Yesterday was the longest day of the year in our neck of the woods.. If you live in the southern hemisphere, it was the shortest. And today, in our locale, it is Saturday, and it’s time for another Saturday Bonus Questions & Answers edition.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes, the best tips and tricks are hidden in the published questions and answers. 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 InfoAve 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 – 062125<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Patricia wants to know if private browsing is good or bad<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> Read our article \u201cSome Things Private Browsing is Good For \u2013 Hint: Privacy is not one of them<\/a>\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n Hope this is what you\u2019re looking for.<\/span><\/p>\n Julia gets a scam call about a compromised IP address from her telephone number<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> To make matters worse, scammers now have the technology to fake the \u201ccalling from\u201d phone number so they can make it appear they\u2019re calling from any phone number \u2013 even legitimate and well-known companies\u2019 phone numbers or even your phone number.<\/span><\/p>\n Always remember that no one is going to call you out of the blue about your computer being infected, your IP address is being compromised, or your computer is in dire need of repairs. It\u2019s never going to happen.<\/span><\/p>\n You did the right thing by hanging up. Good job!<\/span><\/p>\n Carol asks about Windows 7 Backup & Restore in Windows 10 Our answer<\/strong><\/span> But the good news is that since System Reset is very reliable and since you can reset your computer (completely wipe out Windows and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows while keeping all your files), the need for an image backup has become much less important. See our article about Windows Reset here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Also, it\u2019s important to remember that image backups created on one computer should not be used on a different computer.<\/span><\/p>\n For backing up your files and folders and creating a backup that you can use if you get a new computer, we no longer recommend File History; we recommend using OneDrive with 1 TB of space.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope you find this helpful, Carol.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve helped hundreds of you with your computers since we started our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service<\/a>! If you\u2019re having computer problems, we CAN help you!<\/span><\/p>\n Get more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and or get your repair keys here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Frank has a write-protected flash drive and cannot format it<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Download and install Rufus.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Connect your flash drive to your computer.<\/span><\/p>\n Launch Rufus.<\/span><\/p>\n Select your flash drive from the \u201cDevice\u201d drop-down menu in the Rufus window.<\/span><\/p>\n In the \u201cFile system\u201d drop-down menu, select the file system that you want to use for your flash drive.<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to encrypt your flash drive, select the \u201cEncrypt device\u201d checkbox and enter a password. (You should skip this step unless you have a reason to encrypt that flash drive.)<\/span><\/p>\n Click the \u201cStart\u201d button to begin formatting your flash drive.<\/span><\/p>\n Once the formatting process is complete, your flash drive will be formatted and ready to use.<\/span><\/p>\n Important: Formatting a flash drive will erase all of the data on it.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Frank. If you have any more questions, just let us know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Candace says her Windows 11 Computer tells her that her device security is turned off<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Here\u2019s how to change your settings so you won\u2019t see that warning again\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022Type Security in the taskbar search. <\/span> It\u2019s interesting to note that in Windows 10, those settings were turned off by default.<\/span><\/p>\n Let me know if you have any further questions, Candace.<\/span> Lee and Vera want to know why a recent Windows update affected their browser\u2019s start page<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span> What happens when you click this link<\/a>? Does it go to StartPage?<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you.<\/span> Now available: Reg Organizer 9.40<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you purchased or renewed Reg Organizer through Cloudeight within the last 12 months, you\u2019re entitled to a free version upgrade to Reg Organizer 9.40. It works great with Windows 10 and Windows 11!<\/span><\/p>\n Save $14 on Reg Organizer right now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Reg Organizer \u2013 A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools \u2013 Works Great on Windows 10 and 11!<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rosemarie wants to know how to split her computer screen<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> You can move any program Window left, right, up, or down by using the Windows key and the arrow keys. You can split the screen into 2, 3, or 4 sections this way.<\/span><\/p>\n Windows Key + Left Arrow moves the window to the left side of the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n Windows Key + Right Arrow moves the window to the right side of the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n Windows Key + Down Arrow moves the window to the bottom of the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n Windows Key + Up Arrow moves the window to the top half of the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n By using the Windows Key and the Arrow Keys, you can \u201cSplit\u201d the screen into four quadrants.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Rosemarie.<\/span><\/p>\n Ann got a mysterious support pop-up Our answer<\/strong><\/span> However, these kinds of popups can also come from browser extensions and other PUPs, but without checking, we cannot be certain where this support scam popup is coming from. If you continue to see it then you may have installed a browser extension or freeware bundle that is initiating the scam tech support pop-up. You would then need to identify and remove the offending program or extension.<\/span><\/p>\n If you continue to have problems with these pop-ups, never call the tech support number or you\u2019ll be contacting scammers who will try to get you to give them a credit card number.<\/span><\/p>\n If your problems persist, we can check things over with our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service<\/a>. We can make sure that nothing is installed on your computer that is causing these pop-ups and make sure your computer is clean and free from anything that shouldn\u2019t be there.<\/span><\/p>\n Please let us know if we can be of assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n Phyllis tells us that all of a sudden, her computer is in black and white<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> Try this: Press and hold down your Windows key while pressing the CTRL key and the C key. The Windows + CTRL + C shortcut enables or disables color filters for the screen.<\/span><\/p>\n You can also turn off Windows 10 Color Filters this way:<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Right-click the start button.<\/span> Hope this helps you.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2014\u2013<\/span> THANK YOU FOR HELPING US! Did you know that we provide support to thousands of people? Every week we help dozens of people via email at no charge. The questions and answers you see in our newsletters are from the email answers and help we provide to everyone free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to your gifts, we do more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, help you navigate the Web safely, provide suggestions for safe, free software and websites, and help you get more out of your PC.<\/span><\/p>\n Please help us keep up the good fight with a small gift.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Please](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2023\/gift23.png\")
\nDonate today and help us keep on helping you!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\nHi. Is in-private browsing good or bad? If it\u2019s bad, do I turn it off?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Patricia. Private browsing is good for a lot of things, but keeping your IP address private is not one of them. Private browsing (or Incognito mode on Chrome) is not something you turn on or off \u2013 it\u2019s something you can choose to use or not.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nI just received a call on my home phone from someone named Allison saying my IP address has been compromised. I hung up on her, mainly because the caller ID had my name and phone number on it. How is this possible, and was this a scam?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Julia. Yes, it is a scam. Always hang up immediately. No one, other than a scammer, is going to call you and say they can see your IP address and tell you that it is compromised. These scammers have auto dialers making millions of calls. They are usually calling from other countries and have hundreds of operators to pick up the calls if someone answers.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Is Windows system image reliable? I see it is in the Control Panel under Backup & Restore (Windows 7). I understand it is different than file history.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Carol. Windows System Image backup is not reliable \u2013 it was introduced with Windows 7 and wasn\u2019t very reliable then. Interestingly, the same Windows 7 image backup is included with Windows 10 and Windows 11 for some unknown reason.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2014\/directgreen.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nI have a USB flash drive that is write-protected. I have tried everything I can to format it, but every time it comes back that it is protected. What can I do?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Frank. Several third-party tools can be used to format a write-protected flash drive. One option is Rufus. Rufus is a free and open-source tool that can be used to format USB drives, create bootable media, and more. To use Rufus to format a write-protected (or password-protected) flash drive, follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nI hope you can help me. I have a security notice saying that my device security is off. it directs me to the settings, but I see no on-off. How do I turn it on? Thanks much! Candace.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Candace.\u00a0\u00a0Many of us who have older or less expensive Windows 11 computers frequently see this warning. As long as you\u2019ve got good security software like Emsisoft installed (and you do) you need not be concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2022When the Windows Security app opens, click on Device Security in the left pane. <\/span>
\n\u2022Under Core isolation, click \u201cDismiss all\u201d. <\/span>
\n\u2022On the page that opens, turn the switches to \u201cOff\u201d under \u201cMemory integrity\u201d and \u201cLocal Security Authority protection\u201d. <\/span>
\n\u2022Close the Windows Security app.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u2014-<\/span>
\nCandace wrote back: \u201cThanks so much, TC.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nDear Darcy and TC.\u00a0 My wife and I both use StartPage and have done for several years. Since the recent Windows update, every time we log into it, a pink banner comes up at the top of the page under the address bar, saying\u2026 \u201cWe\u2019re sorry, the page you requested is not found. The URL may be misspelled or the page you\u2019re looking for is no longer available.\u201d<\/em><\/span>
\nYet the page is working.\u00a0 Do you have any idea why this is happening on both of our computers?\u00a0 Thanks very much. Lee and Vera.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Lee and Vera.\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t use StartPage so off the top of my head, I have no idea. But a Windows update would not affect your browser unless you use Microsoft Edge. Since you don\u2019t mention what browser you use, I will assume you use Edge. I suggest you reset your browser. Here is a tutorial on resetting Edge as well as Chrome and Firefox. Resetting your browser and clearing your cache will probably resolve your problem. If you\u2019re using the StartPage extension, resetting your browser will disable the extension, but you can turn it back on.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u2014\u2014-<\/span>
\nLee wrote back\u2026 \u201cThanks for the advice. Will do as you say and make Startpage my browser\u2019s home page and default search engine.\u00a0 Best regards\u2026Lee.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"Reg](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2019\/ro2019.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n
\nDear Friends. Thank you for your constant companionship and help in your newsletters. Living in the deep south of France, where nothing goes and is very much a senior (82) without \u201ccomputer-speak,\u201d I do occasionally need help. I am using Windows 10. How do I split the screen, either left-right or above and below?\u00a0 I have a long translation to do and need to be able to see what I have to do and what I have done. Thank you so much, and best regards.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Rosemarie. Thanks so much for your very nice comments and your support.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Hi, Darcy & TC. Just have a question about a System Support pop-up saying that Windows was going to shut down this computer if I didn\u2019t call them immediately. I got it closed after several tries, but I want to see if you can come on and make sure nothing was hacked or if this is just one of those phishing emails.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nIt sounds like a typical tech support scam from what you described. A tech support scam is an ad that pops up when you click something in an email or while you\u2019re browsing the web. You did the right thing by not calling the tech support number.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\nI was trying to change the text color from white to black under the desktop icons and all of a sudden, everything on my computer is now black and white. I have no idea what I would have clicked on for this to happen. I looked up how to change it back but every suggestion I found did not get it back so I can have color again\u2026even my photos are black and white. Is this something you can help me with? Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Phyllis. Windows 10 has a feature called Color Filters that when activated can everything to grayscale (black and white).<\/span><\/p>\n
\n2. Click Settings<\/span>
\n3. Click Ease of Access<\/span>
\n4. Click Color Filters<\/span>
\n5. Turn off the switch<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2019\/cfilters.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPhyllis wrote back: \u201cThank you so much, TC\u2026you saved me from another day of frustration! It restored my colors\u2026 Phyllis<\/em>\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Please](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2021\/donate2021.png\")
<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong><\/span>
\nWhen you support us with a small gift, you help us continue our mission to keep you informed, separate the truth from the hyperbole, and help you stay safer online. Plus, our computer tips make your computer easier to use.<\/span><\/p>\n