Microsoft Windows

One of the great new features of Windows 7 is that it lets you create and attach Virtual Hard Disks (VHD) without third party software. Instead, you can simply use the Disk Management tool included with Windows 7.
To create a VHD in Windows 7:

Open the Disk Management tool by typing diskmgmt.msc in the Start menu [...]

If you share a computer, there are numerous settings available in Windows 7 that you can use to maintain your privacy. For example, you can prevent Windows from displaying your recently opened files on the Start menu and you can prevent Internet Explorer from keeping a history of web sites you visited.
Another example is to [...]

Many of us have, at one point or another, installed a program or made some change that was harmful to our computers. For such times, you can use Windows 7’s System Restore to restore your computer to a previous point in time without having to reinstall the operating system.
Unlike Windows Vista, Windows 7 provides a [...]

You’ve decided to upgrade to Windows 7. Before starting the upgrade, you should take some time to plan the upgrade to ensure it goes smoothly. This includes verifying that if you current operating system is upgradeable to Windows 7 and to which version.
First, there are a few operating systems than can not be upgraded to [...]

Windows Updates is a great feature of Microsoft operating systems that allows you to easily keep your system up to date and secure. In the previous installment of this article, I showed you how to configure Windows Updates through the Control Panel. In this article, I’ll show you alternate method to configuring Windows Update.
Windows Update [...]

As with previous versions of Windows, Windows 7 lets you control how and when updates are downloaded and installed on your computer. Using the Windows Update feature, you can choose whether updates are downloaded to your computer as well as whether updates are installed automatically. For example, updates for Windows 7 can be downloaded [...]

In Part I of Prevent Reboots after Windows Updates, you learned how to disable automatic reboots through the local Group Policy. Doing so prevents Windows Update from rebooting your computer after updates are installed.
If you are running Windows XP Home SP2, Windows Vista Home versions, or Windows 7 Home versions, you cannot disable automatic reboots [...]

Windows Update helps you to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest updates available from Microsoft. It is definitely a lifesaver for those of us who are not diligent in keeping our computers up-to-date with the latest fixes, patches, etc.
However, I have two peeves with Windows Update. First, the dialog box that constantly pops up [...]

Windows 7: The Definitive Guide provides everything you need to manage and maintain Windows 7. You’ll learn all of the features and enhancements in complete detail, along with specifics for configuring the operating system to put you in full control.
Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn’t just show you the steps you need to [...]

Many people avoid upgrading to a new operating system because the thought of moving all their settings and files is too difficult or seems like too much work. Microsoft makes it easy for even inexperienced users to upgrade to a newer operating system with the Windows Easy Transfer tool.
The Windows Easy Transfer tool lets [...]

Richard and I talk to John Bocharov from Microsoft’s IIS Media team. John talks about Microsoft Media Services in general and the upcoming Smooth Streaming technologies utilizing IIS7 and Silverlight. Check out John’s blog here.
John Bocharov is a Program Manager on Microsoft’s IIS Media team. He focuses primarily on designing and delivering Smooth Streaming and [...]

Ponzi nailed it - everyone has a different idea of productive computing. What works for you, likely is not going to work for me. Taking it a notch further, Ponzi also points out the lack of Outlook on OS X, is possibly a deal buster. And leave it to Chris to point out the HUGE [...]