Archive for the 'How To' Category
At the bottom right hand corner of the Windows Vista desktop you will see the Network and Sharing Center icon.
The Network and Sharing Center allows you to take control of your computers’ network connectivity. It’s an area where you can check the connection status and visually view your network. It can also be used for network troubleshooting.
How To Animate the Network Icon in Windows Vista
Right click the Network and Sharing Center icon and select Turn on activity animation. This feature is particularly useful when troubleshooting data transfer problems.
Have you ever wanted an @msn.com email address without having to sign up to their MSN internet service?
It’s pretty simple. The link below will take you directly to the Microsoft website that will allow you to register for an @msn.com email address.
Obtain @msn.com email address
In this tutorial I will be showing you how to backup and restore your Microsoft Outlook email.
Firstly I’ll explain what the file is that we’re backing up. The Personal Folder file (.pst) is place where Outlook stores all of its data. The (.pst) file usually contains the Inbox, Sent, Deleted, Calendar and Contacts folders. When you backup this file you will be backing up all of your Outlook information.
How To Backup Outlook Email
- In Microsoft Outlook. Click File > Import and Export
- You will now see The Import and Export Wizard
- Select Export to a file. Click Next
- Select Personal Folder File (.pst). Click Next
- Select the folder that you wish to backup. This is usually Mailbox – Your Name
- Click the Browse Button and choose a location to save the file *Hint – Save to desktop. Click Finish
- Name the file and Select No Encryption. Click OK
You have now created a backup of your Outlook file. As an extra backup precaution, I suggest burning the file to a CD or DVD.
How To Restore Outlook Email
- In Microsoft Outlook Click File > Import Export
- Select Import from another program or file. Click Next
- Select Personal Folder File (.pst). Click Next
- Browse to the (.pst) file that you want to import. Click Next.
- Click Finish
Microsoft has also released an automated backup utility, which allows you to schedule regular backups of your Personal Folders file.
Outlook 2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup
In older versions of Windows you would usually have to buy third party software to be able to partition your hard disk from within Windows. In Microsoft Windows Vista you can now resize partitions from the new Disk Management console.
How To Resize Partitions in Windows Vista
- Click the Start Button (Windows Orb)
- Right click on Computer and then select Manage
- If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue
- In the Computer Management console tree, expand Storage and then click Disk Management
- Right click on the partition that you wish to resize and select either Expand or Shrink to change the size of the partition
Microsoft has said that partitions can be resized without the fear of data loss. However, to be safe rather than sorry always backup your data first.
Have you ever accidentally deleted, saved or modified a file which you were working on but failed to back it up?
Microsoft Windows Vista includes a useful technology called Shadow Copy, which allows you to restore your document to a previous state. Shadow Copy creates a snapshot of your files as you work on them, this will allow you to retrieve your work if it’s been accidentally deleted.
In Windows Vista, Shadow Copy is automatically enabled by default and creates copies of your files on a scheduled basis. Only incremental changes are saved, so minimal disk space is used.
To access Windows Vista Shadow Copy:
- Right click a file or folder and select “Restore previous versions”
- Select the file that you wish to restore
- Click Restore…
The file will be restored its original location.
Note* Restore will restore the old file. The newer version will be deleted.
There maybe a time when you need to use Windows Live Messenger from work or at school but you are unable to do so because it’s either blocked by a firewall or your unable to install it.
To get around this you can use MSN Web Messenger from a web browser. All you need to do is temporarily disable any pop up blocking software that you have installed, enter your username and password and you can message your family or friends directly from within the browser.
Compatible Browsers:
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Note* I’m not encouraging you to bypass the rules that your organisation or school has in place regarding instant messaging. The above scenario is for example purpose only.
There maybe a time when you need to replace, sell, give away your computer or laptop. You certainly don’t want the next person who receives the computer looking at your personal word documents or emails. They could possibly use the information to endanger you or a member of your family.
Even though you may think you’ve deleted the files there are still ways to recover them. The only sure way to permanently remove your personal information from a computer is to low level format the hard drive.
Low level formatting means that the hard disk will be overwritten many times. Usually with zeros, which makes the possibility of recovering your personal data pretty much impossible.
Disk Cleaning Utilities:
Active Kill Disk (Free)
Window Washer (Shareware) Safely erase unwanted files. Comes with a System Erase Utility, allowing you to create a bootable disk to securely erase a hard disk drive.
Safety First:
If you work in a school or any government organisation where the old computers are given away. I strongly recommend that the hard disk drive is securely erased before doing so.
You can now search the web directly from within Windows Live Messenger using Live Search.
To search the web from Windows Live Messenger and to save time opening a browser.
Type what you want to search
Click Search
A list of search results will appear in the chat window.
Microsoft Windows Vista comes with a built in security feature called the UAC (User Account Control).
In this tutorial I will show how to disable the User Account Control. I strongly recommend that you leave it enabled, as the UAC was designed to protect Windows Vista from malicious software and reduces the risk of a potential security threat.
To disable UAC:
Click Start (Windows Orb)
Click Control Panel
In Control Panel, click User Accounts And Family Safety
Click User Accounts
Click Turn User Account Control on or off
Clear the Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer check box and then click Ok
Windows will Prompt you to restart your computer
Restart for the new settings to take effect
In yesterday’s tutorial I explained how to open a program using the run command. Today’s tutorial shows you how to add the run command to the start menu.
To add the run command to the start menu:
Right click the start button and then click properties
From the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, click Customize.
Scroll through the list of options until you find find the run command check box, select it and then click Ok
