Information management and technology assurance

Q: Back in the old days—that is, when I was still using XP—I downloaded a neat freeware utility from Microsoft that let me tweak my computer’s settings in multiple ways. Is there anything like that for Windows 7? A: Yes, it’s called the Ultimate Windows Tweaker, and it works in

Q: Did Microsoft hide the compressed-weekend option in Outlook 2007, where Saturday and Sunday share one box in the calendar? A: No, it’s not hidden, it has been removed. However, there are some things you can do to partially compensate for the loss. For example, you can adjust your calendar

Consider this scenario: You’ve got six applications open, and to apply a program’s upgrade or to shut down your computer for the night, you’ve got to close each of those open apps—one at a time. This means you first have to save any files that need saving and then click

Excel: A quick way to copy the number in a cell that is immediately above the cell you’re in: Press Ctrl+” (that’s Ctrl plus the quote mark, which means you have to hold down the Shift key as well). That also copies the number’s formatting. Word: To format (bold, underline,

Q: I love those handy icon shortcuts that launch applications and files. In fact, I’m so addicted to them I find it hard to resist adding just one more to my desktop. As a result, I end up with so much on the desktop that my shortcuts get lost in

Q: It has always puzzled me that the little digital clock tucked into a corner in the extreme right side of the system tray only shows the time and the date. If I want to know what day of the week it is, which I would find very helpful, I’ve

Q: When I was using Office 2003, I could pull up the names and addresses of clients and business associates from Outlook’s Contacts, and then with just a few more clicks I could prepare the fully formatted data to address letters and envelopes. But I can’t find that feature in

David Curbo, a CPA with Cannon & Co., Memphis, Tenn., corrected an error in the “Shortcuts” item in the January 2010 column (page 68), where I described a fast way to schedule future dates and times in Outlook’s calendar. I said that, while it would easily schedule future days and

Q I have to remember so many passwords that require all kinds of number and letter combinations. How can I create something that I can remember? A First, remember what not to do. Don’t use simple words or numbers someone might guess—your child’s name, your birthday or your anniversary date

Q I’ve been archiving my old Outlook files every few weeks since I loaded Outlook 2002, and now I can’t open the archive. Have I lost all those e-mails? Wasn’t I doing the right thing—keeping my old mails regularly archived—rather than leaving them in the Inbox? A Well, let’s put

Q I’m having problems with some Microsoft Office files. Some of them open very slowly, and others either don’t open or they open with terse error messages. Do you have any idea what’s going on? And what do you suggest I do about it? A There are many possibilities, but