You Should Be Checking Regularly for Optional Windows Updates

Most people don't know that all updates from Microsoft are not automatically downloaded to their computer.  You should regularly check for optional updates to your computer.  These keep your drivers updated as well as your operating system.  You have to manually download & apply all optional updates .

If you do not know how to check for updates, here's how.

XP-open control panel-click on Windows Update on left side of page.
Click on "check for updates".

After it scans you will have 2 options-express & custom. Select Custom.

On left side of page it breaks down the updates by high priority software and hardware.
Click on high priority and check all updates it found.
Click on Software and check all the updates it found.
Then click on Hardware (these are you driver updates) Check everything it found.

You will be given a chance to review all updates.

Click on "install updates"

Restart your computer if required.

(There may be some software updates you do not want-such as Bing Desktop, etc.  You can hide these updates by clicking on the individual update and check hide update box)

Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8 is much more straightforward.-open control panel.  Click on the drop down arrow next to "view by" and select small icons. 

Scroll down to the bottom to Windows Update.

Once you have Windows update open, on left hand side click "check for updates".

Once the scan is complete it will tell you that you have optional updates.  Click on the blue message and check each update.  Unlike XP both software and hardware optional updates appear together.  You can right click any update you don't want and select the "hide update" option. After updates are selected click on install updates.

(if you choose not to apply an update you can right click on it and select "hide" so you will never see it again)

Restart your computer if required.

 

 

 

The Hidden Power of Your Mouse (and Keyboard)

The Hidden Power of Your Mouse (and Keyboard)

 

I would bet a dollar to a donut that 99% of the computer users in this world are using round about ways and multiple mouse clicks to accomplish their tasks when most times only one or 2 clicks is necessary.  I have put together a list of mouse tricks that I hope some of you will utilize in your every-day computing.  Although there are many more things your mouse can do for you, I am only listing the ones that are most used in day to day stuff.   I suggest you take one or two at a time and use it until it becomes automatic for you.  Then move on to the other ones.

To highlight text –click on first character of selected text then hold Shift and and click on last character of selected text. Release shift key.  This highlights everything in between.

 To select multiple pieces of text – hold down CTRL while selecting. I have only gotten this trick to work within Word.

 

To Highlight only a word-double click on that word

 To highlight a whole paragraph – triple click within the paragraph

To highlight a column without all the text to the left or right –hold down the ALT and drag cursor over the section you want to select.

 

My favorite -To use scroll wheel as a back button- hold shift key while scrolling backward or forward.  You can fly through all the sites you’ve visited.

You all know about the right-click context menu.  If you hold the Shift key while doing a right-click you are given an extended menu that gives you hidden options.

Maximize window-You don’t have to click on the tiny maximize button in upper right corner.  Try double clicking on the center of the title bar instead.

You can close a window by double clicking on the left end of the window title bar.

 

We all know that we can use the mouse to drag and drop items, even multiple ones. Did you know that is makes a difference what keyboard keys you are pushing while you use the mouse to drag and drop items? While dragging and dropping, hold down the [CTRL] key to copy items. Use the [SHIFT] key to move items.

If you ever forget which keys to hold for what effect, just try to drag & drop items with the right mouse button instead of the left mouse button! Once you release the mouse button to drop the items, this will bring up a context menu that asks you what you want to do, i.e. copy here, move here, or create a shortcut

 

Scroll Wheel or Middle Mouse Button Tricks

To open a link in a new tab in your browser, instead of left clicking it, try to middle click it.  When you go to close that tab, middle click it.

Zoom- Hold the CTRL as you use your mouse’s scroll wheel  to increase or decrease text size
 

While I’m at it here are a few of the most useful keyboard shortcuts.  There are over a 100 but I can’t remember them all so these are the ones I use most (In case you don’t know what the Win key is, it’s the flying windows logo key in bottom left corner of keyboard.  Some keyboards have 2 win keys, one on left and another on right)

 

Win key brings up your start menu
 

Win + D shows or hides desktop . Hit Win + D to show desktop then hit Win+d again to go to your last open window.

SHIFT+DELETE  Deletes selected item or items  permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin.

ALT + Tab – Switch between open items

Win + E-bring up Explorer (same as “My Computer”)

 Win + spacebar makes all open windows transparent to view icons on desktop

Win + tab-launch 3d representation of all open windows. Then use tab key to flip through the windows.

 

Win + left or right arrow docks selected window to left or right side of your screen. This lets you have 2 open windows side by side.

F2-rename selected item

Win + M minimizes all windows

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   Are thieves stealing your internet?

 

This one is not so much a tutorial as it is an advisory and is directed to those of you connecting to the internet wirelessly.  Keep in mind as you read this, that the term wireless internet includes cell based mifi/wifi connections AND home networks connected to a router.  Your PC may be connected to your router with an Ethernet cable but your network is still a wireless network.

Do you sometimes notice your internet connection slower than normal? It’s possible that you’re sharing it with others and not knowing it. It might be one of your neighbors tapping into your internet bandwidth or a malicious hacker has tapped into your wifi?  There are many casual   bandwidth thieves who find an open network and think they can borrow it. If they find one that is password protected they go on and find one that isn't. If you haven’t bothered to assign a wifi access password (security key), the front door to your network is wide open.  Also, you need to have changed your router’s default password.  Since all routers come from the manufacturer with default passwords set, anyone with the tiniest bit of computer knowledge can change anything in your router configuration they want to.  I can say this as a fact—Of every home I have entered to work on a computer, 90% of them have either NOT changed the default password of their router or are running an unprotected, no password access network. (Or both of the above) I think this is because when you connect a router  it automatically works as is so many people just leave it that way rather than taking time to set it up protected. This is bad business.

A malicious cyber-thief is another matter. He is not out to just use your internet service but to steal your information which he may use or sell. He can hack into your network's computers, steal your information or use your service for illegal reasons.  Anything done on your network can be traced back to you when the real culprit has done his dirty deed and moved on.  This sort of thief is skilled and can access your network easily.  That is why your network password should be strong enough that it is very difficult to crack.

 

The following is an excerpt from ttp://askbobrankin.com/is_someone_stealing_my_wifi.html?pcp that explains it better than I can.

 

"Windows and Apple computers have built-in utilities that show what devices are connected to your network. You can use these tools to look for unknown computers that should not be connecting to your network. Obviously, the first step is to know what devices are authorized. Each authorized computer should be assigned a computer name that you can recognize easily, i.e., “Jane’s PC” or “Billy-iPod”. Other devices, such as printers, will have built-in names such as “HP Model 8600;” you should be familiar with what you own and how it is identified on your network. 

 

Here’s how to detect  who is connected to your wireless network.

If you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8 it’s pretty easy.(and I believe Vista, as well, although I do not have a Vista computer to verify this)  In Windows 7, click the Start button and type “network” in the search box. Double-click on the word “Network” which should be the first item in the search results. A three-part display of connected devices will appear: computers, media devices, and network infrastructure. “Computers” will include PCs, smartphones, and tablets. “Media devices” include printers, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and the like. “Network infrastructure” includes your router and the modem to which it connects, typically labeled “Internet gateway device.” Note that for some reason, connected iPods and smartphones do not show up here. An unauthorized device will probably be among the “computers” listed, but if (for example) you see an Xbox that doesn’t belong to you, you obviously have an interloper. Apple OS X computers have a similar utility. You can access it via Finder > Go > Network.

 

Your router’s configuration program provides a better view of ALL devices connected to your network. By logging into your router, you can see a list of devices that currently have IP addresses assigned to them. Consult your router’s documentation (or Google it) to learn how to access this list. Devices that may appear in this list include desktop and laptop computers, tablets and ebook readers, iPods, smartphones, wireless printers, streaming devices such as Roku or AppleTV, gaming consoles, and television set-top boxes. Many routers also store logs of past connections, which you can peruse to see what devices connected when you weren’t looking. If you don't know how to login to your router, or you don't know the password, ask your Internet Service Provider for help, or read the documentation that came with your router. "

 Folks, keep in mind that if you have an unprotected wireless router and you have your computer plugged into it with an Ethernet cable, thieves can still come in the back door and access your PC.

 

If you do not know how to access your router’s configuration page, seek help in getting your network set up as it should be.  Don’t leave yourself wide open to your neighbors or a cybercriminal looking to steal your information.