Digital Dispatch Posts 21-30

#0030 New Computer Tasks

December 17, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 12/17/24.

Sooner or later, everyone gets a new computer. Once you bring it home, there are a few things you’ll need to do. Some of these tasks can be done automatically, but you can also handle them yourself. It doesn’t really matter in what order you do them, but I recommend starting with setting up your security software. Also, there may be other things you need to do that aren’t covered here.

New to Windows 11?
If you bought a new computer, it’s probably running Windows 11. This might take some getting used to because Microsoft tends to move things around or rename certain features. Don’t worry though—all the features you’re familiar with are still there, just in different places. If you don’t like the new look, you can still use the old control panel if you prefer it.

Security Software
Your computer won’t have security software installed, so you’ll need to reinstall your antivirus (like Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, or Malwarebytes). The easiest way to do this is by logging into your account on the software’s website. From there, you can download the program and install it on your computer.

Moving Your Files
Make sure you’ve transferred all your files from your old computer. These are usually stored in your user profile folder. Look for things like Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Videos, and Favorites. If you can’t find something, double-check before you get rid of your old computer.

Printers and Webcams
If you have a printer, you’ll need to install its software. Go to the manufacturer’s website (like HP, Brother, or Epson) and search for your printer model’s drivers. You can download and install them for free.

If you use a webcam, you’ll need to install the software for it too. Again, just visit the manufacturer’s website to find and download the necessary software for free.

Setting Up Your Email
If you use an online email service like Gmail, Outlook.com, or your internet provider’s email, you can skip this step. But if you use an email program like Outlook or Thunderbird, you’ll need to set it up. This can be a little tricky because you’ll need a few details, such as your email address, password, SMTP server, POP or IMAP settings, port numbers, and encryption type. It’s best to either copy this info from your old computer or look it up on your email provider’s website.

Web Browser
Log into your web browser (like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). This will restore your bookmarks and saved passwords, so you won’t lose them..

Final Thoughts
Things might look a little different on your new computer. If you customized the look of Windows or Microsoft Office before, you’ll probably need to set those preferences up again to make things look and feel the way you like.

#0029 Should you pay for Windows 10 extended support?

December 15, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/02/25.

Windows 10 support officially ends on October 15, 2025. After that, users will stop receiving updates, including important feature updates, bug fixes, and security patches.

For the first time, Microsoft is offering extended support to home users, a service that has been available to businesses for many years. If you sign up for extended support, it will cost you $30 for the first year. This program will only provide security updates. So, if a new security flaw is found, Microsoft will release an update to fix it. If you’re not on the extended support program, you won’t get that patch. Think of this support like an insurance policy—it keeps your system secure, but doesn’t add new features. Important note: The extended support program isn’t available yet, and Microsoft hasn’t announced the exact release date, but it should become available closer to the October 2025 deadline.

Even without extended support, Windows Defender (Microsoft’s built-in antivirus) will continue to receive updates until 2028, so you’ll still have basic protection against viruses. You’ll have to decide if that’s enough for your needs. You’ll also be able to keep using Windows 10 as usual, even without the extended support.

My Opinion
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. If you’re a casual user who mainly browses the web or plays games like Solitaire, you might be okay without paying for the extended support. But if you store important files or have sensitive data on your computer, I’d recommend paying the $30 for the extra year of security. Keep in mind, if you have multiple computers, the cost can add up. It’s your choice whether the program is worth the $30 investment.

#0028 How much memory do you need in 2024?

December 07, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/08/25.

How much memory (RAM) you need for your computer depends on what you plan to do with it and how much you're willing to spend. Everyone has their own opinion on this, but one thing most people agree on is that more RAM is always better. Here’s what I recommend based on my experience:

8Gb of RAM is the minimum Microsoft suggests for Windows 10 or Windows 11, but I wouldn’t recommend it in 2024. As software requirements continue to grow, 8GB might slow you down, especially when you’re running multiple programs. It’s actually hard to find new computers with only 8GB of RAM now, but there are still older Windows 7 machines that were upgraded to Windows 10 with 8GB of RAM.

16Gb of RAM is what I would choose for any new computer. This is the sweet spot for most users and is enough to run all games and even a virtual machine (VM). It’s a solid choice for most people.

32Gb of RAM is perfect for running just about anything and will make your computer last longer before needing an upgrade. It’s great for people who use demanding software or run multiple tasks at once.

64Gb of RAM or more is best for video editing or engineering applications. With this much memory, you can easily run multiple VMs and handle heavy workloads.

Ultimately, the more RAM, the better — especially if you want your computer to last and perform well for years!

#0027 Now is the time for a new computer. Here's why.

December 6, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/03/25.

It’s time to think about getting a new computer, and here’s why:

Possible Price Hikes
Sometime in 2025, the U.S. might impose new tariffs (extra taxes) on goods coming from China and other countries. This could cause prices to go up. The goal of these tariffs is to help the U.S. economy by addressing the trade gap with other countries. However, it's unclear exactly how much prices will rise or when these tariffs will take effect. Some people believe it’s just a strategy to negotiate better trade deals. The situation is still developing, so we’ll have to wait and see.

End of Windows 10
Windows 10 will officially be out of support in October 2025. Despite requests from consumers and tech experts, Microsoft is sticking to this deadline. Once that happens, many people will need to upgrade to a new computer. This could lead to a shortage of devices, making prices rise as demand increases. Retailers and tech companies are expected to see a boost in sales as people rush to buy new systems. Some people hope that Microsoft will change its mind or extend the deadline, but that’s not certain. Time will tell!

February 2025 update
These components have recently increased in price BEFORE any tariffs.

• Selected AMD CPU chips
• Selected motherboards (up 25%)
• SSD & NVME Drives (up 30%)
• SFX power supplies (Nearly double and harder to source)

#0026 Microsoft Disabled System Restore

December 3, 2024

Windows System Restore is a roll back feature that’s been available for years. If you had a problem with Windows, you could restore it to an earlier date. This tool was great, and it had at least a 50/50 shot of curing your problem. Issues like bad driver updates could be easily undone.

Initially the System Restore feature was on by default as it saved users and technicians a lot of time during troubleshooting. This is no longer the case. Some time back, Microsoft quietly decided to turn this feature OFF by default in Windows 10. I discovered this when multiple clients would bring in computers that had no System Restore points. I wondered why everyone had this feature turned off. I did some checking and discovered it's still a part of Windows but no longer activated. There is absolutely no reason for Microsoft to do this, unless they want users to give up and simply purchase a new PC.

Luckily System Restore can be turned back on and used again. You may want to check your system and turn this useful tool back on. You'll save yourself time and frustration if you ever have a Windows issue.

Going forward, it will be standard operating procedure for Meyer computer to check and enable the system restore feature on all computers we service.

#0025 Never Rent to Own a Computer!

December 1, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 12/13/24.

Renting to own a computer is a terrible idea, and I see it happen with my customers all the time. While these rental programs are legal, the interest and fees you pay can end up being five times more than the cost of buying the computer outright. You’d be better off just using a credit card with a high interest rate. Unfortunately, it’s often the people who can least afford it who end up signing up for these programs.

One of my clients once brought in a laptop that was part of a rent-to-own program. They needed help with a virus and malware cleanup, and when I looked into it, I found something shocking. The laptop had tracking software installed that could access the webcam and all the data on the laptop. I did some research and discovered that the rental company had put this software on the laptop to track where it was. They could turn on the webcam to see where the laptop was and even look through files. When I told my client about it, they confronted the rental store, and the store admitted to doing this. It turned out this practice was being used by a big, nationwide rental company. They ended up facing a class action lawsuit over privacy violations. On top of that, my client had paid three times the value of the laptop over 36 months, just to "own" it.

There are much better options out there. You could buy a used computer. Local computer shops often sell used laptops for cheap, just to get rid of old stock. You can also find a ton of used computers on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. Check with your friends and family—someone might even give you one. Take your time to look for a good deal. Don’t get ripped off!

#0024 Lost Customer Passwords

November 30, 2024

One of the biggest time wasters for an IT person, is when a customer forgets a password. This post is NOT meant to single out any client. Over the years it has happened more times than I can count. It usually goes something like this:

Technician: Hello. Can I help you?
Customer: I lost my Windows password. Can you tell me what it is?
Technician: No, I'm sorry I am afraid I can't. Did you write it down anywhere?
Customer: No. Can you just tap a few keys and get me in like they do on TV?
Technician: No, I'm sorry I am afraid I can't. That only happens in Hollywood. Did you try the password reset?
Customer: No. Should I try that?
Technician: Yes.
Customer: It wants me to put in a code from a text message, but I used a land line. [or customer doesn't know how to text and has a flip-phone]
Technician: [smacks forehead] What version of Windows do you have?
Customer: Microsoft.
Technician: [smacks forehead again] Do you have a backup of your files?
Customer: No.
Technician: [getting a headache now] Bring the computer in, and I will see if I can hack the password.

There are some 3rd party tools that help us REMOVE a Windows password with Windows 7, 8 and 10, but Windows 11 has become so secure that it's getting quite difficult. This issue happens with a customer on average once or twice a month. We do our best, but it sometimes it takes 2-3 days of working back and forth with the client to finally gain access. Most of the time, we eventually figure it out.

However, BitLocker makes the lost Windows password even worse. If BitLocker is enabled and the password or Microsoft account password are both unrecoverable, then the computer will need to be reformatted and reloaded. The files are lost. Not even Microsoft can help.

#0023 Consumer Laptops Vs. Business Laptops

Last Updated 2/17/2025
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 12/13/24.

After working with laptops for over 25 years, I’ve learned a lot and developed my own opinions. One question I often get asked is why I recommend business laptops over cheaper consumer models. Many people don’t realize that laptops made for businesses are very different from the ones we use at home. In this post, I’ll explain these differences to help you make a better choice.

CONSUMER LAPTOPS
You’ve probably seen these laptops at places like Best Buy, Walmart, or Staples. They’re usually pretty easy to find, and they’re often cheaper. You’ll see brands like Dell Inspiron and HP Pavilion. These laptops are made to look trendy and come with features that seem great at first. However, the downside is that they’re not built to last. The quality is lower, and many of them can’t be upgraded. Sometimes, the keyboard and touchpad are glued or riveted to the laptop, so if one of them breaks, you have to replace the whole palm rest, which can be expensive. The inside of the laptop doesn’t have strong frames, and the hinges are often connected to plastic parts that can break easily. If something goes wrong, repairs can cost more than the laptop is worth. These laptops aren’t made for long-term use. They’re built to last just long enough for the 1-3 year warranty, then the manufacturer will tell you to buy a new one.

GAMING LAPTOPS
Gaming laptops are different. They’re designed for high performance and are often more expensive. Brands like Alienware, Asus ROG, Acer, and HP Omen are popular in this category. While they offer amazing speed and graphics, they also need a lot of maintenance. Gaming laptops get really hot because of the fast processors and powerful video cards. They require extra fans and cooling systems, but even then, overheating can still be a problem if you don’t take care of them. These laptops can be awesome, but if you buy one, be ready to spend extra money on maintenance or do it yourself.

BUSINESS LAPTOPS
Business laptops might be the best option if you want something more reliable. These include models like the HP ProBook, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Dell Latitude. Big companies buy these laptops in large quantities because they want machines that are easy to maintain and dependable. That’s why business laptops tend to cost more — they’re made to last longer and are easier to repair. They have stronger hinges, upgradeable memory, and the keyboards and touchpads can be replaced separately. These laptops are also designed with screws that make it easy for technicians to open them up for repairs. They’re usually a bit heavier than consumer laptops, but that’s because they’re built to be more durable and reliable in the long run.

#0022 Should you choose WIRED or WIRELESS?

December 11, 2024

THE WIRED VS WIRELESS DEBATE
Should you connect your devices via wired or wireless? This is an ongoing debate and there are good arguments for both ways. I personally used both methods depending on the situation.

WIRED
You will need to run wires
Your tethered to one spot
More reliable connection
Better for printers
No need to worry about signals
Distance up to 300 feet between switches
Speeds up to 10 Gigabit over ethernet and faster with fiber
No Wi-Fi password to bother with
All computers in the last few years support at least Gigabit with newer computers are 2.5gb or 10gb.

WIRELESS
You don't need to run wires. Great for places where you can't run lines.
You can go anywhere within range.
Connections can be spotty.
Printers often have connection issues.
Wi-Fi radio signals can often be congested in 2.4 or 5ghz band depending on number of devices.
Distance varies greatly depending on signal strength.
Speeds up to 9.6 Gigabit with Wi-Fi 6 You must use Wi-Fi encryption which requires a password to establish the connection
Iot devices and printers are typically slower speed connections.

#0021 Useful Google Searches

November 19, 2024

Did you know that there are some more advanced ways of using Google? Here are some easy ones to remember.

1) Add near me to the end of any search to show LOCAL results in your area. This is typically a 20-mile radius. There is no point in showing stuff 10 states a away if your looking for a place to eat or other local service! Likewise you could also use the name of the city or town to find results in that town.

2) Searching within a single website can be accomplished by adding site:sitename.com to the end of any search.

3) Use quotation marks to look for an exact phrase. Otherwise, Google may list similar items.

4) Exclude unwanted results by using the minus sign. For example: Restaurants near me -Chinese -Thai

5) You can search a price range like this: Used car $5000...$10000 to get results in the specified range.