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Universal Guide to Windows – Part 1

Written by Zetacon. Posted in How-to, Microsoft, Security, Technology

If you’ re reading this, you are hopefully a Windows user. If you are anything but a Windows user, you are more than welcome to enjoy the other blog entries available here on iPocalypse. This particular post is meant to be a single resource for those looking for software, have experienced an irreversible crashing of Windows, or feel the need to restore their Windows machine to the factory default conditions by reformatting. Either way, this post is here to help individuals seek a number of programs to aid them in. I would recommend downloading these programs and backing them up on an external source, such as a USB jump drive, external hard drive, or even copying them to a CD/ DVD-RW drive so you can install these programs before connecting to the Internet again.

Disclaimer: This is meant to be an objectively compiled resource. I do not necessarily recommend or endorse any one or numerous programs listed here. In previous versions of this guide, I placed a ** in front of the programs as they conformed to my needs. However, my needs will not be the same as your needs. Therefore, you will have to determine yourself what your needs are and explore each program before downloading it.

Service Packs: Service Packs are essential to your Windows operating system. They provide important performance and security updates to help your Windows machine run more efficiently and be more secure.

Windows 7

Service Pack 1

Security Updates

Windows Vista – All Versions

Service Pack 1

Service Pack 2

 

Windows XP

Service Pack 1

Service Pack 2

Service Pack 3

 

 

Anti-Virus Software: There is a number of good anti-virus software out on the market. Some are paid versions while others are freeware versions. Personally, I believe that some of the freeware versions are equivalent to the paid versions, so I will be providing a few of the anti-virus freeware.

1. Avast Home Edition: Avast is a lightweight program specifically designed to find any all viruses, even the incoming ones, and remove them. Updates to the virus database are automatic and while they are pretty frequent, I think it can provide a nice peace of mind.

2. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE): Who knows Windows better than anyone? Microsoft. As such, Microsoft created an antivirus program for use with its own operating system.  MSE, as it is commonly called, works together with other Microsoft security tools, such as the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool but with added real-time protection.

3. Avira AntiVir Personal: With extensive malware recognition of viruses, trojans, backdoor programs, worms, and more Avira makes Anti-Virus ideal for any Windows PC. Installation and configuration are done in a couple of steps.

A help forum and phone support are available, as well as a Knowledge base with virus descriptions available on the web site.

 

Anti-Spyware: Anti-Spyware software helps protect your Windows machine from unwanted and harmful malicious software intending to ruin the performance and security of your PC.

1. MalwareByte’s AntiMalware: MBAM is a program that can detect some of the more advanced malware.

It includes a number of features, including a built-in protection monitor that block malicious processes before they even start.

2. SUPERAntiSpyware: Don’t let the cheesy name fool you. This program is considered one of the best out there. It’s light on system resources and has a very high detection rate. Its unique repair tool makes this program one of a kind.

 

 

Firewalls: Another crucial component to protecting your Windows machine, a firewall acts as a filter keeping malware out and helps to keep your PC running as it should. If you’re looking for something to replace Windows Firewall, here are four suggestions.

1. Comodo Firewall Pro: “It’s Pro? And it’s free?” Absolutely! Comodo Firewall Pro has a number of components inside of this program to maximize the protection of your PC. First it has its Network Defense and Proactive Defense components, providing protection on the inside

and outside of your Internet connection.

Second, it has its own malware scanner, which will scan upon installation. Comodo also contains a variety of other tools to help you with your PC’s security: View Active Connections, My Network Zones, View Firewall Events, and much more.

2. Zone Alarm: Zone Alarm Free, fortunately, is now available for your Windows Vista machine. And, thankfully, it is still a #1 firewall used amongst Windows 2000 and XP users. Zone Alarm is a more unbloated version of Comodo, in that it only does a few simple tasks. First, the firewall portion protects your PC at

your discretion, allowing you to set the filter on certain applications connecting to the Internet. Second, the Internet lock halts all web traffic while your Windows 200o/XP machine is not in use or if you have not opened a web browser.

Third, the Zones portion of the program monitors overall activity on your PC and notifies you when a new application wants to connect to the Internet.

3. Sunbelt Personal Firewall: Sunbelt Personal Firewall helps users control how their computers exchange data with other computers on the Internet or within the local network. It’s a necessity for all desktop computers connected to a broadband Internet. Versions 4.2.2 and prior are FREE for home and personal use.

 

 

Internet Browsers: Having the right Internet browser makes all the difference when it comes to your PC. It’s good to have an all-around browser: fast, open source, and secure.

Having all three of these components in a browser will make your Internet browsing more enjoyable and less of a hassle.

1. Mozilla Firefox: One of the more common browsers on the open source market today, Firefox is known for its speed as well as its flexibility when it comes to your browsing experience. Firefox has over 5,000 add-ons and plug-ins to make your browsing experience more secure and enjoyable for you.

Integrated anti-phising and anti-malware measures within the browser make this Internet browser a must have.

2. Opera: Oper a is

Internet Explorer 9: The recently released IE 8 is faster, safer, and more customizable. If you use IE 8 and are looking to update, click the link above.

4. Avant: The Avant browser is more of a secret in the web-browsing community, in my opinion.
Avant is based on Microsoft Internet Explorer’s rendering engine but built by a smaller programming firm. Avant is wicked fast and preloaded with an abundance of skins for personalization.

Tabbed browsing and toolbars are also features of this browser, among others.

Avant lacks expansion and has been known to create problems in Vista. This is a good alternative to IE.

5. Maxthon: For those of you who want to try something different from IE and Firefox, Maxathon is a good alternative. With its ADs blocker and advanced content filter, Maxthon is ideal for those that want to escape from “the norm”.

6. Flock: Flock, as the company is aptly named, believes that users today are using the Web differently than they did years ago. Flock believes that the web browsers of today have not kept pace with these changes in online behavior. Hence, the browser ‘Flock’ was born, an open source browser that meets the stands of today’s web browsing. Many versions of Flock are available.

7. Safari: Safari is Apple’s pride and job web browser. All though it was designed for the Mac OS platform, it has also been made available to Windows users.

8. Seamonkey: Formerly known as the “Mozilla Application Suite”, Seamonkey contains a web browser, a mail client, an HTML editor, Web development tools, and an IRC chat client all in one package. Ideal for those that want a somewhat lightweight application to do a number of tasks.

 

9. Netscape Navigator: An oldie to the browsing community, Netscape Navigator offers high speed web browsing and instant messaging capabilities as well as tabbed browsing, support for buddy icons, and more.

10. Google Chrome: A newbie to the browsing community, Google Chrome combines a design sophisticated with technologies that allow you to surf the Web faster, safer, and easier.

 

Software Updates: We all know that checking your software manually and obtaining the updates can be a royal pain in the rear. That’s why it’s handy to have one of these installed on your computer. Automatic software updaters can find the updates necessary for your computer to keep it safe and secure. (Note: I have only come across one thus far as listed below.

If you have suggestions for others, please let me know.)

 

1. Secunia PSI: Secunia PSI detects and notifies you of outdated and end-of-life programs as well as providing links to download the updates. It also provides you with a comprehensive Dashboard to show you statistics compared to the rest of the world, statistics for development in your Secunia PSI score for the past few weeks, Security Patches for your programs in the past few months, and a look at the current state of your installed programs. Secunia PSI also provides a system tray icon to allow a quick glance at whether or not any of your software needs updating.

 

 

File Clean-up/Recovery: File Clean-up programs are nice to get any un-needed files off of your system. What is an un-needed file? Anything in your Temporary Internet Folder, cookies, sometimes the tmp, etc. Brand levitra
Some browsers can clean up your files, while there are other more sophisticated programs to clean

up the rest of the junk. Viagra pills File Recovery programs allow you to retrieve files that have been deleted permanently from your hard drive and recover them to a manageable state.

1. ATF Cleaner: ATF Cleaner is a nice program if you don’t want to install another program onto your hard drive. Its easy interface makes cleaning up files a breeze.

However, this program is only available for Windows XP and 2000 operating systems only.

2. Recuva: Don’t let this program’s pronunciation fool you. Pronounced “recover”, this file recovery technology allows you to recover files that have been permanently deleted from your system, whether it was by you, a virus, or even an annoying Windows error.

 

 

 

Fun Programs: Every Windows machine should have some sort of interesting and appealing program on it.  Check out these programs below:

1. ObjectDock: A program from Stardock, ObjectDock gives Windows users the feel for the Mac OS X dock. Customizable icons, grouped icons, and other customizable features make this program a must have.

2. Automatic Wallpaper Changer: I’m sure the lot of you tend to ch ange your w

allpaper often, so this program is a must have for you. AWC, as it is commonly called, allows you to set a timer between wallpaper changes as well as customize other particulars with the program.

Ideal for Windows XP users.

 

3. Desktop Sidebar: If you’re a Windows XP user, you may to a certain extent envy the Windows Vista sidebar. Well, envy no more. Desktop Sidebar has a variety of features that you’ ll drool over.

Order Amoxil Preinstalled features include a System Performance monitor, RSS feed, Calendar, Volume Control, Media Player, Shortcut area, and weather information, just to name a few.

 

Windows Gadgets: One of the more interesting things about Windows Vista and 7 is the ability to install certain pieces of software on your system or “gadgets” as they are often referred to. The list below contains some of the more system-oriented ones.

1. CPU Meter: CPU Meter allows you to keep track of your processor usage, supporting CPUs up

to 24 cores. It’ll also keep track of your CPU temperatures (with CoreTemp installed) and your RAM usage.

 

2. Network Meter: This gadget allows you to keep track of your network activity. Network Meter will show you your Internal and External IP addresses, SSID, upload and download speed, Signal Quality, total usage, and whether or not your network is actually secure. This works for both wired and wireless networks. Supports Bluetooth as well.

3. Drives Meter: Drives Meter gives you up to date information on up to 4 hard drives: free space, used space, and read and write speed.

4. GPU Meter: GPU meter is ideal if you wish to keep track of your activity on your graphics card. This gadget possesses the ability to display your Vendor, Model, Clock speed, Temperate, Usage, the amount of memory on the card, and the fan speed and usage. GPU Meter supports NVIDIA Series (7,8,9,200,300,400) and ATI Series (HD 2000,3000,4000,5000 [Catalyst 9.3 or above]). Do note that of those cards in those series are supported and some may need the latest graphics card driver from Windows Update.

5. System Control: This handy gadget allows you to shut down, restart, log off, or hibernate your Windows machine without ever needing to press the “Start” button. It is also customizable with 16 skins.

6. Battery Meter: Battery Meter gives you a more comprehensive look at your laptop/notebook and/or netbook’s battery life. It displays your current Status, percentage remaining, time remaining, designed and current voltage, charge and discharge rate, and much more. Please note that not all vendors are supported for the gadget.

 

Well, here you have it, the Ultimateguide for your Windows machine. Everything you need to getting started on your new Windows machine, whether your new to Windows or simply recovering from a crash or reformat. If you have any other programs you wish to see on this list, please leave a comment.

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