Techlink IT

Techlink IT We ensure that your IT is kept healthy. We are experts in Tech, leaving you to do what you do best.

Our expertise helps business and residential customers, with all faculties of their IT.

We are seeing a noticeable increase in phishing emails across all customers at the moment. Many cleverly disguised as fi...
30/04/2026

We are seeing a noticeable increase in phishing emails across all customers at the moment. Many cleverly disguised as file shares, invoices, or important documents.

They are beginning to look very convincing, and a quick click when busy could cause serious trouble.
💡 A few quick tips to stay safe:
• Be cautious with unexpected emails, especially marked urgent
• Double-check the sender’s address (not just the name)
• Hover over links before clicking to see where they really go
• When in doubt, pause and verify with the sender

👉 If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. It’s always better to check first and stay on the side of caution.
If you’d like us to review your email security or provide staff awareness training, drop us a message and we are here to help.

🔁 Feel free to share this with your team to help keep everyone protected.

🪟 Windows Insider Program update — now simpler and more in your controlMicrosoft has reworked the Windows Insider Progra...
27/04/2026

🪟 Windows Insider Program update — now simpler and more in your control

Microsoft has reworked the Windows Insider Program to fix one of the biggest frustrations:
👉 Updating… and not actually getting the features you expected.

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🔍 What’s new?

➡️ Only 2 channels now:

1️⃣ Experimental
• Early, cutting-edge features
• Some hidden behind feature flags
• Ideal for testing everything first

2️⃣ Beta
• More stable experience
• No more staggered rollouts — you get what’s announced

—

⚠️ The key upgrade: Feature control

You can now manually enable features instead of waiting.

—

⚙️ How to turn on hidden features:

1️⃣ Open Settings
2️⃣ Go to Windows Update
3️⃣ Select Windows Insider Program
4️⃣ Click Feature flags
5️⃣ Toggle ON the feature you want (e.g. new mouse haptics)

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💡 Why this matters:

• No more guessing if you’ll get a feature
• Faster access for testing
• More control over your system

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🔐 Bottom line:

Less confusion. More control. Better testing experience.

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At Techlink IT, we keep you ahead of changes that actually impact your systems.

 

🔐 Protect your Word & Excel files — quick guideHandling staff or sensitive data? A simple setting can prevent serious is...
24/04/2026

🔐 Protect your Word & Excel files — quick guide

Handling staff or sensitive data? A simple setting can prevent serious issues.

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📄 For Word documents:

➡️ Go to File > Info > Protect Document
From here you can:
• Set a password (encryption)
• Make it read-only
• Restrict editing (e.g. comments only)
• Limit what others can change

💡 Before sharing:
Use File > Info > Check for Issues > Inspect Document
This removes hidden data like comments or personal info.

👉 On Mac: Tools > Protect Document

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📊 For Excel files:

➡️ Open your workbook
➡️ Go to the Review tab
➡️ Click Protect Sheet or Protect Workbook
➡️ Set and confirm a password
➡️ Save your file

⚠️ Important:
If you lose the password, you cannot recover access.

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🔐 Why this matters:
• Prevents unauthorised access
• Protects confidential staff data
• Reduces risk of accidental edits or leaks

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At Techlink IT, we help you secure your data properly.

🎙️ Google just unlocked a premium feature… for freeYou can now have natural, flowing conversations with your Google Nest...
23/04/2026

🎙️ Google just unlocked a premium feature… for free

You can now have natural, flowing conversations with your Google Nest device — no more repeating “Hey Google” every time.

This feature (called Continued Conversation) used to be a paid perk on competitors like Alexa+. Now Google is rolling it out for free with Gemini.

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🔍 What it does:
• Keeps the assistant listening for follow-ups
• Understands context better
• Makes conversations feel more natural

—

⚙️ How to turn it on:
1️⃣ Open the Google Home app
2️⃣ Go to Home Settings
3️⃣ Select Gemini (voice assistant)
4️⃣ Enable Continued Conversation

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💡 Why it matters:
Less repetition. Faster interactions. Smarter assistant.

Simple change — big usability upgrade.

At Techlink IT, we keep you ahead of the latest tech updates that actually make a difference.

🚗 Stop wasting time in your driveway — automate Android AutoStill plugging in your phone, opening maps, picking music… e...
23/04/2026

🚗 Stop wasting time in your driveway — automate Android Auto

Still plugging in your phone, opening maps, picking music… every single time?

There’s a smarter way.

With Google Assistant routines, you can trigger multiple actions with one command.

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⚙️ What you can automate:
• Start navigation (home/work)
• Play your playlist or podcast
• Send a quick “on my way” text
• Enable Do Not Disturb
• Control smart home devices (lights, garage, thermostat)

—

🧠 Example:
Say “Start commute” and your car will:
➡️ Launch directions
➡️ Play music
➡️ Notify someone you’re on the way

All in seconds.

—

🔧 How to set it up:
1️⃣ Open Google Home app
2️⃣ Go to Automations
3️⃣ Tap + Create
4️⃣ Add a voice trigger (e.g. “Start commute”)
5️⃣ Stack your actions (navigation, music, etc.)
6️⃣ Save and go

💡 Bonus: Add these routines as shortcuts in Android Auto for one-tap access.

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🔐 Less distraction. More focus. Smarter driving.

At Techlink IT, we help you get more from your tech — safely and efficiently.

🔍 New Android Tool — Circle to Search (Offline Alternative)A developer has released an open-source alternative to Google...
23/04/2026

🔍 New Android Tool — Circle to Search (Offline Alternative)

A developer has released an open-source alternative to Google’s Circle to Search — and it works on most Android devices (Android 10+).

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⚙️ What’s different?
• Works offline for text recognition
• Detects QR codes without internet
• Supports multiple search engines (not just Google)
• Includes Share & Save features

👉 Big win: More control, less reliance on cloud processing.

—

🔐 But here’s the catch:

While it improves offline privacy, some searches may still upload images to external servers (e.g. for reverse image search).

⚠️ That means:
• Your data could be stored long-term
• You should be careful what you scan/search

The developer has acknowledged this and is working on safer, more private alternatives.

—

💡 Bottom line:

Open-source tools = more transparency
But not always more security (yet)

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At Techlink IT, we help you balance privacy, usability, and risk — so you make the right choice.

📍 Apple Maps is getting ads… and things are changingApple has confirmed that ads are coming to Apple Maps, starting in 2...
22/04/2026

📍 Apple Maps is getting ads… and things are changing

Apple has confirmed that ads are coming to Apple Maps, starting in 2026 (US & Canada first).

🔍 What to expect:
• Sponsored search results
• Promoted businesses in recommendations
• “Suggested Places” influenced by ads

Apple says your data stays private — your location and activity won’t be shared or tracked for ads.

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💭 Why this matters:

For years, Apple Maps had one big advantage:
👉 No ads

That made it a cleaner, more private alternative to competitors.

Now? That line is starting to blur.

—

📉 The bigger picture:

More companies are shifting toward ads — even in apps and services you already use (or pay for).

It’s not just about navigation… it’s about the direction the industry is heading.

—

🔐 What should you do?

• Stay aware of how apps evolve
• Review privacy settings regularly
• Choose tools that align with your needs

At Techlink IT, we keep you informed so you can stay in control.

📱 iPhone Users in the UK — New Age Verification AlertAfter the latest iOS update, many users are being asked to verify t...
21/04/2026

📱 iPhone Users in the UK — New Age Verification Alert

After the latest iOS update, many users are being asked to verify their age to keep access to certain features.

This isn’t a bug or a scam — it’s a real change.

🔍 What’s happening?
Apple has introduced age verification (currently in the UK), likely aligning with the Online Safety Act and future regulations.

⚠️ If you skip it:
• Some features may be restricted
• Safe Search & content filters stay ON
• 18+ apps and content may be blocked

✅ How verification works:
• Automatic (based on your Apple account)
• Credit card verification
• Photo ID scan (passport/driving licence)

📉 What this means:
Age verification is becoming standard — and it’s likely expanding beyond the UK soon.

🔐 The bigger picture:
Tech companies are moving toward stricter controls around content, privacy, and user identity.

Stay informed. Stay prepared.

At Techlink IT, we help you stay secure, informed, and ahead of the risks.

📱 Android Users — Two Things You Should Know1️⃣ Stop closing your apps — it’s hurting performance That “close all apps”...
21/04/2026

📱 Android Users — Two Things You Should Know

1️⃣ Stop closing your apps — it’s hurting performance
That “close all apps” habit? It’s outdated.

Modern Android systems are designed to manage apps, memory, and battery for you.
When you force-close apps:
❌ Your phone works harder reopening them
❌ You may actually use more battery
❌ You slow down your device instead of speeding it up

✅ Only close apps when:
• They’re frozen or glitching
• Draining battery (GPS, media, etc.)
• You rarely use them

👉 Otherwise, let your phone do its job.

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2️⃣ Think twice about your launcher (Nova users ⚠️)
Some popular apps aren’t what they used to be.

Changes in ownership and development can impact:
🔍 Data privacy
📊 Tracking behaviour
⚙️ App performance and updates

Launcher apps have deep access to your device — what you open, how you use it, and more.

👉 Always review app permissions and stay informed about updates.

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🔐 Bottom line:
Smart habits + trusted apps = better security and performance.

At Techlink IT, we help you stay secure, informed, and ahead of the risks.

⚠️ Microsoft Teams Issue – Quick Heads UpMicrosoft has identified a bug affecting the desktop version of Microsoft Teams...
20/04/2026

⚠️ Microsoft Teams Issue – Quick Heads Up

Microsoft has identified a bug affecting the desktop version of Microsoft Teams, users may be unable to paste content using right-click in chats (the “Paste” option appears greyed out).

What’s impacted?
❌ Pasting links
❌ Text
❌ Images
(via right-click menu)

✅ Workaround:
You can still paste using keyboard shortcuts:
• Windows: Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V
• Mac: Cmd + C / Cmd + V

This issue is linked to a recent Microsoft Edge update, and Microsoft is currently aware and investigating.

If your team is experiencing this — don’t panic, there’s a simple fix for now.

Need help managing issues like this across your business?
Techlink IT has you covered.

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MK403HR

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Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441767686234

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