Is it time to say Happy Halloween yet? Nah, next week will be more appropriate. But soon will we be saying Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. It hardly seems possible, right?\u00a0 But <\/span>today is just another Saturday in October, and it’s time for another edition 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 Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 102123<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bill says a Windows 10 update failed \u2013 what should he do?<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> 1. Updates to improve security when Windows performs basic operations. <\/span> The number 2 does not mean it\u2019s the 2nd install, it can be a threshold number for your version of Windows 10.<\/span><\/p>\n Even though it\u2019s classified as a \u201csecurity update\u201d I would not be overly concerned about this update right now. Windows 10 will automatically keep trying to install it.<\/span><\/p>\n To find your version of Windows 10 type WINVER in the taskbar search and press Enter when you see \u201cwinver\u201d appear in the search results. You\u2019ll see a Windows version dialog appear.<\/span><\/p>\n If you see an update at 100% it may still require a reboot to finalize. It may either automatically reboot or be awaiting a reboot from you.<\/span><\/p>\n If Windows is waiting for you to restart your computer, you\u2019ll see an icon in the taskbar in the notification area with an orange dot on it. It\u2019s circled in yellow in the screenshot below. If you see that, you need to restart your computer to finish installing the update.<\/span><\/p>\n Rather than waiting for Windows Update to reinstall it, you can install this update from the Microsoft Online Catalog on this page<\/a>. You\u2019ll need to know your system type (32-bit or 64-bit). You can find that by typing \u201cAbout\u201d in the taskbar search and pressing Enter when you see \u201cAbout your PC\u201d appear in the results. Look next to \u201cSystem type\u201d. And you\u2019ll also need to know your Windows 10 version number.<\/span><\/p>\n If you continue to have problems installing this update and you don\u2019t want to wait for the new Windows 10 version 21H1 (May 2021 Update) take a look at this page<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n I think we covered all the bases! We hope this helps you, Bill.<\/span><\/p>\n Cheryl asks about the reliability of external hard drives<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> The best way to protect your precious files is to use a local backup (external hard drive). Also use a cloud-based backup system like OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. to backup truly irreplaceable files. The files you can\u2019t replace probably don\u2019t amount to enough to fill an entire external drive. But only you can decide what is irreplaceable.<\/span><\/p>\n I consider family pictures irreplaceable because they capture events in time, and some legal documents, tax forms, and other important documents, but you may feel differently.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that cloud-based storage is not completely free. All cloud-based services offer a limited amount of free space. OneDrive offers 5 GB, Dropbox offers 2 GB, and Google Drive offers 15 GB. You can purchase more space as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n We think that OneDrive offers the best deal. If you buy a subscription to Microsoft Office 365<\/a> for $6.99 a month, you get 1 TB (terabyte) of cloud storage. And with that much space, you\u2019ll be able to store all your precious, irreplaceable files.<\/span><\/p>\n Dropbox charges $9.99\/month for 1 TB of cloud storage and that does not come with Office. Google charges $9.99\/month for 2 TB of cloud storage. Most reputable cloud storage services back up your data multiple times in multiple locations so that the risk of losing your precious, irreplaceable files is almost zero.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Cheryl.<\/span> D<\/span><\/strong>url wants to download and install a program but Windows 11 won’t allow it<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span> If it’s in S- mode you need to follow the instructions on this page<\/a>. Make sure you follow those instructions exactly.<\/span><\/p>\n If your computer is not in S mode then do this :<\/span><\/p>\n Right-click on the Start button<\/span><\/p>\n Click on Settings<\/span><\/p>\n In Settings click on Apps<\/span><\/p>\n In Apps click on Advanced App Settings<\/span><\/p>\n To the right of “Choose where to get apps” click the small down arrow and choose “Anywhere” from the drop-down menu.<\/span><\/p>\n Here is a screenshot to help you.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this solves your problem, Durl.<\/span><\/p>\n Please consider making a small donation and help us keep helping you!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Sharon wants to make Gmail her default email client in Windows 10<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> Gmail is not an app, it\u2019s a web-based service and you cannot directly set Gmail as your default email program. You can set \u201cGoogle Chrome\u201d as your default \u201cemail program\u201d (it\u2019s really not an email program, it\u2019s a browser) and access Gmail using Chrome. But you have to set up Chrome to open mailto links first. You can set up Chrome to open mailto links in Gmail by default. To learn how to set up Chrome that way, see this Google tutorial.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n An even better way is to set up an email program like OE Classic<\/a> to access your Gmail account and set OE Classic (or other email programs) as your default email app.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Sharon.<\/span><\/p>\n Marilyn\u2019s computer shuts down by itself several times a day<\/strong><\/span> How can I stop this from happening? There is no warning of any description. It simply shuts down & reboots. I have at times lost other work due to this as the \u201csave\u201d of a document isn\u2019t instantaneous.<\/span><\/p>\n This has been happening for several months, but I\u2019ve put up with it. Any information would be greatly appreciated. All the best to you both. Dellen (Marilyn).<\/span><\/p>\n Our answer<\/strong><\/span> Anything you\u2019re working on \u2013 email included \u2013 will be lost if not saved before the computer shuts down. But for email in general, it sounds like you have your mail set up as POP3 instead of IMAP. POP3 protocol downloads and removes mail from the mail server. If you lose it, it\u2019s gone. IMAP protocol email is synchronized with mail on the mail server. If you lose it or get a new computer or check your mail from another device \u2013 it\u2019s still on the mail server and you can still retrieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Marilyn.<\/span><\/p>\n (For those reading this who are using a laptop and who have similar problems, see our article here<\/a>.)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\nHi people! How is the battle? Hope you are doing fine. I just have a small question for you. I noticed in my Windows update that an update failed. The update was KB 5003173. I am currently re-trying it as I type this. The update is for my Windows 10 computer. I noticed a 2 after the update number. Is that the number of tries to install? As I retried just now, it is at 100%. I assumed that that would be successful but apparently not. I know that you know of somewhere that I can go to do a successful update. Thanks a bunch. Take care and remain healthy. Bill.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Bill. The update is not a Windows version update, it is just your average run-of-the-mill patch Tuesday security update It\u2019s not a terribly important update. It includes:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n2. Updates to improve Windows OLE (compound documents) security.<\/span>
\n3. Updates security for Bluetooth drivers.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2021\/winver2021.png%20\")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2021\/reboot.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nJust read in Issue #919<\/a> about someone whose external hard drive failed. I\u2019m wondering since I store EVERYTHING I do on my external hard drive if there\u2019s a better (or secondary) way of saving everything in case my external hard drive crashes? Thanks for all you two do to keep us safe. Take Care. As always, please feel free to share in a newsletter.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Cheryl. Thank you! Most external drives have a long lifespan, but there\u2019s no guarantee. We\u2019ve had external drives that we\u2019ve been using for over seven years. And we\u2019ve had external drives fail after a year or two.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014-<\/span>
\nCheryl wrote back: \u201cThank you, Mr. TC. As ALWAYS, you\u2019ve helped me out again. Take care.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nI have a program I want to download and install on Windows 11, but Windows prevents me from running the installation exe. Is there any way I can run the program?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Durl. Your computer is either in S-mode or it’s set to download from Microsoft only.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2023\/get-anywhere.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\nHi. When I try to email from my desktop\u2026 I get a message there is no email program set as default. I went to the Control Panel but there was no option to set Gmail as default. Is there a way to make Gmail the default mail program? You guys always know the answers. Thanks for your help. Sharon.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Sharon. Thanks! First, the fastest way to set default apps in Windows 10 is by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps. If you use Control Panel > Set your default programs, you end up at Settings >Apps> Default apps anyway. An even faster way is typing DEFAULT APPS in the Taskbar search.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nHi TC & Darcy. I have Windows 10 version 2004 and my antivirus is Emsisoft. I\u2019m completely fed up with my computer shutting down and rebooting several times in a 24-hour period. My email program is OE pro & doesn\u2019t automatically save emails in drafts, so if I forget as I did tonight to press \u201csave\u201d I lose whatever I\u2019ve typed. A very important but lengthy email was lost just before I was about to sign off. I now have to start again. It can happen as I hit a key or click a button or when not in use at all\u2026 It never happens on the laptop\u2026 only on the main desktop.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Marilyn. As for your computer shutting down several times a day without warning \u2013 this is a sign that it\u2019s overheating. The two main causes of overheating are dust\/lint blocking the vents in your computer and\/or a fan or fans inside your computer\u2019s case has failed. Another cause is (if using a desktop), placing the tower under a desk pushed back against the wall so that\u2019s not getting enough air. Make sure your computer\u2019s vents are clean and free of dust and lint. If a fan or fans have stopped working, they\u2019ll need to be replaced. Also, make sure the tower is not pushed back against a wall, and make sure it\u2019s not under a desk, or worse, inside a cabinet. Computers run hot and they need a lot of ventilation. A computer will shut down automatically if it overheats to protect the processor.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n