Microsoft Windows Archives - Page 23 of 32

Q&A: What happened to the icons and shortcuts on my Desktop?

Posted on May 27, 2013

Question from Ken B.: Rick, I turned my computer on this morning (Dell XPS 15 laptop w/Windows 7) and my desktop was blank. After it booted up everything on the desktop was missing, including the Recycle Bin, the Computer icon and all of my shortcuts. I don’t know what happened to make then disappear, but I desperately need them back ASAP.

Can you please tell me how to get all of my desktop icons and shortcuts back without reinstalling everything? I’ll be indebted to you for life my friend! Thanks in advance for you help.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: What exactly does the System File Checker do?

Posted on May 21, 2013

Question from Landra G: Hi Rick. I bought an ebook on using Windows 7 and there was a passing reference to something called a System File Checker.

The ebook didn’t give any details except to say that you can use it to fix problems with your computer. Can you tell me what it is and how to use it. Thanks.

Rick’s answer: Landra, the System File Checker is a very useful Windows utility that will scan your critical Windows files and attempt to repair any damaged files that it finds. It often comes in handy for those times when Windows is acting quirky, something isn’t working as it should or you receive an error message saying that there is a damaged Windows system file.

Using the System File Checker is very easy in Windows 7. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Add the Administrative Tools to the Windows 7 Start menu

Posted on May 17, 2013

windows-7 Windows 7 contains a suite of powerful Administrative Tools that are useful to System Administrators and advanced users. Previous versions of Windows had a direct link to these Administrative tools right on the Start menu, but Windows 7 has them hidden from view by default.

These tools are easily found if you know where to look (most people don’t) or by simply searching for them by name via the Search box, but I prefer having them linked from the Start menu as they had been in the past.

It’s very easy to add the Administrative Tools back to the Windows 7 Start menu. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to create a Windows 8 Installation DVD or USB Flash Drive

Posted on May 16, 2013

windows-8-usb-flash-drive It seems like every version of Windows is a little easier to install than the one before it, and Windows 8 is no exception thanks to Microsoft’s nifty Windows 8 Upgrade Tool.

That being said, there are still times when it helps to be able to install the operating system from a USB thumb drive or DVD. Here’s how to create one: [Read more…]

Windows 8.1 to be available as a free download for Windows 8 users

Posted on May 15, 2013

windows-8-1 Microsoft has announced that Windows 8.1 (AKA Windows Blue) will be released as a free upgrade to Windows 8 some time before the Christmas season gets into full swing. I thought all along that it should be free since charging for it would be like “selling” a repair for a brand new recalled vehicle.

Of course Windows 8.1 won’t be free to those purchasing new PCs or wanting to upgrade from Windows 7 or earlier, but Windows 8 users will rightly be able to get it without having to pay for it.

The mind-boggling changes introduced with Windows 8 have led to mass confusion and frustration among long-time Windows users, as well as the largest year-to-year decline in new PC sales ever. In my opinion, Microsoft had no choice except to take quick action to stop the migration of Windows users to Macs, Linux boxes and tablet devices.

Among a number of small changes coming in Windows 8.1 are two biggies: [Read more…]