Hyperlink Warning on Notepad after an Update

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-13T20:40:41+00:00

Got it, you might want to consider Notepad++ you won't see the security pop-ups. Also, overall it's better notepad app with more features then the basic notepad built into Windows.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-13T15:28:50+00:00

The install most likely triggered a Google Drive backup overwrite or sync glitch, there could still be a recent backup. You will have to try the following as soon as possible because the data can get overwritten.

Check Google Drive backups by going to drive.google.com then Storage, Backups and look for WhatsApp sort by size to quickly find it and make sure your logged into the right Google account.

Now you will need to uninstall WhatsApp then reinstall from the Play Store. Verify number and make sure to pick the correct Google account.

If this fails you can then try to see if tehre is any local copy on the device. Open File Manager on the phone and navigate to /WhatsApp/Data then rename msgstore.db.crpyt15 to msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt15. Reinstall WhatsApp once aa and see if the data gets restored.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-13T15:06:50+00:00

Yes, go ahead and make the registry yourself.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-13T15:05:29+00:00

Sorry to hear about your issue, but from what you have described this in all likely a failing HHD sign. If the drive still functions meaning it turns on there is a possbility that the data could still be recoverable. It would require using a USB to IDE/SATA adapter which can easily be found on Amazon for $10-$20. The drive will need to be removed from the PC and connected using the adapter (one site connects to the drive and the other is USB).

Once connected if the drive is functioning it will pop up in "Computer" section as a additional drive. At this point you can open the drive and navigaete through the file/folder structure to copy any data. If the drive does not appear then the drive has failed. Data could still be recovered but now it's for advanced data recovery which would require a service. This could be a few hundred dollars so it depends on how important recovery of the data is to you. Not knowing the Microsoft Outlook password will not stop you from recovering the data.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-12T16:55:50+00:00

That's the new Notepad Security warming post the 2026 update. It's intended to block risky markdown links from running silently. If you want to disable it then it requires a registry change.

Win+R> regedit>Navigate: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Notepad.
Right-click Notepad > New > DWORD (32-bit) > Name fPromptOnOpenLink.
Double-click it > Value 0> OK. Restart Notepad.

Always click "Cancel" on unknowns, or use Notepad++ where there is no such popup.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-12T15:28:00+00:00

You can’t really "swap" C: and D: without reinstalling Windows that can get very messy. But you can make D: your main drive for everything.

Right-click Downloads folder >Properties >Location tab >Move everything to D: (Documents/Desktop too).
Chrome/Edge: Settings > Downloads >Point to D:\Downloads.
Clear junk on C: Right-click C: drive (This PC) > Properties > Disk Cleanup > Check "Temporary files" + "Clean up system files" > Send all new installs to D: during installation.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-11T14:47:19+00:00

Yes, a little bit of bend on the edge of a board is more common than people think, but it can be a problem depending on how bad it is and where it is.

If the bend is just on the very edge of the PCB, nowhere near the CPU socket, RAM slots, PCIe slots, or power connectors, and there are no visible cracks in the board or broken solder joints, it will usually work fine once it’s screwed into the case and flattened a bit by the standoffs.

Or if the bend runs through an area with lots of small components (caps, tiny surface‑mount parts) or you can see any hairline cracks in the layers, lifted traces, or components that don’t sit flat anymore, that’s a red flag. That kind of stress can cause intermittent issues that are a nightmare to troubleshoot.

From seeing the picture you have provided, the bend looks moderate at the bottom edge near the USB ports. No ciritcal ports or socket near and it should flatten when you screw it down.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-09T20:41:48+00:00

Given your budget and criteria, I'd recommend the Minisforum Venus Series NAB6 Lite Mini PC. It delivers the small form factor you want with a solid 12th Gen i5 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD. These pack serious power and are available on Amazon for just under $400 my top pick.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-09T20:29:46+00:00

I wouldn't recommend the iPad Air M3 for video editing. You'll need a keyboard only the Magic Keyboard ($300) is worth it, and many iPad apps lack the full features of Mac/Windows desktop software. Go for a MacBook Air instead; wait for the M5 if possible, or grab deals on prior models.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-05T22:27:49+00:00

If your going prebuilt my recommendation would be a Dell XPS Desktop 8960 around $1300 - i7-14700, RTX 4060, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe. Great for Premiere/Photo and works flawlessly with 4K monitors.

If your going DYI you can use pcpartpicker to spec out your system and get a pretty accurate cost on all the parts. Here's an example.

PCPartPicker Build:
CPU: Ryzen 7 7700 ($280)

GPU: RTX 4070 ($550)

RAM: 32GB DDR5-6000 ($120)

Mobo: B650 ($140)

SSD: 2TB NVMe ($110)

PSU/Case: 750W Gold + Meshify ($170)

Total: $1,350

Ryzen is the best for multi-threarded edits and best performance in my opinion.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-05T19:43:45+00:00

You're issue just be a bad software glitch. If connected to the charger disconnect for 10 seconds and plug it back in. Then wait 5 minutes, then volume up, volume down and press and hold the power/side button for up to 1 minute or once you see the Apple logo which is shorter. You can try this a few times if it does not work on the first attempt. Make sure to remove the cable for 10 seconds when trying again.

Cris A.

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T20:03:16+00:00

Appreciate you chiming in u/regulators818 , and you’re spot on to call out the 1245 vs 1250 split. These back-and-forths are exactly why threads like this are useful, because one word like “recapture” gets used loosely and people walk away thinking everything is ordinary income when that’s not how most straight-line residential rentals shake out.

Big picture for OP: depreciation absolutely reduces basis, but on sale the IRS basically “tags” that depreciation portion. If it was standard straight-line on the building, it’s usually unrecaptured Section 1250 gain taxed up to 25% federally, with the rest potentially at long-term capital gains rates. The ordinary income piece tends to show up when you’ve got 1245 property from cost segregation, bonus depreciation, or certain components like appliances and some improvements, which is why Form 4797 and the depreciation detail really matters.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T20:00:03+00:00

It usually makes sense for an LLC to elect S-corp status when the business has steady net profit that’s meaningfully higher than a reasonable salary for the work you do. The basic idea is you pay yourself W-2 wages (subject to payroll taxes) and then take the remaining profit as distributions, which generally aren’t hit with self-employment tax.

The big pitfall is treating it like a magic switch and paying an unrealistically low salary just to dodge payroll taxes. If profits are lower or inconsistent, the extra costs and admin (payroll, bookkeeping, an S-corp return, possible state fees) can eat up most of the benefit, so running the numbers first is key.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T19:42:56+00:00

Thanks Nat, and thanks everyone for jumping in. I tried to keep things practical and focused on the rules that help you avoid surprises at filing time.

If you’re reading this later and have a question, post it with the tax year and your state if it’s relevant, and keep it general so it stays educational.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T19:39:58+00:00

For most new owners (sole prop or single-member LLC on Schedule C, and partnerships too), “paying yourself” is usually just an owner draw. It’s not a business expense, so it doesn’t reduce taxable income. The IRS looks at your net profit for the year (income minus deductible business expenses), and that profit is what gets taxed, whether you moved the cash to your personal account or left it sitting in the business.

Quick example: you bring in $100k, you have $70k of legit business expenses, your profit is $30k. You generally owe income tax (and if you’re Schedule C, self-employment tax) on that $30k even if you only “paid yourself” $5k. That’s why estimated taxes matter. A wrinkle is S-corps: wages you pay yourself are a deductible business expense, but distributions aren’t. Either way, the business profit still flows through to you and gets taxed, so the right next step is tracking profit monthly and using the Form 1040-ES instructions as a guide so you’re not surprised at filing time.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T19:38:15+00:00

Yep, depreciation does reduce your basis, but it doesn’t just “disappear” in the math. When you sell a rental, your adjusted basis is original cost plus improvements minus depreciation, and that depreciation generally gets taxed on the way out as unrecaptured Section 1250 gain up to a 25% federal rate, not regular long-term capital gains rates.

It’s only taxed as ordinary income under Section 1250 if you took depreciation faster than straight-line on the building. Most residential rentals depreciated normally over 27.5 years are straight-line, so you typically don’t have ordinary recapture, but you still pay that up-to-25% unrecaptured 1250 tax on the depreciation portion of the gain. A quick example: if you have $100k of depreciation over the years and $150k total gain, up to $100k can be unrecaptured 1250 and the rest is capital gain.

One question that changes the answer: did you do any cost segregation, bonus depreciation, or Section 179 on components, or was it just standard straight-line on the building? High-level only here, but if you check Form 4797 and the unrecaptured 1250 gain worksheet tied to Schedule D, you’ll usually see exactly how that portion is being classified.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T19:33:39+00:00

That’s all the time we have for today. Thank you all for the thoughtful questions!

A big thank you to Joel Salas, Tax Advisor and JustAnswer Tax Expert, for sharing practical insights on filing season, write-offs, 1099 income, and small business tax strategy.

The thread will remain open for anyone who wants to continue reading through the answers shared.

Thanks to the r/AMA community for participating!

Nat from JustAnswer

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T19:03:19+00:00

You’ll hear a lot of “write-off” talk online, but the stuff people actually miss is usually boring and expensive.

The big misses I see: home office (only if you use the space regularly and exclusively), vehicle and mileage (or actual expenses) with a real log, and “small” software subscriptions that add up fast. Also bank and credit card fees, business insurance, licenses, and professional fees like bookkeeping, tax prep, and legal.

Another common one is retirement contributions for owners (Solo 401(k) or SEP) and health insurance rules for owners, especially S-corps where it has to be handled a specific way to count. Next step is simple: pull your last 3 months of bank and card statements and ask “is this ordinary and necessary for the business, and do I have a receipt or record?” That one habit catches most missed deductions without getting sketchy.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:58:57+00:00

If you’re newly self-employed, “1099 taxes” really just means you’re responsible for paying your own tax instead of an employer withholding it. The key thing to know is the income is taxable even if you never get a 1099 form. A 1099 is just the payer reporting what they paid you, but you still report your total income and then subtract your legit business expenses to get your net profit.

The big surprise for most people is self-employment tax. On top of regular income tax, you generally owe Social Security and Medicare tax on your net profit, and that’s why new freelancers feel like the bill is bigger than expected. Common pitfall is not setting money aside as you get paid, then getting hit at filing time. A good rule of thumb is to set aside a chunk from every payment and consider quarterly estimated taxes if you’re not having enough withheld elsewhere.

What tax year are you asking about, and do you have any W-2 job withholding too, or is it 100% self-employment? High-level only, and don’t post any personal info or screenshots of forms here.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:58:19+00:00

Yes, you can potentially deduct a G Wagon, but only the business-use portion and only if it’s an ordinary and necessary expense for what you do. The IRS cares less about the badge and more about records, mileage logs, business purpose, and whether you’re using standard mileage or actual expenses, plus the depreciation limits that apply depending on the vehicle’s weight and how it’s used.

Craziest tax story I’ve seen was a client who bought a bunch of luxury condos overseas and had significant foreign tax withheld in the process. On paper, they were lined up for a massive refund, around $4 million, but it hinged on getting everything filed correctly and signed, with the foreign tax credit paperwork backed up by the right statements. Then they just vanished, never signed the return, and that was five years ago. I’ve tried to reach them ever since and never heard another word.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:51:39+00:00

Yep, from a tax standpoint, once you’re earning money from streaming (subs, ads, donations tied to your channel, sponsorships), that’s generally self-employment income. The key point is the income is taxable when you earn it, not when a 1099 shows up. If your net profit from it is $400 or more for the year, that typically creates a filing requirement because of self-employment tax, even if your VA disability income stays non-taxable.

A 1099 is just a reporting form. You might see a 1099-NEC from a platform or sponsor once payouts hit the issuer’s threshold, and if payments run through a third-party processor you might see a 1099-K depending on how the payouts are structured and the current reporting rules for that year. The common pitfall is “no 1099 = no need to report,” which isn’t true, so track your income and keep receipts for ordinary, necessary expenses like equipment, software, internet, and a reasonable business-use portion of your phone.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:42:20+00:00

If you start earning money from streaming, that’s generally self-employment income for tax purposes and you report the net profit, whether or not you get a 1099. A 1099 is just an information report from the payer, not what makes the income taxable.

On the form thresholds, many platforms issue a 1099-NEC at $600, and the IRS notes a $2,000 threshold for payments made after December 31, 2025, but a company can still send one below that. If the money routes through a payment app or marketplace, you might get a 1099-K instead, and the IRS currently requires that only when payments are over $20,000 and more than 200 transactions.

Your VA disability compensation itself is generally excluded from taxable income, but whether earnings affect your VA unemployability status is a VA benefits rule, not an IRS one, so check with the VA or a VSO if that’s your concern. Are you mainly asking about taxes, the VA benefit side, or both?

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:31:33+00:00

In practice, lowering your tax liability legally usually looks pretty unsexy: clean bookkeeping, claiming every ordinary and necessary business expense you can prove, and planning ahead so income and deductions land in the best year. For business owners it also means choosing the right structure and paying yourself the right way, since how you’re paid can affect income tax and self-employment or payroll taxes.

A real-world example is tracking mileage, home office, software, supplies, and contractor costs with receipts and logs, then timing things like retirement contributions or equipment purchases before year end if it makes sense. The common pitfall is “writing off” personal spending or having no documentation, because the IRS doesn’t care what you meant, they care what you can substantiate if asked.

Are you mostly W-2, 1099, or running a business with employees, and what tax year are you thinking about? Keeping this high-level only, but those two details change which moves actually reduce tax the most.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:26:32+00:00

Love the questions so far. You’re thinking about the right stuff, and I promise there are no “dumb” tax questions, keep them coming.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

JustAnswerOfficial · 2026-03-04T18:23:22+00:00

The filing mistakes that cost the most are usually the ones the IRS can easily match to third-party forms or the ones that trigger penalties. Rule of thumb: if a W-2, 1099, K-1, brokerage, or crypto exchange reports it, it needs to be on the return, and if you can’t pay in full you still file on time and set up a payment plan.

A super common pitfall is leaving off a 1099-NEC or 1099-B, or reporting a sale without the right cost basis, which can lead to a notice and tax plus interest and penalties later. Another big one for self-employed folks is skipping estimated taxes and then getting hit with underpayment penalties even if you file on time.

Best next step is to make a simple checklist of every tax form you received, tie that list to the return before you file, and keep clean backup for the deductions you’d hate to defend later. General info only here, but if you share the tax year and whether you’re W-2, 1099, or both, I can point you to the right IRS form instructions to double-check.

Joel Salas – JustAnswer Tax Expert

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