How to Duplicate Tabs in Google Chrome

If you need to duplicate tabs frequently, there is an easy way to do so with shortcuts. In Google Chrome, it’s actually possible to duplicate a tab by simply right clicking on the tab and clicking “Duplicate” on the menu. If you want to use your keyboard on a PC, an easy  shortcut that works for both Chrome and Firefox is to press Alt+D, which brings the selection to the address bar, highlighting the URL. With the Alt key still held down, press Enter to open up a new tab with the highlighted URL. Note that this loads the same page in the new tab, so the page will be essentially refreshed. If you have unsaved information on the original page, it will not carry over to the new tab! If you are using a Mac, try the same thing but with Command+D instead of Alt+D.

Here is a list of other shortcuts if you are using Chrome on a Mac:

Command+T opens a new tab.

Command+N opens a new window.

Command+Shift+T opens the last tab you closed. Chrome can remember up to 10 closed tabs.

Command+W closes your current tab.

Command+H hides Chrome.

Command+Q closes Chrome completely.

Here are most of the same commands for using Chrome on a Mac:

Ctrl+T opens a new tab.

Ctrl+N opens a new window.

Ctrl+Shift+T opens the last tab you closed. Chrome can remember up to 10 closed tabs.

Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4 closes your current tab.

Alt+F4 closes your current window.

Ctrl+H shows the history page.

Ctrl+J shows the download page.

F5 reloads the page.

Additional Help

Looking for more little computer tips that can make your day easier? Ask a qualified computer technician through TalkLocal. TalkLocal can help you find local professionals to help you with your computer problems.

For all browsers, favorites and bookmarks have the same function: They acts as shortcuts to websites that a user visits often. In some browsers, such as Internet Explorer, there are two separate entities for favorites and browsers. In other browsers, such as Google Chrome, favorites and bookmarks are treated as one entity and all sites are compiled in one place. This makes it simple to search for sites you have saved. However, if you are using a browser, such as Internet Explorer, and you want all your sites in one place, you will need to convert your favorites to bookmarks manually.

Here is how to convert favorites to bookmarks:

1. In Internet Explorer you can export your favorites as bookmarks by exporting them as a folder in .htm format. Then, you can switch to your new browser and upload that file in your bookmarks folder. Check out this article for the easy step-by-step instructions.

2. If you’re trying to move them to a different computer, you could simply copy all the files in your favorites folder to a removable media storage device, such as a USB flash drive. Paste them into your new bookmarks folder on the new computer.

3. You can transfer your favorites to you bookmarks using this article. Follow the instruction in the hyperlink and you should be able to convert them successfully within minutes.

If you’re still having trouble, or are unsure of how to follow any of these steps, you could try contacting a computer specialist for additional help. TalkLocal is a free, easy, quick service that will connect you to a high rated, reliable computer expert in your area. Just visit the website to submit a service request listing your problem, location, and availability, and TalkLocal will contact professionals who will then call YOU directly within a few minutes.

Have you ever experienced a stalled program on your computer that just refuses to close no matter how many time you click the X? This is a common problem that can be extremely frustrating, especially when the program is using a large amount of your computer’s processing power. Stalled programs are usually caused by a glitch or bug in the program that you are running when it encounters an error. Fortunately, there are some tools in the Windows 7 operating system that you can use to fix this annoying problem.  Here is how to kill a process in Windows 7:

The main tool used for handling stalled programs is the Windows Task Manager. To open the Task Manager, right click on the Windows Taskbar, which is the bar at the bottom of your screen with the Start button on it. Click “Task Manager.” The task manager should open up with a display of all the applications currently running on your computer.  Choose the malfunctioning program from this list and click the “End Task” button. When you do this, Windows will attempt to close the program automatically.

If ending the task doesn’t work or takes a long time to process, the program might have crashed too much for Windows to close it properly. Don’t worry though; there are still some steps you can try. Go to the “Processes” tab in Task Manager, which displays a list of all the processes running on your computer. Scroll down until you find the process with the same name as the program you want to close. Once you have found it, click it and then click the “End Process” button. Be careful not to end any process that has “SYSTEM” listed as its user name, unless you really know what you are doing, as these are vital systems processes that could cause you computer to crash if you mess with them.

Once you have tried both of these steps, the program should be terminated. If it is still running, you should try restarting your computer and running the program again. If it keeps giving you problems after restarting, then have a computer technician look to see what’s wrong. You can use TalkLocal to find a quality local professional; all you need to do is enter a description of your problem, your location, and availability, and you will be automatically connected in minutes.

Computer Screen Colors Distorted

If you notice particular discoloration in the monitor, then your monitor color has distorted. Don’t worry, if a monitor has color distortion, it is usually nothing major and can be improved by few quick fixes.

First, check if there is a problem with the physical monitor. Plug another monitor into the computer. If there is no color distortion from the new monitor, then the other monitor needs to be replaced. If not, read the following methods for fixing color distortion.

Adjust monitor cables to be tight and secure. Loosely connected monitor cables can create color distortion.

Adjust brightness/contrast on the monitor. For desktops, the contrast and brightness buttons is on the lip of the monitor. For laptops, the contrast and brightness control is usually the up and down arrows or a combination of keys.

Adjust color.

For Windows 7:

1. Click Start > Control panel.

2. In the search box, type “calibrate display.”

3. Click “calibrate display color.”

For a Windows XP:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > Display > Appearance.

2. Change the computer to default.

3. Click “Windows XP style” from the drop down menu.

Degauss the monitor. Magnetic fields around the monitor can cause distortion around the edges of the screen. There are various ways to degauss the monitor: You can restart the computer, which will automatically degauss upon being turned on (the computer will make a twang sound). If that does not work, degauss manually. Some computers have a degauss button (it has a picture that looks like a horseshoe). Others will degauss by pressing the brightness and contrast buttons together or going to the monitor options menu. If you are good with tools, you can try degaussing with a plug pack transformer, soldering gun, and rigged drill.

If the monitor still has color distortion after you try these solutions, then call a computer professional to assess the situation. TalkLocal connects you with best computer professional in your area for free.