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One of the things I love most about Computeractive readers is how suspicious you are of hype. You don’t swallow all the marketing nonsense from technology companies. You’re certainly interested in new software and devices, but you always require evidence that you actually need them. I have enormous respect for that astute scepticism. Of course, when it comes to upgrading to Windows 10, Microsoft doesn’t want you to pause for thought. But I know from your emails that you’re not so easily led. The one thing you really want to know is: what does Windows 10 do that Windows 7 and 8.1 doesn’t? It’s a great question. I hope you enjoy the answers in our Cover Feature, which will help you decide if you’re still wondering whether to upgrade, and…

Whirlpool insists fire-risk tumble dryers aren’t ‘inherently faulty’ In Issue 473, we examined the case of Honor Bradley, who was wondering why it was taking 11 months for Whirlpool to repair a problem with its Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda tumble dryers. The products in question were sold between April 2004 and September 2015, which means customers are covered by the Sale of Goods Act. This law says that any repair must be carried out “within a reasonable time” and that the wait must not “seriously inconvenience” the customer. What’s worrying customers is that the tumble dryers aren’t just faulty – they are also potentially dangerous. Whirlpool said that “in rare cases” excess fluff inside the dryers poses a fire risk. But the Fire Protection Association told us that Whirlpool’s advice…

‘Windows tech help’ invaded my new Lenovo laptop I heard a warning noise on my new laptop (a two-week-old Lenovo IdeaPad 300). A message on my PC told me to ring the ‘Windows security number’ 0800 878 6263. I spoke to a Mr Prashant, who claimed that a hacker was attacking me on my BT Home Hub 5. He said he’d installed software on my PC to prevent this. But then the penny dropped! He said I had to pay an annual licence fee of £199. I told him it was a scam. It left me shaking and frightened. I’ve since replaced the laptop with an HP 15-ac114na. Warn your fellow readers about scams at letters@computeractive.co.uk…

Brother HL-1110 £40 from Printerbase www.snipca.com/20214 As far as mono (black-andwhite) laser printers go, Brother’s HL-1110 is compact and great value. The supplied toner cartridge should last 700 pages. A 1,000-page cartridge costs around £30, and after 10,000 pages you’ll need a new drum, around £45. HP LaserJet Pro P1102w £100 from Argos www.snipca.com/20222 This older model isn’t fast -18 pages per minute (ppm) - but it’s one of the few budget mono laser printers that comes with full Wi-Fi support, including Apple AirPrint. Toner for 700 pages is included, and a 1,600-page cartridge costs around £35. Samsung Xpress M2026W £60 from PC World www.snipca.com/20217 The M2026W claims a speed of 20ppm and has built-in Wi-Fi rather than just a USB port, but this doesn’t work with iPhones or iPads.…

Posturite is offering Computeractive readers the chance to win one of two prize packs containing ergonomic products from its Penclic range. Each prize pack is worth £160 and contains the B3 Penclic Bluetooth mouse, the K2 wireless mini keyboard and the N2 Numpad. They come in an exclusive travel bag which is unavailable to buy anywhere. To enter, email your address to cacomp@dennis. co.uk with ‘penclic’ in the subject line by midnight 10 May. All three products can be bought on Posturite’s website (www.posturite.co.uk). Posturite is the UK’s biggest maker of ergonomic products that ease wrist strain and improve posture when using computers.…

ANDROID & iOS Get notifications to help you achieve personal goals Jane Hoskyn may not approve (see page 10), but Google Calendar has been updated with a new feature that lets you set personal self-improvement goals. These are divided into five categories: Exercise, ‘Build a skill’, ‘Family & friends’, ‘Me time’ and ‘Organise my life’. Open the Calendar app (Android www.snipca.com/20272; iOS www.snipca.com/20273), tap the red ‘+’ icon at the bottom right, then tap the new Goal option. You’ll see two categories (see screenshot below left, scroll down for the other three). Tap Exercise to see a range of options (including Walk, Run, Yoga, ‘Work out’). Choose the one you want, then select how regularly you want to do it (options are once, twice, three or five times a week,…

WINDOWS 7, 8.1, 10 Automatically save screenshots to OneDrive By default, Windows 8 and 10 automatically save any screenshots you take to the Screenshots folder (in your PC’s Pictures folder). The key combination to take screenshots differs from one PC to another. On some PCs it’s the Print Screen key, while on others you press the Function key+Windows key+Print Screen. Either way, your screen will blink when you take a screenshot. As long as you are logged into OneDrive on your PC, you can set it to automatically save your screenshots there. To do this, right-click the OneDrive icon (two clouds) on your taskbar, click Settings, the Auto-save tab at the top then tick ‘Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive’ (see screenshot below). Click OK. In future, whenever you…

Apple has added passwordprotection to notes you create in the Notes app, which means you can feel more confident about using them to store sensitive information (PINs and passwords, for example). Tap Settings on the homescreen, Notes in the left-hand panel, then Password and follow the instructions to add one (if your device has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, you can use that instead). Open the Notes app, then select the note you want to password-protect (this must be contained in your iCloud or ‘On my iPad’ folder). Tap the share button (the arrow icon at the top right) and select Lock Note. Enter the password you just created when prompted and you’ll see an unlocked padlock icon appear next to the note’s title on the left (see screenshot). Repeat…

FEWER THAN 35 LEFT! THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINDOWS 10 This 148-page book is the only guide you need on Microsoft’s new operating system. You’ll learn how to master all the new tools, lock Microsoft’s weak privacy settings and prevent future updates from wrecking your PC. It includes fixes for all the problems and bugs that have appeared in Windows 10 since it launched. Plus, you’ll discover how to make Cortana understand you, remove the apps you hate, fix the dreaded Reboot Loop problem, master the new Edge browser, and stop Microsoft sharing your personal info. BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON at www.snipca.com/17716 THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO ANDROID If you use an Android tablet or phone, our new book will tell you how to get the most out of your…

Email us your problem and we’ll try to help: noproblem@computeractive.co.uk PROBLEM OF THE FORTNIGHT Can I download Windows 10 and keep Windows 7? Q Can you help this 88-year-old pensioner? I have an all-inone Windows 7 computer, which I don’t want to give up. So, I’m wondering if I can download the Windows 10 upgrade to an external hard drive, enabling me to run either system on my existing computer. Can I do this? Or is there another way to achieve what I want? I need simple language! Stan Storry A You can’t do this with Microsoft’s offer of a free upgrade because that offer requires you to upgrade your existing version of Windows — that’s the takeit-or-leave-it deal. However, if you’re prepared to buy yourself a new copy of…

If you were a fan of the TV comedy The Office, then you might remember a scene involving manager David Brent – brilliantly played by Ricky Gervais – and employee Big Keith running through the latter’s appraisal form. Big Keith was asked to signal his level of agreement with a bunch of statements relating to his job and working conditions. Every time, the options Brent presented were the same: A. Not at all B. To some extent C. Very much so D. Don’t know And every time, Big Keith chose ‘Don’t know’ — until an exasperated Brent forced him to pick a different option. Big Keith chose ‘Very much so’ but, when prompted by Brent to explain why, Big Keith again answered ‘Don’t know’. It’s both the punchline and confirmation…

Tell us what’s on your mind Email: letters@computeractive.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/computeractive Twitter: @ComputerActive www.twitter.com/computeractive No, Apple, using an old PC isn’t ‘sad’ Apple’s Phil Schiller may think using a five-year-old computer is “really sad” (see ‘Question of the Fortnight’, Issue 473), but I do not. My computer is nearly seven years old and is running perfectly. It may be a bit slow from time to time, but I don’t see any major problems with it. I am happy with my laptop as I just upgrade it from time to time, and I also like the ability to play CDs and DVDs on my laptop without having to pay £65 for a DVD drive. I would happily take a new PC if it was free, but computers are not cheap. I doubt…

PHOTO EDITING Nik www.google.com/nikcollection What you need: Windows Vista, 7, 8/8.1 or 10 Google’s newly free Nik isn’t a standalone photo editor. Instead, it’s a collection of powerful plug-ins for Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, and - for Mac users - Apple Aperture. Adobe’s own Photoshop family doesn’t offer much in the way of photo effects unless you pay for expensive extension bundles. Now, with Nik, dramatic filters and effects - plus sharpening, noise reduction, retouching and colour correction - are a click away. To use Nik you will need one of the supported Adobe programs installed. You can download free trials from www.adobe.com/uk. Download Nik and run the junk-free installer. During setup, the Compatible Host Applications window lists any Nik-supported programs it finds on your computer. Open a supported program…

With no boxy system case and a single mains cable, all-in-one PCs are an appealing alternative to desktop PC tower units, even if they lack the scope for expansion. Dell’s new Inspiron 24 5000 is a great advert for the concept. Its black plastic case has a pleasingly simple design, even if the bezel around the screen could be slimmer. A sturdy articulated stand lets you position that screen exactly how you want it – even lying almost flat. “The screen can lie almost flat, letting you use Windows 10 tablet mode” This design is intended to complement the multi-touch screen, letting you use Windows 10 in tablet mode. It feels very futuristic, even though you’re still tied to a desk. For more conventional use, the supplied wireless keyboard and…

A Wi-Fi router is the beating heart of most home networks, connecting your broadband line wirelessly to your PC, mobile phone and other devices. Some internet service providers (ISPs) supply a modem with a decent router built in, such as BT’s excellent Home Hub 5. But if you have an ageing or ineffective router, replacing it could give you better signals and higher speeds, so you can load web pages more quickly and play videos from services like BBC iPlayer without any buffering. Synology is better known for its NAS (network-attached storage) boxes, and it’s used some of that expertise to build its first router. Not only is the RT1900ac neat and compact (unlike some of the bulky alien-spaceship designs we see from other manufacturers), but it also comes with…

What’s the best touchscreen for Windows 10? Q I’ve read Computeractive for many years, but one area you rarely cover is touchscreen monitors for desktop PCs. I’m looking to upgrade my old 23in Dell monitor, and would like something similar in size (or larger), but with a touchscreen for Windows 10. Nick Lancaster A Touchscreens have never quite caught on with desktop PC users. That’s partly because Windows programs present denser information than mobile apps: tapping to add an effect to a video is OK, but selecting part of a timeline to apply it to is more precise with a mouse. Stretching your arm to prod a vertical surface can also become uncomfortable. To address this, most touchscreen monitors have stands that can sit flatter when required. HannsG’s 23in HT231HPB…

This padlock uses Bluetooth to ensure it only opens for you. You set it up by installing Master Lock’s app on your Apple or Android phone or tablet and pairing it with the lock. From then on, pressing the illuminated button on the 4400D will release its shackle – but only when your phone or tablet is close to it. You can pair more than one device, which is handy if you have kids who lose keys but are never separated from their phones. The app records who’s used the lock and notifies you if anyone else tampers with it. What if you lose your phone, or it’s out of battery? Using the four buttons around the middle of the lock, you can enter a combination to open it instead.…

Airmail £3.99 iOS: www.snipca.com/20281 This powerful Mac and iPhone email app is now available for iPads. It has a range of useful features including split-screen support, the ability to schedule emails, the use of keyboard shortcuts and the option of securing the app with Touch ID (assuming your device has that feature). Drivemode Free Android: www.snipca.com/20282 It’s not safe (nor is it legal) to use your phone manually while driving. That being so, this app lets you control your phone using simple voice commands and taps. You can set it to answer phone calls, read out text messages and even set an auto-reply for texts. Drivemode also speaks directions using Google Maps. BBC iPlayer Kids Free Android: www.snipca.com/20283 iOS: www.snipca.com/20284 This is a separate iPlayer app for CBeebies and CBBC…

OUTLOOK Assign a specific font format to email contacts Outlook’s Conditional Formatting feature lets you customise how individual emails are displayed in your inbox. This will help you identify them more quickly. In this example, we’ll show you how to add a different font style and size to email entries from a particular recipient. First, click the View tab, click View Settings at the top left, then click the Conditional Formatting button at the bottom left. You’ll see a list of default conditions (rules that determine whether the email should be displayed in this formatting style). To add your own condition, click Add and name it. Next, click the Condition button. In the Messages tab click the From button and add the contact whose emails you want to format (see…

What are they? Automated programs that use artificial intelligence (AI) to ‘chat’ to you in a humanlike manner. They are designed specifically to work on social networks and in communication software, performing tasks – such as answering questions and posting updates – more efficiently than a real person would. So the idea is to cut the jobs of real people? In part, yes. Jobs are increasingly becoming automated. If a company thinks it’s more profitable to talk to customers using bots, then it’s not going to pay an actual person to do it – not even one on the new National Living Wage. Can you give an example of how they might work? Yes we can – or rather, Microsoft can. In March it announced Skype Bots (www.snipca.com/20152), which businesses…

Saved passwords have disappeared Type ‘my Chrome passwords have disappeared’ into a search engine and you’ll realise that this is a common problem. Unfortunately, because there are many bugs that can cause this problem, there’s not a one-cure-fits-all solution. However, there are a few tricks you can try to restore your missing passwords. First, you should make sure you’re signed into Chrome. To do this, open a new tab and check whether the blue ‘Sign in’ box appears in the top-right corner. If so, click it, sign in and you should find that your passwords have returned. If instead of a blue box you see your Google profile picture, then you are already signed in. In this case you need to check your Sync settings. Click the Menu button (three…

WARNING: Junk ahead Junk offender: Update pop-ups Microsoft is not alone in plaguing users with annoying invitations to upgrade to a new version of a product they’re already happy with. At least Microsoft’s maddening Windows 10 pop-ups don’t trick you into handing over money for a premium version of a perfectly good free product (unlike those I’ve been bombarded with from Avast). And, as we revealed in Issue 471 (see page 60), Windows 10 nags can be nobbled using free programs like GWX Control Panel or the newer Never10 (see Best Free Software, page 19). Out of the installer, into the fire Regular readers will now be wise to the tricks of setup wizards. Sadly, we’re now at the stage when PUPs and upgrade prompts plague you long after you’ve…

When does a fix become a repair? Q I bought an HP Envy laptop from Currys in February. Six weeks later I was unable to make the Start menu appear, so I took it back. After about an hour the shop assistant was able to get it working, but as soon as I got home it stopped again. I was then told the problem was a corrupt operating system and it would have to be sent away for repair. Am I entitled to a replacement? Kelvin Jones A Yes, we believe Kelvin is entitled to a replacement. Because he has owned the laptop for more than 30 days, Currys is allowed to try to repair the fault before replacing the laptop, or issuing a refund. The Consumer Rights Act, introduced…

What should I use to make greetings cards? Q For many years I used Microsoft Works to create greetings cards on my trusty XP PC. I also have a Windows 7 laptop for browsing the internet (I have no intention of upgrading to Windows 10). What should I use now to create my own designs? And how should I back up all my old Works designs? Sheila Woodhouse A Let’s start with the backup. For XP, we wouldn’t recommend an online service such as Dropbox. Instead, buy an external hard drive. Toshiba makes a portable 1TB external drive (www.snipca.com/20171) that costs a reasonable £41.24 and has great customer reviews. 1TB is all the space you’ll need for every design, photo and video you’ve ever created – in fact it’s probably…

Colour laser printers, on the whole, don’t really float our boat. They’re fine for plonking in the middle of an open-plan office so people can print their PowerPoint presentations over the network while shouting ‘Giles, bring that to me in the boardroom in four minutes with an obscenely overpriced coffee!’ At least, that’s what we imagine people do with them. For the rest of us, they’re just bigger, more expensive inkjet printers that emit a funny smell and make your photos look like GIFs off the internet. “As colour laser printers go, it’s cheap as long as you only use it occasionally” But what if you could get a colour laser printer that’s as cheap as an inkjet? This model from Ricoh has now been discounted to that kind of…

Find out what other products we liked. Buy our new 2015 Back Issue CD: £15 fromwww.snipca.com/19124 LAPTOP Asus UX305 £550 from www.snipca.com/19439 Tested: Issue 447 13.3in is a practical size for a laptop, and this light but sturdy ‘ultrabook’ has a smart and slim design that does justice to its capable performance. Upgradeable to Windows 10, it’s limited mainly by its 128GB SSD, which makes it work fast but might leave you needing more space. ALTERNATIVE Toshiba Satellite C40-C This 14in Windows 10 laptop looks like it costs a lot more. It’s not the most amazing PC, but it’s fantastic for the price. £199 from www.snipca.com/20245 DESKTOP PC Mesh Elite Essential Skylake CA £499 from www.snipca.com/19822 Tested: Issue 471 This compact tower system spends your money wisely on an excellent…

Email us your tips: letters@computeractive.co.uk TIP OF THE FORTNIGHT ✓ Create a personalised home page featuring news, weather updates and bookmarks A friend recently told me about a brilliant website (called Start.me) that lets you create a customised web page and set it as your home page in any browser. Go to www.start.me, click ‘Sign in’ and create your free account. On the left you’ll see the News section listing websites such as the BBC and The Telegraph. To the right of this are sections showing the local weather and quick links to popular Google sites (including Gmail and YouTube). On the far right, displayed as tabs, you’ll see a list of recent news stories from four sources – the BBC, The Guardian, The Daily Mail and The Independent (it…

AGES 0-5 Learning Time with Timmy 2 £2.29 www.snipca.com/20285 (Android) £2.29 www.snipca.com/20286 (iOS) Developed by the British Council, this app will help your kids perfect their English by playing three games. We loved Magic Box in which your child has to sort items by colour and type. They receive stickers and videos on completion. AGES 6-10 WordBrain Themes Free www.snipca.com/20287 (Android) Free www.snipca.com/20288 (iOS) In this wordsearch game, your child will see a word ‘theme’ at the top of the screen, with boxes below. They need to tap adjacent letters to form words that relate to the theme. There are over 77 themes and over 500 games. AGES 11-16 Hopscotch* Free www.snipca.com/20289 (iOS) Computer programming can be challenging, but Hopscotch makes it fun for your kids. It contains useful video…

Schedule Night Shift mode iPhone 5s and later/iPad Air and later Looking at a tablet or phone’s screen late in the evening can lead to a disturbed night’s sleep because of the amount of blue light it emits. Night Shift mode in iOS 9.3 limits the amount of blue light produced by your device by applying an orange tint to your iPad or iPhone’s screen. You can set Night Shift to switch on and off at certain times by tapping Settings, Display & Brightness, Night Shift then sliding the Schedule slider to the right. Tap the From/To field, Custom Schedule, then select a time under Turn On At and another under Turn Off At (see screenshot below left). Alternatively, set it to automatically activate when it starts getting dark and…

32bit A measure of how much data a PC can process at once. Most older computers are 32bit. 4K Video with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 pixels. 64bit A technology that processes information in larger chunks. Most modern computers are 64bit. 802.11ac A standard for wireless networks that allows for higher transfer speeds than 802.11n. 802.11n A standard for wireless networks that allows for high transfer speeds. ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology that converts a standard phone line into a broadband internet connection. AMOLED Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. An alternative technology to LCD for creating flat-panel displays. Bandwidth A measure of how much data can be transferred through a connection at one time. Beta A version of software that’s being tested. Often released so problems can be…