windows

Note from Dennis: At the end of the review, we're offering 20% discount for Infopackets readers. I get asked all the time "Why is my PC slow?" The answer, of course, is usually complex and may depend on a number of factors. But, for the most part, ... the culprit is due to repeated installation and removal of software programs to a system over a period of time. For example: a once pristine PC (brand new, untouched) from the factory can perform flawlessly. The same PC after a few months of use will start to lag. And, after a year or two, that same PC will surely suffer major performance ... (view more)

Microsoft says it will add the "browser ballot" to European copies of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS). Many observers believe the idea stems from an ongoing investigation of antitrust abuse by the Redmond, Washington-based firm. The ... browser ballot allows Windows 8 users to choose their Internet browser the first time they fire up the new OS. First Browser Ballot Bungled, Badly While Windows 8 is new, the browser ballot idea is not. It was first used with European copies of Windows 7 after smaller browser companies (like Opera or Mozilla) complained that Microsoft was monopolizing ... (view more)

After initially indicating that it would not fix an Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) security bug until Windows 8's official October, 2012 release, Microsoft now says it will provide a patch "shortly". The problem is associated with Adobe Flash, software ... that supports multimedia and interactive content for web pages. A recently discovered bug in Flash led to Adobe issuing a security update for the Flash Player. The security update addressed six individual security flaws, all rated 'critical' by Adobe. Any one of them could allow a hacker to crash a computer when trying, for example, to disrupt a ... (view more)

With firms like Dell unveiling new products that run the upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS), set for release in late October 2012, interest in Microsoft's newest OS is steadily mounting. However, the growing buzz could benefit hackers, who -- ... as always -- will be seeking to take advantage of public interest in a new software product. That's why it's not surprising that PC security firm McAfee claims to have found a fake antivirus and anti-spyware software utility that calls itself the "Win 8 Security System." Fake Security Software Claims to Keep Windows 8 Systems Safe McAfee says ... (view more)

Samsung recently announced it is putting its very own Start button in its forthcoming Windows 8 PCs. Now, Dell has unveiled its own twist on the standard formula: a hybrid tablet-laptop device running Microsoft's upcoming operating system (OS), ... Windows 8. The Dell XPS Duo 12 is intended to be used as both a touchscreen tablet computer and a standard laptop PC. Physically, it can open up just like a regular laptop. But it can easily switch to tablet mode by flipping the display through its frame, and swiveling it until it latches in place with magnets. Dell Improves Upon Inspiron Duo Design If ... (view more)

One of the more controversial aspects of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS) is the absence of a Start button. Windows users have become accustomed to this point of reference, which can be used to quickly launch applications, find ... files, and access various control menus within the OS. Reviewers have made a lot of noise lamenting the missing Start button in Windows 8. Now, Samsung appears ready to appease buyers of its own Windows 8 PCs by offering them what Microsoft won't: a Start button. Samsung Unveils Wide Range of Windows 8 Devices This week Samsung has taken to the web ... (view more)

Update 2012/11/13: Save $150 with this special, limited-time version of Windows 7 that is licensed for / can be installed on up to 3 separate PCs. Low stock warning! As expected, stock for the discounted Windows 7 Family Pack is quickly diminishing ... as we inch closer to the Holiday season, and as more unfavorable reviews of Windows 8 are being published online. More about that, plus why this special Windows 7 discount is an excellent bargain is below. First, here's what you need to know. After much research, we firmly believe Amazon is currently offering the best deal for the Windows 7 Family ... (view more)

Microsoft has revealed that a new Virtual Private Network (VPN) hack could be used to steal passwords and other sensitive information. It's called a "man-in-the-middle" attack. Security researcher Moxie Marlinspike first disclosed this VPN hack in a ... security advisory earlier this month. After investigating the issue, Microsoft has acknowledged that the threat is legitimate. Hacker Could Take Control of System, Network "An attacker who successfully exploited...cryptographic weaknesses could obtain user credentials," Microsoft said in its own advisory, released earlier this week. "Those ... (view more)

With consumers moving away from PCs in favor of tablet computers and smartphones, Dell has reported a significant decline in both its revenue and its share price. Dell Inc., for many years a major PC maker, recently made public its second quarter ... earnings. The report shows that the firm's second quarter profits declined 18 per cent, while revenues dipped nearly 8 per cent. Even more concerning may be the company's inability to predict this trend. In May, Dell suggested that revenues would significantly increase, not decrease. Mobile Devices Lure Consumers Away from PCs Dell has blamed its ... (view more)

Windows 7 God Mode Tool 2.0 God Mode is simply a free software tool that creates a new, hidden Windows control panel containing everything about your computer's current Windows 7 configuration options and settings. It also displays additional ... features not easily found in the ordinary Window's Control Panel. This utility can be used to easily enable God Mode, creating a shortcut on the user's desktop. http://aakifn.com Audacity 2.0.2 RC4 Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. You can use Audacity ... (view more)