Q: I use Windows Explorer a lot in Windows XP. Now, the menus suddenly disappeared. The words File, Edit, View, etc. all vanished from the top of the window. Where did that menu bar go, and how do I get it back? Is this something we have to pay Microsoft to find out? Really PO’d.

A: Most versions of Windows offer several ways to change Windows Explorer’s appearance. You can toggle ribbons across the top, change their size, and even customize some menus.

In Windows XP, however, you’re not supposed to be able to remove the main File menu. When you’re staring at a menu-less Windows Explorer, you’ve got a problem.

You’re also in luck: Microsoft has released a one-click fix to bring those menus back. If you’re missing the main menu from atop Windows Explorer, follow these steps to bring it back:
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Q: When I open Microsoft Word 2007, it lists the last documents I’ve opened. How do I clear those entries?

A: Microsoft Word, like many programs, keeps track of your most recently opened documents. That’s often quite handy, as you usually open the same document several times before finishing and moving on.

But when you’re working on something private, how do you keep others from seeing your last-opened documents? The answer comes through a setting hidden deep in Word’s menus.

In Microsoft Word 2007, follow these steps to remove your recently opened document history:
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Q: I have had my computer for 14 months. All of a sudden when it boots up there is a prompt for me to sign into Windows Live Messenger.

I can’t get it to stop. I do not nor have I ever used Windows Live Messenger. How do I get rid of it?

A: Like a whining mosquito, Windows Messenger constantly looks for a way to slip in. Microsoft used to force Messenger onto everybody by embedding it right inside Windows.

Now, Microsoft tricks people into installing Windows Messenger when they try to download any Windows Live program.

Whenever you try to download Windows Live Mail or Windows Live Photo Gallery — programs that restore features dropped from Windows 7 — Microsoft tries to slip all of the Windows Live programs into the mix, including Windows Live Messenger.

Luckily, Windows Live Messenger is much easier to install than it was in the past. To uninstall Windows Live Messenger from your computer, follow these steps:
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Q: While on Walmart’s website, I recently picked the closest store location. I share my neighbor’s wireless Internet signal. And now my neighbor sees the same Walmart store that I picked.

When I change the closest Walmart on my computer, it changes on his computer; when he changes the closest Walmart on his computer, it’s changed on mine.

I use Firefox, and I’ve turned on the options for privacy. I’ve told Firefox to delete all information except for passwords when I close the program.

How did Walmart retain my location preference and add it to my neighbor’s computer? And how do I make it so I can keep my store preference off his computer?

A: Location tracking is big business. Businesses want to target their advertising directly at nearby people — the very people most likely to visit their stores. So, when you visit a website, businesses make every effort to know exactly where and your wallet are located.

Walmart is probably employing two ways of tracking your location.

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Q: I don’t know what I did last week.

All the names beneath my folders and pictures have suddenly disappeared.

If I place my mouse pointer over the folder or picture, Windows XP tells me the name of the folder or picture.

But I want to bring back the names beneath the thumbnails! How do I bring them back?

A: In Windows XP, Microsoft really wanted a neat and tidy look. For example, the Desktop Cleanup Wizard constantly threatens to clean up your desktop if you haven’t touched a desktop icon in awhile.

And, Microsoft wondered, wouldn’t the windows look less cluttered if we removed all the names from beneath the icons in Thumbnail view?

So, Microsoft added the feature: If you hold down the Shift key while choosing Thumbnail view, the names disappear from view, as shown above.

Unfortunately, it’s all-too easy to hold down the Shift key accidentally while choosing Thumbnail view, only to wonder why your file and folder names have mysteriously disappeared. When that happens to you, follow these steps to put the names back in their rightful place:

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