Q: Recently a relative gave me a computer that runs Windows XP. I’m trying to clean it up, and I discovered several Adobe programs: Acrobat, Air, Shockwave Player, and Flash Player. Do I need them all, or can they be safely deleted? A: Since its founding in 1982, Adobe Systems has released many programs, and […]

Q: What’s the difference between a System Image backup versus a backup of the registry? When should we back up the registry? A: The Windows registry is simply a database: a bunch of text and numbers, as shown to the left. It’s a mighty powerful database, though, because Windows stores thousands of important settings inside […]

Q: I just noticed that some of my file names have changed to a bluish color in Windows Explorer. They still seem to work okay, but the names are in blue letters. I’ve seen this before, but it was always just one file. This time all the files in one of my folders have changed […]

Q: A friend gave me a used Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop. It has Windows XP Professional installed. One laptop sticker says “Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition. Product Key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.” On the right side, a label says “Intel Inside.” Another sticker says “Designed for Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional/Windows Me.” I am flummoxed. What does all this mean? […]

Q: I’m using Outlook Express in Windows XP. How can I list my contacts in alphabetical order? A: The once-popular Outlook Express e-mail program enjoyed a good ten-year run, from Windows 3 to Windows XP. Microsoft’s Windows Vista finally killed it, unfortunately, substituting Windows Mail, which died a short two years later. Outlook Express lovers […]