Hot Operating Systems How-Tos « Operating Systems

How To: Create an Admin User Account Using CMD Prompt (Windows)

This is a quick tutorial on how to create a new administrator account on a Windows computer. Open CMD Prompt...

How To: Quickly force quit any program in Windows

Programs aren't perfect. Either are operating systems. And when one or the other (possibly both) aren't working as expected, your program may freeze up and become unresponsive. If this happens to you in Windows frequently, you need to know how to force quit the application, so you can restart it and get back to work.

How To: Find the "hidden" mic boost on Realtek HD sound cards

Need to adjust your microphone's input volume using the Realtek Sound Manager but aren't sure how? The 20db mic boost gain appears to be in a buried spot in the Realtek HD sound cards software, but it's there! In this video tutorial you'll see how to get to it.

How To: Update graphic drivers with Windows Device Manager

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to upgrade their graphic driver. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Begin by clicking on the Start menu. Then right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Now click on the Hardware tab and click on Device Manager under Manager. In the Device Manager window, select your graphic driver under Display adapters. Right-click on the driver and select Update Driver. Now follow through the instructions in the window and check for any updates. ...

How To: Rotate the Display on Linux, Mac, & Windows Computers

If you've got a desktop computer, I can almost guarantee that you've got a widescreen monitor set up in landscape mode. It's how just about everyone uses their monitor these days, including myself. Except that it's not always the best way of working.

How To: Password protect any folder on your desktop in Windows

In this tutorial, we learn how to password protect any folder on your desktop in Windows. First, right click on your desktop, then go to "new", then "compressed zipped folder" and name it whatever you want. Next, put what you want inside of the folder. After you've done this, open the folder then go to "file" and then "add a password". Pick a password that you will remember and type it into the text box, after you do this, click on "ok". Now your folder will be password protected and you will...

How To: Clean Up Hard Drive Space by Deleting iOS Device Backup Folders from iTunes

By now, you probably know that your iPhone secretly tracks and stores the locations you've visited in a backup folder on your computer's hard drive. The files are unencrypted, which means anyone with access to your computer or device can retrieve the information, which is downright scary. But Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan are making it fun with their iPhone Tracker application, which lets you map out everywhere you've been with your smartphone.

How To: Remove Empty Folders, Duplicate Files, Broken Shortcuts, and Old Bookmarks from Your Computer

Like a computer, your brain can store and process large amounts of information. It can remember names, solve math problems, and save tips that you might need at a later time.

How To: Lock Folder Without Any Software with Password

You can easily lock any folder on your Windows computer with a simple Notepad hack. By creating a batch file, you can hide a folder and require a password be entered before it becomes visible and accessible. This is a great tool for locking sensitive information, like pictures, financial statements, and a lot more.

How To: Find details about your RAM & processor type in XP

In this how-to video, you will learn how to check your personal computer's RAM, processor speed, and operating system information on Windows XP. First, go to start and select my computer. From here, click view system information to open a new window. A screen will show you the information you need, such as the type of operating system you are running, the size and speed of the processor, and the amount of ram you have. Click okay to exit this window. This will be helpful for doing upgrades or...

How To: Restart Windows OS without rebooting your computer

This how to video shows you how to restart Windows without rebooting the computer. Press control, alt, and delete on the keyboard at the same time. Your task manager program will open. Select processes and click image name to sort it. Select explorer.exe and press end process. Click yes in the warning dialog. Your start menu will disappear. This is usually bad considering you cannot do anything when this happens. Go to file and select new task. Click browse and click on any folder and right c...

How To: Share Local Drives and Folders using Oracle VM VirtualBox with a Guest Windows OS

There are several virtual machine managers present in the market. However, the main functionality of all VMs are the same. Most people like to get free VM managers, so that they can install as many operating systems as they like over the host operating systems. One of these free VM managers is Oracle's VM VirtualBox, which can be downloaded from Oracle's website for all popular operating systems, such as Linux, Windows and Mac.

How To: Check If Windows XP Is Activated

Some people might check their activation status of Windows XP by simply right-clicking on the My Computer icon on their desktop, then clicking on Properties. It opens up a new window with General tab showing some basic information about your PC, like system info, registered to, and computer hardware. However, it does not actually tell us complete information about the system, like whether or not your current copy of Windows XP is activated or not. To check the complete details about your Wind...

How To: Erase your hard drive from the Mac OS X terminal

Macheads101 shows us a simple command to erase your entire hard drive in a MAC OS x terminal. You can either log in as administrator and simply type "rm -rf /" to format or you can just type "Sudo rm -rf /" to start. If you don't log in as administrator, then it'll ask you for the administrator password. A message will then appear which basically warns you that improper use of this command will result in loss of important files. Next type in "sudo mount -uw /" to edit the file command system....

How To: Remove a Password from Log in Screen in Linux Mint

In this video tutorial, I'll show you how to remove the password from the log in screen on Linux Mint 17.2

How To: Prevent cut, paste, copy, and delete on Windows files

New to Windows? No problem... here's a beginner's video tutorial that will teach you how to prevent cut, paste, copy, and delete on Windows files.

How To: Mount ISO files using Ubuntu terminal command line

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to mount ISO files without burning DVD. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. The first way is to simply right-click on the ISO file, go to Open With and select Open with "Archive Mounter". The second way is to open the Terminal program and type in the command line: sudo mount -o loop -t iso9660.ISO [directory]. Users will need to create a directory before using the terminal command line. Finish by pressing the Enter key. This video will bene...

How To: Identify your system specifications in Windows XP

In this video from exosploit we learn how to find your system specs in Windows XP. If someone is trying to help your computer, you might need this information. Right click My Computer, and click Properties. Here you'll see your operating system, service pack, and how much RAM you have. Also google cpuz. Go to the first link and download it. Extract it and click the main file. Here it will tell you your processor, mother board, what bios version you have, how much RAM you have, and it will tel...

How To: Hack Command Prompt at school to change passwords and more

Trying to focus on studying for your Stats final in the library but getting a serious ADD spell? Then make use of your time - while having a little fun with whoever else is in the library - by hacking into your computer's command prompt.

How To: Restore rundll32.exe on a Windows XP PC

In this video, learn how to restore rundll32.exe on your Windows XP machine. You can also use this method to fix or patch a missing or deleted Rundll32.exe file.

How To: Maximize windows to fill your computer display with WinMaximumize

If you want to instantly resize your active window so that it fills any extra window space on your screen, try the free utility WinMaximumize featured in this Tekzilla segment. Hit the default hotkey (Ctrl+F1) or remap it to whatever keybind you want.

How To: Install Puppy Linux on an innotek VirtualBox

The author shows how to install Puppu Linux 4.3.1 in Innotek VirtualBox 1.5.2. He shows steps to create a new virtual machine in Innotek VirtualBox, by showing the various configuration settings like the RAM size, hard disk space etc. He shows how to boot the virtual machine with the Puppy Linux installation ISO file. Next, during boot up, he shows how to set the language and regional settings, resolution settings etc. In the next screen he shows how to access the local drive and partition it...

How To: Record macros on a Microsoft Windows PC with AutoHotKey

In this clip, you'll learn how to create custom macros on a Microsoft Windows desktop or laptop computer with AutoHotKey. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-computing how-to from PCMech.

How To: How Long Would It Take to Crack Your Password?

If you have any doubt about how secure that strong password you created really is, there's an easy way to check online. Just visit HowSecureIsMyPassword.net, which uses a combination of math and statistics to determine how long it would take for a PC to crack your password. It's sponsored by Dashlane, one of the top password managers available, and also gives you tips on how to make your password or passphrase stronger. The site claims the password submitted is not sent over the web, and its ...

How To: Show and Hide Desktop Application Icons in Windows 8

In this Windows 8 tutorial, you will learn how to show and hide desktop application icons. The benefit of this is it allows you to quickly hide desktop icons and show them again when you need to have access via desktop.

How To: Create a bootable Windows 7 repair disc on a USB drive

In this how to video, you will learn how to create a system repair disc on a bootable USB flash drive without having to burn a CD for your Windows 7 system. First, plug in your USB drive and create new folders in it. Name the first folder boot and the second sources. Next, open a command prompt and type in the cd c:\recovery, dir /a:sh, and so forth as shown. Once you have typed in the proper commands in the prompt, eject the flash drive. Restart the computer with the drive plugged in. Boot f...

How To: Get a keynote presentation to play in Windows

It is a great video tutorial about how to create a keynote presentation to run on a windows platform. After opening the keynote presentation, click on file menu and open up the export window. This window shows different file formats and types. By using this we can export a quick time movie, an html, PDF, images, flash or a PowerPoint presentation file.

How To: Find hidden taskbar shortcuts

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to find hidden task-bar shortcuts in Windows 7. Begin by pressing the Windows and T keys on the keyboard. The will focus on the task-bar, allowing the user to navigate through using the arrow keys. Users will be able to move between different icons. If the application has a window open, it will show the thumbnail. Then press the up arrow key to sort through the thumbnails. Press the down key to focus back onto the task-bar. This video will benefit tho...

How To: Use the Sticky Keys feature in Mac OS X

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use the Sticky Keys feature in a Mac OS X computer. The Sticky Keys feature is found in the Keyboard tab in the Universal Access menu. To turn on the sticky keys, check the On option. Underneath, users are able to set some options for how the modifier keys are treated. Sticky Keys will allow users to press the keys in a sequence, instead of all at once. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Mac computer and would like to learn how to conf...

How To: Use the Windows XP Transfer Wizard

This video tutorial by HelpVids, Dave Andrews shows you how to use the transfer files and settings wizard in Windows XP. This program enables you to transfer your documents and settings from various programs and the 'My Documents' folder between computers if you wanted to do so. First go to the start button select all programs, accessories, system tools and select the files and settings transfer wizard. Click next and check old computer to select the PC your currently on and click next. Wait ...

How To: Switch the user ID and log off in Windows 7

Microsoft recommends a unique user ID and password for every user. In order to switch user ID or log off one need to click to the 'Start' menu as shown in the video. Press the move button at the shut down menu as shown. In the sub menu you can see the Change user and Log off. The window will typically shut down and restart on change of user ID or Log Off. In case you need to leave your PC unattended you can press 'Lock' from the same menu which will refrain anyone from changing your desktop s...

How To: Install third-party themes in Microsoft Windows 7

In this home-computing how-to, you'll learn how to customize your Windows 7 desktop by installing third-party themes. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in just over five minutes' time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Backup files on a CD in Windows XP

Backing up your files is very smart and important. You'll want to make sure that you copy your files somewhere external just in case something happens to your PC. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is to use a blank CD and burn your programs and files to it. In this video, learn exactly how to do this and keep your documents safe and sound.

How To: Remove and reinstall devices in Windows XP

The beyourownit shows you how to remove and reinstall devices in Windows XP. The first thing he shows what to do is Right click on the My Computer icon and select properties then select then choose the hardware TAB. When you click on the Device Manager button, the Device Manager will appear where you can make changes to your computer. The user explains more to help you understand better. If you watch this video, you will find out how to reinstall devices in Windows XP.

How To: Reformat your computer step by step

This video tutorial belongs to the Computers & Programming category which is going to show you how to reformat your computer step by step. Go to BIOS by restarting your computer. Go to BOOT menu, select CD/DVD ROM and press f10 to save and exit. Now insert your operating system CD, don't let it run, restart your computer again and keep tapping f8. When the set up page is displayed, press 'enter' to set up Windows XP. Select your partition and press D to delete. Then press L to continue deleti...

How To: Test your system performance in Windows 7

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to test their system performance. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and select Control Panel. Then click on System and Security, and select "Check the Windows Experience Index" under System. Now click on "Rate this computer". The system will then begin to run some tests. This will take about 1-2 minutes. The Windows Experience Index assesses key system components on a scale of 1.0 to 7.9. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 com...

How To: Bypass and change a Windows XP start-up password

If you've forgotten the password to one or more of the Windows XP accounts on your computer, take heart: This video tutorial will show you how to bypass, and then change, a Windows XP start-up password. For a detailed run through of this simple Windows log-in hack, watch this video how-to.

How To: Hack into a Windows computer

This is how to hack a computer for educational purposes. First you need its IP address, radmin viewer 3.3 or later, and an open port scanner. Okay so first you need the IP and scan the IP address of the computer. Now find what open port it has. Ok then open up radmin viewer and put in the IP address and open the port you found. Now right click after you enter the computer's IP address and the open port. Select full control or view only and there you go. The computer has been successfully hack...

How to Find the C: drive on my Mac

In this tutorial, we learn how to find the C drive on a Mac computer. Unfortunately, Mac does not label their drives with letters like other computer systems do. You can name your drives anything you'd like, including "backup", "my network", "my folder", or anything else you want. To find these, just open up the Mac finder and the devices on the computer will show up with their icons. This can make things easier if you are having trouble moving things around. Making them your own names makes ...

How To: Remotely Monitor Your Kid’S iPhone/iPad

Maybe your kids are using iPhone/iPad too much, as a parent, you want to know what they are having to deal with to help guide them through of that. Here is the tutorial on how you can parental control your kids on iPhone/iPad. You are able to monitor as well as take control of their devices. Kids’ activities on iPhone/iPad like SMS, chats, web browsing will be recorded and you can check them remotely with e-mail without getting access to the devices. OK, here comes the steps: Step 1: