Computer Tips Archives - Page 199 of 227

Don’t wait for Microsoft! Add an awesome Start Menu to Windows 8.1 right now, for free!

Posted on May 19, 2014

Microsoft recently announced that a future update to Windows 8.1 will return the missing Start Menu (that should have never been removed in the first place IMHO) to the new Windows.

While this a very welcome change of heart on Microsoft’s part, who knows when the update heralding the return of the Start Menu will actually be coming down the pike?

If you really miss your Start Menu, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to wait for the guys and gals in Redmond to finally get around to sending it to you. Thanks to a handy free download called Start Menu Reviver, you can add an awesome Start Menu to your Windows 8.1 installation right now! Here’s how: [Read more…]

Why you should ditch Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender

Posted on May 15, 2014

microsoft-security-essentials If you’re trusting Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Defender to keep your PC free of malware, I strongly recommend replacing them with something more effective.

I applaud Microsoft for trying to do the right thing by providing malware protection to Windows users for free, but the protection they offer has been falling short of late.

Quite a few malware-laden PCs running either Microsoft Security Essentials or Windows Defender have found their way into my shop of late, and the number of infections found on those machines is nothing short of staggering. [Read more…]

Google takes aim at Windows by adding more offline capabilities to Chrome OS

Posted on May 8, 2014

Google’s Chrome Operating System is a huge hit among users who simply want to use their computers to access the Internet and Internet-based services. In fact, the number one selling laptop on Amazon right now is a Chromebook.

But as popular as Chromebooks already are, Google plans to widen their appeal even more by adding features that will allow them to do many of the things that Windows machines can do when they are offline. For example, the latest version of Chrome OS allows you to watch entire movies offline. And by the way, you can even edit video on a Chromebook now. [Read more…]

7 tips for keeping Windows XP secure without Microsoft’s support

Posted on May 7, 2014

Microsoft’s abandonment of Windows XP means you’re now on your own when it comes to protecting your XP-based machines against security threats.

Although they have already broken their promise not to release any more security updates for Windows XP, Microsoft likely won’t release more of them unless they feel pressured to do so.

In my opinion, the best move for XP users is to simply move to another operating system, but I realize that doing that is simply impractical for a lot of folks, especially small business owners.

If you feel that you really need to keep using Windows XP, there are several things you can do to keep your PC(s) as safe from security threats as possible: [Read more…]