The Ask Leo! Podcast: Recent Episodes
Leo A. Notenboom
ll discuss defenses that work, why backups are your best insurance, and why you should never, ever pay the ransom.
What’s the difference between your email service, account, address, and program? I'll break it down so you’ll know what each term means, why it matters, and how not to get tripped up next time you want to change your email or ask a question.
Wondering why Microsoft charges for Extended Security Updates when Windows Defender will get updates through 2028? They're not the same. I'll explain the difference between malware database updates and actual Windows fixes, and what you really need to know to stay protected on Windows 10.
Worried about your data if your computer goes missing? Whole-disk encryption can keep prying eyes out. I’ll show you simple, practical ways to encrypt your entire drive so your information stays safe even if your computer doesn’t.
Passkeys promise more security and less hassle, but is syncing them across devices safe? Learn how password managers handle passkeys and what happens if a device is stolen.
Not sure if your Windows network should be public or private, or even what that means? I’ll show you what each means, when to use them, and the simple steps to switch.
People want to know if someone’s opened their email. I’ll explain why features and tools claiming to do that can't work most of the time. I'll share the only way to know for certain your message was read.
Ever notice that the same file can show up as different sizes depending on where you look? It’s not a mistake; it’s how disks and online services handle storage. I’ll explain why your files can look bigger or smaller, what clusters have to do with it, and why it’s nothing to worry about.
Want to keep your folders private? This article shows three ways to encrypt everything inside a folder. Each method has pros and cons, so you’ll learn which one best protects your files while balancing ease of use.
It's frustrating when email previously marked as "not junk" continues to get sent to the Junk folder. Let's look at your options.
The word "backup" is used in confusing ways when it comes to OneDrive. It's worth understanding how it all works so you can choose what's best for you.
Initial panic about the Microsoft Recall feature is overblown. If you're worried about that, you're worried about the wrong thing.
Commercial software can be expensive. Can you just pirate software if you can't afford it? You can guess my answer, but even better: theft isn't necessary.
If your format happened quickly, it's unlikely your data was actually erased. I'll show you the difference.
Having your email automatically or continually signed in to can be a security risk in some situations, but very convenient in others.
Passwords are dying. On some services, you can start playing with the process by creating a secure password... and then forgetting it.
This is a system designed to help you recover your email account if something should go wrong... and things go wrong more often than you would like to think.
Numerous people and programs can track your internet activities. But are you really that interesting?
When Windows tells you it's out of memory, what does it mean and what can you do about it?
Keeping your telephone number up to date on Google is important. It's easy to do -- as long as you can sign in.
OneDrive's backup feature can cause confusion and even chaos. I'll review its impact on your computer's desktop and what to do about it.
It'd be great to be able to locate all the places your email address has been used. Unfortunately, "great" doesn't mean "possible".
Using a password-protected WPA2/3 hotspot is a minor inconvenience for a very significant level of additional security.
Change is inevitable. But sometimes, an online service's improvements are viewed as just the opposite by some.
I hear from people who are concerned that they've put so much security in place they'll keep themselves out in case of emergency.
I'll review the most popular cloud storage offerings, how they differ, and which I use (and why).
Cookies are placed on your machine by websites -- often more websites than you realize. We'll review cookies and how third parties can use them.
It's fairly easy to automatically forward Hotmail and Outlook.com messages to another email account. I'll walk you through the steps.
Downloading, copying, and moving are all important concepts to file management, online and off.
Local and Microsoft accounts both have pros and cons. I'll explain so you can decide which is right for you.
Backing up data using an online backup service can be an important part of an overall strategy, but there are important limits and considerations.
The Recycle Bin is your friend. I'll show you where it lives and how to control the space it uses.
Both children and adults receive harassing or abusive email. Sadly, there's no easy way to trace it back to a sender who doesn't want to be found.
Multiple partitions of a hard drive can be useful. I'll show you how to create a new partition by splitting an existing C: partition.
Spam filters can be sophisticated or simple. I'll look at some of the characteristics of email that spam filters check.
Billions of records of personal information, including Social Security numbers, has been exposed. What to do?
OneDrive is not a backup solution. OneDrive is for file synchronization. It's critical you understand the difference.
Downloading a file from the internet is easy, but knowing and controlling where downloads go takes a little more understanding.
BCC is a way to send copies of email without all recipients being visible. But can you still view the BCC'ed?
Duplicate files on your computer can happen for many reasons, most of which are legitimate. Think twice about deleting duplicate files.
OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature may confuse you into thinking you have a file on your computer that you do not.
"Mailbox unavailable" is a common email bounce message that tells us very little. I'll review some of the more common causes of this message.
SpinRite is a hard disk repair utility that can frequently recover and repair physical hard disk issues such as CRC errors.
Closing a Facebook account is not a complicated process, but think twice before doing so.
There are usually many copies of the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime library on a Windows computer. Here's why.
For all practical purposes, it's impossible to tell if someone has copied your files after the fact.
Two-factor authentication is one of the most important things you can do to secure your accounts. Here are the 2FA apps I can recommend.
Windows includes three types of accounts: administrator-capable, limited user, and the (hidden) true administrator account.
Setting up a Windows 11 machine without a Microsoft account is still possible, though it's not obvious.
Backing up to auto-syncing cloud services is very convenient. But what happens when it syncs your mistake?
Passkeys seem like magic, and confusing magic at that. I'll address a set of questions I received recently.
OAuth2, aka a "Modern authentication method", removes the burden of authentication from the email program to the email service itself, enabling a number of important security features.
In Windows 11, you may find you must now log in using a Microsoft account. I'll show you two alternatives that will allow you to continue to use a local account.
I often hear calls to switch from Windows to Linux. I'll show you how to try Zorin Linux and install it if you decide it's for you.
"I want to close my Hotmail account" is a knee-jerk reaction to many account problems. It's easy, and I'll show you how, but it also may be pointless or even harmful.
Multi-core processors add an additional layer of complexity to software design. Occasionally that can manifest as only a portion of the CPU being used.
I've avoided Windows' default folder layout for years. With recent assumptions Microsoft has made on how those folders should be treated, I'm glad I don't rely on them.
Here's a series of steps to recover use of an external drive that's acting up when connected to one machine but not with another.
It can be frustrating to delete something to seemingly no effect. I'll explain why that might be and what to do.
It's rare to get installation media with your machine any more. Fortunately, Windows 11 installation media can be download online.
I repaired a friend's machine's hard disk failure only to discover something much, much worse.
Outlook.com, like most email services, tries hard to keep spam out of your inbox. Sometimes it gets a little too aggressive. I'll look at how to tame it.
Email comes with its own set of terminology. I'll review how email addresses, accounts, domains, and aliases relate.
Unfortunately, Facebook account hacks are common. I'll look at the process Facebook uses to recover a hacked Facebook account.
The registry is a database that is needed for the complex issues Windows tries to solve. With that complexity, though, comes the potential for error.
It can be extremely difficult to find the email address of someone you want to contact. To begin with, they must want to be found.
You can download Microsoft Word from Microsoft, but not for free. The good news is that there are several free alternatives.
It's a scary warning that doesn't quite mean what it says but is important to understand. I'll explain.
Linux is a viable alternative to extend the life of older machines or if you're just fed up with Windows. I'll look at some of the issues involved in switching to Linux.
Microsoft's AI, CoPilot, has received mixed reviews. Here's how best to get rid of it... for now.
Spam is annoying. What's more annoying are all the ways spammers have to get our email addresses in the first place.
There are emails from which you should certainly unsubscribe if you no longer want them. However, there are emails that you absolutely should never unsubscribe from. I'll review the difference.
I vent a little about people missing what's right in front of them (including myself) and then discuss why taking the time to read what your machine is telling you is so important to a less frustrating experience with your technology.
Taking your contacts with you when moving from one platform to another is a clumsy process.
Startup repair is a useful tool built into Windows setup media and recovery disks. I'll walk through how to use it and what to do if it fails.
S-mode is an additional set of restrictions in Windows that is intended to protect you. Most people want it off.
Changing your password is a common response to account hacks. Unfortunately, it isn't enough.
ZIP files are useful for compressing and containing collections of files. Unfortunately, they're also useful to hackers, spammers, and scammers.
Technologies change, media wears out, and hardware that we once took for granted becomes difficult to find. How does all this impact the archives of our digital lives?
There are those who feel that technology isolates us from the world. I maintain that, while it's certainly a tool that can be misused, it can still be a tool for connection.
Partitioning, or splitting a single physical hard drive into multiple drives, has pros and cons. I'll look at those and make a recommendation.
Over the years, the technology that runs Ask Leo! has changed a little. I'll give you an overview of the current state of affairs.
Changing the layout of the hard disk make the C: partition bigger requires a few steps and occasionally special tools.
Deciding what backup software to use relies on understanding what kind of backup you want to create. I'll review the options.
It's not uncommon for email messages to companies to disappear into a black hole. I'll look at why that might be and steps you can take to reduce the odds of it happening to you.
User Access Control, or UAC, prompts you each time an application requires administrative access. Annoyance or feature?
"Getting used to it" might not always be ideal, but being open to it can result in surprising improvements. Besides, you're doing it already almost every day.
While using unsupported software is discouraged, sometimes it's the only option. I'll discuss the ramifications, alternatives, and what you need to do to stay safe.
Document management can be complex and confusing, particularly when cloud storage is involved. I'll review why that is and suggest how to manage it.
Free downloads, free scans, free trials -- so many things on the internet are free! Or are they?
When a legitimate email sender doesn't respond to an unsubscribe request, they're no longer legitimate. Here's what to do.
We rail against intrusions into our private affairs and private information and then post our private information publicly. Where's the logic in that?
Like many Microsoft products, Hotmail's name has changed a time or two and caused a great deal of confusion. I'll try to make sense of it all.
You're told not to share your two-factor or other authentication code. And then you're asked for it.
If your computer is not physically secure, someone could install something even if you're not logged in.
Streaming video sites have some features that make the answer more complicated than it would seem.
You probably have a basic disk and don’t need the functionality offered by dynamic disk support... even if that functionality is kind of cool.
You can store email offline in Microsoft Office Outlook using PST files. I'll show you how to set that up.
There's a hidden account with complete administrative access. I'll show you how to enable it and discuss why you shouldn't use it very often, if at all.
There's a hidden account with complete administrative access. I'll show you how to enable it and discuss why you shouldn't use it very often, if at all.
Yes, I deal with frustrating changes too. It's not that I never get frustrated; it's what I choose next that makes for a much happier experience.
Yes, I deal with frustrating changes too. It's not that I never get frustrated; it's what I choose next that makes for a much happier experience.
The reinstall of my system slowly uncovered a potential hardware issue. Here's how I diagnosed and repaired it.
I'll show you how to look at your Outlook.com recent activity and review why it might be full of failed login attempts.
Although a VPN service is probably not necessary at home, there are a few scenarios where you may want to consider it.
The steps I took, the software I installed, and a few things I discovered as I reinstalled Windows 11 on my main machine.
The steps I took, the software I installed, and a few things I discovered as I reinstalled Windows 11 on my main machine.
You can download Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 from legitimate sources. If you have a legal retail product key, this can be your replacement media.
Online services, aka "the cloud", are often treated as if they are invincible. They're not. They represent a single point of failure that could cost you your data.
Getting an unexpected authorization code on your phone or via email can be concerning. Let's see when it's a sign of a problem and what to do about it.
Gmail labels are similar to folders, but there are a couple of important differences to know if you use a desktop email program to access Gmail.
Free-space wiping prevents the recovery of deleted files. Whether you need to do it, or how often, depends on how interesting your data is.
It's not uncommon for email to bounce in ways that imply you might be spamming. I'll look at what may or may not be happening.
Google search used to be the winner by far, but recent decreases in its trustworthiness and the improved offerings of other search engines make switching a pragmatic choice.
Browser problems can be caused by any number of things that may or may not include the browser itself. I'll review common troubleshooting techniques.
What action to take on breach and exposure notifications depends on how much information you get.
Use the Windows 10 and 11 Out-of-Box Experience to reset a variety of items associated with initial computer setup.
My background is most assuredly not journalism. I bring something else entirely to the table: experience.
A very common scam has people supposedly from Microsoft, your ISP, or other authorities calling to help you with computer problems. Don't fall for it.
To back up your email, you first have to figure out where it lives. It might be on your computer, or it might be on the internet.
Let me walk you through eight of the most common issues when it comes to internet connections, drops, and general connectivity.
An Internal Server Error happens within the server attempting to show you a webpage. It's usually a server-side problem out of your control.
Recovering individual files from a Cryptomator encrypted vault can be tricky. I'll discuss why and how to protect your access to those files.
Downloading all your OneDrive files isn't particularly difficult; it's just not particularly obvious. I'll show you two ways to do it.
When it comes to technology, it seems like there's a whole 'nother language to learn. Using the right terminology is important to being understood and getting your problems resolved.
Zetabytes? Petaflops? Gigahertz? Confusing terms for the ever-increasing capacity and speed of our computers.
In most cases, deleted email is gone beyond your ability to recover it. As always, however, there are exceptions.
I know less than you think I do, but I make up for it with a very important skill -- a skill anyone can benefit from improving.
To avoid running out of space in your Microsoft/Outlook.com account, you can archive email messages to your PC.
Smartphones are a popular way to take snapshots and videos. Tools like Dropbox are great for making sure those are backed up automatically.
Google/Gmail account hacks happen. Take these steps to recover your account and prevent it from being hacked again.
Many sites make it easy to log in by using your Facebook or other account credentials. It's easy -- but is it safe?
Many sites make it easy to log in by using your Facebook or other account credentials. It's easy -- but is it safe?
The world's largest magazine dispensed some bad tech advice. Here's why I so strongly disagree.
The world's largest magazine dispensed some bad tech advice. Here's why I so strongly disagree.
It's tempting to think more is better when it comes to security software. In reality, too many can cause trouble.
It's tempting to think more is better when it comes to security software. In reality, too many can cause trouble.
It's possible to use more than one Google account at the same time, though it's easy to lose track of which one you're in.
It's useful to know the names and functions of the various parts of an application window.
The Problem Steps Recorder is a useful way to capture and share the exact steps you take when a problem occurs.
The Problem Steps Recorder is a useful way to capture and share the exact steps you take when a problem occurs.
One way to reclaim space (and occasionally even performance) is to uninstall software you don't need. I'll review important places to help you do just that.
Issues with copying files are most often traceable to hard disk issues, but there are other potential causes as well.
Multiple instances of your browser showing in the task manager is not a problem -- it's how browsers work. It's the total RAM usage you should pay attention to.
When you ask someone for help, stack the deck in your favor by painting a clear picture of the problem you're experiencing.
When scanning for wireless connections, you may find several that are unknown, yet appear open and available. Using them is very risky.
If you run a website and have someone administering it for you -- a system administrator or "sysadmin" -- they may have much more power than you realize.
Macrium Reflect is clearer and more fully featured than Windows' built-in backup. It's easier to understand and ultimately, I trust it more.
A few email providers have an email-forwarding feature, but most do not. If available, forwarding only works as long as you continue to own the original account.
Some stone tablets may have survived, but that doesn't mean they're something to rely on. What it does mean is perhaps you haven't thought through all the issues.
When transferring NTFS-formatted disks from one machine to another, permissions can restrict access. I'll cover both Widows GUI and command line solutions.
We'll look at some ways that someone else could access your account -- or at least look like they have.
Having your document's dirty laundry exposed to the world by accident can be embarrassing. Here's how to avoid it.
Turning off remote desktop is incrementally safer, but it is a very small piece of a much larger puzzle.
Losing your business email account can have dire repercussions. I'll show you how to protect yourself.
Using someone else's credit card online illegally is identity theft. There's not a lot you can do except report it.
Spammers and internet trolls harvest email addresses via a variety of means. One of the most common is to simply surf the web and look for anything that might look like one.
Blocked from upgrading to Windows 11 by the TPM 2 or CPU requirements? There may be a way.
Download sites are just too risky these days. Don't use them unless there is no way to avoid them, and even then, be very careful in your selections.
SSH and SFTP Public Key Authentication requires you to create a public/private key pair. We'll look at how to create and then use those keys.
A dictionary attack is a common brute-force way of achieving a hacker's goal. The goal of a dictionary attack could range from compromising your system to sending spam.
Passphrases are just as secure as passwords -- perhaps even more so -- and are easier to remember if needed.
If your backup program writes to a proprietary format, you may not be able to access it decades from now. I'll discuss how to prepare.
JavaScript is a programming language that operates important features on many websites.
Public key encryption is the workhorse of security online. I'll review just what it is and how it's used at a high level.
Hardware security keys like YubiKey provide an extra-secure level of two-factor authentication.
Deleting an account you don't have access to is kind of the same as deleting an account you don't own.
Privacy is a complex and far-reaching topic. One of the most basic and often overlooked players is the operating system on your device.
Since Edge is a component of Windows itself, uninstalling it isn't an option. I'll review alternatives to help resolve Edge problems.
BitLocker is a fine encryption program if used properly. The problem is that it's too easy for the average user to skip steps that could result in data loss.
Windows may tell you that a program requires elevation in order to run. We'll look at what that means and the steps you can take in response.
Free accessible Wi-Fi is almost ubiquitous, and most systems are set up to use it safely. There are a few things to pay attention to in order to stay safe.
POP, POP3, IMAP, and SMTP are all acronyms used in configuring email. We'll look at what they mean and how they relate.
This is a common situation that leads people to think their Facebook account has been hacked -- but they're wrong.
When you leave a service, or if your information is stolen from that service, there may be steps you need to take.
It's not only impossible to prevent email from being forwarded; you can't even prevent that forward from being altered, forged or defaced.
If an application is installed only for one user and you want to use it as another, options are limited.
UEFI has made booting from something other than the hard drive more complex. I'll review why, and what steps to take.
The Outlook.com/OneDrive space limitation has many people looking for ways to download and preserve emails offline.
Buying a new machine is a common knee-jerk reaction to a bad malware infestation. And it's wrong. Not just a little wrong -- it's completely unnecessary.
Like most email programs and interfaces, Gmail hides the administrative information or 'headers' in email messages. They're still easy to view.
Headlines are proclaiming that two-factor authentication has been hacked. That in no way means you shouldn't use it. Your account is still much safer with two-factor enabled.
Passkeys are a new form of authentication that promise to be both easier and more secure.
Edit a reply before sending it. Clean up your message, remove email addresses, and more.
Google is changing their account inactivity policy. This may have some serious ramifications, but it's easy to keep your account from being deleted.
There's been a recent rise in email scams purporting to notify you of email problems. It's a trap!
Cloning to a second drive every night has few advantages over a more flexible image backup solution.
Available virtual memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running.
Available virtual memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running.
It is possible to change the default search engine in Edge; it's just not obvious and sometimes ineffective.
It is possible to change the default search engine in Edge; it's just not obvious and sometimes ineffective.
When free services seem to change arbitrarily, it's easy to wonder if they're paying attention to their customers. They probably are -- just not the ones you think.
When free services seem to change arbitrarily, it's easy to wonder if they're paying attention to their customers. They probably are -- just not the ones you think.
"Not Responding" is Windows' way of telling you that a program might have a problem. Sometimes it's benign and sometimes it's a sign of a deeper issue.
"Not Responding" is Windows' way of telling you that a program might have a problem. Sometimes it's benign and sometimes it's a sign of a deeper issue.
If someone else shares or administers your email account, then your privacy is at risk.
If someone else shares or administers your email account, then your privacy is at risk.
Turns out that finding all the places you've used your email address as a recovery address is close to impossible.
Turns out that finding all the places you've used your email address as a recovery address is close to impossible.
Exactly how long Windows 10 will be supported has changed since its original release. The original expectations were unrealistic at best.
Exactly how long Windows 10 will be supported has changed since its original release. The original expectations were unrealistic at best.
Selecting another password manager is now the common recommendation. I'll review what you can do if you elect to keep using LastPass.
Selecting another password manager is now the common recommendation. I'll review what you can do if you elect to keep using LastPass.
It can be a challenge to delete multiple emails. I'll look at some of the concepts and techniques used by various email programs to make it easier.
It can be a challenge to delete multiple emails. I'll look at some of the concepts and techniques used by various email programs to make it easier.
Though inactive email accounts stay open for some time before they're closed, spammers can make it appear as though an account is still active.
Though inactive email accounts stay open for some time before they're closed, spammers can make it appear as though an account is still active.
The FBI released a warning against "juice jacking", but is it really something you need to worry about?
Microsoft is removing image-backup capability from Windows. We'll make an image backup using a free third-party alternative.
Occasionally, the back button won't work and simply lands you back where you were. There are reasons, and there are workarounds.
Because of the files an installed application usually leaves behind, it's prohibitively difficult move it to another drive.
Fast Startup optimizes boot-time speed, but is an occasional suspect in boot-time problems. Turn Fast Startup off to get clues.
Bizarre actions from your mouse may mean its imminent death. However there are a few less extreme causes of sensitivity and other odd actions to check.
Leaving a flash drive or USB thumb drive plugged in all the time runs a small risk of prematurely wearing it out. We'll look at why, and what to do.
It's generally not possible to recover an older version of a webpage, but we'll look at a couple of straws to grasp at.
Podcasting delivers periodic or serialized audio content to your portable devices and other players.
The news is grim if someone's broken into your computer, but there are steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
"Unsupported software" can refer to different things. I'll review variations on the theme and revisit the question of whether unsupported software can be used safely.
We're seeing AI associated with many things. Cracking your passwords is now on the list.
Before you dismiss it because it's a subscription, take a look and do the math. Microsoft 365 might be surprisingly affordable for you.
NAS, for Network Attached Storage, is a device that provides shared disk space on your network. You may already have one.
Deleting cookies will clear up a little disk space, and may or may not free up a small amount of your computer's memory.
The Windows 7 Backup and Restore tool is still present in Windows 11, but that doesn't mean you should use it.
Internet and online petitions seem like a quick and easy way to make a statement. Unfortunately, they're often ineffectual, and at worst, they do harm.
If you want to free up space in your Outlook.com email account by deleting attachments but not their corresponding messages, you'll need to take extra steps.
Microsoft made a confusing change to how storage is allocated between Outlook.com and OneDrive.
You probably want to keep the new operating system on your new machine. All that you need from your image backup is the data that has luckily been preserved.
Advertisements support the free information available online. It's critical that you can distinguish ads from genuine content.
System Restore doesn't restore your system and has proven itself too unreliable to count on.
If there is a conflict with your IP address, it could result in only one of the machines on your network connecting at a time.
Windows Update seems less than reliable and out of our control. How can you prepare for what may or may not happen without tearing your hair out?
AI isn't about to enslave humanity -- at least not any time soon -- but it's definitely here and changing the world in both positive and negative ways.
Files cannot be checked for viruses before being downloaded, but there are precautions you can and should take.
It's easy to monitor the amount of bandwidth a computer is using. The entire network? Not so much.
After releasing a new version of software manufacturers often make older versions difficult to find. What if you really do need an old version?
Normally, you can request CHKDSK be run on the system drive at the next reboot. If that doesn't work, there is another way.
Even though most of us might never fall for it, the reason there's so much spam is simple: spam works.
Sometimes a file cannot be deleted because it has invalid characters in its filename. Here's what to try.
Backing up your new machine on arrival can be an important safety net. But there are degrees of safety.
Changes you've made to a document that was emailed to you can easily disappear. Let's avoid that.
A subnet mask is a way of telling your computer or router what network addresses are local and which are remote.
Facial recognition and fingerprint ID are quick, convenient approaches to signing into or unlocking your devices. But are they safe enough?
Are Facial Recognition and Fingerprint ID Safe? from Ask Leo!.
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You already know what it is. The trick is to remember to do it in the frustration of the moment.
My #1 Debugging Technique from Ask Leo!.
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There are many different tools for encryption. The right one depends on what you're attempting to accomplish.
What Encryption Software Do You Recommend? from Ask Leo!.
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When you start Windows, many programs start automatically as well. Some of them don't need to.
What Are All These Programs Running After I Boot Windows? from Ask Leo!.
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It's possible to have an email address that does not need to change each time you change internet providers.
How Do I Keep My Email Address When I Change My ISP? from Ask Leo!.
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Windows Explorer is the workhorse behind the Windows user interface. I'll cover what to look for when it crashes.
What Do I Do About Windows File Explorer Crashing? from Ask Leo!.
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Slow Domain Name System (DNS) lookups can affect your apparent internet speed. Your ISP should provide fast DNS, but there are alternatives.
I Keep Getting “DNS Server Not Responding” Errors. What Can I Do? from Ask Leo!.
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Using a different password for every login is crucial -- and it doesn't have to be difficult.
Why Is It Important to Have Different Passwords on Different Accounts? from Ask Leo!.
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Free software exists for reasons ranging from pure altruism to pure deceit.
Why Do People Create Free Software? from Ask Leo!.
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Email viruses come from many sources, and it's not easy to trace them.
Where Do Viruses Come From? from Ask Leo!.
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It's easy to search for files on your machine. Learn about the settings that dictate which parts of your machine get searched.
How to Locate a File on Your Computer in Seconds from Ask Leo!.
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Dropbox has several file sharing options, but knowing which one does what can be a little confusing. I'll lay 'em out.
Exchanging Files with Dropbox from Ask Leo!.
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Cloud service providers often give us lots of storage we can use for cloud backup. How to use it safely, however, isn't always obvious.
How to Use Cloud Storage Safely from Ask Leo!.
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Don't send anonymous email from work or home. It takes extra steps to keep from being traced.
How Do I Send Anonymous Email? from Ask Leo!.
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It's a good idea to test backups before disaster strikes. Unfortunately, a complete test can be risky. I'll look at some alternatives.
How Do I Test Backups? from Ask Leo!.
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Some hackers go for the low-hanging fruit and try the most common passwords, but there is one scenario where brute force works very well.
How Can a Hacker Try All Possible Passwords If Systems Block Failed Login Attempts? from Ask Leo!.
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How to get started with 1Password and the most important action to take.
Setting Up 1Password from Ask Leo!.
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Believing and spreading manure -- lies, falsehoods, and misleading implications -- makes you look bad and makes the internet a dumber place.
Stop Spreading Manure from Ask Leo!.
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Macrium has announced end of life for Macrium Reflect Free. Here are your alternatives.
Macrium Reflect Free is Going Away from Ask Leo!.
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It's so tempting to reuse passwords, but it's such a bad idea for so many reasons.
Another Reason NOT to Reuse Passwords from Ask Leo!.
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Your router is your first line of defense against malicious attacks from the internet. Is yours secure?
8 Steps to Securing Your Router from Ask Leo!.
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As security compromises seem to happen regularly, many ask, "Is using the cloud safe?" It's as safe as you make it.
Is Using the Cloud Safe? from Ask Leo!.
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The most effective way to speed up a system is to clean it up, have it run fewer programs, and give it more resources.
How Can I Make My Computer Faster? from Ask Leo!.
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Backing up your computer is critical to avoiding data loss but can seem complicated. I'll give a suggestion for typical users.
How Do I Back Up My Computer? from Ask Leo!.
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Hard drives fail, and external drives are no different. What to do?
Can an External Drive Fail? from Ask Leo!.
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LastPass has lost my trust. Here's what I'm doing about it.
LastPass Breach 2022: My Recommendation from Ask Leo!.
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If your email is hacked, there are several steps you need to take to get it back and prevent it from being hacked again.
My Email Is Hacked, How Do I Fix It? from Ask Leo!.
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Here are the steps you need to take to prevent losing your account forever to a hacker.
12 Steps to Keep from Getting Your Account Hacked from Ask Leo!.
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Alternate email addresses are an important security setting that can allow you to regain access to your account if it's hacked or you forget your password.
Do I Really Need a Recovery Email? from Ask Leo!.
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Online security is critical. Here are the key steps you can take to keep yourself safe on the internet.
Internet Safety: 7 Steps to Staying Safe Online from Ask Leo!.
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Some Windows messages indicate that something was set by your network administrator. That's probably you, even if you didn't do it.
Who Is My Home Network Administrator? from Ask Leo!.
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Cryptomator is a powerful tool to protect the data you store in the cloud.
Cryptomator: Encryption for Your Cloud Storage from Ask Leo!.
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A recovery code created in advance can help you regain access to your Microsoft account if you get locked out.
Recover Your Account Later by Setting Up a Microsoft Recovery Code Now from Ask Leo!.
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Way too often, I hear from people who have lost their accounts permanently. Here's how to avoid being one of them.
Why Can’t I Get My Account Back? from Ask Leo!.
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'The cloud' is the latest buzzword for internet-based services. It's important to understand a few things about cloud security.
Is My Information Safe in the Cloud? from Ask Leo!.
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The most recent LastPass security incident has many people concerned.
What to Do About the LastPass Breach from Ask Leo!.
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Occasionally, sites appear in your browser history that you never visited. I'll examine some possible causes.
Why Are There Sites in My History I’ve Never Been To? from Ask Leo!.
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Deleting your search history can seem simple, but there are complications worth knowing about if you need to be thorough.
How Do I Delete Google Search History? from Ask Leo!.
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The term "AI" is easily misused. I'll describe what's really being discussed.
When AI Isn’t AI from Ask Leo!.
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Using an on-screen keyboard instead of a real keyboard might stop some keyloggers, but there's no guarantee that other techniques aren't also being used.
Will Using an On-Screen Keyboard Stop Keyloggers? from Ask Leo!.
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Transcripts can capture information from video and audio sources. YouTube makes downloading a transcript fairly easy.
How Do I Download a YouTube Video Transcript? from Ask Leo!.
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A new feature in some password vaults has us thinking about security implications. Bottom line: use two-factor authentication.
Should I Use My Password Vault for Two-Factor Authentication As Well? from Ask Leo!.
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Every time you use someone else's service, you put yourself and your content in their hands... for better or worse.
Your Social Media Posts Can All Disappear from Ask Leo!.
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I see people lose access to their most important accounts all the time. It's often their own fault that they can't regain access.
A One-step Way to Lose Your Account Forever from Ask Leo!.
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A tech journalist lost his phone and encountered issues recovering a two-factor-protected account. We can all learn from his experience.
A Lost-Second-Factor Tale of Woe and How to Avoid Your Own from Ask Leo!.
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ISO files are a common disk-image distribution format. We'll look at the best ways to open and use ISO files.
How Do I Open an ISO File in Windows from Ask Leo!.
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Account recovery information is an important yet often overlooked part of account security. Managed poorly, it can lead to permanent account loss.
Please Set Up and Maintain Account Recovery Information from Ask Leo!.
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Impatience leads to frustration. Frustration leads to desperation. Desperation often leads to more problems than you started with.
When Tech Drives You Crazy, Don’t Make the Problem Worse from Ask Leo!.
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Gmail makes your account activity available to you in case you're concerned about unauthorized access.
What is Last Account Activity in Gmail? from Ask Leo!.
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It's easy to start using the Chrome internet browser instead of Edge, and I'll show you how. Unfortunately, Edge may still make occasional appearances.
How Do I Switch From Edge to Chrome? from Ask Leo!.
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Age isn't the most important factor when evaluating hard disk risk of failure. I'll discuss what is, and what you should be doing to protect yourself.
How Do I Tell If My Hard Drive Is Too Old? from Ask Leo!.
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The rescue or emergency disk provided by many backup programs is more useful than most people realize.
How to Back Up a Machine That Won’t Boot from Ask Leo!.
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Here's a helpful system resource tool that doesn't get nearly the press it deserves.
Monitoring Your System with Resource Monitor from Ask Leo!.
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Windows 11 is out to much fanfare, hype, and confusion. Unless you have specific reasons, you don't need to upgrade yet, but there's also no reason to avoid it.
Should I Update to Windows 11? from Ask Leo!.
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The steps you should take right after unboxing your new computer will save time, frustration, effort, and data loss later.
The First Things to Do with a New Windows Computer from Ask Leo!.
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A dirty machine is the result of improper shut downs. There are ways to clean it up, but getting control of your shut-down process is important.
How Do I Make My C: Drive Not ‘Dirty’? from Ask Leo!.
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Spam prevention measures have made getting email delivered more difficult. We'll look at how to maximize the chances your email will make it through.
Why Is My Mail to This Person Not Getting Through? from Ask Leo!.
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We use the mouse so heavily with Windows. Take a moment to customize it to your needs.
Make the Mouse Easier to Use from Ask Leo!.
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Cookies are a fact of life when browsing the web. But if you look at the cookies stored on your machine, you might be surprised how many there are.
Where Do Cookies Come From? from Ask Leo!.
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It's common to ask "Why?" when it comes to computers. It's also common to be frustrated with the answer.
Why Ask Why? from Ask Leo!.
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Trust is tricky when it comes to computers. When you add relationships to the mix, things quickly get complicated.
They Set Up My Computer and Now My Ex Is Spying on Me. What Can I Do? from Ask Leo!.
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Files and folders can be undeletable for a variety of reasons. I'll review several techniques to try when faced with the issue.
How Do I Delete a Folder I Can’t Delete from Ask Leo!.
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You want more than a password; you want encryption. Encrypting an external drive can be done with the right software.
How Should I Password-Protect an External Hard Drive? from Ask Leo!.
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Not every problem is worth solving.
I Can’t Delete a Folder from Ask Leo!.
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If your machine won't boot for some reason, there are a couple of approaches to try to get data off its hard drive.
How Do I Get Files From a Machine That Won’t Boot? from Ask Leo!.
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There are many software programs that protect your system. I'll review how I make my decisions and give you my advice.
How Do I Pick the Right Tools to Protect Windows? from Ask Leo!.
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Smishing is simply text-messaging spam. Learn to recognize and respond appropriately to it.
What Is Smishing? from Ask Leo!.
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Installing software is something we do often. I'll review some recommendations to minimize both impact and danger.
Installing Software Safely and with Minimal Impact from Ask Leo!.
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Messages that indicate you have a problem and recommend a specific download as a solution are immediately suspect.
I Got a Pop-Up Virus Warning. Is My Computer Infected? from Ask Leo!.
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There are several ways to adjust the size of text and items on your screen.
How Can I Make the Text on My Screen Larger? from Ask Leo!.
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If your machine is slowing to a crawl and the disk light is constantly lit, there are a few things you'll want to check.
Why Does My Windows Program Slow Down and Eventually Stop Working? from Ask Leo!.
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HDMI is better than VGA. I'll explain why, and what you need to look for.
Use HDMI When Possible from Ask Leo!.
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CPU speed doesn't matter quite as much as it once did. I'll discuss why, and what you should also be looking at.
Does CPU Speed Matter Any More? from Ask Leo!.
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Windows File Explorer tries to help by hiding some information. Unfortunately, that opens a hole hackers can use to fool you.
Windows File Explorer Settings: the Setting You Should Change Right Now from Ask Leo!.
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If you're sharing private or sensitive information, end-to-end encryption is an important term you need to understand.
What is End-to-End Encryption? from Ask Leo!.
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The best password manager is the password manager you'll use (within reason, of course).
What’s the Best Password Manager in 2022? from Ask Leo!.
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Clearing cookies is an annoyance, but it protects your online accounts in case your machine is stolen.
Should I Clear Cookies Before I Travel? from Ask Leo!.
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Even with up-to-date anti-malware tools, you can still fall victim to malware. I'll explain why by comparing your computer to your... bathroom?
Why Did My Security Software Not Detect a Virus on My PC? from Ask Leo!.
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Travel is exciting, but be sure to plan ahead for your technology to avoid things going wrong.
Preparing Your Technology for Travel Abroad from Ask Leo!.
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A portion of LastPass was breached. Here's why it's not a disaster, and why I'm not leaving LastPass.
What You Need To Do About the LastPass Hack from Ask Leo!.
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The biggest risk to your security might just be you. Learn why and what to do.
The Biggest Risk to Your Security from Ask Leo!.
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It's tempting to blame the mail service for account hacks and vulnerabilities, but in fact that's rarely the case. Much more likely is that hackers gained access to individual accounts through more traditional means.
Could the Microsoft Servers Be Infected? from Ask Leo!.
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Don't overlook backing up as part of your security. When the worst happens, it's your backup that will save you.
Backups ARE Security from Ask Leo!.
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Don't overlook backing up as part of your security. When the worst happens, it's your backup that will save you.
Backups ARE Security from Ask Leo!.
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A screenshot -- an image of your computer screen saved as a picture -- can eliminate a lot of frustration when trying to describe what you're seeing on your computer to someone .
What’s a Screenshot, and How Do I Take One? from Ask Leo!.
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A screenshot -- an image of your computer screen saved as a picture -- can eliminate a lot of frustration when trying to describe what you're seeing on your computer to someone .
What’s a Screenshot, and How Do I Take One? from Ask Leo!.
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Hacks happen. There are steps to take, not only to recover your account but to prevent it from being hacked again.
What to Do When Your Account Is Hacked from Ask Leo!.
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Hacks happen. There are steps to take, not only to recover your account but to prevent it from being hacked again.
What to Do When Your Account Is Hacked from Ask Leo!.
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When an email account is configured to use IMAP protocol, it's easy to accidentally delete more than you realize.
Be Careful Deleting Email If You Use IMAP from Ask Leo!.
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When an email account is configured to use IMAP protocol, it's easy to accidentally delete more than you realize.
Be Careful Deleting Email If You Use IMAP from Ask Leo!.
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Msinfo32 is a tool to display and save an extensive report of your computer's configuration and state. It can be very helpful for others helping you diagnose issues.
Get a Windows System Report with MSINFO32 from Ask Leo!.
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Msinfo32 is a tool to display and save an extensive report of your computer's configuration and state. It can be very helpful for others helping you diagnose issues.
Get a Windows System Report with MSINFO32 from Ask Leo!.
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Replacing a motherboard may require a reinstall or a repair install. Or you might get lucky, and it'll just work.
Will My Backup Work If I Replace My Motherboard? from Ask Leo!.
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Replacing a motherboard may require a reinstall or a repair install. Or you might get lucky, and it'll just work.
Will My Backup Work If I Replace My Motherboard? from Ask Leo!.
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Scams are everywhere, it seems. I'll cover some common ones, and share the single most important rule to protect youself.
How Can I Protect Myself From Scams? from Ask Leo!.
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Scams are everywhere, it seems. I'll cover some common ones, and share the single most important rule to protect youself.
How Can I Protect Myself From Scams? from Ask Leo!.
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Data breaches rarely expose multiple accounts. There are rare scenarios where multiple accounts might still be at risk, though.
Can a Data Breach Expose Multiple Accounts? from Ask Leo!.
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Every so often, the Windows print queue gets stuck. Everything looks like it should print, but it won't. We'll fix it.
My Print Queue is Stuck. How Do I Print Anything? from Ask Leo!.
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When you think about the complexity of today's systems, it's kind of amazing that we don't have more breaches.
6 Reasons There Are Still So Many Security Breaches from Ask Leo!.
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It's an important security feature, but it can also flag some false positives.
Why Is My Password Manager Telling Me I Have a Password at Risk? from Ask Leo!.
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Address book contacts suffer from a lack of standardization, particularly when it comes to synchronizing or transferring between systems.
The Frustration of Email Contacts Backup and Transfer from Ask Leo!.
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Finding out who owns an email address is difficult at best. There's little you can do on your own, but if you're being harassed, law enforcement may help.
How Do I Find Out Who Owns an Email Address? from Ask Leo!.
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Booting Windows is complex, but there are several possible opportunities for improvement.
Six Ways to Speed Up Windows Boot Time from Ask Leo!.
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The Internet Archive is a fascinating collection of site archives, snapshots, and other data recording the internet's growth and history.
The Internet Archive from Ask Leo!.
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Rescue, recovery, repair, and emergency discs can all mean different things.
What Exactly Is a Rescue/Recovery/Repair/Emergency Disc? from Ask Leo!.
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Booting your machine can take time, but so can shutting it down. Various issues contribute to a slow shutdown.
Why Does My Machine Take Forever to Shut Down? from Ask Leo!.
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It's surprisingly difficult to tell with certainty when a webpage was written. There are some clues we can gather that might help a little.
How Do I Find Out When a Webpage Was Created? from Ask Leo!.
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User Account Control is an important security feature. Here's what to do if you run into it.
Why Am I Being Asked for an Administrator Password When I Run a Program? from Ask Leo!.
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I tried to get locked out of my Microsoft account while traveling. I couldn't. Why? I'd prepared. You can too.
How Not to Get Locked Out of Your Microsoft Account While Traveling from Ask Leo!.
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Several urban legends would have you believe that when you forward an email, it can somehow be tracked. It cannot. Period. I'll explain why that is.
How Do I Get an Email Forward Notification When Someone Forwards My Message? from Ask Leo!.
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Sometimes windows can get positioned offscreen where your mouse can't reach. The keyboard interface, on the other hand, can.
I Can’t See the Top of a Window, so I Can’t Minimize, Maximize, or Close. What Can I Do? from Ask Leo!.
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The most searched-for term on the internet tells us something about people's understanding (or lack of understanding) about how browsers and the internet work.
The Most Searched-for Term on the Internet from Ask Leo!.
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If you're not getting email messages sent by one particular person, there's a list of things to check.
Why Can’t I Get Emails From One Person? from Ask Leo!.
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Unexpected hard disk activity isn't unusual. I'll show you how to use a free monitoring tool to determine what program is causing it.
Why is My Disk Busy Even Though I’m Doing Nothing? from Ask Leo!.
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I have a fairly laid-back style, but I feel it's with good reason. So much of we hear about just isn't panic-worthy, even if news reports make it seem like it is.
Why I Rarely Panic from Ask Leo!.
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If CHKDSK freezes when you run it, you may have a problem with your files or hard disk, but CHKDSK didn't cause them.
Can CHKDSK Corrupt Files? from Ask Leo!.
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Google's Chrome Remote Desktop is a free and convenient remote-access tool allowing you to get help from people you trust or be the person giving help.
Using Chrome Remote Desktop in Windows from Ask Leo!.
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Screen resolution is a simple concept, but when combined with the myriad ways that Windows can be configured, it can become confusing.
How Does Screen Resolution Work? from Ask Leo!.
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Leaving your computer on 24 hours a day rarely increases risk significantly, as long as you follow a couple of simple guidelines.
If I Leave My Computer Always On, Am I More Likely to Be Hacked? from Ask Leo!.
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USB thumb drives or flash drives are a non-obvious but easy way to spread malware. Be careful when dealing with any unknown device.
I Found a Thumb Drive. Should I Plug It In? from Ask Leo!.
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If you've lost your Facebook password, there are a couple of ways to recover: use the Facebook process for account recovery, or check your browser's remembered passwords.
How Do I Recover My Facebook Password? from Ask Leo!.
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Changing an email address involves changing more than just the address. I'll look at common scenarios and a few additional approaches.
How Do I Change My Email Address? from Ask Leo!.
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If someone has access to your email, they can use that as a starting point to hack your other accounts.
If Someone Hacks My Gmail, Can They Hack My Other Accounts? from Ask Leo!.
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Use Process Explorer to identify windows or message boxes that appear without any obvious indicator of what program they're from.
What Program Is this Window From? from Ask Leo!.
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Facebook is removing an account recovery feature, making this an important time to take stock of your own account security.
Facebook Trusted Contacts is Going Away. Prepare Now. from Ask Leo!.
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Email can bounce for many reasons. I'll look at several of the most common email bounce messages and try to interpret what they really mean.
Why Does Email Bounce? from Ask Leo!.
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If you forget your Wi-Fi password but you're still connected, Windows can remind you what it is.
How to Recover a Wi-Fi Password in Windows 10 and 11 from Ask Leo!.
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Password vaults are sometimes unable to auto-fill fields. There are several ways to work around this.
What If Password Autofill Won’t Work? from Ask Leo!.
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The end of support for Windows 10 means Microsoft will no longer issue security updates. Here's how to continue using it safely.
What Happens at Windows 10 End of Support? from Ask Leo!.
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Sharing posts you find on Facebook often results in an "unavailable" message. That's Facebook respecting privacy settings.
Why Does My Facebook Post Show as “Unavailable” to Some People? from Ask Leo!.
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If you've lost your password, there may be recovery steps. If you've also lost your email address, recovery becomes significantly more difficult.
How Can I Delete an Old Account If I Can’t Log In? from Ask Leo!.
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Hubs, switches, and routers are all computer networking devices with varying capabilities. Unfortunately, the terms are often misused.
What’s the Difference Between a Hub, a Switch, and a Router? from Ask Leo!.
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Wi-Fi speed can be slow for many different reasons. Slow Wi-Fi can also be a symptom of speed constraints elsewhere.
Why is My Wi-Fi Speed Slow? from Ask Leo!.
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The term "server" is used a lot in many contexts, but it's really just a computer.
What Is a Server? from Ask Leo!.
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Windows tries to be helpful by remembering the Wi-Fi networks you've connected to in the past. Sometimes, though, you want it to forget.
Why Does My Laptop Keep Connecting to the Wrong Wi-Fi Network? from Ask Leo!.
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I prefer Windows Professional editions. Here's what I consider the important differences between Windows Home and Pro.
What’s the Difference Between Windows Home and Pro Editions? from Ask Leo!.
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Google is increasing the security requirements for accessing your Gmail accounts. I'll review what the change means and the options you have.
What Are “Less Secure Apps” and Why is My Gmail Not Working? from Ask Leo!.
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It's possible to send email to someone without having their email address show up on the To: or CC: lines by using Blind Carbon Copy, or BCC.
How Do I Hide the Email Address I’m Sending Email To? from Ask Leo!.
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Transferring data to a replacement drive needn't be difficult. In fact, being prepared for a transfer is a side effect of backing up regularly.
How Do I Transfer My System to a Replacement Drive? from Ask Leo!.
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"The right to be forgotten" is a misleading and ineffectual technique to prevent people from finding information on the internet. Bottom line: it can't work.
“Right to Be Forgotten”: Misguided and Misleading from Ask Leo!.
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People often send email to the wrong address by mistake. But what happens if the email address is invalid?
If I Send to a Bad Email Address, Will Someone See It? from Ask Leo!.
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Train your spam filter to stop emails you want from going to your spam folder.
How Do I Stop Email From Going to Spam? from Ask Leo!.
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Facebook impersonation is common and annoying, but typically does not represent a direct security threat.
I Got an Email Related to Someone Impersonating Me on Facebook. What Should I Do? from Ask Leo!.
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My phoned died, and with it, all the two-factor authentication methods I'd used it for. Here's how I recovered.
I Lost My Phone With My Second Factor for Authentication. How Do I Recover? from Ask Leo!.
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Spammers want to send email that looks like it’s coming from someone who can be trusted. They want it to look like it’s coming from you -- and you end up getting the bounce notifications.
Why Am I Getting Bounces for Email I Didn’t Send? from Ask Leo!.
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Clearing all cookies can be painful. Fortunately, it's also possible to clear cookies one site at a time.
How Do I Clear Cookies for One Site? from Ask Leo!.
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Bad Wi-Fi signal strength? A range extender need not be expensive, and can be a handy and flexible solution.
Increase Your Wi-Fi Range While Camping from Ask Leo!.
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Microsoft will show you how much space your Hotmail/Outlook.com/Microsoft account is using, if you know where to look.
How Full Is My Hotmail Account? from Ask Leo!.
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Another week, another breach. What steps should you take in the wake of the latest large-scale data breach?
What Should I Do About the Latest Breach? from Ask Leo!.
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Phishing is epidemic. Legitimate-looking emails asking for sensitive information are often bogus. Phishing is on the rise, and you need to be aware.
I Think I’ve Been Phished. Now What? from Ask Leo!.
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One of the challenges with current online safety advice is keeping track of multiple different secure passwords. LastPass not only does that, but does it securely across multiple devices.
LastPass Password Manager and Vault from Ask Leo!.
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If you've been told to change your password, do so, but do so in the right way. I'll explain what that means and why it's important.
I’m Told to Change My Password. Why? from Ask Leo!.
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Blue screen errors are less common than they used to be, but they can still happen for a variety of reasons. I'll review what to do and when.
How Do I Fix a Blue Screen Error? from Ask Leo!.
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Drive letters like C:, D: and so on are assigned by Windows to reference your hard disks. They are not all cast in stone; most drive letters can be changed.
How to Reassign Drive Letters in Windows from Ask Leo!.
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If your device is not physically secure, neither the machine nor your data is.
Lock Your Computer When You Walk Away from Ask Leo!.
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I keep hearing from people who consider themselves too old. They're not. Don't be like them.
You Are Not Too Old for Technology from Ask Leo!.
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The default settings for virtual memory are good enough for most. Tweaking virtual memory settings depends on your computer and what you do with it.
How Should I Configure Virtual Memory Settings? from Ask Leo!.
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There are forms of malicious software that attempt to travel from machine to machine on your local network. There's good news, though.
Can Malware Infect Other Computers on My Network? from Ask Leo!.
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I get lots of questions about what the best software for various situations may be. I can't answer them all, particularly as it often depends on your own situation, but I can tell you what I'm using.
The Software I Use from Ask Leo!.
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My laptop died. Here's the process I went through to resurrect it.
“Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed” – What Now? from Ask Leo!.
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Even with all the right things in place, stuff happens. I'll review the additional steps you can take to protect yourself.
How Was My Bank Account Hacked When I Did Everything Right? from Ask Leo!.
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Once I've convinced you that image backups are important, your next question is most likely to be "OK, how?" Here's a short-and-sweet answer.
How to Create an Image Backup from Ask Leo!.
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It's easy to upgrade Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home to Pro. There's just one thing you need.
Upgrade Home to Pro in Windows 10 or 11 from Ask Leo!.
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The Google Account Recovery process may be able to help you get your account back. Maybe.
Lost Gmail Account Recovery With No Phone or Alternate Email from Ask Leo!.
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On returning from a screensaver, Windows can ask for a password. That's a security measure that can be turned off... but be sure you should first.
How Do I Get Rid of a Screensaver Password? from Ask Leo!.
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Any software company with ties outside the U.S. comes under scrutiny. Should you be worried?
How Safe is Kaspersky Internet Security? from Ask Leo!.
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Tracing the privacy and security of the path from your fingertips through the services you use to your information's final destination.
Protecting Your Privacy: Points of Vulnerability from Ask Leo!.
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Deleting your Facebook account requires some preparation, including understanding exactly what you'll lose.
How Do I Delete My Facebook Account Permanently? from Ask Leo!.
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It's relatively easy to reinstall Windows and keep most of your data while doing so, though it can be a bit time consuming.
How to “Reset this PC” to Reinstall Windows from Ask Leo!.
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Give Windows 11 a shot, but know that you can go back to Windows 10 if you need to.
How Do I Downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10? from Ask Leo!.
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What happens when a major cloud service goes down, and what's the takeaway?
How Can One Service Take Down So Much? from Ask Leo!.
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Scanning your nuclear power station's Windows computers for malware can present some challenges if the machines have been secured properly.
How Do I Scan Nuclear Power Station Computers Without an Internet Connection? from Ask Leo!.
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Every day, I'm asked to reset lost passwords, recover hacked accounts, or retrieve lost information in them. Here's my answer.
Would You Please Recover My Password? from Ask Leo!.
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QR codes are a nifty way to encode web addresses and other text in a way that's easy for your smartphone to decode, but they are not without risk.
What’s a QR Code? from Ask Leo!.
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Terminology around routers and access points can be quite confusing. I'll describe each, how they relate, and why the differences matter.
What’s the Difference Between a Router, a Wireless Router, and a Wireless Access Point? from Ask Leo!.
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Limited User Accounts restrict the ability of malware to cause problems on your system. Unfortunately, it may also restrict your ability to use the computer.
Are Windows Limited User Accounts Effective? from Ask Leo!.
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You can rely on online services for many things, but it's unwise to rely on them too much.
Can I Rely on My Cloud Service’s Backups? from Ask Leo!.
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Image backups are great ways to back up absolutely everything on a hard disk. They're also good for retrieving most anything, including individual files.
What Good Is an Image Backup If All I Want Is My Data? from Ask Leo!.
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How to back up Windows using its own built-in tools in eight easy steps. Four bonus steps handle Microsoft's plans to retire one of those tools.
How to Back Up Windows 10 (& 11) from Ask Leo!.
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It's easy to get confused between Facebook accounts and Facebook pages.
Why Do I Have Two Facebook Accounts with the Same Email? from Ask Leo!.
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Backing up is critical, but exactly how you back up your encrypted container data depends on how secure your backups are.
How Do I Back Up an Encrypted Container? from Ask Leo!.
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Factory reset is a great option to have, but it doesn't cover all the scenarios a full image backup does.
Why Do an Image Backup If I Can Factory Reset? from Ask Leo!.
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If you can, wait to play with your new computer for a little while. I have something important I want you to do first.
The First Thing You Should Do With a New Computer from Ask Leo!.
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SSH is a popular tool to access command prompts and shells remotely. Windows makes an OpenSSH server is available for install.
Installing the Windows Open SSH Server from Ask Leo!.
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The ability to create a local user account on Windows hasn't been removed; it's just not obvious where to find it.
How Do I Create a Local Account in Windows 10? from Ask Leo!.
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While the technology continues to improve, flash memory has a limited number of times it can be written to and can, in fact, wear out.
Can a USB Flash Drive Wear Out? from Ask Leo!.
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The voltage and polarity of the power supply must match. Amps and watts have some flexibility.
Can I Use a Higher Wattage Power Supply With My Laptop? from Ask Leo!.
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You can create a shortcut to open Windows File Explorer on the directory of your choice.
How Do I Open Windows File Explorer to a Specific Folder? from Ask Leo!.
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All malware is scary, especially ransomware due to the damage it can inflict. Here's how to avoid a repeat performance.
How Do I Prevent a Repeat of Ransomware? from Ask Leo!.
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"No Signal" is a message coming from your display device (not from your computer), indicating it has nothing to display. I'll review possible causes.
No Signal: What it Means and What to Check from Ask Leo!.
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Leaving a laptop running all the time boils down to two things: your convenience and a decision.
Can I Leave a Laptop Running All the Time? from Ask Leo!.
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VPNs protect from certain types of surveillance and more. I'll discuss what they're good for and what to consider when selecting one.
What VPN Should I Use? from Ask Leo!.
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