Computer Tip of the Day: How to Take a Screenshot On Windows 10

PowerPoint

Taking a screenshot is a great way to show people what’s on your computer screen, whether you need technical help with an issue, want to show a friend something interesting, or are trying to create a tutorial. Here is how to take a screenshot on Windows 10.

Screenshot On Windows 10

How to Capture the Entire Screen

To capture the entire screen, simply click the Print Screen button on your keyboard (which is often labeled PrtScn). A screenshot will be taken, but instead of being automatically saved, it will be copied to your clipboard. To edit and save your screenshot, open Microsoft Paint and paste your screenshot into the editing section. Alternatively, if you want to have your screenshot automatically saved to the Screenshots folder in your Pictures section, click Windows Key and PrtScn at the same time.

How to Capture Part of the Screen

If you only want to take a partial shot, use the Windows snipping tool. The snipping tool will allow you to crop your screenshot. If you want to save it, you’re going to have to manually save it from inside the tool.

How to Capture an Active Window

If you want to capture only the active window that you have open, click Alt + PrtScn. This will capture the entire window and save it to your clipboard, but it won’t be saved automatically. Then, you’re going to have to open Microsoft Paint, paste it in, and save it from there.

For more computer tips and technical support for your computer or laptop, contact us!

Computer Tip: How to Disable Automatic Updates In Windows 10

a man writing on a notebook next to a laptop

One of the new features of Windows 10 is that it automatically updates itself, and there is no real way to turn it off in the Home version. Although updating your Windows system is crucial to staying safe in the cyber world, there are times when automatic updates aren’t wanted. For example, if you have work to finish at a certain deadline, you don’t want to have to sit through an update and reboot. It’s also bad if you have a limited or slow internet connection and you want to wait until you get to a quicker internet connection before you update. Here’s how to get around and disable automatic updates feature.

disable automatic updates

Set Your Network as Metered

Cellular networks and mobile hotspots are automatically set as metered, but you can set any Wifi connection as metered. Metered connections won’t download updates automatically. Go to your Wifi settings, click on Manage Known Networks, choose your network, and click on Properties to do this.

Change Reboot Hours

If you go to your Updates settings, you can set hours when Windows won’t automatically restart. Just set the hours that it should restart, which can be at night. However, your computer will have to be powered on for the update to install. It also won’t stop the update from downloading during your non-active hours — it just won’t reboot then.

Show Or Hide Updates Tool

There is a show or hide updates troubleshooting tool that you can download from the Microsoft website. Using this tool, you can set certain updates to be hidden. Hidden systems and driver updates won’t be downloaded automatically.

For more computer help, just contact us!

Computer Tip of the Day: How to Reposition Computer Task Bar

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Many people keep their computer icons on the main screen. Word, Excel, your browser, like Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox — there they are, ready for access. However, to make the icons more convenient to access when windows are open, many people reposition the computer task bar at the bottom or side of the screen so that can be seen no matter how much stuff you’re working on.

Reposition Computer Task Bar

You know how frustrating it can be when these icons rearrange themselves, seemingly spontaneously. If the toolbar is at the bottom of your screen, it suddenly moves to the left. If it was on the left, it may suddenly appear at the bottom.

Because we are creatures of habit, this can be very frustrating and impact productivity. Fortunately, fixing it is very easy.

To reposition the computer taskbar, simply right-click the blank space on the taskbar. When the menu opens, select “properties.”

Look to see if the taskbar is locked. If so, a checkmark will appear next to “locked”. If so, unlock it by clicking on the check mark.

See if the taskbar is locked, with a checkmark next to the listing if so unlock it, and click the “apply” button.

After this, simply select the placement you do want. Then click the “apply” button again. You can lock the taskbar after this for greater security.

If you ever want to move the icons around on the taskbar, you’ll need to unlock the taskbar again. After that, icon movement is a simple drag-and-drop procedure.

For more information, contact us.

Keep Your Business Running Smoothly with IT Support

a laptop computer sitting on top of a wooden desk

We’ve all been there. A computer crashes, you aren’t able to establish a network connection or the “wireless” printer you purchased doesn’t seem to work without the cord. Not every business has the need, or the budget, to employ a full-time IT staff member. However, at one time or another, every business does need assistance or support for an IT issue or to make some technological advancements that will benefit their business. Here are some tips to keep your business running smoothly.

Business Running Smoothly

At Bluwater Technologies we offer a wide variety of support services for your small business. Whether you run a Mobile Nursing Service or a busy Law Firm, we are able to customize services that allow you to focus on what you do best – run your company.

From General Consulting to Office Moves/Setup to Cloud Backup and Storage, there are likely IT issues you have not yet considered that may be a benefit to your operations. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff will connect with you at your convenience to discover which services you need and how they will enhance your efforts to help your business run smoothly.

With an online chat feature along with accessibility via phone, email or support ticket, it is quick and easy to reach your technician at Bluewater Technologies. We understand the importance of being reachable quickly, especially when something is malfunctioning or causing a disruption in your operations. Our round-the-clock availability, coupled with pay structures customized to your specific needs, makes having IT Services accessible for any company.

Give us a call today or visit our Why Bluwater page to learn more about the benefits of working with our amazing team of professionals!

Do You Know How to Copy More than One Document at a Time?

a person using a computer mouse and keyboard

Copying a document is simplicity in itself. You can simply either:

  1. Right click and select the word “copy” when it appears to copy the file and right click to choose “paste” when you have accessed the file where you want it to be, or
  2. Hit the Control key plus C to copy, and the Control key plus V to make it appear in the file you want. But what if you want to copy multiple files?

Learn how to copy more than one document with our computer tip of the day.

Copy More than One Document

There are several different ways to do this.

First, do you want to copy all the documents in a given file? Open the file and hit Control plus A to select all the files. Then, perform one of the two methods above.

Or, you may want to select a bunch of documents that are next to each other, but not every single one in the file. Simply click the first document you want to copy. Then depress the Shift key and click the last document of your selection. The first, last, and everything in between will be selected.

After they are selected, perform one of the two methods in the first paragraph. Finally, if you simply want to copy more than one, but they aren’t next to each other, there’s a simple method.

Click the first document you want to copy. Then hold the Control key down while you click the others. Then copy the ones you’ve selected. Paste them. Voila, and presto.

This is one of those moves that’s easy to forget if you don’t do it very often. But it’s simple and easy to remember if you keep this info in a handy place.

Contact us for more information.