404 Tech Support » Vista

Configure your Antivirus Correctly

Jason — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:04:50 +0000

Antivirus software can frequently be blamed for eating up computing resources and slowing down a computer. Most of the time that is the basis for arguments when we choose or recommend our favorite antivirus software (I recommend Avast.).

The problem of resource-hungry malware protection software is usually a result of the program itself or poor programming, but some of the time it can just be a problem of a poor configuration.

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Configure your Antivirus Correctly

A Week of Google Code, Day 4: SymLinker

Jason — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:46:01 +0000

SymLinker provides a GUI to simplify the use of the MKLINK command and symbolic links, hard links, and directory junctions. The MKLINK command is found in Vista, Server 2008, and assumedly Windows 7. Symbolic links are different from shortcuts and file copies. They also have different uses and serve different purposes. For a great explanation of these terms (what is a symbolic link?) and another utility to assist with these objects check out this Freeware Genius article on Link Shell Extension.

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: A Week of Google Code, Day 4: SymLinker

Clean up your Context Menu

Jason — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:05:13 +0000

The context menu (what you see when you right-click) is one of the most popular items to clutter; a lot of programs will add their shortcuts to the menu when they get installed. It's also a very under-used, convenient location that you could put your frequently used functions and shortcuts. This post should show you how to tame the context menu and make it work for you.

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Clean up your Context Menu

Improving Vista File Search

Jason — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:56:05 +0000

One of the coolest features of Vista, which is now somewhat available for Windows XP, is the search feature. With background indexing, there's no denying that Vista's search functionality is zippy, faster than Windows Search ever was before. Along with the fact that the animated creatures are gone (the dog by default, "Goodbye Clippy 2.0"), Vista's file search is a lot less annoying all around. That being said, there are still some ways to improve upon it and some things to know.

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Improving Vista File Search

A Smorgasbord of SysInternals Tools

Jason — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:39:38 +0000

SysInternals offers a lot of useful tools for Windows computers. These can either add more functionality, work-around different quirks, or gather more information for debugging. This article is divided into two sections. I tried to separate the utilities into General use and IT use. Those in the General use category might have a larger interested [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: A Smorgasbord of SysInternals Tools

Improving Vista

Jason — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:01:14 +0000

There are two legitimate complaints that I hear frequently regarding Vista. I say legitimate because I think a lot of people have bought into the herd mentality that Vista is bad without ever: A) Trying it out for themselves B) Giving it a shot for a decent length of time C) Recalling how bad Windows [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Improving Vista

Resource Hacker – Change the Windows Interface

Jason — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:24:31 +0000

Resource Hacker allows you to change the aesthetics of components inside Windows (XP & Vista). You can reword text, change or add images, and resize windows. You could rename the Start menu, change warning messages, or add pictures to make your Systems Property window cooler. To be honest, I was disappointed with Resource Hacker. I [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Resource Hacker – Change the Windows Interface

Simple Tip: Launch programs quicker

Jason — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:03:05 +0000

If you’re like me, you find the Windows XP Start Menu clunky and slow to deal with. Not only do you switch from keyboard to mouse, but you’re also browsing a listing that can be in any order if you don’t have your Start Menu alphabetically sorted. This is one of the biggest improvements in [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Simple Tip: Launch programs quicker

Vista's Network Identification

Jason — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:38:45 +0000

Vista’s Network Identification “feature” has been one thing that has particularly annoyed me with Vista but I haven’t heard that much hub-bub about it around the blog-o-sphere. I’m not one of those people that has been complaining non-stop about Vista, the Network Identification is just one thing that has been a consistent thorn in the [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Vista's Network Identification

Vista's Windows Photo Gallery Yellow haze

Jason — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:50:15 +0000

Vista appears to have some issue with displaying jpeg images using the built-in Windows Photo Gallery. If you open up a jpeg photo it will appear like sepia or have a yellow tint to the photo. The image appears fine in slideshow mode, other applications, or even in the thumbnail view for the folders. The [...]

This is an excerpt of an article from 404 Tech Support. Read the full article here: Vista's Windows Photo Gallery Yellow haze