Everybody seems to have a favorite AI tool, and your Windows computer probably has an update waiting for you right now. Which AI chatbot is worth your time, and how worried should you be about that update you keep putting off? In this episode of Tech Talk with Refresh Computers, Greg Rhodes and Adam Littlefield join David Leavitt for the show’s second video edition. They compare ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, explain how AI personal assistant bots keep your passwords safe, walk you through a record month of Windows security fixes and fake update scams, and ask the question everyone asks twice a year: why are we still changing our clocks?
Listen to the Episode
Watch the video version on YouTube, and subscribe to the Refresh Computers channel
AI Chatbots Are Becoming Personal Assistants
ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok are the names most people know. David explained that the newest step is the AI bot: a personal assistant that works alongside the AI tool you already use. It does not replace your AI account. It uses the same plan you may already pay for, and it can actually get things done for you.
Adam compared a regular AI chat to texting one of the smartest people in the world. You can ask almost anything and get a solid answer. He added an important reminder: AI has gotten much better about not making things up, but you should still double-check what it tells you.
AI is great, it’s fast, and it gets you information. Just always double-check that the information it gives you is right.
What Makes Grok Bot Different
David has tried the major options and says Grok Bot is the best one out right now, though he expects the others to catch up. It has its own iPhone and Android apps and a Windows desktop version.
A Secure Web Page Inside the Bot
Instead of taking over your computer’s web browser, Grok Bot shows you a web page inside the bot itself. When a site needs you to sign in, you take over that page and log in yourself. The bot never needs you to type a password into the chat.
An Encrypted Password Manager
Passwords you enter are saved in the bot’s own encrypted password manager. David admitted he used to say there was no way he would give an AI tool his credit card number. What changed his mind was realizing it works like the password manager he already trusts, such as Google Password Manager, 1Password, or LastPass. Adam’s advice: protect your AI accounts with a strong password, the same way you would protect any password manager.
I was the person saying no way. Then it dawned on me that I already use a password manager, and this is really no different.
Name Your Bot So It Knows Its Job
When you create your first bot, the app asks you to name it. That name matters, because the bot uses it to set itself up. Call it Personal Assistant, Shopping Bot, or Personal Trainer, and it will suggest what it can do and ask the right questions. Give it a vague name like “Troy’s Bot” and it will just ask Troy what he wants.
David now runs about 15 bots. One of them, Refresh YouTube, prepares the video for this very show, adds captions and on-screen text, and uploads it.
On-Site, Remote, and Phone Help From Refresh Computers
Refresh Computers can come to your home or office when the problem lives there, like setting up several computers to print to one printer. Dispatch fees depend on how far you are from the store, so Adam recommends calling 407-478-8200 first to talk it through.
Often a quick phone call or a remote support session solves the problem without a truck roll, which saves you time and money. If it only takes a few minutes on the phone, there is no charge. David said the store will always recommend what is best for you, without overselling.
A Record Month of Windows Security Fixes
David’s top message this week: check your Windows computer today, and if it needs an update, install it. October brought a record number of security fixes.
Years ago, the advice was to wait so you were not the guinea pig for a buggy update. That is no longer the case. Today, update Windows, your iPhone, your Android phone, and Chrome as soon as an update appears, because almost every update closes a security flaw that could expose your personal and banking information.
How to Check for Updates in Two Minutes
Adam’s steps: click the search box at the bottom of the screen and type Settings. Open the result with the gear icon, then choose Windows Update. Click the blue Check for updates button, and confirm that automatic updates are turned on. Windows turns them on by default, but Adam has seen work computers and new computers with them disabled.
Work Computers: Ask Your IT Department First
Greg made a good point. If your computer was issued by your employer, check with your IT department before changing update settings. If Windows says a setting is managed by your organization, leave it to them. On your home computer, turn automatic updates on.
Windows 10 and Extended Security Updates
Windows 10 was supposed to reach end of life almost a year ago, but Microsoft is still offering Extended Security Updates. If you are enrolled, updates should install on their own. If not, the Windows Update screen should say your version has reached end of support and offer an option to enroll. Adam warned that this option can be buggy and may not show up. If you do not see it, call the store and they will help you sort it out.
Spot Fake Windows Update Scams
Scammers love fake update pop-ups. If you are not sure a pop-up really came from Microsoft, call before you click.
Adam added a newer trick. If a scammer was ever allowed onto your computer, they may leave software behind that can cover your screen with a fake “working on updates” page while they work in the background. Warning signs include your mouse moving on its own or a progress circle that never moves. Microsoft is also switching its update screen to a darker design, so a sudden bright blue update screen on an up-to-date Windows 11 computer is a red flag.
Restart Right Away
Updates do not take effect until you restart. Adam saves his work and restarts immediately, even in the middle of a game, so any problem shows up now instead of tomorrow morning. David admitted he sometimes hits snooze, but restarting right away is the best policy.
If an update is going to cause me a problem, I want to deal with it now, not tomorrow morning when I really need my computer.
Tech Tip of the Week: Turn On Automatic Updates Everywhere
Take two minutes today to make sure your devices update themselves.
- Windows: Settings, then Windows Update. Click Check for updates and restart when asked.
- iPhone: Settings, then General, then Software Update. Turn on Automatic Updates.
- Android: Settings, then System or Software update (names vary by phone). Check for updates and install.
- Chrome: When you see the update button near the top right, click it and relaunch.
Why Are We Still Changing Our Clocks?
We rolled our clocks back early this morning, and David is fed up. Only Congress can end the switch. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act this past July, but the Senate has not voted on it, so it cannot become law. Greg noted the president has said he would sign it.
Adam likes the idea of ending the switch but is not thrilled about sunrise at 5:30 in the morning, and he says the twice-a-year shift throws off his sleep. David’s answer: pick one and stick with it. Until then, your phone and computer will change on their own, but you may still need to reset the microwave.
Need Help? Refresh Computers Has Your Back
Whether you need help checking for Windows updates, want to know if your Windows 10 computer is enrolled in Extended Security Updates, think you saw a fake update screen, or want a hand setting up an AI assistant, the team at Refresh Computers is ready to help. Stop by the store at 820 E. State Road 434 in Longwood, Florida (Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–7 PM), call the free tech support hotline at 407-478-8200, or visit refreshcomputers.net to browse their live inventory, explore managed IT services for your small business, and listen to past episodes of Tech Talk. Don’t forget to subscribe to their email list for weekly deals and new episode alerts!
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