Browsing: Windows

The Need of a 64-bit Operating System

When you set up a game or an app is downloaded, you will notice a selection of 32 and 64 bit. The majority of the latest PCs have a processor of 64-bit. What is a 64-bit operating system? The 64-BIT OPERATING SYSTEM makes use of 64-bit data in pieces, implying the processing of data is done quicker, and this increases the system performance.

64 bit operating system
64 bit operating system | Image by xresch from Pixabay

What is the advantage of a 64-bit operating system?

There is a practical benefit with 64-bit OS, and that is it offers greater RAM. The majority of the latest processors are designed on 64-bit architecture. The good news is a system with 64-bit OS is compatible with 32-bit OS as well. However, the converse is not possible.

System requirements of 64-bit os for windows 10

  • SoC processor or a processor of 1 GHz or faster
  • 2GB RAM (or 1GB RAM for 32-bit)
  • 20 GB space of hard disk (16 GB space of hard disk for 32-bit OS)
  • Graphics card with DirectX 9 or later and WDDM 1.0 driver

Features of a 64-bit os

The following features make 64-bit os advantageous:

  • No. of bits- 64
  • Software and architecture- 64-bit register-based architecture and data buses or address bus of 8 octets or 64-bits.
  • Compatibility- 64-bit cpu and applications that need 64-bit cpu and os
  • Systems available- windows 10, windows xp professional, windows 7/8 and windows vista

How is 64-bit processor/os more capable when compared to a 32-bit processor/os

  • It is capable of handling extensive data at one time.
  • It is more capable of storing a larger number of computational values like memory addresses. This implies that it is capable of providing physical memory access to 4 billion times that of a 32-bit.
  • They can utilize more RAM as compared to a 32-bit processor. With a 64-bit processor, Windows 10’s latest version suits best to make the best use of this RAM.
  • The upgraded versions of OS make use of the overall capacities of a 64-bit OS/processor.
  • THE LATEST 64-BIT OS VERSIONS CAN ENHANCE THE PROCESSOR CAPABILITIES DRASTICALLY.
  • THE SOFTWARE IS DESIGNED WITH 64-BIT ARCHITECTURE IN PERSPECTIVE.
  • Video games, applications, protection, and memory need a high performance of OS. This is perfectly met with a 64-bit OS.
  • A 64-bit OS is compatible with even 32-bit run applications. So, having a 64-bit OS/processor is a plus to run both applications.
  • 64-bit OS has more access to RAM as it is capable of 2^64 memory locations.
  • It is more efficient and high performance.
  • It has more allocation of virtual memory of 16 TB with 8TB for processes for users, and for kernel processes, the other 8TB is utilized. Games, photos, video, and editing require more RA, which a 64-bit OS is rightly suitable.
  • It also has a lot more safety features and not limited to DEP, improved drivers for the device, and kernel patch.

CONCLUSION

A processor informs us about the memory that a processor can access through a register of a CPU. The latest computers use 64-bit OS/processors. They are available in quad-core, dual-core, 6-core, 8-core versions. These versions are meant for home computing. A 64-bit OS/processor allows you to run the latest software programs that need lots of calculations quickly, efficiently, and smoothly. This 64-bit operating system gives a high-performance operation.

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File Analyzer Tool

Have you ever heard of the Windows file analyzer tool? Many people haven’t, which is a shame because it has so much to offer. The program is free to download. And once you install it, you can use it to decode and analyze your operating system’s files.

File Analyzer Tool
File Analyzer Tool | Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The program doesn’t permit you to save the reports it generates. But you can print them out. For some people, this is advantageous because they prefer to handle physical reports. For other people, this feature is restrictive because it doesn’t provide additional options.

Regardless of your opinion on this particular issue, it is difficult to deny the effectiveness of the windows file analyzer.

Why You Need the Windows File Analyzer Tool?

As was noted above, Windows Filer Analyzer decodes and analyzes files. But why is this important? Better yet, why does it matter to you? Analytical tools of this sort are perfect for people that need to look for malware on their system.

The program will also appeal to individuals that want to monitor the actions that were performed on a particular computer. You can achieve similar results by investing in active monitoring programs. However, it is difficult to use applications like ‘Event Monitor’ without revealing your intentions to your target, especially if you want your analysis to go unseen.

This is where the windows file analyzer tool comes into play. It will paint a detailed picture of a person’s computer usage. While a logging application is limited because it can only tell you what happened on a computer from the day it was installed, the windows file analyzer has far greater reach. It can tell you what happened on a computer in the last few days.

What Does the Windows File Analyzer Do?

If you still have questions regarding the effectiveness of this analyzer, this is what you need to know about its capabilities:

  1. It will read thumbnail database files; though, you must first identify the location of the thumbnail database to proceed.
  2. It will read the files in the prefetch folder but only if prefetch is enabled. For some people, prefetch is disabled. You have to remedy this issue beforehand.
  3. The tool can analyze shortcuts. Though, you have to manually review all the information it provides (which is a lot) because the tool doesn’t offer any mechanisms that you can use to perform automated searches.
  4. All your internet explorer and Microsoft Edge data is stored in the index.DAT file. The analyzer can scan this file to retrieve and display the relevant data.

The analyzer can even explore the recycle bin to locate the information you have deleted. This allows you to either restore these files or to remove them completely from the system.

The file analyzer tool can show you the last time a file was accessed, the number of times it has been opened, and its contents. It will give you all the information you need to understand the habits of the computer’s user. The program won’t benefit everyone. It is primarily useful to people that want to deploy it for forensic purposes.

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How to extract a zip file on windows?

How to extract a zip file on windows will guide you in the process of extracting compressed files. You can extract one or more files from zip files.

How to extract a zip file on windows
How to extract a zip file on windows

How to extract a zip file on windows? This is a question that plagues many novices that are just starting to understand computers. Fortunately, Windows 10 is a straightforward operating system that was designed to simplify processes such as the extraction of zip files.

What is a Zip File?

A zip file is a format that allows you to compress files. People compress files to reduce the storage space they consume on their hard drives. It is also easier to send zip files over the internet. You can store anything in a zip file, including documents and pictures. You can either compress one file or multiple files in a single folder, further simplifying storage and transmission.

Creating a Zip File

Learning how to create a zip file will shed some light on the extraction process. The steps are fairly straightforward:

  1. Find the file you want to compress.
  2. Right-click the file to open a menu.
  3. Look for the ‘Send to’ option. Placing the mouse pointer over this option will open another menu. Look for ‘Compressed or Zipped Folder’. Click this option.
  4. Windows 10 will create a Zip File in the same location as the file you just compressed.
  5. You can rename this file. You can also repeat this process with multiple files.

How to Extract a Zip File on Windows?

You don’t have to extract your compressed files to use them. In many ways, a zip file acts just like an ordinary folder. You can double-click it to open it if you want to view its contents. However, in some cases, there are limitations to what you can do with compressed files.

Extracting the compressed files gives you more freedom with regards to adding new content, editing old content, and saving your altered files. Extracting a zip file involves the following:

Extracting All Files

If you have multiple files in a zip folder, it is normally easier to extract them at all once rather than one at a time:

  1. Start by right-clicking the zip file
  2. This will open a menu. Look for the ‘Extract All’ option and click it.
  3. Windows 10 will open a dialogue box. It will ask you to identify a location where it will deposit the extracted files.
  4. Click ‘Browse’ to find and select a suitable location for the extracted files.
  5. Click ‘Extract’. This will extract the files to your chosen destination.

Extracting Single Files

If you want to extra a single file, this is what you should do:

  1. Double-click the zip file to open it.
  2. Find the item you want to extract.
  3. Right-click the item to open a menu. Click ‘Cut’ or ‘Copy’. Move the mouse pointer to the location that will hold the extracted item.
  4. Right-click and click ‘Paste’. This will extract the individual item to the new location.

If that sounds unnecessarily complicated, you can try a simpler approach. Click your chosen item, drag it out of the zip file, and drop it in another location such as the desktop or a new folder.

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Using the Free Windows Encryption Tool in Windows 10

Today we are talking about Bitlocker the free built-in Windows encryption tool. How it works and how to enable it on your system.

Windows encryption tool
Windows encryption tool

Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft included Bitlocker for the Pro and Enterprise versions of its operating system. Bitlocker is Microsoft’s solution to drive encryption that is easy to use and just as easy to manage. As the vast majority of users have a Home version of Microsoft Windows 10, access to Bitlocker is restricted by a paywall or OS version upgrade. There is still an alternative in the form of a Windows encryption tool for Home edition that is more rudimentary but more on that later.

How Does Bitlocker Work?

Bitlocker can be used on any computer using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise. To use it to encrypt entire drives, a TPM chip needs to be present on the motherboard of the computer. The TPM chip or Trusted Platform Module allows for authentication checks on installed hardware, being capable of detecting unauthorized changes. Bitlocker requires access to TPM but it is possible to use Bitlocker without it by editing the Group Policy.

The way Bitlocker works are straight forward. It encrypts entire drives or partitions. It cannot encrypt just folders. Once encrypted, access to the files is only possible with a PIN code or the recovery key which is stored into a file during the setup.

Enabling Bitlocker onto a Drive or Partition

In Windows 10, encrypting an entire drive or partition is very simple.

  • Go to the search bar and type Bitlocker. The search results should list “Manage Bitlocker” as one of the options. Click “Manage Bitlocker”
  • A new window will appear in the form of a wizard. Click on “Turn on Bitlocker”.
  • Bitlocker will check your system configuration to determine if it is compatible. If you have TPM on your system and it is enabled, it will ask for access to it.
  • You will then be prompted to select the drive or partition that you wish to encrypt. Select the drive and click Next.
  • Bitlocker will ask you to set a password or PIN for the encrypted drive. If this is the drive you have Windows 10 installed on, you will be requested to enter the password every time you start your computer.
  • Once the password is set, Bitlocker will ask you to save a recovery key. The recovery key is saved in the form of a file and it is recommended to store it onto a secure flash drive. It can also be printed or written down by hand.
  • You will be asked to choose if you want to encrypt only the files on the drive, without the free space or the entire drive. Choose the appropriate option.
  • Bitlocker will start encrypting the drive. It will take a while. Once done, restart your computer to finish the process.

Bitlocker encryption tool

Bitlocker is just as secure as any other encryption tool. The Windows encryption tool is quite minimalistic in terms of management and configuration options which makes it a viable choice for the ones that may not be tech-savvy or do not wish to pay for a third-party encryption solution. Windows 10 Home edition does not have Bitlocker but it does have “device encryption” which does almost the same thing. However, the Windows encryption tool in Home edition is less secure since it does not require a password. It only protects your data in the sense that it prohibits access to your files if the hard drive or SSD is used on a different computer.

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Windows Host File

The Windows host file has several uses that include blocking, redirecting and creating shortcuts to websites keep on and continue reading more on Windows Host File For Beginners in here.

Domain names are a common way for people to access websites. Most times, people who surf the web can use a website’s domain name to gain access to it.

Internet applications, however, do not use domain names and instead connect to sites via their IP addresses. As a result, when you input a target domain name on your system, your it has to change to an IP address to connect successfully.

In the modern world, the resolving of hostnames or domain names to their IP address is done by the Domain Name Server (DNS). Before the invention of DNS however, hosts file were used to solve this problem. The significant difference between the two is the host file can be directly controlled or edited locally by the computer user, while the DNS cannot.

The host file was used on older computer models to achieve domain to IP mapping. It is however still present on several devices today including computers and androids. It is a text file that can easily be edited using Notepad and other text editing apps but it does not carry the txt file extension.

What is the Purpose of Host File?

The Windows host file has several uses that include blocking, redirecting and creating shortcuts to websites to mention a few. It ultimately serves as a means for converting human language (domain names) to numeric addresses (IP address) that can be understood by the computer network.

By editing the host file, you can connect a domain name to an IP address, and also modify a domain name to whatever version of the name you want. The host file is sometimes the target of viruses and redirects users to a website to increase its traffic without their consent.

What is the Content of the Host File?

The host file comprises of lines of IP addresses found in the first text field and accompanied by hostname(s). White spaces separate the fields and are created using the spacebar or Tab can also be used to separate fields. Comment lines can be added using a hash symbol (#) in the first position of such lines, and completely blank lines in the file are overlooked. Sometimes several host names can be linked to an IP address. In this case, the hostname is resolved to both IPv4 and IPv6 IP addresses.

For example, a hosts file may contain the following:

127.0.0.1 localhost loopback

::1 localhost

Where is the Windows Host File Location?

The host file is located in windows\system32\drivers\etc\, for Windows Xp and Windows 7. If you cannot find it on your computer, you may need to enable the “view hidden files” feature to see it.

The host file can be a helpful tool if you gain a proper understanding of how to use it. You can customize Domain Name Resolution to suit your needs. You can also block off harmful programs from your computer.

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