Restart Home I.T. Support

Restart Home I.T. Support I offer PC and laptop repairs, IT support, and troubleshooting in Sheffield, Dronfield, Bakewell, Chesterfield, and Hope Valley.

With 20+ yearsโ€™ experience, I provide reliable service backed by a โ€˜no fix, no feeโ€™ policy and guaranteed work. Restart, originally called Your PCโ€™s Best Friend was launched in 2004 by Adrian Arksey to help the people of Sheffield and Hope Valley with their PC needs. Since then, we have helped thousands of customers by fixing their PCs, setting up new systems and providing guidance on how to get to grips with all aspects of PC technology.

๐“๐ก๐ž "๐…๐ข๐ฏ๐ž-๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ญ๐ž" ๐…๐ข๐ฑ: ๐“๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ก ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐š ๐ฌ๐ž๐š๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ We often think of IT support as fixing major crashe...
31/08/2026

๐“๐ก๐ž "๐…๐ข๐ฏ๐ž-๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ญ๐ž" ๐…๐ข๐ฑ: ๐“๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ก ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐š ๐ฌ๐ž๐š๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ

We often think of IT support as fixing major crashes, but sometimes the most impactful work is simply removing the "friction" from someone's workday.

This week, the "client" was a little closer to home - my partner, Clair Like many of us, she was losing time every day clicking through folders, searching for bookmarks, and hunting for the same reference files over and over. Itโ€™s those small, repetitive tasks that cause the most "tech fatigue."

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐’๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง? ๐€ ๐Œ๐š๐œ๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐š๐ค๐ž๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ.

Using macOS Shortcuts and some clever automation, I helped her set up a "One-Click Workspace." Now, with a single tap or a simple keyboard command:

๐‡๐ž๐ซ ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐š๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ž๐›๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ for the day open instantly.

๐’๐ฉ๐ž๐œ๐ข๐Ÿ๐ข๐œ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐ž๐œ๐ญ ๐š๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฌ launch and snap into place on the screen.

๐ƒ๐ž๐ž๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐›๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ ๐ซ๐ž๐Ÿ๐ž๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐œ๐ž ๐๐ƒ๐…๐ฌ are right there on the desktop when she needs them.

The result? Less clicking, zero searching, and a much calmer start to her morning (and mine :-)).

๐“๐ž๐œ๐ก๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐š๐ค๐ž ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ญ. If you feel like youโ€™re constantly "fighting" your computer just to get started, letโ€™s talk. I can personalising your setup - whether itโ€™s a Mac or a PC - to save you time and eliminate the "digital clutter."

Ready to reclaim your time? Book an appointment online at www.restart.uk.com or call me on 0333 900 6000 to book a productivity session!

๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ“ฑ ECLIPSE HACK OR PHONE ATTACK? ๐Ÿ“ฑ๐ŸŒ‘A quick heads-up for anyone planning to watch tonightโ€™s eclipse: itโ€™s a solar eclipse...
12/08/2026

๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ“ฑ ECLIPSE HACK OR PHONE ATTACK? ๐Ÿ“ฑ๐ŸŒ‘

A quick heads-up for anyone planning to watch tonightโ€™s eclipse: itโ€™s a solar eclipse, not a lunar eclipse - and the safety advice is very different. Lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to watch, but you should never look directly at a solar eclipse without proper protection.

Iโ€™ve seen a social-media hack suggesting that people use their phoneโ€™s front-facing camera to watch the eclipse over their shoulder. If you remain facing away from the Sun, this does stop you from looking at it directly - the image on your screen cannot damage your eyes.

However, your phone may not be quite so enthusiastic about the idea! Pointing an unfiltered camera at the Sun for a prolonged period can potentially damage its image sensor. The lens concentrates intense sunlight onto the sensor, which could cause dead pixels, discolouration or permanent marks in future photos. Damage isnโ€™t guaranteed, but ordinary phone cameras arenโ€™t designed for prolonged, unfiltered observation of the Sun.

The safest options are genuine solar-viewing glasses from a reputable supplier or an indirect method such as a pinhole projector. Ordinary sunglasses, tinted glass and homemade filters are not safe.

A kitchen colander can also project lots of little eclipse images onto the ground - just keep your back to the Sun and look at the shadows rather than through the holes.

And if you are planning to use the colander method, please be carefulโ€ฆ you wouldnโ€™t want to 'strain' your eyes! ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜†

restart.uk.com

Microsoft Publisher is being retired in October 2026 - but what does that actually mean for people who still use it?Publ...
09/08/2026

Microsoft Publisher is being retired in October 2026 - but what does that actually mean for people who still use it?

Publisher has been around for more than 30 years and has helped people create newsletters, leaflets, posters, labels, invitations, business cards and all sorts of other printed material. Although it may not receive as much attention as Word or Excel, plenty of homes, small businesses and community groups still rely on it.

Microsoft has now announced that Publisher will reach the end of its life in October 2026. If you receive Publisher through a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will lose access to the program after 1 October 2026. Support for the permanently purchased Publisher 2021 version ends shortly afterwards.

Publisher is not disappearing today, so there is no need to panic. However, it is important not to ignore the announcement - particularly if you have years of old Publisher documents stored on your computer.

Publisher files normally have .pub at the end of their name. The files themselves will not be deleted, but once Publisher is no longer available, you may not have a program capable of opening or editing them.

Microsoft recommends converting important Publisher documents before the deadline. If you only need to view or print something in the future, saving it as a PDF is normally the safest option. If you regularly change names, prices, dates or photographs, you may need to recreate the document in another program so that it remains editable.

There is no single perfect replacement for Publisher. Microsoft recommends Word or PowerPoint for many everyday projects. Word is useful for labels, envelopes, forms and straightforward newsletters, while PowerPoint offers more freedom when positioning pictures and text on posters or leaflets.

Canva is another attractive option. It runs through a web browser and provides ready-made templates for leaflets, posters, cards, invitations and social media graphics. Adobe Express and Scribus may also be worth considering, depending on what you create and how much control you need.

The key is to start preparing before October rather than leaving everything until the last minute.

Iโ€™ve written a friendly, plain-English Byte Back guide explaining what is happening, how to find and protect your existing Publisher files, and which alternatives are worth trying.

If you are unsure where your Publisher files are stored, need help converting a large collection or would like some patient guidance with Word, PowerPoint or Canva, I can help.

I can check what you have, explain the available options in plain English and help you move to something that suits the way you work โ€“ without unnecessary jargon or confusion.

Read the full guide here: https://restartit.uk/microsoft-publisher-is-closing-down-what-you-need-to-do-before-october-2026/

Itโ€™s not too late to register for online voting for the upcoming elections on 7th May. Donโ€™t do what I did, and phone th...
20/04/2026

Itโ€™s not too late to register for online voting for the upcoming elections on 7th May.

Donโ€™t do what I did, and phone the number on my voting card and found myself in a queue for days to be told โ€˜you need to do it onlineโ€™!!

Itโ€™s easy. โœ…

Register at gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. โœ‰๏ธ

All you need is your National Insurance number and a picture of your signature!

Apply in seconds. But do it before the deadline tomorrow 21st April.

Is a social media ban for under-16s finally coming? ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿ“ฑThe UK Parliament is debating the Childrenโ€™s Wellbeing and Schools...
20/04/2026

Is a social media ban for under-16s finally coming? ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿ“ฑ

The UK Parliament is debating the Childrenโ€™s Wellbeing and Schools Bill again today. While the Lords are pushing for a total ban for under-16s, the government is looking at tighter controls on addictive features and "digital curfews."

Regardless of what happens in Westminster, you have the power to protect your kids today.
You donโ€™t need to wait for a law to:

โœ… Set app time limits that actually work.
โœ… Block inappropriate content at the router level.
โœ… Filter what they see on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Feeling overwhelmed by the settings? Iโ€™m here to help.

DM, book online restart.uk.com or call 0333 900 6000 to book a home safety audit. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

Scam Emails in 2026 - What You Need to KnowIf you've noticed more suspicious emails landing in your inbox lately, you're...
14/04/2026

Scam Emails in 2026 - What You Need to Know

If you've noticed more suspicious emails landing in your inbox lately, you're not imagining it. I'm hearing from clients almost every day about convincing-looking emails that turn out to be scams, and the truth is they've become a lot harder to spot than they used to be.

Here's what's changed - and what to watch out for.

The old warning signs no longer apply. A few years ago I used to tell people to look out for poor spelling and grammar. Forget that. Scammers now use AI to write fluent, professional-sounding emails that look indistinguishable from the real thing. They can even personalise them with your name, your bank's branding, or details that make them seem legitimate.

QR codes are the new dodgy link. You've probably seen more QR codes in emails recently - "scan this to verify your account" or "scan to view your document." Be very wary of these. They're designed to bypass the habit people have developed of hovering over links to check them. If an email asks you to scan a QR code, treat it with the same suspicion you'd give a link you didn't ask for.

Urgency is still the biggest red flag. Whether it's your bank, HMRC, a parcel delivery company, or even Amazon - if an email is pressuring you to act immediately or threatening consequences if you don't, slow down. Legitimate organisations give you time. Scammers don't, because they don't want you to think it through.

Delivery scams are everywhere right now. With so much online shopping, fake "missed delivery" or "customs fee" emails are one of the most common things I'm seeing. If you're not expecting a parcel, or the email asks for a small payment to release one, go directly to the courier's official website rather than clicking anything in the email.

When in doubt, go directly to the source. Don't click links in emails - open your browser and go to the company's website yourself, or ring them using a number you find independently, not one provided in the email. It takes an extra minute and it could save you a great deal of trouble.

What to do if you think you've already been caught out. First - don't panic, and don't try to fix it by downloading anything, as that often makes things worse. If you've clicked a link or entered any details, change your passwords immediately from a different device if you can. Contact your bank straight away if any financial information was involved, as they can act quickly to protect your account. Run a scan with your existing security software, and if you're not sure what you're looking at or whether your computer has been affected, get some help sooner rather than later - the longer you leave it, the more complicated it can become.

If you're worried about your PC or just want peace of mind, I offer home visits and can check everything over for you properly. You can book online at restart.uk.com/book - it's straightforward, and I'll make sure you come away knowing your machine is safe and that you're confident about what to look out for going forward.

Address

Dronfield

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+443339006000

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