A couple of days ago I posted Microsoft’s video on listening to their customers and it got me thinking…so I created this.

In this short (and very simple) video I take you through how to fire some music about your home using the Play To features of Windows 7.  I’m expecting to make this a short series so I hope you enjoy this one and look forward to the next.

There’s a whole lot of antivirus products out there, but the one I’m recommending right now is Microsoft Security Essentials.  I’m really, really pleased that it’s just won the award on the left too.

Along with my other current favourite, Symantec, it was one of three products to do exceptionally well however the other products that got the top award aren’t free.

I’m using Microsoft Security Essentials across my kit right now and I love it, for all these reasons here and this is how to check files super quickly.  It’s time for the other free antivirus vendors to step up!

I think I’ve found something too good to be true.  I was just looking about on codeplex and came across this project WTVWatcher by Paul Bruce.  It almost has me shaking in my seat for it’s simplicity and ease of use.

What Paul’s done is created a little tool that requires no installation (but we will do a little bit to make it even easier!) that watches your recorded TV folder for new WTV files, when it spots one it uses Windows 7’s built in WTV to DVRMS conversion (which is rapid) to convert the program to DVR-MS.  Very cool, nothing sexy, but brilliantly useful.

Okay, Okay, I know there are people screaming, but DVRMSToolbox does that and ShowAnalyzer can remove commercials without the need to convert them.  Personally I don’t get on with the former, I know it’s really well loved and super tool and if you want all singing all dancing its the best choice.  I however struggle with it, I’m simple like that.  Second ShowAnalyzer costs money, which again is well deserved because it’s an excellent application and lots of work’s gone into it, but not everyone can convince the Mrs that it’s required.

So here we go, get rid of commercials in Windows 7 recorded TV…

1. Get the tool from the project on Codeplex
2. Unzip it to your Recorded TV folder
3. Run WTVWatcherConsole.exe then copy it to the Startup group on the Start Menu
4. Download and install Lifextender (it’s a dead project, but still my favourite for this stuff)
5. Once Lifextender has started up (it’ll be a blue orb in the notification area) right click the orb and select Options… the tick Automated Library Scanning and Automatically scan when new files are detected, click save and your done.  Kick things off right away though by starting WTVWatcherConsole.exe

That really is it, files converted and commercials removed with no hassle.  Oh and it’s all free!  Oh yeah, and thanks to superbar goodness and using the built in converter you get a progress bar for conversions!

I love this little application already and I’ve only been using it for a couple of minutes!  There are tons of desktop gadgets for viewing resource use but if you’re like the majority of people you’ll keep at least one window maximized all the time then it’s hard to see your desktop.  Yeah sure you can Aero peak with the button in the bottom right of the screen or + space but being able see it on the task bar would be cool wouldn’t it?

Well now you can thanks to codeplex project Taskbar Meters.  Download and extract the Zip and run TaskbarCpuMeter.exe or TaskbarMemoryMeter.exe depending on which you want to watch and this is what you’ll get  a nice clean, always available view of usage.  Very handy.

Even better it’s possible to customize the thresholds for it going yellow and red for high and scary-high CPU and memory usage!  This app also has jump list access to Resource Monitor (for serious resource watching) and to Task Manager.

Task manager can also be used for something like this.  Once it’s running it’ll show a CPU chart in the notification area, the fastest way to start Task manager is with SHIFT + CTRL + ESC

[via Download Squad]

Through the course of my day job and having conversations with people about Windows 7 I was asked a question:

What’s the best thing in Windows 7 for an IT Pro

That was actually a really simple question to answer.  I’m all about customer focus in my day job.  Making their life easier is the thing that gets me going and when we can’t do that we have to workout what the problem is for them as quickly as possible.  That’s why I love the Problem Steps Recorder.

The Problem steps recorder is a great tool that lets anyone capture what they’re doing and package it as a file that can be replayed by any else, they don’t even have to be using Windows 7.  That means that an IT Pro can then take that, see exactly what’s causing the problem and provide a solution. 

The other alternative is often to take a remote control session.  That’s an interactive process though and it’s just not that convenient for the person with the problem.

Start the tool by typing problem steps into the Start menu search, and record the steps to recreate the problem.  It’s genius that this tools there, and it’ll make IT Pros everywhere very happy when they start to support Windows 7.

If of course you’re reading this thinking “I’m not an IT Pro, why do I care, well you’ll probably get use out of it helping your friends and family.  My book covers using the tool and helping people in more depth.

One of the big issues when you get a new PC from one of the big hardware vendors is that they have a tendency to install lots of “interesting” and “useful” “value add” software like trial versions of Anti-Virus, crippled versions of applications or their own software that does something that Windows 7 can do perfectly on it’s own.

It’s emerged that Microsoft has actually removed this stuff from the PCs their selling in their Stores, if you can’t get to the store lets look at what you need to do.

There are times however when it’s really useful though, like on my HP TX2, the added software makes the finger print reader work for example.  You’re probably wondering how you can tell the good, from the bad and the ugly.  The simplest thing I’ve found is to run something like the excellent PCDecrapifier that will, er, “decrapify” your new PC automatically, saving you making many tough choices.

be sure to keep the original install for the software you remove, if it does power something special like a finger print reader you can always add it back if you loose functionality.  The most common places to find this are in folder on the c: drive called “SWApps” or something similar (the name will depend on the manufacturer) or on the companies web site.

Lets take a look then at how decrapifier cleans up your PC.  Their site lists the tons of stuff that it can uninstall for you.

First off go get it from http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/download and run the install.  The install is not the usual Next, Next, Next affair

That said, it’s Next, Next, Next through three screens

.

Now you need to specify if you’re using a new PC or if you’ve had it a while, PCDecrapifier is good for both

One of the coolest features is that you can back out of everything you’re about to do with a system restore point, create one now at the push of a button

Now you need to check this list and if you’ve installed any full versions of your applications and they appear here be sure to untick them in the PCDecrapifier, or it might just cost you a bit of time.   Click next and it’s bye bye bloat!

This is the last chance to get stuff off the PC, this screen shows everything installed, even if it’s not on the capacious list of bloatware.  If you don’t want it, ditch it here.

And you’re done, you can send some feedback to the developers!

Now what, have a look at what you should install on that new Windows 7 PC!

This is the stuff that you need to install immediately you’ve installed Windows 7.

1. Microsoft Security Essentials – Fantastic, free, antivirus and malware protection from Microsoft, make it your first install.  Instructions here.
2. Windows Live Essentials – Live Mail, Live Messenger, Live Photo Gallery, Live Movie Maker and Live Writer help you round out your PC and get stuff done.
3. Spotify – Free streaming music, with just a few adds
4. Live Mesh – it lets you sync stuff between multiple PCs, if you don’t like live Mesh then go for Dropbox.
5. An alternative browser – Internet Explorer 8 is actually really good for most people, but the first time you try to access the Internet you’ll be asked to choose a browser.  Firefox is very popular.
6. iTunes – you’ve probably got an iPod, so you’ll need the software, however if you don’t want the bloat of iTunes then go for CopyTrans
7. Themes to customize your PC, just the way you like it.

I think it’s clear my life revolves around Microsoft’s products but I also have an iPhone and music, apps and loads of other stuff on it.  I’ve noticed on Twitter that people are scared about getting this stuff moved, but you needn’t be.  It’s very, very easy, here’s how to do it.

*Note you’ll need a DVD-R/RW for this

Step 1 – Select File > Library > Back Up to Disk…

Step 2 – Tell iTunes what to backup and click Back UP!

This will backup all your settings, iPhone apps and other iTunesy stuff!