Control Panel: Programs

Programs and features: If you click on the programs and features link you can see the uninstall or change a program window that allows you to view programs that are installed in Windows as well as select programs to modify. This is the same options as clicking on the Uninstall a program link. You can also turn on or off Windows features that shows you a list with installed Windows programs checked. If you wish to install new Windows programs. check the box next to the program, you can see information about each program by moving the mouse over each individual program. View installed updates allows you to view updates instaled from Automatic update as well as uninsall certain updates by right clicking on the and clicking on uninstall - this is not usually reccomended as most updates are nescessary for the security of Windows. Use an older program with this version of Windows opens the Program compatibility wizard that can search for older programs or you can specify where to find the program. How to install a program opens up a help file on how to install a program.

Windows Defender: Windows Defender is a new program to the Windows operating system that monitors the system for spyware, adware and malware that may try to enter and install on the system. This is available in Windows XP as a separate download. It will update the definition file whenever there is one available through Windows Update as well as performing a system scan once a day. You can also choose to run a scan by clicking on the scan button in Windows Defender. Windows Defender will quarantine the files that it has found to be malware/spyware/adware but if you wish to keep those files you can restore them from the quarentined area. You can view quarentined items by clicking on the tools button as well as changing settings for the scanning schedule by clicking on the options link. Under options you can also change real-time protection options as well as choose which directories not to scan. The software explorer under tools allows you to view which programs are running as startup programs, currently running programs, network connected programs and winsock service providers. You can select individual programs to view information such as the filename, display name, description, publisher, file path, file size and other information. You can also view programs for all users. Under tools there is a link to Allowed items which are programs that you do not want to include with the Windows Defender protection. Microsoft SpyNet can be found under the toold section also and allows you to send information about which items have been classified as spyware and which have not to add to the database of spyware files and applications. More information about Windows Defender is available in the Windows Defender section.

Default Programs: The default programs section allows you to change which program opens a certain type of file or file extension. You can also set up autoplay options for when media is inserted into the pc. This section is described in more detail in the Default Programs section.

Windows Slideshow: Information about is is avaulable under the Hardware and Sound section in control panel.

Windows Sidebar Properties: You can use this to select settings for the Windows Sidebar such as whether it should always be on top of other windows or if it should start with Windows as well as where the Sidebar should appear; on the left or right of the desktop. More information about the Sidebar is available in the Windows Sidebar section.

Get Programs Online: This opens up a link to the Windows Marketplace where you can buy software compatible with Vista and with your configuration.