Windows XP
Microsoft patches patched
Some of the Microsoft security patches from the October patch Tuesday were buggy. Microsoft issued some fixes yesterday. So you may need to check Microsoft Update. Details at InfoWorld.
How 32-bit software runs on 64-bit Windows
When I took a look at the many PC offerings being rolled out for the advent of Windows 7, I was struck by how many of them were 64-bit systems. It’s a little geeky but an explanation of how Windows Vista/7 64-bit systems manage 32-bit software may interest some. TechSupportAlert has an overview of how [...]
Truckload of Microsoft updates
Speaking of security updates, today is the monthly Microsoft patch Tuesday and it’s a big one, in fact, the biggest ever. It even includes Windows 7. Computerworld reports:
Today’s security updates from Microsoft were unprecedented, with 13 separate bulletins that quashed 34 vulnerabilities. Both were records for the company since it began delivering monthly updates six [...]
Tweaking guides for Windows XP and Vista
Windows is eminently tweakable and there are a number of applications and guides for configuring Windows XP and Vista. Some applications will carry out tweaks for you while others simply give instructions. In this latter category is a nice collection of useful tweaks from Tweakguides. A free PDF document is available, one for Windows XP [...]
Information at Microsoft
The Microsoft Web site contains vast amounts of information about Windows and other Microsoft products. It is not always easy to find things on the site but one place I find very valuable is the TechNet Library. It contains documentation for all sorts of Microsoft products. It is intended for IT professionals but PC users [...]
FAQ for upgrading to Windows 7 from XP
If you have an XP system that you think has enough horsepower to run Windows 7 and want to know what is involved in an upgrade, Gregg Keizer has an upgrade FAQ at Computerworld.
First, however, run the Microsoft software Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. Download the advisor here. It will assess your system and tell you [...]
Temporary fix for latest IE security problem
As posted yesterday. Internet Explorer in Windows XP systems is being subjected to attacks from infected Web sites that exploit a security hole in an ActiveX component. You can disable ActiveX yourself or you can use a Microsoft site to do it for you. Go to this Microsoft “Fix-it” page.
New ActiveX problem in Internet Explorer
A security hole in an ActiveX component of Internet Explorer is being attacked with drive-by downloads. As far as I can tell, it is Windows XP that is affected. ZDNet reports:
Malicious hackers are launching code execution exploits against new, unpatched vulnerability in the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control, the company warned in an advisory.
The attacks are [...]
Restore “Show Desktop” icon in Quick Launch toolbar
Here’s another Taskbar tip. A handy area of the Taskbar is the Quick Launch toolbar where icons that you use a lot can be placed. One of these is the “Show Desktop” icon. Judging from how often the problem is mentioned on the Web, disappearance of this icon is a common problem. There are several [...]
Shortcuts to turn off your computer
This is a very popular tip. It was first posted in September, 2005:
I am often asked if there is a quick way to close down a computer without having to go through all the steps Start-Turn Off Computer-Turn Off. Windows XP comes with a special executable file for shutting down called shutdown.exe that allows you [...]
Hibernation and Stand By in Windows XP
Windows XP comes with two power management options and I find that many home PC users are unsure how they differ. The options are “Stand By” and “Hibernate”. (Your hardware must be Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)-compliant but newer PCs come with this feature.)
“Stand By” is a standard option in the dialog that you [...]