Rick's Daily Tips

How to place a shortcut to System Services on your Windows PC’s Desktop

Posted on May 23, 2025

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Do you frequently find yourself needing to access your PC’s Windows Services screen to stop, start or otherwise interact with one of the services listed there?

For example, I often find myself needing to clear the print spooler, which requires me to stop and restart that service.

Most people open the System Services screen by clicking the Start button and then typing services.msc, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with opening it that way. But if you find yourself opening it on a regular basis there’s a faster and easier way… [Read more…]

Stop your PC from logging your computing activity and sending it to Microsoft

Posted on May 22, 2025

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Did you know your Windows 11 PC is logging every action you take, storing it in a database and sending it back to Microsoft?

Yep, every website you visit, every app you use, every game you play, every file you open…all of that data is collected, stored and sent to Microsoft for them to use for various purposes.

If this collection, transmission and usage of your detailed computing activities makes you a bit squeamish, you’re certainly not alone. I’m right there with you. [Read more…]

Sign up to get my daily Tech Tips via email!

Posted on May 22, 2025

Hi there!

I’m Rick Rouse, an A+ Certified Computer Tech with over 40 years of experience in the IT field.

I love sharing my practical, easy-to-follow tech tips, and I’d love to share them with you via my daily Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter.

Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up…

Sign up below and you’ll receive one email each morning featuring links to my latest tech tips and info, plus several interesting and informative “Tech News” stories.

You’ll also receive a special “Featured Tech Tip” that I hand-pick just for my newsletter subscribers and your tech questions will take priority over questions asked by non-subscribers.

And finally, all subscribers to the Standard edition of my Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter have an equal chance to win my monthly Tech Giveaway drawing.

Premium subscribers have two chances to win (their email addresses are added to the “pot” twice).

February’s winner will receive a SimpliSafe 10 Piece Wireless Home Security System w/ Outdoor Camera.

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What you won’t get is SPAM. Not now, not ever.

Your email address won’t be sold or otherwise shared with any third party, for any reason.

To summarize…

You’ll just get great tips and info to help you get the most enjoyment possible out of your computer and other tech gadgets.

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Q&A: Can you determine someone’s location by their IP address?

Posted on May 20, 2025

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Question from (name withheld by request): I hope you can help me, Rick. Someone is sending me threatening emails, and it has me worried.

I’m pretty sure it’s my ex-boyfriend because he mentions things in the emails that only he should know about. The thing is, I don’t recognize the email address.

I know you can get the IP address from an email’s headers because I researched it online. Is there any way to trace that IP address and find out where the emails are being sent from? [Read more…]

How can panelboards improve efficiency through optimizing power distribution and more?

Posted on May 20, 2025

Efficient power distribution is vital for smooth operations across industries, commercial spaces, and even large residential complexes. Unreliable systems not only cause energy wastage but also
increase downtime and maintenance costs.

This is where a well-designed panelboard comes into play, acting as a central point for distributing electrical power safely and systematically. Modern panelboards do far more than manage circuits. [Read more…]