January, 2011

I got this tip from a colleague (David Weeks) and I thought I would share with you all on how to see your Windows Live SkyDrive storage in Windows Explorer, something I have tried and failed to do in the past.

1. Visit SkyDrive (http://www.skydrive.com) and login with your Live ID.

2. If you have not used SkyDrive before click on the My Documents folder.

3. Now look at the address bar. You should find your unique ID there in the URL (http://cid-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.skydrive.live.com - see the screenshot below; it’s in the greyed out area and is unique to you). Copy this ID to the clipboard, as we’ll need it shortly. Use the back button in IE if you don’t see the ID right away.

4. Now, open your Computer in Windows Explorer (either go Start menu / Computer, or just press WindowsKey +E to go straight there), and you’ll see “Map Network Drive” in the menu. Click that.

5. In the new dialog box that choose your drive letter using the dropdown. I will be choosing S: for mine (Sky Drive). Now in the Folder field (just below the Drive dropdown) type, \\docs.live.net@SSL\your_skydrive_id\^2Documents (replacing “your_skydrive_id” with the ID you copied in Step 1). Press Finish  and wait a little while, and you’ll get a logon box… enter your Windows Live ID and press OK. You won’t see all folders in your SkyDrive storage – you could try changing ^2Documents to the name of another folder name which you can see in the web view, if you want to upload to that too.

Hint: it’s also possible to browse straight to your SkyDrive storage without having to map a drive – if you simply paste \\docs.live.net@SSL\your_skydrive_id\^2Documents into the dialog at Start / Run (or WindowsKey+R), you can jump straight to the folder.

6. You’ll now have mapped your Network Drive, and might notice that you have your Unique ID included in the name. So for security, just right mouse click on the name within Windows Explorer, choose rename from the drop down and call it anything you want.

Now that your Skydrive account is configured, you can  copy all the documents you wish to upload to your Skydrive account to this newly created network drive. You can also create folders here, too, all of which will be Private by default. To change their sharing option log in to your Windows Live account using your browser and change it from there.

Of course, there are other ways to put stuff on SkyDrive. Windows Live Mesh can sync up to 5Gb of data from elsewhere, it is possible to drag & drop multiple files into the browser view, and it’s possible to save straight from within an Office 2010 app (eg in Word, go to Save & Send on the File menu, and choose Save to Web – see here).

All of which proves, there are many ways to do the same thing. Choose whatever one works for you best…

Rob

Spotted this great guide last night from MVP Nitin Agarwal via tweet form @TheWindowsClub and thought I would share as it is a great guide on this topic.

Download from The Ultimate Guide to Speech Recognition in Windows 7.

If you also want some more info try these articles we also have on the  Official Windows Site

• Common commands in Speech Recognition
• Dictate text using Speech Recognition
• Use Speech Recognition to browse the Internet
• Use Speech Recognition to operate windows and programs
• Use Speech Recognition to work with folders and files
• Use Speech Recognition to click anywhere on the screen

Rob

Why Buy Windows & Ultimate?

“Windows 7 Ultimate was designed for people who want it all: performance, flexibility, and fun. You get all the features that come with other editions of Windows 7 and then some.“

Well 3 mian reasons above and beyond what comes with Windows 7 Professional

1. It has everything in it, including better power management, easier networking, and location‑aware printing and features such as Windows Media Center, Play To, and Remote Media Streaming
2. If you want Windows 7 in any of the 35 languages these are included
3. It comes with Bitlocker Drive Encyption

Read more at Why Buy Windows & Ultimate?

And if you want to buy Windows 7 Ultimate visit the Microsoft Store

Rob

“Powder power: Catch air with the dramatic mountain skiing and snowboarding photos in this Windows 7 theme”

Download Snow Sports Windows 7 Theme

Rob

Brian Badonde of Channel 4’s Facejacker

“In his quest to find out more about the ‘binternet’ and today’s latest technology, charlatan art critic Briand Badonde travels across the globe to learn more with a little help from Bing.  What will the Facejacker favourite unearth is his voyage into the unknown?

Catch the weekly updates at www.theartoftechnology.co.uk

Rob

So if you want to remember the new year with the usual fireworks then download the Fireworks theme for Windows 7

“Give a cheer, 2011 is here. Spark your New Year with these images of celebratory fireworks around the world in this Windows 7 theme.”

Happy new year

Rob

If you like you Windows 7 in Kyrgyz the official language of the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan,  then download the latest Windows 7 Language Interface Pack (LIP) now.

Download the Kyrgyz Windows 7 LIP via the Microsoft.com Download Center.

Please note that the Maori Kyrgyz Windows 7 LIP can only be installed on a system that runs a Russian client version of Windows 7.   It is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems on the Download Center.

You can download the Windows Vista Kyrgyz LIP (and many others for both Windows 7 and Windows Vista).

Rob

“In Windows 7, you can change the desktop background, window border color, sounds, and screen saver to create your own customized theme (to learn how, see Create a theme). There are also lots of things you can do to make sure your themes look great on your desktop. Here are a few tips and tricks you can try. “

1. Use landscape orientation – as that will look bets on your screen, versus portrait style
2. Fit pictures to your screen – so you see the picture how you want it
3. Keep your pictures simple (and centered) – you don’t want too many distractions
4. Create your own window border color – to make the theme just right if one of the standard colours doesn’t quite suit

Read more at Tips and tricks for creating a theme

Rob

Microsoft UK Techdays 2011 – Online Webcasts  Looks a great series of webcasts covering topics from Cloud computing, the desktop and moreplus there are some great prizes to be won if you tune in…

“Hosted by the leading specialists in their field, Tech.Days Online brings you all the latest advances in the public cloud, private cloud, and desktop, most Tuesdays between 2 and 3pm. Follow the links below to join the debate live. Or, if you’ve missed a session, you can always come back and watch the on-demand version.”

Rob

If you like you Windows 7 in Maori one of the official language of New Zealand along with English,  then download the latest Windows 7 Language Interface Pack (LIP) now.

Download the Maori Windows 7 LIP via the Microsoft.com Download Center.

Please note that the Maori Windows 7 LIP can only be installed on a system that runs a English client version of Windows 7.   It is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems on the Download Center.

You can download the Windows Vista Maori LIP (and many others for both Windows 7 and Windows Vista)  and it is also available for Windows XP

Rob