FAQS:

Q. I recently tried using the Windows Update website, but it wont let me download any new updates, and gives me an error message. What's wrong?
A. There are a few spyware threats that, when removed, while corrupt the components that are required for Windows Update to function properly. There are a number of files that need to be repaired to repair Windows Update. Tutorial in the forums.

Q. I'm using Outlook Express and every time a friend tries to send me an attachment, it won't come through. How can I get these attachments?
A. The Microsoft mail clients were designed to not allow potentially malicious email attachments to get to the user, so, by default, they are blocked.
To fix this, Open Outlook Express, click Tools -> Options -> the Security tab -> and uncheck "Do Not Allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus".
Please note that allowing this option without updated and active antivirus software will almost certainly allow your machine to become infected. Make sure you have antivirus software running.

Q: I have heard of a security issue with Messenger. How do I turn this off? Do I need to buy a program to do this?
A: Disabling the messenger service takes only a few seconds and does not warrant buying a program. To disable it (note that Windows versions prior to 2000, XP, and 2003 do not have this service, and therefore are not vulnerable)
**If you are a user on a network, contact your network administrator before completing these actions. Some admins have the messenger service enabled for a reason.
Step 1: Right click My Computer and select Manage.
Step 2. Expand Services and Applications, then Services
Step 3. Scroll down the list until you find the word "Messenger". Double click it and set the startup type to "Disabled". Click Apply.
You have now turned off this unnecessary service.

Q: What's the difference between FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, and the other Windows File Systems. Which one should I use?
A: There are three main file systems in windows. Fat16, Fat32, and NTFS.
Fat16 is for very old hard drives and rarely seen today. Supports up to 2 GB drives.
Fat32 is for non-NT formatted hard drives. Supports up to 37 GB (there is a work around) and does not allow for security.
NTFS only shows up on the NT versions of Windows (NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, and the forthcoming Longhorn). It allows file level security settings (encryption and user permissions) and active defragmentation of the file tables and system.
NTFS is the best system to choose if it is available although it is not accessible from Windows 9x. If you are dual booting a machine and want 9x to be able to access all the drives, you must choose FAT32.
The only way to set file and folder level permissions (without third-party software) is to use NTFS.
An MS DOS boot partition is the first few bytes of a hard drive that DOS sets aside as the boot partition and contains information on the type, size, and format of the partition. This applies to Windows 3.1/95/98/ME.

Q: How do I use auto-complete in the Windows XP DOS Shell?
A: Open a command prompt with the auto-complete features enabled by going to Start -> Run -> CMD.
Once the shell opens, type CMD /f. This will enable you to hit CTRL+D to auto-complete a folder name or CTRL+F to auto-complete a filename.
To permanently enable this command:
Start -> Programs -> Accessories ->Right Click the Command Prompt and enter "/f" after the name in the target field.
You finished target field should read:
%SystemRoot%\system32\cmd.exe /f

Q. How do I re-enable autoplay in Windows XP?
A. Open My Computer, right click the CD drive, -> properties -> autoplay tab. From here you can select a default action for all types of discs that you insert. You may also disable autoplay by selecting the "select an action to perform -> take no action" option.

Q. I'm using Windows XP Home Edition. How do I enable file level permissions?
A. To enable the security tab, you need to enable Simple File Sharing. Open Windows Explorer and click Folder -> Simple File Sharing. This will allow you to specify permissions on all folders by username.

Q. In Windows 98, I recently did a Windows Update. Now, every time I try to complete another update, I get a message that states "Setup has detected a previous installation the requires a reboot". I get this message now matter how many times I restart the computer.
A. The easy way to fix this is to rename the Wininit.ini file (located in the %windir% directory) to wininit.old. This bypasses all the changes that Windows thinks need to happen after a reboot. However, this may also not complete those changes and render any recent updates incomplete. 

Q. I don't understand the permissions settings in NTFS folders. Can you explain them?
A. Click the image below to enlarge it.