Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I upgrade my PC from Windows 8.1/32 bit to Windows 10/64 bit?

Posted on July 24, 2015

Question from Kelly T.: Rick, I have a question that I need for you to clarify for me if you don’t mind.

I bought a used computer from a guy off of Craigslist. It’s running Windows 8.1/32 bit. I checked, and this PC has a 64 bit CPU.

I know that this computer is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10, but I’d like to know if I’ll be able to upgrade to the 64 bit version of Windows 10 or if I’ll be stuck with the 32 bit version because the Windows 8.1 that’s on it now is 32 bit?

I have asked several people about this and they gave me conflicting answers.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Planning to upgrade to Windows 10? Back up your current Windows installation first!

Posted on July 23, 2015

Millions of people around the world are planning to upgrade their computers to Windows 10 after it’s released to the public on July 29.

Personally, I think that’s a good thing. After using the Windows 10 Preview for several months I honestly believe Windows 10 will be the best version of Windows ever.

That being said, I plan to make full backups of the current Windows installation on every PC that I plan to upgrade before installing Windows 10. I strongly recommend that you do the same. Here’s why: [Read more…]

Microsoft temporarily suspends new sign-ups for the Windows Insider Program

Posted on July 23, 2015

A while back Microsoft announced that participants in the Windows Insider Program will be eligible to receive a free copy of Windows 10 after its July 29 release. Well, it now appears they are having second thoughts.

After Microsoft made the announcement detailing that very generous Windows Insider bonus, thousands of users took Microsoft at their Word. They quickly began signing up for the Windows Insider Program just so they could qualify for a free copy of Windows 10 to install on machines that otherwise wouldn’t qualify for the free upgrade. [Read more…]

Google plans to shut down its ‘Google+ Photos’ service starting on August 1

Posted on July 22, 2015

Google has just announced that they will begin shutting down their Google+ Photos service on August 1. Android users will be the first to lose access to the service, with iOS and web users not far behind.

Google+ Photos has long been the glue that has held many users within the larger Google+ community, and now that Google is getting ready to ditch it I am left wondering what Google has in mind for the future of Google+ itself. [Read more…]

Review: Lenovo Flex 2 15.6-Inch Touchscreen Convertible Laptop

Posted on July 21, 2015

Not all that long ago you basically had a simple choice to make when it came time to buy a new computer: Desktop PC or Laptop?

Well, these days things are a bit more complicated because we now have tablet PCs thrown into the mix.

Of course if you’re shopping for a desktop PC your choice is easy. Simply choose the brand and model that has all the features you need, then buy it.

But if you prefer something that you can take along with you, you’ll need to decide whether you want to stay with a traditional laptop or try your luck with a tablet. But what if you could have both, in one device? [Read more…]