Hot Operating Systems How-Tos
How To: Automatically hide other apps with QuicKeys in OS X
This clip demonstrates quick and simple QuicKeys workflow that automatically hides other Mac OS X applications when a specified application is opened. This quick clip presents a general introduction to creating macros and automating processes within Mac OS X using QuicKeys 4. Whether you're new to Startly Software's popular macro and automation application or are merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For mor...
How To: Save a webpage as a PDF with QuicKeys in Mac OS X
This tutorial shows you how to use QuicKeys to create an autmation that saves web pages as PDFs. This action saves you three or four clicks in the normal process. Whether you're new to Startly Software's popular macro and automation application or are merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.
How To: Automate tasks in Mac OS X with QuicKeys 4
This quick clip presents a general introduction to creating macros and automating processes within Mac OS X using QuicKeys 4. Whether you're new to Startly Software's popular macro and automation application or are merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.
How To: Resize images files with the Mac OS X Automator
This tutorial shows how to create what's called a Folder Action, which means that when files are dropped into the folder, it automatically triggers certain actions. In particular, this folder action will resize image files dropped into it, and it will move those files to the desktop. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this great Mac OS X trick yourself, watch this free video guide.
How To: Use NTFS
NTFS? What is it? It stands for New Technology File System, but what does that mean? Well, it's the standard system for filing in Windows NT, including all later versions, up to the current Windows 7, but Mac users can take advantage of this file system, too. If you’re confused when it comes to your hard drive’s format, this guide will show you the way to get the most out of your system.
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: Use the Maps app on an Apple iPad
One of the advantages of an iPad over, say, an iPhone is that you've ample space with which to display and manipulate complex documents. As such, it's a natural fit for Google Maps. In this video guide from Apple, you'll learn how work use the Maps application on your own iPad. For detailed instructions, and to get started using Maps yourself, take a look.
How To: Run DOS games in Windows (XP, Vista or 7) with DOSBox
Need some help figuring out how to run your favorite DOS games under Windows? With DOXBox, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over four minutes. For detailed instructions, and to get started playing your favorite games of yesteryear on your own Windows PC, take a look.
How To: Turn Vista into Windows 7 for free
This video demonstrates how to turn Windows Vista to Windows 7 for free. Make sure that you are running your PC on a Windows Vista OS. First, unlock your taskbar by right-clicking on it and unchecking the option. The space where your smaller application icons are located can now be made wider. Re-lock your taskbar once done. You can also right click and select View>Large Icons to make the icons look bigger. You can also download a free application at RocketDock which will make your Vista task...
How To: Burn an .iso disc image with one click
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to quickly burn ISO disc images in Windows 7. Users will not need to download any third party software. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Simply double-click on the ISO file to Open Windows Disc Image Burner. Then select your disc drive and click on Burn. Users may also right-click on the ISO file an select Burn disc image. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to easily burn ISO d...
How To: Bring back the "show desktop" button in Windows
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add the "Show Desktop" button in Windows 7. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Users will need to download the freeware from this site: German freeware. Once downloaded, users will then need to extract the file and pin it into the task-bar. Users may also use the keyboard shortcut by pressing the Windows button and M. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to have a Show Desktop b...
How To: Restore deleted recycle bin files using Restoration
In this tutorial, we learn how to restore deleted files. This is how to retrieve them after you have deleted them from the recycle bin. First, load your internet browser and open up snap files and download it to your browser. Unzip the file from your desktop and load it to your C drive. When it's done, right click on it and click "run as administrator". Under the "drives" section, click on the drive then type in the name of the file you deleted as well as clicking the check marks on both boxe...
How To: Use Spotlight to find files in Mac OS X
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use Spotlight to find files in Mac OS X. To activate Spotlight, click on the blue magnifying glass icon in the top right corner. Then type in the term to search. Spotlight will display all the documents and files that match your search. If you click on Show All, you will have more options in Spotlight. In the Spotlight Preferences, users are able to select the categories for Spotlight to search in or not search in. This video will benefit those vie...
How To: Copy a directory's listing to the clipboard in Windows
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to quickly copy a folder's content list in Windows. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open the Run program. Then type in "cmd" to open the Command Prompt window. Now navigate the desired folder and type "dir | clip" beside it. Press Enter and it will automatically copy the directory to the clipboard. Essentially, it is a tool that will the command prompt command to the clipboard. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows computer, ...
How To: Make drawer icons for your stacks in OSX with Tekzilla
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make custom drawer icons for their stacks in Mac OS X. Users will need to go to the site provided in the video. There users will need to follow the instructions and download the icon sets. Once downloaded, place the icons into the appropriate folders. Users may need to restart the computer. Once restarted, the icons will be neatly overlapped in drawer icons. To add a folder to Stack, simply drag it to the dock. This video will benefit those viewers...
How To: Get an easy folder preview in QuickLook
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to easily preview content by improving Quick Look on a Mac OS X computer. Quick Look allows users to preview files without having to open it. This video reveals a plug-in that enhances the abilities of Quick Look. Download the plug-in and extract the files into the Library/Quick Look folder. Then right-click on Finder and select Relaunch. Now users will be able to see all the contents of a folder just by pressing the space bar. This video will benefit...
How To: Uninstall programs for Mac
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to uninstall programs in a Mac computer. Normally, users would get rid of a program by dragging it into the trash bin. But that does not completely delete all the contents of the program. Users will need to download the application, App-Zapper. Users just need to simply open the application and drag the program(s) into App-Zapper. Then just click Zap to uninstall the program. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Mac computer, and would like...
How To: Restore a crashed system
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to restore a crashed system in Windows 7. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. In Windows 7, users are able to create a repair disc. To do so, open the Start menu and type "system repair" in the search bar and select "Create a System Repair Disc". Then just follow the instructions to create the repair disc. It will take less than 5 minutes. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 computer, and would like to learn how to res...
How To: Add color to your Firefox browser tabs
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add to the Fire Mozilla browser tabs. Begin by going to the Firefox Mozilla add-ons site and search for "colorful tabs". Click Add to Firefox to install it onto your web browser. Once installed, the browser tabs will be randomly assigned to a color. In the add-on options, users are able to configure the color scheme, selected tab and miscellaneous. This video will benefit those viewers who use Firefox Mozilla as their web browser, and would like to...
How To: Get your Windows Vista Recycle Bin back on the desktop
Accidentally delete your Microsoft Windows Vista Recycle Bin? Don't worry: this common problem is easy to fix. So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete overview of the process in just thirty seconds time.
How To: Change NVDA screen reader settings in MS Windows 7
Need help figuring out how to change NVDA screen reader settings in Microsoft Windows 7? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this Microsoft accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started tweaking NVDA settings yourself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Turn on the ease-of-access keyboard in Windows 7
Need help turning on the ease-of-access keyboard in keyboard in Microsoft Windows 7? So easy, in fact, that this MS Windows accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started using this great accessibility feature yourself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Use the Simple Finder user interface in Mac OS X
Want to turn on Mac OS X's simple Finder feature? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this Apple accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started enabling the Simple Finder interface yourself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Use Windows 7's Speech Recognition tool for dictation
Want to set up the Microsoft Windows 7 Speech Recognition tool for you-talk-it-types-style dictation? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this MS Windows accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started making dictations to your own Microsoft Windows PC, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Use the Speech Recognition feature within Windows 7
Want to set up and use Speech Recognition within Microsoft Windows 7? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this MS Windows accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, and to get started using Speech Recognition on your own Windows 7 PC, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Locate the mouse cursor when using Mac OS X
Have trouble finding the Mac OS X mouse cursor? With the freeware application Mouse Locator, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this Apple accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started making it easier to find your own mouse cursor, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Use the Mac OS X VoiceOver tool to access the dock
Want to use the VoiceOver speech recognition tool to access the Mac OS X dock? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this Apple accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started using VoiceOver to access the dock yourself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Scroll with the Speech Recognition tool in Windows 7
Want to simulate mouse functions with the Windows 7 Speech Recognition tool? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this Windows 7 accessibility guide can present a complete walkthrough of the process in just over a minute and a half. For details, as well as to get started using this useful trick yourself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Change the default taskbar icons in MS Windows 7
Want to change around the default taskbar icons in Microsoft Windows 7? It's quite easy once you know how to go about it. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under five minutes' time. For more information, and to get started tweaking your own taskbar icon, take a look.
How To: Change the icons in your Mac OS X dock
This home-computing how-to offers instructions on how to modify icons within the Mac OS X dock, in your finder, and on your desktop. It's quite easy once you know how to go about it. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the various processes in just over four minutes' time. For more information, and to get started tweaking your own Mac OS X icon settings, take a look.
How To: Adjust the size of the taskbar preview in Windows 7
Want to increase or decrease the size of the taskbar preview window in Microsoft Windows 7? It's simple! So simple, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a detailed, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes' time. For details, and to get started changing the dimensions of the Win 7 taskbar preview window yourself, take a look.
How To: Swap between applications with the OS X app switcher
Want to switch between various open applications via keyboard shortcut? With Mac OS X and the app switcher tool, it's a breeze. It's so easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can presenta complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, and to get started using this essential window- and life-changing key command yourself, take a look.
How To: Create custom keyboard shortcuts in Mac OS X
Interested in creating your own custom keyboard shortcuts within Mac OS X? It's easier than you might think. It's so easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, head-to-toe overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own custom key commands on your Apple computer, take a look.
How To: Hide secret files inside JPEG images on Windows
Looking for a fun way to send secret messages to your friends? Check out this clip. If you need to hide a file from someone on a shared PC or are looking to secretly exchange information with a friend, this clip is for you. In this tutorial you will learn how to hide any file inside an image or JPEG on your Windows computer so that no one will be able to see it. Check it out!
How To: Use dock spacers for your Mac OS X dock
A cool way to organize your Mac dock is with spacers. By using spacers, you can separate like applications into groups, or order them by usage.. however you want! This helps to keep you organized and in control of your Mac so that you can find your favorite programs quickly and easily - plus, the design looks pretty cool.
How To: Change the startup sound volume for apps in Windows 7
If you have a tendency to play small games on your computer while listening to a lecture or playing an audiobook, those sounds from the game can be really intrusive to your learning anything. Well, on Windows 7, there's a way you can adjust the sound without messing with hard-to-find sound settings in each application. Windows 7 allows you to adjust the sound of multiple programs at the same time, as well as devices and system sounds. Learn how to change the default startup volume for these a...
How To: Change the color & theme of your dock in Mac OS X
Interested in customizing Mac OS X dock by changing its color or even by superimposing an entirely different theme upon it? It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes' time. For details, and to get started modifying your own OS X dock, take a look.
How To: Clean up the Microsoft Windows 7 system registry
The registry is like a filing cabinet for your operating system; it contains everything from the last web site you visited to the last program you opened. Over time, it gets loaded with junk and that slows things down. Fortunately, cleaning it up is easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Butterscotch can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over four minutes' time. For detailed instructions, and to get started tidying up your own ...
How To: Clean up your Mac OS X desktop
Tidy desktop, tidy mind. Wish your Apple Mac OS X desktop were cleaner than it presently is? Straighten things out with this guide. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Butterscotch can present a complete, step-by-step overview of a number of different housekeeping methods in just over two minutes' time. For detailed instructions, and to get started tidying your own Mac OS X desktop, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Make a bootable system repair disc in MS Windows 7
There may come a time when your computer just won't boot. With a bootable system repair disc you can access and perhaps fix your computer. This guide will show you how to create a boot disk for Microsoft Windows 7. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Butterscotch can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes' time. For detailed instructions, and to get started creating your own system repair discs, watch this f...