Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?

Why so many answers begin with a power cycle.

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Tech support always says the same thing: "Have you tried rebooting?" It sounds lazy (and perhaps crazy), but there's a reason it works so often.
A Corgi in tech support sitting behind a desk cluttered with computer parephenalia answering the phone with a thought bubble above that says "Have you tried turning it off and on again?"
(Image: Gemini)
Question: It seems like every time I call the tech support line for my software, operating system, or even my broadband connection, the first thing out of the technician’s mouth is “reboot”. Or worse yet, “Power down for a while.” What does that have to do with anything? And why does it work?

It does seem like magic, doesn’t it? The computer’s acting up, you reboot it, and poof, things are better again. At least for a while.

It gets even weirder when you achieve the same effect just by powering it all down and pulling the cord for a while. It’s so well-known that it became a meme from a popular television show.

Let’s consider the magical mess that is software.

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The Most Important Skill

If you’re not skilled at this, you’re going to fall behind.

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Think the most important skill in tech is coding? Nope. Whether you're asking for help online, applying for a job, or using AI, writing and speaking English well matters more than you'd expect. I'll explain why it might be the most valuable skill of all.
a Corgi studying English at his desk. A dictionary and a thesaurus are open along side his laptop which shows "English assignment"
(Image: Gemini)

My business is to answer questions about computers and technology — everything from broken hardware to lost passwords and more.

The answers have one important thing in common. It’s something most people don’t even consider, and I’m willing to bet it’s not what you think.

I’ll give you a hint: today’s topic is off-topic. It has nothing to do with computers or technology.

And yet, it has everything to do with it.

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AutoHotkey: Mouse and Keyboard Remapping, Macros, and Hotkeys

A tool I use constantly throughout the day.

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Typing the same email address dozens of times a day gets old fast. AutoHotkey is a free program that lets short key combos do your typing for you. I'll show you how I use it every day to make a few keystrokes replace long blocks of text.
A friendly robot clearly labelled "AutoHotkey" sitting at a desk typing furiously on a keyboard while a Corgi leans back sipping coffee. The Corgi has a thought bubble that says "BTW" and the robot has a thought bubble that says "by the way"
(Image: Gemini)
Question: How do I create a hotkey for entering my email address? I do this dozens of times a day, and it seems to be a chore!

Many programs do what you’re asking. I’m going to share what I use, not just for email addresses or email signatures, but for many other things. In fact, I’ll use it several times as I update this article.

AutoHotkey is a free program that runs in your notification area. It intercepts keystrokes (and mouse activity, if you like), and allows you to configure anything from simple remapping of one key to another to simple text insertion and complex actions that are nearly little programs in and of themselves. The only caveat is that it’s a tad geeky to set up, so it may not be for everyone, but it’s incredibly powerful. Let me show you some of the things I configure AutoHotkey to do.

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How Do I Get Into My UEFI Settings?

It’s easier than it used to be.

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Need to change your boot order or check a startup setting? You'll need to get in to UEFI first. There are three ways to do it, and at least one of them works no matter what situation your computer is in. I'll show you how each one works.
A Corgi at a laptop with a slightly puzzled-then-confident expression, bright natural light, with a blurred UEFI-style screen reflected in their glasses
(Image: Gemini)

UEFI, which stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is a more powerful and flexible replacement of BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, from the days of the original IBM PC. (It’s common, by the way, to refer to UEFI as BIOS even though that’s technically incorrect. My theory is that BIOS is easier to pronounce.)

Both UEFI and BIOS are firmware: software stored in hardware physically present in your computer. They’re typically in chips on the main circuit board, or motherboard. Their most common task is to locate, load, and run the software stored on your boot device. In other words, they’re the piece of software that knows how to start the process that loads the operating system when you turn on your machine.

Both have settings you can change. You used to need to know an obscure keystroke to get to BIOS; with UEFI, it’s somewhat easier.

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The Laws of Computing

Recovered from a backup, no less.

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What was once lost, has been found. In my backups, of course.
The left half of the image is an ornately framed image of the quote "Profanity is the one language all programmers know best.", the right is a frustrated Corgi at a computer with a Grawlix in a speech bubble.
(Image: Gemini)

Many, many years ago, I collected a set of “laws” associated with computing. Some, like “Adding manpower to a late project makes it later”, are probably familiar, but a few are less well known and just as insightful.

I lost them. Or, rather, I couldn’t find them. I didn’t remember what the file name was, or even what format I had used. I just knew that for many years I carried them with me somewhere.

So, the other day I decided to get serious and started poking around in backup CD images (now copied to hard drives), dating back to 1992. (Man, does that make me feel old.) And sure enough, there it was: LAWS.DOC, on a CD from 1995, including several copies, the most recent being 2002. Old enough that Word would not open the format by default — I had to turn off a security setting to read the file.

So, for your amusement…

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Why Don’t You Back Up Your Computer?

I have some theories.

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If you don't back up, it's probably not because you're lazy. A disaster will get your attention fast, though. I'll dig into why backing up is so easy to ignore, why it shouldn't be, and what it would take to fix the problem.
A Corgi using a computer. Behind him on a bookshelf is an external hard drive, not connected, with the label "Someday".
I’ll back up… someday. (Image: Gemini)

Some time ago, I posted a recommendation for a specific backup program, and it got me thinking about backing up in general.

It’s a common topic here on Ask Leo! for good reason. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear from someone who could have avoided a serious problem by having taken a backup.

So… why don’t you back up?

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Recognizing and Avoiding Dark Patterns

The dark side plays tricks.

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Dark patterns are sneaky design tricks built to work against you. I'll break down some of the most common and show you what to watch for before you click.
A Corgi looking at a computer screen with a very puzzled look; on the computer screen are yes/no checkboxes with the text "click yes to say no" above them.
(Image: Gemini)

Dark patterns are user interface design tricks designed to manipulate you into doing things you don’t intend. The tricks benefit the author of the webpage or app at your expense.

Microsoft OneDrive is a great example. It makes many attempts to get you to back up — which seems like a good thing — without clearly informing you of what will happen to your data, even to the point of possibly causing data loss.

Let’s identify how to recognize and avoid some common forms of dark patterns.

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What’s My IP Address?

The information exposed to every website you visit.

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You might be sharing more than you think when you visit a website. Your IP address, your browser details, and even what you searched for to get there is all visible. I'll explain what websites see when you show up and why it matters.
A Corgi holding a magnifying glass looking at a computer screen displaying an IP address.
(Image: Gemini)

As you probably already know, your IP address is the “address” or logical (not physical) location of your computer or router that is connected to the internet.

There are plenty of sites that can tell you your IP address. In fact, any website you visit can see it.

I’ll tell you your IP address, but also show you a few additional bits of information that you’re sharing with every website you visit.

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Should I Download Windows 10 Updates?

Oh, yes.

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Windows 10 is past its end-of-support date, so why does Windows Update keep delivering updates? And should you keep taking them? My answer is a definite yes, and the reasons are more important than you might think.
A computer screen displaying the Windows 10 Updates settings page, and a Corgi in front of the computer using the mouse to click the "Check for updates" button.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I just finished reinstalling Windows 10, and it is running fine. I have almost completed installing my programs. I used a new SSD for the installation.  I do have a question: should I download Win 10 updates?

Yes, you should.

I want to explain why the answer is so short and definite.

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What Is “Mailer-Daemon” and Why Is It Sending Me Email?

It’s a friendly helper.

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Get an email "from" mailer-daemon? There's a good reason this mysterious sender keeps showing up.
A worried looking Corgi looking at a computer screen which has an email message From: mailer-daemon. The computer screen has devil's horns.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I got an email “from” something called mailer-daemon at an email service. What is that? Are there demons in the internet?

Some might argue there are definitely demons at play in various aspects of the internet (certain aspects of social media come to mind), but this isn’t about that.

A daemon (spelled with that “a”) is different than a demon, even though they’re typically pronounced the same way (though “day-mon” is also common for daemon).

And daemons are a fundamental part of how modern operating systems, and indeed the internet, work today.

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How Two-Factor Authentication Works and Why You Need It Right Now

It keeps hackers out.

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Your password alone might not be enough to keep hackers out. Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection that stops intruders even when they know your password. I'll explain how it works, why you need it, and how to set it up without making your daily log-in a hassle.
A desktop computer asking "Enter two-factor code:" and a Corgi holding a smartphone displaying a two-factor code app.
(Image: Gemini)

We rely on passwords to protect our online security. At the same time, hackers seem to be getting better at figuring them out!

In response, security folks created something called “two-factor” or “multi-factor” authentication, which uses two different types of information. Together, they prove you are who you say you are and give you access to the account.

Two-factor authentication keeps your account secure even if your password is compromised. It’s something I strongly suggest you use.

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My Computer Has Started to Shut Down Randomly. Could It Be the Fan?

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Your computer keeps shutting down and is telling you "Over Temperature." The culprit might be hiding in plain sight: dust and pet hair. I'll show you how those innocent-looking dust bunnies can kill a computer, and what to do about it.
An open desktop computer overflowing with dust, and a Corgi nearby covering his nose in disgust.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: For some reason, my computer randomly shuts down a lot. It’s been happening more and more. It started around the start of summer. It usually shut down for no reason. Yesterday, it said Over Temperature. This shutting down thing is annoying. When I’m trying to do work, I lose it all and the computer shuts down. I asked my cousin, and he said that it could be my fan. I haven’t checked yet, I’m going to ask you first, is it my fan? Or is it another problem?

Maybe.

The “Over Temperature” message is a clue, and the fan is a definite possibility.

But first, we should talk about dust bunnies.

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How Can I Pin “Restart” to My Taskbar?

It can be a single click away.

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I'll show you how to put a one-click restart button right on your taskbar. The skills you'll pick up along the way are useful far beyond restarting.
A desktop computer with a large external pushbutton connected labelled "RESTART". A Corgi sits next to the button with his paw over it as if ready to push it.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: For a variety of reasons, I restart my computer fairly regularly. Is there a way to get an icon on the taskbar I can just click?

Sure. I’ll show you how.

I question your need to restart so frequently, but I’ll trust your motives.

Besides, the technique I’ll show you applies to more than just restarting.

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How I Use AI at Ask Leo!

It’s my fast (but unreliable) intern.

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Wonder whether an AI has written the articles you read online -- like this one? The answer at Ask Leo! is no, but AI does play a role. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how AI helps me, where it falls short, and what a real human -- me -- still does.
The Helpful Intern — A bright, cheerful illustration of a friendly robot sitting at a small desk next to a human writer, handing over a sticky note with ideas on it, while the oldermale human works at a larger desk. The human's computer screen displays "Ask Leo!". There is a Corgi curled up sleeping in a dog bed against the back wall.
(Image: Gemini)

You may have noticed a small update at the top of every page at Ask Leo!. Right above the search box on the right-hand side, it now says “Written by a real human.” That real human, of course, would be me. I suspect this will set me apart from future waves of AI-generated content.

But that doesn’t mean I avoid AI completely. I want to share how AI helps me and how it sometimes misses the mark.

And since AI is changing so quickly, I’m updating this article a little sooner than most. Much has changed in two years.

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Is It Safe to Let Your Browser Remember Passwords?

The risk that’s often overlooked.

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Letting your browser remember passwords is convenient. With that convenience comes significant risk. Most folks are much better served by using a password vault.
A desktop computer covered in sticky notes each with a password on it. On the screen is a web browser offering to save a password. On the floor is a Corgi with a sticky note on its nose which also has a password on it. The Corgi is looking cross-eyed at the note.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: If I consider my computer to be physically secure, am I reasonably safe letting Firefox remember my passwords (without using a master password), or am I being incredibly stupid to do that? What if I do use a master password?

I wouldn’t say incredibly stupid, but it’s definitely an additional risk that you need to understand.

You’re correct in considering physical security first. People often assume they have more physical security than they do.

And master passwords in browsers are important, but they have limitations.

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Should I Set Up Two Partitions on My Hard Disk?

Maybe.

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Does splitting your hard drive into two partitions make your computer faster and backups easier? I'll share my opinion on what partitioning really does and doesn't do, and what works better.
A corgi with a puzzled look holding a hard disk platter that has lines and writing on it that indicate 1/3rd is "C:" and the rest is "D:".
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I have just reformatted my hard drive into C: and D: partitions, and have gained a huge amount of speed from doing so. I would like to be able to load some applications into the D: drive (which has room available), but even when I specify D:, it seems to want to overload C:.  Can you please explain to me how I can better manage my resources? I’m winding up with C: full. I was originally trying to get the operating system on C: and other programs on D:, so that I could reformat C: by reloading the OS and not all the other programs.

Many experts think that splitting a single hard drive into two partitions improves speed, makes backups easier, and is generally the best thing since sliced bread.

I don’t think it adds a lot of benefit.

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How Do I Clear Cookies for Just One Site?

Taming misbehaving sites.

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A website you use keeps misbehaving. Clearing cookies might fix it, but you don't want to lose your sign-ins everywhere else. Good news: your browser lets you clear cookies for just one site. I'll show you how.
A computer screen displaying "Webpage Errror! Cookies Corrupt!" and Corgi running off with a couple of cookies in his mouth.
Not those kind of cookies! (Image: Gemini)

Cookies are small amounts of data placed on your computer by the websites you visit that allow them to do things like remember you’ve already signed in (and much more). They’re part of the grease that makes your website experience run smoothly.

Most of the time.

If a website is having problems, clearing cookies may clear up the problems. The problem, of course, is that clearing all cookies (which you do through your browser settings) means you’ll have to sign in again to every site you’d signed into before.

Fortunately, most browsers have made it easier, if not obvious, to clear the cookies associated with a single site.

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Why Can’t I Paste a Password Into This Site’s Password Field?

A case of misguided security.

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You've got a password manager and you've done everything right. Then you encounter some website that won't let you paste your password. It's maddening. And here's the kicker: whoever designed it that way actually made the site *less* secure.
A computer on a desk showing a login form and the error message "paste denied". An individual is about to smash the computer with a sledgehammer. A corgi sits on the floor nearby with a shocked look on its face.
(Image: Gemini)
Question: I’m trying to sign into a site. I copy my password from my password vault and try to paste it into the password field, and nothing happens. Nothing at all. I have to TYPE the password in. WHY?

I encounter this from time to time, and it’s frustrating.

It’s a design decision made by that website in the name of improving security. The problem? It makes security worse.

If I were a more grumpy person, I’d say someone should be fired over it, because they really don’t understand security and shouldn’t be in charge of it.

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If Shutting Down Windows Cleanly Is So Important, What Happens When the Power Just Goes Out?

Usually nothing bad, but sometimes…

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Power outages are a different problem than just flipping a switch, and your computer could pay the price.
a desktop computer on a table and in the background a Corgi is about to pull a large on/off lever to remove power
Sometimes it’s the dog’s fault. (Image: Gemini)
Question: I am aware that not going through the proper Windows shutdown can have negative effects on a computer. But my question is: if a computer loses power due to a household power outage, not anything wrong with the power supply, are these negative effects strictly software-related (meaning a format and reinstall would fix them), or might it cause hardware problems as well?

Shutting down Windows properly before turning off the power to your computer is important.

Not doing so can result in data loss and corruption as files are left only partially written to disk, but turning off the switch is unlikely to harm your hardware.

Surprisingly, a household or other area-wide power outage presents a different, riskier issue.

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Should I Cover My Webcam When I’m Not Using It?

It does no harm, but is it really necessary?

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Before you pull a "Zuck" and slap a sticky note over your camera, it's worth asking whether the threat is actually real.
a corgi carefully placing a sticky note to cover the webcam on a laptop on a desk
(Image: Gemini)

This is one of those rules of thumb that, in my opinion, are overblown.

Sadly, webcam manufacturers are feeding the paranoia by providing easy-to-use lens covers with their products. There’s nothing wrong with that, other than increasing the perceived need for them (and perhaps the price).

Cover the webcam if you like, but you can probably guess what I’m about to say.

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