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Summaries
Use these techniques to ease holiday stress
Bonus
In her new book, One Year to an Organized Work Life, Regina Leeds shows how you can turn time into your ally. In this exclusive excerpt, available from Windows Secrets only until Dec. 17, she provides four exercises that demonstrate how the holiday month of December can actually be used to get your workplace under control.
No Thanksgiving content, but look for news updates
Introduction by Brian Livingston
All of us turkeys are taking a week off, so there won't be any new articles on our site or a new Windows Secrets Newsletter on Nov. 27, which is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Our next regular batch of content will appear on Dec. 4, but we may send out a short "news update" if anything important comes up in the meantime.
Don't be a victim of Sinowal, the super-Trojan
Top Story by Woody Leonhard
The sneaky "drive-by download" known as Sinowal has been, uh, credited with stealing more than 500,000 bank-account passwords, credit-card numbers, and other sensitive financial information. This exploit has foiled antivirus software manufacturers time and again over the years, and it provides us in real time a look at the future of Windows infections.
A freebie really does streamline Windows startup
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Many tools make dubious claims about boosting PC performance, but some utilities actually do trim Windows' boot time. One example is a free program from the person who brought us the popular Process Explorer troubleshooting tool.
I'll call you back, I'm about to hit a dead zone
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Cell phones have become a relative social necessity. Most users have embraced some semblance of cell-phone etiquette in public. But we unwritten-rule-abiding citizens are too often plagued by obnoxious, inconsiderate users.
How to solve 'delayed write failed' errors 
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
They may be rare, but Windows' delayed-write errors can mean immediate data loss. These glitches can also be a bear to sort out, but I've found a bunch of first-rate troubleshooting resources for the problems.
A favorite tool gets an easier-to-use update
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
When I last discussed backup, in my Sept. 18 column, I noted that backing up your PC appears to be a simple process on the surface, but in practice it's often complex. Well, folks, with the release of Acronis True Image Home 2009, backups just got a little simpler, though they're still no walk in the park.
Great system tools that don't cost a dime
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
I install several free utilities on my Windows machines to make quick work of standard network and maintenance tasks. Whether you compute strictly with Windows or with a mix of Windows and Unix systems, as I do, you're likely to find at least one of these programs very useful.
All readers get a free excerpt of 'Pleasure'
Bonus
The reasons behind the things we like are explained in The Pleasure Instinct: Why We Crave Adventure, Chocolate, Pheromones, and Music. From the smell of cocoa to the scent of a lover, there's much to learn about our gut reactions.
How to maintain XP after Microsoft ends support
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said recently that it's OK with him if you want to stick with Windows XP until Windows 7 is available late next year. XP lovers may still be able to buy a new PC with that operating system installed for another year or so, but unfortunately, Microsoft plans to end most free support for the OS within months.
Keanu has encountered an error and must restart
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Science fiction has long been popular with computer geeks: sci-fi films such as Blade Runner and The Matrix glorify the techie life. Supercomputer fantasies are all well and good, but come on! How do the movie folks get that big iron to run so darned smoothly?
Can keyloggers go undetected by security apps?
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
Keyloggers quietly keep a record of every keystroke you make on your PC — usually without being spotted by your security software. While there are some aboveboard and totally legitimate reasons to use keyloggers, there's also a world full of illicit and unethical reasons for doing so.
Wireless networks at risk from WPA breach
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
If you use the first version of the Wireless Protected Access (WPA) standard to protect your Wi-Fi network, your security may be imperiled. Any Wi-Fi router that doesn't support the more robust AES-CCMP or WPA2 standards needs to be replaced.
Critical Windows hole patched after seven years
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
A vulnerability that allows remote-code execution via the Server Message Block protocol has long been known to affect all Windows PCs and servers. This week, Microsoft finally found a way to fix the problem, first described in 2001.
Free 'job insecurity' download still available
Introduction by Brian Livingston
This month's free bonus remains ready for you to download, which is a good thing in case you couldn't get to it last week. For a few hours prior to 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Oct. 30, our subscribers who tried to download the file received the previous month's file instead, due to a single erroneous character that I mistyped in a line of code — mea culpa!
These speedup utilities aren't worth your money
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Can you really get the extra oomph you want for your system just by shelling out a few bucks for a speedup program? Many effective utilities do exist, but in my testing I found three that I consider to be just a waste of your hard-earned cash.
Sync your Outlook and mobile-phone contacts
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Scott Dunn's Oct. 23 lead story, which described workarounds to help you sync Outlook contacts and calendars with an iPhone, neglected to provide detailed steps for users of BlackBerrys, Windows Mobile, and other devices. Fortunately, the procedure to merge data with these other phones' address books requires only the sync software that shipped with your mobile device.
Nothing's lost in this 80s-video translation!
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Music videos have been a significant component of popular culture since the 1980s, providing musicians with another artistic avenue to express their creativity. Production values run the gamut — from bare-bones to extravagant to just-plain bizarre (the same could be said about the '80s as a whole!).
XP's 'other' Explorer can be a real CPU hog
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
A bad naming decision by Microsoft means you have two different "Explorers" on your XP system. Here's what to do when the lesser-known one starts causing trouble.
Windows' Registry explained in plain English
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
Most PC users have heard of the Windows Registry yet have no idea what it does. This article presents in simple terms the purpose of the Registry, how it functions, and how to make basic changes that will optimize your PC's performance.
Like Flash, Silverlight poses a privacy risk
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
Many readers were outraged by my last column's revelation that Adobe's Flash Player maintains hidden cookies on your computer that are outside the reach of your browser's controls. It's not just Flash: Microsoft's Silverlight — the Softies' intended Flash killer — covers much of the same ground and poses similar security problems.
Some sites break without Flash cookies enabled
Known Issues 2 by Dennis O'Reilly
There was a remarkably large response to Woody Leonhard's Oct. 23 column on deactivating the Local Shared Objects (LSO) in Adobe's Flash Player. Few people were aware of Flash's version of third-party tracking cookies, which advertisers use to keep tabs on your surfing habits and deliver ads based on your activities on previously visited sites.
Readers can now download TWO helpful e-books
Bonus
No Job? No Prob! is a tongue-in-cheek guide to what to do if you suddenly find yourself without gainful employment. The printed book will soon appear in stores, but for a limited time, all Windows Secrets subscribers are eligible to download an e-book excerpt with four full chapters free of charge.
First, a news update, now a special newsletter
Introduction by Brian Livingston
We don't usually publish articles on the 5th Thursday of the month, thinking that that would be a chance to take a much-needed break from our weekly schedule. A newly announced vulnerability in Windows, however, impelled us to publish a rare news update on Oct. 24, and we're following with today's special content to bring you contributing editor Susan Bradley's latest findings on protecting yourself.
Expect attacks via latest Windows security hole
Top Story by Susan Bradley
Following Microsoft's release last Friday of a critical, out-of-cycle patch, only sporadic reports of attacks based on this weakness have been received — but that may not last. Apply the patch referred to in MS08-067 right away, because Trojan horses that take advantage of this security breach are sure to hit us soon.
Watch this video ... before it's too late!
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls are poised to haunt your doorstep on Oct. 31 in the innocuous pursuit of candy. But beware! Some of those innocent-looking revelers might just be zombies in disguise, walking the streets on a quest for brains and human flesh. Oh, no! How to tell the difference?
Work around XP SP3 glitches with CmSNXeye.exe
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
Don't tell PETA, but there's more than one way to skin the XP SP3 cat. When a service pack breaks your software, sometimes you have to work the solution from the other end.
Free productivity suite challenges MS Office
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
The apps in OpenOffice.org 3 provide the same basic functionality as their Microsoft Office counterparts and offer many enhancements of their own. Still, just because they're free doesn't mean they're the best choice for everyone, particularly Office-centric organizations.
Two great tools help manage small networks
Best Software 2 by Becky Waring
The free and fee-based versions of two easy-to-use utilities can take the pain out of troubleshooting and securing your home or small-office network. You can control who's on your network, find the source of connection problems, and share files and printers securely — even over the Internet.
News update responds to threat of Web worm
Introduction by Brian Livingston
We're publishing a special news update today to bring you a bulletin on a serious weakness in Windows. Susan Bradley, our contributing editor who covers Microsoft patches, has written an up-to-the-minute description of the latest situation, which potentially affects every recent version of Windows.
Microsoft posts emergency defense for new attack
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
A remote-code exploit that could spread rapidly like the 2003 MSBlaster worm is putting all versions of Windows at risk. I recommend that you immediately install a patch that Microsoft has just issued to protect your system from a vulnerability in the Server service.
Free PC advice for geeks and goddesses alike
Bonus
Christina Tynan-Wood, who's contributed columns for PC World and PC Magazine and written for Popular Science, Family PC, and other magazines, is the author of this month's free book excerpt for our subscribers. How to Be a Geek Goddess: Practical Advice for Using Computers with Smarts and Style is a tongue-in-cheek look at how to get the best deal when buying a laptop or desktop computer.
The best way to merge your contacts with iPhone
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Many people find that synching a new iPhone with their contact and calendar data from applications like Microsoft Outlook just doesn't work easily. Fortunately, there are techniques you can use to make sure that your devices are sharing data smoothly.
XP beats Vista? Could be the OS or poor drivers
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
For at least one organization, the choice is clear: you'll get more work done in less time when you use Windows XP instead of Vista. On the other hand, some problems you encounter while using Vista are not caused by the OS but by a third-party driver.
Hush ... Google knows what's best for you
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
With today's busy lifestyles, technological assistance seems indispensable. Cell phones and PDAs keep you up-to-date on anything that "just can't wait" until the next time you're in front of a computer. From the palm of your hand, you can now check your e-mail, peruse the latest headlines, manage your to-do list ... and receive unsolicited dating advice?
How to update Windows without Windows Update
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
You know that you have to keep your PC up-to-date, but what do you do when Windows Update is unavailable or broken? Here are some easy alternatives to use when you can't use Windows Update — or if you simply choose to update your PC on your schedule, not Microsoft's.
Flash cookies are putting your privacy at risk
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
With a market penetration somewhere north of 97%, just about every Windows user — heck, every Mac and Linux user — runs Adobe's Flash Player. Few people realize that Flash maintains its own cookies in the form of Local Shared Objects that are completely outside your browser's control, so managing them involves some significant gymnastics.
The best sites for identifying suspicious files
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
How can you discern whether some mystery program running on your computer is malicious or serving a useful purpose? Online services help you determine the best course of action after you find a file you suspect may be malware.
Sandboxie works with 32-bit Vista but not 64-bit
Known Issues 2 by Dennis O'Reilly
We received a positive response to Gizmo Richards' sandboxing-utility review that appeared in last week's Best Software column. However, Adam Benson was one of several readers to alert us to the fact that, contrary to what the article stated, Sandboxie does work with 32-bit versions of Vista, just not with Vista 64:
All subscribers can get free PC buying advice
Bonus
We've obtained a license for you to download the best two chapters of How to Be a Geek Goddess: Practical Advice for Using Computers with Smarts and Style. The work is by Christina Tynan-Wood, who's contributed columns for PC World and PC Magazine and written for Popular Science, Family PC, and other magazines.
Yay, Fred's back! Readers give a big thumbs-up
Introduction by Brian Livingston
Ever since I announced on Oct. 9 that our editor-at-large, Fred Langa, was coming out of retirement to bring you a new column every week, we've received hundreds of e-mails from readers who're glad to see him back. We've received only a couple of messages like, "Fred who?"
All browsers are vulnerable to clickjacking
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
The latest Internet threat cloaks Web links so a wayward click can download malware to your PC without your knowledge. What's worse, all browsers and other Web software are susceptible to clickjacking, but you can take steps to reduce the risk.
Are criticisms of Vista bogus or legitimate?
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Several readers were dismayed to read about the Vista problems reported by Stuart Johnston in last week's Top Story, some going so far as to call it "Vista bashing." On the other hand, we heard from just as many readers who are struggling with the same problems as the readers Stuart quoted — plus other Vista glitches of their own.
'Chicken or fish?' may max out your credit card
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Remember the good old days, when virtually every flight came with a full meal? Airline food may have become a synonym for any dubious cuisine, but it still nurtured us and ensured that we arrived home with a full belly and at least one harrowing mystery-meat anecdote to amuse our friends.
Repair XP's ability to format floppy disks
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
Why do some Windows XP installations lose their ability to format a floppy while others don't? There are three likely culprits, but (fortunately) fixing them is usually fast and free: even a worst-case fix costs only about $10!
Use a sandbox to improve your PC security
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
Sandboxes are a relatively new type of security product that can significantly reduce your chance of getting infected when you surf or when you download and install programs. I'll explain why sandboxes are so important and show you how to use my favorite sandbox program.
Put these file locations on your backup radar
Known Issues 2 by Dennis O'Reilly
The roster of files in need of backup that Ian "Gizmo" Richards provided in his Oct. 2 column was comprehensive. But reader Timothy J. McGowan points out some additional file locations to back up.
Patch knocks out Net for XP PCs with ZoneAlarm
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
Once again, a Windows security patch is causing users of ZoneAlarm security software on XP systems to lose their Internet connection. It's important for users of many different ZoneAlarm products to update their programs before installing this week's XP patches.
Fred Langa 'un-retires' to fix your problems
Introduction by Brian Livingston
When life throws you a curve ball, you should try to hit a home run — and that's what Fred Langa is doing by re-committing himself to help his loyal readers. Fred wrote for Windows Secrets off and on from November 2006 to May 2008, but the retirement he announced at the end of that period didn't work out, so he's back, starting today.
Bugs and lack of apps plague 64-bit users
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
Vista boosters say that the 64-bit edition of the operating system runs applications faster and can address a lot more system memory than its 32-bit counterpart. Just don't tell that to Vince Heiker, a retired IT executive in the Dallas area who has used 64-bit Vista for some time — and hates the OS.
Find out who's doing what on your computer
Insider Tricks by Scott Dunn
Are your kids visiting sites you disapprove of, or is your schnauzer making unauthorized purchases of doggie biscuits on eBay? To answer these and other questions about the activity on your PC, keyloggers provide a silent way of monitoring and capturing information about a computer's use.
Forget Freddy, it's a nightmare on Windows Street!
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Everything seemed to be going so well. The sun was shining and the fish were schooling as the seaweed drifted lazily through the waves. It was altogether reminiscent of the loveliest underwater desktop environment...
Find the perfect Web/e-mail hosting service
Langalist Plus by Fred Langa
Which of the many thousands of Web and e-mail hosting services is right for you? If you work the problem two ways, you can find a good answer in just a few minutes.
Slimmed-down Windows XP delivers big benefits
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
I used to think of "slimming" Windows XP as an interesting hobby like, oh, collecting edible bugs or cataloging campaign promises: sure, you can do it, but why bother? Then I bought a small-footprint netbook and my perspective changed overnight.
Free troubleshooting tool adds network tracking
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
The new release of my favorite Windows tool makes it even easier to troubleshoot your PC. Version 2 of Mark Russinovich's free Process Monitor utility adds network monitoring to its arsenal of system-analysis tools.
Long live audio! Free e-book for subscribers
Most of us have old vinyl albums and cassette tapes that we thought we'd never enjoy again. But in this helpful e-book, Converting Vinyl LPs and Cassette Tapes to CDs and MP3s by Jake Ludington, you get straight-forward solutions to preserve your memories using the playback equipment you probably already own. He rates free and low-cost software that makes it easy for you to convert your LPs and cassettes.
Subscribers in London debate discussion forums
Introduction by Brian Livingston
Several dozen Windows Secrets subscribers in London, England, skipped a sunny Saturday morning on Sept. 27 to give me their tuppence on the idea of launching a new discussion forum for Windows sufferers. The consensus seems to be that it's a great idea, so long as we don't wreck the quality of content that we now send out from our experienced columnists.
Does Vista already have Windows 7's new kernel?
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
For those waiting for a faster, better-performing version of Windows, you'll have to wait at least nine months for Windows 7. But if you can't wait, Vista Service Pack 1 may provide a peek into Microsoft's plans to equip Windows 7 with a dramatically smaller, more agile operating-system kernel.
DVD rippers let you watch movies anywhere
Insider Tricks by Scott Dunn
In case the urge to watch Superbad strikes while you're waiting for the bus, you can rip the DVD to your hard drive, copy the file to your phone or other handheld device, and press Play — no DVD drive required. Of course, there's another very good reason to rip your DVDs: the discs are prone to scratches, which could render your videos unwatchable and your data inaccessible.
Just how much RAM does 32-bit Windows support?
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
In his Sept. 25 lead story, associate editor Stuart Johnston reported that the 32-bit version of Windows Vista provides users with "only 3GB of memory, a limitation that the 64-bit edition doesn't have." Other 32-bit operating systems have similar memory constraints, but Stuart pointed out that 64-bit versions of Vista can address 8GB to 128GB of RAM, depending on the edition (Home Basic, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate).
A parody that's as American as apple pie
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
In the U.S., campaigns are heating up in the month preceding the presidential election. As the candidates dust off their "A" games for the final debates, there are about as many different opinions as there are voters. This hilarious political satire pokes fun at all of 'em!
Locate the important files hidden on your PC
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
Your documents, images, and other data and system files are strewn throughout the far corners of your hard drive. Here's a cheat sheet to help you find lost e-mail, shrouded Windows system files, and every other type of file you may need.
Improve security by running apps in isolation
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
Your most important programs run in the same environment as your operating system — which means if they pick up malware, Windows does, too. A free utility lets you run each app in its own virtual environment to prevent any interaction with your vital system files.
Tips for taking the 64-bit Vista plunge
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
The move from 32-bit Vista to its 64-bit counterpart can be rocky, so be sure to check for device drivers beforehand. I've got some other early-implementer advice on how to keep the migration to 64-bit computing a smooth ride.
All subscribers get Cory Doctorow's new book free
Cory Doctorow is co-editor of Boing Boing, a popular technology blog, and has just released his latest book, Content: Selected Essays on Technology, Creativity, Copyright, and the Future of the Future. You can buy a printed copy for $11 or so, but all Windows Secrets subscribers can get the full, 224-page book as a PDF download for free.
London readers: meet with me on Sept. 27
Introduction by Brian Livingston
I'm gradually working toward my goal of meeting Windows Secrets readers in every major city of the world. For now, however, I'm slowly picking spots where I have an extra few hours between flights, and on Sept. 27 it'll be London, England.
Don't go from XP to Vista unless you go 64-bit
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
Early indications are that Windows 7 won't be a major upgrade from Vista. But the real choice isn't between Vista and Windows 7; it's between moving to a 64-bit version of Windows now or later.
Converters maximize your video-file options
Insider Tricks by Scott Dunn
Video file formats can cause a world of headaches, from compression and bandwidth issues to media players that don't support your format or compressor. Conversion utilities help you solve these problems while making your videos viewable on cell phones, media players, and other devices.
Balancing health-data accessibility, security
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Few things are scarier than the thought of your medical history being used against you. Last week's Top Story by associate editor Stuart Johnston pointed out some of the threats posed when new cloud-computing services place private medical records on public networks.
Finally! Your Windows error messages decoded
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
We've all experienced the frustration and anxiety that receiving a cryptic error message invokes. That tiny, unassuming gray box pops up on your screen unexpectedly, and as you read it you wonder, "Am I supposed to understand this??"
Universal IM clients link you to many systems
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
Instant messaging lets you communicate with friends and coworkers in a jiffy, but each different network uses its own software. Universal instant-messaging programs let you connect to lots of different services to chat and transmit files, audio, and video, all from the convenience of a single application.
Now you can get your Wi-Fi on wheels
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
A few weeks ago, I found myself in Vancouver, British Columbia — scurrying like mad to make a meeting in Seattle — when I bumped into a technology I had never seen before. Travel far from home frequently brings big surprises, but I was shocked — stunned — to discover that my shuttle bus offered fast, free Wi-Fi, for the whole 140-mile trip, right there in my seat.
Free utility displays all your PC's passwords
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
Most people are surprised by how many different passwords they have stored on their computers and how easy it is for bad guys to get at them. A free Windows program lets you discover — and recover — all the passwords lying around on your PC.
All subscribers get Cory Doctorow's new book free
Cory Doctorow is co-editor of Boing Boing, a popular technology blog, and has just released his latest book, Content: Selected Essays on Technology, Creativity, Copyright, and the Future of the Future. You can buy a printed copy for $11 or so, but all Windows Secrets subscribers can get the full, 224-page book as a PDF download for free.
Say 'hi' to award-winning writer Stuart Johnston
Introduction by Brian Livingston
We've added to Windows Secrets a new full-time writer who's dedicated to bringing you new insights into the challenges of running Microsoft software. Stuart J. Johnston is a technology reporter who's covered the motley crew that is the computer industry for more than 20 years — and you'll now find his revelations in Windows Secrets every week.
Cloud computing puts your health data at risk
Top Story by Stuart J. Johnston
The advent of "in the cloud" medical records services, such as Microsoft HealthVault and Google Health, promises an explosion in the storage of personal health-care information online. But these services pose sticky privacy questions — unless you know how to protect your personal medical records.
Password managers keep your login data handy
Insider Tips by Scott Dunn
From shopping and banking sites to network- and remote-access logins, we're inundated with requests to create and remember a plethora of passwords. Fortunately, plenty of free tools help us store and organize our passwords in a single, secure location.
It beats (ahem) ice-cold showers
Wacky Web Week by Katy Abby
Internet dating services have become overwhelmingly popular in our technologically savvy age. We are constantly inundated with advertisements featuring happy, loving couples who allegedly met online. If you believe the hype, everyone seems to be finding the love of their life via the Internet ... everyone except Erik Weiner.
Find the backup technique that works for you
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
There are so many backup options available that it's difficult to decide which is the best. Of course, you have to figure out which files you need to back up before you can determine the best method for doing so.
Services let you offload your file downloads
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
New file-sharing sites are springing up faster than campaign promises, but which one is the best for your needs? The answer depends largely on how much disk space and bandwidth you require, as well as which special features you find most important in the six services I tested.
Antivirus 2008/2009 is the scum of the earth
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
Fake security programs are taking advantage of user gullibility in order to hold people's PCs for ransom. Windows XP users who are running with administrator rights are especially vulnerable to these drive-by downloads.
All subscribers get Cory Doctorow's new book free
Cory Doctorow is co-editor of Boing Boing, a popular technology blog, and has just released his latest book, Content: Selected Essays on Technology, Creativity, Copyright, and the Future of the Future. You can buy a printed copy for $11 or so, but all Windows Secrets subscribers can get the full, 224-page book as a PDF download for free.
Don't let XP Service Pack 3 hose your system
Top Story by Scott Dunn
From the moment Microsoft released it, Service Pack 3 for Windows XP has been the subject of almost daily reports of bugs, incompatibilities, and general headaches. You can install SP3 with confidence — providing you take certain precautions — or, if you prefer, use Windows' Automatic Update settings to keep the service pack off your system.
Another XP SP3 approach: burn it to a CD
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
As XP users continue to struggle while downloading and installing Service Pack 3, one reader succeeds by creating an SP3 installation CD. There's no guarantee this technique will work for you, but if you're determined to upgrade to SP3, this option may be worth a try.
These guys are a bunch of characters!
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
Superheroes have long captivated the hearts and imaginations of people worldwide. These sometimes-dark, colorfully clothed characters rise from the ashes of social injustice and treachery like a vigilante phoenix sent to right the wrongs of the world. Well, at least some superheroes do.
Three top Windows cleaners boost performance
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
Over months or years of normal use, Windows accumulates thousands of orphaned files, useless settings, and other detritus that can noticeably slow down your applications. These performance-enhancing utilities remove this digital refuse to help your system run at its top speed.
Is Google's Chrome browser a Windows killer?
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
Some people are calling Google's latest offering the beginning of the end for Internet Explorer, but is that really the case? Chrome does look promising — possibly more promising than some people suspect — though there's much more than browsing at stake.
Megapatch plugs image-file vulnerabilities
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
Microsoft's GDI+ graphics system could be exploited to allow hackers to use image files to launch attacks on your system. In addition to patching Windows, this bug requires that you update your Office apps, Works 8, Digital Image Suite 2006, and nearly every Microsoft application development product.
Windows Secrets & Support Alert using a shorter name
The temporary logo (shown at left) that we've used for the past two months was created when the Support Alert Newsletter merged with the Windows Secrets Newsletter in July 2008. As was announced on July 9 by the editor of Support Alert, Ian "Gizmo" Richards, our long, transitional name is being shortened to simply Windows Secrets as of today.
Don't fall for bogus antivirus downloads
Top Story by Scott Dunn
A new virus strain pretends to remove malware but actually does just the opposite: it infects your system. Fortunately, you can use a few simple steps to tell the difference between these rogue antivirus programs and legitimate security software.
Problems with Windows XP SP3 persist
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
If you're still on the fence about XP's Service Pack 3, best to stay there for a while. We continue to hear from readers whose PCs choke on the update, and for very different reasons.
This guy couldn't spell 'IQ' with a dictionary
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
For many of our readers, September is back-to-school time. Even though most of us haven't cracked a textbook in years, this season still conjures up images of academia and new beginnings.
Low-cost online backup beats free alternatives
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
In the last year, we've seen dozens of online backup services appear, spurred on by the widespread adoption of broadband Internet access. The best of the lot give you plenty of bang for just a few bucks.
Put Windows' built-in spyware catcher to use
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
It may not be the best security program, but Windows Defender can help keep your PC free of malware. The spyware detector built into Windows gets dissed — and rightly so — but up the program's sleeves are a few little-known tricks that make it worthwhile.
Free Windows security checker is flawed
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
Windows has so many tweakable security settings that you need a checklist to avoid being overwhelmed. A free program from the Center for Internet Security attempts to test the security and configuration of Windows XP Pro, 2000, and Server 2003 machines automatically, but be aware of its weaknesses.
Get an exclusive excerpt by Fake Steve Jobs
There are only a few more days for our readers to get an exclusive excerpt from the new paperback edition of Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs. Written under the pseudonym of Fake Steve Jobs (who's been revealed as Forbes editor Daniel Lyons), the book is an uncensored fantasy inside the mind of one of the world's showiest CEOs.
Time for a summer break — see you on Sept. 4
Introduction by Brian Livingston
To give our writers and staff a rest, we skip publication during the last two weeks of August. That means this is the last newsletter you'll see until Sept. 4, but if anything important comes up, we can always send out a short news update.
You'll get a new Windows Update, like it or not
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Microsoft will soon install a new version of Windows Update on your computer, even if you've set your PC not to download and install any updates. With such a potential for confusion, it's a good idea for you to know what's going to be done to your machine by this important but often misunderstood tool.
The true tech challenge: keeping it simple
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Every significant Windows patch is accompanied by a string of conflicts with this or that product or function. A reader asks whether there's still room for an uncomplicated approach to everyday PC care and feeding.
Groove is in the history books
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
Most of us remember John Travolta's dynamite disco routine in Saturday Night Fever, and who could forget Michael Jackson's epic moonwalk? Elvis and his gyrating hips simultaneously scandalized and captivated his audiences, and the Brady Bunch's family-friendly fandangos charmed viewers worldwide.
Best alternatives to Microsoft Outlook, part II
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
A free, open-source app and a low-cost commercial program give Outlook, Microsoft's personal information manager (PIM), a run for its money. They may not be practical for organizations that rely on Microsoft Exchange Server, Outlook's back end, but these two programs have much to offer typical PC users.
Bootable rescue CDs can fix your damaged Windows
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
When your system is so corrupt with malware that it becomes unstable or won't even boot, a bootable rescue CD can give it the scrubbing it needs. The free anti-malware rescue CDs I describe today have all the tools you need to remove viruses and restore Windows' health.
IE security holes lead Microsoft's patch parade
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
As usual, patching the browser could lead to conflicts with third-party security programs. Still, now that malware can be found on legitimate Web sites, you need to install the latest Internet Explorer patches right away.
Get an exclusive excerpt by Fake Steve Jobs
We've obtained for our readers an exclusive excerpt from the new paperback edition of Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs. Written under the pseudonym of Fake Steve Jobs (who's been revealed as Forbes editor Daniel Lyons), the book is an uncensored fantasy inside the mind of one of the world's showiest CEOs.
Find any Support Alert article from your browser
Introduction by Brian Livingston
If you remember reading an article from the Support Alert Newsletter — but you can't recall the date — there's a better way than random browsing to find what you seek. You can now download our free browser plug-in, which adds Support Alert as a database you can query from the search bar of IE 7 and Firefox.
Free tools deactivate unsafe ActiveX controls
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Don't count on Microsoft to shut down ActiveX vulnerabilities when they arise, as Microsoft Access users learned last Patch Tuesday when the company had no fix to offer for a leaky ActiveX plug-in. ActiveX security holes appear all the time, so you need these tips and tools to keep your system safe from flawed or malicious Internet Explorer add-ins.
Product reviews are a change for the better
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
The integration of Windows Secrets and Support Alert puts more in-depth hardware and software evaluations at your fingertips. Expect the prime categories in our Software Sidebar to be updated every few months with reviews of the newest versions of the programs you rely on.
There's nothing subliminal about this message
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
Throughout history, many great scientific minds have worked to unravel the male psyche. Freud and his ilk devoted entire lifetimes to understanding what goes on inside the mind of the common man... yet with one fell swoop, this hilarious commercial spoof has captured the very essence of the male attention span.
The two most useful utilities on my PC
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
I have dozens of utilities installed on my PC — but I'd like to tell you about two that are not well known, yet top the list of my favorites. These specialist tools are not for everybody, but if they apply to you, discovering them is going to make your day.
E-mail form letters save you time and trouble
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
Do you find yourself sending out the same basic kind of e-mail message every day — or worse, many times a day? A nifty-but-little-known feature in Windows XP and Vista lets you generate a "form letter" message with just one click.
'Tis the season for emerging PC threats
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
It's the middle of summer in the northern latitudes, and in the security field that means new exploit techniques. As several key security conferences get under way and students have extra time for research, the pace of threat innovations picks up.
Get an exclusive excerpt by Fake Steve Jobs
We've obtained for our readers an exclusive excerpt from the new paperback edition of Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs. Written under the pseudonym of Fake Steve Jobs (who's been revealed as Forbes editor Daniel Lyons), the book is an uncensored fantasy inside the mind of one of the world's showiest CEOs.
Get the most out of your subscription
Introduction by Brian Livingston
Since the merger of the Support Alert Newsletter and the Windows Secrets Newsletter on July 24, we've received a lot of great feedback from our readers. To give you as much value as we can, we've put together today's special "news update," although Windows Secrets doesn't normally publish a newsletter on the 5th Thursday of the month.
Don't get burned by driver-update scams
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Although you can find free tools to help keep Windows and your other software up-to-date, you'll have to pay to get the best tool for scanning your system's drivers and downloading the updates you need. I found some good driver updaters but also one full-on scam — Prosoft3D's Driver Update 5 — that simply points you to Windows' Device Manager and tells you to do the job yourself.
Get the best firewall, then scan your PC — free
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
Firewalls play a vital role in defending your computer from attack and form an essential part of your computer's security setup. But is your firewall actually doing its job? Are you sure it's effective?
Best alternatives to Microsoft Outlook, part I
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
If you're longing to leave Outlook, alternative e-mail and calendar programs could lighten the load on your wallet — and on your PC. At least one free personal information manager replicates most of Outlook's features and adds some handy tricks users of Microsoft's PIM can only dream of.
There's always gotta be a way out!
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
Have you ever gotten yourself stuck in a tight spot? Never fear! As this hilarious commercial illustrates, if you look hard enough, you're bound to find a backdoor! This fly gives us all an inspirational (if a bit irregular) look at the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel."
Support Alert has merged with Windows Secrets
Ian "Gizmo" Richards, left, the former editor of the Support Alert Newsletter, is the new senior editor of a larger, combined publication: Windows Secrets & Support Alert. (This unwieldly name will be shortened after a transitional period.) Merging the two publications into a single effort gives us more free time to write new stuff for you, our readers. All of the old Support Alert articles are now posted at WindowsSecrets.com. See today's Introduction for details.
New ways to access all Support Alert information
Introduction by Brian Livingston
The Support Alert Newsletter merges today with the Windows Secrets Newsletter, creating an e-mail publication with a combined circulation of more than 400,000. For you, the best part is that all the great tips, reviews, and news items from the old Support Alert are now posted in one place at WindowsSecrets.com — and we've worked hard to make our entire library of content easy for you to browse and search.
Yahoo Mail's makeover gives it the webmail edge
Top Story by Scott Dunn
As free Web-based e-mail services get better and better, you may soon be able to leave your desktop e-mail apps behind. But which of the Big Three webmail services — Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo Mail — has the features that meet your needs?
Yes, there is life after e-mail newsletters
Langalist Tips by Fred Langa
After more than 30 years of battling tech-writing deadlines, I found last May that it was time for something completely different. A hair-raising encounter with a tornado is just one of the adventures I've experienced since then.
Schwinn Lake? Gears-elle? Ballet on a bicycle
Wacky Web Week by Katy Chenoweth
The X Games have nothing on this woman! Watch as she tears up the hardwood on her bicycle, which at times seems to be an extension of her body. This incredible clip will leave you in awe of the sheer strength, balance, and skill required for these feats of two-wheeled wonder.
Reduce spam using free software
Best Software by Ian "Gizmo" Richards
Today I'm going to show you a way to reduce to almost nothing the quantity of spam e-mail you receive using free products and services. The technique I'll outline will not only zap your spam but will let your real mail pass unhindered while imposing a minimal processing load on your PC.
New tactics to keep mail servers spam-free
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
Quirks in the mailer programs spammers use to deliver mail can be turned against the senders. This week, I share with you a little-known technique you can use to block a lot of spam before it ever reaches your mail server.
Ill effects of Microsoft's DNS patch linger on
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
The new version of Check Point's ZoneAlarm firewall solves one problem, but Windows Small Business Server 2003 still needs a patch for the DNS patch. A change in how Windows' DNS client chooses ports caught ZoneAlarm's developers — and users — by surprise.
Support Alert is merging with Windows Secrets
The Support Alert Newsletter will merge with the Windows Secrets Newsletter on July 24, creating a combined readership of more than 400,000 (see my Introduction column). The editor of Support Alert, Ian "Gizmo" Richards, has prepared for us a special get-acquainted gift: 9 Free Programs Every PC Should Have, an all-new e-book.
New readers join us from Support Alert on July 24
Introduction by Brian Livingston
It's not every day that we welcome 50% more readers to our ranks, but that's what we'll be doing on July 24 when 150,000 Support Alert Newsletter subscribers join us. As I announced on July 9, our new newsletters are merging, and the combined audience will exceed 400,000 active Windows users, with even more great tips that we can pass along to you.
Protect yourself from software-vendor 'snarketing'
Top Story by Scott Dunn
These days, even the software we like often comes with hidden annoyances designed to help the vendor at the expense of us poor customers. Here are five examples of sneaky marketing — snarketing, as I call it — and what you can do to mitigate the practice's ill effects.
SAN + WS = the info Windows users need
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Adding Ian "Gizmo" Richards to the top of the Windows Secrets roster puts the Web's best software reviews, tips, and Windows news in a single spot. Whether you subscribe for free or for pay, this is the place to look each week for the information you need to keep your PC humming.
So that's why they're called flip-flops!
Wacky Web Week
Summer is here! But you may want to think twice before jumping into your favorite pair of sandals. Check out this hilarious clip of a friendly prank gone terribly, well... right!
The top Firefox security and privacy add-ons
Best Software by Becky Waring
Stay safe and protect your privacy when you're on the Web by using these top-notch browser extensions. Block malicious Web sites, stop annoying ads, control your cookies, cover your tracks, and manage your passwords securely with this collection of free Firefox add-ons.
Microsoft presents: Attack of the Killer Updates
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
Microsoft set the standard for poorly implemented, intrusive, duplicitous, and all-too-frequently destructive updates disguised as security patches. Be of good cheer: Several software heavyweights are following in the footsteps of the 'Softies, peddling snake oil and snoopers dressed up in security-patch clothes.
Block a serious threat to your DNS servers
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
A new vulnerability has been discovered in the basic design of the Web's Domain Name System, prompting almost all of the DNS software vendors in the world to release a patch. There are a couple of different ways to determine whether your DNS servers are vulnerable to this widespread problem.
Support Alert is merging with Windows Secrets
The Support Alert Newsletter, a highly useful e-mail periodical, will soon merge with the Windows Secrets Newsletter to create a much larger publication, as I explain today in my Introduction column. The editor of Support Alert, Ian "Gizmo" Richards, has created for us a special get-acquainted gift: 9 Free Programs Every PC Should Have, an all-new e-book.
Say 'hi' to 150,000 new Support Alert readers
Introduction by Brian Livingston
As I announced in a special bulletin on July 9, the Windows Secrets Newsletter will grow tremendously when the Support Alert Newsletter merges with us on July 24. The 150,000-strong readership of Support Alert, when merged with our existing subscriber base, will increase our circulation to more than 400,000 — and you can get a fantastic freebie if you act now.
TechSpot battles Google for best PC support info
Top Story by Scott Dunn
When your computer is behaving strangely, you want answers and you want them in a hurry. My hands-on tests evaluated a dozen searchable sites to find the ones that get you the answers you need.
AVG antivirus program garbles HTML e-mails
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
You can change a single setting in AVG's free antivirus program to keep it from making the Windows Secrets Newsletter and other HTML e-mail appear as garbled text. Readers lead us to the source of a glitch that prevented Outlook, Thunderbird, and other e-mail clients from displaying Web mail.
Even Death Stars can't find good kitchen help
Wacky Web Week
If you've already seen it — it's been viewed more than 4 million times on YouTube — it's worth watching again: Eddie Izzard's take on Darth Vader trying to grab a bite for lunch qualifies as a true YouTube classic.
The best browser for safe and speedy surfing
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
If you spend much time on the Web, you need more protection and better performance than you get from Internet Explorer 7. You have several alternatives to choose from, but only one offers the top rendering speed, the best compatibility with major sites, and the most customization options.
Weave a more powerful Web experience
Pc Tune-up by Mark Joseph Edwards
Firefox is powerful, and thanks to interesting new technologies under development by the Mozilla Foundation, it's slated to become even more potent. Take a peek at the future of browsing via a new tool that'll let you and others get more out of hosted services — and possibly develop Web services of your own.
Latest security patch knocks out ZoneAlarm
Patch Watch by Susan Bradley
Check Point's security software conflicts with a new Microsoft DNS patch, necessitating a workaround to get your Internet connection operating again. Resetting ZoneAlarm's firewall database or reinstalling the application will get your PC back online.
A bigger, better newsletter with Support Alert
by Brian Livingston
I'm extremely proud to say that Windows Secrets is joining together with the Support Alert Newsletter, a major tech publication. When our two newsletters merge on July 24, we'll reach over 400,000 subscribers in total and add new content from one of the world's best sources of Windows software reviews.
The DIY guide to PC troubleshooting and repair
Top Story by Scott Dunn
The next time your computer acts up, drop the mouse, put down the phone, and use this troubleshooting checklist to find and fix the problem. Whether it's a slowdown, some strange behavior, or a total crash, a few basic troubleshooting tricks and tools may be all you need to get your PC back to peak performance.
Outlook corrupts HTML to text for some readers
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
If you're unable to view the newsletter in HTML format, a fix is in the works. We've received reports from a handful of readers that Microsoft Outlook has spontaneously converted our HTML content into an unreadable form of plain text, and we're on the trail of a solution.
A suit you can recycle for spare change
Wacky Web Week
Most people return their used cans to the recycle center for pocket change. This guy uses them to enhance his wardrobe.
From paper to searchable PDF on the cheap
Best Software by Becky Waring
You don't have to shell out $500 for software that converts scanned paper documents into searchable PDF or Office files. One of the three programs I tested is the clear winner in turning all your scanned images into fully indexed documents.
Seven uncommon keyboard shortcuts you'll love
Woody's Windows by Woody Leonhard
I have used Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X, and other standard shortcut-key combinations for so long they now live in my subconscious. Recently, I discovered a handful of obscure-yet-useful keyboard shortcuts that I now use on a daily basis, and while you may already know about one or two of 'em, I bet a few of my favorites will come as a surprise to you.
Free tool identifies unsecure ActiveX controls
Perimeter Scan by Ryan Russell
If you use Internet Explorer 7, some of your ActiveX controls may make your system susceptible to a drive-by browser attack. Now you can find and disable these unsecured controls by running a free program, though you may not want to disable all of them.
Six days left to get secret Internet history
On the Way to the Web: The Secret History of the Internet and Its Founders (photo, left) won't be available in stores for weeks. But Windows Secrets readers can get the best chapters now, until July 2. —Brian Livingston, editorial director
Save time by creating folders in bunches
Top Story by Scott Dunn
Simplify file management by generating new folders from your right-click menu that automatically have the current date in the folder name. Run a four-line batch file from your context menu that creates whole hierarchies of folders that you name from the Command Prompt.
Readers reach out to help other readers
Known Issues by Dennis O'Reilly
Troubleshoot Windows glitches, show menus in Vista's Explorer, and supercharge your OS with a low-cost shareware tool. There's lots of support for development of a true Windows Secrets reader-to-reader forum, as shown by your reaction to last week's report on Brian's meeting with readers in China.
The only thing I think about more often than beer
Wacky Web Week
First impressions are always important. It's easy to be judged based on the brand of your shoes, the style of your clothes, or the scent of your cologne. According to this video, men now have one more thing to be judged on.
Get top-flight antivirus without spending a dime
Best Software by Scott Spanbauer
Protect yourself from viruses and other online threats while skipping the annual subscription fees. These three antivirus freebies may lack some of the costly bells and whistles (and associated system slowdowns) of commercial alternatives, but they stop malware unobtrusively.