Q:
What are “zipped” files?
A:
A zip file is basically a “package” of one or more compressed files. If you download a lot of software, you’ll run across these all the time.
They are not difficult to work with. You’ll need an “unzipping” program in order to access them, something like Winzip or Winrar are both good choices.… Continue reading
Say you’re looking for something on a long web page with Internet Explorer or Firefox. You think it’s there, but you’re faced with seemingly insurmountable number of paragraphs, sentences, and words to hunt though.
Well, next time this happens to you, hit the Edit menu, Find (or CTRL-F for you shortcut lovers). You’ll get a handy little “find” box that lets you type in a… Continue reading
Do you know what I hate? Trying to drag something to a folder when the stupid thing is minimized. There you are, looking like an idiot with your finger down on the left mouse button with nowhere to drop. What can you do?
Easy—yell at your computer and curse at Microsoft.
After that, try this:
1. Grab the item and drag… Continue reading
Q:
I wish there was a way to alphabetize all the programs under Start/Programs?
A:
Well, save your wishes for something good, because you can! Here’s how:
1. Click the Start button, Programs. Highlight any program group (i.e. menu item) that’s listed there.
2. Now, just right-click and select ” Sort by name ” from the resulting menu.
That’s it. Remember that you can still drag… Continue reading
It never fails, when I want to find a particular file, I look in the logical place, but it’s actually in a different folder. Or what if I want a document on my desktop AND in a folder? I’m sure this happens to you. Wouldn’t it be nice to have it in two places at once? Well, yeah, I know, you can always copy and
Do Some of your folders show big icons, some a list, and others have thumbnails? There is an easy way to make them all the same …
Open Windows Explorer (this may be a taskbar shortcut, desktop shortcut, or Start menu link to Computer, My Documents, or Libraries).
Using
Q:
What is the Briefcase for? How do I use it?
A:
You’ve probably had this file just sitting on your desk top and wondered the same thing.
I use this feature to synch the newsletter folders on my desktop with our server. It also comes in handy if you have a laptop and desktop that share files. I guess you could also use it if you… Continue reading
How to Download
So, you’ve found a piece of software you want to download but aren’t sure how to go about the whole process. Well, here’s a step by step guide:
#1 – Click the download link.
# 2 – Choose to save to disk and hit the OK button.
# 3 – Choose where you would like the file downloaded… Continue reading
Q:
I got an attachment but I can’t seem to open it. How do I know which program to use? What if I don’t have the program needed?
A:
First off—before you open any attachment, make sure you know who sent it. Even if you do know the sender, if you aren’t expecting it, you might want to send a quick note to… Continue reading
Windows Searches
Do you have a particular folder you’re always rummaging through? Maybe your “My Documents” folder? Well, do I have a trick for you!
As you probably know (or will know here in a second), if you right-click a folder and select Find or Search , you’ll get a Find (or search) box that is automatically set to look in the folder you were just right-clicking.
Q:
I have old disks laying around with important stuff on them but the software that created them is no longer around. Am I out of luck?
A:
In many cases, the info on the disk(s) seems like it’s inaccessible with newer machines. Maybe the software that created it is no longer in existence, or it’s just an odd ball format.… Continue reading
Michael from California Asks:
How do I “Copy and Paste”?
A:
First off, you’ll be glad to learn copying and pasting is easy. You can copy and paste just about anything your little heart desires: text, web pages, files, pictures, you name it. The idea behind the process is to take information from one place and deposit it into another.
For… Continue reading
File Sizes & Counts
Have you ever wondered how much space a set of files takes up? Or how many files were in a folder? Well, here’s how to figure it out.
If you’re interested in the number of files in a folder and / or the total size of the folder, just right-click it and select “Properties” from the resulting menu (you could also use Alt+double click ).
OK… Continue reading
Q:
When I drag and drop files, how do I know what is happening to them? Are they being moved, copied, or is Windows just creating a short cut?
A:
One day while dragging and dropping I actually paid attention and realized that Windows does tell you what it’s doing as you move the file. If you see a ” + ” sign in a little… Continue reading
Q:
How do I enable File Compression in Windows XP?
A:
If you are using Windows XP, chances are your hard drive uses the NTFS filing system. If you are in NTFS, you can save space on your hard drive by using File Compression.
First, open My Computer and double-click a drive or folder.
Right-click the file or folder… Continue reading
Q:
My JPEGs open up in my web browser, but I want them to open in the photo program I just installed. How can I make sure that files open where I want them to?
A:
You seem to be suffering from file association anxiety? This is common for people who have files open in the wrong program or a file type that isn’t associated… Continue reading
Folder Jumpin’
I don’t know about you, but I’m always jumping from one folder to another. First I was here, then I was there, then I thought I was here when I was really there, then I took a break and found some aspirin.
During said break, I realized that the folders I was hopping between were the same two or three folders all the time. Hmm…
So, I decided… Continue reading
What’s the difference between Save and Save As? Read this tip for some helpful information! Continue reading
Are your file extensions hiding from you? Do you see file names but secretly wish you could see the extension too?
Maybe you have no clue what file extensions are or why in the world you would want to look at them. Well, take a gander at the link below for help:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/computer-terms/termfileextensions.htm
Win XP Time Travel
Have you ever made a change to your computer that messed everything up? A great feature of Windows XP is System Restore. You can go back to a previous setup without losing your documents, jpegs, emails, or other files. It keeps track of changes in your system and automatically creates what are called “restore points”. These points allow you to travel back in time to when… Continue reading
Do you have programs you no longer use taking up space on your hard drive? Maybe you didn’t like a particular program and want it off your computer, or worse, it messed up your system. Well, here are some ways to get ‘em out…
1. The first thing to do is click Start /Programs then hunt for the program you want to delete. Oftentimes, you’ll find an Uninstall program under… Continue reading
Q:
I would like to rearrange the order of my programs under the Start menu in Windows XP. How can do this?
A:
I get email all the time from readers who want to change the order of the programs in their Programs menu (Start button, Programs). You’ll be glad to know it’s easy as drag and drop!
Here’s how:… Continue reading
Q:
I just got a second hard drive . How do I move programs over to it?
A:
First off, the better way to go is to leave your programs on the C drive and move documents, pictures, and music files over to the new drive. These files can take up a lot of space, especially WAV, MP3, and JPGs. This also protects… Continue reading
Q:
I have Waaaay too much clutter in my Start menu. Some of it includes extra files and stuff I don’t need there. How can I clean the mess?
A:
Easy, just right-click the icons you no longer want and select Delete from the resulting menu.
OR
Here’s the second way to skin the cat – Right-click the Start button, Explore .
Explorer will open… Continue reading
I found this one by accident. I was dragging a folder to the Recycle Bin but instead I dropped it at the top of the screen. Surprise! A toolbar appeared at the top displaying the contents of the folder. Pretty cool.
I noticed that not all the files were listed, then I saw a double arrow on the right side and clicked it… Continue reading
Q:
Help! I created a document in MS Word, but now Word doesn’t “see” it anymore. I can go to My Documents folder and it’s there, but when I try to open it in Word, I can’t seem to find it – or any other word document for that matter. What’s going on?
A:
My guess? It’s a filter problem.
No, not… Continue reading
Want Detailed File Info? Put it in the Properties
I’m sure that you have a bunch of image files, music files, and document files on your computer. How would you like detailed information about the file to stay with it? I especially use this one for image files. For instance, if I see a picture online that I would like to use as a screensaver or wallpaper, I put the… Continue reading
