Sitemap - 2025 - Rick's Tech Tips Newsletter

Q&A: What does the phrase ‘brick your phone’ mean?

How to ask for a second opinion after a clean virus scan (and why you should)

How (and when) to clear your YouTube ‘Watch History’

Scam alert: Why you should cancel all of your unused email accounts

Why on earth do computers still crash after all these years?

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

Here’s my favorite tool for taking a screenshot of an entire web page

Q&A: Can ‘Download MORE GHz’ really speed up my computer?

How to use your smartphone as a metal detector (yes, really)

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

Amazon Prime Day is here. This is why it’s awesome

5 tips for protecting your devices from the summer heat

Here’s an easy way to fool burglars into thinking you’re at home

How to disable all apps and games (and block game requests / app notifications) on Facebook

Are your surge protectors giving you a false sense of security?

Q&A: Will a ‘Modified Sine Wave’ UPS damage a computer?

Q&A: Would moving the Page File to a RAM Disk make a PC run faster?

Q&A: Can I convert an old Windows laptop into a Chromebook?

Q&A: Can I listen to a local radio station on my PC?

How to change the default zoom level and/or font size in Chrome

Here’s the fastest (and best) way to bookmark a web page

Scam Alert: Beware dangerous ‘Evil Twin’ Wi-Fi networks

Q&A: Will a laptop hard drive work in a desktop PC?

Q&A: Will a regular 2-button mouse work with a Mac?

Stop third-party companies from sharing info about you with Facebook

Special request from Rick...

Q&A: Is it safe (and wise) to span two hard drives to make one larger drive?

Q&A: What do repair shops do with abandoned computers?

Oops... (Yep, I messed up.)

How to block Windows apps from making calls via your linked phone

Q&A: I accidentally changed the text size in my browser. How do I change it back?

Review: iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

How to save ink, paper and money when printing web pages

How to find out if a website that won’t load is really down

How to safely clean your computer or mobile device

Q&A: If I delete a photo from Facebook that others have shared, will their friends still see it?

Tips for speeding up a sluggish Windows PC

Review: Ytonet Laptop 15.6″ TSA Laptop Carrying Case

Q&A: Does my WiFi network really need a password on it?

How to use your own personal web browser, settings and bookmarks on any PC (even a borrowed one)

How to discreetly send the same email to multiple recipients

Q&A: How do you hide a folder in Windows 11?

How to ‘Unsend’ a Gmail message if you change your mind after clicking “Send”

Q&A: What’s the easiest way to clone a hard drive to an SSD?

How to see which Android apps have access to your Contacts (and optionally revoke it)

How to shop at Amazon without using a credit/debit card

Q&A: Does Malwarebytes still offer a free version?

Q&A: How can I stop websites from asking to track my location with Firefox?

Did you know you can remotely erase a lost or stolen smartphone?

How to call someone directly from your Android phone's Home screen

Q&A: Is it possible to sign into multiple accounts on the same website at once?

Why I prefer connecting printers via USB instead of WiFi

Tips for creating and storing your computer's backups

Is your PC is acting weird? It's probably malware.

Q&A: How can I find out how much data each app on my PC is using?

Q&A: How do I make my PC shut down at the same time every night?

How to place a shortcut to System Services on your Windows PC's Desktop

How to extend a wired Ethernet connection to a distant room without running any wires

Stop your PC from logging your computing activity and sending it to Microsoft

Review: Hiearcool USB-C Hub / Laptop Docking Station

Q&A: Can you determine someone's location by their IP address?

Why you should never mention someone's age on Facebook

Rick's Daily Tech Tips Update for Monday, May 19, 2025

How to download ALL the data Google has collected about you

How to choose the right Surge Protector for your computer (and other devices)

How to quickly find a good meeting point halfway between two locations

Q&A: How can I watch YouTube videos in slow motion?

Review: Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse

Scam alert: Are you being spied on via your own webcam?

How to open the System Info screen on your PC with a keystroke

5 ways to waste money when buying a new computer

How to print all the passwords Firefox is storing for you

How to back up (and restore) the Windows Registry

How to make selecting multiple files in 'File Explorer' a lot easier

Q&A: How do I reopen a browser tab I closed by accident?

Q&A: Can you recommend a really small, yet powerful desktop PC?

Try this first if your laptop won't turn on

How (and why) to remove all stored passwords from your Chrome browser

Save battery charge by hibernating your laptop instead of putting it to sleep

How to delete your entire Google search history (and stop Google from storing it)

When to click 'Apply' in a Windows dialog box

Here's a great way to keep your new PC running like new

Q&A: Will replacing the hard drive with an SSD make a PC run hotter?

Q&A: Can I see a list of the people I have unfriended on Facebook?

Q&A: How do I make File Explorer default to 'This PC'?

Windows 10 stops receiving updates in October. Here are your options.

Q&A: Who exactly can see the things I post on Facebook?

Review: Qinlianf 5-Outlet Surge Protector / 4-Port USB Wall Charger

Q&A: How can I make my PC's mouse pointer and text cursor easier to see?

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous 'DocuSign' email scam

How to force a Windows program to always 'Run as Administrator'

Review: AmazonBasics Backpack for Laptops

This awesome tool will quickly uninstall any program and remove all its traces

Q&A: How can I view my Facebook profile the way strangers see it?

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous 'Mother's Day' coupon scam

Use your old smartphone or tablet as a wireless security camera

Scam alert: Beware fraudulent ads on Facebook

Q&A: Is it safe to keep my laptop plugged in all the time?

This Windows service is spying on you (but you can stop it)

Scam alert: Beware the dangerous 'Blank Images' email scam

Two ways to quickly view the Desktop in Windows 11

Q&A: Can I switch back to Windows 10 if I end up not liking Windows 11?

How (and why) to hide your Friends List on Facebook

Q&A: Will light bulbs make solar panels work at night?

Q&A: Is it safe to completely disable Windows updates?

Clear out junk with Windows 11's Cleanup Recommendations tool

Protect yourself against fraudulent or misleading crowdfunding campaigns

How to quickly create a Desktop shortcut to any app on your PC

Scam alert: Beware the dangerous 'Expiring Apple ID' phishing scam

Q&A: How do I hide the Desktop icons on my computer screen?

Business owners qualify for special perks and pricing at Amazon

Are all of your browser extensions and mobile apps still safe to use?

How to quickly spot a fake Facebook profile

Q&A: How can I watch YouTube while working in another program?

7 tips for effectively dealing with Robocalls

Q&A: How can I regain control of my hacked router?

Computer (or phone) acting strange? Try this first.

8 tips for a faster Internet experience

This tool can help you stay safe while using Messenger

Review: CyberPower PR1500LCD Smart App 1500VA/1500W Sinewave UPS

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous "AppleCare Support" scam

Q&A: How can I make the text bigger on my phone?

Create a screensaver slideshow of your favorite photos on Windows 11

Why your smart (IoT) devices need their own dedicated user accounts

How to quickly save any web page as a PDF document

Q&A: Can I block the posts from a Facebook page without 'unliking' the page?

How to stop Firefox from forcing you to sign in every time you open the browser

These handy Windows keyboard shortcuts are real timesavers

Q&A: Do surge protectors ever go bad?

How to spot (and avoid) fraudulent phishing emails

Q&A: Can I retrieve a forgotten password from my web browser?

Why you should avoid 'Quiz' posts on Facebook

Q&A: Is it safe to use a USB flash drive as a backup drive?

Why you should ignore messages warning that your PC has outdated drivers

Q&A: Can I use two network adapters to double my Internet speed?

8 tips for searching Google like a pro

5 tips for keeping your web browser running fast and secure

Q&A: Can I connect a TV to my laptop for watching Netflix and YouTube?

How to send postal mail right from your computer or mobile device

Q&A: How do I switch the functions of the mouse buttons in Windows?

Why the 'Nifty Fifty' is my favorite camera lens

Beware this dangerous 'Walmart Customer Service' scam

Q&A: What's an easy way to match up all my USB transmitters with their devices?

How to quickly select everything in a document at once

Warning: Don't depend on Facebook's privacy settings to protect your sensitive info

How to use a wired Ethernet connection with a newer MacBook

Q&A: How can I block websites from asking to send me notifications?

Q&A: Which is faster, the fastest hard drive or the slowest SSD?

How to check for skimming devices on ATMs and gas pumps

Q&A: How do I combine several short videos into one long one?

How to download your entire Facebook history to your computer

Why you shouldn't send suspicious files to the Recycle Bin

Beware fake confirmation emails for online purchases

How to search old posts on Facebook (including your own) for any word or phrase

Q&A: Why can't I remove the Antivirus app from my computer?

Did you know everything you've ever posted on Facebook is searchable?

Q&A: Do surge suppressors actually work?

Q&A: Is it ok to use Gmail for my business email?

Q&A: How do I set Google Play to only auto-update apps over Wi-Fi?

Opinion: Walmart is now sending customers to Amazon for tech purchases

Be very careful when Googling a Tech Support or Customer Service phone number

Quickly get all of your PC's technical specs and info with Speccy

Q&A: Can you recommend a really cheap, but reliable SSD for an older laptop?

How to switch from Outlook to Gmail

Scam alert: Beware scammers impersonating you on Messenger

Scam alert: Beware this dangerous 'postal' gift card scam

Things to consider before taking your computer to a repair shop

Swap your unwanted electronic gadgets for an Amazon gift card

How to start seeing someone's posts in your Facebook Newsfeed again

Q&A: Can you limit someone to using just one specific app on an iPhone?

Q&A: How can I make Google always show search results in English?

Q&A: What's the funniest thing you ever saw as a computer tech?

Scam alert: Avoid this dangerous coupon scam on social media

Why you should enable Two-Factor Authentication on absolutely everything

Q&A: Do SSDs need to be backed up like a hard drive?

Q&A: Can I connect a full-size computer keyboard to my tablet?

Warning: Setting everything to 'Friends' on Facebook won't protect your personal info and photos

How to reopen a browser tab you closed by accident

Q&A: Does uploading photos to Facebook transfer their copyright to them?

How to prepare for your computer's next hard drive / SSD crash

How to disable the 'Caps Lock' key on your Windows keyboard

4 reasons to use Facebook in your phone's browser instead of the app

Review: Anker 20000mAh PowerCore Essential 20K Portable Power Bank

Q&A: How can I connect my PC directly to a modem that's in another room?

Scam alert: Be wary of disaster relief donation scams

How to take great portraits without expensive photography gear

Beware the dangerous 'Your account has been reported' Facebook scam

Looking for a way to promote your blog? Google has a deal for you

Reminder: Why you should never 'Unsubscribe' from SPAM emails

Thanks so much...

Windows: How to quickly display the System Information screen using the keyboard

How to accurately evaluate product reviews on Amazon

Quick tip to stop Windows 11 from tracking your every move

Has that used phone you're buying been reported lost or stolen?

How to quickly transfer photos from your camera or phone to your PC

Q&A: How can I transfer photos from a dead laptop to a new one?

Q&A: Why is Facebook so easy to hack?

3 reasons why you should delete your old emails

Q&A: Why is there no 'Share' button on my Facebook posts?

Q&A: I need either a WiFi Extender or a Mesh WiFi system. Which one should I get?

How to quickly find out what your used computer is worth