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When Windows breaks: How to fix it, piece by piece

Windows is so customizable, it's tempting to tinker. Don't like Internet Explorer's default feel? There are settings for that! Hate the way<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/224146/windows_8_to_replace_your_toolbar_with_a_ribbon.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Windows 8's Ribbon UI</a> looks? Tweak away! And if you're feeling truly adventurous, a veritable universe of change awaits within <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/240491/9_easy_and_powerful_windows_7_registry_tweaks.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">the easy-to-bork Windows Registry</a>. But there's a dangerous downside to all that freedom: You can really, reallymess things up. And yes, that includes some very vital things. Don't swear off your courageous exploration just yet, though. Microsoft's built a slew of granular controls into Windows that let you reset all sorts of individual aspects of the operating system. There's usually no need to hit an irritating fly with that great, big "clean install" sledgehammer! Read this before you burn your installation to the ground and start all over. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Reigniting IE</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-ie-100067128-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="345" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-ie-100067128-medium.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>That's the metaphorical BIG RED BUTTON. (Click to enlarge.) More than any other part of Windows, the Internet Explorer browser is most likely to suffer from excessive tinkering—especially if you're the type of person who likes to install lots of free software, which all too often comes bundled with tacked-on toolbars and settings that hijack your homepage. If you've managed to trash the desktop version of your browser beyond repair, click the gear icon on the right side of the IE toolbar, then select Internet Options. In the new window, open theAdvanced tab and click the Resetbutton all the way at the bottom of the screen. Decide whether you'd like to clear personal settings (like your homepage) as well, then click Resetonce more to blast your browser back to its origins. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">File History</h2> If you've made the jump to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, Microsoft's insurance extends beyond the system itself to protect your oh-so-precious personal files—if you make a point of enabling<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2026546/how-to-activate-windows-8s-file-history-feature.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">the new File History feature</a>. File History periodically backs up your Windows Libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites folders to an external drive, network drive, or some other storage location that isn't the primary Windows drive. By default, the feature saves once per hour. Even better, each save is stored as a different version, which means you can dive back multiple steps in time to restore an older state. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/windows-file-history-100067132-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="199" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/windows-file-history-100067132-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>File History won't work unless you have some sort of auxiliary drive connected to your PC. (Click to enlarge.) To enable File History, make sure another drive is connected to your system, then head to Control Panel > System and Security > File History to set it up. Advanced options can be found in the left-side menu pane. There are some key caveats to this otherwise awesome feature, however—mostly stemming from its reliance on Libraries. (Why no SkyDrive backup option, Microsoft?) First and foremost, Windows 8.1 hides Libraries by default, so <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2056291/how-to-bring-back-libraries-in-windows-8-1.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">you'll want to re-enable them</a>. And what if you want to save a folder that isn't part of one of the default Windows Libraries? Simple: Add it to one. Just right-click the Library you want to absorb the folder (Documents, Music, etc.) and selectProperties > Add…, then point the system to your chosen location. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Reset your Libraries</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-windows-libraries-100067130-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="165" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-windows-libraries-100067130-medium.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>Wiping the slate clean with a borked Library is easy. So easy, in fact, that Windows won't ask if you're sure about wiping the Library associations. (Click to enlarge.) But wait! What if you wind up turning your Libraries into a cluttered, nigh-unusable mess in the midst of all that File History preparation? Fear not. Simply right-click  the Libraries listing in Windows File Explorer and selectRestore default libraries to wipe the slate clean. You can also restore individual Libraries to their pristine states by right-clicking them and selecting Properties, then clicking theRestore defaults button at the bottom of the window. Or, you could just hit theRestore settings button that appears in the Manage tab of Windows 8's Ribbon UI when you're looking at a Library in the File Explorer. Be warned: Windows doesn't ask if you're sure about your decision when you're rebooting Libraries, so don't click that button unless you're committed to action. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Reset the Ribbon UI</h2> Speaking of the Ribbon UI in Windows 8's File Explorer, it's much more customizable than the traditional file menus found in Windows 7 and earlier. As with many of Windows' forays into flexibility, though, it's almost too easy to wipe the slate clean. Open Windows File Explorer in the desktop, then browse to the View tab and click the Options button on the right side of the Ribbon menu. Each of the three tabs hidden within the Folder Options window that appears contains its own Restore defaults button, and each does exactly what you'd expect. Once again: There's no turning back once you click that button. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Reset the taskbar and Start menu</h2> The Windows taskbar is a wonderful thing, providing at-a-glance info about your open programs and popping up system notifications as necessary. Windows being Windows, however, you have the option of muting or hiding individual software in the taskbar and system tray to cut down on the cacophony. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-taskbar-icons-windows-100067129-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="337" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-taskbar-icons-windows-100067129-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>I long to see your face again, dearest taskbar icons. (Click to enlarge.) If you've decided that you've hidden too much, right-click an empty section of the taskbar and select Properties. Open the Taskbar tab, then click theCustomize button. Underneath the scrolling list of options is the blue link you're looking for: Restore default icon behaviors. And while you're poking around the taskbar properties, you can restore the Start Menu's defaults (assuming, of course, you're using Windows 7 or another version of Windows that still sports the Start Menu). Just open theStart Menu tab—remember, this doesn't apply to Windows 8—and click the Customize button, then press theUse default settings button at the bottom of the Customize Start Menu pop-up that appears. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Mr. Microsoft, tear down this firewall!</h2> Firewalls are finicky. If you accidentally block a needed program (or accidentally allow a malicious program) then connectivity havoc can ensue. Microsoft's baked-in Windows Firewall is as user-friendly as firewalls can be, but it, too, has a reset button in case everything goes pear-shaped. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-windows-firewall-100067133-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="339" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/reset-windows-firewall-100067133-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>That's the ticket. And by "ticket" I mean "option," of course. (Click to enlarge.) Head to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall, and clickRestore defaults in the left-hand pane. Confirm you want to do so, and poof! Sweet stock setup achieved. (Be more careful this time around.) <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">System Restore</h2><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/system-restore-windows-options-100067136-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="336" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/system-restore-windows-options-100067136-medium.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>The buttons you're looking for. (Click to enlarge.) The venerable System Restore acts kind of like File History, but for your system files and programs: It lets you return your PC to a previous, workable state if things go wonky. (Personal files aren't touched.) System Restore points are automatically created once per week, or whenever you install a new app or update. To manually create a snapshot of your system—like say, before you<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2056292/windows-8-1-launch-weekend-plagued-by-some-show-stopping-installation-issues.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">attempt to install a crucial system upgrade</a>—head to Control Panel > System and Security > System and then select System Protection in the left-hand pane. Click the Create button at the bottom and you're backed up. If you ever need to actually make use of the feature, head to the same place and click the System Restore… button. A wizard will walk you through the straightforward feature from there. <img alt="" border="0" height="462" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/windows-system-restore-100067135-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Refresh and reset</h2>Now on to the more dramatic options! Windows 8 includes <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/247360/windows_8_reset_and_refresh_microsofts_new_ways_to_restore_your_pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">new "refresh and reset" options</a> that restore core aspects of Windows to their native state. Of the two, Refresh is the kinder, gentler option. It won't touch your personal files, but it will wipe everything else. Settings, apps, desktop programs, you name it: All gone, replaced by the stock settings and apps that shipped with your PC. Watch out: Any personal files stored in your PC's Program Files folders will be plunged into the abyss, too. Reset is the nuclear option, the tool of last resorts. Kill it, burn it, clean-install it into the ground. Everything you've installed, created, or changed on your computer disappears, replaced by a fully factory-fresh Windows installation. Make sure <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/170688/7_backup_strategies.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">those important files are backed up</a>! <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/windows-refresh-and-reset-100067134-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="441" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/11/windows-refresh-and-reset-100067134-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>This is it. Pure annihilation. Pure redemption. Game over, man, game over. (Click to enlarge.) If you've managed to break or clutter your operating system to those dire levels, you can find the Refresh and Reset options in Windows 8's Settings Charm. Open it, click Change PC Settings at the bottom, then selectGeneral in Windows 8's PC Settings menu, or Update and recovery > Recovery in Windows 8.1. Back up your data, kiss your kids, and select the option you'd like to use. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Go forth and tinker</h2> And now you know all the ways Windows has your back. Install all those <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2052820/20-free-pc-apps-to-ease-daily-tasks.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">dazzling, incredibly useful desktop programs</a>! <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2046046/how-to-fix-your-pcs-worst-annoyances.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Tweak those annoying PC irritations</a>! Heck, hack your Registry to <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/228071/6_registry_hacks_to_make_your_pc_faster.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">make Windows leaner, meaner and faster than ever before</a>! Even if you manage to wreck things completely, restored sanity is merely a reset button away.

When Windows breaks: How to fix it, piece by piece

Windows is so customizable, it's tempting to tinker. Don't like Internet Explorer's default feel? There are settings for that! H...

11:38 am

When malware strikes: How to clean an infected PC

You work hard to protect your PC from the malicious thugs of our digital world. You keep your antivirus program up to date. You avoid questionable Web sites. You don't open suspicious email attachments. You keep Java, Flash, and Adobe Reader up-to-date—or better yet, you <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030153/how-i-ditched-the-security-risks-and-lived-without-java-reader-and-flash.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">learn to live without them</a>. But against all odds, a clever new Trojan horse slipped through the cracks, and now you're the unhappy owner of an infected PC. Or perhaps a less-vigilant friend has begged you to clean up a plague-ridden mess. Obviously, you need to scan the computer and remove the malware. Here's a methodical approach that you can use to determine what the problem is, how to scan, and what to do afterward to protect the PC from future invasions. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">1. Verify the infection</h2> Is the PC in question really infected? I've seen people blame "another damn virus" for everything from a bad sound card to their own stupidity. The first step in restoring the system's health is to determine whether what you're dealing with is a virus rather than a problem with hardware, software, or user error. If your PC is unusually slow, or if it seems to do a lot of things on its own that you haven't asked it to do, you have reason to be suspicious. But before you decide that a virus must be responsible, take a moment to launch the Windows Task Manager (right-click the Windows taskbar, and select Task Manager from the pop-up menu). Open the Processes tab, and check for any strange or unknown applications running in the background—especially those with nonsensical names and no recognizable authority listed in the description. The odd-looking "wuauclt" process is fine, for example, because it belongs to Microsoft (it's actually part of the Windows Update service, as you can tell from the description.) Of course, this is only general guidance; there's nothing to stop a piece of malware from masquerading as a legitimate process by sporting an inoffensive description. That said, you'd be surprised how often a piece of malware gives itself away with a line of strange characters or symbols where the process description should be. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">2. Check for sure signs of malware</h2> Truly insidious malware will preemptively block you from trying to remove it. If your PC suddenly won't load utilities that might help you manually remove malware—such as msconfig or regedit—be suspicious. If your antivirus program suddenly stops loading, that's a huge red flag. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/rogue_malware1-100039329-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/rogue_malware1-100039329-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a><small style="font-size:9px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;display:block;float:left;background-image:url(http://csmb.staticworld.net/images/furniture/techhive/backgroundwhite70.png);color:rgb(51,51,51);padding:1px 3px 2px;background-repeat:initial initial">AVGFake warnings like this one try to scare you into running a file to 'remove malware' (read: install malware) or giving up your credit card information to pay for bogus antivirus software. Sometimes the attack is more obvious. If a program you don't recognize suddenly pops up and starts displaying dire warnings and asks you to run an executable file or asks for your credit card number, your PC isdefinitely infected with some nasty malware. Never fork over your credit card information or other personal data to a program or website that tries to warn you that your PC is about to die. More often than not it's a <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/239272/rogues.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">rogue program</a>, fear-mongering malware that tries to scare you into giving up your private info by issuing doomsday warnings of imminent hard drive failure, catastrophic viral infection, or worse. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">3. Check online for possible fixes</h2> The one benefit of those scary pop-ups is that they could point you toward a cure. Use your favorite search engine to look for phrases that appear in the pop-up—you'll probably find other people fighting the same infection. Their experiences could help you identify your enemy or even find step-by-step instructions for removing the malware. Be prudent: Take advice only from sites that seem reputable, and remember to perform a full scan of your PC after you've followed any instructions, even ours. Barring any clues that lead you to a magic solution, scanning becomes your next and most important step. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">4. Assume that your old virus scanner is compromised</h2> Don't waste time scanning your hard drive(s) with your regular antivirus program. After all, that program probably failed to catch the malware in the first place. But don't be too hard on it. Nothing's perfect, and even the best antivirus program can occasionally miss a new or particularly cleverly designed virus. And once that virus slips through, your antivirus program is compromised. You have to assume that the malware, not the security software, is in control. You need a fresh malware scanner—one that's not already installed on your computer. It must be capable of detecting and removing malware from your PC, and you need to run it in an environment where the malware can't load first. Linux is your best bet, but before you jump to that option, try booting into Windows Safe Mode to see if you can outflank your virus infestation there. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">5. Use a lightweight scanner inside Safe Mode</h2> Windows has a Safe Mode that boots a minimal version of the operating system, with generic drivers and nothing else. It doesn't load most startup applications and—most likely—it won't load the malware that's infesting your PC. To enter Safe Mode, boot your computer and press the F8 function key before Windows starts loading. The timing is tricky, so it's best to mash F8 repeatedly from the moment the motherboard manufacturer's logo appears onscreen until you get the boot menu. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/entering-safe-mode-100039271-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/entering-safe-mode-100039271-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>Use the Windows boot menu to access Safe Mode. When you reach that menu, select Safe Mode with Networking from the list of boot options. The with Networking part is important—you're going to need Internet access to solve your virus problem. Once in Safe Mode, open Internet Explorer (using other browsers in Safe Mode is often problematic) and run a reputable online virus scanner such as<a href="http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Bitdefender</a>. For best results I recommend using the <a href="http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">ESET Online Scanner</a>, a Web-based virus detection app that is always up-to-date and runs off a remote server. You'll have to accept a browser add-in, but the scanner should remove it when it's done. Before you start the scan, clickAdvanced settings and enable as many extra levels of scrutiny as you can, including scanning file archives and browser data. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/eset-3-100039274-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="529" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/eset-3-100039274-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>The ESET Online Scanner runs in your browser and does a thorough job of rooting out malware from your PC. You might also try Trend Micro's<a href="http://housecall.trendmicro.com/us/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">HouseCall</a>. Though it isn't a Web app, it is portable, so you can download HouseCall on another computer and copy it to a flash drive, thereby creating a portable PC virus scanner. Then, when you run into trouble you can plug the flash drive into the infected PC and run the program from there (you'll still need an Internet connection for a definition update, however.) When using HouseCall, don't run it on default settings: Before you click the big blueScan Now button, click Settings and select Full system scan. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/housecall-1-100039277-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="460" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/housecall-1-100039277-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>Trend Micro's HouseCall utility is another excellent, free virus scanner and malware removal tool. Whichever scanner you use, don't rush to get through this part of the process. Check the options and select the slowest, most thorough scan. Then, once the scan has started, step away from the PC. Read a book. Do the dishes. Spend time with someone you love. The scan will—and should—take hours. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">6. Remember: The second scan's the charm</h2> When that first scan is done—just to be sure—run another one with a different scanner. It's easy, and you'll sleep better after multiple scanners have assured you that your drive is clean.<h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> 7. Look to Linux as your last line of defense</h2>Booting into Safe Mode may not short-circuit particularly malicious malware. If you still have trouble with an infection after running multiple scans in Safe Mode, you'll have to bypass Windows altogether and avoid booting from the hard drive. To manage that trick, use a bootable CD or flash drive running a Linux-based antivirus utility. You don't have to know Linux to take this step. But you will want an Internet connection, since these scanners must go online to update their malware databases. The first step is to download a bootable virus scanner as an .iso file. From it, you can easily create a bootable CD. In Windows 7, double-click the file and follow the prompts. In Windows 8, right-click the file and select Burn disc image. For earlier versions of Windows, you'll need a third-party program such as the free <a href="http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/W7.htm" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">ISO Recorder</a>. With its Windows-like user interface, the <a href="https://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuedisk" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Kaspersky Rescue Disk</a> will make you feel at home. But you have to be careful in setting up the scan. First, the Kaspersky Rescue Disk doesn't update its malware dictionary automatically. To do this manually, select the Update Center tab and click Start update. Once the utility is updated, return to theObjects Scan tab, click Settings, and set the security level to the highest position. Make sure that all of your hard drives are checked before you start the scan and leave the room. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/kaspersky-1-100039281-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/kaspersky-1-100039281-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>When you boot your PC with the Kaspersky Rescue Disk utility, you'll find yourself in a custom Linux environment. Simply update the Rescue Disk, crank all the scan settings up to maximum power, and let 'er rip. If you want to boot the Kaspersky Rescue Disk from a flash drive, you'll need to download the prosaically named <a href="http://rescuedisk.kaspersky-labs.com/rescuedisk/updatable/rescue2usb.exe" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Utility to record Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 to USB devices</a>. Save it in the same folder as the .iso file, run the utility, and follow the wizard. The <a href="http://www.f-secure.com/de/web/labs_global/removal-tools/-/carousel/view/142" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">F-Secure Rescue CD</a> isn't as outwardly friendly as Kaspersky's program. In fact, it may make you nostalgic for DOS. But it works, though you may receive the following (unduly alarming) warning message: If a Windows system file is infected, the computer may not restart. I've never heard of anyone whose Windows system failed to restart after an F-Secure scan, and I suspect that the eventuality is very rare. I also suspect that if malware did infect a Windows system file—and if F-Secure couldn't clean the file without destroying it—reinstallation might be your only option anyway. <a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/f-secure-1-100039275-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/f-secure-1-100039275-large.png" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="580"></a>The F-Secure Rescue CD is a bare-bones cleaning utility for when you need to wipe every piece of malware from your PC without starting Windows. F-Secure has a stripped down, unattractive, text-based user interface. But unlike Kaspersky, it updates its definitions automatically (if it can find an Internet connection), and starts a full, thorough scan with no fuss—you have to do little more than agree to the EULA. F-Secure doesn't offer a special USB utility. If you want to move a copy of it onto a flash drive, you'll have to download and run the <a href="http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Universal USB Installer</a>. In Step 1, you'll find F-Secure Rescue CD near the bottom of a very long list. I suggest you go straight to the bottom, and then look for it while slowly scrolling up. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">8. Protect your newly disinfected PC</h2> When you're satisfied that your drive is clean, try rebooting into good old Windows. Then uninstall your old antivirus program—it has been compromised. Of course, you don't want to stay unprotected. Reinstall the program and update to the latest version, or (if you've lost all faith in it) install a competitor. For more information on how to choose the best antivirus program for your needs, check out our full rundown—with empirical testing—of the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025949/security-software-showdown-9-antivirus-suites-empirically-tested.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">best security software</a> available today. Because when it comes to malware, a byte of prevention is worth a terabyte of cure.

When malware strikes: How to clean an infected PC

You work hard to protect your PC from the malicious thugs of our digital world. You keep your antivirus program up to date. You avoid questi...

11:38 am

Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM, upgrading the CPU, or replacing the hard drive with an SSD. But none of those solutions--all of which cost money--address the underlying problem. Your hardware isn't underpowered. It's overloaded. Cleaning out Windows will very likely speed up a PC. And no, I'm not suggesting reinstalling the operating system. There are less drastic fixes. <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Look for hog processes</h3><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="315" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>Click for full size Your computer may be running a poorly-written process that's hogging a lot of resources. To find out, right-click the taskbar and select Start Task Manager. Click the Processes tab, then the CPU column header. The top items will be the ones hogging the CPU. If you see an obvious culprit, close the program that's running the process (it's pretty easy to figure out what it is). If that doesn't work, click the End Process button and confirm that you really want to kill this process. Should that fix the problem, avoid using that program in the future. Or find a better-written replacement. Otherwise, back on the Process tab, click the Memory column header and see if you can find the culprit there. <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Clean out autoloaders</h3> When Windows boots, it automatically loads additional programs--sometimes a lot of them. One big autoloader--or a lot of little ones--can slow the PC down. The trick is to bring up Windows' list of autoloaders, and by disabling and re-enabling them, and rebooting, figure out which ones are causing the problem. In Windows XP, Vista, or 7, click Start(Start>Run in XP), type <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em">msconfig</code>, and press ENTER. Once System Configuration comes up, click theStartup tab. You can disable items by unchecking them. <img alt="" border="0" height="391" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-msconfig-100066212-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="585"> If you're using Windows 8, right-click the taskbar and select Start Task Manager. If you see a Startup tab, click it. If you don't, click More details, thenStartup. To disable an item, right-click it and select Disable. <img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-win8-startup-100066223-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="660"><h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Check for malware</h3>I doubt an infection is causing your problem--successful malware doesn't draw attention to itself that way. But just to be on the safe side, scan for it, anyway. <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Do less multitasking</h3> The more programs you run, the slower they will all be. Consider changing your working habits to have less programs up at the same time.<h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Turn off Aero</h3><img alt="" border="0" height="242" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/12/122020example-100016426-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"> Windows 7 and Vista use a technology called Aero to improve the esthetic look of the screen. It's not necessary, and  it slows down the PC a bit.

Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM...

11:38 am

When Windows breaks: How to fix it, piece by piece

When Windows breaks: How to fix it, piece by piece

Windows is so customizable, it's tempting to tinker. Don't like Internet Explorer's default feel? There are settings for that! H...

11:38 am

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts your laptop out to pasture. With the tablet's lighter weight, longer battery life, and near-instant boot-up, the building blocks of a productivity engine are already there. When it comes to getting things done, Microsoft's <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058526/surface-2-review-cautious-upgrades-dont-help-a-tablet-in-desperate-need-of-relevance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface 2</a> and <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058685/surface-pro-2-review-this-is-the-windows-tablet-youre-looking-for.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface Pro 2</a> tablets have one big advantage over the iOS and Android competition: namely, the Office productivity suite, which comes free with every Surface 2 and is, of course, available for the Surface Pro 2 as well. Both also have roomy (compared with other tablets) 10.6-inch displays. The Surface Pro 2, with its full Windows OS and ability to run desktop applications, just needs a Touch or Type Cover to make a mighty fine hybrid. But for the vast majority of us who have iOS and Android tablets rather than Surface slates, other productivity options are available. With the right apps and accessories, plus a few changes in how you work, your trusty tablet just might replace a conventional laptop. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Pick your tablet</h2> If you don't already own one, two great choices are Apple's iPad and <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2013567/review-googles-nexus-10-is-the-android-tablet-weve-always-wanted-almost.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Nexus 10</a>. The latter has a slightly larger screen, built-in NFC (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">near-field communication</a>), and a lower starting price: $399 for the 16GB model, or $499 for 32GB. The iPad starts at $499 with 16GB of storage. But the brand-new <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">iPad Air</a>weighs less (just 1 pound to the Nexus 10's 1.3 pounds), and all models offer optional 4G LTE, a huge perk for frequent travelers and a feature you don't see on most laptops. (Given that Google's recently updated Nexus 7 offers a 4G option, it's a good bet that the <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2045185/android-boss-promises-a-refreshed-nexus-10-tablet-is-coming-soon.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">forthcoming update to the Nexus 10</a> will do so as well.) One thing to acknowledge from the outset: Working on a tablet does involve a few compromises, most notably a smaller screen. An iPad gives you just 9.7 inches of work area, while Google's Nexus 10 affords only a hair more (10 inches). That's considerably less space than you get from even a 13.3-inch laptop, something to consider if you work with a lot of spreadsheets or just need to accommodate less-than-stellar eyesight. On the flip side, both the iPad and the Nexus offer sky-high screen resolution: 2048 by 1536 pixels on the iPad 3 and later, and 2560 by 1600 pixels on the Nexus 10. You're not losing the capability for ultra-detailed work, you're merely doing it in a smaller area. <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="341" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Google's Nexus 10 can connect to a wired mouse and keyboard for a more laptop-like experience. Your choice of tablet will also dictate which accessories you can get, and that's an important consideration. For example, the Nexus 10 supports USB On-The-Go (aka USB OTG), which allows you to connect a wired keyboard or mouse or even a flash drive. The mouse in particular gives the Nexus 10 a huge advantage over the iPad, as it makes the tablet seem significantly more laptop-like. In word processing and spreadsheet apps in particular, it greatly eases the transition. On the other hand, third-party accessories abound for the iPad, most notably cases and keyboards. Speaking of which… <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Add a keyboard</h2> It's a given that you'll need a keyboard. Both Android and iOS devices provide onscreen keys that suffice for quick notes, emails, and the like, but they consume nearly half the screen and lack tactile feedback. For any serious data entry, you'll want a physical set. iPad users can choose from a variety of third-party keyboards, many of which double as covers and carrying cases. Belkin and Logitech recently announced keyboard cases (in their<a href="http://www.belkin.com/us/ipad-air-keyboard-cases/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Qode</a> and <a href="http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad?wt.mc_id=global_news_ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Folio</a> series, respectively) for the iPad Air, and various other manufacturers offer similar options for earlier models. These keyboards connect via Bluetooth and typically conform to the iPad's design, effectively creating a very seamless and laptop-like package. <img alt="" border="0" height="340" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/logitech-folio-ipad-100066986-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Logitech's Folio keyboard for the iPad Air connects via Bluetooth. Nexus users will find fewer options. The <a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-1723-google-nexus-10-keyboard-stand-case.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">MiniSuit Bluetooth Keyboard Stand Case</a><a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-2016-bluetooth-keyboard-stand-case-for-google-nexus-7-fhd-2013-rubberized-non-slip-grip.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"> </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Cover-silvery/dp/B00BP4QGUI?tag=vglnk-c43-20" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">VSTN Aluminum Nexus 10 Keyboard Case</a>, for example, both provide a hard-shell cover for the tablet and serve up QWERTY keys and a slot for propping the tablet at a comfortable viewing angle. If you don't need a form-fitting cover, just about any Bluetooth keyboard will work with the Nexus or any other tablet. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Find apps for that</h2> For many users, software represents the biggest challenge in suiting up a tablet for work. Indeed, you'll need to take stock of the programs you run daily and figure out how many can be supplanted by app equivalents. Let's start with the biggie: Microsoft Office. Microsoft still doesn't offer the suite for Android or iOS (though CEO Steve Ballmer recently hinted that <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049060/ballmer-strongly-hints-at-office-for-ipad-and-android-tablets.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">it's in the works</a>), but plenty of ways to tackle documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on a tablet are available. For example, <a href="http://www.google.com/drive/apps.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Quickoffice suite</a>—for both Android and iOS—offers basic document creation and editing, and it's file-compatible with Microsoft Office. It was originally priced at $15 (a steal compared with Microsoft Office on the desktop), but back in September, Google made Quickoffice free. The only catch is that you have to sync your documents with your Google Drive account. Quickoffice no longer supports Dropbox or any other cloud-storage service. <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="363" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>No Office? No sweat. Google's Quickoffice suite brings document creation and editing to iOS and Android. If you'd prefer (or really need) Microsoft Office proper, <a href="http://www.cloudon.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CloudOn</a> provides a virtualized copy of Office 2010, allowing you to create, edit, and share Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents using the Office interface you're accustomed to. It's available in app form for both Android and iOS, and the basic service is free. However, it requires a live Internet connection—you can't run it offline. As for other desktop programs, you might be surprised how many apps can stand in. Adobe Reader, Dropbox, DocuSign, Evernote, Photoshop, RoboForm, Skype, Twitter—all have app counterparts for Android and iOS. Cisco's AnyConnect can help you get connected to your company VPN, and LastPass can make your desktop passwords accessible on your tablet. <img alt="" border="0" height="760" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/cisco-anyconnect-for-ipad-100066984-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Connect your tablet to your company VPN with Cisco's AnyConnect. Can't find an app solution for some vital program? Consider keeping your laptop PC in the picture. Just leave it running back at the office, then use a remote-access app like <a href="https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">LogMeIn</a> to connect to and take control of the system from afar. Now you can run whatever programs you need to, just as if you were sitting back at your desk. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Migrate your data</h2> The final piece of the puzzle: data. Resist the idea of actually copying all your Office files, PDFs, and the like from your laptop to your tablet. If you're mostly working online anyway, you're better off leveraging a cloud-storage service like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or SugarSync. In short order they'll sync any and all of your desktop files, then make them available via their companion apps on your tablet. And if you know you're going to need access to certain documents when you're offline, it's a simple matter to download them ahead of time. You'll definitely want to migrate your browser bookmarks as well. This is a cinch for Google Chrome users, as once you sign into the Chrome browser on Android or iOS, you'll find your favorites immediately synced. In fact, that could be the path of least resistance even if you use a different browser on your PC: Install Chrome, import your bookmarks from, say, Internet Explorer or Firefox, then run Chrome on your tablet and sync those bookmarks. <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Pst Mail transfers Outlook files to your iPad. As for email, it might be as simple as adding, say, your Gmail or Yahoo account to the stock Mail app in Android or iOS, or it might involve some monkeying with Exchange settings and perhaps even importing an Outlook PST file. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.virtualmanila.apps.pstreader" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">PST Reader</a> (Android) and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id408374049?mt=8" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Pst Mail</a> (iOS) help you with the latter option, allowing you to view and search your messages. That said, if your company has an IT department, it may have solutions and/or policies in place for dealing with email on mobile devices. Start there. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Other considerations</h2> It's important to remember that a tablet can be more than just a replacement for your laptop—it can be an improvement. For example, with an app like <a href="https://www.camscanner.net/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CamScanner</a>, you can use your tablet like a scanner, snapping photos of printed documents, converting them to raw text or PDFs, and filing them electronically. <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Audiolio captures meetings and presentations through notes, recorded audio, and bookmarking. <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042234/evernote-adds-reminders-extending-task-management-options.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Evernote</a> can be an incredibly powerful tool for tablet users, offering basic word processing and robust information capture and management, all coupled with simple syncing and sharing of data. <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/251161/archive_meetings_and_presentations_like_never_before_with_audiolio_for_ipad.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Audiolio</a> (iPad) lets you take notes and capture audio, creating time-synced bookmarks along the way, with an ease no laptop can match.<a href="http://www.phatware.com/index.php?q=page/writepad/ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">WritePad</a> can turn notes scribbled on your tablet screen (using a finger or stylus) into text, and the new <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2058299/livescribes-latest-smartpen-draws-heavily-on-ios.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Livescribe 3</a> pen can likewise send notes scribbled on actual paper directly to your iPad. It may take a little time to get accustomed to working on a tablet, especially for things like word processing and image editing. But once you start enjoying the benefits, you may never want to touch a laptop again.

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts your laptop out to pasture. With...

11:35 am

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts your laptop out to pasture. With...

11:35 am

Find the right backup drive for your storage needs

You've got a lot of valuable things stashed on your computer. Some of them—like your music library—are deeply personal. Others—tax returns and business documents—are more mundane, but still important to keep around. And then there are things like photos that are simply irreplaceable should your computer's hard drive suddenly give up the ghost. If putting together a <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/186735/hasslefreepc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">backup plan for your PC</a> or <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2013004/backup-basics-the-quick-something-is-better-than-nothing-backup-system.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Mac</a> is on your list of New Year's resolutions, maybe a backup device should be on your holiday wishlist. But what device is appropriate for your needs? You can narrow down the search just by answering a few quick questions. Do you need to backup just one computer or an entire household of machines? If it's just you, an external desktop drive may be the best choice. Look for a drive with a capacity higher than that of the computer you're backing up. I recommend at least twice the capacity of your internal drive, if possible. Multi-computer households or offices should look into network attached storage options. We'll examine both choices below. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Desktop backup drives</h2> Most desktop backup devices use rotational hard drives, generally 7,200-RPM drives that require an external power supply. These hard drives aren't as fast as solid state drives, but they offer much higher capacities and lower prices. Speed isn't as important as capacity, especially when performing incremental backups. Most connect to your PC via USB 3.0, though eSATA and Thunderbolt drives are available. <img alt="" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/07/1253025_1160-100046175-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"> The Buffalo DriveStation DDR uses onboard DDR memory for fast write performance when making backups. Look for a drive with storage capacity higher than what you're backing up. Some backup software, like Apple's Time Machine, will keep multiple versions of documents that you've changed between backups, so the more available space, the more protected you are. If you can swing it, look for a drive with twice the capacity of the data you want to back up. You'll find desktop hard drives with 2TB of capacity starting at around $100. For greater data protection, look for a multi-drive device that supports RAID 1, also known as mirroring. RAID 1 maintains an exact duplicate of your backups, so that if one drive fails, your data is not lost. For the utmost in security, look for a backup device that offers easily removable drives. That way you can rotate drives in and out, keeping one of the backups offsite to protect your data in case of a fire or flood. The <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2044408/review-buffalo-s-drivestation-ddr-caches-for-superfast-write-performance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Buffalo DriveStation DDR</a> is a good single-drive deskop hard drive that offers fast write performance thanks to novel use of 1GB of onboard DDR3 memory. <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Network attached storage</h2> If you need to back up multiple computers, you'll want to look into network attached storage, or NAS. NAS devices range in size from single drive units meant mainly for media storage, all the way up to multiple drive devices that offer huge capacity and fault-tolerant RAID arrays. Most NAS devices have USB ports on them, but they're meant for adding additional storage, not a direct connection to your PC. <img alt="robert cardin" height="388" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/03/1252730_1160-100029674-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"> If you want to access your files from anywhere via the Internet, the QNAP TS-469-Pro is an attractive NAS option.ROBERT CARDIN Many NAS boxes, like the <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2046116/qnap-ts-469-pro-review-a-fast-nas-box-well-suited-to-both-business-and-pleasure.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">QNAP TS-469 Pro</a>, let you access files saved on the device from anywhere via the Internet and offer ways to store and share movies and songs with TVs on your network. There can be a downside to NAS storage, though. While almost all devices are administered through a standard web browser, some seem to expect you to have a degree in computer science to manage them properly. If that doesn't describe you, I recommend <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2051347/wd-my-cloud-review-a-better-more-secure-alternative-to-cloud-storage.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Western Digital's MyCloud drive</a>. It offers an easy to use web interface that can be accessed from Macs, PCs, as well as Android and iOS devices.

Find the right backup drive for your storage needs

You've got a lot of valuable things stashed on your computer. Some of them—like your music library—are deeply personal. Others—tax retur...

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