Windows uses a "paging file" to handle it\’s virtual memory, which in a nutshell is simply temporary information stored on the hard drive. Because this file has the potential (by Windows default settings) to be growing and shrinking in size, it can be become fragmented and lower performance. By making your page file a constant size, you can...

While there are dozens of disk cleaning or garbage file removal programs out there, one which gets little mention is the Disk Cleanup utility included with Windows. With this utility you can remove the following all at once: – IE Temporary Internet Files (cache) – Recycle Bin – Office Setup Files – Temporary Windows Files – Old...

Whenever you install new software, it is possible (but not likely) that its installer will overwrite crucial Windows files. To protect yourself from potential problems you can use the Windows System File Checker utility to verify the proper DLL\’s are active. To run the System File Checker, make sure you are logged into Windows as an Administrator and do...

As part of standard system maintenance, it is best to occasionally run disk defragmenters to optimize how your files are organized. Of course, depending on the size of your hard drive and the level of fragmentation, this process can last hours. With this in mind, why not set up a scheduled task to have Windows do it for you using a frequency and time you...

Have you ever wanted to create your own icon, either just for a program shortcut or for your website\’s "favicon"? Well you can do it without having to download anything by using RealWorld Graphics Online Icon Maker. This handy website provides basic graphic editing tools and even allows you to upload an image to use as a starting point. Once you...

Preface Remote connection is one of those things, like high speed Internet, when, once you have it, you can never go back. Most people never bother to set it up either because they do not [think they] need it, think solutions cost too much or believe it is too hard to set up on their own. If you fall into the one of these groups, I am going to change your...

Preface Microsoft Excel is arguably one of the most under-utilized applications on the market. By under-utilized I do not mean under-used, but of all its functions, people may only know about 20% and use 5%. While I do not have the numbers to backup this claim, it seems like a fair statement between assisting co-workers and the functionality I constantly seem to...

Preface Consistent backups are a task everyone knows they should do, but surprisingly hardly anyone gets around to actually doing it. The fact is, your hard drive is the device on your computer most likely to fail and houses all of your data. What if your hard drive crashed or you got infected with the latest trendy virus? Do you have a good backup? What would...

Preface Now that you have installed Ubuntu Linux and made the switch from Windows (maybe), the only thing left is to learn how to actually get your hands dirty with it. In this guide I will be showing you how to do some configuration and customization of your Ubuntu system. Additionally, this time we will get a bit more into command line and showing how to do...

Preface Alright, so you have successfully installed Ubuntu Linux, but now what do you do with it? You are in the right place. I am going to get you started with a guide on how to use your new Ubuntu system. This transition guide is targeted at existing Windows users and will show you how to do program installations, a little system configuration, but primarily...

Introduction If you are like 93% of Internet surfers out there, you are reading this article from a browser installed on your Windows machine, however I’m sure you have heard of that “other operating system”. You know the one which is really difficult? Yeah, that’s right, Linux. Well, it’s almost right, except for the part about...