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[Windows 8] How to go back to Windows 8 Pro after installing Media Center
![[Windows 8] How to go back to Windows 8 Pro after installing Media Center](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1231-1-290x160.png)
In an earlier article, I showed you how to get Windows Media Center for free in Windows 8. Additionally, I explained the issue that it changed my product key from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. Despite removing Windows Media Center, the product key didn’t come [...]
Read More »[Windows] Get safe and/or direct download links for your downloads with DDownloads
Downloading things off the internet never feels completely safe. This goes double when you download from sites like CNET that make a great deal of money off sneaking in spyware and adware to their installers. Well, now there is a way around it with DDownloads.[...]
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Read More »[Windows] Keep your computer running clean with the all-in-one utility Wise Care 365
When you do as much work on the PC as I do, you worry about keeping it clean and running right. That is why I love to find new cleaning utilities. Of course, all-in-one cleaning utilities are about a dime a dozen these days, so I didn’t have much hope [...]
[Windows] Manage all of the fonts stored on your computer with FontFrenzy
Do you have a lot of different fonts on your computer? I know I do! I have way more than what originally came with my system. After all, adding new fonts to your system is fairly simple and painless. However, keeping up with all of these fonts is a different [...]
[Windows] Ashampoo Burning Studio is an all-in-one CD/DVD burning program
I am always on the lookout for great disc burning programs, and Ashampoo is a pretty well-known name when it comes to such software. So when I heard that Ashampoo Burning Studio was out, I couldn’t wait to give it a try. Now let’s see if the wait was worth [...]
[Windows] Best free image editing program — Paint.NET vs GIMP vs Chasys Draw IES vs Photobie
![[Windows] Best free image editing program — Paint.NET vs GIMP vs Chasys Draw IES vs Photobie](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/Chasys-Draw-IES-Artist-290x160.png)
Digital photos are undoubtedly a huge part of life today. Just last week I was servicing someone’s computer who had already built up a library of literally thousands of photos in just one year. I know many other people who have similar amounts and even more photos on their computers [...]
Read More »[Windows 8] How to mount or unmount ISO files and how to burn ISO files
![[Windows 8] How to mount or unmount ISO files and how to burn ISO files](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1229-11-290x160.png)
ISO file is the archive file type like ZIP file, but it is used for optical disc. For example, when you download a Windows installation file from Microsoft website, you will receive an ISO file which can be “burned” to a DVD. Windows 7 is the first version of Windows [...]
Read More »[Windows] Manipulate large text files with SWEAT
Do you find yourself needing a way to quickly edit and explore text? For example, have you ever needed a way to extract keywords from large amounts of text? If so, SWEAT may be your new best friend. This is a text manipulation utility that makes editing text quick and [...]
[Windows] Automatically change your wallpaper with Wallpaper Change Scheduler
If you’re like me, you like a fresh background every once in a while. Looking at the same one day in and day out gets kind of boring. That being said, if you’re like me you are also too lazy to go in and change it daily. Well, now you [...]
Vulnerability in Internet Explorer allows hackers to track your mouse movements
If there’s one thing that Microsoft doesn’t need, it’s more bad publicity for Internet Explorer. The company’s browser has often been criticized to be slow and simply downright inferior compared to other offerings right now. Unfortunately for them, it looks like more bad news is on the way.
The bad [...]
Read More »[Windows] Easily move and copy files to your Dropbox with Click2Public
Do You want an easy way to share files with Dropbox? Would you like to be able to right-click on something and share it publicly with just the click of a button? Well Click2Public is for you. This is a program that actually adds context menus to Windows Explorer. This [...]
More info leaks on the next version of Windows, ‘Windows Blue’
Even if Windows 8 was only just officially released 2 months ago, whispers about its successor are already being heard. The project is being called “Windows Blue” and is expected to be launched in the summer of next year.
Microsoft appears to be moving away from its usual release cycle [...]
Read More »Microsoft Surface tablet holiday sales are dismal, unrecommended by sales reps
Did anybody get a Microsoft Surface this Christmas? Does anybody know anyone who got Surface for Christmas? Didn’t think so. As solid of a device it is, it just doesn’t seem to be on many people’s wish list this holiday season.
R.W. Baird analyst William Power recounted recent conversations at [...]
Read More »[Windows 8] How to sync apps across devices and how to turn off Windows Store
![[Windows 8] How to sync apps across devices and how to turn off Windows Store](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1227-2-620x2941-290x160.png)
Being a system app store, Windows Store provides users many flexible way to get their apps. Additionally, the most powerful function of Windows Store is that a user can share installed apps across their Windows 8 devices. That means you just need to purchase an app one time then you [...]
Read More »[Windows] Readefine is an excellent program for reading RSS feeds and syncing with Google Reader
Google Reader is pretty popular. When it comes to RSS readers, most people like using it. However, the interface can sometimes leave a bit to be desired. What if you could use your Google Reader on your desktop and make it look better too? Well, this is possible if you [...]
[Windows] Easily resize multiple images at once using drag + drop with VarieDrop
Do you store a lot of pictures on your computer? Better yet, do you need to resize a bunch of pictures to the exact same dimensions? If so, VarieDrop is the perfect tool for you. This is a program that actually lets you batch resize and convert your images. However, [...]
[Windows] Edit your pictures for free with PixelSwapper
There is no lack of picture editors on the internet; that is for sure. Since there are so many to choose from, I typically only pay attention to the ones that are free. After all, why should I pay top dollar for a program that I can get for free [...]
[Windows 8] How to turn off localization in Windows Store
![[Windows 8] How to turn off localization in Windows Store](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1226-1-290x160.png)
Windows Store app is the big new thing in Windows’ history. For the first time, Windows has programs that are optimized for touch-screen device. Works like other mobile app stores, Windows Store has many options to help developers get highest profit as they can. One of them is the ability [...]
Read More »[Windows] Rip DVDs and Blu-rays to MKV with Leawo Blu-ray to MKV Converter
Have you ever wanted to convert your Blu-ray and DVD discs in MKV videos? Well now you can with Leawo Blu-ray to MKV Converter. The program gives you the ability to rip and convert all of your Blu-ray and DVD discs into MKV videos for playback on other devices. [...]
[Windows] Rip DVDs and Blu-Rays, and bypass DRM protection with DVDFab HD Decrypter
There are various reasons that one would want to rip their DVD, Blu-Ray, or HD-DVD. Whatever your reasons may be, you will be happy to know there are programs out there that allow you to rip DVDs, Blu-Rays, and HD-DVDs. DVDFab HD Decrypter is a freeware program that does just [...]
VLC is officially coming to Windows 8
If there’s one application I can’t live without on my computer, it’s VLC. For the rare few of you that don’t already use it on your system, VLC is a highly versatile video player that plays practically everything you throw at it — from HD movies to DVD’s, even YouTube [...]
Read More »[Windows 8] How to share Internet connection with your phone, tablet, other computers, and other devices (aka how to setup hosted network)
![[Windows 8] How to share Internet connection with your phone, tablet, other computers, and other devices (aka how to setup hosted network)](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1224-61-290x160.png)
Despite having tons of new things, Windows 8 also eliminates many traditional features such as Start menu. One more thing that Windows 8 lacks the ability to create Ad-hoc networks. Ad-hoc network is a very powerful Windows feature for sharing your Internet connection with other devices (phone, tablet, other computers, [...]
Read More »[Windows 8] How to change the folder where screenshots are saved
![[Windows 8] How to change the folder where screenshots are saved](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1223-1.1-290x160.png)
Windows 8 not only brings many new features, but it also level-up some great features from Windows 7. One of them is the ability to take screenshot. In Windows 7, you can use the new Snipping Tool to take and edit screenshot. And this tool still there in Windows 8, [...]
Read More »[Windows] Convert video files between popular formats with Eusing Free Video Converter
Video converters are extremely useful in this day and age. After all, we all have about 100 devices that can play videos, and about 99 of those all play videos in a different format. So the videos you have on your computer probably won’t work on another device…unless you convert [...]
[Windows] Create beautiful collages and digital scrapbooks with PearlMountain Picture Collage Maker
There is definitely no lack of collage makers for you to choose from on the internet. Some are free, and others you have to pay for. It has always been my experience, in terms of collage makers, that the paid versions tend to work better. Today, we are reviewing just [...]
[Windows] Display and customize the date and time right on your desktop with DS Clock
Keeping up with the date and time on your PC is nothing new. I mean, you can easily view this kind of information in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. On top of that, there is no shortage of digital display clocks that you can download for your desktop [...]
[Windows] Makeover your photos with just the click of a button with Arcsoft Perfect365
Have you ever wanted to add makeup to your photos with the click of a button? Can’t say I have…but I guess there is a market out there for this kind of software. In truth, Arcsoft Perfect365 Standard is kind of like a photo editor. However, instead of “editing” the [...]
[Windows] Cut or split your audio files with My Audio Cutter
Finding good audio editing software can be hard. I mean, there are a lot of them out there, but they don’t always do what you want them to. This goes double if you are trying to use a free version. Although My Audio Cutter is not free, it looks to [...]
[Windows] Read, create, and edit PDFs with Nitro PDF Reader
Trying to locate a good PDF reader is more difficult than it really should be. Every time I think I have come across a good one, I am hit with limitations and watermarks. Well, Nitro PDF Reader promises that it is different. The program says that you can create, edit [...]
[Windows 8] How to turn off Windows Defender and/or Windows Firewall
![[Windows 8] How to turn off Windows Defender and/or Windows Firewall](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1220-1-290x160.png)
Security is always the most concerned thing on Windows. In Windows 8, you may heard that it is protected by Windows Defender (aka Microsoft Security Essentials), Windows Firewall, and many other things. Sometimes, however, users may not want to use Windows Defender and/or Windows Firewall, such as if a third-party [...]
Read More »[Windows] Scan your computer for leftover, invalid, and junk registries with Advanced Registry Clear
If you install a lot of programs to your computer (like me), then you need a simple way to manage your registry files. Every program that you install on your computer will create a registry file, and even after you delete a program it will usually leave something behind. That [...]
[Windows 8] How recover or restore files — by setting up and using File History
![[Windows 8] How recover or restore files — by setting up and using File History](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/12/1218-2.1-290x160.png)
Have you ever heard about Time Machine in Mac OS X? It’s a powerful feature that stores the copies of a file to help you easily restore that file to different times. For Windows 7 users, there is a similar feature called “Shadow copy,” but it doesn’t help much. Fortunately, [...]
Read More »[Windows] Foto2Avi is a video editor and converter in one program; it can not only convert videos but also turn photos into videos
There are a ton of different video editors and video converters on the market today. With so many to choose from, it is hard to find the right one. Every time I turn around, there is another one released. This time, I came across Foto2Avi. I have heard of [...]
Dell warned Microsoft that Windows 8 and Windows RT naming scheme is confusing
I’d like to start with a short breakdown of the current Windows 8 offerings: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows RT. The first three are compatible with Intel chipsets while RT is only available on ARM-based devices. Windows RT can run a basic version of Office [...]
Read More »Microsoft: It can take up to 2 weeks to understand Windows 8
When Windows 8 first released, many problems with it stemmed from the simple fact that people were just not used to it. It’s hard to blame them when so much has changed. Even usability experts agree that it’s a mess. But according to data that Microsoft has been automatically collecting, [...]
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