- Can I Still Get Windows 10 For Free ?
"Click" the links below to find out how you can: (support for Win 7 ends Jan. 2020)
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-to-windows-10-free
https://www.howtogeek.com/272201/all-the-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free/
You should link your Windows 10 product key with your Microsoft account. If you don't, you might not be able to re-activate Windows 10 if you need to reinstall it. https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-reinstall-windows-3535423/
Your msn.com, outlook.com, hotmail.com, etc is a Microsoft account. https://askleo.com/what-is-a-microsoft-account/
- Personal Surfing Privacy
I got tired of going to websites, and then getting ads, pop ups, etc continually from these websites. You can join a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which costs money, or do what I did, and use "duckduckgo" (The search engine that doesn't track you) as your browser. I still use Google and Bing for searches, I just have them on my bookmarks bar, and click on them to search, with duckduckgo being my main browser. It works, and it's free !! It has additional security features.
https://duckduckgo.com/ https://duckduckgo.com/install
- Email / Data Security Breaches
I joined Firefox Monitor, ( from Mozilla, the free "Firefox" browser company ), and it tells me when my various email addresses have been included in any security breaches or hacks. They have informed me, when one happens, for free. It's nice to know, that you need to change passwords. (or do more security fixes) May have used same password on other things, etc.
https://monitor.firefox.com
Another very good resource I just discovered, is this from Google, for password security. It'll check all of your stored on Google passwords, against a database of breaches. passwords.google.com
- Free Anti-Virus / Malware Protection
If you're only using Microsoft Security Essentials and Defender, for anti-virus & malware, you will want to consider these: ( Only run 1 anti-virus program, otherwise you'll probably get the "blue screen of death" computer lockup or crash. )
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/267984/the-best-free-antivirus-protection
I recommend this free browser add on https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard Works very well !
- Cell/Smartphone/Computer Tip:
Google Voice will give you a free phone number to use. You can call and receive calls at no charge, nationwide. (There are a lot of options) Nice to have when you run out of minutes, or your cell coverage is bad, but you can still get WiFi. I've had mine for several years. Works on your computer, laptop, etc also.
https://www.google.com/voice or https://voice.google.com/
- No Internet Tip:
If your internet goes down, and you need internet access, you can still get 10 hours a month of dial up internet access, free, at NetZero and Juno. I've had to use it in emergencies, from time to time. Nice to have handy.
https://store.netzero.net/account/showService.do?serviceId=nz-dialup
https://www.juno.com/free
- Free Alternative To Microsoft Office, And More ....
The Free and Open Productivity Suite https://www.openoffice.org/ja/download/
Everything PDF. Merge, split, etc. https://www.ilovepdf.com/
Free converter. Document, video, software and more.! https://www.online-convert.com/
- Equipment Purchases on a Budget
If you work call center from home, you really should have 2 of everything. Headsets, mouses, monitors and laptops, etc. I have purchased a few years ago, 2 Dell laptops, refurbished off eBay. I have a D620 and D630. Each cost roughly $140 delivered. With a 30 day guarantee. Loaded with fresh Windows. You'll want at least 4 GB RAM, dual processor, with Windows 10 and at least a 60 GB hard drive. Best if they are a Microsoft Registered refurbisher. You will probably need to a buy a new battery. Make sure you get an AC adapter. Just an economical way to have a spare, or your main computer. I rotate them out weekly.
I do have a webcam, I bought off eBay. (roughly $15) I started with a 1080P, and now I bought a 720P. I noticed it was more stable. It does use less bandwidth. Some consider 720P still HD quality. (ABC-TV, Fox)
- Power Outage Thoughts :
Stacey asked. (She works call center virtual) She lives out in the middle of nowhere, and gets power outages. Very poor cell signal, also. (cutoff for 3 days at a time+ ) I did mention something to her about keeping power on for satellite, computer and small electronic stuff, during an outage. (She uses satellite for phone/ internet) She would still like to work. Just a FYI. You could try running it off a 12V car battery and you can get an inverter for cheap. Walmart, Target, eBay, etc. $30 or so. The inverter works with a car battery. You keep the battery in a outside type place or small vented enclosure, so the fumes don't build up, (on a balcony, etc) and I'd bet it'd run at least a couple of days (20 hours best guess) with just your satellite and computer, and maybe TV.
One Last Tip :
My computer guy who I trust, (and other computer professionals) do suggest reloading a fresh copy of Windows on your computer every year. He said even the best antivirus / malware can't catch it all, and for other reasons (damage that may have been caused, "leftovers" from old programs, etc). I just loaded Win 10, but did reload Win 7 a year ago, using Windows Easy Transfer for the files. (part of your windows package on your computer, if you have 7 or 8). I did notice a big difference. Some say do it every 6 months. Others, just when you notice the system slowing down, or have issues. For me, at about the 1 year point, I notice slowing, and other issues. But I use mine all day for work, and at night for entertainment and research. I did make a flash drive copy of Win 10, this last time, for the probable reload a year from now. Link your Windows 10 product key with your Microsoft account. If you don't, you may not be able to re-activate it. if you do a reinstall. https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-reinstall-windows-3535423/
Your msn.com, outlook.com, hotmail.com, etc is a Microsoft account. https://askleo.com/what-is-a-microsoft-account/
