How to make Windows 8 look like Windows 7

We reveal how to water down or ignore some of Windows 8’s more controversial features and restore functionality you thought had vanished.

Hector Ariceaga‘s insight:

We keep getting asked “where is the Start Menu??!!”

As Win8 becomes the default on new PCs, many people just wish they could load the familiar Desktop along with the accompanying Start Menu.

There are other applications that help you accomplish this. However, Skip Metro Suite is the only one (that I am aware of) that helps you do both all in one place.

Look for the grey Download button towards the bottom of their page (http://winaero.com/download.php?view.33). It can have lots of other confusing download buttons. Ignore them.

Step by step instalation  instructions from c-net.com

The program is free. However, satisfied users are encourage to make donations. If you donate, best do it through a single paypal transaction. No need to offer up more info than necessary.

Give it a try.

See on reviews.cnet.co.uk via: pdxtech-info

Windows shortcut exploit, the solution

Since the public became aware of the latest Windows flaw in the form of an icon/shortcut execution exploit, there has been a lot of chatter as to what is the best way to get protected against it.

Microsoft released a work-around that was dumb (although effective) that blanked out the icons making them ugly white boxes. August 2nd they release an actual patch but with mixed results, all the way from successful to blue screen of dead.

The effectiveness of the patch is only one issue. The actual procedure to install it has gotten mixed results depending on whether you applied the work-around or not. Some say to reverse the work-around before installing the patch, others say reverse it after. Too confusing and unclear as Michael Horowitz describes on his post at http://blogs.computerworld.com/16677/when_to_install_a_patch_is_not_always_obvious.  But we are not ones to give up. We found a better solution. Even though Microsoft doesn’t endorse third party apps this one works. The great folks at Sophos.com created a Windows Shortcut Exploit Protection Tool. Feel free to download and install it. They have made it available free of charge.

If you want a full explanation of the bug and fix, watch the video below, then install the fix. You don’t want your computer hacked, do you?