This page contains links to articles I’ve written over the past few years. It used to contain links to my old collection of tips that originally appeared on another site more than five years ago. However, most of those tips were completely outdated for anyone running Windows XP, so I’ve removed those pages completely. Don’t worry, though - I’ve saved the tips that were still worthwhile, updated those that were worth updating, and began publishing a new collection of daily (more or less) tips on the main site.
You’ll find all entries in the Tips category here.
I’ve also added links to feature articles from the Microsoft.com Expert Zone (relatively recent and mostly quite useful). I’ve removed articles I originally wrote for About.com and the now-defunct TechSanity. The latter were originally written in 2000 and 2001, so their content was out of date.
If you like what you see and you want to learn more about Windows and Office, please buy my books! You can find direct links to all my books (at generously discounted prices) on this page.
Articles
Windows XP Support Secrets
My all-time favorite collections of Windows expertise, plus advice on how to seriously search the newsgroups for answers to your Windows XP questions. (March 1, 2004)
Set Up a New PC
Provides a checklist to make sure your new PC is secure and that your data and settings are well organized. (December 22, 2003) (Alas, Microsoft seems to have pushed this column down the memory hole without telling me about it. The article is excerpted from my book Ed Bott’s Your New PC; it’s somewhat outdated now, as it was written before XP Service Pack 2, but most of the basic principles are still valid.)
Moving Files and Settings to a New PC
The follow-up to my article on setting up a new PC, this article covers the Windows XP automated tool, the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. (February 2, 2004)
CD Burning Secrets
Goes beyond the basics of CD burning with some not-so-intuitive troubleshooting tips and a checklist to help you decide when it’s time to switch to a third-party CD burning program. (September 16, 2003)
Backup Made Easy
How to back up essential files and specify an automatic backup schedule so Windows XP does most of the work. (July 14, 2003)
Share Digital Photos
I explain how to reduce photo file size, use a Windows XP PowerToy to convert a batch of picture files to a smaller size, and find alternatives to e-mail for sharing photos. (May 12, 2003)
Master Your Music Library
Windows Media Player 9 Series has everything you need to create perfect digital copies of your favorite tunes. This article includes tips on choosing the right bit rate, getting song details from the Internet, and creating auto playlists. (May 5, 2003)
Manage Your Windows Messenger Contacts
Provides tips on organizing Windows Messenger contacts, setting privacy options, and integrating Windows Messenger contacts with Outlook Express. (April 7, 2003)