Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts
Windows applications
-
Which Chrome browser management settings should IT deploy?
Organizations that allow the use of Google Chrome should ensure that their IT departments understand the different settings that shape Chrome browser management practices. Continue Reading
-
How can you improve Google Chrome management?
IT professionals should deploy Group Policies to their browsers to improve the user experience. Check out this step-by-step guide on applying Group Policies to Google Chrome. Continue Reading
-
What Microsoft Outlook alternatives can IT choose from?
When IT pros are seeking an alternative to Outlook, they should consider the features their users need the most and select an email client that best matches those needs. Continue Reading
-
How does Microsoft Near Share for browser file sharing work?
Microsoft Edge, Windows 10's default browser, includes a file-sharing tool called Near Share, which is helpful, if not truly groundbreaking. Continue Reading
-
Should IT use desktop management tools in the cloud?
Desktop management was more straightforward before cloud computing came along. With cloud-based desktop management tools, organizations must choose wisely. Continue Reading
-
What user experience monitoring tools are available to IT?
User experience monitoring tools, such as ControlUp Real-time and Goliath Technologies' Logon Simulator, help IT get in front of issues before they affect users. Continue Reading
-
Are there viable spreadsheet app alternatives to Microsoft Excel?
Microsoft Excel may be widely used, but other spreadsheet applications such as Google Sheets and Thinkfree are available for organizations to use. Continue Reading
-
Does the enterprise have a viable Microsoft Word alternative?
Microsoft Word may be the go-to application for word processing, but there are solid alternatives that organizations can turn to instead. Continue Reading
-
How do I get rid of browser malware?
Browser malware can make it impossible to access websites you might need for work. Luckily, there's a simple way IT and end users can get rid of pesky scam pages. Continue Reading
-
How do I troubleshoot Windows 10 Office problems?
If Microsoft's Office applications give you trouble on Windows 10, check for updates, then dig into some other troubleshooting methods to fix the problems. Continue Reading
-
How do Web Notes in the Edge browser work?
Workers can use Web Notes in Microsoft's Edge browser to mark up websites, but saving the notes is a little wonky. Continue Reading
-
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
-
How do I pinpoint the cause of wireless Internet connection problems?
Even established technologies such as Wi-Fi have service interruptions. Fix them quickly by first discerning if the issue is widespread or not. Continue Reading
-
What are some common Office 2013 problems?
Office 2013 problems can stem from an incomplete install, or your particular version or settings. Luckily, there are simple fixes for most issues. Continue Reading
-
How do I open an .xpx file in Office 2002 SP3?
An .xpx file can cause problems for Office 2002 SP3 users, but Microsoft does provide help in Windows 7 and with a free XPS viewer. Continue Reading
-
What are some of the biggest software patching myths?
Desktop patch management is subject to its share of myths. Our expert penetrates the fog around waiting on software patching and Windows XP security. Continue Reading
-
Why doesn't closing a file return me to Microsoft Windows Explorer?
If you open a Windows document in Windows Explorer rather than in the Microsoft Word interface, closing it launches File Explorer. The file hasn't moved. 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
-
How come Microsoft Internet Explorer collects my data?
Some users have noticed that Microsoft Internet Explorer collects personal information through its AutoComplete feature. There is a way to turn it off. 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 use Windows Essentials to open DBX files?
Outlook Express was supported only through Windows XP, so you'll need a Windows Essentials workaround or a third-party utility to read DBX files. 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 to allow multiple users to share an Excel workbook
Public folders allow users to share an Excel workbook, but OneDrive and Windows 8.1 HomeGroups might be better. 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
-
Older suites such as Microsoft Office 2007 can be run in Windows 8
Windows 8 supports past versions of Microsoft Office, but installation problems may interfere with getting Office 2007 Ultimate to run in Windows 8. 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
-
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
-
A PDF reader reinstall might fix a doc that won't open in Windows 7
To successfully open a PDF in Windows 7, you may have to overcome problems such as corrupt files or the PDF reader itself. 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
-
Can I plug a USB drive into a phone with a micro-USB connector?
This week, our expert answers a question on how to connect a phone or tablet to a USB drive with a micro-USB connector. Continue Reading
-
LibreOffice, OpenOffice are tempting but differ from Microsoft Office
Open source and free suites such as LibreOffice and OpenOffice could save organizations money, but not effort in comparison with Microsoft Office. Continue Reading
-
Why a preinstalled application updater may not make life easier for IT
Manufacturers often set notebook drivers to update automatically, but if you want more granular control, be aware of the potential hassles. Continue Reading
-
How to protect Windows startup from a compressed Boot Manager file
This week, our expert answers a question on how a hidden file can hinder the Windows startup process and how to restore the Windows Boot Manager. Continue Reading
-
Converting a Word document to PDF is easier than the other way around
Our expert explains why it's easier to save a Microsoft Word document to PDF than convert it back, as well as options for trying. Continue Reading
-
Finding free alternatives for remote desktop apps and services
Our expert takes a look at free software and infrastructure alternatives for Windows Remote Desktop for remote desktop access. Continue Reading
-
Ways to detect and delete duplicate files in Windows systems
Our enterprise desktop expert answers a question about some third-party tools for eliminating duplicate files in Windows desktops. Continue Reading
-
Copying Windows Explorer files without slowing down a system
Our expert explains how to avoid overtaxing processors when copying Windows Explorer files. Process priority and a command should do the trick. Continue Reading
-
How to get a preloaded Microsoft Office version to work
This week, our expert answers the question of what to do when a preloaded Microsoft Office version stops working on a computer. Continue Reading
-
Windows Explorer folders: How to set folder displays
This week, Ask the Expert takes a look at using Windows Explorer to organize files with folders and libraries. Continue Reading
-
Running multiple versions of Microsoft Office on one machine
Our Ask the Experts feature returns, starting with an answer about whether it's a good idea to run multiple versions of Office on one machine. Continue Reading
-
How do I apply a Group Policy Object at the OU level?
Learn how to apply a Group Policy Object at the organizational unit (OU) level with this advice from Wes Noonan. Continue Reading
-
How can I disable file transfer in MSN Messenger?
Sometimes, you might not want to allow messenger programs like MSN Messenger to allow file transfer. Find out how to use firewall rules to block ports and secure file transfer in messenger programs. Continue Reading
-
Tools for storing passwords
Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver offers a suggestion on some tools for storing passwords. Continue Reading
-
Making a Windows folder read-only
Windows hardening expert Jonathan Hassell explains how to make a Windows folder that multiple users share read-only. Continue Reading
-
Prevent users from deleting files in shared folders
Jonathan Hassell explains one of the functions of using Advanced Permissions. Continue Reading
-
Can an antivirus program stop phishing attacks?
Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver offers some pointers on email security. Continue Reading
-
Setting permissions for a shared Excel file
Do you get the "read only file" error message when trying to save changes in a shared Excel file? Continue Reading
-
Security risks in Internet Explorer 6
Windows hardening expert Jonathan Hassell outlines some of the security concerns you need to be aware of when switching from Internet Explorer 7.0 to Internet Explorer 6.0. Continue Reading
-
Adjusting security settings in Internet Explorer 6.0
Windows security threats expert Kevin Beaver helps a user adjust their security settings Internet Explorer 6.0. Continue Reading
-
Preventing domain users from accessing every server on the network
Windows network security expert Wes Noonan explains how to block an individual domain user from accessing every server on a network. Continue Reading
-
Does your computer reboot when using PowerPoint?
Your computer keeps rebooting -- but only when you run Microsoft Office applications. In this response, site expert Kevin Beaver helps troubleshoot your rebooting computer woes. Continue Reading
-
Limiting access to Web sites with IE's Content Advisor
It's possible give limited Internet access to other users on your Windows XP system. Site expert Kevin Beaver recommends using Internet Explorer's Content Advisor function to do this. Continue Reading
-
Why can I access some Web sites and not others?
I have Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 with all the latest updates. I use Wi-Fi to connect to a wireless router. Everything connects to the Internet, but I cannot connect to certain Web sites. For example, I can connect to eBay, ARRL.org and ... Continue Reading
-
How can I restore my search engine to its default?
I keep getting unwanted search engines appearing as a default when looking for a site. How can I set my default search engine and keep it set that way? Continue Reading
-
Running a poorly written software application
Some software, contrary to Microsoft logo certification, requires administrator rights to function properly. Site expert Wes Noonan provides options for resolving the issue. Continue Reading
-
Conflicts among multiple GPOs
-
Approach patch management from a policy perspective
-
Finding the CLSID for ActiveX controls in IE
-
Alert system for when users plug in laptops that are not part of the domain
-
Recovering from corrupt IE settings
-
Getting errors with remote desktop connection
-
How can I prevent users from uploading files using IE?
-
I can't access any online antivirus sites
-
How to block a non-company laptop from infecting the network
-
Can't find security tab on OU property
-
Computers outside firewall can't reach DC
-
Is it OK for Outlook to send message to Groupwise SMTP server?
-
How do we guard against data thieves equipped with driverless USB storage devices?
-
Setting software installation restrictions in the Local Users group
-
Securing a wireless LAN 802.11b
-
How can I figure out who is tampering with my system?
-
Hiding the icons on the right side of the taskbar