Convert a hard disk or partition to FAT32 format
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. Before you begin, note that the FAT32 file system has size limitations. In this version of Windows, you cannot create a FAT32 partition greater than 32 gigabytes (GB). In addition, you cannot store a file larger than 4 GB on a FAT32 partition. For more information, see Comparing NTFS and FAT file systems.

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NTFS vs FAT file systems
A file system is the underlying structure a computer uses to organize data on a hard disk. If you are installing a new hard disk, you need to partition and format it using a file system before you can begin storing data or programs. In Windows, the three file system options you have to choose from are NTFS, FAT32, and the older and rarely-used FAT (also known as FAT16).

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Can I repartition my hard disk?
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. Yes. It's possible in this version of Windows to repartition your hard disk by using the Shrink feature in Disk Management. You can shrink an existing partition or volume to create unallocated disk space, from which you can create a new partition or volume. (Often, the terms partition and volume are used interchangeably.)

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Improve performance by defragmenting your hard disk
Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually.

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Formatting disks and drives
Hard disks, which are the primary storage devices on your computer, need to be formatted before you can use them. Formatting a disk means configuring the disk with a file system so that Windows can store information on the disk. Hard disks in new computers running Windows are already formatted. If you purchase an additional hard disk to expand the storage of your computer, you might need to format it.

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What is disk defragmentation?
Disk defragmentation describes the process of consolidating fragmented files on your computer's hard disk. Fragmentation happens to a hard disk over time as you save, change, or delete files. The changes that you save to a file are often stored at a location on the hard disk that's different from the original file. Additional changes are saved to even more locations. Over time, both the file and the hard disk itself become fragmented, and your computer slows down as it has to look in many different places to open a file.

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Managing hard disks
Hard disks store all the information on your computer, including Windows, your programs, and your personal files. Managing a hard disk is different from managing the programs and data that are stored on a hard disk. Managing a hard disk involves formatting the disk so it can store information. Managing the data on your hard disk involves organizing and using folders and properties so you can better access your information.

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Installing and reinstalling Windows
In this article you will find instructions for: Upgrading to Windows Vista when you already have a version of Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional on your computer and you want to keep your files, settings, and programs. Installing a new, or clean, version of Windows when: You want to replace your current operating system. You want to install Windows Vista on a separate partition of your hard disk, and you have an operating system on your computer and an available partition. You have a computer with no operating system installed. Reinstalling Windows Vista when you want to restore default Windows settings or when you are having trouble with Windows and need to reinstall it by performing a clean installation.

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Check your hard disk for errors
You can help solve some computer problems and improve the performance of your computer by making sure that your hard disk has no errors.

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Delete files using Disk Cleanup
If you want to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your hard disk to free up disk space and help your computer run faster, use Disk Cleanup. It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need.

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Encrypt or decrypt a folder or file
Encrypting folders and files is a way to protect them from unwanted access. Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that allows you to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure.

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Turn Windows features on or off
Some programs and features that are included with Windows, such as Internet Information Services, must be turned on before you can use them. Certain other features are turned on by default, but you can turn them off if you don't use them. In earlier versions of Windows, to turn a feature off you had to uninstall it completely from your computer. In this version of Windows, the features remain stored on your hard disk, so you can turn them back on if you want to. Turning off a feature does not uninstall the feature, and it does not reduce the amount of hard disk space used by Windows features.

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What is Encrypting File System (EFS)?
Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that allows you to store information on your hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure.

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Memory and RAM
Memory, such as random access memory (RAM), is temporary storage space on chips that your computer uses to run Windows and other programs. Memory is different from disk space, which is the amount of storage space available on your computer's hard disk. Different computers and programs have different RAM requirements.

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Manage disk space for offline files
Offline files are copies of network files that are stored on your computer so that you can access them when you are not connected to the network or when the network folder with the files is not connected. The size and number of your offline files determines how much hard disk space your offline files use.

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Managing recorded TV shows in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
If you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, as well as a compatible TV tuner device, you can use Windows Media Center to watch and record live TV on your computer. Here are answers to some common questions about managing TV shows that you record in Windows Media Center. How do I change the default storage settings for my recorded programs? How do I delete my recorded TV programs? Why aren't my programs being recorded? What happens when there is no hard disk space available for recording a TV program? How long does Windows Media Center keep my recordings on the hard disk? What happens to programs that are recorded as part of a TV series? How do I cancel recording a series? How can I change recording settings for future recordings? What is copy protection and how does it affect me?

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Import, export, or change the format for contacts
You can import address book or contact information from several formats used by other programs, convert them for use in this version of Windows, and store them in your Contacts folder. You can also convert your contacts to other formats by exporting them. This allows you to share them with people who are using an earlier version of Windows or who are using a different operating system.

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Delete messages in Windows Mail
Deleting email messages that you no longer need can free up space on your hard disk and improve the performance of Windows Mail.

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Disc burning: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about burning a disc. Why are there two different ways to format a disc? How much hard disk space do I need to burn a disc? Can I choose where the disc image is stored? If I have more than one writeable drive, how do I set one as the default for burning discs? Do I need to close or finalize my disc when I'm done burning? How many times can I close a disc, reinsert it, and then burn more files in a new session? Can I burn a disc using an existing ISO image? Can I make additional copies of a disc I just burned? How do I copy a disc? How do I make a music or a video disc that will work in a CD or DVD player? I'm trying to burn a CD or DVD over Remote Desktop Connection, and I dont see the AutoPlay dialog box or option to burn a CD or DVD. How can I burn a disc over Remote Desktop Connection ?

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Uninstall or change a program
You can uninstall a program from your computer if you no longer use it or if you want to free up space on your hard disk. You can use Programs and Features to uninstall programs or to change the program's configuration by adding or removing certain options.

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Which CD or DVD format should I use?
Which format you should use is determined by the computer you're going to use to read the information after it's saved. Pick the appropriate disc and format for your needs: Find the example in the table below that best describes your situation. Then insert the recommended kind of disc and choose the appropriate format when you prepare your disc for burning. The following table describes the different CD or DVD burning situations you might encounter and provides advice about which format to use.

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What is a hidden file?
Although you usually can't see a hidden file, it's an ordinary file in all other respects. You can choose whether a file is hidden or visible by changing its properties to designate it as hidden. You can hide rarely used files to reduce clutter, but keep in mind that hidden files still take up space on your hard disk.

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Play video and watch pictures in Windows Media Center
With Windows Media Center, you can play your home videos and view your digital photos in a number of fun ways. You can also organize your digital media files to make them easier to access from your computer's hard disk.

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Create a password reset disk
If you forget your computer password, you can use a password reset disk to create a new one. We recommend that you create a password reset disk when you create your password, so you don't lose access to your files and information.

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Rip music from a CD
You can use Windows Media Player to copy songs from audio CDs to your computer. This process is known as ripping. During the ripping process, the Player makes a copy of each song, stores it on your hard disk as a compressed Windows Media Audio (WMA) or MP3 file, and then adds it to your library.

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View temporary Internet files
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8. Webpages are stored in a temporary Internet files folder the first time you view them in your web browser. This speeds up the display of pages you frequently visit or have already seen, because Internet Explorer can open them from your hard disk instead of from the Internet.

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Import video from a videotape
You can copy video from a videotape in a digital video (DV) camera to your computer by using Import Video. When you import video from a videotape in a DV camera to your computer, the video on the tape is encoded into a video file and saved to your computer's hard disk.

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Format a CD or DVD
Before you can copy files to a CD or DVD, the disc must first be prepared using a process called formatting. There are several ways to format a CD or DVD disc. Your choice of format determines which computers and other devices will be able to read the disc.

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Back up the registry
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. If you are not logged in as an administrator, you can only change settings that apply to your user account. Before you make changes to a registry key or subkey, we recommend that you export, or make a backup copy of, the key or subkey. You can save the backup copy to a location you specify, such as a folder on your hard disk or a removable storage device. If you make changes that you want to undo, you can import the backup copy.

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Find a file in Windows Movie Maker
When you open Windows Movie Maker, source files are sometimes missing in the Collections pane. Windows Movie Maker collections and projects do not really contain the media files that you work with; rather, projects and collections only reference the digital media files wherever they are located, such as on a CD, hard disk, removable media, or shared network location.

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System Restore: frequently asked questions
How does System Restore work? How do I start System Restore? Can I undo the changes System Restore makes? What files are changed during a system restore? Why doesn't System Restore protect FAT32 disks? How do I choose a restore point? How often are restore points created? How do I create a restore point manually? How much hard disk space does System Restore require? How long are restore points saved? How do I turn System Restore on or off? I have an earlier version of Windows on my computer, but when I switch between versions, my restore points disappear. Why? What if System Restore doesn't fix the problem?

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What is virtual memory?
If your computer lacks the random access memory (RAM) needed to run a program or operation, Windows uses virtual memory to compensate. Virtual memory combines your computer's RAM with temporary space on your hard disk. When RAM runs low, virtual memory moves data from RAM to a space called a paging file. Moving data to and from the paging file frees up RAM to complete its work.

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Changing Remote Desktop settings
Here are answers to some common questions about Remote Desktop settings. Can I use devices and resources that are on or part of my computer, such as my printer, hard disk, or Clipboard, while I'm connected to a remote computer? What's new with redirection in this version of Windows? How can I hear music or other sounds from the remote computer? How can I improve the performance of Remote Desktop over a slow connection? Can I save my Remote Desktop settings and use them again in the future? How can I disconnect from a Remote Desktop session? How can I reconnect after temporarily disconnecting from a Remote Desktop session? Can I use keyboard shortcuts with Remote Desktop Connection?

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Import live video from a DV camera
You can import live video from a digital video (DV) camera to your computer by using Import Video. When you import live video from a DV camera to your computer, the live video is encoded into a video file and saved to your computer's hard disk. After you import the live video, you can edit the resulting video file by using video editing software, such as Windows Movie Maker.

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Permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin
When you delete a file from your computer, it is temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin. This usually gives you an opportunity to restore the file to its original location if you discover that the file should not have been deleted. To permanently remove files from the computer and reclaim any hard disk space they were using, you need to permanently delete files from the Recycle Bin. You can choose to delete individual files from the Recycle Bin or empty the entire Recycle Bin at once.

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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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Reset your Windows password
If your computer is on a domain, only your network administrator can reset your password. If you forget your password, you can reset it using a password reset disk for your user account (or the password reset information stored on another type of removable media, such as a USB flash drive). If you don't have a password reset disk, you'll need to get someone with an administrator account on the computer to reset your password for you.

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Troubleshoot problems with recording TV on your computer
Here are solutions to some common problems you might encounter while using Windows Media Center to record TV on your computer. Why is there a recording conflict? Why didn't my TV show record? Why can't I find a recording? Why did the wrong channel record? What happens if the hard disk space is low or full? How can I increase the limit so more series shows can be recorded? Why can't Windows Media Center locate the channel to record? What should I do if Windows Media Center fails to record a program? What should I do if Windows Media Center fails to stop recording a program? Why was Windows Media Center unable to create the recording file?

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Format text in an e-mail or newsgroup message
If you want your email messages to contain formatting such as multiple fonts, bold text, colored headings, graphics, and links to websites, you can send your messages in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) format. When creating a message in HTML format, you can use the Formatting toolbar directly above the message composition box to add styles such as bold or italic to your text, change the font, center text, or other options .

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Improve Windows searches using the index: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the index. What is the index? What is the index used for? What files are indexed? How do I know what locations are in the index? How do I add new files or locations to the index? Can I index my entire computer so all searches are fast? How do I remove a location I rarely use from the index? When I perform a search, is the entire index searched every time? How do I change the hard disk or folder in which the index is stored? I want to search for a file type that is not currently being indexed. How do I add a file type to the index? When should I rebuild my index? How do I restart the Windows Search service? Why do I need to have BitLocker or a non-Microsoft drive encryption solution enabled before indexing encrypted files? How can I find the location of the index?

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