New laptop

New laptop arrived this morning, didn't know Royal Mail delivered on a Sunday.

Anyway, lots still to sort out but I'm up and running as you can see.

Most annoying thing ATM is the mains cable goes in the opposite side to the old one, so I'm getting the cable going across me all the time.
Might have to rearrange all the furniture now.

 

Second most annoying thing.
Everything fine then Microsoft edge stopped responding so had to shut it down and start again.
Never used Edge before, for some reason it didn't want me to download Chrome which I normally use and waffled on about having to get rid of the S mode that could not be restored.

 

Hi Pete,
Glad you have got it up and running, did you find the start up was a bit overwhelming with all the Windows and Asus messages, plus any other 'bloatwear' that was included.

One thing, Windows 11 Defender security suite is very good, but do go to its menu in Security to ensure all its features are turned on, if its not already prompted you.

Re Chrome, seems you have got Windows 11 S, which is a secure version of W11, meaning that you can only download/install apps that are in Microsofts Store.
The idea is that they are free of any malware etc so its a safer, so thats probably why you cannot run Chrome, we have Firefox installed and that runs fine alongside Edge.

What you need to do is got to this link for Microsoft and follow the instruictions which should be the same of W10 or W11, then you can download and install what you like, though Windows may give a message saying do you want to install that program, just say Continue as long as you know its ok.
Switching out of S mode in Windows - Microsoft Support

Just a follow on, re usng those little SD to USB adapters with W11, yes it does work fine, just plug in and its seen like any other usb stick, if your open the Photo App and press Import from that device it puts the pics you Select into the Windows Pictures Folder.
Once in , just open the Photo App and you can view as you like and even do some very basic editing with it.
Nothing to stop you using other photo apps / editing programs as well on the pics the Photo app loaded in.

Edit, just checked back on the Specs of your JL laptop and it does say W11 Home .

You can confirm what its set to by going to Settings , System and scrolling down to the About ,click on that and it should show Edition - Windows 11 Home or S ?

 

It shows S mode Ricky.
I'm not that bothered just now but struggling to log into youtube, I cant remember my log in, it goes back years and I think originally I used a yahoo e mail, then google took it all over and TBH I dont know if I'm using google or whatever.
I dont want to change it as it will log me out on my phone and my old taptop both with remembered passwords.

I tell you, I really hate all this silly password stuff it needs sorting out into some thing that is easy for people to remember.
I have it all written in a book but there is so much crossing out in that book its unbelievable.

 

Seems Chrome is not in MS Store so you need to Switch Out of S mode to be able to install it or any other program not in the Store.
Appears that once you switch out of S mode you cannot return.

Rarely log in to Ytube but some Ytubes on showing how to get round both lost Email and Passwords , but have not tried it or gone all the way though it.


Best thing to do with your passwords etc, make a list of them in a Speadsheet or Word Processor but save the File onto a USB Stick or SD card and hide it away, so no details are kept on the laptop.
When you need to add onto the list or refer to it, then turn off the wifi before plugging it in so no one can see your list.
To be extra secure you can encrypt your USB stick and always have a backup of the file on another Stick to be safe.

Just one other thing about security, thats the Administator Account and the User Accounts , do you know anything about them ?

Many folk just run on the Admin Account, thats the basic default of a new laptop, but it does mean if you were hacked then they can control everything, working from a User Account gives you another strong level of protection.
Only takes a few minutes to create a User Account, can be done any time

 

Yeah I think I understand about the S mode, if edge works OK I will continue to use it, it looks very similar to chrome, but time will tell.

I've struggled with passwords because some years ago yahoo was taken over by google then google took over youtube and so it goes on.

So I've ended up with yahoo logins, google account logins, google mail logins, yahoo logins which have just piled up and its all become a jumble.

Even my virgin log ins are a mess, one for Virgin media, another for virgin mail and another for virgin mobile.

Over the years they have completely confused me as often the email in the log in is different as well.

I know it all needs sorting out but they ask for more and more complicated passwords which also doesn't help.

 

Good to hear your laptop's up and running Pete. Have you checked for updates? I had about a dozen to install when I first started mine up.

 

If you do not want to keep track of the passwords yourself by the ways we mentioned earlier, then it sounds like your need to use a Password Manager.
Though personally never used one, millions of folk do and one of our computer magazines recommends the free versions of BitWarden or Keepass.

You can see detail here, but of course you need spend some time setting things up before you can appreciate its usefullness.

Sure other members use a Password Manager and can advise on the best way to use them.

https://bitwarden.com/products/personal/

Extract from their site -

Use a password manager
A password manager helps you easily keep password security in check. Instead of having to remember dozens (or hundreds) of passwords for your online accounts, a password manager encrypts your password database with a master password. This master password is the only one you need to remember. In addition to safely storing all your passwords, a password manager can:

• Generate random passwords for your accounts that are strong and difficult to crack
  
• Enable you to share passwords securely where you control who has access
  
• Sync with all of your devices so you can access all your logins from anywhere
  
• Simplify changing and resetting your passwords
  
• Store files, credit cards, identity, and other sensitive information
  
• Share sensitive information, like tax or mortgage documents, in an encrypted environment
  

 

I've been struggling with logging into my google account, I have it on my phone and old laptop.
I ve got passwords written down referring to it but it wont accept them.
I've gone through all the rigmarole of forgotten password and phone text messages which then cause problems on other devices.

Its just a nightmare as when you change to a new password all the other devices start squawking about "was this you" and you are now logged out, its a mine field designed to drive you round the bend.

 

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I FULLY SYMPATHISE with you @pete as that is what I've been going through this last week - the reason I've not posted all week!

Most things now seem to have sorted out but I really wish I hadn't got a new PC with Win11 on it! It's been a right nightmare all week!

 

Have not had such problem but have you tried turning off S mode in the MS Playstore as we mentioned earlier , that will alllow you to download Google Chrome which you would think should work with your existing google account ?
Should only take 10 minutes to do, nothing to loose .

We also get those Was that you' message might be more to do with the different IP address that your new computer has, not actually anything to do with the Account details ??

 

I hate that nothing seems to stay on your machine! Everything seems to be up in the clouds! I had a terrible problem trying to get my Hotmail account working again & so the only work around till I finally got it sorted out was to create a new MS account - something I was loathe to do! My Hotmail account is needed on many sites I visit & without it I've been denied access to many of them. My children created it for me when we lived in Spain & I think I've had the account for over 25 years!

 

W11 installed and runs fine for us, though do not run as many connected devices.

Any Peals of wisdom to help Pete out with his problems.

 

I could go on all night with my complaints & rants! But slowly things are getting back to how they used to be & I may even - one day! - end up liking it!

Having said that I wish it were like XP the best OS MS has ever made! (Though Win 7 runs close up!)

 

I dont think this is an "S" mode problem its more to do with logging on with different devices.
I've often looked at this "sinc devices" option, but to be honest I just think it will foul up an already diabolical situation.
Security will be the internets downfall I'm thinking.
That's unless they can come up with something other than ever longer and more complicated passwords.