Operating Systems Features

How To: Restore files that have been deleted from your PC

A very unfortunate event is to realize that you deleted some PC files that you need. This happens to a lot of people, but the files can be restored! To do this you will have to download a freeware program called Restoration! After you have downloaded and installed it, start the program, and select the driver for the program to search. The program will search that driver, showing you all of the deleted files in the past. The list will be long, but with a bit of patience, you should find the mi...

How To: Use the Software Update feature in Mac OS X

Need a primer on how to use the Software Update feature within all versions of Mac OS X? This Mac user's guide from the folks at Mac Most provides just that. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started automatically updating your software and OS with the Software Feature app, watch this video guide.

How To: Remove Blank Hijacker from a Microsoft Windows XP PC

Need help figuring out how to remove the pernicious Blank Hijacker adware app from your Microsoft Windows XP or 2000 computer? 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 step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Easily disable the uac option in Windows Vista

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to disable the User Account Control in Windows Vista. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and select Control Panel. Then click on User Accounts and Family Safety. Now select "Add or remove user accounts". Then click on "Go to the main User Accounts page" under Additional things you can do. Now click on "Change User Account Control settings" and deselect the box. Finish by clicking OK and restart your computer. This video will benefit those viewers who...

How To: Find your MAC address in Windows XP

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to find their computer's MAC (or physical) address in a Windows computer. This task is very easy, simple and fast to do. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open the Run program. Then type "cmd" in the Run box and press OK. When the black command prompt opens, type in "ipconfig /all" and press Enter. The computer's MAC address will be listed as Physical Address under Wireless Network Connection. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Wind...

How To: Monitor memory use in Mac OS X with Activity Monitor

You can use Activity Monitor to see how your Mac is using memory. But what do free, active, inactive and wired mean? How about page ins and page outs? Plus, learn to use them to figure out if you need more memory. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from MacMost can present a full overview of the process in about four minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started monitoring your own RAM use, watch this Apple lover's g...

How To: Take screenshots on your computer w/ different methods

Need to learn how to make a screen shot? This instructional video takes you step by step through three different methods of taking the image on your screen and into a program so you can print it. This will take you through three different ways to get a screen shot, how to use the on screen keyboard and use the program MW snap. All three methods are free to any Microsoft user and paste the image into another free program MS Paint.

How To: Ease the transition between Mac and PC

Have you recently switched to an Apple computer? This video how-to demonstrates three helpful techniques to make your transition from PC to Mac as smooth as possible. Specifically, this tutorial addresses workflow management and keyboard shortcuts. For more information, as well as to get started acclimating to your new operating system, take a look at this OS X tutorial.

How To: Use IT admin features in Windows 7

InfoWorld has some expertise 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: Create virtual hard drives (VHDs) in Windows 7

Interested in creating bootable virtual hard drive files or VHDs in Microsoft Windows 7? This tutorial will show you how it's done! It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Win 7 user's guide.

How To: Use the zoom feature in Mac OS X Leopard

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the zoom feature in Mac OS X Leopard. First, go to system preferences, then universal access. Find the zoom category, then turn it on of off. You will also see the keys that you can press which will make it appear. If you go to the options menu, you will be able to maximize or minimize the zoom. Test this out by zooming in on a page and holding the control key along with the tracking ball on your mouse. When you do this, everything will become far more zo...

How To: Set programs to open when connecting your camera

In this how-to video, you will learn how to change what application will open once you connect your camera to your Mac. For example, you may not want iPhoto to open up when you hook up your camera. Open up Image Capture and open up the preferences. Change the drop down section so that it will open whatever program you want once this is done. Choose Other so that you get a list of programs that you can use. Select the program you want and hit okay. By viewing this video, you will learn how to ...

How To: Remove Security Tool the simple way

In this video, we learn how to remove Security Tool the simple way. Most ways will not remove this from your computer, but this way will. To start, you will need to restart your computer. After this, press ctrl+alt+del the moment Windows shows up. Then, go to the Task Manager and look through the programs that are open. When your security tool opens, press the same buttons to get the mouse free. Then close the security tool from the Task Manager. Now, go to your desktop and press on the icon ...

How To: Uninstall software programs in Windows Vista

In this tutorial, we learn how to uninstall software programs in Windows Vista. First, go to the control panel from the start button. Next, go to "uninstall a program" underneath the "programs" section of the screen. A new window will pop up showing all of the programs that are installed on your operating system. If you want to erase something, simply click on it, then click on the "uninstall" button at the top of the page. A wizard will pop up and have you go through the steps to erase it. I...

How To: Rescue your computer from disaster with a backup disc

The three minutes it takes to watch this video may save you hours upon hours of heartache if something goes awry with your Mac or Windows PC down the road. This home-computing how-to will show you how to create and use recovery discs to restore your computer to an earlier state. For detailed instructions, and to get started creating your own bootable recovery discs, watch this video guide.

How To: Search your computer and the internet in Windows 7

The new Windows 7 layout is streamlined for the occasional user to the head of human relations for Microsoft. Wall papers, system sounds, and resolution settings were covered in the instructional how to video. The evaluation specialist was knowledgeable and articulate. Transitions into new areas of the operating system were appropriately placed. To make a text more readable, you should change the screen resolution. Choose your picture library to start a slide show for your weekly conferences ...

How To: Automate OS X menu items the QuicKeys toolbar feature

This quick clip demonstrates how to use the toolbar feature in QuicKeys to automate menu bar items in an application. QuicKeys toolbars are a great way to add more functionality to an application. 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 g...

How To: Announce alerts with OS X's Text to Speech feature

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to announce alerts on a Mac OS X computer. To do this, open the Speech preferences and click on the Text of Speech tab. There, users are able to set up the computer to announce when alerts are displayed and announce when an application required your attention. Users are able to set additional options by clicking on Set Alert Options. Users are able to select a different voice, phrase and delay time. To preview the option, click on Play. This video wil...

How To: Send email on your Mac

This video demonstrates how to send email on your Mac. From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to send email on your Mac, For Dummies.

How To: Display empty hard drives in Microsoft Windows 7

Can't find your new hard drive? This Windows 7 tutorial will show you how to display drives without files on them. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Win 7 user's guide.

How To: Use Mac's zoom button

In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to use Mac's zoom button. Most of the new users of Mac think the small green button on top left corner of a window is to maximize the window to the full screen. But, in Mac there is no maximize button. This button is called the zoom button. What this button does is to maximize the window to fit the content rather than the full screen. If you go full screen, what you will get is extra white space. There is no short cut key for t...

How To: Delete Security Tool from your computer

In this tutorial, we learn how to delete Security Tool from your computer. First, you will need to restart your computer. After this, go to your documents on your computer. Then, type in "Type C:/Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data". After this, delete the file with all of the numbers. If you now get an error that says "access denied" then restart your computer again. Once the starting screen appears, press "F8", then select safe mode and redo the steps that you just took. After...

How To: Create a System Restore point in Windows XP

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create a System Restore point on a Windows XP computer. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and go to All Programs. Open the Accessories menu and select System Tools. Go down the menu and select System Restore. Check Create a Restoring Point and click Next. Now type in a description for the restoring point and click Create. You will then create a restoring point for you to access whenever you want to restore back to that point. This video will bene...