In this computer tip of the day, we will talk about Windows Safe Mode. Have you ever had a problem removing a software driver? What about a software application that was stubborn to remove? This is where Safe Mode comes in. It will allow you to easily diagnose and fix computer problems that normal Windows will not.

What is Windows Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is a bare minimum version of Windows that you can boot into. It will load the bare minimum set of drivers and files to allow you to have more control in fixing your computer. In other words, all programs that usually start with your computer will be disabled.

How do I use it?

Using Windows safe mode is easy. Just reboot your computer and press the F8 key a few times. After powering on the computer, the system will present you with a boot menu. This menu may vary between different computers, and in most cases, it will provide you with the following options:

• Safe Mode
• Safe Mode with networking
• Safe Mode with command prompt

To select an option, use your up and down arrow keys. Then, press the enter key. We recommend using the “Safe Mode with Networking” option. You’ll see lots of text scrolling across your screen as your computer boots up. This is totally normal, and soon you will be greeted with your Windows login screen.

We hope our computer tips are useful to you. If your computer is stubborn and you need help, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Bluwater Technologies will be here any time you need computer help.

It’s happened to all of us. You’ve been typing away at the keyboard. You are interrupted — maybe the phone or doorbell rings. You close the document. And you don’t save it. Our computer tip of the day is all about how to recover unsaved word documents.

It doesn’t have to be a phone or doorbell. It could be a lightning or thunder that suddenly shuts off the computer. It could be, let’s face it, just a moment of inattentiveness. You shut down your file, but either think you’ve saved it or hit the wrong key.

This can make you want to scream, whether it’s compiling your tax deductions or working on a recipe.

Well, don’t scream. There are several different methods to recovering unsaved word documents. And they are the computer tip of the day!

First, don’t panic.

Then, go to the top left corner of your ribbon and click on “File.” Scroll all the way to the bottom and you will see, in the middle of the page, the wonderful words “Recover Unsaved Documents” next to a small file icon.

Click on it, and voila! You will be taken to a folder called “Unsaved Files.” You document will be there, usually named the first several words of the document.

What do you do if “Recover Unsaved Documents” doesn’t appear? Well, don’t panic then, either.

You can get to the “Unsaved Files” file by going to the following directory on your computer: C drive/Users/[whatever you are individually called as user — I’m “R” because my name begins with R]/Appdata/Local/Microsoft/Office/Unsaved Files.

There’s also a way to prevent losing a lot of unsaved material. It’s setting your computer to save often. Microsoft’s default is 10 minutes. We all know, though, that a lot can happen in 10 minutes. To set your system to save in a shorter time, click on File again. Then go to Options. A number of categories will open. Go to Save and click on it. Use the pulldown menu to set the number of minutes to elapse before it saves.

Contact us for further information.

Businesses rely on a variety of computer hardware, ranging from laptops to servers and including tablets and smartphones, not to mention peripherals such as printers. It’s easier than ever to lose track of the devices that you and your employees use. But it’s also something you can’t afford to do. Why is it critical to organize your computer hardware?

1) You won’t have to needlessly replace them

Hardware is pretty expensive. Replacing a laptop, smartphone, or another computing device will eat into your budget. If you misplace or otherwise neglect your hardware, you’ll face steeper costs. Keep in mind that the costs stem not only from the hardware itself but from its contents, including important data that you may not have backed up.

2) You’ll prevent data breaches

Poorly organized hardware will increase your chances of device theft and other forms of data breaches. A misplaced device is more likely to get stolen with all of its data. Devices left unattended, or that you lose track of, are more easily accessible to unauthorized parties – both through physical interaction with the device and remotely, through hacking. For instance, if you forget to perform security updates on a device, you’ll leave it more vulnerable to malware.

3) You’ll catch problems early on

If you keep your hardware well-organized, you’re in a bit better position to know the condition of each device. You can keep your devices in better condition with regular maintenance, and you’ll know whether any of them need repairs (or have possibly reached the point where they need to get replaced).

4) Moving from one office to another will be much easier

If you’re relocating your office, keeping track of your hardware will make it easier to set up your computing devices in your new workplace. You’ll be less likely to misplace or damage items along the way, or suffer delays because you forgot that you need space to accommodate certain items.

IT support professionals can help keep your hardware organized, protected, and well-maintained. Please contact us for more details about our services.