Tag Archives: new features

Changing Your Pointer Size and Color

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Windows updates offer a variety of handy features to the operating system. A small, but fun feature is the cursor and pointer. For decades, a little white arrow was the default (and only) way to visually click.

Now the new options include size and color, allowing users to choose for their particular needs or wants.

Here’s how you can change this feature:

  • Start Menu > Settings
  • Ease of Access > Cursor and Pointer

From there, you can change your pointer size (with the toggle) and color. There are suggested colors or you can pick your own with the customized option.You can also make the cursor easier when you type by upping the thickness.

If you are needing help with the Windows 10 update, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.

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.

Great Ways to Utilize Google Maps

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Get somewhere fast and efficiently!

Back in the 90’s and 2000’s, the best way to find ways around cities and states were with physical, folded maps. Because of evolving technology, map apps, like Google Maps, have allowed users to acquire accurate directions to wherever they need to go. There are plenty of benefits, and are easy to utilize.

Saved Tab

Google has been working diligently on their maps app to give the best possible experience to users. One of the ways you can get the most out of it is to use their Saved tab. You can now save any destinations for easy access. This allows you to quickly go back and get an address you need.

On their blog, Google shares, “When you have a lot of saved places in your current area, it can be challenging to quickly figure out which is which and where to go. When location permission is enabled, you can see all your nearby saved places sorted by distance and arranged in a carousel for easy browsing to make your next decision a breeze.”

Map Accuracy

One of the great perks about Google maps is the accuracy and detail of the maps. Sujoy Banerjee, the Product Manager of Google Maps states, “Google Maps has high-definition satellite imagery for over 98 percent of the world’s population. With a new color-mapping algorithmic technique, we’re able to take this imagery and translate it into an even more comprehensive, vibrant map of an area at global scale.”

Their newest update includes a distinct view of the earth, with over 200 regions available. This adds color-coded visuals to determine what is grass, mountains, water, and other earthly landscapes.

Platforms

You can find Google Maps on Android and iOS. So no matter what kind of phone you have, this map will be able to help you where you need to go. You can even get ETA’s and accurate directions from you Apple Watch, which is a nice perk.

For 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 by our staff at the Sandy Springs Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Sandy Springs, GA please call or text the local office at(678) 695-8120.

Quick Assist Allows Remote Access on Windows 10

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Remote access to other computers is quite the handy feature to have when it comes to helping those having issues with their PC. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are relying on remote accessing.

There are a handful of Remote Access Applications out there, such as TeamViewer and Chrome Remote Desktop. These are free and easy to use. However, Windows 10 has it’s own remote access feature available.

Quick Assist allows others you trust have access to your computer. It’s secured and only requires a Microsoft account.

To access Quick Assist, follow the prompts below:
  1. Start Menu
  2. Type in Quick Assist and click on it
  3. From there, you can Get assistance or Give assistance
  4. Giving Assistance requires a signed in Microsoft account and will give a 6 digit code to provide to the one receiving assistance
  5. Receiving Assistance requires the 6 digit code in the box provided. Then click on Share screen.

It is recommended not to have any personal data shown or anything you don’t want the remote assistance to see. Quick Assist will prompt a permission box.

Source: Windows Community

For inquiries with Windows 10 features, 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.

Use Cortana to Find Files on Your Computer

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Another Windows 10 update will be released soon, but for now the devs are having some fun. Windows Insiders are getting a sneak peek at the new Cortana feature, which will extend its skills.

According to Tech Radar, “Windows Insiders that have updated to the latest build of Windows 10 can now use Cortana to translate their thoughts into direct actions to find and open files which helps save time spent navigating around the operating system.”

Source: Windows Blog

Cortana became a separate app for Windows 10 in the May 2020 update. The option to disable Cortana was available to users as well. But it seems like maybe users will want to enable it to give this new, upcoming feature a try.

For any Windows 10 feature 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 Arvada Computer Repair Service, if you need better SEO or computer repair in Arvada, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Similar ‘Hot Corners’ Feature Off the Table for Google

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This past month, rumors flew around about Google working on a feature for the Chrome operating system, similar to MacOS’s ‘Hot Corners‘. This handy feature would allow work to move more fluidly, assigning your display corners for quicker access. According to Zac Hall from 9to5Mac.com, he states:

Hot Corners turn each of the four corners of your display into actions. Just move your cursor to the designated corner, then an action that you assign to that corner is launched.

I rely on Hot Corners to both quickly access Notification Center and reveal my desktop for accessing recently saved files. There are keyboard shortcuts, buttons, and gestures for doing both of these tasks, but neither method is as fast or natural for me than a cursor movement.

Zac Hall – 9to5Mac.com

However, this past Tuesday, it was shared that Google had decided to abandon the project, stating that they were “no longer moving forward with this project.”

I personally think this would have been a nice feature for Chrome OS. Who knows – maybe the project will be put back on the table in the future. Google has been known for mimicking other operating systems and adding similar features to their own OS.

For help updating, restoring or dealing with any PC 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.

WordPad Getting Office Web App Feature

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Microsoft WordPad has been around since Windows 95. They haven’t done much in the realm of updating this particular app, considering its straightforward usage. WordPad was created to make easy text documents with little-to-no complexities.

However, according to Rafael Rivera on Twitter, “Microsoft WordPad is getting a new feature! An ad for Office web apps!” When you normally hear “feature”, you think of something new and exciting. This was quite the letdown.

The ad appears above the ruler, encouraging users to try Office, along with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for free online. And while some may not see the ad as being an issue, others find it rather annoying. It’s just another way that Microsoft is trying to get their users to buy more of their products. Smart marketing? Maybe. But it goes to show that free doesn’t always mean free. There’s always a cost.

Source: Rafael Rivera Twitter

If you have any Windows 10 issues, or have any questions, 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 Lakewood Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Lakewood, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Windows 10 ‘Snipping Tool’ App Getting the Boot

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While any and all Windows 10 updates include a variety of fixes, improvements and features, there also calls on a list of app removals. One of the reasons for the removals are the lack of usage from users.

A few of the features that Microsoft is no longer developing are ‘My People’, Windows To Go, and Hologram app (which they’ve replaced with Mixed Reality Viewer). Another major feature that is an important one is the Snipping Tool. However, Microsoft is giving it the boot.

The Snipping Tool app was used to screenshot any part of the screen and customize it to whatever you were needing. But why get rid of an app that is quite essential? Microsoft answers:

In Windows 10, version 1809, we’re introducing a new universal app, Snip & Sketch, that provides the same screen snipping abilities, as well as additional features. You can launch Snip & Sketch directly and start a snip from there, or just press WIN + Shift + S. Snip & Sketch can also be launched from the “Screen snip” button in the Action Center. We’re no longer developing the Snipping Tool as a separate app but are instead consolidating its functionality into Snip & Sketch.

Snipping Tool VS Snip & Sketch

So long story short, there’s no reason to have both the Snipping Tool AND the Snip & Sketch features. Combining both to have the ultimate screenshot app seems the better choice.

Source: Windows Blogs

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.

Fingerprint Sensor is Making a Comeback on Apple

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Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at Apple shared a feature that will be included in iPhones in 2021: fingerprint sensor. This feature definitely isn’t new on Apple devices, but with Face ID implemented, the sensor wasn’t needed. However, coming up in the following years, iPhones will have both features incorporated.

According to MacRumors, “Kuo believes that GIS and Qualcomm will benefit from iPhone’s adoption of FOD, with the former providing the “large-area sensing ultrasonic” technology and the latter supplying the ultrasonic FOD module and lamination. Kuo also argues that the likelihood of FOD in iPhones will increase if Apple Watch supports a biometric function in the future.”

Kuo and other analysts think that fingerprint sensors will drastically progress with technology within a year and a half time frame, so including FOD (fingerprint on display) will be a huge advantage to Apple devices. Will involving both FOD and Face Recognition increase the price of the Apple products? It’s unclear. However, the reasoning behind adding both features to future iPhones is to bring additional security and accessibility to suit users’ needs.

For help with any Windows 10 updates, 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 Scottsdale Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Scottsdale, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2960.