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Skip Metro Suite allows you to skip Start screen and disable hotposts on Windows 8
By now you know how to bypass the Start screen and go straight to the desktop. If you want an easier way to skip the Windows 8 Start screen to go straight to desktop upon boot, and the ability to disable Windows 8 hotspots, then Skip Metro Suite is just [...]
How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]
![How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-26_234934-290x160.png)
When you go to install a program on Windows 8, you may find that your installation is blocked by something called the SmartScreen Filter. Windows SmartScreen is a new feature Microsoft added in Windows 8 that, among other things, blocks installs of programs it feels are unsafe. If you know [...]
Read More »Synchronize your to-dos between phones and computers with Wunderlist [Windows]
Are you looking for a cross-platform tool to lighten that load of scheduling and planning daily tasks? Wunderlist is one such tool, and covers every use you could possibly think of.
While it’s not required, Wunderlist recommends a Wunderlist account. After setting it up, you can sync all of your [...]
Read More »Launch programs and search the internet with Pipy [Windows]
Everyone has their favorite way to launch apps and search the web. For some, Windows’ start menu is their sole app launcher and their browser’s search box is the only way they search the web. Pipy is a free app that seeks to change that: if you just want to [...]
Bring the classic mine-sweeping game back with Microsoft Minesweeper [Windows 8]
Are you a fan of the classic game Minesweeper included in practically every version of Windows ever released? You might be dismayed to know that Microsoft has opted to not include any of their games with Windows 8, instead requiring you to download them from the Windows Store. With their [...]
Check your grammar and spelling with Ginger [Windows]
Are you looking for a tool to help you with your grammers and spelings? Ginger is a free tool that may be able to help. It lets you get both grammar and spelling corrections in all three major browsers, and Microsoft Office.
Ginger lets you get grammar and spelling [...]
Read More »Batch process your photos with ImgTransformer [Windows]
There are dozens of image manipulation programs out there, and many of them seem designed to complicate things as much as possible. Not so with ImgTransformer: this app is quite simple. You select your photos, select your transformations, and are done.
The image selector is quite easy to use. Using [...]
Read More »Play a fun game of Tic-Tac-Toe with Simple Tic Tac Toe [Windows 8]
Some games are destined to fall away and never be played again. Others are timeless, and will exist as long as humans do. Tic Tac Toe is one of those simple, fun games, and with Simple Tic Tac Toe, you can play a fun game in just seconds on any [...]
Unscramble the dots with the free game Unscramble [Windows 8]
Much like games on other platforms, Windows 8-native games are beginning to evolve into small little ways to pass time while you’re on your device. Untangle is one of those, and it’s one of the better ones. How quickly can you untangle the dots?
Untangle is an incredibly simple concept. [...]
Read More »Make your own personal cloud on your computer with Syncbox [Windows]
If I were to ask you what exactly “The Cloud” was, what would you say? Most people would sit and stare blankly, but most dotTechies wouldn’t. Would you expound upon the benefits of a thousand identical computers all containing redundant copies of your data scattered safely throughout the globe, or [...]
Automatically hide your mouse cursor with AutoHideMouseCursor [Windows]
Is your mouse cursor bothering you? On many operating systems, your mouse cursor will automatically hide itself after it’s been untouched for a few seconds. This is especially great for people who watch a lot of videos on their computer, but for some reason Windows doesn’t have the option to [...]
SnapTime is a simple, easy-to-use timer program [Windows]
There are few programs more simple than SnapTimer. Its very idea is to be usable in a snap: it can accomplish anything with just three or four taps. Along with its extremely simple idea, it’s also surprisingly customizable. If you’re looking for a no-frills timer app, SnapTimer is definitely worth [...]
ImageMagick is a basic image editor and converter that is easy to use [Windows]
There are dozens if not hundreds of free image editing programs for Windows, and all but a few are created by and for their developers for one of a few specific tasks. They wind up weird and one-off, and are generally useless to the outside world. ImageMagick is different.
ImageMagick [...]
Read More »Never Late is a timer, alarm, and clock all rolled up into a beautiful Windows 8 interface [Windows 8]
If you took a look at SnapTimer and became instantly interested, but felt that it’d be nicer as a Windows 8 app, look no further than Never Late. Much more of a complete program than SnapTimer, Never Late is a clock/alarm/timer combo app that wins the battles of looks.
Never [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 23, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 23, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/Keyboard-Shortcuts-Manager-Freeware-Edition-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- Keyboard Shortcuts Manager: create custom keyboard shortcuts
- BrowsingHistoryView: view your browsing history from a multitude of browsers
- Fruit Ninja: the classic fruit cutting game now on your Windows 8 computer
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About Windows Software of the Day
Read More »Windows vulnerability allows hackers to remotely extract password hints (the reminders you use for Windows account passwords)
Do you have a password set to protect your Windows account? If you do, then more likely than not you setup a reminder hint to help you remember the password in case you ever forget. Microsoft claims this password hint is only accessible to someone physically accessing a Windows PC, [...]
Read More »Windows 8 Pro full retail version (not upgrade) will cost $69.99 until January 31, then $199 [rumor]
Looking to buy Windows 8? We already know that Windows XP and higher users can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. We also know people who purchase Windows 7 PCs after July 2 can grab a Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $14.99. If you don’t fall into one of [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 22, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 22, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/Wenovo-USB-Disks-Access-Manager-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- USB Disks Access Manager: manage USB drive read and write privileges
- Universe Sandbox: play master of the universe from your laptop computer
- Reversi Twist: a twist on the classic strategy game
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About Windows Software of the
Read More »Upgrade to Windows 8 for $14.99 if you bought (or will buy) a Windows 7 PC on or after July 2
Are you holding back on purchasing a new Windows 7 machine because you want to wait until Windows 8 hits stores? If you have US$14.99 to spare, you don’t have to wait. Microsoft is offering an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 to those people who have purchased or [...]
Read More »User interface expert says Windows 8 is less user-friendly than other Windows, a “cognitive burden”
Giants from gaming industry have already expressed their dislike of Windows 8 (and Windows 8 Store). Add Raluca Budiu, User Experience Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group, to the list of naysayers. In an interview with Laptop Magazine, Budiu, who has a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Melon University [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 21, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 21, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/Speed-Reader-Enhanced-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- Speed Reader Enhanced: learn to read as fast as lightning
- MURLS: generate dozens of short URLs
- Reddimage: an awwwww worthy
Metronot-Metro Reddit image browser
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About Windows Software of the Day
Windows has hundreds of thousands [...]
Read More »Two programs for getting the Start Menu back in Windows 8 (they work on Win7, Vista, and XP, too)
So you are in Windows 8 and can’t get over the lack of a traditional Start Menu. You just want your damn menu back and you don’t care what you have to do to get it. There is a simple “Start Menu” you could add to your Windows 8 installation [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 20, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 20, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/NCollector-Studio-Lite-2.0-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- NCollector Studio: download images or entire websites from the Internet
- Desktop Movie: set a video file as your desktop background
- MetroTwit: a beautiful
Metronot-Metro Twitter client
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About Windows Software of the Day
Windows has hundreds [...]
Read More »How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]
![How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_171423-290x160.png)
Using Windows’ HOSTS file is a quick and painless way to block websites (such as Facebook, ad networks, or malicious websites) on your machine. In the past blocking websites using the HOSTS file was (is) as easy as editing the HOSTS file and adding the websites/servers you want to block. [...]
Read More »How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_150643-290x160.png)
As I’ve mentioned before, after using Windows 7 for years and have become dependent on the search box inside Win7′s Start Menu. Windows 8 doesn’t have a Start Menu. But Windows 8 does still have search functionality that allows users to quickly find files, documents, etc. and launch programs/apps (calling [...]
Read More »How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_142601-290x160.png)
Okay this article may sound ridiculous. A Windows tip on how to shut down or restart Windows 8? You must be joking, Ashraf. Well I’m not. For better or for worse, Microsoft has made a lot of fundamental changes in Windows 8. One such change is getting rid of the [...]
Read More »How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]
![How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_134248-290x160.png)
Windows 8 has a new ‘Start’ screen (also referred to as Metro UI). If you ever want to access the traditional Windows desktop, you need to click on/tap a tile at this Start screen which takes you to the desktop. Whenever turning on or booting Windows 8, Windows 8 opens [...]
Read More »How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]
![How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/2012-08-19_133851-290x160.png)
After relying on the search box in Windows 7 to launch programs for so long, I was baffled with how to work Windows 8. More specifically, how the hell do I launch regedit without a proper start menu? I sat there thinking (for approximately five seconds) when it hit me: [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 19, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 19, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/Disk-Savvy-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- DiskSavvy: analyze disk usage with nice charts
- DiskCheckup: be warned! Check the SMART data on your hard drives to check for possible failures
- Kindle: read your ebooks from the comfort of your Windows 8 computer or tablet
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Read More »Windows software of the day [August 18, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 18, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/C-JDiskReport-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- JDiskReport: generate beautiful disk usage reports
- SnippingTool++: like Windows’ Snipping Tool, but better
- NBCNews: get all of the latest news and headlines on your start screen
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About Windows Software of the Day
Windows has hundreds of [...]
Read More »Lenovo: Windows 8 Pro tablets will sell for $500-$700, Windows RT tablets will be “$200-$300 less”
Despite rumors that Microsoft will sell its Windows RT Surface for US$199 and price the other Windows 8 Pro Surface around the same as current ultrabooks, pricing on the much-anticipated Windows 8-powered tablets have eluded us for the most part. Enter David Schmoock, Senior Vice President of Lenovo North America.[...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 17, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 17, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/wb-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- WeatherBug: a beautiful
MetroWindows 8-style weather app - Qsel: A nice-looking program launcher
- Clover: get amazing, Chrome-like tabs in Windows Explorer
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About Windows Software of the Day
Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because of [...]
Read More »Windows software of the day [August 16, 2012]
![Windows software of the day [August 16, 2012]](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/08/wiki-290x160.png)
Today’s Software
- Wikipedia: a beautiful, official Wikipedia app
- XnConvert: a batch image processor
- CherryPlayer: play and stream music and videos
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About Windows Software of the Day
Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because of this great volume [...]
Read More »Microsoft bans the use of ‘Metro’ in apps on Windows 8 Store
As reported earlier, Microsoft is facing a challenge by European retailer Metro AG over Microsoft’s use of the name ‘Metro’ in Windows 8 branding. As such, Microsoft is looking to eliminate the use of the name ‘Metro’. At first it appeared as if Microsoft would limit the eradication of ‘Metro’ [...]
Read More »Final version of Windows 8 now available for download through MSDN and TechNet
Dying for a taste of Windows 8? Windows 8 Previews not cutting it for you? Well wait no longer… if you have access to MSDN and/or TechNet.
Microsoft has released Windows 8 RTM (Release-To-Manufacturing) to MSDN and TechNet subscribers; this is the version of [...]
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