Simple Steps to Get Remote Support on Your Computer

We’re going to use a program called Splashtop SOS so I can see your screen and help you with your computer. It’s like I’m sitting next to you, guiding you through the process and allows me to control your computer during the help session. (Once this session is over I will not have access to your computer.) Let’s get started!

1. Opening the Web Browser:

2. Deploying Splashtop SOS:

  • After the download is complete, you can find the file either at the bottom-left corner of your browser or, in most cases, in the upper-right corner.
    • For Google Chrome , or Edge, or FireFox: Look for
    • down arrow in the top-right, it will be to the left of the three dots beneath the X
    • The file will likely be named “SOSDownload.exe” or something similar.
    • If you see the arrow but not the file, click on the arrow, then on the download.
    • If you can’t find the downloaded file, click on the three dots under the “X” in the upper-right corner.
    • find and select “Downloads” (left click)
    • you should see your file there. “SOSDownload.exe”

Step 3 getting to the session code:

  • Click on the downloaded file to open it. You might see a message asking, “Do you want to save this program?” Choose “Yes”.
  • Then, a security prompt may ask, “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your computer?” Respond with “Yes”.

4. Sharing Your Session Code:

  • After the program opens, it will display a 9-digit number. This is your session code, which allows me to connect to your computer and assist you.
  • Tell me that number and I’ll be able to remotely connect to your computer to provide help.

Don’t Worry:

  • If any step doesn’t go as planned, don’t worry! Take a deep breath, and we can try again. You’re doing just fine.
  • Remember, only share your session code with me, and no one else. This keeps your computer secure.

You’re All Set!

Antique email accounts; Should I keep it?

In the digital age, email addresses often serve as a gateway to our online presence, but clinging to old and antiquated email addresses can have unforeseen consequences. While it may seem convenient to maintain these accounts for continuity or sentimental reasons, this practice can pose significant risks and inefficiencies. From compromised security to cluttered inboxes and outdated personal branding, the drawbacks of hanging onto outdated email addresses are numerous and varied. In this article, we explore the compelling reasons why giving up old email addresses is not just a step towards better email management, but a crucial move for enhancing online security, improving email deliverability, and ensuring a more organized digital life.

Throughout my career, I’ve encountered clients clinging to their vintage AOL or Hotmail email accounts. Initially, these accounts evoke a sense of nostalgia, yet there’s an underlying issue that’s often overlooked: the disadvantage of not transitioning to more contemporary email services. This is particularly pertinent when considering emails tied to internet service providers (ISPs). It’s inevitable that superior ISPs will emerge, prompting a switch. Unfortunately, this change often renders your existing ISP-linked email address inaccessible, with the exception of a few like sbcglobal or att.com. Even in these cases, retaining such email addresses can lead to complex issues in the long haul, underscoring the importance of opting for more flexible and future-proof email solutions. 

Below are some links to to alternative emails and email clients

Below, you will find the response from Glenn Rue, a Microsoft moderator, addressing the issue of recovering your Hotmail password. No Guarantees here. 

Glenn Rue

Replied on September 26, 2022

Report abuse

Good day ChristineThompson3419!

Welcome to the Microsoft Community Forum. Please accept our warmest regards and sincerest hope that all is well.

 We understand that you’re unable to recover your husband’s Hotmail.com account due to setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) or what we call two-step verification (TSV).

I’ve helped folks in the past with such a situation and it indeed can be quite the challenge to recover the account. The simple fact is in order for TSV to work correctly it requires you to associate at least three unique security contact email addresses or phone numbers with your account. If you lose your security info and you don’t have a backup contact method available, you can permanently lose your account.

With that in mind let us work together as a team to get past this issue. But to better assist you I need to ask:

 1) If you go to https://account.microsoft.com/ and attempt to log in to your account with the last known password of your husband’s account what error message are you getting? Can you provide us a photo of it?

 2) If you attempt to reset the password of the account using https://account.live.com/password/reset do you get something similar to the photo below or something else? Can you provide us a photo of what you get something else?

Image

 3) When was the last time your husband successfully logged in to the account? I need an exact date.

4) How long have you had this issue? Days? Weeks? Months?

 Hope to hear from you soon.

 Respectfully,

 Many users hold onto email accounts that may be outdated or not fully supported by their founders. This report provides recommendations for transitioning to a new email service while ensuring a smooth migration of data and minimal disruption.

Key Points

  1. Maintain Old Email Access
    • It’s advisable to keep your old email address active for as long as possible to ensure you don’t miss any important communications during the transition.
  2. Selecting a New Email Provider
    • Choose a new email provider that offers nationwide or global access, ensuring you won’t lose your email address if you move or change internet services 2. Providers like Gmail or Outlook.com are popular choices due to their stability and feature sets.
  3. Email Forwarding and Importing Contacts
    • Forward emails from your old account to your new one to maintain continuity. Import your contacts to the new email address to keep your network intact.
  4. Notify Your Contacts
    • Inform your contacts about your new email address to ensure future communications are directed correctly.
  5. Secure Your New Account
    • Create a complex password for your new account and enable two-factor authentication to enhance security.
  6. Update Online Accounts
    • Inventory and update all locations where your old email is used, such as online accounts and subscriptions.
  7. Email Migration Considerations
    • Consider the reasons for email migration, such as improved performance, increased storage, and better security 11. Utilize an email migration tool to prevent data loss and chaos.
  8. Email Migration Methods
    • Choose between various migration methods like provider-to-provider, cloud-to-cloud, or using an email client.
  9. Performing the Migration
    • Get credentials for both old and new email addresses, start the migration, and wait for completion. Verify data and test email functionality after migration.
  10. Modern Authentication for Email Clients
  • For users of Outlook 2013 and later, enable Modern Authentication to ensure a secure connection to the email server.
  1. Final Steps After Migration
  • After a successful migration, sync mailboxes, update email settings, and remove or cancel the old account.

Conclusion

Transitioning from an old, outdated email account to a new one requires careful planning and execution. By selecting a reliable new provider, forwarding emails, updating contacts, securing the new account, and using proper migration tools and methods, users can ensure a seamless switch. It’s important to keep the old account active during the transition and to notify contacts and update online accounts with the new email address. Modern authentication should be enabled for email clients to maintain security. After the migration, verify the data, test functionality, and then you can safely remove the old account.

Introduction to Search Engines: Mastering the Art of Digital Search

Welcome to the comprehensive guide on understanding and mastering search engines, the powerful tools at the heart of our digital lives. This isn’t just about learning to use these tools; it’s about mastering them to enhance our online experiences. Let’s break down the complexities into something more tangible and efficient for our daily digital interactions.

Understanding the Mechanics: The Inner Workings of Search Engines

At their core, search engines are like ultra-efficient librarians of the digital world. They sift through millions of web pages using algorithms – sets of rules and formulas – to find and rank the most relevant results for your query. When you hit ‘search,’ these algorithms consider your words, match them with indexed content, and factor in aspects like site quality and relevance to present you with a neatly organized list of results.

The Right Tool for the Right Job: Choosing Your Search Engine

While Google might dominate the scene, other search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo each have unique offerings. Bing is known for its image search capabilities and integration with Microsoft products, while DuckDuckGo appeals to those seeking privacy. Depending on what you’re looking for, different engines can yield different results and experiences. Being aware of and occasionally switching search engines based on your specific needs can lead to better, more tailored outcomes.

Crafting Effective Queries: The First Step to Better Results

The queries you input significantly influence the quality of results you get back. Be specific and deliberate with your words. For instance, instead of a generic “weather,” a more detailed “weather forecast New York September 2024” would yield more precise information. Utilize quotation marks to search for exact phrases, dramatically focusing your search and filtering out the noise.

Advanced Search Techniques: Elevating Your Search Game

To further refine your searches, familiarize yourself with a few advanced operators:

  • Excluding terms with “-“: If you want coffee makers but are not interested in a particular brand, “coffee makers -brandX” omits that brand from the results.
  • Searching within a site using “site:”: For specific inquiries like finding climate change articles on a particular news site, “climate change site:trustednewssite.com” directs the search engine accordingly.
  • Using “*” as a wildcard: This operator is helpful when you’re unsure of the exact phrase or want to broaden your search, like “best * for cold weather.”

Conclusion: Your Path to Search Engine Mastery

Understanding and effectively utilizing search engines is about more than just finding information; it’s about ensuring that the information you find is relevant, useful, and trustworthy. As you become more familiar with how these digital librarians work, how to speak their language through precise queries, and how to utilize advanced techniques, you’ll find your searches becoming more efficient and productive.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore and build upon these foundational skills in subsequent articles. With practice and these tips, you’ll become more adept at navigating the vast digital landscape, turning every search into a successful quest for knowledge.