Microsoft | WindowsTalk.org

Jan

An Overview of WMV Files

A WMV file (Windows Media Video) is a video encoded in a Microsoft proprietary file format. The WMV format was introduced by Microsoft in 1999.

General Information

The format is included with the other Windows formats like the High Definition Photo (HDP), Advanced Systems Format (ASF) and Windows Media Audio (WMA). The Windows Media Video file employs the Microsoft container format. It is Microsoft’s answer to MPEG-4.

The format’s main competitors are RealVideo and DivX. They are used mainly for distributing video on the Web. Numerous versions and updates of the codec have appeared.

Technical Information

The WMV file extension is used to describe ASF files that utilize Windows Media Video codecs. The audio codecs are usually Sipro ACELP.net audio codecs or Windows Media Audio. In some cases, the file extension is abbreviated to .wm.

Although they are usually in ASF formats, the Windows Media Video can be changed into AVI. This can be done with the WMV9 video compression manager codec.

Features of the Windows Media Video Format

The format can deliver over different network protocols. Other features include document and content management, support for multiple languages and stream prioritization as defined by the author. Other features include scalable media types, component download and extensible media types.

But the most important feature is its ability to contract large files without sacrificing the quality. This means videos and movies can be compressed and downloaded online more easily. You can watch the file with your computer. It can also be used with other media players that support the file.

How to Play Windows Media Video

You will need codecs to play the file format. The codec is an application that recognizes the file. Windows Media Player can play back the format. For Windows XP, Windows Media Player 10 is recommended.

For the best results you will need a 256 MB RAM video card, at least 512 MB of RAM and a 24 bit sound card. To play the Windows Media Video file, launch Windows Media Player. Click open to choose the file. Once chosen, it will start playing automatically.

There are other applications that can play Windows Media Video. Go online and do a search. Several free players will appear. Just make sure that your computer meets the system requirements.

You can also play Windows Media Video on other operating systems. Linux has a built in VLC player you can use. The Macintosh has no native support for the file, but you can download plugins so you can play them. The VLC player can be used on Macs too. As these facts about WMV files show, it is a very versatile format.

Categories Microsoft
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Jan

Skydrive Gives Access Anywhere

by Contributed

Mobile users are able to enjoy the versatility and convenience of using their phones to access a plethora of information. As technology grows, mobile phones are capable of doing a lot more than in the past. This sparks programmers and companies to create apps that make mobile computing possible, fast and convenient. Now Microsoft has launched a new app for their Skydrive service, a place to store and retrieve files both from your computer and your mobile phone.

Overview:

Cloud computing is becoming a popular method for accessing and storing files for use anytime and anywhere you need them. Microsoft’s new Skydrive app allows the same concept. By uploading your files into the 25 GB storage they offer, you can access your files from any computer and now your mobile phone.

This app also allows you to upload your photos and videos from your phone into your Skydrive storage. Once you are home you can log into your Microsoft account and access the uploaded files to share, edit, or archive. This is a great way to keep the memory on your phone cleared and have access when you need it.

Pros:

Skydrive offers a lot of space and with the ability to copy your Skydrive files onto your computer, the space is nearly limitless. Since you have 25 GB of free space to use, you can fill it, download the files, and fill it again. It eliminates the need to save files on your phone’s memory or card.

The convenience of having access anywhere is the main appeal. If you have an interview, appointment, or meeting, you can upload the files you will need from your computer to your Skydrive and access them once you are there. This can be a useful tool if you are constantly on the go for business. Never again will you be without the documents you need when you need them.

If you combine this app with Microsoft Office’s app, you can easily download, edit and upload Excel and Word documents at the moment of inspiration. If you come up with an idea on how to improve your document, download it, make the changes, and upload it while your ideas are still fresh.

Skydrive offers an easy way to share your files and folders. Once you have them uploaded, you can click on the files or folders you would like to share with others and send a link to your Skydrive files. This is a great way to collaborate with co-workers or just let your friends see your latest photos and videos. Added security will allow you to share with them, choose if they can view or edit the folders, and also will not allow them to share your link with anyone else.

Cons:

Currently Skydrive only allows a limited variety of file types to be uploaded. Currently you can upload Excel files, Word documents, photos and videos. Perhaps in the future Skydrive will allow other file types for upload.

Another complaint is the inability to upload more than one file at a time. If you have a phone full of photos, you will have to upload one picture at a time. There are other apps you can use in conjunction with Skydrive such as iUnarchive that allows you to upload multiple files at once, however currently Skydrive itself does not offer that feature.

If you are constantly on the go and looking for a way to have access to the files that are important to you, Skydrive may be the solution. It is available as an app for iPhone and Windows phones, however, your Skydrive account can be accessed by any web enabled phone. Now you can have all your files just a tap away.

Writer Stephanie Sanders is a communications consultant and contributes to mobilephones.org.uk, which has a large selection of cheap mobile phones with many unique plans.

Categories General, Microsoft, Technology
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Jan

Microsoft Acquires Skype but Stalls Release of the Application on Windows Phone

by Contributed

For those of us who haven’t heard, Microsoft purchased the communication application Skype in May of 2011 for $8.5 billion in cash. We all know Microsoft. And Skype has become a worldwide phenomenon, allowing people to connect online by making calls in real time, chatting via instant messaging, or talking “face-to-face” via live video conversations. Most of us either use Skype or have heard of it, so the purchase of the application by Microsoft was unexpected and turned a few heads. The acquisition has been expected to greatly expand Microsoft’s real-time and voice communications capabilities.

Techies became even more intrigued when Rick Osterloh, Vice President of Microsoft’s Skype division stated that the Windows mobile phones would soon come with a built-in Skype application during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He said that the Windows phone operating system did not at the time have a voice over application from Skype, but that would soon change.

Then, Joe Belfiore, Director of the Windows Phone program promised that the Windows Phone would come with Skype in late 2011. However, that date has passed, and Skype is still nowhere to be found on Windows phones. Microsoft did not address the absence of Skype from its 2011 phones or clarify the previous statements.

Tech journalists are now beginning to estimate that Microsoft has decided to hold off on the release of the Skype application until the release of the Windows Phone “Apollo,” expected sometime in 2012.

Microsoft is already facing major competition in the mobile phone market from Google Android and the Apple iPhone, which both offer Skype. Microsoft phones are also simply less popular in the market than iPhone and Android. However, because Microsoft now owns Skype, they will have the power to do much more with the product than what a simple app may offer.

It seems as though Microsoft is planning on making a splash with the release of Apollo, so it will be interesting to see what other features come with the phone in addition to a partnership with Skype.

Jane Smith is a freelance writer and blogger. She writes about free background checks for Backgroundcheck.org. Questions and comments can be sent to: janesmth161 @ gmail.com

Categories Microsoft, Technology
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Jan

Do You Use Windows Disk Cleanup?

by Alan Tay

The Windows Operating System is one generous operating system for it comes built-in with lots of optimization tools that can really help you to have a better Operating System. Better here means faster, less space wasted, fast boot up, and also fast shut down.

Today I am going to talk about one of the optimization tools which had helped me a lot throughout my time when I suffered from insufficient hard disk space. The tool I am referring to is the Windows Disk Cleanup. Basically, the Disk Cleanup tool helps you to delete unused files such as your temporary files, unused system files, garbage inside your Recycle Bin and many more. So, why do you need to use the Disk Cleanup?

It clears space by removing unnecessary files

As I had mentioned, it cleans up all the unnecessary especially your temporary files. Those files usually are not needed anymore after certain process specifically Windows Update. I had cleared lots of space after a Windows Update patch process.

Besides, it also cleans up your temporary internet files. If you look carefully, the one advantage here is you save a lot of time simply because you don’t have to manually locate those files to remove them.

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It clears space by compressing unused files

Just in case you might not know, apart from removing unnecessary stuff to give you more space, the disk cleanup process also compress those unused files so that those files do not consume so much space.

It might take a little longer for you to open back the compressed file, but the tool does not simply compress your files. It only compress those files which have been untouched for probably from months to years.

So, the benefit?

Ultimately, the benefit of performing Disk Cleanup is to free up some hard disk space. There is one thing I need to remind you here is the methodology to free up hard disk space is not just about deleting some personal large files such as movies, MP3′s, or even high quality photo which you think you do not need anymore, but you who knows you might need them later?

The best way to do so is to remove things that you are sure that you don’t need. Even the computer experts who are extremely proficient with their computer skills will use Disk Cleanup to do this tedious stuff, so why not you?

Alan Tay is the author of IT Security Column, a blog that features on IT security news, tips and tricks and also security product reviews. If you are interested to learn more about IT security, pay his blog a visit and subscribe to it by email to get the latest cool stuff about IT security.

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Categories Microsoft, Software, The Desktop Experience
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Dec

Computer Maintenance Tools Available In Windows 7

by Mitz

Windows 7 comes with a bunch of built-in system computer maintenance tools that helps you can maintain your computer, speed up your computer, and help keep it running smoothly. Below we have covered few built-in system maintenance tools included with Windows 7.

Disk Defragmenter:

The Disk Defragmenter was also available in the older versions of Microsoft Windows, but Windows 7 has enhanced it to a great extent. The most important feature of the Windows 7 defragmenter is that it lets you safely terminate the defrag process at any time without any adverse effects and it can also defrag multiple volumes at the same time. Disk Defragmenter can be launched from:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

System Restore:

System Restore allows you to roll back (restore) system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc. to a previous state in case of any disaster. Windows 7 has provided an enhanced and improved version of the System Restore feature.

Control Panel System Maintenance Tool:

You can also perform many common system maintenance tasks from the Windows 7 Control Panel.

Open the Control Panel and go to System and Security .
Find and Fix Problem.

Now the Troubleshooting option will be displayed and you can troubleshoot any problem relevant to the system, network, internet etc.

Remove spyware, and help protect your computer from viruses:

Download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your computer from viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious software (also known as malware). Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system protected from emerging threats.

Free up disk space:

The Disk Cleanup tool helps you to free up space on your hard disk to improve the performance of your computer. The tool identifies files that you can safely delete and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.

To use Disk Cleanup, Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. If several drives are available, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.

Detect and repair disk errors:

In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility.

To use Error Checking Utility:

Right-click the hard disk you want to search for bad sectors, and then click Properties.
In the Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab.
Click the Check Now button.
In the Check Disk dialog box (called Error-checking in Windows 7), select the “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” check box, and then click Start.
If you see an error message saying “Windows can’t check the disc while it’s in use” you will need to tick the box that says check next time you start your computer.

Performing regular computer maintenance is something that everyday computer users often neglect. I have had thousands of customers that do not perform any computer maintenance and sometimes wait until their computer has a black screen , before they finally realize that looking after your computer is IMPORTANT!

My name is Mitz Pantic and I’ve been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. Be sure to visit me at my computer tips website and say hello in the comments section. Also do not forget to sign-up for my free computer tips newsletter and receive a free 59 page Computer Terms Dictionary!

If you have any tips for computer maintenance please share them with us by leaving your comment below.

Categories Microsoft, The Desktop Experience
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Dec

Which Internet Browser Should I Use?

by Bethany Ramos

So many browsers, so little time… As it turns out, the majority of computer users automatically use some version of Internet Explorer by Microsoft. Most Internet Explorer users are happy with the browser’s performance and don’t give it a second thought. But what many people don’t realize is that there are several other competitive browsers available that may offer better features tailored to meet your needs.

Let’s start with the most familiar…

Internet Explorer 9

Internet Explorer 9 is the latest browser version available, and it offers the ability to pin favorite websites in the taskbar. This will provide quick shortcuts to the websites that you use the most on a day-to-day basis. The browser now has a redesigned Notification Bar that will allow you to browse the Internet and process notifications when it is most convenient for you. Internet Explorer also now (finally) has a download manager and the One Box feature for singular search and navigation.

Firefox

Firefox is holding second place in the market next to Internet Explorer. It can be used with Windows, Linux, and OS X and provides a wide variety of features. These features include spell-checking, a download manager, private browsing, and tabbed browsing. You can also explore through literally thousands of Add On features that can be downloaded and installed directly to improve your browsing experience.

Safari

Safari is the browser by Apple used by Mac users, and there is also a version available for Windows. Safari is aesthetically pleasing, to say the least. It offers searchable history, full page zoom, and fast performance, similar to Google Chrome. If you’re an RSS user, Safari provides an RSS reader, RSS bookmarking, and RSS aggregation.

Chrome

Chrome by Google made a splash in December 2008. It offers the simplicity that has been trademarked by Google with improved speed, stability, and security. Chrome is minimalistic, which sets it apart from many competing web browsers today. However, Chrome is much faster than other browsers and offers convenient tabbed browsing. Security is another attraction for Chrome users; Chrome relies on the Google sandboxing technology to protect a computer from viruses, spyware, and other malicious programs from fraudulent websites.

Opera 11

Many computer users may not be familiar with the Opera 11 browser, but it is ideal for those with older, slower computers. It uses significantly less memory than other browsers and can load quickly, even if you have a slow connection. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with quite a few popular websites and also won’t support instant streaming on Netflix.

Bethany Ramos is a full-time freelance writer that co-owns her own e-commerce website, The Coffee Bump. The Coffee Bump specializes in a wide variety of coffee makers Bunn and assorted coffee and espresso products.

Categories Microsoft, Software, The Desktop Experience
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Dec

Customize Windows Live Hotmail: Part 1

by James M. Fisher

Over the years I have used just about every email client there is, some out of curiosity, but I was always searching for one that was right for me. I think the first one I used in Windows was Outlook Express, which came bundled with Internet Explorer. I tried others, like Eudora, Netscape mail (remember those names from the past?) and many others I have long forgotten about.

Now I have used Windows Live Hotmail for years. Since December 23rd, 2001, to be exact. That’s 10 years now!

While many may use Hotmail (I am here referring to the Web version, not Windows Live Mail, which is part of Windows Live Essentials and needs to be installed on your PC) not all have explored its various features and how it can be personalized to help keep you organized and efficient in handling not only your Hotmail account, but other email accounts as well.
This series will look at several different ways to customize Hotmail; Part 1 will look at automatically sorting email into folders.

Sort it!

Do you have all your email in your Inbox? Tired of searching through hundreds of emails to find that recipe or photograph your friend sent you, or an invoice for something you purchased online? Then you need to take advantage of Hotmail’s sorting feature.

First of all, you need to create some folders to sort emails into. This is easily done by clicking on the sunburst icon next to Folders in Hotmail located in the left column, then click ‘Add a new folder’:

Create a new folder in Hotmail

On the next screen, you give the folder a name, such as Friends, for instance, then tell Hotmail whether this is to be a top level folder (directly under Inbox), or a sub folder under another folder, such as Personal, or in my case, James. Now that you have a Friends folder, you can drag all emails from your friends into that folder. Use the sorting options at the top of the email column if necessary (from Contacts, Arrange by, etc).

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Now, let’s create a rule to automatically have email from a friend (say Jane Doe) automatically go into the Friends folder instead of the Inbox. At the very top right of the Hotmail page, you will see your name, and under it, a link titled Options. Click on it and select More options….

More options for Hotmail

Now you will see the main Hotmail options page:

Hotmail Options Page

Now click on “Rules for sorting new messages” highlighted above. On the next window, click on New and the Create Rule page appears. In step 1, enter the email address of Jane Doe, then in step 2, enter the action to be taken. In this case, we want Jane’s emails to go right into the Friends folder, so beside ‘Move to Inbox” click on the little arrow and select the Friends folder, then click the Save button. Done!

Now you can create other folders as required and create rules for any email addresses you want to go into them instead of the Inbox. I have ones for Invoices, eBay, Web site, Forums and so on. Make it a goal to get your Inbox organized today!

Part 2 of this series will consider another little-known feature of Hotmail…subscribe to the WindowsTalk newsletter to get notifications of all new posts including giveaways and contests.

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Categories General, Microsoft, The Desktop Experience
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Nov

5 Ways to be More Productive on Microsoft Word 2010

by Contributed

Microsoft Word is a word-processing program which helps you write and organise documents efficiently and which allows you to work easily with others.

The latest version – Microsoft Word 2010 – comes as part of the Microsoft Office 2010 package. Microsoft Office student offers are available online from reputable software resellers and give incredible discounts on software for pupils.

Here are just 5 ways that this latest version of Word 2010 can make you more productive:

Work in Word from virtually anywhere – Access Word in your browser and on your mobile phone! With the ability to access your information from more places, your ideas, projects etc can still be done even when you’re not at your desk. Microsoft Word Web App is an online companion to Microsoft Word which allows you to edit your documents in a Web browser when you’re away from your desk, without compromising on quality.
Working together on a project is something all students encounter at some stage on their course. Word 2010 helps you work together more successfully and without having to wait your turn. Its co-authoring capabilities mean that you can edit documents and share ideas with your colleagues at the same time and in other locations. You can also communicate instantly with others as you work.
Create visually compelling documents more easily – Word 2010 has many new and improved tools which provide artistic effects for both pictures and text. New picture-editing tools enable you to add special effects without using additional photo-editing software, enabling you to turn a simple document into a work of art.
With Word 2010 you can locate information faster and easier using the improved Navigation Pane and Find tools. Now you can view a summary of search results in a single pane, and click to access any individual result. A visual outline of your document means you can browse and find what you want quickly and easily.
Recover unsaved work – Have you ever spent hours on a document only to accidentally close it without saving? Now, in Word 2010, you can recover draft versions of recently edited files quickly and easily, even if you forgot to save the document.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 is available to students and teachers at specially discounted rates – often with savings of up to 90% – as cheap as £37.89 inc VAT . The package includes Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Publisher 2010, Outlook with Business Contact Manager 2010, OneNote 2010, Access 2010, InfoPath 2010, SharePoint Workspace and Lync.

Categories Microsoft, Software
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Nov

4 Ways to Run Windows on a Mac

by Contributed

Ok so you’re a die hard Mac user, it’s does everything you need it to, but wait, what happens when you’re working on a new project and you need a piece of software that only runs on a Microsoft Windows operating system? Uh oh, you’re in trouble.

Here at a Integral IT we encountered this problem last week, not with a client, but with one of our employees sons who has a Macbook but wanted to play a game that was on WIndows only! Luckily, there is a solution, and it’s not as extreme as having to ditch your beloved Mac and buy a whole new Windows PC.
There may be an alternative

Before jumping the gun, find out whether there’s a Mac-based alternative piece of software you can use. In most cases there is an alternative application that will do what you need.

Use Virtualisation Software

Virtualisation means that you can run a “virtual” copy of Microsoft windows on your Mac. It runs just like any other Mac program and allows you to install Windows and switch between the 2 operating systems as you wish. For this type of software to work you need an Intel processeor, which all Macs from 2008 onwards come equipped with. You also need to be running OS X Version 10.4.6 or higher. To check this, click the apple in the top left hand corner of your monitor and select “About this Mac”. You will also need your own copy of Windows. Two good pieces of software to accomplish this task are VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop. You can try them both for free.

Boot your Mac up with Windows

The Mac OS X Snow Leopard (version 10.6 and above) comes with a handy piece of software called Boot Camp. This enabled you to boot up your Mac with Windows
instead of Mac OS. The downside is you’ll have to restart your Mac each time you want to use Windows, but the big benefit is that Windows gets to use all
your Macs processing power for it’s own needs. So if you’re planning on using memory heavy programs then this is the best route to go down. Again, you’ll
need a copy of Windows to make this work. You can find out more on the |Apple website.

The even more technical method

There is another alternative, but it’s not for the non tech minded and does require a little bit of knowledge such as using a terminal. However, if you want to avoid the expense of buying Windows and some virtualisation software then you might to check out the open source Wine project. This tool lets you run some (but not all) windows applications, and you will have to buy each individual application (if they cost in the first place). It can be quite tricky to master. There is a program call Winebottler that is designed to make
using the Wine Project easier, but that’s still in Beta.

But there you have it, 4 ways to use Windows on your Mac. Let us know your preferred method.

Guest post written by Helen Clough, she works for IT Support Company Integral IT. She’s a Windows girl at heart and won’t be heading over to Mac any time soon.

Categories Microsoft, The Desktop Experience
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Nov

How to Show Hidden Folders

by Roger Corwin

Normally folders and files are hidden because they are important to the operating system such as the Windows XP on your desktop or laptop. It is hidden because the less you are exposed to it; it is less likely that you will damage or discard the files “accidentally.” However, there will come a time when you will need to access these files for various reasons; typically persons access these files when there are viruses on the system and it needs to be cleaned. Sometimes you may need to access these files for debugging purposes or it may be a case that the system needs to recover from a spyware attack. Here are instructions on how to show hidden folders.

Required Tools

Computer

Required Materials

An operating system (For example, Windows XP)

Instructions

The following instructions are for Windows XP and Explorer

To access hidden folders, you first need to open any folder in Explorer.
After opening the folder, choose Tools which is located on top of your screen in the toolbar.
After you choose tools, then click on Folder Options.
A multi-tabbed dialog box will be shown; you must choose the “View” tab.
Click on “Show Hidden Files and Folders.”
Finally click on OK to close the dialog box.

The following instructions are for Windows 2003

Close every document, folder or file so that only the desktop is seen.
Find the My Computer icon and double-click on it.
Find the Tools menu and choose Folder Options.
Click View tab.
Afterwards, click on Display the contents of system folders.
Look under the Hidden Files and Folder section and select Show Hidden Files and Folders.
Undo the check mark from the box labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
Undo the check mark from the box labeled Hide protected operating system files.
Select the Apply button and then OK and Shutdown my computer.
The computer will configure to show all hidden files and folders.

The following instructions are for Windows Vista

Show desktop
Click on the Start button
Select the Control Panel menu option
Once the panel is open, you may be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view
If you are in the Classic View, double click on the Folder options icon, select View tab and then under Hidden Files and Folders, select Show Hidden Files and Folders. If you are in the Control Panel Home View, select Appearance and Personalization icon, then click on Show Hidden Files and Folders. You will continue with steps six through to eight.
Un-check the box labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
Un-check the box labeled Hide protected operating system files
Select the Apply button and then OK so that Windows will be configured to show you hidden files and folders.

Tips and Warning

When you learn to view hidden files and folders, you will be aware of harmful programs such as viruses, spyware and you will be able to discover hijackers being a nuisance to you and others.
If you no longer want to see your hidden files and folders, you can check back boxes that states “hide files” (etc).