Plus, how many hours does Elon Musk work a week? Spoiler – it’s a lot. Allie’s got a trick to stop doom scrolling. And a shocking grandparent scam spreading. Plus, stick around for a moon TikTok trend and a heartwarming listener story about an Emu named Onion, written by ChatGPT.
Ask Kim: How should I handle a program that suddenly appeared on my PC?
There’s a program on my desktop that I didn’t install. How do I remove it?
— A reader in Minnesota
You’re wise to be concerned if you see an unfamiliar icon on your desktop or the Start menu. It certainly could be malicious software.
Ask your family if you share the computer or if someone else uses it occasionally, just to be sure. If no one recognizes the program, scan this list for common signs you’re dealing with malware or a hacker. This includes oddly slow performance, lots of pop-ups and extra data usage.
Even if it’s not strictly malware, plenty of shady programs can clog up your computer and make it run poorly. You need to uninstall the software.
For Windows PCs:
- Click the Start menu button and scroll until you find the app you want to remove.
- Right-click on its icon, then choose Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish up.
For Macs:
- Click the Finder icon in your dock — the blue icon that looks like a smiling face.
- Click Applications on the left-hand side of the window.
- Find the icon for the app you want to remove and drag it into your Trash can.
- Click on the Trash can in your dock, then Empty.
More ways to protect against malware
Removing a malicious program is a good start, but there are more things you can do to stay protected. Here are a few suggestions:
- Keep your devices updated to get the latest security patches.
- Only download apps from official app stores. Always go to the official source and double-check that you are installing the correct app. Even though bad apps still get through, this is still the safest way.
- Watch out for apps that use a similar logo to other popular apps or have similar functions. Also, check reviews to see if others are warning about suspicious activity.
- Pay attention to permissions. Stay away if an app wants full access to your text messages or notifications.
- Have trustworthy antivirus software on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan of TotalAV Internet Security for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.
The best Windows feature you’re not using yet
Tech problems can be pretty complex, which makes them hard to describe over the phone. A built-in Windows tool you may not know about helps both parties to find a solution more effectively. Steps Recorder boosts long-distance understanding.
Find your focus: Got a bunch of windows cluttering your screen? Maximize the one you’re using and ignore the rest. On Windows, hit the Windows key + up arrow. On a Mac, just move your mouse to the top left of the window and click the green button.
Heads up, Windows 11 users: The “Moment 5” update is rolling out for versions 23H2 and 22H2. It brings an expansion for Microsoft Copilot, AI-boosted ClipChamp and Photos editing, better Snap suggestions and Widgets, and improved accessibility with Voice Access and Narrator. Go to Settings and hit Check for Updates.
Windows gotchas: How to avoid the top 5 most common mistakes
When was the last time you checked your computer’s available storage? Too much clutter slows everything down. Here’s a quick tip to find out how much storage is on your PC.
Next time you install a new program, don’t fall for some developers’ tricks to sneak in software you don’t want or need. Do this one step before installing any programs on your computer.
Save space on your computer by disabling these 7 Windows 10 features
Your computer doesn’t come out of the box perfectly optimized. There are a few built-in features that might even slow your system down. Some exist to help you, like Windows 10’s Power saver plan.
This feature lowers your PC’s performance to save energy. If you don’t like it, change it by heading to Control Panel and clicking Hardware and Sound. Click Power Options > Show additional plans > High performance.
Print ninja: On Windows, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter. This opens the Print Management console, where you can see all the printers installed on your system, driver info, print queues and more. It’s a powerful tool beyond the basic print dialog settings. Nice move.
Alt + Tab: A keyboard shortcut pro Windows users know. Use it to cycle through your open programs quickly. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Tab.
Bad Windows default settings you should change today
Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, your devices come loaded with settings, apps and bloatware. They exist for many reasons: To give you a free tease of a paid program, to collect data or simply part of a deal with other companies.
End these Windows Task Manager processes to make your PC run faster
Processes could be significantly slowing down your PC right now. One way to find out what’s going on is to check the Task Manager. It shows what processes are running on your PC. It’s a window into how your PC is running, including CPU performance, Wi-Fi usage and graphics card processes.
Use Windows? The screenshot tool contains a dangerous flaw - Update now
Taking screenshots on your Windows computer is easy with the built-in snipping tool. But it can also be dangerous due to a new snipping tool bug that could expose your PC to cyberattacks. Luckily, Microsoft just released an out-of-band security update to fix the flaw.
Patch your Windows PC! Here's what the latest update does
Microsoft routinely patches various products and services but usually focuses on the Windows operating system. March’s Patch Tuesday update is no different, and it fixes several flaws that hackers can exploit.
Read on to see what this update entails and how to get it.
Patch your Windows PC now to fix 3 zero-day exploits
Keeping your operating system updated is a great way to fend off cybercriminals. Many Widows updates contain patches that fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. The latest Windows update is no different, as it fixes three dangerous zero-day flaws.
The beginning of the end: Windows 10 no longer on sale
It’s official: Microsoft is phasing out Windows 10 or at least getting the ball rolling in that direction. Windows 10 is slated to be retired on Oct. 14, 2025. On this day, users will no longer enjoy dedicated support for Windows 10 systems, which is what we’re here to discuss.
PC acting up after the latest update? Try this
The latest update from Microsoft fixes 14 issues in Windows 10, but it’s not going smoothly for some.
There is always a chance that something can go wrong during an operating system’s update, and the last patch is creating havoc for some users. It’s not as severe as past update consequences, but it can still hamper productivity.
Update your PC! Microsoft releases 14 patches for Windows 10
Not all software updates are bad news. Sometimes, it’s just a bit of maintenance that enhances your experience.
That’s the case with the latest Windows 10 update from Microsoft. Even though the update is optional, you should still install it as it corrects 14 issues. There are no security updates in this patch.
Update your PC! Patch Tuesday fixes 98 flaws
Keeping your devices updated is important. Developers release patches and fixes that improve your phone or computer’s performance and protect it against the latest threats.
Here’s a surprise for iPhone users — you can get the latest updates early if you take this simple step. Tap or click here to learn how to stay ahead of the pack.
PC patch alert! Update your Windows computer now
Patch Tuesday is still a couple of weeks away, but Microsoft has released an optional update for its Windows 11 operating system. The November optional KB5020044 cumulative update includes 25 bug fixes and enhancements.
Update your PC! New Windows update fixes 6 zero-day flaws hackers are using
As the second Tuesday of the month rolls around, most software developers release critical patches and vulnerability updates. Microsoft pushed out several updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 in October. Tap or click here to see what was fixed and how to get the update.