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.

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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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