Rainbow Computer Systems

Rainbow Computer Systems Call 705-434-4154 in New Tecumseth for all your Computing Needs Call Now - 705.434.4154 (New Tecumseth area). 705-890-9415 mobile

We Offer Service, Repair, Recovery, and a number of other services as well as sales of new and refurbished computers and components.

10/23/2026

A “free phone” offer can look completely real — even when the device actually arrives at your door.

The scammer may use your real account, ask for security codes, then tell you the phone was sent by mistake and needs to be returned.

Hang up, verify the offer directly with your provider, and never give an unexpected caller your PIN, password, or verification code.

If a phone arrives that you didn’t order, contact your provider yourself before sending it anywhere.

Original article: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1654958713215975&id=100061055874363

That “Free Phone” Really Arrived — And It Can Still Be a ScamImagine this:Your cellphone provider calls with an incredib...
10/23/2026

That “Free Phone” Really Arrived — And It Can Still Be a Scam

Imagine this:

Your cellphone provider calls with an incredible upgrade.

A new phone. A better plan. Maybe even a free tablet.

A few days later, the device actually arrives at your house.

So it must have been legitimate… right?

Not necessarily.

Police in our area have been warning about a telecom scam where fraudsters impersonate companies such as Rogers or Fido, offer fake promotions, and may even arrange for a real device to be delivered to the victim’s home.

The Phone Is the Bait

The caller may already have some information about you.

They ask you to log into your real cellphone account while they stay on the line.

Then they need “just one more thing”:

Your password.

Your PIN.

The security code that just appeared on your phone.

Stop there.

That legitimate one-time code can be exactly what a fraudster needs to take control of your account.

Then the Real Phone Arrives

This is what makes the scam unusually convincing.

Using your compromised account, the fraudster may order a real cellphone or tablet and have it shipped to you.

Then comes another call:

Wrong phone. Shipping error. We need that one returned.

They give you an address.

Or someone may arrange to collect the device.

You send it away.

The scammer gets the phone. The charge remains on your account.

Victims can later discover unauthorized charges after devices were returned or collected.

One Rule Could Stop the Whole Scam

If your telecom provider unexpectedly calls with an amazing offer:

Hang up.

Do not call the number shown on Caller ID.

Do not use a number the caller gives you.

Instead, contact your provider using the number on your bill, your account, or the company’s official website.

Caller ID can be spoofed.

And if a phone arrives that you did not personally order, do not mail it somewhere because a caller tells you to — and do not hand it to an unexpected person at your door.

Call the provider yourself and verify the proper return process.

Already Gave Them Information?

Contact your cellphone provider immediately and secure the account.

Then report the incident to your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

Share this one with someone who might answer that call.

One warning today could save somebody thousands of dollars tomorrow.

Facebook.com/RainbowComputers
www.rainbowcomputers.info

Still Running Windows 10? One Year Later, It’s Time for a CheckupStill using Windows 10? Don’t panic—but don’t assume ev...
10/20/2026

Still Running Windows 10? One Year Later, It’s Time for a Checkup

Still using Windows 10? Don’t panic—but don’t assume everything is fine just because the computer still turns on.

On October 14, 2025, regular support for Windows 10 ended.

Your computer didn’t explode. It didn’t suddenly stop opening email, and if it worked well the day before, chances are it worked just fine the day after.

That was exactly the point we made at the time.

But now it’s been a full year, and that changes the question.

How Has Your Computer Aged Since Then?

If you decided to keep running Windows 10, this is a good time for a one-year checkup.

Not because Windows 10 suddenly became useless—but because computers don’t stand still.

Over the past year:

* Your hard drive or SSD has another year of wear
* Dust and heat may have built up
* Browsers and programs have continued changing
* Security requirements have moved forward
* Backup drives may not have been checked
* Antivirus or security software may have expired
* Free storage may have quietly disappeared

A machine that was perfectly reasonable to keep in 2025 may still be perfectly reasonable today.

Or it may now be telling you it’s time to make a plan.

What About Security Updates?

Standard Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.

Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program gives eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 systems additional critical and important security updates. Current consumer coverage can extend into 2027 for eligible enrolled systems.

That buys time.

It does not make an older computer young again.

ESU does not add normal product improvements, new Windows features, or general technical support, and antivirus alone does not replace operating-system security updates.

A Checkup Is Cheaper Than Guessing

A Windows 10 checkup should answer a few simple questions:

Is the drive healthy?
Are backups actually working?
Is the machine receiving the security updates you think it is?
Are the browser and important applications still supported?
Is overheating, dust, or failing hardware becoming a concern?
Would an upgrade make sense—or are you better off planning a replacement?

The answer will not always be “buy a new computer.”

Sometimes the smartest decision is to clean it, check the drive, fix the backup, and keep using it.

Sometimes spending more money on an aging machine makes little sense.

The important part is knowing which situation you’re in.

Don’t Wait Until the Computer Forces the Decision

If you plan to move to Windows 11 eventually, putting the migration off indefinitely can make the job harder.

Every extra year means more wear on the old hardware, more changes in the software you depend on, and more opportunity for a security or data problem to appear first.

A planned migration lets you check backups, move files properly, confirm your software works, and replace the computer on your schedule.

An emergency migration may happen after a failed drive, corrupted Windows installation, malware problem, or unsupported program finally stops working.

If Windows 10 is still doing the job, that may be fine for now.

But it is better to have a Windows 11 migration plan before the old computer makes the decision for you.

This Is Also a Good Time to Check Your Options

Fall is a good time to look at replacement options before holiday demand ramps up and before an aging computer forces the issue.

Sometimes upgrading an older Windows 10 machine sounds inexpensive—until you add up a processor, motherboard, memory, storage, and possibly a new Windows licence.

At that point, a complete replacement system can be surprisingly cost-effective.

That does not mean grabbing the cheapest computer on the shelf.

Know what you are buying.

Check the processor generation, amount of memory, storage type and capacity, Windows 11 compatibility, available ports, and whether the system can realistically handle the programs you use.

A low price is only a bargain if the computer still meets your needs a few years from now.

One Year Later Is a Good Time to Look

If you kept your Windows 10 computer because it was still doing the job, that was not automatically a bad decision.

But “it still turns on” is not a maintenance plan.

One year after Windows 10 support ended, give the machine a proper look before another year slips past.

Check the health of the system.

Check your backups.

Check your security coverage.

And if Windows 11 is eventually the destination, start planning the move before a repair, security problem, or hardware failure turns a planned upgrade into an emergency one.

Facebook.com/RainbowComputers
www.rainbowcomputers.info

Windows 11 May Be Encrypting Your Drives Without You Realizing ItWe all know Windows Update.Some people hate it. Some pe...
08/26/2026

Windows 11 May Be Encrypting Your Drives Without You Realizing It

We all know Windows Update.

Some people hate it. Some people barely notice it. Either way, it is a permanent part of Windows and something worth watching closely.

Here is one reason why.

A recent client needed a small off-lease refurbished computer. Nothing unusual. We ordered the system, installed the extra parts it needed, set up Windows, and added the requested software.

We were nearly finished.

During our final checks, we inspected the client’s old backup and data drive, which had been installed inside the refurbished computer as a secondary drive.

It reported BitLocker encryption.

A closer inspection showed that the new Windows boot drive was being encrypted too.

We had never opened the BitLocker settings or deliberately turned it on.

Why does that matter?

BitLocker encrypts the contents of a drive so they cannot easily be accessed without authorization.

For a stolen business laptop or a computer carrying private records, that can be a major benefit.

For a home user who does not know encryption is enabled—or does not know where the recovery key is stored—it can become a serious data-recovery problem.

That drive might contain:

* Decades of genealogy research
* Thousands of family photos
* Personal writing, business records, or irreplaceable memories

If the computer fails and BitLocker demands its 48-digit recovery key, the data may be inaccessible until that key is supplied.

Without the correct key, even a professional repair or recovery shop may be unable to retrieve the files.

That is why we normally disable BitLocker on home systems we configure unless the client specifically wants encryption or has a clear recovery and backup plan.

What changed?

Starting with Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft expanded the range of systems eligible for automatic Device Encryption.

On a compatible computer, encryption can be prepared during Windows setup and activated when the user completes setup and signs in with a Microsoft account, such as an Outlook or Hotmail address.

This may affect the main Windows drive and other internally installed fixed drives.

That last part matters.

An old data or backup drive installed inside the computer may be treated as another fixed drive. In our client’s case, Windows had begun encrypting both the fresh Windows drive and the older secondary drive without us deliberately enabling BitLocker.

The average user may never realize this has happened.

Windows normally unlocks the drive automatically during everyday use, so there may be no obvious password prompt or warning. The recovery key is commonly stored in the Microsoft account used during setup.

The problem appears later—perhaps after a motherboard failure, firmware change, security-chip problem, or another event that causes Windows to demand the recovery key.

At that point, the owner needs to know:

* Which Microsoft account was used
* The password for that account
* Where the correct recovery key is stored
* Which key belongs to which computer or drive

If that information cannot be found, the files may remain permanently locked.

Encryption should be a decision, not a surprise

We are not saying BitLocker is always bad.

Encryption can provide valuable protection if a laptop is stolen or if the computer contains private financial, medical, business, or customer information.

But it should be enabled knowingly.

The owner should understand what is being encrypted, where the recovery key is stored, and how the files will be recovered if the computer fails.

Most importantly, encryption is not a replacement for a proper backup.

Important files should still exist somewhere else—on an external drive, another computer, or a trusted backup service. Ideally, there should be more than one backup copy.

New-computer setup is no longer “next, next, finish”

Whether you buy a new computer from a big-box store or bring an off-lease system into your home office, do not assume the default Windows setup is automatically right for you.

After setup, check:

* Whether Device Encryption or BitLocker is enabled
* Which drives are being encrypted
* Which Microsoft account holds the recovery key
* Whether another copy of the key has been stored safely
* Whether your important files are backed up separately

At Rainbow Computers, we inspect these settings before a system leaves our bench.

We configure home systems according to the client’s needs rather than blindly accepting every Windows default. If encryption is wanted, we help make sure it is intentional and recoverable. If it is not wanted, we disable it before it creates a future surprise.

Do not let an unnoticed encryption setting lock you out of your digital life.

Follow Rainbow Computers on Facebook.com/RainbowComputers or visit RainbowComputers.ca

07/30/2026

Windows 11 updates are no longer just about security fixes.

New recovery tools, better storage information, improved update controls, accessibility features, and small interface changes could save you time, files, and frustration.

But updates can also change settings, expose hardware problems, or trigger recovery issues—especially if you are not backed up or cannot find your BitLocker recovery key.

Read the full article on Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1553959066649274&id=100061055874363

Follow Rainbow Computer Systems
Visit www.rainbowcomputers.info

Where Did My SSD Space Go?Make Room for Windows Updates Before You Need It“My computer has a 512 GB SSD.”That’s somethin...
07/14/2026

Where Did My SSD Space Go?
Make Room for Windows Updates Before You Need It

“My computer has a 512 GB SSD.”

That’s something we hear almost every week at Rainbow Computers.

Then we open Settings → System → Storage together and discover exactly where all that space is being used.

“This PC” might tell you how much free space you have on your drive, but it doesn’t tell you what’s actually using it.

Fortunately, Windows 10 and Windows 11 include excellent built-in tools to help answer that question.

You may be surprised to discover that Windows isn’t the biggest space user on your computer.
Let’s investigate.

Before We Start…
Not all SSDs give you the same room to grow.
● 128 GB SSD: Even one major Windows feature update or a vacation’s worth of photos and videos can consume a surprising amount of your available space.
â—Ź 256 GB SSD: Better, but storage still disappears quickly once photos, cloud synchronization, applications, and Windows updates begin to accumulate. An external drive can be an excellent companion for storing photos, videos, and other large files, helping reserve your SSD for Windows, applications, and your current work.
● 512 GB SSD: A comfortable starting point for many home users, but it still benefits from occasional housekeeping. If you’re a self-confessed data hoarder, pairing it with an external drive for long-term storage can provide plenty of room to grow while helping reserve your SSD for Windows, applications, and your current work.
● 1 TB or larger: Much more breathing room—but every drive eventually fills if nothing is ever cleaned up.

The important number isn’t how big your SSD was when you bought it.
It’s how much free space it has today.
Windows updates, recovery features, temporary files, and SSD performance all benefit from having room to breathe.

Step 1: Let Windows Show You the Evidence
Open:
Settings → System → Storage
Give Windows a few moments to scan your drive.
You’ll usually see categories such as:
â—Ź Applications
â—Ź Temporary Files
â—Ź Documents
â—Ź Pictures
â—Ź Videos
â—Ź Downloads
â—Ź Other
This is your starting point.
Rather than guessing what’s using your storage, Windows does much of the detective work for you.

Step 2: Temporary Files
One of the safest places to reclaim storage is Temporary Files.
Windows may offer to remove:
â—Ź Temporary Windows files
â—Ź Windows Update cleanup
â—Ź Delivery Optimization files
â—Ź Error reporting files
â—Ź Recycle Bin contents
Many computers recover anywhere from a few gigabytes to well over 20 GB with just this step.

Step 3: Don’t Forget Downloads
The Downloads folder is one of the biggest surprises we see.
Old printer drivers.
ZIP archives.
Software installers.
Windows ISO files.
PDF manuals.
Many of these files were only needed once—but they remain for years.
We’ve seen Downloads folders exceeding 100 GB on perfectly ordinary home computers.

Step 4: Look for Large Applications
Games, video editing software, older Office installations, unused utilities, and trial software can quietly consume tens—or even hundreds—of gigabytes.
If you haven’t used a program in months, ask yourself whether you still need it.

Step 5: Photos and Videos Add Up Fast
Today’s phones and digital cameras capture amazing photos and 4K video.
Those memories often end up on your computer too.
Maybe it’s Mom, Grandma, or another family member who’s always snapping photos at birthdays, holidays, graduations, sporting events, and family get-togethers. Before long, your computer has become the family’s digital photo album.
Whether you copy them manually or back them up automatically, years of family photos and videos can quietly consume hundreds of gigabytes.
One vacation alone can easily add 10–50 GB of photos and videos before you realize it.

Step 6: Cloud Sync and Phone Sync
Many people connect their phone to Windows using apps such as Phone Link, OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, or other synchronization services.
These services are incredibly convenient—but they may keep local copies of your files, depending on how they’re configured, so they’re available even without an Internet connection.
That means the same photo could exist:
â—Ź On your phone.
â—Ź In the cloud.
â—Ź On your PC.
Rainbow Computers Tip
Before deleting photos or buying a larger SSD, check how your synchronization software is configured.
You may be able to recover tens—or even hundreds—of gigabytes simply by changing how files are stored locally, without deleting the originals from your phone or cloud account.

Step 7: Turn On Storage Sense
Storage Sense is one of the most useful—but overlooked—features built into Windows.
It can automatically:
â—Ź Remove temporary files.
â—Ź Empty the Recycle Bin after a chosen period.
â—Ź Help prevent your drive from gradually filling up again.
For most home users, it’s worth enabling.

Rainbow Computers Tip
I’ll admit it—I tend to be a bit of a data hoarder myself.
Old photos. Software installers. Downloads. Project files. “Just in case” folders. They all have a habit of sticking around.
That’s why it pays to keep an eye on how much free space you have and what’s actually using it. A quick look every month or two can prevent surprises when Windows needs room for a feature update, restore point, or temporary files.

Based on our experience at Rainbow Computers, we recommend trying to keep 40–50% of your SSD free whenever practical.
About 20% free space is our practical minimum.
Can Windows still run with only 10% free space?

Quite possibly.

Some people happily—if somewhat unwisely—run drives that are over 90% full.

The problem isn’t whether Windows will start.
The problem is that Windows has far less room for feature updates, restore points, temporary files, and the background housekeeping that helps keep your computer healthy.
A little free space today can prevent a lot of frustration tomorrow.

Final Thoughts
Before buying a larger SSD, spend five minutes looking at where your storage has actually gone.
You might discover that Windows is simply holding onto temporary files, forgotten downloads, or local copies created by cloud synchronization.

The best time to free up space isn’t when Windows says you’re almost out—it’s while you still have plenty to work with.
Sometimes the easiest upgrade isn’t buying new hardware.
It’s making better use of the hardware you already have.

Facebook.com/RainbowComputers
www.rainbowcomputers.info

Helping Ontario home users and small businesses get more from their technology—one tip at a time.










5 Windows 11 Features That Could Save You Time, Files, and FrustrationWindows 11 no longer waits for one big update each...
07/10/2026

5 Windows 11 Features That Could Save You Time, Files, and Frustration

Windows 11 no longer waits for one big update each year. Microsoft now rolls out new features throughout the year, often quietly. The latest feature rollout (Build 26200.8737 / KB5095093) includes several improvements that could make your home or small office PC easier to recover, easier to manage, and a little less frustrating.

Here are the five changes we think are worth your attention.

⸻

1. Point-in-Time Restore Could Save Your Computer

If you’ve ever installed a Windows update, a new driver, or software only to have your computer suddenly misbehave, you’ll appreciate this one.

Microsoft is introducing Point-in-Time Restore, a much more capable recovery system. It is designed to restore far more than traditional System Restore, including your system state, installed applications, settings, and other eligible data from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) if something goes wrong.

Rainbow Computers Take

This could become one of the most useful recovery features Microsoft has introduced in years. It isn’t a replacement for a proper backup, but it may save hours of frustration after a failed update or driver installation.

⸻

2. Free Space Matters More Than Ever

There’s one catch.

Recovery features like Point-in-Time Restore need working room on your SSD. Microsoft enables the feature only on systems that meet its storage requirements, and restore points consume additional space over time.

Rainbow Computers Tip

One of the most common surprises we see is customers discovering that their “512 GB drive” or even their “1 TB drive” has far less free space than they expected.

Someone buys a new camera, downloads a few games, backs up their phone, or finally copies over years of family photos—and suddenly Windows reports they’re running out of space.

It’s surprising how quickly Windows updates, downloaded files, cloud synchronization, applications, photos, and videos quietly add up over time.

Based on our experience at Rainbow Computers, we recommend trying to keep roughly 40–50% of an SSD available whenever practical. It gives Windows plenty of room for feature updates, recovery features, temporary files, and future growth.

About 20% free space is our practical minimum. Below that, Windows has far less room to perform many of the background tasks that help keep the operating system healthy.

Will your computer still work with only 10% or even 5% free space? Quite possibly. Somewhere, someone is probably running a drive that’s 90% full and getting along just fine—if unwisely. That doesn’t mean it’s a good long-term strategy. Leaving your SSD that full gives Windows far less room for updates, restore points, temporary files, and the day-to-day housekeeping that helps keep your computer running smoothly.

A larger SSD isn’t just about storing more files—it’s also about giving Windows room to look after itself.

Five minutes once a month can prevent hours of frustration later.

Open Settings → System → Storage and see how much free space you actually have. Most people are surprised by what they find.

⸻

3. Finally… More Control Over Windows Updates

Windows Update has frustrated users for years.

The latest update introduces a much easier way to pause updates using a calendar instead of repeatedly selecting one-week pauses.

That means fewer unexpected restarts before an online meeting, while you’re working from home, or halfway through preparing an important document.

Rainbow Computers Take

It’s a small change—but one we’ve wanted Microsoft to make for a long time.

⸻

4. Accessibility Improvements That Benefit Everyone

Microsoft continues improving Windows accessibility with updates to Magnifier, Screen Tint, Voice Access, and other tools.

Even if you don’t consider yourself an accessibility user, features like Screen Tint can make long hours in front of the computer easier on your eyes.

Rainbow Computers Take

Sometimes the best new features aren’t the flashy ones—they’re the ones that quietly make your computer more comfortable to use every day.

⸻

5. Lots of Small Improvements You’ll Appreciate Over Time

This update also includes improvements to:

* File Explorer
* Bluetooth reliability
* Printer support
* Widgets
* General system stability

None of these changes are revolutionary on their own, but together they make Windows feel a little more polished and reliable.

Rainbow Computers Take

The best updates are often the ones you never notice—because everything simply works a little better.

⸻

Final Thoughts

Not every Windows update deserves attention, but this one introduces several practical improvements for home users and small businesses.

Microsoft now delivers new Windows features throughout the year. We’ll continue testing them on our own service and bench systems, then explain what they actually mean in plain English—without the technical jargon. More importantly, we’ll let you know which features genuinely improve your day-to-day computing and which ones you can safely ignore.

Facebook.com/RainbowComputers
www.rainbowcomputers.info

Helping Ontario home users and small businesses get more from their technology—one tip at a time.










Buying a Budget PC in Summer 2026: Don’t Pay for Features You’ll Never UseThe cheapest computer in the store can become ...
07/03/2026

Buying a Budget PC in Summer 2026: Don’t Pay for Features You’ll Never Use

The cheapest computer in the store can become the most expensive one you ever buy.

Shopping for a new computer in 2026 can feel like learning a new language. Every box promises AI, Copilot+, Ultra Processors, and Next-Gen Performance. It all sounds impressive—but if your computer is mainly for email, web browsing, Microsoft 365, banking, and streaming, most of those buzzwords won’t make your experience any better.

Here’s what actually matters when you’re shopping on a budget.

Focus on These Three Things

1. RAM (Memory)

Think of RAM as your computer’s workspace. The more you have, the easier it is to juggle browser tabs, documents, and video calls.

Buy: 16 GB

Avoid: 8 GB if you plan to keep the computer for several years.

2. Storage

Look for a 512 GB SSD. An SSD makes Windows start faster, programs open quicker, and the whole computer feels more responsive.

Don’t worry about technical labels or marketing names. For everyday computing, a quality SSD is what matters.

Avoid eMMC storage.

3. Windows 11

Buy a computer that comes with Windows 11. It helps ensure you’ll continue receiving security updates and support for years to come.

Features Most Budget Buyers Don’t Need

If your computer is mainly for email, web browsing, Microsoft 365, online banking, and streaming, don’t pay extra for AI branding, premium displays, or the latest connectivity features unless you know you’ll use them.

Don’t Buy a Disposable Computer

This is where many budget buyers get caught.

Some inexpensive laptops save money by using eMMC storage or permanently soldering the RAM to the motherboard. That often means little or no opportunity to upgrade or repair the computer later.

Before buying, ask these questions:

* Does it have a 512 GB SSD, or just eMMC storage?
* Can the RAM be upgraded?
* Can the SSD be replaced?
* Can the battery, SSD, or memory be replaced without replacing the motherboard?

If the salesperson can’t answer these questions, that’s worth investigating before you buy.

A repairable computer usually has a longer useful life because worn parts or storage can often be replaced instead of replacing the entire computer.

Red Flags

Think twice if you see:

* 64 GB or 128 GB eMMC storage
* 8 GB of non-upgradeable RAM
* “Flash Storage” with no mention of an SSD
* No information about upgrades or repairability

A low purchase price isn’t always the lowest long-term cost.

The 2026 Sweet Spot

For most Canadian households, the best value today looks like this:

* 16 GB RAM
* 512 GB SSD
* Windows 11
* A current-generation Intel or AMD processor

That combination will comfortably handle email, web browsing, Microsoft 365, streaming, video calls, and online banking for years without paying extra for features you’ll probably never use.

Final Thought

Manufacturers want you to shop by stickers. Smart buyers shop by specifications.

A computer isn’t obsolete because it’s slow. It’s obsolete because it can’t be upgraded or economically repaired.

Spend your money on memory, storage, and repairability—not on marketing.

Questions? Call or message us!
705.434.4154












Address

Allis, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 10:15am - 9pm
Tuesday 10:15am - 9pm
Wednesday 10:15am - 9:30pm
Thursday 10:15am - 9pm
Friday 10:15am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 7pm

Telephone

+17054344154

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