computers dot mom

Computer skills, confidence and really good coffee

Videos

We’re very proud of our free YouTube mini-tutorials, but since finding anything on YouTube can be a challenge, the links below will help you find useful videos to watch at your convenience.

Our main YouTube channel page is searchable! Click the magnifying glass to search for a topic like “password” or “backup.” You can also browse the list by topic:

Mac * Windows * iPhone/iPad

Passwords * Printing, Scanning, and PDF’s

Zoom * Gmail * Google Apps: Drive, Docs and Sheets

Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) * Apple Photos * Miscellaneous.

If you have PDF files that need to be combined into a single document, what's the best way to do it? There are several good options for Windows users, and the right one for you depends on your needs and preferences. This video explores 3 ways to merge PDF files, including two free options that anyone can use (safely).
How to Combine PDF files in Windows - EASY and FREE [2024]
Got an Apple gift card? This video will show you how to add it to your Apple account with just a few taps on your phone, fast and easy!
How to Add a Gift Card to your Apple Account [2024]
Apple's Wallet app is a great place to store your cards, passes, keys, ID--until it starts to "oversplode." When you're ready to clean it out, it can be hard to figure out HOW to delete old, unneeded items. This video walks you through the steps to remove the stuff you don't need, quickly and clearly.
How to Remove Cards from Apple Wallet [2024]
Adding a signature (or several) to your email saves time and effort and helps your communications look more professional. This video shows you step by step how to create, format, and use email signatures in the Outlook app on a Windows computer, pointing out important options and pitfalls along the way. **If you're using Apple Mail instead of Outlook, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/u9h_bgRv-Ag **If you're using Outlook on a Mac, see this video instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZzPOSkEmBQ ** If you're using Gmail in a web browser, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/nFIcsd-LyYg
How to Create Email Signatures in Outlook for Windows [2024]
Adding a signature (or several) to your email saves time and effort and helps your communications look more professional. This video shows you step by step how to create, format, and use email signatures in the Outlook app on a Mac, pointing out important options and pitfalls along the way. **If you're using Apple Mail instead of Outlook, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/u9h_bgRv-Ag **If you're using Outlook on a Windows PC, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/Qppr60hgttU ** If you're using Gmail in a web browser, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/nFIcsd-LyYg
How to Create Email Signatures in Outlook on a Mac [2024]
Adding a signature (or several) to your email saves time and effort and helps your communications look more professional. This video shows you step by step how to create, format, and use email signatures in the Apple Mail app on a Mac, pointing out important options and pitfalls along the way. ** If you're using Gmail in a web browser, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/nFIcsd-LyYg
How to Create an Email Signature in Apple Mail (on a Mac) [2024]
Adding a signature (or several) to your Gmail account saves time and effort and helps your communications look more professional. This video shows you step by step how to create, format, and use signatures in your Gmail account, pointing out important options and pitfalls along the way. If you use Apple's Mail app on a Mac (blue and white envelope icon), use this video instead: https://youtu.be/u9h_bgRv-Ag
How to Create a Gmail Signature [2024]
Communicating with a group of people is much easier if you have them saved as a group in your Gmail contacts. Here are three ways to create a "Label" (as Google calls their contacts groups/distribution lists) from data you already have: an email, a typed list, or a spreadsheet. This video walks you through the steps, pointing out some pitfalls along the way and how to avoid them, and ends with a list of the steps on single pages for your convenience (no need to take notes!). You will need to be familiar with cut, copy and paste to follow the steps. If you aren't, check out our related video: Cut, Copy and Paste: The Essential Guide https://youtu.be/OUmVdDJGQJw
How to Create a Gmail Contacts Group (Distribution List) from an Email, List, or Spreadsheet [2024]
QUICK AND EASY SAVE! Other than passwords, this is the problem we hear about most often: accidentally landing on a scary, deceptive web page and not being able to close it! This video will show you how that typically happens, and how to quickly and easily get yourself out of trouble using keyboard keys.
How to Close a Bad Website or Webpage on a Windows Computer [2024]
QUICK AND EASY SAVE! Other than passwords, this is the problem we hear about most often: accidentally landing on a scary, deceptive web page and not being able to close it! This video will show you how that typically happens, and how to quickly and easily get yourself out of trouble using keyboard keys.
How to Close a Bad Website or Webpage on a Mac [2024]
This video will show you how to tell which version of Windows your computer is running, quickly and easily. You will also find a one-page recap of the steps at the end of the video for convenience.
How to Check the Windows Version of your computer [2024]
Printing out a Google Sheet is easy--once you know how! This video walks you through the steps and points out some key options and pitfalls along the way.
How to Print a Google Sheet from a Computer [2024]
Are you the person friends and family reach out to for Mac help? Or do you need some help with your Mac? Either way, this video will show you how to use Apple's built-in Screen Sharing to give or get remote support on your Mac. It's free, it's easy, and we'll walk you through it step by step, with tips for safety and shortcuts along the way. And as usual with computers dot mom videos, you'll find a one-page summary of the key steps at the end of the video for your convenience. No need to take notes! Note that if this will only work BETWEEN TWO MACS. If one of you is on Windows, check out our video on How to Use Zoom for Remote Support: https://youtu.be/xrLvkRAW_0c Or, if you're both on Windows computers, see this video on How to Use Quick Assist for Remote Support: https://youtu.be/1bSMXnfq1wA
How to Use Apple's Screen Sharing for Remote Support on Macs
Need help with your computer, or need to help someone else? No need to travel: if you both use Windows computers, there's a handy app built in that allows a helper to see or control someone else's computer as needed--easily, safely, and free! That's Quick Assist, and this video will show you how to find it and use it, whether you are the helper or the "helpee." Includes a handy one-page summary of the steps for convenience. If you're on Macs instead, check out our video on How to Use Apple's Screen Sharing for Remote Support on Macs: https://youtu.be/iinEsKgq0as
How to Use Quick Assist for Remote Tech Support
Passkeys are a new and BETTER way to log in to your accounts: they're safer and easier than passwords. This video explains passkeys clearly and quickly and demonstrates how to create and use them.
Passkeys Intro: What, Why, How? [2023]
If you want to postpone a major Mac update (temporarily), it's useful to know where the settings are that allow you to turn automatic updates on and off. Those settings changed in MacOS Ventura (2022), so with Sonoma about to launch, here's how to take control of your updates. If you are running an older version of the operating system, here's the correct video: https://youtu.be/qAbCjxBzZYM And here's how to check if you're low on disk space in MacOS Ventura: https://youtu.be/u-IxEyfoVNE
How to Turn Off Mac Updates (or on!) [Ventura - 2023]
Experts tell us that one of the best ways to protect yourself from financial fraud is through a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus. It's free, but it's surprisingly tricky to do, and the process is slightly different with each credit bureau. This video walks you through: - Where to get RELIABLE information about credit freezes: the US Federal Trade Commission website, here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts - How to FIND the credit freeze pages on each credit bureau's site - How to AVOID paying for services you don't need or want
How to Freeze Your Credit [2023]
It's super helpful to have shortcuts to your frequently-used folders, files and apps on your desktop. This video walks you through the simple steps for creating those shortcuts, with a one-page recap at the end for convenience. Note that this video uses Windows 11. Windows 10 users can skip the "show more options" step, but otherwise the process is the same.
How to Create Shortcuts in Windows [2023]
If you are connected to a WiFi network but you don't remember the password, Apple makes it easy to find that information. This video walks you through the steps and you'll find a recap on one page at the end, as usual. Note that these steps apply to Macs that are fully updated as of Spring 2023. For the steps on older versions, see this video instead: https://youtu.be/XBN5PuS85Ec
How to Find the WiFi Password on a Mac [2023, updated]
A practical guide to using the free Windows Scan app on your Windows 10/11 computer to scan from most multifunction printers and scanners, no extra software required. Walks you through the process in detail with a printable one-page summary of the steps at the end. We explain all the common options and recommend best practices, helping you avoid the pitfalls!
How to Scan on a Windows PC [2023]
Apple recently enabled Voice Isolation mode for phone calls, which helps you sound better to the people you call, but you'll need to turn the feature on for it to work. This quick video walks you through the steps so all your calls can sound better!
How to Enable (Turn on) Voice Isolation on your iPhone [2023]
Ever realized that you had a whole bunch of duplicate files in different folders? That sinking feeling when you realize that you've got a big mess on your hands is very common. Luckily your computer can help you solve it! In this video, we walk you through using the DIFF command to automatically compare the contents of two folders--TWICE: once showing the basic technique, and again with some advanced tips and tricks. And as usual, we include a one-page recap of the steps at the end so you don't have to waste time taking notes. Key points: 1:42 Basic technique 4:22 Advanced technique 7:29 One page recap of the steps (handy for screenshot/printing)
How to Compare the Files in Two Mac Folders [2023]
Finally, iPhone users can access text messages, calls and notifications on a WINDOWS computer! Microsoft's new Phone Link software is rolling out in 2023 (replacing "Your Phone"). It's not difficult to set up, but there are a bunch of little steps. This video walks you through the whole process in detail, including: - Hardware and software requirements and how to check them - How to pair your phone and computer - A quick look at the Phone Link software and its limitations Plus, a "recap" page at the end so you don't have to write everything down as you watch.
How to Link an iPhone to a Windows Computer [2023]
If you iPhone AND your passcode fall into the wrong hands, the consequences can be disastrous. One easy way to reduce the risk is to use an alphanumeric passcode that's at least six characters. This quick video explains why that's important and walks you step by step through how to change your passcode. It's quick and easy once you know how. You'll also find a quick one-page summary of the steps at the end of the video.
How (and Why!) to Change the Passcode on Your iPhone or iPad [2023]
Forgot your WiFi password? This quick video walks you through how to find it on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. You'll also find a one-page recap of the steps at the end of the video for convenience.
How to Find a WiFi Password on a Windows Computer [2023]
Forgot your WiFi password? This quick video walks you through how to find it on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. You'll also find a one-page recap of the steps at the end of the video for convenience. **UPDATE** May 2023: The steps have CHANGED for Macs. If you have updated your Mac, please see the new version here:
How to Find a WiFi Password on an iPhone, iPad or Mac [2023]
A practical guide to using the built-in scanning option on your Mac computer to scan from most multifunction printers and scanners, no extra software required. Walks you through the process in detail with a printable one-page summary of the steps at the end. Along the way we point out some of the common mistakes people make and how to avoid them! This video is based on MacOS 13, Ventura. For Macs running an earlier version of the operating system (Big Sur, Monterey, etc.), please see the earlier version of this video: https://youtu.be/X2JlAh8k2ZY
How to Scan on a Mac (MacOS 13+ Ventura and later) [2023]
When you're sharing your screen or getting remote support, the Participants window is visible to YOU but not the other person, which can be very confusing! This quick video explains the problem and how easy it is to solve it.
How to Move Faces out of the way on a Zoom Call [2023]
If you have an iPhone and a Windows computer, not a Mac, you CAN sync your saved passwords automatically! This video walks you step by step through the hows and whys, and points out problems to avoid along the way. You can: * Sync iCloud Keychain logins from your iPhone or iPad to a Windows 10 or 11 computer * Search, Add, Delete, or Edit passwords on your computer * Even autofill your logins on websites using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
How to Sync iPhone Passwords to Windows (Chrome or Edge to Keychain) [2022]
If you use Amazon's Kindle app on your iPad or iPhone, you may have noticed that you cannot buy ebooks on the app. This quick tutorial shows you how to get around that limitation and buy your next great read right on your iPad.
How to Buy Kindle Books on an iPad (or iPhone) [2022]
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