Three exceptional apps for every Windows version
By Michael Lasky Windows has always seemed a bit like that closet you’re afraid to open — over time, it mysteriously gets cluttered with obsolete data, orphaned programs, and miscellaneous...
View ArticlePolishing your (photo) image — for free!
By Katherine Murray Whether you prefer taking photos with your digital camera or the camera in your phone, downloadable tools can help you make your pictures pop. If you don’t want to share lackluster...
View ArticleTake a note: OneNote versus Evernote
By Katherine Murray Once upon a time, researchers and writers might have debated the virtues of paper notebooks versus index cards for recording their thoughts and findings. Today, it’s all gone...
View ArticleGetting to basics: straight and simple text
By Lincoln Spector You have arrays of sophisticated computer tools to choose from for almost any endeavor, but you can’t seem to get your text in plain form anymore, even when that’s the only thing...
View ArticleProtect your computer: sandbox apps and files
By Lincoln Spector Every time you launch a new program, visit a website, or open a suspicious e-mail, something terrible could happen — even with honest software. Even legitimate and malware-free...
View ArticleFree photo-editing tools do more than ever
When digital photos need fixing, having the right tools at hand — and knowing how to use them — can make the process fun and pleasing. If you’re not inclined to spend much on a photo editor, the...
View ArticleA Windows system that never needs defragging?
Windows’ defragging tool usually works quietly in the background, but sometimes it messes up. When you suspect the tool is misbehaving, there are easy ways to verify whether it’s working as it should....
View ArticleThe ultimate Windows Secrets utilities list
Windows is a comprehensive operating system replete with tools for diagnosing, repairing, and configuring a PC system. But Windows users have also relied on innovative third-party utilities to help...
View ArticleGoodbye, Messenger; hello, alternatives
Which instant-messaging client will take the place of the world’s most popular IM client? Skype has the inside track, but there are a number of useful alternatives, many of which connect you to...
View ArticleInternet Explorer 10 coming to Windows 7 — soon
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 10 was first released as the default browser in Windows 8. But this latest version of IE will also run on Windows 7 and could soon show up on your Win7 desktop — whether...
View ArticleEdit, spruce up, and share your videos for free
The digital photography revolution has an unintended consequence: our PCs are filling up with hundreds of bad photos and many hours of boring home videos. It’s easy to toss out pointless still shots,...
View ArticleFree photo editors vs. Photoshop Elements
You can find plenty of free photo-editing programs. But when you really want to make significant, subtle, or skillful changes in a picture, is free good enough? I tested four highly regarded free...
View ArticleUtilities for better productivity and security
It’s often the small applications that make the most significant impact on our computing. A quartet of utilities — one free, the others moderately priced — can make your Windows PC easier and safer to...
View ArticleMicrosoft Word 2010 vs. 2013: Feature showdown
Microsoft, like many companies, lives by the upgrade sales model — get previous customers to buy the “new thing,” whether they need it or not. Obviously, that’s been a successful strategy; but with...
View ArticleAn application for overcoming password bloat
Good security dictates multiple passwords. Going well beyond the typical password manager, Dashlane is a password system. Plus: an app that speeds up file copying/moving and another that reduces the...
View ArticleCommand Windows and enter data — by voice
Touch-and-swipe might be the hot new way to work with Windows, but using your voice can be more productive. In an extremely niche category, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the clear leader. Here’s a look...
View ArticleFavorite reader utilities for security and play
Windows Secrets readers often send in recommendations for utilities they find particularly useful. In some cases, “useful” is in the eye of the beholder; here’s a professional reviewer’s take....
View ArticleThree good Windows 8 apps — and two lousy ones
Most Windows 8 users probably stick with tried-and-true classic Windows desktop applications and avoid the Metro alternatives. That’s generally a wise choice, but if you stick only to the desktop...
View ArticleManipulate document, image, and video formats
Utilities do many things, but they exist for one simple reason: they let us prevail over the limitations inherent in Windows and common productivity apps. Here are four small apps that can reduce work...
View ArticleMoving documents from paper to bits to text
Remember the paperless office? Never happened; we still have piles of paper that take up too much room, can be difficult to search, and can’t be encrypted. OCR software lets you scan important...
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