Comments for Daves Computer Tips

Comment on Sync Time In Windows 10 by Clissa

Clissa — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:44:01 +0000

Hi Terry,
My little laptop hasn’t been online for 2.5yrs and no way to get online cos my house doesn’t have internet. I just use my phone these days.

But recently the laptop which is on its last legs anyway, threw a fit and the time went stupid.
It’s no biggie except it throws the photos into caos. I’m only keeping the old girl going because of the photos.

I thought I could just set the time again manually but it hasn’t worked.
I did the “make sure to allow manual time set” thing but it’s still heywire.
Does that mean it’s gone for good?

I would buy a new laptop but there’s no internet.
Cheers

Comment on How To Prevent Windows Updating Drivers by Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:40:22 +0000

In reply to Charley.

Hey Charley,

Yep, WAU Manager is a great bit of gear: https://davescomputertips.com/how-to-take-full-control-of-windows-updates/

Comment on How To Prevent Windows Updating Drivers by Charley

Charley — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:44:28 +0000

I user Windows Automatic Update Manager, a free app that lets you decide which updates to install rather than letting windows update automatically install them all. That way when I see that windows update want to install a driver, I don’t install the driver. But now I know that there is an update and I go to the manufacture’s site to get the update.

Comment on How To Disable Browser AI, Telemetry, & More by Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:51:44 +0000

In reply to Mindblower. Hey MB, Pretty much, yes. "Just the Browser" implements changes in browsers only whereas Winhance is system wide. In other words, Winhance is far more comprehensive.

Comment on How To Disable Browser AI, Telemetry, & More by Mindblower

Mindblower — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:41:02 +0000

Hi Jim. Am I correct in believing that using Winhance, these features are already taken care of, Mindblower!

Comment on Easily Debloat Windows With ‘Winhance’ by Mindblower

Mindblower — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:34:54 +0000

In reply to Mindblower. Was expecting some feedback from other users on this program before I posted more information. I did manage to view more on the tutorial and for the novice users, 30 to 40 min of viewing the tutorial supplies more than enough information.. The best information I gathered is that Winhance can prevent Windows from altering some of their switches on the next update. Recall is one which is of major concern. I was happy to see the bulk of the settings were what I wanted. One other note was in the Power settings. We are informed that Microsoft is planning on removing the Control Panel, and this is where users set their preferred settings. There is a Winhance power setting which I found more useful. Was a bit worried as I am used to selecting Never to shut down the computer. It is replaced with a time, setting to 0 (Zero) is the same as the word Never. Noticed by removing certain Apps like Microsoft Edge (as an example) is was uninstalled and I need not worry it will be re-installed later on. Same goes for the AI apps, Mindblower!

Comment on Beware This Phishing Email From ‘Microsoft’ by Mindblower

Mindblower — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:53:51 +0000

Hi Jim. I keep receiving a different Microsoft Outlook also about Mail Service but it lands in my Junk folder. Sadly that folder was deleted on Sunday, Mindblower!

Comment on Why Thousands Of Gamers Are Leaving Windows For Linux by Ed

Ed — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:22:43 +0000

In reply to Ed.

Let me add one more thing ….
Had Windows 10 not met end of life , I seriously do not think that Windows 11 would be even close to a 50% market share, even after two years. I think a lot of Windows 10 users got scared and are using 11 just because they think they have to.

Comment on Disable TiVo Remote Back Light by Terry Hollett

Terry Hollett — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:16:07 +0000

In reply to Ed. I agree.

Comment on Why Thousands Of Gamers Are Leaving Windows For Linux by Ed

Ed — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:16:57 +0000

I have been dual booting Windows and Linux for probably a little over a year now, the only thing I am waiting on is for Wine to be able to run Photoshop in Linux, from what I understand they are hot on it and it is not too far off. When that happens I will be completely done with Windows.
I know I can use Krita or Gimp, it’s just that I have used Photoshop for so many years , using it comes as second nature, I’m an old dog just set in his ways … LOL
The news is also that Microsoft is also reevaluating it’s approach to AI in Windows 11 now, and it looks like Recall may not even make it to PC’s at all, they are talking about maybe revamping it into something else because Recall was not accepted very well by the masses.
Seems to me like they are a day late and a dollar short, I guess losing 440 Billion Dollars and all those users just to put some lipstick on a pig finally caught their attention.
What they NEED to do is take Satya out of the drivers seat and put someone in their that knows how to give the consumer or end user something functional that works without all the garbage and right now that is just what Linux is doing, the OS’s are small in size, lightweight, SECURE and it simply does what you need it to do and it doesn’t dictate what hardware YOU HAVE TO HAVE to install it and register it legitimately, and THAT is what people want, the average home user can give a rats furry ass about AI and Copilot. They shoved 11 down our throats under the guise of it being “more secure” which is nonsense, Windows 11 is no more secure than it’s predecessor.
With barely a 50% market share after the OS has been out over two years now , someone over at Microsoft needs to answering some serious questions, Windows 11 tanked when it was originally designed as a tablet OS , and it is tanking again as a PC OS, Satya is in deep water up to his nose with his hand held out, problem is, no one is throwing him a life preserver !

Comment on How To Disable Browser AI, Telemetry, & More by Norbert Gostischa

Norbert Gostischa — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:17:25 +0000

I recently created a video that explains these new features and also gives instructions for turning off AI in Chrome which would also apply to most Chromium based browsers.

Comment on Easily Debloat Windows With ‘Winhance’ by Mindblower

Mindblower — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:52:27 +0000

A much appreciated Thank You to Jim and Reg. Jim mentioned there is a video, and I recommend users watch it prior to using this program, and take snap shots to remember what you should do. But, quite honestly I stopped watch at 25 min. Just memory overload. I have made certain changes to several computers, and so far am delighted with the results.

Will take a break and get back to the video soon. This program gives me hope that Windows can be altered much more than I thought possible, Mindblower!

Comment on 2 Little Known Windows Tricks by Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:44:12 +0000

In reply to Harry.

Yes Harry, that one’s been around for a very long time. We published an article way back in 2012 explaining how to create that shortcut in Windows 8.

BUT, you’re missing the point mate, the whole idea is to get that fancy blind happening so you can dazzle family and friends with your brilliance. 🙂

Comment on 2 Little Known Windows Tricks by Harry

Harry — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:34:32 +0000

Thanks for Winhance! How didi I miss that gem?

Comment on 2 Little Known Windows Tricks by Harry

Harry — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:31:42 +0000

I created a shortcut with the following target:
C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 00
No sliding here. Just a quick touch.

Comment on 2 Little Known Windows Tricks by Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:22 +0000

In reply to RandiO. I'll second that. I've checked Winhance out and must say I am impressed. A Winhance review will be published soon, stay tuned!

Comment on 2 Little Known Windows Tricks by RandiO

RandiO — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:37:21 +0000

Thank you, Reg Watson for Winhance.

Comment on Disable TiVo Remote Back Light by Ed

Ed — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:59:46 +0000

The fix would be to make the remote rechargeable like the new Roku remotes. When not in use , simply plug it in and done. No need to worry about batteries anymore.

Comment on Why You Should Replace Macrium Reflect Free NOW by yanta

yanta — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 04:02:08 +0000

Paramount got greedy. Now you can only get annual subscriptions.

“While Macrium Reflect’s free version might still be working in Windows 11 right now, bear in mind that it only supports Windows 11 versions up to and including 22H2”.

Paramount said the same thing to me when I purchased v7 and asked for v6 keys as v7 and later are just bloatware. It’s been 7-8 years and v6.3 still works flawlessly on Windows 10 and 11. Such statements are misinformation – attempts to sell more expensive products.

I doubt you’ll run into “compatibility issues in the future”. My hardware, OS and applications have evolved significantly and it causes no issues with Macrium.

It was a good product but has evolved into junk. And now, it costs’s more than my total perpetual cost for a 1 year subscription.

Comment on Hallmark Card Studio Cannot Connect To Server by Renee

Renee — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:11:20 +0000

thanks Sunny but that didn’t work, so I’m back to using Terry’s work around. Very frustrating!