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I'm one of today's best-selling computer book writers, with more than 15 million books in print.

This website keeps you up-to-date on my books, and your computers. Each week, I answer a reader's question on-line.

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Archive for 'Software'

How does Windows 8.1’s “Update 1” change my computer?

Q: After running Windows Update this morning, Windows 8.1 now acts differently. What gives? Is there anything major I should know about? A: Microsoft continues to tweak Windows 8, a major overhaul to Windows that caught many computer owners off guard. Microsoft tried to repair some of the damage with Windows 8.1, and today Microsoft […]

Preventing desktop programs from running automatically in Windows 8

Q: When I enter Windows 8’s Desktop app, some programs start themselves automatically. In Windows 7, I stopped programs from loading automatically by removing their shortcuts from the Start menu’s Startup folder. But in Windows 8, I can’t find the Startup folder! How can I prevent unwanted Windows 8 programs from automatically loading themselves onto the […]

Can I safely delete Adobe programs like Acrobat, Air, Reader, Shockwave Player, and Flash Player?

Q: Recently a relative gave me a computer that runs Windows XP. I’m trying to clean it up, and I discovered several Adobe programs: Acrobat, Air, Shockwave Player, and Flash Player. Do I need them all, or can they be safely deleted? A: Since its founding in 1982, Adobe Systems has released many programs, and […]

Where are Windows 8’s photo editing tools?

Q: Windows 8 doesn’t seem to offer a way to edit images, as you could in Windows 7. In particular, I’d like to edit my photos for their exposure, color balance and fix otherwise wonky pictures. Do I have to buy another program, or am I missing something? A: Neither Windows 7 nor Windows 8 […]

Finding Freecell in Windows 8

Q: I’m an old dog trying to learn a lot of new tricks in order to use Windows 8. I’m having a terrible time trying to find games like Freecell, Hearts, Spades, and Pinball to play in order to relax as I break away from the awkwardness of learning this new way of doing things. […]