👍 #829 - Are You Asking Too Much of Your Computer? - Confident Computing

This week's articles & videos

Computers are amazing. They really are. It's amazing what we can do with them, and how they've changed the world.

One of the interesting side effects, though, is that our expectations keep growing: we keep expecting our computers to do more and more and more. Over time the computer we bought some years ago might seem to slow down, unable to keep up. It's not that it's gotten worse, it's that we're doing more.

This week's featured article -- Are You Asking Too Much of Your Computer? -- discusses the situation, and what we might do about it.

Also this week: Dancing bunnies (they're not real!), the most common way to fix printer problems (start over!), and one common way to fix driver problems (start over!).

On YouTube, in addition to videos for the above: disabling things at startup, my recommendations for security software, how to remove malware, and musings on why people don't back up.

Discord!

No, not social discord -- there's plenty enough of that these days. Discord is an online service. Think of it as a online chat room or group instant messaging session exclusive to Ask Leo! readers. I quietly announced that I'd set up an Ask Leo! Discord server in a couple of places last week, and we've already got members signed up. (It's free, by the way.) I'm on Discord for another group, and since I'm online almost constantly I decided why not? Let's experiment and see if this is something you find of value.

Drop in. Chat. Ask questions.

Ask Leo! on Discord has all the details.

TEH Podcast

We're back! Gary recounts his time off grid (and how wonderful his iPhone was). I talk about my rainy time at the beach (and how much fun the Corgis had), and a tablet designed for the less-than-technical. I find out that my phone is more water resistant that I thought, Amazon does palm reading, and I mention Discord.

TEH 112: Getting wet and staying dry, off grid adventures, new Apple releases, Grandpad tablets.

Stay safe & healthy. Wear a mask. Above all, be kind.

Featured

Are You Asking Too Much of Your Computer?

It's very common for our usage and expectations of our computers to grow over time. Unfortunately, that means we'll eventually run into its limitations.

https://askleo.com/126032

Affiliate Disclosure

This Week on Ask Leo!

Resist Those Dancing Bunnies

Malware authors often make fantastic promises to get people to bypass their security software. It's important to remain skeptical, vigilant, and attentive.
https://askleo.com/16432

•

Fix Printer Problems with an Uninstall and Reinstall in Windows 10

"Reformat and reinstall" just your printer, and you may find that things start working again. It's a safe and easy first step to fixing printer issues.
https://askleo.com/126249

•

How Do I Force Windows to Reinstall a Driver?

Sometimes fixing a pesky problem with a hardware device is as simple as forcing Windows to reinstall a driver. I'll show you how.
https://askleo.com/4926

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.

Windows 10 Slowing Down? Are You Asking Too Much of Your Computer?

Windows 10 slowing down? It's very common for our usage and expectations of our computers to grow over time. Unfortunately, that means we'll eventually run into its limitations.
https://youtu.be/419s19X-aHA

•

Fix Printer Problems With an Uninstall and Reinstall in Windows 10

"Reformat and reinstall" just your printer and you may find that things start working again. It's a safe and easy first step to fix printer issues.
https://youtu.be/ATTqP4yi9W8

•

What Can I Disable in Task Manager's Startup Tab?

Task Manager's startup tab shows many of the items that run automatically when you start your machine. What you need and what you don't depends on many factors.
https://youtu.be/ITKdLE6CT4c

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What are Your Security Software Recommendations?

My recommendations for specific security software and techniques to keep your computer, and yourself, safe.
https://youtu.be/ecRPfN7k0zw

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Why Don't People Back Up? Reasons It's Harder Than It Should Be and Why You Need To Do It Anyway

Backups are one way you can protect yourself from everything from hardware failure to virus infections. So why don't people back up?
https://youtu.be/bRAwi566_6c

•

How Do I Force Windows to Reinstall a Driver?

Sometimes fixing a pesky problem with a hardware device is as simple as forcing Windows to reinstall a driver. I'll show you how.
https://youtu.be/mcV1wS3kU5Q

•

Remove Malware from Windows 10 in 2020 - 7 Steps to Recovery

Trying to remove malware from Windows 10? I'll walk you through the steps and options, from simple to hard, including the only approach that's guaranteed to work.
https://youtu.be/DXrPPra-yBU

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Resist Those Dancing Bunnies - How Phishing Attacks Bypass Security Warnings With Social Engineering

Malware authors often make fantastic promises to get people to bypass security warnings. It's important to remain skeptical, vigilant, and attentive, and pay attention to the warnings presented by your security software.
https://youtu.be/MAdfV1yZUjE

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