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tools FOR Windows

Free Software

Are you worried about malware and spyware plaguing your system? I have a cool, free tool that gives you an extra layer of defense when you're Web surfing. I also have two free utilities that can lock up and hide your sensitive folders and keep them from prying eyes.

Open-source Windows software

Firefox

We aren't trying to be a comprehensive listing of every open-source Windows application, instead we want to showcase the best, most important, and easiest to use. This page should be a handy reference and a useful tool for getting more people to start using free and open-source software. If you think we're missing any great apps, please let us know.

Buy a Personal Computer With Confidence.

Buy a PC

This article will walk you through the choices you need to make and provide guidance for what you choose.

 

Best Free Anti-Virus

AVG

Viruses are still rife and still potentially lethal for your computer. AVG offer a free anti-virus application that is surprisingly powerful considering its price. The user interface is intuitive and scanning is relatively quick. AVG Free is best suited to performing real time protection and this is the one area where it almost competes with commercial anti-virus software.

How To Increase The Performance of Your External USB or Firewire Hard

External Hard drive

The data transfer rate of an external hard disk is very low as compared to a internal hard disk but using windows XP and windows Vista, you can increase the performance of external hard drives. 

Explore the features of Windows Security Center 

Security Center

Windows Security Center helps make your PC secure by alerting you when your security software is out of date or when your security settings should be strengthened. The Security Center displays your firewall settings and tells you whether your PC is set up to receive automatic software updates from Microsoft.

How to use Automatic Updates in Windows

Windows Update

Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer.

PDF

defrag computer hard drives

Defrag

Knowing how to defrag your computers hard drives is essential when you own a PC. Whether you're running Windows 7, Vista or XP. You need to defrag your hard drive to keep your system operating at peak levels.

DISK CLEANUP UTILITY

disk cleanup

The Disk Cleanup Utility can easily determine which files on a hard drive may no longer be needed and delete those files. In addition to freeing up potentially significant amounts of hard drive space, using Disk Cleanup on a regular basis can significantly improve system performance.

VIDEO REMOVE PROGRAMS YOU DON'T NEED

Add Remov Programs

If you installed a program and it wasn't as useful or as fun as you had hoped, it's a good idea to remove it. Every program installed on your computer takes up space, and some programs slow your computer down (even if you don't use them).

Backing Up With Windows Vista

Backup

Perhaps the most important of all computer functions is also the least performed: backing up. No matter how careful you are, you could be just a power surge away from losing important documents, photos, or even your entire hard drive. Luckily, Windows Vista comes with backup functionality to help you protect individual files and folders, as well as your whole PC.

How To Turn Windows Vista Firewall On or Off 

Firewall

A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware like your router that helps screen out attacks, hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet.

Scheduling a Task in Windows Vista 

Scheduled task

You can use Task Scheduler to create and manage common tasks that your computer will carry out automatically at the times you specify. 

 How do I create a System Restore point?

System Restore

Every time you download or install a new game, application, or software update, you make changes to your computer. Sometimes that change may make your system unstable. Have you ever wanted to go back to the way it was? With System Restore, you can.