3 ways to disable personal results in Google | ZDNet

3 ways to disable personal results in Google | ZDNet: Summary: If you’re tired of Google showing you personalized results instead of true search results, try one of the following three methods.

Free Sucuri SiteCheck – Find Out If Your Site Has Been Hacked | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Free Sucuri SiteCheck – Find Out If Your Site Has Been Hacked | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts: There’s no foolproof solution but, one measure which I employ frequently is taking advantage of a free service offered by Sucuri Security – which, quickly scans for the most common threats as illustrated in the following screen capture.

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld

LogMeIn Free description, Remote Computing Downloads List By 30 Day Change | PCWorld | PCWorld: f you use a main desktop PC at work or at home, and also use a laptop, you've likely got problems. Let's say, for example, that you use an e-mail client such as Outlook on your desktop PC, but when you're away from it, you want to check your email. There's nothing you can do; you're out of luck.

LogMeIn Free solves the problem neatly. You can take control any of your computers from any PC or Mac over the Internet, using one of the popular browsers on LogMeIn's supported list. So that means you'll be able to sit at a different computer, controlling your main computer almost as if you were sitting there.

Google Privacy Checklist: What to Do Before Google's Privacy Policy Changes on March 1 | PCWorld

Google Privacy Checklist: What to Do Before Google's Privacy Policy Changes on March 1 | PCWorld: If you'd like to exert control over your Google-based data, you still have time to act before March 1. Google's privacy settings can be tricky to navigate--the privacy Dashboard doesn't provide full access to all privacy settings, and Google's Data Liberation tool doesn't support everything yet. But these tips should help limit what Google can find out about you.

How to use tabbed browsing in Windows Explorer | How To - CNET

How to use tabbed browsing in Windows Explorer | How To - CNET: Tabs have shaken up Web browsing in a good way, but they haven't quite migrated into file management yet, though it seems like a no-brainer.

Uninstall & Remove McAfee, Symantec, Norton, AVG, Avast & More Antivirus and Security Applications and Programs

Uninstall & Remove McAfee, Symantec, Norton, AVG, Avast & More Antivirus and Security Applications and Programs: The free AppRemover utility enables the thorough uninstallation of security applications like antivirus and antispyware from your computer. Remove computer stress. Simply, cleanly and effectively.

|MG| Miro 4.0.5 Download

|MG| Miro 4.0.5 Download: Miro is the only internet TV you'll need — it's an application that brings together thousands of shows from all over the web. There's TONS of great content, lots of it in HD, and fresh shows are added all the time. You can watch and organize video feeds when you're offline or traveling, find TV programs on sites like Hulu, and download from sites like YouTube. Miro downloads in HD, whenever it's available!

How to Keep Your PC Safe With Sandboxing | PCWorld

How to Keep Your PC Safe With Sandboxing | PCWorld: f viruses and malware are a regular problem for you, or if you're simply worried that your antivirus program isn't sufficient, you can add an extra layer of defense to your PC by setting up a sandboxing application. A properly sandboxed set of Windows programs can protect you from malware that your antivirus utilities miss, keeping your PC and your personal data more secure while you're shopping online, say, or visiting potentially dicey Web sites.

Sandboxing is a form of software virtualization that lets programs and processes run in its isolated virtual environment. Typically, programs running within the sandbox have limited access to your files and system, and they can make no permanent changes. That means that whatever happens in the sandbox stays in the sandbox.

Top 10 Windows 7 desktop gadgets | TechRepublic

Top 10 Windows 7 desktop gadgets | TechRepublic: Way back in 2008, I wrote an article titled The top 10 Vista Sidebar Gadgets. Now it’s 2010 and I’m running Windows 7, and although I still use most of the gadgets I was using back then, I’ve also discovered a few new ones that deserve mention. Here are my favorites.

How to improve Windows 7 Explorer | How To - CNET

How to improve Windows 7 Explorer | How To - CNET: It stands to reason: the less software you have on your system, the lower the risk of software conflicts.

Windows 7 is complete enough to not need any added helper programs. The Windows Firewall, Security Essentials, Windows Update, and other components of Windows 7 are sufficient to keep your machine running smoothly and virus-free.

The Lifehacker Guide to 64-bit vs. 32-bit Operating Systems

The Lifehacker Guide to 64-bit vs. 32-bit Operating Systems: You're probably aware that 64-bit and 32-bit versions of your operating system exist, but apart from ascribing to a bigger-is-better philosophy, you may have no idea what separates the two. The question: Should you use a 64-bit version of Windows, and why?

How to Add a Classic All Programs Fly-Out Menu to the Windows 7 Start Menu

How to Add a Classic All Programs Fly-Out Menu to the Windows 7 Start Menu: The previous tip mentioned software for restoring the Classic Start menu to Windows 7. However, you might like to have a classic All Programs menu while keeping the good stuff that comes on the new Windows 7 Start menu. Here is a hack that will do just that.

But first please make a System Restore point or some other backup before you try to apply this tip. That way you can be sure you can get your original configuration back if something goes wrong

How to Get a Classic Start Menu in Windows 7

How to Get a Classic Start Menu in Windows 7: Do you miss the fly-out menus from the old classic Windows 98 Start menu? Those were the menus that expanded across the screen to show all the sub-folders and sub-sub-folders, etc. Not everybody liked them but there are still many PC users who wish they were back. In Windows XP and Vista, Microsoft gave an alternative option called the “Classic Start menu” that provided the old display. That option is gone in Windows 7 but there are some tricks to restore some of the old features.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

 

When people set out to look for freeware, a lot of times they specifically look for free alternatives to Microsoft products – free office suites, free alternatives to built-in programs like Paint, Notepad, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer... even free alternatives to Windows itself. However, Microsoft does provide a collection of free software that is definitely worth checking out.  This article is designed to provide an overview of the best free Microsoft programs, some of which are featured in other articles on this website.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

Pin Files, Folders and Web Sites, To Windows 7 Taskbar – Free Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

 

Pinning applications to the Windows 7 Taskbar is generally very easy. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Taskbar was not designed with the ability to pin files,  folders, or web pages – but, a small freeware tool, Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner, enables you to overcome this limitation.

Pin Files, Folders and Web Sites, To Windows 7 Taskbar – Free Windows 7 Taskbar Items Pinner | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

How to Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu Your Way

 

Judging from the number of questions and comments I’ve seen, many PC users would like to modify their Windows 7 Start menu. For example, the default settings leave off some entries that people were used to in Windows XP and they want them back. Although many are unaware of it, there is an easy way to add or subtract an assortment of entries to the Start menu. You can also make a variety of configuration changes. Here’s how:

How to Customize the Windows 7 Start Menu Your Way

How to Restore Open Windows Folders When You Log Off and On or Restart

Do you have favorite folders that you like to keep open when you are using Windows? Then you will know the annoyance of having open folders being closed when you have to log off or restart the computer. Fortunately, there is a way to tweak Windows so that open folders are restored when you log back on or restart. There is a setting for this in Folder Options and here is how it works.

Restore open folders in Windows XP

1. Open a folder or My Computer
2. Open the menu Tools
3. Select “Folder Options”
4. Click the tab “View”
5. Scroll down to the entry “Restore previous folder windows at logon” and check it
6. Click “OK”

Restore open folders in Windows Vista/7

There are a number of ways to get to Folder Options. Which one is better is a matter of personal preference. Here is one way:

1. Open a folder or Computer
2. Open the “Organize” drop-down menu
3. Select “Folder and Search Options”
4. Click the tab “View”
5. Scroll down to the entry “Restore previous folder windows at logon” and check it
6. Click “OK”

And there you have it. Now when you restart your computer or log off and on, the folders you had open previously will be restored.

Bonus tip: A quick way to open (My) Computer is this keyboard shortcut:
Windows key+E

How to Restore Open Windows Folders When You Log Off and On or Restart

Antimalware Application Reviews – Who Can You Trust? | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Antimalware Application Reviews – Who Can You Trust? | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts
A typical computer user, searching for an effective and reliable antimalware solution, more often than not, ends up in a “he says – she says” scenario. Friends, relatives, neighbors, tech journalists, bloggers ……., are all only too happy to climb on the “recommendation wagon”. Best of all, these “expert” referrers, can prove their choice is right by referencing published data that supports their contention.

All well and good it seems – provided the published data can be relied upon. The obvious question then is – can published data on the effectiveness of any antimalware solution be relied upon?

Free Speech Recognition Software - Dictation Pro

 

Having difficulty in typing your documents?  Speak and let Dictation Pro type for you.  Prepare your letters, reports, e-mails just by speaking into a microphone. A good-quality headset is required.  Dictation Pro is fast, easy and fun.  You'll wonder how you managed without it!

Free Speech Recognition Software - Dictation Pro

Boost Your WiFi Signal Using Only a Beer Can : Discovery Channel

 

I love a good hack, especially one that requires me to throw back a cold one before hand (or during). This simple wifi boost has actually been shown to increase signal strength by at least 2 to 4 bars. And, well, I will drink to that.

Boost Your WiFi Signal Using Only a Beer Can : Discovery Channel

Quick Tip: Speed up menus in Windows 7 | TechRepublic

 

For some users, Microsoft Windows 7 can never go fast enough. There is always a tweak or Registry edit that can squeeze more speed and performance out of the operating system. This Quick Tip shows you how to speed up the display of menu items in Windows 7 with a simple Registry edit.

Quick Tip: Speed up menus in Windows 7 | TechRepublic

Five ways to avoid being tracked on the Web | Security - CNET News

 

Web spies are getting stealthier and stealthier. Recently they've been caught peering into our browser histories to determine the sites we've visited, even in so-called privacy mode with cookies disabled, as Dan Goodin described earlier this month on The Register.

Many of the companies whose sites were discovered using the technique claimed to have had no idea and immediately decried the spying. Julia Angwin reported on many of these surprise responses on the Wall Street Journal's Technology site.

If the owners of the spying sites aren't even aware of the activity, what are unsuspecting visitors to do? Well, you could wait for the government to take action, as CNET's Declan McCullogh reports in the Privacy Inc. blog.

Or you could rely on the online advertising industry to police itself, despite the marketers' inability to determine which spying practices violate their own guidelines, which Julia Angwin describes on the WSJ's Digits blog.

Personally, I'd rather take matters into my own hands. Here are five ways to reduce the chances that your browsing habits are being recorded.

Five ways to avoid being tracked on the Web | Security - CNET News

Email Large Files From Your Desktop With Kicksend

 

Email attachments sizes are limited from the best services to the worst. While Gmail allows you to attach files of 25MB, you cannot send them to to any other account except to a Gmail one. With restrictions like these and the fact that file sizes are now only getting bigger, Kicksend offers you a viable solution. Kicksend is a web service that comes with an Adobe air based desktop application for Windows and Mac. The service can be used to send files of up to 150MB but the desktop application lets you send files of any size you want. You can add contacts or import them from Gmail. Files that you send as attachments are uploaded to the service, a link to the file is sent in the email for the recipient to download from. All files that you upload are deleted automatically after two weeks. The desktop application only allows you to send or download files, to add contacts you will have to use the web interface.

Email Large Files From Your Desktop With Kicksend

Convert audio formats, combine audio files, and extract audio tracks from videos with Freemake Audio Converter | freewaregenius.com

 

Now that your entire music collection, your audio books, and videos, (and even your family recordings from when you were eight) are on a hard drive, you might want to have a dependable, user-friendly tool to convert across different audio formats, as well as for performing various tasks such as merging audio files or extracting audio from video files.

Convert audio formats, combine audio files, and extract audio tracks from videos with Freemake Audio Converter | freewaregenius.com

Extremely Slow Bootup? Restore Points Might Be The Enemy! » TuneUp Blog about Windows

 

Microsoft recently caught my attention with the release of a performance-related hotfix. Blog readers should pay attention to KB2555428. It fixes an issue which can cause Windows 7 to boot extremely slowly. The culprit is System Restore with the slowdown occuring when many restore points have been created.

Extremely Slow Bootup? Restore Points Might Be The Enemy! » TuneUp Blog about Windows

Google's Search Engine Now Sniffs Out Malware | PCWorld

 

Google's search engine is now fighting against a strain of malware that secretly intercepts Web browser activity on Windows PCs.

Infected users will see a big yellow box at the top of search results, directing them to a Google Web page that explains how to remove the malware. That page urges users to download or update their antivirus software, and also provides manual instructions for removing the malware from Windows computers. (To see if you're infected, run any search on Google.com and look for the yellow box.)

Infected users will see this box at the top of their search results.

Google doesn't explain the threat in detail, saying only that the malware routes Internet traffic through intermediary servers called proxies, and that the search engine is able to detect when traffic is coming from those servers.

Google's Search Engine Now Sniffs Out Malware | PCWorld

Google's Search Engine Now Sniffs Out Malware | PCWorld

 

Google's search engine is now fighting against a strain of malware that secretly intercepts Web browser activity on Windows PCs.

Infected users will see a big yellow box at the top of search results, directing them to a Google Web page that explains how to remove the malware. That page urges users to download or update their antivirus software, and also provides manual instructions for removing the malware from Windows computers. (To see if you're infected, run any search on Google.com and look for the yellow box.)

Infected users will see this box at the top of their search results.

Google doesn't explain the threat in detail, saying only that the malware routes Internet traffic through intermediary servers called proxies, and that the search engine is able to detect when traffic is coming from those servers.

Google's Search Engine Now Sniffs Out Malware | PCWorld

Many Quick Fixes in Microsoft Fix it Solution Center - Security Watch

 

Microsoft has created a Fix it Solution Center with "automated solutions for your issues." They are organized by broad topics or tasks.

The topics are:

• Top Solutions
• Windows
• Internet Explorer
• Windows Media Player
• Entertainment
• Office
• Other

Many of the Fix its are broad checkups rather than specific tasks. For instance, Diagnose and fix Windows security problems automatically checks the status of many Windows security features (DEP, ASLR, Smartscreen, etc.) and offers to enable them if necessary. Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically checks problems like inability to connect to drives and behavioral issues in Windows Explorer.

Many Quick Fixes in Microsoft Fix it Solution Center - Security Watch

Top 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Boot Time

 

If there's one thing everyone dreads, it's rebooting their computer. It may only take a minute or two, but it can seem like forever. Here are our top 10 tweaks that'll make your computer boot a little faster.

Top 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Boot Time

Start Menu XP

 

StartMenuXP will replace the standard list of programs with a dropdown menu in the Windows XP style. Apart from this, the program features numerous improvements that will help you find and launch programs much faster

Start Menu XP