The World of Windows

7. Add Internet Explorer to the Vista Desktop   For some reason known only to the Windows Vista development team, there is no easy option to add the Windows Explorer icon to the Vista Desktop.  You can add Computer, Recycle Bin, and the Control Panel --- perhaps someone can explain that to us.  In the meantime, if you want to add Internet Explorer you can do it with a Registry hack. Before editing the Windows Registry it is always advisable to make a backup of the Registry file. Click the Start button Open the Run dialog box (or type regedit in to the search box on the Start Menu) Type in regedit and press Enter Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel Create a new DWORD 32-bit by right clicking in the key area (See Figure K) Copy this as the key name including the brackets: {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} Close regedit Right click on the Des...

1: Add the Run command to the Start Menu Beginning way back with the release of Windows 1.0, Microsoft has been all about the GUI interface (more or less effectively).  But sometimes you just want to run a program without having to navigate the GUI maze of menus and folders. Windows Vista, by default, does not include the Run command on the Start Menu. This was a common and favorite feature of Windows XP. To add the Run command back to the Vista Start Menu, follow these steps: Right click the Taskbar in an open area Click on Properties Click on the Start Menu tab (See Figure A) Figure A Taskbar and Start Menu Properties Click the Customize button to get to the Customize Start Menu Scroll down the list until you find the Run command checkbox and check it (See Figure B). Click OK and the Run command will now appear on the Start Menu. Figure B Customize Start Menu 2. Disable the Welcome Center and Sidebar The Windows Vista default setting is to show the Welcome Center on sta...

Microsoft Security Essentials is a new, free consumer anti-malware solution for your computer. It helps protect against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It's available as a no-cost download for Windows XP SP2 and higher, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Download Microsoft Security Essentials now . Why should I download Microsoft Security Essentials? Comprehensive protection —Microsoft Security Essentials helps defend your computer against spyware, viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malicious software. Easy to get, easy to use —Because Microsoft Security Essentials is available at no cost, there's no registration process that requires billing or personal information collection. It installs after a quick download and Genuine Windows validation and then stays automatically up-to-date with the latest protection technology and signature updates. Quiet Protection —Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't get in your way...

Microsoft is keeping a tight lid on any information about "Windows 8." But back in June, leaked slides on the Web indicate that, with its next client OS, Microsoft will push for near-instant start-up times, integrated facial recognition technologies, support for USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 3.0, compatibility across different devices through the cloud, and simpler streaming of movies and TV shows to any screen. It's clear that Microsoft intends to cover the increasingly diverse hardware landscape with Windows 8. Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm, has some ideas of its own for the next version of Windows. In an as-yet-unpublished report, Directions on Microsoft Research Vice President Michael Cherry compiles a Windows 8 wish list consisting of faster start-up times, a timely release, coherent error messages and more. This fourth batch of Windows 8 wallpapers were sent in by a fifteen year old.   Sunshine In The Tree...