Windows comes with the ability to index your files so the Start screen or Start Menu can search them faster. However, the process of indexing files and their contents takes some time and also consumes your PC's resources. Indexing runs in the background without trying to affect your PC's performance. There is a way to control the speed of indexing and how much resources it consumes. Let's see how.
How to add Switch between windows button back on the Windows 8 taskbar
In older Windows versions, you had the Quick launch toolbar on by default which you now need to manually enable. On it was a shortcut which opened Flip 3D. It was a handy option for users who switched between multiple running programs with the mouse. In Windows 7, that useful button was removed from the Taskbar and Quick Launch was disabled by default. In Windows 8, Flip 3D itself was completely removed, so the only built-in switcher for desktop apps that remains now is the Alt+Tab dialog which you can tweak. Let's see how to reinstate the Switch Between Windows button next to the Start button which brings up this Alt+Tab dialog.
Daily Bing #41 theme for Windows 8
How to disable ads in Skype’s chat window
Previously, we covered a trick which gets rid of Skype ads by modifying the language file. Unfortunately, this method stopped working in newer versions of Skype. Another annoyance in newer versions of Skype is that banner ads are shown right in the chat window. Today, we would like to share another simple method to disable ads in Skype's chat window which works regardless of the version of Windows you have.
How to bring back Show Desktop button next to the Start button on the Taskbar
In Windows 7, the Show Desktop button which used to next to the Start button got relocated to the end of the Taskbar. If the taskbar is at the bottom, you have to hover over the bottom right corner to peek at the desktop or click that button to work with items on the Desktop. Let's see how to reinstate the Show Desktop button next to the Start button.
How to change your logon name (user account name) in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
When you first install Windows, it prompts you to create a user account and choose a name for it. This becomes your logon name (also called as the user name). Windows also creates a separate display name for you. If you type your full name when creating an account, Windows creates a logon name based on the first name and your full name is stored as the display name. You can easily change your display name from the User Accounts Control Panel but what about the logon name? You can change the logon name too without having to create a new user account but the way to change it isn't so obvious. Here is how to do it.
Nature HD#39 theme for Windows 8
A Start menu toolbar trick of the taskbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
In the past we have covered a simple trick to revive the good old Quick Launch toolbar in Windows 8. Using the same technique, you can create a very useful Start menu toolbar on your taskbar, which allows you to have quick access to all installed programs with one click via a cascading menu. Using this toolbar, it is not even necessary to interact with the Start screen constantly to open a desktop program. Here is what you should do.
How to create a portable Microsoft Fix it
Fix It from Microsoft is a PC troubleshooting solution which allows you to find and fix your Windows issues quickly with a single click. It is a set of automated troubleshooters based on Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services (MATS) engine. It provides the option to run these troubleshooters directly from the browser. This is very useful. Almost all Fix It solutions are available for download to be used offline and have 'Let me fix it myself' instructions too. Another good thing about Fix It solutions is that you can make any of them portable. The solutions database and engine can be placed on a USB flash drive. Just follow the simple instructions below.
Winaero Giveaway: free Able2Extract PDF Converter licenses for our readers!
It's time again for one of Winaero's giveaways where you can win a license to quality commercial apps. We are happy to announce that the developer of the awesome software, Able2Extract PDF Converter 8, which we reviewed recently at Winaero, has offered to give away three free licenses for our readers.
Read the rest of this post to learn how to get one of the 3 free licenses of Able2Extract PDF Converter 8.