Information & How to

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

1. Microsoft Security Essentials – Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
2. Windows Live Essentials – One download, lots of great stuff. Now in one installation, Windows Live Essentials gives you instant messaging, e-mail, blogging, photos, and more.
3. SyncToy 2.1 – SyncToy 2.1 is a free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations. Typical uses include sharing files, such as photos, with other computers and creating backup copies of files and folders.
4. Microsoft Research WorldWide Telescope – WorldWide Telescope (WWT) enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky.
5. Windows Virtual PC (Windows 7) – Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC, available on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate, allow you to run multiple Windows environments, such as Windows XP Mode, from your Windows 7 desktop.
6. Virtual PC 2007 (Windows XP & Vista) – With Microsoft® Virtual PC 2007, you can create and run one or more virtual machines, each with its own operating system, on a single computer. This provides you with the flexibility to use different operating systems on one physical computer.
7. Windows SteadyState 2.5 (Windows XP & Vista) – Whether you manage computers in a school computer lab or an Internet cafe, a library, or even in your home, Windows SteadyState helps make it easy for you to keep your computers running the way you want them to, no matter who uses them.

Spread some holiday cheer, to someone.

For this year’s holidays, you can use Gmail to send one real postcards (snail mail) in the US only, for free!

To send a card, visit gmail.com/holidaycard. You’ll be able to send one card. You can enter a message of up to 255 characters long along with the recipient’s name and address, and then you can select on of the six postcard designs.

The best things in life often actually are free. Here, a list of 173 of the best things in life—free software, for launching apps, networking, backup, synchronization, entertainment, and more.

The Best Free Software of 2009.

Every computer needs protection. But what if you’ve got no money for security software? Don’t worry–there’s power security software and services that can keep you safe, for free.

Free Antivirus and Antispyware.

Black Screen woes could affect millions on Windows 7, Vista and XP.