Summary
Yesterday’s episode covered how to set up a smartphone for a senior citizen. But many seniors also prefer to use computers instead of phones or tablets. If you are setting up a computer for a loved one, here are five changes you can make.
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Transcript
Yesterday, we covered setting up a phone for a senior citizen. However, a senior may also want to use a laptop or desktop computer. If you want to set up a computer for an older person, here are five things to do.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
First, install a good security program on the computer. A free security program will probably be the best option, since there won’t be any subscription fee. If you do use a paid program, choose one that can renew automatically to keep it easy.
Second, visit the accessibility settings. Go to Settings > System Settings > Accessibility. The accessibility settings allow you to control text size, magnifier, mouse pointer size, and more.
Third, manage the programs on the computer. Remove any pre-installed programs the person won’t need. Then, press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open the task manager and visit the Startup tab. Turn off any programs that don’t need to run each time the computer starts.
Fourth, set up the internet connection. For a desktop computer, a wired connection is best whenever possible. If you have to use Wi-Fi, sign in and remember the connection. You can fix many problems remotely, but a network issue will usually require a trip to your loved one’s house.
And fifth, if you’ll be the one helping your loved one with problems, show them how to use QuickAssist. Since QuickAssist comes with Windows, it’s the easiest way to provide remote support for your loved one.