Rick's Daily Tips

Why you should always scan your PC for malware before taking it to a repair shop

Posted on October 24, 2026

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As you probably know, malware infections can cause all kinds of strange problems on Windows PCs.

That’s why if your computer starts acting strange all of a sudden it could very well be infected with a virus or some other form of malware.

Most malware infections can be removed by running a thorough series of scans with the free tools mentioned in this post, but there are some strains of malware that might need to be removed by an experienced computer tech.

I recommend that you always run your own malware scans (if it’s possible to do so) before you take your PC to a repair shop for ANY type of service or repair, even if you don’t believe the issue is malware-related.

[Read more…]

Q&A: When you delete a file, where does it go?

Posted on October 23, 2026

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Question from Judy: I have a question that’s probably going to sound dumb, but I’m curious.

I’ve been using computers for a long time and I’ve deleted a lot of files. Where do they go after Windows deletes them? [Read more…]

Scam alert: Don’t fall for these dangerous lottery scams

Posted on October 22, 2026

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As you probably know, scams of various types are ubiquitous on social media.

Some scams run their course and are never seen again, but most just seem to pop up every now and then.

One of those recurring “pop-up scams” is a lottery scam targeting people who enjoy playing the Powerball and Mega Millions multi-state lotteries that frequently advertise massive prize payouts for the winners. [Read more…]

Q&A: Why do ranges and dryers run on 240 volts instead of 120?

Posted on October 21, 2026

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Question from Brenda: I’m having my house renovated and I’m in the process of ordering all new appliances.

The man at Home Depot said I’d have to pay extra for a special cord for both the electric range and the clothes dryer because they run on 240 volts instead of 120.

When I asked him why he said he didn’t know, but that’s just the way it is.

My question is, why do ranges and dryers use 240 volts when all the other appliances use 120 volts? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I create a desktop shortcut to the Bluetooth settings?

Posted on October 20, 2026

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Question from Mike: I have a set of Bluetooth “over the ear” headphones and a pair of Bluetooth earbuds that are both paired to my Windows 11 laptop.

I frequently switch back and forth between them, depending on what I’m using them for.

What I’d like to do is create a desktop shortcut to the Bluetooth settings so I can quickly open them when I need to switch from the headphones to the earbuds (or vice versa).

I can’t find a way to create that shortcut. Do you know of a way to do it? [Read more…]