Windows 10: Nine things you need to know

Windows 8 has had a bit of a tumultuous run, something Microsoft is hoping to turn around with Windows 10. We got a brief glimpse at a Microsoft event on Tuesday, and while it did prove to be a tantalizing look at what's in store, there are still plenty of questions floating around, and a lot more to figure out before the final product is sitting on our hard drives.

How to export your Skype contacts

Changing Skype accounts soon? Grab a copy of your contact list information from your current account before you switch.

Whether a swarm of spammers is attacking your Skype, or you just decide that you're tired of your current username, you may want to export your contact list and move it to another account. Ghacks.net recently shared a post about an application that can show you all contact information in an organized window, but this example will use Skype's default tools. Skipping on the third-party application means the data will be a bit messier to look at, but you can still get the job done with relatively little effort.

Make calls with Google Voice without a Google+ account

If you're not a fan of Google+, then the ability to call people with your Google Voice number via the Hangouts app was probably not something you cared about. However, Google has now added calling privileges to the Web version of Google Voice. This means that users don't need a Google+ account, just their original Google email log-in, to place calls.

Here's how:

Locked out? Get back into Windows 8 by resetting your password

A forgotten Windows password isn’t the end of the world. You don’t have to trash the computer, or even perform a dreaded factory restore. There are many ways to remove or reset a Windows password, but how quickly and easily it can be done depends on the situation.

Password reset methods differ between Microsoft and local Windows accounts. If you aren’t sure which type of Windows account you have, it’s simple to find out: turn on your computer and see if an email address is displayed above where you enter your password to login. If there’s an email, it’s a Microsoft account. If not, it’s a local account.

Have operating system, will travel: How to run virtual machines from a flash drive

Most of the time, one operating system per computer is enough. But on occasion, you might want to boot up a second operating system for security reasons, testing purposes, or compatibility with specific software. Technical details typically restrict that alternate OS to a single PC, however. You can only install an OS in a single location after all.

But using a fork of Oracle's popular VirtualBox virtualization software, known as Portable VirtualBox, you don't have to limit secondary operating systems to a single computer or boot it up separately from Windows. Instead, you can pack it onto a portable USB drive and load it up on any PC while Windows runs in the background, like a virtualized version of the Windows to Go option found in Windows 8 Enterprise.

A beginner's guide to BitLocker, Windows' built-in encryption tool

The creators of TrueCrypt shocked the computer security world this week when they seemingly ended development of the popular open source encryption tool. Even more surprising, the creators said TrueCrypt could be insecure and that Windows users should migrate to Microsoft's BitLocker. Conspiracy theories immediately began to swirl around the surprise announcement.

Regardless of the true motivations behind the message, the TrueCrypt fiasco gives us a chance to talk about BitLocker—and how to use it.

Eight tips to get you started with Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft released an update to its Windows Phone operating system last month. The Windows Phone 8.1 update is currently available for developers and will roll out to current Windows Phone 8 users over the next few months, although there is a way to manually update your device now. These tips will help you navigate the revamped operating system and access all of the new features it has to offer.

Definitely deleted: How to guarantee your data is truly gone before recycling old PCs and drives

Deleted files can often be recovered, and that's a problem when you're passing your PC or PC-related tech along to someone else. Whether it’s sensitive financial data, business documents, or scandalous photos that could be used to blackmail you, you probably don’t want people getting their hands on your private stuff.
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your data, whether you’re getting rid of a PC, external hard drive, or USB stick. Here's how! (And here's how to wipe mobile devices clean.)

Linux to the rescue! How Ubuntu can help a computer in distress

This may sound like sacrilege, but it's not: Ubuntu Linux can be useful even if you’re a hardcore Windows user.

That's because there’s no way to boot a full Windows system from a USB stick to troubleshoot your PC—well, not without an Enterprise version of Windows and Windows To Go—but anyone can make a free Ubuntu USB drive, CD, or DVD. A Ubuntu live drive can be used as a digital Swiss army knife to troubleshoot all sorts of problems with anyPC, whether you need to recover files from a failing computer, diagnose hardware problems, perform a deep virus scan from outside Windows, or even reset a forgotten Windows password.

We’ll be getting our hands dirty with some Linux terminal commands here, but don’t worry—the Linux terminal won’t bite. You can even copy-paste most of these commands directly into the terminal.

How and when to upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1

Microsoft on Monday released a preview of Windows Phone 8.1, which delivers a handful of new features to the company's smartphone operating system. In addition to home screen wallpapers, an extra live tiles column, and a notification center, the update includes Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant. Here's how and when you can get Windows Phone 8.1 on your device.

Need to hide supersecret files on your Galaxy S5? Here's how

There's more than one reason why you'd want to sock away certain photos, videos, and other files on your phone. It's OK, I'm not here to judge, just to tell you how to hide said documents from view on yourGalaxy S5.

It's pretty simple, but you do need to follow a few steps.

Windows 8.1 Update tip: Clean up that disk space now

On April 8, Microsoft blessed us with an update to Windows 8.1 that made the touchy-feely OS more palatable to PC users.

Now that you've had about a week to play around with the update—which brings the taskbar to the modern UI, among other welcome additions—the next few days present a good time to clear up extra space on your hard drive by getting rid of some Windows Update files.

Translate foreign menus

Vacations don't excite me -- eating excites me. Your city may have the most breathtaking vistas, and the most beautiful museums, but when all is said and done, my best traveling memories revolve around food. And nothing bums out my travel gluttony more than a menu I can't decipher.

Fortunately, whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, there are some useful apps out there that can help you translate a menu in seconds. None are perfect, but having a couple on hand could keep you from eating the wrong part of a bull.

Heartbleed bug: Check which sites have been patched

The Heartbleed bug is serious. Disclosed less than two days ago, the Heartbleed bug has sent sites and services across the Internet into patch mode.

For an in-depth explanation of what exactly Heartbleed is, and what it does, read this post by our own Stephen Shankland. In essence, the bug potentially exposed your username and password on sites like Facebook, Google, Pinterest, and more.

Using Alexa.com, we've been going through the list of the top 100 sites in the US and asking "Have you patched the Heartbleed bug yet?" Once we have an answer, we will fill in the chart below with the response.

Meet the next-gen USB cable that could sweep away all others

The upcoming USB cable design is reversible, has no right-side-up or upside-down problems, and will click when you plug it in. Expect the new design on the market as soon as this year.

15 tips and tricks for the HTC One M8

Last month HTC launched its latest flagship device, the HTC One M8. The new device features a revamped display, faster processor, more RAM, a wide-angle selfie cam, and two cameras on the back of the device to make depth-of-field pictures a reality on a mobile device.

With all of the new hardware, and of course new software, the HTC One M8 brings a lot of new features to the palm of your hand. While we can't cover everything, we feel it's important to highlight some of them -- 15 to be exact. So, without further delay, here are tips and tricks for your shiny new HTC One M8.

How to get better battery life on Android

Android gets a bad rap for short battery life, but that's only if you stick with its default settings. Make these simple adjustments to give your phone or tablet a battery boost.

Simple smartphone photo tips

Today's smartphone cameras have become nearly as complex and feature-laden as the compact cameras they replaced. It's easy to get overwhelmed, but here are four simple tips for better photos that will work with virtually any modern smartphone.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Most smartphones now have an option called HDR, which is short for High Dynamic Range.

When you take an HDR photo, your camera actually shoots three photos at three different exposures: low, standard, and high. Then, your phone stacks all those photos to create one composite image that's super sharp and looks closer to what the human eye sees.

Use TheFind on Android to shop, compare retail outlets

Instead of visiting a number of retail Web sites to find the best deal on an item, use this free app and let it do the hard work for you.
Shopping online is super convenient. You get to sit in the comfort of your own home, browsing various sites to find the best deal on a product. Sometimes you don't even have to browse Web sites, due to most major retail chains having native apps for various platforms.

Use TheFind on Android to shop, compare retail outlets

Shopping online is super convenient. You get to sit in the comfort of your own home, browsing various sites to find the best deal on a product. Sometimes you don't even have to browse Web sites, due to most major retail chains having native apps for various platforms.

But let's face it, going to a number of sites (or launching a number of apps) brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "shop till you drop." To tackle this first-world problem, TheFind will help you "search over 500,000 stores and 500 million products" using the iOS app, the Web site, or the new Android app.

Avoid spam calls, find numbers faster with Current Caller ID on Android

Last year, I shared how to use the Whitepages Current Caller ID app to easily track blocked calls and texts. Now, Whitepages has added the ability to spot many of today's spam/scam numbers, along with some other convenient features.

If you don't have the app already, there's no time like the present to get a copy. Current Caller ID is available for Android 2.2 and up.

The UI for the app has received a makeover, sporting lighter colors and better organization for its features. For example, the previous version of the app had two tabs for your call log -- one Recent and the other Frequent -- but now there's just one tab with a toggle for the two choices. The Blocked calls/texts menu has also moved to the row of icons along the bottom.

A deep dive into the Galaxy S5's snappy fingerprint scanner

Samsung didn't shed many details about the fingerprint scanner on its new Galaxy S5 smartphone, but I had a chance to set up and use the security feature here at the show.

Setup took just a few minutes, after swiping my finger eight times along the sensitive portion of the screen to fully read my print. You're able to register only three profiles, for your own fingers or for someone else's.First, the basics. Samsung's sensor is on the bottom portion of the screen, not integrated into the home button as I originally thought. To unlock the phone with your finger, you swipe along the glowing path about half an inch from the bottom of the phone, going down and over the home button.

This app gives your Android background an amazing look

Muzei Live Wallpaper is a free app from developer Roman Nurik. His name may sound familiar, as he is also the developer of the popular DashClock widget.

Taking the same approach that he took with DashClock, Nurik has made Muzei Live Wallpaper free and open to developers to integrate with various services.

After installing Muzei, you'll have the option to select a service from which the app will pull random images. The default option is featured art, updated once a day. You can also select a photo album on your device, and increase the frequency of your wallpaper changing, if you so desire.

Perhaps the best part about the app, beyond its price tag, is the fact that it's API for third-party developers. Meaning, if someone wanted to create a Muzei plug-in to bring Instagram photos into the service, it's possible. In fact, it's already been done.

Searching the Play Store for "Muzei" will reveal a lengthy list of plug-ins. A sample list of the more notable services includes Dropbox, Reddit, Flickr, 500px,and Tumblr.

Once installed, you can select your preferred service as the source for your home screen image and customize any further settings included in the plug-in.

Source

How to solve four common problems with your new smartphone

For all their smarts, smartphones can be complicated animals. Or at least frustrating ones, especially if you run into some of the problems that tend to crop up among new smartphone owners.

(Note that I'm referring to both new smartphone-owners and new-smartphone owners. Hyphenation matters, people!)

Thankfully, most of these issues are easily resolved -- or if not resolved, easily worked around. Let's dive right in.

Test your network with Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics

When you're having network issues and can't access the Internet, isolating the problem isn't always easy. As Ghacks points out, many computer systems have networking tools available to help you figure out the issue. Tools like ping, traceroute, nslookup, and netstat, are all proven utilities that help identify network problems.

If you're not familiar with using those tools or would like a simpler all-purpose tool, Google has created a Chrome app called Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics. It contains several different networking tests with the results displayed in an easy-to-read format.

After installing Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics from the Chrome Web Store, start the app from the Chrome App Launcher to begin running the tests.

How to install SteamOS on your computer

A beta version of Valve's gaming operating system is now available for download. Here's how you can transform your current computer into a Steam Machine.

Valve, the gaming company behind the hit series Half-Life, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, and Portal, is looking to change the industry once again. With more than 75 million users and a market share estimated at around 75 percent, the company's Steam digital distribution platform has already changed the way computer owners purchase and play games.
Unsatisfied with the way the game console market has shifted in recent years, Valve in 2013 announced a new strategy for invading the living room. The company created SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed for playing video games.

The easiest way to install Android apps on BB10

BlackBerry 10, all jokes aside, has an impressive feature of being able to run Android apps. Initially, however, the process of getting Android apps up and running on a BlackBerry 10 device was anything but simple.

The process required users download the Android app (APK), convert it to a BlackBerry 10 compatible file format (BAR) and then install it through the command line, or as Brian Bennett walked us through, using a Chrome extension.

Just this week BlackBerry released an update to BB10, bringing the ability to install Android apps directly on the device, with no conversion or fancy networking skills required.

In order for any of this to work your BB10 device will need to be running BlackBerry 10 version 10.2.1 or above. Some carriers have already released the update, while others have plans to release it at a later date.

How to back up and restore your Windows 8 Start screen layout

The Windows 8 Start screen is the gateway to your PC and usually the first thing you see when you log in, unless you've chosen to go directly to the desktop. The update toWindows 8.1 also introduced many more customization options to the Start screen.

Whether you use the Start screen only on occasion or rely on it heavily, you've probably spent some time setting it up just the way you like it. To save you from having to go through it again when you reinstall Windows or if your Start screen gets rearranged accidentally, you can back up your layout and restore it later. Here's how:

View Instagram in a slick, new way with Negatives

Negatives is a free iOS app that's perfect for Instagram lurkers. If you like to follow your friends' photos rather than post your own, Negatives gives you a new way to browse Instagram.

(Credit: Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET)

How to jailbreak your iOS 7 device

The evasi0n team is back with a jailbreak tool for iOS 7 devices. As you may recall, last year the same team released a tool for iOS 6 devices and it was extremely easy to use. That same tool has been repurposed and adapted to jailbreak iOS 7 devices.

Specifically, you'll need to be running iOS 7.0 up to 7.0.4 in order for the tool to work.

The process is nearly identical to the previous tool, requiring you to download and run the evasi0n app on your computer with your iOS device connected. This time, only a Windows andMac version exists, leaving Linux users out.

Find your Windows Experience Index scores in Windows 8.1

The Windows Experience Index benchmark tool has been around since Microsoft first introduced Windows Vista. The benchmark measures your PC's performance and breaks it down into five categories: processor, memory, graphics, gaming graphics, and hard disk. Though it's not known as an especially accurate measure of PC performance, particularly when comparing scores with other systems, it can be a useful tool to identify a hardware deficiency.

Starting with Windows 8.1, Microsoft decided to remove the graphical interface to the Windows Experience Index. The underlying benchmark utility, known as the Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT), is still there in Windows 8.1, however. To find your scores, you just need to type a couple of commands from the command line.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

Whole members of MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN IMAGINE team would like to wish all of you a prosperous new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and WISH YOU ALL THE BEST !!!