Start your computer in safe mode
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed. Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly, or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that is causing the problem.

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What is safe mode?
Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words "Safe Mode" appear in the corners of the display to identify which Windows mode you are using. If an existing problem does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes.

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Which drivers get loaded in safe mode?
Safe mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and services listed here. Learn: Devices and drivers that start in safe mode; Windows services that start in safe mode; Network-related devices and services that start in Safe Mode with Networking.

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Troubleshooting problems while in safe mode
Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer with only basic services and functionality. If an existing problem does not reappear when you start Windows in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. My computer started in safe mode automatically, and I don't know what the problem might be. I installed a new program and now Windows doesn't work. I installed a new device, video card, or other piece of hardware and now Windows doesn't work. I can't connect to the Internet. None of these suggestions have worked. What else can I try?

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Diagnostic tools to use in safe mode
When using safe mode to troubleshoot problems with your computer, you might find the following tools and features helpful.

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Startup Repair: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Startup Repair. What is Startup Repair? How do I use Startup Repair? Are there problems that Startup Repair cannot fix? What if Startup Repair can't fix my problem?

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Ways to improve your computer's performance
Performance Information and Tools lists tasks that can help improve the performance of your computer, and it also shows information about your computer's performance capabilities. Tasks: Manage startup programs, Adjust visual effects, Adjust indexing options, Adjust power settings, Open Disk Cleanup, Advanced tools.

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Switch between display modes in Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player has five display modes: full (the default view), skin, full screen, compact, and mini Player. You can easily switch to the mode that works best for the content you are viewing. Learn how to: switch from full mode to compact mode; switch from full mode to skin mode; switch from skin mode to full mode; switch from full or skin mode to mini Player mode; switch from mini Player mode to full or skin mode; switch from full or skin mode to full-screen mode; prevent people from switching from full-screen mode.

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Change how information is entered into On-Screen Keyboard
There are three ways to enter data in On-Screen Keyboard: Clicking mode, Hovering mode and Scanning mode.

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What does Internet Explorer protected mode do?
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8. Internet Explorer's protected mode is a feature that makes it more difficult for malicious software to be installed on your computer. In addition to helping protect your computer from malicious software, protected mode allows you to install wanted ActiveX controls or add-ons when you are logged in as an administrator. Protected mode is turned on by default in the Internet, intranet, and Restricted sites zones and an icon appears on the status bar to let you know that it's running.

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Change Windows Movie Maker advanced settings
To change advanced settings in Windows Movie Maker, click Tools, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab. On this tab, you can change the following settings:

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Using System Configuration
System Configuration is an advanced tool that can help identify problems that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. You can start Windows with common services and startup programs turned off and then turn them back on, one at a time. If a problem does not occur when a service is turned off, but does occur when turned on, then the service could be the cause of the problem.

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Unable to configure Power Options
When you configure power options for the active power plan in Windows Vista or in Windows 7, the changes are not reflected in the Power Options item in Control Panel

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Firewall with Advanced Security
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is an advanced interface for IT professionals to use to configure Windows Firewall and Internet Protocol security (IPsec) settings for their networks. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is not for home users or for users that are not familiar with firewall or IPsec technologies.

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Turn off a computer: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about turning off a computer. How do I shut down (turn off) my computer? Why doesn't my computer shut down? How does the Lock button work? What is sleep? If I'm not planning to use my computer for awhile, should I shut it down or put it to sleep? Is my data safe while my computer is asleep? What is hibernation? What is hybrid sleep? What is the difference between sleep and hybrid sleep? How can I wake my computer from sleep or hibernation? Won't sleep eventually drain my mobile PC battery? How can I prevent my computer from automatically sleeping or hibernating? What happened to the Restart and Shut Down options from Windows XP? Can I change what happens when I click the Power button on my computer? Why can't I find the Sleep or Hibernate option on my computer?

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What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista?
The System Recovery Options menu in this version of Windows contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously. The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options.

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Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Getting Started Guide
Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is a stateful, host-based firewall that blocks incoming and outgoing connections based on its configuration. While end-user configuration still takes place through the Windows Firewall tool in Control Panel, advanced configuration of Windows Firewall now takes place in a Microsoft Management Control (MMC) snap-in named Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. Firewall functions are fully integrated with IPsec (Internet Protocol security) protection settings, reducing the possibility of conflict between the two protection mechanisms. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security also works with Network Location Awareness (NLA) so that it can apply security settings based on the type of network to which a computer connects. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security supports separate profiles for network connections that are domain-joined or connected to a private or public network.

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Internet Explorer accessibility options
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8. Internet Explorer offers many accessibility options to help increase readability and to work better with assistive technology. Here are answers to some common questions about accessibility options in Internet Explorer.

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Choosing print options
This article can help you get the print results that you want from choosing what to print, to selecting from available print options for your documents, and then selecting a printer. The print options available to you depend on the printer and program that you're using.

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View a video using the entire screen in Windows Media Player
You can watch a video, TV show, DVD, or song with a visualization in Windows Media Player in full-screen mode. When the Player is in full-screen mode, you can control playback with either the on-screen controls that appear on top of the video or you can use the buttons and other controls on a compatible mouse.

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Change volume settings in Windows Media Player
You have several options for controlling volume in Windows Media Player, including adjusting the volume level, muting, and reducing volume differences either within a song or between songs. Remember that other software and hardware controls can affect the volume and audio effects settings in the Player. If you encounter problems, try adjusting your Windows audio settings, the physical controls on your speakers, subwoofer, or amplifier, or the settings in any other software used to configure the sound card in your computer.

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How do I perform advanced searches in Windows Media Player?
You can use advanced search in Windows Media Player to find all items in your library or in an online music service that match a specific set of criteria. Any resulting matches are displayed in the Details pane. You can also access links to matches in specific library categories by clicking the drop-down arrow of the search box. The following examples illustrate advanced searches you can do within the search box in Windows Media Player:

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Back up your files now
Learn how to backup data, choose a safe place for your backup, schedule regular backup, deciding the important data and more.

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How to use encrypted volumes, digital safes
In this Truecrypt tutorial video, we show you how to mount an encrypted volume. This process is like unlocking a digital safe on your computer. Once mounted, or unlocked, these volumes can hold any type of data.

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What is CMOS?
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, or CMOS, typically refers to a battery-powered memory chip in your computer that stores startup information. Your computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) uses this information when starting your computer.

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Troubleshoot problems with sending a movie to DV tape
Here are solutions to some common problems with sending a movie to a digital video (DV) tape. My computer doesn't find my digital video (DV) camera when I plug the camera in. Why not? I'm not sure if my DV camera supports DV In. What if it doesn't? I can't get the camera and computer to connect. Which mode should the camera be in? I can't send my movie to my camera. What is wrong? I can't record my movie to tape in my camera because Windows Movie Maker says that my DV tape is write-protected. What does that mean, and how can I fix it? After I record my movie to tape and play it in the camera or on TV from the camera, I see that the first few seconds of the movie are missing. How do I fix that? I can't get all of my Windows Movie Maker movie on the DV tape when I record in SP mode. What do I do? I get an error message that says that my temporary movie file exceeds the FAT32 4-gigabyte size limit. What does that mean and how do I fix it?

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What is encryption?
Encryption is a way to enhance the security of a message or file by scrambling the contents so that it can be read only by someone who has the appropriate encryption key to unscramble it. For example, if you purchase something on the Internet, the information for the transaction (such as your address, phone number, and credit card number) is usually encrypted to help keep it safe. Use encryption when you want a strong level of protection for your information.

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Restore default Windows Movie Maker settings
You can set three categories of Windows Movie Maker settings: General, Advanced, and Compatibility. General settings include settings such as opening the last project automatically when you start Windows Movie Maker, the temporary storage location, and others. Advanced settings include video properties, the duration of pictures and transitions, and more. Compatibility settings provide for ways that you can disable video filters that may conflict with Windows Movie Maker.

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How to create Truecrypt volumes to safely store your files
In this encryption tutorial video, we take a look at how to create a Truecrypt volume. A Truecrypt volume is like a digital safe on your hard drive where you can store your important or confidential documents. Truecrypt uses AES encryption by default, which is considered military strength encryption, so it's more than adequate for most users needs.

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Change the default operating system for startup (multiboot)
If you have more than one operating system installed on your computer, you can choose which one starts when you turn on your computer. More than one operating system installed on a computer is often called a multiboot configuration.

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Help Keep Your Computer Safe Using Windows Firewall
What Is a Firewall? Do I Really Need a Firewall? How Do I Turn on the Firewall in Windows XP? Why Would I Consider a Third-Party Firewall? Can I Use More than One Software Firewall on My System? Should I Use Windows Firewall when My Network Already Has a Hardware Firewall? What Programs Are Affected by Firewalls? How Do I Open the Firewall for a Program? Does the Firewall Work with Internet Games? I've Added a Program to the Exceptions List, but It's Still Not Communicating Properly. What Should I Do? Is Opening Firewall Ports Risky? How Do I Turn Off Windows Firewall Security Alerts?

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Windows Search Advanced Query Syntax
Once you have Windows Search for Windows Vista or Windows XP, you might be wondering how you can be even more efficient when it comes to finding files and e-mail on your PC. Advanced Query Syntax (AQS) can help you do just that. Using AQS, you can quickly define and narrow your searches for even more targeted results. You can narrow your searches using a variety of keywords, or search parameters, which can restrict your query to specific locations, specific file types or properties within those types, or specific "file kinds." File kinds are displayed at the top of the Windows Search Explorer, accessible by pressing the Windows Logo key + F.

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What are notifications?
Notifications are small pop-up windows that are displayed in the notification area of the taskbar. They provide information about a variety of things, including status, progress, and the detection of new devices.

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Understanding security and safe computing
If you connect to the Internet, allow other people to use your computer, or share files with others, you should take steps to protect your computer from harm. Why? Because there are computer criminals (sometimes called hackers or crackers) who attack other people's computers. These people can attack directly, by breaking into your computer through the Internet and stealing your personal information, or indirectly, by creating malicious software (or malware) designed to harm your computer. Fortunately, you can protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions. This article describes the threats and what you can do to defend against them.

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What is System Information?
System Information (also known as msinfo32.exe) shows details about your computer's hardware configuration, computer components, and software, including drivers.

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What are the different Internet connection methods?
If you want to connect to the Internet, here are the options. Wireless, Broadband (PPPoE), Dial-up ...

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Data Execution Prevention: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Data Execution Prevention (DEP).What is DEP?Which programs does DEP monitor?Is it safe to run a program again if DEP has closed it?If DEP keeps closing the same program, is my computer under attack?How can I prevent DEP from closing a program I trust?What should I do if DEP is closing a program that's part of Windows, such as svchost.exe or explorer.exe?If my DEP settings indicate that my computers processor does not support hardware based DEP, am I still protected?

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How to know if an online transaction is secure
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8. Here are answers to some common questions about online transactions. What is a secure connection? Are secure connections private? How can I tell if I have a secure connection? Why do I see different colors in the Security status bar? Do I need to upgrade my online accounts to use Extended Validation (EV) certificates? What should I do if I think a website is trying to mislead me about its identity? If a website has secure transactions, does that mean the website is safe to use? How can I increase the safety of my online transactions? What does it mean when I have both secure and non-secure (mixed) content?

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Troubleshoot network printer problems
Here are solutions to some common problems that you might encounter while trying to add or use network printers, including Bluetooth or wireless printers.

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Battery meter: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the battery meter. Where is the battery icon? What can I use the battery icon for? Why does the time remaining on the battery meter change drastically sometimes? When is it safe to remove the battery from my mobile PC? Why does the battery icon keep changing? How can I change the low-battery level? How can I hide the battery icon in the notification area? How can I choose which power plans appear on the battery meter? How can I stop Windows from reminding me that the battery charge is low? Why can't I select a power plan from the battery meter? How do I know if a power plan is appropriate to my needs?

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