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Windows Tips

Practice smarter browsing to avoid malware – Video Tip

It seems that spyware, adware and other malware that doesn’t quite fall in the category of a virus grows by the day. Unfortunately, even the best protected computers and computer users can get hit by these sneaky destruction machines by tricking us (social engineering) to thinking we are either using, viewing or downloading something other than it is. In order… Read More »Practice smarter browsing to avoid malware – Video Tip

Easy File Management – Video Tip

You can easily delete and rename files from within almost any computer program. 

To delete a file or folder:

  1. Click  File from the menu of any program
  2. Click  Open
  3. In the window that pops up, click ONCE on any document you want to delete
  4. Push Delete on your keyboard.  Repeat as many times as you would like.

How to make a desktop Web Site Shortcut – Video Tip

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.

Using the Windows Snipping Tool – Video Tip

One new feature that Windows Vista brought to the table is an easier way to take pictures of your screen…known as screen shots. In previous versions of Windows you had to learn how to use the Print Screen button (click here for my tip on that technique) or find a third party utility to do the same thing.Windows Vista introduced a new tool called the Snipping Tool that makes taking screen shots easier and more flexible than Print Screen. Vista users can find the Snipping Tool in the Accessories menu. The Snipping Tool will also be included in the upcoming Windows 7. To see how it works, watch my video below.

How to rename files or folders in Windows – Video Tip

I answer this question a lot throughout my week both in person and in email, so I thought it was a great one to start with today. Remember that this tip applies to both files and folders. Enjoy and let me know what other quick tips you would like to see!

The Magical Title Bar – Video Tip


The title bar is the long (usually blue) 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 name of the current file (or web page on the web), and the name of the program also reside on the left side of the title bar. And even though one half to two-thirds of the bar is blank, it also has its functions.

Clicking on the little icon in the far left (once) will produce a menu that allows you to minimize, move, resize, maximize or close the window. This comes in handy when a window is shoved to one side and the right hand buttons are not visible. Double-clicking on the little icon closes the window/program.

Use the blank part of the title bar to move and position the window. This only works if the window is in the less than maximum position. Just click and drag the title bar and the whole window follows. This technique is helpful if you need to position two windows for dragging and dropping files. Also, double-clicking your title bar will automatically maximize the window.

Remember to use the minimize button to ‘shrink’ the window to an icon on your desktop so that you can access your desktop or a window/program behind the current window. This keeps the program running and to restore it back to the original position, simple click on it one time from the task bar.

The middle button on the right side of a title bar changes between the maximize button (one square) and the restore button (two overlapping squares). The maximize button will fill the entire screen with the program window. The restore button makes the program windows less than maximum.

You many not necessarily use all these techniques every day, but keep them in mind and they will come in handy from time-to-time.

Watch the short 3 minute video below for a good visual tour of how these functions work.

Cut, Copy and Paste! – Video Tip

These techniques should be standard tools for any computer user. However, many computer users find these techniques elusive.

The ability to move (cut) or copy information from one computer program to another sets you free to do so much more with your computer. Cut, Copy and Paste function by temporarily storing the information, cut or copied, into a temporary holding spot of memory known as the clipboard (Click here for the Webopedia definition).

The information held in the clipboard stays there and is available to Paste until either the computer is restarted or another item is cut or copied. Make special note of this fact when using the "Cut" command, because if you cut or copy another item before pasting the first item, the first one is lost.

Before choosing Cut or Copy, the computer needs to know what you want to cut or copy. This is done by using the mouse to