Ask Leo! #425 - Reverting to Windows 7, Fix-it's that don't, protecting external drives, Leo's signature and more... - Confident Computing

The Ask Leo! Newsletter

*** Featured

How do I go back to Windows 7?

I can't stand Windows 8. I tried, honest, but I just can't deal with it.

How do I go back to Windows 7?

That's actually a composite of several variations, often with varying degrees of colorful language.

Even after trying things like Classic Shell, to get a Start menu back and remove most of the annoyance of the tiled Start menu, some people simply don't like Windows 8. So much so that they long to go back to Windows 7.

It's typically not terribly easy, but it is possible.

Continue reading: How do I go back to Windows 7?
http://ask-leo.com/C6245

* * *

*** Answercast

Answercast #88 - Password protection, Fix it, Microsoft Word fields, registry cleaner problems and more...

Would you like to put your signature on an email or a file field in a document? Wonder about multiple administrators on one computer or what Microsoft Fix It really fixes? Problems with registry cleaners or a 64-bit system? All that and more in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Continue reading: Answercast #88 - Password protection, Fix it, Microsoft Word fields, registry cleaner problems and more...
http://ask-leo.com/C6246

Does Microsoft Fix-it really fix it?
Microsoft Fix it works on only the specific problem that it is designed to fix, so it is not a general, over-all fix-it solution.
Continue reading: Does Microsoft Fix-it really fix it?
http://ask-leo.com/C6247

How do you put your signature at the end of every newsletter?
The "handwritten" signature at the end of each Ask Leo! newsletter is nothing more than a picture of a signature inserted into the email.
Continue reading: How do you put your signature at the end of every newsletter?
http://ask-leo.com/C6248

How do I fix "Windows Installer not working" after I ran a registry cleaner?
An error after running a registry cleaner is, unfortunately, all too common. I'll point you at an article with some steps to try.
Continue reading: How do I fix "Windows Installer not working" after I ran a registry cleaner?
http://ask-leo.com/C6249

How should I password protect an external drive?
Password protecting an external drive can be done with any good encryption software. Make sure you know how to backup that file for the future.
Continue reading: How should I password protect an external drive?
http://ask-leo.com/C6250

Are multiple administrator accounts on a single machine a bad thing?
Multiple administrator accounts can be difficult to keep updated on a Windows PC. You may have to log into each account.
Continue reading: Are multiple administrator accounts on a single machine a bad thing?
http://ask-leo.com/C6251

How do I get the document path and filename printed in the footer of my Word documents?
Printing the document path in a Word document is simple. In fact, you can insert a lot more information than just the path.
Continue reading: How do I get the document path and filename printed in the footer of my Word documents?
http://ask-leo.com/C6252

Should I get Outlook or just use Windows Live Mail?
Outlook vs. Windows Live Mail is going to be a matter of taste and functionality. Comparing their history might help you decide which one to use.
Continue reading: Should I get Outlook or just use Windows Live Mail?
http://ask-leo.com/C6253

How do I get Firefox to work properly on my Windows 7 x64 system?
Firefox on Windows 7 64-bit may run into difficulties from extra add-ons and need a reinstall. As far as safety? You are the one in control of that.
Continue reading: How do I get Firefox to work properly on my Windows 7 x64 system?
http://ask-leo.com/C6254

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*** Last Issue's Articles

*** Comments

The Most Important Skill

Brook Evans writes:

I'm surprised you brought this up. I don't think the writers you describe in your article will recognize themselves and correct their shortcomings. After more than 20 years conducting classes of mostly freshly processed highschoolers in a junior college, pathetic and discouraging as it is I've learned to accept the general ignorance of the general public. Generally, people finish high school and, after twelve years of mostly inattention, a lack of interest and general boredom, haven't learned to read well and therefore don't. Class members have told me that since they just finished high school they shouldn't be expected to be able to read a newspaper. If they don't understand the language well enough to read, they certainly aren't going to learn to communicate well either verbally or with the written word. I blame the inefficiency and lack of integrity of our schooling system. It's not an education system; it's a schooling system. We run the kids through our schools but they don't become educated unless they somehow conjure up the wherewithall to do it themselves.

The Most Important Skill

Jobe writes:

I guess I would be of those that has some problem communicating as you state in your article. However, you do not seem to offer any solutions or ideas for some of the folks that are presented with this issue. Would you mind addressing this in your next column. It would be heaven sent to me.

Thanks Leo, I enjoy all your articles and have archived the ones I can use.

Jobe

Solutions really depend on where you are - both physically and in your life. Still in school in the US? Take every English class you can and pay attention (it's the "one thing I would have done differently" mentioned above). Read, read, read, and then read some more. If you're a non-native speaker in an English speaking country take those ESL classes, and then spend as much time speaking and interacting with native English speakers. (Pet peeve: those from foreign countries who cloister themselves in communities where they speak and interact in exclusively their native tongue.) Use every excuse you can find to read, speak and exercise your English skills, ideally with native English speakers who can assist you. Locate online resources. (http://go.ask-leo.com/renglish is a great YouTube channel I found some time ago. I'm certain there are more.)

-Leo

The Most Important Skill

P Perot writes:

We taught both our boys that grammar was important so that "People will listen to what say, not how you say it". Goes for writing, too!

*** Leo Recommends

TrueCrypt - Free Open Source Industrial Strength Encryption

TrueCrypt comes up frequently in Ask Leo! answers. Many people are concerned about things like privacy, identity and data theft, particularly on computers or on portable devices where they might not always have total physical control of the media.

Someone might gain access to sensitive data stored on your computer.

Encrypting your data renders that access useless, even when your computer or your thumbdrive falls into the wrong hands.

And TrueCrypt makes it not only easy, but nearly un-crackable.

Continue reading: TrueCrypt - Free Open Source Industrial Strength Encryption
http://ask-leo.com/C3444

Each week I recommend a specific product or resource that I've found valuable and that I think you may as well. What does my recommendation mean?

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