Speed up web browsing with OpenDNS

When you type in a domain name such as wingeek.com in your browser the computer must resolve the friendly name into an IP address of the server to download the web page and supporting files. Windows uses a DNS (domain name system) server to lookup this information.  By default, Windows uses your ISP’s DNS server.  Depending on your provider, the performance of their DNS resolving server varies.  Some large national providers are known to provide unreliable and slow DNS servers.  

The performance of the DNS server you are using is one component that affects the speed of your internet browsing.  Since each domain name you type in must be resolved into an IP address, the amount of time that takes will delay the loading of any web page.  Some users with overloaded ISP DNS servers can see delays in multiple seconds before web pages start to load.

OpenDNS provides free alternative DNS servers that anyone can use with any internet provider.  Unlike many national internet providers, OpenDNS’s DNS servers are very fast and reliable.   Using OpenDNS servers instead of your ISP servers will help you speed up your internet browsing by cutting down on the delay between resolving a domain name and getting the IP address so your browser can start loading the web page.

Configuring your computer to use OpenDNS servers instead of your ISP’s is a simple change that works in all versions of Windows:

1. Click on the Start Button and type in ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.  In Windows XP Click on the Start Button, click Run and then type in ncpa.cpl. Make sure you run ncpa.cpl as administrator on Windows 8. 
2. Right click on your active network connection that you use to connect to the Internet and select Properties.
3. On the Networking / General tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (version 4 on Windows Vista, 7 and 8) and hit Properties.
4. On the properties screen, select Use the following DNS server addresses and then type in 208.67.222.222 in the preferred and 208.67.220.220 in the alternate boxes.
   
    
5. Hit OK twice and you are finished.

Visit OpenDNS.com to learn more about some of the advanced features of OpenDNS on top of the speed benefits.

Windows 8 System Requirements

Microsoft claims Windows 8 is the first version of Windows to require less resources that its predecessor.  The preliminary system requirements look promising. 

System Requirements

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster (Intel or ARM).
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit).
• Hard drive space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit).
• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device or higher.
• To use touch, you need a tablet or monitor that supports multitouch.
• To access Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
• To snap apps in the Metro interface, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.

Most interesting is you must have a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 to run apps from the Windows Store. Those of you holding out at 800 x 600, it is time to buy a new monitor. 

Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8

Windows Deployment is for OEMs and IT professionals who customize and automate the large-scale installation of Windows, such as on a factory floor or across an organization. The Windows ADK supports this work with the deployment tools that were previously released as part of the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) and the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) and include Windows Preinstallation Environment, Deployment Imaging, Servicing and Management, and Windows System Image Manager.

The Windows ADK includes:

• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) - Helps IT professionals test for incompatible applications. 
• Deployment Tools - Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) command line tool along withpowershell cmdlets. Windows System Image Manager and OSDIMG.
• User State Migration Tool (USMT) - Automates the transfer of user data from an older version ofWindows.
• Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) - Assist with the management of product keys andactivation of Windows and Office within an organization. 
• Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT) - Record system events and analyze performance data. 
• Windows Assessment Toolkit - Produce metrics for various aspects of the system andprovide recommendations for improvements. 
• Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) - Minimal boot operating system designed toprovide an install environment for applying images or other system customization and utilities. 

Download the new Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows 8

How to download the official Windows 8 DVD ISO

If you have a valid Windows 8 product key from a giveaway, online purchase or other source but need the official media this article is for you. Don't risk downloading the ISO file from a torrent, there is a chance you will be installing a copy of Windows 8 infested with malware.  Instead, Microsoft offers a free download that is much safer. 

Simply download the Windows 8 Setup utility from Microsoft by clicking this link. 

Then run the Windows8-Setup.exe file and enter your product key when prompted. 

Your product key will be validated and edition automatically determined. 

The download will begin and then the files will be prepared. Then Select Install by creating media.

Finally you will be able to select USB flash drive or ISO file. 

Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know

Using keyboard shortcuts can greatly increase your productivity, reduce repetitive strain, and help keep you focused. For example, highlighting text with the keyboard and pressing Ctrl + C is much faster than taking your hand from the keyboard, highlighting the text using the mouse, clicking copy from the file menu, and then putting your hand back in place on the keyboard. Below are our top 10 keyboard shortcuts we recommend everyone memorize and use.

Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert

Copy the highlighted text or selected item.

Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert

Paste the text or object that's in the clipboard.

Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y

Undo any change. For example, if you cut text, pressing this will undo it. This can also often be pressed multiple times to undo multiple changes. Pressing Ctrl + Y would redo the undo.

Ctrl + F

Open the Find in any program. This includes your Internet browser to find text on the current page.

Alt + Tab or Alt + Esc

Quickly switch between open programs moving forward.

Tip: Press Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs in a program.

Tip: Adding the Shift key to Alt + Tab or Ctrl + Tab will move backwards. For example, if you are pressing Alt + Tab and pass the program you want to switch to, press Alt + Shift + Tab to move backwards to that program.

Tip: Windows Vista and 7 users can also press the Windows Key + Tab to switch through open programs in a full screenshot of the Window.

Ctrl + Back space and Ctrl + Left or Right arrow

Pressing Ctrl + Backspace will delete a full word at a time instead of a single character.

Holding down the Ctrl key while pressing the left or right arrow will move the cursor one word at a time instead of one character at a time. If you wanted to highlight one word at a time you can hold down Ctrl + Shift and then press the left or right arrow key to move one word at a time in that direction while highlighting each word.

Ctrl + S

While working on a document or other file in almost every program pressing Ctrl + S will save that file. This shortcut key should be used frequently anytime you're working on anything important.

Ctrl + Home or Ctrl + End

Move the cursor to the beginning or end of a document.

Ctrl + P

Print the page being viewed. For example, the document in Microsoft Word or the web page in your Internet browser.

Page Up, Space bar, and Page Down

Pressing either the page up or page down key will move that page one page at a time in that direction. When browsing the Internet pressing the space bar will also move the page down one page at a time. If you press Shift and the Space bar the page will go up a page at a time.

Tip: If you are using the space bar to go down one page at a time press the Shift key and space bar to go up one page at a time.

How to Boot directly to the Desktop

One of the most controversial changes in Windows 8 is the new sign on behavior that takes users right to the new Start Screen instead of the classic Desktop. This is very annoying for many desktop users that want to stay in the classic Windows environment as much as possible.  In the final build of Windows 8 Microsoft added fuel to the fire by blocking a popular tweak that allowed users to bypass the Start Screen and boot directly to the desktop. A new work around was eventually found, in fact a number of them. This article will show you multiple methods that will bypass the Start Screen and boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop. 

Method 1:  Boot to Desktop Utility

Download and install our free utility for the best experience.  Click here to learn more and download.

Method 2: Will show a File Explorer window displaying your Libraries

Open up Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

Edit the value of Shell and set it to:

 %windir%\explorer.exe, explorer.exe

Click OK to save your changes and reboot your PC to test.

Method 3: Will show a File Explorer window displaying your profile folders

Open up Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon.

Edit the value of Shell and set it to:

explorer.exe /select,explorer.exe

Click OK to save your changes and reboot your PC to test.

Method 4: Install Alternative Start Menus

The new Start Screen in Windows 8 has also created a big demand to bring back the old Windows 7 Start Menu. Many of those utilities also allow you to boot directly to the desktop when you sign on.  Below are a compilation of utilities known to have a boot to desktop feature.

Make the Legacy Desktop More Touch Friendly

The Metro side of Windows 8 looks beautiful and is well designed for touch but unfortunately the vast majority of windows apps still require the legacy desktop. Using touch to control legacy apps can be a painful experience as few were ever designed for touch. The most common complaint is the interface is just too small for touching. Basic tasks such as selecting or clicking often results in the wrong item or button activated. In this article I will show you how to make the legacy desktop more touch friendly by increasing the size of the Windows 8 Aero interface. 

Make the Entire Legacy Interface Larger

1. Go to the Desktop.
2. Touch and hold the desktop background until a small box is displayed. The context menu will be shown. 
3. Touch Screen Resolution.
4. Touch Make text and other items larger or smaller. 
5. Select either "Medium - 125%" or "Larger - 150%" and hit Apply.
6. Select Log off now and log back in to see the results. 

Enable Large Desktop Icons

1. Go to the Desktop.
2. Touch and hold the desktop background until a small box is displayed. The context menu will be shown. 
3. Touch View and then select Large icons.

Enable Large Icon View For all Folders

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the C drive.
3. Touch the View tab.
4. Select Large Icons. 
5. Touch File and then Change folder and search options.
6. Touch the View tab. 
7. Touch Apply to Folders. 
8. Touch Yes on the confirmation screen to apply this view to all folders on your computer. 
9. Touch OK and you are finished. 

Enable Large Icon View for all Libraries

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Touch a library to select it. 
3. Touch the View tab.
4. Select Large Icons.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the remaining libraries.

Increase Number of Start Menu Rows Displayed

Windows 8 typically does a good job of automatically adjusting the number rows in the Start Menu depending on your screen resolution.  The automatic row adjustment works great for up to six rows.  If you screen has vertical space to spare, this guide will help you increase the maximum number of rows displayed beyond six.  On test systems I have seen up to 12 rows displayed.  More rows may be possible if you have access to a jumbo-tron or one of those Perceptive Pixel82" touch PCs . 

The easiest method to increase the rows is to use the tile setting menu. While the Start Menu is displayed bring up the Charms bar and select Settings. 

Then select Tiles. 

And if your screen will support showing additional tiles, an option to show more tiles will be visible. 

Increase Startup Performance in Windows 8

The new task manager in windows 8 provides a lot of useful performance information about your pc. One of the new features that is often overlooked is the Startup tab that displays all applications scheduled to automatically start when your pc boots up. This list is very important because each application listed, affects your startup performance. 

But how do you know which applications should be disabled? Not all applications that startup automatically are equal.  Some are tiny applications that have little if any impact while others are resource hogs that significantly impact your startup performance. This is where the Startup Impact column of Task Manager is very helpful.  on the Startup tab you will find each item listed is assigned a rating of none, low, medium, high, and not measured.

For applications listed as high or even medium, you can easily disable them by right clicking on the entry and then select Disable.

Hack your Windows Experience Index

The results of the Windows Experience Index are stored in an XML file that you can modify to spoof your score. Who wants to show off a 2.1 system? Let’s make that a 9.9 powerhouse.

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore.
2. Open up the most recent file in that folder. On Windows 8, edit the newest "Formal.Assessment" file. Make sure that your account has write access to that file. If not change the file permissions.
3. Parse the file looking for the WinSPR entry. These are the items you want to edit.  The maximum value you can use is 9.9.
   
   
4. Save the file and you just turned your 2.1 system into a supercomputer.

Where did all my free space go?

It happens to everyone eventually. Your hard drive is suddenly full and you are left wondering where did all my free space go? Now you must begin the task of deleting old files and folders to reclaim space but where do you start? In the past I would suggest manually checking the sizes of all of your folders so you know where to begin the hunt but now there is a great utility called WinDirStat that does the work for you.  After inspecting a drive you are shown exactly how much data is in each folder, what file types are taking up the most space and even a visual representation of the files on your disk.

 

Now you know exactly where to target your cleanup effort.

 WinDirStat Web site.

 Free Download.

Clean And Optimize Your New Computer

When you buy a new computer it is often loaded with extra software that you just don’t need.  OEMs are paid by software companies to bundle trial versions in hopes that you will buy the full product. The preloaded junk is a waste of disk space, memory and can even hurt the performance of your new computer so it is a good idea to remove it all.

While it is possible to manually remove each extra piece of software on your computer there is a great free tool called PC Decrapifier that will automate the process.

To get started download the latest copy of PC Decrapifier.

After the software is downloaded on your computer just run the executable. There is no installer for this software. 

Click Next on the Welcome, license and Warning screens.  Select if you are running the utility on a new computer and then click Next.

 

You will have the option to create a Restore Point that will allow you to revert your changes using Windows System Restore.

 

All of the programs that load automatically on startup will be displayed. Check the programs you want to remove and click Next. 

Before any items are removed you will have to confirm the changes.

Next you will be shown all of the applications installed on your computer. Check the items you want to have uninstalled and click Next.

 

Once again you will have to confirm the changes before they are made. 

Now PC Decrapifier will work through the list of applications and uninstall each software. Depending on the software you may see additional confirmation screens that you will need to click through to uninstall. Once completed your computer will be a lot cleaner and performing much better!