Author Archives: Kristin Willis

How To: Windows 10 System Restore

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When computer software issues arise, some users have explained uninstalling or using system restore to help alleviate the problem. Andre Da Costa, an article author, posted an easy and effective way on how to do a system restore on your Windows 10 OS on the Microsoft Community Board.

“Easy Guides are intended to make it easy for users to follow instructions regarding basic tasks in Windows 10,” He states. “Guides are a single info-graphic that you can follow from beginning to end.”

Here’s Andre’s simple breakdown on how to format and construct a System Restore:
  • Press Windows key + R
  • Type: rstrui.exe
  • Hit Enter
  • Click the: ‘system protection’ link
  • Click ‘Configure’
  • Select the ‘Turn on system protection’ radio box.
  • Use the slider to adjust the amount of space you want to allocate to system restore
  • Click Apply then OK
  • Click ‘Create’
  • Enter a name for your system restore point then click ‘Create’
  • Wait while your first system restore point is created.
  • Click ‘Close’ then ‘OK’

He also shares how to complete a system restore by opening up the rstrui.exe program, which opens up the settings. Just choose the restore point and confirm.

Remember that System Restore does require a restart of your computer, so Microsoft urges you to save any necessary open files and close out of any programs you have on your desktop.

For help updating, restoring or dealing with any Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

How to Check All Storage Devices on your Computer

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The Windows 10 May Update included many features, bug fixes, and more. One specific update was the Storage page only showing the main drive space, even if you have multiple drives.

But they can be easily found on the Storage page, under the More Storage Settings heading: View storage usage on other drives. Any detected drives will show up with your storage information.

Here’s how to get to it:

  1. Start Menu
  2. Settings
  3. Storage

On top of that, you can also click on each device to get a breakdown of what is taking up space. This can contain pictures, apps, games, documents, and more. Knowing this information can help you free up storage, so your computer will run better.

For help with space issues or any hard drive problem, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Computer Services – Smart & Safe Web Surfing Tips:

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Karls Technology works hard not only to help fix any computer-related issues but to advise users to properly utilize the software to avoid further troubles. Here are a few tips on Smart and Safe Web Surfing:


1) UPDATE your antivirus software, your web browser and your
operating system REGULARLY
2) Use STRONG PASSWORDS
3) Be SUSPICIOUS of emails, instant messages, files, graphics
and links from unknown senders, as they could be
contaminated with malware. BEWARE, as some websites and
pop-ups can infect your system with malicious content, as
well.
4) BACK UP – be sure to back up all the files that are of
importance and of personal value to you. Storing copies of all
your files will furthermore ensure that your data won’t be lost
in case your system crashes.

This article was previously posted on June 17, 2013, with some new, updated information.

For any computer-related inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

What is a Zero-Day Hack?

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A faulty security patch released earlier this month exposed every version of Windows to a zero-day exploit.

Because it has happened again, millions of Windows users must be on high alert once more. Now, what is a zero-day exploit, you may ask?

A Zero-Day exploit allows an unknown malware in software or hardware and can cause complex issues long before anybody notices anything is amiss.

Microsoft thought it had successfully patched the vulnerability in November, but the exploit allowed the virus to escalate privileges, allowing it to take control of a PC and extend its assaults throughout the user’s network.

“We are aware of the disclosure and will do what is necessary to keep our customers safe and protected. An attacker using the methods described must already have access and the ability to run code on a target victim’s machine,” a Microsoft spokesperson told BleepingComputer when asked for more details regarding this vulnerability.

Source: Bleeping Computer

Microsoft users must stay vigilant when utilizing their Windows operating systems. Be sure to keep your computer up to date through the “Check for updates” in the System Settings app.

For inquiries with computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Hialeah Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Hialeah, FL please call or text the local office at (786) 780-1540.

Benefits of Google Workspace

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Due to the pandemic and for the safety of the communities, many companies throughout the country have made the decision for remote working. And in this day and age, the digital world is evolving to allow people to work from home. With that, they need as many tools as possible to assist them.

Formally G Suites, Google Workspace is one of Google’s top platforms with any and all applications in one. The idea behind Workspace is to make productivity as easy as possible.

There are plenty of benefits of the Google Workspace, according to Google Cloud:

  • a new, deeply integrated user experience that helps teams collaborate more effectively, frontline workers stay connected, and businesses power new digital customer experiences
  • a new brand identity that reflects our ambitious product vision and the way our products work together
  • new ways to get started with solutions tailored to the unique needs of our broad range of customers 

They announced back in July a new experience to allow communication across the board. This included chat, voice calling, and more.

Mind you, Google Workspace is a paid subscription, with plans starting as low as $6/month. They do include all of the apps available in the Workspace and start you off with 30 GB of iCloud storage. If you sign up for the Business plan, you can get 2-5 TB of storage.

Now, you can simply use Google’s apps for free. However, the benefits of signing up for Google Workspace will allow you to have business e-mails, as well as 24/7 support. Businesses can definitely benefit from this.

For inquiries with computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Fort Lauderdale Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Fort Lauderdale, please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Remote Desktop on Windows 10

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There are a handful of applications out there to remotely connect to your PC, including Team Viewer. But did you know that Windows 10 has their own app in the Microsoft Store?

Named “Remote Desktop“, once it’s downloaded, it’s quite simple to connect to other PCs. You’ll have to configure it initially. As a minimum operating system requirement, your PC has to have Window 10 16299.0 or higher.

Microsoft Support shares how to connect, stating the following:

Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar. 

  • Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
    • Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start  > Settings  > System > About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
    • When you’re ready, select Start  > Settings  > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
    • Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You’ll need this later.
  • Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
    • On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
    • On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1).  Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.

Remotely working is a great tool to utilize from device to device. Download it in the app, and be sure to Enable Remote Desktop in the Settings app.

For help with computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Mesa Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Annual Major Update for Windows 10

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Big news from Microsoft!!!

Windows 10 will receive significant upgrades once a year rather than every six months. Windows 11 already provides this on the OS.

According to WindowsLatest, “As you’re probably aware, Windows 11 is set to follow an annual update cadence, meaning users will receive major updates just once a year. With version 21H2 (November 2021 Update), Microsoft has confirmed the beginning of a new update cadence for the Windows 10 operating system.”

Traditionally, Microsoft allowed two major updates throughout one year. However, it seems to be better this way for developers.

To better synchronize the release schedule of its previous OS with Windows 11, Windows 10 will receive one significant upgrade every year in the future, and this will remain until 2025.

If you have any questions regarding security, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Mansfield Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Mansfield, TX, please call our local office at (817) 756-6008.

The Reason to Use 2-Factor Authentication

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When Microsoft introduced two-factor authentication for Windows 10, they encouraged their millions of users to utilize the Passwordless feature as soon as they could.

Two-factor authentication was created to secure accounts in the most effective way possible. This, in turn, shuts down any possible threats attempting to access them. It seems like all Microsoft accounts would be on board with this. However, sources have shown that almost ALL unauthorized access cases were due to those accounts lacking the 2FA.

According to Microsoft, “There are over 300 million fraudulent sign-in attempts to our cloud services every day. Cyberattacks aren’t slowing down, and it’s worth noting that many attacks have been successful without the use of advanced technology. All it takes is one compromised credential or one legacy application to cause a data breach. This underscores how critical it is to ensure password security and strong authentication. Read on to learn about common vulnerabilities and the single action you can take to protect your accounts from attacks.”

You have the ability to two-factor authenticate many of your accounts, which include Apple, Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, and more. To avoid hackers stealing personal information, fix it with this amazing security feature.

If you have any questions regarding security, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Dallas Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Dallas, TX, please call our local office at (469) 299-9005.

Personalize Your Windows Performance

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Better Battery or Execution?

AMD and Intel users that use build 1709 – or newer – Windows 10 have quite the handy performance feature included in their system. And it can be customized to their liking.

This Windows power slider allows users to barter performance for better battery life or vice versa. To access the slider, simply click on the battery icon on the lower right-hand side of the screen. From there, you can easily slide the bar back and forth between the best battery life and best performance.

According to Microsoft Docs, users can decide from four available modes:

Battery Saver: Helps conserve power, and prolong battery life, when the system is not connected to a power source. When battery saver is on, some Windows features are disabled, throttled, or behave differently. Screen brightness is also reduced. Battery Saver is only available on DC. To learn more, see Battery Saver.

Better Battery: Delivers longer battery life than the default settings on previous versions of Windows. Available on both AC and DC. In some cases, users will see this mode labeled Recommended, rather than Better Battery, in their slider UI.

Better Performance: Default slider mode that slightly favors performance over battery life and is appropriate for users who want to tradeoff power for better performance of their apps. Available on both AC and DC.

Best Performance: Favors performance over power and is targeted at users who want to tradeoff power for performance and responsiveness. Available on both AC and DC.

If you have any questions regarding Windows 10, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Denton Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Denton, TX please call our local office at (940) 227-6950.

Notepad and Paint can be Uninstalled

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With Windows 10 operating systems, Notepad and Paint were on the list of mandatory apps available on the PC. And with that came the impossibility of them being uninstalled. However, Microsoft quickly changed that that.

Early last year, Microsoft included an abundance of improvements, fixes, and more in an update. Optional installations to both Notepad and Paint, among other apps, like Wordpad, are available. Though they may be smaller MB in size than other apps – 6.58 MB for Paint and 6.24 MB for Wordpad – every bit of free space counts.

Microsoft announced back in 2017 that Microsoft Paint (MS Paint) was going to be deprecated and removed in their next Creators Update. However, in 2019, they announced that they reverted back to keeping it and added new features to the popular app.

This ‘optional’ feature is hoping to give Windows 10 users a little more control over what they have on their PC.

To uninstall optional applications, simply go to Settings < Apps < Apps & features < Optional features. From there, click on which ones you’d rather remove and click uninstall.

If you’re experiencing any Windows 10 or computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Thorton Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Thorton, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.