Idea of the Day - A new idea each day. Some Don't Suck!

Our Latest Posts About: Windows

Why Trial Anti-Virus Programs Suck

Thursday, May 11, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Free anti-virus programs cause more viruses than they prevent.

Contrary to what most people think, you are far more likely to get a virus on your new Windows PC if it comes with a "Free Trial" anti-virus, than one that doesn't come with one, because sooner or later, the trial will end, and you'll be completely unprotected.

The trouble is that when the trial ends, the computer doesn't automatically remove the trial version and enable Microsoft's built-in protection program, "Windows Defender". More often than not, what happens is the trial simply ends, and protection is turned off, with an occasional reminder to pay for a renewal.

My advice is simple. As soon as you get a new Windows PC, go to the control panel and remove every trial program, including the free anti-virus... [More]

Continue...Why Trial Anti-Virus Programs Suck...

Windows and Mac Should Have More Than One Clipboard

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I hate when I have to lose text on my Clipboard because I need to copy a file.

The Clipboard is one of the most frequently used features, yet it has one weakness, they use the same clipboard for everything. This means that whenever you want to copy a file, any text or images on your clipboard will be wiped out.

Generally, when you copy something, such as text or images, you can only paste it into programs that handle text and images. Most programs don't let you past files into them, and the operating system itself doesn't let you paste text, images or other data as a file, so why not have more than one clipboard?

Having multiple clipboards isn't really new, but neither Windows or MacOS have built-in support for such a feature. I think its about time they expanded the cli... [More]

Continue...Windows and Mac Should Have More Than One Clipboard...

File Names Aren't Enough

Saturday, April 1, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I wish Macs and Windows had a way to attach notes to files, instead of relying on the filename alone.

Naming files is a bit of an art. You create a file on Monday and give it a name. By Tuesday, you've changed it a few times, and potentially created a second or even third version with slightly different names.

A week later, you look for the file, but you can't figure out which one you want, because your filenames simply aren't enough to distinguish them. What I'de love to see is an additional note area that's linked to each file, something like a Sticky Note that you can use to give each file a detailed description.

Free Windows Upgrades For The Life of Your PC?

Monday, March 27, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Paying as much as $130 for an "Upgrade" of Windows is just plain wrong.

One of the biggest mistakes Microsoft made over the years their policy of charging enormous prices for upgrades to Windows. This policy has stagnated the industry for decades as PC owners need to decide whether or not to pay for each upgrade. More often than not, they choose not to, which means that the majority of Windows owners are running outdated software.

By contrast, Apple's upgrades continue to be free.

While some may argue that Apple can justify giving MacOS upgrades for free, because unlike Microsoft, they rely on the sales of their Operating System as their primary source of income, but that's the wrong way to look at it. While it may be true that Microsoft makes the majority of their incom... [More]

Continue...Free Windows Upgrades For The Life of Your PC?...

What's Missing From Recovery Console?

Thursday, March 23, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The Recovery console is missing one critical feature, the ability to ACTUALLY recover YOUR files.

Windows PCs and Macs both have a feature that let you boot into a special Recovery Console, whenever your system has trouble. The idea behind the Recovery Console is to give the owner some options to fix their system.

Unfortunately, the Recovery Console doesn't always work, and you have no choice but to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. When that happens, you'd better have a backup, because the Recovery Console doesn't have any options to backup and recover YOUR files. That's pretty stupid!

Reinstalling the operating can be scary, especially without a backup of your own files, so what Apple and Microsoft need is an additional option that lets you back... [More]

Continue...What's Missing From Recovery Console?...

Windows Should Have Cloud Based Installers, Like Apple

Friday, March 10, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I wish Microsoft had a way to install Windows from the cloud.

Re-installing your OS on a fresh drive is so much easier on a Mac than on a Windows PC because Apple has the ability to install MacOS directly from the cloud, instead of fumbling around for either the original Windows CD or USB Flash Drive.

As a tech guy, this is something that drives me crazy, because whenever I need to replace a hard drive for a client, most of them don't even have the correct version of Windows on any media whatsoever. Since you can't use the Windows CD from another brand of PC, you waste your time trying to download it from the manufacturer (some don't even offer that), or buy a fresh copy of Windows.

I think Microsoft and PC makers should do what Apple does, create a way for the BIOS / Firm... [More]

Continue...Windows Should Have Cloud Based Installers, Like Apple...

That STUPID Windows Key!

Monday, March 6, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

File this under: "What were they thinking?".

When Microsoft introduced Windows 95 over 22 years ago, they also introduced their first major hardware idea... the Windows Key, and I've hated that stupid key from the first time I saw it.

Windows 95 was radically different from all the Windows versions before it because it introduced the concept of the "Start Menu" as a way of finding and running programs. It was a big deal for Microsoft. They had a huge campaign to drive attention to the "Start Button" on the bottom of the screen, even going far enough to use "Start Me Up" from The Rolling Stones in commercials to draw attention to the new way to run programs.

The make the Start Menu even easier to find, Microsoft went one step too far, when they introduced a new key on the... [More]

Continue...That STUPID Windows Key! ...

My Solution to Missing Windows Drivers

Sunday, March 5, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I hate when I have to reinstall Windows, but I can't find all the drivers.

Reinstalling Windows can be a real pain in the neck if you can't find drivers for all your components. In some cases, you can't even look online because one of the missing drivers is for the networking components. Even if you can get online, you may not even know where to look.

I think the solution to this is for computer manufacturers to have a small flash storage area built into the computer specifically for the purpose of storing copies of the original driver installers for every component in your computer.

If nothing else, it wouldn't be a bad idea for people to create their own version of this idea by proactively copying all their drivers to a USB flash drive. Having it built-in makes it even... [More]

Continue...My Solution to Missing Windows Drivers...

Backup Windows System Folders

Friday, March 3, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I WISH Windows had a way to keep backup copies of the Windows Boot Folders.

As a tech guy, people come to me all the time with their computer problems, and one of the most common problems is a system that won't boot because of a corrupt Windows system folder.

Wouldn't it be great if Microsoft kept a second copy of the entire Windows system folder from a snapshot taken when the system was working? The process would be pretty simple to implement. Basically, when you install a fresh copy of Windows, it creates two exact copies of the System folder. As you install new programs and drivers, those changes are only done to the "current" version.

If the system boots okay, those changes are then mirrored to the backup version, but if there is a problem, the system can boot from t... [More]

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Mac vs Windows PC... Part 2

Thursday, March 2, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If you can't decide whether to get a Windows PC, or an Apple Mac... get the Mac. Here's why.

One of the most popular videos on my YouTube is about why I think a Mac is a better choice than a Windows PC. I received quite a lot of comments about that video, so I thought it would be a good idea to clarify my thoughts.

While the comments varied quite a bit, there were a quite a few people who were huge fans of Windows who wondered why I would want to run it on my Mac if I hated it so much. It's an interesting thought, but it's not accurate. I DO like Windows, and I DO run it every day, but I ALSO run a lot of Mac Apps and that's the essence of my point. I own a Mac because it is the only way I can (legally) run both Windows and Mac Apps on the same computer.

Simply stated... [More]

Continue...Mac vs Windows PC... Part 2...

I Wish Windows Updates Were Like Apple's

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

My MacOS is version 10.12.3. What's YOUR Windows version?

Microsoft and Apple have two entirely different ways to handle operating system versions and updates. Every time Apple updates iOS, MacOS, TVOS, and WatchOS, they update their version numbers to reflect the changes. This means that EVERY iPhone with version 10.2.1 has EXACTLY the same system files, and every MacOS version 10.2.3 has the same system files and capabilities.

This is particularly important for Application Developers. All they need to do is check the version number to know if their software is compatible, because they know every device with that particular version has the same capabilities and system files.

Microsoft on the other hand uses an altogether different approach to version numbers and update... [More]

Continue...I Wish Windows Updates Were Like Apple's...

A Hidden Windows Security Problem

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

One of the default settings in Windows is pretty dangerous.

Microsoft's default setting in their File Manager is to "HIDE the file extension of known types". While this sounds harmless, it's actually one of the most common sources of computer viruses, because it makes it hard to tell what kind of file you are actually opening.

Every file has an extension, and by now, most of us recognize the most common ones, such as:

.JPG for pictures
.PDF for printable documents
XLS and .XLSX for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
.DOC and .DOCX for Microsoft Word files
.EXE for executable programs

Since those are "known types", Microsoft's default behavior is to "Hide" the extension. So a file called "FunnyCat.JPG" is shown simply as "FunnyCat". While that sounds harmless on the surf... [More]

Continue...A Hidden Windows Security Problem...

The 10 Cent Windows Solution

Monday, February 27, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why don't most Windows PC makers include a reinstallation CD in the box? It costs them pennies.

When a hard drive fails, it's a quick fix. A new drive costs about $50 - $100, and it takes seconds to install. You pop open the cover, unclip or unscrew the old drive, then plop in the new one and re-connect the cables. Easy peasy. Unfortunately, that's when your nightmare begins, because most PC manufacturers don't include the Windows reinstallation CD in the box, and without it, you can't restore your computer.

When you spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on a new PC, there's no excuse for the manufacturer to exclude the reinstallation discs in the box. It costs the manufacturer about 10 cents or less for the disc, and it saves the owner from the frustration of pay... [More]

Continue...The 10 Cent Windows Solution...

Why is a Mac More Secure Than a Windows PC?

Friday, February 24, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If most Mac owners don't use an Anti-Virus, why do they have fewer viruses?

Billions of dollars are spent each year on Anti-Viruses and other Internet Security programs, yet almost none of it is from Apple Mac owners. Based on that, you might think that Macs would be less secure, but that's not the case. Even without anti-virus software, they rarely have to deal with viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, trojans, and all sorts of nasty security problems.

While I can name quite a few reasons, there is one particular feature of a Mac that stands out above every other reason. There is a built-in feature in Apple's MacOS that specifically prevents you from installing programs from unknown publishers. Here's how it works.

When you buy a new Mac, the default setting in the s... [More]

Continue...Why is a Mac More Secure Than a Windows PC?...

A "Close All" Option

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Don't you wish there was a quick way to close all your programs and documents at once?

At any given time, most of us have a lot programs, documents, and windows open at the same time. This can not only be distracting, but it can eat up a lot of resources, making your computer slower.

Sometimes the best solution is to shut everything down and restart, but that can be time consuming too. I think the best alternative would be for Microsoft and Apple to give people a quick option that simply says "Close All", that systematically closes every window, program, and document, just like it does when you select the Restart, Shutdown, or Power Down in Widows or MacOS, except that after closing everything, it keeps running. This saves the time waiting for it to re-boot.

The Print Screen Key... That Doesn't Print?

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Shouldn't the PrintScreen Key... print the screen?

One of the most confusing things on a Windows PC is that stupid, Print Screen Key. People ask me about it all the time. It seems to just take up space, so why is it even there?

Ever since the first IBM PC in the early 80s, the keyboard has had a PrintScreen key. Back in those pre-Windows days, whenever you hit the key, the computer printed whatever was on the screen. It was pretty simple, and you didn't need to load any software to do it. It was built-in, so every DOS program could use it.

When you hit the Print Screen key in Windows, it doesn't print the screen, make any sounds, or even give you a message, so a lot of people assume it doesn't do anything at all, but what it actually does is COPY the screen to the CLIP... [More]

Continue...The Print Screen Key... That Doesn't Print?...

Better Software Subscription Ideas

Friday, November 18, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The new trend in software is subscription based pricing, but is it right for everyone?

The software industry has changed quite a bit in the last few years. The biggest change is a shift from one price ownership to a monthly or annual subscription, which basically translates to software rentals.

Microsoft was one of the first companies to make the move, by giving customers two main pricing options, a one time price of $150 for one PC, or $99 per year for up to 5 PCs. The lower option for multiple PCs made the choice easier for households with multiple computers, giving Microsoft a good starting point for building their base of subscribers.

Around the same time, Adobe started selling their $2000 Creative Suite for an introductory price of just $49 per month. Like Microsoft,... [More]

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What's a Microsoft Signature Edition PC?

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Want to know how to get a Windows PC that doesn't SUCK? Get a Microsoft Signature Edition PC.

One of the most frustrating things about buying a new Windows PC is having to deal with all the bundled JUNK that comes with it. It doesn't matter what brand you buy. HP, Dell, Lenovo and just about every major brand today includes worthless programs that clutter your screen, and slow down your computer.

Unfortunately, most PC buyers are stuck with all that junk because they lack the skills to do anything about it. Even if they know how to uninstall programs, they can't tell which programs are safe to remove. For example, most of them come with a trial version of a major anti-virus, which they assume is essential, and they are warned they shouldn't remove them because they have a... [More]

Continue...What's a Microsoft Signature Edition PC?...

Standardized Windows Installer Discs

Saturday, November 5, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why can't I use a Windows CD from a Dell on an HP and Vice Versa?

This has bugged me for years. If I have to replace a hard drive from an HP, Dell, or Lenovo, why must I somehow find the original HP, Dell, or Lenovo Windows Installation Disc? As it stands now, with most major brands whenever you need to reinstall Windows, you have to find a copy that matches the brand of your computer, or it will tell you it can't activate it with your serial number.

As long as it's the same version of Windows, you should be able to use ANY OEM Windows disc, regardless of the brand.

The problem was bad enough when each new PC at least came with a physical CD or DVD. Back then, you were told to put in a safe place, just in case you ever needed to reinstall Windows.

Unfortunately,... [More]

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What is ScareWare?

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

ScareWare is one of the biggest problems in the computer industry, but so many people have no idea what it is... or what to do about it.

If you're surfing the web, and all of a sudden a window pops up telling you that you've got some sort of problem or a virus on your computer, and it suggests that you click a button to remove it right away, what do you do?

When many people see a message like that, they immediately click the button to "remove" the problem. Unfortunately, they don't realize that the message is a complete fake. You don't actually have a virus. It's just "ScareWare", but if you are fooled into thinking it's real, and actually click the button to "fix" the problem, you are actually installing the real virus.

In some cases, they claim to be giving you a free... [More]

Continue...What is ScareWare?...

Hard Drives With an Undo Option

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

When mistakes happen, wouldn't it be great to undo them?

As a tech guy, I get a lot of calls from people who managed to make a complete mess of their computers. Sometimes, it's because they accidentally moved or deleted an important folder, or in many cases, it's because they managed to download a virus that has the potential to render their computer useless.

In some cases, all I need to do is remove the virus, but in the case of Ransomware viruses, the only way to fix the problem is to completely erase it and restore from a backup that was made prior to the mess.

A while back, I posted an idea for Microsoft and Apple to put a rollback option into Windows and MacOS (OS X), but today's idea is to take it one step further, and build the rollback into the hard drive itself.... [More]

Continue...Hard Drives With an Undo Option...

Why Rollback Should Be A Built-In Option On Windows and Mac

Monday, June 27, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The ability to roll back and undo unwanted changes should be a built-in option on Windows and Mac.

Microsoft Shouldn't Force Windows 10 Down Your Throat

Sunday, May 1, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Microsoft really, really, really wants you to run Windows 10.

Over a year ago, I created a post about why Microsoft should offer Windows Subscriptions, with free updates for life.. The main argument is that it's pointless for Microsoft to sell "upgrades" of Windows because the upgrade price wasn't worth it. To pay $100-$200 just to get the latest version of Windows was completely pointless.

As I mentioned last year, because of the high price to upgrade, most people stick with the version that came with their PC, until they get a new one. Because so few people have the latest version, there is little incentive for software and hardware companies to release products specifically designed for the newest versions of... [More]

Continue...Microsoft Shouldn't Force Windows 10 Down Your Throat...

The NumLock Key Should Be Eliminated

Sunday, April 24, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The Numlock key is a pointless key that should be eliminated.

In the early days of computing, keyboards didn't have s dedicated arrow keys. Instead of dedicated keys the original IBM PC keyboard had a number pad on the right side, and the "Numlock" key was used to switch between using those keys as numbers vs arrows.

Today"s keyboards have their own dedicated arrow keys, but for some reason, to this day, most keyboards still have a Numlock key.

That stupid key causes so much confusion because many people hit it by mistake, then wonder why the numbers aren't working. This is especially frustrating when entering passwords, and you can't see what your typing.

Because of this, whenever somebody calls me to tell me they can't get into their computer because it won't accep... [More]

Continue...The NumLock Key Should Be Eliminated...

Windows Remote Desktop Needs Improvements

Friday, March 25, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Microsoft's Remote Desktop is a pain in the neck to use.

I hate the fact that Microsoft's Remote Desktop doesn't actually let you access your desktop from a REMOTE location. An even bigger problem is the fact that the majority of Windows PCs don't even have remote desktop software installed. There was a time when every version of Windows include remote desktop software, but for some reason Microsoft decided they would only include this feature in their more expensive versions of Windows.

What's even more frustrating is the fact that even the versions that include Remote Desktop don't have any functionality to let you FIND the address of your computer, which basically means that unless you're in the same building as your PC, chances are you won't be able to connect to it unle... [More]

Continue...Windows Remote Desktop Needs Improvements...

Apple Mac vs. Microsoft Windows PC? Why Mac is DEFINITELY Better

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I can't understand why there is a debate about which is better... Mac or Windows PC? The Mac is clearly better, and I can prove it.

Some people insist that Windows is better than a Mac. Really? There's no debate. Mac vs PC? Mac wins every time.

In today's Vlog, I talk about why the Apple Mac is DEFINITELY Better than a Windows PC. To me, the Mac is clearly a better choice for one simple reason. With a PC, you can only run Windows Programs. With a Mac, you can run Windows Program... AND Mac Programs.

I can go on and on about how fast my Mac is, how much better OS X is, or how rarely you see viruses on the Mac, or how well it integrates with my iPhone and iPad, etc... etc... but the bottom line is that a Mac can run every Mac program... and every Windows program.
... [More]

Continue...Apple Mac vs. Microsoft Windows PC? Why Mac is DEFINITELY Better...

Automatic File Version Numbers

Saturday, February 13, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

An easy way to keep track of revisions.

Right now, if you modify a file, the operating system deletes the old version and replaces it with the new one. Some newer operating systems can keep track of previous versions, but the process of retrieving older versions isn't exactly intuitive.

A better approach would be for programs like Microsoft Office to save the new file with a version number, and store previous versions in another folder somewhere, so you can easily locate previous versions in the event you need to find them.

The main premise is that you'll always be able to refer to a file by the filename and the version number, and so insure previous versions aren't deleted unless you are sure you don't need them anymore. It also insures that when you email files to oth... [More]

Continue...Automatic File Version Numbers...

Dedicated Copy and Paste Keys

Thursday, February 4, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

I hate using Control-C and Control-V to copy and paste.

One of the most innovative features of the original 1984 Apple Macintosh was the idea of a virtual "Clipboard", that allows people to cut, copy and paste things from place to place. It was a simple idea. Once you cut or copied something to your Clipboard, you could paste it someplace else. The trouble is Apple used an uncomfortable and often neglected keyboard combination instead of a dedicated key.

Although you can use the right mouse button to cut, copy, and paste, it's slower and more tedious when you need to copy or paste things like cells in a spreadsheet, where your hands tend to be on the keyboard arrow keys most of the time.

The biggest problem is that Control-C and Control-V are uncomfortable key combinat

... [More]

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Facebook Apps For Windows and Mac

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Facebook should have a native App that actually.... works.

Every day, millions of people use Facebook, and a huge percentage of those people are using Apps on mobile devices, instead of through a web browser. The Facebook Android App was downloaded over 1 billion times on the Google Play store alone, and although Apple does't publish download information, the iOS (iPad / iPhone / iPod) version is one of the most popular downloads of all time. Clearly, the App is the preferred way to use Facebook on mobile devices.

Doesn't it make sense for Facebook to release a native App that works on desktop computers too?

Technically, Facebook has an "Official" App in the Windows Store, but it's a complete mess and judging from all the negative reviews, there's no surprise people... [More]

Continue...Facebook Apps For Windows and Mac...

Print Screen Key Should Actually... Print The Screen

Tuesday, December 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why doesn't the Print Screen key print the screen?

In the early days of computing, if you wanted to print whatever was on your screen, all you had to do was hit the handy "Print Screen" key. The cool thing about it was that you did't need any training to figure out how.

The ability to print the screen was built-in. You didn't need any software. All you had to do was turn on your printer, and hit the print screen. That's it.

Then Windows came along, and Microsoft was too lazy to include a program that could print the screen, the button became pretty useless. Nearly 30 years later, Microsoft still doesn't include a simple feature to use the Print Screen key to print the screen.

Tech savvy users know that if you hit the Print Screen key, it quietly puts a copy of y

... [More]

Continue...Print Screen Key Should Actually... Print The Screen...

No More Num Lock Key

Monday, December 21, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Nobody uses (or likes) the Num Lock key!

One of the most frustrating things about most keyboards is the pointless Num Lock key. It's beyond annoying. It's just plain stupid.

Num Lock keys were a necessity over 30 years ago, because the original IBM PC Keyboard didn't have dedicated keys for arrows. You hit the Num Lock whenever you wanted use the arrow keys. I remember those days well. Early word processors used a combination of Control combinations to move around, so I was very happy when they eventually introduced a keyboard with dedicated arrows.

Now that ALL keyboards have dedicated arrow keys, why on earth do keyboard makers still include a Num Lock key? It serves no purpose whatsoever, and it's responsible for more problems than I can count.

For example, I ge... [More]

Continue...No More Num Lock Key...

Linkable Screens

Sunday, November 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Computers with multiple monitors are pretty common, but you never see TVs linked together in a living room.

Connecting multiple monitors to a computer is relatively easy, but if your computer doesn't have the ability to plug in additional monitor, you need to use unreliable USB adapters that can be sluggish.

A more universal solution is to build monitors and TVs that can be linked together. You would simply plug one computer into your computer or cable converter, and then link additional screens to the first one using a wireless connection or another cable.

Your cable TV box or your computer would see your linked screens as one screen with a much higher resolution. So, two side by side 1920x1080 screens would look like one 3840x1080 screen... or if they are stacked top to... [More]

Continue...Linkable Screens...

Windows Should Always Show Filename Extensions

Sunday, November 8, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

One of the biggest security flaws in Microsoft Windows is the caused by hiding file extensions.

Viruses spread when people accidentally run malicious programs that they thought were harmless non-executable media files, such as photos, videos, or music files.

Normally you can tell what a file is by it's extension, for example:

Most photo file names end with .JPG or .PNG.
Most video file names end with .MOV, .MP4, .M4V, or .AVI
Most music file names end with .MP3, .AAC, or .WAV

Unfortunately the default setting in Windows is configured to HIDE file extensions for known file types. This means you don't actually see the file extension, so you won't know if the file you're about to click is an executable program.

It's vital that people know WHAT a file is before t... [More]

Continue...Windows Should Always Show Filename Extensions...

Multiple Boot Folders

Saturday, October 24, 2015 11:04 PM By Joe Crescenzi

It's frustrating when a Windows PC won't boot.

I can't tell you how often clients contact me with a computer that won't boot. It's frustrating because in many cases, the only thing wrong with the computer is a missing or corrupt file in the Windows boot folder. It's a real mess. Not only can't you boot the computer, but you have no way to know which files are missing, deleted, or damaged.

Microsoft has some utilities that attempt to repair damaged boot files, but more often than not, they don't work. Most of the time, the only option is to do a complete re-installation, which normally means you lose everything on your drive.

One solution is for Windows to install multiple boot folders, each one with a fully functional copy of the operating system. Unlike the Recovery Pa... [More]

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Sticky Notes Linked to Files

Friday, October 23, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Do you have trouble remembering what some of your files are?

I'm a digital packrat. I've got more files than I can count, and that means I often have no idea what a file is until I open it. In many cases, I have so many versions of the same file, I still have trouble figuring out which is which, even after opening the file.

I love the way Apple's Mac OS X lets you "Tag" files, making it somewhat easier to categorize files with tags like "Draft", "Final", "Personal", or "Urgent", but I would like to create full fledged notes for each file. This would allow me to say much more about a file without opening it up.

Unlike a Tag or even a Live Preview of the file, the notes could allow me to say things like "This is the older version before adding the new logo", or "Rejected pr... [More]

Continue...Sticky Notes Linked to Files...

Portable User Folders in Windows and Mac OS X

Monday, September 28, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Almost everything you do on your computer is saved in a single User Folder stored on your boot drive.

Since all your files and settings are stored in one place, Microsoft and Apple should give you a simple way to move your User Folder to an external drive so you can take it with you.

The folder doesn't have to be permanently portable, but there should be a quick way to make it portable, then take it with you to another computer.

If your User Folder is permanently stored on an external USB drive, you could sign-in from any computer in the world, and have all your files and settings with you at all times. In addition to the usual sign in options, the login screen would offer an option to select an external user. At this point you insert your USB drive and it asks you for yo... [More]

Continue...Portable User Folders in Windows and Mac OS X...

Close All Programs at Once.

Saturday, September 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why isn't there a quick way to close all programs at once?

Some programs like Microsoft Excel have an option that lets you close all spreadsheets at once. When you've got a dozen or more files open at the same time, that's a real time saver. It makes you wonder why they don't have a similar option built into Windows and OS X on the Mac that lets you do the same thing with open programs.

When you shutdown your computer, it closes all your open programs. Why can't they create an option to close all open programs, without shutting down?

In fact, it would be great to not only shut all open programs at once, but also all unnecessary background programs too, which is good for those times when you need some extra speed.

Windows Updater Files Should Remain In The Cloud. They Take Up Too Much Space!

Sunday, August 23, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why is Windows so bloated?

Since I mainly use a Mac, I don't have ANY documents, photos, music or videos stored on my Documents folders on my Windows systems, yet my boot drive is reporting that it's using over 62 GB of data.

Each day, it keeps growing and growing, even though I never add any new programs or data.

Since I rarely install programs, and I don't have any data stored on my Windows systems, you may be wondering why it takes up so much space. It's because the c:\Windows folder takes up almost 50GB. That's 50 GB just for the operating system. That's crazy.

The reason for this is that every time Microsoft does a software update, it downloads the update to your computer in compressed form... after it archives the older versions, it expands the compressed downlo... [More]

Continue...Windows Updater Files Should Remain In The Cloud. They Take Up Too Much Space!...

Microsoft Should Bring Back The Safe Mode Hot Key.

Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

What were they thinking?

As a tech guy, there are many times when the only way to fix a client's computer is to boot in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a feature that disables most startup items and special effects, giving you a chance to at least access to things like the Control Panel, so you can fix problems.

Getting into Safe Mode has always been very easy. All you need to do is hit the F8 button right after you turn the computer on, and it bypasses the regular startup. The only hard thing was making sure you hit the F8 before Windows starts the regular boot sequence, or you'll have to start over.

For technical reasons, the newer versions of Windows no longer use the F8 key to enter Safe Mode. They didn't get rid of Safe Mode, but they did eliminate the F8 Hot Key.

In

... [More]

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A Recovery Partition With Backup Options

Sunday, May 17, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

More often than not, the Recovery Partition is useless.

As a tech guy, people often come to me when their computers start acting up. Most of the time, I can fix their problems by removing a few programs and adjusting some settings. However, sometimes the problem simply can't be fixed that way, so the best solution is to simply wipe the computer clean and put everything back to the factory settings.

Sounds easy enough. After all, most Windows computers today have a Recovery Partition that is specifically designed to put everything back to the way it was from the factory.

Once I determine that they need to do a factory reset, my first question is always the same "When was your last backup?"

Sadly, the answer is always the same "I never back up."

That's when things ge... [More]

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Windows Runtimes Should Be Built-In... and Automatically Update

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Yes. I realize Windows already does automatic updates, but it's incomplete, and sloppy.

As a tech guy, it bugs me when I come across a Windows program that has a bloated and complicated installer that needs to install all sorts of runtime packages before it runs. There's no reason for this, especially when the system is running the latest version of Windows. Those runtimes should've been baked in from day one.

Windows is complex. Each program could potentially require a variety of technologies that may, or may not be built into the version of Windows you are running, so before you can run a new program, it's up to the installer program to determine if it needs to install additional runtimes. This could include various versions of the .Net Framework, Silverlight, or C++ lib... [More]

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The Windows Logo Key is Annoying.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The most annoying thing about Windows PCs is the stupid Windows Key.

When Microsoft introduced Windows 95, new PCs started to ship with a brand new key... The "Windows Logo Key". A dedicated key just to get the Windows Start Menu to pop up.

At first, I thought to myself, what a cool idea! Instead of moving your mouse to the left corner, you just hit the Windows Logo and the menu opens... But then again, you didn't save any time, because you still need to move your mouse to the corner to pick from the menu... so what's the point?

I wouldn't complain if it was just useless, but when you hit the key accidentally, your cursor moves from the window you were working on and the menu to launch programs pops up.

With some programs, it's beyond annoying. To many people, th... [More]

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How to finally get a Windows PC that doesn't suck!

Friday, March 6, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Yes... it's true. They're finally making some Windows PCs that don't suck, but you need to know how to get one.

Until recently, if you told me you saw BigFoot coming out of a store, holding a new Windows PC that didn't suck, I'd have an easier time believing that you saw BigFoot than actually believing he was holding a new Windows PC that didn't suck. After all, every new Windows PC I've seen for at least 20 years has sucked, so why would I think otherwise.

As it turns out, a good friend of mine actually saw one. At first, I didn't believe him. But when I did my homework, it turns out he was right. It wasn't BigFoot, but it was actually a way to get a Windows PC that doesn't suck.

There is actually a way to get a Windows PC that doesn't suck... From Microsoft. Yes,

... [More]

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Microsoft Should Delete Temp Files After Every Update.

Sunday, February 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Have you noticed that your Windows folders keep growing and growing? Blame Microsoft for that.

I'm venting again.

I remember the days before Windows, when the operating system was lean and mean. Back then, computers had very little disk space and even less RAM, so it was critical that the operating system be as small as possible. As memory, speed and disk space increased, companies like Microsoft have given up on efficiency and operating systems like Windows have become a bloated mess.

I've got several issues with Windows Bloat, but I'll focus on just one thing today... the way they handle temp files when doing updates. Here's what happens, step by step:

1. With every new update, your system downloads newer versions of many of the files in your system. That so... [More]

Continue...Microsoft Should Delete Temp Files After Every Update....

Windows Subscriptions. Free Upgrades For The Life of Your PC

Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Only a very small percentage of all PC users have the latest versions of Windows.

Microsoft didn't become the world's biggest software company by offering Windows for free, but their upgrades are excessively expensive. The cost of an upgrade can be as much as $200, almost as expensive as a low end laptop or Chromebook.

As a result of the high price to upgrade... most people simply stick with the version that came with their PC, until they get a new one. That's why there are more PC users using Windows XP than Windows 8.

Because so few people have the latest version, there is little incentive for software and hardware companies to release products specifically designed for the newest versions of Windows.

I think an easy solution is to consider a subscription model.... [More]

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Microsoft Should Support Publisher Files on The Mac

Friday, January 16, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Microsoft Office has been available on the Mac since the 80s. Somehow, they still don't include Publisher.

Desktop publishing started on the Mac, so you understand why Microsoft didn't think Mac users would want to use Microsoft Publisher, their low end desktop publishing program. I think they are missing the bigger picture. Lack of Mac support killed Publisher's acceptance in both the Mac and Windows marketplace.

To justify the fact that Office For Mac doesn't include Publisher, Microsoft likes to point out that the latest version of Word includes desktop publishing features. The trouble is, although those features can do a lot of the things Publisher does, it doesn't read or write Publisher files.

So, if you design something on a Windows PC, then try to open it on a M... [More]

Continue...Microsoft Should Support Publisher Files on The Mac...

Cloud Only Mode For Windows and Mac. Nothing Is Saved Local.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If your laptop or desktop acted more like an iPad or Chromebook, you would never get a virus. Really? Yes.

The reason I write about this topic so often is that so many people contact me with computer problems related to crashes, unwanted popup ads, spyware, ransomware, malware, viruses, trojan horses and all sorts of horrible attacks on their computers that they can't seem to get rid of.

There are many ways to avoid this kind of problem, but most people simply don't have any idea what to do to prevent it, or how to clean up the mess when it happens.

What amazes me is that the problem is getting worse, much worse, and the stakes are getting higher. Today's attackers are not just a nuisance, but they are looking for ways to make money, at your expense. In some cases, by e... [More]

Continue...Cloud Only Mode For Windows and Mac. Nothing Is Saved Local....

Print to PDF Should Be Built-In On Windows

Friday, December 19, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Hey Microsoft... It's time you accept the fact that XPS didn't catch on, and offer PDF instead.

So you just bought a brand new Windows PC, and one of your first tasks is to send a client a PDF of your proposal. But wait... there's no built-in option to print to a PDF. This means that only some of your programs can create PDFs.

Microsoft was nice enough to give you an option to create an XPS file, but the fact is, nobody cares at all about XPS files. PDFs are the industry standard in document sharing.

First, let me admit that some Microsoft programs come with a menu option to create a PDF. The point is, the operating system itself doesn't, which means that only a handful of program will be able to create PDFs. So if you want to create a PDF from your browser or thousan... [More]

Continue...Print to PDF Should Be Built-In On Windows...

Portable, External Home Folders.

Saturday, December 13, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

If you have more than one computer, or share your computer with other people, you need a Portable, External Home Folder.

Portable, external drives have come a long way in the past few years. A $25 flash drive can can store hundreds of times more information than the best home PC could store just a few years ago, but most people consider them nothing more than a simple backup device.

Right now they are completely underutilized by today's desktop operating systems. When you insert one into a typical computer, there isn't an option to use the device for anything more than a place to store a backup.

I used to think of USB devices that way, but about 8 years ago, I made the switch. I decided that my USB devices were now large enough to store most of my day to day documents, s... [More]

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A Firewall... for SOFTWARE.

Friday, December 12, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Why are there no firewalls for software on regular computers?

I've had a computer since the 70s, and I've seen so many people lose all their family photos, videos and other important files because they were too inexperienced to know when they were installing a malicious program.

I can't blame them. As doctors, lawyers, and business executives, they were all very intelligent people, but time and time again, they would come to me to help them get their files back. The reason they were victims of these kinds of software attacks was because they never imagined that the programs they were running were specifically designed to destroy their files, and in some cases steal information or money.

Don't most computers already have a Firewall?

No. What most computers have is... [More]

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Microsoft Should Release Just One Version of Windows

Tuesday, November 18, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Client: I can't figure out how to turn on Remote Desktop? Me: That's because your version doesn't have it.

I can't tell you how many people ask me questions like that. Once again today's idea of the day is about something that bugs me.

Starting with Windows XP, Microsoft decided to release more than one version of Windows at different price points, with certain key features removed at the lower prices. This bone headed idea started with the idea that corporate users had different needs than home users, so they should have a different version. Sounds reasonable, but then again... it still sounds bone headed to me.

Here's why.

They took that simple premise and totally confused consumers. Over the years they cranked out confusing names like versions called Media Editi... [More]

Continue...Microsoft Should Release Just One Version of Windows...

2 Simple Reasons to Buy a Mac.

Saturday, November 15, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Windows vs Apple Mac. Why is there even a debate?

Ever since I can remember, people have been debating Windows vs Mac. There are people passionate about both sides, but the funny thing is, in my opinion there simply is only one answer that makes sense.

Apple wins. There is nothing to debate. Here's why.

Rather than run down a long list of reasons why I use a Mac, I can end this debate once and for all by giving just two simple reasons.

Reason #1 - You can run Windows on a Mac, but you can't run Mac on Windows

If you had to chose one of these options, which would you choose?

1. A Cheeseburger.

2. A Cheeseburger AND French Fries.

To me, there is no logical choice but option #2. Because you get both.

Believe it or not, that's exactly what the c... [More]

Continue...2 Simple Reasons to Buy a Mac....

We Should Be Able to PRINT a List of Files in a Folder.

Friday, November 14, 2014 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Maybe it's me, but I miss the DOS days when you could easily print a list of files in a folder.

Let's say you're the kind of person who likes to put things on paper. There's a certain comfort in seeing something on paper that you can sit back in your comfy chair with to review with a bright red market or highlighter.

Maybe you're just the kind of person who likes to print a list of the files you've put on a CD, DVD, or other backup media. Whatever the reason, the fact is neither Microsoft or Apple has a "File... Print.." option in their file managers. To me, that's a bit odd. Just about every program that has a File... option, has a Print... option, but somehow they don't think anyone would want a list of their files.

As somebody who has had a computer since the 70s, it... [More]

Continue...We Should Be Able to PRINT a List of Files in a Folder....

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* Note: The ideas on "Idea of the Day" were posted without any formal research into existing inventions.

In some cases, patents may already exist for these ideas, in other cases, there may not be any existing patents and you are free to develop and explore the viability of developing and patenting the ideas.

The authors make no claim that any of the ideas are safe, practical, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for the results of trying, developing, patenting or using any of the ideas on this site.

For some people, our ideas are just an interesting read, but our goal is to encourage you to take action. If you see an idea that you like, do something with it... Take action.

- Joe

Idea Of The Day. A new Idea Each Day. Some Don't Suck.