Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Hardware is by far the ugliest part of a computer because information on this subject is obscure and difficult to find.

For example, imagine you need to know what kind of RAM is installed or whether or not you have free slots on your motherboard: you’ll have a hard time finding an upgrade. You need a free slot to install new RAM, and you may need to use the same type of RAM on all slots.

Windows has an information tool, to see it press WinKey + R, type msinfo32.exe and press Enter. But the information is not exactly what you are looking for.

The device manager also has a lot of good information but sometimes you may need something more sophisticated.

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Most of us use a word processor on a daily basis. In this article, I share five of the best word processors available and why you should consider each one for use. There are so many word processing programs out there that it would be ridiculous to say these are the only five you should consider; however, these are five of the best. Which ones did I miss?

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New to using the command prompt? Check out the Windows Command Prompt Beginner’s Guide

The internet changes very quickly; for that reason, stepping back to the basics is very important. As you may know, the internet is no more than a collection of interconnected networks.

In this post I will show a list of basic network commands. Even if you haven’t used any of these before, it is useful to know they exist. As always, increasing your knowledge is the better way to achieve your goals.

To run these commands, open a command prompt:

1. Click Start and then click Run (or Winkey+R.)
2. Type cmd and press Enter.

arp -a

This tool handles the resolution of a IP to a physical address. The command gives a list of IPs and physical addresses on your local network.

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Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with
5 out of 5	(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)

PROS: Easy-to-use interface, won’t do anything without asking first! CONS: If I’m being really picky, it asks you to install a toolbar for the Internet. VERDICT: A great piece of software for all Facebook users – easy-to-use, and convenient. PRICE: FREE! DOWNLOAD: Chit Chat for Facebook

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The problems you must face using an Antivirus are not always obvious. By not properly uninstalling an antivirus programs, you can experience system instabilities.

It is not unusual that you find problems when installing a new antivirus program due to traces of the older one.

The first choice you should use is the uninstaller that comes with the software. But if something happens on the process the following list can solve your problems:

Panda

Panda has created an uninstall program for every product, so select the proper one:

Panda Antivirus, Firewall 2007 Uninstall Utility

Panda Antivirus, Firewall 2008 Uninstall Utility

Panda Antivirus, Firewall 2009 Uninstall Utility

Panda Antivirus, Firewall 2010 Uninstall Utility

Kaspersky

Removal Tool for Kaspersky Lab Products

This removal tool can uninstall all versions of Kaspersky Antivirus and Internet Security but under 64 bit operating systems versions 6 and 7 of the products.

Norton

For reasons that I don’t understand, Norton Antivirus leaves a lot of  traces even if you uninstall it using the default uninstaller.

Norton Removal Tool

F-secure

F-secure has created an extensive page about how to removal its antivirus:

Advanced F-Secure product removal

There is an uninstaller tool but F-secure only recommends it as a last resort.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender Uninstall Tool

Avg

Avg Remover

Avast

Avast Uninstall Utility

McAffe

How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool

Which program did we miss? Now you’ve removed your bloated AV software, check out the free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).

Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with
4.5 out of 5	(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

PROS: Recovers practically anything, and does a great job. I tested it, and it recovered more videos than any leading solution tried! CONS: Like any recovery program, can’t fix everything, but that’s understandable. VERDICT: A great piece of software for any person owning a camera or camcorder (or anything else with external memory for that matter!) – I would highly recommend it to anyone! PRICE: £28.63 / $39.95 for the download DOWNLOAD: CardRecovery (free trial – you won’t be able to recovery anything, only see if it detects it)

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