Internet Explorer begins blocking out-of-date ActiveX controls

by admin Comment Closed
As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a more secure browser, starting September 9th Internet Explorer will block out-of-date ActiveX controls. Note: The original post stated that the ActiveX blocking would begin on August 12th. Please refer to the addendum for further details. ActiveX controls are small apps that let Web sites provide content, like videos and games, and let you interact with content like toolbars. Unfortunately, because many ActiveX controls aren’t automatically updated, they can become outdated as new versions are released. It’s very important that you keep your ActiveX controls up-to-date because malicious or compromised Web pages can target security flaws in outdated controls to collect information, install dangerous software, or by let someone else control your computer remotely. For example, according to the latest Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Java exploits represented 84.6% to 98.5% of exploit kit-related detections each month in 2013. These vulnerabilities may have been fixed in recent versions, but users may...
Read More

Windows 7 Shortcuts Icons Disappear from Desktop

by admin Comment Closed
If you create desktop shortcuts to removable storage places such as NAS the icons will disappear from time to time because Windows 7 has a built in task schedule to clean up broken and unused links. 1)  To prevent the task from running you need to disable the task in the task schedular: start-programs-accessories-system tools-task scheduler 2)  Expand the tree in the left hand pane until you get to Task Scheduler Library-Microsoft-Windows-Diagnosis. 3)  In the right hand pane, right click the task named Scheduled and click Disable.   Original Article:  http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-desktop/desktop-shortcuts-to-items-on-network-drives/94eddb27-342b-40fc-9ad4-677ff4ee8ebe...
Read More

How to Change the Start Screen Background in Windows 8

by admin Comment Closed
Find and Compare the Best Tech Products By Jose Vilches on November 13, 2012 Read user comments (12) Windows 8’s new Start screen has been hotly debated since the operating system launched in preview mode earlier this year. Acknowledged by some as a bold step into the tablet market, and criticized by many others who prefer the familiar desktop experience, the new 'Modern UI Style' home is here to stay. But beyond not offering a way to bypass this screen (not without the help of third-party utilities), surprisingly Microsoft is also limiting your options when it comes to customizing the Start screen's appearance. You can choose from a couple color schemes and 10 stock background images, but that's about it. We've seen some workarounds before but they require firing up the HEX editor to modify system files, and you are still limited to 256-color background images in a handful of specific sizes. That’s more work than...
Read More

20 must-know Windows 8 tips and tricks

by admin Comment Closed
Jon Phillips @jonphillipssf Alex Cocilova @TheBrowncoat88 Loyd Case @loydcase Nov 2, 2012 3:31 AM print Windows 8 is rife with features and behaviors that conspire to perplex even the most experienced PC users. Not all of them are bad, per se, but few of them are immediately intuitive. Making matters worse, the OS was primarily designed for touch control, and as a result, many mouse and keyboard commands feel like tacked-on afterthoughts. But help is on the way. We've assembled a list of our favorite Windows 8 shortcuts, tricks, and workarounds. Many focus on making the most of the OS on a traditional desktop PC, so if you're interested in touch gestures, please check out our article that focuses directly on the Windows 8 touch experience. Now let's start our journey of discovery with a look at easy-to-use (though often...
Read More

Windows 7 to Windows 8: The system’s biggest improvements

by admin Comment Closed
Ian Paul @ianpaul Oct 23, 2012 3:30 AM print The most talked-about issue in the lead-up to Microsoft's launch of Windows 8 is the new Start screen, featuring the Modern UI. But Windows 8 has much more to offer than just a revamped interface. The operating system includes fundamental enhancements, such as better multiple-monitor setups, an overhauled Windows Explorer, cloud-based account syncing, and new ways to personalize your desktop. Here are 15 improvements to Windows that you'll want to check out in Microsoft's latest OS, including some new tools in the Modern UI. Some of these improvements have no corresponding feature in Windows 7. If they do, we'll show you what they look like in Windows 7 and (for comparison) provide a screenshot showing how they are enhanced in Windows 8. Let’s dive in.   Account sync Where to get...
Read More