It's one of those things that changed in Windows 10 that we're still trying to get our heads around: changing the default web browser. The change is actually for your protection, though it is somewhat confusing.

Speaking of browsers, one of the most referenced article on the site -- seriously, there's probably not a day goes by where we don't point someone at it: all about browser caches; why they exist, and how to clear them.

Here's a scary catch-22: you don't want to download something that isn't safe but you can't check if it's safe until after you download it! What to do?

I was serious last week, by all means do give a copy of The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet - FREE Edition to your friends and family. (https://med.askleomedia.com/pdf/InternetSafety-v4-Free.pdf) You'll help make the internet a tiny bit safer and fun for your friends and family -- they'll thank you.

As do I.

•

How Do I Change My Default Web Browser in Windows 10?

One of the changes in Windows 10 as compared to previous versions of Windows is how to change default programs, including web browsers.

Changing the default web browser in Windows 10 is pretty simple; it's just different than it once was.

I'll explain the reasoning, but first I'll show you how.

Continue Reading: How Do I Change My Default Web Browser in Windows 10?
https://askleo.com/74051

•

The Best of Ask Leo!

Sure, you love the weekly newsletter, but did you know there's more?

Subscribe to The Best of Ask Leo! and each week you'll get a single, full, article that I've hand-picked from the over from over 6,000(!) articles on Ask Leo! -- an article of enduring significance and importance that remains as valuable today as it was on the day it was first published.

You know ... one of the best.

Click here to add the weekly The Best of Ask Leo! to your subscription right now.

•

What's a Browser Cache? How Do I Clear It? Why Would I Want To?

The browser cache appears in more answers than questions, but often causes even more questions.

Even while following instructions to empty the cache, many people aren't clear on what this piece of magic really is, or why clearing the cache does anything at all.

Let's review what the browser cache is and why it exists. I'll also point you to steps to clear it in Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome, and try to dream up some reasons why that sometimes helps.

Continue Reading: What's a Browser Cache? How Do I Clear It? Why Would I Want To?
https://askleo.com/12274

•

How Can I Tell If a Download is Safe?

Someone's pointing me to a downloadable program as solution for a problem I'm having. I'm really hesitant to download and run unknown EXE files. Is there any way I can scan it with some program or otherwise ascertain if it's clean or riddled with subtle spyware, viruses, or what ever else could be bad?

I was somewhat taken aback by this question. It's a perfectly good question — it's one that more people should be asking more often.

No, my reaction was due to the lack of a good answer.

It turns out that it's fairly difficult to ascertain whether or not something you've downloaded is about to play havoc with your system, particularly before you download it.

But it's getting better.

Continue Reading: How Can I Tell If a Download is Safe?
https://askleo.com/74029

•

The Ask Leo! Tip of the Day

A feature exclusively available to Ask Leo! Patrons Bronze level & above.

•

More Ask Leo!

Tech Enthusiast Hour: I'm one of the regular hosts of the weekly Tech Enthusiast Hour podcast! Join us as we discuss the latest news & tech goings on. More information at tehpodcast.com!

Become a Patron
Ask Leo! Books
Facebook - YouTube - More..

Leo's Other Projects....

HeroicStories Since 1999, HeroicStories brings diverse, international voices to the world ' reminding us that people are good, that individuals and individual action matter. Stories - new and old - are published twice a week.

Not All News Is Bad - Each day I look for one story in the current news of the day with a positive bent. Just one. And I share it.

leo.notenboom.org - My personal blog. Part writing exercise, part ranting platform, it's where I write about anything and everything and nothing at all.

Help Ask Leo! Just forward this message, in its entirety (but without your unsubscribe link below) to your friends. Or, just point them at https://newsletter.askleo.com for their own FREE subscription!