Tag: Windows

  • Your Computer Is Giving You Insomnia, But I’ve Got the Medicine: F.lux

    If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time looking at a computer’s LCD screen, especially after the sun has gone down.  Now this is great because we’re all doing important things like watching YouTube videos and blogging, but there’s a downside: it’s turning you into an insomniac. That’s right, an insomniac, a person with…

  • Resolve Missing DLL Errors in Windows with Dependency Walker

    Anyone working in the PC technical support field knows all too well the problems associated with missing DLL files.  Dependency Walker is a free utility that can help you find missing DLL files. Below is an error message commonly seen when trying to register a DLL file with the Windows utility regsvr32. Due to the…

  • How to Remove Hidden Duplicate Copies of USB Device Drivers in Windows

    If you’ve ever had problems installing USB devices in Windows, i.e. if you connect a mouse and Windows doesn’t properly install the drivers for you, I learned a great trick that might be able to resolve this problem. From what I can tell, Windows stores a “ghost” copy of any device you install which doesn’t…

  • Ninite: Easily, Sliently Install Free PC Software

    A newly installed computer is a great thing – it offers a clean slate, making your computer faster with no unnecessary software, no messed-up settings and no viruses. One thing that can be time consuming with your new computer is installing all of your favorite software applications.  Going out and downloading all of the individual…

  • How to Enable Crossfading and Auto Volume Leveling in Windows Media Player 12

    One thing I noticed while using the new Windows Media Player 12 (which comes pre-installed with Windows 7) was that the options to enable crossfading and auto volume leveling appeared to be missing. After doing a little searching, I found that the options were still available but they were now hidden in an unusual location.…

  • 5 Easy Ways To Give Your PC The Spring Cleaning It Deserves

    With spring finally upon us, many use this time to clean their house, get the lawn mower ready, and head to the lake or beach.  While you are doing your spring cleaning and getting into the spring and summer spirit, don’t forget to do a spring cleaning on your PC as well. Below are five…

  • How to Share Files and Drives from Your Computer in a Remote Desktop Session

    Windows includes built-in remote access/support software called Remote Desktop Connection.  This software is a quick and easy way to access another computer, whether to use your personal computer while away from home or to provide remote support for somebody else. A somewhat hidden feature of Remote Desktop Connection is the ability to access files from…

  • How To: Completely Remove Software with Revo Uninstaller

    Windows only:  After testing questionable software, I sometimes wish I could completely obliterate any trace of its existence from my hard drive.  I don’t mean just removing the program files; I want to remove registry entries, temporary files, and anything it stored on my computer. The built in Add/Remove Programs tool in Windows only runs…

  • Don’t Get Caught Off Guard By Web Pages Imitating Antivirus Software

    Malware, which is any type of harmful software, uses many different methods to trick users into installing it.  A recent trend is to imitate legitimate antivirus software so you inadvertently install the malicious program. Malware creators utilize scary pictures and language to trick people into believing their computer is infected, and ultimately attempt to make…

  • Fix: What To Do if Removing a Virus Blocks Executable (.EXE) Files From Opening

    I have recently observed that after removing certain fake anti-spyware viruses (such as “Windows Security Center” or “Anti Virus 2010″), all executable (.exe) files will no longer open.  No matter what file you try to open – iTunes, Firefox, or even Malwarebytes – they will not open because they are all .exe files. To fix…