Chrome

Michelle bought a new laptop running Windows 10 S mode, but she can't install Google Chrome.  Leo says that Windows S mode won't let her download and install third-party apps that aren't in the Microsoft app store. So she has to get out of S mode. She can turn it off, download Chrome, and then turn it back on. But keep in mind that Microsoft's new EDGE browser is based on the Chrome engine. So she could just use that. Turn off S mode and life will be much easier.

Russ wants to control his Chromebook from his tablet. Can he do that? Leo says that there's an extension called Chrome Remote Desktop. It's in the Google Play Store. 

Robert wants to know how to delete Facebook on one machine without it returning on another when they sync up. Leo says that Google Chrome makes bookmarks and if you have a bookmark for Facebook in Chrome on one computer, it'll return on another through sync. So turn off sync. If you are also signed in on a public computer that could cause it as well.

Chris is looking for a good tablet that won't break the bank. Is there a Chromebook tablet? Leo says there is, but he doesn't recommend it. The best Android tablets are made by Samsung, and the Galaxy Tab S3 is about $450. Leo says that Google had a great tablet called the Pixel C, but they don't make it anymore. If budget is an issue, then the Amazon Fire tablet is the best because they are heavily subsidized.

Anna clicked on a link in Facebook, which took her to a site that popped up a big warning with a phone number. She restarted her PC, and after that Chrome wouldn't let her access Google anymore. She also saw a warning flag in the system tray. Leo says the warning in the system tray is from Microsoft, so she can click that. It will probably take her to the security center where she can see if it offers any sensible information. She can run IE, but can't run Chrome, though. When she launches Chrome, she gets a blank white screen and it freezes.

Wade wants to know if he can use network attached storage (NAS) with his Chromebook? Leo says he can mount the NAS as a drive, and he can access his NAS through the web. But to do a direct backup using Chrome may be nontrivial. Wade should check out the Chrome extension Network File Share.

Jerald is having issues with Gmail. It comes up, but when he tries to open an email, it goes blank. It works when he logs on somewhere else, though. Leo says that Gmail is a web application that runs Javascript. So it may be that his browser is blocking that. Ad blocking software may also be doing it. He should try disabling his ad blocker and see if that works. Click the on/off switch at the top of the page and see if it loads up.

Bob is having trouble with popups and other stuff when he browses in Google Chrome. Rich says that using Chrome, there is a utility called "Clean up computer" that will work. He should use the hamburger icon on the left hand side and then go to Menu > Settings > Advanced. Then select "Clean up computer." It'll clean up all those pesky popup cookies and other bits that cause his browser fits.

Paul has a Dell workstation running Windows 7, but when he opens the contacts, the screen goes wonky and it jitters to the point where he can't use it. He swapped devices and it doesn't repeat, and it's not the cables. Leo says that narrows it down to the video card. But he tried it with a different monitor and it does it. So that indicates a weird browser problem that gets triggered by the monitor. Leo says to boot into safe mode and remove Chrome. Then he should try and reinstall it. It could just be a bad install.

Tom can't open anything on his Chrome browser, especially in Gmail. Leo says that Chrome can do this from time to time. He should try resetting his browser. He'll find it in the settings menu. That will clear out the cache. This article at support.google.com will show him how.