PC UTILITIES ▲

Issue 104

Contents

FEATURES Hack Vista 12 Improve the performance of your Windows Vista PC and customise the OS to run the way you want it to, not the way Microsoft wants it to.

Child-proof your PC 20 Don’t deny your children the opportunity to learn about computers and the Internet – take steps to make your PC a safe place for them to learn and explore.

REGULARS News 6 Find out the latest computing news from around the world.

Inbox

10

Share your views and win a Sitecom Wireless Internet Phone.

Back issues

Complete your PC Utilities collection today!

68

Rear view

98

Our resident humourist takes a wry look at the world of computing.

Next month

Learn what we have in store for you in PC Utilities105.

98

www.pc-utilities.co.uk issue 104 4 ▲

12

We pick out the best tools you can use to customise, optimise and enhance the Windows Vista operating system for free!

20

With the right software you can help to make the Internet a safe place for your children to explore, whilst monitoring and restricting their PC usage.

67

WIN an ARCON 3D design suite!

£31 5 worth of p rize sto b e w on!

EXPERT Tech talk: Cloud computing 69 Online applications are becoming ever more popular but will computing in the cloud replace desktop software? We investigate.

20 tips: Protect your privacy 72 Find out how you can minimise the

risks of identity theft by clearing

unwanted usage traces.

Registry workshop 76 Safely eliminate data in the registry that may be needlessly compromising your privacy.

Linux workshop

78

Send and receive emails and chat

with IM contacts in Kubuntu Linux.

The problem with Mozilla Firefox 3.0 80 We solve all your Firefox 3.0 upgrade woes and pick out a few of the browser’s lesser-known secrets.

Professional help

Our experts find solutions to all

82

your PC problems and locate the

perfect free tools for all your needs.
COVERDISC Coverdisc Explorer 26 Learn more about what this month’s packed DVD has to offer.

26This month’s PC UtilitiesDVD comes packed with over 4GB of essential software including the latest and greatest free tools for Windows!

iolo System Mechanic 8.0 28 Ashampoo Burning Studio 2008 30 Serif ImpactPlus 4.0 31 1-abc.net Registry Washer 2.0 32 Carbonite Online PC Backup Lite 33

Coverdisc reviews 40 Browse through our pick of the best new freeware tools on the DVD.

34Don’t let your growing music collection spiral out of control. We pick out the best tools to keep your files in order, build playlists and manage portable media players.

WIN97

a one-year subscription to Atomic Learning

£30 5 worth of p rize sto b e w on!

Coverdisc listing

56

Our complete breakdown of every tool on the coverdisc.

Save 30% Subscribe to PC Utilities today 88REVIEWS Software 90 Design a professional quality website with ease, and view media files on your Wii.

Hardware

Burn data to Blu-ray Discs and combine the functions of a mouse and VoIP phone.

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Games

96

The latest PC gaming releases to while away the midnight hours.