How to use tabs in your browser – Video Tip

One of the biggest additions to the new Internet Explorer is ‘tabbed browsing’. An unbelievable feature that you will wonder how you did without once you start using it. Tabbed browsing was first introduced by the lesser known Opera browser, and brought fully to life with Firefox. Tabbed browsing allows you to open multiple Internet windows without cluttering your taskbar and makes them easy to find with easy to...

Windows 8 Basic Navigation and Customization ̵...

Today’s tip centers around the biggest changes in Microsoft’s newest version of Windows; Windows 8. To say it is different than anything we have seen before from them is a huge understatement. You really have to see it to believe it. In my video tip below, I discuss: The new start screen interface (Metro) basics How to get to a familiar desktop How to customize the new start screen: add, remove, change, and move...

WARNING! Spyware/Virus Infections Getting Nastier!

This article applies primarily to Windows users (any version) since virii and spyware infections are pretty much limited to Windows users at this time. However, Apple and Linux users should heed the advice that I will lay out here and help their Windows using friends and family as well. First and foremost, EVERY Internet user should read, study, and understand the who, what, why, and how of spyware and virus infections by...

Make reading the web easier than ever – Vide...

Although we now have 19″ and larger monitors on most new desktop computers, the text seems to shrink. Why is that? It has to do with screen resolution (how much information can be displayed). Screen resolutions on today’s monitors are up to 3X that of monitors we used just 6-8 years ago. We can see a lot more information, but often the text is too small to view for some computer users. Never fear. Using this...

How to make a desktop Web Site Shortcut – Vi...

I had this question come up during a phone call today, and although I described it the best I could, this is truly a visual tip. Watch the short video tip below to learn how to create a desktop icon that goes directly to a web site. Hint: It’s easy to follow and do.

How to Install Windows 7 Updates 1 at a time ̵...

Recently, I have found that if Windows 7 users get a little behind on Windows Updates that the update procedure will fail unless you install them manually one at a time. Here are the notes on how to do just that…install Windows 7 updates one at at time so you can successfully get them all installed and get back on...

The Magical Title Bar – Video Tip

The title bar is the long (usually blue in Windows XP or transparent in Vista or 7) bar at the top of each program. The title bar contains three familiar buttons on the right; the minimize button (little bar), the maximize or resize button (middle button) and the often used “X” button to close a program. On the left side of the title bar is a small icon in the far left corner that matches that of the program. The...

Don’t buy Microsoft Office when you buy a ne...

Despite what big box store sales people try to sell you, don’t buy a copy of Microsoft Office. On all new commercial computers today, manufacturers install a trial version of Microsoft Office AND a copy of Microsoft Office Starter Edition. Microsoft Office Starter Edition does NOT expire and is every bit as functional as its costly brethren. The Starter editions includes only Word and Excel. If you need PowerPoint or...

How to transfer photos to a Windows 7 computer and...

Pictured below are two sets of instructions I put together today for a new Windows 7 user who uses the MSN browser and email. He was frustrated at the learning curve and asked for help…here are the results. I hope these instructions help others as well because the steps can be generalized for AOL browser users, Windows Live Mail users, and Microsoft Outlook users as...

How to type on a PDF or scanned form – Video...

One of the computer’s greatest weaknesses is filling in forms…until now! For a long time, I have recommended using FoxIt Reader as my PDF (Adobe portable document format) reader of choice. On and off, they have offered tools to help you fill in forms or annotate documents, but with their newest version, the form filler or typewriter tool is now enhanced and permanent. FoxIt’s typewriter tool is fast,...

Changing file-program associations – Video T...

Have you ever wondered how to get your picture files to open directly in your image editing program? Or maybe correct a problem with PDF documents not opening in your PDF reader? Read on to learn how to get your files to open where you want them to when you double-click on them. For example, by default JPEG picture files open with Microsoft Windows Image & Fax Viewer. Maybe you want them to open with Adobe Photoshop...

How to register for your Avast Free Antivirus Lice...

Adding to my new ongoing series of daily how-tos I write for clients is this one about registering the Free Avast Antivirus I now recommend. Occasionally the registration servers are not working when I install the program for a client, so I created these instructions for her to follow when the servers come back online. This should also help those folks who need to re-register Avast after the first year. Keep in mind that for...

How to print the contents of any folder in Windows...

Microsoft provides a set of instructions for adding the ability to print the contents of a folder in Windows XP or Vista, but the instructions will be over the head of many computer users. Years ago, I found and added a free folder print utility called FolderPrint to my web site. In all those years, however, I never provided a clear set of instructions on how to utilize that helpful little tool…until now. You can...

Easy File Management – Video Tip

You can easily delete and rename files from within almost any computer program. To delete a file or folder: Click  File from the menu of any program Click  Open In the window that pops up, click ONCE on any document you want to delete Push Delete on your keyboard.  Repeat as many times as you would like.   To rename a file or folder: Click File from the menu of any program Click  Open Click ONCE on the file you...

Windows Key Shortcuts

The Windows Key (usually located between the Ctrl and Alt keys on either side of your keyboard) allows you to push it and another key to gain quick access to some Windows utilities and programs. Here are the combos: Windows Key + F = Find/Search Windows Key + E = Windows Explorer (my favorite) Windows Key + R = Run Windows Key + M = Minimize all open windows so that you can see your desktop again (Windows Key + D will do the...