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Windows: General Tips

These tips are intended to help you with your own computer. If you are using a Simmons computer, you will not be able to make use of some of these tips as they require having administrative rights.

1. My computer is running very slowly or behaving oddly
2. How do I get new software?
3. I need administrative rights to my Simmons computer
4. How can I back up my email, address book, and other data?
5. How can I determine which version of Microsoft Windows I have?
6. What is the correct way to uninstall a program under Windows?
7. How can I change the Windows desktop wallpaper?
8. What is the proper way to shut down a Windows Computer?
9. What is a Disk Check, and why does it run sometimes when I boot up?

1. My computer is running very slowly or behaving oddly
   If you are using a Simmons computer, please call (617-521-2222) or email the Help Desk immediately. If your own computer is running more slowly than normal, or behaving oddly, it is likely that you have some malicious software running on your computer, or your computer is very low on disk space. Please visit Disinfect & Protect: Free antivirus and other tools for safe computing and follow all of the instructions to fix what ails your machine now, and keep it running well in the future. Also see our Safe Computing tips.
2. How do I get new software?
   
   • Your Simmons computer should already have all Simmons standard software installed; if you see anything on the standard list that you are missing, please complete an online Software Installation Request form.
   • If you need additional software for your Simmons computer, write to techquotes to get pricing information; your department will bear the cost for such "academic or accepted" software. If Simmons already owns the software you need installed, please complete an online Software Installation Request form to have it installed on your Simmons computer. Also see the Purchasing Information Technology policy.
   • To get new software for your own computer, check our Purchasing Your Own Computer & Software page for access to good prices.
   • Whatever you do, do not download software from BitTorrent or other file sharing applications, unless you are completely sure that
     1. it is legal to do so (much of what is available through file sharing violates copyright laws), and
     2. it is legitimate software rather than malware masquerading as something you "really need." Keep your machine clean: visit Disinfect & Protect: Free antivirus and other tools for safe computing and follow all of the instructions.
3. I need administrative rights to my Simmons computer
   Please send an email to the Help Desk with your name, the number on the blue asset tag on your computer (it says Simmons College and has a barcode), and why you need administrative rights to your computer. Also see the Simmons Administrative Accounts Policy
   If you just need software installed, please use the online Software Installation Request form.
4. How can I back up my email, address book, and other data?
   Take a look at the Backup Tips page to learn more about backing up your important data. 
   
5. How can I determine which version of Microsoft Windows I have?
   To find out which version of Windows is running on your computer do the following:
   1. Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop.
   2. Choose the Preferences option in the drop down menu.
   3. This will bring you to the systems properties window.
   The version number will be in the top right portion of the window, under the section labeled "General."
6. What is the correct way to uninstall a program under Windows?
   To completely uninstall a program in Windows, either run the Uninstall utility (if the program came with one), or else use the Windows Control Panel to remove the program.
   Windows XP
   1. Click on the Start menu
   2. Select Settings -> Control Panel
   3. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs
   4. Select the program you wish to uninstall from the list of installed programs
   5. Click Add/Remove
   Windows Vista
   
   1. Click on the Start menu
   2. Select Settings -> Control Panel
   3. Click on Programs and Features
   4. Select the program you wish to uninstall from the list of installed programs
   5. Click Uninstall at the top of the Programs and Features dialog
   Whenever a program is installed under any version of Windows, it places 'keys' in the system registry, so it is not sufficient to simply delete all the program files. Make sure you follow the above instructions or else your system may become unstable.
7. How can I change the Windows desktop wallpaper?
   There are multiple ways of doing this:
   1. You can select the image from your Browser. Right click on the image and choose "save as wallpaper" in Windows XP, or "Set as Desktop Background" in Windows Vista.
   2. To select from a set of predefined images:
      Windows XP:
      Right click on your desktop and choose Properties. Click the Desktop tab and Select an image from the list.
      Windows Vista:
      Right click on your desktop and choose Personalize. Click Desktop Background and Select an image from the list.
8. What is the proper way to shut down a Windows Computer?
   When a Windows PC is not properly shut down, files can be lost or corrupted. To properly shut down a computer running Windows:
   1. Click on the Start Menu.
   2. Windows XP:
      Select the "Shut Down" option. In the dialog box which will appear, select "Shut Down" if you want to turn the computer off, or "Restart" if you want to reboot the computer. After making your selection, click "OK".
      Windows Vista:
      Click the right-pointing arrow next to the padlock icon. Select "Shut Down" if you want to turn the computer off, or "Restart" if you want to reboot the computer.
   3. If you choose "Shut Down," depending upon the design of your computer, the computer may automatically turn itself off. Otherwise you will see a screen saying "It is now safe to turn off your computer," at which point you should turn off the power by pushing the power button.
9. What is a Disk Check, and why does it run sometimes when I boot up?
   CheckDisk (or chkdsk) is a Windows program that performs a "surface scan" of your hard drive to identify any physical defects on the disk. When a computer running Windows locks up or does not shut down properly, a Disk Check will automatically run the next time the computer is booted up.