Technology Tips & Troubleshooting
How to information and tutorials related to computers and software.
12 Great Do-It-Yourself PC Projects
(How To) How to customize Vista, streamline your network, create an entertainment hub, and do much more--quickly and easily.
(How To) How to customize Vista, streamline your network, create an entertainment hub, and do much more--quickly and easily.
Salesforce.com's New Small-Business Service
(Reviews) The Web-based customer relationship management gianta??s new Group Edition integrates tightly with Google AdWords.
(Reviews) The Web-based customer relationship management gianta??s new Group Edition integrates tightly with Google AdWords.
Set a Hacker Alarm on Your Web Mail Box
(How To) Use a clever trick and free tools to find out if someone has been snooping into your e-mail to steal sensitive information.
(How To) Use a clever trick and free tools to find out if someone has been snooping into your e-mail to steal sensitive information.
10 Fast Fixes for Nagging PC Problems
(How To) These common snags won't make a brick of your PC, but they're frustrating, annoying, and real productivity drains. Here's how to solve them.
(How To) These common snags won't make a brick of your PC, but they're frustrating, annoying, and real productivity drains. Here's how to solve them.
Top Tricks for Safe, Smart Downloads
(How To) Plus: Download and play videos, and unclutter your machine's system tray.
(How To) Plus: Download and play videos, and unclutter your machine's system tray.
How We Test
(Reviews) The PC World Test Center uses a variety of rigorous performance tests and tools to conduct a fair and impartial analysis of major products under review.
(Reviews) The PC World Test Center uses a variety of rigorous performance tests and tools to conduct a fair and impartial analysis of major products under review.
Six Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
(How To) Here are useful tips and tricks that you can teach even an old cell phone to do.
(How To) Here are useful tips and tricks that you can teach even an old cell phone to do.
Why Won't My PC Awaken From Power-Saving Mode?
(How To) Why Won't My PC Awaken From Power-Saving Mode?
(How To) Why Won't My PC Awaken From Power-Saving Mode?
Maintenance Tips: Essential Trouble-Saving Tips Are Just a Link Away
(howto) Maintenance Tips: Essential Trouble-Saving Tips Are Just a Link Away
(howto) Maintenance Tips: Essential Trouble-Saving Tips Are Just a Link Away
Hassle-Free PC: Fix Stubborn Windows Install Errors
(howto) Hassle-Free PC: Fix Stubborn Windows Install Errors
(howto) Hassle-Free PC: Fix Stubborn Windows Install Errors
What's Pushing My CPU Into the Danger Zone?
(howto) Find the cause of a CPU slowdown via Windows' Task Manager; unrestrict IE's options; make sure your floppies are still readable.
(howto) Find the cause of a CPU slowdown via Windows' Task Manager; unrestrict IE's options; make sure your floppies are still readable.
Home Office: Zap PC Annoyances, Part 3
(howto) Fixes for e-mail, software, and hardware annoyances; finding that lost screw.
(howto) Fixes for e-mail, software, and hardware annoyances; finding that lost screw.
Home Office: Zap PC Annoyances, Part 2
(howto) More fixes for what ails your PC and increases your blood pressure.
(howto) More fixes for what ails your PC and increases your blood pressure.
Home Office: Create Great Newsletters, Brochures, and More
(howto) Check out my favorite tools and some inexpensive options, but beware of the angry penguin.
(howto) Check out my favorite tools and some inexpensive options, but beware of the angry penguin.
GeekTech: Welcome to the Geek Club
(howto) This month GeekTech shares tips, tricks, and reasons why it's great to be a geek.
(howto) This month GeekTech shares tips, tricks, and reasons why it's great to be a geek.
How to Fix the Biggest PC Annoyances
(howto) Had it with Windows glitches, hardware headaches, and Internet irritations? Here's how to get rid of them for good.
(howto) Had it with Windows glitches, hardware headaches, and Internet irritations? Here's how to get rid of them for good.
Home Office: Zap PC Annoyances, Part 1
(howto) Printers, virus scanners, speakers, and venting frustration.
(howto) Printers, virus scanners, speakers, and venting frustration.
Home Office: Home Office on the Road
(howto) Travel tips, Web sites, articles, and advice from readers.
(howto) Travel tips, Web sites, articles, and advice from readers.
Who Knew Your...PC, Software, Camera, Printer, Network, Drive, Handheld...Could Do That?
(howto) 28 unexpected ways to get more out of the tools you use every day.
(howto) 28 unexpected ways to get more out of the tools you use every day.
Home Office: Instant Relief for a Day Full of "Ooops!"
(howto) These eight tools and tips are sure cures for your common computing uh-ohs.
(howto) These eight tools and tips are sure cures for your common computing uh-ohs.
Answer Line: How Do I Keep Other People Off My PC?
(howto) Use these tricks and tools to protect your files. Plus, automate PC shutdown, find out how much laser-printer memory you need, and update XP's Start menu.
(howto) Use these tricks and tools to protect your files. Plus, automate PC shutdown, find out how much laser-printer memory you need, and update XP's Start menu.
Time-Saving Tips From the Pros
(howto) Our five experts share their favorite secrets for working faster, not harder--from file management shortcuts to photo editing tricks.
(howto) Our five experts share their favorite secrets for working faster, not harder--from file management shortcuts to photo editing tricks.
Home Office: Still Annoyed With Your PC? No Wonder...
(howto) Another heaping helping of fixes for vexing PC problems.
(howto) Another heaping helping of fixes for vexing PC problems.
Home Office: Annoyed With Your PC? Read This Now
(howto) Our favorite fixes for the most aggravating problems.
(howto) Our favorite fixes for the most aggravating problems.
50 Fixes for the Biggest PC Annoyances
(howto) Windows gone wacky? Hardware gone haywire? Software gone screwy? Take a deep breath--help is here.
(howto) Windows gone wacky? Hardware gone haywire? Software gone screwy? Take a deep breath--help is here.
How to Troubleshoot the Worst PC Disasters
(howto) Vanishing files? Flaky connections? Don't panic! Here's what to do when technology turns evil.
(howto) Vanishing files? Flaky connections? Don't panic! Here's what to do when technology turns evil.
Up Front: Cheap Tweaks Tech Firms Should Make
(howto) Free advice on some little changes that would make a big difference.
(howto) Free advice on some little changes that would make a big difference.
Home Office: Bass's Surplus Tips and Cool Tools
(howto) Nifty tools, reader comments, leftovers, and follow-ups to tips.
(howto) Nifty tools, reader comments, leftovers, and follow-ups to tips.
Answer Line: What Do You Do When Windows Doesn't Boot?
(howto) Also: nonsensical Windows error messages; add Excel data to a Word file; print later by saving as .prn; transfer Word AutoCorrect settings.
(howto) Also: nonsensical Windows error messages; add Excel data to a Word file; print later by saving as .prn; transfer Word AutoCorrect settings.
Answer Line: Why Doesn't My Computer Turn Off Properly?
(howto) Diagnose Windows shutdown problems; configure a notebook for home and office networks; customize Word and Excel dialog boxes.
(howto) Diagnose Windows shutdown problems; configure a notebook for home and office networks; customize Word and Excel dialog boxes.
Answer Line: Synchronize Important Folders on Two Computers
(howto) Transport files between work and home PCs; sidestep password demands in Windows XP's Task Scheduler; save Windows updates to disk; easy Windows macro recording.
(howto) Transport files between work and home PCs; sidestep password demands in Windows XP's Task Scheduler; save Windows updates to disk; easy Windows macro recording.
The New (Improved?) Wireless Web
(reviews) Round two for the mobile Internet: Our roving reporter's verdict on six ways to get your data on the run.
(reviews) Round two for the mobile Internet: Our roving reporter's verdict on six ways to get your data on the run.
Home Office: My Best Work-at-Home Tricks
(howto) Save time on e-mail, surfing, and printing; all about snurls.
(howto) Save time on e-mail, surfing, and printing; all about snurls.
Answer Line: Which Programs Should I Let Access the Internet?
(howto) Selectively permit programs to access the Net; help your PC hibernate; restore lost file associations.
(howto) Selectively permit programs to access the Net; help your PC hibernate; restore lost file associations.
Answer Line: Share Programs the Easy Way on a Multiuser PC
(howto) Give multiple users of a single PC access to any program; resume interrupted downloads at the point of failure; confirm that a used PC isn't stolen property; delete items from the Startup tab of Win 98's Msconfig; convert .gif files into .ico files.
(howto) Give multiple users of a single PC access to any program; resume interrupted downloads at the point of failure; confirm that a used PC isn't stolen property; delete items from the Startup tab of Win 98's Msconfig; convert .gif files into .ico files.
Home Office: Great Graphics, Slick Downloads
(howto) Plus: Bad personal finance apps, the latest audio gizmos, more time wasters.
(howto) Plus: Bad personal finance apps, the latest audio gizmos, more time wasters.
Answer Line: What Apps Should I Use to Open Mystery Files?
(howto) Programs for opening mystery files; customizing the Places Bar in IE 6's Save As dialog box.
(howto) Programs for opening mystery files; customizing the Places Bar in IE 6's Save As dialog box.
Hardware Tips: What Should You Do With Your Old Computer?
(howto) Find the best use for an aging machine; uncover the source of Windows' error messages; silence your modem.
(howto) Find the best use for an aging machine; uncover the source of Windows' error messages; silence your modem.
Bugs and Fixes: Serious Security Holes in Internet Explorer
(howto) Microsoft says it has fixed six problems--but one wasn't repaired completely.
(howto) Microsoft says it has fixed six problems--but one wasn't repaired completely.
Full Disclosure: Networking--You Still Need a Geek
(howto) Maybe networks should come bundled with a phalanx of experts.
(howto) Maybe networks should come bundled with a phalanx of experts.
Answer Line: Create a Start-Up Floppy for Windows 2000 and XP
(howto) Be prepared in case your Windows 2000 or XP machine won't boot.
(howto) Be prepared in case your Windows 2000 or XP machine won't boot.
Web Savvy: Finally, Real Relief From Spam
(howto) One Web service and a little common sense give peace of mind.
(howto) One Web service and a little common sense give peace of mind.
Privacy Watch: Wireless Industry Moves to Can the Spam
(howto) Concern overe a possible consumer backlash prompt trade groups to support limits on location-based ads.
(howto) Concern overe a possible consumer backlash prompt trade groups to support limits on location-based ads.
Consumer Watch: Don't Let Your Favorite Site Get Hijacked
(howto) Schemes, scams, and incompetence can trip up a Web site you love.
(howto) Schemes, scams, and incompetence can trip up a Web site you love.
Up Front: Who Really Controls Your PC?
(howto) Increasingly, a phantom army of marketers, hackers, and virus writers does.
(howto) Increasingly, a phantom army of marketers, hackers, and virus writers does.
Full Disclosure: How to Get Work Done--Beware of Tips!
(howto) The best tips save your bacon; the worst hurt more than they help.
(howto) The best tips save your bacon; the worst hurt more than they help.
Answer Line: A Trio of Questions I Wish You Had Asked Me
(howto) Automate tasks, get organized, improve your PC's performance, and alter your desktop's appearance.
(howto) Automate tasks, get organized, improve your PC's performance, and alter your desktop's appearance.
Home Office: Here's a Tip--PC User Groups Are Great
(howto) Members get advice and support from everyday experts like these four folks.
(howto) Members get advice and support from everyday experts like these four folks.
Full Disclosure: How to Fix Keyboards: Don't Touch 'Em!
(howto) Why do PC vendors keep shuffling keys on us?
(howto) Why do PC vendors keep shuffling keys on us?
Internet Tips: If Your ISP Sinks, Don't Go Down With the Ship
(howto) Be ready to save your e-mail address, as well as the rest of your online identity; disable IE's Content Advisor.
(howto) Be ready to save your e-mail address, as well as the rest of your online identity; disable IE's Content Advisor.
Open Explorer to the Folders You Use Most
(howto) Change the folder Explorer opens to, and create shortcuts that will open Explorer to all your favorite folders.
(howto) Change the folder Explorer opens to, and create shortcuts that will open Explorer to all your favorite folders.
Internet Access Makes Its Way Home
(news) Americans are surfing the Web from home in record numbers, but not everyone has the access.
(news) Americans are surfing the Web from home in record numbers, but not everyone has the access.
Up Front: Help Others by Rating Products You Use
(howto) Plus: PC World joins America Online with new Top 10s and Buying Guides.
(howto) Plus: PC World joins America Online with new Top 10s and Buying Guides.
The Store Next Door
(howto) PC service from the big guys is in free fall, but our exclusive report says customers who buy locally are happy. Here's how to find a great independent dealer--and steer clear of the fly-by-night operators.
(howto) PC service from the big guys is in free fall, but our exclusive report says customers who buy locally are happy. Here's how to find a great independent dealer--and steer clear of the fly-by-night operators.
Home Office Newsletter Columns for 2002 WPA Maggies
(resource) A list of online Home Office Newsletter columns entered for consideration in the 2002 WPA Maggies Awards.
(resource) A list of online Home Office Newsletter columns entered for consideration in the 2002 WPA Maggies Awards.
Answer Line: Combine Your Rescue Disks on a Single CD
(howto) Put multiple rescue disks on a single CD, transfer your Outlook Express installation to a new PC.
(howto) Put multiple rescue disks on a single CD, transfer your Outlook Express installation to a new PC.
Answer Line: How Do I Keep Others From Using My PC?
(howto) Secure your system, uninstall programs properly, put a slide show on a CD-Recordable disc.
(howto) Secure your system, uninstall programs properly, put a slide show on a CD-Recordable disc.
Up Front: Bringing PC World Into Sharper Focus
(howto) Most of the familiar departments, columns, reviews, and features are still here--but with a new look.
(howto) Most of the familiar departments, columns, reviews, and features are still here--but with a new look.
Internet Use Jumps 15 Percent
(news) Internet usage grew 15 percent in just six months and broadband connections grew even faster.
(news) Internet usage grew 15 percent in just six months and broadband connections grew even faster.
Growth in Internet Use Slows
(news) This summer is seeing slower growth in number of Web users, but people are spending more time online.
(news) This summer is seeing slower growth in number of Web users, but people are spending more time online.
Home Office: The Skinny on Web Searching
(howto) Want superior Web searches? Seek the Steve Bass way and ye shall find.
(howto) Want superior Web searches? Seek the Steve Bass way and ye shall find.
Adults Dominate Net, Even in Summer
(news) More adults are online, and the browsing kids don't buy, says survey.
(news) More adults are online, and the browsing kids don't buy, says survey.
Are You an E-Mail Addict?
(news) Odds are you'll log on for business during the Fourth of July holiday.
(news) Odds are you'll log on for business during the Fourth of July holiday.
Full Disclosure: 'Read the Manual!' What Manual?
(howto) Stephen Manes to vendors: How can I read the documentation when there is no documentation?
(howto) Stephen Manes to vendors: How can I read the documentation when there is no documentation?
User Wish List: Reliability, Simplicity
(news) Usability wish list meets the Ease of Use Initiative at Intel Developer Forum.
(news) Usability wish list meets the Ease of Use Initiative at Intel Developer Forum.
Limited Mobility Doesn't Stop Senior Surfers
(news) Health professionals consider how to make sites more inviting to senior surfers.
(news) Health professionals consider how to make sites more inviting to senior surfers.
Windows Tips: Windows Freebies Go the OS One Better
(howto) Use free applets to tweak Windows, clean up the Registry.
(howto) Use free applets to tweak Windows, clean up the Registry.
Answer Line: Remain Anonymous and Disable Your PC's PSN
(howto) Disable your PSN; back up the Dial-Up Networking folder.
(howto) Disable your PSN; back up the Dial-Up Networking folder.
Streaming Goes Mainstream
(news) Web surfers want more than just e-mail as streaming media is on the rise.
(news) Web surfers want more than just e-mail as streaming media is on the rise.
Politics in Cyberspace: Digital Petition Urges Nader to Quit
(news) E-mail rally pushes Nader to back Gore, but the Green leader won't pull out.
(news) E-mail rally pushes Nader to back Gore, but the Green leader won't pull out.
Full Disclosure: The Curse of User-Hostile Design
(howto) Stephen Manes fumes about the idiocy of user-hostile interfaces--and names names.
(howto) Stephen Manes fumes about the idiocy of user-hostile interfaces--and names names.
Fast Net Access Could Invigorate Your TV
(news) Consumers will freeze time, answer e-mail, and order videos through interactive TV.
(news) Consumers will freeze time, answer e-mail, and order videos through interactive TV.
Changes at the New PCWorld.com
(resource) We're making steady progress on fixing the problems that you have noticed.
(resource) We're making steady progress on fixing the problems that you have noticed.
The PC Is Dead? Long Live the PC?
(howto) Buzzards go home--reports of the PC's death are greatly exaggerated.
(howto) Buzzards go home--reports of the PC's death are greatly exaggerated.