How To Speed Up Your Windows By Disabling File Indexing

How To Speed Up Your Windows By Disabling File Indexing
Windows Support



To disable the Indexing Service:

Go to “My Computer” and right click on your hard drive. At the bottom of the window that opens, you should see a check box titled “Allow Indexing Service to index the disk for fast file searching.” Uncheck it.

Press OK and you’re done! Your computer should be a little faster after a restart.

 

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Microsoft reveals Internet Explorer 10

Microsoft has unveiled a platform preview of Internet Explorer 10, just four weeks after IE9 was released.

Development on IE10 is only three weeks in, but Dean Hachamovitch, corporate vice president for Internet Explorer, revealed a few early features at the MIX 10 conference in Las Vegas, saying the new browser will offer more support for HTML5 and CSS3.

He demoed IE10's extended support for CSS3 gradients and multicolumn layouts, which can be changed and reflowed in the browser - even with live content such as Twitter feeds. Hachamovitch also showed off how the browser's hardware acceleration helps create smooth animated objects using the HTML5 canvas element.

Microsoft didn't say when it hoped to release IE10, but said platform updates would be released every eight to 12 weeks.

The quick release cycle follows Google's lead with Chrome, which is updated every six weeks. Mozilla is also speeding up its releases, with Firefox 5 due at the end of June, following last month's release of version 4.

However, Hachamovitch took a dig at the release cycles of IE's rivals, saying browser developers should focus on getting stable technologies to users, not just on speedy schedules.

"The cadence of browser releases reflects how often technologies are updated, not how much the technologies actually advance from instability to robustness," he said on the IE blog.

"Higher cadence just means more frequent releases of incomplete software (and larger version numbers). What matters is when consumers and businesses take delivery of robust, production-ready browsers that use the new technology."

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PC sales slip for first time in two years

Computer sales fell during the first three months of this year, marking the first sales slide since 2009, according to Gartner.

The analyst firm blamed post-holiday shopping fatigue, Apple's iPad and the effects of the earthquake in Japan for the slowdown in global sales.

PC sales fell 1.1% in the first quarter to 84.3 million worldwide, according to Gartner, well short of its forecast for 3% growth.

The dip was the first since the second quarter of 2009, when most of the world was still in the grip of economic turmoil.

Low prices for consumer PCs, which had long stimulated growth, no longer attracted buyers

The research firm said global sales were dragged down by a weak consumer segment, as shoppers resisted low prices on PCs or switched to buying tablet devices.

"Low prices for consumer PCs, which had long stimulated growth, no longer attracted buyers," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. "Instead, consumers turned their attention to media tablets and other consumer electronics. We're investigating whether this trend is likely to have a long-term effect on the PC market."

Business demand for computers was much stronger, said Gartner, and likely to last another year as companies replace old machines.

In Europe, sales were down 2.8% in the first quarter, again the first decline since 2009. Western Europe was the main weak spot, as customers hold off on buying new laptops and desktops in favour of tablets and other mobile devices. "This is extending current PC life cycles," Gartner said.

Gartner still expects worldwide PC sales to grow 10.5% to 388 million units this year, although that is well below its forecast of 15.9% growth, made in November.

PC rankings

The world's biggest computer makers - Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Dell - all saw year-on-year declines.

In Europe, HP slid to 19.2% market share, over Acer's 18.9% share. Dell fell to 8.9%, holding third place over Toshiba's 7.5%. Apple pulled in 5.1%, rounding out the top five.

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WordPress admits hacking attack

The firm behind blogging platform WordPress has admitted its servers have been hacked.

Automattic's president, Matt Mullenweg, said the attack was a "low-level" break-in that gained root access to several servers, and "potentially anything on those servers could have been revealed".

"We have been diligently reviewing logs and records about the break-in to determine the extent of the information exposed, and re-securing avenues used to gain access," he said in a blog post.

"We presume our source code was exposed and copied. While much of our code is open source, there are sensitive bits of our and our partners’ code," he added. "Beyond that, however, it appears information disclosed was limited."

Mullenweg said he didn't believe any personal data, such as phone numbers or credit card numbers, were revealed. The breach would only affect users hosted on the WordPress servers, not those with their own domains.

Because the firm isn't sure what data was exposed, it didn't have much advice for users, other than to use a strong password and change passwords on other sites if the same one has been used for WordPress.

It's the second major attack against the blogging platform in a month, following an "extremely large"

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Cloud users remain worried by security, lock-in

Firms that have switched to cloud computing continue to worry about security, vendor lock-in and management, according to analysts.

However, those using the cloud and those who still haven't moved to the computing model have different concerns, according to an IDC survey of 700 IT decision-makers.

The study showed 43% of "full" users were concerned about security, compared to about 39% of non-users and 33% of "limited" users. More cloud users were worried about contract lock-ins (33%) compared to those yet to move to the cloud (24%).

Those organisations that are most committed to the cloud have the most concerns

The ability to audit data held in the cloud was of concern to about 36% of full users but only about 27% of those not using cloud services.

The location where data is stored concerned about 39% of non-users while those who had already taken their first steps into the cloud were far less worried (30%), however.

“Two specific areas of concern, data location and control over upgrades, are mentioned by a significantly higher proportion of non-users of the cloud than users, and therefore need to be addressed by cloud vendors seeking to market to the ‘late majority’ of user organisations,” IDC analyst David Bradshaw said.

"Perhaps of more concern, those organisations that are most committed to the cloud have the most concerns. This is likely because they have issues that they have to take into account on a day-to-day basis while managing their over-all IT estate.”

Vendors need to examine their policies in such areas in order to win customers, Bradshaw said.

“These are areas that could help rival vendors, for example those offering private cloud services for an affordable premium over public cloud services, to win over the heaviest users,” he said.

“In the medium term, IDC believes public cloud vendors will all have to address these and other governance issues, as they will assist them to retain customers and win over those who are unwilling to place business-critical processes in the cloud.”

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How to Add "Show/Hide Hidden Files" to Context Menu in Vista and Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to add or remove Show/Hide Hidden Files from the desktop and folder window context menu for all users to be able to toggle "Show" or "Don't show" hidden files, folders, drives, and protected operating system files in Vista and Windows 7.

When you click on the Show/Hide Hidden Files context menu item, you will hear the notify.wav file play.

Note

When you right click on the Desktop and click on Show/Hide Hidden Files, you will need to refresh (F5) the desktop to see the hidden files (faded files) show or hide.

When you right click on a blank area in the main window of a library or folder and click on Show/Hide Hidden Files, the hidden files (faded files) will instantly show or hide in that window. You may need to refresh (F5) any other opened inactive window to see the hidden files show or hide in them.

OPTION ONE

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To Add "Show/Hide Hidden Files" to Context Menu

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and save it to your desktop.

Add_Show_Hide_Hidden_Files_from_Context_Menu.zip

2. Double click on the downloaded ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) both files below to your desktop.

• Add_Show_Hide_Hidden_Files_to_Context_Menu.reg
• Toggle_Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs

3. Right click on the extracted Toggle_Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs file, click onProperties, click on the General tab, and unblock it.
NOTE: If you do not see a Unblock button, then the file is already unblocked.


4. Right click on the extracted and unblocked Toggle_Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs, and click on Move.


5. In Windows Explorer, navigate to and open the C:\Windows folder. Right click on a empty area in the C:\Window folder, click on Paste, then cick on Continue and Yes (UAC) if prompted. Close the Windows Explorer window. (see screenshot below)


6. Right click on the extracted Add_Show_Hide_Hidden_Files_to_Context_Menu.reg file and click on Merge.


7. Click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.


8. Show/Hide Hidden Files has now been added to the context menu.


9. You can delete the download files left on your desktop now if you would like to.

OPTION TWO

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To Remove "Show/Hide Hidden Files" from Context Menu

NOTE: This is the default setting.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and save it to your desktop.

Remove_Show_Hide_Hidden_Files_from_Context_Menu.reg

2. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

3. Click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.

4. Show/Hide Hidden Files has now been removed from the context menu.

5. In Windows Explorer, navigate to and open the C:\Windows folder, right click on theToggle_Show_Hidden_Files_On_Off.vbs file, click on Delete, and Yes (if prompted).

6. You can now delete the download reg file if you would like to.

That's it,
Shawn

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Email evidence revealed in Facebook founding dispute

Mark Zuckerberg faces a renewed legal challenge over the founding of Facebook, following new evidence to back one man's claims to a stake in the company.

Last year, Paul Ceglia claimed he owned as much as 84% of Facebook, which has recently been valued at $50 billion by Wall Street investors.

At the time, the claim looked thin - not helped by the fact that Ceglia had a criminal record over fraud charges and had waited nearly seven years before staking his claim.

However, Ceglia later produced a contract between the pair and has now backed that up with a series of emails between Zuckerberg and Ceglia during 2003 and 2004, from when the pair apparently tried to get Facebook and another project called StreetFax off the ground.

I'm starting to think that you just blew that money, Mark – you know you can't takes a person's investment and spend it on women and beer

The emails – documented on Business Insider - highlight discussions between Ceglia and Zuckerberg over who owed who what for development and funding during the early months of Facebook.

“I'm starting to think that you just blew that money, Mark – you know you can't takes a person's investment and spend it on women and beer,” Ceglia wrote in one 2004 email, before threatenening to tell Zuckerberg's parents about the situation.

Facebook has said the emails, like the original contract, were fake, but if genuine they would add weight to the claims that the pair worked together over the start-up period and could prove costly for Zuckerberg.

Coincidentally, the emails surfaced on the same day that a judge attempted to draw the line under another claim to the Facebook empire.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss had previously been granted $65 million in a 2008 court case over claims to the company, but had been seeking a larger settlement in a US appeals court.

The appeals court yesterday told the twins they should accept the initial payment and move on.

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Microsoft attacks Google over secure Apps claims

Microsoft has launched another blistering attack on Google over Government contracts.

This time, Microsoft is claiming that the company lied to court officials when it claimed its Google Apps for Government had the seal of approval from US security officials.

The furore stems from claims that Google has repeatedly made - including in court during a complaint that a US government department had chosen Microsoft products over Google's - that its governmental productivity suite had been given security approval.

Indeed, Google's site still specifies that “Google Apps for Government is certified and accredited under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), which sets security standards for software applications in use by the United States federal government.”

But Microsoft says Google is lying about the accreditation, and has produced court documents that also question the veracity of the claim.

To be clear, in the view of the GSA, the agency that certified Google’s Google Apps Premier, Google does not have FISMA certification for Google Apps for Government

“It’s time for Google to stop telling governments something that is not true,” wrote David Howard corporate vice president and deputy general counsel in an official Microsoft blog.

Howard referred to a Department of Justice document that said although Google had been granted FISMA accreditation by the General Service Administration (GSA) for its Google Apps Premier, it did not have certification for the government version of the package.

"To be clear, in the view of the GSA, the agency that certified Google’s Google Apps Premier, Google does not have FISMA certification for Google Apps for Government,” the document reads.

New filing for accreditation

The documents went on the state that Google was at the time finalising its application, which Microsoft claimed meant it could not have been a simple mistake on Google's part.

“Google can’t be under the misimpression that FISMA certification for Google Apps Premier also covers Google Apps for Government,” Howard said. “If that were the case, then why did Google... decide to file a separate FISMA application for Google Apps for Government?”

Howard said he had to “wonder what Google is thinking as it continues to claim that Google Apps for Government has FISMA certification”.

According to Google, the documentation for its Google Apps accreditation should cover all of the Apps family, although it admits it is continuing to seek further documentation.

"We did not mislead the court or our customers," a spokesperson said in a statement sent to PC Pro.

"Google Apps received a FISMA security authorisation from the General Services Administration in July 2010. Google Apps for Government is the same system with enhanced security controls that go beyond FISMA requirements. As planned we're working with GSA to continuously update our documentation with these and other additional enhancements."

The spat marks a new low in the relationship between Google and Microsoft, the latter of which recently lodged a formal complaint with the EU alleging anti-competitive practices against Google.

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Amazon to sell ad-supported Kindle

Amazon has unveiled an ad-supported version of the Kindle eBook reader, knocking $25 off the price.

From 3 May, Amazon will sell a "Kindle with Special Offers" for $114. It will be exactly like a regular Wi-Fi Kindle, except Amazon will run ads on the screensaver page and along the bottom of the home screen - but not inside books.

"We're working hard to make sure that anyone who wants a Kindle can afford one," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com CEO.

The first companies to buy screensaver ads are Buick, Olay and Visa.

Alongside the more standard advertisements, Amazon will also list "special offers" such as a half-price Amazon gift card, discounted MP3 albums, and free books.

Amazon also announced AdMash, an application and website that lets Kindle users vote on their favourite "sponsored" screensavers, to let the company figure out what sorts of images users are happy to see on their e-ink screens.

Amazon is pushing for another revenue stream at a time when the Kindle is already a big success, outselling new paperbacks on the retail site and helping drive sales to $13 billion last quarter.

The ad-supported Kindle will initially only be available in the US. A spokeswoman said the offer would not be extended to the UK, but wouldn't say if that may or may not happen in the future.

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Google picks up music service PushLife

Google has picked up Canadian music service PushLife, as it continues to look for ways to bolster Android.

PushLife, run by former RIM employee Ray Reddy, is a music platform that pulls desktop-based music collections onto handsets. It can also pull in integrate album art/gig photos, lyrics and other details from the web, and offers Twitter integration, so users can share their musical tastes.

Perhaps most importantly, PushLife allowed users to buy new songs using their phone, with the charge added to their mobile bill.

The PushLife service will be shut down eventually, the company said, but its team will work with Google’s engineers in Canada to build “better mobile applications for all users”.

“We think there’s a lot more work to do in the mobile space, like improving the way applications look and making them easier to use,” PushLife said on its website. “And as Google is driving innovation on the mobile web across a wide variety of areas, we thought joining the company would be a perfect fit.”

Google reportedly paid $25 million for the music firm. PushLife is the third Canadian firm to be bought up by Google in the past year, including UI firm BumpTop, which helped influence the latest version of its mobile OS, Android 3.0.

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Facebook advertisers face 40% rate rise

Advertisers on Facebook will have to dig deeper to stay on the social network after the company's rates soared.

According to figures from advertising management company Efficient Frontier, its clients have seen the price per click on Facebook rise by 40% in the last three months compared to the quarter before.

Efficient Frontier said the sharp increase highlighted the high demand to be on Facebook as the 500-million-strong social network increasingly creates waves in online advertising.

"The way that adverts are bought is via auction, with the highest bidder winning and as competition goes up then so do the prices," said Efficient Frontiers' client service manager for Europe, Jonathan Beeston.

"As Facebook gets more mature it will also know more about where adverts work best, which will affect price, but this is largely down to increased competition, with more advertisers wanting to be on Facebook."

Efficient Frontier said the steep increase was for self-service ads, not the more expensive premium ads shown on user home pages, but still marked a change in bargaining power for Facebook.

According to figures from research company eMarketer, the company is likely to double its advertising revenue to $4 billion this year, while nearest social networking rival Twitter was expected to attract only $150 million.

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Intel reveals first Atom processor for tablets

Intel has launched its first Atom processor for tablet computers.

Formerly codenamed Oak Trail, the new Atom Z670 made its début at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing this week.

The new processor contains no tablet-specific features, but targets the handheld market by combining low power consumption with a sophisticated feature set that supports advanced operating systems.

In principle, it’s a hybrid of two existing Atom platforms — the ultra-low-power Moorestown system-on-a-chip, designed for smartphones, and Intel’s current netbook platform, codenamed Pine Trail.

“We’ve combined both, to provide the ability to run Windows 7 on the same silicon that gives you the low power of Moorestown," explained Intel’s Kevin O’Donovan. "We've enabled the traditional x86 ecosystem with a much lower thermal design power.”

We believe Apple, Google, Microsoft and MeeGo will be the four big ecosystems of the future, and our challenge is to be the best in class for any of those

O’Donovan revealed that the Z670 has a TDP of just 3 watts – less than half that of current Pine Trail processors.

But he admitted that power consumption is affected by Oak Trail’s use of a 45nm fabrication process, rather than a 32nm one as used by Intel’s mainstream processors.

“In the ideal world, every piece of silicon would be the latest and greatest," he said. "Obviously our flagship products have been 32nm for over a year, and we are accelerating our ability to have all our product lines using the latest process technology. That’s where we want to be, and we will be there in the next few years.”

Despite the emphasis on Windows 7, O’Donovan noted that the Z670 could also run MeeGo, Google’s Chrome OS and x86-compatible versions of Android.

“OEMs want one platform that will run any OS,” he explained. “We believe Apple, Google, Microsoft and MeeGo will be the four big ecosystems of the future, and our challenge is to be the best in class for any of those.”

The first tablets based on the Atom Z670 are expected during the second quarter of 2011.

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Adobe targets tablets with Creative Suite 5.5

Adobe has released a major update to its Creative Suite line-up, increasing support for tablets with version 5.5.

The update makes it easier to use HTML5 and Flash to develop content for smartphones and tablets using Adobe's software, the company claimed.

Dreamweaver, for example, features a new preview system that lets users see their creations across different platforms, while InDesign's Folio Producer makes it easier to add interactive content to layouts.

Alongside the updates to the Creative Suite, Adobe released the Photoshop Touch Software Development Kit (SDK), letting developers use touchscreen devices such as tablets to interact with a desktop version of the imaging software.

"The Photoshop Touch SDK and a new scripting engine in Photoshop CS5 now opens the door for Android, BlackBerry tablet OS and iOS apps to drive and interact with Photoshop on the desktop," the company said.

The SDK is available free, and Adobe will release a free update to Photoshop 5 on 3 May to support the system. The first three apps, for the iPad, will arrive in early May via the App Store.

Adobe said it will start releasing full updates every two years, rather than every 18 months, but major updates such as today's will arrive annually.

The company also revealed a new monthly subscription plan, which it said would let customers use the "most up-to-date versions of the software, without the upfront cost of the full pricing".

Photoshop, for example, will start at £28 monthly, while the entire Master Collection will cost £128 monthly. The Master Collection would cost £2,303 excluding VAT to buy outright.

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