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Should I Download Windows 10 Updates?

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.
2026-04-30 - #191543

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

Get an email "from" mailer-daemon? There's a good reason this mysterious sender keeps showing up.
2026-04-29 - #191556

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

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.
2026-04-27 - #16401

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

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.
2026-04-25 - #42183

How Can I Pin “Restart” to My Taskbar?

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.
2026-04-24 - #191287

How I Use AI at Ask Leo!

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.
2026-04-22 - #168449

Is It Safe to Let Your Browser Remember Passwords?

Letting your browser remember passwords is convenient. With that convenience comes significant risk. Most folks are much better served by using a password vault.
2026-04-20 - #16718

What Does Windows 10 End of Support Really Mean?

I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to the members of the Sun City Center Computer Club about Windows 10, as well as a smattering of additional topics.
2026-04-19 - #191629

Should I Set Up Two Partitions on My Hard Disk?

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.
2026-04-18 - #5378

How Do I Clear Cookies for Just One Site?

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.
2026-04-17 - #191114

Why Can’t I Change My Email Address at Some Online Providers?

Your email address changed, but the website where you have an account won't let you update it. Now what?
2026-04-16 - #191102

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

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.
2026-04-15 - #191049

How Do I Hack Someone’s Account? How Do I Hack My Own?

Someone's cheating on you, or maybe you just lost access to your own account. Either way, you want to hack in. Before you go looking for help in all the wrong places, let me share the truth about hacking accounts.
2026-04-13 - #2590

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

Power outages are a different problem than just flipping a switch, and your computer could pay the price.
2026-04-11 - #3148

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

Before you pull a "Zuck" and slap a sticky note over your camera, it's worth asking whether the threat is actually real.
2026-04-10 - #48444

How Do I Run a Program “As Administrator”?

It's not trying to annoy you, it's an important part of keeping you safe. With an extra step or click, you can easily be the administrator when needed.
2026-04-09 - #4757

Set Up Windows 11 With Only a Local Account – Still Working in 2026

Setting up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account is still possible.
2026-04-08 - #167438

How to Back Up Photos and Never Lose Them Again: the Steps You Need to Take

Your photos capture moments you can never get back, but one lost phone or crashed hard drive could wipe them out forever. Protecting them is easier than you think. Here's a simple plan to make sure your memories are never just one accident away from gone.
2026-04-06 - #16005

How Can I Send a Document to Someone Securely?

Sending private documents by email feels risky because it is. What's the safest way to get sensitive information to the right person without it falling into the wrong hands?
2026-04-04 - #5659

What Can a Technician With Remote Access Do?

You thought it was tech support, but it was a scam. You gave a stranger full access to your computer. How worried should you be?
2026-04-03 - #85111

How Do You Remove Bloatware?

Your new computer came loaded with software you never asked for. Before you reach for a debloating tool, here's my controversial take on what you should and shouldn't do about bloatware.
2026-04-02 - #190709

How to Protect Your Credit Card Information

Your credit card info can be stolen in stores or online. From tap-to-pay to virtual card numbers, I'll walk you through the best ways to keep your credit card safe.
2026-04-01 - #190672

How Do I Change My Email Address?

Changing an email address changes a lot more than the address. I'll look at common scenarios and a few additional approaches.
2026-03-30 - #2178

How Do I Deal With Getting Someone Else’s Email?

You didn't ask for it, but there it is: email meant for someone else in your inbox. I'll discuss why this happens and what you can do about it.
2026-03-28 - #190528

What’s the Difference Between Outlook, Outlook, and Outlook.com?

Microsoft continues to confuse us with repetitive product names. I'll clarify the difference between Outlook, Outlook, and Outlook.com, and help you decide which you want.
2026-03-27 - #1832

I Lost My Two-Factor Authentication Device. How Do I Recover?

Losing your phone can lock you out of your accounts if it’s your second factor for authentication. Here’s how I recovered while traveling, the backup options that saved me, and the steps you can take now so you’re never stuck without access.
2026-03-26 - #145351

What If My Passkey Doesn’t Work or I Lose the Device It’s On?

Passkeys are supposed to make signing in easier and safer, but what happens when it stops working or your device is gone? I'll show you what to do if your passkey fails or is lost and a technique that makes passkeys work everywhere.
2026-03-25 - #190493

How Do I Find Who Hacked My Email Account?

Someone hacked your email and you want answers. Who did it? Where are they? Can you track them down? Here's what you should do.
2026-03-23 - #4044

What’s a Zero-Day Attack? A Diagram of the Vulnerability Timeline

Yes, your computer can get hacked even when it's fully updated. Zero-day attacks exploit vulnerabilities that your antivirus software doesn't yet know exist. I'll explain how these attacks work and what you can do to protect yourself.
2026-03-21 - #3195

Windows Administrator Explained

Why will your computer sometimes tells you "access denied" when you're the only user? Windows has a system of administrator account types that are easy to misunderstand. I'll describe which type of account you likely have, and what the other options can and can't do.
2026-03-20 - #190297

Why Doesn’t My Machine’s IP Address Match What I’m Told on the Internet?

Ever wonder why your computer shows one IP address, but websites see something totally different? They're both right. I'll describe how your router juggles two addresses behind the scenes and how that protects you every time you go online.
2026-03-19 - #2506

How Do I Uninstall Windows?

Stuck with a version of Windows you can't stand? You're not alone, and you're not trapped. "Uninstall" isn't a thing, but there are a few options you might not know about.
2026-03-18 - #130374

Why Password Managers Are [Still] Safer than the Alternatives

If you're not using a password manager, you're likely compromising your security more than necessary. Here's why using one is safer.
2026-03-16 - #5555

How to Identify Your Machine’s Network Connections

Your computer might be chatting with hundreds of servers right now, including sites you might not expect, without you knowing! I'll show you free tools that let you see what your machine is up to online.
2026-03-14 - #190089

Can I Have Different Passwords for YouTube and Gmail?

A Google account includes Gmail, YouTube, and much more. If you want to keep those services separate, you'll need separate Google accounts.
2026-03-13 - #128674

How Do I Tell Which Wi-Fi Protocols My Computer Supports?

Ever wondered if your Wi-Fi card can handle the latest speeds, or why it won't connect in certain places? I'll show you exactly how to check which Wi-Fi protocols your computer supports, and what those cryptic "802.11" labels actually mean.
2026-03-12 - #190015

Don’t Fall for It: Social Engineering and How Scammers Hack Your Brain

Think you're too smart to fall for a scam? Think again. Scammers aren't targeting your intelligence; they're targeting your humanity. I'll share the sneaky mind tricks they use every day and help you spot the red flags before it's too late.
2026-03-11 - #190031

How Do I Gain Administrative Access to a Secondhand Computer?

It’s important to understand the risks of buying a used computer.
2026-03-09 - #12356

How Do I Sign in to Windows If My Keyboard Doesn’t Work?

Keyboard not working, but you need to type to sign in to Windows? There's a solution for that.
2026-03-07 - #189827

Can You Get Hacked When Your Computer Is Sleeping?

Worried your sleeping computer might get hacked? The short answer is no, but there's a catch. I'll explain what that is and why you're still probably safer than you think with basic security in place.
2026-03-06 - #189803

OK, Boomer: Why Computer Literacy Matters to You

Technology isn't optional anymore. I'll explain why embracing computer literacy matters more than ever, and how complaining only isolates you further.
2026-03-05 - #110284

How Should I Format My Thumbdrive?

Looking to format a USB thumb drive but confused about FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS? I'll break down each file system's strengths and limitations and help you choose the best format based on compatibility needs, file sizes, and which devices you'll use it with.
2026-03-04 - #124976

Are Deleted Emails Really Deleted?

Deleted an email and think it’s gone forever? I'll explain what “delete” really means in webmail and desktop programs, why trash folders and database files can leave messages recoverable, how backups and even court orders can bring them back, and the inconvenient fact that the other person may still have a copy.
2026-03-02 - #17447

Before You Click: 3 Quick Checks for a Suspicious Website

Found a website you’ve never heard of and not sure you should click? I'll show you three fast clues -- domain dates, server location, and site history -- that can help you judge whether a site feels trustworthy or sketchy before you commit.
2026-02-28 - #189667

How Does Cloud Storage Work?

Cloud storage sounds mysterious, but it’s really just your files living on someone else’s online computer. Let's look at how synchronization moves your changes between devices, why it can feel like backup, and the big catch: deletes spread everywhere too.
2026-02-27 - #75658

Why Am I Being Asked for Additional Verification on Sign-in?

Traveling and suddenly locked out of Outlook.com? I'll explain why Microsoft asks for extra sign-in proof, what “something unusual” really means, and how to set up backup email, phone, or authenticator options before you leave so you can get your code and your account back when it matters most.
2026-02-26 - #92840

What Do I Do If I’m Being Harassed, Bullied, or Stalked Online?

Online harassment can happen to anyone, but what can you actually do about it? I'll break down whether it's illegal, how to identify who's behind it, ways to make it stop, and the critical mistakes to avoid so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
2026-02-25 - #15569