Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Microsoft completely changed the look and feel of the Windows operating system with the release of Windows 8, and it became apparent almost immediately that most seasoned Windows users hated it.
Well, Microsoft eventually took all the criticism to heart and released Windows 8.1 in an attempt to regain some of the good will they had lost, and for the most part I think they succeeded because 8.1 is a vast improvement over Windows 8. [Read more…]
Windows 8.1 still includes the colorful Start Screen that Microsoft introduced as the focal point of Windows 8.
And depending on who you ask, the Start Screen is either the best thing since the discovery of fire or a scourge on all humanity.
Many users – myself included – have discovered that the ‘All Apps’ screen is a lot more useful than the Start Screen since it lists every app that’s installed on your computer instead of just the ones that Microsoft thinks are important. [Read more…]
Question from Curtis: I downloaded the trial version of Nero 2015 Classic onto my Gateway computer with Windows 7, but then I decided I didn’t want to keep it.
I used the “Uninstall a Program” app in the Control Panel to remove it, but I’m still finding parts of it in at least three folders. How can I uninstall it and get rid of ALL of its files?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
If you have a spare laptop and webcam laying around your house, you have at your fingertips all you need to set up an outstanding free baby monitor.
It doesn’t have to be a top-of-the-line laptop either. You can easily use one that has been sitting on a shelf gathering dust for a couple of years (as long as it still works).
All you need to do is open a free Google + account to use as the digital “connection” between your spare laptop’s webcam and your smart phone. Here’s how to set it up, step-by-step: [Read more…]
Question from Angie H.: Hi Rick. My Dell Inspiron N5010 laptop is loaded down with viruses and all sorts of other bad stuff. I really need to re-install Windows but I don’t have a Windows 7 CD.
I know I can order a Windows CD from Dell but I’d rather not if I can avoid it. My daughter said she thinks I can re-install Windows without the CD. Is that true? If it is how do I do that?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]