Software

Now you can upload just about any file to Google Docs, not just Office documents. So if you need somewhere online to dump your digital photos or music files you can. With huge amounts of storage on Google accounts there's never been a better time to start using Google Docs, we'll have more on some of Google Docs' hidden features in a special series of online tutorials coming soon - watch this space.

If you've got a bit of spare time over the Christmas and New Year break, why not give your PC a refresh by reinstalling Windows? If it sounds like too much of a hassle, try following the easy guide below to learn how to reinstall your copy of Windows including all the latest updates so it takes no longer than about 30 minutes! One of PC Answer's specialties over the years has been showing you how to declutter Windows. Back in the days of Windows 98, we showed you how to remove Internet Explorer, and other applications, using 98lite. Since then we've covered nLite, which enables you to customise your Windows XP install and now, there is vLite, for Windows Vista. Vlite follows in the footsteps of nLite, and in fact looks, feels and operates in a very similar manner, and you can even slipstream Service Packs into the bargain. ... read more »

If you dual boot with another version of Windows or Linux you may find that at some point the boot loader becomes corrupt and causes you problems. Thankfully, there is an easy fix, even if it's Linux's GRUB loader that has caused the problem and interrupts your Windows boot. Follow these simple steps to fix your Master Boot Record (MBR) through a clever console command: ... read more »

Clutter is something we all find hard to get on top of, but your desktop doesn’t have to be a boring graveyard for lost and forgotten files. A 3D interface changes the way you deal with files, folders and icons. That’s why we like BumpTop (www.bumptop.com) a free 3D desktop that will transform the way you work. Stacking folders, throwing items into the trash and sticking notes on different walls is all just a few minutes away, follow the tutorial below to finds out how it’s done.

1: Get the look you want ... read more »

We all send search queries through Google or a similar search engine, but few of us stop to think about how we can get smarter searches. These ten great tips show you how to make the most of your web searching and they are all free and easy to do!

1: Search your Firefox history from the address bar
To perform a quick search of your web history, type the keywords into the address bar to get a list of sites you’ve visited with those words in the title or URL. ... read more »

If you're a fan of the speedy Google Chrome browser you'll be interested to know that Google's added a clever bookmark syncing tool to the browser which operates just like Xmarks (Foxmarks). If you download the beta of Google Chrome 4, either as a version upgrade from Chrome or a new install, you'll get an option in your "wrench" menu to synchronize bookmarks, enabled through your Google account.

Windows 7 is finally here and you can read all about it in the latest PCAnswers, on sale now. We show you around the best new features, including Jump Lists and the all-new Taskbar, but there are some great hidden features and tweaks too that will improve your Windows experience. If you've got yourself a copy of Windows 7 this week or a brand new PC with the new OS, then take a look at these great tips to maximise your Windows 7 experience:

1. Eliminate annoying folder crashes ... read more »

Windows Live Mail (Hotmail) users need to urgently change their passwords after thousands of passwords were hacked and posted online, according to reports.

Microsoft is investigating but it appears that accounts had been hacked or had been collected as part of a phishing scheme.

According to news sources the details were posted on October 1 to Pastebin.com, a website commonly used by developers to share code. Although the details have since been removed, the website said it had seen part of the list. PCAnswers advises that any Windows Live/Hotmail users change their passwords and memorable words immediately.

The popular iPlayer from the BBC is set to find its way onto more channel broadcasters, according to a statement from Eric Huggers, Director of Future Media and Technology at the BBC. Speaking at IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) in Amsterdam – a place where the BBC has already been very vocal about the future of 3D – Huggers revealed that the broadcaster is willing to accept outside content on its flagship digital operation.

"We've had a lot of requests from domestic and international broadcasters to open out iPlayer technology and we're responding to that," he explained. We have a lot of people searching for Coronation Street on our sites and if ITV were to come on board we could redirect them." ... read more »

Microsoft is encouraging people to sign up and throw house parties to mark the Windows 7 launch on 22nd October – with those who are selected earning themselves free signature edition of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Microsoft will plough through the millions likely to be breaking out the party hats and HD webcams to pick out those that will get free Windows 7 Ultimate edition.

"Apply online to host a Launch Party. Choose a day from October 22-29 and if you're selected, you'll not only receive a special Signature Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate but your very own Windows 7 Party Pack," says Microsoft.

Join a Setting up with Ease party! ... read more »