Windows 11

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Basic Troubleshooting

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Applications

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Security

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Basic Networking

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Showing posts with label beginner computer tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginner computer tips. Show all posts

Sunday, October 25, 2026

OneDrive Files Missing in Windows 11? Here's What to Do

 

Help! My Files Disappeared! Understanding OneDrive and Where Windows 11 Stores Your Files

Your files may not be missing at all. Microsoft may have simply changed where they're stored.

Imagine turning on your computer one morning and discovering that some of your files have disappeared.

Maybe they're important tax documents, family photographs, or a letter you spent hours writing. Yesterday, everything was right where you left it. Today, you can't find it.

You haven't deleted anything, at least not intentionally.

So where did everything go?

Before you start blaming yourself, your computer, or the family dog, there's something you should know.

Windows 11 and Microsoft's OneDrive can make it confusing to understand where your files are actually stored.

And here's the surprising part: You may be using OneDrive without really understanding what it does.

Let's clear up some of that confusion.

First, What in the World Is OneDrive?

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service.

Now, before your eyes glaze over at the words cloud storage, let me explain.

Think of your computer as a filing cabinet sitting in your home.

You put photographs, letters, financial records, and other important documents inside that cabinet.

Traditionally, those files remained on your computer unless you deliberately copied them somewhere else.

OneDrive changes that arrangement.

Instead of keeping everything exclusively on your computer, OneDrive can synchronize your files with Microsoft's computers somewhere else in the world.

That's what people mean when they talk about storing files in the cloud.

There's nothing mysterious about the cloud. It's simply another computer, or more accurately, a collection of computers connected to the internet.

Microsoft maintains those computers, and OneDrive allows you to store and access your files there.

Sounds useful, doesn't it?

It can be.

But there's a catch.

Just because you can see a file on your computer doesn't necessarily mean the entire file is stored there.

And that's where the confusion begins.

How Did My Files End Up on OneDrive?

When setting up Windows 11 or Microsoft 365, you may be prompted to protect your important folders by backing them up to OneDrive.

That sounds like a pretty good idea.

Who wouldn't want their important files protected?

But depending on the choices you make during setup, OneDrive may begin managing familiar Windows folders, including:

  • Desktop

  • Documents

  • Pictures

These are folders many people have used for years without giving them much thought.

Suddenly, files that once lived exclusively on your computer may also be synchronized with Microsoft's cloud storage.

Your Desktop still looks like your Desktop.

Your Documents folder still looks like your Documents folder.

Everything seems normal.

Until something changes.

Maybe you sign in using a different Microsoft account. Perhaps OneDrive stops synchronizing, or you disconnect it without understanding what will happen.

Now the files you expected to see aren't where you thought they would be.

It's easy to believe Windows has lost them.

In reality, some of those files may still be sitting safely in OneDrive.

The problem is knowing where to look.

Those Little Cloud Symbols Actually Mean Something

Have you noticed little clouds or green checkmarks beside some of your files?

They're not decorations.

Microsoft uses these symbols to tell you whether files are stored on your computer, in OneDrive, or both.

Here's what they mean.

Blue cloud symbol

This means the file is available online but isn't currently stored as a complete local copy on your computer.

You can see its name in File Explorer, but you'll generally need an internet connection to open it.

Green checkmark inside a white circle

This means the file has been downloaded and is currently available on your computer.

You can open it without an internet connection.

However, Windows may later free up the space used by that local copy, depending on your storage settings.

Solid green circle with a white checkmark

This indicates that you've instructed OneDrive to keep the file available on your computer.

The file remains downloaded so you can access it even without an internet connection.

These symbols are important.

Imagine taking your laptop on vacation somewhere without internet access.

You open your Documents folder and see the file you need.

Wonderful!

Except there's a little blue cloud beside it.

You double-click the file.

Nothing useful happens because Windows needs to download it first.

The file hasn't disappeared. It's simply somewhere your computer can't reach at the moment.

Not exactly what you expected, is it?

On File Explorer / Mac Finder



Want to Make Sure Important Files Stay on Your Computer?

Here's a simple trick worth knowing.

If you're using OneDrive and want to make sure an important document is available even when you're offline, you can tell Windows to keep a copy on your computer.

Here's how:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Open your OneDrive folder.

  3. Find the important file or folder.

  4. Right-click it.

  5. Select Always keep on this device. In some Windows 11 menus, you may need to select Show more options first.

Windows will download the file if necessary.

Once the download finishes, the solid green circle with a white checkmark indicates that the file is available locally.

You can do this with an entire folder containing important documents.

Just remember that keeping files on your computer uses storage space, so make sure your computer has enough available.

My advice: If a document is important enough that you couldn't afford to lose access to it, make sure you have a copy you can open without the internet.

And preferably, another backup somewhere else.

Help! My Desktop Files Are Gone!

Here's another confusing situation.

You've been using your computer for months, and suddenly some of the files or shortcuts that normally appear on your Desktop are missing.

One possibility is that your Desktop folder was being synchronized through OneDrive.

For example, Windows may have been using a folder similar to:

C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Desktop

Instead of the traditional location:

C:\Users\YourName\Desktop

These are two different locations.

If OneDrive's folder backup settings change, Windows may start showing the contents of a different Desktop folder.

The result?

Your familiar files appear to be gone.

But they may still exist in the original OneDrive location.

Important: Don't start deleting OneDrive folders or moving large groups of files around until you understand what's happening.

You're just gonna make things worse.

Instead, let's check whether your missing files are still in OneDrive.

How to Check Whether OneDrive Still Has Your Files

This is one of the first things I recommend when files seem to have disappeared after a OneDrive change.

Open your internet browser and visit:

www.onedrive.com

Sign in using the Microsoft account you normally use with your computer.

Once you're signed in, look through your files and folders.

Pay particular attention to your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders.

You can also use OneDrive's search feature to locate specific documents.

If your missing files appear here, that's encouraging news.

They're still stored in your OneDrive account.

You can open them online or download copies to your computer.

If nothing looks familiar, check whether you're signed in to the correct Microsoft account.

It's surprisingly easy to have more than one account, particularly if you've used different email addresses over the years.

Also, check OneDrive's Recycle bin.

If files were accidentally deleted from a personal OneDrive account, Microsoft generally keeps them in the online Recycle Bin for up to 30 days.

After that, recovery may no longer be possible.

And remember, the OneDrive Recycle Bin is not necessarily the same as the Recycle Bin on your Windows Desktop.

Here's Something Microsoft Doesn't Always Make Obvious

OneDrive synchronization is not the same thing as having an independent backup.

This distinction is important.

Suppose you have a document stored in a folder that OneDrive synchronizes.

You delete the document from your computer.

Because OneDrive synchronizes changes, that deletion can also remove the document from your online OneDrive storage and other synchronized computers.

That's not necessarily what you expected.

You might have assumed that OneDrive would keep a separate copy forever.

Fortunately, OneDrive provides recovery options, including its Recycle Bin and version history.

But these protections have limitations.

Now consider another situation.

You have photographs stored on your computer and synchronized with OneDrive.

Your computer fails.

In that case, OneDrive may be extremely helpful because your photographs can still be available online.

So OneDrive absolutely has benefits.

The important thing is understanding that synchronization copies changes, including deletions.

For important information, I recommend maintaining an additional backup that isn't continuously synchronized.

An external USB drive is one option.

That extra copy could save you a great deal of frustration someday.

What If I Don't Want OneDrive Managing My Files?

That's a reasonable question.

Some people love cloud storage.

Others prefer keeping their documents on their own computers.

Personally, I believe computer users should understand and be able to control where their information is stored.

If you want to check what OneDrive is doing, look for the little cloud icon near the clock on your Windows taskbar.

You may need to click the small upward arrow to see it.

Select the OneDrive icon, open its settings using the gear icon, and look for:

Settings → Sync and backup → Manage backup

Here you can see which folders OneDrive is managing.

You may also have options to stop backing up certain folders.

But here's where I want you to be especially careful.

Don't simply turn everything off without first making sure your important files are safely available on your computer.

When you stop backing up a folder, OneDrive may ask whether you want to keep the files only on your PC or only in OneDrive.

Those choices matter.

Choosing to keep files only in OneDrive can remove their local copies from your computer.

Choosing to keep files only on your PC can remove them from OneDrive.

If you have files that exist only online, you may need to download them before making changes.

My recommendation is to check your files, make an independent backup, and understand the available choices before changing these settings.

If you're uncertain, leave the settings alone until you've made a safe copy of everything important.

So, Is OneDrive Good or Bad?

Neither.

It's a useful service that can create confusion when people don't understand what it's doing.

OneDrive can protect your documents if your computer fails.

It can make files available on multiple computers and smartphones.

It can also help you recover accidentally deleted information.

Those are real advantages.

But that's only HALF the story.

If you don't understand how synchronization works, you can accidentally remove files from multiple devices.

If you depend on online-only files, you may discover that you can't open something important when your internet connection isn't available.

And if you don't understand which Microsoft account contains your files, you may find yourself searching in the wrong place.

None of this means OneDrive is a bad product.

It simply means that computer users need to understand how it works.

One Last Piece of Advice

After years of working with computers, one thing I've learned is that technology isn't particularly helpful when it leaves people confused about something as important as their personal information.

Your computer should work for you.

You shouldn't have to become a computer engineer just to understand where your family photographs are stored.

Take a few minutes today to open your OneDrive folder.

Look at those little cloud symbols.

Check whether your important documents are available on your computer, online, or both.

And most importantly, make sure you have an independent backup of anything you can't afford to lose.

Because the worst time to discover you don't have a backup is after you've lost something important.

Need More Help Finding a Missing File?

If you're certain you saved a document but simply can't remember where you put it, I've written another article here on ExtraHelp.us called "How to Find Lost Files on Windows: Beginner Step-by-Step Guide."

That article explains how to use Windows to locate files you've saved.

This article addresses a different problem: understanding what happens when OneDrive starts managing your files and why they sometimes appear to disappear.

Knowing the difference could save you hours of frustration.


A Final Thought

Computers are supposed to make our lives easier.

Sometimes they do.

Other times, we spend half the morning trying to figure out where Microsoft decided to put something we thought belonged to us.

At least now you know where to start looking.

Stevie G. Davis
ExtraHelp.us — Making Technology Easier to Understand

If you found this article helpful, consider sharing it with someone who struggles with computers. Chances are, they may be wondering where some of their files went, too.

Sunday, September 6, 2026

How to Keep Your Computer Updated, Clean, and Running Faster

 Computers are a lot like cars. You don't have to be a mechanic to own one, but a little routine maintenance can prevent a lot of problems.

The same is true with your computer.

Over time, Windows installs updates, programs accumulate, files pile up, and more programs decide they should start automatically every time you turn on your computer. Eventually, you may notice that the computer takes longer to start, programs take longer to open, or everything just seems slower than it used to.

That doesn't necessarily mean you need a new computer.

Before spending money on upgrades or replacing your PC, there are several simple things you can do yourself.

You don't need to understand how Windows works. You don't need special computer tools. And you certainly don't need to start changing complicated system settings.

Let's keep this simple.

1. Keep Windows Updated

One of the easiest things you can do to keep your computer working properly is also one of the most important:

Keep Windows updated.

Windows updates aren't just about adding new features. Updates can fix problems, improve reliability, and install important security fixes.

Fortunately, Windows normally handles much of this automatically.

But it is still a good idea to check occasionally.

How to Check for Windows Updates

  1. Click the Start button.

  2. Click Settings.

  3. Click Windows Update.

  4. Click Check for updates.

If updates are available, Windows will normally download and install them for you.

You may eventually see a message asking you to restart the computer.

Go ahead and restart it when it is convenient.

Don't Keep Putting Off the Restart

We've all done it.

Windows says:

Restart required.

You click:

Remind me later.

Then later becomes tomorrow. Tomorrow becomes next week.

Meanwhile, the update may not be completely installed.

If Windows has installed updates and is asking for a restart, give it one.

Restart Your Computer Occasionally Anyway

There is another reason to restart your computer.

Many people rarely shut down their computers anymore. They simply close the laptop lid or let the computer go to sleep.

There is nothing wrong with that.

But restarting the computer occasionally gives Windows a chance to start fresh and can clear up some temporary problems.

If your computer suddenly seems sluggish or something isn't behaving normally, one of the first things I recommend is simple:

Restart the computer.

You might be surprised how often that fixes the problem.

2. Check How Much Storage Space You Have

Your computer has a storage drive where Windows, your programs, documents, pictures, videos, and other files are stored.

Think of it as a filing cabinet.

If you keep stuffing things into that filing cabinet without ever removing anything, eventually it becomes full.

Your computer is no different.

When storage space becomes very low, Windows can have difficulty installing updates and your computer may begin performing poorly.

Fortunately, checking your storage space is easy.

How to Check Your Storage

Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.

It looks like a small folder.

Then click:

This PC

You should see something similar to:

Windows (C:)

Underneath it, Windows will show how much space is being used and how much is still available.

You don't have to understand all the numbers.

The important thing is simply making sure the drive isn't almost completely full.

You can also see more details by going to:

Start > Settings > System > Storage

Windows will show you what is using your storage space.

You may see categories such as:

  • Installed apps

  • Temporary files

  • Documents

  • Pictures

  • Videos

  • Other

This can help you figure out where all that storage space went.

3. Remove Files You Don't Need

This is where people sometimes get nervous.

They see hundreds or thousands of files and start wondering:

What can I safely delete?

The answer is simple.

Don't go looking through Windows system folders trying to decide what should be deleted.

Windows has tools that can help you identify files that are generally safe to remove.

Use Cleanup Recommendations

Go to:

Start > Settings > System > Storage

Then select:

Cleanup recommendations

Windows may show several categories of things that can be cleaned up, including temporary files, unused apps, or large files.

Take your time and look through the recommendations.

You do not have to delete everything Windows suggests.

If you don't recognize something or aren't sure whether you need it, leave it alone.

There is no prize for deleting the most files.

The goal is simply to remove things you know you don't need.

Be Careful With Your Downloads Folder

One folder deserves special attention:

Downloads

Every time you download something from the Internet, there's a good chance it ends up here.

That could include:

  • Pictures

  • PDF documents

  • Software installers

  • Forms

  • Tax documents

  • Manuals

  • Email attachments

  • Files you downloaded months or years ago

Downloads can quietly grow into one of the largest folders on your computer.

But don't simply delete everything in it.

Open the folder and look through it first.

If you know you don't need something anymore, delete it.

If you want to keep something important, move it into the appropriate Documents, Pictures, or other folder.

Empty the Recycle Bin

When you delete a file in Windows, it usually isn't immediately erased.

It goes into the Recycle Bin.

That's a good thing because it gives you another chance to recover something you deleted accidentally.

But files sitting in the Recycle Bin can still take up storage space.

After you're sure you don't need them anymore:

  1. Right-click the Recycle Bin.

  2. Select Empty Recycle Bin.

One warning:

Once you empty the Recycle Bin, getting those files back becomes much more difficult.

So check before you empty it.

Let Windows Help With Storage Sense

Windows also has a feature called Storage Sense.

Don't let the name make it sound complicated.

Storage Sense simply helps Windows clean up certain unnecessary files automatically.

To find it, go to:

Start > Settings > System > Storage

Look for:

Storage Sense

You can turn it on and let Windows periodically clean up temporary files.

For many novice computer users, this is much safer than installing some unknown "PC cleaner" from the Internet.

In fact, I generally recommend using the cleanup tools already built into Windows before installing any third-party cleanup program.

4. Uninstall Programs You Never Use

Programs take up storage space too.

And over the years, most computers collect programs that were installed once and never used again.

Maybe you installed a program to do one particular job five years ago.

Maybe the computer came with software you've never opened.

Or perhaps you installed something, tried it once, didn't like it, and forgot it was there.

You can see your installed programs by going to:

Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps

Look through the list.

If you recognize a program and know you don't use it anymore, you can uninstall it.

Click the three dots beside the program and select:

Uninstall

But use some common sense.

If you don't recognize a program, don't assume you don't need it.

Computers often contain software related to hardware, printers, sound, graphics, security, and other functions.

If you're uncertain what something does, leave it alone until you find out.

Again, the goal isn't to see how much you can delete.

The goal is to remove the things you know you don't need.

5. Stop Unnecessary Programs From Starting Automatically

This is one of my favorite simple ways to improve the way a computer feels.

Over time, programs have a habit of adding themselves to Windows startup.

That means when you turn on your computer, Windows isn't the only thing starting.

You might also have:

  • Messaging programs

  • Music programs

  • Game launchers

  • Meeting programs

  • Printer utilities

  • Cloud programs

  • Software update programs

  • Other applications

Starting all these programs takes time and uses computer resources.

The funny thing is, you may not even use most of them.

See What's Starting With Windows

Go to:

Start > Settings > Apps > Startup

You'll see a list of programs.

Beside each program is an On or Off switch.

On means Windows will automatically start that program when you sign in.

Off means it won't.

Turning a startup program off does not normally uninstall the program.

You can still open it whenever you want.

You're simply telling Windows:

Don't start this automatically every time I turn on my computer.

What Should You Turn Off?

Here's where I want you to be careful.

Don't look at the list and start turning everything off.

Instead ask yourself:

Do I need this program running every time I start my computer?

Suppose Spotify starts every time you turn on the computer.

Do you need Spotify running all day?

Probably not.

Turn its startup setting off.

You can still click Spotify whenever you want to listen to music.

The same may be true for game launchers, meeting software, messaging programs, and other applications.

But if you don't know what something is, leave it alone until you do.

I especially wouldn't start disabling security software or anything you know is important to your work.

You don't have to eliminate every startup program.

You're simply getting rid of the unnecessary ones.

6. Don't Keep 40 Programs and Browser Tabs Open

Sometimes the computer isn't really the problem.

We're the problem.

We open a browser.

Then another browser window.

Then 15 tabs.

Then Microsoft Word.

Then email.

Then Facebook.

Then YouTube.

Then several other programs.

And we leave everything running.

Every open program needs some of your computer's resources.

The same can be true of browser tabs.

Modern computers are designed to run several things at once, but there is still a limit.

If your computer is running slowly, close the things you aren't using.

You don't need 37 browser tabs open just because you might look at one of them again next Thursday.

Bookmark the page and close the tab.

7. Restart Before Assuming Something Is Broken

I mentioned restarting earlier, but it deserves repeating because this simple step solves so many problems.

If your computer suddenly becomes slow, a program stops responding, the Internet acts strange, or something simply doesn't seem right:

Restart the computer.

Not sleep.

Not close the laptop lid.

Restart.

Click:

Start > Power > Restart

Then give Windows a chance to start normally again.

If the problem disappears, you've saved yourself a lot of unnecessary troubleshooting.

8. Don't Install Every Program That Promises to "Speed Up Your PC"

This is especially important for novice computer users.

You may see advertisements on websites claiming things like:

Your computer has 4,326 errors!

Your PC is running dangerously slow!

Download our PC cleaner now!

Don't panic.

And don't automatically install the program.

Windows already includes tools for updating the computer, managing storage, removing temporary files, uninstalling programs, controlling startup programs, and monitoring security.

For routine maintenance, you usually don't need a mysterious program from an advertisement to do those things for you.

Some cleanup programs are legitimate.

Others may be unnecessary.

And some can create more problems than they solve.

If you don't know what a program is, don't install it simply because an advertisement tells you your computer needs it.

9. Give Your Computer a Little Breathing Room

There is one simple idea behind much of what we've discussed.

Your computer works better when it has some breathing room.

That means:

Don't completely fill the storage drive.

Don't automatically run a dozen programs you never use.

Don't keep unnecessary programs installed forever.

Don't leave everything open all the time.

Don't postpone updates indefinitely.

You don't need to obsess over computer maintenance.

A little attention occasionally is enough.

A Simple Computer Maintenance Routine

You don't need to do this every day.

Once a month, take a few minutes and do the following:

  1. Check Windows Update.

  2. Restart the computer.

  3. Check your available storage space.

  4. Review temporary files and Cleanup recommendations.

  5. Look through your Downloads folder.

  6. Empty the Recycle Bin after checking it.

  7. Uninstall programs you know you no longer use.

  8. Review your Startup apps.

  9. Close programs and browser tabs you aren't using.

That's it.

You don't need to become a computer technician.

You don't need to understand processors, memory management, system services, registry entries, or all the other technical things happening behind the scenes.

You just need to perform a little basic housekeeping.

What If the Computer Is Still Slow?

There is an important point to understand.

Maintenance can help a computer run the way it is supposed to run.

It cannot make an old or underpowered computer magically become a new high-performance machine.

If you've cleaned things up, installed your updates, reduced unnecessary startup programs, restarted the computer, and still have serious performance problems, something else may be going on.

The computer may not have enough memory.

The storage drive may be failing.

A program could be causing problems.

Malware could be involved.

Or the computer may simply be getting old.

But don't jump to those conclusions first.

Start with the easy things.

I've worked with computers long enough to know that people sometimes assume the worst when the solution is something simple.

That's the philosophy behind ExtraHelp.us.

You don't have to know everything about computers.

You just need someone to explain what to do in words you can understand.

Start with the simple stuff.

You might be surprised how much difference it makes.

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Return to the Master Series

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

50 Most Useful Things Every Microsoft Windows User Should Know

50+ Essential Windows Skills Every Beginner Should Know

I’m starting a new blog series that will teach you 50+ useful skills every Windows user should know how to do.

These will not be complicated lessons written only for computer experts. They will be practical skills that can help everyday Windows users work faster, stay organized, solve common problems, and protect themselves online.

And if you’re a Mac user, don’t worry. I’ll be creating a similar series for Apple Mac users too.

Trying to explain all 50 Windows skills in one blog post would be too much. It would make the post extremely long, and it would probably be more information than most people would want to read in one sitting.

Instead, I’m going to break each skill into its own detailed blog post. As each lesson is published, I will add a link to it from this master list.

Many of the lessons will also include a video showing you exactly how to perform the task. That way, you can read the written instructions, watch the video, or use both—whichever works best for you.

What This Windows Series Will Cover

The 50 skills will be organized into the following categories:

Basic Windows Skills

These are the everyday skills every Windows user should understand, including copying and pasting, using keyboard shortcuts, taking screenshots, and switching between open programs.

File Management

Learn how to create, rename, move, copy, delete, restore, search for, and back up your important files.

Organizing Files and Folders

Learn how to create a filing system that makes your documents, pictures, downloads, and other files easier to find.

Windows Navigation

Learn how to use the Start menu, taskbar, desktop, File Explorer, Settings, Control Panel, and other important parts of Windows.

Installing and Removing Software

Learn how to safely install programs, remove software you no longer need, manage default applications, and avoid unwanted programs.

Internet Skills

Learn how to use web browsers, manage downloads, create bookmarks, clear browsing data, and solve common internet connection problems.

Computer Maintenance

Learn how to keep your computer updated, check storage space, remove unnecessary files, manage startup programs, and improve performance.

Security and Online Safety

Learn how to create stronger passwords, recognize scams, protect your accounts, use Windows Security, and reduce the risk of viruses and identity theft.

How to Clear a Stuck Print Job in Windows 11

Learn how to cancel and clear stuck or failed print jobs in Windows 11, including how to restart and reset the Windows Print Spooler.

Bonus Skills Worth Learning

I will also include several Bonus Skills that go beyond the basics and can help you become a more confident and capable Windows user.

The Bonus Skills will be available to readers who sign up for ExtraHelp.us email updates.

Those readers will receive a special Bonus Skills PDF eBook along with a link to an exclusive video. The eBook will provide written, step-by-step instructions, while the video will show you exactly how to perform the tasks.

Bookmark This Page

This page will serve as the master list for the entire series. New links will be added as each Windows lesson and video is published, so bookmark this page and check back regularly.

Sign Up for the Bonus Skills

Sign up for ExtraHelp.us email updates to receive the Bonus Skills information and stay informed with free computer tips, scam warnings, cybersecurity advice, and beginner-friendly technology help.

You’ll learn how to avoid online scams, protect your accounts, solve common computer problems, and stay safer online.

If you find these lessons helpful, please support ExtraHelp.us by signing up for email updates, leaving a comment, or sharing the blog with someone who could use the information.

It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you may help someone else become safer and more confident when using a computer.