C:\ Cleaner - Windows Optimization http://www.c-cleaner.net PC Cleaning Tips for the Common Man Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:19:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Windows 7 Improves Usability http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-improves-usability http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-improves-usability#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:39:15 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=91

The new Windows operating system includes some great new features that will considerably change how you use your PC. One of these features is the taskbar.  By being able to now pin programs to the taskbar, it is no longer just a place to see what applications are currently open.  Not sure what is open? Mouse over any icon in the taskbar and instantly see a thumbnail of all the open windows in that application.

This is just one of the time saving features in Windows 7.

Watch the video to learn more about the taskbar and how to use jump lists and the multiple windows feature.

UI Enhancements – Windows 7

Take a few minutes to learn about the new features in Windows 7 that will greatly boost your productivity.

It will be well worth your time.

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-improves-usability/feed 0 Great Tip For Speeding Up Your PC http://www.c-cleaner.net/speeding-up-p http://www.c-cleaner.net/speeding-up-p#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:06:09 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=132

The initial honeymoon period of owning a new computer can fade quickly.  There are a few scratches on the case, crumbs in the keyboard and fingerprints on the screen.  One of the most annoying things though, is the inevitable SLOW down of your computer’s performance. There are many different issues that can cause this and just as many articles and products to fix it.  For a relatively easy fix, increase the amount of memory in your PC.

This video will take you step by step through the process.


Computer Maintenance Tips : How to Improve Your Computer’s Memory

Enjoy your “just like new” computer!


]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/speeding-up-p/feed 0 Cool Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 7 http://www.c-cleaner.net/keyboard-shortcuts-windows-7 http://www.c-cleaner.net/keyboard-shortcuts-windows-7#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:36:26 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=115

We are always looking for shortcuts to speed up everyday computing tasks.  Microsoft definitely kept this in mind when coming up with the new Windows 7.

Some of the great new ones using the windows key include:

  • Win + Space → Makes all windows transparent so you can see the desktop
  • Win + Home → Clear all but the active window
  • Win + Up Arrow → Maximize the active window
  • Win + Down Arrow → Minimize or Restore the window
  • Win + Left/Right Arrow → Dock the window to each side of the monitor
  • Win + T → Focus and scroll through the items on your taskbar
  • Win + (+/-) → Zoom in or out
  • Win + P → Display options
  • Shift + Click a taskbar item → Open a new instance of that application
  • Win + G → Brings gadgets to the front

Here are some other examples.

What other great keyboard shortcuts have you discovered in Windows 7?

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/keyboard-shortcuts-windows-7/feed 0 New Computer Needs New Software http://www.c-cleaner.net/new-computer-new-software http://www.c-cleaner.net/new-computer-new-software#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:52:01 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=139

With so many great computer deals out there and a tempting new operating system from Microsoft, you may have opted for a new PC, instead of repairing your existing one. Although the price on the new PC may have been great it may not have included all the software you were hoping to have.  Not wanting to spend any additional money, but still wanting a quality anti virus program, word processing software and spreadsheet applications?

This video will outline some great, FREE, applications for your new computer.

Quality software at a price you can’t beat.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/new-computer-new-software/feed 0 Windows Cleaner Installation and Uninstallation http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-cleaner-installation-and-uninstallation http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-cleaner-installation-and-uninstallation#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:57:19 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=80

Windows Cleaning software is simple to install and uninstall, just like any other software. There are no special steps you need to know to benefit from trying the driver updater yourself.

Installing the Software

Firstly you will need to download the installer. This is a small file that will take a minute or two to download, depending on your Internet connection. Make sure to save it to your desktop so that you can easily find it afterwards.

Launch the installer after the download is complete by double-clicking on its icon on your desktop. Follow the install wizard to setup the Windows Cleaner, the software will automatically launch after the installation is complete.

Using the Software

Windows cleaning software is simple to use: after starting the application just click on the central button to start the cleaning scan process. After the scan is complete you will be shown a list of items that can be cleaned, removed or optimized on your PC. Just proceed to take care of all of them if you’re not sure which ones to clean. Remember that you can always go through the process later on by starting the program through Start, Programs menu.

Unistalling the Software

Normally, you can leave the cleaner software installed on your computer indefinitely – it takes up very little space and does not run unless you need it to. It is a good idea to run it at least once per month to keep your computer performing at its best.

If you want to remove it the process is very straight-forward: click on Start menu then Control Panel. Next, double-click on Add or Remove Programs, highlight the cleaner software in the list and just tap the Uninstall button. This will permanently remove it from your PC.

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-cleaner-installation-and-uninstallation/feed 0 Parental Controls in Windows 7 http://www.c-cleaner.net/parental-controls-windows-7 http://www.c-cleaner.net/parental-controls-windows-7#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:35:34 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=120

A common concern among parents is how to properly and fairly control computer time.  This can be especially hard when children are at home without adult supervision.  While there is 3rd party software applications that can do this, Microsoft has built this feature right into Windows 7.  This video will take you through the set up process.


Windows 7 Using Parental Controls

It is a great move on Microsoft’s part to add this feature to Microsoft 7 and remove the stress of monitoring computer time.


]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/parental-controls-windows-7/feed 0 Windows 7 & Touchscreen Technology http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-7-touch-technology http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-7-touch-technology#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:55:18 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=96

Windows 7 paired with Windows Touch creates a more interactive computing experience.  With just the flick of your finger you can scroll through your browser windows, family photos or open programs.

See how easy it is to navigate your computer with touchscreen technology.

Windows Touch – Windows 7

Both Dell and HP have Touch supported models.  Stop by your favorite computer store and have a look  (and a touch!).

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/windows-7-touch-technology/feed 0 Tidy Your Desktop with XP’s Desktop Cleanup Wizard http://www.c-cleaner.net/desktop-cleanup-wizard http://www.c-cleaner.net/desktop-cleanup-wizard#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:55:41 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=58

Is your Windows desktop starting to look like a dog’s breakfast?  Clean it up easily with a built in Windows XP tool: the Desktop Clean up Wizard

To start the Desktop Cleanup Wizard:

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes under Pick a category.
  3. Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Display.The Display Properties dialog box is displayed.
  4. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab, and then click Customize Desktop.The Desktop Items dialog box is displayed.
  5. Under Desktop cleanup, click to clear the Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days check box if you do not want the Desktop Cleanup Wizard to automatically start every 60 days.
  6. Click Clean Desktop Now.The Desktop Cleanup Wizard starts.

desktopcleanupwizard

How to Remove Unwanted Shortcuts

To remove unwanted shortcuts:

  1. In the Welcome to the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, click Next.
  2. In the Shortcuts dialog box, a list of shortcuts are displayed in the Shortcut to Clean Up list. The shortcuts that you click are removed from the desktop and placed in the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on the Windows desktop. If you do not want a shortcut to be removed from the desktop, click to clear the check box for that shortcut, and then click Next when you are finished.
  3. In the Completing the Desktop Cleanup Wizard dialog box, view the items in the Shortcuts box to confirm that you want them removed from the desktop, and then click Finish.The Desktop Cleanup Wizard moves the selected shortcuts to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder and then quits.

Restore Shortcuts

If a shortcut that you want is removed, follow these steps to restore the shortcut:

  1. On the desktop, double-click the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. The Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is displayed.NOTE: If the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box is maximized, click the Restore Down button (appears to the left of the red Close button).
  2. Drag the shortcut that you want to the Windows desktop.
  3. Close the Unused Desktop Shortcuts dialog box.

For tips on how to enable and disable the Desktop Clean up Wizard, check out this article on xp-tips.com

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/desktop-cleanup-wizard/feed 0 How to Manually Back Up & Restore the Windows Registry http://www.c-cleaner.net/restore-windows-registry-manually http://www.c-cleaner.net/restore-windows-registry-manually#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:45:46 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=60

Occasionally, you may need to back up and restore your Windows OS registry by hand.  The following is the official Microsoft instructions for performing these critical tasks:

Instructions for manually backing up the registry in Windows 7, Windows Vista or in Windows XP

Windows Vista or Windows 7

  1. Click Start, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  2. Wait for Windows to search for available disks and most recent restore points. In the System Properties dialog box, on the System Protection tab, click Create,
  3. Type a name for the restore point and then click Create.
  4. After the restore point has been created successfully, click OK two times.

Note If System Restore is turned off, click to select the local disk, click Apply and then click Create.

Windows XP

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next .
  3. On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create
  4. After the restore point has been created, click Close.

Note If System Restore is turned off, you receive a message that asks whether you want to turn on System Restore now. Click Yes. Then, in the System Properties dialog box, click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box, click OK, and then repeat this step.

Steps to restore the registry in Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP

Use System Restore to undo registry changes in Windows 7, Windows Vista or in Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7

  1. Click Start, type systempropertiesprotection in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  2. In the System Properties dialog box, on the System Protection tab, click System Restore,
  3. In the System Restore dialog box select Choose a different restore point, and then click Next
  4. Select the restore point that you want to use, and then click Next.
  5. Confirm your restore point, and then click Finish System restore restores the selected Windows Vista or Windows 7 configuration and then restarts the computer.
  6. Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK..
Windows XP

  1. Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\Rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
  2. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next .
  3. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the system checkpoint. In the On this list select the restore point area, click an entry that is named “Guided Help (Registry Backup),” and then click Next. If a System Restore message appears that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make, click OK.
  4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration and then restarts the computer.
  5. Log on to the computer. When the System Restore confirmation page appears, click OK..

For additional support in manually editing your registry, you can follow the discussion here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

]]> http://www.c-cleaner.net/restore-windows-registry-manually/feed 0 How to Use the Windows XP Disk Cleanup Tool http://www.c-cleaner.net/how-to-use-the-windows-xp-disk-cleanup-tool http://www.c-cleaner.net/how-to-use-the-windows-xp-disk-cleanup-tool#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:43:34 +0000 admin http://www.c-cleaner.net/?p=56

The Disk Cleanup tool helps free up space on your hard drive by searching your drive for files that you can safely delete. You can choose to delete some or all of the files. Use Disk Cleanup to perform any of the following tasks to free up space on your hard drive:

  • Remove temporary Internet files.
  • Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.
  • Empty the Recycle Bin.
  • Remove Windows temporary files.
  • Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.
  • Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

You can start Disk Cleanup, by doing any of the following:

  • Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type cleanmgr, and then click OK.-or-
  • Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.-or-
  • In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, click Properties, click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.

Here’s a screenshot to of this utility:

disk cleanup tool

For additional details on using the Windows XP Disk Cleanup Tool, check in with this article on How-to-Geek

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