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Staples.com® | easy button
Desktop Easy Button® FAQs

Requirements
Compatibility
Operation
Links
Functionality
Uninstalling the Easy Button
Error messaging
Additional questions

Requirements:

What are the system requirements for the Easy Button?

Windows 2000, XP or Vista, Pentium® III Class CPU, 64MB available RAM and 8MB of available hard disk space.

Does the Easy Button contain any "spyware" or "adware"?

No. The Easy Button does not contain any spyware or adware.

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Compatibility:

Does the Easy Button® work on Vista™?

Yes it's fully compatible with Vista.

Does the Easy Button work on a Mac®?

No. The current Easy Button software does not have a Mac version available.

Does the Easy Button work on Linux?

No, it does not run on Linux or any variant of UNIX.

Does the Easy Button work on Windows® 98, ME or NT4?

No. The Easy Button only runs on Windows 2000, Vista and XP.

Are you going to release an Easy Button for other operating systems?

We might, but we have no firm plans at this time. If you'd like to suggest that we do, contact us.

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Operation:

How do I turn off/on the "That was easy!" audio on my Easy Button?

To turn this feature off or on, simply click on the Options link while your Easy Button is open, the Options window should pop up on your desktop. From there, click on the General tab. Then in the Button Sound section either check or uncheck the selection that reads "Play audio whenever I click on the Easy Button," then click on Close.

How do I hide the Easy Button?

The easiest way is to expand the main panel (by clicking on the Easy Button) and then pressing the little minimize button at the top right of the Easy Button Toolbar. That will put the Easy Button into the System Tray.

My Easy Button gets lost behind other windows. How do I get it back?

Just click on the Easy Button System Tray icon. The Easy Button will become visible.

Why can't I maximize the Easy Button application so it fills my entire computer screen?

The Easy Button application has been tested and developed to work best in a fixed size.

How do I exit the Easy Button?

To exit, right-click anywhere on the Easy Button or its System Tray icon and choose Exit.

How do I get rid of the Easy Button?

  • If you just want to hide it, press the Minimize button at the top right of the Easy Button Toolbar.
  • If you want to exit, right-click anywhere on the Easy Button or its System Tray icon and choose Exit.
  • If you want to permanently remove the Easy Button from your computer, go to Start > Programs > Easy Button > Uninstall Easy Button to begin the uninstall process.

Can I remove the Easy Button icon from my System Tray?

The Easy Button System Tray icon is visible whenever that application is running. You can hide it automatically by changing the way Windows XP displays System Tray icons. For more information, reference your Windows XP help files.

I don't want the Easy Button to start automatically when I turn on my computer. What can I do?

Click on the Options button in the Easy Button Toolbar. Change the first setting on the General tab.

I got a window saying there's a new version. What do I do?

Just click on the Download Now button. The Easy Button will exit and you'll begin to download a new version. Just click Run and follow the instructions.

I don't want to keep seeing that there's a new version every few days. Can I turn it off?

Yes. On the About tab of the Options window (click the Options button in the Easy Button Toolbar) you can uncheck the control next to "Automatically check for application upgrades."

The Easy Button makes my computer dial up to the Internet when I don't want it to. Can I turn this off?

Yes. Go to the Connections tab of the Options window (click the Options button in the Easy Button Toolbar) and uncheck the control at the bottom labeled "Automatically connect to the Internet when computer is offline."

Are you working on a new version? What will it do?

We think the new Easy Button is an incredible application, but we're always looking to make things, better and easier. As we discover new ways to bring easy to you, you'll be the first to know.

The Easy Button is making my computer slower.

The Easy Button is likely to consume a small amount of system resources while it’s running. Typically it’s about half a percent. If for some reason it’s using much more, exit and start again.

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I want links in the Easy Button to open in Firefox or Netscape. Can I do that?

Yes. Links will open in the browser that's set to be your default Web browser. You can override that by selecting your browser from the control at the bottom of the General tab in the Options window (which you can open by pressing the Options button).

I want links open in new browser windows, not the same window.

You can change the behavior of opening a new browser window by selecting a different Web browser from the control towards the top of the General tab in the Options window (click on the Options button to open the Options window).

If you select Internet Explorer, the Easy Button will open links in a new browser window.

Firefox (visible if you have Firefox installed), the Easy Button will open links according to your settings in Firefox. In Firefox select Tools > Options > Tab and choose one of the following options:

Opera (visible if you have Opera installed), the Easy Button will open links in a new tab.
If you select Operating System Default, the behavior will depend on which of the above browsers is your default browser.

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Functionality:

What does the search field in the Easy Button Toolbar do?

The search field is for searching the staples.com® Web site for products. It's a handy way to keep Staples® products only a click away!

What can I enter in the Search field of the Easy Button?

The search engine in the Easy Button is identical to the one on staples.com. For more information about searching, click here.

What does the Options button do?

This button gives you access to settings for startup, browser selection and audio preferences. It also lets you change your zip code selection, customize your proxy settings and choose how you want to check for upgrades.

Why do you need my zip code?

We need your zip code to provide local weather reports and store locations.

How do I change my weather/zip code/store locator?

Simply click on Change next to the location or change your zip code in the Options section.

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Uninstalling the Easy Button:

How do I uninstall the Easy Button?

If you want to permanently remove the Easy Button from your computer, go to Start > Programs > Easy Button > Uninstall Easy Button to begin the uninstall process.?>

If the uninstaller fails to completely remove all files, that is, you receive a prompt to install the Easy Button again on startup, then do the following:

  1. Click Cancel.
  2. Open Windows Explorer and delete the directory C:\Program Files\Staples Easy Button

Doing this will uninstall the Easy Button from your computer.

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Error messaging:

I received an error message while installing. What do I do?

  • Make sure the Easy Button isn't already running in your Task Manager's Process list as "EasyButton.exe" or "Install_Easy_Button.exe." If it is, end the process and try installing again.
  • Use the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" Control Panel to uninstall any copies of the Easy Button that may already be on your computer. Then try installing again.
  • If you're trying to install on a hard drive other than C:, make sure you use the correct drive letter. The install path should look like this: C:\Program Files\Easy Button.
  • Do you have the ability to install software on your computer? Some computer accounts are set up to prevent software from being installed. Contact your system administrator to find out what kind of privileges you have.

I received an error message during the registration process. What do I do?

  • Make sure your email has been entered correctly (e.g. empty, missing @, missing '.').
  • Make sure you've reentered the email correctly.
  • Make sure you have a network connection (e.g. network cable unplugged, server down, etc.).
  • Make sure your proxy is configured correctly.
  • Make sure you've clicked on the validation link in the email confirmation we sent to you.

I received an error message while in the MyDeals or Ink & Toner tabs. What do I do?

Make sure your Internet connection is strong.

I received an error message while in the Ordering tab. What do I do?

If the item number entered cannot be found, or cannot connect, you will be asked to try again.

I received an error message while in the Store Locator tab. What do I do?

Make sure you've entered a valid zip code, and that your connection is strong.

I received an error message while in the Weather tab. What do I do?

Make sure you've entered a valid zip code, and that your connection is strong.

I get an error everytime I click a link in the Easy Button. What can I do?

The solution is to select your Web browser from the control at the bottom of the General tab in the Options window (click on the Options button to open the Options window).

The Easy Button crashed. What do I do now?

Wow, that’s surprising. If you don’t mind, please tell us about it so we can fix it for the next version. Contact us.

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Additional questions:

Can I buy a physical Easy Button like I see in your ads?

Yes. Just go to staples.com and type "Easy Button" in the product search field (located at the top of the page). Of course, if you've already downloaded the Easy Button software, you can just type "Easy Button" in its search field. They are available for purchase in our stores as well. It's good to call ahead first to ensure they have them in stock.

I have questions about the Easy Button program that are not answered in this guide. Who can I talk to?

If you have a question about the Staples® Easy Button software please contact us.

I have a question about a product Staples sells. Who can I talk to?

Call 1-800-3STAPLE or email us.

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