So you got a new PC. Here is what you can do next…
[Read more…] about What To Do With That New PC?
Windows 7
Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7
IE 11 for Windows 7 is out.
IE 11 is the default for Windows 8.1.
I expect this to show up in Windows Update for Windows 7 but hasn’t yet.
Announcement: IE11 for Windows 7 Globally Available for Consumers and Businesses
Microsoft: Internet Explorer Page
IE 11 Welcome Page
Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 (32-bit)
Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 64-bit Edition and Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit Edition
Internet Explorer 11 Language Packs for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Internet Explorer Administration Kit 11
Windows Update Cleanup For Windows 7 And Windows 8
Windows 8 disk cleanup introduced a new cleanup option called Windows Update Cleanup.
Yesterdays Windows updates included an update to add this option to Windows 7.
This cleanup option can regain you significant disk space in Windows 7 and Windows 8 will benefit as updates pile up.
This article will show you how to use this option in both Windows 7 and 8.
[Read more…] about Windows Update Cleanup For Windows 7 And Windows 8
Using RocketDock
RocketDock is a free OS X style launcher for Windows. It is highly customizable. [Read more…] about Using RocketDock
Creating Desktop Icons
>A quick guide on creating desktop icons for Windows 7 and Windows 8.
[Read more…] about Creating Desktop Icons
Basic Browser Security – Passwords
This article is about protecting your browser passwords. It covers; Password protecting the browser, 2 factor authentication, and password managers. [Read more…] about Basic Browser Security – Passwords
Basic Browser Security – Private Browsing
This article covers private browsing for Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms.
Private Browsing
(Also called Privacy mode, InPrivate browsing, Incognito mode.)
Basically when using private browsing most of the stuff usually stored on your computer by the browser no longer is. Among other things this includes cookies, history, and passwords. The security advantage of this is obvious (less stored information = less chance information is compromised). This browsing mode is not only useful on public machines but also shared computers at home and on mobile devices. [Read more…] about Basic Browser Security – Private Browsing
How To Downgrade Windows 8
I’m not advocating it, but I understand some people may want to downgrade Windows 8. Here is how to do it:
See: Microsoft – Understanding Downgrade Rights
Downgrade only supported from from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Pro (or Vista Biz, LOL).
Steps:
1 – You must have Windows 8 Pro (with license key)
2 – You’ll need a Windows 7 DVD or ISO.
You can download ISO’s here:
Windows 7 Professional with SP1 32-bit
Windows 7 Professional with SP1 64-bit
To create a DVD from an ISO use CDBurnerXP.
To create a bootable flash drive see: Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool. (If you have issues with this see here.)
3 – Install Windows 7 Pro. Do a clean install via instructions here: Installing Windows 7
4 – Activation. When entering key you will probably need to use the “Activation Support phone number” as per the Understanding Downgrade Rights above. Explain what you are doing. They will give you an activation code.
5 – That’s it!
Bad Tweak – useplatformclock true
Article revised and merged. See: Timer Tweaks Benchmarked
The Windows 7 Freeware Machine
(last updated 31 August, 2014)
This is a Windows 7 version of the previous articles I wrote called The Freeware XP Machine, and The Vista Free Machine. This version is Windows 7 specific and has several additions and deletions of software I have tried based on recommendations of readers (and THANKS for the suggestions).
This is not a comprehensive list of freeware apps, there are lists like that all over the place. This is a list of apps I use and/or recommend. The goal of this list is to hopefully make your computing experience a little better and less expensive. I know that many of you already use a lot of these programs but perhaps this list would be something you might want to pass on to friends and family to help them out.
[Read more…] about The Windows 7 Freeware Machine