Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Beta
Adds Windows 7 Support and More

Windows Home Server product to support new features in Windows 7, such as Libraries and image-based backup. Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 (now available in beta via Microsoft Connect) provides the Windows 7 support Windows Home Server needs, but that's not all that's new.



What's New in Power Pack 3 for Windows 7 Users?

Because Windows Home Server is designed to provide a Windows-ready back end for backup and file organization on a home network, many of the changes in Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 add Windows 7 compatibility. These include:

* Windows 7 library support, including Windows Search 4 integration to enable WHS to search libraries and EFS (encrypted) files
* Windows 7 Action Center backup integration
* Windows 7 power settings support for scheduled backup

Other improvements include:

* More reliable file restore and image restore
* Improved backup repair
* Support for displays with resolutions as low as 1024x600
* Automatic TV recording archiving from Windows Media Center to
Windows Home Server in your choice of formats
* Console view of Windows Home Server from within Windows Media Center

The production version should be ready by the end of 2009. See the Microsoft Connect intro site to learn more about joining the program.

64-Bit Chrome Emerges for Linux First

As open-source proponents will tell you, there are several advantages to running Linux, and the open-source camp is about to have another bragging point, at least if you're a Chrome user. Google Chrome will soon be available in 64-bit form, but only for Linux.

"The V8 team did some amazing work this quarter building a working 64-bit port. After a handful of changes on the Chromium side, I've had Chromium Linux building on 64-bit for the last few weeks," said Chrome engineer.

While Vista 64-bit users might be miffed at being left out in the cold (at least for now), the move make senses, given that 64-bit adoption is still stronger on the Linux side than it is with Windows. But given the smoother experience of moving to 64-bit on Vista compared to XP, and Windows 7 shaping up the same way, we imagine a Windows version of 64-bit Chrome can't be far behind.

One of the benefits of 64-bit software is the ability to better utilize large amounts of RAM. 64-bit software can also take up more disk space, but with 1TB drives fast becoming the norm and not the exception, even mainstream users aren't likely to scoff at the trade-off for additional performance.

Windows 7 Feature Focus: Desktop, Taskbar and Start Menu

The Windows 7 GUI resembles its predecessor, Windows Vista. However, the closer you look, the more you'll see that Windows 7's take on the GUI is a big improvement, adding more power, more customization, and better ways to open frequently-used programs and files. Keep reading to learn how you can tap into the power of the Windows 7 desktop, Taskbar, and Start menu.

Getting the Most out of Gadgets

Windows 7, like Windows Vista, includes a useful library of desktop gadgets, from customizable clocks to an RSS feed aggregator and a mini-Windows Media Player. However, Windows 7 no longer keeps desktop gadgets cooped up on one edge of your display: it sets them free. Here's how to place a gadget (we'll use the Clock in this example) wherever you want with the display options you need.

1. Right-click an empty spot on your desktop and select Gadgets.


2. Double-click the Clock gadget.

3. Click Close to close Gadgets.


4. By default, the gadget appears in the upper right-hand corner of your primary display. Click and drag the gadget to the preferred location.

5. To choose options, click the wrench.

6. Use the arrow buttons to select from different display options.

7. Customize the gadget by entering settings as prompted.

8. Click OK when finished.

9. Right-click the gadget and select whether the gadget should always be on top and what opacity it should be. In this example, I've selected Always on Top and 60% opacity.


Follow this same basic procedure to place and customize your preferred gadgets. You can place gadgets on either the primary or any additional displays you use.

Click the Get More Gadgets Online link shown in Steps 2 and 3 to see an assortment of additional gadgets you can download. To choose from over 3000 gadgets, click the Get More Desktop Gadgets link on the Personalize Your PC browser window that appears first.

Windows 7 Feature Focus – Backup and Restore

Windows Vista replaced the antiquated, tape-oriented Windows NT Backup wizard with a new backup system optimized for external hard disks, and some editions also included true "bare metal" disaster recovery. However, Vista's Backup and Restore Center was missing some vital functionality: there was no way to create a Recovery Environment disc to boot your system (you were expected to use your Windows Vista DVD), file and folder backup and system image backup were performed with different programs, and Home Premium users who needed image backup had to purchase a third-party program. Windows 7 builds on the new features in Windows Vista's backup and fills in the missing functionality. To see how Windows Backup has been transformed from awkward adolescence into full maturity, keep reading.

Starting Backup and Restore for the First Time

To start Backup or Restore functions in Windows 7, open Control Panel and click Back Up Your Computer from the System and Security category:

Windows Backup and Restore has two panes. The right pane is used to configure and run backup and restore functions. This is the right pane for Windows 7 Home Premium (the focus of this article) before it is configured:

The right pane for Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate offers additional links for system recovery:

The left pane is used to launch backup-related tasks:



Setting Up Windows Backup

To set up Windows Backup, click the Set Up Backup link (1). Note that it is marked with a Windows Security shield, which indicates that users might see a User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

Setting Up a Scheduled Backup Job

Next, Windows Backup displays suitable locations for storing your backup: internal and external hard disks and DVD drives are listed. To save the backup on a network share in Business and Ultimate, click Save to Network (Home Premium users can't use network shares). In this example from Home Premium, I selected a Maxtor OneTouch 4 (2), which has over twice the free space of my system drive. After selecting your location, click Next to continue. If you didn't connect your backup drive until you reached this step, click Refresh.

When you use the default "Let Windows Choose" setting (3), Windows Backup creates two backup types in a single operation: a system image you can use for "bare metal" disaster recovery, and a backup of data files in libraries, the Windows desktop, and default Windows folders. Click Next to continue.

10 Top Choices for Online Backup Service

How many times have you lost documents on your computer because something crashed? It’s a hassle and it’s one that can be easily avoided if you backup all of your documents. Most of us still waste time doing this manually which means we often don’t have a backup of our most recent work. This tends to defeat the purpose of backing it up at all since the most recent stuff is usually what we want back when a computer crashes. The solution that makes the most sense is to start using an online backup system which typically saves copies of everything onto the Internet so that you can easily restore it if your computer goes out on you.

Ten of the top choices for online backup service are:

1. JungleDisk. This is another of the most popular options for online backup. It’s affordable although there’s an additional small fee for not just the software but also for a subscription to the Amazon S3 web data storage program. It’s still considered a fair price. People seem to love that it has a lot of options for scheduling backup and making changes to it.

2. IDrive. There are several reasons that you might enjoy this backup service. It’s got some storage offered entirely for free so it’s great if you’re just starting to figure out whether online backup is even for you or not. It’s also got a lot of great additional features (like advanced search functions and drag-and-drop restoration) that can be used by people who do already like online backup and who want to be able to do more with it.

3. SOS Online Backup. This is another backup service that offers a lot of additional features for those users who want to do a lot with the service. It tends to be more user-friendly than IDrive according to most people, though, so you may find that it’s the better of the two choices if you’re just starting out and aren’t quite confident in your own tech-savvy skills. It’s received numerous awards so it’s certainly a good choice.

4. Mozy. This seems to be a top choice for a lot of individuals and businesses. One reason is because it’s been around for several years now and it’s consistently gotten better as time has gone on. People love this service because it’s extremely user-friendly and backup goes pretty quickly whether you’re doing a first-time backup of everything or just your regular ongoing backup storage. Mozy tends to be relatively affordable too which is always a plus; unlimited backup is offered at less than $5 per month.

5. Abacus Online Backups. This is another service with a free trial that you may want to check out before deciding which service to use. This one is nice because the trial is guaranteed to be fully-functional which isn’t the case with all of them. It’s affordable and easy to use so it’s another popular choice.

6. IBackup. This is a service that offers a bit more personalized experience than some of the others. It allows you to choose from eight different application downloads which each have different interfaces and different features. This means that you really get a lot to play around with when choosing this online backup service. However, it’s pricier than a lot of the other options so you have to pay for what you want to get.

7. Carbonite. This is an interesting service in the sense that people seem to either love it or hate it. It seems to be best for those people who don’t plan on storing a whole lot of stuff but who do want to easily store some items. People who are looking to just store basic text documents and spreadsheets should find that this is a good choice to consider using. People who want to store media may want to look at other options. Their free trial is worth a look at least though.

8. Box.net. This service is considered one of the top online backup services that also doubles as a filesharing service. People who are interested in sharing their files between multiple computers or with others that they work with may find that an online backup version of their documents that can be easily shared through the system is a really good choice that kills two birds with one stone.

9. Drop.io. This is another service that is used as much for filesharing as it is for online backup. It’s affordable and easy-to-use. This one is really focused more on the collaboration features of the product so it doesn’t make a lot of sense as a tool for someone seeking only online backup but could be good for people who want more of the sharing aspect.

10. Memeo Backup. People who are sharing files and doing work together within an office may also want to use a more advanced backup system. Memeo is one that offers the chance to assign a manager or administrator who can review the backup information of others working on the same project. This helps in organizing documents between shared computers and keeping everyone on task and on top of things.

The type of online backup service that you want to get is really going to depend a lot on what you need it for. If you’re storing a lot of media then you want a service with a lot of storage. If you’re storing documents that you share with others then you want a backup service that has collaboration features. These ten choices are a good place to start in your search for online backup options.

Free Spyware Detection and Removal Downloads

Why You Need Spyware Detection & Removal

If you're a regular internet and Microsoft Windows user than you've more than likely had your computer affected by spyware at one time or another, and you may even have it on your system as you read this. Spyware is an often intrusive and computer-clogging type of malware that attaches itself to your personal computer. The spyware functions to find your internet browsing habits, including which websites you visit regularly, so it can collect data on people's habits. However, spyware can also change various settings on your PC, re-direct your internet browser to specific sites, and clog up your computer system, slowing down its speed. It's therefore essential to download free spyware detection and removal programs so that you can eliminate these harmful types of malware from your system.

Running anti-spyware programs on a regular basis should be made part of your monthly "To Do" list when it comes to maintaining your computer's security. It's important to install more than one type of anti-spyware software as well because sometimes one program will not find every type of spyware. Therefore, a second spyware detection or removal program will be able to find any items that were missed and help you eliminate those as well.

Spyware Detection & Removal Informaiton

It's important to note some distinctions in anti-spyware software. First, there are programs which were created to run "real time" on your computer and block or deny any perceived spyware from installing itself onto your PC. These tend to be included with paid-for internet security suites such as those offered by Norton Symantec, Trend Micro's PC-cillin or Kaspersky Internet Security. For example, Kaspersky will routinely pop up message boxes on the computer screen alerting the user when a website may be trying to install spyware. The PC user can then decide if the threat needs to be dealt with or can be dismissed.

For the purposes of the software discussed here, keep in mind you can run these free spyware detection and removal programs on a regular basis, whether it be scheduled once a month or week, or run when you feel it's necessary. These programs listed and detailed aren't necessarily real-time protection, although some offer that feature, while others require you to pay.

At times, the spyware search process can take quite a while depending on how many files or folders are on your computer. Generally, the anti-spyware program will scan your registry and other system files as well as latest programs installed, then compare the file info to the latest spyware info. From there it will add any perceived spyware found in your files to a list, and the user can choose to quarantine or eliminate the threats once the spyware scan has finished.

Spyware detection and removal software should be updated regularly as well to make sure you have the latest databases of spyware. Otherwise, your search may miss some of the newer spyware that's attached itself to your computer system.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Download

AVG is another solid offering in the realm of both spyware detection/removal as well as anti-virus software. AVG offers a free download of Anti-Virus Free Edition, which is compatible with Windows 7, XP and Vista operating systems. The application includes both free Anti-virus and Anti-spyware protection. While it offers good protection against viruses, spyware, adware and trojans, it will not offer anti-rootkits, Anti-Spam, web shield, firewall or identity protection. For that internet security protection you'll most likely need to buy a complete anti-virus internet security package.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free Download

Lavasoft is the software publisher of several internet security products, in paid and unpaid versions. Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free is its free anti-spyware offering and is currently in its "Anniversary Edition". It promises to give real-time protection against spyware, trojans, rootkis, hijackers, keyloggers and more. In plain English, these are the kinds of threats anyone with a hi-speed internet connection should be protecting themselves against. I strongly recommend installing Ad-Aware as your first free spyware detection and removal download, and then choose a second anti-spyware program to use in addition.

Here's some of the features you'll have with Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free download:

* Detect, Remove AND Clean
* Ad-Watch Live! Basic integrated real-time protection
* Rootkit Removal System
* Radically improved resource efficiency
* Lavasoft SmartSet
* Customizable Profile Scans
* External Drive Scanning
* Pin-Point Scanning
* Full integration with Windows Security Center
* Easy to download, install & use

Free Spybot Search & Destroy

Also known as Spyboy S&D, Spybot Search and Destroy is one of the more popular free spyware detection and removal downloads. Spybot is a free application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software. The latest version as of this writing is 1.6.2, and the program can be manually updated as you choose to make sure your anti-spyware definitions and database is up to date. Spybot touts itself as one of the faster spyware detection and removal programs there is, although some users have claimed the program scans slowly, and a patch was released to help speed things up. Spybot is a trusted anti-spyware program for download which you can use in addition to one other program to keep your PC spyware free!

Microsoft Windows Defender Free Download

Microsoft also offers its own free spyware detection and removal download. Their program "Windows Defender" is available to download for genuine copies of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or later. It's standard inclusion with all comptuers running the Windows Vista operating system, so no need to download this if you've got one. Otherwise, if you're still using XP this can be a great additional spyware removal program. Defender claims to identify and find all the latest spyware hidden in your computer files, then allows you to remove any of the threats at your discretion. Should you remove a program by mistake, the Defender application makes it easy to retrieve it. The Windows Defender program also can do automatic updates to its database definitions to keep you protected against the latest threats.

I experienced with the program is that it is quite difficult to uninstall, in fact it may require a complete reinstallation of Windows XP for some people looking to get a clean uninstall. Otherwise it's a very effective and well-updated spyware removal application.