A file called Thumbs.db appeared on the desktop of my computer some months ago and seems to appear in new folders whenever they are created. While the file always has the same name the file size varies in different folders. If I attempt to delete these files I receive the message “The file Thumbs.db is a system file. If you remove it one of your programs may no longer work correctly.” Is this really a vital file and how do I stop its annoying habit of appearing in any new folder I create? The computer is running Windows XP. (more…)

Users of Windows are likely to be familiar with the Show Desktop button located in the taskbar. In Windows XP this can be found in the Quick Launch area (normally located next to the Start button) and on Windows 7 can be found as a narrow bar on the far right-hand side of the taskbar. However, a very useful keyboard shortcut to achieve the same effect (minimising all open windows and show the desktop) is the Windows Key + D. Thanks to Gareth for providing this tip.

Since upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista some months ago I have found a major difference in the way pictures are received as e-mail attachments in Windows Mail. At the top of the screen, immediately below the toolbar, the following message appears “Windows Mail has removed access to the following unsafe attachments”. Following this message is a list of code numbers for each individual picture. I am no longer able to click on each number in turn to reveal the picture on the screen as I formerly did with Windows XP, but instead I need to use the arrows at the side and bottom of the screen to scroll small portions of the screen. The picture is hugely expanded so only a small part of each picture can be viewed, and then the arrows must be manipulated downwards or sideways to reveal the next part of the picture. This hardly makes for a satisfactory method of viewing pictures. I tried to overcome this over-zealous attitude to e-mail security by lowering the Windows security protection level, but this did not seem to have any affect. I am also protected by Norton Antivirus. Is there any way in which I can revert to the easy method of viewing e-mail pictures that I previously had with Windows XP? (more…)

I am currently running Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit on my home computer, and am considering installing Windows 7. I use this computer in a home/office environment which does not require extreme precision, large databases, encryption or high security for which a 64-bit system may be preferred. Connected to the computer are also scanners, cameras, and printers some which are 7 years old and for which printer drivers or twain drivers may not be available in 64-bit versions. I assume 64-bit data files require more storage space than comparable 32-bit versions and that processing takes longer for 64-bit operations than for similar 32-bit operations. I believe I need only to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7 as I can’t see the point of a 64-bit version in my case. Is there any practical reason why the 64-bit version is to be preferred? (more…)

The desktop wallpaper on my computer generally consists of nice natural landscapes from various parts of the world and people are forever asking me where I get all of those wallpaper photographs. One of the best sources of wallpapers is interfacelift.com and this is where I get all of my desktop wallpaper. This website has absolutely stunning wallpapers from various different photographers and artists and has the wallpapers in a huge range of different resolutions so that they can cater for all different display sizes and resolutions natively without the need to resize the images.