Sitemap - 2024 - Rick's Tech Tips Newsletter

Q&A: Is System Restore adequate for backing up Windows?

How to choose the default audio output device for a specific app in Windows 11

Q&A: How do I remove my credit card from Google Play?

Q&A: How do I lock my PC using the mouse?

How to forward a text message to another recipient

Here's an easy way to avoid sky-high ATM fees

How (and why) to disable 'In-App Purchases' on your phone or tablet

Here's an easy way to get a brand new iPhone every year

Important info about declining friend requests on Facebook

How to reveal a forgotten password that's hidden by asterisks (or dots)

Warning: Your social media activity could prevent you from getting the job you want

Q&A: Will my friend be notified if I hide her Facebook post?

Q&A: How do I disable 'User Account Control' in Windows?

Q&A: How do I delete my Yahoo account?

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Scam alert: Beware this dangerous Walmart gift card scam

How to clear a stuck print job in Windows

Why you should never keep emails that contain passwords

Preserve your iPhone's battery charge by enabling Low Power Mode

Q&A: Can you tell the location of a caller by their phone number?

Put a shortcut to your favorite web page on your Android phone's Home screen

How to change the default search engine in Microsoft Edge

Q&A: How do you restart a frozen iPhone?

Repurpose an unused tablet as a digital picture frame

How to block all websites from accessing your location

Q&A: Can I turn off Facebook's voting reminders?

Is this the most infuriating scam ever? It's happening all over the country

Why your computer really needs a battery backup device

Q&A: How do I disable the Promotions tab in Gmail?

How to display a complete list of Gmail's handy keyboard shortcuts

How to make Windows start up with your last-used apps and websites already open

Google is storing your search history. Here's how to stop it

How to quickly find a word or phrase on a web page

How to save a screenshot directly as an image file

Beware this dangerous iCloud related phishing scam

Q&A: How do I remove a Google account from my Android phone?

Should you upgrade your current computer or buy a new one?

Lock down your online accounts with this important settings change

Scam alert: Beware these dangerous Social Security scams

How (and why) to disable 'File and Printer Sharing' on Windows

Q&A: Is it legal to spoof someone's phone number?

How to make things easier to see on your iPhone

Q&A: Does my computer really need a surge protector?

Reminder: Getting a new device doesn’t mean you need a new Facebook account

The safest place to meet for private marketplace transactions

How to force Chrome to always open in Incognito mode

Scam alert: Facebook is not going to make your private info public

The most common reasons for data loss (and a few tips for preventing it)

Q&A: Can I connect an external hard drive to a USB hub?

Review: 'Windows 11 For Dummies'

How to see a list of everyone who Follows you on Facebook

Q&A: What does a wireless router's 'Beamforming' feature do?

Q&A: Does my PC need an antivirus app if I have Xfinity xFi Advanced Security?

Q&A: Why don't you charge anything when you help someone?

What to do if your Facebook friends start receiving new friend requests from you

Q&A: Which version of Linux should I replace Windows 10 with?

Q&A: How do I force Windows to ask for confirmation before deleting a file?

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Important message about Rick's Tech Tips Newsletter

How to prevent your iPhone from ringing at a bad time

Q&A: How can I tell if my computer has a virus?

Q&A: Can I give Siri a British accent on my iPhone?

How to make the mouse pointer easier to see on Windows

Q&A: If I hide my WiFi network's name will I still be able to connect to it?

Should you completely drain your laptop's battery before recharging it?

Q&A: How long can used solar panels be expected to last?

Q&A: Will a new SSD work in an older computer?

ATTN Bloggers: Beware insecure and malicious WordPress plugins

Q&A: Can you use wired headphones with an iPhone?

Here's a better way to scroll through your Facebook Newsfeed and Timeline

Q&A: Is a website and a web page the same thing?

Q&A: Can I add a second hard drive to my laptop?

Q&A: Are today's encryption methods so strong they'll never be broken?

Q&A: How do I stop my PC from making me sign in after it wakes from sleeping?

Q&A: Will my existing USB devices work with a new MacBook Pro?

Is Apple's macOS immune from malware?

6 tips for doing your own Tech Support for gadget issues

7 ways to get a second opinion after a clean antivirus scan

Q&A: Can I prevent strangers from commenting on my Facebook posts?

4 ways to retrieve the files from an old PC's hard drive

Q&A: Can a phone catch a virus from an infected email?

How to prevent getting locked out of your own Facebook account

How to prepare your digital life for your (eventual) passing

Scam alert: Don’t fall for this devious phone scam

7 practical tips for extending the range, speed and security of your WiFi network

How to quickly find a specific word or phrase on a long web page

Q&A: Why does my monitor take so long to display a picture?

How to make full-screen YouTube videos always fill the entire screen

ATTN Parents: Be mindful of what your kids watch on 'YouTube Kids'

Q&A: Are fake Facebook friend requests always sent from a fake account?

Scam alert: Don't fall for this dangerous virus notification scam

Learn how to do almost anything with YouTube

How to open your web browser's built-in Task Manager

How to assign custom ringtones for your important contacts

How (and when) to set your Internet connection to 'Metered'

How to link to a specific Facebook post

11 ways to fool burglars into thinking you’re always at home

Q&A: Windows is showing my WiFi network as Public. Isn't that dangerous?

How to make your phone or tablet charge as quickly as possible

Q&A: How can I determine the actual model number of my MacBook?

How to convert a bare hard drive or SSD into an external USB drive

Q&A: What's the difference between System Updates and Software Updates?

Q&A: How do I stop the pictures on my phone from rotating?

Prevent hackers from spying on you via your PC’s microphone

Q&A: Do things posted to Facebook stay on the Internet forever?

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous scam that impersonates your employer

Q&A: Can you use two motherboards to make a computer that’s twice as fast?

Q&A: Can I hide the 'Add Friend' button from my Facebook profile?

Q&A: Is this email from PayPal real or am I being scammed?

How to block Windows apps from making phone calls

Q&A: Will a computer tech be able to see my personal photos?

Q&A: What exactly is 'Cloud Computing'?

Scam alert: Domino's is not giving away free pizzas for sharing a Facebook post

How to get text message updates about your Amazon orders

Q&A: How do I stop my external drive from going to sleep?

Disable 5G on your iPhone to save battery life and data

What to do when an important call just won't go through

Q&A: Do I need to run manual scans with my antivirus app?

How to connect your computer to the Internet using your phone’s cellular connection

Safety alert: Pay close attention to the batteries in your devices

How to prevent your Facebook account from getting cloned

Simple tip for getting help with your smartphone - How to save an email as a PDF

Simple tip for typing faster on your phone - Removing 'Sent from my iPhone' from outgoing emails

Why some WiFi connections say 'Connected-No Internet' - Q&A: Are these password-reset emails legit?

Real-Time vs. On-Demand: Antivirus protection explained - How to change the number of lines the mouse wheel will scroll

How to keep using a laptop with a bad keyboard - How to protect your irreplaceable photos and documents

Charging your laptop with a portable charger - Will photos stored on an unused hard drive last forever?

Quick way to convert units of most anything to something else - Quickly select multiple paragraphs in a document

Does someone else have access to your Gmail account? - You can't prevent your photos from being stolen on Facebook

How to instantly 'magnify' your PC's screen - Beware this dangerous email related scam

How (and when) to disable Power Saver mode on your PC - How to quickly search the web for any term on a web page

What to do when your WiFi devices can’t connect to the Internet - Keyboard shortcut for opening the Action Center

5 reasons why I’ll never buy an expensive phone - Make your phone's LED flash when it rings

How to choose between multiple Internet service options - Q&A: Why should I trust the Scam Alerts you post?

How to open a Command Prompt window in a specific folder - How to read Kindle ebooks on your phone, tablet, PC or Mac

Never supply your password in a phone call, email or text message - If I remove a computer’s hard drive will any data be left behind?

How (and when) to delete a file and skip the Recycle Bin - Why you shouldn’t leave your backup drive plugged into your computer

Here's an easier way to scroll a web page - How do I remove my birth date from my Facebook profile?

9 tips for protecting your privacy, money and identity - How to clean up your browser's cluttered Bookmarks bar

Always review an app's permissions before you install it - Is this the most important technological breakthrough of our lifetimes?

What is a GaN charger? - Why does my new computer keep the wrong time?

Why I recommend avoiding third-party app stores - What’s the difference between Bluetooth and WiFi?

Lots of folks are making good money online by doing this - Why phones no longer come with user replaceable batteries

Keeping a new email address off SPAM email lists - Shop at Amazon without a credit card or debit card

Verify that a link is safe before you click on it - How to instantly silence a ringing smartphone

Happy Independence Day - Is an outdated modem throttling your Internet connection?

This is your best protection against malware - My best tip for easier blogging

Why you really need to protect your phone with a PIN - How to find a user manual online for most any gadget

How to use 'Picture-in-Picture' on YouTube - Don’t like the centered Taskbar in Windows 11? Move it.

How (and why) to disable Remote Assistance on your PC - Force your browser to load the latest version of a web page

Why you’ll never need to defragment an SSD - Why do drive letters start with C in Windows?

Can a cell phone damage a credit card or key fob? - How to quickly get 'Help' for most any Windows program

How to disable Autocorrect on Windows 11 - Making Windows 11 open things with one click

Don’t fall for this fake Microsoft ‘Tech Support’ scam - Android: Here’s the quickest way to end a phone call

How to instantly view your browser history - 6 tips for speeding up a sluggish Windows PC

Why you need to lock down your email account tight - How to quickly find a web page you visited in the recent past

Important: Run just one full-time antivirus app at a time - Tip for protecting your PC from a bad Windows Update

8 tips for taking better photos with your smartphone - How to gracefully end an unpleasant phone call

Why many security pros advise against frequent password changes - Warning: Don’t count on Facebook to help you reset your password

An easy way to cast your PC screen to your TV - How Bluetooth technology got such an odd name

Why many smartphones are now being shipped without chargers - How to pin the Volume Mixer to the Taskbar in Windows 11

How to instantly disable WiFi on your smartphone - How to use your own Office software on any PC (even a borrowed one)

How to save money when shopping for a new computer - Are you legally required to show your receipt as you’re exiting a store?

Quick tip for reducing your phone’s monthly data usage - Add the Control Panel to the Start Menu in Windows 11

Why you should keep your vacation plans to yourself - Should I shut my computer down when it’s not being used?

How to crop a screenshot before you even capture it - Extend your iPhone’s battery life and protect your privacy

Here's a better way to snap photos with your phone - My list of essential tools for working on tech gear

Keep the scrollbars in view on Windows 11 - Add an icon for any website to your phone’s Home screen

Stop Windows from collecting and sharing your location data - Use your phone’s Contacts List as a notepad

Don’t fall for this dangerous Virus Notification scam - How to disable 'Smart Compose' in Gmail

Plan ahead for reporting a lost or stolen credit/debit card - Don’t fall for this irritating Facebook Privacy hoax

Tip for better smartphone photography - Did you know Google is an excellent 'site search' tool?

Connecting Bluetooth speakers to an older stereo system - Beware unsolicited calls from Microsoft or Apple Tech Support

Why wired Ethernet is always better than a hotel's WiFi - Forcing Firefox to open email links in Gmail

Keeping online backups virus-free - Make editing text on your phone a lot easier

How to ask Google if a website is safe - Beware the dangerous 'Sam’s Club' email scam

Are vampire electronics sucking your bank account dry? - How to delete an entire word from a document with one keystroke

Is AdChoices malware? - Keep your portable jump starter charged up and ready to go

This one settings change blocks 99% of all hacking attempts - Protecting important files from accidental deletion

Here’s a simple way to avoid spam emails - These settings can make your PC easier to use

Use your default search engine as an instant dictionary - 10 powerful blogging tips for beginners

Removing the previews from Gmail's inbox - How to instantly get the current time for any city or town

Think you're stuck with poor Internet service? - How to unfollow someone on X without really unfollowing them

How to block websites from tracking your location with Chrome - Using a standard 2-button mouse with a Mac

Why you really need to have a good backup plan - Watch your favorite Xfinity channels on any device

Forcing an iPhone to restart when it freezes up - How to delete a Facebook Group

Q&A: When you delete a file, where does it go? - How (and why) to generate a Recovery Key for your Apple ID

What to do if you accidentally visit a malicious website - Adding Bluetooth to an older computer

Stop your Android phone's screen from rotating - Why disabling your phone’s Location Services won’t hide your location

How to quickly find most anything on your PC - How do I keep notifications on my PC’s screen longer?

Simple tip for making your phone’s battery last longer - How to become a published author in as little as 24 hours

Blocking a website from appearing in search results - How to search Google for multiple words at once

Protect your Amazon account with Two-Factor Authentication - Quickly find your car in a crowded parking lot with your phone

Beware this dangerous Netflix scam - Think twice before allowing remote access to your computer

Make a Mac’s mouse pointer easier to see - How to quickly copy files from one drive to another in Windows

How (and why) to prevent Chrome from storing your card info - Protecting a deceased loved one’s Facebook account from hackers

How to safely check your email and text messages - Why you shouldn’t keep tons of photos on your phone

Q&A: How do I back up my paid Android apps? - How to make the icons on the Windows Desktop bigger

Tips for fixing a slow Internet connection - Free up space on your browser’s crowded Bookmarks Bar

This will put your backups on steroids - 6 awesome tech-related websites that I visit (almost) every day

Find out if your phone's apps have morphed into malware - How to enable Two-Factor Authentication on your X account

How to enable Two Factor Authentication on your Google account - Don’t fall for this dangerous coupon scam

How to hide 4 rarely used icons from the Windows 11 Taskbar - How to open the 'Settings' screen on a ChromeBook

Q&A: How do I disable the keyboard on my laptop? - Following the ‘Need to know’ rule on social media

Enable F8 key for booting Windows 11 into Safe Mode - Using a Password Manager is still as dangerous as ever

Don't be fooled by dangerous fake virus alerts - Paying for Ebay purchases with Western Union

How to protect your Facebook account from hackers - Avoid installing unwanted add-ons along with free software

Will resetting Windows remove all viruses from a PC? - How to quickly retrieve your PC's MAC address

Are free antivirus apps just as good as paid ones? - Streamline your Internet tasks by using multiple browsers

Where can I download Microsoft Office for free? - What should I do if my Facebook account gets hacked?

Beware the dangerous Malicious Tagging Facebook scam - Why you should never put suspicious files in the Recycle Bin/Trash

Important warning about your browser's Incognito mode - Super-fast way to do a reverse image search

Is it really dangerous to keep using Windows 7? - How to delete all of your Gmail messages at once

Can a broken light pole fry a computer? - What’s your recommendation for securely storing passwords?

Beware this very devious 'Mothers Day' scam - Q&A: Does Windows still leave traces of deleted programs behind?

Beware this dangerous Windows hoax - Q&A: Which camera is better – Nikon or Canon?

Find out if your personal info has been stolen by hackers - How to travel with your own portable WiFi network

Q&A: Can I save money by building my own laptop? - 3 ways to open a Command Prompt window in Windows

Beware this sneaky 'Google Drive' related scam - Force Windows 11 to warn you before restarting to install updates

How to remove Copilot from the Windows Taskbar - Run Windows 11 on your Mac (and keep macOS too)

How to find your phone's Downloads folder - This is how I prefer to open File Explorer

On the Internet, skepticism is your friend - This site can help you learn a new skill or trade

Force Windows 11 to show file extensions in File Explorer - Tips for selling obsolete computer gear on ebay

Should you share your Internet with a neighbor? - Should you really mount a TV above your fireplace?

The quickest way to find the cheapest gas in town - Why Mac computers are never referred to as PCs

How to check the health of your PC’s hard drive - Pin a text conversation to the top of the list

3 ways to shop online safely - Students and teachers get Microsoft Office 365 for free

5 tips for getting the most from your Internet connection - How to quickly share files between two nearby Apple devices

How to safely clean your TV or computer screen - How to report a fake (clone) Facebook profile

Disable auto-playing videos in the Facebook app - Finding a good full-size Bluetooth mouse

How to stop ads from following you around the Internet - How to give your phone a temporary 'burner' number

Do Windows 10 apps work with Windows 11? - 4 incredibly handy mouse tricks

Windows users: Save time by skipping the clicking - Charge your USB devices by plugging them directly into a wall outlet

Why ‘bigger is better’ for a smartphone - How to check the health status of your laptop’s battery

How to physically destroy an old hard drive or SSD - How to make your Tech Support calls as painless as possible

Stop Windows 11 from tracking your every move - Phone-based customer service and tech support is often horrible (by design)

Handling Two-Factor Authentication when switching phones - The best computer upgrade you can make for the money

How to make sure a file is safe before you open it - Beware scammers asking for gift cards

How to 'hunt-and-peck' type in the dark - How to Copy on one Apple device and Paste it onto another one

Why you MUST protect your email account from hackers - Can just anyone use Xfinity’s WiFi hotspots?

Beware this fake PayPal Tech Support scam - How to pin an SMS text conversation to the top of the list

My best tip for protecting your info from scammers - Here’s a safe way to sell your used Apple devices

Don't forget to restart your computer every few days - Q&A: How do I change the text size in Firefox?

Want to ditch your Windows frustrations forever? - Beware of ‘Fake News’ on Facebook (and elsewhere)

Tip for preventing unauthorized charges on your bank cards - How to view every password Google is storing for you

How to change your Windows 11 PC's Sleep settings - Beware this dangerous 'Red Lobster' scam on Facebook

How to add any folder to 'File Explorer' in Windows - Is your 'waterproof' phone truly waterproof?

How to create an emergency virus removal flash drive - 5 super-handy YouTube keyboard shortcuts

Make Windows 11 warn you about pending PC restarts - 5 essential gadgets for a great summer vacation

How to (possibly) identify the sender of an anonymous email - Don’t fall for this irritating Facebook Privacy hoax

Turning off Siri’s voice on an iPhone - How to enable Low Power Mode on your MacBook

How to add emergency contact info to your phone’s Lock screen - Enable incognito screenshots in the Chrome Android app

Be careful if you have Find My enabled on your Apple device - How to avoid falling for hoaxes and scams on Facebook

Thanks so much...

I sincerely apologize, but...

Tips for switching from a Windows PC to a Mac - Q&A: What will I need to do when my Norton trial expires?

How to always launch Chrome and Edge with the previously-used tabs open - Quickly scroll up or down exactly one page in your browser

Google Maps: Create Home screen icons for frequently used routes - Boost your typing skills with this free tool

Q&A: Who can see the posts I hide on Facebook? - Facebook now offering Creators help for login issues via chat

Warning: Don't let cloud storage be your only backup medium - How do I prevent my Android phone from vibrating?

Try this first when your Windows PC freezes up - What exactly is 'The Cloud'?

How to make your Windows PC run like new again - How (and when) to boot your Mac into Safe Mode

Complete list of Gmail keyboard shortcuts - Make a quick $10 million by turning in a hacker

Beware this dangerous 'Windows Defender' scam - Stop your Windows PC from spying on you

Q&A: Will my phone charge faster if it’s turned off? - How to restart Chrome without losing your open tabs

How to convert a Mac or Windows PC into a Chromebook - 4 things to try when a website won’t load in your browser

Do this if a newly-installed program doesn’t work as expected - Prevent Windows from rearranging your Desktop icons

Keeping my emails from going in Gmail's Promotions folder - Opening Desktop icons with one click

This tip will make your Facebook account more secure - How to get the most fuel-efficient route with Google Maps

Does Malwarebytes still offer a free version? - Two ways to Undo and Redo an action on a Mac

Is it safe to buy from Temu? - Get a copy of your credit report for free

How to prevent an app from tracking your location - Beware emails that link to a login page

Beware this dangerous 'moving out of state' Facebook scam - Copy and paste text without the formatting

Are SSDs just as reliable as hard drives? - Removing a malicious Facebook post from someone else’s Timeline

Choosing Credit or Debit - Stop Windows from changing your default printer

How to remotely sign out of Google on a lost/stolen device - Are WiFi and the Internet the same thing?

Hiding mutual friends on Facebook - How to block a problem sender in Gmail

How to turn off notifications for an Android app - How to take the best screenshot from a YouTube video

How to quickly verify your Facebook privacy settings - Your family can share Amazon Prime's costs & benefits

How long will a USB Flash Drive retain its data? - Can lightning damage something that’s turned off?

How to see the numbers you’ve blocked on your phone - Never answer a phone call from your own number

Beware this dangerous Amazon-related scam - How to turn off Windows' Autocorrect feature

How to charge your phone as quickly as possible - Prevent Porch Pirates from stealing your packages

How to quickly launch any app on your Mac - Delete Gmail without deleting the entire Google account

How to send disappearing Gmail messages - Delete your Facebook search history

How do I disable GPS tracking on my iPhone? - Can a virus jump from one drive to another?

How to reduce your monthly Internet bill - 5 hidden tricks for making the most of your Mac

Which auto-startup apps are slowing your PC down? - Why posting ‘Check-Ins’ on Facebook is a really bad idea

Why you need a ‘Whole House’ surge suppressor - Share your Amazon Prime benefits with family members

Are Chromebooks safer than Windows laptops? - Who is actually selling that item on Amazon?

Copy text from an image with your phone - How to interpret the results of an Internet speed test

Why you should uninstall all unused apps - How to keep your work and home computing activities separate

How to use your laptop as a desktop computer - How to print a web page without the ads and other junk

Opinion: Walmart is now sending customers to Amazon for tech purchases - Clean up and optimize an older PC

How to quickly identify scam emails - Is the free Malwarebytes offer a bait and switch?

A warning about your Facebook Privacy settings - Why online retailers ask for your card’s CVV number

How to quickly find your computer’s warranty status - Declutter File Explorer by hiding empty drives

How to print all the passwords Google is storing for you - Disabling Marketplace notifications on Facebook

How (and why) to add new local user account in Windows 11 - Stop your phone's Home screen from rotating

Beware this dangerous PayPal email scam - How to block unknown callers on your smartphone

Is Google now fining people for spamming with Gmail? - Why you REALLY need to remember your Apple ID and password

Does your Apple device qualify for a free replacement battery? - How to back up and restore your Chrome bookmarks

Q&A: Why are my Internet download speeds so slow? - Be careful about what you share with your Facebook friends

Are you doxing yourself on social media? - Q&A: Is it safe to use an online password checker?

Q&A: Should I replace an old SSD just to be safe? - How to choose unguessable answers to security questions

Give your Google account a quick Security Checkup - How (and why) to configure Sleeping Tabs in Edge

Beware these fake “Microsoft Account Update” emails - How to forward multiple emails at once with Gmail

Create a shortcut to the Device Manager on Windows - Beware fake Gmail 'account closure' emails

How (and when) to boot your Mac into Safe Mode - Q&A: Can I completely disable my laptop’s camera?

Forcing Chrome to always open in Incognito mode - Why some WiFi connections say ‘Connected-No Internet’

Why Windows PCs slow down over time - How to quickly find any archived email

The safest place to meet for marketplace transactions - Make Gmail automatically open the next message

How (and when) to disable cellular data on your iPhone - Q&A: How do I speed up my mouse pointer?

How to block adult-oriented videos on YouTube - Reminder: Only use one antivirus app at a time

How to whitelist an email address in Gmail - How (and when) to disable cellular data on your Android phone

Two great ways to clone a hard drive or SSD - How (and when) to use a temporary email address

Those ads for massive SSDs on Facebook are scams - How to quickly copy a URL to your computer's clipboard

Why you should always redeem your gift cards ASAP - Q&A: Can I copy the files from a broken laptop?

Be wary of calls you receive from Microsoft or Apple - Check the true speed of your Internet connection

Moving Yahoo emails to Gmail - Quickly preview most any file on your Mac with Quick Look

Beware this dangerous Free Credit Monitoring scam - Reduce your cellular data usage by tweaking Facebook

Do this first before selling your smartphone - My biggest tech-related pet peeve

How to quickly find most any Windows setting - Changing the default search engine in Chrome

Quickly block future emails from a sender in Gmail - Q&A: What’s the Mac equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Del?

Migrating your data to a new iPhone - Beware scams offering a sweet deal on Internet service

Migrating your data to a new Android phone - How to schedule a Gmail message for future delivery

Is your Internet bill straining your budget? - Beware this dangerous fake McAfee renewal notice

Q&A: How do you remember all this tech stuff? - 7 ways to protect your router from hackers

Hiding Notifications from your phone’s Lock screen - How many times can you recharge your MacBook’s battery?

How (and why) to enable ClickLock on your Windows laptop - Here’s a simple way to get remote help for your smartphone

Happy New Year - How to visually monitor your home while you’re away