Debbie has a shutdown problem
It's me again with another question, LOL. Lately, I've been using my desktop computer & somehow when I go to reach something on my desk I hit something on my keyboard & the computer screen says, "shutting down."Is there any way to stop it? I hit Esc, but it does nothing. TY in advance & for all the help & hints you've provided me since you began years ago!

Our answer
Hi Debbie. This usually happens because either a key on your keyboard is programmed to trigger a shutdown shortcut, or Windows is configured to put the computer to sleep or shut down whenever the physical power button on your computer case is pressed.

Here is how to fix it step by step:

#1. Change Power Button Behavior in Control Panel
(Prevents the physical power button or case bumps from shutting down)

Open the Start menu, type Control Panel, and press Enter. Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Power Options. In the left-hand column, click on "Choose what the power buttons do". Next to "When I press the power button:", change the setting from Shut down to Do nothing (or Sleep if you prefer). Click Save changes at the bottom.

Pressing your computer's physical power button no longer brings up the shutdown prompt.

2. Check for Macro Keys or Dedicated Power Keys
(Applies to keyboards with built-in power buttons)

Look closely at your keyboard layout—some keyboards have a dedicated Power, Sleep, or "Shut Down" key located near the function keys or top corners (often right next to the Escape or Insert keys). If your keyboard came with proprietary software (like Logitech G HUB, Razer Synapse, or Corsair iCUE), open the software settings and remap or disable that specific macro or power key.

Accidentally striking that corner key no longer initiates a shutdown sequence on your screen.

Note: If you choose "Do nothing" for your power button, remember that you will need to shut down your computer normally through the Start menu (Start > Power > Shut down), since pressing the physical tower button will no longer turn it off automatically.

Also, here's how to cancel an accidental shutdown via Command Prompt if this happens again.

If the shutdown screen does pop up and pressing Escape doesn't stop it, you can instantly abort the countdown. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, type shutdown -a into the box, and press Enter. A small notification will pop up in the corner saying "Logoff cancelled," stopping the shutdown immediately.\ The shutdown dialog box disappears, and your desktop remains active.

Hope this helps you, Debbie. 

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Cheryl needs more help with video files
Hi TC.  Thank you for the speedy response to my problem with .MOV video files in Windows Movie Maker. I jumped straight in to download Handbrake, and it was great converting to MP4 so quickly and easily with your instructions, but unfortunately, when I went to create a movie again, Windows Movie Maker wouldn't import the files. I've attached the screenshot of what came up.

Disappointing effort again. If there is anything else you could suggest, I would be very grateful. Cheers, Cheryl.

Our answer
Hi Cheryl.  If you're not an expert with video/audio files, you're much better off using Clipchamp. We hesitate to publish unofficial updated versions of old software because so much of the time, as soon as Microsoft discovers the "workaround" software, they release a new update to break it. If you're not an expert with outdated software and Microsoft's trickery, then you're better off using modern audio/visual software that Microsoft won't break.

Clipchamp: The easiest direct replacement for Windows Movie Maker on Windows 10 and 11 is Microsoft Clipchamp. Microsoft acquired Clipchamp specifically to replace Movie Maker, and it actually comes pre-installed on Windows 11 (and is a free download from the Microsoft Store for Windows 10). If you loved Movie Maker’s simple drag-and-drop layout, Clipchamp feels very familiar, but modernized. You just drag your videos, pictures, and music onto a simple timeline at the bottom of the screen. Clipchamp is 100% free and It's installed by default on Windows 10 and 11 computers.

Microsoft Photos App: If you don't even want a new app and just need to put a few photos and videos together with background music, consider using the Windows Photos app you already have. Open the Photos app, select the videos/photos you want, click the three dots (...) at the top, and select Create a video. It's great for slideshows, home video trimming, and simple family photo montages.

Shotcut: If you dislike web-based or modern app interfaces and prefer traditional desktop software that looks and feels like software from the Windows 7 era, Shotcut is completely open-source, free, and runs entirely on your computer offline. It's made for those who want a basic, traditional editing program that handles almost any old or rare video file format without needing conversions. It's free. You can download it here.

I hope this helps, Cheryl. 

Peter asks us about Proton Mail
Hi TC. I recently saw an advertisement for Proton Mail. Do you have any thoughts on it, please? Peter.

Our Answer
Hi Peter. Proton Mail is not just like Gmail, and generally it is not free if you were to use it as your only email. It does have similar features, though.

First, regarding the cost: Proton Mail actually does have a genuinely free tier. They offer a basic free account that includes 1 GB of storage and core email functionality without ads. However, it can be a bit restrictive, and they certainly push paid upgrades (like Mail Plus or Unlimited) pretty heavily for features like custom domains, extra storage, and unlimited folders.

They advertise privacy above all. They do comply with Swiss court orders: Because Proton is based in Switzerland, they are legally obligated to comply with valid orders issued by Swiss courts (which can include requests originating from international agencies like Interpol via Swiss authorities). For instance, in high-profile legal cases, Swiss courts have compelled Proton to log IP addresses or metadata for specific targeted accounts going forward.

Proton uses zero-access encryption for the content of your emails. This means they physically cannot hand over the actual text or attachments of your encrypted emails because they don't hold the decryption keys. However, unencrypted data—like email addresses, timestamps, subject lines (in some cases), and account creation IP addresses—can be turned over if a Swiss legal order forces them to collect it.

So while Proton is vastly more private than traditional providers like Gmail or Yahoo, it is not a complete shield against law enforcement or formal legal processes.

Let me know if you have any other questions, Peter.

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One of Windows 11’s Best Hidden Features: Real-Time Live Captions for Everything
Windows 11

Have you ever struggled to hear what someone is saying in a video on your computer? Maybe your computer’s built-in speakers are tiny and tinny, or maybe your hearing just isn’t what it used to be. Or perhaps you’re trying to watch a video late at night without disturbing your spouse or housemates by turning the volume way up.

Whatever the reason, Microsoft includes a very useful feature in Windows 11 that almost nobody knows about: Live Captions. Unlike regular closed captions—which rely on YouTube or a video player to provide subtitles—Windows 11’s Live Captions work system-wide. That means it creates live, automatic subtitles (captions) for any audio playing on your PC in real time!

Windows 11 Live Captions Are a Game-Changer!

Windows 11 Captions can help when:

Your Hearing Isn’t What It Used to Be:

Dialogue in movies, news broadcasts, or video calls can often sound muffled or rushed. Live Captions give you clear, instant text on your screen so you never miss a word.

Watching videos, movies, or news broadcasts in quiet environments:

Need to keep the volume down so you don’t bother anyone nearby? Mute your sound completely and simply read along on screen!

If your computer speakers aren’t what they should be:

Many laptop and desktop speakers lack clarity and bass, making speech sound muddy. Live Captions bypass bad hardware entirely by displaying the text right over your screen.

Windows Captions is a great Windows 11 feature that is 100% private and works offline.

Windows processes the captions right on your device. Nothing is sent to the internet, keeping your audio private while allowing it to work even without a network connection!

How to Turn On Live Captions (The Easy Way)

The fastest way to turn Live Captions on or off is with a simple keyboard shortcut.  Press Windows Key + Ctrl + L on your keyboard.

Note: The first time you turn it on, Windows will quickly download a tiny speech pack (this takes about a minute). Once downloaded, a neat black bar will appear at the top or bottom of your screen.

Now, play any video, podcast, or audio file—even a video call—and watch as Windows transcribes the words onto your screen live!

You can customize it to suit your eyes!

You can customize how the captions look so they are comfortable for you to read.

Change Position: Click the little Settings gear icon on the caption bar to move the bar to the top of your screen, bottom of your screen, or set it as a floating box you can drag anywhere.

Change Text Style: In the settings, you can choose Large text, Yellow on blue, or custom colors to make the words easier to read.

Give Windows Key + Ctrl + L a try today—it’s one of the most useful features of Windows 11.