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Windows 8

Computer Help: How to Locate Your Internet Explorer Version

Have you ever noticed that if you don’t have the current version of a type of software, then you can run into issues just because other types of software may not work properly with it? Often, you can rectify various problems simply by taking the time to upgrade software. In fact, if you don’t have the newest version of Internet Explorer, then you may not be getting all of the features available. Of course, how do you know if you have the current version of Internet Explorer or if you need to upgrade? With Dave’s Computers computer help tips, it’s easy to find your current version of IE.

This tutorial will help you find the right information so that you don’t have to contact a computer repair service. Of course, if you discover you do need to upgrade and you are unsure of what to do, then a computer support professional can help you.

You really only have to go through a couple of steps in order to find out what version you have of Internet Explorer.

Begin by opening your Internet browser.

Once you have it opened Internet Explorer, then the next step would be to click on the gear icon that shows up at the top right of the screen. If you don’t see a gear, that would indicate that you have a much older version of Internet Explorer and you would need to click on Help. Once a menu opens, then you should look for a button that says About Internet Explorer.

When you click on this button, then should see a screen with a big Internet Explorer logo on a window that comes up in the middle of the screen. Underneath the logo, you will see the version you currently have. To determine if that is the newest one, you can do a quick Internet search.

In addition to seeing the logo and the version, you will also see a checkbox that will allow Internet Explorer to automatically update itself. This way, you will always have the newest version of Internet Explorer on your computer without having to do anything or contact a computer help service. If you check this box, you will always have the updates, but if you leave it unchecked, then you will need to manually install the updates each time.

Right now, the newest version of Internet Explorer is 11, and if you have that version, then you will not need to perform any updates. If you have anything older, then you will want to update it. If you have any problems with that, then you can contact a computer repair service for assistance.

Contact us for More Assistance with Computer Help

Of course, if you need help with your Internet browser or you have other issues with your computer, then you can contact Dave’s Computers. We offer a variety of computer repair services remotely so that you don’t even have to unhook your machine or take time out of your life. Contact us today for your computer support needs.

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How to Create a Recovery Drive for Emergency Data Recovery

thumb drive 150236 640 300x176 - How to Create a Recovery Drive for Emergency Data RecoveryIf your computer ever crashes or something seems to be wrong with it, then it would be very helpful if you had already created a recovery drive for emergency data recovery. This is a set of files that you save on a flash drive that will allow you to access things like command prompt and system restore. This way, you can repair many problems that may be going on with your machine without the need to contact a computer repair service.

If you would like to create a windows data recovery drive so that you don’t find yourself with problems later, then you can do so with simple steps without the need for computer help. To begin with, you need to gather your supplies. In addition to your computer itself, you will need also to purchase a flash drive that is at least 500 MB in size. It should be dedicated specifically to your recovery drive and should not be used for anything else. If you would like advice on the size of your flash drive, then contact a computer help service, but 500 MB should be sufficient.

Here are the steps you will need to take in order to build your data recovery drive on a Windows 8 computer without having to contact a computer repair service.

Building Your Data Recovery Drive

Go to the charm bar on the right side of the screen and choose settings. Then, choose control panel from the settings menu. This will open your control panel. Once you have that opened, you need to look for system and security. Depending on how you have your machine set up, you may be able to bypass this by clicking directly on recovery. Otherwise, click on recovery next.

When you get to this menu, then you will need to choose the button for creating a recovery drive. When you do this, you will also need to pick where you want to save the recovery drive too and you will need to choose a flash drive from that section.

It is a good idea to disconnect all of your external drives before you get to this point so that you don’t accidentally confuse the computer and find yourself in need of a computer repair service. After choosing your flash drive, then click next and the wizard will begin, which allows you to just go through steps and complete the process.

When the computer states that the recovery drive is ready, then you can click finish, remove the flash drive from your machine, label it properly, and then put it somewhere safe.

Once you have this drive complete, you will be able to use your recovery drive if something goes wrong with your computer. If you still have problems with your computer or you didn’t create a recovery drive before issues arose, then you will need a computer repair service like www.DavesComputers.com. Contact us today if you need any type of computer repair services.

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Computer Help: Why Do a Windows 8 Clean Install?

If you plan on upgrading to Windows 8, then you can just go straight from the operating system you have to this new one. However, some people prefer to do a clean install, which means removing the old operating system and essentially starting from scratch. This is technical, by computer help professionals, considered the best way to add Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to the computer.

Computer Help: Why should you consider a clean install?

Essentially, by doing this, you are getting rid of everything and that lets you start new as if your computer has never been used before. Many computer support professionals prefer this because it ensures nothing from the older Windows version will get in the way of the new operating system working properly.

Think about it like this. Have you ever noticed when you want to install a new version of software, that if any part of the old version is on the computer, it can cause problems? Often, old files and old bits of information will make things difficult. The only way to get the machine working again is to completely remove all of that old information. That’s why a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 clean install can be such a good choice.

If you make the decision to attempt this type of install without the help of a computer repair service, then there are a few things that you need to know in advance.

  • Follow a tutorial. This process will take a lot of steps and you need to ensure you know exactly what you are doing. Otherwise, you may find yourself calling computer help because you did something wrong and now your computer will not work at all.
  • Make sure you back up everything you want to keep. When you go through this process, you are going to lose everything associated with the operating system. Do not proceed without ensuring you have saved everything that you could possibly want. If you do, then it is very unlikely that any of your data could be recovered.
  • Always disconnect any extra hardware. When you do a clean install, having any of the extra hardware connected could cause problems with your computer as well as with the hardware itself. So, if you have external hard drives, printers, scanners, or anything of the like, disconnect them before you begin the process.

No, you don’t have to do a clean install to add Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to your machine, but there are plenty of reasons why you should consider doing this. It will ensure your computer works better. You don’t necessarily have to get computer help to do the install either, but if you run into problems, then contacting a professional would be a very good idea.

Whenever you run into computer issues, be sure to contact Dave’s Computers. We offer a variety of different remote computer support services to resolve many of the problems you may have with your machine.

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How to Do a System Restore

clock 407101 640 300x199 - How to Do a System RestoreLet’s say you install a new piece of software and then your computer starts acting up. You try to uninstall the software but something goes wrong. You have a problem and you aren’t sure what to do about it. Before you contact computer help professionals, keep in mind that there is a solution to your issue, and it is one you can manage right at home. All you need to do is know how to use system restore. This is a utility built right into your Windows operating system designed specifically to handle these types of issues, which is a convenient method of computer help for business owners.

Essentially, system restore allows you to roll your whole computer back to an earlier date before whatever went wrong. It will return files, settings, and other controls to the point in time that you choose. This can deal with many issues without you needing to contact a computer support service. So, how do you use system restore? We will discuss using the tool in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.

System Restore for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

Start by going to your control panel. To get to this, open the charm bar on the right side of your desktop and choose settings. Once the settings menu opens, you can choose control panel.

In control panel, you will be looking for one of two things: system and security or just system. If you find system and security, you will need to click on system in the next window. The way your icons are set up will affect what you see here. If you have trouble with this, then contact a computer repair service for help.

When you arrive at the system menu, you will need to choose system protection, which will appear as a link. When you do this, a new window will appear and you can choose system restore. Once you choose this option, you will see a system restore menu come up and you need to click next.

After you do that, then you will see a list of restore points categorized by date. You will need to choose a date that will go back before when your computer started causing you problems. After choosing a date, click next. You will be asked if you are sure youw ant to perform a system restore and you should click yes and then finish.

You will be asked again if you want to do this, and this time it will remind you that you cannot use or turn off your computer until the system restore is complete. Again, click yes. You will have to wait for your computer to do several things until the system restore is complete and your computer restarts.

This can resolve many of the problems you may run into with your computer. However, if you are still having issues, then you can get computer help from a professional computer help service, like www.DavesComputers.com. We can pinpoint the problem and then provide you with the computer help you need.

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Computer Support Tips: Bypass Windows 8 Start Screen

startscreen 300x199 - Computer Support Tips: Bypass Windows 8 Start ScreenWhen you upgrade to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you will notice some big differences. One of these differences is the introduction of apps. Apps allow you to do more with a computer and they almost have a mobile feel to them, like things you are used to on your smart phone or tablet. To get to those apps, you use a Start Screen, which is where your computer will automatically boot to. For some people, though, they would prefer to boot to the desktop as they are used to with older versions of Windows. If you are one of those people, then there is good news. If you upgrade to Windows 8.1 (free if you have Windows 8), then you can change where your computer boots, and you can do so all on your own without computer support.

You must have the Windows 8.1 upgrade, though, so the first thing you need to check is whether or not you already have it. If you only have Windows 8, then you can get the upgrade to 8.1 for free at the Windows store. This shouldn’t be too difficult, but if it is, then you can contact a computer help service. Otherwise, once you have Windows 8.1, here are the steps you need to take in order to change where your computer boots.

Computer Support: How to Bypass Windows 8 Start Screen

First, you need to go to your control panel. Open the charm bar on the right side of the screen by swiping in from the right toward the middle of the computer screen. When you get the charm bar open, click on settings and then choose control panel.

In the control panel, look for either appearance and personalization or taskbar and navigation. If you get the second of those first, then you can skip the next step. If you see appearance and personalization, then click on taskbar and navigation next.

You will see some tabs at the top of the window that opens. Choose the tab labeled navigation. Then, look for the check box that says “When I sign in or close all the apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of start.” Make sure you check that checkbox. If you cannot get to this screen, then you may need to contact a computer repair service.

Once you check the checkbox, then click ok at the bottom of the window. From now on, your computer should automatically go to the desktop every time you log in. You can always change this and you can still access your start screen with the Windows icon on your keyboard. If you need to reverse this choice and you cannot figure out how, then contact a computer support service for advice.

If you need help going through this process or you need any type of computer support, then DavesComputers.com is here for you. Contact us with any of your computer support problems in person or remotely.

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