Rick's Daily Tips

Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!

  • Home
  • Rick’s Bio
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rick’s Tip Jar
  • Get My Tech Tips Newsletter
  • Recommended Tech Gear
  • Contact Me

Find out if a shortened link is safe before you click it

Posted on July 31, 2013

url-uncover-logoMillions of computers are infected by viruses and other forms of malware every month, and a large percentage of those infections occur as the result of clicking on a bad link. That’s why I’ve written several times in the past about the importance of avoiding links that will take you to an unfamiliar website.

But there’s a problem. With so many people using shortened URLs on Facebook and Twitter, it seems all but impossible to determine where a link will take you without clicking on it first. Well, now there is an easy way to determine exactly where a shortened link will take you, and even get a quick “opinion” from security experts about just how safe the landing page is!  [Read more…]

How to prevent your PC from automatically rebooting after installing Windows Updates

Posted on July 28, 2013

windows-update-logoHave you ever lost important work that you had intended to finish when you returned to your PC because the system rebooted after installing Windows Updates? I’m guessing that we all have, and it’s certainly no fun when it happens.

You can make sure that you never again lose work in progress because of an automatic restart by following the steps listed below. But first, I need for you to read and agree to my semi-standard disclaimer…

Important: This tip involves editing the Windows Registry, a process that could render your Windows installation unstable (or even unable to boot up properly) if performed incorrectly.

Therefore, if you choose to follow the steps listed below, you do so at your own risk. You also agree that if the Moon flies out of its orbit and knocks Saturn for a loop, the waters of the Mississippi turn into clabbered milk, or your PC becomes unstable or refuses to boot, it won’t be the fault of your humble tech blogger (namely ME).

If you agree with everything I said above, feel free to follow these steps to disable automatic restarts after Windows Updates have been installed:  [Read more…]

How to enlarge the ‘New Message’ window in Gmail

Posted on July 25, 2013

gmailThe folks at Google are constantly working to improve their extremely popular Gmail service, and one of the most recent enhancements is a “full screen” New Message window.

To call it a “full screen” window is quite a stretch because it isn’t even close, but it is indeed a vast improvement over a message box that’s so tiny that it makes you feel like you’re typing your message on a smart phone.

Want to give Gmail’s “full screen” message window a try, here’s how:  [Read more…]

How to re-install Windows 7 or Windows 8 when you don’t have a Recovery Disc

Posted on July 22, 2013

create-windows-installation-mediaIt’s a fact of life: Sooner or later there will come a time when you’ll need to re-install Windows on your PC.

Whether it’ll be due to a hard drive failure, a virus attack or just the desire to re-install the operating system from scratch and start over fresh, you most likely will have to refresh your Windows installation at some point.

If you have a set of recovery discs, re-installing Windows from scratch is easy. If you don’t, it’s virtually impossible. But what if you can’t find your recovery discs (or never had a set in the first place)? Well, you have three options:

1 – Order a replacement set of recovery discs for your specific PC model directly from the support section of the manufacturer’s website. This option can be (and in most cases is) fairly expensive.

2 – Purchase a full retail version of Windows, either on discs or via direct download. This option is even more expensive than the first one.

3 – Create your own Windows 7 or Windows 8 installation media. This option is virtually free (you’ll need either a blank, writable DVD or a blank USB thumb drive).

If you choose to go with option 3, here are the steps you’ll need to take in order to create your own Windows 7 or 8 installation media:  [Read more…]

How to change the ‘Registered Owner’ in Microsoft Windows

Posted on July 11, 2013

microsoft-windowsIf your PC was either purchased used or “inherited” as a hand-me-down system, you probably keep seeing the previous owner’s name pop up from time to time as the “Registered Owner”. And I’m guessing that you probably find that a bit irritating.

It’s actually pretty easy to change the Registered Owner setting in the Windows Registry. But before I show you how to do that, it is incumbent upon me to tell you the following…  [Read more…]

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 211
  • 212
  • 213
  • 214
  • 215
  • …
  • 231
  • Next Page »




Popular…

How do I ask you a tech question?

Step-by-step guide to completely ridding your PC of viruses and other malware

10 reasons why I recommend buying tech gear from Amazon

How to accurately evaluate product reviews on Amazon


Advertise

Guest Post Guidelines

Want to ask me a tech question?

Recommended Tech Gear

Privacy Policy

Computer Tips
Smartphone Tips
Blogging Tips

Tech Q & A
Reviews
Tech News

Write for RicksDailyTips.com

Scam alerts
Downloads

Copyright © 2025 RicksDailyTips.com

Affiliate Disclaimer


Rick's Daily Tips is hosted by InMotion Hosting. Click here to find out why.

This blog uses cookies to ensure that you receive the best experience on my website. Please click 'Accept Cookies' to continue.