New Years resolutions are a tradition that everyone loves -- and the breaking of said resolutions is as common as making them. But although you may have already started to eat desserts again, here are some Windows resolutions you'd be wise to keep in this New Year -- and beyond.
1. Move to Windows 7. If you're still using Windows XP or Windows Vista, make this your year to switch to Microsoft's best operating system ever -- Windows 7.
It's more stable, more efficient, more secure and just plain better in every way than those dinosaurs. As just one example, check out how the Windows 7 desktop is superior to previous versions. (Tim Fisher, the About.com Guide to PC Support, also has a great how-to on installing Windows 7.)
2. Back up your OS and data. If there was only one nugget of wisdom I could impart to users, it would be: back up, back up, BACK UP YOUR STUFF! Your hard drive and/or computer will die someday -- usually when you're in the middle of a critical document or project. When that happens, what will happen to your data? If you have it stored locally (i.e. on another hard drive nearby), online (via a remote site on the Internet), or my preference -- both -- it's simply a matter of dumping your backed-up information on a new computer.
Windows has backup programs, but I recommend going with better solutions from third parties. Once again, my friend Tim Fisher has done the hard work here, so you and I don't have to.
Here are some guides to local and online backup offerings.
3. Secure your PC. If you want your computer to die, crash or be used by others without your permission, by all means ignore this advice. If, on the other hand, you like the idea of keeping your computer safe, it's a good idea to learn a bit about security. Here are the first four things you should do:
4. Learn more about your computer. Most people only learn enough about their computers to get by, learn about what they need on a day-to-day basis. If you're doing this, you're wasting a lot of what your PC can do for you. If you just hit email, Facebook and do a little Web surfing, you're not getting much out of this magical machine. Find some tutorials, for example -- like the ones on this site and others.
For instance, do you use Jump Lists in Windows 7? If not, you're slowing yourself down. How about Windows Live Essentials, a set of really cool programs that add a lot of functionality to your computer? No? Well then, check it out. Would you like a weather gadget on your desktop at all times? It's easy to do.
Spending time doing these four things will make you a more productive, happier Windows user. Resolve, now, to do them. You'll thank me for it. And Happy New Year!
1. Move to Windows 7. If you're still using Windows XP or Windows Vista, make this your year to switch to Microsoft's best operating system ever -- Windows 7.
It's more stable, more efficient, more secure and just plain better in every way than those dinosaurs. As just one example, check out how the Windows 7 desktop is superior to previous versions. (Tim Fisher, the About.com Guide to PC Support, also has a great how-to on installing Windows 7.)
2. Back up your OS and data. If there was only one nugget of wisdom I could impart to users, it would be: back up, back up, BACK UP YOUR STUFF! Your hard drive and/or computer will die someday -- usually when you're in the middle of a critical document or project. When that happens, what will happen to your data? If you have it stored locally (i.e. on another hard drive nearby), online (via a remote site on the Internet), or my preference -- both -- it's simply a matter of dumping your backed-up information on a new computer.
Windows has backup programs, but I recommend going with better solutions from third parties. Once again, my friend Tim Fisher has done the hard work here, so you and I don't have to.
Here are some guides to local and online backup offerings.
3. Secure your PC. If you want your computer to die, crash or be used by others without your permission, by all means ignore this advice. If, on the other hand, you like the idea of keeping your computer safe, it's a good idea to learn a bit about security. Here are the first four things you should do:
- Make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on
- Automatically install Windows updates
- Set up User Account Control
- Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials, a free suite of tools
4. Learn more about your computer. Most people only learn enough about their computers to get by, learn about what they need on a day-to-day basis. If you're doing this, you're wasting a lot of what your PC can do for you. If you just hit email, Facebook and do a little Web surfing, you're not getting much out of this magical machine. Find some tutorials, for example -- like the ones on this site and others.
For instance, do you use Jump Lists in Windows 7? If not, you're slowing yourself down. How about Windows Live Essentials, a set of really cool programs that add a lot of functionality to your computer? No? Well then, check it out. Would you like a weather gadget on your desktop at all times? It's easy to do.
Spending time doing these four things will make you a more productive, happier Windows user. Resolve, now, to do them. You'll thank me for it. And Happy New Year!