Lessfeet » Microsoft

Security Sweeper Beta

Mark — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:27:37 +0000

Microsoft has released a new tool to help with their never-ending battle to defeat mal-ware on Windows PCs. Called Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper or MSSS it is a bootable live CD that is just a basic Windows environment with MS Security Essentials on it. Why have Security Essentials on a live CD? Mal-ware effect critical files in your Windows and System directory so it is very difficult to get rid of the while running the system. MSSS comes in both 32 and 64 bit versions. It can be run from a live CD or a USB stick.

I have not tried MSSS on an infected computer yet but I’m sure to get my chance soon.

Security Essentials In Windows Updates

Mark — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:15:27 +0000

Microsoft’s very good security suite “Security Essentials” will now be offered in Windows Updates. This is a great step forward in making this very good and free antivirus available to everyone not just to the geeks how know where to find it. The application will only be offered in updates if there is non detected on your computer. So uninstall that Norton’s you haven’t payed for in years and go to Windows.There are so many computer out there with Norton or McAfee trail software that they let laps because they’re not thinking about it or can’t spare the cost of a subscription. Essential is a better, free and now convenient!

Windows Live Sync

Mark — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:07:54 +0000

Windows Live Sync is a part of the Windows Live Essentials Beta. The old Live Sync would not sync to Skydrive, the new version will. There is one little problem. With a Skydrive account you get 25 GB of storage yet you can only sync 2GB. This seems silly to me. Is Microsoft afraid Skydrive might become useful! I don’t see the point. I guess it is better then nothing. Maybe by the time it’s no longer in Beta they will change their minds.

Mount Skydrive As A Network Drive

Mark — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:38:27 +0000

I really like Skydrive Explorer. It creates a virtual folder so you can drag files into it but if you wished to use Skydrive to backup data automatically you are out of luck.

Here’s a method to mount Skydrive as an actual network drive. It requires what I can only call a kluge. It requires you to download the new Microsoft Office 2010 Beta (later you will need the trail download). Creating a file and saving it to the web (File, Save and Send, Save to Web, Skydrive). Once you login to your Skydrive account you will see the address of the network. Copy that address. If your using Windows Vista or Windows 7 (of course you can use Windows XP although I do not remember how to do it) right click on “Computer” choose “map network drive” and follow the prompts to enter you email address and password. You may then use your Skydrive like any real folder. You may now use SyncToy or any other backup program with Skydive.

Here are the details how to do this from Download Squad.

Windows Maintenance Tips

Mark — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:58:56 +0000

There is a lot of talk about Windows maintenance. What services should turn off? Which utilities should I use? To sleep or hibernate? Here’s a article from Lifehacker. It is the best article I have seen on the subject.

Here are some of the topics which I agree…

Using “Microsoft Security Essentials” is as good as using third party security apps.
Users should not have Administrator privileges.
Physically cleaning the your computer can increase performance radically.
“Registry cleaning” is over-rated. I would go a step further. Registry cleaning ranges from completely unnecessary to harmful.

Microsoft Technet

Mark — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 07:08:57 +0000

Download all an use all of Microsoft’s software and use it forever without time limits or feature limits. You can download anything Windows Server, Microsoft Office, SQL Server, Windows 7 and everything else. Just get a Membership to Microsoft Technet (cost: $349 per year) and you can have all of this and a whole lot more. Software for person or evaluation use only. Not a site license!

Essentials

Mark — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:39:25 +0000

Windows 7 is a great OS but a lot of essential software was left out on purpose to keep the basic install streamline. There is no email program like “Outlook Express”. No “Windows Movie Maker”.

Frankly, I don’t use either of these but if you needed them you can get these and a whole lot more by downloading them from Microsoft. If you go to “Windows Live Essentials” you’ll find “Windows Live Mail” (Much better than “Outlook Express”). There is the new “Windows Live Moviemaker” and “Photo Gallery” a great photo viewing and managing program). There is “Windows Live Writer” which is blogging software that I really like.

Although they don’t offer it on the”Windows Live Page” one of the best downloads is “Security Essentials” which is an anti-malware / firewall program. I use this and it’s pretty darn good. It’s effective and does not slow your computer down.

There’s much more you have to check it out.

For Windows 7, Vista and XP.

New Windows Tip

Mark — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:11:21 +0000

This is a tip from Paul Thurrott‘s Supersite for Windows. You may know the keyboard shortcut for Internet Explorer start fullscreen mode is F11. What you don’t know is the same shortcut works in for Windows Explorer and other applications. Many other shortcuts work as well. I’ll let Paul tell you more about it.

Upgrade To Windows 7 Now

Mark — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:52:06 +0000

If your still using the Windows XP or Windows 7 RC (time is running out for the RC – release candidate) you might want to be thinking about installing your Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade that you preordered back in the summer of 2009 for $49. Didn’t catch that deal? I’m sorry.

There are several methods for upgrading. If you’re current using Windows Vista then the upgrade path is obvious. First make a backup of all of your data. While your computer is ON put in the Windows 7 disk. A setup screen will start. Just follow the prompts. Do not install the new OS over the vista install. You’ll want to start over with a clean install. After install is complete get all of the update then activate your Win7 installation. This is the easiest install. If your installing from Windows XP, Windows 7 RC or from a clean hard-drive gets more complicated. Here’s instructions from Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows.

Process Explorer

Mark — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:59:32 +0000

Programs and and services the run in the background on your computer can kill your system performance. Process Explorer is a very good way to see what is going on on your computer. You can see all the programs and services that are turned on and see if it is something you may turn off. Very useful and it’s free!