Expert Zone Columns Archive

Columnist Stephanie Krieger has been working extensively with Windows Vista over the past year. In this article, she gives you the facts you need to reap the benefits of the new Windows Experience Index.

Columnist Derek Torres compares the improved features of Windows Vista to Windows XP so that you can make an informed decision about upgrading.

Columnist Walter Glenn explains how to install and configure Windows Defender to protect your computer from spyware.

Columnist and MVP Terri Stratton introduces some of her favorite PowerToys and explains how they can improve productivity, aide in education, and enhance entertainment. Read more by Terri Stratton.

Columnist Justin Harrison explains how to install Windows Live OneCare and use it to protect and maintain your Windows computer.

Columnist Charlie Russel shares his new solution to hardware and software compatibility issues in Windows XP Pro x64. Read more by Charlie Russel.

Columnist Justin Harrison explains how to use Windows Media Player to transfer music and movies to portable devices.

Barb Bowman has been beta testing Windows Vista and shares a preview of what's new and visually exciting in the upcoming operating system.

Barb Bowman visited CES 2006 in Las Vegas and highlights new product announcements and explains what was on display.

Galan Bridgman explains how to find and use an RSS reader to subscribe to and read RSS syndications.

Columnist Barb Bowman explains how she upgraded a AMD64 laptop to a dual boot system.

Software Test Engineer Nishant Murarka explains how to connect an A/V receiver to a Media Center PC for three different speaker configurations: stereo, digital surround sound, or multichannel analog surround sound.

Charlie Russel explains how to troubleshoot problems on your Windows XP network.

Tony Northrup explains how a Tablet PC can make your vacation more fun and relaxing and provides tips for taking your Tablet PC on vacation.

Barb Bowman introduces you to the latest version of wireless security—WPA2—and shows you how to implement it on your Windows XP SP2–based computers.

MVP Terri Stratton builds her own Media Center PC.

Justin Harrison explains what spyware is and how to get rid of it using the new anti-spyware beta software from Microsoft.

Lead Software Developer Scott Sanders enjoys watching and recording movies. He explains how Media Center makes it easier to find, watch, and record more movies than he could possibly watch.

Columnist Joli Ballew explains how to stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues using a webcam and MSN Messenger.

Columnist Mitch Tulloch explains how to use the tools in the Windows XP Help and Support Center and third-party programs to check your computer's system health.

Columnist Mitch Tulloch explains how to choose a disk partitioning scheme that helps you be better organized, more productive, and helps ensure the integrity of your data.

Gaming writer Joel Durham, Jr. explains how to get your system to pump out perfect sound.

Columnist Joli Ballew explains how to successfully search for solutions and post questions in non-Microsoft discussion groups.

Columnist Charlie Russel explains how to recognize malware running on your computer and recommends recovery procedures to help you get rid of it.

Gaming writer Joel Durham, Jr. explains how to configure game settings so they fit with your hardware configuration and provide the perfect level of detail for gaming.

Columnist Justin Harrison explains how to schedule TV program recordings for your Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC over the Web.

Columnist Jeff Van West suggests you look at performance and range of use requirements when deciding between a Tablet PC and a laptop.

Bob Thrasher, Software Test Engineer for the Windows eHome Division, shares some in-depth strategies for managing and enjoying your digital photos with Media Center.

Joel Durham describes how to use the Program Compatibility Wizard, search for user-created fixes, find product updates and patches, and introduces a couple of tools that can help improve your gaming experience.

Columnist Tony Northrup explains how to use Media Center and Portable Media Center to watch recorded shows when traveling.

Columnist Charlie Russel tackles three common questions about home networking that frequently arise when he's helping Windows XP users in the online community with their home networks.

Columnist Joli Ballew offers a detailed description of how to find and install a fast Internet connection that fits your budget.

Columnist Galan Bridgman discusses the powerful features of the Library, an important Windows Media Player 10 feature that helps you keep track of all your media files.

Joli Ballew discusses how to choose a broadband Internet service provider, how to install the hardware and configure Windows XP. View it on-demand.

Denny Atkin, a writer for the Windows User Assistance group, explains how Windows Firewall works and answers the kinds of firewall questions a typical home user might have.

Columnist Joli Ballew explains how her family uses the Media Center PC as a fun entertainment center, and also to keep track of family activities and appointments.

Games writer Joel Durham takes up a question from the online community: does Fat32 have some advantage over NTFS for gamers? Joel runs his own benchmarks and shows NTFS is the choice for games and productivity.

Columnist Tony Northrup explains how to connect your portable audio player to your car stereo.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes a free upgrade for your Tablet PC. Columnist Jeff Van West walks you through using the input panel in this live Expert Zone Webcast.

Denny Atkin, a writer for the Windows User Assistance group, explains how to prevent and troubleshoot blue screens when upgrading to SP2.

Jake Ludington discusses how Windows XP users benefit from product reviews and ratings on the Windows Marketplace Web site.

In this column, Jeff Van West discusses how the new Input Panel improves the ink-to-text flow.

Columnist Sharon Crawford explains how to join the photo-sharing community by posting your pictures in a photoblog or gallery.

Expert Zone Columnist Charlie Russel looks at common home networking problems and provides solutions.

MVP Jerry Honeycutt encourages you to install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) now to help protect your computer from spyware and other unwanted software.

Joli Ballew resists the do-it-yourself urge and takes a challenging laptop to a tech center to get SP2. It's an option for you or your less-techie friends.

MVP Charlie Russel has spent the past month answering newsgroup questions and presenting webcasts on SP2. He offers some tips for a trouble-free SP2 upgrade.

View a webcast by Charlie and learn how to obtain and install Service Pack 2, and how to find help in the online community.

Expert Zone Columnist Joel Durham discusses how using SP2 and its new Windows Firewall, you can enjoy multiplayer gaming on the Web without compromising the security of your system.

(August, 2004) Windows XP MVP Walter Clayton hosts a vibrant discussion on spyware and adware and Windows XP in the Windows XP Basics newsgroup.

(July 26, 2004)Columnist Tony Northrup explains how to configure Windows XP to use multiple monitors.

(June 30, 2004) Microsoft Press author Jeff Van West covers the OneNote features he finds most useful when creating and organizing new ideas.

(April 27, 2004) Expert Zone Columnist and author Jeff Van West introduces the next upcoming version of Tablet PC and discusses how it improves the ink-to-text experience.

(April 19, 2004) Columnist Jerry Honeycutt explains how to tell if you have spyware or adware installed on your computer and what to do about it.

(April 19, 2004) Expert Zone Columnist and Tablet PC MVP Dennis Rice offers a guide to Web sites that help you get great information about the Tablet PC.

(March 1, 2004) Columnist Joli Ballew introduces new users to the command line interface, and offers some surprising command-line shortcuts for advanced users.

(February 9, 2004) Eric Silverberg, a Media Center Edition developer, offers insights for getting the most from the information and recording features of the Program Guide.

(February 9, 2004) Jerry Honeycutt checks in to see how other Windows XP enthusiasts use the operating system. Get tips on support and how to use System Restore, the Hibernate feature, and Remote Desktop.

(February 2, 2004) In Part 2 of setting up a new PC, Microsoft Press author Ed Bott covers the Windows XP automated tool, the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

(January 26, 2004) Galan Bridgman explains how to use Movie Maker 2 to capture and edit home video and then use Sonic MyDVD to burn your DVD to an external burner.

(January 12, 2004) Columnist Joli Ballew gives advice on the easiest ways to get critical updates if you don't have the bandwidth and haven't been installing them regularly.

(January 8, 2004) Listen to the songs stored on your computer from anywhere in your home. Tony Northrup explains how to wirelessly connect your computer and stereo.

(January 26, 2004) Columnist Barb Bowman covers how to segment a network using a Microsoft MN-500 802.11b router with the newer MN-700 that supports 802.11g and WPA.