Windows 8 Pro Download, Upgrade, and Clean Install FAQs

In my last post you had seen how to download the newly released Windows 8 Pro version from Microsoft. Yes, there are a lot of other question on how do we install it etc. But first of all let me clear some questions which I had in my mind for all of you to see.

Will Microsoft allow Installation of the Upgrade version to any other PC instead of the Windows PC you used while buying the Upgrade key?

YES! Well it is very good in the part of Microsoft that they allow you to keep both Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs! The FAQs in the Upgrade Offer page says:

“The upgrade offer is tied to a Windows 7 PC purchased between 2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013, but you can choose to redeem the offer and install the upgrade on any compatible Windows-based PC with a qualifying base operating system.”

The last part says “with a qualifying base operating system.” Well this is not necessary when you go for a clean install using the backup media. FYI, the base operating systems Microsoft is talking about is Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7

Selecting “Keep Nothing” while running Windows 8 Upgrade program mean Clean Install?

NO. Clean install means installing the Windows to a formatted partition, meaning there will be no Data present before. “Keep Nothing” is an option during the Upgrade install where none of your Apps or files will be retained while Upgrading to Windows 8 from your previous Windows.

I selected Keep Files or Keep Apps instead of Keep Nothing while purchasing the Key. Will I be able to do a clean install from the backup media?

YES. Those options are valid only if you upgrade using the Windows 8 Upgrade program. Once you choose to create media instead of Install, those options are no longer  relevant.

I want a 64-bit Windows 8 Pro, but my eligible PC is running 32-bit Windows. Will I be able to get and Install a 64-bit with the upgrade key I purchased?

YES. The upgrade is common for both 32-bit and 64-bit, meaning it works for both. You can download a 64-bit Windows 8 Pro with your key but only from a 64-bit Windows PC. This is because the Upgrade/Setup program will downloads the version which is only compatible to your Base OS. You can follow my last post on How to download Windows 8 Pro.

If you have any other questions while Installing or upgrading to Windows 8, do let me know. Just leave a comment below.

[How To] Download Windows 8 Pro 32/64-bit from Microsoft with Upgrade Key

The new shiny Windows 8 featuring Tiles and all is here. Windows 8 was officially launched last week on October 26 along with Microsoft’s Surface Tablet which runs Windows RT. Windows 8 seems to be getting good reviews from users except from few. Well many of us are still thinking whether to upgrade or not.

For all those who are not aware of the Windows Upgrade program, Microsoft is offering you a Windows 8 Pro (32/64-bit) for only $39.99 (USD). This offer is valid for many countries. The criteria is you should be running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Additionally if you bought a Windows 7 PC after June 2, 2012 you can get it for $14.99.

Windows 8 Logo

Well for those who are aware and have already purchased Windows 8 key(s), you might have already downloaded it or you might be still waiting to download. We just wanted to inform everyone through this post that you need not worry about the download. You can do it whenever you are free or if you are in a limited internet plan, you can do it during your next billing cycle.

Requirements to Download Windows 8 Pro Legit from Microsoft:

# Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, or 7
# Of course an internet connection and
# Your Windows 8 Pro Upgrade Key you purchased earlier

Step 1: Download Windows8-Setup.exe from here. it is 5.2MB in size.

Step 2: Decide which Windows Pro version you want – either 32-bit or 64-bit. Well do note that you can install 64-bit only if your processor supports it. you can check if your CPU supports 64-bit OS here.

Step 3: Run the “Windows8-Setup.exe” you have downloaded  from a PC which has a 32-bit Windows if you want to download Windows 8 Pro 32-bit. Similarly run from a 64-bit PC if you want 64-bit version.
Size Details:
# 32-Bit Windows 8 Pro: 2.01GB
# 62-Bit Windows 8 Pro: 2.63GB

Step 4: When the Setup program starts, it will ask for your Windows 8 Pro key. Just enter your keys and viola, your download will commence.

windows 8 download

windows 8 download2

Step 5: After the download is completed, before installing the upgrade, we suggest you to create an iso or a USB drive backup for future setups. You can exit the setup program after that. Don’t loose the backup!

Windows 8 Pro Install

Step 6. While closing the setup program, it automatically creates a desktop icon(if it doesn’t you can re-start the program and it will start where you left off). So if you want to install Windows 8 as an upgrade to your existing OS, you can proceed to ‘Install’. But if you want a clean install, make use of the iso or USB drive backup. I personally recommend clean install over any upgrade install. Its up to you.

Windows 8 Pro Install by media

Important Notes:
# The back up you created to a USB drive or a DVD after download is similar to a retail version, meaning it is not linked to any key. You can use it for installing to any compatible system with any other legit key.
# The same product key can be used for downloading ether 32/64-bit Windows 8 i.e. the key is common for both versions.
# The Upgrade program will ask for your choice if you want to keep files, apps, or none. This choice is irrelevant if you are going for a clean install using a media device (USB/DVD)
# The language will depend on your location. You can install your preferred languages after installing windows 8.

If you have any questions or updates please leave a comment.

[How To] Connect Your IDE PATA HDD, CD/DVD Drive to SATA Motherboard and Vice Versa

We all used the Parallel ATA (PATA) Hard Drives or Optical Drives with the IDE interface. With the rapid advancement of technology, currently we shifted to the Serial ATA (SATA) Drives which does not require the IDE Interface and which have faster data rates. This means that all our IDE HDDs, Optical Drives etc. are obsolete to the current world. But, do you need to throw it or dump with your Old Desktops?

The answer is no! Your old 40GB, 80GB HDDs can be still useful now. Here we will show you how to interface these obsolete devices to your brand ne computer using a very cheap interface available in the market.

All you need is the device shown below. It is the “IDE to SATA” or “SATA to IDE” 2 in 1 Converter. It is easily available in the market. You can find one in eBay or Amazon for less than 5 bucks.

IDE to SATA Converter

Connecting Old PATA HDD or IDE Optical Drives to your new SATA Motherboard

 

Suppose you have a PATA HDD with IDE Interface, Then connect the IDE interface (Female) to your HDD’s Male interface. Connect the power supplied to the standard 4 Pin supplied. Connect the SATA interface cable to the SATA to IDE marked port in the device. The other end of the SATA cable to your CPU’s motherboard. That’s it, now use can use some extra disk space instead of throwing the HDD. The connection process has been shown as follows.

SATA-to-PATA-HDD

Make sure you do not forget the Power supply to the drive.

SATA-to-IDE

The same procedure is applied for Optical drives too.

Connecting new SATA HDD or Optical Drives to your Old IDE interface Motherboard

What about the reverse, that is if you have a SATA HDD and you want to connect to your OLD Computer? Then connect the IDE interface (Female) to your Motherboard’s Male interface. Connect the power supplied to the standard 4 Pin supplied. Connect the SATA interface cable to the SATA HDD and the other end to the device’s port marked as IDE to SATA. That’s it, now use can use some extra disk space instead in your old Computer. The connection process has been shown as follows.

IDE-to-SATA-HDD

Note: Please turn off your Computer completely, i.e. even the power plug is to be disconnected in order to prevent any hazard or damages.

We hope you have found this post useful. Like us on Facebook or leave a comment!

[How To] Password Protecting Excel Workbook

Microsoft Excel logo

Welcome back readers, it’s been a while since we posted any tutorial. It’s been a hectic year for me and I’m glad that finally I could find some time to write a yet another tutorial.

Microsoft Office suite does provide all of us with the most brilliant productivity tools that would foster our business/professional growth through their vast line up of dedicated software.

And the Microsoft Excel is a vital part of the office suit which often finds its regular usage among business organizations, educational institutions, government offices, and all other locations where the emphasis will be on storing some important data.

Having known the vital role that the Microsoft Excel plays in the business process, it would really be a big blunder on part of the users who use Excel if they don’t learn the security aspects related to the software. To make sure the data stored in a Excel sheet is opened or used by a competent authorised party, the creator of the Microsoft Excel sheet should take care of certain security measures which are incorporated within the Excel suite.

Any Excel worksheet can be secured in two ways:

1) Protecting the entire worksheet (asks password when the file is opened)

2) Protecting the data inside the worksheet (file can be opened but password will be required to view the worksheet elements)

The second type of the protection is perhaps the most widely known as the option for the same is available within the workbook menu items.

In this tutorial we are concerned with protecting the entire workbook rather than the individual elements inside the worksheet. The reason why anyone would need this kind of protection is simple: they don’t want others to see the worksheets in the first place.

Protecting the Excel Workbook:

Step 1: Open the the Excel workbook for which you want to add password protection.

Microsoft Excel Menu Info options

2. Click on the “File” menu item. Locate “Info’ heading under the “File” menu and click on it.

3. Under the “Info” sections, you will have three options: Permissions, Prepare for Sharing and Versions. Click on the item “Permissions” (on the “Protect Workbook” dropdown item).

4. You will be presented with various options. You need to click on the second item on the list i.e, “Encrypt with password”.

Encrypt Excel workbook with password

5. It will then ask you to enter a password for encrypting the workbook. You may need to reenter the password to affect the change.

Encrypt Excel document with password

6. Save the workbook and try to open again. It will now show this kind of message and asks you to enter the password.

Excel Workbook password open

The same result can be achieved by a slightly different step. Click on the “Save As” button under the “File Menu”. It will now take you to the choosing the location window. Click on “Tools” dropdown menu on the left of the “Save” button.

Under the “Tools” dropdown menu, choose “General Options”.

general options tools save as in Excel

It will now ask you to enter a password that needs to be entered to open (or ‘modify’) the workbook.

General options open Workbook in Excel

Once entered and saved, the workbook becomes password protected and the same needs to be entered on each instance when trying to open the workbook.

Note: This tutorial is based on Microsoft Excel 2010 earlier version and may not be suitable for earlier versions.

[Tip] How To Activate Facebook Timeline

Facebook timeline ad

Facebook has launched a new feature called Facebook Timeline, which is basically portrayal of your entire activity on the Facebook in a chronological order. This is pretty much different from the regular  profile view and offers a new and interesting insight into what you have been up to on the Facebook.

Sadly, Facebook hasn’t enabled this feature for all the users right now. However, the feature has already been activated for the open graph developers. If you are a normal user like me on the Facebook, you may have to wait a few more weeks to get this feature enabled for your account. But if you are curious enough to get it immediately, TechCrunch has come to your rescue.

As there is no direct way of enabling this feature right now for your profile, we’ll have to use the workaround suggested by Greg Kumparak. The process involves enabling developer mode and creating a dummy developer app which will be accessible only to you. Though the entire process isn’t a single button-click-enable thing, but yes, it is very straightforward indeed. All you need to do is to follow the steps briefed below:

Steps:

1. Login to Facebook with your credentials.

2. Type “developer” in the search box and hit the first result (Developer, type: App) under the Apps section.

Facebook Developer app search

3. Click the “Create New App” button on the right corner of your screen.

Create-new-app-Facebook-Developer-app

4. Choose a display name and namespace for your new app. Keep in mind that the chosen namespace should be unique and is subject to availability (Don’t use words like ‘Facebook’ or ‘FB’ in the App Display Name as they are not allowed). Read and agree to the Facebook Platform Policies and click Continue, complete the security check to proceed to the next step.

Facebook Developer new app parameters

Facebook new Dev app security check

5. Now you will be taken to the ‘Basic Settings’ page for the app. Look for “Open Graph” link on the left sidebar and click on it.

Facebook developers new app Open Graph Link

6. You will be then asked to edit the action properties followed by object type settings and another page to create an aggregation. Just keep the default values and in each one and proceed to the next step.

7. Now open the Facebook homepage and you will then notice an invitation to access Timeline.

8. You are done.

Facebook timeline screenshot

Facebook Timeline Start Tour or Publish now

Your Facebook’s Timeline right now will appear only to you. You can always click the “Publish Now” button or wait for a week’s time for your timeline to go live. You cal also access your timeline by pasting the following URL on your browser:  http://www.facebook.com/username?sk=timeline.

Changing Google Chrome’s Default Search From Regional Google To Google.com

If you use Google Chrome much and love searching right from the address bar, you might be knowing that any search you perform from the address bar will take you to a regional Google search like Google.co.in or Google.co.uk etc.

Google Chrome Addess bar Search regional

In case you want the search results from the more generic version of the Google (i.e google.com) and are looking to change the settings so as to reflect the same in the Google Chrome’s address bar default search, here are the steps you need to follow:

 

Steps:

1. Right click on the address bar and choose “Edit Search Engines”.

Google Chrome Edit Search Engines

Alternatively you can access the search engines settings by typing the following URL in the address bar:

chrome://settings/searchEngines

2. You will notice that the regional version of the Google search engine has been set as your default search engine under the ‘Default Search Options’ as shown in the following screenshot.

Google Chrome Search Engines list

3. We need to add a new custom search engine (in our case the international version of the Google) and then make it the default search engine.

Google Chrome add a search engine

To do that type the name of your new search engine in the empty box and then type the keyword (There are no rules in filling these two boxes). That now leaves you with the URL box which holds the key. As we need a international version of the Google to serve us, key in this value (and hit Enter):

http://www.google.com/search?q=%s

 

Google Chrome Search Engines add new Google

4. Now that we have added a new search engine, we are now left with making it the default search engine. Hover your mouse over the newly added search engine and you will now see an “Make default” option right next to the search engine entry. Click the ‘Make default‘ button as shown in the screenshot:

Google Chrome Search engines newly added

 

5. You will now notice that your newly created search engine has been made the default search engine and is found under the ‘Default Search Options’ listing.

Google Chrome Search Engines new default search options

6. You have successfully changed the default search engine of your Google Chrome and you might want to test it.

Google-Chrome-Addess-bar-Search-international

Perfect! Isn’t it?

[Tip] Change The Date And Time Picture Was Taken In Windows 7

Date picture taken in Windows 7

The modern day digital cameras include the time and date of the picture when you take snaps with them. This is very useful, when you see the pictures in future and want to know when it was taken. These details can be seen from the information along with the picture’s metadata when you transfer them to the PC. Fine, everything is good. But what would happen when you travel to a different time zone and forgot to reset the time and date in your camera’s settings? The digital camera would then stamp incorrect time and date onto your pictures. This is a common problem but fortunately, there is a great workaround available if you are using Windows 7. To see the “Time Taken” data of the picture, select the picture and then notice it on the details pane at the bottom of the window.

Let’s now see how to change the date when a picture was taken, on the Microsoft Windows 7 in 5 simple steps. Follow the steps briefed below.

I. Changing The Date When A Picture Was Taken:

Steps:

1. Open the folder where the target pictures reside.

2. Select the picture for which you want to change the date.

3. Now move your focus to the details pane at the bottom of the window.

Picture Taken Date Change in Windows 7

4. Click next to the “Date taken” and then click on the calendar icon to choose another date.

5. Click Save to change the settings that you have just changed.

Tip: You may also choose multiple pictures in the step 2 by holding down CTRL while selecting one or more pictures.

Note: If you don’t see any details pane, it might have been disabled. Read our earlier tutorial to enable the details pane in Windows 7 explorer.

II. Changing Both The Time And Date When A Picture Was Taken:

The aforementioned method changes only the date on which the picture was taken but not the time when it was captured. Follow these steps to change both the time and date when the picture was taken.

Steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your Windows 7 machine and type photo gallery in the search box and open the “Windows Live Photo Gallery” from the results under the ‘Programs’.

Photo Gallery Windows 7 start menu search

2. Import the picture for which you want to change the date and time metadata and double-click on it to open it.

Windows Photo Gallery Picture info

3. On the right hand side pane (Tag and caption pane), notice the “Information” section. You will see the ‘Date Taken’ data being listed there.

4. Click on the corresponding date and time values which you want to change.

Windows Photo Gallery picture info edit

That is it. The picture will have new values for “Date Taken” metadata. Isn’t that simple?

[Via: Microsoft]

Top 10 Advanced Windows 7 Search Tips

Windows 7 logo

Microsoft has always been keen to improve the search feature in Windows. With the launch of every new version of Windows, there have always been incremental improvements to the Windows Search. If you are using Windows 7, here are some advanced search tips and tricks to make the most out of the Windows Search.

Tip #1:

To search for files containing multiple terms (in any order) from your search query, just type all of those terms in the Search box:

For instance, if you want to search for multiple files or folder containing the terms “tropical”, “island” and “pictures” in any order, just type “tropical island pictures” in the Search box.

Windows 7 search any terms

Tip #2:

If you want to look for files or folders in your computer containing a particular exact phrase, type your query within quotation marks in the Search box:

Example: “john holiday pics”

Windows 7 search exact match

The above query will list all the files (or folders) that contain your exact search phrase.

Tip #3 – Using Boolean Operators:

If you want to find that contains at least one of the terms from your search query, use the Boolean operator OR in between the terms.

If you want to search for files that contain a certain term but not the other term, use the operator in between the terms.

Ex: tropical NOT island

Windows 7 search boolean

Please note that the above said Boolean operators have to be used in uppercase.

Tip #4:

If you want to look for match only in the file names not inside the content of the files, type name: followed by the search keyword(s).

Windows 7 search name operator

Usage:

name:techrena

Tip #5:

If you want to search for a particular file type, type *. followed by the file extension for instance type “*.jpg” info you only want to search JPEG pictures present on your computer.

Windows 7 search file type

You can also make use of the “kind” operator to search for files of particular type. There are several types to choose from like games, movies, music, pictures, folders etc.

Windows 7 search kind file type

Usage:

kind:=folder

Tip #6:

If you want to search only for the files that have been modified after a certain date, you can make use of the “modified:” (or “datemodified:”) search filter.

Windows 7 search modified operator

Tip #7:

Another search filter that can help you narrow down your search is “Size:”. Type ‘Size:’ in the Search box and choose the size limit so that the search can be limited to all the files under that limit.

Windows 7 search size operator

Usage:

Size:>10mb

Tip #8:

If you want to search for files that are authored by specific person, use ‘”System.Author:” or just “author:” search filters.

Windows 7 search author operator

Usage:

System.Author:Bharath

Author: “Bharath”

Tip #9:

This is to just achieve the opposite result of the tip #5 i.e. to search for files that aren’t of specific type. Here the operator <> means “not”.

Windows-7-search-kind-not-keyword

Usage:

kind:<>folder

Tip #10:

To search for music tracks composed by a particular artist from your music folder, you can make use of the advanced “kind” operator.

Windows 7 search artist operator

Usage:

kind:=music artist: Beyonce

 

If you know some more Windows 7 search tips, let us know through comments.

 

Reference: Microsoft

[How To] Enable Sharing Files And Folders In Windows 7

 

Windows 7

Well most of us are aware how to enable network files and folder sharing in Windows XP. It was comparatively easier in Windows XP performing this procedure. Windows 7 has more secure features with network user groups, password protected sharing etc.

Sharing Folders and Files in Windows has been very useful where you can access files in some other computer in the same network. Another advantage is the data transfer rate is very much higher than other connections like USB. In a wired LAN the speed has reached 1Gbps. With these speeds you can transfer data quite faster than before.

The process of sharing folders and files is as follows:

Step 1:

Go to the Control Panel location given below. You can copy and paste it in your address bar.

Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings

network and sharing center

Step 2:

Select the specific group profile you want to share your files with. For example I have selected Home. Change the settings as shown in the picture below and save the changes.

network and sharing advance settings

For the password protected sharing, you can select any. If you select Password protect on, you need to use our username and password to access the files.

Step 4:

Now go to the folder you want to share, right click on it and select Share with. You can select the people you want to share.

share a folder to share

If you select Specific people, you need to select and add the Computer Name.

file sharing

You can also change the Permissions for the people who wants to access your folder.

file sharing permissions

Step 5:

Now you can check in the computer who wants to access your files. Go to Computer->Network. Your computer name should be visible.

network discovery

Open your computer name and the folder(s) you shared should be visible. Now you can perform what you want according to the permission you have given.

open system in a network

If you can’t find your computer name in the Network, you can use your IP address to access the files.

You should know your IP to perform this. For example, type: \\192.168.1.4 in the address bar.  That is my IP. Your IP will be different. See the Notes below to view your IP.

use ip to open network computer

Now the sharing has been completed and the data can be shared.

Important Notes:

1. Firewall. If you have Windows Firewall enabled you should have allowed File and printer sharing. To allow, go to: Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Firewall\Allowed Programs

Check the File and Printer sharing Check Box.

file and printer sharing firewall

If you have a third party Firewall installed, you need to check these settings there.

2. IP Address. To find out your IP Address, please go to this location:

Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections. Right click on the Adapter you are using for sharing. Select Status. Then go to Details.

view ip address

If the Host and the Client does not have a same Level of IP and profile, you may no be able to access each other. To change the IP Address Follow: Change IP Address of Your Network Adapters in Windows 7.

[Tip] Turn Off Sounds In Gmail Chat

Gmail-logo-small

If you frequently chat with your friends using Gmail chat, I’m sure there would have been times you might have definitely thought you would be better off disabling the notification sounds or alerts whenever a new chat message arrives for various reasons. We can draw many cases so as to why someone would want to turn off or mute these sounds in Gmail chat, but then at the end of the day we would just like to be have a choice. Follow the below steps to disable the sound notifications for chat in Gmail.

Gmail chat screenshot

1. Login to Gmail and open the chat settings (hit the link, you will be directly take to the page). Alternatively, you can open the same page this way: Click on the dropdown button next to your name (if you are seeing the new Gmail navigation bar) and then choose “Mail settings”.

Gmail settings link at navigation bar

And then go to “Chat” tab under the settings page.

gmail settings for chat

2. Under the “Chat” tab, locate the settings for “Sounds”. Now, to disable the sounds for chat notifications,

gmail chat sounds settings

Choose “Sounds off” radio button to completely disable the sound notification for new chat messages.

That it it! Just revert back to “Sounds on”, to enable the sound alerts again.

[via]

Related reading: Schedule emails in Gmail