Turning on Windows File History is a quick and easy way to back up for Windows 10 and Windows 8 users. The steps are that you plug an external hard drive into your computer , open up File History which is in the Control Panel , turn it on and it will save copies of your documents , photos , music etc. To quote from the Microsoft website “File History only backs up copies of files that are in the Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop folders and the OneDrive files available offline on your PC. If you have files or folders elsewhere that you want backed up, you can add them to one of these folders.” Setup a drive for File History File history will also allow you to go back and find previous versions of documents Restore Files or Folders Using File History Further information can be found here How to use Windows 10’s File History backup feature
Continue ReadingDisk Defrag – Should You Or Should You Ignore It
What is Disk Defragmenter ? When you create a document and you add to it and save it , your Windows computer does not just write over your original file when saving it. The file is instead saved onto a different part of your drive. After extended use and time, these chunks of information become scattered, or fragmented, which can slow down the computer’s ability to open files quickly. If you used to manually run Disk Defrag on a regular basis , understand that Windows 7 – 8 will do it automatically. You do not need to do it or run 3rd party programs to do it. Windows 10 – Where Is Disk Defrag ? Windows 10 you will not find Defrag but ” Optimise”If you have a solid state drive that you installed in Windows 7 or 8 – you definitely should not be “defraging it” , waste of time and can shorten the life of the drive as a solid state drive supports limited writes and that defrag operations cause many writes on the device. Just let Windows handle this and don’t let 3rd party programs do this.
Continue ReadingWindows 10 – Free Upgrade Ends July 29th – Should You Make The Move
The offer to upgrade to Windows 10 ends on July 29th and after July 29th if you want to upgrade your Windows 7 or Windows 8 / 8.1 it will cost roughly $179 ( depends where you buy it from ). If you are running Windows 8 / 8.1 , I think it is a no brainer to go to Windows 10 ,which is a much improved experience on Window 8 / 8.1. If you are running Windows 7 it really depends if you are happy where you are as it will be supported till Jan 2020 so by that time you will probably have changed your computer. The nag to make the move to Windows 10 should end after July 29th and will probably be removed via an update. What To Do If You Are Going To Upgrade ? Uninstall your antivirus if it is anything other than the one supplied by Microsoft via the uninstall tool supplied by the maker of the antivirus Do a backup Remove any bogus programs such as – registry cleaners , “speed up my pc” programs What Do I Think Of Windows 10 ? I like it now that all the issues have… Read More
Continue ReadingInternet Explorer End Of Life & Windows 8 End Of Life News
If you are running Internet Explorer 8 , 9 or 10 Microsoft will not support these after the 12th Jan and you need to make the move to Internet Explorer 11. However if you are running Windows Vista you will get support however remember Windows Vista end of life support is April 2017 , that means there will be no more updates. Even though you may have Internet Explorer and it is an integral part of Windows you should be using Google Chrome as your browser of choice. Windows 8 – End Of Life If you are still on Windows 8 not 8.1 you need to upgrade to 8.1 through the Windows Store for Windows 8 users as Microsoft will no longer supply updates to Windows 8 so you will be vulnerable as Windows XP users are. You really should just make the move to Windows 10 if you are on Windows 8 as it is a much better operating system now.
Continue ReadingGet The Windows 7 Games Back In Windows 10
So you have made the move to Windows 10 and miss the classic games that came with Windows 7 well lets help you get them back. Well thanks to WinAero you can return to playing Minesweeper , Freecell , Hearts etc There is an option to download in your browser which means it will go to your download folder. Then run the executable from there and you will soon be playing Solitaire and Minesweeper again.
Continue ReadingStop Unneccesary Applications From Starting In Windows 7 – Windows 8
When you buy a Windows computer it is designed to load all programs at startup. The more programs you have that load on startup on your computer then the more memory it uses , the more chance you have that it can crash or run slowly. So what do you do? Learn how to use MSCONFIG so that you can stop any unnecessary programs loading Examples of these programs are: Adobe Apple Printers These programs will all run when ” activated ” from their software but you don’t need them to run at startup. Here is an article that should help you understand how to do this in Windows 7 – Windows 8 How To Disable Startup Programs In Windows Adobe Apple Printers These programs will all run when ” activated ” from their software but you don’t need them to run at startup. Here is an article that should help you understand how to do this in Windows 7 – Windows 8 How To Disable Startup Programs In Windows
Continue ReadingLooking To Make Windows 8 Look Like Old Windows Versions
If you want the start menu back in Windows 8 and more of the old familiar look try Classic Shell which is available free from: Classic Shell
Continue ReadingStart A Windows 8 Computer In Safe Mode
Starting a computer in safe mode is a useful diagnostic tool “Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don’t run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed. For more information.Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem doesn’t reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that’s causing the problem. For more information about troubleshooting problems in safe mode” — http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/start-computer-safe-mode#start-computer-safe-mode=windows-7 But how do you start a Windows 8 computer in safe mode ? Checkout this article from How To Geek How to boot into safe mode in Windows 8
Continue ReadingSkype Translate – Facebook Privacy – Antivirus Software – TechXPO – Crap App Of The Week
Skype Translate Ever wanted to talk to someone in another country and have them understand you and you them Then Skype translate which is coming soon will be for you: Register For Skype Translate Come And Hear Me Discuss Internet Security And Online Safety I will be at the City Library Wed the 26th Nov at 1.00pm Details can be found here Is Your Antivirus Running ? Many people think that the antivirus that came with their computer as a trial will protect them and this is not the case. You need a functioning antivirus that updates with the latest virus definitions. For a free solution Windows Defender comes with Windows 8 and Microsoft Security Essentials can be downloaded for Windows 7 and Windows Vista For a paid solution I recommend Nod32 from eset Facebook Facebook have released a new guide to privacy that many people should really have a look at. Facebook Guide To Privacy Remember that you may only share with some people but Facebook do see everything you post Crap App Of The Week Funny Hand Dryer It will show you a picture of a hand dryer on your phone and make a hand dryer noise Google Play Store… Read More
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