. I recently bought a new Samsung 11+ tablet to use when traveling.  I set it up, transferring data (including banking & passwords autofill) from my Emsisoft-secured laptop.  However, when traveling, I use whatever hotel Wi-Fi system is offered. How can I secure this tablet from hackers while traveling and using it out of the home?  I am very much a non-tech person, so please be detailed.  Thanks a bunch.

 

Our answer
Hi Joy. The easiest way is with a browser-based VPN. The easiest way to do that is to install Firefox for Android on your Samsung tablet. When traveling and using public Wi-Fi, you can just click the VPN button on the Firefox toolbar. You get 50 GB of free monthly VPN protected data, which is plenty. Just be sure you turn off the VPN when watching movies or videos on your tablet, or that will use up your 50 GB of free VPN data quickly. You can read more at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox&hl=en_US, and you can download Firefox for your Samsung tablet from the Google Play Store.

Once you install Firefox on your tablet, you'll see the VPN button (turn VPN on/off) on the toolbar. Click it to turn it on when on public networks - click it off when on secure networks.

I hope this helps, Joy.

Have we helped you with your computer or helped you by answering your questions? Would you like to help us?

Here are some of the easiest solutions:

Restart "Windows Explorer" (The Quickest Fix)

Instead of restarting your whole computer, you can restart just the system that runs your desktop and settings menu. This usually wakes your background right back up.

1. Open Task Manager: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your keyboard at the same time to open the Task Manager.

2. Find Windows Explorer: In the list of processes (under the "Processes" tab), scroll down until you find Windows Explorer. (It looks like a little yellow folder icon).

3. Restart it: Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart. Your screen might flicker for a second, and your wallpaper should instantly reappear.

Check Accessibility Settings

Press Windows Key + U, click on Visual effects (right near the top of the list). Make sure the toggle for Animation effects is turned ON. Sometimes, turning this off to make Windows run faster accidentally tricks the computer into disabling the desktop wallpaper as well.

Check the Image File You're Using for a Desktop Background

If the image file you are using is stored on a USB drive, an external hard drive, iDrive, or OneDrive, Windows can temporarily "lose" it when you close Settings.

Find the picture you want to use as your background in your folders.

Right-click on the image file and select Set as desktop background.

To prevent this from happening again, make sure the picture is saved directly in your computer's Pictures folder (on your main C: drive) rather than a cloud folder or external drive.

These are the easiest solutions. If you still have problems, let me know.

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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 9.8.8. Works great with Windows 10 and Windows 11.

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

How to Turn On the Scareware Blocker in Microsoft Edge
Windows 10/Windows 11/Microsoft Edge

We’ve all seen them: those terrifying pop-up alerts that scream your computer is infected with 47 viruses, or that your system is about to crash unless you call a toll-free “Microsoft Support” number immediately. Or even worse, it locks your screen and prevents you from doing anything on your computer (unless you’re very computer-savvy) until you pay the scammers to fix it.

This is scareware. Scareware is software designed to trick you into believing your computer has a major problem, so you buy useless or harmful apps or repair and cleanup services. It is one of the most common ways everyday computer users get scammed.

Thankfully, if you use Microsoft Edge, there is a built-in feature specifically designed to block these shady, low-reputation scareware sites and related apps before they even reach your machine. This feature is called “Scareware blocker

Today, we’re going to show you how to switch it on and keep your PC safer/

How to Turn on the Scareware blocker in Microsoft Edge

To activate this protection, follow these quick steps:

1. Open the Edge Settings menu:

Open Microsoft Edge. Click on the three dots (…) in the upper-right corner of your browser window and select Settings near the bottom of the drop-down menu.

2. Go to Privacy, Search, and Services:  

In the left-hand sidebar, click on Privacy, Search, and Services (it has a lock icon next to it).

3. Scroll down to the Security section:  

Scroll down the page until you find the Security heading. Under this section, locate the toggle switch labeled Scareware blocker.

4. Toggle the main Scareware blocker switch to ON:

Click the toggle switch next to Scamware blocker so that it turns green – two additional settings, “Block sites detected as scams”, and “Share detected scam sites with Microsoft Defender Smartscreen”, will also turn on. If you don’t want to share scamware sites with Microsoft, you can turn that switch off.

However, remember that your screenshots and images remain strictly on your computer, as this analysis runs locally. The only thing Microsoft ever sees is the addresses of flagged scareware sites. This goes straight to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen so it can wave a red flag if you (or anyone else) try to visit them.

Take 30 seconds to turn on Edge’s Scareware blocker today—it is one of the easiest ways to save yourself a lot of grief down the road. 

You Can’t Trust Your Eyes (or Your Caller ID) Anymore!
A tip for everyone

Today, we want to talk about a devastating scam that is draining bank accounts nationwide.

It starts with a phone call. You glance at your screen, and the Caller ID displays your bank’s real name and number. You could even Google that number mid-ring to confirm it—and it checks out.

The voice on the other end sounds calm and professional. They tell you someone’s attempting to drain your account through Zelle or Cash App, and they need your immediate help to stop it.

Just because it looks like your bank, talks like your bank, or calls from your bank’s phone number doesn’t mean it is your bank.

AI Makes the Illusion Complete

We’re now in an age where advanced AI and spoofing tools let scammers hijack your Caller ID display with ease, showing your actual bank’s info. Beyond that, AI can replicate a real fraud department’s tone, phrasing, and even ambient office sounds with startling accuracy.

These criminals don’t need to hack your account—they just need to make you panic. They’ll coach you through steps to supposedly “reverse the fraud” or “secure your funds” in a different account.

Here’s the catch: you end up authorizing the transfer with your own hands. Since you technically approved it, banks and apps typically deny refund requests. A Chicago woman lost $4,600 in mere minutes this way, and her bank refused to return any of it. (Notably, Cash App’s parent company recently paid $45 million to settle a lawsuit over misrepresenting these protections to customers.)

Our Golden Safety Rule

So how do you stay safe when even Caller ID can lie to you? One rule covers it all: If you get an unexpected fraud call from your “bank”? Hang up immediately.

Skip the argument, skip the explanation, and never use the redial button or call back the number that called you. Instead, find your debit or credit card, flip it over, and dial the number printed on the back. Or open your browser, type in your bank’s official website address yourself, and pull their verified contact info from there.

Things a Real Bank Will Never Ask You To Do:

1. Move money into a “safe” account.
2. Send yourself funds via Zelle or Cash App to undo a fraudulent charge.
3. Read a one-time security PIN back to them over the phone.

Any pressure to act fast before “more money disappears” is a clear sign of fraud. Pause, hang up, and reach out through a number or website you verified yourself—never one the caller gave you. 

Clicking the Unsubscribe Link in Unwanted Emails Might Be the Worst Thing You Can Do
For everyone who uses email

We’ve all been there. You open your email, and there it is: another junk email message about a miracle drug, discount vacations you never asked for, a “once-in-a-lifetime” investment opportunity, or something equally spammy. Your first thought is clicking that tempting “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of that email. But hold on a minute. What if I told you that clicking that seemingly innocent link is often the worst thing you can do?

Why You Should Never Click the Unsubscribe Link or Button In a Spam Email or Other Email You Didn’t Ask For

1. You’re Confirming You’re a Real Person (and that your email address is active)

Spammers send out millions of emails, hoping to find active email addresses. When you click that unsubscribe link, even if it doesn’t unsubscribe you, you’ve just told the spammer, “Hey! This email address is real; it’s active, and someone is actually reading your emails!

Now you’re no longer just a random address on a list; you’re a verified spam target. And guess what? And you can bet the spammer will probably sell your “active” email address to other spammers, meaning you’ll likely get even more spam. It’s like saying, “Yes, please, send me more junk!”

2. It Could Be a Trap! (Phishing and Malware)

Here’s something even scarier. Not all “unsubscribe” links or buttons are just trying to confirm your email. Some are malicious links designed to trick you into trouble. Clicking these links might take you to a fake website that looks legitimate (like a bank or a well-known online store). It might then ask you to “log in” to confirm your unsubscribe request, and wham! You’ve just given your username and password directly to a scammer. They can then use that information to access your real accounts.

Also, clicking an unsubscribe button or link can silently download harmful software (malware, Trojans, spyware) onto your computer or phone. You probably won’t even realize it’s happening until it’s too late and your device is compromised.

Spammers are sneaky. They know you want to clean up your inbox, and they exploit that natural desire to trick you.

3. Spammers don’t play fair. They don’t have any rules. The unsubscribe button or link might not even work!

Legitimate companies, like us, are legally required to provide an unsubscribe option, and those work. But spammers? They don’t care about rules or laws. Their goal is to get your attention and potentially your money or data. So, even if you click their fake “unsubscribe” link, it’s highly unlikely they’ll actually remove you from their list. They’re just looking for you to confirm that your email address is active or to trick you.

So, What Should You Do with Spam Emails?

Instead of clicking the unsubscribe button or link in spam emails, here’s the safer approach:

Mark it as Spam/Junk

Every email service (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.) has a “Report Spam” or “Mark as Junk” button. When you use this, you’re not just deleting the email; you’re teaching your email provider’s spam filter that this kind of message is spam. Over time, your email provider’s spam filters get smarter and will automatically send similar emails straight to your spam folder, where you’ll never have to see them.

Delete It

Once you’ve marked it as spam (or if you just know it’s junk without even opening it), delete it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Block the Sender

Most email services also allow you to block specific senders. This is a good option if you are getting messages from the same annoying address. One caveat, however – Blocking email addresses used by spammers does not often work because most spammers send from forged email addresses and rarely send from the same email address more than once.

And we know that keeping your inbox clean often feels like a never-ending battle, but by avoiding that “Unsubscribe” button or link in those suspicious emails, you’re protecting yourself from more junk mail and potentially harmful scams. Play it safe; don’t use the spam button or link in those spammy emails. You’ll be helping to keep your inbox a little cleaner and a lot more secure!

We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks, and more on our InfoAve website.

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Thanks to your gifts, we do a lot more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the Web safely, provide you with suggestions for safe, free software and websites, and help you get more out of your PC.

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The Ultimate Music Manager: MusicBee 

The other day we had a request from one of our subscribers asking about music players, organizers, and CD rippers. I had to be honest – we’re not the biggest audiophiles in the world.  So we did a little checking and digging and found MusicBee – the ultimate music manager.

If you have tons of MP3s, CDs you’ve ripped over the years, or high-quality audio files, you already know the struggle. Big streaming apps don’t handle local files well, and basic media players feel a bit too bare-bones when you’re trying to find that one specific track.

That’s why we recommend MusicBee. This little freeware pick is widely considered the absolute best choice for anyone who still loves owning their own music library. It’s packed with incredible features, but it won’t bog down your computer or hog your PC’s memory.

More about Music Bee

• It Organizes Enormous Collections Instantly: Whether you have 500 songs or 50,000, MusicBee catalogs them effortlessly without lagging, freezing, or crashing.

• Fixes Messy Song Titles Automatically: If your music folders are a mess of “Track 01” and missing album covers, MusicBee has built-in smart tools to look up missing info, grab the right album art, and even pull up the song lyrics automatically.

• Sounds Incredible: For audiophiles, it supports high-end audio formats and features native WASAPI and ASIO support, bypassing the standard Windows sound mixer for the cleanest, crispest sound possible.

• Make it Look However You Want: Don’t like the layout? Change it! You can skin MusicBee to look like a sleek modern app, a classic music player, or a colorful jukebox.

• Easy Syncing: It makes it a breeze to move your favorite playlists and albums over to your Android phone, tablet, or a portable USB drive.

And the best part?  It’s Truly Free.

There are no ads, no annoying premium pop-ups trying to get your credit card, and no hidden junkware. It’s just clean, brilliant software that does exactly what it promises. It works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.  You can download it directly from the official Microsoft Store or the MusicBee website—or get a “portable” version from the MusicBee website that doesn’t even require a formal installation.

Here’s what MusicBee’s developer has to say:

The Ultimate Music Manager and Player

MusicBee makes it easy to manage, find, and play music files on your computer. MusicBee also supports podcasts, web radio stations and SoundCloud integration.

Simple, Powerful, and Fast

Play your music the way you want. Turn your computer into a music jukebox. Use auto-tagging to clean up your messy music library. Enjoy a great music experience with MusicBee.

Beautiful Skins

Change the appearance of MusicBee by choosing from the included skins or download more from our Add-on section.
Skins are a great way to personalize MusicBee to your liking.

You can also make your own skin and share it with others.

Sync with Devices

Sync your music collection with devices you use. MusicBee supports playlist and podcast syncing, even supports audio books with 2 way syncing.

Convert formats on the fly if your device does not support certain formats.

You can also sync your Android and Windows Phone (8.1+) devices.

last.fm, CD Ripping, Tagging tools…. plus more!

MusicBee packs a comprehensive set of features to make your music experience better.

Yet it is one of the most lightweight player using about 25-70 MB ram* with skins and add-ons, and packs all of these under 10 MB!

If you’ve been looking for a highly customizable media player and manager for Windows designed to organize, find, and play large digital music collections. And a media player that serves as an advanced alternative to software like iTunes or Windows Media Player, offering robust tagging, gapless playback, and audiophile-grade sound card support, MusicBee is what you’ve been looking for. 

It’s a Cloudeight Freeware Pick! You can read more about MusicBee and/or download it here.

The Ketchup Factory — Days Long Past

When I was a boy, summer vacation from school started the first week in June and ended the first week of September. By the end of those three months, summer vacation seemed like it lasted forever. I became bored with it – summer was too long. I eagerly awaited autumn and couldn’t wait to get back to school – or should I say, to get back to my friends in school.

Now I’m an old man sitting here in late July, finding it extremely difficult to believe that in just a little more than a month, summer will dissolve into autumn. Winter will come in on autumn’s coattails with its bitter cold and wintry mixes of rain, sleet, and snow.

And just imagining winter’s bone-chilling breath makes my old arthritic bones ache, and my aging heart yearn.

Incomprehensibly, I find myself in the winter of my life. August is but a calendar flip away, and autumn’s...

Read the rest of this essay here...

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Cloudeight Direct Computer Care: Always a great deal. Cloudeight Direct Computer Care is like having PC insurance. Get more information here.

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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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