Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Saturday, August 5, 2023
Topics covered in this issue…
• Be careful when shopping for a new Windows laptop
• How to prepare for your computer’s next hard drive crash
• How to reopen a browser tab you closed by accident
• Did you know lobster was once considered a “poor man’s food”?
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Today’s featured tech tip….
Be careful when shopping for a new Windows laptop
If you’ve been shopping for a Windows laptop you’ve probably noticed all the low-cost entry-level machines that are on the market today.
What you might not know is most of the lowest priced models are running Windows 10 or Windows 11 in S mode, which is a locked-down and trimmed-down version of Windows. While that’s fine if such a laptop meets your needs, you could end up being greatly disappointed if you buy one thinking you’ll be getting the full-blown Windows Home.
The primary advantage of running Wind0ws in S mode is it enhances the security of the system, making it less likely that a malicious app and/or malware will cause problems in the future.
The thing is, that enhanced security comes at the cost of a severely limited version of Windows.
For example, when a PC is running Windows in S mode you cannot install any third-party programs or apps on on the machine. If you can’t install it from the official Microsoft Store, you’re out of luck because Windows will simply refuse to let you install it.
Also, third-party web browsers cannot be set as your default browser. That means if you prefer using Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Brave or some other browser, you won’t be able to force your system to automatically open them whenever you click on a link.
All links will open in Microsoft Edge unless they are clicked from within a different browser in the first place.
Well, those are the most important limitations of Windows 10 S and Windows 11 S. You’ll find more info about running Windows in S mode right here.
While you do have the option to switch a Windows S machine out of that mode and basically convert Windows S into Windows Home, that switch is a one-way deal.
You won’t be able to switch it back into S mode if you find that the system performs poorly while running a Windows Home version (and since these tend to be low-power machines you probably will).
All of the above being said, if you just need a basic computer that will allow you to access the Internet and run a few apps you’ll install from the Microsoft Store, then Window in S mode should work fine for you.
It’s good to think of Windows’ S mode as Microsoft’s alternative to Google’s Chromebooks, with the same types of advantages and disadvantages.
Just make sure you understand what you’ll need for your new computer to do and then make your decision based upon that information.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• How to prepare for your computer’s next hard drive crash
Chances are your computer’s hard drive or SSD is going to fail some day. This post explains what you can do now to make that dreaded event less stressful and much easier to recover from.
• How to reopen a browser tab you closed by accident
All it takes is a simple keyboard shortcut.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Rick’s Daily Pick…
MATEIN 17 Inch Extra Large Travel Laptop Backpack
Well, it’s summer now in the northern hemisphere and that means you’re probably gearing up to do a bit of travelling.
If so, you need one of these if you plan to take your laptop and its various accessories along with you.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Did you know lobster was once considered a “poor man’s food”?
Yes, really.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• Your Android phone may soon read QR codes from across the room
• Global ransomware attacks at an all-time high and the US is the primary target
• Russian hackers are hijacking Microsoft Teams chats to spy on your business
• Linux surpasses the Mac among Steam gamers
• Microsoft accidentally leaks internal tool that can enable hidden Windows 11 features
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.RicksDailyTips.com