Computer Tips Archives - Page 223 of 233

Outlook.com Web-Based Email – My thoughts and recommendations

Posted on March 12, 2013

Microsoft recently announced the release of their brand new web-based email service Outlook.com, and the press release made it sound too good not to take for a spin.

Since I love the thought of being able to access my POP3 email accounts via any web browser on any PC and Outlook.com sounded like it might be a great solution, I signed up for an account and imported all of my POP3 email accounts into it.

After putting Outlook.com through its paces for a week, here are my impressions and recommendations: [Read more…]

2 super-fast ways to open the Windows Task Manager

Posted on March 8, 2013

If you’ve been using Microsoft Windows-based PCs for a while you’re probably quite familiar with the Windows Task Manager. It is in fact one of the most-used Windows utilities.

After all, who among us has never had to open the Task Manager in order to kill a stuck program that simply refused to go away when you clicked the little X in the top-right corner? [Read more…]

Create a desktop shortcut to the System Restore utility

Posted on March 6, 2013

I download, test and review a lot of software and I always create a new System Restore Point before I install every new program just in case something goes wrong. System Restore has saved my bacon on several occasions, and chances are it has also saved yours at least once in the past.

If you use the System Restore utility as much as I do, I recommend creating a shortcut to it and keeping it on your Desktop. Here are instructions for creating a shortcut to System Restore in Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 (just skip to the section that’s applicable to you): [Read more…]

How to make Windows shut down faster

Posted on March 2, 2013

Important: Following this tip requires editing the Windows Registry, a procedure that can result in a corrupted Windows installation if not completed properly.

Therefore, if you follow the steps listed below, you do so at your own risk and agree that it will not be my fault if your favorite TV show gets canceled, the wind blows over your favorite tree or your computer becomes unbootable or unstable.

If you decide to proceed, then I recommend creating a System Restore Point first just to be on the safe side. If you’re still with me, lets get started… [Read more…]

Complete list of Windows 8/8.1 keyboard shortcuts

Posted on March 1, 2013

If you’re a frequent visitor to this blog you probably know that I love keyboard shortcuts and write about them fairly often. Today it dawned on me that I have never posted a complete list of all the Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts in a single comprehensive list. Well, here it is!

If you’re new to the world of keyboard shortcuts, they are extremely easy to use. Simply press and hold the appropriate modifier key (Windows, Ctrl, ALT or Function) and then press the key that follows the plus sign. You’ll find the Windows key on the lower left-hand corner of the keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt keys (check out the photo at the bottom of the page for exact placement).

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, here is your complete list of Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts: [Read more…]