Rick's Daily Tips

Rick’s Daily Pick: APC 600VA UPS / Battery Backup & Surge Protector

Posted on September 17, 2026

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

My “Pick” for today is this fantastic APC 600VA UPS / Battery Backup & Surge Protector.

I’ve been using three of these gems for years and they have served me quite well. If it seems like I recommend them over and over, it’s because I do.

When I find something that’s truly worth the money and does what the company says it will do I feel I have an obligation to tell my friends about it.

Don’t let an unstable power grid or power surge damage or destroy your expensive computer and other gadgets. This will protect against sudden power-downs and current surges while also keeping your computer powered up long enough to save your open files and perform an orderly shutdown.

Click here to check out the APC 600VA UPS / Battery Backup & Surge Protector at Amazon.

Did you miss (or want to revisit) one of my earlier picks? You might find it right here.

Picture of the Day: “Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse at Dusk”

Posted on September 17, 2026

Today’s POTD features the beautiful Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse in stark silhouette against the golden glow of the setting sun. This is just one of several lighthouses that dot the shores of Lake Michigan. I hope you like it.

Have lots of treasured photos of your own that you’d love to display in your home but you have limited wall space? A digital picture frame (#ad) is an excellent solution. Check them out!

Enjoy these Pictures of the Day? Sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter and you’ll never miss one (or any of my tech tips either)!

Monthly Tech Giveaway – September 2026

Posted on July 31, 2026

Note: The links on this page are affiliate links.

September’s winner will receive a fantastic CyberPower 1500VA/1000W Sinewave UPS Battery Backup / Surge Protector.

This will keep your computer, modem and router online for a full hour after your power goes out, preventing a dangerous instant shutdown that could damage your computer gear and cause you to lose any unsaved data that’s currently in the machine’s RAM.

All subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

Not a subscriber? Just enter your email address in the sign-up form on this page.

Once subscribed you’ll be eligible to win each month’s drawing – starting with this month. Better yet, opt for a Premium subscription for double the chance to win!

The drawing for this month’s prize will be held on September 30 and the winner will be notified by email. The winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

How (and when) to disable the ‘Autocorrect’ feature in Windows 11

Posted on September 17, 2026

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Like it’s predecessor, Windows 11 has a popular feature called Autocorrect that monitors your typing and makes changes when it determines that you’ve made one or more spelling errors.

That sounds awesome, and most of the time it is. However, Autocorrect doesn’t always do the best job at fixing your typos. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I make Windows 11 open things with one click?

Posted on September 16, 2026

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Question from Frank: Rick, I have a computer running Windows 11 and I have a question about it.

I’m 73 years old and have terribly arthritic fingers which makes it extremely difficult for me to “double-click” on things to open them.

I read somewhere that you can change a setting that’ll make Windows open things with a single click, but I can’t find it.

I’ll be much in your debt if you’d be so kind as to tell me how to set it up. Can you tell me how? [Read more…]

Why you really need to protect your phone with a PIN

Posted on September 15, 2026

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Smartphones are everywhere these days.

In fact, you probably have one in your pocket or purse right this very minute.

Have you ever stopped to think about what could happen if your phone ever gets lost or stolen?

[Read more…]