Free Tools To Make Your Windows Better

As fun as it is to rip on Microsoft for the mistakes it has made – and continues to make – with Windows, the truth is that Windows is an amazing achievement. It runs successfully on more than a billion computers that vary wildly in specs and age. It supports endless third-party add-ons from basic mice, keyboards, scanners and printers to high-end graphics tablets, audio hardware and video hardware.

Windows works equally well for students, gamers, Web junkies, graphic artists, Fortune 500 companies, startup companies and just about any other person or situation you can think of.
Obviously, with that kind of scope, it can’t be perfect for everyone – or even anyone. Still, for most people “good enough” is … well … good enough. But there are some areas where you don’t have to settle for “good enough.” These third-party tools fix some of Windows’ most glaring annoyances:

1. F.lux

One of the first programs I install on any Windows or Mac computer – after security software, of course, is F.lux. This lightweight program adjusts the tint of your monitor based on the time of day.
At night, F.lux shifts your monitor from the usual white light to a reddish tint. White light tricks your brain into thinking it is still daytime, while red light signals that it’s night. That means less eye strain and a better night’s sleep. As someone who uses the computer both day and night, it’s an essential tweak.

2. TeraCopy

Copying files is a critical feature of Windows, but for some reason it’s always been terrible. If you’ve ever tried to copy hundreds of file at once, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.
The file copy takes forever, so you go do something else while you wait for it to finish. After a few hours, you come back only to find that there was an error with one file, and Windows has just been sitting there doing nothing the whole time.

Windows 8 finally has decent file copying. It’s faster, ignores problem files and lets you pause copying if you have to do something else with the computer.

Of course, you can get these same features in Windows Vista and Windows 7 with the popular TeraCopy. Just install it and it integrates with Windows Explorer to take over copying when appropriate.

3. Revo Uninstaller

Uninstalling programs with Windows’ built-in uninstaller is sometimes harder than it should be. The uninstalled program might leave behind unwanted icons, folders, context menu entries or just refuse to uninstall. Revo Uninstaller goes deeper to get rid of everything when you uninstall a program. No icons, folders, registry entries or anything else are left behind.

4. WinDirStat

Windows Vista, 7 and 8 make it easy to find specific files with a computer-wide search. But tracking down files based on size is another matter. If you need to know what file or folder is hogging your drive space, prepare for a lot of trial and error. Or you can grab WinDirStat. It shows you a graphical breakdown of your file and folder sizes. You can see at a glance what is taking up space. From there, you can delete it or move it to another drive.

5. Process Explorer

Windows on its own is actually reasonably stable, but not every third-party program agrees with it. When you’re trying to track down what program is making Windows unstable, it can be a chore and a half. It doesn’t help that Windows’ built-in Task Manager doesn’t label things well. Even if you find the offending process you don’t know what program is using it. Process Explorer does a much better job of telling you what’s what.

6. Bonus for Windows 8:Classic Shell 

With Windows 8, Microsoft fixed a few of the annoyances I listed above. In true Microsoft fashion, however, it created some more serious ones. The big annoyance for desktop and laptop users is the lack of the Start Menu. Also Windows boots right to the Start Screen instead of the familiar Desktop. The free third-party Start Menu Classic Shell brings back the old Windows Start Menu and gives you the option to boot right to the desktop.

How To Add Old Features To Your New Computer

As Microsoft Windows Operating Systems become more advanced, they add more features. However, they tend to drop or revamp features you enjoyed, too. If the familiar feel of older versions of Windows has been holding you back from upgrading, Classic Shell can help.


Classic Shell can give you back the desktop experience you remember from past versions of Windows – from 95 to Vista. You’ll still have the power and safety of more recent versions with the comfort of older ones. Not only that it can add some customization features to your operating system, you can also change the look and feel of the Start menu, folder and even the Start button.

For example, Windows 8 doesn't have a Start button. If you don't think that's something that needs fixing, you're probably in the minority, at least for now. Maybe in time, Windows 8's Modern-style Start Screen will grow on users and it'll turn out Microsoft was right all along. Until that happens, Classic Shell remains a flourishing niche of aftermarket utility that bring the Start button (and menu) back to Windows 8.

There are also excellent ones like Stardock's Start8 and Pokki, that can do the same job. But you don't need to pay to get a Start button.


Classic Shell is one tool that's free, open-source and very customizable software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. The main features are:

• Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
• Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
• Find programs, settings, files and documents
• Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
• Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
• Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer

 The latest version of Classic Shell is 4.1.0 (Click to Download)  .

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

How To Freely Declutter Your Hard Drive

When you’re trying to clean up your house, it’s easy to see right in front of you what needs to be done. If the floor is covered in pet hair, you know it’s time to break out the vacuum!


Likewise, if dishes are piled up in your sink, you better get to work on washing them!
Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to see what’s making a mess on your hard drive. Bits and bytes can’t be visualized so easily as pots and pans.

Windows can show you how many gigabytes you have remaining on your disk, and it even tells you how big any given file is when you hover over it. But you’ll need a utility like WinDirStat to show you what it looks like.

WinDirStat scans your whole drive or individual partitions and folders and displays brightly colored squares of various sizes. The color indicates what kind of file it is and the size indicates how much space it’s taking up. This is an easy, straightforward way to visualize exactly what’s taking up space on your disk and what’s slowing it down.

When you install WinDirStat, it’s OK to use the recommended settings unless there’s something you know you’d like to change about the setup.


The first time you start it up, it will automatically begin scanning a folder, a partition or an entire drive. You can then view or even delete files from within WinDirStat.
To download the WinDirStat, locate the text link at the top of the screen in the green box that says “FossHub.” You will be redirected to FossHub to download the program. There is a sky-blue box at the top of the screen. The text link that reads “Download WinDirStat Installer” will download the program for you.
 
 

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

Safer Ways To Completely Erase Unwanted Computer Programs

The left over bits and pieces that you didn’t clean off your computer’s plate can build up over time. They can even slow down your computer. If you don’t need or want a program anymore, you need to get rid of it all, including the leftovers. Revo Uninstaller is a free download that can do that for you with just one click.

To download Revo Uninstaller, click to go to the page, scroll down and click the Download button at the bottom of the Freeware column (the left column).
Revo Uninstaller will not ask you to install any bloatware, so you can install it with all the default settings. Revo will start automatically after installation.


When you open Revo, a list of all your programs will appear. This should remind you a little bit of Windows’ stock uninstall utility. And it works similarly to an extent.

When you click uninstall, Revo will ask how thoroughly you want to remove a program. The recommended setting is fine for basic users. It will delete a program using the standard process, then look for any remnants in temporary folders or in the registry.

You can even remove specific files and folders, browser history and recent documents from Microsoft Office.

A useful feature is Hunter Mode. This will let you browse through your directory or Start Menu and delete anything using just one click.

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

The Quicker Way To See Those Programs That Slows Down Your Computer

Did you know you can see everything your computer is doing at any given second?
Open up the Windows Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Click on the Processes tab and you’ll see a list of every bit of active code.


Most of it will look like gibberish! What the heck is csrss.exe anyway? (It’s a critical process that stands for Client/Server Runtime Subsystem, if you care to know!) But some of these processes aren’t really necessary unless you’re actively using the program they’re tied to.

Unnecessary processes can slow down your computer, especially on startup. Some could even be viruses! But how can you tell the difference when all the names are in what seems like a foreign language?

You can start with Process Explorer. It’s a free, portable program that gives you a lot more information about each process and your computer’s performance than the Task Manager.
Just download and extract the file onto your computer; no installation necessary! When you run the program, you’ll see a list of color-coded processes and corresponding data on CPU usage, associated programs, size and manufacturer.

It’s a good start to learning what processes are associated with what programs. The red processes are services. These are meant to run in the background and without requiring user intervention. They usually help perform basic Windows functions. Blue means it’s a process you started, such as your browser, calculator, or other user programs. Read the color-code legend for more info about what each color means.

Process Explorer is a helpful tool for figuring out what your computer is doing and which processes are occupying its thoughts. You might find programs taking up it’s time that don’t really need to run. But as a fair warning, you should never stop a process unless you know what it is.

Note: This is a portable program, so some anti-virus software may incorrectly identify it as a virus. Don’t worry; it’s safe.

Cost: Free
Link: technet.microsoft.com
System: Windows

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

One Step To Reduce Eye Strain By Your Computer Screen

If your typical workday is anything like mine, much of it involves staring at a computer screen. But even when you go home at night, you have emails to return, Facebook to check and you may even watch movies on your computer screen. That’s a lot time spent staring at your monitor! And it’s not just the time spent that can start to hurt your eyes. When the sun goes down and the lights go on, the contrast of the bright screen at night can be blinding.It isn’t just eye strain. Looking at white light tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime. That means it’s harder to go to sleep.

What if your computer monitor behaved more like natural light? What if it got brighter in the daytime and softer at night? And what if the color temperature could warm or cool to reduce eye strain and keep your sleep cycle intact?

F.lux is a free downloadable program that can automatically adjust your monitor’s brightness and color temperature according to day and night cycles in your area!

F.lux automatically calibrates the computer or device display's colour temperature to the time of the day. The user also has the option of choosing a color preset or disabling f.lux for an hour and returning the screen to its normal calibration. The software offers three preset color settings on Microsoft Windows: halogen, fluorescent, and daylight—as well as Incandescent on beta. For OS X, candle and tungsten settings are also available

It’s simple: Download and run the program. If you’re connected to the Web, it can automatically detect your location and will begin adjusting your display immediately

You can click Settings to change your location if it’s incorrect and you can alter the brightness and color settings according to the lights you use in your office or room.

If you need precise color representation while you edit photos or do other color-sensitive tasks, you can disable f.lux for an hour with just one click.


Or, if you want to watch a movie and have the colors look right, you can put F.lux in Movie Mode. This disables f.lux for two and half hours.

A quick warning:

If you first install and run F.lux at night, your monitor will suddenly take on a serious shade of red. Don’t worry; that’s normal and you’ll get used to it fairly quickly.

If the colors still don’t seem right to you after you’ve given yourself an hour or so to adjust, you can change the warmth setting until it looks like a book page under normal lighting. This is the most natural setting for your eyes.

Cost: Free
Link: justgetflux.com
System: Windows, Mac

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

Download for Mac - Free

The easier way to copy your files faster -- TeraCopy

Copying and pasting files is one of the bread-and-butter functions of your computer’s operating system. Without it, you couldn’t organize files, save them to a CD or DVD or transfer them to a flash drive!

Strangely, Windows’ built-in copy system isn’t that good. It takes forever to move large amounts of files. Plus, if one file has a problem, the entire process comes to a screeching halt. That means you have to sit at your computer for hours to make sure the transfer works. Copying is so basic that you might assume there’s no other way of doing it! Fortunately, there’s an alternative to Windows’s built-in copy and paste utility. It’s called TeraCopy, and it can speed up file transfers and cut down on copy errors.

TeraCopy is faster because it copies different bits of info at different speeds, and dynamically adjusts data rates to reduce wait times. Plus, it lets you pause and resume transfers in case you need to use your computer for something else. If you have an error or run into a bad file during the process, TeraCopy can retry the file automatically, or skip it if it just doesn’t work. In either case, it finishes the rest of the transfer and lets you know about failed files. No more returning to your computer after a few hours to find that the whole transfer stopped!

The best part is that TeraCopy integrates with Windows. You can copy and paste files like normal and it will take over automatically. There’s nothing new to learn! To control this behavior, open TeraCopy and click the More button. Then click the Menu button and select Preferences.  Under Shell Integration, check or uncheck the option “Use TeraCopy as the default copy handler.” If you only want to use TeraCopy on certain occasions, uncheck this option. You can also turn on “Add to Explorer context menu.” That way you can right-click on files and choose to use TeraCopy to transfer them.

Download instructions: On the TeraCopy download page, scroll down to the bottom of the page (watch out for the confusing ad near the top of the page) and click the gray Download button. The blue Purchase button is for the paid professional version.

On the next page, find TeraCopy and click the gray download arrow next to USA.

Download Links

Download for Windows - Free

22 Free Programs your PC needs

Your new PC needs these 22 free programs

New hardware needs new software

More than a mere blank slate, a new PC is a fresh opportunity—a collection of components that, with the right software installed, could accomplish anything from balancing your household budget to helping to cure cancer.
Yes, stocking your PC is an intensely personal task. Even still, some programs are so helpful, so handy, so useful across the board that we heartily recommend them to everybody. These are the programs you want to install on a new PC first.

1. Warm-up: A browser

Before you roll up your sleeves and start slinging software around, make sure to snag your Web browser of choice. Firefox and Internet Explorer 11 are both tremendous options in their own right, and Google Chrome, which won PCWorld’s browser showdown late last year. But hey, they’re all free!

2. Ninite

Ninite makes loading up a new computer a breeze. Simply head to the Ninite website, select which programs you’d like to install on your PC—it offers dozens of options, including many of the programs named here—and click Get Installer to receive a single, custom .exe file containing the installers for those programs. Run the executable, and Ninite installs all of them in turn. No muss, no fuss, no hassle. It’s wonderful.

3. AVG AntiVirus Free

Assuming that you plan to connect your PC to the Net and slap a thumb drive into one of its USB ports, you’ll need to have antimalware software installed. Windows 8 ships with Windows Defender activated by default (if your PC’s manufacturer didn’t preinstall premium antivirus trialware), and that’s a lot better than nothing, but Windows Defender isn’t as effective at fighting off the barbarian hordes as third-party options are.
AVG AntiVirus Free does a great job of blocking and eradicating malware, and it includes extras such as a secure shredder, Do Not Track protection for your browser, and the ability to schedule automated scans.

4. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Well, AVG is one of the programs I use to keep my computer safe and secure. No single antivirus utility offers bulletproof protection, especially against the latest and most clever threats. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Free was designed specifically to find and eliminate those cutting-edge “zero day” threats. You can’t schedule scans or even use it as a regular antivirus program, but it’s invaluable when you think that something nasty has slipped by your primary antivirus utility.

5. PC Decrapifier

Now that you’ve installed security software to protect your PC from invasion, it’s time to clean all the preinstalled junk off your computer. Most boxed PCs come chock-full of bloatware intended to make dough for the PC makers, and you probably don’t need (or want) most of it clogging up your system resources.
That’s where PC Decrapifier comes in. This pint-size wonder program scans your PC, brings up a checklist of the bloatware installed on your machine, and helps you wipe ’em all away in one fell swoop. Yay! A secondary screen lists all of your programs if you want to nuke even more. Ignore it, or just be careful to avoid erasing something important.

6. Benchmarking and stress-testing software

If, on the other hand, you built your own PC bit by bit, you don’t have to worry about bloatware—but you do have to worry about the quality of all those shiny new components. For instance, is your precious new graphics card unstable? The right software can put your PC through the paces and make sure everything is running as it should be.
The programs you’ll need are too varied to list in full here. Check out PCWorld’s guides to stress-testing and benchmarking your computer for tips and software recommendations alike

7. Unlocker

But wait! What if Windows refuses to uninstall some software and tosses up the dreaded ‘Program is in use’ message? Fear not: The superb Unlocker can neutralize pesky active processes, leaving programs open to slaughter. Simply right-click the software you want to uninstall, select Unlocker from the context menu, and then unlock or kill ’em all. Just be mindful during the installation process: Unlocker tries to install lots of bloatware on your PC.

8. Recuva

But wait, again! What if you accidentally deleted a program or file that you desperately need to get back? Don’t curl up into a ball and start sobbing uncontrollably. Recuva’s deleted-file recovery skills can usually save your bacon as long as you wiped your data using standard means rather than a “file shredder”-style tool.
Piriform’s Recuva is one of those programs you hope never to use, but you’ll be really, really happy to have it in your back pocket, just in case.

9. CCleaner

Piriform makes another must-have system tool: the legendary CCleaner. It does all the dirty work required to keep your PC running in tip-top shape, including ditching unwanted cookies, wiping your browser history, deleting unnecessary files, and keeping your Windows Registry sparkling clean.
It’s powerful, but even better, it’s free! (A $25 Professional version with premium support is also available.

10. Secunia PSI

Programs that aren’t up-to-date are programs with gaping security holes and missing features. Secunia’s Personal Software Inspector hums along silently in the background, automatically keeping your software patched, or—if it’s unable to update an app for some reason—notifying you when updates are available. ’Nuff said. Secunia PSI takes the hassle out of keeping your PC current.

 

11. A Start-menu replacement (Windows 8 only)

Keep right on scrolling if you’ve picked up a new Windows 7 PC, which still sports the Start menu you’ve known and loved for more than a decade. Computers rocking the Start-menu-free Windows 8 are far more common these days, however. Sure, you can tweak the live-tiled OS pretty extensively to get a near-optimal desktop experience, but if you want the classic Windows feel (or just want to skip the modern-style Start screen completely), you’ll need a Start-menu replacement.
My favorites are Classic Shell (free) and Stardock’s Start8 ($5), but every Start-menu replacement offers different capabilities. Our roundup of the best Start-menu replacements takes a deeper look at the premier options.

12. ModernMix

Many of Windows 8’s native programs—from Mail to Music to Internet Explorer—are modern-style apps, which practically forces you to take a jaunt into the Start screen from time to time. That is, unless you have Stardock’s stellar ModernMix, a $5 utility that opens modern apps in desktop windows. You’ll want to pick it up immediately if the mere sight of the modern Start screen sends you into an apoplectic rage.

13.  VLC Media Player

Windows 8 has one other prickly problem: Unlike Windows 7, it’s incapable of playing DVDs out of the box. Your PC might have a DVD-playing program installed if you bought a boxed system, but if not, the simply wonderful VLC media player can play your flicks (and music, and podcats, and…) for free. It can even play (some) Blu-ray discs with a little fiddling.

14. Paint.net

Now that the workhorses are out of the way, it’s time to dig into handy-dandy extras, starting with Paint.net. Don’t let Paint.net’s freebie status fool you: This image editor may not have all the bells and whistles of Photoshop, but it packs everything that most people need (even layer-based editing) and costs hundreds of dollars less.
If you’re a graphics professional, and you can’t afford Photoshop but require more than Paint.net offers, check out GIMP. It has a challenging learning curve, but its capabilities are impressive.

15. Sumatra PDF

Adobe Reader is the go-to PDF reader, but it’s clunky, constantly updating, and frequently targeted by malware peddlers. If you need only basic functionality, go with Sumatra PDF instead. Sumatra lacks the fancy extras found in many full-featured PDF readers, but when it comes to straight-up reading Portable Document Format files, Sumatra PDF is blazing-fast and completely accurate. Oh, and since it’s less ubiquitous than Adobe’s offering, hackers tend to stay away from Sumatra PDF.

16. CutePDF

Want to transform a doc or website or image or just about anything else into a PDF? Turn to CutePDF, a freebie that installs as a printer driver and lets you transform things into PDFs via the standard File > Print interface. It’s an incredibly convenient feature to have available.

17. Trillian

Skype might be baked into Windows 8.1, but let’s be honest: Instant messaging is a fragmented mess. Some of your pals may use Skype, but vast hordes rely on Facebook Messenger; still others may use ICQ; and tons of folks still use AIM, Yahoo Messenger, or other alternatives. What’s a well-connected PC geek to do?
Simple: Install Trillian, a chat client that supports all those services and more. You’ll never miss a conversation again, no matter which IM clients your buddies prefer. (Bonus: Trillian offers iOS and Android apps, too.)

18. iTunes or Spotify

Sometimes, blasting tunes is the only thing that makes slogging through a spreadsheet or a stuffed inbox even remotely tolerable. The exact music client you’ll want will depend on whether you’ve already bought into a service, naturally. For musical neophytes I recommend two programs: iTunes and Spotify.
The iTunes Windows client notoriously sucks, but it gets the job done—and that job includes giving you access to a vast universe of premium music downloads and keeping your iPhone’s music library synced with your PC. Spotify, meanwhile, is an all-you-can-eat streaming service with millions of top-tier tunes available, all for free if you don’t mind listening to a few ads.

19. A password manager

The high-profile hack attacks of the past few years have driven the point home: You need strong passwords, and you need a different password for each site you visit. Rather than juggling dozens of alphanumeric codes in your noggin, download a password manager. We recommend Dashlane, LastPass, or KeePass. Let them do the grunt work for you.

20. Cloud storage

In today’s multidevice world, cloud syncing and storage services are practically a must-have, as they allow you to pick up where you left off no matter which PC, phone, or tablet you’re working on. Microsoft’s SkyDrive is thoroughly intertwined with Windows 8.1, but if you’re using Windows 8, 7, Vista, or XP, be sure to grab the desktop app for your cloud service of choice to ensure that your files travel with you.
If you’re feeling really ambitious (and you don’t mind juggling your files across several services), you could supersize your free cloud storage to 100GB or more. That’s pretty much a hard drive in the sky.

21. A productivity suite

PCs excel at helping you Get Things Done—but few of them ship with a productivity suite installed. Fix that, stat!
Legions of people swear by Microsoft’s legendary Office; I do, too. But you don’t have to drop big dollars on Office if you don’t need its myriad bells and whistles. Free—and good—alternatives abound, with OpenOffice (pictured) and LibreOffice being the flagship free-and-open-source options. Even if you don’t plan to use a productivity suite regularly, it’s smart to have basic editing capabilities available on your computer.

22. Steam

All work and no play makes Homer something something! Valve’s outstanding PC game marketplace, Steam, makes it easy to shrug off the stress of the workday and blow off some ... well, you know.

Learning To Fix Your Computer Problem Yourself

Fixing Your Own Computer Is Almost Always the Better Idea

One of the biggest misconceptions about computers is that it takes a rocket scientist to fix any problem that might show up on one. I'm here to tell you that fixing your computer is something you can do.

However, the fact remains that a large portion of the problems that computer users encounter can be easily solved by following freely available advice on this and other sites online. Even more difficult problems can be solved if you're willing to invest a little time to learn a few things about your computer along the way.

Fixing Your Own PC Will Save You Money

Saving money is probably an obvious advantage of fixing your own computer.
Getting your computer serviced at a local shop will usually run you from $40 to $90 USD per hour or more. Some are less expensive but that's not the norm. Remote computer support options are typically cheaper but they can only help fix some software related problems and are useless in cases where hardware is to blame.
If you fix your computer problem yourself, you can completely avoid what might end up being a several hundred dollar bill. No matter what your financial situation, free is a pretty good deal. That's a lot of money you can save by investing some time in trying to fix it yourself.

You Don't Need Expensive Tools to Fix Your Own Computer

Many people think that they have to buy lots of expensive diagnostic hardware and software to fix a computer. This is absolutely not the case. Expensive tools do exist but they're usually used to help computer repair services test or solve things quickly or in bulk.
Chances are you already have 95% of the physical tools you would ever need to fix any computer problem in your toolbox or garage.
Computer repair services also use many software diagnostic tools to determine what might be wrong with a computer but most of the very best ones they use are available for free online!

You'll Probably Be Back Up and Running Faster

You might be thinking to yourself at this point that surely it'll take days or weeks to learn enough to repair your own computer and that it won't be worth the trouble. You need your computer working right now, right?
First of all, unless you're lucky, after you drop your computer off at the repair shop you'll likely be waiting at least an entire day, usually longer, before you'll be able to pick it back up. You are your only client when you've become the repair person yourself so my guess is that you can get on it a bit more quickly.
Secondly, you might be surprised to know that most common problems are solved by relatively simple steps. The more time you spend looking for solutions to computer problems online the more you'll see that this is true.
Finally, and I really want to stress this one, you don't need to learn to solve every computer problem to solve this computer problem. A knowledgeable computer repair person has a lot of experience and education and can solve a multitude of problems with ease. You don't need to reach this level of knowledge about repairing computers. You need to solve your single problem as quickly as possible. Well written, easy to follow troubleshooting information online will get you that.

You Know More Than You Think

If you're having trouble using the mouse, keyboard, or screw driver then you might have a problem repairing your PC. Otherwise, you're only a step-by-step troubleshooting guide away from solving pretty much any computer problem you might see.
So much great information is available to help people solve PC problems online, from self-help troubleshooting guides and tutorials like you'll find on my site here, to personal help on social networks and forums, something you can read more about.
If you can think logically, follow instructions in order, and ask questions when you're not sure about something or don't understand, then you should feel confident enough to try to fix your own computer problems before you even think about paying someone else to.

10 Best Antivirus for Windows XP

Microsoft announced on April 8 2013 that they will stop their services for Windows XP which is 12 years old. They announced the retirement plan of Windows XP on 8th April, 2013 and claimed that they will no longer provide security updates and any kind of other assistance for this operating system after 8th April, 2014. However, the security soft wares providers decided not to stop supporting Windows XP after this date and they will keep on making security programs to protect Windows XP even after this deadline.
When Microsoft announced the date of retirement of Windows XP, a 12 years old window and claimed that they will not be providing security to Windows XP anymore after 8th April, 2014, means the system which is being operated on Windows XP will be under online attacks all the time then the people for whom switching to windows 7 or 8 was out of question got worried and started looking out for alternative solutions. This article is about to give information to such people that which programs will still be providing security support to Windows XP and also how they can secure their systems with them.
The best news related to this retirement of Windows XP is that security manufacturers have decided to continue providing updates to their software for as long as they want. Even some companies have promised to keep Windows XP secured with their security soft wares for 2 years. At the end of this article, you will see 10 alternatives for Windows XP with which you can secure your operating system from online attacks of viruses. Nevertheless, there are few tips to secure your system.

Use Alternative Programs to Microsoft Antivirus for Windows XP

In order to keep your system secured from virus or malware attacks, you should be careful about your software that is provided by Windows XP operating system. Try not to use Internet Explorer as it's a product of Windows XP and since Microsoft has decided to stop sending security updates to Windows XP so there is high probability that your system can be at risk if you keep on using Internet Explorer. So you can switch to other alternative internet browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which will provide the best security if they are up to date.
Another advice about the system protection is to change your mail program from Outlook Express to some other. Outlook Express is also a part of Windows XP and correspondingly it will also be no longer receiving security updates so you should find some new alternative related to mail program. The most famous mail program nowadays is known as Thunderbird which will keep on getting security updates for Windows XP for a while to come.

10 Alternative Security Programs

As far as switching to alternative programs was concerned, it is also important to keep your security suites up to date. Although antivirus programs can never take a place of security updates for Windows XP but still they can keep your system strong enough to resist any malware attack.

Here are 10 Microsoft alternative antiviruses that will continue providing security updates for Windows XP.
Qihoo 360
AVG
Bit 9
Malware Bytes
Avast
Kaspersky Lab
McAfee
Bit defender
Symantec Norton 360
K9 Web Protection

Now, we will explain every alternative one by one in order to make you understand suitable for your system.

1- Qihoo 360

Qihoo 360 is the best security software for online activities on internet. Users of this software are happy with it because it keeps your system safe from online attacks of viruses. The two best security products of Qihoo 360 are 360 Safe Guard and 360 Anti-Virus. 360 Safe Guard protects your system from malwares while browsing and it is the best solution for internet security and the optimization of system. 360 Anti-Virus is software which protects your computer from viruses by scanning multiple engines.

2- AVG

AVG is a very good anti-virus which keeps your system safe from any kind of malware. It blocks viruses, spyware and any malware. It also provides protection of links because it scans web, Facebook or Twitter or any other social networking site from where the chances of viruses are very big. It can also shred the files to prevent snooping. It has a built-in online shield that provides you protection for harmful downloads from internet. It keeps your data safe in case of any malware attack. As far as spams are concerned, it stops them from being effective and thus keeping your system clean from spams. It has a strong firewall which makes sure that no one can hack your computer and important things like passwords or credit card numbers.

3- Bit9

Bit9 is also a good program which keeps your system safe from malware. It can be used too for additional compensating security software for your system. Bit9 blocks the malwares and spam emails and keeps the system restricted to only trusted soft wares. It keeps your server secured and provides you the best protection from malwares no matter what.

4- Malware Bytes

Malware Bytes is an anti-malware which protects your system from online threats your system can possibly have. People in millions are using Malware bytes for internet protection and it sure is a great software to keep your system safe from online threats.

5- Avast

Avast anti-virus is also a good security software on which you can rely. Over 300 million people in the world rely on Avast because it provides your system with best security including online protection and everything you need. Besides, no end of support from Avast developers has been announced so far so they will keep on providing security updates for at least next 2 years.

6- Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky lab will continue proving support until 2018 for consumers and until 2016 for the business products. So you can install this program in your computer and keep yourself satisfied related to internet security.

7- McAfee

McAfee has also not announced their date for the end of support so they will also keep on providing security updates for at least 2 years. So nothing to worry about if the Microsoft has stopped sending security updates for Windows XP. McAfee is the best program which blocks all the malwares from entering into your system and keeps your data safe.

8- Bit defender

Bit defender will continue protecting your system for at least 2 years because it also has not announced their date for end of support. It can keep your system safe and sound by blocking any un wanting thing that would try to access your system.

9- Symantec Norton

Symantec Norton antivirus is also the best security software you can keep in your system. No end of support from them has been announced so far. Threat explorer, risks detection and spam control are its most important features which keeps the malware away from your system.

10- K9 Web Protection

K9 web protection is an internet filter which protects the kids from any unwanted content on internet. It keeps your system safe from any kind of risk. It blocks the Under 18 sites and along with that, control search on all major search engines. So it is the best internet filter you can have. They will continue providing security updates for at least 2 years.
So there is always a way when all the doors are closed so you can use these alternatives for keeping your systems safe from malware attacks and any other kinds of risk.

Printer Issues - How To Fix Common Issues With Your Canon Printers

Printers are the commonest and most essential devices used by organizations, offices, schools, homes etc. to meet their different printing needs. A printer is used to generate hard copy of everything from beautiful photos, images, papers, to simple documents etc.
Canon printers are ranked among the most trusted printing devices that people put in their faith to. However, like all other technical devices, Canon printers can also malfunction at times. The reasons can vary as per the nature of the problem.
Common Issues
Some issues are common in nature and can be fixed easily with little knowledge and patience. See the list below for more information:

·         Paper quality issues

·         Corrupt printer drivers

·         Out of paper, paper jam, no response

·         Empty/faulty ink or toner cartridge

·         Power failure, printer cable failure

·         Recent changes made to the printer

The Self-Help Guide
As I said earlier, most of the common issues can be dealt with ease and little patience. This guide will help you work around your printer and resolve the issues on your own, thus saving time as well as money.
Restart Computer/printer- Sometimes, a simple rebooting resolves the problem fully as it retunes the printer software.
Print quality issues- One of the most frequent problems is to get a poorly printed paper with smudged lines, letters, half paper inside printer etc. First thing you need to do is to check your ink/toner cartridge if it is empty. Replace the empty cartridge with a new one. If it is not empty, then clean the printer with a clean, dry cloth. Sometimes, the dirt or dried toner flakes accumulate inside the device and cause problem in quality printing. If the paper stock inside printer tray is not fanned, it may cause problem as the device may not be able to take sheets individually due to their stickiness.
Corrupt Drivers- If your printer's driver has gone faulty then remove it and download latest, compatible driver to resume the functions. A driver is a software that establishes communication between a printer and a computer. It is advised that you download drivers from your vendor's or publisher's website. These usually have a list of devices and their compatible drivers. Also, if you upgraded your operating system (OS) or computer (but didn't upgrade drivers) or purchased a new printer but it has an out-dated software CD, you should install latest, compatible drivers for your printer to work.
Faulty ink/toner cartridge- Ensure that the ink or toner cartridge is not faulty. If it is, then replace it. Even factory built-in toners can malfunction due to manufacturing flaws. Also, before replacing the toner cartridge, always clean out your printer with a clean, dry cloth just to ensure that dirt or dried toner flakes are not causing the problem.
Power failure/printer cable failure- Ensure that the green power light is lit on the printer. If it is not, then check that the power button is on and the power cable is connected properly at both the ends. Also, check that the printer cable is properly connected to the computer. If it is not then, printer won't work.
Recent changes made to the printer- If you recently made changes to your printer's settings like format etc., then change your settings back to the original or default ones.
Out of paper, paper jam, no response- If the paper tray has no paper, almost empty, or clogged, it is likely to cause problem. Keep the tray full so that it doesn't stop working due to paper shortage. If the printer seems to be clogged, then open it up and check to make sure that not even a fragment of paper is stuck inside.
If you simply follow the abovementioned instructions, your printer should never face any such problem and print beautifully. However, if it seems to be a problem with the hardware, replace it with your vendor. If the problem seems to be more of a technical type that you can't fix, check online knowledge base for online technical support services. You can also take your printer to a local repair shop if it has crashed.

Between Notebooks and Netbooks: What to Consider Before You Choose

Computers have come to play a huge role in the day-to-day running of activities for many individuals. Laptops have become very common since they offer computer services without the bulkiness of a PC. Careful consideration must be made before making a choice on the best laptop for you. You do not want to regret the purchase you have made once it is in your possession.
It is important that you lay out all the features that the utility should offer. This will of course be dependent on what you will use it for, since different features will serve special purposes. Knowing what you want makes the decision process much easier, as options that do not meet your needs are quickly eliminated.
These laptops are portable, thus making them convenient than personal computers. However this may still not be convenient for those who constantly travel and have to regularly communicate using the device. A net book is a more preferred option in such case, since it is compact and is also equipped with built in functions such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi to enable internet connection. This will ensure communication is maintained.
You find that a notebook serves basically the same purpose as a net book, but is somewhat larger. This therefore means that knowing what size you want is important when making your purchase. The functions that you are looking for, will help you determine the size of the device you want for your needs. If among your functions is entertainment, then a larger screen will give you better service. However for other uses, a note book will serve you best.
If you are a college student, you might want to focus on the RAM offered by the device. Since you will need to carry out much research for your academic papers, whilst keeping up with your friends on various social networks, you will probably have many programs running at the same time. Most devices get slowed down by a large number of programs, but not one with RAM large enough to handle them.
Storage space also plays a part in this decision process. Documents take up less, whilst video files, games and audio take up a lot more. Depending on the types of files you want to use and store, you want to consider a laptop which offers a suitable amount of storage space.
The price is also another factor while making your purchase. It is widely accepted that what you cannot afford, you cannot have it. When buying, the amount allocated for the purchase will play part in the choice you make. It is also good to know that different brands have different prices though features are the same.
Selecting the best laptop for your needs can be a simple process if you make all the necessary considerations. A well though out decision is vital for you to make the most out of your investment. Take the time to think about what you want, and the benefits will ultimately become obvious.

Buy a Computer or Build One Yourself: Which Is the Better Option?

Whether you need a computer for gaming or for work, there are two possibilities - buying or building. Each option has its advantages and a few shortcomings to keep in mind. To decide about the possibility that is right for you, draw a careful comparison.

Building or Buying: The Differences

A computer is a set of electronic parts. In the case of pre-built desktop PCs, the purchaser has no control over the specifications and the quality of these electronic parts. Building a PC on your own, however, will demand time and some understanding of electronics. The performance of the computer will be determined by the parts. When buying, you have to take a look at specifications like processor, memory and hard drives. It is possible that you like most characteristics of a pre-built computer but you are unhappy with a specification or two.
Some people find it easier, quicker and more convenient to buy a pre-assembled computer. Individuals with highly specific requirements for their PC, however, will usually opt for building their own machine.
Assembling a computer on your own means that you could be saving some money on it. The cost depends on your skills and the type of performance that you are opting for. Building your own PC, however, can be much more cost-efficient. Very often, there will be no difference between a store-bought PC and a computer that you have assembled. It will all depend on the parts and their manufacturer, the quality of parts and the computer performance that you are interested in.

When is it a Better Idea to Buy a Computer?

Buying a PC is the better option for many people. Individuals that are uncomfortable with electronics and with working on the insides of a computer should certainly opt for a pre-assembled piece.
When building a PC, the components will come from different manufacturers. This means there will be no support or warranty for the entire product. In the case of a problem, you will have to identify the faulty part and communicate with the particular manufacturer.
If you want to get software alongside the hardware, building a pre-assembled machine is the more suitable possibility for you. When assembling a computer, you will also have to buy the operating system and everything else that you are interested in using. Many computers that are bought at the store come with the OS already installed. Generally, if you are looking for convenience, ease of use and a warranty, buying a computer is the better possibility for you. Many people who lack assembly knowledge fear the process of building a PC and they opt for the purchase, as well.

When is It Better to Build a Computer?

Your lack of knowledge should never stand in the way of computer building attempts. The assembly of a computer is actually much simpler than many people consider it to be.
Hardware has been standardized over the years. Regardless of the manufacturer that you choose, the assembly procedures are the same. Beginners should stick to basics and should refrain from trying to come up with an overly complicated machine. A few successful attempts will eventually lead to the assembly of something more personalized and complex.
When building a computer, you have control over the selection of parts. You can go for the highest quality of the market, which will ultimately optimize the performance of the computer and increase its longevity. The same applies to the selection of the operating system - there will be no limitations like in the case of pre-assembled PCs. If you are an individual interested in putting your PC together, take some time to think about it. Several years ago, the market had a limited number of options. Today, the situation has changed. There is something great for every taste and computing needs. Exploring the possibilities before you begin assembling a computer is certainly a good idea.

Barebone Computer: It May be the Answer to Your Questions

A barebone computer is the option standing between assembling and buying a pre-assembled machine. The platform is partially assembled, giving you a chance to add parts and to customize further.
Barebone computers are less expensive than the pre-assembled pieces because they provide solely the bare necessities. Adding parts will increase the power, the memory or the video output, depending on what you need. There are packages known as barebone kits on the market. These are grouped components that are added to the platform.
When buying a barebone PC, you have to examine the entire package. Each barebone computer has highly specific characteristics. Try to figure out what is included in the kit and what kinds of improvements you will need to make. This possibility is highly suitable for beginners. The foundation is there and you will get an opportunity to build upon it. At the same time, you get flexibility in terms of choosing the additional components, just like you do in the case of assembly from scratch.

On the other hand, barebone kits may contain some low quality components. Their low price is one of the biggest advantages. To achieve that goal, manufacturers will often go for the cheapest components. This selection does not necessarily translate into high quality PC.
Each option has advantages, which makes the selection more difficult. Many people build their computers or ask friends with knowledge to complete the task instead of them. Building a PC gives you complete control over components and over performance. A pre-built computer, however, comes with convenience and a warranty. Come up with your computing goals and use these as the basis of your decision.

Introduction To The Basic Types Of Cable Modems

Information when tapped from a source is very important. This is where technology comes in. It is no question that television is an excellent source of news, information and entertainment. Billions of individuals around the globe enjoy different types of TV programs depending with their taste. A significant number of television viewers prefer to get their channels from a cable television service. The main reason for this is that they are able to access more channels and enjoy a high quality picture. Cable modems offer these viewers a chance to use the used bandwidth of the cable signal. The main types of cable modems available on the market are:
External cable modem
If you do not know, this is the normal tiny box that you connect to your computer using a typical Ethernet connection. Before you connect the modem, you need to install an Ethernet card in the computer. A great advantage of this is that you are able to have more than one computer in the Ethernet connection. The cable is flexible to work with since it works well with most hardware platforms and operating systems.

Internal cable modem
You normally fix this small add-on card inside your computer. This kind of cable modem is highly economical since it is much cheaper than other types. Even though you fix it inside the computer, the installation is swift and easy. A major limitation is that you are able to use it only in a desktop computer. Nevertheless, there have been recent modifications that work in laptops. If you are looking for flexibility, then this modem might not be an excellent choice for you. In some countries, cable television networks do not incorporate internal modems due to technical compatibility.

Interactive set-top box
The main function of an interactive set-top box is to offer more television channels on the same frequencies of limited number, as the primary purpose. This is made possible using a new technology known as digital television encoding. This box offers the user internet access via the normal plain telephone system. You are able to access internet right on your TV using this box. This kind of modem provides a unique experience to all who love cable TV.
Using these cables, operators are able to provide internet connection to consumers at very affordable rates and at times even without pay. Hence, cable television is an excellent way of getting a high-speed internet connection in your home.

The Rise of Digital Brains

In this digital world, everything is bound to happen in just a little amount of time ranging from the smallest of ideas to the almost impossible. The notion, "Nothing is impossible" might actually be true as evidently displayed by once conceptualized futuristic contraptions. Hovercrafts, holographic images, and flexible phone batteries were only imagined in motion pictures but now have come to reality and still maybe under further enhancements but are proven to be very much conceivable.

Just recently, news about computer chips to function the way a real brain does has set the technological community into yet a spoonful of excitement and pure interest. This kind of information will truly intrigue an audience with questions as to how will they implement such a concept and for what reason.
As you might have noticed, your computer oftentimes heat up after some hours of usage. This is due to the series of applications you launch, taking a great deal of processing power for the chip which then results to overheating. And as more powerful these little guys become, the quicker they heat up causing them to either slow down or worse, blow up entirely. And yes, this applies to your beloved smartphones as well.
There's still hope left. A solution has presented itself originating from one of the leading manufacturers of computer chips, IBM. IBM's Patrick Ruch and Bruno's proof-of-concept computer chip is based on how blood cools down the brain when it's heated up. They believe that an electrolyte fluid can resolve the need for a cool down in computer chips by passing through various tiny channels of electronic components and at the same time, give off energy. And because this fluid could also generate enough current to bring about energy for the chip, costs of energy for companies that depend on these powerful components will significantly decrease.

If this ever comes to fruition, not only will the chips be rescued from a burn-out, but also greater processing power will be endowed and we all know that is an advantage in computing technology. A project as big as this will take some time before it can be actualized especially when the aforementioned electrolyte requires a lot of work as with the computer chips with tiny channels in them.
Having a computer function the way a human person does is both astounding and frightening. It is a huge step forward for computing technology basically because most of the activities we do in our everyday lives depend on it. Productivity can be assured as more of the tasks we have could be accomplished faster. Then again, we cannot shake the feeling that the ideas they place in motion pictures like robots overtaking the entire world might actually happen if we pursue this endeavour. It may be a little exaggerated right now, but who knows, I could be right. Touch-screen technology was first an idea but is now applied to great extent. Can you really say it wouldn't be the same with computers?

Is It Worth Upgrading a Computer?

 Obsolescence is a constant problem with technology. In the case of some gadgets or equipment such as smartphones, one has to purchase a new one if the one that they are using no longer meets their needs. With a PC however, there is the possibility of giving it new life by upgrading it. Upgrading the PC will help it to meet every purpose while saving the owner a lot of money. However, before choosing to upgrade a PC as opposed to purchasing a new one, the owner should ask themselves whether it is worth it.

The owner should start by identifying which components need upgrading and what effect the upgrade will have on their warranty. It is only after deciding on these issues that they can really determine whether upgrading is better than buying a new one. Sometimes, the components to upgrade can be very straightforward. For example, if you have run out of disk space, and you want to save more files, you will need a hard disk upgrade. Also, if your keyboard is spoilt, you will simply have to purchase a new one. However, with other issues, the answer is not always as obvious.

When it comes to performance and speed, the problem could be the hard disk, the processor or the memory. The applications that the owner wants to run on the computer could give them a rough idea of what components they need to upgrade. Applications that involve a lot of mathematical computing or video and audio editing will need a better processor. Demanding video games will need a graphics processor upgrade. If the PC does not have a graphics card, then the obvious upgrade is to purchase one.
However, before upgrading the processor, the owner needs to consider the compatibility of their motherboard with the latest processor models. If the motherboard and the processor are not compatible, the new processor will not work. The best way to do this is by reading the motherboard's manual and checking the specifications of the new processor to see if they are compatible. However, individuals who do not have their motherboard manual should not fret as they can get a motherboard detector application which will help them to know the details of their motherboard.

If the owner is serious about video editing applications, or if they run plenty of Virtual Machines in VirtualBox, then they will need to purchase a new RAM. However, if it is general performance such as slower boot time, then a faster hard disk could be the best upgrade.
Before upgrading any component of a computer, the owner should consider the impact that the upgrade will have on their warranty. Some computer suppliers and manufacturers are very strict about this, and they would prefer if the upgrade was done by their technicians. However, others are more lenient, and they may not nullify a warranty because of an upgrade. The owner should therefore check with their computer supplier or manufacturer before upgrading any component, especially if they intend to do it themselves.

What's the Average Lifespan of a Computer?

Back before computers started coming with a one year standard warranty, in the business world, they came with a three year warranty, and you could extend the warranty for up to five years. The warranty on the last two years was fairly expensive, in relation to the cost of the machine. That tells me that after three years, the chance of something going wrong with the hardware components of a machine is fairly high, else the manufacturers wouldn't charge so much for the warranties for those last two years. After five years, the manufacturers would not keep the machine under warranty at all, so that tells you that after five years, the chances are better than even that a part will fail on your machine.
Having said all of that though, I recently assisted a lady whose computer is over eleven years old, is running XP, and runs like a top!
However long you keep you machine, keep your data backed up so that when the inevitable happens you are prepared. The only thing you can transfer from your old computer to your new one is the data: gone are the days when programs could be transferred from one machine to another unless you have the installation key code and can somehow get the program in download form from the internet. Most times you are looking at buying more software in addition to the cost of the new computer, since older programs don't always work with the newer operating systems. For instance, if you still have MS Office 2003 and buy a new Windows 8 machine, you'll have to update with new office software as well. You don't have to buy the latest version, but it has to be newer than 2003. These are just some of the things you'll need to consider when thinking about purchasing a new machine.
In the meantime, what can you do to prolong the life of your computer? Here are some tips:

• Keep the air flow through the computer unobstructed; vacuum vents frequently
• Shut the computer down once a week
• Use a good anti-virus product
• Run a malware/spyware cleaner at least once a month
• Only download those programs that you really need, and delete those you don't use
• Run only a few programs at a time
• Plug your computer into a surge protector instead of the wall socket

Remember that Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows XP this month,
April 2014. This means that there will be no more updates for the operating system and running these machines will become more problematic in the future. New programs and devices may not work with these older machines and their security may be compromised. It is a certainty that they will no longer meet security guidelines, so if you are using an XP machine in a business that requires you to meet any security standards, you will be out of compliance with XP machines.

Ways To Speed Up Your Computer Safely

Even a new computer slows down a bit after some time. The performance of PC gets heavily affected with time and this happens due to innumerable options. The major reason why the computer slows down is the fact that your hard drive gets stuffed with a lot of files. There are various things that you could do here in order to speed up its performance. Performing a basic tune up works for most of the times, but there are certain instances when you'll have to think out of the box to generate some fine results.
Some of the easy ways that could help you in cleaning and speeding up your computer safely are discussed below.

1. Organizing and managing everything
Clicking through endless number of sub-folders and folders can easily slow down your computer's performance and so you must try and keep everything well organized so that you don't have to bear with bad performance. For a smooth running PC you'll have to get rid of this error. You should keep all your office documents in a single folder so that you can save some space. The desktop icons should also be organized in a nice manner.
2. Cut out the unnecessary files
Now, you must run disk cleanup right away so that you can enhance the PC's performance in a good way. By having some free space on your hard disk you'll definitely be able to speed up your system. Deleting the downloaded files, duplicate files and temporary files will definitely help you in speeding up the computer.
3. Fight back strongly
This is the simplest thing which you got to do here. You just have to ensure that you invest in various programs that concentrate hard on getting rid of viruses, malware, ad-ware and spyware that might harm your computer. You just have to locate the right program on the internet and download it. For this you'll have to do a lot of research so that you can get your hands on the right options.
4. De-fragmentation
As you utilize your computer, the different files get scattered across the system in pieces and bits. These fragments should be managed in the right way so that you can get some free space. If you want to increase your computer's speed then you must work really hard in this regard.

5. Starting over
There are various times when you just have to start over in order to get rid of the poor performance of the computer. For this you'll have to back up your data and format the system. You could even upgrade to a new operating system for boosting the performance of the windows. You just have to follow simple steps in order to do this.
These are some of the crucial things that you should remember in this regard. In case you truly want to improve the performance of your PC then you must follow the right steps given in the article. Work hard and keep your computer up and running!