Latest in Windows

If it's about time you purchase a new computer, that computer is probably going to come with Windows 8. Microsoft hasn't included a tutorial with Windows 8 -- aside from the cryptic "move your mouse into any corner" line -- so you'll need to do a bit of research to get up to speed with the latest version of Windows. Most users agree the key to getting along with Windows 8 is ignoring as much of the new interface as possible. Start with finding the desktop.
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Windows 8 has managed to do a pretty decent job of putting all of your favorite and most-used applications right in your face with their rendition of the startup screen. Not all of us fancy it though. I personally skip straight the desktop. With all of these commonly-used applications so separated, daily tasks can seem like a hassle. Ubiquitous Player makes an attempt at alleviating that and serving as your Swiss Army Knife of application goodies.
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I often joke about being the only IT guy with a 36-inch pipe wrench in his toolbox. Funny, but also probably true. But I do carry one IT tool in my kit that is just as powerful and hefty as that pipe wrench - the Windows System Control Center on my Tools USB flash drive. The WSCC is an interface that gives you access to the SysInternals and NirSoft suite of tools. It's like having a 3 foot pipe wrench in your back pocket! Only considerably more comfortable.
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Sometimes you just want to fix up a picture without all of the baggage and learning curves that come with powerhouse image editors like Photoshop and GIMP. Obviously, a program as primitive as Paint won’t do, and even middle-of-the-road programs like Paint.NET sometimes won’t cut it. Thankfully, Ashampoo’s Photo Commander 11 steps in to fill the gap. We’re giving away 10 copies of Photo Commander 11 worth a total of $500 for free!
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Microsoft removed a variety of features from Windows 8. Many of them aren't great losses to most people, but they are if you depended on them. Luckily, Windows 8 isn't yet a locked-down mobile operating system, no matter how hard Microsoft is trying to make it into one. Most important features can be restored with high-quality alternatives, but replacements for other features are nowhere near as polished as Microsoft has removed the necessary theming code.
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Windows’ Notepad is one of the first accessories that I learned to use on my Windows 98 machine. Notepad is possibly the most simple and easy-to-use application that ships with Windows still today, and it’s tough to pick at any of the features or functionality. It is the most-used text editor in the world and [...]
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Microsoft’s OneNote is arguably the best note-taking software out there. It can simply take care of all your note-taking needs, and there’s virtually nothing that comes close to it besides Evernote. While you can do some creative stuff with Evernote, OneNote can pack quite a punch as well in helping ease your life. While some of [...]
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I’m always on the hunt for new music players. Nothing has completely satisfied me yet, though some programs have gotten close. Whatever is the next, newest, coolest, still-undiscovered music player – I want it. And I’m lucky that I found GOM Audio because, based on my impression so far, it fits the bill quite squarely. [...]
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So you’ve installed Windows 8. You’ve figured out how to get your favorite desktop programs working, and now you’re wondering what the Metro environment has to offer. Say what you will about the new Windows 8 Metro interface – called “Modern” by Microsoft – but one thing it’s done is create an ecosystem of apps. [...]
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Online passwords are something of a double-edged sword. In order to be safe, you need to have multiple unique passwords that are complicated enough that they won’t be cracked or brute forced easily - but with every additional password, it becomes harder to track them all. The usual alternative is to use one password for everything, but this is not the path you want to take. Instead, use Sticky Password. We’re giving away 25 copies of Sticky Password Pro 6.0 worth a total of $750 for FREE!
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I still remember the exact day that I unboxed my Nintendo 64. I've always been a huge gamer and a bit of a nerd, and that console was a big step for me. Playing my NES, SNES, and Genesis every day became a thing of the past once I got my hands on Wave Race 64, Super Mario 64, and Diddy Kong Racing. I never picked those consoles up again. The Nintendo 64 is definitely one of the best gaming consoles of all time.
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Just as shorting a computer out will ruin it, making it run in temperatures it was never meant to take will cause it to malfunction. SpeedFan is a free utility for Windows designed to help you keep a close eye on just how hot your computer is getting, down to the individual component level.
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Have computer problems? Microsoft's Fix It service attempts to fix them for you. If you've browsed Microsoft's help pages, you've probably seen a variety of "Fix It" programs you can run to quickly fix a problem without walking through a complicated troubleshooting process. We've covered the Fix It Center in the past, but now we're really going to put Microsoft's Fix It service to the test.
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The more I use my computer, the more I realize how much I take search for granted. How many times have you lost a pair of socks or misplaced your keys only to wish you could search for them and have the location spit back out to you? Fortunately, Windows (and most other operating systems) comes with a handy search feature. But on top of the default search feature, there are a number of third-party tools that claim to be better and faster.
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It won't be until you actually give digital sticky notes a try that you'll understand how useful and effective they are. I won't argue that physical sticky notes pressed around your desk or monitor is an unbeatable solution, but it also isn't the prettiest, fastest, or cleanest. If you use a desktop or laptop, sticky notes are especially useful because of how many applications offer to bring them right to your desktop.
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