Description of Windows Easy Transfer

Windows Easy Transfer is a tool for transferring files and settings from one system to another running Windows. Not only this, you can transfer data from one user’s profile, or

from multiple user accounts. It helps you to decide what to move to your new computer, which transfer method to use, and finally perform the transfer. When you are done with

transferring, it displays a reports of the transferred content. It also offers a list of programs that you might want to install on new computer.

Note: You cannot use this tool to move program files. It can transfer only data and program settings. You must then install your software programs on the new computer. Its also

not capable to transfer any system files such as fonts and drivers. You can transfer files and settings using a network, USB drive or the Easy Transfer cable. You can order this

cable on the Internet or contact computer manufacturer.



Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7

You cannot upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer. For

this, you need to copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate

your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are done, you must re-install your software programs again.

Copy files using Windows Easy Transfer on XP computer.

• Insert the Windows 7 DVD while running Windows XP.
• Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start menu, and then clicking Explore.
• Browse to the DVD drive on your computer and click migsetup.exein the Support\Migwiz directory.
• The Windows Easy Transfer window opens.
• Click Next.
• Select An external hard disk or USB flash drive.
• Click This is my old computer. Windows Easy Transfer scans the computer.
• Click Next. You can also determine which files should be migrated by selecting only the user profiles you want to transfer, or by clicking Customize.
• Enter a password to protect your Easy Transfer file, or leave the box blank, and then click Save.
• Browse to the external location on the network or to the removable media where you want to save your Easy Transfer file, and then click Save.
• Click Next. Windows Easy Transfer displays the file name and location of the Easy Transfer file you just created.

Transfer files and settings on Windows 7 computer.

1. If you saved your files and settings in an Easy Transfer file on a removable media such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive rather than on a network share, insert

the removable media into the computer.
2. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click An external hard disk or USB flash drive.
5. Click This is my new computer.
6. Click Yes, open the file.
7. Browse to the location where the Easy Transfer file was saved. Click the file name, and then click Open.
8. Click Transfer to transfer all files and settings. You can also determine which files should be migrated by selecting only the user profiles you want to transfer, or by

clicking Customize.
9. Click Close after Windows Easy Transfer has completed moving your files.

Windows 7 features – Virtual Hard Disk

Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, comes with a number of new features including relatively lesser known Virtual Hard Disk that enables a user to install various operating systems on a single machine.

The tool, which is a file formatted to be structurally identical to a physical Hard Disk Drive, enables you to test software on different operating systems and reduces the cost or hassle of actual hardware.

This feature which is included in latest Windows 7 allows a physical computer to mount and boot from an operating system contained within a VHD.

VHD’s ability to directly modify a virtual machine’s hard disk from a host server supports many applications, including:

* Life-cycle management and provisioning
* Backup and recovery
* Image management and patching
* Disk conversion (physical to virtual, and so on)
* Antivirus and security
* Moving files between a VHD and the host file system

In a nutshell, following are the advantages are provided by Windows 7 new feature VHDs:

Multiple operating system support : Now you can easily install multiple operating system without making changes in Master Boot Record.

Backup-and-Restore: Changes to the contents of a VHD (such as infection by a virus, or accidental deletion of critical files) are easily undone.

Multi-User Isolation: Many current operating systems support having multiple users, but offer varying degrees of protection between them (e.g., one user of the OS could become infected by a virus which infects other users, or make changes to the OS which affect other users). By giving each user their own version of the operating system — say, by creating for each of them a differencing VHD based on a base installation of the OS — changes to any particular child image would have no effect on any of the other child images.

In News: iYogi Re-Defines Technical Support – BizTech2.com

Remote managed services are gaining a lot of attraction these days. Companies are looking to outsource the maintenance and monitoring of their IT infrastructure to a third party to improve efficiency and save costs. BizTech2.com caught up with Uday Challu, founding partner and CEO, iYogi, to see what the company has to offer in this space.

As far as Enterprise and SME customers are concerned, which verticals are you focusing on?

Our focus will mostly be on small companies with around five to 100 users and also firms that have multiple small branch offices like travel agencies, retail stores etc.

What kind of support services do you provide to your customers? What is the Green PC service?

iYogi provides the next generation of remote computer support services for consumers and businesses. For consumers, our live 24/7 support extends to technologies we use everyday, including hardware, software applications, devices, peripherals and networking equipment. iYogi also offers a full range of business IT solutions including managed monitoring, managed services, set-up and installation services, and incident-based services.

Green PC Service

With the current state of the global climate and increasing dependency on the computer, iYogi helps PC users reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. iYogi’s Green PC service is the first in the independent computer support industry to offer customers a way to save money, conserve energy and protect the environment by optimising their PC’s efficiency. Consumers and businesses can save up to $200 per year, per desktop, in energy costs with iYogi’s Green PC application. This green application makes the computer environmentally friendly by reducing power consumption by almost 50 percent.

Our Green PC dashboard helps customise power settings and calculate power savings in kWh (kilowatt hour). The Green PC dashboard also gives a status on the reduction of CO2 and how responsible usage will benefit the environment by saving trees. A customised service that increases the energy efficiency of computers, undertakes the below-mentioned three primary initiatives:

- Computer assessment, analysing settings and PC energy use
- Customised efficiency planning geared specifically to the individual’s usage patterns
- Implementing setting changes to maximise the computer’s energy use

What are the technologies that allow you to offer 24/7 support and ensure there is no downtime at the client site?

We have invested significantly in developing a comprehensive monitoring and management tools stack. This enables us to manage and monitor all devices in the office network as well as for branch offices and mobile users. Our tools continuously monitor the customer’s network and notify our NOC (Network Operations Centre) in case of problems. Based on the set of events, tickets are automatically generated and escalated to corresponding teams. Over and above our proactive approach, the customer always has an option to call our 24X7 support line for issues that are not identified via the monitoring tools.

Please throw some light on your proprietary iMantra technology.

iMantra is a CRM system, which is tailor-made to suit the emerging business needs at iYogi. It allows for the formation of individualised customer relationships with the aim of providing personalised services to each subscriber. This tool is built on the latest java technology with a layered architecture that makes it scalable and secure. This architecture provides a seamless workflow and independent channels for various business needs: sales, support, quality and customer service. The entire system can be exposed in the form of secure APIs and Web services, which makes it a re-usable entity.

Your business model is similar to BPOs in India providing technical support to offshore customers. What unique values do you bring to this ecosystem that would help a potential client choose you over a competitor?

iYogi’s business model is different from traditional BPOs. Some key factors that differentiate iYogi include:

- Direct-to-consumer and -small business: iYogi delivers technical support services directly to consumers and small businesses and is a global technical support brand based out of India. Unlike traditional BPOs in India, iYogi does not provide any private label support and/ or work on behalf of large OEMs or software publishers.

- Optimised Processes: iYogi has developed proprietary processes for consistently delivering on a resolution rate of 87 percent, which is among the highest published benchmarks in the support industry, where averages hover in the range of 50 percent.

- Comprehensive technology platform: iYogi’s global delivery platform, iMantra, gets smarter with every customer interaction. It documents every problem, the solution and relevant hardware and software aspects, while capturing each customer’s demographic information and creating a behavioural profile. All of this information is at the fingertips of iYogi’s Global Tech Experts. This set-up combines a knowledge base with a comprehensive set of tools and technology expertise. iYogi offers a range of tools that complement its remote support services for helping customers maintain technology at peak performance levels. iYogi’s products include iYogi Smart PC Scan, iYogi Support Dock, iYogi Green PC and iYogi PC Optimisation.

How do you plan to move up the value chain in the times to come?

The growing use and penetration of the Internet and new Web-based applications has consequently opened the door to threats and vulnerabilities, which affect the system performance and ultimately lead to degrading performance. If the threats are diagnosed early on, the impact on efficiency can be minimised considerably. Currently, a user only realizes that he needs technical support once the damage has occurred and reactive methods of support are used to recover from the loss.

At iYogi, we are developing our capabilities to not only provide support when demanded, but to also monitor, pre-empt and fix threats before they can cause any damage to the computer. This will be possible only by combining technology with processes that are capable of re-defining the way technical support is delivered today.

What is your India strategy?

Technically, we are capable of servicing any geography including India. At this stage, we are looking for the right kind of partners to find access to potential customers and provide them a consolidated, 360-degree solution and services for issues relating to hardware, software, network etc. We aim to launch our India services in the coming six to eight months. Our services will offer clients a one-stop solution for all their business needs.

Create a file to save your information

When saving your items on your computer, Outlook uses a data file called Outlook Personal Folders file (.pst)If you are using a Microsoft Exchange account, your items are usually delivered to and saved on the e-mail server. To allow you to work with your messages even when you can't connect to the e-mail server, Outlook offers offline folders, which are saved in an Offline Folder file (.ost)on your computer.

The primary distinctions between the two Outlook data file types are:

- Outlook .ost files are used only when you have an Exchange account and chose to work offline, or you use Cached Exchange Mode.
- Outlook .pst files are used for POP3 and HTTP accounts. When you want to create archives or backup files of the Outlook folders and items on your computer, including Exchange accounts, you must create and use additional .pst files.

When you run Outlook for the first time, the necessary data files are created automatically. However, there are times when you will create additional data files. For example, archived items can be saved in another .pst file. You might also keep different projects in their own .pst files.


Create a .pst file in Outlook 2003/Office Outlook 2007 format

By default, Outlook creates a .pst file in the latest file format, which supports larger files and Unicode character sets. This file format cannot be read with Microsoft Outlook 97, 98, 2000, or 2002.

1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Outlook Data File.
2. Click Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst), and then click OK.
3. In the Create or Open Outlook Data File dialog box, in the File name box, type a name for the file, and then click OK.
4. In the Create Microsoft Personal Folders dialog box, in the Name box, type a display name for the .pst folder.
5. If you want to password-protect your data file, under Password, type your password in the Password and Verify Password text boxes.

The name of the folder that is associated with the data file appears in the Folder List. To view the Folder List, on the Go menu, click Folder List. By default, the folder is named Personal Folders.


Create a .pst file in the Outlook 97-2002 format

To create a data file that is compatible with Outlook 97, 98, 2000, or 2002, you can create an Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File (.pst). The file format for this .pst file is the same as the format that was available in Outlook 97, 98, 2000, and 2002.

1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Outlook Data File.
2. Click Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File (.pst), and then click OK.
3. In the File name box, type a name for the file, and then click OK.
4. In the Name box, type a display name for the .pst folder.
5. If you want to password protect your data file, under Password, type your password in the Password and Verify Password text boxes.

The name of the folder that is associated with the data file appears in the Folder List. To view the Folder List, on the Go menu, click Folder List. By default, the folder is named Personal Folders.

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Running Slow ? Fix the Problem Now

Microsoft Outlook 2007 is painfully slow. Whether you are running a trial copy of Outlook or a licensed version, the performance of Outlook 2007 software is much slower than even it's predecessor, Outlook 2003.

The software freezes during start-up, the status bar shows "Loading Dataset.." for minutes and you can perform no actions on your email items unless that initial "Send/Receive" is complete.

If your work productivity is taking a hit due to the poor performance of Outlook, here are some suggestions and fixes to supercharge Outlook 2007:

1. Disable RSS Feeds in Microsoft Outlook 2007

Microsoft Outlook 12 installs with a set of RSS feeds - if you are not using Outlook to read RSS feeds, it's best to remove them from Outlook so that no resources are spent in synchronization of these feeds with the web.

Goto Tools - Account Settings - RSS Feeds. Select all the RSS feeds and hit the Remove butto

2. Disable Outlook Add-Ins You No Longer Use

Goto Tools - Trust Center and click the Add-ins tab. There's a GO button at the bottom of the dialog screen, click that button and uncheck (disable or even remove) the Outlook add-ins (like GoogleDesktop, iTunes Add-in, Acrobat PDF Maker, Mindjet Mindmanager, etc) that you no longer use.

[Do not disable the Windows Search Indexing addin]

If you have upgraded to Outlook 2007 from Outlook 2003 or XP, chances are that the old addin are not compatible with the new release and may be the reason behind the slugging performance of Outlook.

3. Reduce the size of your Outlook.pst personal folder.

Delete any items that you do not want to keep like emails with really large attachments). You can even archive them to a separate Outlook data file.

Now click Data File Management on the File Menu. Select the data file that you want to compact, and then click Compact Now in the Settings command.

4. Start Outlook 2007 in Safe Mode

If none of the above tricks, try running Outlook 2007 in safe mode (start -> Run dialog and type outlook /safe). The second option is to disable all your email rules and filters. And if Norton antivirus or Zone Alarm is configured with Outlook, disable that association. One of these actions should identify the culprit that's making Outlook to crawl.

It's likely that some of the tricks above would help in improving the performance of your Outlook 2007. If you are looking to improve the performance of Outlook 2003, try removing the MSN Messenger association with Outlook.

Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 SP2 - Email Program

Microsoft Office Outlook shines as an email client with great talent for organizing, solid spam and phishing filters, and seamless integration with to-do lists and scheduling. Outlook's message templates could be more flexible, though, and its smart folders could learn from example.

Pros

i) Outlook comes with solid and effective spam filtering and blocks phishing attempts
ii) Snappy, flexible search, virtual folders and mail grouping help you organize mail
iii) Outlook integrates email messages, to-do lists and scheduling well

Cons

i) Outlook is a bit confusing to set up and can be confusing to use with its myriad of options, too
ii) You cannot create smart folders or flags that learn by example
iii) Outlook lacks useful message templates, and its RSS feed reader flexibility

Description

i) Microsoft Office Outlook manages multiple POP, IMAP, Exchange, MSN and Hotmail accounts.
ii) Outlook offers powerful filters and ways to organize, label and find messages.
iii) Effective junk mail and phishing filters move unsolicited messages to a "Junk E-mail" folder automatically.
iv) Outlook offers "Search Folders", which automatically contain all items matching certain criteria.
v) Searching for any message in any folder or account is pleasantly fast in Outlook.
vi) Outlook supports S/MIME email encryption and IRM access control (e.g. mail can't be forwarded).
vii) To protect your privacy, Outlook doesn't download remote images, can display all mail in plain text.
viii) Outlook attachment preview lets you view many types of attached files right inside the message.
ix) An integrated RSS feed reader treats news items like emails.
x) Microsoft Office Outlook supports Windows XP/Vista.

Guide Review - Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 SP2 - Email Program
Whatever you want to do with email, chances are Outlook delivers.

Its easy to use spam and phishing filters effectively sort out the junk (set the filtering level to "high"), and Outlook's intelligent use of virtual folders, fast message searching, flagging, grouping and threading make dealing with even large amounts of good mail a snap. The included RSS feed reader lacks sophistication, but it does turn up news items as emails automatically — and typically that's just right.

It's a pity you can't train the junk mail filters — or even Outlook's otherwise so perfectly helpful categories. They could learn by example how you sort your mail. Unfortunately, Outlook also offers no way to apply categories to messages in IMAP accounts (they do work and roam perfectly with Exchange accounts).

Utility and ubiquity aside, Outlook is probably as well known as a target for viruses as it as a personal assistant. In spite — or because — of this history, Outlook 2007 goes to great lengths protecting your privacy and security. Outlook supports S/MIME message encryption, lets you display all mail in super-secure plain text only and even sports a custom, more secure, HTML message viewer.

Of course, Outlook has powerful filters and can be programmed to do many tasks automatically or expanded to learn new tricks with add-ons. Setting up flexible message templates for boilerplate replies isn't included, though.

While email editing works like a charm and with all the comfort you know from Word, there is one thing you'll find Outlook cannot do: rewrap the text if you prefer to write your email replies with the original message text indented the way some internet purists prefer.

More annoyingly, Outlook seems sluggish at times, when previewing an attachment in an IMAP account, for example, or — when opening a message.

Microsoft Warns Of 'Browse-And-Get-Owned' DirectX Flaw

Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) on Thursday issued a security advisory stating that it's investigating reports of a vulnerability in Microsoft DirectX, the company's APIs for games and multimedia.

The company said that Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 are vulnerable and that Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are not vulnerable.

The flaw could allow a remote attacker to execute malicious code by convincing or duping a user to open a specially crafted QuickTime media file or to visit a Web page that features QuickTime media file of this sort.

The vulnerability is not in Apple's QuickTime media software or in Microsoft Internet Explorer browser; it's in the DirectShow platform (quartz.dll). Nonetheless, Web browsers -- Internet Explorer and others -- represent an avenue of potential infection for users of vulnerable versions of Windows.

"While the vulnerability is NOT in IE or other browsers, a browse-and-get-owned attack vector does exist here via the media playback plug-ins of browsers," Microsoft security software engineer Chengyun Chu explained in a post on the Microsoft Security Research and Defense (MSRC) blog. "The attacker could construct a malicious Web page which uses the media playback plug-ins to play back a malicious QuickTime file to reach the vulnerability in Quartz.dll."

A successfully executed attack would give the attacker the same file access rights as the affected user. For users with administrative rights, the risk is greater than for users with more restricted rights.

Microsoft said it "is aware of limited, active attacks that use this exploit code." Chu has posted several steps that users can take to protect themselves on the MSRC blog.

Earlier this month, Microsoft issued a security advisory about an authentication bypass vulnerability in certain Microsoft Internet Information Services configurations.