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Ed Bott

Microsoft
Taming and Tweaking Windows Vista Services

One of the most common performance-enhancing tips offered by many Windows-oriented websites is to "disable unnecessary services." But is this really a good idea? Ed Bott explains how to measure the impact of services on system performance and decide which services are worth disabling.

Ed Bott
Published: May 18, 2008, 7:25 AM PDT Modified: May 19, 2008, 3:55 AM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
The Ultimate Vista Troubleshooting Toolkit

If Windows Vista is operating at less than peak efficiency, chances are there's a simple cause. Find the problem, fix it, and you're back at full speed. So where do you begin digging? In this screenshot gallery, Ed Bott describes 10 built-in diagnostic utilities that every Vista user should know about.

Ed Bott
Published: May 6, 2008, 7:55 AM PDT Modified: May 6, 2008, 8:54 PM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
Fixing Windows Vista on a Sony Vaio

Last month I had a chance to use a pair of Sony Vaio notebooks that together gave Windows Vista a terrible name. In this screenshot gallery, I’ll give you a close-up look at what I had to do to turn Sony’s messy, half-baked Windows installation into one that is worthy of their excellent hardware and that takes full advantage of the new features in Vista.

Ed Bott
Published: April 21, 2008, 5:57 AM PDT Modified: April 21, 2008, 8:54 PM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles
Hardware
Windows Vista Media Center in HD

After years of waiting, the pieces of Windows Media Center are finally clicking into place. With CableCARD support and the latest generation of Media Center Extenders, Vista can deliver just about any kind of digital media throughout a household, without breaking the bank. Here's how Windows expert Ed Bott put a multi-room system together.

Ed Bott
Published: April 3, 2008, 10:10 AM PDT Modified: April 4, 2008, 4:26 AM PDT Read More See more Hardware articles
Software
Apple Software Update versus Microsoft Update

In this post, I’ll walk you through how Apple offers updates to its software and how Microsoft does the same thing. After you see both procedures in action, you tell me who’s got it right and who’s doing it wrong when it comes to consent, disclosure, and treating customers with respect. Look at the evidence and decide for yourself.

Ed Bott
Published: March 24, 2008, 8:46 AM PDT Modified: March 25, 2008, 6:24 AM PDT Read More See more Software articles
Image: Microsoft

Microsoft
Readers’ ten favorite Windows programs

Two weeks ago, I published a list of my 10 favorite Windows programs of all time. The response was overwhelming and refreshingly enthusiastic, as commenters offered their recommendations and suggestions and opinions. I’ve gathered the best from that thread and turned them into this follow-up Top 10 list.

Ed Bott
Published: March 20, 2008, 1:56 PM PDT Modified: March 21, 2008, 4:32 AM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
Windows Vista Service Pack 1

On March 18, 2008, Microsoft made Windows Vista Service Pack 1 available for general download via Windows Update. Here's what you can expect from the installation process.

Ed Bott
Published: March 18, 2008, 6:40 AM PDT Modified: March 18, 2008, 7:33 AM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
Ed Bott’s 10 Favorite Windows Programs

Through the years, I've tried a lot of Windows software. This gallery spotlights 10 tools and utilities (many of them completely free) that have passed the test of time. All of them work with Windows XP and Windows Vista. I recommend these programs to anyone who wants to get more out of Windows.

Ed Bott
Published: March 2, 2008, 4:37 AM PST Modified: March 3, 2008, 2:34 AM PST Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
HP’s slick, simple MediaSmart Home Server

Hewlett Packard is the first U.S. company to offer custom hardware running Windows Home Server. Here's what you get.

Ed Bott
Published: November 8, 2007, 3:37 AM PST Modified: November 8, 2007, 10:56 PM PST Read More See more Microsoft articles
Microsoft
Troubleshoot slow starts with Vista’s Event Viewer

Is Windows Vista really slow to start up? Microsoft has already measured startup times for you, but they haven't documented the settings. Here's an exclusive look at how to use Vista's Event Viewer to track down performance problems.

Ed Bott
Published: May 3, 2007, 10:50 AM PDT Modified: May 7, 2007, 5:37 AM PDT Read More See more Microsoft articles