Upgrading XP to Windows 7: Important things to do

If you are upgrading your computer from Windows XP to Windows 7, then go through the following important things. Backup the data: If you have more than one drive on your computer, then back up all your data to the non system drive(the non OS partitions). It’s recommended not to keep any data in the … Read more

Fix: windows 7 service pack 1 won’t install

This post explains how to troubleshoot problems in installing Service pack 1(SP1) on Windows 7. Download System update readiness tool from the below locations. Windows 7 32-bit (x86)   Download Windows 7 64-bit (x64)   Download Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit (x64)  Download Windows Server 2008 R2 Itanium-based Download Download the tool and run it.  The update readiness tool scans registry keys, system configuration files, … Read more

Firefox 4 issues with dual monitors

I am running Firefox 4.0 my Windows XP SP2 computer which has two monitors. I have observed the following issues. 1. If I open a new window in Firefox(like Downloads window or any other popup window), it does not open the new window in the same monitor firefox is currently displayed but in the other … Read more

Terminals : SSH/Telnet Client for windows

For developers and system administrators, it’s a necessity to frequently log on to Linux servers from a Windows computer. Unlike Linux OS, Windows does not have a native ssh client.  Putty is the most used freeware ssh client for Windows OS. It supports telnet and ssh protocols.  One constraint with Putty is that it does … Read more

Outlook new message pop up settings

Whenever you have a new email in your mail box, Outlook can display an alert or pop-up at the right bottom of your desktop. This alert looks like below. How to turn off new email pop up? This new mail pop up can be disabled my modifying outlook settings. See detailed steps below. In Outlook … Read more

How to disable adobe reader updates

This post explains you how to disable automatic updates for Adobe Reader. Open Acrobat reader. Click on Edit in the menu bar and select Preferences. Click Updater in the categories list shown on the left. Now select the third option ‘Do not automatically download or install updates‘ Click on OK. That’s all, you have disabled … Read more

Do not display last user name in Logon screen

Windows logon screen shows the user name of the last logged in user.  If you do not want the user name to be displayed you can disable it by modifying registry keys or by changing the security policy on the system. Registry settings Open registry editor and set the below registry key to 1. HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\DontDisplayLastUserName … Read more

Microsoft Office 2010 Free Trial

Microsoft Office Home and Business Edition is available for free trial for 60 days. This trial package can be downloaded from the below link.//office.microsoft.com/en-us/redir/XT101937428.aspx You need to sign in with a live id to download the software. You can register for one if you don’t have. After signing in with live id, you will be … Read more

Download Virtual PC

Virtual PC allows to create virtual machines with the same or different OS running on it. These virtual machines will exist and run in parallel with the host OS.  Virtual PC software can be downloaded for free from Microsoft portal. Virtual PC 2007 SP1 can be downloaded from the below location. //www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=24439 This can be … Read more