Safe mode is an alternate way of starting up your computer so that it’s only using the essential programs needed to run. Normally, when you boot up your computer, it loads a lot of drivers, which are programs that allow your operating system (OS) to communicate with other devices and software. However, when you start up in safe […]
Uninstalling Software from Your Mac If you find that you no longer use an application, you can uninstall the software to remove it from your computer. This is a good way to clear up space on your hard drive and keep your computer free of clutter. Open a new Finder window, then select Applications. Locate the desired application, then click […]
Uninstalling Software from Your Windows PC | Learn Computer Basic Skills If you find that you no longer use an application, you can uninstall the software to remove it from your computer. This is a good way to clear up space on your hard drive and keep your computer free of clutter. Open the Control Panel. Select […]
Your computer allows you to do some really amazing things. Digital photo editing, sophisticated computer gaming, video streaming—all of these things are possible because of different types of software. Developers are always creating new software applications, which allow you to do even more with your computer. Learn Installing Software on Your Mac. Installing from a CD-ROM From […]
Your computer allows you to do some really amazing things. Digital photo editing, sophisticated computer gaming, video streaming—all of these things are possible because of different types of software. Developers are always creating new software applications, which allow you to do even more with your computer. Installing from a CD-ROM From the mid-1990s through the late […]
As a computer owner, there are several steps you’ll want to take to ensure it is running up to speed. One of these steps is defragmenting (or defragging) your hard drive. In this lesson, we’ll show you the basics of How to Defragment Your Hard Drive. This lesson will focus on Windows. If you have a Mac, you […]
Tips for Speeding Up Your Computer A slow computer can be pretty frustrating and inconvenient. Whether you’re stuck with an old computer or just want to get better performance out of a newer one, here are a few tips and fixes to get it running up to speed. Freeing up disk space In some cases, not having […]
How to keep an old computer running smoothly Being stuck with an old computer can be challenging. Unsupported operating systems are vulnerable to Internet threats, and the hardware of an older computer starts to face some limitations. However, there are a few things you can do to protect it and keep it running smoothly. Secure […]
You may not realize it, but your computer runs several applications as soon as it starts. While this is necessary for your computer to function, too many applications running on startup can slow down your computer. Among other ways to keep your computer running smoothly, you can disable applications from running on startup to improve its […]
How to Power Cycle a Device | Learn Computer Basic Skills If you have a computer in your home, you probably have at least one other device that works alongside it, such as a modem, wireless router, or printer. These devices have a tendency to stop working from time to time, and it’s not always […]
Trying to get your new printer up and running? Here are the basic steps you’ll follow to set up almost any printer. Here we will learn about Set Up a New Printer. Plug in the printer’s power cable and make sure it’s turned on. — — Connect the included cable (usually a USB cable) from the printer to the computer. Note: […]
Computer viruses can be dangerous and should be taken seriously, but there are ways to remove them before serious damage is done. We’ll go through the basic steps of virus scanning and removal, but keep in mind that it may still be necessary to hire a technical support professional to completely remove the virus and repair your computer. […]
Want your computer to feel a bit more like, well, your computer? You might want to consider changing your wallpaper, How to Customize Your Desktop Background. The wallpaper is the image that appears behind the icons on your computer’s desktop—that’s why it’s usually called a desktop background. On most computers, you can change your background by right-clicking […]
Keeping your software up to date is a crucial practice in Internet safety. Most software updates automatically by default, but you should know how to check the updates and begin the process yourself. Knowing how to Update Your Software that can improve your computer’s stability and security and let you know about new features, helping you […]
The Internet is a really powerful tool. It gives us access to all kinds of information at a moment’s notice—think email, Google search, and Wikipedia. So there’s something a little counter intuitive about only being able to use the Internet when you sit down at a desktop computer. What if you could use the Internet […]
What is a PDF file? Adobe PDF files—short for portable document format files—are one of the most commonly used file types today. If you’ve ever downloaded a printable form or document from the Web, such as an IRS tax form, there’s a good chance it was a PDF file. Whenever you see a file that ends with .pdf, that means […]
There are free programs available for almost any purpose you can imagine. If you’re looking for free software for a specific task or want to find a free alternative to an expensive commercial program, it’s probably somewhere on the Internet. Often, the most difficult part is finding the safest, most reliable free programs among the […]
Downloading and uploading While exploring the Internet, you’ve probably encountered the terms downloadingand uploading. Downloading means receiving data or a file from the Internet on your computer. Uploading means sending data or a file from your computer to somewhere on the Internet. These terms describe activities you may have already learned how to do. If you’ve ever opened an example document […]
Understanding file extensions Your computer has many different types of files on it, and each one has its own file extension. A file extension is a three- or four-letter identifier found at the end of a file name and following a period. These extensions tell you about the characteristics of a file and its use. In […]
Undo your mistakes: Have you ever made a big mistake while doing work on a computer and wished it hadn’t happened? Don’t worry, there’s a feature that can help. Most programs have an Undo command that reverts back to the last change you made to your current project. If your last change was adding or pasting text into […]
