AutoPlay is the function of any operating system that controls what happens when you plug something into the computer. Whether it be a CD, DVD, digital camera, camera memory card, USB drive, MP3 player or other item, your computer reacts to it based on a preset of instructions. For reasons that number in the dozens, these instructions can change, be… Read More »How to fix and control AutoPlay in Windows 7 – Video Tip
Technically, I’ve been using Windows 7 (in beta and final form) for more than a year, but for today’s discussion I want to review what I’ve seen with it since its public release in October. Since then, I have helped many computer users setup their new Windows 7 laptops, desktop, and netbooks (probably around 125-150 new systems in total). I also helped around a dozen or so computer users upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7.
After this hands on experience, I’ve started to see some trends about Windows 7 that I like and some that I don’t like. Maybe some of this information will help you with the purchase of your next system.
On the surface, many computer users familiar with Windows Vista will think they are simply looking at Windows Vista. And overall, they would be right. Except for the small user interface changes with the Start menu, taskbar changes, system tray overhaul, and the way you can interact with open Windows, Windows 7 looks and feels like Vista. Under the hood, however, is where Microsoft Read More »Windows 7 – 4 month report
Although I’ve been testing, using and writing about Windows 7 since last year, it has only been on the market 2 weeks. In those two weeks, I have setup 8 or 10 new machines already.
The setup is much faster than Vista, but I’m already getting that same ‘ol, same ‘ol feeling about it as I did with Windows Vista and Office 2007. I don’t doubt that Microsoft went back to the drawing board and tweaked and improved Windows, but overall it really is just Vista, done correctly. Plus the machines it is being released on are monsters: dual and quad core processors, 4, 6, and 8 GB of RAM and fast, capable video processors as well.
I really think the improvements in usability will be completely lost by the majority of average computer users. Pinning programs to the taskbar, jump lists, using the integrated search, file libraries, Home Groups, shaking and pushing Windows to screen edges will Read More »Early thoughts on Windows 7
My radio show co-host, Adam Cochran, sponsored a Windows 7 launch party tonight, and I helped out. We both setup our laptops and projectors and showed off some of the Windows 7 features and answered general questions about upgrading, buying new computers, what software was included, and more. We talked about the new taskbar, increased search abilities, demonstrated the Home Groups feature by sharing some folders back and forth, talked about the less intrusive User Account Control (UAC), demonstrated the snap to edge for positioning windows, the shake technique and how the system installs faster with greater driver support.
Many computer users continue to believe that Microsoft Office (more specifically Word) is included in Windows. Word has never beenRead More »Fun night at Windows 7 Launch Party
Once a month has been good for our show. We have lots to talk about and not seeing each other as often, I think our enthusiasm for what we do comes across better than ever. We hope you feel the same. Listen to this month’s show where we talked a lot about smart phones and Windows 7. Remember, Adam Cochran… Read More »Computer Help Show Podcast – 10-21-09
PC World columnist, David Coursey, writes this week that the hassle of upgrading a Windows XP computer to Windows 7 isn’t worth the time and price. It pretty much mimics the exact advice I gave to Windows XP users when Vista came out 2 1/2 years ago.
Software developers build software for the future, so older computer simply cannot run the newer software as efficiently. Especially when talking about operating systems like Windows.
Bottom line: If you are Read More »PC World columnist says don’t upgrade from XP
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… Read More »HP to offer Free upgrade to Windows 7
I ran across this tip yesterday at Lockergnome and someone suggested that a video should be made…so here it is! The new Windows 7 taskbar, dubbed superbar, allows you to add any application you want there and then the same icon also acts as the taskbar icon as well. To quickly launch any application on the taskbar using your keyboard, hold down the Windows key plus the number of the location of the icon.
In my video example, Google Chrome was in position one, so I just held down the Windows key and the Read More »Keyboard shortcut to launch applications in Windows 7
Windows Vista was hammered from its beta versions all the way through to its release and even to this day for lack of compatibility with hardware and software. Today, Microsoft announced that more than 10,000 hardware and software vendors are working with Microsoft during the development phase of Windows 7 to help assure a quality launch of Windows 7 later… Read More »Microsoft Promises greater compatibility with Windows 7
I had the opportunity today to install both Windows 7 RC 1 and Ubuntu 9.04 on my Toshiba laptop today. The laptop has an Intel Core2Duo processor, 4 GB of RAM and 160 GB hard drive. Here are the results: Windows 7 RC1 Ubuntu 9.04 Install time 21 minutes including 2 reboots 19 minutes no reboots Boot time 54 seconds… Read More »Comparison of Windows 7 vs. Ubuntu 9.04 install