patndoris TechnoGeek

Quick Media Converter is a free, very powerful video and audio conversion program that I’ve been using for several years.  It’s updated regularly, and I’ve found it to be be very reliable. Best of all - like most programs I recommend - its FREE!  I’ve recommended it to several friends who’ve tried it and have had great success with it.  It’s great for converting music for your phone etc.

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For those of you using Microsoft Security Essentials, I just want to post a warning to watch your updates carefully. There is a recent piece of malware that poses as an update to Windows Defender and MSE. If it is installed, it will create havoc on the affected machine. 

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There’s been quite a lot written about this or that anti-virus program lately (especially about Microsoft Security Essentials) and how different security programs have failed to make the cut against the AV-Test.org security standards.  The reality is, the protocols they use are not measuring up, and that is what’s causing the programs to fail, not the programs themselves.

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Sometimes, it’s not about writing a big long post. It’s just about passing along important information users need to know. Today is one of those days. If you are a Skype user - this is a MUST read this information from ZDNet about just how easy it is for someone else to recover your Skype password and how little Microsoft is doing to stop it from happening. (Again - WHY did they take away our Windows Live Messenger??!!)

For those of you fond of Windows Live Messenger, who have been forced to move to Skype, Jonathan Kay has just released the thing you’ve been dreaming of..Messenger Reviver 2.  Head on over to his blog MessengerGeek to find out how to bring back your favorite messenger program!

BRAVO Jonathan! Thank you from the bottom of my Windows Live Lovin’ Heart!

You’ll want to be sure you’ve installed CCleaner as per Part 1 of my tutorial before you you head off into this part of the tutorial.  Here we’ll be looking at how you can use CCleaner to easily manage your startup items.  It’s a lot easier than using MSConfig.

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If you haven’t read my Preface to CCleaner and made a conscious decision to use it to clean your registry please do so now.  Using a registry cleaner is not a decision to be made lightly.  If you’ve decided to do so, you’ll want to be sure you’ve installed CCleaner as per Part 1 of my tutorial.

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So let’s get started with CCleaner.  The first step is to download and install the program.  I prefer the CCleaner download from Filehippo.  On the right hand side of the page, you’ll see the words “Download Latest Version".  You’ll want to click there to get the download.  The installation is very straightforward (although I personally only do the desktop icon and automatically check for updates selections).  As of this writing, there are no hidden adware or unwanted toolbar options you need to watch out for (Bravo Piriform!) it’s just straight up CCleaner!

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