All modern versions of Microsoft Windows have an automatic update feature. This is to ensure that any computer connected to the internet receives software updates to protect it against security exploits, common glitches, and instability. Most computers are set to download these updates immediately upon their release but, most of the time the computer's user needs to install the collected updates.

In Windows XP you may see a small yellow shield in the notification area of your taskbar (usually located at the bottom right of your screen) if you click on this, a window with downloaded updates will appear and you can choose to install them. Alternatively, if you want to manually check for updates just click Start'Programs'Windows Update. This is a good habit to get into and it will keep your computer's operating system up to date and running well.

Just like your Operating system needs to be kept up to date so do your programs. Adobe Flash Payer, Adobe Reader, Java, iTunes & Quicktime, Mozilla Firefox are examples of common programs that will update frequently. Again, these update notifications are located in the system tray and placing the mouse pointer over the icons will reveal their names. The above mentioned programs are good and should be updated frequently, if you are unsure of the program requesting an update just do a Google search on its name to find out more information. Often, these updates will install an unwanted program such as a toolbar or some other type of browser enhancement so be careful when clicking next and make sure you read each window during the process.

With the release of Windows Vista and Windows 7 Microsoft increased the usability and speed of the Operating system's "search" function. In Vista and 7 if you click on the start button your cursor (the blinking line) will automatically be positioned in the search field and when you begin typing windows starts searching and displaying results.

This feature is highly underused but relatively handy especially for people who have been using older versions of windows (XP, 2000) where the search function takes forever to find your request and needs the user to specify what type of file to look for and where it may be.

A good example of the new search would be a person who is looking for a way to remove a program they may have installed or came preinstalled on their computer. By simply clicking on the start button, typing "remove program" in the search field, windows search will automatically display the Add or Remove programs function that is located in Control Panel and clicking on this will show you a list of programs in alphabetical order. This user can then select the unwanted program and remove it.

Windows XP, Vista and 7 all feature built in backup and restore capabilities. These can be accessed in the programs menu. For Windows XP click Start'All Programs'Accessories'System Tools'Backup. For Windows Vista and 7 use the search function to find the Backup and Recovery utility. What you want to backup will differ from user to user the most common locations to save are the Documents folder and Desktop folder. We recommend backup up to a large external hard drive using the method described above.

For more intermediate users a 3rd party program such as Cobian Backup can be downloaded and installed to create a custom backup for not only the Documents and Desktop folder but items such as email address books, favorites/bookmarks, and financial/bookkeeping databases. Cobian is free software (donations of any amount are welcome through a pay pal link) and can be downloaded from here.

Finally, specialty software does exist that would allow you to create a full system image of your computer. Acronis True Image would be the recommend method for this. Acronis allows you to create a full system backup of your PC which contains the operating system, programs, and all files you have created or saved on the computer. This is the most complete way of backing up and should only be attempted by an advanced user or professional.

If you use your computer for business or mission critical applications it is wise to have at least two systems of backup in place. Obviously, the previously stated method should work well but consider also, backing up your files to a flash drive and/or DVD's. This way you have your data saved in multiple location is something were to go wrong.