Rick's Daily Tips

How to change the default search engine in Microsoft Edge

Posted on October 18, 2023

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

When it was first released, Microsoft’s Edge web browser used Bing as its default search engine, and there was no way to change it.

Well, Edge still comes with Bing set as the default search engine, but you can now switch it to Google or one of several other popular search engines.

If you like using Edge but would prefer to search with something other than Bing, you can follow the steps below to change the default search engine to the one you like best. Just follow the steps that match the device you are using. [Read more…]

How to use YouTube’s “Picture-In-Picture” feature on your computer

Posted on October 18, 2023

Did you know YouTube has a handy ‘Picture-In-Picture’ feature that allows you to watch a video in the corner of the screen while you’re doing other things with your machine?

For example, let’s say you’re busy catching up on your email but you also want to keep up with what’s happening at an event that’s being livestreamed via YouTube.

Or maybe you simply want to watch a regular pre-recorded YouTube video while you’re working.

Either way, you can easily watch the video in the corner of your screen with YouTube’s handy ‘Picture-In-Picture’ feature. [Read more…]

My favorite tool for completely ‘wiping’ a hard drive

Posted on October 17, 2023

Due to security concerns about data theft and identity theft, it’s important to completely erase a hard disk before giving it away, selling it, or even tossing it in the trash.

The thing is, simply erasing a bunch of files doesn’t actually remove those files from the hard drive.

It merely deletes the pointers that Windows uses to identify and locate the deleted files. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I put a shortcut to a website on my iPhone’s Home screen?

Posted on October 17, 2023

Question from Elise: Hi, Rick. First of all I want to tell you how much I love your site. I’ve learned so much from you over the years.

Now I need your help if you don’t mind.

I’ve always used Android phones but I decided to try an iPhone this time around. I really like it so far but I have a question. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I remove web results from my Windows searches?

Posted on October 16, 2023

Question from Bill: I hope you can help me with a Windows issue, Rick.

When I click the Start button and search for something it always gives me a bunch of results from the web right below the regular results it found on the computer.

I’d love to get rid of those web results because I’m always clicking on them thinking it’s finding something on my computer when it’s really on some website.

Is there any way to omit the web results from my Windows searches? [Read more…]