Hot Operating Systems How-Tos

How To: Get a Vista-style Taskbar in Microsoft Windows 7

New to Microsoft Windows 7? Pining for the old Vista Taskbar? It's easy to restore it! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started using a Vista-style Taskbar on your own Win 7 computer, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Customize the Microsoft Windows 7 Start Menu

Need a little help figuring out how to customize your Microsoft Windows 7 Start Menu? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started personalizing your own Win 7 Start Menu, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Use a flash drive as memory in Microsoft Windows XP

Did you know that you can use a USB flash drive to speed up a sluggish Windows XP computer? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started speeding up your own Windows Vista computer, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Use System Restore on a Microsoft Windows Vista PC

Need to restore your Microsoft Windows Vista PC to an earlier date? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started restoring your own Windows Vista computer with the System Restore tool, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Speed up Windows Vista with a flash drive

Want to speed up a Microsoft Windows Vista PC? Have a USB drive? This PC user's guide from CNET TV demonstrates how to take advantage of Windows Vista's Readyboost feature to convert your flash drive into extra virtual ram for your computer. For specifics, and to get started speeding up your own sluggish Vista PC, watch this handy how-to.

How To: Run Windows inside Mac OS X

Want to run Windows Vista or 7 on your Apple computer without having to install Bootcamp? With virtualization software like Parallels, it's easy! Learn how to run Microsoft Windows within Mac OS X with this free video tutorial from the folks at CNET TV. For specifics, and to get started running your favorite Windows applications and games in OS X, watch this handy how-to.

How To: Run Windows on a Mac using Bootcamp in OS X Leopard

Want to run Windows Vista or 7 on your Apple computer? With Bootcamp and OS X Leopard (or Snow Leopard), it's easy. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial from CNET can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes and a half. For detailed instructions, and to get started running your favorite Windows apps and games on your Mac, watch this handy how-to.

How To: Customize Windows 7 taskbar with 7 Taskbar Tweaker

If you have upgraded your Windows to Windows 7 and want to stay current with all the new operating systems and software but hate it when you're faced with all the changes upgrading brings, you can download the 7 Taskbar Tweaker to configure your taskbar to your preferences. If you liked the old feel of Windows you can change that by choosing the option, you can also change what happens when you click on certain buttons to make your computer user friendly.

How To: Open .rar files on Mac

Mac or PC? PC or Mac? The debate rages on? Unfortunately, this can mean a lot of headaches for you when dealing with different file formats. If you work on both types, you might very well have to open the same file type on different computers. This can be a problem if you are using .rar files. But this video can help you. This tutorial will show you how a simple download can enable you to open .rar files on a Mac.

How To: Resize and alter your window on a Mac

The window on a Mac computer can be confusing if you are used to using a Windows computer. You will learn how to resize your window by clicking and dragging the lower right side corner. Clicking on the green button will not completely maximize the window it will only make it as wide and tall as you need so there are no scroll bars. You will learn many more basics on a standard window so that you can navigate like a pro.

How To: Force quit unresponsive applications on Windows

With most things in life, everything is not perfect, including computers. No matter how much speed you have or RAM or whatever, computers can run into some trouble from time to time. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to deal with just that. Discover how to force quit unresponsive applications on your Windows computer. Enjoy, good luck, and remember it's only a computer.

How To: Subnet an IP address on your PC

This 5 part video tutorial series will show you how subnet an IP address on your personal computer. It's a thorough, detailed walkthrough of each step, with explanations on things as basic as "what's an IP address?" Watch the entire series to learn thoroughly about subnetting IP addresses on your personal computer.

How To: Play Steam games on a Mac

This video will show you how to run Steam games on your Mac natively. No, you don't have to switch to a Windows box for your gaming needs. All you'll need to do is to download the offical Steam Mac application for your Mac from the Steam store. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

How To: Mount ISO files without burning CDs in Linux

ISO or .iso files are disk images or archive images for your PC. If you use Linux as your operating system and would like to learn more about .iso files, check out this tutorial. In this video, learn how to mount ISO files without using any disks or burning any CDs. The trick is to convince your computer that you have done this without actually doing so.

How To: Use Finder in Mac OS 10.5

A helpful feature of Mac's OS X operating system is the "Finder". With the Finder you can view everything on your computer and organize things. You can also use Finder to drag and drop files, install programs, search for things, keep your personal files in folders and check out your system at a glance. In this tutorial, learn how to use the toolbar in your Finder on an Apple. You will also see how to use the sidebar, and change between the four basic view options. THis will also show you how ...

How To: Change icons in Mac OS X

Sick of the same old, same old? In this tutorial, learn a quick and easy way to change the icons of files, folders and applications in Mac OS X. Switch up your computer's appearance and keep your computer experience fresh & new!

How To: Turn off UAC on Windows 7

UAC or User Account Control is the program your PC uses to make sure you are in charge of your computer's actions. For example, when you put a blank CD in the ROM drive, UAC will pop up a little message asking you what you would like to do with it. If you are annoyed with these messages and are looking to use your computer uninterrupted, check out this tutorial.

How To: Speed up Windows Vista boot-up time

Although computers are able to perform tasks that would normally take hours to accomplish, they aren't always so fast. Certain things can clog up the computers speed and cause it to slow down to the point where you feel like ripping out your hair. This video tutorial will show you just how to speed up your Windows Vista boot-up time using some easy to follow steps.

How To: Do a force quit on any application on the Mac

Face it, nothing in this world is perfect, especially computers. When it comes to these compact and sometime sportable devices, problems can occur almost frequently due to a number of reasons. In this tutorial, you'll be focusing on how to get out a certain issue on a Mac computer. If you ever find yourself confronted with the 'rainbow wheel of death' this tutorial could help you out. Just like ctrl+alt+delete, this method can be easier to use on a Mac and take little to no time at all. Find ...

How To: Securely empty the trash in an Apple workflow

It's important to go through your computer and clear any kind of file that is not needed. This helps ensure that you have enough disk space in your computer to save other files in the future. This tutorial will show you how to create a workflow in your Mac finder send it to the trash and securely empty the trash. It's easy to do and can be done by anyone. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Tweak the Windows XP MSConfig file to speed up your PC

Initially you computer performs at its maximum speed when you install a new operating system. But as time progresses and you install more and more applications the computer slows down due to the various changes in configuration and other settings. So you have to tune up your PC regularly to maintain its performance. Alternatively you can also increase the memory or use a better processor. But even then if you don't optimize your operating system you will face the problem once again. So go to ...

How To: Use the Slow Keys access tool in Mac OS X

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use the Slow Keys access tool in a Mac OS X computer. The Slow Keys feature is located under the Keyboard tab in the Universal Access window. Once Slow Keys is turned on, users also have the option of using key click sounds as additional feedback when a key is pressed . Users are able to set the Acceptance Delay to determine how this feature behaves. The delay of the sound can be set from long to short. This video will benefit those viewers who use...

How To: Dual boot Windows 7 for beginners

In this how to video, you will learn how to dual boot Windows 7. To do this, first back up your hard drive. Download the Microsoft Windows 7 adviser to see if your system is able to handle the operating system. Next, download and burn the Windows 7 64 bit ISO. Shrink your existing partition to at least 16 GB. Next, insert the Windows 7 CD and reboot. You should make sure that you can boot from the optical drive. Once that is done, you can begin installation of the operating system. When it is...

How To: Change the start menu on your computer

In this how-to video, you will learn how to change your start menu text. You will need resource hacker and regedit in order to perform this. First, open resource hacker. Click file and open. Go to 37, and click on 1033. Change 578 to whatever you want the text on the start menu to be. Press compile script. Next, save this file. Now, open regedit and go to software. Go to shell and click modify. Change the value data to the name of your .exe file, which should be saved in the windows folder. N...

How To: Disable the firewall in Windows XP

In this how to video, you will learn how to turn off the Windows firewall in Windows XP. This is useful if you would rather use a third party firewall to protect your computer instead. First, go to start menu and click run. Type in firewall.cpl and press okay. The firewall will now open. You will see that the firewall is on. To turn it off, select off. It will say it is not recommended, but if you must turn it off, this is the easiest way to do it. Click okay to complete the process. Your Win...