Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Unified endpoint management

• How do I fix a frozen or locked application?

  Apps can freeze or lock up for a variety of reasons, including bad memory, operating system issues, update problems and more.  Continue Reading

• What Web application monitoring tools exist for desktops?

  Microsoft Intune and other mobile device management tools are also useful for desktop management from the cloud and Web application monitoring.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to reformat a hard drive remotely?

  Whether you need to remotely reformat a hard drive for security or prepare new network-attached machines, a few utilities can make the job easier.  Continue Reading

• How do I create a bootable Windows 7 USB drive?

  Windows To Go only works for Windows 8 bootable USB flash drives; to create a virtual hard drive for Windows 7 installation, try Boot to VHD.  Continue Reading

• When is a Surface Pro 3 tablet not suitable for work?

  Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 is good for mobile users and runs enterprise-grade apps, but its light weight and processor capacity pose some limits.  Continue Reading

• What's the best way to remote wipe a user-owned laptop?

  Tools are now available to IT for a remote wipe of user-owned laptops. But set clear BYOD security policies and inform users.  Continue Reading

• How do I revert the Windows 8.1 user interface?

  The Windows 8.1 user interface isn't popular among workers without a touchscreen, but one tool makes it easy to restore the familiar Windows 7 UI.  Continue Reading

• Hyperthreading, cache distinguish Core i5, i7 processors

  A laptop processor comparison differentiates Intel's chips by their cores, hyperthreading and cache, which affects speed.  Continue Reading

• How Windows RT apps differ from those for Windows 8

  Tablets running Windows 8 RT may use only Metro apps downloaded through the Windows store; 32- or 64-bit applications won't work, says our expert.  Continue Reading

• How to restore PC connectivity to enterprise networks

  A Windows device is losing its connection to the enterprise network. Here are some likely suspects for PC connectivity problems.  Continue Reading

• How to create a Windows 8 live tile in the Windows 8 Start screen

  You can use an app to create a Windows 8 live tile in the Windows 8 start screen, but common development environments and languages are also useful.  Continue Reading

• Are Windows 8 drawbacks enough to keep you from moving to Windows 8?

  There are good reasons to migrate to Windows 8, but a few Windows 8 drawbacks could be deal-breakers for some who might want to wait for Windows 9.  Continue Reading

• Don't dawdle: Windows 8 benefits may be reason enough to upgrade

  Are the supposed Windows 8 benefits enough to justify a migration? Our expert takes a look at potentially useful Windows 8 features.  Continue Reading

• Before you clone HDD to SSD, know the benefits and danger to data

  Which type of drive is better: hard disk drive or solid-state drive? HDD to SSD cloning can ease data access, but SSDs aren't without risks to data.  Continue Reading

• Even without an optical drive, data on a disc can be accessed

  This week, our expert answers the question of how to get DVD data off a disc, even if the user's PC doesn't have an optical drive.  Continue Reading