Firewall: frequently asked questions
A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network, and then either blocks it or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings. Even if you think there's nothing on your computer that would interest anyone, a worm could completely disable your computer, or someone could use your computer to help spread worms or viruses to other computers without your knowledge. Here are answers to some common questions about firewalls. What does "allowing a program to communicate through the firewall" mean? How can I be sure that Windows Firewall is on? What are the recommended settings for Windows Firewall? What are some of the things that a firewall can't prevent? If I have a router with a built-in firewall, should I also turn on Windows Firewall? What else besides a firewall do I need to help protect my computer? How do I allow other computers to communicate with my computer through Windows Firewall? |
|
|
|
ClearType: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about ClearType. What is ClearType? How do I get ClearType? How does it work? Do I need an LCD or CRT monitor to use ClearType? Can I tune ClearType? Are some fonts optimized for ClearType?
BIOS: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about basic input/output system (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?
Windows Media Player frequently asked questions
For answers to some common questions about using Windows Media Player, see the following topics.
Windows Firewall
A firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software (such as worms) from gaining access to your computer through a network or the Internet. A firewall can also help stop your computer from sending malicious software to other computers. Learn: Allow a program to communicate through Windows Firewall; Turn Windows Firewall on or off; Understanding Windows Firewall settings; Open a port in Windows Firewall;
What are the risks of allowing programs through a firewall?
When you add a program to the list of allowed programs in a firewall, or when you open a firewall port, you allow a particular program to send information to or from your computer through the firewall. Allowing a program to communicate through a firewall (sometimes called unblocking) is like punching a hole in the firewall.
Viruses: frequently asked questions
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?
Turn off a computer: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about turning off a computer. How do I turn off my computer? Why doesn't my computer shut down? Should I use sleep or shut down my computer? Can I change what happens when I click the power button?
Windows registration: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows registration. What is registration? How do I register Windows? Is registration required? Is registration the same as activation?
System Restore: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about System Restore. How does System Restore work? Can I undo the changes System Restore makes? What files are changed during a system restore? How do I choose a restore point? How long are restore points saved? What if System Restore doesn't fix the problem?
Folders: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about using folders in Windows 7. What is a folder and how is it different from a library? Should I save my files to a folder or a library? Can I change the icon for a folder? Where are the menus that used to appear at the top of open folders in previous versions of Windows? Where did the folder list go? What is the address bar and what kind of information does it display?
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's the difference between a regular playlist and an auto playlist? Where are my playlist files stored on my computer? Can I save a playlist in another format? Why are some of the items in my playlist dimmed?
Back up and restore: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about backing up and restoring files. What backup tools does Windows provide? How much storage space do I need to back up files? How do I view the contents of my backup? How do I restore files? Can I recover files that I have accidentally deleted? How do I get my files back if my computer stops working?
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 listen to music while ripping?
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?
Fonts: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about fonts. What's a font? What font types are included in Windows? Where can I find more fonts? How can I make on-screen fonts clearer? How can I make sure that the text I print looks the same as it does on my screen? Why do the fonts in my file look different when I open the file on another computer? Should I be aware of any issues when installing fonts?
User accounts: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about user accounts. What is a user account? Do I need a user account to use Windows? Do I need to use a password on my account? How can I switch to a different user account?
Can I change an account to a different type?
Sound cards: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about sound cards, sound processors, testing speakers, and general problems with sound. What is a sound card? What should I do if I can't hear sound coming from my computer? How do I turn a sound card on or off? How do I test my sound card? How do I test my speaker configuration? Can I upgrade the sound in my laptop?
Mobile broadband: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about mobile broadband connections. Where can I find my subscription, device, and mobile broadband provider details? What is a SIM? What is a mobile broadband PIN and how does it work? Where do I get the PIN? Where do I get an access string or access point name (APN)? How do I restart the device?
Libraries: frequently asked questions
Libraries are new in Windows 7. Here are answers to some common questions about libraries. What is a library? How do I create or change a library? What happens if I delete a library or the items in a library? Why can't I search or arrange files from a folder that I recently included in a library? What types of locations are supported in libraries? Why did I get a message saying that a location can't be included because it's not indexed?
Corrupted files: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about corrupted files. What are corrupted files? What should I do if I encounter a corrupted file? What if I can't fix a corrupted file? How do I prevent files from becoming corrupted?
XPS documents: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about XPS documents. What is an XPS document? How do I create an XPS document? How do I view an XPS document? How can I verify and protect an XPS document?
Installing programs: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about installing programs. How do I activate Windows? Can I uninstall Windows 7? How do I install updates to Windows? Can I install a program made for an earlier version of Windows? Why do I have to be an administrator to install a program? How do I change the folder where a program installs?
Cookies: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about cookies. What are 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?
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? How can I open AutoPlay, even if the default setting doesn't open it?
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?
Uninstalling programs: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about uninstalling programs. How do I uninstall a program that isn't listed under Programs and Features? What does it mean to "change" a program? What can I do if a program won't uninstall?
Transferring files and settings: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about transferring files and settings. What is Windows Easy Transfer? What can I transfer to my new computer? Can I transfer programs? Which transfer method should I use? How long does it take? Can spyware, viruses, or other types of malicious software be transferred? Which versions of Windows will work with Windows Easy Transfer?
Installing Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about installing Windows.
How do I upgrade my computer from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7?
What preparations should I make before installing Windows?
What do I need to have available?
Should I upgrade or perform a custom installation?
How do I install Windows 7 on a netbook?
Should I install the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7?
Can I uninstall Windows 7?
Will my programs work with Windows 7?
Searching in Windows: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about searching for files, folders, and programs. How do I perform a search? How do I expand my search? What is the search index and how can I change it? What does it mean when I see a message that search results might be slow? What does it mean when I see a message that search results might be incomplete? What does it mean when I see a message that a location can't be searched or there's no media present in the search location?
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? How can I prevent spyware from infecting my computer? How do I remove spyware and other unwanted software?