Replacing keys on a laptop probably won’t be a snap
Q. I had some keys fall off my laptop keyboard. Is there a way to reattach them?
A. The key on a keyboard is usually not something that can be put back once it falls off. This is especially true for laptop computers.
This is because the mechanism that holds a key in place is likely broken, so you can’t just snap the old key or even a new key into place.
Your best option is to replace the keyboard.
If this were a desktop computer, that would be pretty simple. But replacing a keyboard on a laptop is a bit more involved and would most likely require the assistance of a technician.
If the laptop is still under warranty, you can call the manufacturer, which should replace it for free.
If it is no longer under warranty, you will have to pay for the new keyboard and for someone to install it.
That being said, I did a little research, and I did find two companies that advertise replacement keys and instructions to install them.
Both laptopkey.com and replacementlaptopkeys.com look promising. But I have no personal experience with them. The cost of the replacement keys is nominal, so it might be worth taking the risk to see if either can offer a low-cost solution.
Q. I have a Windows PC, and years ago I set up my cursor so that when I hover over a filename in File Explorer, the cursor will change to a hand and allow me to just click once to open it. It’s been so long now that I don’t remember how to undo this setting, and I would really like to turn it off. Can you remind me how to disable it?
A. Windows File Explorer has many interesting features buried in the settings that control how files are viewed and accessed.
One of these features is the ability to change how you open them with either a single or a double click.
I prefer the double click myself and always struggle using a computer where someone has enabled the single-click option.
To find this setting and make the change you want, open File Explorer and select the View tab and then click on Options.
In the General section of the Window that pops, up you can choose single clicking or double clicking to open files and folders.