Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How can I prevent Windows 11 from hiding the scroll bars in Windows apps?

Posted on January 19, 2026

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Question from Tammy: Every time I load a Windows app on my Windows 11 laptop the scrollbar over on the right remains hidden until I move my mouse over it.

This happens every time I use any app I have downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

I have a health issue that makes it hard for me to control the placement of the mouse so I have trouble activating the scrollbar.

Can you tell me how to keep Windows from hiding the scrollbars? [Read more…]

Q&A: I lost my phone. Can I remotely sign out of Gmail using a different device?

Posted on January 18, 2026

Question from Carrie: I went to Costco this morning and when I got home my phone wasn’t in my purse.

I checked both my car and my apartment from one end to other and it just isn’t here.

Then I called Costco to see if anyone had found it and turned it in at the Service Desk, but they hadn’t.

I didn’t go anywhere else, just to Costco so that has to be where I lost it.

I’m not too concerned about the phone itself. It’s an older Straight Talk phone that I was planning to replace soon anyway.

The thing that worries me is my Gmail was open (I keep it that way, stupid me). I have a lot of sensitive info and photos in my emails that I really don’t want anyone else to see.

Is there a way to use my computer to remotely sign out of Gmail on the lost phone?

[Read more…]

Q&A: Does my iPhone need an antivirus app?

Posted on January 17, 2026

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Question from Lilly: Hello, Rick. I just have a very quick question.

Do I need to install an antivirus app on my iPhone? One friend says I do and another friend says I don’t.

I’d really like to know for sure so I can make sure my phone is protected. I just don’t want to install another app if I don’t need it. But if I do need to install one, which one would you recommend? [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I change the default Downloads folder in Windows 11?

Posted on January 16, 2026

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Question from Danny: Hi, Rick. Several years ago I read your post explaining how to change the default Downloads folder in Windows 7.

I followed the instructions and changed the Downloads folder on my PC to the Desktop because that way I always knew where to look for the file I just downloaded.

I just replaced that old computer with a new Windows 11 machine and I’d really like change the Downloads folder to the Desktop again. Can you tell me how to do it in Windows 11? [Read more…]

How (and why) to force Windows 11 to show file extensions in File Explorer

Posted on January 15, 2026

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For whatever reason, the folks at Microsoft must have decided it’s a good idea to hide file extensions when using the File Explorer dialog in Windows 11.

I really don’t understand the thinking behind keeping file extensions hidden since they’re so useful for quickly determining a file’s type when viewing its filename.

Seeing a file’s extension can provide an important clue about which app you’ll need to use in order to open it, and there are other reasons as well. Here’s a great example (and it’s an important one). [Read more…]