How to Remove McAfee From Your Computer

McAfee is one of the most popular antivirus program which comprise the common functions available in modern security software. However, sometimes for some reason, the program may not meet your expectation and you just want to completely uninstall all McAfee components from your system to install another security application. In this blog I tried to explain how to safely uninstall and remove McAfee from your Computer using McAfee Removal Tool. McAfee Removal Tool is a software program designed to remove McAfee products from an operating system.

 Steps to Remove McAfee Using McAfee Removal Tool

•  Close all McAfee applications windows. Download the McAfee Removal tool from http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe.

•    Click on the "Save" button and save it to the desktop.

•    Double-click on the MCPR.exe file to launch this tool. If you use Windows Vista, then right-click on it and choose "Run as Administrator."

•    Once the process is complete, you will receive the message: "Clean Up Successful." Now re-boot your computer – this is required to fully remove the McAfee product. Once re-booted, the McAfee product will be uninstalled. 

•    Remove Leftover McAfee Folders. This is an optional step. Click on "Start" and then "My Computer." Double click "Program Files." Locate any McAfee product folders that may still be listed. Right click on each one and click on "Delete." Close the "My Computer" window.
 
Above procedure will help you to uninstall McAfee antivirus from your computer.

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How to Turn Off Hotkeys in Windows 7

Windows 7 is the latest available Windows operating system from Microsoft. Apart from so many new features in Windows 7, Microsoft has also added new hotkeys to give individuals better control over their operating system. This key can be used to open the Start menu, but when used as a hotkey in conjunction with other keys, it can be used to access many Windows' key functions. Using this key allow you to work more efficiently. However, if these hotkey shortcuts become troublesome, disabling them may be preferred. How you can disable these keys will depend largely on which version of Windows 7 you're running.

Using Registry Files

•    Download the file "Disable_Windows_Key_Hotkeys.zip" and save it to the desktop.

•    Open the .zip file and extract the compressed .reg file within to the desktop.

•    Right click on the .reg file and click "Merge".

•    Click on "Run," followed by "Yes," "Yes" and "OK" when prompted to merge the file into the registry.

•    Log out of your account and log back in, or restart the computer to apply the changes.

Using Local Group Policy Editor

•    Open the Start menu, and click  “Run”  and type "gpedit.msc".

•    Press "Enter" to start the search. If prompted by the User Account Control system, select "Yes".

•    Click on "User Configuration" and then click on e following successive settings to expand them: "Administrative Templates," then "Windows Components" and then "Windows Explorer".

•    Right click on "Turn off Windows + X Hotkeys" in the right pane and click on "Edit."

•    Select the dot corresponding to "Enabled" and click on "OK."

•    Close the Local Group Policy Editor window, and log off of the account or restart the computer. When you log back in, the changes will have been applied.

See also: How to Set Shortcut Keys in Windows 7

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Why Online Data Backup is Your Next Big Need?

The article describes the need and advantages of online data backup. The information compiled here is reliable and correct until date. Besides, it does not criticize or favor any other data backup utility that a user is currently using.

Online data backup, as the name suggests is a reliable, effective way of storing your entire hard drive data including folders, files, photos, attachments etc. on a network drive or remote server. Also known as remote backup, online data backup offers an excellent, affordable online medium of securing your critical data from calamitous disasters.

If you are still going around in circles over how and why, then read on to know. Data stored in a computer essentially bears the natural risk of being lost or damaged due to virus, malware infections; sudden power surge; hardware failure; system breakdown; human errors; and fire, theft etc. Irony is that data loss can occur anytime, anywhere irrespective of the arrangements that you have made to ensure its prevention.

Carbonite, an online backup service provider, stated in a press release "The top causes of small business' data loss included hardware/software failure (54 percent), accidental deletion (54 percent), computer viruses (33 percent) and theft (10 percent),"

The business world has stood witness to the fall of companies (major or minor) which suffered from data loss despite having done arrangements for data backup. One thing that these companies lacked of was the use of online data backup. According to Gartner, a US-based IT research & advisory company, “80% of businesses that suffer a major data loss or failure for more than 24 hours close within a year.”

Not just businesses, individuals like home users too have to go through the same dilemma in the absence of proper backup arrangements. No matter how many copies (in the form of flash drive, CD, DVDs etc) of the original hard drive data you make, the natural risks will remain involved in keeping them safe. There is another class of users that knows about the perils and is afraid of losing favorite music, videos, photos, documents, email etc., yet it doesn’t backup its data. Those users are strongly recommended to arrange for backups to avoid crying over the spilled milk.

Uses & Advantages:

Safety – Since the data is stored on a remote server or network drive, it remains safe and unharmed from the catastrophic damages. Therefore, in the event of a tragedy (for example theft) hitting your computer or home, your files, folders etc. will remain protected and intact. You can access all your data next time you will go online using a private or public computer.

Security – Considering the fact that the data traverses the internet, many service providers offer password-protection and encryption to keep online backups safe and secure. These features help ensure military-level security for users’ confidential information that could otherwise be taken advantage of.
Fast Access and Restore – The saved data can be accessed and restored anytime, anywhere using your login credentials. It’s fast, reliable and allows users to download their files, folders etc. using a simple web browser with just a click. This means that you will never have to dig out your old, precious treasure of clothes, jewelry, documents, or even hunt through your entire house to look for a backup media that can give you access to your saved data.

Reduce Data Maintenance Cost – Online backup utility saves you time as well as money that would otherwise be spent looking for data recovery support options. Besides, it doesn’t require the purchase of more media like CD, DVD, or flash drive etc. for saving data backup. Your computer and the ordinary internet browser viz. Internet explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox etc. will do. You will also be saved from burning your piles of data including photos, music etc. to a CD, DVD etc. This essentially takes a great deal of time.

Customization, Flexibility – Don’t worry if you aren’t a computer geek. You are not even required to be. If you know how to operate your computer and use your internet browser, it’s more than sufficient. Online backup service providers offer customized, flexible plans that fit into your requirements without digging a hole in your pocket. These vendors also offer flexible support options for users in case they feel the need. You will simply have to dial their toll-free number and let them know about the problem. They will either fix your problem on the phone or through the remote connection.

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Tips To Make Use of Microsoft Outlook at Its Best

 

In this blog I have tried to explain the procedure of fixing the common Microsoft Outlook issues. The methods compiled here are simple and correct until date. However, it is recommended that these should be followed and implemented carefully to avoid facing problems. This will help users save time and money that would otherwise be spent searching for Microsoft Outlook Support. 

Back up your Outlook data to avoid losing access to important emails, contacts etc. Since computer reformat is quite a common practice, data backup would help you regain access to your favorites and important information. You can either download and use a third party free or paid program to backup Outlook data or download and install Microsoft’s PST Backup tool from its official Microsoft Office website. Save the downloaded file and then install it using the automated wizard’s instructions. When done, open and run the program to start backing up your Outlook data(see also:Create backup in Outlook 2010).

You can also manually backup your .pst files by exporting them to another file\folder. To do so, open Outlook, click on the File menu and select Export. The Import and Export wizard will open up. Click to select .pst file and then hit the Next button. Name the file and save it to an easily accessible location in your computer. Follow rest of the instructions to complete the backup procedure. You can retrieve your backup by following the same procedure, choose Import instead of Export.

You can create an auto responder when you are going out of home or office for a few and want others to be informed about the same.

Steps to create an auto responder

•    Open Outlook and click on  “Tools”  and then click  “Out of Office Assistant.”
•    Click to select Send Out of Office auto-replies. Type a desired response under the Inside My Organization tab.
•    You can also select to reply to the people out of your organization using the Auto-reply to people outside my organization checkbox under the Outside My Organization tab.
•    Click to select My Contacts only\Anyone outside my organization in the Outside My Organization tab in order to determine the contacts who needed to be sent the auto reply.
•    Save the changes and exit Outlook.

Set reminders to quickly make Outlook remind you about the tasks to be performed.

Steps to Set reminders in outlook

•    Open Outlook, right click on the email message that you want to create the reminder for, select Follow Up, and then Add Reminder.
•    Select the date and time using the Due By and second list respectively to fulfill the task.
•    Use the Flag Color list to flag the message in the desired color and press the OK button.

Close Outlook properly before shutting down your computer. This is a small but very useful practice as it helps prevent unsaved data from loss caused by inadvertent shutdown. A forced shutdown causes many applications including Outlook to perform weird next time these are opened.

Regularly download and install latest updates intended to maximize performance and utility of Outlook. Use Windows Update feature to do so. You can also set Windows Updates to automatically download, install these updates.

See also: Microsoft Outlook Not Opening

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Steps to Reset the BIOS Password in Dell Computer

Before we begin with the reset procedure, let’s understand what BIOS is. It is a built-in program called Basic Input\Output System (BIOS) that loads automatically when a computer is powered on. The program manages data flow and controls all the attached or built-in hardware or applications like keyboard, mouse, printer, router, serial communications, disk drives, and monitor among other things. It is usually located in the pre-integrated ROM chip (aka ROM BIOS) in a computer. The steps described here are simple and correct until date. However, it is still recommended that these should be followed carefully to avoid facing problems. This will help users save their precious time as well as money. If  you  face any problem in performing below mentioned steps, You can call  Dell technical support at their toll free No. +1-877-452-9201

Instructions:

First, locate the user manuals that originally came with your Dell computer. Search through the pages to find the component structure of your Dell PC as you will have to pull out the CMOS battery (silver colored) from the motherboard. If you are not sure what to do, open your web browser and go to Dell’s official website. Type in your computer’s model or version and navigate to the Service Manual option. Look throughout the options and locate diagram or graphics of your PC’s motherboard. Either print the information or note it down on a piece of paper as you will need this while the computer is shut down.

Now turn off your computer and detach the power cord from its back. Detach all other connected devices like USBs, printer etc. Open the case of your computer, locate the 3-pin CMOS battery and remove it. Hit the power button and hold it for 10-20 minutes to drain the leftover charge. This will clear the previous settings and make way for password reset. Close the computer case, reconnect all the devices, plug the power cord back in firmly to the computer and turn them on(see also:How to Reset BIOS Password in a Dell Laptop).

When the computer is turning on and you see the Dell logo, start tapping the F2 key on the keyboard until you see the Entering Setup message screen. Some old Dell machines may require different key combination in place of the F2. This combination includes pressing Ctrl, Alt, and Enter keys together and then the Delete key on the keyboard. When entered, make a new password as desired. Write this down on a piece of paper and keep it a safe place. This will save you from falling into such a situation again.

Also see:How to Resolve Windows 7 BOOTMGR Missing Error

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Change the default operating system for startup (multiboot)

When you install two operating systems on your computer, the computer's master boot record, or MBR, notes both operating systems and allows you to choose which one boots automatically.To avoid data loss, you can create a backup of your MBR. If you do not intervene when the computer first starts, you can choose which one starts when you turn on your computer. More than one operating system installed on a computer is often called a multiboot configuration. Multi-boot or Multi-booting is the act of installing multiple operating systems on a computer, and being able to choose which one to boot when starting the computer  To change which operating system has boot priority, you must modify the settings in your system properties.

Call 1-877-452-9201(24x7) for Windows 7 Support

There are several reasons for installing two operating system on your computer

•    You want to run a "gaming machine" as well as a "business machine" on the same computer.

•    Web designers want to view their work on various operating systems and their native web browsers.

•    A piece of legacy hardware, such as a scanner, works on Windows 98, but not in Windows XP.

•    IT staff need to be able to work with older as well as new versions of Windows.

•    You want to experiment with an operating system like Linux, but need to be able to use Windows as your main operating system.

Steps to Change the Default operating system for startup

•    Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.

•    Click Advanced System Settings.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

•    Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.

•    Under System startup, in the Default operating system list, click the operating system that you want to use when you turn on or restart your computer.

See also: How to Resolve Windows 7 BOOTMGR Missing Error

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How to Manually Register DLL in Microsoft Windows Vista

Dynamic link library (DLL or .dll) is a set of small programs (files) that are called upon simultaneously by various executable programs in Windows to perform certain tasks like connecting to a device etc. Sometimes, these files get corrupted and hence need repairing. The below mentioned guide will help you register these files on your own. This essentially means that you don’t need to contact Microsoft technical support for help.

Instructions:   

Before beginning with the procedure, you must know that names and path of the files that needs to be registered. If you didn’t know the names and/or path, you would not be able to register them.

•    Click on the Start menu and navigate to Run or press  the Windows and the R keys together on the keyboard.

•    Type ‘regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\Name.dll’ in the blank field (without quotes and as it is) and then click on the OK button. You must replace the location (path) as well as name of the file (Name.dll, here it should be the name of the file with .dll as the extension and not just Name).

•    Once you are done typing and clicking on the OK button, you will see a dialog box showing that the file has been successfully registered. Click on the OK button to close the message window. If the program did not launch automatically, then open it manually.

•    If you get an error message like the specified module or entry could not be found, then it indicates that you are either typing the location or file name wrong or the .dll file that you are trying to register is not compatible with your version of Windows. If none of these is the case, then try disabling the UAC (User Account Control) in Control Panel.

Additional Tips:

You may need admin privileges to run such command or tweak around with the registry.

You can also download and install Dependency Walker 2.2, an automatic tool for registering missing libraries or fix common problems. Download it from its official website (depencencywalker.com) and save the file to your desktop. Double click on its icon to open and install it using the wizard’s instructions. When the program is installed, run it to initialize the process. The program has been designed to support all the old and new versions of Windows.

Also here: How to Find Files Left Behind After a Software Uninstall

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