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Presents pieces of advice for fast navigation in the Windows computer program. INSET: Improve Your Moves Wtih Total Copy.

This article offers several tips on how to share files, printers, Internet connections, and other resources on machines running Windows, OS X and Linux. First, the author tells the reader to update his software. Sharing files and printers on Windows XP systems is disabled by default in Service Pack 2. The author shows how to enable this feature. The process of connecting to a shared Macintosh printer from Linux is easier because both systems use the Common Unix Printing System. According to the author, the shared Macintosh printer should show up automatically in the user's list of printers when he goes to print in his Linux application. INSET: Teach Your OS to Share.

The article looks at the ten best Windows freebies of 2005. They include the StripFile program from Nuetools, the Picasa image service from Google, Nikolay Avrionov's ExplorerXP program, the CutePDF Writer from Acro Software, the ObjectDock utility from Stardock, FileWare's LastChance utility, Tim Taylor's Icon Restore utility, the TaskArrange program from Elias Fotinis, the Tray Pilot Lite utility from Two Pilots, and the ClocX alarm program.

This article offers several tips on how to make quick work of Windows tasks by typing commands instead of clicking menus. The author suggests that to open a command in Windows 98, choose Start, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt. In Windows Me, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. Alternately, you can open the window by choosing Start, Run, typing command and pressing Enter. While the commands are useful by themselves, their real power comes from their switches. For almost every command, the best way to find the appropriate switches is to type the command name followed by a space and /?. Then press Enter. According to the author, this provides you with a summary of the command's purpose, as well as a description of its syntax and an explanation of each switch. When your command acts on a file or folder,generally you must type the path to that folder after the command. You can save typing time by doing a little dragging-and-dropping. To spiff up the command line, right-click the title bar of the command window and choose Properties. Under the Font tab, select the size and style of type you want; this also affects the size of the command window. In Windows 2000 and XP, you can change the background color and the text color via the Colors tab and the default size of the window by choosing the Layout tab. INSET: WINDOWS TOOLBOX.

This section presents several free downloadable software solutions that can be used to fix imperfections in Windows applications. There are many backup programs, but few as elegant and powerful as SyncBack from 2BrightSparks. As its name suggests, Syncback has two primary functions; backing up and restoring data (copying in one direction), and synchronizing folders (copying in both directions to make the contents of two folders identical). Transbar from AKSoftware lets users make the taskbar wholly or partially transparent in 1 percent increments. Another is TaskbarHide, which instantly pops the taskbar on or off screen (minus the ugly line) whenever a user moves his mouse over or away from it. GeoShell is a free open-source taskbar replacement consisting of modular floating toolbars that users can group and rearrange to their heart's content. Their desktop will be cleaner because its icons go into a menu instead of cluttering the screen. Despite some quirks in its interface, the DoubleKiller program can search various drives for the file types specified by users, hunting for files of the same name, size, date, and/or CRC32-checksums. After completing the search, DoubleKiller gives users tools for launching, moving, or deleting the duplicate files it finds. And the utility's Help tab provides a brief instruction manual to get users started.

Trying to make Windows more secure, Microsoft released Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) in 2003, and Service Pack 2 (SP2) in 2004. Whereas SP1 focused on remedying antitrust violations with bundled Windows utilities, almost all of SP2 is devoted to beefing up Internet security. SP2 does not thoroughly shield one from attacks, but it is definitely worth installing for its firewall improvements, Internet Explorer pop-up blocking, and security-configuration changes. Once one has installed it, he will probably want to tweak some of the SP2 new settings and to know where, the reinforced operating system remains vulnerable. The most noticeable change to Windows XP is its introduction of a new Security Center Control Panel applet. Security Center itself does not do much, but it provides a single location where one can view the status of the Windows Firewall and of Window's Automatic Updates service. If any of these three key security tools has been disabled or is less than fully functional, Security Center changes their corresponding status lights from green to either red or amber. The program also displays a warning icon in the system tray. An amber light signifies a service that is only partly enabled, or that a third-party product handles. INSET: Security Must-Haves.

This article presents information on how to operate an application each time the Windows operating system starts. Right-drag its .exe file, or a shortcut to that file, to the Startup folder and choose Create Shorts Here. The next time the user Starts Windows, the program will load automatically. The Scheduled Tasks feature in Windows can operate activities such as scanning for viruses, making backups, defragmenting the hard drive and doing regular maintenance tasks, while the user is away from the system. One handy use for a shutdown folder is to clear persistent folderol from your Registry. Many applications try to keep themselves or one of their modules running in the system tray even if they are not being used. Most of these startup items are placed here when the user first installs the program. Unfortunately, some applications restore their startup commands everytime the user upgrades or even just run the application. Before one can clean them out automatically, one needs to edit the Registry key in question. choose Start-Run, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to the folder containing the command to start the application. With the key selected in the tree pane on the left, choose Registry-Export or File-Export. Navigate to the backup folder, give the export file a name and click Save. INSET: Turn Off Your PC Your Way With ShutDown Plus.

This article presents tips on the use of Magnifier accessibility tool in the Windows operating system. Magnifier does exactly what its title suggests. It is valuable for classroom instruction, product demos or almost any kind of presentation. It is also useful for software engineers, interface designers and anyone else who needs to zoom in on a piece of work. In Windows, one many have to install the utility from the Windows compact disc (CD): Insert the CD, click Start-Settings-Control Panel, and double click Add/Remove Programs. Users then click the Windows Setup tab and confirm that accessibility is selected in the components list. Then users click details, check the box for accessibility tools and clock OK twice. To start Magnifier, users choose Start-Programs-Accessories-Accessibility-Magnifier. In most versions of Windows, Magnifier starts by displaying an explanatory message box. By default, the Magnifier window appears at the top of the screen, enlarging whatever is under the mouse printer. If one does not like the size, he can position the pointer at the edge of the window and drag to make it larger or smaller. He repositions the magnifier by placing the pointer inside the window and dragging it to any screen edge.

Provides tips to using the Windows computer operating system. Way of accessing system files; Creation of toolbars; Relocation of My Documents folder. INSET: MinMaxExtender: New Ways to Tame Your Windows.

Offers ideas on several free Windows add-on programs. Feature added to Longhorn, Microsoft Corporation's next version of Windows; Steps involved in downloading a multiple virtual desktops feature; Way to print a list of folder's files.

This article presents guidelines for uninstalling Windows computer programs. If you uninstalled the program only a few days after installing it and you did not install anything else in between, simply restore the Windows Registry from a backup made before the installation. If a Registry restoration is not possible, open Windows Explorer and navigate to the C:\Program Files folder. If the folder for the offending application is still listed within Program Files, keep the window open and handy for a bit. Eventually you will delete the folder. Next, make sure that the program is not still loading every time your system boots. Select Start Run, type msconfiq, and press Enter. Click the Startup tab and look for anything that appears to be related to the outgoing program. Now verify that no file types are associated with the unwanted program. In Windows Explorer, select Tools Folder Options. Click the File Types tab and check the list of file types for any mention of the unwanted program. If you find one, consider whether that file type should be associated with some other program. To reassign a file type, click the Change button and follow the instructions. Otherwise, just delete it by clicking the Delete button and confirming your decision.

This article offers tips on managing Windows operating systems. To activate Automated System Recovery, open the backup utility that comes with Windows XP: Choose Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Backup. If you see the Backup or Restore Wizard, click Advanced Mode. On the Welcome tab, click Automated System Recovery Wizard. Follow the prompts to make a backup of your system file. To maximize windows in Windows operating systems, single-click the maximize button, double click the title bar, or right-click a taskbar button and choose Maximize. Unfortunately, very few windows are capable of remembering to open in the state you left them in the next you access them. To make the application always open in the Jumbotron mode, find the shortcut you want to adjust on the Start, Program or Start, All Programs menu. Right-click the shortcut and click Properties. On the Shortcut tab, choose Maximized from the Run drop-down list. Sometimes Windows XP is running its defragmenter utility while the system is otherwise idle. To turn the utility off, use Tweak UI, which is part of Microsoft's free Power-Toys for Windows XP. INSET: Broaden Your Web View With IE New Windonw Maximizer.

Presents tips on password-protecting individual computer files or folders in Windows 98 and Windows Me. Installation of the folder compression feature in the personal computer when using Windows Me; Factors to consider when adding passwords to files and folders; Procedure for compressing a folder.

This article offers tips on how computer users can remain firmly in charge of determining which browser Windows opens by default. Windows comes with Internet Explorer (IE) set as the default Web browser. Whenever a user clicks a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) link, whether it's in a document, an e-mail message, or an instant message, Windows uses IE by default to load and display the linked Web page. For security or for any number of other reasons, users may decide to install a different browser and make it the default. Depending on the system's configuration, however, installing a new browser may not automatically set it as the default. Users can change their default browser in Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) to the latest version of any of the four leading alternative browser by following these steps. If a user wants to make the browser Firefox 1.0 Preview Release as their default, they should choose Tools-Options, select the General icon in the left panel, click the Check Now button in the Default Browser section, and choose Yes when Firefox asks whether a user would like to make it the default browser. If a user wishes to be alerted anytime another browser attempts to set itself as the default, they must select Firefox should check to see if it is the default browser when starting, and click OK. INSET: KEEP ALL YOUR BROWSER SHORTCUTS CLOSE AT HAND.

The article provides a step-by-step procedure on how to tune up the Windows XP machine. First, back up the personal computer. The built-in back up utility in Windows XP Pro is more robust than earlier versions, but it won't back up to a CD-R. Log in to XP Pro with Administrator privileges, select Start+All Programs+Accessories+System Tools+Backup. Step through the various dialog boxes and follow all directions. In the What to Back Up dialog box, choose the All Information on this computer option if one hasn't done a backup before. Second, check hard drives for errors. It's wise to do a thorough check on the status of the hard drives occasionally. Go to Start•My Computer, right click the Check Now button. Repeat the step for the other hard drives. Defragment hard drives. The more the PC is used, the more same files become broken into disparate parts scattered around the hard drive. One needs to be logged in as the Administrator to run XP's Disk Defragmenter. First select Start+All Programs+Accessories+Systems Tools+Disk Defragmenter. Highlight the drive to be checked and press the Analyze button. If XP does recommend defragging, click the Defragment button. Sack any spyware. A free program like Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-ware can get rid of any freeloading spyware that makes its way onto the system. Then clean out unneeded files. Go to Start+All Programs+Accessories+ Systems Tools+Disk Cleanup, and select the drive to be cleaned. The More Options tab offers more cleanup choices. Once, one is done with tweaking the system and is sure that everything is running well, it's good idea to back up everything once again.

Presents tips on booting the Windows XP computer operating system. INSET: TEACH SOME XP PATIENCE.

Provides tips on reinstalling Windows in computers. Completion of a backup process; Reinstallation process for computers with or without Windows compact disc read-only memory; Completion of reinstallation; Way to update reinstallation.

The article offers ideas on protecting a personal computer (PC) from Internet-borne attacks. Users should keep Windows and all other software updated, use a safe browser, and make sure the antivirus software is properly configured, regularly updated and certified effective. One also need a bidirectional firewall program, as well as at least one anti-spyware program. Because it is easy to forget to update a software, many programs include an automatic-update mechanism. To enable automatic updates in Windows XP with Service Pack 2, right-click My Computer, click Properties-Automatic, set a time for the updates, and click Ok. Most antivirus programs also update automatically--all one have to do is provide an Internet connection and keep automatic updates enabled in the program. A virus, worm, or Trojan horse can enter a PC in several different ways, but e-mail is the most common means of infection. To avoid ActiveX dangers, install an Internet Explorer alternative--it would not be vulnerable to ActiveX attacks--and set it as a default browser. Firewalls keep the bad guys out of a computer by shutting the thousands of doorways the machine opens through one's Internet connection. Windows XP's firewall monitors only inbound connections, offering no protection from malware already on a PC.

This article focuses on the benefits of Microsoft's MSN Toolbar Suite product for users of Windows operating systems. In addition to its useful features, the suite aims to make finding files on hard disks as fast, easy and accurate as Web searches. The toolbars for Internet Explorer, Outlook , Outlook Express, Windows Explorer and folder windows are free. The three programs that comprise the MSN Toolbar Suite search disks and provide the same results based on a single shared index of email and local files. MSN Desktop Search is a stand-alone search application; the MSN Toolbar appears in the folder and Explorer windows; and the Deskbar resides in the taskbar. They search Outlook and Outlook Express email and attachments as well as Word, Excel and other Office files. They also index PDF-format files, text files and HTML-format files.

This article presents information on how to create your own windows security analysis tool. Windows XP Professional and 2000 contain the building blocks of a comprehensive security analysis and configuration tool. While Windows' Security Configuration and Analysis utility does not address security for e-mail and other applications, it lets you assign all of Windows' system-level security settings in one place. Changes to security settings can affect the network and Internet connections, application, and Windows' own Registry settings. After each change of setting, it is recommended to test applications and network connection. To create a custom security tool, log in as an administrator, choose Start-Run, type mmc, and press enter. In Windows XP, choose File·Add/Remove Snap-in. In Windows 2000, click Console·Add/Remove Snap-in from the Console1 main menu. In both versions, click Add, select Security Configuration and Analysis, click Add again, and then Close and Ok. The little Console Root icon in the window now has a subicon, but no other real branches to its tree. To add a subentry for the icon, create a database of settings: Right-click Security Configuration and Analysis and choose Open Database. Details of the instructions in building a software was given. INSET: Better Windows Tweaking and Security for Free.

This article focuses on the benefits of the Copernic Desktop Search software for users of Windows operating systems. The features of the product include the ability to search local hard disks, the Web, and email on Outlook and Outlook Express software. Copernic also allows users to conduct searches using either an application window or a taskbar toolbar, choose the folders they want to have indexed, set indexing to occur in the background, and use Boolean operators to refine the search. Copernic allows users to filter search results based on such attitudes as file size and date; and it provides a preview pane for seeing a file's contents without launching a separate application to open it. In addition, users can store the index file in the folder of their choice; set the time and interval for index updating; and search Outlook contacts, as well as bookmarks and browser history in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla and Netscape software.

This article answers questions about computers. It was learned that when updating Windows 2000 or XP, the update program often saves uninstall information to a folder. To see a personal computer's saved uninstall folders, open Windows Explorer to C:\Windows or C:\WINNT; the user may need to click Show the contents of the folder. If no folders can be seen, select View·Folder Options, click the View tab, select Show hidden files and folders, and click OK. The Windows Service Pack uninstall is in the folder $NtServicePackUninstall$. Others are named $NtUninstallKBnnnnnn$ or $NtUninstallQnnnnnn$. If the folder is more than a few weeks old, the user can remove it without a risk. To get rid of an uninstall folder, select it in Windows Explorer, press Delete, and confirm. The uninstall may still be listed in the Control panel Add or Remove Programs applet, however. To remove it, select the program and click Remove. An error message will ask whether the user want to delete the entry from the list. To disable pop-up help windows in Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications, select Tools·Customize·Options, uncheck Show Screen Tips on toolbars, and click Close. Instructions in creating a shortcut to the System Configuration Utility on the Start menu, was given.