Blog

Why Your Computer Needs A System Cleanup

By Kevin / October 7, 2024

Even if a Cleanup has been done, it may not have been done recently or well. I’m not usually that direct, but it’s true.

A System Cleanup is part of routine computer maintenance, and should be followed up with regular tune-ups. You can take care of yourself, or I can do it for you (drop-off and remote support launch Nov 6th). It’s like a Spring Cleaning for your house.

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Quick Tip: Pin Folders to Quick Access in Windows 10

By Kevin / October 6, 2024

In Windows 10 and 11, you have the option of “pinning” folders under “Quick Access”on the left hand pane in File Explorer. I literally use my pinned folders every single day, and the time it saves me adds up over time!

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Kevin’s Picks: CLCL (Clipboard Tool)

By Kevin / October 6, 2024

Due to the nature of my work and the fact I’m a Power User, I copy and paste images and text frequently. This can of course be done through the Windows clipboard, but that only allows one item at a time. That’s why I strongly prefer a lesser known tool called CLCL. It has a strange name, but works very well. In my case, I have it set to save 50 items at a time.

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Quick Tip: How To Disable The News and Interests Widget From Opening on Hover

By Kevin / September 25, 2024

In Quick Tip, I’ll be talking about how to disable the “open on hover” feature on the News And Interest widget in Windows 10 and why you want to do this.

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Quick Tip: How To View File Extensions in Windows 10

By Kevin / September 25, 2024

By default, out of the box, Windows, any version of Windows, does not show file type extensions, presumably because most average users don’t care about file extensions. Still, in my experience with on-site and remote work, I have done, inevitably, most people end up wanting to know the file extension of a file that they are dealing with.

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Kevin’s Picks: Start11

By Kevin / September 25, 2024

In this Quick Tip, I will talk about the frustrating so-called Start Menu in Windows 11, and the program you can install to replace it, called Start11, and have a much more usable Start Menu. I will also walk you through how to download and install Start11.

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What You Can Expect When I Connect Remotely To Your Computer

By Kevin / September 20, 2024

We’ll use RemotePC Help Desk when I connect remotely to YOUR computer.

RemotePC Help Desk is a secure program that allows me to work on your computer, with your assistance every time.

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AirPods Pro 2 Get FDA Approval as Hearing Aids. Here’s Why That Matters, and Why It’s the Most Important Announcement Apple Made at Their September Event

By Kevin / September 17, 2024

I’m a little late to the party on this, but I listened to an episode of MacBreak Weekly a few weeks ago. They highlighted Apple’s game-changing update for the AirPods Pro 2, which transforms them into affordable, over-the-counter hearing aids with a personalized hearing test.

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Study Reveals Some Computer Repair Shops Snoop Around While They Work, and Why My Customers Will Never Have To Worry About That

By Kevin / September 11, 2024

An investigation by CBC’s Marketplace in 2023 uncovered a disturbing trend: technicians snooped on personal photos and sensitive information that had nothing to do with the repair in more than half of the cases they studied. When you drop off your phone or laptop for repair, I’m working on YOUR computer, I take that responsibility VERY seriously, and ONLY focus on the work you have agreed to. I have zero interest in anything else on YOUR computer. That is my promise to you.

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Kevin’s Picks: WinAero Tweaker

By Kevin / September 8, 2024

WinAero Tweaker is a free app that lets you adjust (tweak) settings in Windows from a user friendly app. It allows you to make convenient changes and add extra functionality to context menus, and different parts of Windows.

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Quick Tip: How to Disable The “Let’s Finish Setting up Your Device” Screens on Windows 11

By Kevin / August 31, 2024

In this Quick Tip, I’ll show you how to disable the annoying upsell screen that occasionally appears when you turn on your computer. It’s the one that says, “Let’s finish setting up your device.”

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How To Customize Firefox: Setting Things Up, Bookmarks, Extensions, Download Settings, and Resetting

By Kevin / August 25, 2024

Here are the settings in Firefox that I recommend changing, including backing up and restoring bookmarks, download settings, and refreshing (resetting) Firefox if things aren’t working right.

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Kevin’s Picks: ImageGlass

By Kevin / August 25, 2024

For this Pick, I’m focusing on the fantastic and FREE image viewer called ImageGlass, though you can purchase it through the Microsoft Store if you want to support them.

It’s a lightweight image viewer with a simple user interface and vast format compatibility.

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The Mark Cherrington Podcast: Episode 3 – Legal Aid Crisis, Colonial Trauma, and Community Support

By Kevin / August 12, 2024

In episode 3 of this podcast, Mark reconnects with Kevin to shares his insights on the Legal Aid Alberta crisis, the impacts of intergenerational trauma, and the uphill battle many families face with the justice and Child Welfare, and Income Support systems.

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Why It’s Usually A Mistake To Buy A Computer at A Big Box Store

By Kevin / June 3, 2024

If you or someone you know is thinking of getting a new computer at Best Buy, please STOP and watch this video by Dawid Does Tech Stuff.

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The Mark Cherrington Podcast: Episode 2 – Fundraiser Gala, Income Support Challenges, and Donations

By Kevin / June 3, 2024

In this second podcast episode, Kevin and Mark discuss the successful fundraising gala held on May 2nd, various challenges and successes as he fights to get Income Support for some vulnerable people, and we discuss more in-depth the kinds of donations Mark needs and the ways people can support those Mark is trying to help, including monetary, essential items, and e-transfers.

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Quick Tip: Activate a Window Simply by Moving Your Mouse Cursor Over it (instead of needing to click it)

By Kevin / May 10, 2024

In this Quick Tip, I will show you how to “activate” any Window or app to use it instead of first needing to click it and use it. This is particularly useful to login details on a web page. You start typing or even copying and pasting, only to realize it didn’t work because that app wasn’t selected.

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Quick Tip: Hide Clutter in Windows 11 Desktop Search

By Kevin / May 10, 2024

The search box on the taskbar and the pop-up search both have “highlights” that recommend all kinds of distractions, including shopping content, games, and more. Here’s how to turn that off.

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Quick Tip: Get Rid of Notification Ads and Full-Screen Upsells in Windows 11

By Kevin / May 10, 2024

Windows will occasionally send you notification pop-ups with “tips and suggestions.” These tips can include messages pushing the Microsoft Rewards program and other things.

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How To Use Mastodon: Part 2: Connect With Those You Know, Advanced Mode

By Kevin / May 8, 2024

Of course, you want to connect with many of the folks you interact with on Twitter (even if you don’t leave Twitter). You may also want a Tweetdeck-like altenrative. So let’s talk about that.

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