Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Well, today is the big day. As of today, Microsoft has officially stopped supporting Windows XP, a move that effectively ends the useful life of the most popular version of Windows ever for the vast majority of users.
While there are circumstances under which XP can still be safely used, the millions of people who have their XP machines connected to the Internet should probably make the move to either a different operating system or a new computer. [Read more…]
If you access the Control Panel and File Explorer as often as I do, clicking an icon on the Desktop to access them can be a real time saver. I do it all the time.
Although accessing either of these essential tools is faster and easier than ever before in the latest versions of Windows, there’s absolutely nothing faster than just clicking on an icon.
It’s actually quite easy to add File Explorer and Control Panel icons to the Desktop in Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Here’s how: [Read more…]
Question from Belinda D.: I’m thinking about buying a refurbished iPhone 4 directly from Apple. If I do, will it have iOS 7 on it or will I have to upgrade it to iOS 7 after I buy it?
If I have to upgrade it myself I might just go with a new iPhone 5c. I’m really not very tech savvy lol. Thanks in advance for the info. I LOVE your site by the way!!
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
If you’re a Microsoft Windows user you probably know that you’ll need the 25 digit Windows Activation Key (also called the PID) if you ever need to re-install Windows on your PC.
The Activation Key / PID was easy to find with Windows 7 and previous versions since it was written either on the CD/DVD packaging or somewhere on the computer itself.
But if you have recently purchased a PC with Windows 8 or 8.1 pre-installed, you’ll likely find that the Windows Activation Key / PID is nowhere to be found. Why Microsoft decided not to provide it to us with the new versions of Windows is beyond me, but there is a very easy way to retrieve it from the Registry. Here’s how: [Read more…]
When disaster strikes, one of the first things we all try to do is contact our family and friends to let them know we’re ok – and make sure they are too.
What typically happens in situations like this is the cell towers get clogged up with all those frantic voice calls and text messages, making it difficult for many folks to get through to their loved ones. Not a good thing!
Well, now there’s an easier way to reach out to others in an emergency. A wonderful free service from Microsoft called HelpBridge makes it easy to contact all of your family members and friends immediately – and all at the same time – when you’re caught up in a disaster. Here’s how it works: [Read more…]