Articles in Category: Administration
Items related to Leo, Ask Leo! and overall website and related operations and administrivia.
How Do I Install an ISO File that Contains Software?
Some software is distributed as .iso files. I’ll look at a couple of ways to install .iso files, or rather, install the software that they contain.
How do I get "Send To" to work with Hotmail? Or Gmail? Or some other web-based email?
In the past, it was possible to configure web-based email services like Hotmail or Gmail as the default email program. From what I can see, that’s no more.
How do I remove a partition in Windows 7?
Windows 7 added basic partition management tools that make operations, such as removing a partition and extending another to use the space, very easy.
How do I sign in to Windows 7 automatically?
If you’re willing to take the risk, configuring Windows 7 to sign in automatically is pretty easy; I’ll walk through the steps and show you in video.
Questions and Answers about Backup
During a recent webinar, there were several good questions about backing up that I’ve collected into a single video & transcript.
Why would one disk defragmenting program take so much more time than another?
Disk defragmenting can take minutes or hours; I’ll look at why that might be and what I recommend for regular defragmenting.
Why is it so easy and quick to accidentally move a file when copying takes so much longer?
Accidentally dropping a file where you didn’t intend to is easy in Windows Explorer. I’ll look at how to recover it and why the error is so darned quick.
Three ways to find Outlook's PST file
Outlook keeps all of your information in a PST or Personal STorage file. It’s often important to be able to locate it, and I’ll show you how.
A brief overview of Macrium Reflect Backup
Macrium Reflect is a full featured backup program. I’ll show a quick tour of the product and its basic features.
Why is it so bad to leave the email addresses in an email I forward?
By forwarding email that includes previously-forwarded email addresses, you’re exposing all of those people to a couple of risks and annoyances.
How do I run an anti-virus scan if I can't boot?
It’s hard to run an anti-virus scan if you can’t boot from the hard drive. To run an anti-virus or other scan, you’ll need to take some special steps to boot from something else.
How do I repair a corrupt .pst file?
.pst files are Microsoft Outlook’s email and data storage containers. They can occasionally be damaged, but Microsoft Office includes a repair tool.
A brief overview of Windows 7 Backup
Windows 7 includes an improved backup utility, but I find it confusing and difficult to understand compared to other alternatives.
How can I recover my encrypted data from my flash memory device?
Data recovery from flash drives is problematic enough, but recovering encrypted data from a failing flash drive might be nearly impossible.
What does a gigabyte limit on my internet plan really mean?
Data transfer limits are becoming more common. I’ll look at what that really means in terms of how you use the internet.
How can I prevent a Word document from being copied or printed?
It’s not possible to completely prevent files from being copied or printed, although you can make it more difficult. I’ll look at why.
A brief overview of Paragon Backup and Recovery
Paragon Backup and Recovery has both free and paid versions that can perform well for may backup tasks.
I accidentally deleted everything on my hard drive, how do I get it all back?
Deleting large amounts of data from a hard drive by accident can be devastating. Recovery can be hard to impossible. Or easy, if you’re prepared.
Webinar #5 – Tools Sampler
Webinar #5, Sunday, October 16th – Tools Sampler
Should I try Windows 8?
Windows 8 may be tempting, but it’s nowhere near ready for average consumers. Those who can’t resist must assume the worst.
Why can't I access Hotmail?
It’s apparently common to have trouble accessing Hotmail. Unfortunately, there is no clear reason why or even a clear direction to take.
Encrypting Using AxCrypt
AxCrypt is a utility which allows you to encrypt a single file with high-strength encryption, either in-place, as a copy, or as an executable.
Does keeping an unencrypted copy of encrypted data make sense?
It sounds counter-intuitive, but keeping an unencrypted copy of encrypted data not only makes sense, but it can protect it from certain types of loss.
Is there a way to get an internet connection for free?
Internet connectivity can get expensive. Unfortunately, low-cost or free alternatives are few or have strings attached.
What is Adobe AIR?
Adobe AIR may appear on your machine if you install software that requires it. AIR is another library of functionality used by several applications.
Encrypting Using LockNote
LockNote is a small, single-purpose utility that excels at encrypting text in a way that is easily shared with Windows users.
I clicked on a link that I shouldn’t have. What should I do now?
It happens to the best of us. You click a link and only then do you realize that you shouldn’t have. I’ll explore one scenario.
How do I securely delete email?
It’s easy to overlook important steps if you’re attempting to securely and permanently delete an email message. I’ll cover what’s required.
How do I stop legitimate email from going to my spam folder?
Legitimate mail ends up in the spam folder because somewhere, somehow, some spam filter thought it was spam. I’ll look at why, and what to do.
How do I access the Policy Editor in Windows 7 Home editions?
Windows 7 Home editions do not include the policy editor. We’ll look at what your options are in general, and then walk through one specific example.
Does blocking junk mail senders help?
Blocking spam based on the email address it comes from is pretty pointless. I’ll look at why and what you should do instead.
How do I get a Windows application to start automatically on login, and start minimized?
Windows has a convenient mechanism to set programs to start automatically when you login. We’ll look at that, as well as customizations like minimize.
How Do You Make Links?
We take links for granted, but they’re an important part of the web and email. We’ll look at what they mean and how they’re written.
How do I turn off thumbs.db in Windows 7?
Thumbs.db is created by Windows Explorer as a performance optimization. We can turn it off with a simple setting in Windows 7.
Does Google Read My Email?
Web ads often relate to the topic displayed on the page. If that’s your email, then the ads may well relate to the content of message you’re reading.
How Do I Change the Location of the Windows Temporary Files Folder – and Should I?
Windows places temporary files created by itself and by running programs in a temporary folder. On occasion it can be helpful to change that location.
Are celebrities dying at an alarming rate?
I look at a recent rash of spam / malware claiming that your favorite celebrities have died.
What happens when my anti-malware tool quarantines something?
Anti-malware tools, on identifying malicious software, will “quarantine” it. I’ll look at what that means, and if there’s any residual threat.
Is my FTP program secure?
Your FTP program may or may not be secure. The real insecurity comes from the FTP protocol itself. I’ll look at why, and what the alternatives are.
How do I stop Firefox from opening with two tabs?
Most people don’t realize that Firefox has the option to open multiple home pages at once. It’s possible some installed programs use this.
How do I get Hotmail to stop changing things?
Windows Live Hotmail has once again made changes to their web based email service, and once again some users are unhappy. Yet, Hotmail needs to change.
Have problems with SP3 been resolved and is it now safe to install XP SP3?
Windows XP SP3, like all service packs, caused problems on a small number of machines. We’ll look at where those came from and what to do.
Speeding up my CD/DVD-ROM: what are PIO and DMA, and how do I change the setting?
CD/DVD drives and even hard disks can suddenly slow down if the system elects to change a setting from DMA to PIO. I’ll look at why, and where.
How do I get 32-bit software to run on 64-bit Windows?
Most often the trick to running 32-bit software in Windows 64 is to simply run it. 64-bit Windows has broad 32-bit compatibility built in.
Literacy Grant Awards 2010
As part of 2010’s “Year of Helping” Ask Leo! is proud to announce recipients of cash grants for English and computer literacy
Should I Leave Windows 98 behind?
Still running Windows 98? You’re at higher risk of problems with malware and diminishing support from software vendors. I’ll look at what to consider.
Can backups be infected? And if so, what good are they?
It’s possible for malware to become part of a backup if your machine is infected at the time of the backup. It’s not the end of the world.
How do I delete a folder in the new Windows Live Hotmail?
The “Manage Folders” link seems to have disappeared from the new Windows Live Hotmail. I’ll show you where it’s hiding.
How do I view full headers in Windows Live Hotmail?
The ability to view full headers in Windows Live Hotmail is on the Actions menu when viewing a message.
Does "Windows is checking for a solution…" actually do anything?
When a program is terminated by Windows it will check for a solution. If no solution is found … don’t wait for one.
