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

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

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Windows 7 For Dummies

Windows 7 For Dummies

The perfect plain-English guide to the much-anticipated release of Windows 7!

Archive for 'Windows XP'

Favorite Windows Key shortcuts

Almost everybody knows at least one Windows Key shortcut: Simply press the Windows Key () and the Start menu opens, ready for you to launch a program with a click of the mouse.
Yet, Windows comes with about 30 other Windows Key shortcuts, where you hold down the Windows Key and press a single letter or [...]

The missing Contacts list in Outlook Express

Q: The Contacts area is missing from Outlook Express. The Contacts list is so helpful when composing my emails;  I just click the address in the Contacts folder, and it appears in the e-mail’s “To” line. Help!
A: Many Windows programs let you customize their layout, showing only the portions you find useful and hiding the [...]

How do I retrieve what I’ve saved when I press Ctrl+S?

Q: I have a real dummy question. If I press Ctrl+S, how do I retrieve the material that I saved?
A: Holding down the Ctrl key and pressing the letter “s” is one of many Windows shortcut keys. Shortcut keys are time savers, letting you keep your fingers on the keyboard while working, rather than knocking [...]

Changing a computer’s workgroup name

Q: How can I change my computer’s workgroup name so it matches my Windows 7 computer’s workgroup name?
A: When linking several computers to create a home network, it’s important for them all to share the same workgroup name. A workgroup name lets computers know which computers they’re allowed to recognize for exchanging information.
Fortunately, the workgroup [...]

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Q: Where do I find information about Windows 7 for Windows XP owners? For example, how much memory and hard drive space will I need in order to upgrade to Windows 7?
A: Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows XP isn’t easy. It’s much easier to buy a new PC with Windows 7 pre-installed. Computer prices [...]