Scan Windows System Files

 Scan and Fix Windows

Scanning and fixing Windows System files will improve the function and speed of your computer.

The Windows system consists of a group of program files that work together to run your computer. All activities, including applications (like word processors, email, Internet browsers), are controlled by these system program files. Over time, these files can be changed or corrupted by new software installations, viruses, hard drive and other problems. The more corrupt the system files are, the more unstable and problematic your Windows operating system will become. That is why scanning and fixing Windows system files is so important.

The SFC (System File Checker) program scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted or incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions. This procedure can be very beneficial, especially if your computer has been displaying error messsages or running erratic.

To use the System File Checker, follow these steps:

Close any open programs on your Desktop Click on the Start button Click Run Type this command in the Run box: SFC /SCANNOW Click the "OK" button
 Scan and Fix Windows

It may take from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to scan and fix all windows system files. It will work fastest if you do not use the computer during this process. You may continue to use the PC, but performance will be very slow.

Follow any instructions that the SFC program gives you When the SFC program has finished, the Run window will close.

Once complete, you may resume your other activities.

For more ways to optimize your Windows computer, also read Top 8 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer.

View the original article here

Change Windows 7 Display Language

 Instead of going through the Control Panel, we'll search for the Change Display Language using Windows search.

If you live in an English-speaking country and purchased a PC at your local computer retailer or online, chances are you are running an english version of Windows 7.

However if you're native language is something other than english and you prefer to use Windows 7 in your native language you do have the option of changing the display language for the operating system.

In this guide we're going to focus on changing the display language in Windows 7 to one of the 30+ languages supported by Microsoft's latest operating system.

I used Windows 7 Ultimate for this guide, but the instructions apply to all Windows 7 editions.

1. To get started you will need to click the Start (Windows Logo) button to open the Start Menu.

2. When the Start Menu opens, enter "change display language" without the quotes, in the Windows search box.

3. A list of search results will appear in the Start menu, click Change display language from the list.

The Region and Language window will appear.

1. Make sure that the Keyboards and Languages tab is active.

2. Click the Install/Uninstall Languages... button.

In order for you to use languages other than the default installed in Windows you will need to download them from Microsoft, after which you will install the language pack for the language you wish to use.

The Install or uninstall display languages wizard will appear prompting you to Install display languages or Uninstall display languages.

Click Install to download the language packs.

You will then be prompted to select the location of the Language packs with two options, Launch Windows Update or Browse computer or network.

Unless you have a language pack stored on your PC, click Launch Windows Update to download the latest language packs direct from Microsoft.

When you select the Launch Windows Update option, the Windows Update window will appear.

Note: Windows Update is used to download updates, security patches, language packs, drivers and other features direct from Microsoft.

There are two types of updates that are usually available from Windows Update, those that are important and should be downloaded right away and those that are optional, which are not critical.

The language packs fall on the latter, non-critical optional updates, so you will need to manually select the language pack you wish to use to download it from Windows Update.

Click the # optional updates are available link. Where the # refers to the number of optional updates that are available for download.

The Select updates to install page will load with a list of available updates that are Important and Optional.

1. Make sure that the Optional tab is active.

2. Select the language you wish to use by adding a checkmark next to the lnguage pack on the list from the Windows 7 Language Packs section.

3. Once the language packs are selected, click OK.

You will return to the Windows Update page where you will click the Install Updates button to begin downloading the language packs you selected from the list.

Once the language packs download and install they will be available for use.

Select new display language in Windows 7.

When you return to the Region and Language dialog box you will be able to select the languages you just downloaded from the Choose a display language drop-down.

Once you select the language, click OK to save the changes.

In order for the new display language to become active you will need to log off from your computer. Once you log back in the display language you selected should be active.

View the original article here

Win7UpgradeChecklist

If you have a Windows XP or Windows Vista PC, and want to upgrade to the much-improved Windows 7 operating system (OS), you'll have a lot less pain and aggravation if you lay the proper groundwork first. Before diving headlong into an upgrade, make sure you do these things first.

XP users need to be aware that they can't do an "in-place" upgrade to Windows 7; that is, they can't leave XP on their machine and install Windows 7 over it, as Vista users can. Upgrading for XP users means eradicating the old OS and installing a fresh copy of Windows 7.

Use the Upgrade Advisor. Microsoft's free Upgrade Advisor is an essential tool to download and install before upgrading to Windows 7. The Upgrade Advisor will tell you what steps you need to take before upgrading, including whether your computer meets the hardware specs necessary for Windows 7 (things like processors, memory and graphics cards); what new drivers you'll need; and if you have programs that aren't compatible.

One bit of advice: before running the Upgrade advisor, plug in any peripherals like printers, USB drives, mp3 players, etc. That way, the Upgrade Advisor can scan those devices and see how well they'll work with Windows 7 and if you need updated drivers for them.

Back up your hard drive. This is the most important step you can take. Upgrades, although typically successful, are no sure thing. It is essential that you back up your documents, pictures, videos -- anything that you don't want lost -- to an external hard drive, thumb or USB drive, or some online service like Windows Live SkyDrive. That way, if the worst happens, you won't want to throw yourself off a roof.

About.com offers excellent guidance and advice on backing up your computer.

Check and see if your manufacturer offers upgrade pricing. Many companies, like Acer and Fujitsu, offer discounted, or free, upgrades to Windows 7 to those who bought their PCs after a certain date. Microsoft worked with a number of vendors on a similar program. Most of the deals have now expired (they generally ended on Jan. 31), but you still have time to send in your receipts to validate your purchase.

Get a DVD, rather than a downloaded copy. You'll definitely want a full DVD copy of Windows 7, rather than downloading a copy from the Internet and using that to upgrade. If your upgrade goes wrong or you need to reinstall the OS at a future date for some reason, you'll be out of luck unless you have the DVD. Keep it in a safe place; a place you won't forget.

Don't use a pirated copy. This may be obvious, but I'll say it anyway: the money you save by getting an illegal, free copy, will not be worth the expense in the end. Pirated copies will not be eligible for upgrades, fixes and patches. And when something goes wrong with your copy of Windows 7, you won't be able to get any help from Microsoft.

There are two other good reasons as well:

It increases the costs of software for everyone else. All commercial software companies lose money on pirated software. Those lost dollars have to be made up somewhere, and they get made up by -- you guessed it -- charging us honest buyers more for the legitimate copies we buy.It's stealing. Let's just say it straight out -- using a free copy of Windows 7 is no different than walking into a store, slipping an iPod Nano in your pocket, and walking out again without paying. Is that who you are?

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Puble Pairs Game

The goal of Purble Pairs is to remove all the tiles from the board by matching pairs. To begin, click on a tile and try to find its match somewhere else on the board. If two tiles match, the pair is removed. If not, remember what the pictures are and their locations. Match all the pictures to win.

When the sneak peek token appears on a tile, find its match before the token disappears and you'll earn a free look at the whole board. Watch the time and match all pairs before time runs out.

View the original article here

Speed Up Windows Vista

 Speed Up Windows Vista

Disabling unused features will speed up Vista. Some of the features that come with Windows Vista are not normally utilized by home users. If you do not use these functions, the Windows system is loading programs that you do not need and taking Windows resources (memory) to do it.

The following procedures will tell you what these features are, how they work and how to disable one or all of them. It's your choice which features you turn on and off in Windows.

After you have made these changes to your system, measure success. It your computer is still not as fast as you think it should be, follow the instructions in the article "Top 9 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer".

Also, reducing the visual effects in Vista can result in speed increases for your computer without much if any noticeable change to the look and feel.zSB(1,3)

Disable Internet Printing Client

Internet Printing Client is a utility that enables users to print documents over the Internet to essentially any printer in the world, using the HTTP protocol. If you do this type of world-wide printing or you print to print servers on a business network, you may want to keep this feature. But if you only use printers attached to computers in your local network (like a shared printer hanging off another computer in your house), you do not need this feature.

To disable this feature, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “Internet Printing Client”

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

Tablet PC Optional Components

Tablet PC Optional Components is a feature that enables different pointing devices specifically with a Tablet PC. It adds or removes accessories like the Tablet PC Input Panel, Windows Journal, and the Snipping Tool. If you can’t live without the Snipping Tool or you have a Tablet PC keep this feature. Otherwise, you can disable it.

To disable this feature, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “Tablet PC Optional Components”

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

Also, at some point (before or after restarting the computer) you must disable this feature in the “Services” panel. To do that: Click the Start button Typing “services” in the "Start Search" field and pressing Enter. In the list of commands find and double-click "Tablet PC Input Services". Click on the “Startup type” drop-down menu, select “Disabled”, and click “OK.”

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

Windows Meeting Space

Windows Meeting Space is a program that enables real-time peer to peer collaboration, editing and sharing of files across a network: Create a meeting, invite remote users to join it. It's a great feature but if you don't useit, you can disable it.

To disable this feature, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “Windows Meeting Space”

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

ReadyBoost

ReadyBoost is a feature that was supposed to speed up Windows by caching information between operating memory and a flash drive. Actually, it may slowdown a computer. A better solution is having the right amount of operating memory for your computer.

To disable this feature, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “ReadyBoost”

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

Also, at some point (before or after restarting the computer) you must disable this feature in the “Services” panel. To do that: Click the Start button Typing “services” in the "Start Search" field and pressing Enter. In the list of commands find and double-click "ReadyBoost". Click on the “Startup type” drop-down menu, select “Disabled”, and click “OK.”

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

Windows Error Reporting Service

Windows Error Reporting Service is an annoying service that alerts a user every time Windows experiences any type of error in its own processes or with other third party programs. If you want to know about every little thing, keep it. Otherwise, you can disable this feature.

To disable this feature, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “Windows Error Reporting Service”

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

Also, at some point (before or after restarting the computer) you must disable this feature in the “Services” panel. To do that: Click the Start button Typing “services” in the "Start Search" field and pressing Enter. In the list of commands find and double-click “Windows Error Reporting Service”. Click on the “Startup type” drop-down menu, select “Disabled”, and click “OK.”

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

Replication Services

Windows DFS Replication Service is a utility that allows users to replicate or copy data files between 2 or more computers on the same network and keep them synchronized so that the same files are on more than one computer.

Remote Differential Component is a program that helps DFS Replication work faster by transmitting only changed or different files between computers. This process saves time and bandwidth because only the data that is different between the two computers is sent.

If you use these features keep them. If you do not use it, you can disable it.

To disable these features, perform the following procedure: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “Programs” Select “Turn Windows Features On and Off” Uncheck the box next to “Windows DFS Replication Service” and "Remote Differential Component"

(At this point you can uncheck other boxes as well, if you desire.)

Click “Apply” (Give Windows time to finish processing your action) Click “Restart” (if that’s the only feature you want to disable), or click “Restart Later” (to continue working).

Restarting your computer will take some time to complete. (After the computer has restarted and returned to Windows, you will notice a speed improvement.)

To see the next feature you can disable, click "Next" in the navigation bar on this page.

Disabling UAC

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature that is supposed to provide better protection for a computer, by asking the user for confirmation every time an action is performed. This feature is not only annoying, it wastes a lot of time stopping processes that are not threats to the computer – that’s why Windows 7 has a much scaled back version of UAC.

You can only enable or disable it for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium. It is your choice: Computer security is very important; but you do have other choices - for example, Norton UAC and other third-party utilities. To see more information about the Norton UAC, skip the below procedure and go to the next screen.

I do not recommend disabling UAC; but I do recommend using an alternative. However, if you don't want to do either, here is how to disable the Windows UAC:

To disable UAC, perform the following steps: Click on the Start Button Select “Control Panel” Select “User Accounts and Family Safety” Select “User Accounts” Select “Turn User Account Control on or off” Select “Continue” at the UAC prompt Uncheck the box “Use User Account Control”, click “Ok” Click “Restart” and reboot your computer

Restarting your computer may take some time to complete. When Windows restarts, UAC will be disabled.

After you have made these changes to your system, measure success. It your computer is still not as fast as you think it should be, follow the instructions in the article "Top 9 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer".

Norton Lab's Free UAC

You can only enable or disable it for Vista Home Basic and Home Premium. Computer security is very important; but you do have other choices - for example, Norton UAC.

This program learns from the user's actions, prompts less, provides high security and is what UAC should be in the first place.

Note: Windows UAC must be turned on for the Norton UAC to work properly. What you will notice, if you install it, is a warning screen that has more options (Don't ask me again, being my favorite) and is titled Norton Labs.

Besides Norton UAC, there are other solutions as well in third-party utility programs.

View the original article here

Windows 7 Internet Spades

Spades is a very popular card game that requires teamwork and strategy to win. The essence of the game is: you guess how many "tricks"—rounds—you and your partner can win. Guess too low and you will lose points; guess too high, and you'll “bag out”!

The object of the game: Your team wins when either it has 500 points, or the opposing team reaches negative 200 points. Number of players: 4 Difficulty levels: Beginner, intermediate, expert Typical playing time: 10 to 30 minutes

1. Open the Games folder (Start Menu, Games)

2. Double-click Internet Spades. (If you don’t see it, click “Where are my games?”)

3. Click Play to Start. Your computer must be connected to the Internet for the game to start.

To select different card decks and backgrounds:

1. Open the Games folder by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Games.

2. Double-click Internet Spades. (Don't see it? Check “Where are my games?”)

3. Click the Game menu, and then click Change Appearance.

4. Make your choices, and then click OK.

There are two dozen text messages you can use for speaking with your opponent. To use this feature:

1. Make sure chat is turned on (click Chat button in the lower-right corner).

2. Click Select a message to send and select one of the pre-written phrases.

Read the rules for Checkers to learn how to actually play the game.

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Windows 7 Internet Checkers

Checkers is one of the oldest and most popular games in the world. For Windows 7 it returns as Internet Checkers, an online live game.

Goal of the game: Capture all your opponent's checkers or block all your opponent's legal moves. Number of players: 2 Difficulty levels: Beginner, intermediate, expert Typical playing time: 10 to 30 minutes

1. Open the Games folder (Start Menu, Games)

2. Double-click Internet Checkers. (If you don’t see it, click “Where are my games?”)

3. Click Play to Start. Your computer must be connected to the Internet for the game to start.

To select different pieces and boards:

1. Open the Games folder by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Games.

2. Double-click Internet Checkers. (Don't see it? Check “Where are my games?”)

3. Click the Game menu, and then click Change Appearance.

4. Make your choices, and then click OK.

There are two dozen text messages you can use for speaking with your opponent. To use this feature:

1. Make sure chat is turned on (click Chat button in the lower-right corner).

2. Click Select a message to send and select one of the pre-written phrases.

Read the rules for Checkers to learn how to actually play the game.

View the original article here

Windows XP SP3?

Answer: Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is the latest service pack for XP, issued in April 2008. It includes all previously released Windows XP updates (i.e. SP1, SP2).

Windows XP; Windows XP Home Edition ; Windows XP Home Edition N; Windows XP Media Center Edition; Windows XP Professional Edition ; Windows XP Professional N; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows XP Starter Edition; Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

You can download it directly from Microsoft’s web site .

Yes. You need it because it may be a long time before Microsoft issues another Service Pack for XP.

You will probably not see much difference in SP3 over SP2. Much of what these updates are about has to do with improving security and correcting problems that cause applications to crash.

It could take 30 minutes or longer, depending on what version of XP you have and what steps you will need to perform before installing the update.

It is unlikely that the update will damage your files. However, you should ALWAYS backup your work so that files are located in two different physical places (such as on your PC and on a CD or other computer).

It is important that you read and follow these directions before installing the SP3 update.

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Windows Public Folder

Answer: The Public Folder is a Windows folder that you can use to share files with other people that either use the same computer, or connect to it over a network. The Public folder is located in the Users folder of your root directory (for example, C:\Users\Public).

Everyone with a user account and password on your computer can access the Public folder. However, you may decide whether anyone on the network can access the Public folder. (By default, network access is turned off).

The Public Folder contains no files until someone adds those. It does have default folders, named for content type, to make it easier for organizing files: Public Documents Public Downloads Public Music Public Pictures Public Videos It’s on or off - Network access to this folder is either turned on (everyone can see it) or it is turned off. You can restrict user action - You can set the permission level for the public folder – controls for those that have access, what they can do with files in it. You can restrict user access - If you enable password-protected sharing, you can limit network access to the Public folder to only those people with a user account and password on your computer – in the case of a home network, you might leave this feature disabled.

To setup a Public Folder for your use, read "What is the Easiest Way to Share Files on a Vista Computer?"

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Program Uninstall

 What used to be "Add or Remove Programs" is now "Programs and Features".

Knowing how to uninstall a program the right way in Windows is a fundamental skill. Just dragging a program you no longer want to the Recycle Bin can cause all kinds of problems, including system instability, as little bits of the program are often left behind.

Why would you want to uninstall a program? The most commonn reason is that the program doesn't work right; it may have caused problems from the moment you installed it, or it used to work properly, but it's become corrupted over time. You may also want to free up space on your hard drive because you've got too much stuff on it, or perhaps you just don't use the program any more and don't want it hanging around. Whatever your reason, it's important to note that uninstalling a program in Windows 7 is different than it was under Windows Vista or Windows XP. Here's a step-by-step guide for uninstalling a program in Windows 7.

First, click the Start button, then click "Control Panel" on the right-hand side of the menu. This will bring up the Control Panel, which looks different than previous Windows OSs. Find the menu item "Programs and Features", shown above. It used to be called "Add or Remove Programs"; this may be the main thing that confuses you. Click to open.

Find your program. Don't accidentally click the wrong one!

Once "Programs and Features" is active, it will build a list of your installed programs. Be patient, as it may take some time to do this, depending on the speed of your system. In this case, I want to delete "TrackIR5". Click the program name, then click "Uninstall" from the menu at the top.

Your program may have a more complicated uninstall routine than this. If it does, simply confirm that you want to remove all traces of the program.

This is where things can start to get different. Some programs will have their own uninstall routine, while others will use the built-in Windows 7 routine. If it uses the Windows method, a pop-up will ask you to confirm the file deletion and "all of its components." Click OK (you don't want those components hanging around).

If it uses its own, built-in uninstaller, it will probably take you through a series of steps here. Just remember that in most cases, you want the entire program and all components removed.

Make sure the program you removed is really gone for good. Don't skip this step, as the program may sometimes leave junk behind on your computer.

After the uninstall is finished, go back to "Programs and Features" and make sure that the program is, indeed, gone.

If you deleted a program because it suddenly started behaving badly, you can reinstall it and see if the problem is resolved.

View the original article here

SBSWin7AutoUpdate

 Click on "System and Security" in Windows 7's Control Panel

There are few things more important to your Windows computer than keeping your operating system (OS) software -- Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 in most cases -- up to date. Out-of-date software can be insecure, unreliable or both. Microsoft releases regular updates on a monthly schedule. Manually finding and installing them, however, would be a big chore, which is why Microsoft includes Windows Update as part of the OS.

Windows Update is set to automatically download and install updates by default. I strongly recommend leaving these settings alone, but there may be times when you want to disable automatic updating, or for some other reason it is turned off and you need to turn it on. Here's how to manage automatic updating in Windows 7 (articles already exist on how to do this for Vista and XP).

First, click the Start button, then click Control Panel on the right side of the menu. This brings up the main Control Panel screen. Click System and Security (outlined in red.)

You can click on any of the images in this article to get a larger version.

Click on "Windows Update" for the main Update screen

Next, click Windows Update (outlined in red). Note that under this heading, there are a number of options. These options, available elsewhere, will be explained later. But you can also get to them from this screen; they're provided as a shortcut to often-used options.

All the Windows Update options are accessible from here

Windows Update's main screen gives you a number of important bits of information. First, in the middle of the screen, it tells you if there are any "important", "recommended" or "optional" updates. Here's what they mean:

Important updates are normally fixes for security issues, or to fix a problem that could cause system instability. They should be installed immediately.Recommended updates often add new features or functionality. It's a good idea, but not a necessity, to install these.Optional updates are often take-or-leave propositions. They can be driver updates to help some devices work better with Windows, for example, or trial software from Microsoft. Clicking on an available update brings up information about the update, at right

Clicking on the link for the available updates (in this example, the "6 optional updates are available" link) brings up the above screen. You can install some, all or none of the options by clicking in the check-box to the left of the item.

If you're not sure what each update does, click on it and you will be presented with a description in the right-hand pane. In this case, I clicked on "Office Live add-in 1.4" and got the information shown at right. This is an outstanding new feature that provides much more information, allowing you to make an informed decision about what to update.

Previous Windows updates can be found here

Underneath the available updates information in the main Windows Update screen is an option (under the information about when the most recent update check was made) to check your update history. Clicking this link brings up what will probably be a long list of updates (it could be a short list if your computer is new, however). A partial list is presented here.

This can be a helpful troubleshooting tool, as it may help narrow down an update that could have caused your system problems. Note the underlined link under "Install Updates". Clicking this link will bring you to a screen which will undo the update. This could restore system stability.

There are multiple Windows Update options

In the main Windows Update window, you can see options in blue on the left. The main one you will need here is "Change settings." This is where you change Windows Update options.

Click the Change settings button to bring up the above window. The key item here is the "Important updates" option, the first one in the list. The top option in the drop-down menu (accessed by clicking the down arrow to the right) is "Install updates automatically (recommended)". Microsoft recommends this option, and so do I. You want your important updates to be done without your intervention. This will ensure they get done, without the risk of you forgetting and potentially opening up your computer to the Internet bad guys.

There are a number of other options in this screen. I advise checking the options in the screen shown here. The one you may want to change is "Who can install updates". If your kids use the computer, or someone who you don't trust fully, you can uncheck this box so that only you can control the Windows Update behavior.

Notice under that option is "Microsoft Update". This may cause confusion, since "Microsoft Update" and "Windows Update" may sound like the same thing. The difference is that Microsoft Update goes beyond just Windows, to update other Microsoft software you might have, like Microsoft Office.

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Win7Taskbar

 The Windows 7 Taskbar

The Windows 7 taskbar is one of the most fundamental changes from Windows Vista. The Windows 7 taskbar -- that strip across the bottom of the desktop screen with all the icons and other stuff -- is an important tool to understand; knowing how to use it will help you get the most out of Windows 7. Here's what you need to know.

What is the Taskbar? The Windows 7 Taskbar is essentially a shortcut to frequently-used programs, and a navigation aide to your desktop. On the left side of the Taskbar is the Start button, which is similar to the button in all Windows operating systems (OS) going back to Windows 95: it has links and menus to everything else on your computer.

To the right of the Start button is space for icons you can "pin", for easy access to frequently-used programs. To learn how to pin, go through this step-by-step tutorial on pinning.

But that's not all you can do with those program shortcuts; we're going to dig a little deeper here. First, notice from the image above that three of the icons have a box around them, while the two on the right do not. The box means that those programs are active; that is, they are currently open on your desktop. An icon without a box means that program hasn't been opened yet; it's available with a single left-click, however.

Those icons are simple to move around; just left-click on the icon, keep holding the mouse button down, move the icon to where you want it, and release.

In addition, each of these programs, whether open or not, has a "Jump List" available. Click on the link for more information about Jump Lists and how to use them.

The Internet Explorer icon, showing multiple open instances.

Another neat aspect of the Windows 7 Taskbar icons is the ability to group multiple running instances of a program under one icon, eliminating clutter. For example, look at the blue Internet Explorer (IE) icon shown above.

If you look closely, you can see what look like a number of open windows hiding behind the icon. That's an indication that there are multiple IE windows open.

Hovering over a Taskbar icon brings up a thumbnail view of multiple instances of that application.

By hovering your mouse button over the icon (in this case, the blue Internet Explorer icon from the previous page), you'll get a thumbnail view of each open window.

Hover over each thumbnail to get a full-size preview of the open window; to go to that window, simply left-click on it, and the window will be ready for you to work on. This is another time-saver.

Here's where you change Windows 7 Taskbar properties.

If you're the adventurous type, you can customize the Taskbar by hiding it, making it bigger or smaller, or doing other things to it. To get to the customization window, right-click an open area of the Taskbar and left-click the "Properties" title. This will bring up the menu shown above. Here are some of the most-common customizations you can do:

Lock it. When "Lock the taskbar" is checked, no one can make changes to its size or placement on the desktop. Most people leave it like this, but you won't be endangering your computer if you uncheck it.Auto-hide. If you check this box, it will hide the Taskbar, so that you can't see it. This will create more room on your desktop, but at the expense of the convenience of having quick access to programs.Use small icons. Again, a space-saving option. This will shrink the Taskbar and icons, freeing up more space but still allowing you Taskbar functionality. This is a good option on small screens like laptops or netbooks where space is at a premium.Move the Taskbar. The drop-down menu "Taskbar location on screen:" allows you to move the Taskbar to the top, or either side, of your desktop. Again, most people are used to seeing it at the bottom and leave it there, but you may have your own reasons for wanting to move it. Remember that if you've locked the Taskbar, you won't be able to move it. Taskbar buttons. Here you can change the appearance of the icons in the Taskbar. You can turn off "combining" of icons, meaning that if you have three Microsoft Word documents open, for example, each document will appear as its own icon in the Taskbar, rather than two "hiding" behind a single Word icon. This makes it easier to see everything, but the tradeoff is often a long string of icons strewn across your Taskbar. Labels also describe icons -- it will identify each open program, rather than just showing the icon picture. I prefer the "Always combine, hide labels" option here, because I like a clean desktop, but it's totally up to you how you want it.

Take your time and get to know the Taskbar. You'll find your computing time being a lot more productive if you do.

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How to Find a Computer's IP Address in Windows 7

 The IP address in Windows 7 can be obtained via the Network & Sharing Center.

Although we've covered some very simple solutions to discovering the IP address used by your computer's wireless or ethernet card, the process relies on an Internet connection to visit a website that will retrieve this information from the computer.

However, if you find yourself without an Internet connection and need to determine what the IP address used by your computer is, then you may need to rely on other methods to determine a device's IP address on your computer.

In the following guide I will show you how to determine your computer's IP address using the Network & Sharing Center in Windows 7 and the good ol' command prompt. Both methods will get you the answer to the, "What's my IP address question?"

Method One - Use the Network & Sharing Center to Discover the IP Address

1. Click the small Networking icon located in the Notification Area on the lower right corner of the screen (right side of the taskbar).

2. When the popover appears click the Open Network and Sharing Center link.

The Network and Sharing Center window will open. This is the place in the Windows 7 Control Panel where you will find all of the options necessary to customize and configure your wireless and wired connections in Windows 7.

3. Click the Local Area Connection for the connection currently being used.

Note: If you have an ethernet adapter and a wireless network adapter make sure to select the connection you are currently using to connect to the network otherwise the IP address you obtain may be useless.

4. When the Local Area Connection Status window opens, click the Details button to pull the information from the connection you selected.

Note: Don't let the plethora of numbers and addresses confuse you. The value you are interested to determine the computer's IP address is the IPv4 Address.

5. The IP address used the network device you selected will be listed next to the IPv4 Address – the number should start with something like a 192... if you are using a residential router with standard settings.

Note: If the number does not start with 192... but is listed next to IPv4 then chances are that your router was configured with a different IP address which should not be a problem, just make sure to use the number next to IPv4 Address.

6. Jot down the number and click Close when you are done.

You have successfully obtained your computer's IP address. If you wish to use a faster yet more outdated method, check out the following steps to use the command prompt in Windows 7.

Method Two - Use Good Ol' Command Prompt to Find Your Computer's IP Address

Most users will find the command prompt archaic and daunting, but don't let the black screen with white letters scare you.

The command prompt is a great tool to do things quickly on your Windows machine as well as retrieve information like the IP address in a fast manner.

1. Click the Windows Orb to open the Start Menu and type cmd into the Start Menu search box.

2. Click cmd from the search results which should appear directly under Programs

3. When the Command Prompt window opens, type ipconfig /all into the command prompt window.

4. The network adapter's IP address will be listed next to the IPv4 Address – the number should start with something like a 192... if you are using a residential router with standard settings.

Note: If you are using more than one network adapter on your computer make sure to jot down the correct IP address for the network device/connection you are actually using.

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Windows 7 Internet Backgammon

Backgammon is a two-person game played with pieces called stones. Each side—Brown and White—starts with 15 stones or pieces.

Goal of the game: To be the first player to remove all pieces from the game board. Number of players: 2 Difficulty levels: Beginner, intermediate, expert Typical playing time: 10 to 30 minutes

1. Open the Games folder (Start Menu, Games)

2. Double-click Internet Backgammon. (If you don’t see it, click “Where are my games?”)

3. Click Play to Start. Your computer must be connected to the Internet for the game to start.

To select different pieces and boards:

1. Open the Games folder by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Games.

2. Double-click Internet Backgammon. (Don't see it? Check “Where are my games?”)

3. Click the Game menu, and then click Change Appearance.

4. Make your choices, and then click OK.

There are two dozen text messages you can use for speaking with your opponent. To use this feature:

1. Make sure chat is turned on (click Chat button in the lower-right corner).

2. Click Select a message to send and select one of the pre-written phrases.

Read the rules for Backgammon to learn how to actually play the game.

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Win7HomePremium

The Aero Desktop, Windows 7's look and feel.

Windows Search, which is useful for finding things on your computer.

HomeGroup, which is a networking technology for sharing files, printers, music and other stuff with other Windows 7 computers.

Windows Media Center, for organizing your music, movies, television shows and so on.

Windows 7 Home Premium lacks a few security features like file and hard drive encryption. It also doesn't have the problem steps recorder, a great troubleshooting tool. The most important feature not found on this edition, however, is Windows XP Mode. XP Mode ensures backwards compatibility -- in other words, programs that ran under Windows XP will run just as well within Windows 7.

One other factor you may want to consider is that Windows 7 Home Premium can't join a domain, so businesses will want to look at a higher-level version.

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How to Connect to a Wireless Network in Windows 7

 List of available wireless networks.

With every iteration of Windows, Microsoft improves the ease in which we connect to wireless networks. However there are still some of us that are baffled by the steps necessary to connect to wireless networks and the configuration steps necessary.

That's why in this guide I will show you step-by-step how to connect to a wireless network using Windows 7.

Wireless Networks Surround Us

One of the first things that you will notice when you follow the steps in this guide is that there are a lot of wireless networks out there, however this doesn't mean you should connect to them because you could be compromising your computer's security.

Public Wireless Networks Are Unsafe

The biggest problem encountered by users that connect to public unencrypted networks is that someone can hijack your connection and see what you are transferring over the airwaves.

To put it simply - if a network is public and does not have encryption, avoid it. Now that you've been warned about the dangers of connecting to public networks, I can show you how to connect to wireless networks using Windows 7.

View Available Wireless Networks & Connect

1. To view a list of available wireless networks click the Wireless Networking icon in the Notification area on the left side of the Taskbar.

Note: If the network you are trying to connect to is not listed, the router may not be broadcasting the network's SSID (wireless network's name). If this is the case refer to your router's documentation to determine the steps necessary to enabled SSID broadcasting.

A Word About Signal Strength

You will also notice that each wireless network has a signal strength indicator that provides a visual guide to determine the strength of the wireless signal. All green bars means Excellent signal, one bar equals poor signal.

2. Once you identify the network you wish to connect to from the list, click on the network name and then click Connect.

Note: Before you connect to the network you will have an opportunity to check Connect Automatically so that your computer will automatically connect to the network when in range.

If the network you are trying to connect to is unsecured, meaning that a password is not required to connect to the network, you should be able to access the internet and other network resources right away. However, if the network is secured you will need to follow the step below to connect.

If prompted you must enter password to wireless network or use SES on the router.

Secured Networks Require Authentication

If you are connecting to a secured wireless network you will have two options to authenticate. You can enter the required password or if your router supports it you can use the Secure Easy Setup button on the router.

Option 1 - Enter Password

1. When prompted enter the password for the router you are connecting to. To view the characters in the text field uncheck Hide characters.

This is especially useful if the password is long and complex.

Note: As soon as you enter a character in the password field you will not be able to use Secure Easy Setup to connect to the router.

2. Click OK to connect.

Option 2 - Secure Easy Setup

1. When prompted to enter the password, walk over to the router and press the Secure Easy Setup button on the router. After a couple of seconds the computer should connect to the wireless network.

Note: If Secure Easy Setup does not work, try again. If it is still not working it may be disabled on your router. Consult the router's instruction manual in order to enable and configure the feature.

You should now be connected to the wireless network. Learn more about sharing files and managing wireless network profiles.

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how to switch users windows 7

 Quickly switch users from the Start Menu.

Windows 7 like its predecessors, Vista and XP, allow users to quickly switch between user accounts while logged in.

This is a great feature because you could essentially keep two different accounts logged in without having to loose the things you are working on or waste time logging out and logging back in.

User Accounts Must be Active

If you share your Windows 7 computer with other members of the family you most likely employ user accounts for each member of the family so that preferences, files, and other items are limited to each account.

If you only use one account in Windows 7 then this feature wont apply.

User Switching is Useful

If you are still uncertain about the advantages of user switching, let me illustrate a common scenario.

You are working on a Word Document using your Windows account. Your wife walks up to you and tells you that she needs to access files that are stored in her personal folders.

Rather than having to close the document you are working on, log out of your computer, and then have her log in you can just switch users and leave your work as is, without having to close applications or files. All in three simple steps.

How to Quickly Switch Users in Windows 7

To quickly switch between accounts, follow the instructions below.

1. While logged in to your account, click the Windows Orb to open the Start Menu.

2. Click the small arrow next to the Shut Down button to expand the menu.

3. Click Switch User from the menu.

After you click Switch User you will be taken to the Windows Log-in screen where you will be able to select the account you wish to switch to.

The original session will remain active, but in the background while the other account is accessed.

When you are done using the second account you have the option of switching back to the first account while keeping the second account in the background or logging out the second account altogether.

Switch Again or Log Out?

Unless you need to access the second account right away, I recommend that you sign out from the second account before returning to the first account.

The reason for this, is that keeping two active logins affects performance due to additional resources necessary to keep both accounts logged in.

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Defrag Windows 7

The Main Defragmentation Screen The main defragmentation window. Here is where you manage your defrag options.

If you've used the defragger in Vista and XP, the first thing you'll notice is the that Graphical User Interface, or GUI, has been completely redesigned. It's from this main screen that you manage all your defragmentation tasks. In the middle of the GUI is a screen that lists all the hard drives attached to your system that can be defragmented.

This is also where you can schedule automatic defragmentation, or start the process manually.

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Upgrade to Vista SP2

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides support for more types of hardware and includes all of the updates that have been released since SP1. Note: SP1 must be installed before you can install SP2.

To upgrade to Service Pack 2, perform the following steps:

1. Backup Your Computer Before You Install Vista SP2

Before you update to SP2, make sure you have backed up all your work. In fact, having a complete backup of your computer is always a good thing and can save you hours of frustration and problems if something goes wrong. It you can't take the time to backup your computer, you probably shouldn't upgrade to Vista SP2.

2. Learn What You Need to Know About SP2

Windows Vista SP2 is available for download and installation for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Here's what you need to know.

3. Determine What Vista Service Pack You Currently Have on Your PC

Before you can upgrade Windows Vista, you must know what version of Vista and Service Packs you have.

4. Download the Service Pack Directly to Your Computer

Download the correct version of Vista SP2 directly to your computer before you install it. Although you can use Automatic or Manual Updates to do this, the best way in my opinion is to have the complete upgrade file on your computer before you install it.

5. Install Vista SP2 Upgrade

The actual process of installing the Vista SP2 Upgrade is easy. First, perform all the pre-installation checks - this assures you will have a great install. Next, perform the installation, by following the directions and prompts.

If you have problems you can either contact Microsoft for free support, or uninstall the SP2 upgrade. It's that easy.

How To Uninstall the Vista SP2 Upgrade

If you decide that you want to uninstall Vista SP2 from your computer to restore your computer to its previous state, perform the following procedure.

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Windows Backup

Doing a Windows backup is one of the smartest things you can do to protect the important information, photos, music and critical data on your computer.Answer: Your hard drive is going to crash – it is just a question of when. The average life expectancy of a hard drive is 3 to 5 years.

Backups should include email, internet bookmarks, work files, data files from finance programs like Quicken, digital photos and anything else you can’t afford to loose. You can easily copy all your files to a CD or another computer on your home network. Also, keep all your original Windows and program installation CDs in a safe place.

How often, you ask? Look at it this way: Any file you cannot afford to lose (what will take too long to re-create or is unique and cannot be re-created), should be located on two separate physical media, such as on two hard drives, or a hard drive and a CD. That type of important information should be backed up daily (if any file information has changed).

If you decide that you want to do a complete hard drive backup, consider these:

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Stop Program Starts Windows

To prevent unwanted programs from launching automatically when Windows starts, you can remove tasks from the Windows task scheduler.

To navigate to the C:\windows\tasks folder: Click on the Start menu, then click My Computer Under Hard Disk Drives, click Local Disk (C:) Double-click the Windows folder Double-click the Tasks folder

The folder will contain a list of tasks that are scheduled to run automatically. Drag and drop the unwanted task shortcuts onto the desktop or a different folder (You can delete them at a later time, if you want). Tasks you remove from this folder will not run automatically in the future, unless you set them up to do so again.

For more ways to optimize your Windows computer, also read Top 8 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer.

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How to Use the Guest Account in Windows 7

 Click Control Panel in the Start Menu

If you have a computer at home that multiple people use and you wish to keep your digital locker safe you will definitely want to create user accounts for all those who have access to the PC.

What about those users that don't merit their own user accounts? A guest or a family member who hangs out for the weekend or if you are lending out your computer to a friend for a short while?

You are unlikely to create a user account for every person who lays a finger on your keyboard, so what are your options?

Use the Guest Account in Windows 7! If you have no idea what I'm talking about then you've come to the right place, because in this guide I will show you how to enable the Guest Account and how to use it in Windows 7.

However, if you do have the Guest Account enabled in Windows 7, but don't want random people to access your PC then I will also show you how to disable the Guest Account so that only individuals with user accounts can access your Windows PC.

How do you know if the Guest account is enabled? When you turn on your computer and the Welcome Screen appears, a list of available accounts should appear if you see Guest listed as one of the accounts then the Guest account is enabled.

If it doesn't appear then follow the steps below to enable the Guest account on your computer.

How to Enable the Guest Account in Windows 7

1. Click the Windows Orb to open the Start Menu and then click Control Panel.

 Click User Accounts & Family Safety

2. When the Control Panel window opens, click User Accounts and Family Safety.

Note: You may also access the Guest account option by clicking the Add or remove user accounts link directly below User Accounts and Family Safety.

Click to view the User Accounts to View the Accounts

3. In the User Accounts and Family Safety page click User Accounts to view your account settings.

Click Manage Another Account to Access Account Listing

4. When you get to the account settings page click the Manage another account link.

Note: If you are prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to proceed.

Click Guest Account

5. Click Guest from the list of accounts available.

Note: When the account is off it will state the following: "Guest account is off."

Click Turn On to Enable Guest Account

6. When prompted click Turn On to enable the Guest account in Windows 7.

Note: If you turn on the guest account, people who do not have an account can use the guest account to log on to the computer. Password-protected files, folders, or settings are not accessible to guest users.

Once you enable the Guest account you will be redirected to the list of accounts currently active on your PC.

In the next step I will show you how to disable the guest account if you wish to prevent unauthorized access to your computer.

Turn off the Guest Account in Windows 7

If you find that the Guest account makes you a bit uneasy because anyone can access your computer, you have the choice of turning it off.

To turn off the Guest Account in Windows 7 simply follow steps 1-5 in this guide and the following step.

1. When you get to the What do you want to change about the guest account? page click the Turn off the guest account link.

Once the account is turned off you will be returned to the account list in Windows 7. Close the Control Panel window and proceed to the following step.

How to Use the Guest Account in Windows 7

You have two options to use the Guest Account in Windows 7. The first is logging out of your existing account in Windows 7 and logging back on using the Guest account.

The second option is using the Switch User option and selecting the Guest account as the account you wish to log onto.

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Purble Shop Game

Behind the curtain sits a hidden Purble (game character). You have to figure out what it looks like by building a model. Select features from the shelf on the right and add them to your model. When you have the right features (such as hair, eyes, hat) and the right colors, you win the game. The game is appropriate for older children or challenging enough for adults, depending on the difficulty level selected.

The scoreboard will tell you how many features are correct. If you need help, click on Hint - it will tell you which features are wrong (but not which ones are right).

Watch the score change with each feature you add or take away – that will help you figure out which ones are right and which are wrong. Once you have one of each feature on your model Purble, click the Guess button to see if you've matched the hidden Purble.

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Windows Folder Structure

To create the topmost folder in the structure, click on "New folder." (Click on any image for a larger version.)

Windows operating systems (OS) all have default places that stuff goes into. For instance, in Windows XP, a document you write goes into the "My Documents" folder automatically; in Windows 7, it's the Document Library. That works fine if you have a few, or a few dozen, documents. But what if you have hundreds, or more? The situation can quickly become unmanageable; how do you find that PowerPoint presentation you need by 2 p.m., or the recipe for Turkey Tetrazzini amongst the thousands on your hard drive? That's why you need to learn how to develop a logical folder structure. It will save you loads of time, and make your computer life better.

For this step-by-step tutorial, we'll build a sample folder structure for our photos. To begin, go to your Start button, then Computer, then find your C: drive. For most people, this is their computer's primary hard drive, and the place you'll create the folders. Double-click the C: to open the drive. At the top of the window, you'll see the word "New folder". Left-click to make the new folder. (Note: these screenshots are from Windows 7. I will note the differences with Windows XP where applicable.) For both OSes, a shortcut is to right-click in a blank area of the C: drive, scroll down to "New" in the popup menu, and left-click "Folder" to make a new folder.

In Windows XP, go to Start/My Computer/Local Disk (C:). Then, under "File and Folder Tasks" on the left, click "Make a new folder".

The first folder is named "Photos". Not original, but you won't wonder what's in it.

Give your topmost folder in the new structure an easy-to-identify name; it's not a good idea to get fancy. The default name Windows gives it is "New folder." Not very descriptive, and likely to be no help at all when you're searching for something. You can right-click the folder name and select "Rename" from the popup menu, and give it a better name; you can alternatively use this keyboard shortcut to save a bit of time. As you can see here, I've renamed the folder "Photos."

So now we have a new folder on the C: drive, named Photos. Next, we'll create a sub-folder.

Your photos are now smartly organized and easy to find. No more wondering where you put Uncle Fred's wedding pictures from last year!

Notice in this screenshot how it placed the SpaceMountain photo at the bottom. That's because Windows automatically places the pictures in alphabetical order. Also, notice again at the top of the screen (outlined in red) that you now have a logical, easy-to-use folder structure: C:/Photos/Vacations/DisneyWorld. This will make it much, much easier to find the photos, documents, spreadsheets, etc. scattered all over your hard drive.

I strongly encourage you to make some sample (or real) folder structures. It's a skill that's easy to forget if you don't try it out a few times. Once having done it, though, I'm confident you'll organize your entire hard drive this way.

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Games Windows 7

 Windows 7 Games

In Windows 7, Microsoft has brought forward successful games from Vista and revived several multi-player games from Windows XP. The list of games for Windows 7 includes:

All three of the multi-player games are included in the Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions of Windows 7.

Also provided in the Game Explorer is a link to more games from Microsoft.zSB(1,3)

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