Climb the steps all the way to Windows guru status with our invaluable selection of tips and shortcuts for XP and Vista.

As Vista and Windows 7 share the same core code, Microsoft has decided to merely nudge up the version number (Windows Vista was 6) so that applications are tricked into thinking it's Vista they're dealing with

The hot little seller makes the big leap from Linux to XP, with a small price jump.

Microsoft has published a release candidate of XP Mode for Windows 7

Vista felt sluggish, bloated and slovenly, but has Microsoft made Windows 7 any faster for those who crave the ultimate performance from their PC? Here are the benchmark results.

Since the release of the Eee PC 701, the 'Notebook' has dominated. Easy to use, cheap and able to be left on the coffee table next to the remote, Notebooks are true appliance computing. The choice of which one to buy comes down to personal preference, but it's hard not to prefer those with the best usability. Our rundown of your options covers their performance, battery life, and design.

If you're installing Windows XP SP3 on multiple machines, or you still haven't got around to downloading it at all - you'll be pleased to learn Microsoft has released SP3 as an ISO image you can burn to CD, and then install from disc.

BitLocker first reared its head in Windows Vista, but the scope of the encryption software has been extended in Windows 7. Since Vista's launch, lost or stolen USB drives have become an enormous security liability.

PC gamers are among those most likely to benefit from any improvement in raw performance, so does Windows 7 bring any glad tidings for 3D action aficionados?

In the September issue of PC Authority, we gave you the inside scoop on how the Windows 7 Release Candidate stood up to our tests. Here's a recap of our gaming benchmark results

Physical RAM is a relatively limited resource and when it’s running low Windows uses the slower hard disk as a virtual memory area called the swapfile. Here's how to get it running in top shape.

The single biggest reason for existing laptop owners to upgrade to Windows 7 is something unique to this release: it actually requires less horsepower than Vista. That's good news for netbook owners!

A slow booting PC is one of the long running annoyances for Windows users. So have things improved in Windows 7?

As Microsoft gears up for its big OS release, people might be surprised to learn about another Windows 7 other secret: better wireless connectivity.

Wondering what to do with your tax return? Here's our list of "if-only" technology products that might be in your reach after your tax return.

It may be lovely, but Sony’s under-powered P-series costs too much and features features poor battery life.

Windows 7 might just be the best operating system ever designed with touchscreens in mind. Have Microsoft finally delivered the Windows 7 killer app?

Intel's Atom platform may provide the backbone of today's netbooks, but with rivals emerging, Intel could find itself playing a smaller part in the future, as players such as Nvidia's Tegra take hold.

Neither cheap nor beautiful, MSI’s Atom powered nettop is sadly second among equals.

Some bright spark in Microsoft's marketing department has apparently decided that the what will turn around flagging Vista sales is for it to be pitched by Jerry Seinfeld.