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[Windows] Encrypt external USB drives and internal hard drives with Protectorion ToGo
Protection, protection, protection. Security, security, security. It sure does seem like we talk about both subjects a lot here at dotTech, and for good reason too. You can never be too safe, especially when it comes to your personal data and information. There are two types of apps that will [...]
Microsoft has heard you: they have added a Start button for Windows 8… on a mouse
Microsoft’s latest mice are designed to make Windows 8 a little easier to use for those that don’t use trackpads or touchscreens. If you’re a Windows 8 user and prefer to use a mouse for all your computing needs, you probably weren’t very satisfied with navigating Microsoft’s latest OS. That’s [...]
Read More »Microsoft’s next-generation Kinect motion sensor is coming to Windows PCs next year
When Microsoft unveiled its next-generation video game console, the Xbox One, they announced that every system would come with the next version of its Kinect sensor. In fact, the Xbox One requires the Kinect to function. Now the company has confirmed that the new Kinect is also coming to Windows [...]
Read More »![A log file that is… 56 GB large?! [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/wtf_log-290x160.jpg)
[Windows] Terminate malware (virus, spyware, etc.) and rogue software or processes with KillEmAll
Security utilities will always be around, and new security platforms will always be introduced. After all, you can never truly be 100% secure. Sometimes even with anti-virus software installed on a computer rogue software can still make it through the cracks. KillEmAll works like the Window Task Manager and it [...]
Microsoft makes fun of iPad using Siri’s voice in latest Windows 8 ad [Video]
Now this is interesting. For Microsoft’s newest Windows 8 commercial, the company decided that they would use one of Apple’s own features against them — Siri.
The ad shows Siri highlighting all the different things that the iPad can’t do, and Microsoft’s Surface tablet can. Multitasking is of course one [...]
Read More »[Windows] Backup and restore open windows, programs, files, tabs, and more across multiple computers with Cupcloud
There are many ways to sync content and files cross-platform. Google Drive is a great way to jump from computer to computer and keep all of your files. It’s always good to consider alternatives though, as there are quite a few of them out there. Cupcloud is a different kind [...]
[Android] RegawMod Rebooter allows you to easily reboot, power off, or go into recovery or bootloader by clicking a button on your Windows computer
For Android power users, the option to quickly reboot a device is pretty significant. Several mobile apps incorporate the function, like Titanium Backup for example. After performing various tasks and changing certain settings it’s necessary to restart the smartphone, just like a desktop computer. When an Android device is connected [...]
The Leap Motion makes Windows 8 look… awesome [Video]
The Leap Motion controller is supposed to change the way we use computers. After seeing this video of the Leap controlling Windows 8, I’m starting to believe them:
Microsoft designed Windows 8 to be used with touch — that’s why so many PC manufacturers are now shoving touch screens into [...]
Read More »[Windows] Backup and restore WiFi and wired network settings with Network Profiles Utility
If you manage multiple Windows installs or even configure various network profiles on a plethora of PCs, then the task can become quite tedious. It’s especially inconvenient if you need to set up a static IP or custom DNS server every time. Network Profiles Utility aims to eliminate that mess [...]
[Windows] Convert and optimize videos for various mobile devices with Click2Mobile
As mobile device screens and tablets get bigger over time, they become increasingly more useful for watching videos and movies. I mean seriously, they’ve successfully meshed a smartphone and tablet, to create a phablet (devices in excess of 5-inches). Quite honestly, especially when you have time to kill, watching videos [...]
[Windows] Minimize and lock open windows to prevent unauthorized access with WinLock
There are many ways to lock down security in Windows, including through a wide selection of third party apps. You can even use the Win + L keys to lock the current session and keep unauthorized users out. Unfortunately, that locks the entire session but what if you only wanted [...]
How to bring back the classic drop-down menu in Office 2007, 2010, and 2013 on Windows [Tip]
![How to bring back the classic drop-down menu in Office 2007, 2010, and 2013 on Windows [Tip]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/ubit-290x160.jpg)
Have you ever freaked out when using Microsoft Office 2007/2010/2013? I know I did because Microsoft has killed the classic Office menu and toolbars which we were accustomed to for years, and come up with ribbon style! The result of this change? The learning curve is so steep that people [...]
Read More »![Another Windows 8 fail [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/windows_8_fail_another-290x160.jpg)
This computer is “never obsolete” [Image]
![This computer is “never obsolete” [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/emachine_never_obsolete-290x160.png)
With “the world’s richest Internet content provided by Netscape”, this eMachines Windows 98 computer is “never obsolete”.
Read More »[Windows] Watcha Doing helps you track how you spend time on your computer
One of the best ways to improve your productivity is to time how long you spend doing something. If you can analyze your tasks in terms of time, you can properly plan your workload. Tracking your time also allows you to see just how you’re improving. Watcha Doing is a [...]
![Running Windows is more painful than torture [Comic]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/klingon_pain_stick_comic-290x160.gif)
![France causes problems on Windows [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/why_france_why-290x160.png)
[Windows] ZeZebra is a great way to share files between Windows, Mac, Android, and/or iOS
Desktop to mobile file transfer clients are a dime a dozen. We’ve covered quite a few here at dotTech, such as AirDrop and qrSend. ZeZebra is another program that allows you to share large files from Windows or Mac to Android or iOS devices. Let’s see if it is worth [...]
[Windows] Leawo Blu-ray Player is a promising media player with an elegant interface
Tired of clumsy interfaces of popular Blu-ray media players like CyberLink PowerDVD or ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre? Leawo offers you something different; a minimalistic Blu-ray player that looks gorgeous, Leawo Blu-ray Player for Windows gives you another potential choice!
What is it and what does it do
Main Functionality
Leawo Blu-ray [...]
Read More »[Windows] Easily modify default programs for file types with Coffee — you can even assign two programs for each extension!
With Windows, you can designate a default program to open certain file types. This feature is useful, but it’s not always ideal. For example, let’s say you have two image editors on your computer, Photoshop and Paint.NET. You like to use Paint.NET for easy image edits while you like to [...]
[Windows] Get a Metro UI style Start Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8 with Start Menu Reviver
What if, instead of doing away with the Start Menu in Windows 8, Microsoft actually evolved the concept even further? What if they adapted the Start Menu for use with touchscreen devices and those that relied on a mouse? It would probably use some kind of Metro style theme, yet [...]
Microsoft says Windows 8.1 (Windows Blue) will be a free update for Windows 8
At a conference in Boston, Microsoft’s Tami Reller confirmed that the upcoming update to Windows 8, that has been codenamed Windows Blue, will officially be called Windows 8.1 when it releases. She also brought some good news for Windows 8 users, announcing that it will come as a free update [...]
Read More »[Windows] Check5 is a file monitor that generates a changelog whenever a file is modified
One thing in particular that Windows lacks is a detailed file monitor that keeps track of changes made to files and folders on your computer. This is disconcerting if you want to keep track of a file or multiple files while you’re absent from your machine. Check5 is a free [...]
![What happens when you don’t ‘safely remove’ a USB flash drive [Comic]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/safely_remove_image-290x160.jpg)
[Windows] LeDimmer will dim everything on screen except for the active window, helping you focus on the task at hand
Previously, we’ve covered applications like F.lux that dim and tint your screen depending on the time of day. Supposedly, this helps you sleep better at night because you’re not staring at a bright screen all day, and it also helps tone down the brightness when the surrounding room is dark [...]
![The irony of Windows 8 [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/windows_8_irony-290x160.jpg)
[Windows] Automatically perform an action when your system is idle with Watch 4 Idle
No one is ever sitting at their computer 24/7, and no one can for that matter. That means there are times when your computer sits idle, not being used. Wouldn’t it be great if you could set your maintenance programs or alternate software to run while you’re not using your [...]
Microsoft’s Windows 8 ads for Asia are bizarre but awesome [Video]
Three Windows 8 ads by Microsoft have been discovered on the internet after they were mistakenly posted on the company’s general YouTube Channel. The ads, which you’ll see very soon were meant for Asian markets.
The three 30-second spots highlight different strengths of Windows 8 by replacing them with other [...]
Read More »[Windows] Convert Word (DOC, DOCX) documents into audio files instantly with AudioDocs
When I’m finished a writing project I usually like to read it back to myself. I have always thought it would be nice to hear the writing played back through an alternate voice, or even read by someone else. For the most part it helps me find serious errors, but [...]
[Windows] Scan files using VirusTotal directly from your desktop with PhrozenSoft VirusTotal Uploader
VirusTotal is a remarkably useful protection platform that allows you to scan files online through several antivirus platforms at once like TrendMicro, McAfee, BitDefender, Kaspersky, DrWeb and more. We use it here at Dottech to scan programs before we recommend them –or advise against them, but you probably already knew [...]
Public preview for Windows 8.1 will be available by the end of June
Corporate Vice President for Windows, Julie Larson-Green, spoke at the Wired Business Conference and reiterated on previous comments by Microsoft regarding their approach to improving Windows 8 and incorporating user feedback. But she also confirmed that you’ll be able to try those improvements yourself when Microsoft releases a public preview [...]
Read More »Microsoft officially confirms Windows Blue, announces that 100 million Windows 8 licenses have been sold
It’s an interesting thing hearing all the complaints and disregard towards Windows 8, then finding out that Microsoft has already sold 100 million licenses since its debut back in October of last year. That puts it at around 6 months before reaching the 100 million mark. To put things in [...]
Read More »[Windows] PhotoSun 14 is a great free image editor, good alternative to Photoshop Elements
A while back, Adobe and NVIDIA teamed up to offer consumers a chance to own free software. I was given a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, and I never looked back. Elements is not just a photo editing suite, it also helps you organize your photos in a pretty [...]
![Windows 8 fail [Image]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2013/05/windows_8_fail-290x160.png)