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Skip Metro Suite allows you to skip Start screen and disable hotposts on Windows 8

Ashraf August 27, 2012 3

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 [...]

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How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]

Ashraf August 27, 2012 4
How to bypass Windows SmartScreen to install programs [Windows 8]

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 [...]

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Synchronize your to-dos between phones and computers with Wunderlist [Windows]

Locutus August 27, 2012 1

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 [...]

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Launch programs and search the internet with Pipy [Windows]

Locutus August 27, 2012 0

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 [...]

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Bring the classic mine-sweeping game back with Microsoft Minesweeper [Windows 8]

Locutus August 27, 2012 0

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 [...]

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Check your grammar and spelling with Ginger [Windows]

Locutus August 26, 2012 12

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 [...]

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Batch process your photos with ImgTransformer [Windows]

Locutus August 26, 2012 8

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 [...]

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Play a fun game of Tic-Tac-Toe with Simple Tic Tac Toe [Windows 8]

Locutus August 26, 2012 0

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 [...]

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Unscramble the dots with the free game Unscramble [Windows 8]

Locutus August 25, 2012 0

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. [...]

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Make your own personal cloud on your computer with Syncbox [Windows]

Locutus August 25, 2012 12

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 [...]

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Automatically hide your mouse cursor with AutoHideMouseCursor [Windows]

Locutus August 25, 2012 1

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 [...]

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SnapTime is a simple, easy-to-use timer program [Windows]

Locutus August 24, 2012 3

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 [...]

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ImageMagick is a basic image editor and converter that is easy to use [Windows]

Locutus August 24, 2012 9

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 [...]

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Never Late is a timer, alarm, and clock all rolled up into a beautiful Windows 8 interface [Windows 8]

Locutus August 24, 2012 1

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 [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 23, 2012]

Locutus August 23, 2012 8
Windows software of the day [August 23, 2012]

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

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail[...]

About Windows Software of the Day

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Windows vulnerability allows hackers to remotely extract password hints (the reminders you use for Windows account passwords)

Ashraf August 22, 2012 10

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, [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 22, 2012]

Locutus August 22, 2012 3
Windows software of the day [August 22, 2012]

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

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail[...]

About Windows Software of the

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User interface expert says Windows 8 is less user-friendly than other Windows, a “cognitive burden”

Ashraf August 21, 2012 17

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 [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 21, 2012]

Locutus August 21, 2012 2
Windows software of the day [August 21, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • Speed Reader Enhanced: learn to read as fast as lightning
  • MURLS: generate dozens of short URLs
  • Reddimage: an awwwww worthy Metro not-Metro Reddit image browser

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About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands [...]

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Two programs for getting the Start Menu back in Windows 8 (they work on Win7, Vista, and XP, too)

Ashraf August 20, 2012 8
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 [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 20, 2012]

Locutus August 20, 2012 4
Windows software of the day [August 20, 2012]

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 Metro not-Metro Twitter client

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About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds [...]

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How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]

Ashraf August 19, 2012 9
How to block websites in Windows 8 using the HOSTS file — be sure to disable Windows Defender first [Guide]

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. [...]

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How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]

Ashraf August 19, 2012 4
How to quickly find files and launch programs/apps on Windows 8 [Guide]

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 [...]

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How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]

Ashraf August 19, 2012 9
How to shut down or restart Windows 8 [Guide]

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 [...]

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How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]

Ashraf August 19, 2012 18
How to automatically go to Windows 8 desktop (skip Start/Metro screen) on Windows boot [Guide]

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 [...]

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How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]

Ashraf August 19, 2012 9
How to open/run regedit (Registry Editor) in Windows 8 [Guide]

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: [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 19, 2012]

Locutus August 19, 2012 0
Windows software of the day [August 19, 2012]

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

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 18, 2012]

Locutus August 18, 2012 3
Windows software of the day [August 18, 2012]

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

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 17, 2012]

Locutus August 17, 2012 10
Windows software of the day [August 17, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • WeatherBug: a beautiful Metro Windows 8-style weather app
  • Qsel: A nice-looking program launcher
  • Clover: get amazing, Chrome-like tabs in Windows Explorer

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because of [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 16, 2012]

Locutus August 16, 2012 6
Windows software of the day [August 16, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • Wikipedia: a beautiful, official Wikipedia app
  • XnConvert: a batch image processor
  • CherryPlayer: play and stream music and videos

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because of this great volume [...]

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Final version of Windows 8 now available for download through MSDN and TechNet

Ashraf August 15, 2012 3

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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Evolution of Windows from Windows 1 to Windows 8, in pictures

Ashraf August 15, 2012 14
Evolution of Windows from Windows 1 to Windows 8, in pictures

Windows is the bane and backbone of modern day computing society. For better (Linux) or for worse (Mac), the world would be a completely different place if Windows was never born. Initially outed as Windows 1, Windows of the old age is nothing like Windows now. Indeed, I’m sure the [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 15, 2012]

Locutus August 15, 2012 14
Windows software of the day [August 15, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • ChrisPC Free Video Converter: convert video and audio files
  • Kiwi Monitor: monitor your kiwis system
  • BrowserBackup Pro: back up your browser profile

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 14, 2012]

Locutus August 14, 2012 9
Windows software of the day [August 14, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • ClipSync: sync your clipboard to and from your Android device
  • Image Resize Guide Lite: resize images
  • PNG Gauntlet: crush PNGs to the smallest size possible

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands [...]

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Windows software of the day [August 13, 2012]

Locutus August 13, 2012 9
Windows software of the day [August 13, 2012]

Today’s Software

  • TabExplorer: add tabs to Windows Explorer
  • LojiklSweep: back up pretty much anything
  • Instagram Downloader: download photos from any public Instagram account

Subscribe to dotTech to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail

About Windows Software of the Day

Windows has hundreds of thousands of programs. Because of [...]

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