What is System Restore?
System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as email, documents, or photos .

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Updates: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about updates.

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Undo system changes with System Restore
Rather than trying to become a PC mechanic overnight, there's a simpler way to fix the engine and get back on the road-one that can save both your time and your sanity. Better yet, it's one of the easiest tools to use and is already included in Windows Vista-it's called System Restore.

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Firewall: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about firewalls. What is a firewall? Why do I need a firewall? What does "allowing a program through the firewall" mean? What are the recommended settings for Windows Firewall? How can I be sure that Windows Firewall is on? What are some of the things that a firewall can't prevent? Why can't I change some Windows Firewall settings? How do I view and edit all firewall properties? What happened to the ICMP and logging settings in Windows Firewall? Can I use more than one firewall on my computer? If I have a router with a built-in firewall, should I also turn on Windows Firewall? When I try to restore my Windows Firewall settings to what they were originally, I see a warning message. What does this mean? What else besides a firewall do I need to help protect my computer? Why do multiple instances of the same program appear on the Exceptions tab? Where can I find more information about firewalls?

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ClearType: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about ClearType. What is ClearType? How do I get ClearType? Why was ClearType developed? How does it work? Which kind of monitor do I need to use ClearType: LCD or CRT? Can I tune ClearType? Are some fonts optimized for ClearType?

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BIOS: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about BIOS. what is BIOS? Do I need to do anything with BIOS? What kind of BIOS does my computer have? How do CMOS and ACPI relate to BIOS? How do I access my computer's BIOS? How do I update BIOS?

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Installing Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about installing Windows.

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Modems: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about modems. What are the different kinds of modems? How do I tell what kind of modem my computer uses? How do I change the modem settings? What is TAPI? What is Modem on Hold (MOH) and how do I determine if my modem has it?

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IPv6: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about IPv6. What is IPv6? Can I still use IPv4 addresses with this version of Windows? What does an IPv6 address look like? Why do some IPv6 addresses contain double colons? Where can I find out more about IPv6?

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Windows Media Player DRM: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about digital rights management (DRM), media usage rights, and protected Windows Media files. What is DRM? What is a protected file? What are media usage rights? Are media usage rights stored in the audio or video file? What is a license? How does the Player use media usage rights? How do I download media usage rights? How do I tell whether a file is protected? How do I find out how I am allowed to use a protected file? What's the difference between purchased and subscription content? Can I remove DRM from a file? What is personal copy protection? How do I back up my media usage rights? How do I restore my media usage rights?

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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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Certificates: frequently asked questions
What are certificates used for? When do I need a certificate? When would I need a certificate that's not provided for me automatically? How do I get a certificate that is not provided automatically? What is a certification authority? What are untrusted certificates? Do I need to back up my certificates? How can I see my certificates? What are the different kinds of certificates? Why do I need a certificate to use Encrypting File System (EFS)?

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Fonts: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about fonts. What's a font? What font types are included in Windows? Why is it important to understand the differences between font types? Which font will work best for me? Can I make on-screen fonts clearer? Should I be aware of any issues when installing fonts? Where can I find more fonts?

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AutoPlay: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about AutoPlay. I set a default action for a device or type of media but now I don't like that action. How do I change it? How can I stop AutoPlay from asking me what program I want to use? How can I make sure I'm asked each time for the action I want to choose? How can I run or install a program from a device or disc? Why does AutoPlay behave differently when my media program is open? What is an enhanced audio CD or an enhanced DVD movie? What does "software and games" include? What would keep a device from appearing under "Devices" in AutoPlay? Why can't I override AutoPlay by pressing the SHIFT key as I could in Windows XP?

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Printing webpages: frequently asked questions
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8. The following are answers to commonly asked questions about printing in Internet Explorer. Why is my text so small when I print? How can I improve legibility when printing webpages? Why don't I see the print dialog box when I click the Print button? Why doesn't Shrink To Fit work when I print some webpages? How do I print specific parts of a webpage? Can I print multiple selections at once? Why do I have to reset the print options every time I open Internet Explorer 7? Why do some types of content not print when I print a webpage? Why won't my webpages print?

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InPrivate: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about InPrivate. What is InPrivate Browsing? How do I turn on InPrivate Browsing? What is InPrivate Filtering? How do I turn InPrivate Filtering on and off? How do I manually choose content to block or allow?

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What types of files does System Restore change?
System Restore can make changes to Windows system files, registry settings, and programs installed on your computer. It also can make changes to scripts, batch files, and other types of executable files on your computer. Personal files, such as documents, email, photos, and music files, are not changed .

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Shortcuts: frequently asked questions
ere are answers to some common questions about shortcuts. What is a shortcut? How can I tell which files are shortcuts? What kinds of files can have shortcuts? Can I copy or move a shortcut? What happens if I delete the shortcut or the original file? Can I rename a shortcut? Why has one of my shortcuts stopped working? Can I change a shortcut icon? Can I remove the arrow from a shortcut icon?

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Spyware: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about spyware. What is spyware? How can I tell if I have spyware or unwanted software on my computer? Where does spyware and potentially unwanted software come from? Can I get spyware without knowing it? What do I do when a pop-up won't close until I agree to install a program or change my home page? How can I prevent spyware from infecting my computer? How do I remove spyware and other unwanted software?

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Windows Sidebar: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows Sidebar. What is Windows Sidebar? How do I open Sidebar? Can I customize Sidebar? Can I change the width of Sidebar? What are some of the gadgets that come with this version of Windows? Can I install more gadgets? How do gadgets work? Can I remove gadgets? Can I resize gadgets? Can I build my own gadgets? How can I stop Sidebar from opening automatically when I start my computer?

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Viruses: frequently asked questions
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 viruses, worms, and Trojan horses: What is a virus? Are all viruses harmful? What is a worm? What is a Trojan horse? What is a blended threat? How do I prevent viruses? How do I know if my computer has a virus? How do I check for and remove viruses?

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Video import settings: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about video import settings in Import Video. What are video formats? What video formats can I choose? What should I consider when choosing the video format for imported video? What determines how many video files will be created when I import video?

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Sync Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Sync Center. What is sync? What is Sync Center? What devices can I sync with Sync Center? How do I disable or turn off Sync Center? How do I create a sync partnership in Sync Center? How do I end a sync partnership in Sync Center? Why doesn't Sync Center work with my Windows Mobile 6 device? How does Sync Center know which version of a file to keep? What is a sync conflict? What's the difference between one-way and two-way sync?

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Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about burning CDs and DVDs in Windows Media Center. What types of CDs can I burn in Windows Media Center? What types of DVDs can I burn in Windows Media Center? On average, how much video can I fit on a recordable DVD when burning a video DVD? What determines how long it will take to burn the DVD? Why does a notification appear that says the quality will be reduced when I add a few video files to a video DVD? Why am I asked if I want to skip a file when burning an audio CD?

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User accounts: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about user accounts. What is a user account? What types of user accounts are there? How can I switch to a different user account? Can I change an account to a different type? Do I need a user account to use Windows? Do I need to use a password on my account? Can I change the picture that shows up by my user name? What is a user group?

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Command Prompt: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Command Prompt. What is Command Prompt? How do I get to a command prompt? What commands can I run using Command Prompt? How do I change the Command Prompt window? How do I run a command with elevated privileges? Can I drag files or shortcuts into the Command Prompt window?

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Converting files before sync in Windows Media Player: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about converting files before sync in Windows Media Player. Is it always necessary to convert files before sync? Can I turn conversion off? Can I choose the quality of the files that are converted? Is there any way to reduce the time it takes to convert?

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File names and file name extensions: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about file names and file name extensions. What is a file name extension? How can I control which programs are associated with a file name extension? What is the maximum length of a file name? Which characters can't be used in a file name? How can I see file name extensions in the file name? How do I change a file name extension?

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Windows Media Player playlist: frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to common questions about playlists in Windows Media Player. What is a playlist and why would I want to use one? What items can be added to a playlist? What's the difference between a regular playlist and an auto playlist? Where are my playlist files stored on my computer? Are my playlists copied when I burn a CD or sync to a portable device? Can I save a playlist in another format? Why don't all of my items appear in the List pane when I drag an album or artist to it? Why are some of the items in my playlist dimmed?

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Cookies: frequently asked questions
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 cookies. What are cookies used for? Can I block cookies? Should I block all cookies? How do I delete cookies? What are Temporary cookies? What are Persistent cookies? What are First-party cookies? What are Third-party cookies?

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Rip music: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about ripping CDs in Windows Media Player. What is ripping? What happens if I decide to copy protect music that I rip? Where do I find the files that I ripped? Can I rename or move files that I have already ripped? Can I change the format or bit rate of files that I have already ripped? Can I listen to music while ripping? Can I copy the contents of a video DVD onto my computer using the Player?

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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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Wireless networking: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about wireless networks.What is a wireless network? What are the different types of wireless network technologies? What hardware does my computer need to be on a wireless network? What is wireless signal strength? What are the risks of connecting to a public wireless network? How do I find a wireless network that's not on the list of available networks? Why do I need to copy wireless network settings to other computers and devices on my network? Can I use software other than Windows to manage my wireless network connections?How can I tell if my wireless network adapter works with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA) encryption?

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Game ratings and content descriptors: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about game ratings and content descriptors. What are game ratings? What are age ratings? What are content descriptors? How do I find out what a game's rating and content descriptors are? What does "content may change during online play" mean?

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Folders: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about using folders in Windows. What is a folder? Where should I save my files? Is there a way to see all of my files in one place instead of opening different folders to see different kinds of files? What is the Search box and how do I use it? What is the Address bar and what kind of information does it display? What is the purpose of the Navigation pane? Why does a folder's content change when I click within the Navigation pane? Shouldn't the folder only have one set of files? Where are the menus that used to appear at the top of folders in previous versions of Windows? Where did the folder tree go? Where did the task pane go?

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Movie settings: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about movie settings. What are movie settings and what do they do? What video file formats can I choose to publish my movie in Windows Movie Maker? What do the different movie settings mean? Can I create and use my own movie settings to publish a movie in Windows Movie Maker?

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Corrupted files: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about corrupted files. What are corrupted files? How do I know if a file is corrupted? How do files get corrupted? What should I do if I encounter a corrupted file? How do I avoid corrupted files? What if I can't fix a corrupted file?

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Windows Meeting Space: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows Meeting Space. What is Windows Meeting Space, and how do I open it? I've opened Windows Meeting Space. What should I do next? How do I invite people to a meeting? I've set up a meeting. Now what do I do? Can anyone edit the handouts in a meeting? How do I give control of a sharing session to someone else? Is my data secure? When I am sharing a program or my desktop, can anyone control or tamper with my computer? What are the risks of running a program from a meeting? How do I connect to a network projector? What happens if I leave a meeting?

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Internet Explorer Information bar: frequently asked questions
The information in this Help topic applies to Windows Internet Explorer 7. Here are answers to some common questions about the Information bar. What is the Internet Explorer Information bar? When will I see the Information bar? How do I use the Information bar? Can I turn off the Information bar? Which messages are displayed in the Information bar?

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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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