Operating Systems Features
How To: Preview files with Quick Look on Mac OS X
Watch this software tutorial video to learn how to use the Quick Look feature on Mac OS X Leopard to preview files very quickly. Mac OS X Leopard's Quick Look feature will be easy to use after you've watched this how-to video.
How To: Record audio straight from your Windows PC
How to record audio straight from you computer speakers on a Windows PC.
How To: Use Google Product Search to find the best price when shopping online
Learn how to use Google Product Search to find the best price when shopping online. This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using Google Product Search yourself, take a look.
How To: Replace or expand autoexec.nt and userinit.exe in the Windows Recovery Console
Want to know how to replace autoexecnt and userinit.exe files from the Recovery Console? This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Britec can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Clean your hard drive and reclaim memory space
Watch this video to learn how to use Windows' built in cleanup software to reclaim memory space by removing old backups of windows. 1. Go to the start search bar and type in "disc cleanup". 2. Click on disk cleanup and wait for the program to gather information about your computer. 3. When it is done, go to "more options". 4. Click "clean up" on "system restore and shadow copies" option. 5. Click delete. 6. Close the window. Depending on how old your computer is, you should have reclaimed qui...
How To: Make a Dashboard Widget on a Mac with Safari
This is a tutorial on how to create a dash board app for Mac. All you have to do is go into safari, and find what you make the app for. The next step is to find right click on the back ground and click open in dashboard. Once you go to dashboard it will appear as a bright box. This new Widget is editable, you can change the boarder by pressing the "i" in the bottom right hand corner. You should have six options. For something more interactive such as YouTube, you can select a whole table and ...
How To: Use Windows Vista's snipping tool to make a screen cap
How to Make Anything demonstrates how to use Window Vista's snipping tool to make a screen capture. With previous operating systems, you'd have to install a third party application to make a screen capture. To find the snipping tool in Windows Vista, go to the start menu and type "snipping tool" into your search box. The snipping tool box will appear. Click on the options tab. In the next screen, tick display icon in the quick launch toolbar to enable the snipping tool in the toolbar. Click o...
How To: Use the Aero features available on your Windows 7 desktop
The Aero desktop experience dresses up your PC with translucent window glass, cool graphics, and new colors. Plus it has new ways to help you get around your desktop. The Aero desktop experience is available in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.
How To: Install Ubuntu Linux from a LiveCD or DVD
In this clip, you'll learn how to install the Ubuntu GNU/Linux distribution from a self-contained LiveCD (or Live CD) or DVD. You'll find it's easy. For more information, including an abbreviated demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful home-computing how-to.
How To: Completely uninstall a Mac application using AppZapper
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to completely uninstall a program on a Mac computer. There are 2 ways to uninstall applications. The first way is to drag the application into the trash bin. With this method, users will also have to drag the related, numerous preference and supported files. The second ways is to download an application called App Zapper. With this program, users just need to simply drag the application into the App Zapper program to completely uninstall it. This vide...
How To: Remove the bloat from your Windows PC
If you've recently purchased a new, prefab computer, odds are it's loaded with things you don't need. With this helpful how-to, you'll learn how to optimize your Windows PC so as to get rid of said unwanted resource hogs. Get rid of bloatware with this video tutorial.
How To: Expand your virtual memory
This quick video guide will show you how to expand your virtual memory. Do the following steps to expand your virtual memory: Go to Start, select My Computer, then Properties. Click the Advanced tab, and under Performance hit Settings. Go to Advanced Settings, and under Virtual Memory hit Change. Change your Virtual Memory size here. Hit Set, OK. Restart computer for the new settings to take effect.
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: Slipstream Windows installations
Gigafide will show you how to slipstream Windows installations. You need to go to Vlite and download the program for Windows Vista. Install and run it. Select install at the main window. Use 7-zip to extract the ISO file. Next, go to that folder and run startcd.exe. You click next, agree to the terms and install it to the Vlite folder. Go to that folder, then Tools - x86 and select the file wimgapi.dll. Copy and paste that into the main Vlite folder. Go to Vlite, select your Windows Vista dis...
How To: Use the system performance & reliability monitor on a Windows Vista PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to utilize the system performance and reliability monitor on a desktop or laptop computer running the MS Windows Vista operating system. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-computing how-to.
How To: Add right-click shortcuts to the Microsoft Windows XP Start Menu button
Interesting in adding custom shortcuts that appear when you right click on the XP Start Menu button? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over 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: Easily switch between open applications in Mac OS X
If you hide the dock in your Mac, it might be troublesome to switch between open applications. This video shows you how to easily switch between open applications in Mac OS X by using a keyboard shortcut. It's a very cool trick especially for Mac newbies! Easily switch between open applications in Mac OS X.
How To: Set up a WiFi network on a mac, For Dummies
From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. This is Mac for Dummies. Just watch this video tutorial to learn how to set up a WiFi network on a mac, For Dummies.
How To: Run Windows or Linux on a Mac
Are you a PC user who's made the switch to Mac but you miss the Windows O.S? Maybe you're a Mac user looking for a more savy experience? The Lab Rats, Andy Walker and Sean Carruthers, will show you how to run Windows or Linux on your Mac.
How To: Adjust display settings to personalize a Apple Mac OS X computer
In this tutorial, we learn how to customize a an Apple computer running the Mac OS X operating system. It's an easy process and this video presents a complete guide. For more information, including a full demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful home-computing how-to.
How To: Change your computer registration name on a PC
This how to video shows you how to change your computer registration on a computer. First, go to the start menu and select my computer. Right click it and choose properties. You will notice a registered to name. This is what we are going to change. First, go to start and select run. Type in Regedit and click okay. This program will open. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and Software. Scroll down and find Microsoft. From there, scroll down and find Windows NT. Open it and select Current Version. On th...
How To: Test the RAM on a Microsoft Windows PC with Memtest86 or Windiag
In this clip, you'll learn how to test your system memory with both Memtest86 and Windiag. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Britec 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: Make custom cursors on a Microsoft Windows PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to generate custom mouse cursors on a Microsoft Windows PC. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started creating your own cursors, take a look.
How To: Set power options in Windows XP
This is another video in the helpvids series of technology videos. The video describes how to set power options in Microsoft Windows XP. These options control when the monitor is turned off, when the computer goes to sleep, and when the computer will go into a hibernation state. Laptops will have more options than desktop computers since there are battery options on a laptop. Click on the Start Menu and then Control Panel, then Power Options. The first screen offers the option to turn off you...
How To: Perform a screenshot capture on a Mac computer
Is something interesting happening on your Mac computer that you need a picture of? This guide will walk you through the process of taking a picture or capture of your Mac screen and saving it as a screenshot. Remember that hotkey and it will help you out in the future!
How To: Use the Virus Effect Remover anti-virus application on a Windows PC
Looking for instructions on how to use Virus Effect Remover? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Britec can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Speed Up Windows 8 System by Disabling Startup Program
This video will show you how to Speed up Windows 8 System by Disabling Startup Program. This is mostly done by disabling few programs to launch at startup time. Be careful before disabling programs otherwise you may disable few important programs which will affect normal functioning of PC. Watch the video and follow all the steps.
How To: Customize the command prompt on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC
In this video tutorial, we learn how to customize the appearance of the default Microsoft Windows command prompt. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started customizing your own Windows command prompt, watch this home-computing how-to.
How To: Set system shortcuts in Max OS X to the hotkey of your preference
If you want to create a shortcut in Mac OS X, or if you want to change the default hotkey for a function on your Mac computer, check out this quick tip from Tekzilla. It will help you learn how to access the system preferences on your Mac and gain access to the full list of keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to remove, add, or change all the hotkeys on your 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: Format your computer
Watch this video to learn how to format your computer properly. It's not as hard as you think. All you need is your startup CD. This video will work for Windows XP. Just follow the simple steps, and you'll be well on your well to a properly formatted computer that runs smoothly. For more videos on computers, search WonderHowTo for computers.
How To: Record audio with your computer
Looking for a primer on how to get started recording audio using your home computer (without shelling out the money for an expensive USB or FireWire interface)? This home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV is here to help. For specifics, and to get started recording audio using the built-in inputs on your own Windows PC or Mac, watch this free video guide.
How To: Disable Aero in Windows 7
A video from HelpVids that shows how to disable Windows Aero visual style in Windows 7. Nero makes your windows look more beautiful by adding effects like transparency / translucency, live thumbnails, live icons etc. All these effects however use valuable system resources like memory (RAM) and processor time. This may lead to a noticeable decrease in performance in some PC configurations especially those in which the processor speed and the amount of RAM is low.
How To: Defragment the hard drive in Windows 7
De-fragmenting a hard drive improves the performance of a hard drive and it is recommended to de-fragment your hard drive from time to time as shown in this video. In Windows 7 you can use the Disk De-fragmentation tool. To do this go to the start menu and open the Control Panel. In the right column select the Performance Information and Tools. Now in that window in the left hand column select the Advanced tools option. In that new window scroll down to the Open Disk De-fragmenter link. Click...
How To: Install Windows 7 correctly
InfoWorld has some expert advice for the new Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft. Now that Microsoft has made the Windows 7 beta available for public download, many people are trying to figure out what's new and different. And many others not willing to risk their PCs by installing a beta OS are curious, too.
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: Use disk utility to format Mac drives
Gary teaches us how to use disk utility to format Mac drives in this tutorial. First, go to your utility folder in your applications folder. Now, look for all the drives connected to your computer. A disk is a physical drive and the volume is a hard disk on your machine. You can partition this to two volumes by selecting the drive and clicking "erase". Now, select the latest version of the Mac format and then choose a name. Click erase, and now a new volume will be created on your computer. I...
How To: Setup Firewall in Windows 7
Firewall is necessary to protect a computer network from hostile intrusions. You can easily setup your Firewall setting. This video helps you to do it.
How To: Dual Boot Windows 7 with the Developer Preview of Windows 8
The Windows 8 Developer Preview is now available. If you want to try out the beta version of Windows 8, but don't want to uninstall Windows 7, try running Windows 8 and Windows 7 at the same time on your computer with this Windows 8 dual boot guide.