You should compress a folder or files for these reasons:

- You want to use ZIP format to reduce the size of the file (usually for emailing).
- To contain a bunch of files into a single ZIP file.
- You want to a password required to open the files.

Method ONE

If you just need to compress a folder or a file, Windows has a built-in way of making a zip file.

Right-click the file or folder... Send To... Compressed folder

This creates a new .zip file

Method TWO

For password protection, Windows can't do it, you need the free 7zip.

Download the 32 bit version from here: www.7-zip.org

Right-click the file or folder... 7-Zip... Add to archive...

You will see an options screen, enter the desired password and click OK.

OpenDNS works well because it is not software.  With just a minor change to your home wireless router's DNS numbers you can be protected.
There is NO installation required on computers, iPads, etc. and all devices that connect through your router are protected.  Plus, it's free

Note: this is a website blocker but it's not a spam blocker.

How

1. Sign up here for OpenDNS Home.

2. Use these directions to change your router's DNS numbers to these numbers: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
(You will need to know your router's admin password.  If you don't know it, it's probably still the default setting from the manufacturer).

(Usually you can browse to http://192.168.1.1  to adjust these settings)

3. Then go to the OpenDNS Settings area to configure the filtering settings you want. (see picture below)

A VPN 'virtual private network' allows you to use your internet connection to remotely connect to your office network.

Once connected, you should be able to access the server drives, printers and other resources that are normally available at the office.  (You must provide your office password to get to them).

Here's how to set up the VPN (on Windows 7)

1. Click 'Start' ...  type 'vpn' and choose 'Set up a VPN connection'

2. Give the name or IP number of your VPN server. 

3. Enter your username and password. 

Here's how to speed up the VPN (on Windows 7)

Now your connection is set up.  However once you connect, ALL your network traffic will go through the office, including web browsing, etc.  That will be slow.

So do this to only use the VPN for your office traffic.

1. Get to the 'properties' of your VPN.

2. Under TCPIPv4... Properties... Advanced... UNcheck 'use default gateway on remote network'

Here are the 3 tips that will make your computer faster, just click on each link below to follow the directions.

1. Use MalwareBytes to scan for viruses.  If you haven't scanned for viruses before you probably have a minor virus (malware).

2. Stop unnecessary programs from loading. You probably load lots of stuff you don't really need anymore.

3. Reset your browser.  If your browser is sluggish you probably have add-ons loaded that you don't need - go back to factory defaults.

And here are the links…

http://www.rethinkit.com/blog/tech-tip-virus-use-malwarebytes-to-scan-for-viruses

http://www.rethinkit.com/blog/tech-tip-windows-stop-unnecessary-programs-from-loading

http://www.rethinkit.com/blog/tech-tip-internet-explorer-reset-your-browser

Sorry to inform you, but The Best Day in your computer’s life was the day you got it.  This was before you loaded all that software that you were sure you were going to use but is now s-l-o-w-i-n-g it down.  Here’s how to get back to the good old days of just-what-you-need computing. 

Step 1.  Uninstall programs that you don’t use.

All those little icons in the bottom right are loading every time your computer starts.  Plus they take up memory.

If you haven’t used it in the last 90 days – you probably aren’t going to need it.

Windows 7:  Click on the Start button and type ‘features’ and then click on ‘Programs and Features’ (it’s in the Control Panel)

Windows XP:  Click Start.. Run… and type ‘control’ (for control panel).  Then click on Add or Remove Programs

Go down the list and remove any programs you don’t use.  Be careful though – If you don’t recognize it leave it (e.g. it might be a program to run your wireless network ).    And don’t ask what ‘Bonjour’ from Apple is because nobody knows.

Step 2.  Disable startup items.

Sometimes there are things in the ‘startup’ group that just shouldn’t be there.  If, after Step 1, you still need help, it’s time to disable startup items.

Click Start… (and then Run in XP)… and type ‘msconfig’  .

The Startup tab shows you all the programs that load with your computer.    Uncheck items to prevent them from loading.

Be careful with this.  If you don’t recognize the company, or if it’s Microsoft, you should probably leave it alone. 

But ,unlike uninstalling software, you can always re-check everything to get it back.

(Tech Tip: Windows) How to recover a file using 'Previous Versions'

The ‘Recycle Bin’ you see on your desktop has a limitation: it doesn’t keep files that you delete from network drives.  However, most network drives are protected by 'Previous Versions' (aka Shadow Copies).

There are two options to use 'Previous Versions'.

1. If you made changes to a file and you want a previous version, just Right-click… choose Properties and click the Previous Versions tab.  Copy the file you need.
Note: Copy… will ask you to place the file somewhere new, like your desktop.  Restore will overwrite the current version with this one.

2. If you deleted a file or folder, then you need to go to the closest parent folder and show Previous Versions.
Then just press View on the version you want to look at.  Copy the items you need onto your desktop, close the Previous Versions screens, and replace the originals as you wish.

The tool: http://www.grc.com/files/securable.exe

The site: http://www.grc.com/securable.htm

Windows 7 32 bit vs Windows 7 64 bit: Which one?

Basically, you want Windows 64 bit because it doesn’t have the 4G (really 3.5G) memory limit that exists with 32 bit operating systems and memory addressing.

So why WOULDN’T you get 64 bit:

- If you have some strange hardware that doesn’t yet have 64 bit drivers.

- If you have some even rarer software that won’t run on 64 bit even with the compatibility property set on the icon.

- If you have less than 3G, there’s kind of no point EXCEPT you can’t upgrade the Windows software later. So if you do get more memory later you will have to re-install the computer and all the software.

1. Right-click on the Start button and choose ‘Open’

Note: for Win 7 / Vista , right-click the startup folder in the start

menu

2. Double-click Programs then double-click Startup

3. Drag your Icon into the Startup folder

Note: If you drag using the right mouse button you will get a popup menu asking if you want copy or move

But most people will not read the message and will click the Yes button (especially since it’s the default).

Here’s how to suppress the message (So that No is picked by default)

1. Tools->Internet Options->Security

2. Select the ‘Security’ tab

3. Click the ‘Custom Level’ button

4. In the ‘Miscellaneous’ section change “Display mixed content” to Enable

 Besides the physical number of slots for RAM, here are the Windows limitations.  As you will see the Windows answer for more memory is ’64 bit’. 

Some key points here:

• For Windows XP / Vista 32 bit have at least 2GB but try for 4GB
• 32 bit Windows (XP or Vista or 7) can only address 4GB of RAM, anything more is completely unused.
  (It really ends up being between 3.0GB and 3.5GB since 512MB is lost due to PCI Architecture and 256MB is lost for the Video Card (or whatever memory the card has).
• 64 bit Vista can only be installed on a 64 bit machine.
• 32 bit Vista / XP can be installed on a 32 bit or a 64 bit machine.
• In the 64 bit OS, 64 bit drivers must be signed and 32 bit drivers are not supported.
• Programs must be written for 64 bit in order to take advantage of these features.

Office 2007 is still a 32 bit program but almost all features will work on a 64 bit OS.

Windows Vista Compatibility Center
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility

To check for 64 bit software compatibility

-          Click the ‘software’ tab

-          Then after finding software make sure the system type (along the left) is ’64-bit Windows Vista’

Memory Limits for Windows Releases

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx

Physical Memory Limits: Windows XP

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows XP.

Physical Memory Limits: Windows Vista

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Vista.

Memory and Address Space Limits