“Is there a way to check a single file for viruses in Windows?”

(Answer requested by Chris Whitten) There are several very easy ways to scan single files for malware. Easiest of all: You usually can simply right-click on any file, and when the menu opens, select Scan with… whatever your installed anti-malware tool is. For example, in a normal, default Windows 10 setup, you’d right click and…

“Is Windows 10 still free for Windows 7 users?”

Sort of, yes: Although the official free upgrade period ended literally years ago, it appears that Microsoft is still quietly allowing free upgrades on activated, fully-legit Win7 setups. See Here’s how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade | ZDNet. But I wouldn’t wait, if I were you! Because it’s unofficial, it could go…

June 17 Newsletter now available

This week’s new AskWoody Plus newsletter is posted now, and you can read it for free, here. In this issue: CLOUD STORAGE: Microsoft finally got OneDrive right PATCH WATCH: Are we ready for the new Windows 10 1903? BEST UTILITIES: Freeware Spotlight — ccPortable WINDOWS 10: Moving to Win10: Apps lost and found Previous issues are also archived here. What’s this…

“How can I hide the clock in the Windows 10 taskbar?”

(Answer requested by Rudy Triana) The setting’s a little buried, but the trick is to know that the clock is a system icon. If you search Windows for the specific phrase — system icon — you’ll find the setting. For example, you asked about Windows 10: Type system icon in the search box, and you’ll…

“What happens if you start up a PC without a CPU cooler?”

Nothing good. If you’re lucky, the CPU will sense that’s something’s very wrong and slow or shut itself down before permanent damage occurs. But with today’s higher-power chips, the margin for error is very small. More likely, after a few glorious and toasty moments, your CPU would give up the ghost in the form of…

“How do I destroy data from my hard drive if the computer won’t turn on?”

If possible, open up the dead PC and remove the drive. Install in a working PC; or externally connect it to a PC with a kit like that discussed here. You can then use the normal apps on the working PC to data-wipe the old drive. If that’s not possible, your best bet is to…

The unique computer that flew Apollo to the Moon

“It was… the first digital flight computer, the most advanced miniature computer to date, the first computer to use silicon chips, and the first onboard computer where the lives of crew depended on it functioning as advertised.” Full text, more pix. Permalink: https://langa.com/?p=2954

June 10 Newsletter now available

This week’s new AskWoody Plus newsletter is posted now, and you can read it for free, here. In this issue: WINDOWS 10 1903: How to work and play in Win10’s new Sandbox BEST OF THE LOUNGE The new Windows Update explained LANGALIST: Test-driving Intel’s Optane in a new PC BEST UTILITIES: Freeware Spotlight — Graph Paper Printer CLOUD STORAGE: Finding your…

“What is the best way to charge several devices at once on USB?”

A good externally powered USB hub — that is, one with its own separate power supply — is what you need. The external power is key because USB is fundamentally a data transfer standard, not a battery-charging standard. Charging takes a lot more power than data-transfer; a PC’s built-in USB sockets are simply not designed…