Windows Tips
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Answers to Vista Users' Nagging Questions
(How To) Should you revert to XP? How can you make Vista navigation more XP-like? And why doesn't System Restore restore your system? Our Answer Line columnist solves these Windows mysteries.
(How To) Should you revert to XP? How can you make Vista navigation more XP-like? And why doesn't System Restore restore your system? Our Answer Line columnist solves these Windows mysteries.
Six Ways to Make Vista and XP Work Your Way
(How To) Print directory folders, dump dopey Balloon Tips, save ornery files. Plus: I debunk a bogus performance trick.
(How To) Print directory folders, dump dopey Balloon Tips, save ornery files. Plus: I debunk a bogus performance trick.
What to Do When Windows Gets Really Messed Up
(How To) Even when Windows routinely gives you the Blue Screen of Death, all may not be lost. We'll show you how to restore both your data and your sanity.
(How To) Even when Windows routinely gives you the Blue Screen of Death, all may not be lost. We'll show you how to restore both your data and your sanity.
How to Do Everything Faster
(How To) 22 smarter, more efficient ways tomake short work of common tech tasks--from reinstalling Windows to crushingspyware to setting up a Web site.
(How To) 22 smarter, more efficient ways tomake short work of common tech tasks--from reinstalling Windows to crushingspyware to setting up a Web site.
Seven Free Geek Tools--and a Quick Tip
(How To) Fix PC lock-ups, jump-start your cable modem, and diagnose problems with your router.
(How To) Fix PC lock-ups, jump-start your cable modem, and diagnose problems with your router.
Simple Fixes for Hard Drive and Folder Annoyances
(How To) Boot unbootable drives, silence annoying start-up folders, and speed up Windows Explorer.
(How To) Boot unbootable drives, silence annoying start-up folders, and speed up Windows Explorer.
Share Apps With Users Who Have Limited Windows Accounts
(Reviews) Make your apps available to users with non-administrator accounts in XP or Vista; ensure that your power supply has enough juice; and add options to Vista's Send To menu.
(Reviews) Make your apps available to users with non-administrator accounts in XP or Vista; ensure that your power supply has enough juice; and add options to Vista's Send To menu.
Holiday Tips Extravaganza
(How To) Tips to cover all your computing problems--and those you haven't yet faced (but will).
(How To) Tips to cover all your computing problems--and those you haven't yet faced (but will).
Fixes for Your Computing Woes
(How To) A compendium of tips for dealing with the annoyances of computing life, plus how to catch fish with your bare hands.
(How To) A compendium of tips for dealing with the annoyances of computing life, plus how to catch fish with your bare hands.
Diagnose and Repair an Unbootable XP or Vista PC
(How To) What to do when your Windows XP or Windows Vista system refuses to boot.
(How To) What to do when your Windows XP or Windows Vista system refuses to boot.
Publish Your Outlook 2007 Calendar to the Web
(How To) You're just six instructions away from letting the world know your whereabouts.
(How To) You're just six instructions away from letting the world know your whereabouts.
Vista Power Tips From a Microsoft Guru
(How To) These hidden tools will help you get maximum performance from your Vista PC.
(How To) These hidden tools will help you get maximum performance from your Vista PC.
The Fast Track to Your Favorite Files and Folders
(How To) Use Windows' Places Bar, My Recent Documents, or the 'File-name' dropdown menu to speed up your access to the file or folder you want.
(How To) Use Windows' Places Bar, My Recent Documents, or the 'File-name' dropdown menu to speed up your access to the file or folder you want.
Sync Your PC's Tunes With Windows Mobile Devices
(How To) Sync Your PC's Tunes With Windows Mobile Devices
(How To) Sync Your PC's Tunes With Windows Mobile Devices
Save Windows Updates Locally for Faster Reinstalls
(howto) Save Windows Updates Locally for Faster Reinstalls
(howto) Save Windows Updates Locally for Faster Reinstalls
The Safest Way to Run Suspicious Programs
(howto) Use a protective launch option in Windows XP; stay secure with the free Cryptainer LE utility.
(howto) Use a protective launch option in Windows XP; stay secure with the free Cryptainer LE utility.
Let Windows Annotate Your Files a Bunch at a Time
(howto) Let Windows Annotate Your Files a Bunch at a Time
(howto) Let Windows Annotate Your Files a Bunch at a Time
The Quickest Way to Make Several Folders at Once
(howto) A shortcut makes multiple folders; change your 'Open With' list; spiff up your Command Prompt.
(howto) A shortcut makes multiple folders; change your 'Open With' list; spiff up your Command Prompt.
Break Through Windows' Workspace Limitations
(howto) Follow these tips to gain usable space in Windows and in applications.
(howto) Follow these tips to gain usable space in Windows and in applications.
Find Your Files Faster by Giving Them Keywords
(howto) Find Your Files Faster by Giving Them Keywords
(howto) Find Your Files Faster by Giving Them Keywords
Create a Windows CD for PCs That Don't Have One
(howto) Create a Windows CD for PCs That Don't Have One
(howto) Create a Windows CD for PCs That Don't Have One
Why Won't Windows Boot With a New Motherboard?
(howto) Why Won't Windows Boot With a New Motherboard?
(howto) Why Won't Windows Boot With a New Motherboard?
Windows Tips: Use a Super Boot Floppy After an XP Meltdown
(howto) Recover when XP won't load; get the full view of new Windows; color-code your file names; the fastest way into Outlook.
(howto) Recover when XP won't load; get the full view of new Windows; color-code your file names; the fastest way into Outlook.
Answer Line: Restrict Software Installs on a Shared Computer
(howto) Keep others from adding unwanted programs. Plus, learn the purpose of those mysterious files with a tilde in their name.
(howto) Keep others from adding unwanted programs. Plus, learn the purpose of those mysterious files with a tilde in their name.
Windows Tips: Make Windows Start and Stop the Way You Want
(howto) Run maintenance tasks automatically at shutdown; delete pesky autostart programs by editing the Registry.
(howto) Run maintenance tasks automatically at shutdown; delete pesky autostart programs by editing the Registry.
Windows Tips: Windows' Magnifier Gives You a Zoom With a View
(howto) Plus: Customize your log-on screen saver, replace defective new drivers, block off bad disk sectors, jump to Safe Mode, and planned OS obsolescence.
(howto) Plus: Customize your log-on screen saver, replace defective new drivers, block off bad disk sectors, jump to Safe Mode, and planned OS obsolescence.
Answer Line: Get All the Details on the Hardware Inside Your PC
(howto) Get details on your PC's components, print wide Web pages, trim your Fonts folder, and schedule hourly tasks.
(howto) Get details on your PC's components, print wide Web pages, trim your Fonts folder, and schedule hourly tasks.
76 Ways to Get More Out of Windows
(howto) Quick, easy ways to tame your operating system...from speed tweaks to security checks to troubleshooting tips.
(howto) Quick, easy ways to tame your operating system...from speed tweaks to security checks to troubleshooting tips.
Answer Line: Recover Lost Files That Aren't in the Recycle Bin
(howto) Undelete a file that you have accidentally purged. Plus: an e-mail attachment mystery solved.
(howto) Undelete a file that you have accidentally purged. Plus: an e-mail attachment mystery solved.
Windows Tips: Check Your Disks for Errors, With a Single Click
(howto) Automate hard-drive maintenance; XP Pro vs. XP Home; the versatile Power Menu utility.
(howto) Automate hard-drive maintenance; XP Pro vs. XP Home; the versatile Power Menu utility.
Answer Line: When a Windows Update Makes Things Worse
(howto) You may be able to uninstall bad patches. Plus: Give folders the appearance you prefer, change your default e-mail program, and format Word paragraphs efficiently.
(howto) You may be able to uninstall bad patches. Plus: Give folders the appearance you prefer, change your default e-mail program, and format Word paragraphs efficiently.
Answer Line: Which Background Programs Can I Close?
(howto) Shut down unnecessary applications; find the cause of sudden reboots; save PC power via hibernation; exit Windows with one click.
(howto) Shut down unnecessary applications; find the cause of sudden reboots; save PC power via hibernation; exit Windows with one click.
Windows Tips: Password-Protect Your Sensitive Files and Folders
(howto) Keep files private in XP and Me by compressing their folders; the last word on killing Messenger in XP Home.
(howto) Keep files private in XP and Me by compressing their folders; the last word on killing Messenger in XP Home.
Window Tips: XP Error Messages--You Decide What to Report
(howto) Customize outbound Windows XP error messages; add sounds and visual effects to your PC's error messages; diagnose memory errors; a better way to tweak Windows.
(howto) Customize outbound Windows XP error messages; add sounds and visual effects to your PC's error messages; diagnose memory errors; a better way to tweak Windows.
Bugs and Fixes: Bug or Feature? We've Got the Answers
(howto) Here's how to handle snags with service packs, Outlook Express, and more.
(howto) Here's how to handle snags with service packs, Outlook Express, and more.
The Insider's Guide to Fixing Windows
(howto) You don't have to bend to Windows' will--just follow our tips to shape it to your liking.
(howto) You don't have to bend to Windows' will--just follow our tips to shape it to your liking.
Windows Tips: Quick and Easy Ways to Master Windows Printing
(howto) Print faster and smarter by tweaking Windows' printer settings; get more control over the Windows print queue.
(howto) Print faster and smarter by tweaking Windows' printer settings; get more control over the Windows print queue.
Windows Tips: Keep Prying Eyes at Bay With Windows' Passwords
(howto) Get the upper hand on Windows' password options.
(howto) Get the upper hand on Windows' password options.