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System and Security

How to use Windows, Android, iOS, and other platforms securely. How to deal with system and security updates, how to troubleshoot problems, etc.

How to Use Windows Update from Windows 8.1's PC Settings

How to Use Windows Update from Windows 8.1's PC Settings

In Windows 8.1 there are two Windows Update tools: one available from the Desktop (which hasn't changed since Windows 7) and one in PC Settings, that's optimized for users with touch devices. When using the PC Settings version, you can view information about available updates, check for new updates manually, install those that are available, view your update history, and choose how updates get installed
Does ReadyBoost Work? Does It Improve Performance for Slower PCs?

Does ReadyBoost Work? Does It Improve Performance for Slower PCs?

The theory behind ReadyBoost is that it helps speed up older computers with low amounts of RAM memory. However, nobody knows how much of an impact this technology has, so we decided to make our own measurements and learn whether ReadyBoost has a positive impact or not. Read on to learn what we have found: The PCs Used for the Test Comparison We used
How to Update Your Xbox One & Find the Release Notes for Each Update

How to Update Your Xbox One & Find the Release Notes for Each Update

The way Xbox One handles system updates is different from Xbox 360 or Playstation. In this guide I will share everything there is to know about Xbox One updates, how they are performed, the changes they bring and how to find the release notes for each individual update. Let's begin: Updates for the Xbox One in Instant On Mode vs. Energy Saving Mode When
How to Use Windows Defender in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

How to Use Windows Defender in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

Guess what Windows 8 & Windows 8.1 users: when you're using Microsoft's newest operating system you don't need to install virus protection... Oh god, we sound like those Mac elitists, don't we? Well, we aren't saying this due to an over-confidence in virus coders lack of interest in a comparatively small market share. We're saying this because Windows 8 & Windows 8.1 have a baked
How to Work with File History in Windows 8.1, from PC Settings

How to Work with File History in Windows 8.1, from PC Settings

One of the minor but welcome changes in Windows 8.1 is that it allows users to use the File History from PC Settings. If you have a tablet or a computer with touch, you can quickly turn on this feature, select the drive where your data is backed up and perform manual backups. Here's how it works. NOTE: Before you enable File History, plug
How to Use the Action Center in Windows 8 & 8.1 to Keep Your PC Secure

How to Use the Action Center in Windows 8 & 8.1 to Keep Your PC Secure

The Action Center was first introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and, since then, it has been constantly updated. In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 it offers many of the old and familiar options but also some exciting new ones, aiming to further increase the security and stability of your system. In this tutorial I will show how to open the Action Center in
Introducing Windows 8.1: Configure the Action Center & its Messages

Introducing Windows 8.1: Configure the Action Center & its Messages

The Action Center in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 has an important role in keeping safe your computer or device and having it run well. This feature has received many improvements and it is now more powerful than ever before. In this article, I will show how to access its settings window and how to configure the way it works and how it notifies you.
How to Add, Change or Remove VPN Connections in Windows 8.1

How to Add, Change or Remove VPN Connections in Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 provides a more complex PC Settings panel that, for some tasks and settings, it is better and more complete than the traditional Control Panel. One of the surprising things you can do with it is that you can create VPN connections, configure them in detail and remove them when you no longer need to use them. Here's how it all works: How
How to Delete VPN or PPPOE Connections in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

How to Delete VPN or PPPOE Connections in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1

You may have created a network connection in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 that you no longer use. Or you may have a VPN or PPPOE connection that has changed its configuration and it is no longer working with the initial parameters. In such scenarios it is best to delete these network connections and create them again from scratch. Here's how to remove all kinds
How to Customize or Disable Search with Bing in Windows 8.1

How to Customize or Disable Search with Bing in Windows 8.1

As mentioned in many other articles, one of the biggest changes in Windows 8.1 is related to Search and its strong integration with Bing. In this operating system, Bing provides you with search suggestions and web results when performing any kind of search, directly from the Start screen. Some users will love this but will want to tweak the way it works while others will
How to Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 Pro

How to Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 Pro

If you have a DVD with Windows 8.1 you can use it to upgrade your Windows 7 PC, if it meets the necessary requirements. Before you go ahead with the process, there's lots of preparation work you should take into consideration. That's why I recommend that you read this guide and make make sure you don't forget anything so that the whole process runs smoothly.
How to Upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store

How to Upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store

Microsoft has made available Windows 8.1 as a free upgrade for Windows 8 users. The procedure is performed through the Windows Store and, even though it is not very complicated, there are some important requirements and steps you should keep in mind. For the complete upgrade guide, with screenshots and detailed instructions, read this tutorial. What to do Before the Upgrade Begins There are
Set Windows 8.1 Apps that May Use the Webcam, Microphone & other devices

Set Windows 8.1 Apps that May Use the Webcam, Microphone & other devices

Another useful new feature in Windows 8.1 is that you can set in detail which apps can use devices like the webcam, microphone and others. This tutorial shows how this configuration is performed. As you will see, it is very quick and painless. :) NOTE: The settings detailed detailed in this tutorial apply only to apps from the Windows Store. Desktop applications are not
Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Improve Your Privacy When Using Apps

Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Improve Your Privacy When Using Apps

Windows 8.1 brings many welcome changes, some of which have not been communicated very well by Microsoft. One of the lesser known changes is that Windows 8.1 has very good privacy controls for working with Windows Store apps. As you will see in this tutorial, these controls are detailed and really useful. If you want to set which apps use what data, then reading this
Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Synchronize & Back Up Your Settings

Introducing Windows 8.1: How to Synchronize & Back Up Your Settings

A great feature, first introduced in Windows 8 and further improved in Windows 8.1, is the ability to synchronize your important Windows settings through the SkyDrive service. What's new in Windows 8.1 is that it can also back up your settings automatically, so that you can restore them manually, when needed. Here's how to use all the available sync and backup settings, in Windows 8.1
How to Create a Recovery Drive on a USB Memory Stick in Windows 8 & 8.1

How to Create a Recovery Drive on a USB Memory Stick in Windows 8 & 8.1

Both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 offer a new tool for creating recovery drives on all kinds of devices, from USB flash drives, to external hard disks to partitions on your computer's internal hard disk. This is a big step forward from the manual and error prone procedure you had to go through in Windows 7. In this tutorial I will show how to use