What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 8pm Tuesday 8am - 8pm Wednesday 8am - 8pm Thursday 8am - 8pm Friday 8am - 8pm

Computer Repair Norwich

Home
United Kingdom
Drayton
Computer Repair Norwich

Computer Repair Norwich is an independent, appointment-based repair business serving Norwich, Drayton and nearby areas.

We repair PCs, laptops, Macs, phones, tablets and consoles, with diagnostics, upgrades, malware removal and data recovery. We repair PCs, laptops, Macs, phones, tablets and gaming consoles, and help with diagnostics, upgrades, malware removal, data recovery and routine servicing.

20/08/2026

**VPNs: real privacy tool or an invisibility cloak?**

VPN advertising often promises anonymity, complete security, protection from hackers and safer browsing wherever you go.

A properly designed VPN can do several useful things. It can encrypt the connection between your device and a VPN server, hide your normal internet address from websites and reduce what your internet provider or public Wi-Fi network can see about your destinations.

What it cannot do is equally important.

A VPN does not make you anonymous. It does not stop tracking cookies, protect weak passwords, block every scam, remove malware or make a fake website safe. Logging into your normal accounts still identifies you, and using a VPN shifts a considerable amount of trust towards the company operating it.

We have put together a detailed CRN guide covering:

• how a VPN tunnel works
• what your internet provider can still see
• what the VPN company may know
• public Wi-Fi and HTTPS
• free VPN risks
• kill switches and DNS leaks
• browser VPNs and split tunnelling
• VPNs compared with Tor and incognito mode
• and the biggest myths used in VPN advertising

Read the full post here:

https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/vpn-explained-myths-privacy-security-norwich/

12/08/2026

**Firefox: the browser that refused to become another version of Chrome**

Firefox has been around for more than 20 years, but its story begins with Netscape, Internet Explorer and the original browser wars of the 1990s.

It started life as Phoenix, was renamed Firebird, and finally became Firefox before version 1.0 launched in 2004.

Today, Firefox remains unusual because it is not owned by Google, Microsoft or Apple—and its desktop browser uses Mozilla’s independent Gecko engine rather than Chromium.

It is developed by the Mozilla Corporation, which is wholly owned by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation. That structure gives Firefox a very different background from most mainstream browsers, although Mozilla still relies heavily on commercial search partnerships to fund its work.

We have put together a full CRN guide covering:

• the history of Firefox and Mozilla
• why it was once called Phoenix and Firebird
• the Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation
• how Firefox is funded
• its privacy and tracking protection
• its main advantages
• its disadvantages and compatibility limitations
• and how it compares with Chrome, Edge, DuckDuckGo and Tor Browser

Read the full post here:

https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/firefox-history-privacy-advantages-disadvantages-norwich/

04/08/2026

**DuckDuckGo: private search without pretending to be Tor**

DuckDuckGo is often described as a privacy browser, a private search engine or even an anonymous way to use the internet.

There is some truth in the privacy claims—but those descriptions are not interchangeable.

DuckDuckGo Search says it does not create a personal history of your searches. Its browser goes further by blocking many third-party trackers, reducing tracking cookies, cleaning tracking information from links and offering its useful Fire Button for clearing local browsing data.

However, DuckDuckGo is not Tor Browser. It does not route ordinary browsing through an anonymity network, and the free search engine or browser does not automatically hide your internet address from the websites you visit.

It also cannot make an unsafe website trustworthy, prevent every malicious download or protect someone who enters a password into a convincing phishing page.

We have put together a practical guide explaining:

• where the DuckDuckGo name came from
• how its search results work
• where those results come from
• how it makes money without personal search profiles
• the difference between its search engine and browser
• its genuine privacy advantages
• what it cannot do
• and how it compares with Tor, VPNs and incognito mode

Read the full post here:

https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/duckduckgo-private-search-browser-privacy-norwich/

27/07/2026

**Tor Browser: private browsing, onion routing and the limits people often miss**

Tor Browser is often described as a gateway to the “dark web”, but that is only a small and rather misleading part of the story.

It is a legitimate privacy-focused browser that routes your browsing through the volunteer-operated Tor network, helping to conceal your normal internet address, reduce tracking and provide access to an uncensored web.

It can be a powerful tool, but it is not an invisibility cloak. Tor can be slower, some websites block its shared addresses, logging into a personal account still identifies you, and it cannot protect you from phishing, malware or an unsafe download.

We have put together a practical guide explaining why it is called Tor, how onion routing works, its best uses, its advantages, and the situations where another browser or privacy tool may be more suitable.

Read the full post here:

https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/tor-browser-privacy-uses-limitations-norwich/

20/07/2026

Why Repairability Matters When Buying Your Next Laptop

When buying a new laptop, most people look at speed, storage, memory, battery life and price.

But there is another question worth asking:

Can it be repaired sensibly later?

Some laptops are built in a way that makes battery replacement, storage upgrades, charging repairs and data recovery much more practical. Others are so tightly built that even common faults can become expensive or uneconomical.

Repairability matters because batteries wear out, ports break, fans clog, drives fail and accidents happen. A laptop that is easy to service can often last longer and give you more options before replacement becomes necessary.

At CRN, we can help inspect your current laptop, advise whether repair or replacement makes more sense, and help you choose a practical route before you spend money in the wrong place.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/why-repairability-matters-buying-next-laptop-norwich/

13/07/2026

AI Laptops Are Here — But Check The Privacy Settings First

New Windows laptops are increasingly being sold as AI PCs or Copilot+ PCs, with features designed to make search, video calls, photos and everyday tasks smarter.

Some of those features can be useful, but they also make setup more important.

Before using a new AI laptop every day, it is worth checking privacy settings, camera and microphone access, browser sync, cloud backups, saved passwords, app permissions and features such as Windows Recall where available.

Not every AI feature is bad, and not every setting needs to be switched off. The important thing is understanding what is enabled and choosing what suits you.

At CRN, we can help with new laptop setup, data transfer, privacy checks, Windows 11 settings, backups and advice on whether it is better to repair, upgrade or replace an older machine.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/ai-laptop-privacy-settings-windows-recall-norwich/

06/07/2026

Fake CAPTCHA Checks Are Catching People Out

Most of us are used to clicking “I’m not a robot” or waiting for a website to verify the browser.

But some scam pages now copy that familiar look and then ask you to do something much more dangerous — such as pressing Windows + R, pasting a command, opening PowerShell, or running a “quick fix” to continue.

That is not a normal CAPTCHA check.

A genuine website verification should not need you to run commands on your computer. If a webpage asks you to do that, close it and do not continue.

These fake CAPTCHA and “ClickFix” scams can be used to install malware, steal browser data, or compromise saved logins. They are convincing because they look like a normal website problem rather than an obvious virus warning.

At CRN, we can help inspect PCs and laptops that may have been affected by suspicious pop-ups, fake browser warnings, malware or unwanted software.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/fake-captcha-clickfix-malware-warning-norwich/

29/06/2026

Still Using Windows 10 In 2026?

Windows 10 still works, but it now needs a proper plan.

Support has ended, and while Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates can give some users extra time, they are not a long-term fix. For many people, 2026 is the point where it makes sense to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 11, service the machine, move to Linux, or replace it.

Not every Windows 10 PC needs to go in the bin. Some machines are still perfectly usable with the right upgrade, clean-up or repair. Others may not be worth spending money on. The key is checking before guessing.

At CRN, we can help assess whether your PC or laptop is suitable for Windows 11, whether it needs servicing first, whether Linux is a realistic option, or whether replacement would be more sensible.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/windows-10-2026-decision-window-norwich/

16/06/2026

AnduinOS vs Zorin OS — Which Windows-Like Linux Distro Is Right For You?

If you are thinking about moving away from Windows, you may have come across AnduinOS and Zorin OS.

Both are Linux systems designed to feel more familiar to Windows users, but they are not quite the same.

AnduinOS has a very Windows 11-like feel and may suit users who want Linux to look and behave as familiar as possible.

Zorin OS is more established, polished and beginner-friendly, making it a strong option for many people moving away from Windows.

The right choice depends on your computer, your software, your printer, your files and how confident you are with changing systems.

At CRN, we can help test your machine, check compatibility, compare the options and install the right setup properly if Linux is the right move.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/anduinos-vs-zorin-os-windows-like-linux-distro/

09/06/2026

Linux Is Gaining Ground — Should You Move Away From Windows?

More people are starting to look at Linux as an alternative to Windows, especially now that Windows 10 support has ended and some older PCs cannot officially upgrade to Windows 11.

Linux can be a good option for some users. It can feel cleaner, lighter and more controlled than a modern Windows setup, especially for everyday tasks like browsing, email, documents and general home use.

But it is not right for everyone.

Before replacing Windows, it is important to check your software, printer, files, backups and hardware compatibility properly.

At CRN, we can help assess whether Linux makes sense for your PC or laptop, test compatibility, recommend a suitable beginner-friendly version, and install it safely if it is the right move.

Read the full post here:
https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/linux-gaining-ground-windows-alternative/

Address

Belmont House, Costessey Lane
Drayton
NR86HA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 8pm
Tuesday	8am - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 8pm
Friday	8am - 8pm

Website

https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/, https://computerrepairnorwich.co.uk/service/data-recovery-norwich/, https://comput

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Computer Repair Norwich posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Computer Repair Norwich: