Create Customized Default Screensavers in Windows 7 and Vista or Get Living Screensavers
Both Windows 7 and Vista include default screensavers. These screensavers are fairly attractive as well. The only problem is that you cannot customize them by default and that makes them a little […]
How to Install XP Mode on Windows 7 without Virtualization
Update: Please note that Windows XP was retired as of April 8, 2014 and that support for the operating system -- including Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 -- has ended as […]
How to Install IIS onto Windows 7
IIS, or Internet Information Server, is a web server application that you use to set up your own web server, and publish your own content. You can use IIS to set your […]
Setting Windows Virtual Memory, why you need to and what about SSDs?
Virtual memory is a throwback to Windows of old, when the physical memory available to a computer was severely limited. Essentially it uses a chunk of space on your computer's hard disk […]
How To Find Out Your Computer's IP Address
I have received two emails in the past week from users who asked me for an easy way of finding their computer's IP address. Instead of replying to each user individually I […]
Clean The Keyboard, Mouse While The PC Is Running
Ghacks regulars know that a computer keyboard can be dirtier than a toilet, with up to 400 times the bacteria. If you are like me, you sometimes do eat in front of […]
Create Website Shortcuts On Your Desktop
I sometimes write basic how-tos and guides that many of you consider common knowledge. This article is one of them. The majority of Ghacks readers probably know how to create a shortcut […]
How to Customize Icons in Windows 7 the Easy Way
The same old icons can be a little boring after awhile. Users who spend a great deal of time with their PCs often get the urge to tweak their desktop and make […]
How to Automate Disk Cleanup using CCleaner
The Windows operating system should have several different maintenance tasks performed on a regular basis. It is easy to forget to do these things and many users don’t do them at all. […]
Restore Previous Versions Of Windows Files
When you right-click a file in Windows Explorer you get a context menu with all kind of options. Included in the list is the Restore Previous Versions entry. A click on the […]
Migrate Your Email Between Providers
Update: TrueSwitch has shut down as of May 15, 2013. Several email providers provide you with options nowadays to migrate an email account to them. This is for instance the case for […]
How to Create a Windows 7 System Backup Image & Repair Disk
Creating a system backup image can be extremely useful. If something goes wrong with your Windows 7 installation, you can’t log in, or files have become damaged and corrupted, you can boot […]
Speed Up Windows Explorer By Disabling Thumbnail Previews
Windows users have several file display modes at their disposal in Windows Explorer. This ranges from several list view modes to icon view modes. Several popular image formats are supported by Windows […]
Extend your Wireless Network with a Repeater
If you have a wireless network at home, and your house has many rooms, or if you want to surf the internet while sitting outside on your patio, you may need to […]
Backup Data to a Virtual Hard Drive in Windows 7
Not many are aware that it is possible to create Virtual Hard Drive images in Windows 7. Backing up your data is important and this article will detail how to backup data […]
How To Recover A Broken JDownloader Download Queue
When I'm downloading files from file hosting websites I often use JDownloader for a more convenient download experience. While it still does not automate the captcha entering process before downloads start, it […]
Schedule Regular Disk Cleanup in Windows 7 and Improve Performance
All versions of Windows feature the Disk Cleanup utility that liberates space on your hard drive when it is bogged down with useless data. It is important to use the Disk Cleanup […]
How To Setup News Filters In RSS Reader RSSOwl
I have been using the Java based RSS reader for all my feed reading needs for more than a year. Previously I tried to work with other desktop feed readers like FeedDemon […]
Windows Network Locations: Differences Between Home, Work and Public Networks
When you first setup a network under Windows, you are asked at one point to select a location for that network. Available for selection then are a Home Network, Work Network or […]
The Importance of Binary Numbers in Computing
Binary numbers consist of only two digits, 0 and 1. This seems very inefficient and simple for us humans who are used to working in base 10, but for a computer base […]
How To Pin Jumplist Items In Windows
I'm not really making that much use of the jumplist feature that Microsoft has implemented into the Windows 7 operating system. With a fast SSD as my main drive, it feels that […]
How to Convert Videos With VLC
One of the lesser known features of the VLC Media Player is the ability to convert, transcode and rip media. The feature is built-in in all recent versions of VLC. So, why […]
Using the System File Checker to Repair Windows 7
The other day Martin wrote that Microsoft have made available direct downloads for versions of Windows 7 that contain Service Pack 1 integrated into the ISO file. These downloads are more important […]
How to Backup and Import Wireless Network Settings in Windows 7
Setting up a wireless network can be a hassle. You need to remember the security key and tediously type it in correctly for all devices on your network.While that is a one-time […]
Clean a PC Manually with Autoruns
Malware as it is comes in many forms. Sometimes there are viruses that will lock your antivirus program and render it unusable. What do you do to escape this? There are several […]
How to Add Keyboard Languages to Windows 7
If you have to use different languages in Windows 7, it comes with a pre-installed selection of different language viewing options. This can be done with all versions of Windows including XP, […]
Capture Video With MSI Afterburner
I have reviewed the video card configuration software MSI Afterburner back in 2010. Unlike its name would suggest, it is compatible with a wide variety of video cards, not only those manufactured […]
Set up the Perfect Wiki on a Windows PC
Most people know that a wiki is an internet-based environment for writers to collaborate and create articles that are easily linked. Media Wiki can be set up quickly with a fast installation. […]
Creating Multiple, Fun Rotating Backgrounds Under Windows 7
Preset backgrounds for Windows and other operating systems are bland. Some users don’t care, but for a customized look, there is a free source that offers thousands of images that are automatically […]
Do You Know What is Running on Your System?
The programs running on your computer are not limited to what shows up as tabs on you taskbar and icons in your system tray. A lot of programs are running in the […]
Using SkyDrive for Storing Secure Photos
Online photo sharing websites are very cool. They're a great way of being able to share with your friends and family your adventures, holidays, events and special occasions without clogging up everybody's […]
How to use a Simple Jailbreak to Customize Kindle Screensavers
The screensavers offered as standard with Kindle devices can, to some people, be dissatisfactory. Many people think that Kindle’s are great devices, and from the perspective of a conservationist, can save a […]
How to Extract Audio from Video Files using VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is complete software program, not just a media player. VLC offers a feature to convert FLV, AVI, and other video files to MP3 format. The steps are simple and […]
How To Extract Bin Files With Free Software
Update: IZArc's installer includes several adware offers that try their best to confuse and misguide the user so that these offers are installed on the user system. I highly suggest you use […]
Delaying the Start of Windows Live Mesh in Windows 7
Update: Please note that Microsoft has retired Windows Live Mesh. Users are asked to use the company's OneDrive service instead. Windows Live Mesh (WLM) is an internet-based remote application developed by Microsoft […]
What to do when Windows Task Manager does not open
Windows Task Manager, among other functions, allows you to stop applications and processes that are interfering with the Windows operating system or particular programs and applications. This is particularly pertinent when malware […]
Avoiding EFS Encryption Disasters in Windows
Our data is becoming more and more important to us as we're keeping ever more of our lives on our PCs, tablets, smartphones and in the cloud. Currently there are precious few […]
Openfiles, Display Files Opened By Network Users
The command line tool openfiles has been part of the Windows operating system for a long time. It basically can be used to display all system files that are currently opened by […]
How To Delete Virtual Drives After Software Uninstallation
I have tested a variety of virtual device creator programs in the past. Programs like OSFMount, TotalMounter, Gizmo Drive or Virtual Clone Drive are just some of the applications that I have […]
Display All Windows 7 Control Panel Tools At Once
I have configured the Windows 7 Control Panel to display small icons instead of the unpractical categories that hide most of the tools and items. The main reason is that it provides […]
