Windows 8 RTM: First Impressions

Windows 8 RTM: First Impressions

Finally , the wait is over and super excited to get my hands on Windows 8 RTM..  And really lucky to get it before Windows 8 global release on October 26. You too can get it for free by participating in Windows 8 Utshav @ MIC or in your own college from MIC Nepal.

If you are expecting drastic changes from the release preview, you are going to be disappointed. Windows 8 is definitely improvement over Release Preview but there are not feature additions besides vastly improved Windows 8 apps, stability & bug fixes.

The set up was really quick in less than 30 minutes on my PC. And when I signed in with my Microsoft account, I was surprised that all my data, apps, IE settings and lock screen wallpaper were synced up.

 Windows 8 gives your old PC new life

When I first heard about Windows 8, I was like time to upgrade my PC. But I was actually surprised to know that with Windows 8 runs better than Windows 7 on same hardware. And what's more interesting is it boots in less than 8 seconds if it gets the right hardware.  On old PCs too, Windows 8 boots faster than Windows 7 and is responsive, fast and fluid.

New start screen patterns

 Now you can choose from 20 design patterns to make your start screen and visual. ( My Windows was not activated so I could not try them)

Windows 8 Store and apps

Till Release Preview, all apps in the Store were free. Now you also can look for paid apps.  But  I think it is only available for US (for now) since there was no way to change country in Payment options.

There are handful of beautiful apps to play or work with. And I hope by the general availability of Windows 8, there will be enough apps to compete with apple store. Also, Microsoft's apps like Mail, People, Music, Video and SkyDrive which were in app preview are now feature complete and have nice improvements over the Release Preview.

Windows 8 desktop gets metro look

No surprises here. As announced, aero is removed and replaced with simple colors and flat look. I was actually fan of aero but I am not missing it now  :) 

 Bing gets visual with Windows 8

Bing search late comer to bing apps is what makes RTM  version special..As other Windows 8 apps, Bing search provides  full and immersive experience free from chrome and tools.  I never though that searching on web could be so awesome and beautiful.  With the bing app on Windows 8, searching via browser on google and even bing.com feels outdated.  (Note: Scroll via mouse to see different Bing Wallpapers)

 Internet Explorer 10

Internet Explorer for me too was the browser I loved to hate. I even had speed and hang issues in Internet Explorer 9. But Internet Explorer 10 is just fast and fluid. Its is not different in look and feel from IE 9 but definitely better. And I prefer IE desktop to metro version on my desktop.  And One thing that surprised me was now Internet Explorer has auto correct that automatically corrects your common typing mistakes. And I am not sure if it was available in previous versions.

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Advantage and Disadvantages of Internet Explorer 9

Advantage and Disadvantages of Internet Explorer 9

Advantages

HTML5:

One of the biggest advantage of Internet Explorer 9 over other Internet Explorer version is the support for HTML5! This feature has been widely advertised by Microsoft. HTML5 lets you play video and sound without the need of another plugin or software (like Adobe Flash player). It also allow you to do other things including play cool games without the need of flash.

Speed:

Another advantage of Internet Explorer 9 (or IE9 for short) is the speed. It has been widely touted by Microsoft to be faster and slicker than other browsers. And Microsoft have come up on that promise. Its certainly faster than previous Internet Explorer 8.

Crash/hang tolerant:

With previous Internet Explorers, a hanging tab can bring down the entire browser. But with IE9, only the tag hang. You can work with any other tags.

Disadvantages

Broken websites:

Because IE9 is more standards than previous Internet Explorer, sites not written in standards complient HTML can look "broken" in Internet Explorer 9. For example, sites may look extremely narrow or plugins may fail to load. This can be solved by adding this tag immediately below the "<head>" tag:

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=?" />

and replace the question mark (?) with the last Internet Explorer browser that works with your website. For example, if you tested your page using IE9, add If you add this to your meta tags:

<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=8" />.

Favorites:

When using ctrl+b to orginize favorites, deleting a favorite does not place it in the recycle bin to restore later. In addition, IE9 does NOT confirm whether you want to delete a favorite.

Pinned tab:

In pinned tab mode, other add-ons like WOT and Norton Safe Web does not appear.

No track filtering:

We can't import our custom list of block sites. There are even other providers that make .xml lists to import. I can't find any option to import those rules! Currently the no track does not extend to google ads.

Default features:

As mentioned in the previous blog post, Microsoft have disabled features by default that we have grown so used to with Internet Explorer 8. For example, system sounds. In IE8, when a popup is blocked, a sound would play. But IE9 is amazingly quiet. You would have to manually enable that option in the advanced tab under internet options. Furthermore, QuickTabs is disabled by default. To enable it go to internet options and click on settings next to tabs. You would find the option there.

Windows Vista/Windows 7:

Internet Explorer 9 will only work on Windows Vista and Windows 7. Those with older Windows operating system (like Windows XP) is out of luck. They would need to get other browsers like Firefox to get comparable features to IE9

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How to Use Telnet Client

How to Use Telnet Client

1) Install the Telnet Client. Click on the "Start" button and then select "Control Panel." Click on the "/Programs and Features" option in the Control Panel.

2) Click on the "Turn Windows feature on or off" option in the Programs and Features menu. Select the "Telnet Client" option when the "Windows Features" menu appears. Click "OK" to install the Telnet Client.

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3) Launch the Telnet Client. Click on the "Start" button. Type "Telnet" into the Start menu's search box and then click on the Telnet Client's icon. Alternatively, you can select the "Computer" option in the Start menu and browse for the client on your hard drive. Open the "Windows" folder on your hard drive and then open the "Windows32" folder. Click on the Telnet file.

4) Establish a connection to a remote server. Type "o" and then press the "Enter" key on your keyboard. Type in the IP (Internet Protocol) address or domain name of the server to which you like to connect and press "Enter." Type in a username and password if prompted.

5) Communicate with the remote server using UNIX commands. Not all commands may be available -- it will depend on remote server's administrative settings. Type "H" and then press "Enter" to query the Telnet Client for a basic list of commands.

6) Type "Quit" to exit the Telnet Client.

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How to Convert a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows 7

 How to Convert a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows 7

Before you start to convert a FAT or FAT32 volume to NTFS, please consider the following limitations and requirements:

• UDF and CDfs file systems are only used with optical media and cannot be converted to NTFS.
• FAT12 is the only format used on floppy diskettes (as if these are used anymore ). This does not apply to a USB flash key though.
• The conversion to NTFS is a one-way process. After you convert a drive or a partition to NTFS, you cannot convert it back to FAT or to FAT32 unless you format it again as FAT or FAT32.
• The convert command requires that you have enough free space on the drive or on the partition that you want to convert to be able to convert it. If Convert.exe determines that there is not sufficient free space on the volume, it will not convert the volume.
• If the files are being used on the volume that you are trying to convert, then you will be prompted with:
• "Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? <Y/N>"
• Quit all the programs that are using the files on the drive, and then type Y at the command prompt to convert the drive to NTFS.
• If the drive or partition volume that you are trying to convert is in use, then you will be prompted with:
• "Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the drive letter drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts? <Y/N>"
• To resolve this issue, type Y at the command prompt. The volume or drive will be converted to NTFS the next time that you restart the computer.

HOW TO DO:

1. To Use a Elevated Command Prompt in Windows

         A) Open a Elevated command prompt. 

         B) Go to step 3.

2. To Use a Command Prompt at Boot

         A) Open a command prompt at boot.

         B) In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

         C) In the command prompt, type list volume and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

        NOTE: This will let you see what the drive letter is for the drive that you want to connvert since it may     not always be the same drive letter that it is in Windows.

        D) After making note of the drive letter, type exit and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

        E) Continue on to step 3 to convert the drive.

3. In the command prompt, type convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: Substitute drive letter for the drive letter of the FAT or FAT32 drive or partition that you want to convert to NTFS. For example, I want to convert my USB flash key with the drive letter G: , so I would type convert g: /fs:ntfs and press enter.

4. If prompted to Enter current volume label for drive (drive letter) (ex: G: ), then enter the name (ex: NEW VOLUME) of this drive letter as it is displayed in the Computer window and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

5. When the conversion to NTFS is complete, you receive the Conversion complete message. (See screenshot above)

NOTE: This may take a while to convert depending on full and large the drive is. It may also seem like it has hung at points, but be patient and let it finish. 

6. Close the command prompt.

NOTE: If you used a command prompt at boot, then also close the System Recovery Options window and restart the computer. 

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How to use Linux While using Windows Virtually:

How to use Linux While using Windows Virtually:


1. First of all you will need to download a software which will make a virtual OS inside another OS. I'll use here an open source free software known as VMware Player Download it here.


2. After downloading install it and then a desktop shortcut icon will be placed at your desktop.


3. After that download the version of the Linux which you want to emulate/virtualize in your Windows. Lets say, its backtrack 5. Download an .iso copy of it from here.

4. After downloading place it somewhere in your hard disk. And then open VMware Player from desktop.From the top toolbar select File>Create a New Virtual Machine and then select the second option installer disc image file (.iso) and give the path of the .iso file of the backtrack 5 through below. Like this:-

5. Now select what I have selected below in screen shot. Like select Linux and in kernel version select 2.6 as Backtrack 5 uses this kernel version. And press next.

6. After that choose whatever name you want for this virtual machine in next step like I have used "Wamiq Ali Back Track 5" and then choose the path below where you want to save it.

7. After that hit next and then again next. Now click finish after that.

8. Your virtual machine is successfully created. It will be launched. And select the first boot option in the Linux Backtrack 5 boot menu as the virtual machine is played.As shown in screen shot below:-

8. Rest of the entries have already been told in previous tutorials that how can you handle them and can get logged into backtrack 5. But I repeat that:-
Type startx after getting booted from first option in boot menu and hit enter.
If required for user name that is root and password is toor. So, enjoy using Bt5 under Windows.

Source: www.hackersthirst.com

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7 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer

7 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer

Facing problem with your windows PC performance time to time. There are so many ways which helps you to Speed up your computer. Slow windows PC take more time to respond to a user’s actions like opening files, surfing internet, copying or moving files and other important tasks. Today we will show you some of the best tips which helps you to can improve your computer’s performance. Do try these steps in a order to speed up your computer performance.

How to Speed up Your Computer

1. Always Clean Your Desktop

Clean Your Desktop

Always try to clean your Desktop files, try to put those files in the “My Documents” folder. If there are so many files with big size, you can put them in separate folders on your drives. Create shortcuts on your Desktop for the folders or files you frequently use. This method will help you to free up the memory for your PC and also reduce the time and frequency the hard drive is used and improve the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do. With this simple and easy method you will make your computer run faster.

2. Fix Windows Systems Files

Fix Windows Systems Files

We recommend this method to use this will help you to fix your windows system files. A Windows PC has lots of system file that perform different functions. Some time some of these system files has changed or become corrupted and that’s the cause of slows windows pc. If this happens to your windows PC, the speed of your system may decrease. By using the utility “System File Checking”, it will scan these files and fix any problem it finds.

How to use System File Checker, follow these steps:

1. Close all open programs on your Desktop

2. Click on the Start button

3. Click Run

4. Type this command in the Run box: SFC /SCANNOW

5. Click the “OK” button

3. Scan for Viruses, Spyware and Adware threats

Scan for Viruses, Spyware and Adware threats

Every Windows computer is vulnerable to viruses. Viruses are the major factor of your windows PC slow performance. All these Spyware and Adware are programs created by companies to find out more information about customers, so they can better market products to them. All these spyware and adware can load into computer memory and slow down your PC. Here are 10 Best Anti Virus Programs of 2012 and Top Free Windows Antivirus and 10 best Free Online Virus Scanners which will help you to scan your PC.

4. Uninstall Unused Programs

Uninstall Unused Programs

Whenever you install a new program in your PC, it creates connections between the program and the operating system. But most of the time you didn,t some of the programmes which are installed on your PC, they can slow down your system. So always try to uninstall unused programs, removing unused programs will free up space on your computer and may speed up your system’s performance.

Do try this free app Revo Uninstaller to Uninstall Unused Programs.

5. Adjust Visual Effects for Better Performance

Windows provides a lots of interesting visual effects including animated windows and fading menus for operating system. If you do not have enough operating memory or facing memory problems, than these visual effects can slow down your computer. Adjusting or reducing visual effects can make a difference.

6. Defrag Your Computer

Defrag Your Computer

The Windows PC system places files and programs on a hard drive where there is space; one file will not necessarily be located in one physical place. Over time, a hard drive can become fragmented with hundreds of files broken up in many locations across the drive. Ultimately, this can slow down a computer’s response time because it takes longer for it to access information. So now its time to defrag your Windows PC to speed up your computer. That’s why using a defrag program can play an important role in speeding up your computer

Try These Tools to Defrag Your Computer – Smart Defrag, Disk Defrag, Auslogics Disk Defrag

7. Don’t Automatically Start Programs

Unnecessary programs running on windows startup is the major factor of Slow PC. With the helps of this article we will show you how to determine what programs run when Windows boots, so you can choose which ones to remove from start ups programs. All these programs uses your system resources (operating memory), so any program not running will reduce memory use and may speed up your PC. Try the following step to stop automatically start programs

Open the System Configuration Utility:

1. Click on the Start menu, then click on “Run”

2. Type “msconfig” into the textbox and click OK (The System Configuration Utility will open).

3. Click the Startup tab (to see the list of items that automatically load with Windows).

4. Uncheck the box next to the program name you do not want to start with Windows.

5. Close this program and restart your computer.

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10 ways for better internet browsing through NTC CDMA Sky

Surfing on the internet, the definition has obviously changed. We need fast, secure and cheap connection. Nepal is certainly having problems with this changed – FSC definition. My friend who works on an ISP enjoys FSC but me….. I calculate bytes … recharge my balance regularly … do not enjoy multimedia … do not download/update software…. check mail…. search … chat……

If we have the NTC CDMA phone and wish to connect internet and are not aware of the ways of keeping the unnecessary bytes transfer in control then your wallet is certainly emptying fast.

10 ways to keep your CDMA charges low:

1) No multimedia thru net. Graphics, animation, images, videos, audio; Disable all.

2) Browse mobile pages if available.

3) Use Outlook for checking and sending mail.

4) Search tags should be as small as possible and find your site in first click. Do not go by many sites for one query.

5) Do not delete your temporary internet files and cookies unless it is necessary.

6) Do not log out from sites.

7) Do not make automatic updates on.

8) Do not download files without knowing the size of the files.

9) Disable pop-ups and JavaScript ads like Google Adsense.

10) Use older versions of messengers. They are typically free from heavy ads and so on.

Give suggestions and comments. If u have any idea about the topic then please do post.

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Find, Move or Delete Duplicate Files on Your PC

Find, Move or Delete Duplicate Files on Your PC

I do my best to have files on my PC organized and sorted so I know where every file is. And yet, when I ran this free software, during 3 minutes it found 1038 duplicate files on my system totaling 39 GBs. What a surprise! Imagine then how many duplicate files you have if you don’t pay much attention to organizing files on your PC?

Removing duplicate files from your PC will boost your system performance and speed it up immensely. Whether it be photos, mp3 files, text documents… Removing those files will enable you to have more disk space, reduce antivirus scan time, reduce the time it takes to defragment your hard drive and help you easily organize your files.

DuplicateFinder is a freeware program that will detect all the cloned files that you might have on your computer.

DuplicateFinder uses optimized detection algorithms and file filters so the scanning time is greatly minimized. The detected files can be removed in no time with the help of the automatic file selector and the predefined set of actions (copying, moving or deleting).

I must say it was pretty fast and efficient. Now I have additional 39 Gigabytes of space available when I cleaned up the unnecessary files in just 3 minutes. Of course, if you don’t want to delete them right away, you can always group them into a folder using “Move” option, and there you can see whether you want to keep some of them.

It works on Windows NT 4.0, 2K, XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

You can download Duplicate Finder http://www.bytessence.com/bdf.html

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