Microsoft Windows Archives - Page 19 of 32

Q&A: Is there a way to display the menu bar in Windows Media Player with Windows 7?

Posted on May 28, 2014

Question from David: Unlike the Windows Media Player included in Windows Vista Home Premium, the version in Windows 7 Home Premium on my Samsung laptop does not have a Menu Bar. Is there a way to add or enable one?

Rick’s answer: Try this David:

1 – Launch Windows Media Player.

2 – Press the Alt key by itself and you’ll see a menu pop up.

3 – Click the Show menu bar option.

Note: Pressing the Alt key in most Windows programs will display the “File menu” in situations where it isn’t already displayed by default.

That should do it David. Please let me know if it works for you.

Update from David: Yes it does. Many thanks.

Do you have a tech question of your own for Rick? Click here and send it in!

Q&A: How can I force my USB drive to use same drive letter no matter which PC I plug it into?

Posted on May 14, 2014

Question from Gary M.: I have my photos and Lightroom catalog on my USB drive and move them from my laptop to desktop. It would make my life easier if it presented as the J: drive every time it’s plugged into either machine.

How can I force my external USB drive to present itself as the same drive letter every time it’s plugged in no matter which PC I plug it into?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Microsoft officially ends support for Windows XP

Posted on April 8, 2014

Well, today is the big day. As of today, Microsoft has officially stopped supporting Windows XP, a move that effectively ends the useful life of the most popular version of Windows ever for the vast majority of users.

While there are circumstances under which XP can still be safely used, the millions of people who have their XP machines connected to the Internet should probably make the move to either a different operating system or a new computer. [Read more…]

Why Microsoft might soon start giving away Windows for free

Posted on February 28, 2014

windows-for-free Could Microsoft be working on plans to give away their cash-cow Windows operating system for free? According to several reliable sources, the answer could be yes.

It’s no secret that Microsoft’s share of the operating system market is dwindling by the day, and it all started way back with the release of Apple’s first iPad. The guys and gals in Redmond apparently thought users would consider tablet PCs to be toys, not suitable replacements for desktop and laptop computers.

Well, they were wrong, and by the time they realized it the genie was already out of the bottle. [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I order a set of Windows Vista Restore disks for my laptop or just buy Windows 8?

Posted on January 30, 2014

Question from Joseph K.: I have an HP desktop computer that came with Windows Vista. The hard drive died and I had to replace it and I can’t find my Restore disks.

I can order a set of Restore disks from HP but I was wondering if I should just buy Windows 8 instead? A friend told me that I can probably get Windows 8 for about twice what I’d have to pay for the Vista Restore CDs. Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]