Rick's Daily Tips

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…]

Q&A: Why is the PageRank indicator not visible on my Google Toolbar?

Posted on February 28, 2013

Question from Jamey B: Hi Rick. I really hope you can help me. I always check the Google PageRank of blogs that I want to submit guest posts to, but ever since I updated my Google Toolbar to the latest version a couple of days ago the PageRank indicator isn’t showing up.

I’ve searched high and low for a way to turn the PR indicator on but I can’t find one. Has Google decided to remove it completely or am I just overlooking the place where you activate it?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Internet Explorer 10 now available for Windows 7

Posted on February 28, 2013

Microsoft recently released Windows 8, and along with it they also released Internet Explorer 10 as part of the package.

The guys and gals in Redmond are boasting that IE 10 is 20% faster than IE 9, and several independent tests have confirmed that it is indeed speedier than its predecessor, although by how much varies considerably from test to test.

I haven’t performed any speed tests of my own, but after using IE 10 during my normal work day for a while I can say that it is noticeably faster. I still prefer using Google Chrome as my primary browser, but I find myself using IE 10 more than I ever used IE9. [Read more…]

How to remove Event Invitations on Facebook without declining them

Posted on February 25, 2013

Do you sometimes receive invitations to events on Facebook that you have no interest in attending, but you’d rather not decline them because you don’t want to risk offending the friend who sent you the invite?

I think we all do occasionally, and luckily we can handle those situations delicately with just a few mouse clicks.

It’s easy to remove a Facebook event invitation without your friend even knowing about it. Here’s how: [Read more…]