{"id":26990,"date":"2023-10-07T08:49:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T12:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/?p=26990"},"modified":"2023-10-07T08:49:57","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T12:49:57","slug":"26990-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thundercloud.net\/infoave\/new\/26990-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 100723"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 100723<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here we are… the first Saturday in October. Winter is just a snowflake away. And yes,\u00a0 you’re right, <\/span>today is Saturday and time for another round of Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes the best tips and tricks are hidden in the questions and answers we publish. And rarely do we post questions and answers on this website. Today, we\u2019re featuring some of the questions and answers from past issues of our\u00a0InfoAve Weekly<\/a> newsletters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These questions & answers were selected at random from past InfoAve Weekly newsletters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 100723<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Raymond asks about HiBit Uninstaller and Windows Startups<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Guys, I hope you are safe and well. I have been using Starter for ages and ages. However, I now see a relatively new program HiBit Startup Manager. I would like to ask your opinion on both and if one is better than the other. I ask this because even though I un-check a startup app it soon comes back even if the startup link is deleted. I am thinking of Edge in particular. Thank You… Raymond<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Raymond. HiBit Uninstaller is a utility that does many things. One of them is to completely uninstall apps and programs. One of its other functions is as a Startup manager. All startup managers work in the same basic way. See our article about HiBit Uninstaller here<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s another start-up manager<\/a> – this one is from Sysinternals (owned by Microsoft). It’s called Autoruns. It is not the easiest to use but it is the best and it’s free.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Edge: You can stop Edge from starting with Windows, but you have to disable not only Edge but the other Edge entries in Startup. There’s at least one other – the update service. And there may be more. But even then, if Edge is set as your default browser as soon as you click a link in an email, Edge will open and remain running in the background. Additionally, if you do a search from the taskbar search that isn’t a local search (i.e. not searching your computer) Edge will open regardless of what your default browser is. And finally, Edge is part of Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you cannot uninstall it.<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope this helps you, Raymond.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thomas had a desktop virus cleaned by Microsoft (SCAM)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nI had a desktop get hacked with a Trojan Virus. Microsoft cleaned it and wanted me to spend $1000 for a complete security package. What do you recommend for three computers?<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Thomas. We are sorry to say you were scammed. Microsoft scams are all over the place on the Web. If you paid them any money at all make sure you call your bank or credit card company and tell them you were scammed. Also, monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for mysterious withdrawals or charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can get a 3-PC Emsisoft antimalware\/antivirus\/anti-Trojan license for $45 here<\/a>. If you let a scammer on your computer you need to make sure they didn’t install any remote tools that would allow them to monitor your activities. and connect to your computer at will.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please see our article here<\/a> about Microsoft telephone and internet scams<\/span><\/p>\n

We are so sorry you were a victim of a scam. Please let us know how we can help you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Bob wants to send large files by email link<\/strong><\/span>
\nHow do I make a link to send large files via email? Thanks, Bob.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nI noticed you already have a Gmail account so you can send large files via email (links) using your Google account. See our article here<\/a> on how to share large files using Google Drive. You can also use OneDrive, iCloud, and\/or DropBox, but the only one we use and have a full tutorial for is Google Drive.<\/span><\/p>\n

If for some reason you don’t want to use Google, you can use a service like WeTransfer<\/a>. You can send a link to a file up to 2 GB free… but you can only use it once in a while (that is what the site says, but does not define what once in a while means). There are several others, but they are free “trials” or paid solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope this helps you, Bob.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Please consider making a small donation and help us to keep on helping you!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Derek wants to know how to transfer programs and files to his new computer<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Hello Darcy and TC. I recently purchased a laptop with Windows 11. Can you tell me if it is possible to transfer all my programs and information from my old Windows 10 laptop? If so have you written articles in the past on how to do this? Regards… Derek.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Derek. It’s possible but we do not recommend moving programs from one computer to another let alone moving programs from computers with different operating systems. There are programs like PC Mover<\/a> that claim to move everything from one computer to another – but use it at your own risk. It can create a huge mess on the new PC. It is always best to reinstall the programs you need on the new computer and avoid trying to copy programs from one PC to another.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can easily move documents, pictures, music, videos, and other personal files from one computer to another by using an external hard drive to copy the C:\\Users\\Your username folder from the older computer to the external drive and then plugging the external drive into the newer computer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then on the new computer open the Documents folder on the external drive, select everything in it, and copy it to the Documents folder on the new computer. Do the same with the Pictures, Music, and other user folders on the external drive.<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope this helps you, Derek.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Yvonne wonders what password manager we recommend now after all the negative news reports about LastPass<\/strong><\/span>
\nI am wondering what you are thinking\/recommending on using LastPass since the news media says it has been hacked. I have never used it. I am still relying on my old notebook and creating my own passwords.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Yvonne. Despite the articles, which are sensationalized and only semi-truthful, the truth is that LastPass does not store or even know users’ master passwords. Every password that is saved with LastPass has to be decrypted using a user’s master password. So hackers could have 10 billion stolen passwords but without the corresponding master passwords to decrypt them they would be holding on to a lot of useless information or else spending a whole lot of time trying to decrypt a single user’s passwords. If you don\u2019t believe LastPass doesn\u2019t save your master password try losing your LastPass master password and getting it back.<\/span><\/p>\n

It amazes me how many clickbait, hyperbolized, half-true articles trusted tech companies publish. I\u2019m still using LastPass on one of my computers and Bitwarden on another. You can use whatever you want\u2026 there are several good password managers you can use if you’re not comfortable with LastPass.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are much less safe keeping passwords in a notebook than you are using a password manager that does not store passwords in plain text. If you don’t trust LastPass, then Bitwarden is an equally good, free password manager. You can learn more about Bitwarden here<\/a>. On that page, click on Plans and Pricing then choose Personal > Free.<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope this helps you, Yvonne.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Lindsay can\u2019t get a program off the Start menu<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi. Initially installed an app via Edge. This app was later uninstalled and does not appear anywhere on my PC, but the app\u2019s description remains in the Start menu. Any ideas as to how I can remove this leftover description from the start menu? Thank you in advance for any help with this annoying anomaly. Lindsay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Lindsay. We run into this quite often when we work on computers with our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care<\/a> service. We wrote an article about the same problem you\u2019re having \u2013 a program being removed but items related to that program remain in the Start menu. You can read that article here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to do it (and this will sound rather strange, but it works) is to reinstall the problem-causing program, and then immediately uninstall it.<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope this helps you, Lindsay. If you need anything else, please let us know.<\/span>
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/span>
\nLindsay wrote back: \u201cHi TC. Thanks so much for your prompt reply to my problem. Thanks to you the problem is solved. I used the reinstall then uninstall method recommended by you and it was successful. Thank you for all you do for us old guys that use PCs as a hobby. Lindsay\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Audrey says Microsoft called<\/strong><\/span>
\nI received a phone call this morning and it was Windows saying that I have had a lot of errors on my account. How do they know? Do they usually call a person? I never said any of my information and just told her I would have the person who looks after my accounts look at it. The lady who called had an accent. Did I do the right thing?<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Audrey. You were almost the victim of a scam. Microsoft NEVER calls Windows users out of the blue. Never. So, yes you did the right thing by not letting her on your computer and by not taking instructions from her.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is only one way Microsoft will ever call you and that\u2019s if you contact Microsoft as outlined on this page<\/a> and set up a callback time. Otherwise, if you receive a call saying it\u2019s Microsoft calling and they tell you something\u2019s wrong with your computer- it is ALWAYS a scam.<\/span><\/p>\n

You did the right thing, Audrey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Dale wants to know how to enable his Windows 10 touchscreen<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi. Can you tell me how to re-enable my touchscreen on my computer? After I did a Windows update, my touchscreen no longer works. Any directions or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Dale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Dale, before you do anything else, power off your computer and wait a few minutes then restart it and try your touchscreen. If your touchscreen still does not work, try this:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Right-click your Windows 10 Start button (or use the Windows key + X shortcut).<\/span>
\n2. Click on Device Manager.<\/span>
\n3. Select the arrow next to Human Interface Devices.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloudeight<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Select HID-compliant touch screen from the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloudeight<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Select the Action tab at the top of the window (as above).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloudeight<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Select Enable device from the drop-down menu and confirm.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We hope this helps you, Dale.<\/span>
\n\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/span>
\nDale wrote back: \u201cThanks so much! I was able to follow your instructions and my touchscreen is now working! Thank you, Dale.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\"Help<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We gladly help everyone who writes every day by answering their questions and helping to solve their computer problems. Please help us continue to do that!<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Make a small donation and help us help you!<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n

If you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us with a donation. Even the smallest gift is appreciated. Every donation helps us to provide useful information that helps you with your computer as well as helps us to keep you safe on the Internet. We offer free help to thousands of people every year… and we offer an honest and inexpensive computer repair service too. We do everything we can to help you with your computer and keep you safe too.<\/span><\/p>\n

So if you don’t need any of our products or services right now, please help us by making a donation right now<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in making a monthly gift? Visit this page<\/strong><\/a>. Help us keep helping you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you so much for your support!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Leslie wants the search box back on her taskbar<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi TC & Darcy. I have the search icon on my taskbar but would like the search box there instead. I remember that there was a tip on how to make it just an icon, but I want to change it back to the way it was. I hope I have explained it properly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Leslie. Before I tell you how to put the search box back on your taskbar, you\u2019ll need to check the following settings:<\/span><\/p>\n

#1. Small taskbar buttons must be turned off.<\/span><\/p>\n

#2. The taskbar must be at the bottom of your screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

.Right-click on the Start button click > Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. If you have the \u201cUse small taskbar buttons\u201d switch turned On, you will need to turn it off. In the same dialog, make sure the Taskbar location on the screen is set to Bottom. See the screenshot below.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloudeight<\/span><\/p>\n

After you\u2019ve checked the above, right-click on an empty space on your taskbar. A menu will appear. Find Search on the menu, and click on it, and you\u2019ll see a sub-menu open with 3 choices. The choice you want is \u201cShow search box\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a screenshot to guide you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloudeight<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, note, that you can access this same menu by right-clicking on the search icon in your taskbar too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Joyce\u2019s desktop icons have become very large<\/strong><\/span>
\nI don\u2019t know what I did but now the icons on my desktop have all become very large. The icons I have pinned on the taskbar are normal, it is just the icons on the desktop. Is there any way I can get my icons on the desktop back to normal?<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Joyce. You can resize the icons on your desktop as simple as this:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Press Windows Key + D.<\/span>
\n2. Click on empty space on your desktop.<\/span>
\n3. Hold down the CTRL key and move your mouse wheel toward you to make the icons smaller \u2014 or move it away from you to make the icons bigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using this method you can make your desktop icons as large or as small as you like. And it only takes a few seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Suzanne wants to know why her log-in screen picture is hazy<\/strong><\/span>
\nI have a question. When I turn on my computer the Lock screen picture is hazy. How can I fix this? Thank You!<\/span><\/p>\n

Our answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Suzanne. The blurry lock screen is something Microsoft calls the acrylic effect. The blurred image is supposed to help you focus on the main purpose of the lock screen \u2013 the sign-in part.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want a blurry or hazy lock screen you can turn off the acrylic effect. We show you how to do that here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Senior<\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have a Cloudeight SeniorPass? It\u2019s a great deal. Learn more here.<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Our Cloudeight SeniorPass is a great deal. You get unlimited support for one full year from the date you first use your SeniorPass. We can help keep your computer running well, fix all kinds of computer problems, clean up malware, and a whole lot more. Our SeniorPass is like having insurance for your computer. And it\u2019s only $99 for an entire year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get your SeniorPass today for just $99.\u00a0 It\u2019s just like having insurance for your computer \u2013 only better!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about our SeniorPass, <\/strong> please see this page.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Michael asks why we don\u2019t trust Norton\/LifeLock<\/strong><\/span>
\nHello TC and Darcy, you have helped me on many occasions, and your advice is always very much appreciated. I always look forward to each edition of your newsletter.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a user of Norton software for many years. After reading one of your replies in Questions and Answers Weekly Issue #914. You stipulate and I quote\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t trust Norton\/LifeLock. LifeLock has been sued several times for false advertising\u201d.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

I am now very reluctant to subscribe to Norton in the future. This leaves me wondering what antivirus software I can truly trust. It would help a great deal if you passed on your thoughts on which antivirus software would be the best to go for, as they all advertise themselves as being trustworthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many thanks for any help you can offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Answer<\/strong><\/span>
\nHi Michael. Norton has been around for a long time. Norton purchased LifeLock several years ago. LifeLock is not an antivirus program it\u2019s supposed to be identity theft protection. However, most people actually give their personal information away by being tricked into it. LifeLock does absolutely nothing to prevent users from being scammed or tricked into giving away personal info. They claim if you use LifeLock and your identity gets stolen they\u2019ll pay up to $1 million to help you recover from that. However, these claims have been disputed \u2013 the FTC fined LifeLock<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the cases against LifeLock:<\/span><\/p>\n

FTC Sends Checks Totaling More Than $31 Million to LifeLock Customers<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lifelock Identity Theft Protection Fraud<\/strong><\/a><\/span>
\nEbarle et al. v. LifeLock Inc., No. 3:15-cv-00258 (N.D. Cal.). Lieff Cabraser represented consumers who subscribed to LifeLock\u2019s identity theft protection services in a nationwide class action fraud lawsuit. The complaint alleged LifeLock did not protect the personal information of its subscribers from hackers and criminals\u2026 https:\/\/www.lieffcabraser.com\/privacy\/lifelock\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LifeLock agrees to pay $100 million after class-action lawsuit<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lawsuit: LifeLock Misrepresents Identity Theft Protection Services<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

LifeLock\u2019s claim that it protects you from identity theft is not true, since most identity theft happens because people are tricked into giving away their personal information.<\/span><\/p>\n

Norton\u2019s claim that hackers can \u201cSee\u201d everything you do on your computer when you use Wi-Fi is not true. They claim their VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects you from hackers stealing your information that is leaked over Wi-Fi. If you\u2019re using your home Wi-Fi and a secured network which 99% of home Wi-Fi networks are, hackers don\u2019t see everything you do on Wi-Fi. The only time Norton\u2019s claim is true is if you\u2019re using public Wi-Fi in a restaurant, hotel, airport, etc. And you should never do banking or any other highly confidential transactions while connected to Public Wi-Fi. And if you really needed to do so, there are free and inexpensive VPNs you could use when connected to public Wi-Fi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Norton\/LifeLock\u2019s pricing starts at $9.99\/month but that\u2019s only for the first 12 months. That\u2019s still nearly $120\/year. And it goes up from there.<\/span><\/p>\n

We have been using and recommending Emsisoft<\/a> AntiMalware and antivirus for many years. It protects your computer from viruses, Trojans, and ransomware, but more importantly, it protects you from the types of malware you\u2019re most likely to encounter \u2013 the kind that comes bundled with freeware \u2013 also known as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). And for $30 for the first year and $25 every year thereafter. We trust Emsisoft. And the team behind it provides our mutual customers with fantastic support. You can read more on our Emsisoft page at https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/emsisoft\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m sorry this is so long, but I did want you to see that what we wrote about Norton\/Lifelock is not just an opinion \u2013 our opinion is based on facts.<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope this helps you make a good decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n