Operating Systems Features

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: Use the System Restore tool on a Windows Vista PC

Every time you download a game, movie, etc to your computer, you make changes to the computer. Sometimes, these downloads can make your computer unstable. By default, Windows Vista creates restore points in the background. What this means is every time you make these changes to your computer, Vista takes a snapshot of your computer before the changes are made. This enables you to go back in time and restore your computer to an earlier time. Documents, photo's and emails will still be saved. O...

How To: Create PDFs in Mac OS X

A PDF file is a great way to share your documents with anyone. Both Macs and PCs can read them and it's very easy to create them in Mac OS X. From any application that you can print from, go to File–Print–which will open up the print dialogue box–and find the PDF button in the lower left corner. To learn more, and for a complete walkthrough of printing to PDF in Mac OS X (as well as information on using the handy Web Receipts) feature, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Create hidden partitions with Secret Disk on a Microsoft Windows PC

Interested in creating hidden partitions on your Windows desktop or laptop computer? This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. With Secret Disk, 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 three minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Disable Windows Vista's user account control

In Windows Vista start off by going into the control panel in the start menu. In here go into "user accounts and family safety". Inside go into "user accounts". A screen will appear where you can make changes to your user account. Here there should be an option to turn user account control on or off. Click on this will bring up another window where if you uncheck the solitary checkbox you will have succeeded in turning User Account Control off. After doing so click ok and then press restart n...

How To: Print directly from your Mac desktop

In this video from MacTipsOrg we learn how to print directly form your desktop on a Mac making printing very quick and easy. First, open your system preferences, and then click on print and fax. Now take the printer icon you see there and drag it to you desktop. Place it anywhere on your desktop. Whenever you need to print now, you can take your item, drag it, and drop the item right on the printer that is now on your desktop and it will print! This is a quick time saving technique to use for...

How To: Choose a new computer

So many choices, so little patience? That’s why we've cut to the chase for you. The most basic questions to ask yourself: a Windows (PC) OS or a Mac and laptop versus desk top computer. You'll also need to determine what you need your computer to do. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to choose a new computer.

How To: Change filenames in bulk on a Mac running OS X

Want to rename a group of files on your Mac computer without going through them one at a time? Rename them en masse with a free application! This clip will show you how it's done. It's simple! So simple, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including complete, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Restore files in Windows using Data Recovery Wizard

In this video the instructor shows how to restore lost data. When you delete your files you can restore them from the recycle bin. But if a hard drive is formatted all the data is lost and you can not even recover it from recycle bin. In such cases you will need to use data recovery tools to recover that lost data. In this video the instructor uses the Data Recovery Wizard software to recover the data. Start the Data Recovery Wizard. In that there are three options by which you can recover yo...

How To: Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 with Cnet TV

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to upgrade a computer from Windows Vista to Windows 7. Users are able to do an in-place upgrade as long as both the Windows Vista and Windows 7 versions are the same. Users will need to export all their data, erase the hard drive and then reinstall all the applications. To do an in-place upgrade, begin by backing-up your data. Then insert the install DVD and select run it. Then click on Install Now and wait for it to install and setup. This video will...

How To: Rotate your Windows desktop images with photos from Flickr with a free utility

Having cool photos as your desktop can make your computer a welcome sight, but having to find a fresh one every so often can get pretty stale fast. Thankfully, freeware utility Flickr Wallpaper Rotator for Windows PC's can import images for your desktop from Flickr automatically at intervals you set. You can even set it to use photos from a Flickr search or show favorites from a specific user.

How To: Make a Windows 7 system repair disc

Need some help figuring out how to burn a Microsoft Windows 7 system repair CD? 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 start making your own Windows 7 restore discs, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Use System Repair Engineer to combat viruses & malware

Your Windows computer may be experiencing some issues, and those issues may be a direct result of computer viruses and malicious software from the internet. One of the simplest ways to find these issues and repair them is by using a freeware program called System Repair Engineer (SREng). But that's not all it can do… check out the video to see a basic overview for using SREng.

How To: Set up an IMAP account in the Apple Mail application

Need some help figuring out how to set up an IMAP account in the Mac OS X Mail application? Once you know how, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at Easily can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under three minutes' time. For the specifics, and to get started setting up and using your IMAP email account in Apple's Mail app, just watch this handy how-to.

How To: Switch applications in Mac OS X

The University of South Florida screencast teaches you how to switch applications in Mac OS X. The application switcher gives you a quick way to switch through the running programs on your computer. To do this, simply press Command + Tab. You can keep pressing Tab to switch to another program. You can also use the application switcher to quit a program. When it is selected in the application switcher, press the Q key on your keyboard. You can also use the mouse to switch between programs, whi...

How To: Uninstall Internet Explorer 8 from Microsoft Windows 7

If Internet Explorer 8 is being a nuisance in Windows 7 watch this video to learn how to uninstall it! Start by clicking your Start Menu, then to Control Panel and then to Programs. From there click Uninstall Programs. It will bring you to a list of all the programs that are currently on your hard drive. Next click Turn Windows features on or off. From there another list of programs will appear, but these programs are all Windows programs that come with Windows 7 Operating system. Watch the r...

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: Understand the PC BIOS and use it change your boot order

The built-in operating system (BIOS) of your PC is the first thing it runs when it starts, and if you're having problems with your OS or other issues it's usually the place to go to fix them. Watch this video to learn the basics of the BIOS and how it can be used to change your boot order to make you PC boot from a CD. Understand the PC BIOS and use it change your boot order.

How To: Change the sound on your PC

Change the sound on your PC in Windows Vista with this video tutorial. In Windows Vista, left click on desktop. Go to "Personal Modes" and select "Sounds". Click "Test" button in the Sound's tab window to hear sounds for different actions. To replace a sound: place the sounds, in a .WAV format only, in a folder on your C: Drive. Select sound to be replaced in Sound's tab and click “Browse” to find the file you are replacing the current one with. Click "Ok" when done to complete change.

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: Preview Firefox tabs in your Microsoft Windows taskbar

Learn how to force the Windows 7 taskbar to display a preview for each and every one of your Mozilla Firefox tabs upon mouse-over. This home-computing how-to from the people at Tekzilla will show you a quick and easy about:config Firefox hack that will permit you to do just that. For more information, and to get started using this hack yourself, give this clip a look.

How To: Run Windows & Mac side-by-side with Parallels

The video shows you how it is possible to be running windows and mac in parallel. Both operating systems, mac and windows, are installed in the computer and the video shows us how one can flip back-and-forth between operating systems. First the video shows us the desktop for mac and then the image flips, as if it were a cube, and it shows us the desktop for windows. Then the video flips again between both systems, but this time there's a demonstration where some windows are opened and some wo...

How To: Change your Windows virtual memory settings

Follow this video to help you change the settings of your virtual memory on your computer. Click Start and then right click on My Computer and select Properties. A window will come up. Click on the Advanced tab,. In the first section there is a part named Performance. Click on the Settings button of this section. Another window named Performance Options will open. Click on the Advanced tab of this window. In the bottom part of this window there is a section titled Virtual memory. Click on the...

How To: Install a font in Windows

This video, created by ClearTechInfo, shows you how to easily install fonts in Windows. The tutorial refers to Windows XP and Windows Vista. First thing you have to do is download a font. Usually, you can find license-based fonts or free fonts on Google or any other searching engine. If you have downloaded a ZIP file, containing a font, un-zip it. All you have to do is open the Control Panel, and then the Fonts folder. Simply copy and paste the font to the Fonts folder, and your font is now i...

How To: Remove a program from your startup menu in Windows XP

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove a program from your startup menu in Windows XP. First, hold down the start key on your keyboard, then hit 'r'. After this, type in 'msconfig' into the box that appears. Click 'ok' and then go to the start up tab. Find the applications that you don't want to start on your computer when you restart or turn it on. Check the check mark next to the ones that you want and remove it for the ones that you don't. When you're finished and have all the correct bo...