Recognise scam emails
Check the sender, spelling, links and sense of urgency before responding.
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Computer Tips and Tricks
Simple, practical advice to help you use your computer confidently, stay safer online and solve common problems.
Helpful resources
Featured Guides
Start with these common tasks and computer safety basics.
Back up your files to a USB drive
Protect your documents, photos and other important files.
Create stronger passwords
Use long, unique passphrases and avoid reusing the same password.
Keep more than one backup
Use a USB drive plus a trusted cloud backup for your most important files.
Useful everyday advice
Quick Tips
Small changes that can make your computer easier and safer to use.
Stay safer online
- Never give remote access to an unexpected caller.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication wherever possible.
- Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
- Use a different password for email and banking.
Keep Windows running well
- Restart your computer at least once a week.
- Install Windows and browser updates.
- Remove programs you no longer use.
- Check Startup Apps if your computer is slow to start.
Improve your internet connection
- Place the router in an open, central location.
- Restart the router if the connection becomes unstable.
- Use an Ethernet cable for important video calls.
- Run a speed test before contacting your provider.
Manage email more easily
- Use folders or labels for bills and important messages.
- Archive messages rather than leaving everything in your inbox.
- Search by sender or subject to find older emails.
- Mark suspicious messages as spam instead of replying.
Look after your files
- Keep documents in clearly named folders.
- Empty the Downloads folder regularly.
- Back up photos before replacing a phone or computer.
- Do not rely on a single USB drive as your only copy.
Fix common printer problems
- Check that the correct printer is selected.
- Make sure the printer is online and has paper.
- Cancel stuck print jobs before trying again.
- Restart both the printer and computer.
Save time
Handy Keyboard Shortcuts
These Windows shortcuts are useful for everyday tasks.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected text or files |
| Ctrl + V | Paste copied text or files |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
| Ctrl + A | Select everything |
| Windows + Shift + S | Take a screenshot |
| Alt + Tab | Switch between open programs |
| Ctrl + Shift + Esc | Open Task Manager |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen a closed browser tab |
Did you know?
You can reopen an accidentally closed browser tab.
Press Ctrl + Shift + T. Press it again to reopen additional recently closed tabs.
Some typical problems we come across include:
Computer Running Slow
If your computer is running slow there's probably a good reason for it. It could be software or hardware related and in some cases can be resolved with a simple clean up:
1. Reboot your computer to ensure no updates are pending in windows
2. Perform a disk clean up
3. Perform a defrag (using disk defragmentor) - note a defrag can sometimes take hours depending on how fragmented your drive is. It's best to perform this over night or in a period where your PC can be left unused for hours
4. Reboot your computer again and see if the speed has improved
Viruses and Malware
The bane of any computer user are programs that exist just to annoy. Once you have one in your system it can be troublesome to remove, and with the advances in the malware front sometimes removal can't undo the damage that has already been done.
When it comes to any malicious software, prevetion is better than the cure so if you haven't had an issue you should check out our System Assessment to make sure you are well protected.
If you have a bug in your system one of our specialists can get you back up and running in no time. Submit a support request or contact us today.
Deleted or Lost Files
Have you deleted something you did not mean to, or wiped that removable hard drive by mistake? Don't fret - it's rarely gone forever, but the next few steps need to be followed immediantly to prevent permanent loss:
1. Do not use the computer or device any further - even leaving it turned on can ovewrite data that is need to recover your important files
2. If it's an external drive, remove it from the computer immediatly
3. If it's an internal drive or file, you should shut your computer down to prevent any further potential loss
4. Contact us asap to arrange a recovery specialist to recover your files
Upgrades
Computers are like cars. We use them every day. We expect them to run effeciently, but unlike cars they are rarely serviced.
Whether you want a general service of your machine, or would like a specific upgrade, such as extra RAM, storage or newer operating system. We can get your system upgraded and back up and running in no time.
Watch and follow along
Video Tutorials
Short demonstrations that walk you through common computer tasks.
Internet
About 3 minutes
Check your internet connection
- Type cmd into the Windows search box and press Enter.
- Type ipconfig and find the Default Gateway address.
- Type ping, followed by the gateway address, then press Enter.
- If there are no replies, restart your computer and router before testing again.
Browser
About 2 minutes
Clear your history and cache in Firefox
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
- Select the time range you want to clear.
- Choose browsing history, cookies and cache.
- Select Clear Now, then reopen Firefox if needed.
More free help
Watch on YouTube
Visit the Tweed IT YouTube channel
Watch more practical computer videos and step-by-step demonstrations.
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