KVOI 1030AM Saturdays 11AM to Noon

Call 520-790-2040 Text 520-304-8300
Helpful Links

Fix it yourself,
or know when to call.

Free tools and step-by-step fixes, organized by how comfortable you are with computers. Everything here is free, or already built into Windows.

Getting StartedTier 1 / no technical knowledge needed

Getting Started

Click, follow the steps, done. No installs, no risk.

Pick a guide from the list to get started. They are ordered so you can work straight down.

Getting Started

Check Your Windows Version

Find out which Windows you have so the guides on this page show the right steps.

The quickest way Press Win+Pause on your keyboard. Your version is shown under Windows specifications. Look for the line that says Edition (e.g. Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Home) and Version (e.g. 22H2, 23H2, 24H2).

No Pause key? Many laptops do not have one. Use this method instead:

  1. Press Win+I to open Settings.
  2. Click System.
  3. Scroll down and click About.
  4. Under Windows specifications, you will see: Edition (Windows 10 or 11), Version (22H2, 23H2, 24H2, etc.), and OS build (a number like 22631.1234).
How to read it If it says Windows 11 and version 24H2, select "Windows 11 24H2+" in the dropdown above. If it says Windows 11 with any other version (21H2, 22H2, 23H2), select "Windows 11". If it says Windows 10, select "Windows 10". Then all the guides on this page will show instructions for your system.
Command line shortcut Press Win+R, type winver, and press Enter. A dialog pops up showing your exact Windows version and build number.
Getting Started

Restart Your Computer Properly

Fixes 80% of slowness, errors, and "it stopped working" problems.

Why this matters A restart closes all programs, flushes memory, and applies any pending updates. Sleep and hibernate do not do this. If something is wrong, restart before trying anything else.
  1. Click the Start button (Windows logo, bottom-left).
  2. Click the Power icon (circle with a line at the top).
  3. Click Restart (not Shut down).
  4. Wait for the computer to fully turn back on and load the desktop.
Fast Startup warning Windows 10 "Shut down" may not fully power off the machine due to Fast Startup. Always use Restart when you need a true fresh start, or hold Shift while clicking Shut down to force a full shutdown.
  1. Click the Start button (center of taskbar by default).
  2. Click the Power icon in the bottom-right of the Start menu.
  3. Click Restart.
  4. Wait for the machine to finish restarting and show the desktop.
Fast Startup warning Same as Windows 10: "Shut down" is not a full shutdown by default. Use Restart, or hold Shift and click Shut down to override Fast Startup and get a real power cycle.
Getting Started

Windows Update

Keep Windows patched against security vulnerabilities and bugs.

  1. Open the Start menu and click the gear icon for Settings.
  2. Click Update & Security.
  3. Click Windows Update in the left panel.
  4. Click Check for updates.
  5. Install any available updates. Restart when prompted.
  1. Open the Start menu and click Settings (gear icon).
  2. Click Windows Update in the left sidebar.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Install all available updates. Restart when prompted.
  1. Open Settings via Start or Win + I.
  2. Click Windows Update in the left sidebar.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Windows 11 24H2 and later show a "Get latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle at the top. Turn it on if you want faster delivery of security fixes.
  5. Install all updates and restart when prompted.
How often Microsoft releases security patches the second Tuesday of every month ("Patch Tuesday"). Checking once a week is fine for most people. Never delay updates more than two to three weeks.
Getting Started

Microsoft PC Health Check

See if your PC is ready for Windows 11, and review performance health at a glance.

This is a free Microsoft tool that checks whether your PC meets the requirements for Windows 11. When you click the download link, you will get a small installer (.msi). Run it, and the tool opens showing your PC's health status: processor compatibility, RAM, storage, TPM, and Secure Boot. It takes about 10 seconds.

Download PC Health Check (aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp) ↗

Getting Started

Check Your Internet Speed

Find out if your slowness is the computer or the connection.

Speedtest.net measures your download speed, upload speed, and ping (latency). Click GO on the page and wait about 30 seconds. Results under 25 Mbps download may explain slowness. If your speed is much lower than what you pay for, restart your router first, then call your internet provider.

speedtest.net ↗

Getting Started

Is It Down? DownDetector

Before you troubleshoot, check if the service is broken for everyone.

Before troubleshooting your computer, check if the service itself is down. Type the name of the website or service you are having trouble with (Gmail, Teams, Netflix, etc.) into the search bar. DownDetector shows a graph of user reports. A big spike means the problem is on their end, not yours. Wait it out.

downdetector.com ↗

Getting Started

Find Your Computer Name

Your tech support will ask for this. Know where to find it.

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click System.
  3. Look for Device name near the top. That is your computer name.
  1. Open Settings (Win + I).
  2. Click System in the left panel.
  3. Scroll down to see your Device name near the top of the page.
Quick shortcut Press Win + R, type hostname, press Enter. The computer name appears in the command window.
Getting Started

Find Your IP Address

Needed for remote support, network troubleshooting, and printer setup.

Public vs private IP Your public IP is what websites see when you visit them. Your private IP is your address inside your home or office network. Remote support usually needs your public IP. Printers and shared folders use your private IP.

Private IP (Settings):

  1. Open Settings, then Network & Internet.
  2. Click Status, then click Properties next to your connection.
  3. Scroll down to find IPv4 address.

Public IP:

  1. Open any browser and go to whatismyip.com.

Private IP (Settings):

  1. Open Settings (Win + I), then Network & internet.
  2. Click your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then click Properties.
  3. Scroll down to IPv4 address.

Public IP:

  1. Open any browser and go to whatismyip.com.
Command line shortcut Press Win + R, type cmd, press Enter. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the IPv4 Address line under your connection.
Getting Started

Take a Screenshot

Capture errors, share what you see, and document problems for support.

Snip and Sketch (recommended):

  1. Press Win + Shift + S. Your screen dims slightly.
  2. A small toolbar appears at the top. Choose your mode: rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen.
  3. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
  4. The snip is copied to your clipboard. A notification pops up; click it to open Snip and Sketch and save or annotate.
  5. To save as a file: in Snip and Sketch, click the floppy disk icon or press Ctrl + S.

Full-screen shortcut: Press PrtScn to copy the entire screen to the clipboard. Paste into Paint or Word to save it.

Save automatically: Press Win + PrtScn to save a full-screen capture directly to your Pictures / Screenshots folder.

Snipping Tool (built-in):

  1. Press Win + Shift + S. The toolbar appears at the top.
  2. Choose rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen.
  3. Select your area. The snip is copied to your clipboard and a notification appears.
  4. Click the notification to open the Snipping Tool editor, where you can annotate and save.
Windows 11 24H2+ screen recorder In Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, the Snipping Tool also includes a built-in screen recorder. Open Snipping Tool from Start, then click the video camera icon to record your screen with or without audio.
Getting Started

Free Up Storage in Windows

A full drive slows Windows to a crawl and prevents updates from installing.

Disk Cleanup:

  1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, press Enter.
  2. Select drive C: and click OK.
  3. Check all boxes you want to clean, including Temporary files and Recycle Bin.
  4. Click Clean up system files for additional space (removes old Windows versions).
  5. Click OK, then Delete Files.

Storage Sense (automatic):

  1. Open Settings, then System, then Storage.
  2. Toggle on Storage Sense.
  3. Click Configure Storage Sense to set how often it runs automatically.

Storage Sense:

  1. Open Settings (Win + I), then System, then Storage.
  2. Toggle on Storage Sense.
  3. Click Storage Sense to configure frequency and what it cleans.
  4. Click Run Storage Sense now for an immediate cleanup.

Disk Cleanup still works: Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, press Enter.

Storage (enhanced in 24H2):

  1. Open Settings, System, then Storage.
  2. Windows 11 24H2 adds a Cleanup recommendations section with one-click removal of large files, unused apps, and temporary content.
  3. Enable Storage Sense and use Cleanup recommendations to clear space quickly.
  4. Use WizTree (see Tier 2) to find what is actually consuming your drive.
Getting Started

Connect to Wi-Fi

Get online the first time or after moving to a new location.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom-right of the taskbar).
  2. A list of available networks appears. Click your network name.
  3. Click Connect. Check "Connect automatically" if this is your regular network.
  4. Type your Wi-Fi password and click Next.
  1. Click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right). It may look like a Wi-Fi signal or globe.
  2. Click the arrow next to the Wi-Fi toggle to see available networks.
  3. Click your network name, then click Connect.
  4. Enter your password and click Next.
Getting Started

Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi

Fixes "connected but no internet" problems caused by a saved bad password or changed router settings.

When to use this Use forget-and-reconnect when: you changed your Wi-Fi password, your laptop says "connected" but pages do not load, or you typed the wrong password and it keeps failing silently.
  1. Open Settings, then Network & Internet, then Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Manage known networks.
  3. Click your network, then click Forget.
  4. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, select your network, and reconnect with your password.
  1. Open Settings (Win + I), then Network & internet, then Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Manage known networks.
  3. Find your network and click Forget.
  4. Return to the taskbar Wi-Fi menu, select your network, and reconnect.
Getting Started

Adjust Display Scaling

Fix text and icons that are too small or too large on your screen.

  1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and click Display settings.
  2. Under Scale and layout, use the Change the size of text, apps, and other items dropdown.
  3. Start with 125% for laptops, 100% for large external monitors.
  4. Sign out and back in to apply the change fully to all apps.
Custom scaling Scroll down in Display settings and click Advanced scaling settings to set a custom percentage if the preset options do not look right.
  1. Right-click the desktop and click Display settings, or open Settings, System, then Display.
  2. Under Scale, choose a percentage from the dropdown.
  3. Windows 11 applies the change immediately for most apps. Sign out and back in if some apps still look off.
Custom scaling Click Scale and then choose a custom value. Values between 100% and 150% work for most setups. Very high scaling (175%+) can make some older apps look blurry.
Getting Started

Night Light

Reduce blue light in the evenings to make the screen easier on your eyes.

  1. Open Settings, then System, then Display.
  2. Toggle Night light on.
  3. Click Night light settings to set a schedule (for example, sunset to sunrise) and adjust how warm the color becomes.
  1. Open Settings (Win + I), then System, then Display.
  2. Toggle Night light on.
  3. Click Night light to expand settings and set a schedule or adjust the strength.
Quick toggle Click the notification bell or Action Center icon in the system tray. If Night light is pinned there, you can toggle it without opening Settings.
Getting Started

OneDrive Basics

Understand what the cloud icons mean and what is actually being backed up.

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage. It syncs files between your computer and Microsoft's servers. When it is set up correctly, your files survive a crashed hard drive or a stolen laptop.

The icons you will see next to files:

  1. Blue cloud with no fill: The file is in the cloud only. It will download when you open it. You need internet access.
  2. Green circle with a checkmark: The file is synced and available offline. You have a local copy.
  3. White circle with a checkmark outline: The file is available on this device only, not uploaded yet.
  4. Two arrows (sync icon): The file is currently uploading or downloading.
  5. Red X: A sync error. Right-click the file for details.
Free storage Every Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive storage free. Microsoft 365 subscriptions include 1 TB. To check how much you are using, click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and look at the storage bar at the bottom of the menu.
Make sure backup is turned on OneDrive can back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders automatically. Right-click the OneDrive tray icon, click Settings, then Backup, then Manage backup. Turn on all three folders.
Getting Started

Remove OneDrive and Move Data Back

Stop OneDrive from moving your files without losing anything.

Do this before uninstalling If you uninstall OneDrive without moving your files first, your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders may appear empty because they were redirected to the OneDrive folder. Follow these steps in order.
  1. Stop folder backup first. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray and click Settings. Go to Backup (or Sync and backup), click Manage backup, and turn off backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
  2. Move your files back. Windows will offer to move the files back to your local folders. Accept this. Wait for the move to complete before continuing.
  3. Unlink this PC. In OneDrive Settings, click Account, then Unlink this PC. This stops syncing but does not delete your files from the cloud.
  4. Uninstall OneDrive. Open Settings, Apps, and find Microsoft OneDrive. Click Uninstall.
  5. Verify your files. Open your Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders and confirm everything is there locally.
Your files in the cloud are safe Unlinking and uninstalling OneDrive does not delete files from your Microsoft account. You can still access them at onedrive.com. This only stops the sync on this computer.
Web BrowsersEveryone / the program you use most

Web Browsers

You spend more time in your browser than in any other program on your computer, so it is worth two minutes of thought. All four below are free, safe, and actively maintained. The differences are real but small — none of them is a wrong answer.

Comparison of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave: who each suits, its strength, and its trade-off.
Browser Best for Its strength The trade-off
Chrome Google / Chromium People already living in Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Photos. The default every website is tested against. Largest extension library. Syncs to your Google account across phone and computer. Made by an advertising company. Its 2024–25 extension rules cut down what ad blockers are allowed to do, so blocking is weaker here than anywhere else on this list.
Edge Microsoft / Chromium Most Windows users, and any business on Microsoft 365. Already installed and already patched with Windows. Runs Chrome extensions. Sleeping tabs give back memory, which shows up as longer laptop battery. Signs in with your work account, and IE Mode still runs old business web apps. Microsoft advertises inside its own browser — Bing, Copilot, shopping and rewards prompts, and periodic nags to keep it as default. Most of that can be turned off.
Firefox Mozilla / Gecko Anyone who wants privacy without configuring anything. The only mainstream browser not built on Google's engine, so it is not one company's decision how the web renders. Blocks cross-site tracking out of the box, and full-strength ad blockers still work here. Fewer people use it, so an occasional bank, insurer, or corporate web app is only ever tested in Chrome and may misbehave. Keeping Edge installed for those rare cases costs nothing.
Brave Brave / Chromium People who want ads gone with nothing to install. Blocks ads and trackers by default, so pages load noticeably faster on ad-heavy news sites. Runs Chrome extensions. Ships a crypto wallet and an opt-in ad-rewards system that a lot of business users would rather not have in a browser. Blocking that aggressive occasionally breaks a site until you lower its shield for that page.

How to choose

We are not going to tell you which one to install. Which browser suits you depends on what you already use and what you actually care about — and that is a real reason to prefer one, not a question we should settle on your behalf.

So, the short version. If you want the least work, Edge is already on your Windows machine, already updated, and genuinely fine. If your life is already in Gmail and Google Docs, Chrome will be less friction. If being tracked is the part that bothers you, Firefox blocks the most out of the box and is the only one here not built on Google's engine. If you just want the ads gone today, Brave does that the moment you install it, with nothing to configure.

You do not have to pick only one, either. Running two is normal and costs nothing — one for daily use, one kept aside for the occasional site that insists on Chrome.

One thing we will say plainly: we do not recommend anything that is sold on fear. If a browser, an extension, or a "cleaner" gets your attention by warning you that you are already infected, that is a sales channel, not a security product. Nothing on this page got here that way.

On a Mac or an iPhone, Safari is the built-in browser and is a perfectly good default — it is the easiest on battery, and on an iPhone in the US every other browser is still running Safari's engine underneath anyway. Everything above is about Windows. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave all run on a Mac too, if you would rather keep one browser across both.

Web Browsers

Google Chrome

The browser the whole web is tested against. Best if your life is already in Google.

Chrome is the most-used browser in the world, which is its real advantage: when a website is only tested in one browser, that browser is Chrome. It is built on Chromium, the open-source engine Google maintains, which is also what Edge and Brave are built on — so all three render pages identically and share the same extension store.

Sign in with a Google account and your bookmarks, passwords, history, and open tabs follow you to your phone. If you already use Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos, that is the whole argument for Chrome in one sentence.

About ad blocking in Chrome Google rewrote the rules for Chrome extensions in 2024–25 (the change is called Manifest V3). The practical result is that the strongest ad and tracker blockers no longer work at full strength in Chrome — the replacement versions are more limited. Google's core business is advertising, so this is worth knowing rather than being surprised by. Firefox and Brave are unaffected.

Choose it if you use Google services daily, or if a work application specifically requires Chrome.

Skip it if you want strong ad blocking, or if you would rather your browser were not made by an advertising company.

google.com/chrome ↗

Web Browsers

Microsoft Edge

Already on your computer, already updated, and the best fit for a Microsoft 365 office.

Edge is built on the same Chromium engine as Chrome, so pages look the same and Chrome extensions install straight from the Chrome Web Store. What differs is everything around the engine.

Because it ships with Windows, it is patched by Windows Update — there is no separate updater to forget about, which is genuinely why we recommend it to clients who would rather not think about software maintenance. Sleeping tabs put background tabs to sleep and hand the memory back, and on a laptop that shows up as real battery life. If your office is on Microsoft 365, Edge signs in with your work account without prompting you again.

For businesses with an old web application Edge has IE Mode, which renders a specific site the way Internet Explorer used to. If you have a line-of-business application that never got updated after IE was retired, this is how it keeps running. Microsoft has committed to supporting IE Mode in Edge through at least 2029.
Turning off the noise Edge is the most heavily advertised browser on this page — Bing prompts, Copilot, shopping and rewards pop-ups, and reminders to keep it as your default. Almost all of it is optional. Open Settings from the three-dot menu, then work through Privacy, search, and services and Appearance and switch off the shopping, rewards, and recommendation toggles. It is a five-minute job you do once.

Choose it if you are on Windows and want one less thing to maintain, or if your office runs Microsoft 365.

Skip it if the built-in promotion bothers you more than the convenience helps.

microsoft.com/edge ↗

Web Browsers

Mozilla Firefox

The independent one. Best privacy out of the box, no configuration required.

Firefox is the only mainstream browser that does not run on Google's engine. It uses Mozilla's own engine, Gecko. That matters more than it sounds: when Chrome, Edge, and Brave all share one engine, one company effectively decides how the web behaves, and Firefox is the remaining check on that. Mozilla also does not sell you an operating system or a phone, so Firefox is not built to steer you toward anything else.

Total Cookie Protection is on by default: each website gets its own sealed cookie jar, so an advertiser embedded on one site cannot follow you to the next one. You do not have to turn anything on, and unlike Chrome, full-strength ad and tracker blockers still work here without limitation.

Container tabs Firefox can keep separate logins side by side in the same window — a personal mailbox in one tab and a work mailbox in another, without signing out of either. Add the Multi-Account Containers extension from Mozilla if you juggle two accounts on the same service.
The honest downside Far fewer people use Firefox, so the occasional bank, insurer, or internal corporate portal is only ever tested in Chrome and may behave oddly or refuse to load. That is not a Firefox defect, but it is your afternoon. Keeping Edge installed for those rare sites costs nothing and solves it entirely.
Mozilla is not a charity, either Firefox is published by Mozilla Corporation, which is for-profit, takes most of its revenue from a search deal with Google, and has run its own advertising business since 2024. It also puts sponsored tiles on the new-tab page. None of that undoes the privacy protections above, which are real and on by default — but nobody in this market is disinterested, and you should pick a browser knowing that. To remove the sponsored tiles: click the gear icon at the top right of a new tab and untick Sponsored shortcuts and Sponsored stories.

Choose it if you want meaningful privacy without configuring anything, or if you want proper ad blocking.

Skip it as your only browser if you depend on a web application known to be Chrome-only.

mozilla.org/firefox ↗

Web Browsers

Brave

Blocks ads and trackers the moment you install it. Nothing to configure.

Brave is Chromium underneath, like Chrome and Edge, with ad and tracker blocking built into the browser itself rather than added as an extension. That feature is called Shields, it is on from the first launch, and on an advertising-heavy news site the speed difference is obvious rather than theoretical. Chrome extensions install normally.

When a site breaks Blocking this aggressive occasionally stops a page from working — a video will not play, or a login button does nothing. Click the orange lion icon in the address bar and turn Shields down for that one site. The setting is remembered per site and everything else stays protected.
Know this before you install it Brave ships with a cryptocurrency wallet and an optional rewards program that pays you in tokens for viewing Brave's own ads. Both can be switched off and neither is required to use the browser, but they are part of the product and part of how the company makes money. For a lot of our business clients that is reason enough to choose Firefox instead, and that is a fair call.

Choose it if you want ads gone immediately and do not want to install or manage an extension.

Skip it if crypto features in a work browser are a problem, or if you would rather not troubleshoot the occasional blocked site.

brave.com/download ↗

Web Browsers

Change Your Default Browser

Installing a browser is not the same as switching to it. This is the step people miss.

  1. Press Win+I to open Settings.
  2. Click Apps, then Default apps in the left-hand list.
  3. Scroll to Web browser and click whatever is listed there now.
  4. Pick the browser you want from the list. That is the whole job on Windows 10 — one setting covers everything.
  1. Press Win+I to open Settings.
  2. Click Apps, then Default apps.
  3. Type the browser's name in the search box at the top and click it in the results.
  4. Click the Set default button at the top of that page. On current Windows 11 this reassigns the main web file types in one click.
  5. Underneath, check that .html, .pdf, and any leftover entries point where you want them. Windows 11 sets each file type separately, so one or two occasionally stay behind.
Why Windows 11 makes this harder Windows 10 had a single "web browser" setting. Windows 11 split it into one setting per file type (.htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS, .pdf and more). The Set default button handles the important ones, but it is worth a glance down the list to confirm nothing was missed.
Bring your bookmarks and passwords with you Every browser here can import from the one you are leaving. Open the new browser on first run and take the import prompt, or find it later under Settings → Import browser data (Chrome, Edge, Brave) or Bookmarks → Manage bookmarks → Import (Firefox). Bookmarks, saved passwords, and history all come across. Nothing is removed from the old browser, so there is no risk in trying.
Expect to be asked again Windows and Edge will both prompt you to reconsider — sometimes after a feature update reopens the question. Decline it and your choice sticks. If Edge keeps reappearing after updates, that is a setting we can lock down for you.
Web Browsers

Browsers We Steer People Away From

Not all of these are dangerous. All of them are a worse deal than the four above.

Opera and Opera GX

Sold in 2016 to an investment group led by Chinese technology firms, and monetized hard ever since. The GX version is aimed at gamers and is dense with promotions. Its headline "free VPN" is a browser proxy, not a VPN — it covers browser traffic only and should not be relied on for privacy. None of this is malware, but you can have the same engine without the sales pitch.

Yandex Browser

A Russian product subject to Russian data law. There is no reason to route your browsing through it, and for any business handling client data it is an unnecessary question to have to answer.

Internet Explorer

Retired in 2022 and disabled by Microsoft since. It has not received security fixes in years and it will not open much of the modern web. If a business application genuinely still requires it, the answer is IE Mode inside Edge, not Internet Explorer itself — see the Edge card above.

Any browser you did not go and download

If a browser or a toolbar appeared after you installed a PC cleaner, a driver updater, a free PDF converter, or a game, it arrived as bundled adware. It is there to change your search engine and take a cut of your searches. Uninstall it from Settings → Apps, then reset the search engine in the browser you actually use.

Never download a browser from a search ad Attackers buy search ads for terms like "chrome download" and serve a poisoned installer from a near-identical address. Type the official address from the cards above into the address bar yourself, or use the links on this page. This is one of the most common ways a working computer gets infected.
Comfortable BasicsTier 2 / install software, change settings

Comfortable Basics

You can install software and change settings without breaking a sweat.

Pick a guide from the list to get started. They are ordered so you can work straight down.

Comfortable Basics

Malwarebytes Free

A second opinion for when something feels wrong. The free one — not the paid one.

Malwarebytes Free is an on-demand scanner. It does not run in the background and it does not replace your antivirus — you open it, scan, and close it again. That is exactly what makes it worth having: it is a second opinion for when your existing protection says everything is fine and your computer plainly disagrees.

  1. Download the free installer from malwarebytes.com.
  2. Run it and accept the defaults.
  3. When it offers you a free trial of Premium, decline it. Taking the trial converts the app into the paid product; the plain free scanner is the thing you actually want.
  4. Click Scan. Let it finish, then quarantine anything it finds.
  5. Close it when you are done. There is nothing to leave running.
We do not recommend the paid version Malwarebytes earned its reputation being excellent at one job: finding things other scanners missed. The paid product has since grown into a suite — real-time protection, a VPN, a browser extension, identity monitoring — and it is mediocre at several of those rather than excellent at the one. In Mike's words: "I would still endorse the paid version if it did that one thing well, rather than trying to do many things somewhat well."
Use that test on the next thing you are sold That is not really a verdict about Malwarebytes, it is a filter you can apply yourself. When a tool you liked starts bolting on a VPN, an identity monitor, and a driver updater, the question worth asking is whether it still does its original job better than anything else — or whether you have quietly started paying for a bundle.

malwarebytes.com ↗

Comfortable Basics

Microsoft Authenticator

Multi-factor authentication app. The single most effective account protection you can add today.

  1. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).
  2. Open the app and sign in with your Microsoft account, or skip if you do not have one.
  3. To add an account: in the app, tap the plus sign and choose Other account.
  4. On the website you are securing (for example, your email provider or banking site), go to Security settings and look for Two-step verification or Multi-factor authentication. Choose Authenticator app.
  5. The website shows a QR code. In the app, tap Scan QR code and point your camera at it.
  6. Test it: sign out of that website and sign back in. You will be prompted to approve the login in the app.
Push notifications vs codes When used with Microsoft accounts, Authenticator sends a push notification: just tap Approve. For other accounts, it generates a 6-digit code that changes every 30 seconds.
Back up your accounts If you lose your phone, you lose access to accounts protected by Authenticator unless you have backup enabled. In the app, go to Settings and turn on Cloud backup (iCloud on iPhone, Google account on Android). Do this before you need it.
Comfortable Basics

VLC Media Player

Plays every video and audio format. Free, no ads, no spyware.

VLC plays every video and audio format without needing extra codec packs. Download the installer from the official site (videolan.org). Run it with default settings. Once installed, right-click any video file, choose Open with, and pick VLC. It will play files that Windows Media Player refuses to open.

videolan.org/vlc ↗

Comfortable Basics

WizTree

See exactly what is eating your hard drive. Finds large files in seconds.

  1. Download WizTree from wiztreefree.com. The installer version is recommended.
  2. Install and open WizTree. Select your drive (usually C:) and click Scan.
  3. The scan finishes in a few seconds because WizTree reads the Master File Table directly instead of scanning every file individually.
  4. Tree view: Click any folder to see what is inside it and how much space it uses. Folders are sorted by size.
  5. Treemap view: Click the colored blocks to see a visual map of your drive. Larger blocks are larger files.
Common space hogs Look in these locations for files you can safely delete: Downloads folder (accumulated over years), old game installations (Program Files or Program Files x86), Videos folder (large recordings you forgot about), and C:\Windows\Temp (temporary files).
Before deleting Do not delete files inside C:\Windows or C:\Program Files unless you know exactly what they are. Deleting the wrong system file can prevent Windows from starting. When in doubt, ask.
Comfortable Basics

7-Zip

Open and create compressed archives. Handles ZIP, RAR, 7z, and nearly everything else.

7-Zip opens ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, and dozens of other archive formats. Download from 7-zip.org (get the 64-bit .exe installer). Install with defaults. After that, right-click any archive file and you will see 7-Zip in the context menu with options to extract. It replaces WinRAR and does not nag you to pay.

7-zip.org ↗

Comfortable Basics

Share a Folder on Your Network

Access files from another computer without copying them to a USB drive.

  1. Right-click the folder you want to share and click Properties.
  2. Click the Sharing tab, then Advanced Sharing.
  3. Check Share this folder. Give it a share name.
  4. Click Permissions. Add or adjust who can access it and whether they can read or write.
  5. Click OK on all dialogs.
  6. On the other computer, open File Explorer and type \\COMPUTERNAME\ShareName in the address bar.
Network discovery If you cannot see the other computer, make sure both machines are on the same network and that Network Discovery is enabled. Go to Control Panel, Network and Sharing Center, then Change advanced sharing settings, and turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing for the Private network profile.
  1. Right-click the folder and click Properties.
  2. Click the Sharing tab, then Advanced Sharing.
  3. Check Share this folder, set the share name, and configure permissions.
  4. Click OK.
  5. On the other computer, in File Explorer, type \\COMPUTERNAME\ShareName in the address bar and press Enter.
Network discovery If the share does not appear, go to Settings, System, Nearby sharing (or Network & internet, Advanced network settings, Advanced sharing settings) and make sure Network discovery and file sharing are turned on for your Private network.
Comfortable Basics

Install a Printer

Get a new or network printer printing without calling IT.

Important Always download and run the manufacturer's installer FIRST, before plugging in the printer. The installer will tell you when to connect the printer. Plugging it in first often installs a generic driver that misses features like scanning, duplex, and ink level reporting.
  1. Find your printer's model number (printed on the front or on a label).
  2. Go to the manufacturer's website: HP: support.hp.com, Brother: support.brother.com, Canon: usa.canon.com/support, Epson: epson.com/Support.
  3. Search for your model and download the full driver package (not the "basic" driver).
  4. Run the installer. Follow the prompts.
  5. When the installer says "Connect your printer now", plug in the USB cable or make sure the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network.
  6. The installer will detect the printer and finish setup, including scanning if your model supports it.
Wi-Fi printers Most wireless printers need to be connected to your Wi-Fi network using the printer's own screen first. Look for a Wi-Fi setup option in the printer's settings menu, connect it to your network, then run the manufacturer's installer on your computer.
Already plugged it in? If Windows installed a generic driver, uninstall the printer from Settings, then run the manufacturer's installer. It will set up the correct driver with all features.
Comfortable Basics

Windows Backup Options

Understand what Windows offers for backup and which to use.

OneDrive Backup (recommended for files):

  1. Right-click the OneDrive tray icon and click Settings.
  2. Go to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
  3. Turn on backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

File History (for version history):

  1. Connect an external USB drive.
  2. Open Control Panel, File History. Click Turn on.
  3. File History saves copies of your files every hour automatically. You can restore previous versions from the right-click menu on any file.

OneDrive Backup (recommended for files):

  1. Open Settings (Win + I), then Accounts, then Windows backup.
  2. Turn on OneDrive folder syncing for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

File History:

  1. Connect an external drive.
  2. Open Control Panel, File History and turn it on.

Windows Backup app (new in 24H2):

  1. Search for Windows Backup in Start. Open it.
  2. The app shows a unified view of what is backed up: folders (via OneDrive), apps, settings, and credentials.
  3. Turn on all categories. This ensures that if you get a new PC, Windows can restore your settings and re-install your apps automatically.
OneDrive is still the backbone The Windows Backup app uses OneDrive for file storage. You still need a Microsoft account and enough OneDrive storage for your files. The 5 GB free tier is usually not enough for most people. Consider a Microsoft 365 subscription for 1 TB.
Power UserTier 3 / command line, diagnostics, repair

Power User

Tools that require reading a result and knowing what to do with it. Powerful and safe when used correctly.

Pick a guide from the list to get started. They are ordered so you can work straight down.

Power User

Task Manager

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Reliability Monitor

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Check Hard Drive Health

See if your hard drive is failing before it dies. Uses built-in Windows tools.

Using PowerShell (built into Windows, nothing to install):

  1. Right-click the Start button, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Type: Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus
  3. Press Enter. You will see each drive listed with its health status.
  4. "Healthy" means the drive is fine. "Warning" or "Degraded" means back up immediately and plan a replacement.
  1. Right-click the Start button, choose Terminal (Admin).
  2. Type: Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus
  3. Press Enter. You will see each drive listed with its health status.
  4. "Healthy" means the drive is fine. "Warning" or "Degraded" means back up immediately and plan a replacement.
More detail For temperature, error counts, and SSD wear level, type: Get-StorageReliabilityCounter -PhysicalDisk (Get-PhysicalDisk) | Select DeviceId, Temperature, ReadErrorsTotal, Wear
Alternative: GSmartControl If you want a visual tool, GSmartControl (gsmartcontrol.shaduri.dev) is free, open-source, and reads the same SMART data without bundleware.
Power User

SFC /scannow

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

DISM Repair Commands

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Event Viewer Basics

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Windows Memory Diagnostic

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Storage Benchmark

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Power User

Hardware Information

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

SecurityTopic / account and device security

Security

Pick a guide from the list to get started. They are ordered so you can work straight down.

Security

Password Managers

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Multi-Factor Authentication

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Breach Checking

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Scanning Suspicious Files

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Antivirus Basics

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Spotting Phishing

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Security

Passkeys

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Family SafetyTopic / children and family controls

Family Safety

Some things are genuinely hard, and some need someone looking at your specific machine. If a guide here did not get you there, call in on Saturday morning and ask — that is what the show is for. If it needs hands on the machine, Arizona Computer Guru has been doing this in Tucson since 2001.

Pick a guide from the list to get started. They are ordered so you can work straight down.

Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Family Safety

Apple Screen Time

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Family Safety

Content Reviews for Kids

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Family Safety

Safe Search Setup

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Family Safety

Gaming Safety for Kids

Coming soon

This one is on the list but not written yet. If you need it before we get to it, ask on the show — Saturdays at 11AM on KVOI 1030AM.

Still stuck?

Ask us on the air.

Some things are genuinely hard, and some need someone looking at your specific machine. If a guide here did not get you there, call in on Saturday morning and ask — that is what the show is for. If it needs hands on the machine, Arizona Computer Guru has been doing this in Tucson since 2001.

Call the show: 520.790.2040 When we are on air Get help from ACG
0:00/0:00