It does what it says right on the tin ““ checks your PC for known problems affecting performance and attempts to restore some of the speed you once had to your tattered operating system. We’re literally giving away 30 copies (worth over $500!), so read on to find out how you can win!

Features

360Amigo System Speedup Pro is the commercial branch of the company’s System Speedup product, and features a number of improvements over its free counterpart. Both versions are compatible with most recent versions of Microsoft Windows including 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista and 7.

The application serves as a 3-in-1 tool for improving PC performance. Within the package, you get a system cleaner, system optimiser and a set of disk tools.

The system cleaner provides a one-click solution to fixing your computer problems. System Speedup Pro scans your hard disks for known “junk data” such as temporary files that are no longer required and automatically converts them to juicy, usable disk space.

Common problems are fixed instantly (no pesky confirmations) and the scanner will also check your registry for problems too. Privacy is also a concern, and traces of personal data can be deleted permanently using the scanner.

If you’re not the most organised of people then you can also schedule scans (a feature only found in the Pro version) for a time that best suits you.

In addition to the very capable scanner, System Startup Pro can also be used to optimize other areas of your Windows PC. The program can check your disks when Windows boots and decide whether you’ve got any unnecessary programs in your startup (trust me, you probably have). Pruning your startup list is a sure-fire way to regain precious performance, so it’s a relief to see it included.

You can also view a complete list of currently active connections with the included NetState tool, so you can monitor internet activity and keep tabs on your bandwidth and there’s even a bundled disk defragmenter (why not?).

The disk tools included with 360Amigo are a big added bonus, including the ability to scan for and remove unneeded applications, a file recovery tool and a tool for managing and removing old System Restore points.

Finally, for when you do decide to format your PC, you can even show a list of currently installed drivers. A nice touch, and one that makes reinstalling Windows that little bit easier.

360Amigo System Speedup Pro provides an easy way for users to tackle computer problems without going through the hassle of doing it by hand. This is especially good for those who dread the thought of reinstalling Windows, resolving driver issues and starting from scratch.

How do I win a copy?

It’s simple, just follow the instructions.

This giveaway begins now and ends Friday, January 21st at 2100hrs PST. The winners will be selected at random and announced via email.

Spread the word to your friends and have fun!

MakeUseOf would like to thank P360Amigo for their generosity while participating in this giveaway. Interesting in sponsoring? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via email.

The update creates a full-text index of all the files on your local drive, but unfortunately does not extend to any network drives you have access to. In Windows 7 and Vista have this technology built in, on XP you’ll have had to install it as an add-on.

You can disable Windows Desktop Search but if you’d rather get rid of it altogether, you’re in the right place.

Removal Instructions

The first (and probably most obvious) removal procedure is via the Add/Remove Programs interface in Control Panel. For quick access, hit Start then Run and type appwiz.cpl before hitting Enter.

Once Windows has populated the list, make sure the Show Updates checkbox is ticked and keep an eye out for Windows Desktop Search and your version number. Click Remove and follow the prompts to get rid of the offending article.

That wasn’t so hard was it?

However, a quick internet search will reveal that many users were unable to use Add/Remove Programs to uninstall Windows Desktop Search. The entry simply doesn’t appear, and this makes it that little bit harder to uninstall.

If you happened to install the MSN Toolbar (which installs WDS on your system) then removing this may work, but you’ll have to sacrifice the toolbar in the process.

Sometimes the uninstaller will run, yet this simply removes the entry from your installed programs list, meaning the service is still present.

All is not lost however, and there are a few other things you can try if you’re still determined to ditch the update.

Further Reading

The first thing you’re going to need to do is take note of your Windows Desktop Search version. You can do this by opening Windows Update (which usually resides at the top of your Start menu) and perusing your Update History.

Once you’ve found out your version, you’ll need to run the hidden uninstaller that lives in your Windows folder. Click Start then Run and type in cmd before hitting Enter.

You’ll then need to paste the command for your particular version into the command prompt:

Version 4 (known as Windows Search)

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB940157$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Version 3.01

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB917013$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Version 2.6.5 Beta

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB911993$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Version 2.6.0.2083

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371-V2$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Version 2.6.0.2057

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB907371$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Once you’ve pasted the corresponding command into that window and hit Enter the hidden uninstaller should run, removing WDS from your system. There is of course, the chance that you’ll see this screen:

The Final Straw

If you’re still having trouble and have tried all of the above then help may come from blogger David Arno, who has packaged the uninstaller into a handy little ZIP file. This will only work for version 4.0, aka Windows Search.

Download [direct link] the file and unzip the $NtUninstallKB940157$ folder it to your Windows directory (probably C:\Windows) and open another command prompt.

Copy and paste the following into the window you just opened:

%systemroot%\$NtUninstallKB940157$\spuninst\spuninst.exe

This should initialize the uninstaller and Windows (Desktop) Search should now have been removed from your PC.

Conclusion

If you’re determined to claw back some performance, or are just taking a hardline approach to unwanted software then getting rid of WDS is a start. You might also want to read about removing Windows Genuine Advantage from Windows XP, another optional-turned-mandatory update that can now be overlooked.

Lastly, there’s a myriad of lightweight Linux installs to consider if you’re that way inclined. Check out Ubuntu’s full range as well as Linux Mint and don’t miss our excellent 2010 Linux pack.

There’s nothing wrong with still using XP, a number of staff here at MakeUseOf have yet to budge in fact. If you’ve got an old PC that doesn’t need the bells, whistles and expensive licence that comes with Windows 7 then XP is still a viable alternative.

In this guide I will show you how to remove the WGA notifications should you want to, after which you’ll not be able to download non-critical updates but will still receive the critical fixes that really matter.

Why Remove WGA?

If you bought Windows XP and have been unlucky enough to fail the validation (which isn’t uncommon) then you might just want to remove it altogether. If you’re a raging software pirate then I’m going to have a tougher job convincing you to keep it.

WGA is a non-vital Windows component, which means that without it your copy of Windows XP will continue to work. If you’re using something like VLC for your media needs and swear by Chrome or Firefox then you probably won’t miss updates for Internet Explorer and Media Player all that much.

Data is also collected about your system, this includes your BIOS checksum, MAC address, hard drive serial number, and even your PC’s manufacturer and model. If you’re tight on privacy, this might be another reason to ditch WGA.

I’ve provided two methods of removing WGA manually. I’d recommend you try the first set of instructions to begin with, the second set is provided in case you can’t get the first working. There are also a few applications that will attempt to remove WGA for you (more on those later).

It is worth mentioning if you’ve re-installed XP lately and downloaded WGA in a recent update then a simple System Restore to the point before you downloaded the update will remove it. Just remember not to re-download it again afterwards.

Assuming you’ve had WGA on your machine for a while, the instructions below should remove it.

Removing WGA Via The Command Line

Restart your PC and boot into Safe Mode, usually by pressing F8 whilst your computer boots. Once your PC has booted open a command prompt by clicking Start then Run and typing cmd into the box before clicking OK.

Change directory to your System32 folder with the following command:

cd \windows\system32

Next you’re going to need to copy the following lines to the clipboard, in order to paste them into the command prompt quickly. This is necessary to kill the WgaTray.exe process and delete the file before Windows has a chance to launch it again:

taskkill -IM wgatray.exe
del wgatray.exe
del wgalogon.old

If all the commands executed correctly you should have killed and deleted WgaTray.exe as well as WgaLogon.dll. You might also want to have a look for any WGA-related files (WgaTray.exe, WgaLogon.dll, WgaSetup.exe etc”¦) in \Windows\System32\dllcache and delete them, just in case.

Restart your PC to see if the changes have taken effect, if the WGA notifications are still there then you’ll want to continue reading this next bit, otherwise you’re done.

Removing WGA With Registry Editor & Windows Explorer

If you’re still reading then that probably didn’t work. Boot normally and once Windows is back click Start, Run and type regedit before clicking OK.

Navigate your way to: My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify and delete the folder called WgaLogon and any content associated with it.

Restart your PC and if all has gone well, your WGA notifications shouldn’t be visible. These next steps will delete the files for good.

Navigate to your Windows\System32 folder and  at the top of the window click Tools, Folder Options and click on the View tab. Check Show hidden and protected Windows files so that you can see all of the offending items.

Next you’re going to need to locate all WGA-related files within your \Windows\System32 and \Windows\System32\dllcache folders. Running a simple search is the best way, so hit Start, Search and choose All files and folders.

Run a search for Wga*.*, and delete any WGA related results you find in these folders including WgaTray.exe, WgaLogon.dll and WgaSetup.exe. Restart your PC once you’ve done, and your copy of Windows should be “genuine” again.

Removing WGA With Software

If you’re still having trouble then there are a number of third-party tools that will attempt to do this for you. I personally prefer tinkering with my System32 folder myself rather than getting an application to do it, though there’s plenty of people claiming these work just fine.

RemoveWGA is a simple run and reboot process, by the time you’ve restarted WGA notifications should be gone. MUBlinder is another solution, just make sure you have the Microsoft .NET Framework before running it or it won’t work.

If one of these methods worked for you then you might want to change your preferences for Automatic Updates in Control Panel so that WGA doesn’t make its way back onto your system. I’d recommend allowing Windows to notify you when updates are available, but then manually selecting them yourself.

Don’t forget to keep up-to-date with your critical updates, this is vital to keep your machine patched up and secure.

Have you removed Windows Genuine Advantage or did your copy of XP validate ok? Any reasons you’re still using XP? Let us know in the comments.

Generally, that is enough. All but a few troublemakers are whining about an operating system they simply don’t recognize and are otherwise quickly updated to keep track of the OS revolution. If they don’t, people will find alternatives, and the application’s userbase will soon be as dead as the development branch.

There are two big exceptions to this rule; bespoke line-of-business applications and rather old, incompatible hardware. These are applications wildly favored by the (bigger) corporate world, handcrafted for an essential step in the workings of the business, probably more than a decade ago. They’ve become irreplaceable, haven’t been maintained in ages, and are the reason your company still wants you to use Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 (oh, the horror).

Windows XP Mode

With Windows 7, Microsoft has abandoned the hope of maintaining direct compatibility for these applications, as they should. This allows them to advance their operating systems, and close security leaks, without being restricted by line-of-business applications that were haphazardly custom tailored in a time gone by. Instead, they offer Windows 7 XP Mode.

Windows XP Mode comes the closest to an OS virtualization, albeit without OpenGL and other 3D components. It takes care of those other stubborn XP (or IE6) application problems that can’t be solved with the ‘regular’ compatibility mode. But most of all, it frees volume-licensing companies from the XP-restriction and drives a flock of new customers to Microsoft’s new operating systems.

Since Windows 7 XP Mode is mainly focused on corporate use, it isn’t offered readily to users of all distributions. Only Windows 7 Professional, Corporate and Ultimate are eligible for the free download, including Windows XP Mode (a pre-activated Windows XP SP3 Professional image) and Windows Virtual PC (the virtualization machine).

However, all Windows 7 distributions can download the Windows Virtual PC application. This just means you’ll have to cough up your own copy of Windows XP SP3 Professional. To download, select a different distribution (e.g. Professional) from the dropdown menu.

Installation isn’t too complicated, just read all dialogs and follow the instructions on the screen. Windows XP Mode will install independently for each user, and share many of your hardware components, like hard drive, disk drive, USB sockets, and it’ll even redirect your My Documents for optimal integration.

Using XP Mode – Within & Without Windows

Starting up, Windows 7 XP Mode mostly feels like a regular virtual machine. That is, not terribly fast, because the entire operating system must be (virtually) booted. Once past that, the interaction is pretty fast and well-integrated. Windows XP applications appear in Windows 7′s start menu and task bar. The only thing not integrated all that well is the installation, but more on that below.

There are two major display modes available; windowed and integrated. The windowed mode is what you see when you first launch the application, a desktop in a windows. This is also how applications are to be installed. Luckily, that’s not what everyday usage looks like. Much like Parallel’s Coherence, or VirtualBox’s Seamless mode, Windows XP windows will blend in with your Windows 7 desktop.

The biggest issue is the aforementioned installing of new applications. Windows XP Mode can only run in one display mode at a time. Since applications need to be installed in windowed mode, this means that all running applications must first be closed. It’s not even possible to right-click an installer on your Windows 7 desktop and choose to install it in Windows XP Mode.

Aside from that, using Windows 7 XP Mode has been an interesting experience. It integrates well, and completely takes care of those stubborn XP applications. You also shouldn’t forget that you’re getting a free Windows XP SP3 Pro installation with Windows 7 Professional, Corporate and Ultimate.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!

WinGuard Pro offers to simplify a lot of these tasks by providing a number of such functions bundled together in a tiny little utility.

You can download the WinGuard Pro computer security and access control software here. The download size is under 1 MB and the software installs in a snap. It does however require you to restart your computer. Once you log back in, you can access WinGuard Pro and its features.

The main user interface for WinGuard Pro is the configuration tool. The tool is locked on first run and the default password is “LETMEIN“. Key it in to get access to WinGuard Pro’s feature set. Let’s review some of the features and have a look at what WinGuard Pro offers.

Once you log into the Configuration tool, you are presented with a tabbed interface that gives you access to WinGuard Pro’s features.

Lock down programs or tasks

WinGuard Pro lets you lock down specific programs, folders or tasks via the Tasks tab. Just place a check against the application/feature or folder that you want to lock down and WinGuard Pro will prevent the standard user from accessing the program/feature or the folder.

Now whenever Notepad is accessed, the user will have to enter a password before he/she can use it. There are a number of options available that you can lock via a simple check within this tab. The options range from the command prompt, System Restore, etc. with security in mind; to Windows Media Player, Messenger with parental controls in mind.

File and Folder Encryption

WinGuard Pro also lets you encrypt and decrypt files and folders according to your choice. Be warned that this might not be the solution you are looking for if you want to encrypt an entire partition or a USB drive. Truecrypt is your best bet in that case. However, if you want to encrypt a folder or two without getting obsessed with encryption and all the plethora of options that accompany any decent encryption software, WinGuard Pro lets you do that.

Just browse for the folder you want to encrypt, choose a folder and you are done. To read files, click the Decrypt button, browse to the folder and key in your password!

Prevent selected actions on the computer

Next up, lets have a look at the More tab. In here, you can lock down actions like file download and software installation along with certain Windows features like Task Manager and Windows Explorer. You can also go a step beyond and lock down all browsers if you so please.

In addition, there are other options that can help you streamline how WinGuard Pro functions and behaves. You can for instance, exclude the Administrator account from all the access control features. That is you will be able to log in as the administrator and do all your chores as if WinGuard Pro never existed. All other accounts except the Administrator account are treated as the Standard user accounts. You can also deploy the same configuration to different computers by using the Import/Export functionality.

On the whole, WinGuard Pro is a feature-rich, no fuss and functional software for access control. On the down side, it’s not free from issues. The UI could be improved a lot. As an example, consider this – what do you expect to see when you want to browse for a folder that you want to encrypt? A browse button perhaps? In here, you would have to click on the label to get the browse dialog. Everything detailed above is available in the free version of the software. You can also purchase a premium version of the software that gives you finer control over application lock down and folder encryption. The premium version is also available as a 60-day trial.

What are you favorite access control software for Windows? Let us hear about them in comments.

There may come a time in your computer ownership that you decide to basically hit the reset button.

This may be because your computer was struck by a virus, or it may be because you are selling your computer and you want to make sure your personal information can’t be retrieved by the person you are selling to.

Whatever your situation, this guide will help you completely restore your computer to absolutely pristine factory settings.

Step 1: Save Files & Folders

Depending on your version of Windows and the recovery system your computer’s vendor uses, some of your settings and files may be saved when you restore your computer to factory settings. However, it is best not to rely on this.

Treat your restoration to factory settings the same as you would a complete re-format of your hard drive. Assume all data will be lost and back up all crucial information to an external hard drive. Don’t bother backing up programs you can reinstall, but make sure to back up everything you don’t already have a copy of.

Also, make sure that you back up your browser information. The help website of the web browser you use should provide instructions on how to back up your browser. If you don’t do this you will lose all of your bookmarks and saved passwords.

Step 2: Start The Recovery Program

There are two common methods for returning your operating system to factory settings. One of these is to simply reinstall the operating system through the operating system’s own repair or reinstall process. With Windows this usually requires access to a Windows installation CD  or the creation of a boot CD. If you have this available, you can refer to our guide on how to re-install Windows.

However, most computer vendors no longer ship out a copy of the Windows installation CD with their computers. Instead, the computer ships with a recovery partition or recovery disk. Each vendor uses their own particular type of solution, but the basics of them are the same. The most common names used by each company for their recovery solution can be found below. Note that manufacturers do change names from time to time – usually it will simply be something with the vendor’s brand name and the word “recovery” included after it.

• Acer – Acer eRecovery
• ASUS – ASUS Recovery Partition
• Dell – Dell Factory Image Restore
• Gateway – Gateway Recovery Management
• HP – HP PC System Recovery
• Sony – Sony Vaio Recovery Wizard

You can start the recovery program from within Windows. Alternatively – if perhaps your computer is having problems booting into Windows – you can usually access the recovery partition during your computer’s boot cycle. Pay attention to the display when your computer boots. There should be text indicating what button you need to press to start the recovery process. Typically, it will be a function key.

Step 3: Restoring To Factory Settings

Each vendor has their own recovery solution, so there is no way to provide a definitive guide to each and every vendor within the scope of this article. However, the general process of restoration almost always works like this.

• First, you will start the restoration program in Windows.  The program will ask if you’d really like to begin the restoration process and warn you that your data could be (or will be) destroyed during the process.
• Once you confirm that you would like to start the recovery process you’ll reach some sort of progress screen.  The computer may reboot to access this, or it may simply exit Windows and boot directly into the restoration program. At this point you’re set in your course – do not cancel the process. This can take half an hour to several hours depending on the speed of your computer.

• Once the restoration to factory settings is complete the computer will reboot and begin the Windows setup process. You will have to set up your user account and your settings just as you did when you first purchased the computer.

Step 4: Finishing Restoration

Ideally, the factory restoration wizard will completely restore everything needed to make your computer fully functional. However, in some situations you may find that a few drivers were not installed. For example, you might find that the screen brightness buttons no longer work on your laptop.

If you run into this problem you’ll need to download the drivers for your computer, which can be found on the vendor’s support website. You can either enter the serial number of your computer to obtain the proper drivers or you can find your model of computer yourself.

Once you have downloaded the appropriate drivers and installed them your system will be returned to its original factory settings. It will work just as it did the day that you bought it.

Do you have any experiences – good or bad – about restoring computers back to their factory settings?  Do you have any tips or advice you would like to share with us?   If so, head towards the comments below.

One of the reasons why Windows 7 has gone over better than Vista is compatibility. Windows 7 is a less drastic departure from Vista than Vista was from XP, and this has resulted in fewer growing pains. Users are much less likely to run into programs that won’t run in Windows 7 because of compatibility problems.

However, there are still some Windows 7 compatibility issues which you may run into. These problems are somewhat unavoidable.

A new operating system is always going to make some changes which don’t agree with older software. The changes are usually improvements in the long term, but cause short term compatibility problems. So, let’s take a look at three common Windows 7 compatibility issues and what can be done to fix them.

32 bit vs. 64 bit Compatibility Issues

The rise of 64 bit operating systems is inevitable. Many OEM copies of Windows 7 which come with pre-built systems are the 64-bit version, and most Microsoft Windows 7 licenses sold at retail now come with two disks – one for installing the 32 bit operating system and one for installing the 64 bit operating system. If you’re confused about the differences between the two, check out our article discussing them.

If you have the 32-bit version of Windows 7 you’re fine. Most past versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista were 32-bit versions, and most programs were created for them. If you have installed the 64-bit version of Windows 7, however, you might run into some problems. This usually manifests itself in the form of programs which refuse to run at all – they’ll crash out instantly.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot that you can do about this issue. The difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit operating system reaches deep into Windows 7′s most basic code, so there is no compatibility mode which can resolve this problem. There are, however, two possible courses of action.

One is to see if a new version of the program exists. Most new software will be capable of running under 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7. The second is to create a disk partition and install a second, 32-bit copy of Windows 7 on your computer. This is a tough fix for this compatibility issue, and certainly not very convenient, but if you have an older program which is no longer receiving support this may be your only way to work around this Windows 7 compatibility issue.

Windows XP (& Older) Reverse Compatibility Issues

Windows 7 is very similar, under the skin, to Windows Vista. There are a lot of fundamental changes in the operating system which make Windows 7 different from Windows XP. The praise of Windows 7′s better compatibility isn’t necessarily because Windows 7 is coded better than Windows Vista. The perception of better compatibility also has to do with the fact that many compatibility fixes which were made for Vista also work for Windows 7.

Still, you may sometimes run into older Windows XP programs which don’t sit well with Windows 7. These are usually programs which were made around the time Windows XP launched. Programs this old are often no longer supported by their developers, who have moved on to other projects.

Microsoft recognizes this problem, and has created a Windows XP Mode which emulates Windows XP, making it possible to run very old programs. This mode can also, in some cases, make it possible to run programs from Windows 98, as such programs were sometimes compatible with XP. MakeUseOf has a full guide on how to use Windows XP mode to solve Windows 7 compatibility issues.

Windows 7 Driver Compatibility Issues

The final common Windows 7 compatibility problem is driver issues. Drivers are tricky because they’re very low-level code in the operating system. Changes in an operating system usually cause pre-existing drivers to become useless because the drivers will be looking to work with parts of the operating system which no longer exist. Drivers are also tricky because they affect so many parts of your computer. Everything from your printer to your video card requires drivers in order to run.

If you’re upgrading from Vista, you’ll have an easier time with driver compatibility in Windows 7. Windows 7 and Vista are similar and drivers for one will often at least work – if not optimally – for the other. However, if you’re upgrading from Windows XP you’re going to need to find new drivers for everything in your computer and most devices which connect to your computer.

Finding new drivers is, thankfully, easy. It is up to each vendor to make drivers for their products, so you merely need to go to the websites of vendors who made your hardware and download the new Windows 7 drivers. For example, you need to go with Nvidia’s website to download video drivers if you have a Nvidia video card, or you need to go to HP’s website to download printer drivers if you have an HP printer. Once you download and install the new drivers your Windows 7 compatibility issues will be resolved.

Conclusion

Windows 7 compatibility issues exist, but are minimal. These compatibility problems are inevitable, as they involve such fundamental parts of the operating system that any upgrade will cause older programs and devices to have problems functioning. Hopefully Microsoft’s next operating system, whenever it arrives, will be as painless.

You can run all these programs and you’ll probably notice the difference, but how can you be objectively sure they’re making a difference? For most people the general feel of quickness is enough to justify the effort, but if you’re looking for scientific evidence of speediness a lot of people like take a look at their measured boot times; that is, the time it takes from switching the computer on to having a usable desktop.

And if you want to measure your boot time on a Windows XP machine, you should really check out BootTimer. This portable application does one thing and does it well: measure how long it takes to boot. If you’re looking for scientific evidence that what you’re doing is speeding up your boot it’s really worth a look.

Note: this application does not work on Windows Vista or 7 at this time.

The Process

So, first thing first: download BootTimer over at Planetsoft or if you prefer, at Download.com. You’ll have a single executable file to work with; BootTimer is a portable application and is perfect for throwing onto the thumb drive that contains your geeky arsenal.

When you’re ready to restart your computer, go ahead and open BootTimer. You’ll see this message:

Click “Yes” and your computer will restart. Nothing unusual about that, right? When it gets into Windows you’ll be told not to touch your mouse or keyboard, so don’t; BootTimer is waiting until your desktop is usable to finish timing. When it is you’ll receive a notice like this, containing the information you’re looking for:

Wasn’t that easy? Be sure to write this time down.

Self-Cleaning

Want to remove every trace that this program ever ran? No problem. Just click “OK” and the program will go about removing itself completely from your system.

There’s one catch: BootTimer will open up its webpage and encourage you to click an ad. This is annoying, but considering how useful the program is and that it’s free I suppose it’s a harmless way to support the app.

How It Works

BootTimer doesn’t install a stopwatch on your machine and time everything; rather it check the various logs the Windows system creates in order to judge when Windows started booting and when it finished.

So why not use a standard stopwatch to determine your measured boot times? You could, but it wouldn’t necessarily be standardized in terms of when the time begins and end. Use this program and the results will be comparable.

Conclusion

Here’s how I suggest you use this program: before you go about speeding up your computer, run the program once. This will give you the slow rate to compare your end results with. Go ahead and do your usual speed-up routine. Once you’re done, go ahead and run a second test. This will give you empirical evidence that what you’re doing to speed up your machine is useful.

What do you think? Is measuring your boot time useful at all, or is it just a useless measurement geeks use so they can brag about something? Could you see yourself using a tool like this? Or do you have an alternative tool to recommend? The Internet is in need of more content, so please do your part by speaking your mind below.

Image Credit: Casey Marshall

In the past I have had to install applications directly on each user’s computer. This was time consuming to say the least. Then I started using Dameware for Windows 2000 that helped me remotely install applications. It was far from free and was difficult to use.

Then Remote Desktop came around with Windows XP Professional and I was able to remotely log into each machine and install the  Windows applications. This was still time consuming. Now I am able to assign applications to computers automatically. I can also assign applications to users so no matter where they are on my domain they will have the software they need.

I do a remote install our Windows Microsoft Office software, and I will show you how. The application that you want to install will need to have a MSI file to deploy it. An MSI file is simply a Microsoft installer. If you do not have one there are methods to creating one like this. Once you have the MSI file we can create answer templates to choose the options we want to pick. This helps us customize the installations while keeping it automated.

When you are dealing with thousands of computers with hundreds of different requirements this is a necessity. Now we can use our OUs or organizational units to deploy applications.

Let’s open up our Active Directory Users and Accounts.

Pick who you want to deploy the applications to.  Right click on that OU and choose properties.

Then click on the group policy tab at the top right of the window and then we need to click open to get to the management interface.

Whatever is in the OU you choose, computers or users, they will all be affected. In this situation it means they will have the software deployed to it.

We will next be taken to this screen:

This is called the group policy management screen.  The OU you selected two steps back will be highlighted on the left hand side and any policies assigned to it will appear in the right pane. You can see I have a GPO called OfcStd, which is my shorthand for Office Standard.

This group policy deploys Office 2003 standard to the machines in this OU. Now let’s see how to do it from scratch.

Right click on the OU and choose create and link a GPO here.

That will take you to a screen that will ask you to name your GPO. It looks like this:

Name your GPO something that is helpful in understanding what it does. I named mine test software installation. That will take us to the same screen with the new blank GPO added. You will want to right click on it and choose edit like so:

After clicking edit we will be in the group policy object editor. Depending on if you want the software assigned to the computer or the user (computer will always install to the same machine and user will follow the user to whatever machine they are using). Expand either computer configuration ““> software settings or user configuration software settings like you see below:

After clicking on the software installation item below the software settings folder you will see this:

Right click on the right pane and choose new ““> package as shown above.

I chose Office 2003 standard’s installer called STD11.msi. and I am done. That is really it! You have deployed your first software package. Imagine how much time this can save if used properly!

Now you can test it by logging in as a user, in that OU, if you choose the user configuration above. If you choose the computer configuration you would use a computer in that OU. Sometimes it takes a reboot and in extreme cases two to see the installation.  When you are successful you will see a screen directly after logging in telling you that it is installing your applications. How cool is that?

How do you remote install Windows software? Do you have any tips or tricks for us?