WINDOWS 8 WARNING
A reader was frustrated when Windows 8.1 didn’t work well with his Fujitsu scanner, and was tempted to revert to Windows 8.0. Warning: You can go back by using the Windows “Recovery Manager,” but...
View ArticleGETTING A NEW WINDOWS 8 COMPUTER
Just when we thought we’d heard every complaint about Windows 8 computers, we heard a new one. A friend wondered where in the world she should save her files, because now she sees two choices:...
View ArticleNICE PICTURES AND A BIT MORE
Here’s a trick many people don’t seem to know about: You can have a new beautiful picture on your computer every day, and it’s free for Windows users. The pictures are as dazzling as any we’ve seen...
View ArticleSPEEDING UP THE MAC
We often hear from readers with slow Windows computers. But what about Mac owners? Their machines can get slow too. Let’s hear it for slow Macs! Good news: The same free tool that works for Windows...
View ArticleWINDOWS XP DEADLINE COMIN UP
Uh, oh. On April 8th, Bob and other XP users will have a decision to make – or not. That’s the day when Microsoft will stop supporting Windows XP. Is this the end of civilization as we know it? That...
View ArticleXP AND BEYOND
We heard from several readers who said they have no intention of giving up their Windows XP machines when Microsoft support ends (neither does Bob), and others who asked, “What about Vista?” Support...
View ArticleXP EXPIRATION DATE
We’re still getting letters from readers about Microsoft dropping support for Windows XP. As we’ve said, Bob’s computer is Win XP and he isn’t worried. With a good anti-virus and anti-spyware program,...
View ArticleWINDOWS OR MAC?
The start button returns. A preview of the new Windows 9 operating system will be shown all over the known universe this Fall. The scuttlebutt is it will correct the mess known as Windows 8; computer...
View ArticleWAITING FOR WINDOWS 10
Windows 10 will bring back some of the familiar features of Windows 7, but that’s next year. But here’s what bothers some people: They won’t be able to buy a Windows 7 machine after October 31 unless...
View ArticleREADER TIP
In a recent column, we suggested using “msconfig” or Windows 8’s task manager to prevent too many programs from loading at start-up, slowing down your computer. A reader pointed out that a free program...
View ArticleWINDOWS SPEAKS
If you don’t like Windows 8, don’t hold your breath waiting for Windows 9. Microsoft is moving ahead with Windows 10, due sometime in 2015. The newest feature of Windows 10 is a personal assistant...
View ArticleA BIGGER STICK
In March, Intel is coming out with “Compute Stick,” a plastic thingie that plugs into any late model TV and – Poof, turns it into a Windows 8.1 computer. This is way beyond the Roku, Chrome Cast and...
View ArticleTRYING OUT WINDOWS 10 BEFORE IT’S IN STORES
If you feel competent technically, you can try Windows 10 before it’s in stores. But we found a safe and easy way, using a Mac and the new “Parallels” software. “Parallels Windows Desktop 10 for Mac”...
View ArticleWINDOWS 10 NEWS
Windows 10, due out in July, has at least two things we like, besides an improved start button. It’s going to take up 6.6 gigabytes less space. That doesn’t sound like a lot, and isn’t, if you buy a...
View ArticleWINDOWS 10 IS FREE, BUT WITH A CATCH
Windows 10 is free starting today, July 29 but there’s a catch. If you wait more than a year to download and install it, you have to pay for it. They don’t say how much it will be. But if you don’t...
View ArticleOUR SAVVY READERS
Microsoft has said you will no longer need any anti-virus software because Windows will be fully protected against all viruses, and presumably any other hack attacks. If you believe that, Bob wants...
View ArticleTHE WINDOWS 10 CALENDAR
We love Google’s calendar app for Android and iPhone, which keeps us up to date on our phone when we’re away from our computer. Windows 8 and the new Windows 10 also have calendar apps. Set up the...
View ArticlePROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS 10
A reader told us he was glad he installed the free Windows 10. Then his digital world crashed. He couldn’t find Picasa, the program he uses for editing his family photos. He asked us to organize a...
View ArticleWINDOWS 10 AND PRIVACY
A reader asked us whether it’s true that the new Windows 10 collects information on your computer usage. Yes it does, but no, we’re not worried about it (anyone watching us needs serious help). If...
View ArticleFADE TO BLACK
In the early days of computing, we had two colors: you could look at green on a black screen or white on a blue or black screen. Those were the days — exciting! And now we can have those days back...
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