Windows Tips

7 Internet Security Tips to Save You Time & Money

photo credit: maistora

I write about Internet security frequently because I see too many breaches of Internet security every single day. And by Internet security, I’m referring to keeping your computer free of spyware, fake security software and other annoying, time consuming, and expensive ailments that can strike your computer.

THESE TYPES OF INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE.

First, I need to exempt Mac and Linux (Ubuntu) users from reading this article since they are almost entirely immune from these problems. Of course, if you are a Mac or Linux user and want to read on simply to gloat at how secure and easy your computing life is…feel free.

Back to my Windows readers. I don’t use all caps often, but I do want to reiterate that by educating yourself, you can avoid the costly and time consuming problems associated with malware infections. It is also important to know that there is not a security product on the market that can Continue reading →

How to transfer your iTunes library & playlists to a new computer

photo credit: mac steve

If you use an iPod, iTouch, or iPhone and plan on getting a new computer, you will want to read this article! OR, if you use any of these devices and want to make sure your library stays safe, you will want to read this article!

Yesterday, I helped a customer setup a new Windows 7 computer and transfer email, favorites, and other data from his old Windows XP computer. Turns out that he also needed to move his iTunes library of more than 8,000 songs and almost 150 playlists!

There isn’t too much I panic about when I arrive at a customer’s home or office, but moving large, customized iTunes libraries is something that does get me a little nervous. In the past, I have had to open an iTunes XML file in a word processor and then use find and replace to enter the path to the storage location on the new computer. It was extremely difficult and tedious.

I am happy to report that I successfully transferred the entire 36 gigabyte library and playlists using Continue reading →

Windows Tips — 2 Comments
30
Nov 09

Learn how to use new maximize method in Windows 7 – Video Tip

Windows 7 has definitely cleaned up a lot of loose ends created in Windows Vista and added some new features as well. One of the new features is a little superfluous, yet remarkably kind of fun and easy to remember. It is a new way to maximize a window.

In all previous versions of windows, the most popular way to maximize a window was to use the maximize button or double-click the title bar (did you know that one?) Both of these techniques still work in Windows 7, but now you can maximize a window by dragging it Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 67 Comments
24
Nov 09

Windows 7 Email Options

Do you currently use Outlook Express for your email? If you plan to upgrade to Windows 7 or buy a Windows 7 computer, you will need to find a new way to send and receive email.

The Outlook Express email application has been the main stay of every version of Windows since Windows 95. It changed slightly with Vista and was called Windows Mail.

With the release of Windows 7, Microsoft no longer includes the popular email program. Instead, Microsoft hopes you will download and install Windows Live Essentials which includes Windows Live Mail.

Windows Live Mail is a hybrid program that works Continue reading →

Windows Tips — 5 Comments
19
Oct 09

A quicker way to Rename folders and files in Windows

Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming version 7 continue to help us accomplish certain computer tasks more quickly.

One of my favorite features involves the renaming of files. You can still use the techniques I outlined in a previous tip, but renaming files can be even faster with the right steps. If you have the need to rename a group of files (for example a group of freshly downloaded pictures from your digital camera), you can select them and rename them in groups. Here’s how: Continue reading →

Application Tips / Windows Tips — 4 Comments
10
Oct 09

Installing Microsoft Security Essentials – Video Tip

Today, I downloaded, updated, configured and installed Microsoft’s new, free security product: Microsoft Security Essentials. It provides a significant upgrade in protection and usability over their previous offerings. In fact, the setup and administration is extremely straight forward. From the reviews and tests that I’ve read, it appears to protect PCs (Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7) quite well and doesn’t slow the computer down by being bloated like so many other security products on the market.

I will be testing it out over the next month or so and report back my findings, but for now, I continue to recommend AVG and Avast. If you are already using either of those products, stay with them. If you are using almost anything else, you can certainly give your computer a performance boost by Continue reading →

Hardware Tips / Windows Tips — 2 Comments
9
Oct 09

How to burn a CD with Windows XP

photo credit: nickwheeleroz (on holiday)

Floppy disks have long since departed from the computer landscape. Most comptuer companies have not included floppy drives as standard equipment for at least two years. I say good riddance except for one thing…they were easy to use. Computer users felt comfortable copying and backing up information to these slow, yet convenient drives.

For quick and roomy storage today, I recommend flash memory drives (click here for a tip describing these).

However, almost all computers now come with a CD/DVD burner drive…a CD/DVD drives capable of creating (burning) CD’s. Capable is the operative word in this sentence because many computer users still feel daunted by the task of burning a CD. Windows XP aims to help simplify the process and does a reasonably good job at it. Here’s how to burn a CD with Windows XP: Continue reading →

Windows Tips — 4 Comments
8
Oct 09

Printing Error Messages*

photo credit: pokpok313

NOTE: This tip is an off-shoot of our Print Screen tip that you will also want to read and watch.

We all have computer mishaps and end up having to call for help. One of the first questions the helper (tech support) always asks is, “What was the message you received?”

Most of the time, in our frustration, we failed to write down the content of the message. Here is a tip that will bypass the writing altogether and allow you to answer that first question from your digital helper.

When an error occurs follow these steps:

1. Before Clicking on the OK or Cancel button on the error message press the Print Screen button on your keyboard (it’s located above the Delete, and Home keys on the middle of your keyboard)
2. Close the error message
3. Open your favorite Continue reading →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 4 Comments
20
Aug 09

Cleaning and removing Antivirus 2009, PAV and others from your computer,

Photo by Jim Grandy

Preventing your computer from becoming infected is infinitely easier and less stressful than cleaning up after an infection.

Search my site for tons of information on setting up your computer for security and techniques to avoid scams. However, if you are already bit by one of the most recent nasty forms of software, Antivirus 2008, Antivirus 2009, Personal Antivirus, Internet Security 2009 among others (software I call extortionware that installs itself on your computer and then poses as Continue reading →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News / Windows Tips — 1 Comment
25
Jun 09

HP to offer Free upgrade to Windows 7

Starting today through the release of Windows 7 in October, HP is offering a free upgrade to any customer who buys a new desktop or laptop through their web site. Currently, only certain systems qualify for the upgrade, so look at the product description.

If you decide to take advantage of this offer, make sure you get a new computer with at least 3GB of RAM for best performance with Vista and then Windows 7.

HP Offers Free Windows 7 Upgrades — Microsoft Windows 7 — InformationWeek.