Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I remove optional Windows updates that I don’t plan to install?

Posted on February 15, 2013

Question from Tina F.: Every time Windows Update tells me I have updates available it lists an optional update for Bing Desktop. I don’t use Bing Desktop and I probably never will. Is there any way to delete it so it’ll stop showing up on the Windows Update list?

Rick’s answer: Tina, there are a couple of unwanted optional updates that are always available for my computer too, and I agree that it’s rather annoying. While you can’t actually delete them, you an easily hide them to keep them from showing up along with other available updates. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to create a Line Break in WordPress

Posted on February 15, 2013

WordPress is considered by many to be the most powerful and most feature-rich blogging platform in use today, but it does have its share of puzzling quirks. And the one that puzzled me the most was the WordPress post editor’s refusal to insert a line break between lines when the Enter key was pressed. It begins a new paragraph instead.

Well, after several days of frustration I finally decided that I wouldn’t rest until I figured out how to create a line break in my WordPress posts. And figure it out I did… All you have to do is use the Shift+Enter key combination (press the Shift key and the Enter key at the same time).

You’re welcome.

Q&A: How much memory can my Dell Inspiron 620 hold?

Posted on February 14, 2013

Question from Renita: Rick, I have a Dell Inspiron 620 desktop computer with 4GB of RAM in it. It’s running Windows 7.

A friend told me that I should upgrade the memory to the maximum that it’ll hold because it’ll speed up my computer. I actually have two questions:

1 – Is he right?

2 – If he is, how much memory will this computer hold? [Read more…]

How to keep your POP3 email when upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

Posted on February 12, 2013

migrate-mail One of the first things most people notice after upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is that there is no POP3 email client included with Windows 7. Why Microsoft decided not to include one is rather baffling, but it’s really no big deal.

It’s easy to download and install Windows Live Mail and import your emails accounts, settings and emails from Vista’s Windows Mail into Live Mail.

It’s usually easier to make the transition from Windows Mail to Windows Live Mail before you upgrade to Windows 7 because everything will usually be imported for you automatically. Here’s how to do it: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why is my Windows Update not working in Windows XP?

Posted on February 10, 2013

Question from Jennifer K.: Hi Rick! I have an older Dell desktop PC running Windows XP that I absolutely love, but due to a virus I had to re-install Windows from scratch. Now when I try to use Windows Update it fails and I get this error message:

“The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view.”

I’m stuck at Service Pack 2 and I get any updates to download at all. I can’t even get Bitdefender to install because it says I need Service Pack 3, so the computer is currently running without anti-virus protection. Can I fix this or should I just recycle the computer and use my laptop for everything (NOT my first choice!)? [Read more…]