👍 #833 - Getting Rid of Bing in Windows Search - Confident Computing

This week's articles & videos

"Ham handed" is a term we use much too often with respect to Microsoft. Specifically, Microsoft's attempts to promote, push, and even force some of their technologies on us is frequently less than elegant, to put it mildly. Nowhere is that more evident than in their efforts to promote the Bing search engine.

Setting Bing as the default search engine in a few places is fine, I get that, as long as we can change it to something else should we so prefer.

When Windows 10's Start Menu Search searches the web it's always and only using Bing. This week's featured article turns that off.

Also this week:

When in doubt, reboot! I explain why.
Open Wi-Fi hotspots are a convenience, and a danger if used improperly. I'll show you how to stay safe.
Yes, the clutter on your computer can slow you down. I'll describe what's worth cleaning, and how.

TEH Podcast

The recent major Windows update seems to be working well for most people. It doesn't make headlines, but the vast majority of updates just work.

Gary and I also talk about working from home and how more companies are making it permanent. It could have lots of ramifications on society if it sticks. It also reminds Gary of a book we both read long ago: Isaac Asimov's The Naked Sun. (Part of a series I'm now re-reading. ).

Also: not-so-full-self-driving, how the internet is changing language and more in TEH 116: Dueling disasters, updates working, fixing our homes for zooming, self driving and punctuation.

It's election day in the United States. As I write this I don't know if things will get better or worse, but it's fairly certain things are about to change.

Particularly now, be skeptical of inflamatory stories you may hear. The truth is rarely encapsulated in a single, simple headline. Please take the time to stop and think before you react to whatever it might be that has you reacting.

And please, be kind to all, even those on "the other side", whatever side that might be.

Featured

Getting Rid of Bing in Windows Search

We can't change the search engine used by Windows Search when searching the web, but we can avoid Bing by not having Windows Search search the web at all.

https://askleo.com/126808

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This Week on Ask Leo!

Reboot or Power Down: Why Do So Many Tech Support Solutions Start with That?

The first thing a diagnostic technician may ask you to do is reboot your computer. Why?
https://askleo.com/2434

•

How Do I Use an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot Safely?

Open Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.
https://askleo.com/4790

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Deal with Computer Clutter to Speed Things Up

Files accumulating on your machine can result in increased computer clutter, decreased performance, and even less stability.
https://askleo.com/126646

This Week on YouTube

Subscribe to Ask Leo! on YouTube to get the latest on YouTube.com. Your subscription (and "Likes") help others find Ask Leo!, and the the answers they're looking for.

Deal with Computer Clutter to Speed Things Up

Files accumulating on your machine can result in increased clutter, decreased performance, and even less stability.
https://youtu.be/trrXofijtEs

•

How Do I Use an Open Wi-Fi Hotspot Safely?

You can use Open Wi-Fi hotspots safely, even though hotspots at coffee shops and other public places are opportunities for hackers. I'll review how to stay safe.
https://youtu.be/M0JrrIMHUrw

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Getting Rid of Bing in Windows Search

Getting rid of Bing in Windows 10 search is difficult, but not impossible. We can't change the search engine used by Windows Search when searching the web, but we can avoid Bing by not trying to search the web at all.
https://youtu.be/58FcHinmkxc

•

Reboot or Power Down: Why Do So Many Tech Support Solutions Start with That?

The first thing a diagnostic technician may ask you to do is reboot your computer. Why?
https://youtu.be/XOxMIfkyqRk

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