Hot Operating Systems How-Tos
How To: Take screenshots (or screen grabs) using the Snipping Tool in Windows Vista
In previous versions of Windows, trying to get a picture of your screen was a frightening experience, but now, in Windows Vista, they've designed a great feature called Snipping Tool which allows you to take screenshots with just a few clicks. If you're looking to take screen grabs and snippets of your desktop's screen, then watch this video to see how it's done!
How To: Optimize performance on your Windows Vista PC with CCleaner
There is a built-in tool in Windows Vista that allows you to clean up your hard drive and system, and it could be found by simply searching for "disk cleanup" in the start menu. But this provides a really basic cleanup, so for all of you who want something more extensive, there are free alternatives available on the web. Once is called CCleaner, which is a lot better. It's the number-one tool for cleaning your Windows PC.
How To: Customize folder and file view options in Windows Explorer on Vista
The Windows Explorer is a great way to navigate your files and folders in Windows Vista, but sometimes the view can be a bit of an eyesore. This video will show you how to easily customize how files and folders are displayed in the Windows Explorer window. This is the perfect way to make Vista your own!
How To: Customize and speed up searching from the start menu in Windows Vista
If you have a billion or gazillion files on your PC, then searching for one of them may take a while, especially if you're using the start menu search feature in Windows Vista. This video will show you how to speed up your searches in Vista's start menu by customizing the search criteria. This applies to all Windows Vista Editions.
How To: Change the registered system owner name in Windows Vista
Mistakes can happen, and in Windows Vista, you can fix them without stress. What if you bought a PC with Windows Vista installed? The registered user name (owner/admin) would not be your name. So, how do you change it to reflect your name? This video will show you how to change the registered owner name in Vista, with just a few quick steps. This is also handy if your owner name is misspelled or just flat out wrong!
How To: Disable unneeded features to speed up Windows Vista
Is your Windows Vista PC running kind of slow? Well, the easiest thing you can do to speed up Vista's performance is by simply disabling some of the standard, preset features built-in to Windows. This video will walk you through the process of turning these unneeded features off, which is as easy as unchecking a box.
How To: Customize the "Send To" right-click context menu in Windows XP or Vista
The "Send To" shortcut in the right-click context menu in Windows is a great tool for efficiency. But, it's picks the programs and folders for you to choose from when you want to send a file somewhere. You can customize this "Send To" context menu to include whatever you want. This video demonstrates adding Notepad to this feature, and this can be done on either Window Xp or Windows Vista.
How To: Manage pictures, videos, movies, music and TV in Windows Vista Media Center
The Media Center in Windows Vista is a great place to manage all of your media, which includes everything… digital pictures, videos, movies, TV shows and music files. This video covers the basics of navigating the Media Center, and shows you everything possible.
How To: Manage digital pictures with the Windows Vista Media Center
This video shows you what you can be done with digital photos in the Windows Vista Media Center. To access your digital pictures, just go to the Picture Library in Media Center, and see the many options available, such as Play Slide Show, Rotate, Print, Touch Up and Delete. Touch Up is probably the most useful function, to help you quickly edit your photos.
How To: Change the Windows Vista power button in the start menu to shutdown your PC
In the Windows Vista start menu there's a power button, and right now your power button may be set up to shut down, hibernate or put your PC to sleep, but if you want to change that behavior, this video will show you how easy it is. This example changes the start menu power button from "sleep" to "shut down".
How To: Disable the annoying new security features in Windows Vista
Windows Vista is jam-packed full of new security features, which could be a good thing, but they're just so obtrusive it's not really worth it. If you want to learn how to stop all of the annoying security alerts, this video will walk you through the process of disabling these security notifications in Windows Vista.
How To: Remove the obtrusive sidebar in Windows Vista
Are you annoyed by the clutter the sidebar adds in Windows Vista? If you absolutely can't stand it, don't worry, there's a simple way to get rid of it. This video will shot you the quick steps to removing the Windows Vista sidebar from starting up every time you turn on your PC. Remove this crowding feature with ease!
How To: Add "Copy To Folder" & "Move To Folder" right-click options in Windows
The right-click menu in Windows is a very valuable tool, because it has instant shortcuts available to you, that streamlines your workflow. One thing it doesn't have in Windows XP or Windows Vista is a "Copy To Folder" or "Move to Folder" option. This video will show you how to add there right-click shortcuts.
How To: Convert back to the Windows XP classic start menu in Windows Vista
If you've recently upgraded from Windows XP to Windows Vista, the first change you may have discovered is the start menu. It looks totally different, and if it's just too much change for you, there's an easy way to convert that new start menu in Vista to the classic style from XP. This video outlines the simple steps to getting it done.
How To: Navigate the Ubuntu workspace area with the GNOME desktop
If you have Ubuntu Linux installed, and the GNOME desktop manager, this video will help you navigate the features and functions. Wlakthrough the workspace and see what you can do! If you're a Windows or Mac user thinking about installing Ubuntu, watch these video tutorials and walkthroughs about Ubuntu and compare for yourself before you make the plunge.
How To: Use the Expo plugin in Ubuntu Linux with Advanced Desktop Effects
This video covers the Expo plugin in Ubuntu Linux, which is similar to the Exposé feature in Mac OS X. The Expo feature can be found in the Advanced Desktop Effects Manager. Once you enable it and tweak the options, you'll be able to view multiple workspace areas at once and manipulate your running programs between them. Check out all of the other desktop effects.
How To: Set up Gmail on the mail application in Evolution for the GNOME desktop
This video will guide you through the Evolution Setup Assistant, which can be downloaded at the Evolution website. This walkthrough will help you set up your mail account in Ubuntu's Evolution Mail program to access your Gmail account. Evolution provides integrated mail, address book and calendar functionality to users of the Ubuntu GNOME desktop.
How To: Add a command prompt shortcut to the Windows Explorer right-click menu
If you like shortcuts, then this shortcut for Windows XP should peak your interest. In this video, you'll learn the exact steps to adding a command prompt shortcut option to the Windows Explorer right-click menu. This allows you to access hidden functionality by adding a right-click option to select "Command Prompt Here" from the menu in Windows Explorer on a directory.
How To: Enable multiple desktop effects in Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu Linux is capable of many cool effects that other systems don't offer. This video tutorial will show you how to enable all of these effects, such as minimizing and maximizing windows. What? All operating systems do that, right? Yes, but this video will help you to select and modify them. Click here or here for more information about desktop effects.
How To: Paint fire & water on the screen in Ubuntu Linux with Advanced Desktop Effects
No other operating system can create this awesome effect. Sure, not many people will want to use this fire effect, but this is just one of the many perks of owning a Ubuntu system. This video will show you how to use this fire paint effect via an eye candy plugin that enables you to draw on the screen with animated fire particles. You can also paint water all over your screen. Click here for more information.
How To: Use Ubuntu Tweak to modify Linux desktop and system options
This video shows you how to get a useful powertoy for your Ubuntu Linux system, called Ubuntu Tweak. This application provides access to many helpful system options and desktop features that can be easily modified.
How To: Emulate Windows XP on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC with Virtual PC
Want to simulate XP on a Win 7 computer? With Virtual PC, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just under five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this trick yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Turn Aero Snap on or off on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC
Need some help figuring out how to enable or disable Aero Snap on your Win 7 computer? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this Windows 7 trick yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Display the Microsoft Windows 7 build number on your desktop
Want to know how to permanently display the Windows 7 build number on your desktop? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this trick yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Customize the Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 title bar on a Windows PC
Interesting in personalizing the IE 8 title bar? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this trick yourself, watch this video guide.
How To: Use on-screen lock key indicators on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC
Ever wish there were a way to tell whether you've got your lock keys engaged without looking down at your keyboard? Well, there is, and this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla will tell you all about it. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started using on-screen lock key indicators on your own Win PC, take a look.
How To: Display a user or computer name by the time in the Windows taskbar
There could be multiple reasons why you would want to input a name in the Windows taskbar on your PC, like when dealing with a network of computers, to help identify workstations, or simply for a customized personal feel. With this tutorial, you'll see how easy it is to put your user name or computer name (or any other name) down in the taskbar, right besides the time in the bottom right.
How To: Install Google Chromium OS on your Mac or PC
First download the virtual box, download it for Mac and install it. Now download the Chrome OS and extract it. Now launch your virtual box and click new. A "create new virtual machine" wizard will open, click next, put the name of the OS and choose Linux in operating system and Ubuntu in version now click next. Now give memory atleast 1000 MB and click next. Select "use existing hard disk" and tick the "boot hard disk" and choose the OS file by clicking the folder icon next to it, click add a...
How To: Use stereo mix to record from your speakers
In this video, we learn how to use stereo mix to record from your speakers. First, make sure you have all the correct drivers installed on your computer. Then, go to CPUID and download the latest version of PC Wizard. Next, open this up on your desktop and then open up multimedia. Look at the device audio section to see your sound card, then go to main board and write the specs down to download the drivers. Once you have done this, you will be able to connect your speakers so they will record...
How To: Use command prompts in Windows
This video demonstrates how to open up the command line prompt and various commands which you can use to make your Windows experience easier. After clicking on the "Run" option from the start bar of Windows, you can then type "cmd" into the box, opening up the command prompt. The appearance of the command box can be changed by left clicking the small icon at the top left, going to properties, and changing the appearance. One useful command in the prompt is "ipconfig", which you type into the ...
How To: Print envelopes, mailing labels and lists from Address Book in Mac OS X
Looking for a quick primer on how to print from Address Book on a Mac OS X computer? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over three. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Find and open downloaded files on a Mac OS X computer
Need some help figuring out how to use the Downloads folder on an Apple compute running Mac OS X? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over five minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Set and adjust printing options on a Mac OS X computer
Looking for a quick primer on how to set and adjust printing options on a Mac OS X computer? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over four minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Take a snapshot of your Mac OS X preferences with Airport Location Utility
In this clip, you'll learn how to record and toggle between different preference settings on an Apple computer running Mac OS X. With Airport Location Utility, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Improve the Mac OS X save and open file windows with Default Folder X
With Default Folder, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Add new items to the context menu on a Microsoft Windows PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to expand the context window a Windows PC. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Automatically shut off your computer speakers when you leave your desk
This clip presents an overview of how to make your PC's speakers automatically shut off when you're away. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Track and visualize mouse activity on a Microsoft Windows PC
Interested in turning the comings and goings of your cursor into modern art? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Get the weather report in your Microsoft Windows Taskbar
Want to keep an eye on the weather forecast? With the app demonstrated in this clip, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Sync files and folders on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC with Copy Changed Files
After a convenient way to synchronize your files and folders on a Win 7 PC? With Copy Changed Files, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.