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Step-by-step guide to installing the free Windows 8.1 update on a Windows 8 machine

Posted on March 29, 2014

windows-8-1-update Several of my recent posts have discussed the importance of updating a Windows 8 installation to Windows 8.1.

After receiving a number of requests for instructions for installing the update, I thought it might be a good idea to publish them as a tip. As you’ll soon find out, it really isn’t all that difficult to install the free Windows 8.1 update.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that all available Windows Updates have been applied to your existing Windows 8 installation. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why should I convert my old C: drive to an external drive after an SSD upgrade instead of installing it as a D: drive?

Posted on January 29, 2014

Question from Gary M.: Rick, Microsoft is forcing me to get serious about upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 8 (or 8.1). I just finished reading your recommendation to install an SSD drive and convert my XP internal drive into an external USB drive.

I was thinking along similar lines, but figured I would make my existing XP drive into a drive D: after upgrading to Windows 8. Why would converting it to an external USB drive be better?

Thanks, Gary

Ricks answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I reset my Acer laptop back to the factory condition?

Posted on January 24, 2014

Question from Gillian S.: My Acer Aspire 5715z laptop won’t boot into Windows and my friend says I need to reset it back to the factory condition.

The problem is I don’t have a restore disc for it. Is there any way to restore this computer without a restore disc?

Rick’s answer: Gillian, if the hard drive is working properly and the recovery partition isn’t damaged, you should be able to easily restore your laptop back to its factory condition. Here’s how: [Read more…]

8 lessons that Microsoft (hopefully) learned from the Windows 8 debacle

Posted on January 18, 2014

microsoft-windows Since we now know that Microsoft is planning to scuttle the Windows 8 brand sooner than usual by releasing Windows 9 sometime in 2015, I think it’s safe to assume that they have learned a few lessons from the Windows 8 debacle. Well, at least one can hope.

While Windows 8.1 is a vast improvement over Windows 8, many irritants still remain that tend to frustrate seasoned Windows users.

Here are just a few of the lessons that Microsoft surely must have learned by now: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I disable the Control Panel in Windows 7?

Posted on January 15, 2014

Question from Kenny: Hi Rick. First of all, I wa windows-7 nt to thank you for your generosity in posting all these amazing tips. You have helped so many people by posting them! Now, I have a question for you if you don’t mind.

I recently bought a new computer and decided to give my 2 year old Gateway laptop to my son. Since he’s only 8 years old I’d like to keep him from accessing the Control Panel and accidentally messing things up.

My question is can you tell me how to disable the Control Panel in Windows 7?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]