Updates available for XP, 2K3, Vista, 2K8, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, and Office 2K3.
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for June 2013
Jun 112013
May 142013
Updates for all supported versions of Windows, Office 2003-2010, and Windows Essentials.
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for May 2013
May 012013
Start8 1.16 is out. Mostly fixes.
Download & Info
Release Notes
Apr 182013
Start8 1.15 is out.
Download & Info
Release Notes
Start8 1.15 Changelog
– New: optionally view the taskbar when using fullscreen Windows 8-style menu
– Optimizations to icon loading code and frequently used apps list
I wonder, will Windows 8.1 render this program useless?
Apr 182013
Apparently the next version of Windows (8.1?) will have a start button and allow you to default to desktop. Like it should have in the first place.
On the security side of things, Microsoft says we should be using anti-virus software. Who knew? 
Speaking of security, Outlook.com now has 2-step verification among other things.
Apr 092013
Updates for all supported versions of Windows, IE 6-10, Office 2010, and Windows Defender (Win 8).
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for April 2013
Mar 122013
It’s Patch Tuesday! Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for March 2013
Feb 282013
Firefox 19.0.1 released for Windows 8
“Windows 8 only: Fixed stability issue for some AMD Radeon HD graphics cards“
Update from within the program ( Help > About Firefox ).
Release Notes
Feb 272013
(Last updated 27 February, 2013, see Changelog at bottom of page.)
This is a Windows 7 version of the previous articles I wrote called The Freeware XP Machine, and The Vista Free Machine. This version is Windows 7 specific and has several additions and deletions of software I have tried based on recommendations of readers (and THANKS for the suggestions).
This is not a comprehensive list of freeware apps, there are lists like that all over the place. This is a list of apps I use and/or recommend. The goal of this list is to hopefully make your computing experience a little better and less expensive. I know that many of you already use a lot of these programs but perhaps this list would be something you might want to pass on to friends and family to help them out.
Feb 272013
Microsoft has a Windows 8 Resource Guide for IT Professionals.
“One-page guide to the top technical Windows 8 resources, tools, and demos for IT professionals on TechNet.”
Handy collection of links for Geeks and IT types.
Feb 262013
Microsoft has released several out-of-band updates. Some are security related, some not.
More info here.
Feb 262013
Feb 242013
(Last updated 24 February, 2013. See Changelog at bottom of page.)
This is the story of my attempt at making a 100% usable freeware Windows XP machine. It has been revised several times since I first published it thanks to feedback and suggestions from readers. I’ve done a lot of research and tried a lot of programs. There are also 2 companion articles: The Vista Freeware Machine and The Windows 7 Freeware Machine. This is not an exhaustive list of freeware programs but the result of the aforementioned research and installs blended with my own personal preference and opinion. You are free to recommend a FREE program but you must list exactly why you think it is better. i.e. – If you say it uses less resources then provide a concrete example (with stats), if you call it bloatware then show why, etc.
Feb 232013
Tweaking Windows 7 has been updated.
It’s been over 3 years since the first version of this particular guide.
I figured it was time I got off my lazy ass and update it.
I hope you enjoy it!
***Important Note – If you’ve purchased the Tweak Guide in the past, please contact me for your free update. Please include the Name /email info you order it with.
FYI – Up next is a complete revision of all the freeware guides and a Windows 8 edition of same.