Latest Windows How-To

• 07 February 2013

• How-Tos: How to stop Windows 8 installing updates automatically

  If you're running Windows 8 and you went with the recommended settings automatic updates will be switched on. This can be annoying so here's our guide to stopping Windows 8 installing updates automatically.

• 06 February 2013

• How-Tos: How to make a Windows 8 PC boot faster

  Our Helproom Editor explains how to speed up the startup on a Windows 8 PC and laptop, as well as how to check out what is stopping your Windows 8 system booting quickly.

• How-Tos: Prevent WinRAR automatically taking control of ISO files

  When you download an ISO file you may find that it is compressed into a .RAR file: this allows you to access individual files within an ISO, but may not suit your purposes. Our Helproom Editor explains how to stop WinRAR automatically taking control of ISO files.

• 28 January 2013

• How-Tos: How to use IE8 in Windows 8

  Windows 8 comes with the Internet Explorer 10 web browser by default. It's a great upgrade to Microsoft's own web-surfing software, but some websites require that you use older versions of IE. Here our Helproom Editor explains how to access websites using Internet Explorer 8, even when you are running Windows 8.

• 24 January 2013

• How-Tos: How to use the Windows 8 Task Manager

  Task Manager has had a big overhaul in Windows 8. It's now easier to understand and has new features. Here's how to use it.

• 23 January 2013

• How-Tos: How to run Android apps in Windows

  Our Helproom Editor explains how to run Android apps on your Windows PC and laptop.

• How-Tos: How to boot Windows 8 in Safe Mode

  Booting into Safe Mode when using Windows 8 is not as simple as with previous versions of Windows - but it is possible. Here's how to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 8.

• 22 January 2013

• How-Tos: How to Save and restore desktop icon layout

  Want to save the positions of all the icons on your Windows desktop? Here's how to do it, and restore the layout if anything messes up your icons.

• 28 December 2012

• How-Tos: Wi-Fi doesn't work after Windows 8 upgrade

  One reason for Wi-Fi problems in Windows 8 is lack of up to date software drivers, as our Helproom Editor explains.

• 24 December 2012

• How-Tos: How to transfer music and files to Android smartphones and tablets

  Our step by step guide on how to transfer music and files to an Android smartphone or tablet from Windows or Mac.

• 20 December 2012

• How-Tos: How to dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8

  Here's how to dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 on your PC or laptop.

• 19 November 2012

• How-Tos: How to shut down Windows 8 more quickly

  Here's how to quickly shut down Windows 8.

• 16 November 2012

• How-Tos: Stop annoying multiple notifications in Windows 8

  Because Windows 8 apps have to work in different ways on the Windows 8 Desktop and on the Modern UI, there can be some duplication. If the messaging app, for instance, is duplicating messages from your existing Windows Messenger app, our Helproom Editor can show you what to do.

• How-Tos: SSD houses Windows, keeps running out of space

  Storing your Windows OS on an SSD is a good idea as it will speed up your PC or laptop. But Windows has a nasty habit of expanding and filling up your solid state storage. Our Helproom Editor explains what to do if your Windows operating system keeps filling up the SSD on which it is housed.

• How-Tos: Can't shut down Windows 8 PC

  If you are having problems shutting down your Windows 8 PC or laptop, our Helproom Editor can help.

• 15 November 2012

• How-Tos: Add Media Center, XP Mode, Start Menu, Desktop Gadgets to Windows 8

  When you install Windows 8 you will notice some features of Windows 7 and Windows XP are missing. Here's how to add Media Center, XP Mode, Start Menu, Desktop Gadgets to Windows 8.

• How-Tos: Add Start Menu to Windows 8

  The biggest complaint from users new to Windows 8 is the lack of a Start Menu. Once you get used to it the Start Screen is a more than adequate replacement, but if you must have a Start Menu, here is how to add the Start Menu to Windows 8.

• How-Tos: Add Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets to Windows 8

  If you used of any of the desktop Gadgets available in Windows 7, you will notice that they have all gone once you've upgraded to Windows 8. This is because Microsoft has ceased support for Gadgets under the new operating system. Here's how to re-install Windows 7 Gadgets when you are using Windows 8.

• How-Tos: How to migrate Windows XP Mode to Windows 8

  Several features present in Windows 7 Professional are no longer there in Windows 8 Pro. Furthermore, the upgrade process gives you no warning that these features will be removed. Windows XP Mode is trickier to deal with than most. As you're no-longer running Windows 7 Professional, you won't be able to download and install it. Here's how to install Windows XP Mode on Windows 8.

• How-Tos: How to add Windows Media Center to Windows 8

  Windows Media Center has been taken out of Windows 8, but is available as a pay-for added extra. But if you are quick, and you want Windows Media Center, you can get it for free.

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Downloads

• HomeBank 4.5

  Get your finances back in order with this powerful, but straightforward freebie.

• Run-Command 1.00

  An extended version of the Windows Run box

• SynWrite 4.8.740

  A compact but powerful source code editor and notepad replacement

• SugarSync for Android 4.0.0

  Keep your files synchronized between your computer and iOS devices

• DiffImg 1.5.0

  Highlight the differences between two images